Honestly, the stat line looks way worse than Irvin actually pitched. He got ridiculously squeezed on a few critical pitches and that first run probably deserved to be an out. He's not an ace or anything, but I am ok with how he looked last night as a #5 starter that likely only has a couple more starts before being pushed to the bullpen. Shout-out to Mike Bauman for a solid turn around outing last night. He needed that. Aiken has been a pleasant surprise so far. Last thing, I am very encouraged that the O's are 7-4 without Gunnar, Adley, and Santander really getting going yet. They aren't in horrible slumps or anything, but none of them is carrying the offense like they can at times. Just wait until one of them gets cooking!
I would agree. Early on Irvin had some bad luck no doubt but later in the game he made bad pitches that hurt him. Still nothing more than a #5 no doubt but he didn't implode which is good. Akin has been pitching really well. Very surprised. Hope it keeps up. Agreed on Adley, Gunnar and the boys. Hopefully the pitching holds up when they get going.
So it turned out the Sox did have a lefty in the pen, they just deployed him too late LOL. Campbell should have been pulled sooner. Is Akin a rookie? I’ve never heard of him. Looked good. Cowser was good but coulda had a HUGE night. He must have left at least 6 guys on base.
Akin is not a rookie, he was bad at the beginning of last year and then was hurt. He was actually a decent starter for the O's in 2020 (his rookie year), but then was pretty bad in 2021. The last few years he's had moments in the bullpen, but nothing too exciting.
Akin has been with the O's for a bit now. Up and down from the minors. Cowser is technically still considered a rookie so I don't expect him to come through all the time but he did have a chance at a huge night.
