SARASOTA, Fla. -- There's some good stuff happening in Orioles camp. Not kidding.
Young pitchers Jake Arrieta and Brian Matusz have looked terrific this spring, a major boost to the once proud franchise just trying to stay afloat in the impossible A.L. East Division. Arrieta is an organization favorite who's beloved by manager Buck Showalter but Matusz's career was teetering following an all-time bad performance last year, when he went 1-9 with a 10.69 ERA.
Regarding the duo's performance thus far this spring, one scout said, "The Orioles have to be energized.''
Matusz carries the potential to be one of the best turnaround stories in baseball. Scouts were starting to question whether he was prepared to pitch last year, when the roof caved in on him.
There are the requisite disappointments and issues in camp, led by Brian Roberts' slow comeback, a "sluggish'' (the word of one N.L. scout) spring for Chris Davis and other assorted things. But the starting pitching is the key to the O's. Showalter will tell you the real difference between them and the perennially-contending Rays is in the rotation.
Speaking of Arrieta and Matusz, new GM Dan Duquette said, "Both are throwing well, as is (Jason) Hammel.'' Good to see the Orioles have something to gloat about, even early.
