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Marc Topkin's takeaways from Sunday's Rays-Orioles game

 
Published Sept. 25, 2017

RHP Chris Archer's primary problem Sunday, as in much of September, was a lack of slider command. When he can't throw it where he wants, and doesn't have the confidence in the changeup to throw it often, he can't win with just his fastball.

The O's unexpectedly switched about 90 minutes before game time to RHP Chris Tillman rather than RHP Dylan Bundy (sore hamstring) and the Rays took advantage, scoring four in two innings. But getting blanked after that, held to six hits, did them in.

Manager Kevin Cash felt it necessary to rest 3B Evan Longoria and RF Steven Souza Jr., and he knows more about how they are feeling than we do. But it didn't look good to give two of his top hitters off when they technically are still alive in the race and have all winter to rest.