masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe O’s bullpen has been pitching much better lately with an ERA of 1.65 over the last 12 games.

Several pitchers are throwing well out of the pen right now. A list that includes first-year Oriole Will Ohman.

Turns out he is more than a funny guy.

He is also turning out to be more than a left-handed specialist. In fact this year, lefties bat .231 vs. Ohman and right-handers hit .200 vs. him.

“The one difficulty with carrying that label (of lefty specialist) is the splits are so glaring…The O’s bullpen has been pitching much better lately with an ERA of 1.65 over the last 12 games.

Several pitchers are throwing well out of the pen right now. A list that includes first-year Oriole Will Ohman.

Turns out he is more than a funny guy.

He is also turning out to be more than a left-handed specialist. In fact this year, lefties bat .231 vs. Ohman and right-handers hit .200 vs. him.

“The one difficulty with carrying that label (of lefty specialist) is the splits are so glaring toward one side of the plate that your value is exponentialized, as that one spot. Irregardless of what you do, you can’t shake that,” Ohman said.

“I’ve been okay against right-handers in my career. I understand where I’ll be used is not a standard eighth inning guy.”

He’s been used a lot and his 18 appearances ties for the AL lead. Plus he continues with an ERA of 0.00 and has not allowed a run in 12 innings on the season.

He’s also okay with those that consider him as only a matchup-type guy.

“Everybody in this game wants to be allowed to do more. You want to go further, you want to see how far you can push yourself. I think that’s part of the competitive spirit.

“But for me to stand here and say I should be given more opportunity is inappropriate. It’s, it’s, I can’t think of the word right now, it’s insubordination. I’m sitting here as player, he’s my manager, he’ll use me as he sees fit and that’s where I fit in.”

He’s fitting in well right now. Even though he has allowed five of 14 inherited runners to score, he still has that spotless ERA and those 18 appearances are the most for any reliever in the league right now with an ERA of 0.00.