There is no doubt that Wednesday's nine-strikeout, seven-hit, one-run outing by Jake Arrieta against the Pirates was just what he needed. After losing six of his previous starts, Arrieta was headed to the bullpen to work out his problems.

The question is, does the outstanding start really mean anything?

The Pirates are the worst hitting club in baseball. We're talking 30th in runs, 30th in on-base percentage and 29th in batting average. Pittsburgh is offensively abysmal, and Arrieta couldn't have faced a better team to bolster his confidence and get back on track.

Unfortunately for him, the Orioles are in the hyper-competitive AL East, where all his troubles are exposed. The Orioles, in the still-early season, are in the hunt for the playoffs and have little time to have someone work out their issues. They aren't that kind of team anymore. Arrieta has to win more than once every other month. He has to deliver this kind of outing against baseball's best the rest of the way.

Posted June 14, 2012