Baltimore Orioles Preview
Win Total (5dimes)
Over 74.5 +105
Under 74.5 -125
The Orioles get about as much respect as a "Whatsgood5" post being stuck in the AL East with Boston, Tampa, and the Yankees. It must suck knowing you have no shot at winning your division before you even throw your first pitch. They won a dismal 64 games last year and were clearly one of baseball's worst teams. The good news is Derek Jeter is getting fat, Big Papi seems close to hanging them up, and the Orioles have one of baseballs best young prospects in catcher Matt Wieters. There's only one way for the O's to go, and thats up..how far is the question?
Whats to Like: Ask me to pick an outfield from all of the AL East teams and I'll take Baltimore's. Upton is Over rated, Vernon Wells is done, Swisher sucks, Mike Cameron? J.D. Drew? No thanks.. give me the gold glove winner Adam Jones (CF for Orioles,.277,19HR's,119 Games), Up and coming star Nick Markakis (.299,20HR's,45Doubles average last three years) and youngster Noland Reimold (.280, 15HR's, 104 games) These guys are young and can play.
I really like how they brought in Miguel Tejada to play Third Base. His power and range have declined but this guy can still hit and will be a very good third baseman. Now if Tulowitzki would only move over like Arod and Tejada the Rockies would be better off. The O's have also brought in G.Atkins to play first, he's no superstar but I think he'll have a good year not having to worry as much about fielding. Another addition is new ace K.Millwood, he's no cy young candidate but he can eat up innings and gives the younger guys in the rotation someone to learn from.
Their double pay combo is nice, C.Izturis wont win any batting titles, but he can field and run and thats all I wont from my shortstop. Brian Roberts is solid..He doesnt get the respect he deserves, this guy really can do it all, how many second baseman can you say that about.. the list starts with Roberto Alomar and ends quickly after that.
New Closer Micheal Gonzalez will help a bullpen that needs it..
Catcher Matt Wieters is a future star, what more do you want me to say?
Whats not to Like: Their Pitching.....
Its that simple, I never once felt good about having the Orioles last year no matter how many runs they were up. Millwood will help, youngsters B.Bergesen and B.Matusz could suprise but can they really compete with guys like Sabathia,Beckett,Burnett,Lackey,Shields, Garza,Lester.... I could go on for a while..
Recap: Lets face it, these guys can score runs, and their pitching should get better..but they just dont have the arms to compete in the AL East. Their games should be fun to watch, but hard to make money on. Will they win 75 games? a couple teams look like they will fall back, but 75 wins is still hard to get in this division..Pass on the Over/Under of 74.5 Wins
Win Total (5dimes)
Over 74.5 +105
Under 74.5 -125
The Orioles get about as much respect as a "Whatsgood5" post being stuck in the AL East with Boston, Tampa, and the Yankees. It must suck knowing you have no shot at winning your division before you even throw your first pitch. They won a dismal 64 games last year and were clearly one of baseball's worst teams. The good news is Derek Jeter is getting fat, Big Papi seems close to hanging them up, and the Orioles have one of baseballs best young prospects in catcher Matt Wieters. There's only one way for the O's to go, and thats up..how far is the question?
Whats to Like: Ask me to pick an outfield from all of the AL East teams and I'll take Baltimore's. Upton is Over rated, Vernon Wells is done, Swisher sucks, Mike Cameron? J.D. Drew? No thanks.. give me the gold glove winner Adam Jones (CF for Orioles,.277,19HR's,119 Games), Up and coming star Nick Markakis (.299,20HR's,45Doubles average last three years) and youngster Noland Reimold (.280, 15HR's, 104 games) These guys are young and can play.
I really like how they brought in Miguel Tejada to play Third Base. His power and range have declined but this guy can still hit and will be a very good third baseman. Now if Tulowitzki would only move over like Arod and Tejada the Rockies would be better off. The O's have also brought in G.Atkins to play first, he's no superstar but I think he'll have a good year not having to worry as much about fielding. Another addition is new ace K.Millwood, he's no cy young candidate but he can eat up innings and gives the younger guys in the rotation someone to learn from.
Their double pay combo is nice, C.Izturis wont win any batting titles, but he can field and run and thats all I wont from my shortstop. Brian Roberts is solid..He doesnt get the respect he deserves, this guy really can do it all, how many second baseman can you say that about.. the list starts with Roberto Alomar and ends quickly after that.
New Closer Micheal Gonzalez will help a bullpen that needs it..
Catcher Matt Wieters is a future star, what more do you want me to say?
Whats not to Like: Their Pitching.....
Its that simple, I never once felt good about having the Orioles last year no matter how many runs they were up. Millwood will help, youngsters B.Bergesen and B.Matusz could suprise but can they really compete with guys like Sabathia,Beckett,Burnett,Lackey,Shields, Garza,Lester.... I could go on for a while..
Recap: Lets face it, these guys can score runs, and their pitching should get better..but they just dont have the arms to compete in the AL East. Their games should be fun to watch, but hard to make money on. Will they win 75 games? a couple teams look like they will fall back, but 75 wins is still hard to get in this division..Pass on the Over/Under of 74.5 Wins
