Wednesday, August 17, 2011

How many games do the Orioles win this season?

Over a decade of consecutive losing seasons is hard to shake, but there is a solid mix of young core talent and accomplished vets on this team. The lineup will include Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, Derrek Lee, Vlad, Mark Reynolds, Luke Scott, JJ Hardy, and Matt Wieters. The pitching features a steady arm in Guthrie and a potential 2011 ace in Brian Matusz. Brad Bergessen will be good if he recaptures his 2009 form (before the busted shin from a liner) and the rotation also includes 2 young guns who may or may not catch on this year (Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman---both big time pitching prospects and very young). Justin Duch. is proven but often injured and Zach Britton is a top 10 MLB prospect who has finished each of his past two seasons with exactly a 2.7 ERA (2009 he played A+ ball, 2010 he split between AA and AAA ball). Pen picked up Kevin Gregg--proven closer, but ERA a bit high for traditional shutdown closers--solid but not great. Returning are solid/proven arms in Koji and Michael Gonzalez and Jim Johnson. Orioles also took a flier on Jeremy Accardo in hopes he can regain his 2007 form (has since been injured on and off). Bench has weak hitting/top notch defender shortstop Cesar Izturis--bat is awful but he gives late inning defense. Bench also includes speedy 4th OF Felix Pie and nothing of real value beyond that.

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