2012 Baltimore Orioles Predictions
There was reason for optimism entering the 2011 season. The Baltimore Orioles appeared ready to get out of the American League East gutter after finishing the 2010 season 34-23. They started their 2011 campaign with a respectable 30-31 mark, but then the bottom fell out.
The Orioles endured a 27-58 slide before finishing with 11 wins in their last 18 games. They ended up 69-93 overall for their fourth consecutive last-place finish and their 14th consecutive losing season.
While it was another trying year for the Orioles, at least they closed out the season with a bang. They took great joy in defeating the Boston Red Sox in the season finale. That win kept Boston out of the playoffs.
Projected Pitching: Baltimore’s starting rotation went through some growing pains in 2011. The group ranked last in the bigs with a 5.39 ERA and allowed an MLB-high .288 batting average. Still, this unit has some bright young arms on the verge of breaking out. Zach Britton is one of those young guns.
The southpaw, who entertained Rookie of the Year talk early in the season, finished 11-11 with a 4.61 ERA. He looks to have the stuff to emerge as the ace of the staff.
Jake Arrieta, who went 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA before missing the final two months of the season with elbow trouble, also shows promise.
Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada could round out the rotation. Hammel went 7-13 with a 4.76 ERA last year while pitching for the Colorado Rockies. Chen has always been a low-ERA guy, but that could certainly change with all the big bats in the AL East. Wada, known as a strikeout pitcher, has posted some phenomenal numbers in Japan.
Matt Lindstrom, Jason Berken, Brad Bergesen, Darren O’Day and Tommy Hunter figure to be among those with middle relief roles. Kevin Gregg and Jim Johnson are both in the running to close. I would like to see Johnson after watching Gregg blow seven of 29 save opportunities last year.
Projected Lineup: The Orioles are in good hands behind home plate with Matt Wieters, who made the All-Star team and won a Gold Glove in 2011. He also doubled his 2010 home run production with 22 jacks.
Mark Reynolds, who can play either of the corner spots, is one of the best power hitters in the AL. He blasted 37 round trippers and drove in 86 total runs last year.
Shortstop J.J. Hardy and second baseman Brian Roberts form a formidable middle infield duo. Hardy hit 30 homers and drove in 80 runs in 2011. Roberts will be looking for a bounce back season after missing most of 2011 with a concussion.
Chris Davis, who could see time at first, third and designated hitter, currently tops the depth chart at first base.
Center fielder Adam Jones has emerged into one of the elite outfielders in the AL. He hit .280 with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs last season.
Right fielder Nick Markakis won his first Gold Glove in 2011 and hit .284 with 15 round trippers and 73 RBIs.
Nolan Reimold has the inside track on the left field job after playing well there last season.
Prediction – 5th Place AL East: The Orioles have shown improvement in the win column the last two seasons but not enough to make it out of the division basement. This year could be the year if the pitching holds up and the injury bug stays away. Baseball odds makers have listed the Orioles at +7500 to win the AL East.
