2009 MLB Team Preview – Baltimore Orioles
Most MLB betting fans say playing the AL East is a death sentence if you’re not the Red Sox or Yankees. Well, now that the Rays join that elite list, life gets even harder for Baltimore and Toronto. Then again, the Rays’ story gives online sports betting players and young teams like Baltimore hope, doesn’t it?
Last year, the O’s proved they can sorta hit and, giving the young talent on their roster, it wasn’t a fluke. In fact, B-More should have even more pop in 2009. After an offseason trade, Felix Pie joins Adam Jones and Nick Markakis in what will be one of the most dynamic, athletic outfields in baseball for years to come. All three starters are five-tool players; Markakis is already one of the game’s top young hitters while Jones and Pie still need more seasoning.
The Orioles’ infield has some pop too; Aubrey Huff may regress after his career year but is still in his prime, while Brian Roberts is a great table setter at the top of the order. Ty Wigginton joins Luke Scott in what will at least be an adequate platoon at DH.
Pitching will easily be Baltimore’s Achilles heel in 2009. Sure, they have Hayden Penn, but he hasn’t shown he’s remotely ready – or healthy enough – to pitch at the major league level. That means Baltimore must try to squeeze another surprisingly good year out of the hittable-but-solid Jeremy Guthrie. If Japanese import Koji Uehara and reclamation project Rich Hill pan out, the Orioles’ staff could survive. But I wouldn’t bet on it at the sportsbook. All signs point to the O’s staff getting beaten up badly in 2009. Online betting fans will want to pick the “over” whenever Baltimore faces AL East rivals in MLB lines.
The O’s bullpen looks respectable, as Chris Ray hopes to regain his closing job after having – gulp – Tommy John surgery last year. Considering “All-Star” George Sherrill had a 6.59 ERA after the break last year, Ray’s competition won’t be fierce.
While the Orioles have enough young guns to keep die-hard fans coming to the park, they look doomed to dwell between fourth and fifth in the AL East this year. MLB betting fans shouldn’t rely on them until they find reliable pitching.
