2011 MLB Team Preview: Baltimore Orioles
Hard to believe, as many of us watch the snow fall outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; teams will report soon to 2011 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.
SIGN UP TODAY With MySportsbook.com – 10% Sign UP Bonus – 10cent Baseball Lines – Gamble On 2011 MLB Future Odds and 2011 World Series Championship Lines
Orioles Calender
FEB. 1-18, 2011 – Salary arbitration hearings
FEB. 14, 2011 – Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players
FEB. 19, 2011 – Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for non-pitchers and catchers
FEB. 26, 2011 – Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players
Oh, life in the American League East. The Baltimore Orioles have struggled mightily to compete in baseball’s toughest division, winning 70 games or fewer in each of the last five seasons. They’ve had a decent collection of young players but they never seem to put it all together. This past offseason, Baltimore took a stand. It added some high-impact veterans hoping to finally jumpstart a redemption. Will it work or blow up in the Orioles’ face again?
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
World Series odds: +6000
Admittedly, I was ready to pencil the Orioles in for another 70-win season. Then I took a proper look in their lineup. Hmm.
Theoretically, Baltimore could field an opening-day batting order of Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, Vladimir Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Derek Lee, Luke Scott and J.J. Hardy. Call me crazy but that looks like a pretty dangerous group.
Not that anyone on that last (except for the consistent but underwhelming Scott) is a sure thing. Roberts and Lee are injury risks. Markakis, Jones and Wieters all have the ability to be perennial All-Stars but none of them seems to take that big leap. Vladdy had a phenomenal 2010 campaign but is well into his 30s and his production could fall off at any moment. Reynolds has mondo power but strikes out more than anyone in the history of baseball (no exaggeration) and hit below the Mendoza line last year.
So, we’ve established that Baltimore has the potential to be an elite offensive club in 2011 but also that the lineup could just as easily flop. That means the Orioles need to insure themselves with a strong starting rotation, right? 
And that’s where the house of cards arguably tumbles. Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman are all highly touted young arms but we’re still waiting to see them succeed in the majors. Matusz is definitely the closest to being an above-average starter, as evidenced by his 7-1 record over his final 11 starts last year, but he hasn’t done it over a full year yet.
That’s where the Orioles differ from the Blue Jays. Matusz, Arrieta and Tillman finished 2010 with ERAs of 4.30, 4.66 and 5.87, respectively. Toronto young guns Ricky Romero, Brett Cecil and Brandon Morrow combined to win 39 games last season, all posting an ERA between 3.73 and 4.49, with two of them striking out 170-plus batters. Toronto’s young arms are just a bit further along in their development.
Baltimore’s bullpen looks like it’ll be one of baseball’s worst this season. Alfredo Simon probably won’t come anywhere near a pitcher’s mound this season; he’s at the center of a murder investigation. Koji Uehara excelled in limited duty as the Orioles’ closer last year and may get the first shot to close in 2011. In Toronto castoffs Kevin Gregg and Jeremy Accardo, he doesn’t exactly have top-notch support.
2011 OUTLOOK
Is it mathematically possible for all five teams in the AL East to win 80 or more games this season? I could see it happening. Sadly for the Orioles, they may win 80 and still finish last. Their vastly improved offense should make them a more competitive team this year but I’m still not sold on any of their pitchers besides Matusz (who looks like he’ll be a goodie). That relegates them to the bottom of the division in my mind.
Prediction: 5th, American League East
One reply on “Baltimore Orioles Predictions | 2011 Season Betting Preview”
thats about right, i love the orioles but 5th place yea ,until we get a couple of good
pictures get use to 5th place. again.