View The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2009 \u00a0– Picks Packages for 2010 On Sale Now! \u2014\u2013><\/strong><\/p>\n We opened our 2010 MLB preview with a bleak outlook for the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. Time to view the glass as half full. Thanks to a sneaky-good batting lineup and some up-and-coming arms, the Baltimore Orioles have a real chance to surprise this season. In the AL East, \u201csurprise\u201d simply means passing Tampa to finish third with 80-plus wins, but that would still qualify as a nice improvement for the O\u2019s. <\/p>\n There\u2019s no denying that Baltimore should and will score this season. As long as he overcomes some back pain, Brian Roberts should remain an on-base machine and fixture atop Baltimore\u2019s lineup. Adam Jones broke out last season as a true five-tool outfielder and should build on his success if he stays healthy. Nick Markakis is already an All-Star-caliber bat. Toss in the power potential of Luke Scott and Noland Reimold, the experience of Miguel Tejada and, last but not least, the \u201cnext big thing\u201d at catcher in Matt Wieters and you have a truly dangerous lineup. <\/p>\n As we see for far too many American League teams, however, pitching remains a sore spot for Baltimore. Help is on the way assuming prospects like Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman can grow. Kevin Millwood is a stabilizing presence but he\u2019s 35 years old and his ERA rose 60 points after the All-Star break last season, so the Orioles must temper their expectations with him. His main role this season may be that of \u201cmentor\u201d; his locker in spring training is reportedly right between Matusz\u2019s and Tillman\u2019s. No coincidence there. Relief pitching hasn\u2019t been a strength for Baltimore since injuries got the better of Chris Ray a few years back but it at least has a chance to improve in 2010. Mike Gonzalez should close and has been effective in the past when healthy \u2013 but that\u2019s obviously no guarantee. Guys like Jim Johnson, Mark Hendrickson and Cla Meredith are all proven major leaguers who can chew up innings when called upon. <\/p>\n We\u2019ve established that Baltimore will almost undoubtedly improve this season \u2013 winning more than 64 games isn\u2019t exactly a challenge \u2013 but there\u2019s a limit to what they can do in the East. <\/p>\n Sure, Oriole fans can and should get legitimately excited about all the young bats, but the truth is that the Yankees, Red Sox and even the Rays can match that offensive production while also blowing Baltimore away in pitching depth. <\/p>\n To put things in perspective, Millwood is Baltimore\u2019s de facto ace for 2010. Javier Vazquez, who had a 2.87 ERA and struck out 238 guys last year, is slated to open 2010 as the Yankees\u2019 fourth starter. The O\u2019s just can\u2019t compete with that kind of pitching depth. <\/p>\n Don\u2019t be surprised if the youth movement helps Baltimore fly out of the gate for an optimistic start, sort of like what the Blue Jays did last April, but the Orioles should call 2010 a success if they can reach .500 baseball in the end. <\/p>\nMLB Team Preview \u2013 Baltimore Orioles<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.capperspicks.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/revolution_sports-30\/images\/mlb\/mysb-baseball.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\n