The baseball previews continue today with a look at the 2015 Baltimore Orioles. This team has confounded many experts for two years running. When it happens once, maybe it can be chalked up as a fluke. Two years in succession, it’s time to reassess.
The Orioles are once again a team that on paper, doesn’t seem all that daunting. But there’s clearly a positive chemistry that works for this squad, and there simply aren’t many better at maximizing the talent on hand than Baltimore manager Buck Showalter.
The Orioles could well be better offensively this season. Matt Wieters will be back after losing virtually the entire 2014 season to injury. The Birds will hope to get a full year out of Manny Machado. One has to think Chris Davis will rebound to some extent, and that Jonathan Schoop will continue to improve. I’ve always liked Alejandro De Aza. JJ Hardy remains a fixture at shortstop, and Adam Jones is rock solid. I don’t know is Steve Pearce can repeat his breakout, but he’s now an asset. Aside from filling the right field spot long held by Nick Markakis, this lineup is really well set.
The pitching will remain the question mark, as the Orioles don’t have any dominating arms. Kevin Gausman has a chance to break out though, and the quartet of Chen, Tillman, Norris and Gonzalez are steady if not spectacular. The bullpen is what I’d call league average. That could change if a healthy Dylan Bundy reverts to his pre-injury status. If that happens, Bundy either joins the rotation at some point or fortifies the pen.
By the numbers, the Orioles are still not that good. But this is one case where I just can’t trust the numbers, and that’s coming from a very numbers-oriented baseball analyst. I think the Orioles will find a way to get to +.500 again and will once again contend for a playoff spot. But for wagering purposes, I will pass on playing the 81.5 O/U.