The Baltimore Orioles shocked the world when they clinched the 2nd AL Wild Card position last year and then turned around and defeated the AL's host in the Word Series the Texas Rangers. The O'Birds have shown great improvement since skipper Buck Showalter took the helm and I expect them to pick up in 2013 where they left off last year. The Orioles basically return the same team as last year with a little improvement on pitching. The Orioles return their top pitchers from last year and along with Jair Jurrjens and top prospect Dylan Bundy. Jurrjens was aquired in the offseason after being released by the Braves. Bundy is the No. 1 prospect in the Orioles organization and when he explodes on the scene in 2013 like I believe he will it wont be long before he is dominating the AL: East. Bundy posted a 2.08 ERA, 2-0 W/L and 119 K's in his first professional season. The O's also return leading Rookie of the Year Candidate Manny Machado! Machado exploded on to the scene last year when the O's called him up in early August and Machado hit 2 HR's in his first 2 professional games. Machado finsihed the 2012 hitting .262, 7 HR's, 3 Triples and, 26 RBI's in only 51 games. The O's could have one of the deepest pitching rotations and it will help keep their young arms competing in one of the toughest divisions in the AL. I believe the O's will finish in 2nd and clinch a Wild Card Playoff.
Potential Opening Day Lineup 1) Ryan Flaherty 2B 2) Manny Machado 3B 3) Adam Jones CF 4) Nick Markakis RF 5) Matt Wieters C 6) Wilson Betemit DH 7) Chris Hardy 1B 8) J.J Hardy SS 9) Nolan Reimold LF | Potential Opening Rotation 1) Jason Hammel 2) Wei-Yin Chen 3) Chris Tillman 4) Miguel Gonzalez 5) Steve Johnson Other Possible candidates: Jair Jurrjens, Jake Arrieta, Zack Britton, Brian Matusz or Dylan Bundy |