2012 World Series Odds: Baltimore Orioles Still Not Close to Win It
Monday, February 20, 2012
by Bovada Sportsbook
It’s a new year but the same expected result for the perennially rebuilding Baltimore Orioles as nearly every prognosticator expects the Birds to finish fifth in the AL East again, just as they did a year ago with a 69-93 record their 14th straight season with a losing record and sixth straight with at least 92 losses. Baltimore is 150/1 on Bovada Sportsbook’s MLB Futures Odds to win the 2012 World Series and 75/1 to win the AL pennant.
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The Orioles are such a mess that they couldn’t even lure their first couple of choices to be the president of baseball operations – Dan Duquette is the guy to replace Andy MacPhail. And the Birds were pretty quiet this offseason, adding the likes of international pitchers Tsuyoshi Wada and Wei-Yin Chen, who have no big-league experience. Zach Britton, who was 11-11 with a 4.61 ERA last year projects as the No. 1 starter – if healthy. He will be limited at the start of spring training due to lingering issues with a left shoulder strain that landed him on the disabled list last August. The team had high hopes for Brian Matusz a season ago but he took a major step back. Is he still a top-flight prospect? Jim Johnson, who had nine saves and a 2.67 ERA a year ago, will likely close. But as a whole the pitching staff looks like one of the worst in baseball.
The O's offense is virtually the same as last season, although second baseman Brian Roberts' health continues to be a major question. The biggest concern is that manager Buck Showalter has no true cleanup hitter – right now it’s probably Adam Jones although the Birds could still sign a DH as Wilson Betemit probably isn’t the answer.
On the bright side, Jones is one of the AL’s top outfielders. Catcher Matt Wieters is one of the best at his position and third baseman Mark Reynolds hit 37 homers a year ago but also struck out a ridiculous amount. Right fielder Nick Markakis is underrated and shortstop J.J. Hardy hit 30 bombs in 2011. Acquired in a midseason trade with Texas, former Rangers top prospect Chris Davis will get every chance to win the first base job. He struggled with a shoulder injury upon coming to Baltimore.
Duquette says he thinks this club can finish .500 or better this year. I suppose anything is possible.
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adam jones - andy macphail - baltimore orioles - brian matusz - buck showalter - dan duquette - j.j. hardy - jim johnson - mark reynolds - matt wieters
