Can Orioles get to 82 wins?
After a playoff spot in the 2016 season, will the Baltimore Orioles be able to have similar success in 2017?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Orioles over/under for wins in 2017 has been set at just 81. The over and under also both carry lines of -115. Their odds to win the 2017 World Series are listed at 50/1 currently, while their odds to win the ALCS sit at 20/1.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
The Orioles are coming off an 89-73 record in 2016, which earned them a Wild Card spot in the playoffs that they eventually lost to the Blue Jays, 5-2. Buck Showalter returns for his eighth season as manager of the Orioles. He has a 547-482 record in his time there with a 6-8 postseason record.
Baltimore was one of the toughest places to play last season, as the Orioles were 50-31 at home, which ranked in the top-5 of MLB. They had a very potent lineup, led by Mark Trumbo, who hit 47 HR with 108 RBI. He agreed to a new deal with the Orioles in the offseason and is back to lead this lineup in 2017. Manny Machado, Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop all also had over 80 RBI and 24 home runs during the season. The group is all back this year to once again make the Orioles a dangerous lineup. One area that Baltimore could improve is base running, as they had just 19 stolen bases as a team last year and only six triples.
The pitching rotation has some issues as Chris Tillman, their top pitcher from 2016, is dealing with a shoulder injury. He was 16-6 in 2016 with 3.77 ERA and 140 strikeouts. Kevin Gausman had the team’s top ERA for a starter with 3.61 ERA in 2016, but he was just 9-12 on the mound. The team sent Yovani Gallardo to the Mariners in the offseason. He had eight quality starts in 2016. For the bullpen, the team still has stud closer Zach Britton, who recorded 47 saves with a 0.54 ERA in 2016.
There is a lot to like about the Orioles. Their lineup can mash the ball and they have a great closer. That alone can take a team far. The issue is certainly the rotation, as the Orioles are relying on a lot of veteran arms that haven’t produced in some time. Still, Showalter is a great manager that has taken this team to new heights. They have won at least 81 games in the last five seasons, averaging 88.8 wins during that span. I think the Orioles will get past .500 this season as well. Their hitting will be too good for anything less.
2017 MLB SEASON WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: BALTIMORE ORIOLES OVER 81