Orioles Win Total Prediction
After four straight .500-or-better seasons, Baltimore suffered a swift fall from grace in 2015. A quietly successful winter, however, could put the franchise right back among the AL East heavies.
Online sports book BetDSI doesn’t grant Buck Showalter’s squad much respect at present. With an over/under win total of 79.5, the Orioles lag well behind everyone else in the division. And, on the heels of an 81-loss campaign, it’s fair to throw significant shade.
Yet general manager Dan Duquette’s moves over the preceding months demand attention. Yovani Gallardo, who successfully reinvented his repertoire in Texas, was brought in to replace Miami-bound starter Wei-Yin Chen. KBO sensation Hyun-soo Kim also arrived to bat leadoff, with Mark Trumbo (131 career home runs) hoping to provide supplementary pop further down in the order.
The biggest slugger of all, however, represents a holdover. Chris Davis and the organization played chicken for what seemed like an eternity before finally agreeing to terms on a mega-extension. The first baseman is a lock for 200 strikeouts, but he also blasts spheres of cowhide out of Camden Yards like rockets earmarked for space. More than 150 dingers since 2012, not to mention 327 RBIs? Yeah, that’s legendary stuff in this new golden era of pitching.
Fellow lineup linchpin Adam Jones doesn’t lack for power, either. He fought through multiple injuries last year to smash 27 bombs and contribute his customary Gold Glove defense in center field. Throw Manny Machado (.286 average, 35 HRs and 20 SBs) into the mix, too, and Baltimore’s probable 3-4-5 core could prove to be peerless.
Now, the rough stuff: The Orioles’ staff borders on embarrassing. Gallardo offers instant stability, sure, but his cohorts are largely run-of-the-mill seat fillers. Chris Tillman’s ERA jumped from 3.34 to 4.91. Ubaldo Jimenez’s second-half figure in the same category hovered around 6.00. Former first-round selection Kevin Gausman’s spot finally appears secure, though primarily due to a lack of internal competition. For a franchise that loaded up on highly touted arms not that long ago (hey, remember Dylan Bundy?), it’s a sad state of affairs indeed.
At least no worries surround the back end of the bullpen. Zach Britton has transformed into a top-notch closer, and few setup men dominant like Darren O’Day. On the rare occasions that the O’s enjoy a late lead, it won’t go down the drain.
Showalter’s leadership in the dugout undoubtedly gives this team several extra victories, and the maturation process may take place sooner rather than later for talented prospects such as Jonathan Schoop and Jimmy Paredes. Diehard fans of the black and orange should ultimately practice patience while building cautious optimism.
2016 MLB WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: BALTIMORE ORIOLES OVER 79.5 GAMES
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