Baltimore Orioles 2010 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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Baltimore Orioles 2009 MLB Record: 64-98
Baltimore Orioles 2009 MLB Home Record: 39-42
Baltimore Orioles 2009 MLB Away Record: 25-56

Baltimore Orioles 2010 Betting

Baltimore Orioles Odds to Win the American League: 50/1
Baltimore Orioles Odds to Win the World Series: 100/1

Baltimore Orioles 2010 Preview & Prediction

Contending isn’t in the Orioles’ vocabulary in 2010, unless it’s included in the punch line of a joke. After losing 98 games last season and finishing at the bottom of the AL East, ‘they would regard a run at .500 as being significant progress. They’re banking on a core of young pitchers and position players to point them in the right direction and inject more life into Camden Yards, where attendance remains in decline. They must hope that the Blue Jays tumble after trading ace pitcher Roy Halladay, who’s 20-4 lifetime against the Orioles. If those things happen, then perhaps fourth place isn’t out of the question.

Trembley promises to be tougher on his players and less tolerant of the base running blunders and other lapses in fundamentals that left pockmarks on the 2009 season. The Orioles are developing an impressive nucleus of young talent in the field and on the mound, and they have reason to be optimistic about the future of the franchise. But there’s no reason to believe that they’ll move up more than one spot in the standings. It’s difficult to make any concrete projections about a team that’s dependent on this many players with skimpy resumes. If they take their games up to the next level, the Orioles could flirt with a .SOO season. Otherwise, more beatings are on the way.

Baltimore Orioles Manager: Dave Trembley (3 Seasons) Record: 172 – 244

Baltimore Orioles 2010 Projected Batting Order: 2B Brian Roberts (S), IF Nolan Reimold (R), IF Nolan Reimold (R), 38 Garrett Atkins (R), C Matt Wieters (S), CF Adam Jones (R), DH Luke Scott (L), 1B Michael Aubrey (L), 88 Cesar Izturis (S),

Baltimore Orioles 2010 Projected Rotation: RH Kevin Millwood, RH Jeremy Guthrie, RH Brad Bergesen, LH Brian Matusl, RH Chris Tillman,

Baltimore Orioles 2010 Projected Closer: LH Mike Gonzalez

2010 Baltimore Orioles Rotation:

The Orioles traded for Kevin Millwood at the winter meetings and immediately cast him as their No.1 starter. Millwood has exceeded 200 innings in five of his 12 full seasons in the majors and totaled 198.2 last year in posting a 13-10 record. The Orioles want him to ease the burden on their young starters and a bullpen that routinely collapses from overuse. Jeremy Guthrie, twice the Opening Day starter, could be slotted second or third. Brad Bergesen had an outstanding rookie season that was cut short by a left leg injury, the result of a Billy Butler line drive on July 30. Former first-round pick Brian Matusz retains his rookie status after rising to the majors from Class A Frederick and going 5-2 with a 4.63 ERA in eight starts. He’s a future ace. Chris Tillman, part of the lopsided Erik Bedard trade with the Mariners, also is expected to stick in 2010 after making 12 starts last year. David Hernandez and Jason Berken.

2009-2010 Baltimore Orioles Bullpen:

The bullpen was under construction again over the winter. Jim Johnson inherited the closer job after George Sherrill was traded to the Dodgers, but he’s better suited for setup duties. That’s why the Orioles signed left hander Mike Gonzalez to a two-year deal. Gonzalez had an outstanding 2009 season with Atlanta where he split time between setup man and closer; in 74.1 innings, he allowed only 56 hits and struck out 90 batters. Koji Uehara, the first Japanese player signed by the Orioles, didn’t have the stamina or health to stay in the rotation. He went 2-4 with a 4.05 ERA in only 66.2 innings of work. Uehara could be used in long and middle relief. Hernandez and/or Berken could be used in long relief if they’re squeezed out of the rotation. Matt Albers has been a starter and reliever. Look for him to work the middle innings.

2010 Baltimore Orioles Middle Infield:

Second baseman Brian Roberts remains one of the top leadoff hitters in the game. He was named team MVP after setting the major league record for doubles by a switch-hitter with 56. He finished third in the AL in runs scored (110) and tied for sixth in extra-base hits (73). He also became the fourth player in major league history with three or more 50-double seasons, joining Hall of Famers Tris Speaker, Paul Waner and Stan Musial. His double-play partner, Cesar Izturis, remains one of the slickest fielding shortstops in baseball and finally stopped the revolving door at the position. He also led the Orioles with four triples, but anything he does with the bat is a bonus.

2010 Baltimore Orioles Corners:

The Orioles will have a drastically different look at the corners in 2010. Melvin Mora is gone after being the longest-tenured Oriole in the clubhouse. Aubrey Huff is gone after being the team MVP in 2008. Garrett Atkins will replace one of them. The Orioles signed him to a one-year deal in mid-December, but other moves will determine whether he starts at first or third base until prospects Brandon Snyder and Josh Bell are ready. Ty Wigginton also plays both positions and might be a temporary solution if he isn’t traded. Michael Aubrey and Rhyne Hughes are expected to compete for the first base jab in spring training. Aubrey impressed in a brief September audition.

2010 Baltimore Orioles Outfield:

This is the one area where the Orioles didn’t need to tinker or overhaul. They’re young and talented with Nick Markakis in right, Adam Jones in center and Nolan Reimold in left. Markakis finished second to Roberts in the team MVP voting after driving in more than 100 runs for the second time in his career and finishing in the top 10 in the AL in six categories. Jones made the All-Star team and won his first Gold Glove despite missing the final month with a badly sprained ankle. He set career highs in runs (83), hits (131), doubles (22), home runs (19), RBI’s (70) walks (36), batting average (.277), OBP (.335) and slugging (.457). But his offensive production tailed off dramatically after May, Reimold’s season also ended early because of injury, but he was leading AL rookies in homers (15), on-base percentage (.365), slugging (.466), walks (47) and total bases (167).

2010 Baltimore Orioles Catching:

Matt Wieters made his highly anticipated major league debut on May 29 and gradually improved at the plate and behind it as his ‘summer progressed. He’ll be a cornerstone of the franchise for many years to come. Wieters led AL rookies with a .288 average and hit safely in 21 of his last 29 games. He also drove in 17 runs in his final 20 games. Eased into the starting job last year, he’ll do the bulk of the catching in 2010. The Orioles declined Chad Moeller’s option, but they signed him to a minor league deal in December. He’ll compete with Michel Hernandez and Craig Tatum for the backup job. The club likes the way Moeller handles a young staff, and he can continue to serve as a mentor to Wieters.

2010 Baltimore Orioles Bench:

A bust with the Chicago Cubs, one-time hot prospect Felix Pie escaped the Orioles’ bench and made the most of another opportunity. He batted .304 with 14 extra-base hits, 18 runs scored and 18 RBI’s in 34 games beginning Aug. 14, and the Orioles will try to find at-bats for him as an extra outfielder. Luke Scott could be the primary designated hitter, but he’ll also get some starts in left. He’s a streaky hitter prone to prolonged dry spells. Wigginton will back up third and first if he isn’t needed in the starting lineup. He started 38 games at first, 35 at third, 23 as the DH and four at second last season. Wigginton also made his first career appearance at shortstop. Robert Andino, acquired from the Marlins for pitcher Hayden Penn in a late spring training trade, can play shortstop and second base. He started 31 consecutive games at short last season when Izturis went on the disabled list. Moeller is the early favorite to return as the backup catcher.

Baltimore Orioles 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Baltimore Orioles will finish 5th in the AL East Division .

Baltimore Orioles 5-Year Win Trend

2009: 5th AL East 64
2008: 5th AL East 68
2007: 4th AL East 69
2006: 4th AL East 70
2005: 4th AL East 74

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