2017 American League East Preview: Can Red Sox Repeat?
By Rob Hill
#4 Baltimore Orioles
Although Baltimore barely missed the postseason in 2016 with 89 victories, regression is in the O’s foreseeable future and it starts in 2017. Baltimore’s key strength will continue to be their lineup that consists of former and prior all-stars such as: Manny Machado, Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones, and J.J Hardy.
The bottom half of Baltimore’s lineup will also be a consistent problem all season long. There is no problems with the back of the Orioles pen consisted with the impeccable Zach Britton, and sold setup men Darren O’ Day and Mychal Givens.
The glaring issue for Baltimore will be the men starting games on the mound. Headed by ace Chris Tillman, it is very hard to find consistency in the rotation after that. Youngsters Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy need to show the Orioles organization why they were former first round draft picks. The back end of the rotation with Wade Miley and Vidal Nuno will surely get lit up in a solid offensive AL East. Manager Buck Showalter will have to pull every rabbit out of his hat this season just to keep his birds flying around the .500 mark.