The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: Does Orioles’ bullpen reign supreme in 2017 AL East rankings?

By Nate Wardle

Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Mar 14, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches in the fourth inning in the spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches in the fourth inning in the spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles’ RPs: Zach Britton, Darren O’Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens, Donnie Hart, Jayson Aquino, Richard Bleier, Vidal Nuno, Logan Verrett, Oliver Drake

Gone are names like Brian Matusz, but the Orioles still have depth here. Verrett will likely be the long reliever, a role he held in 2016 for the New York Mets. And, if you can maintain that role for the Mets, you have to have some ability.

Hart was excellent to wrap up 2016, and Givens did an outstanding job as well. Givens has struggled in the World Baseball Classic, so the Orioles will need to hope that does not carry over.

But, the big positive is that the back end of the bullpen is the best in baseball if O’Day is healthy, which he was not in 2016. Brach wore down toward the end of the year, likely from overuse, but Britton was the best closer in the game, if not the best pitcher period.

Aquino has been excellent this spring for the O’s, and the O’s got Bleier from the Yankees for nothing. Nuno also has a chance to win the last spot, competing with Aquino and Bleier.

Next: Relive Maryland basketball's 2002 National Championship run

Disagree? Comment with your thoughts!

Home/Baltimore Orioles