Baltimore Orioles: Four Bold Playoffs Predictions

Sep 20, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher

(30) pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

With low-scoring games and the O’s starters pitching well, the Orioles will win the ALDS and ALCS.

A very well-argued and reasonable case can be constructed as to why either the Detroit Tigers or Los Angeles Angels should be favored to beat the Baltimore Orioles. And it could happen, and there would be no shame in losing to either one.

But it seems to me that this is a Baltimore year, sort of like last year was a Boston year. It is “the next man up year.”  All teams have had some adversity, but the Orioles have been the best overcomers.

On paper, the most difficult matchup would be the Tigers, against whom the Orioles were 1-5 this season, being outscored 33-20. However, the last time the O’s played them was on May 14. At that point of the season, the O’s were 20-18. Since then, they are 76-48, while Detroit is 66-60.

There is no doubt that the Tigers’ starting pitching is formidable, even though the Orioles have had successes against all of them. But overall, the Orioles starters have an ERA of 3.61 to the Tigers 3.89. And in September, the O’s starters have an ERA of 2.45, which is more than a run better than the Tigers.

At the same time, the Detroit bullpen is something of a mess. While the Orioles have a combined bullpen ERA of 3.10, it is 4.06 for Detroit.

The Orioles have played well against the Angels, being 4-2 this season while winning narrow, low-scoring games. The O’s outscored the Angels 21-17. Baltimore took two out of three in California, and it really should have been a sweep apart from a Tommy Hunter blowup in the final game.

So, low-scoring games with the Orioles pulling off narrow wins which takes them to the World Series where ……….