So, the Baltimore Orioles have been having a pretty solid year and at this point have a 2 game lead on the Sox in the AL East.

 

Now, my question is, do you think they have a shot at making the playoffs this year? Or even winning that division? So far they have been very impressive, especially Brian Roberts, and they have had success even without guys like Javy and Matos in their lineup consistently. Their bats always seem to be there, especially Miggy and Mora. Their pitching has been solid thus far, especially their bullpen, who has a whole has been a huge surprise. BJ Ryan is a stud. Hayden Penn has been good.

 

I don't think they'll win the division, but I can see them taking the wild card this year. Especially if they can get more out of Cabrera (5.88 ERA) and Ponson (Too inconsistent this season). If their bullpen holds up and they can stay healthy watch out.

Do they have a shot? Sure. We are 66 games in...with 90+ left, anything can happen.

 

Now I think that the O's have played their best baseball in years and they only have a 2 game lead over a Red Sox team who has its best hitter batting .260 and its best pitcher yet to contribute.

 

I think that the Orioles have the best pen around, but I dont think that they have the starters to fend off Boston and New York.

 

Tejada is a MVP candidate, no doubt about that. They have a great powerful lineup behind to go with arguably the best leadoff man in the AL in Brian Roberts.

 

But after losing 2 of three from Cincy and Pittsburgh recently and being swept by Detroit at the end of May it doesnt seem to me like they can beat up on the weak like a championship caliber team.

 

New York scares the living s*** out of me personally. They have played downright horribly and they are only 5 games out of this thing. Randy Johnson seems like he is about to get in a groove now that he has his catcher duties resolved. Their lineup is nasty and Moose has turned it up as well. I think they are about to go on a run.

 

IMO, the Orioles are the no. 3 team in this division and will be in the standings at the end of the year.

The Red Sox pitching will keep the Orioles close, and the Yanks will get hot again eventually.

 

Could turn into a 3 team race, but I expect it to end up being a battle between Batimore and Boston for the east, but if the Yanks are there, nobody should be surprised.

 

Oh, and the East, unlike past years, has a very good chance of sending only 1 team to October, making the division title a huge deal obviously.

I'd say they have a decent shot at the Wild Card. Depending on how hot the Yankees get if/when they get hot.

I'd say they have a decent shot at the Wild Card. Depending on how hot the Yankees get if/when they get hot.

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Central is getting the wild card unless the Twins or White Sox get really cold....

 

Heck, with Texas and Anaheim, i'd say the West has a better shot at it than the East...

The Orioles have been in first place for over two months. Anyone who doesn't take them seriously is probably a Yankee homer or a severly cynical Orioles fan.

i ddont know why everyone is so suprised that they are doing good this year. they have a GREAT hitting lineup and get high scoring runs any day of the week, the problem with them is there overall pitching, if they pull out a couple of deals to get a few good relief and maybe a starter, they will be very hard to beat when it comes to play off time