Britton optioned after rough start! Freddy Garcia the answer?

The Baltimore Orioles turned to once promising young pitcher Zach Britton to start the series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night. The time was right for the starter going against a Mariners team who has struggled against left handed starters so far in 2013.

Britton gave up 6 runs in 6 innings getting only 2 runs from the O's on a Matt Wieters two run homer. Britton's night got off to a rough start allowing a solo home-run on the second pitch of the game but the O's got him the lead before he allowed the lead to be gone for good.

Yesterday the Orioles optioned him to Norfolk while recalling Zach Clark to give the team another bullpen arm. The O's have only had one starter go 7 or more innings in the first month of the MLB Season.

With the move another corresponding move could come Friday or Saturday against the Angels when the team will need another starter. That move could be the veteran Freddy Garcia who recently agreed to extend his opt out in the minors league at Norfolk. For the Tides Garcia has pitched to a 4-0 record in 5 starts with a 2.67 earned run average. The move won't give the team a big name starter but a starter who has been effective in the majors.

For now Garcia may be the answer but the O's need some of the teams young arms to live up to the hype Baltimore fans have been hearing about for a number of years!

Big 4 for O's could help you at Fan Duel!

While the Baltimore Orioles have been playing good ball over the start of the first few weeks the team has four hot starters in the top 5 spots in the lineup. The four include leadoff hitter Nate McLouth, Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Chris Davis.

All four of these guys are must start in all fantasy leagues including on FanDuel where you can set daily fantasy lineups to win real money!

The four combined for 12 hits in 20 at bats in yesterdays game while McLouth and Machado each picked up 4 hits. Machado joins Baltimore Orioles Hall Of Famer Brooks Robinson as the only 20 year olds in team history with 4 hits in a game.

In addition to the 12 hits yesterday each of these players have put up some big stats this year with McLouth leading the American League in on base percentage while Chris Davis leads the American League in home-runs.

Look for the O's top half of the lineup to continue to hit and if they can get production out of the bottom four the rest of the American League will have to watch out.

Zach Britton looks to get Orioles big win in Seattle!

The Baltimore Orioles coming off a four game series against the Oakland A's in which the team had the chance for the sweep on Sunday. With Jim Johnson being used 5 of the previous 6 days the team elected to stay with Brian Matusz who gave up a game tying two run shot in the ninth before losing in the tenth.

Look for Zach Britton who was recently called up to keep the O's rolling on this ten game road trip. Britton will go up against former Orioles starter Joe Saunders in game 1 of the three game series against the Mariners.

Britton was 1-0 in three starts for the Norfolk Tides before getting called up. While not striking out many Britton used his fast sinker to induce a lot of ground balls helping him pitch to a 1.98 era in the three games. Britton will go up against a Mariners team who struggle facing lefties. If Britton want's to stay in the rotation he will need to pitch well or you could see the team make another move and bring up the veteran Freddy Garcia.

Brian Roberts bounces back in 2013!

Brian Roberts once was one of the best leadoff hitters in Major League Baseball is now sitting at the bottom of the Baltimore Orioles line up in 2013. Now the spot in the lineup in my opinion has no real big deal as this leadoff hitter and power hitting spot in the lineup is just part of the tradition of baseball. After the first inning a different player leads off the rest of the way so with Roberts in the bottom of the lineup gives you a guy who will give them team speed and extra base hits before the lineup flips.

Now the fans are hoping for big things from Roberts or should I say the one's that are still on his side. Roberts has been slotted in the nine hole to start the season which isn't a bad thing for the lineup when you have speed and pop in the bottom of the lineup.

Brian Roberts Prediction for 2013:

Batting Average: .303
Doubles: 31
Triples: 3
Home-Runs: 11
Runs: 85
SB: 25
RBI's: 65

2013 Baltimore Orioles Lineup Projection

The Baltimore are coming in to 2013 with high hopes from the fans of Baltimore as well as the players and organization. The team looks to build on a 2012 playoff season with another strong season. I have high hopes personally for Brian Roberts as well as Brian Matusz if he makes the starting rotation. Matusz pitched great out of the bullpen but this guy has the ability to be a 15-18 game winner. If that is not with us maybe we should look for a trade partner. Come opening day on April 2nd 2013 against the Tampa Bay Rays here is the lineup I would go with.

1. Nick Markakis (RF)
2. Brian Roberts (2B)
3. Adam Jones (CF)
4. Chris Davis (1B)
5. Matt Wieters (C)
6. Nolan Reimold (DH)
7. Manny Machado (3B)
8. J.J Hardy (SS)
9. Nate McLouth (LF)

Now this lineup doesn't give you the prototypical leadoff hitter but Markakis at the top of the lineup gives you one of your best hitters the chance more at bats. In the leadoff role Markakis will look to drive the ball in the gaps as well as being able to not worry about driving in runs. This will allow him to focus on hitting. Brian Roberts could be swapped to the bottom of the lineup but the double tandem if Roberts is healthy at the top of the lineup allows a big run producing opportunity for Adam Jones and Chris Davis.

O's pitchers and catchers report to spring training!

The Baltimore Orioles pitchers and catchers reported to spring training early this week with the rest of the team expected by end of the week. The only problem with that is majority of the club has been here working out and are ready to go.

With the excitement building the idea of the Orioles not adding that big bad via free agency has had fans up set around the Baltimore area. Not me though as the possibility of having a healthy Nolan Reimold for the entire season as well as a bounce back season from Brian Roberts. The offense will be a big jump from last season as the O's look to win more games by more then 1 run.

My projected lineup looks a lot different then many:

1. Nick Markakis
2. Brian Roberts
3. Nolan Reimold
4. Adam Jones
5. Chris Davis
6. Matt Wieters
7. Manny Machado
8. J.J. Hardy
9. Nate Mclouth

Now as you look at that lineup you see some power but the idea of having speed through out the lineup gives me something to smile about. Now Roberts could go to the bottom of the lineup or possible lead off but with how Markakis handled the leadoff spot and the real idea that the leadoff hitter only leads off guaranteed in the first this will give him more at bats. If Markakis is hitting doubles this gives the O's a great bunter in Roberts as well as a contact hitter to get him moved over for the middle of the lineup. Giving more chances for the 3,4 and 5 hitters to drive in runs.

Baltimore Orioles New Logo Brings Back Memories!

The Baltimore Orioles made a few key changes going in to 2012 with the biggest being the change from the real life bird logo back to a logo similar to the logo they played with in the 60's through 80's in. The hat is more of a cartoon logo and is a big hit with fans of all ages and fans not even located in Maryland. Baltimore made a huge jump in merchandise sales in 2012 with the added logo and the success the team had. 

The O's hat also made a top 5 for hat logos as well you can check that out here!