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.

The Orioles unpredictable starting rotation!

As spring training gets underway down in Sarasota for the Baltimore Orioles the big question is what will be the starting rotation? After a trade that sent former number 1 starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Colorado Rockies and a splash of free agent signings of starters who should be no more than a number 4 or 5 starter to fight for the top of the rotation.

The first test to fill out the rotation is who will be the number 1 starter that takes the mound on opening day? Guess time will tell but with Zach Britton recovering from a sore shoulder and Brian Matusz terrible 2011 season it leaves you to wonder who it will be. My guess it will come down to Jake Arrieta or Tommy Hunter depending on who has the better spring.

The rotation I am going with at the moment which I will update it when the spring games start looks like this.

Jake Arrieta
Tommy Hunter
Wei-Yin Chen
Brian Matusz
Chris Tillman (Long shot chance but I have the hopes he regains his power arm)

Now don't flip out after not seeing Zach Britton as he will more than likely be added to the list but till he throws off the regular mound that puts him behind the other starters!

What does your starting rotation look like? I would love to see it!

Markakis hits O's to victory!

The Baltimore Orioles can now look for the future and put the ten game skid behind them thanks to Nick Markakis base hit in the 10th to win it for the O's. O's had another solid start from there starting pitching when Brian Matusz went 5 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 7.

Juan Samuel picked up win number 1 as the O's skipper and looks to keep the momentum going.

The O's will kick off a three game series with the New York Yankees on Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

O's find ways to score runs, beat A's 5-1!

The Baltimore Orioles have struggled this season scoring runs but Tuesday was a different pattern. The Orioles scored there first 3 runs with out recording a hit to get it done. The first run came on a throwing error while the second and third runs came on sac flys in the 6th inning. The O's would also get a solo shot off Nick Markakis bat and a rbi double from Matt Wieters to move the score to 5-1. Thats all Guthrie and the bullpen would need to hold of the A's.

A's would lose Dallas Braden left after the fourth due to an ankle injury he has been dealing with. In the 4 innings he allowed only the 1 unearned run while striking out 4 and walking 2.

Up next in the Series tonight is Brian Matusz taking on Trevor Cahill.

O's looking to break 2 game slide tonight against Dallas Braden, A's!

The Baltimore Orioles head back to Oriole Park tonight to take on the Oakland A's after losing the series to the Washington Nationals. The O's have lost back to back games are looking for Jeremy Guthrie to put a win up on the board. Guthrie has allowed only 1 earned run in each of his last two starts. But standing in there way is Dallas Braden a very good lefty who just pitched a perfect game a few starts ago.

The Orioles are hitting .261 against lefties this season with 8 home-runs & 41 rbi's. Nick Markakis is one Oriole killing lefties this season batting .364 against them with 6 doubles, 1 triple and 1 home-run. He also has 20 total hits against them in 55 at bats. Other O's hitters doing well against lefties include Miguel Tejada and Julio Lugo. Lugo though only has 21 at bats verse them but has 8 hits. Tejada is batting .310 against them with 2 home-runs and 3 doubles.

The O's will need solid pitching and deep outings from there starters to win this series. Game 2 Brian Matusz will throw against Tervor Cahill while in game 3 David Hernandez will go against Gio Gonzalez. The birds starters have some work cut out for them as both starters for the A's have pitched solid and have under 4 era's meaning the O's may have trouble putting runs up on the board.

Bullpen gives up 3, lose to Texas

The O's went to Texas to face the Rangers on Wednesday night with Jeremy Guthrie taking the mound for the O's. In his previous two starts he picked up wins and only allowed 4 earned runs in the two outings. The same would be for Wednesday as he went 6 innings while allowing only 1 run. He left after the 6 innings with only 90 pitches thrown. The O's which may have turned to the bullpen an inning to early which in return would not hold the lead giving up 3 runs over the next 3 innings as the O's would fall to the Rangers 4-3. Cesar Izturis had the big night at the plate driving in all 3 runs while going 3 for 4 at the plate. The O's as a team hurt themselves as the were a combined 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

The O's will look to bounce back tonight against Scott Feldman and the Rangers. Brian Matusz will take the mound for the birds. Matusz threw 7 scoreless innings while striking out 6 in his last outing while picking up a no decision. While Feldman has giving up a total of 16 earned runs over his past 3 outings.

Simon, Meredith get rocked, O's fall!

Brian Matusz came out and threw his best outing of the season and showed the O's fan what he has. The only thing is he only pitched 7 innings and that meant the bullpen would have to come in and try and wrap it up for him. The problem is the O's bullpen has had trouble closing out games this season and that was also the case Saturday.  The O's lead 2-0 both runs coming on solo home-runs off the bat of Ty Wigginton going in to the 9th. That coming after the O's used 3 pitchers to get through a scoreless 8th inning. The O's turned to Alfredo Simon to close it out but that wasn't the case as he allowed 4 earned runs. Trembley called for Meredith and the same result 4 earned runs and that 2-0 lead was squashed. The O's wouldn't get any in the 9th and fell to the Indians 8-2. Another solid start ruined by a terrible bullpen outing.

O's will now look to win the series sunday afternoon as Mark Hendrickson will pitch against Jake Westbrook.

Matusz looking for strong outing, O's looking for 4th straight!

Brian Matusz has all the stuff to be a successful major league starter its just matter of when it will all come together for him. After a rough outing in his last start which he allowed 6 earned runs the most in any of his outings this season he will be looking to bounce back strong against the Indians tonight. Though his record doesn't look great its solid at 2-3 since looking at two games he took losses the team combined to score 1 run. Matusz will be pitching against a struggling team at the plate and should be able to regain form and throw a solid 7 innings. The biggest worries will be the offensive production the O's will give him. Luke Scott and Ty Wigginton each added 3 hits yesterday and both will need to continue to perform to help keep the 3 game win streak alive.

The O's will be looking to extend there winning streak to 4 games and there longest of the season. The Indians will turn to Mitch Talbot to tame the O's.

O's looking for series win today!

The Orioles are looking to get series win today as they split yesterday with the Twins in a double header. The O's had solid starting pitching in both games but the runs came in game 1 while the team could only put 1 run on the board in game 2. The O's will turn to Brian Matusz as the Twins will look for Nick Blackburn to get them a W. Matusz is looking for win number 3 on the season as he supports 3.93 era in his 6 starts this season. The team needs to get him some run support as in his last two starts the team has combined to score only 1 run as they have been beat 4-1 & 4-0 in them starts.

Notes from the double header:

• Jeremy Guthrie: 6.2 innings pitched, 3 earned runs, 5 strike-outs 
• Nick Markakis: 2 for 4, 3 rbi's, 1 stolen base, 1 walk in game 1, 0-4 in game 2
• Julio Lugo: 3 for 5, 1 rbi in game 1, 1 for 4 in game 2
• Kevin Millwood: 7 innings pitched 3 earned runs, 1 run for run support

Lets GO O's!

Matusz puts himself in hole, O's lose again!

Brian Matusz was cruising along tuesday night before a sac bunt turned in to a much bigger play. Ramiro Pena laid a sac bunt down that Matusz fielded and threw away allowing 1 run to score and the next batter drove in Pena to put the Yankees up 3-1. Matusz pitched one more inning and finished with 6 innings pitched 1 earned run allowed, 3 runs allowed, 3 walks and 2 strike-outs. The Yankees would add another run and win 4-1.

Matusz ready to duel with A.J. Burnett!

Brian Matusz will take the mound for the O's tonight in game to of the 3 game series with the Yankees. This is a re-match of the April 29th game as the same two pitchers took the mound that night with A.J. getting the win 4-0 as he was to much for the Orioles hitters. While Matusz pitched well and kept his team in the game, Burnett combined with 1 inning of work from the great Mariano Rivera did not allow any runs. Matusz has a 2-1 record has allowed 3 earned runs or less in 4 of his 5 starts this season. If he stays on course and the O's bats can come alive tonight he can pick up win number 3 on the season. Should be a pitchers duel but with a hitters park who knows what could happen tonight!