5 Bold Predictions For Opening Day

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1.     Orioles Finish First In AL East

Despite the Blue Jays making ideal acquisitions from the Miami Marlins, the Baltimore Orioles were able to retain the majority of the 2012 team that contributed to their first playoff berth since 1996.  While some may consider the Orioles flakey or even right out lucky due largely in part to their clutch win ability in one run games (29-9) and their uncanny ability to maintain a level of heightened endurance during extra inning games (16-2).  However, it can’t be denied that the Orioles have the potential within their young bullpen in Manny Machado, Matt Wieters and Adam Jones.  While the Yankees have championship veterans in Derek Jeter and the legendary closer Mariano Rivera, both of these players are on the verge retirement (this is Rivera’s last season) and no longer have the youthful presence necessary to excel in the latter half of the MLB season.  If the Orioles can develop a proficient and persistent defense, especially at the closer position, then they have chance to the win the division for the first time since 1997.

2.     Cardinals Win NL, Reach 2013 World Series

You can never sleep on the St. Louis Cardinals.  You would think that winning a World Series in 2011 as a wild card team that just snuck into the playoffs and proceeded to beat the best team in the NL, wouldn’t be underestimated time and time again.  Yet, when you look at the upcoming predictions none of them even mention the Cardinals as a potential threat.  Not only was this team able to compete last season without their former scoring superstar Albert Pujols, they were able to once again make the playoffs while beating the Washington Nationals despite their superior regular season record (Sound familiar?) They were one game away from beating the San Francisco Giants that would have landed them in their second consecutive World Series.  However, even with this heart breaking loss the Cardinals proved two things: 1. They have incredible depth and post-season poise and 2. They should never be underestimated.

3.     San Francisco Giants Miss Playoffs

While the Giants impressive sweep of the Detroit Lions in the 2012 World Series was the epitome of a dominant performance, you have to wonder if such a display of timely athleticism is possible to duplicate in consecutive seasons, especially when the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing second half of regular season play.  On top of that, the Giants didn’t make many moves during the off season and retained much of their squad from last season, which either could be a devastating detriment or a dominant force to be reckoned with. 

4.     Texas Rangers Finish 3^rd in AL West

Without Josh Hamilton it’s hard to see the Rangers making another run at a playoff berth and attempt to capture a seemingly elusive world series victory.  While the Houston Astros don’t appear to be an intimidating division opponent, teams such as the Angles and Athletics aren’t going to be pushovers.  If anything, both teams look to be much improved which is bad news for a Rangers team that seemingly lacks the consistent skills to go all the way.

5.     Orioles Win 2013 World Series

That’s right, I said it.  A team that was considered to be a walking disappointment since the departure of Hall of Famer and Orioles legend Cal Ripken Junior, has once again entered back into world of baseball relevance.  Sure their methods are unconventional and admittedly it’s possible that some of the Orioles regular season wins were due to luck and stamina rather than innate baseball talent.  But, given how other teams have been underdogs in the past and have been able to pull off upsets of epic proportions (2011 Cardinals, 2004 Red Sox,  etc.), is it really so hard to believe that this young and revitalized Orioles franchise could pull off something this monumental? Maybe so. Yet, after watching the Orioles nearly give the New York Yankees a run for their money in last year’s playoff series, and observing how this team defied the odds to be a competitive icon in one of the most difficult divisions in the league, anything is possible.