1-0 +100
baltimore orioles regular season wins under 69.5 -130
bottom feeder in the toughest division in baseball this year. one of their only bright spots from last year, zach britton, won't be close to making the rotation until may. with the new playoff changes, the al east could very well have three teams in the playoffs this year... there won't be any letdowns when the orioles come to town, and vice versa. there was a lot of faith in 2011 after buck showalter was hired in 2010 and the orioles finished the season strong, but it just turned out to be another typical orioles season. i don't see them improving from last year's 69 wins.
kansas city royals regular season wins over 76.5 -160
a very underrated batting line up with exceptional speed and power. the only thing that worries me about this team is their pitching, but chen, hochevar, and sanchez should be solid throughout the year. i wouldn't be surprised to see the royals finish 2nd in the putrid al central this year. the al central consists of three duds, and the overrated tigers(they're really good, but still overrated after their magical season and the big signing). the indians are solid, but as they've shown us in the 2nd half of the season last year, they're simply not who we thought they were. the royals is the only team in the division i see with solid upside so i'm taking a stab at 'em to rack together some wins. alex gordon just signed a new four year deal which gives the franchise a winning mentality going into the season... that they're willing to pay the big bucks to hardworking winners. look for the royals to improve drastically this year.
baltimore orioles regular season wins under 69.5 -130
bottom feeder in the toughest division in baseball this year. one of their only bright spots from last year, zach britton, won't be close to making the rotation until may. with the new playoff changes, the al east could very well have three teams in the playoffs this year... there won't be any letdowns when the orioles come to town, and vice versa. there was a lot of faith in 2011 after buck showalter was hired in 2010 and the orioles finished the season strong, but it just turned out to be another typical orioles season. i don't see them improving from last year's 69 wins.
kansas city royals regular season wins over 76.5 -160
a very underrated batting line up with exceptional speed and power. the only thing that worries me about this team is their pitching, but chen, hochevar, and sanchez should be solid throughout the year. i wouldn't be surprised to see the royals finish 2nd in the putrid al central this year. the al central consists of three duds, and the overrated tigers(they're really good, but still overrated after their magical season and the big signing). the indians are solid, but as they've shown us in the 2nd half of the season last year, they're simply not who we thought they were. the royals is the only team in the division i see with solid upside so i'm taking a stab at 'em to rack together some wins. alex gordon just signed a new four year deal which gives the franchise a winning mentality going into the season... that they're willing to pay the big bucks to hardworking winners. look for the royals to improve drastically this year.
miami marlins -180 1h
i was initially going to stay off this game, but i'll take a stab at the giant pitching mismatch. lohse isn't an opening day ace in my opinion, not even close. he pitched well over his head throughout last year. josh johnson has looked very strong during spring training after coming off back surgery. johnson always comes out with a strong start... five shutout innings is very possible. the odds-makers don't just open the line with the reigning world champions as huge dogs for no reason, and the line is only going up.
i was initially going to stay off this game, but i'll take a stab at the giant pitching mismatch. lohse isn't an opening day ace in my opinion, not even close. he pitched well over his head throughout last year. josh johnson has looked very strong during spring training after coming off back surgery. johnson always comes out with a strong start... five shutout innings is very possible. the odds-makers don't just open the line with the reigning world champions as huge dogs for no reason, and the line is only going up.
