Question: Would love to hear your thoughts on what the O’s season record and finish in the standings will be, biggest disappointments and biggest positive surprises. Maybe throw in some thoughts on the severity of Gunnar’s injury and if it clears up 100 percent or nags him. From: Jim Anderson
Answer: Jim, I’ve never written a prediction article before, but it’s never too late to start. I’ll predict that Orioles will win 90 games and finish second in the American League East behind the Boston Red Sox.
I think that the biggest challenge the team faces is the bullpen. Félix Bautista will return to form, but it may take him half a season. My issue is who will be the closer when he’s not available. I thought the signing of Andrew Kittredge was a good one, and his absence will be painful.
The Orioles always seem to find relievers who haven’t had success before, Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe and Cionel Pérez, for example. They did the same with Bautista.
I think when Kyle Gibson and Grayson Rodriguez join the rotation, they may send some of their starters to the bullpen, and that’s how they’ll find a complement to Bautista.
I think the offense will be excellent. Jackson Holliday should make a great leap forward. So should Colton Cowser. I do have some concerns about Cedric Mullins. I realize that he’s often struggled in spring training, but he had an awful May last year and if he has a rough first half, that could be tough.
Adley Rutschman should have a bounce-back season, and Jordan Westburg should continue to improve, and Ryan Mountcastle will be helped by the closer left-field wall.
As for Gunnar Henderson, I don’t think his intercostal muscle strain is a long-term concern, and I think he’ll have a huge year and again be voted Most Valuable Oriole.
Question: ESPN has the Orioles as the best team in the American League. However, they rank five National League teams ahead of them. Do you agree with their assessment? From: Timothy Fowler
Answer: Tim, I’ve seen lots of assessments of the Orioles, and each names the Orioles as at least a wild-card team. I agree with those. Spring training games aren’t a great laboratory for predictions. While I saw each of the five American League East teams as well as Minnesota and Detroit, the only National League teams the Orioles played were Atlanta, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
I think the Braves and Phillies will be playoff teams, and so will the Dodgers, but I think the Orioles could match up well with Atlanta and Philadelphia. I might rank them as the second strongest team in the AL behind Boston, and close to the Braves and Phillies.
Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.