We’re at the halfway point of the 2009 Major League Baseball season and all of our projections and predictions are out the window.
Here are a few realistic goals for the Orioles for the remainder of the year.
- AL Rookie of the Year – Brad Bergesen and Nolan Reimold are both Rookie of the Year caliber players. In fact the O’s have started calling Bergy ROY. Bergesen and Reimold should focus on staying sharp in the second half and one of them will undoubtedly win the honor.
- Finish Fourth in the East – If interleague play wasn’t a huge sign that the O’s play in the toughest division in baseball, then you’re never going to see the light. I don’t think Baltimore will finish .500 this year, only because of the division. But, they can finish above the Blue Jays. The Orioles are 5-4 against the Jays this year, winning two of the three series. The Jays have a four game lead over the O’s and that needs to change.
- No August/September Plummet – Baltimore has been known to drop off the face of the earth in mid-August/early September. This team isn’t going to the playoffs, but if they want to prove they can contend next season they need to start with the end of ’09.
- Don’t Burn Out the Pen – This one ties into the August/September plummet. Typically Orioles starting pitching in the second half of the season drops off and it kills the talented bullpen. Our starters have averaged slightly over five innings per start and that won’t cut it in the second half.
- Win on the road – The O’s are 24-21 at Camden Yards and 14-27 away from home. The west coast has killed them. 2009 is all about proving you’re ready to win in 2010, that starts with putting together some “W’s” away from home.
I think those goals are pretty realistic. What do you think?
I like the goals you have set.
I’m going with Reimold on ROY but either would suffice.
I know that we should be focusing on the wins and losses too but I say if we are bringing up the Tillman’s of the farm system world then we have to let the chips fall where they may. Jumping from Triple A to the bigs is huge so let’s let him/them work out all of his growing pains (hopefully, there will be only a few)…I’m not saying forget about the record either, but at this point- does it really matter?
I agree that those are realistic, even attainable goals. It will be interesting to see how the front office handles the pitchers still in the minor leagues re: when they will be called up, where they will fit on the ballclub.
I will settle for continued progress from the youngsters and the team, and hopefully no late season swoon.
I just want 2009 to be a step forward towards the future of more successful and winning seasons. I think these goals will help us to reach that goal.