MLB Season Winding Down with Yanks and Orioles Fighting to the End

The MLB season is winding down with roughly 37 games remaining. The battle for the AL east crown is in a virtual deadlock between the Orioles and Yankees but the remaining schedule clearly favors the Yanks which is not great news for our 2* preseason play on the Orioles to win the division (+200). Fortunately the O’s are in good position to make the playoffs so our other 2* preseason play on Baltimore to win the AL Pennant (+600) is still within reach. Part of the handicap in backing Baltimore was a strong bullpen which has clearly not panned out. Kimbrel has been a disaster as a closer and the bullpen as a whole has cost the team numerous games. The pundits had the Orioles addressing this obvious need at the trade deadline but instead they chose to trade very good prospects away for a very mediocre starter in Rogers. Even with their powerful lineup it will be a tall order to hold off the Yankees with such a pedestrian relief corps. A second part of the handicap was counting on an excellent starting staff that has unfortunately been ravaged by injury as Bradish, Wells and Means have all been lost. Throw in recent injuries to key starters in promising youngster Westburg and solid second baseman Mateo and the Orioles are stuck fighting an uphill battle.