tim@fisher.UUCP (Tim Snyder) (03/11/86)
> > This Yankee fan agrees that the Orioles will be one of the biggest > problems facing the Yankees this year; besides a strong return of > the Tigers, Blue Jays, and a possible surprise from Beantown... > ...NY... :) > John B. Lo Coco The year-by-year surprise from Beantown is that they are virtually always much poorer than what was expected prior to the season. The O's, on the other hand are virtually always contenders, even when not expected to be. With teams like Boston, Detroit, and the Yanks carrying big-name gunners, they get selected, while the Birds slide into league championships with terrific pitching, immaculate defense, and 17-game winning streaks in September! This always makes the O's a wonderful bet when persons each select a team and bet "head-to-head." Only last year did the Orioles fail me (I am not an O's fan!), and it is probability epsilon that their pitching will stagger as it did last year. They also have Earl all year, which will help. PREDICTIONS/ HUNCHES (flame now, but file this!): TEAM GAMES BEHIND REASONS Detroit - additions: Dave LaPoint, Dave Collins, Dave Engle five SOLID starters, extreme depth, monster lineup question marks: middle relief, 3rd surprises: Nelson Simmons, Bill Campbell, and a trade of Larry Herndon New York 3.5 addition of Britt Burns, monster-killer lineup question marks: the Niekro's, shortstop, and, yes, 3rd base (sorry, Pag-fans!), management at all levels surprises (well...): the firing of Piniella at the all-star break Baltimore 8.5 the Earl from the staring gate question marks: bullpen, potentially tattered pitching staff Toronto 9.5 extremely talented and balanced team question marks: no improvement from last year (as in Detroit and New York), loss of Bobby Cox, AL East "winner's jinx" Cleveland 18 surprise, surprise, surprise! lots of young talent which is beginning to mature (watch Bret(t) Butler) question marks: no Blylevan, no pitching, and the fact that these guys are (still) the Indians! Boston 19.5 excellent on paper, good staff, but not of the "world-class" caliber question marks: the Oil Can will stagger this year (hunch), lack of depth Milwaukee 25 a very good team, but no depth and lots of age Great Balls o' Fire! Tim Snyder