As we head into the start of the season, ESPN’s Buster Olney took a look at the early part of the schedule for every team in the American League. Well, guess who has the toughest start to the season — yes, that’s right: The Baltimore Orioles.
Here’s a quick rundown from Olney:
Home/away: They are home for 15 of their first 35 games.
Games against teams that finished over .500 in 2009: 28 of the first 35. No kidding.
Meat-grinder stuff: From April 23 to May 5, the Orioles play four consecutive series — 12 straight games — against the Red Sox and Yankees.
This is not good at all. I looked at the schedule earlier, and I didn’t realize how tough things would really by in the first six or seven weeks. Then again, the first 35 games alone for Baltimore could really make or break their season.
To top things off, they only have three off days until May 24th.
Crazy.
The Schedule:
- April 6th-9th: Tampa
- April 9th-11th: Toronto
- April 12th-14th: Tampa
- April 15th-18th: Oakland
- April 19th-21st: Seattle
- April 23rd-25th: Boston
- April 27th-29th: New York
- April 30th-May 2nd: Boston
- May 3rd-5th: New York
- May 6th-9th: Minnesota
- May 11th-13th: Seattle
Considering the true optimism that many had coming into 2010, if the season starts with a thud, then the hope of a .500 season may dissipate quickly.
