As we are well into the MLB Playoffs, it seems like the 2010 regular season didn’t end just nine days ago – rather it feels like it’s been a month or so.
On October 3rd, the season for the Orioles came to a conclusion. Despite a 66-96 record, for the first time in perhaps a decade plus, there’s some tangible hope for fans.
Under Buck Showalter, the team played well over .500, finishing up with a 34-23 record. They wound up splitting a four-game series at the very end, but they didn’t fold at all towards the homestretch. Frankly, they looked like they could compete with any team in baseball.
It was quite astonishing – albeit, in a good way to witness. The young pitching rose to the occasion – especially Brad Bergesen and Brian Matusz (who recovered from poor starts to the season), the team got injured players back and the hitters seemed to do much better in the clutch.
As we all saw in the final months of the season, the team does have pieces to build upon for the future. However, it’s also pretty obvious that they need help – a big bat, perhaps another starter, help at the corner positions, and also another bullpen arm.
Something needs to be done.
The team needs to be active on the open market and make a serious run at talent to bolster the roster. A lot of success for the Orioles in 2011 will rely upon what Andy MacPhail does in the offseason.
I’ll be typing up more of my thoughts of the season this week and into the winter; however, I’ve been watching the playoffs as much as I can – whenever real life doesn’t get into the way. It’s too bad the way Atlanta’s season ended along with Bobby Cox’s career, but that team wasn’t going anywhere.
We all know that the Twins can’t beat the Yankees whether it’s in the regular season or the playoffs and I think Texas will defeat the Rays tonight because Cliff Lee is on the mound.
World Series pick: For the second year in a row, Phillies versus Yankees.
