Baltimore Orioles Closing Gap -- Still a Year Away

TRIVIA: What do you get when you put Baltimore's pitching staff and the Yankees' batting order on the same team?

ANSWER: READ ON!

There is an old saying in coaching that goes something like this: You can't make chicken salad out of chicken @*&#. This has never been more appropriate than it is in Baltimore this year. Though they lost three pitchers to free agency or trade, the Orioles look set to compete with the rest of the A.L.--on the mound.

Gone are Chris Britton, Dave Newhan and LaTroy Hawkins. However, the additions of Scott Williamson, Danys Baez, Jaret Wright, Chad Bradford, and Jamie Walker have O's faithful saying, "Ya never know." Despite their potentially enimic lineup, Baltimore's pitching staff, led by pitching coach genius of Leo Mazzone, looks to keep the Orioles in a lot of close contests.

Mazzone has big plans for his second season as the pitching coach. Also, manager Sam Perlozzo thinks the new arms will make Baltimore competitive again. Perlozzo will send a rather young, yet solid rotation. Talented left-hander Erik Bedard will surely improve on his 15 wins of a year ago. Furthmore, he needs to lower his ERA from last season's 3.76 mark. The power pitcher has all the making of an all star. Next, the senior statesman of the rotation is 33-year old Kris Benson. The slightly-above-average right hander is expected to finish at or near the .500 mark, with an ERA around 4. Then, there is a wonder on every staff, and Baltimore's wonder is Daniel Cabrera. The big righty has electric stuff but needs to master the mental aspect of dealing on the mound. He has the stuff of another all star, but does not always use it. Rounding out the rotation is newcomer Jaret Wright and 23-year-old Adam Loewen. With Mazzone's tutelage, expect these hurler to make big strides.