How well did the Orioles answer their Pitching Issues?
It took until March for Baltimore to see the Orioles finally make a major move in their starting rotation. With the previous signing of Andrew Cashner, the Orioles did exactly what many believed they wouldn’t do, add another starter. Recent struggles of Baltimore’s 2017 rotation are well-documented.
Having the worst ERA (5.70) of any MLB rotation, while pitching the third-fewest innings (846.0), allowing the second most home runs (159) and the third-highest batting average against (.280). Common sense says the O’s starters can’t get much worse from last season.
Eliminating: Wade Miley- 5.61 ERA & Ubaldo Jimenez 6.81 ERA
Replacing these two pitiful performances with Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb. Projections found by FanGraphs these two will project to do much better for the 2018 Orioles.
Adding projected 2018 starters: Andrew Cashner 4.61-5.00 ERA & Alex Cobb 3.77-4.82 ERA
Expecting Cobb to magically transform the Orioles from the cellar is asking to much from one man. What Cobb will do is add a reliable arm in the deadly AL East, career stats 48-35 with a 3.50 ERA. In the tough American league the Baltimore Orioles will look to make a playoff push winning near to 85 games, similar to the Twins of last year.
