2012 MLB ALDS Picks and Odds: Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees Predictions – Free ALDS Picks

2012 MLB Playoffs Picks: Baltimore Orioles vs New York Yankees Odds and Predictions – Free MLB ALDS Picks: It was no surprise to see the New York Yankees battling for a division crown in the always-tough AL East, but it was a huge surprise that the Baltimore Orioles were the team putting the heat on the Yankees. Although New York eventually clinched the division on the final day of the regular season, Baltimore grabbed a wild card spot and promptly disposed of the two-time reigning AL champion Texas Rangers in the Wild Card game to setup a showdown with the Yankees in the ALDS. After the two teams split 18 regular season meetings in 2012, they will meet again in a five-game series with a spot in the American League Championship Series up for grabs. The series begins Sunday in Baltimore.

In many ways, these teams are mirror images of each other. They finished first and second in the majors in home runs this season and overcame starting pitching that was up and down all season. That being said, New York should have an edge offensively. The Yankees hit 31 more homers than Baltimore this year, and more importantly, they scored almost 100 more runs. The Orioles, on the other hand, should enjoy a big edge in the bullpen. Baltimore relievers have been lights out all year, especially in close games, and five relief pitchers finished with an ERA of 2.64 or lower. Meanwhile, New York is without future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera to close games, forcing the rest of the bullpen into different roles. It is tough to say which advantage will win out, especially since each side won nine games against the other during the regular season.

The Orioles Win If:

Offensively, the Orioles just need their stars to keep producing. Outfielder Adam Jones, catcher Matt Weiters and first baseman Chris Davis all enjoyed strong seasons, and just about every player in their lineup can go deep. As long as Baltimore’s bats don’t go silent, the series will boil down to pitching. While both teams had issues with starting pitching this year, Baltimore’s starting rotation is definitely more of question mark. Chris Tillman has been the team’s best option, but there isn’t a player in the rotation that can be considered a lock to go out and shut down an opponent. Baltimore has the offense to score runs, but its starters have to keep the Yankees to a reasonable run total. If the Orioles’ starters leave the games with the score close, the bullpen and offense are good enough to help Baltimore advance.

The Yankees Win If:

Led by the scorching hot Robinson Cano, the Yankees’ lineup has been rolling in September. Baltimore’s starting pitching is average at best, and with stars up and down the lineup, New York should be able to score runs. If the Yankees can jump out to leads and chase the Baltimore starters early, they should be in control of the series. While not great, CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte do give New York three starters that can go out and deliver a quality start on any given night. With a high-powered lineup behind them, the starters won’t have to give much more than a quality start for the Yankees to win games in this series. If Cano and the rest of the Yankees’ bats come to play and the starting pitching doesn’t implode, New York will have too much muscle for the Orioles to handle in this series.

Bottom Line:

A series between division rivals is always tougher to predict because the teams are more familiar with each other and know the other’s strengths and weaknesses. Not to mention the fact that there is usually a little extra intensity between two teams that meet so many times during the regular season. That being said, the Yankees still have more firepower to work with. While Baltimore has definitely overachieved this year and already defied the odds by knocking off Texas already, the Orioles’ suspect starting pitching is going to catch up to them eventually. New York’s lineup has too many stars not to put runs on the board. Baltimore can’t turn to its bullpen for a majority of the game for the entire series, and New York is going to take advantage at the plate to outslug the Orioles.

Prediction: New York Yankees Win in 5 Games

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