It's too early to criticize the Orioles. There are 160 games left. There's plenty of time to make it alright. Two games is not enough to estimate the quality of the team. Yet still, the first two losses of the season are an extension of the ways they lost last year: bullpen collapsing and not hitting with runners in scoring positions.

The expectations are high for the fans. We're told the team is on the right path. The team is better than it was last year with the addition of free agents and with the maturation of our young stars. The team will win more games.

Expectations can be dashed with reality.

Will the free agents add hits and runs while maintaining a solid defense? Will our young players fulfill the potential that baseball scouts say they have? Will our pitching solidify into quality starters and solid bullpen work? Will the team score more runs and give up less runs than last year? Will they make all games competitive?

The two games so far make the case for the negative. Our hopes were high. Now we wonder if we were deluding ourselves.

But let's see. We still have 160 left.

Labels: , , ,