Baltimore Orioles Viewed as Team to Beat in American League

The Baltimore Orioles are seen as the team to beat in the American League.

The Baltimore Orioles had the best record in the American League and second-best in baseball last year.

Despite getting swept in the ALDS by the Texas Rangers, it was a better season than anyone could've imagined.

However, there was a feeling of disappointment around the clubhouse. The regular season wins were a step in the right direction, but the Orioles felt they had a chance to compete in the playoffs.

It's a promising sign they felt the way they did after losing in October.

Instead of Baltimore running it back with the same team, which they very well could have done given their circumstances, the front office landed one of the best pitchers in baseball.

According to Dayn Perry of CBS Sports, that made the Orioles the team to beat in the American League.

"I probably would've leaned Astros before the Orioles swung a trade for ace Corbin Burnes. Now I'm inclined to say Baltimore. The Burnes addition is precisely what they needed given the suspect nature of the rotation." 

Burnes puts this team in a different tier than they were previously in. The former Cy Young Award winner and three-time All-Star has posted a sub-3.40 ERA in four straight seasons, including three of those four with an ERA below 3.00.

Entering the offseason, the need for an ace was clear.

Mike Elias understood what needed to be done and added arguably the top available pitcher on the trade market.

It's a different feeling in Baltimore this year.

Winning 101 games last year changed the expectations for this team and the fan base.

Anything less than a competitive showing in the postseason will be a disappointment, something that wasn't expected this early in the Orioles' plans.