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MLB: Key to success for all 30 teams heading into 2015

By Robby Sabo

Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the 9th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland throws a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the 9th inning in game four of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) works out prior to the spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) works out prior to the spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Orioles

  • 2014 Finish: 96-66, 1st in AL East, Lost in ALCS
  • 2015 Key to Success: Replacing power

The storyline surrounding the 2014 ALCS was so simple, yet so tailor-made.

How could it not be as the team with the most home runs (HR) in baseball faced the team with the least?

If the storyline was tailor-made, then the result was heavenly as the speedy underdog Royals swept the powerful Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore led all the land with 211 HR last season. Nelson Cruz led baseball with 40 of them. Cruz is now gone and the O’s will need a few guys to step up.

Everything is still in place for Baltimore to content again if their 2014 power doesn’t slide – which everybody feels like it will.

One guy in particular will be Chris Davis.

The power hitting first baseman hit 26 home runs in 127 games last season. It’s not that he was an incredible disappointment in 2014, it’s that those numbers pale in comparison to his 2013 that saw Davis throw up a Major League leading 53.

This season Buck Showalter will need Davis to recapture that 2013 magic with Cruz off to Seattle. Because there’s not much improvement to speak of in the starting staff or a possibility that the lineup can change identities, that replacement will be crucial.

Youngster Manny Machado and returning leader Matt Weiters will also be heavily leaned upon.

Next: Minnesota Twins

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