Who will save the day for each MLB team?

Baltimore Orioles: Kevin Gausman

Everything is going to have to fall into place for the Balitmore Orioles to keep pace with the loaded Red Sox and Yankees. FanGraphs currently projects them to finish last in the AL East, but they’ve got the kind of lineup that can slug its way to victory any given day. Players like Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Chris Davis and Mark Trumbo give them a high-powered offense.

But for the Orioles to really do something substantial, they’ll need more from their rotation than what they’ve gotten in recent years. Headlining the Baltimore pitching staff in 2018 will be right-hander Kevin Gausman. Gausman has been a popular breakout candidate for the past couple of years, but hasn’t managed to pull it off yet.

The 27-year-old had solid years in 2014 and 2016 while flashing his potential, but he’s never been able to put it all together for an entire season. Over the course of his five-year career, he’s gone 34-43 with a 4.18 ERA. His command was his biggest issue in 2017. His 3.4 BB/9 was the highest rate of his career.

This year will be different for Gausman, though. With Chris Tillman often-injured and coming off one of the worst years of his career, Gausman will be the leader of the O’s’ rotation. He looks close to breaking out, too. Despite mediocre season numbers, he was much better after the All-Star Break. In the second half of the season, he posted a 3.41 ERA. Look for him to pick up where he left off when this season begins.