Monthly Archives: February 2013

MLB 2013 Schedule Changes

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When Major League Baseball released it’s tentative 2013 schedule back in Sept. 2012, there were some glaring changes compared to years past.

Most changes occurred due to the Houston Astros moving from the National League Central to the American League West — for the first time ever, MLB has 15 teams in each league and five teams in all six divisions.

Divisional Games

The Astros move means teams will now play 19 games against each divisional opponent — 76 games total. Those games will be played in six series (three at home and three on the road). This change, along with the heavy load of divisional games in Sept. should make division races more competitive, especially down the stretch.

The 2011 season ending was considered one of the most memorable in baseball history, including the O's eliminating the Red Sox on the final day of the regular season. (Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)

The 2011 season ending was considered one of the most memorable in baseball history, including the O’s eliminating the Red Sox on the final day of the regular season. (Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)

For the Baltimore Orioles, the month of Sept. includes 28 games with just seven outside of the AL East (9/2 – 9/8 against the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox).

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Full Squad Report Day

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February 14, Valentine’s Day, typically a day most men dread and most women love (pun intended).

This year, everyone can enjoy Valentine’s Day because it’s also the day full MLB squads report to Spring Training.

Some players, such as J.J. Hardy, reported before the Feb. 14 deadline.

Dan Duquette on his 2013 Orioles in an interview with Orioles.com:

“We have some things we can build on, because we had a good year last year, but this is 2013,” Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette said. “This is a new group of players. This is a new season. We have new challenges. This is effectively a new team, but I can tell you this: The consistency of the leadership from the manager and the work ethic of the players instilled last year, that should carry over.”

Opening Day for the Baltimore Orioles is April 2, just 47 days away. Over the course of the next 7 weeks the Orioles will attempt to answer two important questions, who will be playing second base and what the starting rotation will look like come April.

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The Orioles and the World Baseball Classic

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This baseball season will “officially” begin with the start of the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament first played in 2006 and then again in 2009, after which was scheduled to occur every 4 years.

The 2013 World Baseball Classic rosters will feature nine representatives of the Baltimore Orioles: 4 from the big league roster, Adam Jones (USA), Luis Ayala (Mexico), Pedro Strop (Dominican Republic), Jonathan Schoop (Netherlands) and 5 players within the organization, Chris Robinson (Canada), Tim Smith (Canada),  Allan de San Miguel (Australia), Rafael Moreno (Brazil), and Jonatan Isenia (Netherlands).

Jones, an active tweeter on the O’s, expressed his excitment to play back in January.

 

This year will be the first year in which the World Baseball Classic is the sole international tournament to declare a “world champion.” The Olympics removed baseball in 2008 and the Baseball World Cup was discontinued in 2011 in an attempt to expand the World Baseball Classic.

Jones was a key figure in 2012, the O’s first winning season since 1997. (Photo from Masnsports.com)

Jones, a 27-year old from San Diego, will play for Joe Torre and team USA. Fresh off an impressive 2012 season in which Jones was selected to the American League All-Star team, won his second career Gold Glove and ranked sixth in AL MVP voting, Jones should be a regular contributor in the US roster.

One of the biggest concerns for MLB, players, coachers and fans is the timing of the WBC.

Timing seems to be the biggest issue regarding international baseball tournaments. The MLB season virtually lasts from mid-February to late October (and sometimes early November), meaning there is little if no time for a tournament after the World Series.

The concern with the WBC is injuries to players that might not only eliminate the player from the tournament, but also force them to miss time when the MLB season begins. Some have expressed this concern, while others encourage him to take advantage of the opportunity.

The World Baseball Classic’s first round begins on March 2 in Fukuoka, Japan and Taichung, Taiwan. The United States will open play against Mexico on March 8. And the tournament will be broadcasted exclusively on MLB Network.