Checking in with a few facts and opinions

Today, I will be presenting some Orioles facts and opinions about those facts in this space. Then, as usual, I hope you add to the discussion in the comments section.

Fact: An Oriole has led the American League (and the majors) in homers for four straight years. Chris Davis hit 53 in 2013, Nelson Cruz hit 40 in 2014, Davis hit 47 in 2015 and Mark Trumbo hit 47 last year.

The last time the same team produced a league homer leader four straight years was when the San Francisco Giants did it from 1961-1965. The last time an AL team did this, the Yankees had nine in a row from 1923-31.

Opinion: Will an Oriole make it five years in a row next season? On this team that is certainly possible and Davis is always a prime candidate to be among the league leaders. In fact, he does lead all major league batters with 197 home runs since the 2012 season. Manny Machado hit 37 last season and certainly could have another eight to 10 in him to push for the top spot. If Trumbo is re-signed, that would give the team a third player capable of finishing ahead of everyone in 2017 home runs.

Fact: The Orioles led the majors with 253 home runs last year.

Opinion (and more facts): The above fact didn't hurt the club's cause with this one. The Orioles had five players with at least 25 homers in 2016. According to Baseball-Reference.com, the Orioles became the 12th team in major league history with at least five players to hit 25 or more. The last team to do that was the 2012 Chicago White Sox. The 1996 Orioles did it, too. The Orioles had six players hit 20 or more, becoming the 19th club in major league history to do that.

Will the Orioles hit that many homers again in 2017? Maybe not that many, which was the second-most by any O's club (257 in 1996 is the club record), but they should bash plenty. I don't think there is much reason to be concerned about the total of homers hit by players that may not return. The club has homer hitters up and down the lineup and still plays in a ballpark favorable for mashing them. It's something they do well and will do so again.

Fact: Fewer air miles in 2017.

Opinion: Will fewer trips to the West Coast help the 2017 Orioles? Last year, the club flew across the country three times. They played the Angels in Anaheim in May as part of a three-time zone road trip that went on to Houston and Cleveland. They played at San Diego, Seattle and at the Los Angeles Dodgers in late June and early July, and at Oakland and San Francisco in August. This year, the Orioles have just one West Coast trip. In August, they go to Anaheim and then to Oakland and Seattle for a total of 10 games in 10 days against the Angels, A's and Mariners.

It should help with a little less wear and tear during the year. The Orioles went 3-8 at Oakland, Seattle and Anaheim last year. They fared better at National League West teams, going 6-2 against the Dodgers, Padres and Giants on the road.

The 2016 Orioles went a lackluster 12-22 (.353) in all games versus the AL West, while going 77-51 (.611) against all other teams.

Fact: The Orioles bullpen led the AL with a 3.40 ERA in 2016.

Opinion: That means the bullpen could be due for some regression, right? Well, possibly. It's hard to be No. 1 every year. Plus, it will be hard for pitchers like Zach Britton and Brad Brach to duplicate their 2016 seasons, especially Britton.

On the other hand, the Orioles could get a full year from a healthy Darren O'Day, whose 3.77 ERA was his worst since 2011. They could get a full year from Donnie Hart, and Mychal Givens could improve when facing lefty batters.

Also, while the O's 3.40 'pen ERA led the league, it was Baltimore's worst bullpen ERA since 3.52 in 2013. The 2015 Orioles produced a 3.21 bullpen ERA and the mark was 3.10 in 2014. Just like the club always hits homers, the club's bullpen can likely be counted to be very good again and maybe even stop on top of the league.

Fact: The Boston Red Sox are the clear favorite to win the AL East.

Opinion: Well, we snuck a non-fact in there. While the Red Sox will likely be the clear favorite to win the AL East, that is not yet a fact. But just give it some time.

O's fans better get used to it because they are going to see it and read it everywhere. Boston added Chris Sale to a team that already had a top offense and is coming off 93 wins and a division championship. Jump on their bandwagon now because it will fill up fast once the predictions start showing up. Boston did lose David Ortiz, but there are plenty of players left to help pick up that slack. They look to be the beast of the East. Now we just need to see teams actually play the games to truly find out.