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Here’s what’s going to happen, believe it or not
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BELIEVE IT: Nick Markakis needed to produce a career-best, 16-game hitting streak, which included going 3-for-5 in a loss to Toronto on Wednesday, but the right fielder became the Orioles’ first starter to break the .300 batting average barrier in more than two months.
OR NOT: The Orioles’ offense has come alive in the last six weeks, the Orioles‚ starting pitching is coming undone, as is the overworked bullpen. The first winning season since 1997 will not come to pass. But the team will stage a fireworks show to celebrate a 75-87 finish and hope for the future.
BELIEVE IT: When the Ravens line up on offense with new coordinator Cam Cameron calling the shots, the jump ball and the five-yard pass to tight end Todd Heap on third-and-seven no longer will be the primary options. Prepare for such wrinkles as the screen pass, the moving pocket, and the crossing pattern. After years of Billick’s vanilla schemes, it will seem truly innovative.
OR NOT: Heap will start eight games. OK, nine.
BELIEVE IT: Whether it’s Kyle Boller or Troy Smith lining up behind center, Ravens coach John Harbaugh will take the ball out of the quarterback’s hands and lean heavily on running back Willis McGahee if his team is leading in the second half. No more tricks — and no more stopping the clock with incomplete passes with two-score leads in the fourth quarter.
OR NOT: A bunch of Ravens veterans will suffer “injuries” during Harbaugh’s first training camp to escape the summer heat and two-a-day practices that will make them long for the lazy days of Camp Billick.
BELIEVE IT: The small-market baseball teams in good position to make the playoffs include the Tampa Bay Rays, the Minnesota Twins, the Detroit Tigers and Oakland A’s in the American League, and the Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL.
OR NOT: Much to the disappointment of network programming executives, neither the New York Yankees nor the Mets will be playing in the postseason, despite having a combined payroll that rivals the GNP of numerous third-world countries. Seriously, the Big Apple is coming up Big Empty.
BELIEVE IT: Next month amid the Olympic smog enveloping Beijing, swimming icon and Rodgers Forge native Michael Phelps will fall just short in his quest to win all eight of his events and break Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals. Then, some jerk will call Phelps a failure.
OR NOT: Hundreds of athletes on parade at the opening ceremonies will make a statement by marching with the aid of oxygen tanks.
BELIEVE IT: Two months after a disastrous, last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes killed his chance at the Triple Crown, Big Brown will make a triumphant return in the Haskell Invitational on Aug. 3 at Monmouth Park.
OR NOT: Big Brown trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. will be gracious in victory, provided he is not serving a suspension.
BELIEVE IT: Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie will finish in the top ten in the American League in ERA with a 13-16 record.
OR NOT: Orioles closer George Sherrill will set a club record with 51 saves, then will have arm replacement surgery in October. As a sign of respect and for good luck, Sherrill’s surgeon will wear a cap with the bill turned up during the procedure.
