Managed my Sam Perlozzo, the Baltimore Orioles will have their work cut out for them, trying to compete with the big three, NY, Boston and Toronto. Little improvement is observed on a team which struggled last season and finished in 4th place.Their pitching staff must improve, and perhaps Leo Mazzone, the former Atlanta Braves' pitching mastermind will work his magic in his second year. But how much he can get out of Kris Benson, a wild Daniel Cabrera, and aged and injury prone Jarret Wright is the question. Eric Bedard promises to be an elite pitcher and a qualified ace, but besides him, it looks like the O's will struggle once again. Their bullpen is improved and ready, should they bring leads into the late innings. With Chris Ray, Danys Baez, Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford and Scott Williamson, the O's look to be able to seal the leads late in games. But. It appears they won't have many leads to protect.Even if Mazzone can work some of his magic and get decent seasons from the starters, the offense must overcome many inconsistancies, injuries and age factors. With so-so hitters like Jay Payton, Jay Gibbons, Corey Paterson, Brian Roberts and newly signed Aubrey Huff, and nobody really solid to protect Miguel Tajeda, expect to see much of the same as last season with the O's offense. Inconsistancy. Should Huff step in and produce, Mora remain healthy and the others raise their batting averages a bit, the O's can turn their offense around in 2007. Even if they do, there just doesn't seem to be enough talent on the team to finish higher than any of the big three. Until they show they can pitch consistantly year-round, you have to pick them to lose.