Predictions

It's tricky making predictions about what's going to happen at the winter meetings. It's tricky because teams are continually meeting with teams and agents and you really don't know what's going on behind closed doors. Even if we think we do. So I'm out on a limb here. I understand that. But from what was gleaned on the first day - after talking to Orioles officials and anyone else who would speak to me - the sense is that the club is not on the big-time free agents.

In this game-day staple, blogger Matt Vensel makes four sometimes-courageous predictions for the game. All he asks is that you don't hold it against him whenever those predictions end up being embarrassingly wrong. The Ravens get a chance for some regular-season revenge on Sunday night against the New England Patriots, the team that beat them in January's AFC championship game. But for whatever reason, this rivalry game doesn't seem to have its usual juice. Maybe it's because Terrell Suggs is injured and therefore quiet.

Here's a look at how our Orioles Insiders see the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees playing out: Eduardo A. Encina Orioles in 5 Can't pick against the Orioles now. The O's will feed off the crowd today, as will Game 1 starter Jason Hammel, who fought to get healthy in time for this moment. I like the idea of going with Miguel Gonzalez in Game 3 in Yankee Stadium in a huge momentum game. He's shown he can win there. In my eyes, the Orioles only need to win one of two at Camden Yards.