Should The Baltimore Orioles Be Texas’ Team?

If you're a Texas baseball fan, you probably immediately HATE the headline of this story. In baseball terms, you're probably thinking this is asinine - someone in the heart of Texas rooting for a team in the North East? Nah...we're all about the Rangers & Astros around here. Next, you're going to tell us we should immediately go out and buy Yankees jerseys.

Believe me, I get it. I grew up in Baltimore. And there's nothing - not a bad season (or in the Orioles case a bad decade) or major signing - that could make me become a fan of another team. I know what you're feeling.

But, if you're just a fan of all things Texas, you may want to read this post. Because while the Rangers and Astros may be located and play in Texas, the Orioles are the team that actually represents Texas the best - at least this season.

Why Should Texans Be Cheering for the Orioles?

That's the million dollar question, right? "Why should I, a fan of Texas, be rooting for a team in the North East?" Well, the answer is quite simple: More Texans play for the Orioles than the Rangers & Astros combined.

On the current active rosters, the Houston Astros (Ryan Pressly) and Texas Rangers (Nathan Evoldi - who may get traded at the deadline) only have 1 native Texan each on their rosters. The Orioles, meanwhile, have 5 guys from Texas in their lineup. And several others in the minors that could make their way to the big leagues soon.

What Texans Play for the Orioles?

While the Astros & Rangers only have 1 native Texan each, the Baltimore Orioles have 5 on their current big league roster. And most of them are impact players for the team. And, this list only includes the players BORN in Texas. I'm leaving off guys like Ryan O'Hearn who was born in Florida but moved to Texas at an early age (he graduated from Wakeland High in Frisco, Texas). So, if you expand the list a bit, there's even more Texas connections.

Grayson Rodriguez - Starting Pitcher from Nacogdoches, Texas

Burch Smith - Relief Pitcher from San Antonio, Texas

Jordan Westburg - Infielder from New Braunfels, Texas

Colton Cowser - Outfielder from Houston, Texas

Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder from Amarillo, Texas

Can the Orioles Win The World Series?

Will the Orioles be representing Baltimore (and Texas) in the World Series this year? You never can tell. There's 60+ games left in the season and a lot can happen between now and October.

But, here's what I know. The Orioles are one of the betting favorites to win it all. According to update betting lines from ESPNBET, the Orioles have the 4th best odds to win it all. According to them, the O's are +700 trailing only the Dodgers, Yankees and Phillies.

So, I'm not saying they're going to make it or win it. I'm just saying there's a good chance that if they do get there, it's going to be because they are powered by the heart of Texas.