Sep 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles right fielder(21) celebrates the win with first baseman(28) at the end of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The Baltimore Orioles won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

With the regular season now completed and an American League East Championship in the pocket for the Baltimore Orioles, it is time to turn our attention fully to the playoffs.

It is usually the Yankees, Red Sox, or Rays that are carrying the colors of the AL East into the playoffs. Though the Orioles have some experience from the 2012 season, this is still relatively new for most of these Birds.

So how will they do?

It is difficult to project how teams will perform in short series, as there are so many variables that come into play.

Are the Orioles perfectly rested and set up, or did the past two weeks of meaningless games cause them to lose their edge? Even though the Birds have had some rough edges in losing four of the final six games, it is not as if any of the other AL playoffs teams are smoking hot.

But anything can happen in a short series. Any of the 10 teams in the MLB playoffs has a shot if they put it all together as a team.

Even so, it is not unreasonable at all to put the Orioles at, or near, the top of the list with the very best chances of winning it all.

So here are four bold predictions about the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 MLB playoffs ….