Orioles Magic

Friday, April 10 - Sunday, April 12

Tampa Bay Rays (2-1) at Baltimore Orioles (2-1)

Pitching Matchups

Friday: TB - Andy Sonnanstine
BAL - Mark Hendrickson

Saturday: TB - Jeff Niemann
BAL - Jeremy Guthrie (1-0, 4.50)

Sunday: TB - James Shields (0-1, 8.44)
BAL - Adam Eaton

The Baltimore Orioles continue their AL East opening week home stand as they welcome in last year's Cinderellas, the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays took 2 of 3 from the Boston Red Sox and are looking to prove the doubters wrong who say they were a one year wonder. The Orioles are just looking to finish above .500 this season. They have not finished over .500 since 1997, crushing the souls of most of their fans. However, there have been some loyal O's fans such as myself, who know when the Orioles once again become a winning team, their loyalty will be rewarded. I will be at the best stadium in Major League Baseball on Saturday night, Camden Yards, cheering on the O's.

Baltimore had a nice start to the season, taking 2 of 3 from the hated New York Yankees. The question mark for the Orioles this year is their pitching. The Orioles have one legitimate starter, Jeremy Guthrie and question marks for their four other starters. Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara had an impressive debut Wednesday night against the Yankees, providing some hope. The O's should have a potent offense, led by 2B Brian Roberts, RF Nick Markakis, DH Aubrey Huff, and the emerging CF Adam Jones.

The Rays have a dangerous offense as well. In the off season they added LF Pat Burrell from the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, and of course they return LF Carl Crawford, 3B Evan Longoria, and C Dioner Navarro. The Rays have solid pitching as well but the Orioles are fortunate in that they will be avoiding Scott Kazmir and Matt Garza. Andy Sonnanstine and Jeff Niemann will be making their first starts of the season, while James Shield will look to rebound from a rough first start against the Red Sox. Hopefully, the Birds can maintain their momentum and take another series from an AL East foe