Gameday Thread: Rays at O's, Opening Day

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 4:00 AM EDT in News & Rumors

You know, I don't know how much I'll be around today, so I wanted to get this up now. Opening Day!

Scott Kazmir, LH Rodrigo Lopez, RH (10-9, 3.77) (15-12, 4.90) SS J Lugo 2B B Roberts LF C Crawford CF L Matos 2B J Cantu 3B M Mora 3B A Huff SS M Tejada DH J Gomes RF J Gibbons 1B T Lee 1B K Millar C T Hall LF J Conine RF D Hollins DH J Lopez CF J Gathright C R Hernandez

Game time is 3:05 on WJZ and FSN Florida.

Rodrigo Lopez led the team in wins (15) and innings pitched (209 1/3) last season, but was really not very good at all. He was also the Opening Day starter last season, and I don't mind him getting the nod again this year. He's got sinroarity.

As for Kazmir, if his arm stays attached and all that, he's going to be a pain as long as he stays in the AL East and not with us. He led the Rays in innings (186), ERA (3.77), and strikeouts (174) last season, and allowed just 12 homers. Against the Orioles last year, kazmir was 2-1 in four starts, with a 3.33 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings. He also walked 15 batters, and walking Orioles was no easy task last year, plus we were the only team to hit three homers off of him. In fact, only the Red Sox even hit two. (The Royals, Twins, Yankees, A's, Mariners, Rangers and Pirates all hit one, if you're interested.)

It all begins again. Let's go O's!

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Comments

FINALLY.

Now why do I have to be at work the whole game? Ugh.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 9:23 AM EDT reply actions

The only solution....

MLB TV.

by zknower on Apr 3, 2006 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Local blackout.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Opening Day...

is all about hope. I don't have a lot of it this season, but I'll allow myself a little today.

Players I will not miss from last year: Sidney Ponson, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Eric Byrnes, Steve Kline, Steve Reed, Jorge Julio, Geronimo Gil. At the very least, this years team is different--not different enough I fear--but I am really glad some of those guys are gone.

by rebop on Apr 3, 2006 10:59 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

For everyone who tells me that the Orioles have been stagnant this year, I always respond that we've improved just by offloading dead weight (Ponson, Palmeiro and Sosa) and made marginal improvements with Hernandez and Mazzone. I don't think that makes us a contender, but I certainly can't see how we're starting off any worse than last year.

by punkrawka on Apr 3, 2006 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

rebop

Rebop said it perfectly. There are some many problem children gone that this year is going to be awesome

by Mike Boehm on Apr 3, 2006 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

"Awesome"...

I would consider 1 game over .500 awesome, yet realistic, and a huge step in the right direction.

Come on, O's, 8 is enough.

Orioles' Rebuilding Plan: Phase 1: Steal Underwear. Phase 3: Win the World Series.

by BrianS on Apr 3, 2006 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Re:

My cynical/pessimistic half says that the problem. We've been reduced to rooting for .500 ball as a major accomplishment. That's all the O's need to put fannies in the seats, and Petey A knows it.

My optimisitic half says wow, if the O's can approach .500, get an outfield, the ptiching develops this year, 2007 might not be too bad.

My remaining realistic half says the truth in between. The FO is trying to move in the right direction, but there's a ton of work to do before we'll have anything to really get excited about.... In the meanwhile just root becasue it's baseball and Baltimore.

I think that covers all 150% of my feelings...

"I'd love to see the team be much better." Peter Angelos

by drj on Apr 3, 2006 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

20 minutes to the anthem!

let's go Os!

by zknower on Apr 3, 2006 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

Been watching the Nats on ESPN GameCast...

They've completely changed it. Last year it was awful, now it's really amazing. Hopefully it won't hit the same glitches of not updating for whole innings at a time like last year's did.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

I'm using the MLB.com version...

...it's the same as last year.

by howie14 on Apr 3, 2006 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

SWEET CHILD O' MINE

YEAH BABY

OPENING DAY

RODDY

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

oh lord

Lugo high off the opposite wall for a leadoff double.

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

whoa

Jorge Cantu has a fabulous moustache.

I can't believe the Devil Rays bunted a lefty that hit 15 homers last years against Rodrigo Lopez with nobody out and a runner on second two batters into the season.

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Cantu sac fly

1-0 Rays

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

CHAAAAAARGE

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

nice bunt, Matos

YOU BUM

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

Tejada DP ends scoring threat

And Gomes homers.

Who's having fun?

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by Scott Christ on Apr 3, 2006 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

urg

sob

Fake Orioles News: A Blog

by CarrieIC on Apr 3, 2006 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Roddy.

Come on buddy.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

yes

way to settle down...

ERA at 9.00, WHIP still at 1.00 hahah

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Way to go Javy and Ramon!

Orioles' Rebuilding Plan: Phase 1: Steal Underwear. Phase 3: Win the World Series.

by BrianS on Apr 3, 2006 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

WOO HOO!

JAVY and MILLAR, perfect together. Tie game.

by zknower on Apr 3, 2006 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

RODDY ARHLKGHLKLKJGLKJF!J

crap.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Miggy checks in with the first O's homer.

Woo.

Get out your Baltimore Sun Home Run Bingo cards...

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Ok...

Time to actually not give up a run in an inning, Rodrigo.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 4:23 PM EDT reply actions

Man I wish i wasnt in a blackout zone

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow" Earl Weaver

by Larry Bigbie3 on Apr 3, 2006 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

Matos and Mora go back to back.

Nice. 5-4 O's.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Woo hoo! .500 here we come!

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow" Earl Weaver

by Larry Bigbie3 on Apr 3, 2006 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

WOOO MILLLAR 2 for 3!

and an RBI.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

ok

roddy you have a two run lead (maybe more), don't blow it.

by birdman on Apr 3, 2006 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

f*cking

roddy, pull his ass already.

by birdman on Apr 3, 2006 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it just me....

or is Travis Lee only good against the Orioles?

Orioles' Rebuilding Plan: Phase 1: Steal Underwear. Phase 3: Win the World Series.

by BrianS on Apr 3, 2006 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

Way to screw it up.

Even with as rough as it'd been for him, Roddy was one out away from a Quality Start.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

what the?

i can only check over once in a while. rodrgio just pitched the seventh?

why is he still in this game?

by zknower on Apr 3, 2006 5:29 PM EDT reply actions

Because Mazzone's a genius.

1, 2, 3.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

You simply cannot...

Get. Ramon. Out.

3-for-3.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

That's spreading it around.

B-Rob is the only Oriole without a ribbie today.

by zknower on Apr 3, 2006 5:39 PM EDT reply actions

First look at LaTroy.

Setting up for Ray.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

And the look...

...is good.

"You'll get better. I promise." - Cal Ripken Jr.

by Jonnypops on Apr 3, 2006 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Niiiiiiiiiiice!

O's win! I liiiiike!

"You'll get better. I promise." - Cal Ripken Jr.

by Jonnypops on Apr 3, 2006 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

Good start to the year.

Chris Ray with the save. Matos, Mora, Tejada, Conine with homers. The new guys do well (Millar 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R; Hernandez 3-for-3 and a pair of RBIs). And Roddy Lopez gets himself on his way to another 15 wins and a crappy ERA.

Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light, not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but because the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris.

by CStoneNo37 on Apr 3, 2006 6:03 PM EDT reply actions