Tim Wakefield, RH Rodrigo Lopez, RH
(0-1, 17.18) (1-0, 6.43)
Game time: 1:35pm on CSN (Baltimore) and NESN (Boston).
Weather: Sunny, low 50s
Boston: 4-1, 1st place
Baltimore: 2-3, 3rd place, 2 GB
I'm going to be out most of the day, so this post goes up early.
Even though they lost last night, it was nice to see the O's involved in a pitcher's duel. Chen had a decent (if short) outing, sprinkling a lots of hits and walks over five innings, but also striking out 5 and getting help from the D; Schilling was vintage Schilling. We tip our caps and move on, trying to salvage the final game of the series.
Our hopes rest with Rodrigo Lopez, Bosox killer extraordinaire, who is 10-5 against them for his career. Roddy was roughed up in his Opening Day start, but pitched (barely) well enough to win, supported by the O's four-homer attack. He'll be opposed by Tim Wakefield, who got creamed in his first game. The Birds have had some success against Wakefield of late, winning both games he started against them last year.
- Around the division: Toronto doubled up Tampa Bay 8-4, and claimed sole possession of 2nd place; the Angels beat the Big Unit 3-2, and sent the Yankees to their fourth straight loss.
- Leading off: David Newhan will lead off the game today and start in RF, according to the team's official site. Perlozzo is trying to find ways to keep him in the lineup...yup, we've got too many outfielders. Javy Lopez caught yesterday, so hopefully he'll be sitting and Gibby, one of our hottest hitters, will be DHing. I'd be bummed if Perlozzo was sitting Gibby twice in one week.
- Still perfect: Detroit and Milwaukee are now both 5-0.