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Spring training won’t be over tomorrow or anything, but we are headed towards the point where it’s hard to keep making excuses for any poor performers. If someone is still tuning up, how much longer do they need? Enter Ubaldo Jimenez, who is going to pitch today. He will have four more outings, including today, where nothing counts before the regular season gets underway.
The good news for you is that you can watch Jimenez pitch today! Well, provided you’re able to get either MLB Network or on MLB.tv during standard business hours. The broadcast will probably be Pirates announcers only, so they won’t talk about the O’s much, but hey, you’ll still be able to see them.
...as much as this starting lineup can be said to count as an Orioles lineup:
- Chris Dickerson - RF
- Johnny Giavotella - 2B
- Hyun Soo Kim - LF
- Chris Davis - 1B
- Pedro Alvarez - DH
- Chris Johnson - 3B
- Logan Schafer - CF
- Caleb Joseph - C
- Paul Janish - SS
Relievers expected to pitch behind Jimenez include Donnie Hart and Zach Stewart, both lefties.
No Alvarez in the outfield yet. That will sure be something to see when they try to do it.
By the way, not that the record matters for much, but the Orioles are 10-7-1 so far in spring training. If they’re playing games, might as well win them. As long as nobody else gets hurt.
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And now, for the nightcap, USA vs. Venezuela in the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
The lineup for the Americans:
- Ian Kinsler - 2B
- Adam Jones - CF
- Christian Yelich - LF
- Nolan Arenado - 3B
- Eric Hosmer - 1B
- Paul Goldschmidt - DH
- Andrew McCutchen - RF
- Jonathan Lucroy - C
- Alex Bregman - SS
Drew Smyly is the pitcher for the USA.
I’ve got to admit that I don’t really think of “Venezuela” when I think of “baseball powerhouse,” though of course longtime Oriole Melvin Mora was from there, but this lineup is legit:
- Jose Altuve - 2B
- Martin Prado - LF
- Miguel Cabrera - 1B
- Victor Martinez - DH
- Rougned Odor - 3B
- Alcides Escobar - SS
- Carlos Gonzalez - RF
- Robinson Chirinos - C
- Ender Inciarte - CF
You come at the king, you best not miss, and the Americans will be facing off against “King” Felix Hernandez on Wednesday night. The game will be on MLB Network at 9pm.