Orioles home opener game thread: vs. Yankees, 3:05

The time has come. Let the festivities begin. It’s Orioles home opener day at Camden Yards.

Opening Day is always a celebration in Baltimore, even when the Orioles are bad. There’s an upbeat, almost giddy atmosphere around the park. The bars are packed. The stands are full. It’s orange and black as far as the eye can see. For one day, at least, baseball is forefront on everyone’s minds.

And this year, the O’s debut in Baltimore as a winning team, coming off an impressive 4-2 season-opening road trip. It’s a far cry from the last time baseball was played at Camden Yards, last Sept. 30, when the Birds were wrapping up a 47-115 season and bidding farewell to Adam Jones and Buck Showalter.

Today the new-look Orioles will jog down the orange carpet in front of their home fans, a small fraction of whom will be able to identify them. There will be fireworks and streamers. A randomly selected kid will be selected as the Orioles’ “26th man,” and then will be offered a spot in the starting rotation. But seriously, folks...

Retired O’s broadcaster Joe Angel, whom I already miss on the airwaves, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Operatic tenor Rolando Sanz will sing the national anthem for the fourth time. Then it’s time for baseball in Baltimore at long last.

If you can’t make it to the game today, that’s why we’re here. Join us and chat!

Orioles lineup

2B Jonathan Villar

LF Dwight Smith Jr.

RF Trey Mancini

DH Renato Nunez

3B Rio Ruiz

CF Joey Rickard

1B Chris Davis

C Jesus Sucre

SS Richie Martin

RHP Alex Cobb