As the countdown to Orioles Opening Day ticks down to just 11 days, anticipation is building. The team has eight more exhibition games lined up in Florida, plus a couple of matchups against the Nationals next Sunday and Monday.
Tonight, the Orioles face off against the Yankees at 6:05 PM, marking the first night game of their spring schedule. Fans can catch the action on MASN or tune in via 98 Rock and WBAL 1090AM in Baltimore.
In yesterday’s outing, the Orioles fell to the Pirates, 8-6, after a late three-run homer off Yaramil Hiraldo shifted the momentum. Despite the loss, there were bright spots: Adley Rutschman launched his second homer of spring training, and Dylan Beavers added his first.
Currently, the Orioles hold an 8-11 record in Grapefruit League play, with two ties. While it’s natural to hope for stronger performances from those likely to make the Opening Day roster, there’s no need for alarm just yet.
One intriguing storyline is how the pitching rotation will shape up. Will Craig Albernaz opt for a five- or six-man rotation? The answer may come through roster cuts or unexpected moves like Zach Eflin hitting the injured list to build up innings, or Dean Kremer being optioned to the minors.
Typically, teams make their final roster decisions before leaving Florida, but with the unique addition of two exhibition games in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, the Orioles might delay finalizing their roster. And let’s not forget the possibility of last-minute trades or waiver claims, a tactic GM Mike Elias has favored in the past.
Orioles Highlights You Might Have Missed:
- Trevor Rogers is leading what some call "the most underrated rotation in all of baseball." Could this be a fun prediction to look back on?
- Craig Albernaz has praised Rogers' performance last year, hinting at his potential as the Opening Day starter.
- Dylan Beavers seems poised for the Opening Day roster, but he's not taking anything for granted. Let's cheer him on: BEAVERS!
- New hitting coach Dustin Lind brings a fresh perspective, emphasizing the basics: "Putting the ball in play is step one in being a hitter."
Birthdays and Orioles Anniversaries:
Today, we celebrate a few former Orioles birthdays: 2025 outfielder Greg Allen, 2008 infielder Freddie Bynum, and 1993 infielder Mike Pagliarulo. A special shoutout to Maryland-born Hall of Famer Harold Baines, celebrating his 67th birthday today.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You share it with notable figures like 7th president Andrew Jackson, musician Sly Stone, Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi, and actress Eva Longoria.
On This Day in History:
- In 44 BC, Julius Caesar met his fate on the Ides of March.
- In 1820, Maine became the 20th state of the United States.
- In 1848, Hungary briefly gained independence from the Habsburgs before Russian intervention.
- In 1917, Russian emperor Nicholas II abdicated, ending the Russian monarchy.
A Random Orioles Trivia Question:
I’ve got a book of Orioles trivia questions that I’ll be sharing each time. Here’s today’s question:
And that’s the latest from Birdland on March 15. Enjoy your Sunday and stay safe!