Perhaps the biggest news coming out of Sarasota today is that the Baltimore Orioles have tabbed Alex Cobb to start on Opening Day. It’s obviously an honor, and making the announcement now gives Cobb a chance to prepare himself. It also gives the O’s a chance to line up the rest of the rotation. Manager Brandon Hyde on the choice of Alex Cobb (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):
Opening day is one of 162, but it’s a special day. A very special day. And I’ve respected Alex for a long time. We all respect him very much, what he’s done in his career. We feel like he’s earned it. His track record speaks for itself. So we’re just excited about naming him opening day starter.
Andrew Cashner got the start in this afternoon’s game in Sarasota against Toronto. Cashner’s line: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Cashner gave up a two-RBI double in the second inning to Sogard, which gave Toronto a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning Urena would add an RBI-single, as would McKinney in the top of the fifth. Through four-and-a-half, the O’s trailed 4-0.
However Drew Jackson‘s RBI-single in the fifth cut the lead to 4-1. Joey Richard‘s RBI-single in the last of the sixth brought the O’s to within 4-3. Last night in Tampa of course we saw New York come back on the Orioles late in the game. In the eighth inning to be exact. Is it possible that sort of thing could have been contagious?
The Birds loaded the bases right off the bat in the last of the eighth, bringing Christopher Bostick to the plate. Bostick would draw a walk, tying the game at four. That brought J.C. Escarra to the plate, with the bases still loaded and nobody out. While Escarra was robbed of what would have indubitably been a bases-clearing double, he ended up with a sac fly-RBI, which gave the Orioles the lead at 5-4. Stevie Wilkerson rounded out the scoring with an RBI-single, giving the O’s a 6-4 victory over Toronto.
Things started out somewhat rough for the Birds, however the fact is that they scored six unanswered runs to win this game. And that also means that guys are battling to the last pitch – whether it’s for a job or to win the game. Guys aren’t giving away at-bats, no matter what the odds are of a comeback or a victory. And that’s part of why this has been such a great camp for Brandon Hyde’s Baltimore Orioles.
Mark Trumbo also made his spring debut today following surgery on his knee. He went 0-for-two on the day, but the big news was that he got into a game. The hope is that he’s ready for Opening Day – which is two weeks from tomorrow.
em having lost three straight games. And even if this were the regular season, tomorrow is the next opportunity to break that streak and win a game.
The Orioles will remain in Sarasota tomorrow as Minnesota comes into Ed Smith Stadium. Dylan Bundy gets the start for the Birds, and he’ll be opposed by Minnesota’s Chase De Jong. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.
Birdland Crush 
Is there ever a scenario where Davis gets cut?
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“Cut?” No, doubtful. Not a performance-based reason at least. It would be one thing to DFA a guy with one year and a minimal amount of money off the roster. Doing that to Chris Davis would be quite another story.
Am I saying the Orioles are stuck with him? Basically, yes. But also keep in mind that Davis is a plus defensive first baseman. He may be a liability at the plate right now, but there is something to be gained by having him on the field. One thing I’ll guarantee is that he won’t ever stop working to get better.
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