Baltimore Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde announced yesterday that John Means would be the Birds’ Opening Day starter on July 24th in Boston. While there were other candidates, a Means getting the assignment was all but a foregone conclusion. He was the team’s lone all-star representative last year.
Means was 12-11 last season, with a 3.60 ERA. However he also had a Wins Above Replacement number of 5.0. He was a huge surprise for the Orioles last year, and has the potential to anchor Oriole rotations as the ace in years to come.
The Orioles have also put three exhibition games on the schedule, as is allowed under the re-start procedures. On Sunday, July 19th they’ll travel to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies, followed by a home-and-home with the Washington Nationals. Monday the 20th at Camden Yards, and Tuesday the 21st at Nationals Park. All games will begin at 6 PM, and my understanding is that none of them will be covered by MASN or the Orioles’ radio network.
Birdland Crush 