The Baltimore Orioles scored perhaps the greatest Opening Day victory in the history of western civilization on Thursday. Well…for this year, anyways. As I said on Thursday and previously, it’s one game. It probably won’t prove to be indicative of the success or failure of the overall season. But it was a nice start.
The Orioles today are taxed with keeping that momentum going. Once again to show the difference between now and spring training, a victory today gives the Birds a series victory. That’s always a big deal, especially in the division. And not just any division, but the AL East.
Players and coaches will tell you that they want to win every game. And of course they do. But everyone knows that isn’t possible. Privately, they all know that it’s all about winning series’. If you’re consistently taking two-of-three, you’re doing okay.
The first series (and the first home series) is always a bit strange because it’s disjointed. You have all the pomp and circumstance of Opening Day, then a day off. This before resuming the series.
The Orioles may also have one other factor with which to deal: the weather. The forecast in Boston is “blustery” at best today. Now the meteorologist in me says that the forecast for this morning looks worse than the afternoon. But we’ll just have to see how things go – that’s one thing that’s out of our hands! If today‘a game is postponed, the teams could either do a doubleheader tomorrow, a doubleheader in September (when the Orioles return to Fenway), or play on a common day off.
So the aforementioned series at least is scheduled to continue this afternoon at Fenway Park. Dean Kremer gets the start for the O’s, and he’ll be opposed by Boston’s Chris Sale. Game time is set for just after 4 PM.
Birdland Crush 