98 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

The Baltimore Orioles begin their 2012 season by hosting the Minnesota Twins for 3 games, starting Friday.
In 2011, Minnesota finished last in the American League Central with a 63-99 record.

For the year, the Twins were ranked:

25th overall in runs
21st overall in batting average
27th overall in on-base %
28th overall in slugging percentage
29th overall in era
22nd overall in quality starts
30th overall in k's
30th overall in baa

Projected Pitchers:
4/6 Pavano (RHP) vs. Arrieta
4/7 Liriano (LHP) vs. Hunter
4/8 Hendricks (RHP) vs. Hammel

Pavano 2011: 9-13, 4.30 era, 222 ip, 262 hits, 23 hr's, 40 bb's, 102 k's, .774 OPS against, 1.12 G/F

Pitch F/X:
http://pitchfx.texas...11&to=10/3/2011

Liriano 2011: 9-10, 5.09 era, 134.1 ip, 125 hits, 14 hr's, 75 bb's, 112 k's, .726 OPS against, 0.98 G/F

Pitch F/X:
http://pitchfx.texas...11&to=10/3/2011

Hendriks 2011: 0-2, 6.71 era, 23.1 ip, 29 hits, 3 hr's, 6 bb's, 16 k's, .866 OPS against, 0.90 G/F
Hendriks 2011 AAA: 4-4, 4.56 era
Hendriks 2011 AA: 8-2, 2.70 era

Pitch F/X:
http://pitchfx.texas...11&to=10/3/2011

Depth Chart:
C: Mauer
1st: Parmelee
2nd: Casilla
SS: Carroll
3rd: Valencia
RF: Revere
CF: Span
LF: Willingham
DH: Morneau

Bench: Doumit, Plouffe, Burroughs, Hughes
Rotation: Pavano, Liriano, Hendriks, Blackburn
Bullpen: Capps, Perkins, Duensing, Swarzak, Maloney, Gray, Burton, Burnett

[BSLChrisStoner]

MLB.com / Ghiroli: Opening Day Lineups
http://brittghiroli....-day-lineups-2/


ORIOLES LINEUP

Nolan Reimold LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Wilson Betemit DH
Mark Reynolds 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Robert Andino 2B

Jake Arrieta RHP

TWINS LINEUP

Denard Span, CF
Jamey Carroll, SS
Joe Mauer, C
Justin Morneau, DH
Josh Willingham, LF
Ryan Doumit, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Chris Parmelee, 1B
Alexi Casilla, 2B

Carl Pavano RHP

[BSLChrisStoner]

Pretty excited about Reimold leading off.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Wow, that's sweet that Reimy is leading off, good stuff. Can't wait to get my party on tomorrow.

[bhrusty]

I'm cheering for some individual players, but honestly couldn't care less this year about opening day. The season opened a week ago in Japan (which no one watched), then the spectacle that was the Miami opening, then another opening day. Now the Orioles have their home opener on Good Friday/First night of Passover.

I fully expect the Orioles to set a record low attendance for the home opener, and they deserve it.

[Adam Wolff]

I think that's awesome that Reimold is leading off. Here's to this being his season!

I'd probably bat JJ 3rd and Nick 2nd, but it's just semantics at this point. Also wouldn't have minded seeing Nick Johnson in the lineup. I'm cautiously optimistic about what we'll be able to get from him this year.

Alas, it's almost time for the return of Orioles baseball baby!

[You Play to Win the Game]

I'm cheering for some individual players, but honestly couldn't care less this year about opening day. The season opened a week ago in Japan (which no one watched), then the spectacle that was the Miami opening, then another opening day. Now the Orioles have their home opener on Good Friday/First night of Passover.

I fully expect the Orioles to set a record low attendance for the home opener, and they deserve it.

Wrong!

[BSLChrisStoner]

Know Kevin Gregg will never be a fan favorite, (I'd like to eat contract to move him) but hope it is not ugly when he is announced.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Looks like the crowd is still at Pickles, Diamond Tavern, and on Eutaw Street.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Palmer and Bordick hitting the basics.... quality starts, and Duquette preaching on-base %.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Arrieta starts the year off right, with a 94mph strike on the black.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Span grounds back to Arrieta. One out.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Arrieta throwing a lot of fastballs early. 96 with movement for a strike.

[BSLChrisStoner]

After getting behind in the count, Carroll worked a walk. Arrieta needed to make him swing the bat there.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Arrieta gets up 0-2 on Mauer, with a curve Palmer calls 'As good as you can throw.'

[BSLChrisStoner]

Arrieta gets out of the inning, fielding his position on a come-backer from Mauer. O's able to turn 2.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Reimold swinging on the first pitch he saw, slightly fooled; he hits a nubber out in the front of the plate. Hustling down the line, he forced Pavano to make a play. 1 out.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Hardy walks.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Using a graphic from Bloomberg Sports, MASN shows a pie chart illustrating Pavano's pitch selection by % in 2011.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Orioles go up 2-0 on an opposite field shot from Markakis!