Opening Day is 25 days away. For now, spring training games continue. The Orioles bring a 4-4-1 spring record into Sunday’s contest against the Red Sox. This one will air on TV and radio in the Baltimore area, or wherever you are in the world as long as you can access MASN or WBAL/98 Rock from there.
Orioles starting lineup
- Colton Cowser – CF
- Blaze Alexander – SS
- Dylan Beavers – DH
- Samuel Basallo – C
- Heston Kjerstad – LF
- Aron Estrada – 2B
- Weston Wilson – 3B
- Ryan Noda – 1B
- Enrique Bradfield Jr. – RF
The Orioles starting pitcher for this game is Chris Bassitt, making his first appearance in an organized spring game. He is, I believe, the last of the expected rotation pitchers and competitors to get
into a game.
This is an extremely “road game in spring training” lineup. If you were projecting out the Opening Day starting lineup a month ago, probably only three of these guys were in it: Basallo, Beavers, and Cowser. And depending on how manager Craig Albernaz chooses to handle his outfield veterans, maybe only one or two of them will actually play on Opening Day.
Alexander wasn’t even in the organization a month ago. If he had been, I would have said he only plays if there are enough injuries ahead of him. As we know, there have been enough injuries ahead of him. Kjerstad is not likely to make the roster unless there are injuries also. Or unless he really, really convinces the front office that he’s in a better place than last year.
At least the lineup has a couple of cool prospects in Bradfield and Estrada. It’s nice that the game will be televised and we can actually see a little bit of these guys in action. Or you can, anyway, I’ve got errands to run and probably won’t get to watch much. Oh well. Post some comments about how Estrada looks.
