The O’s are making the 3.5-hour trip across Florida to West Palm Beach this afternoon, taking on the Astros at CACTI Park. Most of the regulars are staying in Sarasota, but the Birds’ lineup today includes four projected Opening Day starters — Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Samuel Basallo, and Coby Mayo — along with a bunch of randos. Interestingly, Beavers is starting in center, with Cowser sliding over to right.
Mayo, who started at third base yesterday, gets a semi-breather with DH duty this afternoon.
Samuel Basallo starts behind the plate, where he hasn’t looked stellar this spring. I guess that’s why you practice. They’ll face veteran Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr.
The Orioles’ expected pitchers today are all guys who won’t be breaking camp with the team. Levi Wells makes the start, with Andrew Magno, Eric Torres, and Josh Walker scheduled to follow. Prospects like Wells, Trey Gibson, and Luis De León have all made starts in the past few days, which is nice to see, but I’m sort of wondering where all the actual O’s starting pitchers are. None of the Orioles’ top six guys have started since Chris Bassitt last Friday the 6th. Dean Kremer has the excuse of being away at the World Baseball Classic, but it’s been a minute since we’ve seen any of the others. I assume they’re getting their work in on the back fields and simulated games.
Orioles lineup:
CF Dylan Beavers
RF Colton Cowser
C Samuel Basallo
3B Bryan Ramos
DH Coby Mayo
1B Ryan Noda
SS José Barrero
2B Willy Vasquez
LF Will Robertson
RHP Levi Wells
