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I'll give you a severely biased optimistic answer (that I actually believe).

7 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 K.

Don't bet the house on it. I'm also calling that the Orioles have decent success with Wang and we win this one 5-2.

Based on what we witnessed in spring, his scouting reports underestimated him. I think that has to carry on for the first few months of the regular season. I hope.

Roch:
Going back to your "tough crowd" post. I was driving from Massachusetts back to my home in PA and I was listening to ESPN's Colin Cowherd's show "In the Herd." He was relentless through the whole show about the badly behaved Orioles fans. Evidently someone at the game had a sign that said "Severna Park Hates Texiera." This is what really set him off. His point was "passion should never become hate in sports." I don't disagree but as a long time fan (back to 1960) and the frustration of the last eleven years I still couldn't help but feel 'good for them' (meaning Orioles fans). How many times do we go to games when the Yankees and Red Sox are in town and it feels like a home game for the visitors? I wish I was there for the excitement. I will be there for Thursday and Friday's games. Anyone who knows fans knows Oriole fans are at the top of the list for sportmanship.

7 innings, 2 runs, 7 hits, 2 walks

Blogging drunk at seven in the morning, Roch? My hope on Koji is that you get to claim a typo. Really, I expect six innings and maybe 2 or 3 runs. I just don't think the Yankees lineup, even with "Money For Nothing" players like Teixiera is all that good. Yes, their pitching could be dominant, but raise your hand if you think Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettite, and Joba all stay healthy. My quess is that only 40% of that rotation avoids the DL by August1. The Orioles, on the other hand,will actually get better if Eaton, Hendrickson, and maybe Simon go on the DL.

Koji goes 6 and gives up 4 (all via the long ball), but he strikes out 6 and walks 1.

I don't think you're too far off Roch. I think he'll put up something similar to Guthrie, but he could do better too...Guthrie struggled when he started missing the strike zone in the 6th, Koji is a control artist, he also seems to have a lot in the tank vs. other pitchers at this point in the season. I say 7 innings 4 runs allowed, 3 k's. O's win a squeaker 5-4, with Ray coming back strong with a lights out 8th inning and Flat Breezy comes through in the 9th.

Unfortunately I think Koji is going to get lit up in his debut.
I hope I am wrong, but Spring Training is one thing, the lineup the Red Sox and Yankees have are not AAA players.

But if he does do good, we all need to enjoy it. I can think of a 100 reasons down the road when we wont be enjoying the day after an oriole game this season.

Thanks for this wonderful excuse for a pitching staff Mr. McPhail

OK, here's my line (and might I say 7 o'clock cannot come soon enough).

7 complete
0 walks
6 hits
6 strikeouts
2 runs
98 pitches (the man is a workhorse and is ready to throw)
0 wild (as long as Zauny is behind the plate)
0 hit batters

And if my line is way off, I'm with you Roch, my wireless connection is giving me fits today and as they say in today's world "it's not my fault". So I would like to officially say that I reserve the right to change my line. And by the way, these stats have been approve by MLB!!

Keep Roching Roch......love it.

p.s. what was the woman thinking????????????????????

5 hit, complete game, SHUTOUT. 89 pitches. Time of the game 2:30.
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Ok, I'm lovin' the time of game most of all. - Roch

5 innings
3 runs
2 earned runs
95 pitches

Sarfate in the 6th
Ray in the 7th
Johnson in the 8th
Sherrill in the 9th (S,1)

O's win 5-4

He'll definitely give them balls to hit, and the walks will probably be limited. It's tough to say because this Yankee lineup has never seen him pitch before, so he could possibly dominate.
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Hmmm...somebody's playing it awfully safe with her "prediction." Ha! Come on girl, give me some numbers. - Roch

The Yankees, much like the Orioles, have trouble with pitchers they are seeing for the first time. This gives Koji the advantage. Neither is a strikeout pitcher so expect a lot of balls put in play. This also gives an advantage to the Orioles who have a much better defensive team than the Yankess with their aging veterans. Then factor in that Wang didn't pitch the second half of last season and will be quite rusty and I predict another O's victory. I will give Koji 6 innings, 3 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts and Wang 4 innings, 5 runs, 4 walks and 1 strikeout. Final score will be 8 - 4 Orioles.

Ken Rosenthal wins the d-bag award for 2009 one game into the season. Last year it was Baltimore's Buster Olney ripping, this year it's Ken Rosenthal... and I quote:

"The Orioles' Roberts, too, viewed the fan behavior as perfectly acceptable.

'New York fans would do the same thing if they had a hometown guy that didn't sign,' Roberts said. 'I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It's just fans showing their passion. That's what sports is all about. Especially at this time with the economy, people are out here with everything that is going on enjoying the entertainment.'

Unemployed? Boo the Yankees. Deep in debt? Take it out on the Yankees. Depressed by your 401(k)? Commit fan interference against the Yankees."

Ken Rosenthal, I am sure Severna Park hates you too.

koji will pitch fine this year. i'm not about to try and guess what his line will be though, lots of 5s probably.

I know its easy to second guess, and easy to throw C.Ray's awesome spring out the window after giving up that dinger. But is it really the best place to bring in a guy coming off of TJ surgery to face Lefty,Switch,Lefty,Switch? probably not. Got to put a little on Trembley for screwing that one up.

But its nice to have 3 powerful healthy arms in the pen for once, I love JJ, Sarfate, and Ray, we actually have options!
Go O's!

I haven't read anybody else's response yet, because I don't want to be swayed, before I predict. I say Koji's line will be 3 runs on 7 hits over 7 innings, with 0 walks and 6 strike outs.

5 2/3, 4R, 3ER, 6H, 1BB, 2K

O's win 8-6

Uehara's line:

5.2, 8 hits, 4 runs, 5K, 2BB, 92 pitches. (Last run inherited)

I think he'll struggle with his command a little (Uehara command, not Cabrera command) and not go quite as deep as we would hope. I think he will be solid and give us a chance to win and that's all I can ask for.

It would be nice to take two of three from NYA. I think I'd rather the second W against Burnett though. It would be awesome to see the papers after the lowly O's beat up on the big three acquistions.

6.2 IP

2 Earned Runs

9 K

2 BB

Camden Faithful gives him a standing ovation as he exits.

Olney, Rosenthal, Cowheard, Gammons all eat crow.

here is my prediction:

7 innings
5 hits
0 walks
2 runs
96 pitches

Well be there tonight to cheer him on!

Koji goes 7, because I don't want to see Sarfate. Gives up 3 runs, has 7 strikeouts and 1 BB. The runs come in the 3rd inning, but Koji don't wanna come out. He then strikes out Jeter to end the inning.
Johnson in the 8th.
Sherril in the 9th.

O's win big again: 9-3

New pitchers always have an advantage and a new pitcher with a funky motion has a bigger edge. Plus contrary to what the resident wacko says, this Yankee line-up is not that strong. 4-A guys play 3b & CF, Jeter and Damon are slap hitters at this point, Nady and Cano leave the dugout swinging, you basically have one guy who would start for us Turncoat 1b, and of course A-rod when he gets back, the catcher and SS give too much away on defense to start for me, we are not that far behind them. Koji line: 7ip 4h 0r 0bb 5so

Roch
Off the topic.
Am I the only one who thinks Trembley choose really wrong when he borught Ray (Opening Day) to face 2 Lefthanders and 2 switch hitters having Walker in the bullpen and a day off yestreday?
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That's supposed to be Ray's inning this season, at least for now. And he was dominant in spring training. I'll give Trembley a pass on this one. - Roch

I expect Koji to go out there and surprise some people. The guy has been a very accomplished pitcher in Japan, pitching for their most popular team. I think he has the advantage because nobody in their lineup has faced him. I'm more worried about Koji as the season wears on and teams start to get an idea of what he can throw. Although the great thing with a guy like Koji is his control, as long as he has that going he should be able to limit any damage.

6 full innings
3 runs
1 walk
4 strike outs
5 hits
1 hit batter - Koji plunks Tex, instantly becoming our favorite pitcher the rest of the year.(hey I can dream can't I?)

i think koji goes 7 innings or 95 pitches whichevercomes first, 6 hits, 2 runs, 5 k's and 1 walk. If i had my way 3 of those k's would be mark teixiera but thats wishful thinking.

Morning Roch, I think Uehara will pitch 7 innings...7 hits....3 runs...1 walk..4 strikeouts...and shines bright on a 90-95 pitch count. O's win..6-3....and the booing is worse or better what ever way you look at it for Tex.

7 1/3 IP
6 H
2 ER
2 BB
6 K
8 ground outs
0 hit batsmen
standing ovation when he leaves the field

(glas half full over here)

6 2/3 innings, 3 runs

I like him. I really do. He may not be the pitching savior we need, but I think he will do great things here.

I will go 7 innings
4 hits
1 run
1 walk
4 K's
92 pitches

Being this is the 1st time they will see him he will have the advantage. The Yanks like to take pitches early but if he gets a favorable ump then he will always be pitching ahead of the count. This Yankees team is not the treat previous years were with guys like Abreu and Giambi gone plus I feel Tex will have another evening of pressing.

Roch,

Did you hear about the back page of the NY Post Tuesday? "Wasted Money!" with a picture of Tex and Sabathia. Welcome to NY fellas.

Wow - Ken Rosenthal really is a moron. Change that line a little bit: Commit fan interference against the Orioles - and the following line becomes "Appear on Letterman, be toasted by the mayor, and be regarded as a hero for helping your team steal a game."

Last year we got good mileage from an "us against the world" mentality because it was common to overlook us and talk about how we could be "historically bad." Maybe the clubhouse can use this media response as motivation for this season.

Roch,
Great job this spring.

Koji's line:
6 2/3 2 R 6h 1bb 4k 96 pitches were 68 strikes

6 Innings Pitched
3 Runs
2 Earned Runs
7 Hits
0 BB's
3 K's

HR-Damon in the 3rd inning

93 pitches
72 Strikes
21 Balls

Overall Game Time: 2hr 48min

Koji

7 strong

6 hits

2 runs (both being homers)

1 BB

7 Ks

1 WP

I think Koji will do well, at least in part because they haven't see him before. I say 6 innings, 2ER, 4 strikeouts, 1 walk. O's hold on for a 4-3 win. Simon doesn't get out of the third tomorrow. Write it down.

7 innings, 8 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks and 8 strike outs. And a big fat win.

98 Rock is still around? And people actually listen to it? Man, I need to renew my work permit here for another 5 years. Hopefully they will be gone by then.

Do they still play the same 20 songs over and over in between lame jokes by that dwarf...Micky something or other?

6 1/3
8 hits (2 HR)
5 runs
3 BB
3 SO

Have to be realistic. Its his first MLB game and its against the Yanks. He's going to give up some runs. But i feel he'll be a consistent pitcher this year and have an ERA hovering around 4, have about 12 wins.

Koji does have the advantage, and if he's able to throw the circle-change for strikes, plus be able to get the top 5 out in different ways, he'll be able to turn in a wonderful game. You need to look at his history, I say he'll do well.

My prediction would be:

7 innings
2 runs
6 hits
Zero walks
7 K's

and the bullpen does their jobs, starting with Ray (Ray comes back strong, lights out), and Sherrill for the save. Orioles win 5-2.

blogging drunk, while driving, at 7 am!! still up from that thriller in norfolk last night?? makes running with scissors sound sensible....

however, i digress....

7 inn 1R 5H 5K 0BB 89 pitches, none wild. ray has a shut down 8th, sherril the save. luke and huffy go yard. o's win 4-1!!! they can fight all they want, but they're going 0-2!!!

Roch-

You told me to remind you to find out why teams have switched back to the traditional helmets this year as opposed to the ones used last year. This is your friendly reminder on your way to the ballpark. Thank you sir.

Since when did booing become such an offense.

I guess it's only wrong when it gets in the way of the perfect Yankees storyline. The Yanks are supposed to win and the Orioles supposed to lose (games, free agency, whatever). This is the order of the cosmos.

I suppose all other teams and their fans should just take whatever the Yankees are giving us in silence.

This booing controversy is silly.

5 1/3 (leaves with two runners on)
5 runs
8 hits
1 BB
3 Ks

IP: 7.1
H: 6
BB: 0
K: 3
ER: 2

Last time I saw a Japanese pitcher start the second game of the season there was a no-hitter. I expect nothing less tonight.

If Koji pitches like he has this spring, he'll do fine. 6 hits, 7 innings, 2 runs.

peejay said:
Great Link here: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070706&content_id=2071694&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal

peejay,

That was a great story - especially the quote from Tex: "I grew up as a diehard Orioles fan, there's no secret about that,"

Those that are bashing us for booing this bum, all they need to do is look at that article to understand why.

I predict you will take a day off on September 20, 2014.

Did I read "Kubi" ?

OOps.

5 1/3 innings, 3 BBs, 3Ks, 4 ER, 9 hits, two double play balls, 89 pitches, no wild pitches (Zaun is the man). He'll leave with the lead (6-4) men on first and third with one down and a lefty coming to the plate. Replaced by Walker. O's hold on to win 7-6

I like running with scissors . . .

Jack@ss,
Do you ever have anything good to say about McPhail?
Did he steal your bike when you were kids?
Did he not share his candy with you or what?

Oh I got an idea maybe we can make you the GM because you seem to know so much, what did you do win a world series championship on xbox.

If you can't see the this team has made big strides since McPhail took over then you sir are watching a different team.

Since the O's suck so bad maybe you should a NATIONALS fan. Let me know how that works out for you. I would hate to hear what you have to say about that staff.

OK I'm done. I'll be there tonight drinking the McPhail kool-aid.

Koji 5 2/3 3er 7hits and ORIOLES WIN!!!

Koji's line:

5 2/3 innings
7 hits
4 runs
3 earned runs
3 walks
4 K

91 pitches

O's play tough, but unfortunatly, I believe they will lose 5-3.

I'm thinking Koji does well but I'm still realistic and he's not throwing a shutout in his first start, period.
This is the line: 6 2/3IP, 3ER (leaves with runners on first and second but the pen bails him out, Ray specifically), 7H 1BB, 5K, 94 pitches (59S, 35B). Bank on it lol.

Do the Yankees have the national sports media on the payroll as well? Sure appears that way. Bottom line is Tex went 0-4, and the crowd definitely had something to do with it. I was there, and it was the best game I've ever been to at the Yard. The fans were AWESOME!

As for Koji, I'm gonna say 7 innings, 3 ER, 5 K's no walks, and an O's victory.

Just touching on what others have said about your "Tough Crowd" post....

I am super pissed this morning. Last night I was watching Pardon the Interruption on ESPN and I wanted to scream. YANKEES YANKEES YANKEES.... The whole segment on the Yankee/O's game was all about the YANKEES! Not about how we played an excellent game... but about how the Yankees and CC didn't play "their best". What does the national media have against us? Seriously did we do something to them to piss them off??

I was already a little ticked off over Rosenthal's article yesterday, but this was just the icing on the cake. I dream of a day when I can turn on ESPN and hear about the 'O's winning' instead of 'Yankees had an off day'!!!

As far as Rosenthal is concerned... he is one of the biggest tools out there, along with Olney. Rosenthal is really going to go there??? Unemployed boo the yankees. If he would hop off the yankee bandwagon for a second he would see that the Yankees are everything that is wrong with Pro Sports. They don't create talent in their farm system.... they just take their checkbooks and shop. I hope they end up at the bottom of the AL East.

The Orioles may have had a billion losing seasons, but I will never turn my back on them. We grow our talent and have a team full of classy hardworking players. I am proud to be a Baltimore fan, and we are the best fans in baseball whether we are WINNING or LOSING!

hmm im going to say the Spanks are going to have a hard time against Koji tonight. I predict Koji will go a complete 6 innings with 5 k's 2 BB 5 hits 3 runs pitch count 97 wild 0 Orioles win 6-5

T-Bag deserved all the Boo's he got and maybe more for talking out of both sides of his mouth. All that BS about being an Oriole fan and then when he gets to NY he's says the opposite.The national media all sing the Evil Empires praises and puts down the teams that try to raise their own talent instead of buying most of their players.

I think Uehara cruises through 6 only giving up 1 run in the bottom of the 3rd to an inside the park HR when Felix Pie falls down on fly ball hit by Brett Gardner.

Unfortunately, in the 6th Uehara walks Jeter and gives up a bloop single to Damon. This sets up an epic showdown with Matsui which he wins and hits a 3 run bomb off him to extend the lead to 4-2 (Adam Jones hit a 2 run HR).

The Nikkon Sports News back page the following day has a dejected picture of Uehara and a picture of Matsui trotting the bases with the caption "GODZILLA STRIKES AGAIN".

TX O's Fan said:

steve from Harrisburg PA -

This is a sports blog. Keep your Obama worship to your self. Not everyone is duped by the con artist.

AMEN!!!

Roch, I have a bone to pick with MASN. In Howard Co on FIOS at least, you have to SUBSCRIBE to it??? In other words, I have to pay $$ to get an HD telecast of the game? That's horsesh1t. Tell your superiors that is crap. Many other networks don't make the fans pay for what is commonplace technology now.

There is DEFINITELY a joke in that opening line of your blog, but I'll refrain...

I just love the hypocracy of the national media, particularly the NY media & ESPN. Poor ESPN, the O's ruined their chance to cheer lead for the Spanks on their expanded opening day coverage. Whipping them, making their two top FAs look bad too, was NOT what ESPN wanted that day. Fans booing was just a convenient thing to harp on. Also, why don't we hear this outcry when the Red Sux & Spanks play, players on each team , at various times, get railed out, cursed, booed, batteries threw at them in some cases, etc, BUT that is OK? Look what went on in Toronto opening day. Where is the outrage? Badly behaved fans here, Opening Day? If anyone from NY, Boston, TORONTO, & a few others dubious cities says that, it's laughable! Fine for them to do it, but how dare we do it to them? It reminds me of a famous line, Thou do protest too much me thinks?
Screw em all I say & just boo Teix even louder now! I just wish I could post this on a national site where some of their "fans" could chew on it...

Rosenthal , what an idiot & homer.

Jack, Koji lit up? All this bad vibes stuff about the players? I tend to agree with you, somewhat, on potter & AM, but remember... It is better to be thought an idiot than to open your mouth & remove all doubt...

Looking forward to tonight's game. Excited to see what Koji is all about.

So Roch, you should make this a contest (the line prediciton) with the winner getting to guest blog one game with you at the Yard.

Koji's line:
7 IP
8 Hits
3 ER
1 BB
6 K

O's win 5-3
And Rosenthal's favorite MAN gets booed some more tonight

Koji's line

7.1 inn 8 hits 2 runs 0 BB 4 Ks

Sherrill also gets the save tonight. It'll be a pitchers game.

koji: bold vague predictions

he'll throw a lot of pitchers, more then 50% for strikes, less then 50% for balls.

he'll strike a few guys out, maybe more, maybe none

he'll walk a guy or three, maybe more

he'll pitch at least 1/3 an inning and no more then 9.

He'll probably win, might lose, but likely win.

he'll check a few runners, field his position well, might make an error, but not sure, doubt it.

all-in-all he'll do well, few rough spots, but most likely well expect for the rough spots

Yeah, yeah. Numbers you say? I think he'll pitch 6 innings, 3 runs, 5 hits, no walks, 4 K's. Happy?
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Ha! Ecstatic. - Roch

5 2/3 innings, 3 runs, 1 walk, 4 so... We win 7-5. Jones goes 2-4 with a homer. (Just a bonus)

You know I want him to play good. I hope he plays good.... I think he'll play pretty good tonight.

7 innings, 1-run, 8Ks, 1 walk, 5 hits. Good pitchers always have the advantage over the hitters the first time through. And with the amount of pitches Koji throws I think he can keep changing things up even three times through the lineup.

Koji's night:

7 innings

4 hits

1 ER

6 K's

O's win 3-1.

Good morning Roch,
Hoping its another great day in Birdland! Another big win over the hated Spankees(oops, I'm not suppose to say hate)!
Well let's see, I...
Hate the Spankees
Hate Mark Texiera
Hate Peter Gammons
Hate Ken Weaslthal
Hate A-Roid
Hate DERRREEEK!
Hate pinstripes
And I hate anyone who says I can't say I hate someone or thing!
Well got that off my chest.
Now, I think Koji dose well today, I'd say:
6.2 IP 7 Hits 4 R 3 ER 1 BB 7K
No wild pitches or hit batters, although I like the idea of hitting the "human piece of garbage", he'll throw 83 pitches. 58 for strikes.
O's win 7-5 in 11 innings, with Adam Jones hitting a walk off 2-run Dinger.
GO ORIOLES!

Koji's line

IP: 6 1/3

H: 6

ER: 2

BB: 1

K : 3

DP : 2

O's wins 7-3

p/s Tex gets thrown out at the plate by Jones, Camden yard erupts!!!

-- I didn't care that they booed Texieira. But I thought the sign about hating him was overboard and I didn't like the "You Suck" chant when Sabathia was removed.

They didn't do this stuff when other Baltimore natives (Harold Baines and the one RH reliever who pitched for about 15 years for other teams come to mind) played for other teams...Baltimore crowds used to be loud and wild without going over the top and when I was a kid, often politely applauded a good effort from the opposing pitcher when he was removed. That other stuff was reserved for New York and Philly crowds. It still should be.