Jones on raising the bar to win, Mancini's great quote and more

For an Orioles team that leads the American League in wins since the 2012 season, the expectation of winning has become, well, expected. The fans expect the players to win and the players expect to do just that.

On the eve of a new season Sunday, outfielder Adam Jones said the bar has been raised in Baltimore.

"Big time," Jones said. "When I first got here I don't even know if there was a bar. But now there are high expectations. Not just for the fans. I think the players understand that you can do something special with this opportunity given.

"The major leagues is a very cherished thing to be involved in. Cherish this opportunity and take full advantage of it. There is something we can do on this field every day, somehow in some capacity. If you are not swinging it or not playing defense well, do something to help your team. That has always been my message. Try to help the team every day, somehow, some way. If you give your all, at some point in time, in some facet of this game, you can help your team win."

For Jones, acquired in the Erik Bedard trade with Seattle in February 2008, this will be his 10th opening day wearing the orange and black.

"There is pride in that," he said. "Being able to do it 10 years consecutively is pretty cool. The hardest part thinking about it is 10 years of grinding every single day. Being able to make opening day and wear this uniform is pretty amazing.

"The first day is celebrated. Everyone has a chance to go out and do something special. Here's a preseason party, now let's go see what you can do for those next six months. See if you can have a party at the end of it."

As the Orioles open the 2017 season this afternoon, they'll face the Toronto Blue Jays. Right-hander Kevin Gausman will throw the first pitch of the new year and embraces those high expectations for this Orioles team.

"I think we all expect to make the playoffs every year," Gausman said. "I don't think there is any reason why we shouldn't. We have a great pitching staff, great bullpen. Obviously, great home run-hitting team and we play defense really well, too. There is a lot to like about our team. If you come to watch us play at Camden Yards, I think you'll like the team we are going to have."

Gausman makes his first opening day start this afternoon, as Chris Tillman begins the year on the disabled list. Tillman was the starter in the opener from 2014-2016. Did he give Gausman any advice about this start?

"A little bit," Gausman said. "He compared them to the playoffs, but said it is more intense than that. So that kind of set the bar for me for what I should expect. I'll try to make it as much of a normal start as I can, but I'll be jacked up. I will definitely have some adrenaline and excitement."

Gausman (9-12, 3.61 ERA in 2016) faces right-hander Marco Estrada (9-9, 3.48 ERA in 2016) this afternoon. The O's right-hander went 0-2 with a 7.04 ERA in three starts last year versus the Blue Jays. Estrada went 2-0 with an ERA of 3.00 in four starts against the Orioles.

Gausman will be followed in the rotation by right-hander Dylan Bundy when he faces the Blue Jays on Wednesday night.

Here is Jones' take on the two kids at the top of the current rotation: "I think they are going to do fine. I think they have the understanding of what they need to do at this level. They know the people behind them want them to succeed and will do everything for them to do that. So deliver strikes and let this defense work for you."

At some point soon, maybe today, Trey Mancini will play his first major league game as an outfielder. The rookie hit three homers in 14 major league at-bats last September. For his next trick, he moves to the outfield.

"Brady Anderson told me, 'You just have to be confident in your abilities. Almost have a certain kind of cockiness out there that you can make every play.' You just have to be cool, calm and collected out there," Mancini said. "You can't be too jumpy when the ball comes off the bat. You have to want the ball to come to you. Just trust your ability. That helped calm me down. I try to put that into practice. (Coach Wayne) Kirby has worked with me on getting reads off the bat. Taking a drop step right when the batter makes contact to either side. Reading it for a second and then reacting."

One thing is clear: Mancini is beyond thrilled to be on the opening day roster. He said Sunday he would have done just about anything to make that happen.

"I wanted to get on this team whatever way it was. First base, DH, outfield. I'd dance with the Oriole on top of the dugout to 'Thank God I'm a Country Boy' if it meant I would get on the team. It is really, really cool to be here," Mancini said.

"I'd dance with the Oriole on top of the dugout to 'Thank God I'm a Country Boy' if it meant being on the team."-@TreyMancini #IBackTheBirds pic.twitter.com/5KJMBx9Ss0

-- Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) April 2, 2017

"It feels like the first day of school." The @Orioles are ready for #OpeningDay! #IBackTheBirds #CapsOn pic.twitter.com/p3xaY8zUDk

-- Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) April 2, 2017

Visit our booth on Eutaw Street tomorrow to enter to win prizes! #IBackTheBirds pic.twitter.com/ZrGLDDEidY

-- Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) April 2, 2017