The Orioles have a quick turnaround today with their 1:07 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Again, I'm convinced that they lead the world in day games.
Taylor Teagarden most likely will be behind the plate, which will appease the fans who are convinced that Matt Wieters cost the Orioles last night's game by calling for a cutter to Munenori Kawasaki with Tommy Hunter on the mound.
Apparently, Hunter's head doesn't move from side to side and he can't shake off a sign. And apparently, Kawasaki can't hit a four-seamer, so why call for anything else?
Maybe Teagarden will be able to solve the Kawasaki riddle. Just pump the heat and watch him flail. Or something along those lines.
Miguel Gonzalez is pitching for the first time since becoming a father. The Blue Jays will try to rattle him. (See what I did there?)
Gonzalez is 2-1 with a 3.81 ERA in five career games against Toronto, including four starts. He's 0-1 with a 4.11 ERA in three games at Rogers Centre, including two starts, with seven runs and 15 hits in 15 1/3 innings. He's walked three and struck out 16.
Adam Lind is 5-for-11 against Gonzalez. Edwin Encarnacion is 2-for-11, but both hits are home runs.
The Orioles will face Chien-Ming Wang, who's allowed five runs and 17 hits in 14 1/3 innings in two starts since signing with the Blue Jays. He's 3-2 with a 5.91 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) against the Orioles, with 77 hits allowed in 56 1/3 innings.
Nick Markakis is 8-for-19 with three doubles and a home run vs. Wang. Chris Davis is 2-for-3 with two doubles.
Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Toronto yesterday that second baseman Brian Roberts could begin his injury-rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Norfolk. I've been asked who will be removed from the 25-man roster to make room for Roberts, and I say it's too soon to know.
Roberts, Alexi Casilla and Ryan Flaherty were on the opening day roster. Showalter made room for all three of them.
We need to know the composition of the roster when Roberts is ready to return before we figure out who's the most vulnerable. Someone will be removed to make room for outfielder Nolan Reimold, who could be activated early next week.
How much longer can the Orioles carry first baseman Travis Ishikawa? Is a trade in the works? He seems the most likely to go once Reimold returns, but I wasn't sure that he'd still be around last night, and look what happened.
Does Roberts' return impact Danny Valencia or Chris Dickerson?
Stay tuned.
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