LAKELAND, Fla. - It's been a few years since I covered a game at Joker Marchant Stadium. I forgot that press box seating is limited, to put it mildly.
One seat for five Orioles beat writers is bad math.
When the music stops ...
Manager Buck Showalter didn't plan on leaving the Sarasota complex until around 10:30 a.m. The team bus was behind me as I pulled into the stadium lot here and the Orioles just started to take batting practice.
The Orioles were 13-9-4 last spring, including 6-5-1 at home. They're 818-796-21 all-time in exhibition games.
If you already knew their overall record, move to the front of the classroom.
I've given you the list of Orioles pitchers for today's game. The Tigers are listing starter Kyle Lobstein and relievers Joe Nathan, Tom Gorzelanny, Alex Wilson and Alberto Cabrera.
You already know that Kevin Gausman is starting Wednesday's home opener, with Dylan Bundy slated to pitch in relief. The Tigers are sending Anibal Sanchez, Ian Krol, Al Albequerque, Blaine Hardy and Drew VerHagen to Ed Smith Stadium.
Wei-Yin Chen is starting the day split-squad game in Port Charlotte. The list of Rays pitchers includes starter Nathan Karns, Kevin Jepsen, Brad Boxberger, Steven Giltz, Enny Romero, C.J. Riefenhuaser, Robert Zarate and Jhan Marinez.
Miguel Gonzalez told me yesterday that he's starting the night game against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. Chris Tillman told me today that he's throwing live batting practice later this week and starting March 9 against the Phillies in Sarasota.
I'm taking their word for it.
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