No longer anticipating precipitation, Orioles will play two today

The Orioles no longer are attempting to play one game. Weather permitting, they're going for two. It's a daring maneuver, to say the least. The Orioles will play a straight doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m. Much preferred over the crooked ones. "I Like Our Guys" T-shirts for everyone! Make mine a smedium. Sleeves optional, of course. The Orioles will activate third baseman Manny Machado from the disabled list before Game 1 and make a corresponding move. He's been in the clubhouse and eager to get into the lineup. He just hasn't gotten any cooperation from the weather. Could Machado play both ends of the doubleheader? I'd be surprised, but I'm not batting 1.000 this year. Left-hander Troy Patton must come off the restricted list before Game 2, necessitating another roster move. He allowed two runs and four hits in 4 2/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk, with three walks and two strikeouts. Just a reminder that Game 2 starter Chris Tillman has never faced the Pirates. He's 0-1 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts at Camden Yards, allowing one earned run and striking out 10 in 13 innings. Tillman hasn't started since April 23, when he allowed seven runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings in Toronto. He's 11-3 with a 3.75 ERA in 23 career starts with six days or more of rest. Game 1 starter Bud Norris is 4-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 10 career starts against the Pirates. He hasn't been on the mound since April 24 in Toronto, when he allowed three runs in six innings. He's 3-10 with a 5.06 ERA in 19 starts with six days or more of rest. Pirates Game 1 starter Charlie Morton has faced the Orioles once, back in 2011 in Pittsburgh, and he allowed seven runs (six earned) and eight hits in two innings. J.J. Hardy is 3-for-8 against Morton. Delmon Young is 1-for-3 with a home run. Brandon Cumpton will be making his seventh major league start in Game 2, and only his second in 2014. He's never faced the Orioles. Young is the only Oriole who's faced him, going 1-for-3 with a double and RBI. Steve Pearce is back on the 25-man roster after being designated for assignment last week, placed on unconditional release waivers and re-signed to a major league contract. So, how was your week? "We re-signed Pearce to stabilize first base until Chris Davis returns," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. Don't ask for a timetable on Davis' return. He won't be ready when his 15 days are up, but that's about all we know. Pearce is 6-for-16 with a double, home run and six RBIs against the Pirates, one of his former teams.