Will Orioles finally play Marlins tonight?

The Orioles have a fresher bullpen today and renewed concerns about the Marlins arriving at their ballpark.

Whether or not they'd admit to it.

They're trusting the extensive safety measures that have reduced the level of worry beyond how a team forced to shut down due to a COVID-19 outbreak could compromise them.

Welcome to Camden Yards. Just don't touch anything.

The Marlins are piecing together their roster via waiver claims and trades after a bus transported the quarantined group from Philadelphia to Miami. The assumption is that it's no longer a major gamble to grant access, but can anything be deemed risk-free in 2020?

We were lectured earlier in the year about the dangers of touching our faces. And that was during a period when we thought the virus was a temporary inconvenience. When we thought the Ivy League overreacted by canceling its basketball tournament.

The Orioles will try to play four games in three days. The weather is probably the biggest fly in the ointment - which also seems unsanitary. But they'll look across the field and be reminded how the virus can take down an entire team, no matter how many masks are worn and the number of hand-sanitizing stations.

The Marlins' tests came back negative again yesterday, but who knows what tomorrow brings?

Pitcher Kohl Stewart remains the only Oriole to opt out, his Type 1 diabetes fueling the decision to return home and perhaps reconsider at a later date. Reliever Travis Lakins Sr. stated on a recent Zoom conference call that he never considered it during the shutdown. Others on the club, including first baseman Chris Davis, were convinced to attend the summer training camp after consulting with family and weighing the risks.

"I was full-go the whole time," said Lakins, who earned his first major league win Saturday night. "I have two babies and my wife, but none of us are high-risk, so I was all-in the whole entire time."

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has decided to start John Means on normal rest tonight rather than push him back to the doubleheader. Asher Wojciechowski will receive two extra days.

Means came off the injured list to face the Yankees Thursday and allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings, the shortest start of his career. Hyde limited him to 51 pitches, but the leash should be lengthened tonight.

There was nothing wrong with the velocity on Means' fastball, which averaged 95.2 mph per Statcast, compared to 91.7 last year. He kept hitting 96, but the Orioles would settle for a tick down and better command.

If he can achieve it at 96, all the better.

Means is making his first appearance against the Marlins. He should recognize former teammate Jonathan Villar, who went 1-for-12 against the Phillies before COVID-19 caused a string of postponements.

The Marlins haven't played since July 26. There could be some rust. But also plenty of rest.

Reliever Richard Bleier will dress in the opposite clubhouse after the Orioles traded him to the Marlins for a player to be named later - someone who's apparently been chosen from outside the 60-man pool. He stayed in Baltimore and waited to meet his new teammates.

Miami hadn't announced its starters the last time I checked, but Pablo López is expected to pitch tonight if the storm moves out of the area.