Can’t go undefeated if you don’t start 2-0!
The 2025 season couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for the Orioles. They demolished the Blue Jays, hit six home runs, and looked great doing it.
Most years, we suffer with an off day on the second day of the season, But thanks to the Rogers Centre dome, the Orioles and Blue Jays are right back at it for game two of the series. I don’t like when the Orioles start on the road, but I do enjoy back-to-back games to start the season.
Taking the mound tonight and making his Orioles debut is Charlie Morton, the 41-year-old veteran entering his 18th major league season. When I double-checked Morton’s age, I noticed that because he has a November birthday, he was not alive the last time the Orioles won the World Series. Just an interesting tidbit to me. Because he’s very old to be a baseball player.
Morton is coming off a mediocre season with the Braves in which he pitched to a 4.19 ERA in 30 starts. Morton spent four seasons with the Braves during which time he had two good seasons and two so-so seasons. But one thing he did each of those four years was make at least 30 starts and average about 5.5 innings per game. That’s a valuable sort of pitcher to have in a starting rotation. I just wish that guy wasn’t considered the number two starter.
Of course, if the Orioles keep scoring 12 runs every night it won’t really matter who is on the mound. A day after the team hit six home runs in an offensive explosion, their lineup is just a touch different. Jorge Mateo takes the place of Ramón Urías in the lineup, all other players are the same. The infield has been shuffled, however. Jordan Westburg moves from second base to third base. Jackson Holliday goes from shortstop to second base. And Mateo will man shortstop.
Old friend Kevin Gausman takes the mound for the Blue Jays, kicking off his fourth season with the team. Gausman has now been away from the Orioles longer than he was with the team, but it doesn’t feel like that long ago. In August, he gave up three home runs in a 7-2 loss. In September, he held the Orioles to two runs over eight innings with a single homer.
This game is only being broadcast on Apple TV+, so many of you may not get to see it. If you do have that streaming service or you are following along via the radio, join me in the comments below during the game.
Let’s go O’s!
Orioles lineup
- Colton Cowser (L) LF
- Adley Rutschman (S) C
- Jordan Westburg (R) 3B
- Ryan O’Hearn (L) DH
- Tyler O’Neill (R) RF
- Cedric Mullins (L) CF
- Ryan Mountcastle (R) 1B
- Jackson Holliday (L) 2B
- Jorge Mateo (R) SS
SP: Charlie Morton – RHP
Blue Jays lineup
- Bo Bichette (R) SS
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- Anthony Santander (S) DH
- Andrés Giménez (L) 2B
- Alejandro Kirk (R) C
- George Springer (R) RF
- Will Wagner (L) 3B
- Nathan Lukes (L) CF
- Alan Roden (L) LF
SP: Kevin Gausman – RHP