First Pitch: 2:05pm CDT
TV: FSN
Radio: Twins Radio Network
Know Thine Enemy: Camden Chat
It is Opening Day. Yes, it's the third or fourth Opening Day of the year, but this is the one you all care about, so it's Opening [redacted] Day 2012. Let us never speak of 2011 again, so help us Wilfong.
Ball-throwers:
Carl Pavano
#48 / Pitcher / Minnesota Twins
6-5
250
R
R
Jan 08, 1976
We here at Twinkie Town like to call him a "veteran presence." Others call him a "target for extortion and source for a weirdly specific type of Range Rover." We assume he prefers the former.
Jake Arrieta
#34 / Pitcher / Baltimore Orioles
6-4
225
R
R
Mar 06, 1986
As I was informed by friend-of-the-blog John Bonnes, the Orioles' staff ERA (4.89) was almost a half-point worse than everyone else's in 2011. Even the Twins (4.51). So, if you're wondering why Jake Arrieta is their Opening Day starter, that is your answer.
Bat-swingers (courtesy Joe C., MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli):
Twins
1. Denard Span, CF
2. Jamey Carroll, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Justin Morneau, DH
5. Josh Willingham, LF
6. Ryan Doumit, RF
7. Danny Valencia, 3B
8. Chris Parmelee, 1B
9. Alexi Casilla, 2B
Orioles
Nolan Reimold LF
J.J. Hardy SS
Nick Markakis RF
Adam Jones CF
Matt Wieters C
Wilson Betemit DH
Mark Reynolds 3B
Chris Davis 1B
Robert Andino 2B
Notes:
- So long as Jamey Carroll gets on base and this is the good Alexi Casilla, that's a good lineup (assuming the health and well-being of all participants). Even if the aforementioned gents fail, it still looks better than the 1-through-9 that were trotted out all too often last year.
- My only prediction: Chris Parmelee will hit a home run today. I called Jose Valverde's implosion yesterday, so why not push my luck.
- Per Rhett Bollinger, Scott Baker is getting an MRI on his nettlesome elbow today.
Enjoy the game, everybody.