The 2023 MLB season is here, and the Baltimore faithful can exhale, as the Baltimore Orioles’ season opens at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.
This will be the fifth consecutive season that the Birds will open on the road and the third time in four years they will open at Fenway. Unfortunately, the Orioles have dropped three of their last four Opening Day games.
Things are different this season, as a young and up-and-coming Orioles squad brings excitement to the field. Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Kyle Stowers, all 2019 draft picks, will open the season on the 26-man roster. Rutschman, the runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year last season, leads this team into a season with high expectations.
The Orioles will send offseason free agent acquisition, veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson, to the mound to open the season, as the Red Sox will counter with former Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber.
Gibson had a 10-8 record last season with the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching to a 5.05 ERA. On the flip side, the 35-year-old has a 1.57 ERA and 0.63 WHIP in four starts at Fenway Park.
Kluber will be making his Red Sox debut after spending last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. In seven career starts, Kluber is 4-1 with a 3.53 ERA at Fenway.
As for games two and three, Dean Kremer will take the ball Saturday against Chris Sale. As for Sunday, Cole Irvin will make his Orioles debut, as he will go head-to-head with Tanner Houck
The Orioles will be without relievers Dillon Tate (right forearm flexor strain) and Mychal Givens (left knee soreness) to begin the year.
Battery ❌-FACTOR
The first Battery ❌-FACTOR for this series opener will be the two young pillars of the organization for years to come: Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson.
The former and current top ranked prospects in all of baseball are the ushers of a new era in Baltimore. They are tasked with leading the Orioles into the next period of greatness, and Opening Day will be their chance to show the fans what to expect for years to come.
Between their leadership, raw talent and meticulous approach to the game, they will be the deciding factor in the opening series for the Birds.
GAME ONE STARTING LINEUPS
Baltimore Orioles: Managed by Brandon Hyde
1. Cedric Mullins CF
2. Adley Rutschman C
3. Anthony Santander LF
4. Ryan Mountcastle 1B
5. Gunnar Henderson DH
6. Ramón Urías 3B
7. Austin Hays RF
8. Adam Frazier 2B
9. Jorge Mateo SS
SP. Kyle Gibson RHP
Boston Red Sox: Managed by Alex Cora
1. Alex Verdugo RF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Justin Turner DH
4. Masataka Yoshida LF
5. Adam Duvall CF
6. Triston Casas 1B
7. Christian Arroyo 2B
8. Reese McGuire C
9. Kiké Hernández
SP. Corey Kluber RHP
Game time for game one is set for Thursday at 2:10 p.m. EST. You can watch the game via MASN2 or listen on your local Orioles Radio Network station.
Birdland, 2023 is here! It’s time for Orioles Magic to begin!
Looking for the perfect way to show your love for the Baltimore Orioles for the opening series? Look no further than Birdland Sports!
As a small business run by Orioles fans, Birdland Sports offers a great selection of unofficial merchandise that’s affordable and high-quality.
From the popular “Birds Are Coming” tees to unique player cartoon shirts and World Series prediction designs, Birdland Sports has everything you need to support your team.
Plus, use the code BBStephen at checkout to get 10 percent off your order! Visit http://www.birdlandsports.com today to browse their collection and gear up for the season!
Give us your predictions for the Orioles opening series! Let us know in the comments below! And make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook and Twitter, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on Twitter – @SRJHeckman
The Baltimore Battery 