masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThis place looks familiar. Is it…could it be…Sarasota?

I might drive around Ed Smith Stadium 172 times before parking my car, just so it feels like a road trip.

The Orioles are home for three straight games, beginning today against the New York Yankees. That means they’ll be able to work on some fundamentals on the back fields, a luxury they didn’t have because of all the recent travel.

The clubhouse won’t be open to the media in the morning because the players have a union meeting….This place looks familiar. Is it…could it be…Sarasota?

I might drive around Ed Smith Stadium 172 times before parking my car, just so it feels like a road trip.

The Orioles are home for three straight games, beginning today against the New York Yankees. That means they’ll be able to work on some fundamentals on the back fields, a luxury they didn’t have because of all the recent travel.

The clubhouse won’t be open to the media in the morning because the players have a union meeting.

If they go on strike before first-pitch, I’ll let you know.

I’m passing along the itinerary so you won’t wonder why the lineup hasn’t been posted at 8 a.m. I’m not sure when I’ll finally get my hands on it. And yes, that’s what she…

Brad Bergesen gets the start today for the Orioles. Mark Hendrickson, Kam Mickolio and Matt Albers will follow him to the mound – but hopefully not at the same time.

Alfredo Aceves is starting for the Yankees. Feel the excitement.

Chris Tillman starts tomorrow against the Twins, who have a pitcher named Anthony Slama. You just know he’s nicknamed “Grand.”

Considering the order of the Orioles’ starters in these games, it seems like a reasonable assumption that the rotation will unfold as follows: Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Matusz, Bergesen and Tillman. But we have a few weeks left.

As for the bullpen, the safe bets so far are Hendrickson, Mike Gonzalez, Jim Johnson, Koji Uehara (if healthy, of course), Will Ohman and Cla Meredith. That leaves one spot for Mickolio, Albers, Dennis Sarfate, David Hernandez (if he doesn’t make the rotation) and Jason Berken (see Hernandez).

Today’s game is pretty important for a few of these guys.

Albers didn’t allow a run in his first five appearances, but he’s given up three runs and seven hits in his last three outings. Mickolio was practically handed a job at the beginning of camp, but he’s walked six batters in his last 4 1/3 innings. He’s also struck out five and surrendered only one run.

Shameless plug alert: I’ll be doing an in-game hit with MASN’s Amber Theoharis. I’m just not sure what inning.

As if you needed another reason to watch.