masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgMy vision has become blurred from reading all the mock drafts. And yes, everyone seems to think the Orioles will take Oklahoma high school pitcher Archie Bradley tonight with the fourth overall pick.

The Orioles most certainly like Bradley, as do a lot of other teams that consider him worthy of a top 10 pick, but I’m sure they also want his name floated out there, just in case pitchers Dylan Bundy and Danny Hultzen are willing to lower their price tags.

Remember when the Orioles supposedly…My vision has become blurred from reading all the mock drafts. And yes, everyone seems to think the Orioles will take Oklahoma high school pitcher Archie Bradley tonight with the fourth overall pick.

The Orioles most certainly like Bradley, as do a lot of other teams that consider him worthy of a top 10 pick, but I’m sure they also want his name floated out there, just in case pitchers Dylan Bundy and Danny Hultzen are willing to lower their price tags.

Remember when the Orioles supposedly had broken off talks with second-rounder Mychal Givens two years ago? Givens ended up agreeing to terms.

I’m not saying their interest in Bradley is a smokescreen, but they definitely want it publicized.

A game actually will be played tonight at Camden Yards. Brian Matusz is making his second start, and his first at home.

Matusz was pulled after 84 pitches in his debut at Safeco Field, and I’m sure the leash is a little longer tonight. Matusz allowed one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings, and he didn’t walk a batter, which might have been the most impressive aspect of his start.

His fastball sat in the 86-88 mph range and he hung a few changeups. His stuff wasn’t crisp, as I’ve been told by people who watched him more closely, but he held down the Mariners and gave the Orioles a chance to win.

Matusz is 1-2 with a 6.11 ERA in three career starts against the Athletics. He’s allowed 23 hits, walked three and struck out 14 in 17 2/3 innings.

Tomorrow night, Chris Jakubauskas will make his first major league start since April 2010. He’s allowed nine runs and 18 hits, with six walks, in 12 2/3 innings, and teams are batting .346 against him.

I’m not conceding that game, but the Orioles need a win tonight. And they need innings from Matusz in case Jakubauskas can’t provide enough of them.