Over the winter, the Rays, defending American League East champions, saw their roster dismantled. The Yankees were rejected by Cliff Lee and struggled for pitching. The Red Sox reloaded with speed and defense. The Orioles have legitimate buzz and the Blue Jays keep getting better. The Orioles open this evening in Tampa Bay, so let's take a look at some of the questions surrounding the AL East: The best way to watch the Birds this season: Enjoy the offense and hope the young pitchers...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz won't make tomorrow night's start against the Rays because of soreness on the left side of his back. Matusz is scheduled to undergo an MRI at 5:30 p.m.. The disabled list is a possibility, though manager Buck Showalter didn't want to venture into that territory without getting the results. Chris Tillman is one candidate to replace Matusz tomorrow night. Brad Bergesen and Jake Arrieta aren't available. The Orioles also could choose to bring...

The Nationals look for their first runs and initial win of 2011 Saturday with a 1:05 p.m. start at Nats Park against the Atlanta Braves in Game 2. The Braves send right-hander Tommy Hanson (10-11, 3.33 ERA) to the hill, opposed by the Nationals' 2010 opening day starter, left-hander John Lannan (8-8, 4.65). Lannan said he got what he needed out of spring training in Viera, Fla. "I went out there and threw strikes," Lannan said. "I was not really too concerned with how I did out there...

Here is a breakdown of tonight's starting pitchers. Jeremy Guthrie will make his third opening day start in the last four seasons for the Orioles. Guthrie is 1-1 with an ERA of 6.35 in his previous day one starts in 2008 and 2009. Guthrie against Tampa in 2008: 5 1/3 IP, 9H, 6R, 5ER, 1BB, 2K. Guthrie against NYY in 2009: 6 IP, 7H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 3K. I remembered that Guthrie was good after the All-Star break last year, but the stats show he was really, really good then. He went 8-4 with an...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The weather is gorgeous here, which means nothing once we're inside the dome. But it was a much calmer drive this afternoon. The Orioles are 2-2 against the Rays in season openers, winning in 1999 and 2006, and losing in 2008 and 2010. They're 8-9 when beginning the season on the road, losing their last three to the Rays, Twins (2007) and Royals (1995). The all-time series between the Orioles and Rays is tied, 111-111. I'm trying to calculate how many of those losses...

Harrisburg Senators right-hander Jeff Mandel is winding down camp in Viera, Fla., and excited to get started in Double-A next week. The 6-foot-3 200-lb., Houston, Texas, native said his transition from starter to reliever has gone well. He is seeing positive results in spring training from the time he spent playing winter ball in Puerto Rico. The former Baylor Bear was in the bullpen for back-to-back innings Monday and Tuesday and reported the outings went well. "I threw pretty well in...

Even though the Orioles' 2011 season begins tonight, the club has still not finalized its minor league rosters. The full season affiliates don't begin their seasons until next Thursday, April 7 (or Friday, April 8 in the case of Single-A Frederick). What I wrote about Feb. 12 has pretty much come to pass. It certainly appears that the Triple-A Norfolk roster will be one with more veterans than in previous seasons and not many up-and-coming prospects. One reason for that is Orioles manager...

Adam Jones has a lot on his mind today down in St. Petersburg, Fla., where the Orioles are getting ready to open their 2011 season against the Tampa Bay Rays. But the Orioles center fielder has enough of a sense of Baltimore baseball history to have tweeted get well wishes to hospitalized Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who is recovering from a high fever and infection at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. "Stay strong my man. ... the O's family is with you and your family," Jones wrote on...

Because April Fools' Day is all about jokes and pranks, here's an opportunity for a Nats-related chuckle. The Nationals had two references last night in Jimmy Kimmel's monologue last night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The ABC late-night host and comedian joked about the opening day ceremonial first pitch by members of the military at Nationals Park and about Larry King's upcoming first pitch at Saturday afternoon's game. Tune in 4:50 into the monologue to catch Kimmel's jokes related to...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - All the talk, all the debating, all the words plastered on this blog. We tracked every rumor at the winter meetings - didn't Nolan Reimold almost get traded? - and waiting for the Orioles to find a first baseman and veteran starting pitcher. We wondered if they would finally hire enough coaches to start the season. We argued the merits of signing Vladimir Guerrero and whether it would actually happen. It seems so long ago. Now here we are, ready to kick off the 2011...