The Double-A Bowie Baysox look to rebound from last night's season-opening 9-5 loss to the Akron Aeros.
The Triple-A Norfolk Tides, Single-A Frederick Keys and Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds are scheduled to play their first games of the 2009 season, but all three teams are on the road.
Opponent
Durham Bulls
Probable pitchers
Norfolk: Brad Bergesen (16-7, 3.10 ERA for Keys and Baysox in 2008)
Durham: Mitch Talbot (13-9, 3.86 ERA for Bulls in 2008)
Notes
* Bergesen earns the Opening Day start for the Tides after setting a franchise record for the Baysox in 2008 with 15 victories. He was 15-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 games (23 starts) for Bowie after being promoted early in the season from Frederick.
* Talbot is entering his third season with Durham, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The 25-year-old right-hander posted 13-9 records in each of the past two seasons for the Bulls. He had a 4.53 ERA in 2007 and a 3.86 ERA last year. Ironically, Talbot also pitched exactly 161 innings in each season.
* Pitching will be the key to the Tides' success in 2009. Six pitchers on the team -- Bergesen (15), David Pauley (14), Andy Mitchell (12), Chris Tillman (11), Chris Waters (11) and David Hernandez (10) -- collected at least 10 victories last season.
* The Tides are scheduled to play 21 times against Durham during the 2009 season. Norfolk was 10-11 against the Bulls in 2008, but they won six of the 11 games at Durham.
Opponent
Akron Aeros
Probable pitchers
Bowie: Jake Arrieta (6-5, 2.87 ERA for Keys in 2008)
Akron: Frank Herrmann (11-6, 4.10 ERA for Aeros in 2008)
Notes
* Arrieta received several honors during the 2008 season, including being selected for the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing and being named as the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year. The 23-year-old right-hander also played in the MLB Futures Game at Yankee Stadium during the All-Star break. He was 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 113 innings for the Keys in 2008.
* Herrmann tossed seven innings in Game 4 of the Eastern League playoffs against the Baysox last season, allowing one run and three hits. He collected 86 strikeouts and walked 36 hitters in 131 2/3 innings for the Aeros in 2008.
Opponent
Salem Red Sox
Probable pitchers
Frederick: Brian Matusz (professional debut)
Salem: Kyle Weiland (3-3, 1.50 ERA for Single-A Lowell Spinners in 2008)
Notes
* Matusz makes his long-awaited debut in the Orioles' minor league system tonight against Salem. The 22-year-old left-hander tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances during major league spring training with the Orioles. Keys manager Richie Hebner says Matusz will likely be limited to 75 pitches in his debut.
* Weiland shined for Lowell in the New York-Penn League after the Boston Red Sox selected him in the third round of last year's draft out of Notre Dame. The 22-year-old right-hander only allowed 17 runs (10 earned) and 36 hits in 60 innings for the Spinners. Weiland collected 68 strikeouts and only walked 10 hitters.
* Billy Rowell will make his first professional start in right field for the Keys tonight. It's going to be interesting to see if the change to the outfield helps Rowell to thrive as a minor leaguer.
* This is Salem's first game as Boston's Single-A affiliate. For the past six seasons, the Salem franchise was connected with the Houston Astros.
Opponent
Lakewood BlueClaws
Probable pitchers
Delmarva: Rick Zagone (7-1, 2.89 ERA for Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds in 2008)
Lakewood: Tyler Cloyd (7-4, 3.91 ERA for GCL Phillies and Single-A Williamsport Crosscutters)
Notes
* Zagone established a single-season franchise record for the IronBirds with 79 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings in 2008. The 22-year-old left-hander was 7-1 with a 2.89 ERA in 15 games (11 starts) for Aberdeen last year. He walked only 14 hitters and gave up two home runs during the 2008 season.
* Cloyd moves up to the South Atlantic League with Lakewood after going 7-4 with a 3.91 ERA while splitting the 2008 season between the Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League as a member of the Phillies' minor league system. The 21-year-old right-hander collected 69 strikeouts and walked 22 hitters in 76 innings. He surrendered eight home runs in 14 games.
