Because of a scheduling conflict that made Gary Thorne unavailable and a nasty cold that has attacked Jim Palmer's mellifluous vocal cords, my blogging rival Roch Kubatko will make his debut in the MASN broadcast booth tonight as the sidekick to play-by-play guy Jim Hunter.
I'm sure Rocco will be a little nervous -- I know I would -- but it's the kind of thing you just have to go with. Hunter is a pro and he'll tee it up. Roch just needs to keep it on the fairway.
When I did the old WBAL Hot Stove Show with Hunter, I had a collection of quick hits that got a laugh and kept the pressure off, and Roch is welcome to use a few of them.
For instance, when Jim says something outrageously positive -- which he has been known to do on occasion -- it's always fun to ask him whether he has a phony prescription for medical marijuana or just buys the stuff on the street.
When Jim says that the two one-run losses to the Rays are proof that the Orioles are more competitive this year, Roch could get a big laugh if he simply invoked his Miranda right to remain silent and not incriminate himself.
If I know Roch, he wants to do great and he's probably afraid everyone is just waiting to pounce on him if he makes a mistake or two. I'll be watching tonight and rooting for him. Of course, if it turns into the Rochy Horror Picture Show, I just hope they don't cut the scenes with the young Susan Sarandon in her underwear.