At Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Day ... .. ..Time .. .. .. TV .... .. .. ..Starters

Today .. .. .3:05 .. .. ...13 .. .... .. Mike Mussina

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...(14-6, 4.46 in '93) vs.

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ..Kevin Appier (18-8, 2.56)

Wednesday ...7:35 .. .. ...HTS .. ..Ben McDonald (13-14, 3.39)

.. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .vs. David Cone (11-14, 3.33)

Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) and WTOP (1500 AM)

Royals update

This will be the first season opener in 21 years without George Brett. But manager Hal McRae, beginning his third full season, says this is the best team he has had. Appier (2-3 lifetime against the Orioles, 1-1 last year) anchors a strong starting rotation, and Jeff Montgomery (7-5, 2.27, 45 saves) is one of the game's top closers. Mike Macfarlane has a career .324 average against the Orioles, with six home runs, despite hitting only .172 against them last year. Brian McRae hit .362 (17-for-47) against the Orioles last year. Vince Coleman and Dave Henderson are newcomers joining McRae in the outfield.

Orioles update

The addition of Rafael Palmeiro and Chris Sabo and the development of prize rookie Jeffrey Hammonds dramatically have altered the Orioles' lineup since last year's opener. Mark McLemore, who has hit .375 against the Royals in his two years with the Orioles, has returned to his natural second base position from right field. Designated hitter Harold Baines hit .459 (17-for-37) against the Royals last year. Mussina was 2-0 against the Royals last year and is 4-1 lifetime. The Orioles' pitching staff also has undergone change, with Sid Fernandez (currently on the disabled list) joining the starting rotation and all-time saves leader Lee Smith replacing Gregg Olson as the closer. Another free agent, Mark Eichhorn, joins left-handers Jim Poole and Brad Pennington and right-handers Mark Williamson and Alan Mills in the bullpen.