Happy Opening Day! The Baltimore Sports Report staff has decided to predict the Orioles vs. Yankees game.

Here’s what we came up with.

Zach – O’s 7 Yanks 4

“You’re probably thinking I’m crazy right. 7 runs on the Yankees? But the Orioles offense is strong. I expect to see Markakis start of the season with a couple big hits, with Huff cleaning things up with a long shot. The O’s defense will shine against the Yankees, Roberts and Izturis will make last year’s defense look like a single A club. Jeremy Guthrie will start to climb out of his Spring Training/WBC hole and the bullpen will do their thing in this one. It’s a no brainer. Go O’s!”

Phil – O’s 4 Yankees 3
A low scoring game and even though Guthrie struggled during spring training, I think he’ll hang tough against Sabathia. Roberts and Markakis lead the way, no surprise there, but Adam Jones delivers the game winning hit for the O’s.

Isaac – Yankees 6, Orioles 4

I think both starters will battle. I expect CC to allow three runs in seven innings, below the standard for him. Overall, I don’t expect him to dominate because when he was in the AL last year, he struggled mightily, going a less than outstanding 6-8 with a 3.83 earned run average. I expect Guthrie to allow five runs in six innings, and both bullpens will allow one run. The Oriole star of the day is (shocker) Nick Markakis. I expect him to go 3-for-4 with two RBI.

Lawrence – Yankees defeat Orioles 5-4.

I seriously hope I’m wrong.  I would love nothing more than to see the underdog Orioles defeat the rival Yankees with new ace C.C. Sabathia on the mound.  Looking at this logically though, I just don’t see the O’s pulling this one out.  Guthrie has looked awful since his first Spring Training start, and the first game of the 2009 season will solely rest on his shoulders.  If Jeremy can have a solid outing, then look for the O’s to shock plenty of fans as they walk off the field with a “W”.  If he falters, though, the Birds will be beat before you know it.  So, I believe that the Yanks take this game by one, depending on how well Guthrie performs.  Let’s all hope for a solid outing.
Go O’s!