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Baltimore Orioles Schedule 2018: April Showers O’s With Tough Start

ByChristopher Church|
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Baltimore Orioles players look on while wearing Stoneman Douglas High School baseball caps to honor the 17 people killed earlier this month during a mass shooting prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SARASOTA, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Baltimore Orioles players look on while wearing Stoneman Douglas High School baseball caps to honor the 17 people killed earlier this month during a mass shooting prior to a Grapefruit League spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium on February 23, 2018 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles Opening Day 2018 kicks off the regular season schedule, along with a grueling slate of April opponents.

The first month of theBaltimore Oriolesschedule expects to be a very challenging one. The Orioles’ April schedule includes games against all five American League playoff teams from last season, first with a three-game series against the AL Wild Card Minnesota Twins.

Then after Opening Weekend at Oriole Park at Camden Yards concludes, the Orioles head out for a brutal seven-game road trip against reigning World Series champs Houston Astros and AL East rival New York Yankees.

Following the road trip, the Orioles return to Camden Yards for a three-game series on April 9-April 11 before jumping back on the road for another troublesome seven-game road trip.

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However this time around, the Orioles enter the tough confines of Fenway Park for a four-game weekend series from April 13-April16.

Finally, after a completing their second seven-game road trip of the month, the Orioles return home to play reigning AL Central champs Cleveland Indians from April 20-April 22.

Not to mention, the unkind April schedule comes after finishing the 2017 season with MLB’s toughest schedule, per TeamRankings.com’sMLB Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings.

Above all, the April schedule puts major stress on the Orioles unresolved starting rotation ofDylan Bundy,Kevin Gausman,Andrew CashnerandChris Tillman.

According toPeter SchmuckofThe Baltimore Sun, it’s crucial the Orioles need a No. 5 starter in their rotation and may start the season withMiguel Castroin the bullpen as a long role reliever.

Pitching candidates to fill the Orioles final starting rotation spot consists of leftyNestor CortesJr. and the 23-year-old Castro, per MASNSports.com’sRoch Kubatko.

Next: Is Anthony Santander the Next Orioles Superstar?

Comparing spring training stats, Cortes Jr. has the upper hand with a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings pitched to Castro’s 6.75 ERA in 6.2 innings pitched. Furthermore, Castro has struggled a bit with his control which has resulted in five walks this spring.

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