Orioles lineup and notes for today’s game against Tampa Bay

The Orioles will play their second set of split-squad games today against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte and against the New York Yankees tonight in Sarasota. As you’ll recall, the first set of split-squad games just so happened to be against the Rays and Yankees, as well, however, the locations were flipped.

Back on March 1, the Orioles hosted the Rays in Sarasota, losing that game 10-5 in front of a crowd of 4,196 at Ed Smith Stadium. The nightcap then featured a 2-2 tie to the Yankees in Tampa.

Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox made their first trip to Sarasota and the Orioles were able to defeat them for the third time in as many tries. Andrew Cashner made the start, but wasn’t able to get out of the second inning. He allowed just one earned run on one hit with two walks and a strikeout, but it was the pitch count that continued to creep, causing manager Brandon Hyde to remove him from the game.

Renato Núñez, playing first base, hit his second home run of the season, a solo shot in the fourth inning and third baseman Hanser Alberto and outfielder Anthony Santander each added run scoring doubles.

Santander is off to a fine start this spring. Through 12 games, he’s posted a .476 batting average (10-for-21), an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.522, two home runs and five doubles that are tied for the most in Spring Training among all MLB players. His seven extra-base hits are also tied for most among all players.

Today in Port Charlotte, we’ll see Dylan Bundy take the mound, making his third start of the spring season. Bundy – who could potentially be the team’s Opening Day starter – has pitched five innings this spring and has allowed two home runs and four earned runs altogether. He does have five strikeouts and on the flip side, has not allowed a walk.

Behind Bundy today and in no particular order will be right-handers Dillon Tate, Evan Phillips, Cody Carroll and Bo Schultz, then left-hander, Tanner Scott.

Tate will be making his fourth Grapefruit League appearance today. He’s pitched four innings and has allowed three earned runs on four hits, while striking out two and walking two.

Phillips will be entering his fifth game later today, as he is making a viable push to break camp in the bullpen for the Orioles. He’s logged five innings in his four appearances and has yet to surrender a run. He’s also only walked one batter and has struck out four batters.

Carroll is another candidate to head north with the team in less than three weeks. He, too, will be making his fifth appearance of the spring. Each outing has gone for just an inning and he did allow two earned runs in his appearance on February 28 against the Phillies in Clearwater. However, he’s only walked one batter and has racked up five strikeouts.

Schultz, who was a non-roster invitee this spring, is set to appear in his fourth game. He’s been tagged for six earned runs in two-and-a-third innings, but has yet to allow a walk.

Scott will make his fifth appearance today and has been been almost perfect since allowing four earned runs in his first outing on February 24 against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. He’s pitched three-and-a-third innings so far and has allowed just those four earned runs on five hits while not surrendering a walk and striking out two.

Today’s starting lineup, as posted earlier by MASN’s Roch Kubatko, features Austin Hays leading off playing center field. Hays will then be followed by Eric Young Jr. in left field and Jonathan Villar playing shortstop, batting third. Rio Ruiz, who is also off to a hot start this spring, batting .333 (7-for-21) will hit cleanup today and be the designated hitter. Joey Rickard plays right field, batting fifth and Alcides Escobar will be the third baseman, batting sixth. Ryan Mountcastle gets into his 15th game today, playing first base and batting eighth will be Drew Jackson at second base, also playing in his 15th game of the spring. Finally, rounding out the lineup will be Andrew Susac, taking the reins behind the plate.

Today’s game against the Rays will be broadcast on Orioles.com, however, tonight’s matchup against the Yankees will be on MASN, beginning at 6:05. I’ll have more coverage and notes on that game later today.