4-0

Brian Roberts hit a three-run home run on opening day to propel the Orioles to a win and a 4-0 start.

It only took the Orioles four games to win four games, something that it took twenty games for the O's to do in 2010. And by getting off to their first 4-0 start since 1997, they've injected the city of Baltimore with a virus called Oriole Fever.

I was at the sell-out opening day game yesterday and it was obvious that Oriole fans were hungry for winning baseball. Fans hung on every pitch and cheered loudly with every strike out and run scored.

Brian Roberts provided the fireworks on the day, hitting a 3-run home run, his second 3-run bomb in 3 days. But so far this season, it's been the pitching that's put the Orioles where they are in the standings. O's pitchers have allowed only 1 run per game thus far.

Jeremy Guthrie and Chris Tillman have combined for 14 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 11 K, and 4 BB.

Zach Britton, filling in for Brian Matusz who is going to miss 4-6 weeks with a sore back, made his MLB debut on Sunday, going 6 IP, allowing 3 H, 1 ER and striking out 6. And yesterday, Jake Arrieta went 6 IP, allowing 6 H, 1 ER, 3 K and 2 BB. And in the bullpen, Jason Berken has been absolutely dealing, pitching 3 innings with 6 K's and a 0.00 ERA.

On the offensive side, Roberts leads the team with 8 RBI while Matt Wieters, Mark Reynolds, JJ Hardy and Nick Markakis each have 2 RBI. Other than Roberts, Markakis (.429 AVG) and Matt Wieters (.385 AVG), the offense has been workmanlike, and most of the new faces have yet to get going. But it's still early. And if the Oriole pitching keeps chugging along like they have, the offense won't be a problem.

So there it is, O's fans. For once, a best-case scenario has happened in Baltimore. The Orioles are 4-0 to start the season and have exercised any demons that still lingered from last year's historically bad start.

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Going into their first off day of the season, the Orioles received word that Jeremy Guthrie has pneumonia and is likely to miss 5-7 days and possibly 2 starts. Brad Bergesen will pitch on Wednesday.