10 things Orioles fans are looking forward to with 10 days until Opening Day

For too long, Orioles fans were not the most excited supporters come Opening Day. Last year, things began to change. A young and talented squad returned playoff baseball to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. This time, Birdland is among the most eager fanbases awaiting March 28th.

From new signings to rookie debuts, Brandon Hyde's ballclub has a lot to offer. The Orioles will look to repeat their 2023 performance that saw them reach triple-digit wins. A full force of Baltimore faithful are set to turn out and witness it all.

Top 10 things drawing O's fans to games in 2024 ahead of Orioles Opening Day

1. Corbin Burnes' debut

A highlight of Baltimore's offseason was the acquisition of Milwaukee Brewer' ace pitcher Corbin Burnes. With the rotation ranking as one of the areas the O's needed to improve in, the right-hander cost the Birds several promising prospects.

Burnes was almost immediately named the Opening Day starter. His 1.07 WHIP was the fifth lowest among eligible pitchers in 2023. An impressive 3.39 ERA also placed him in the top-15, while he reached a strong total of 200 strikeouts.

2. Camden Yards never gets old

Oriole Park at Camden Yards was introduced to Baltimore in 1992. Since then, it has consistently been ranked as one of the best ballparks to visit across America. Fans can expect a sold-out Opening Day on March 28th.

A rise in attendance, particularly for theme nights, has made for a fun and exciting atmosphere. The day the Birds clinched the AL East and top seed in the playoffs in 2023 was a spectacle that many young Oriole fans had never seen before, and that they hope to see again soon.

3. Jackson Holliday debut

The No. 1 prospect in baseball is anticipated to make his first start early in the 2024 season. His impressive Spring Training stats have allowed him to make a case that he is ready for a shock Opening Day appearance.

Holliday had each of his promotions in the Orioles' elite farm system covered extensively. Usually, it takes time for a young ballplayer to establish himself in MLB. However, the 20-year-old has the skills needed to offer him a seamless transition.

4. Keep the good memories going

Birdland has had little to cheer for since their last World Series title in 1983. A handful of playoff appaerances quickly faded away under a tumultuous assault of 100+ loss seasons and record-setting losses.

Fans wishing to erase the horrors of the last two decades will hope for another spectacular run of form from Hyde's boys. The young fans who are just entering the baseball arena are eagerly watching the young Oriole players continue their development.

5. A strong pitching rotation

Corbin Burnes may be an easy label for the Orioles' "best pitcher," but his teammates are capable in their own right. Several known and unknown factors suggest that Baltimore's rotation will be one of the best in baseball.

Kyle Bradish was dominant in 2023. Grayson Rodriguez is, perhaps, one year away from reaching his full potential. Dean Kremer was an underappreciated linchpin to the 101-win season last year. Finally, John Means would further cement this star-studded quintet, if he were to return from injury.

6. Plenty of good baseball

Baltimore is an entertaining enough team to watch, but their opposition makes their ball games unmissable. The AL East is the toughest division in Major League Baseball to play in, with all five squads battling for a coveted playoff spot.

Aside from their local competition, the Orioles benefit from new MLB rules. All teams will play each major league squad at least once, either home or away. The Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and other elite rosters will square off against the O's.

7. A young team coming of age

2023 saw Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg take the league by storm. Rutschman made his first All-Star Game. Henderson won Rookie of the Year. And, in a short period of time, Westburg inspired with his performances in the field and at the plate.

Experience, however, is priceless. Texas chopped down the O's in a brutal postseason sweep, which saw hopes of a World Series run erased. This year, wiser and more patient, a talented group of youngsters knows what lies ahead of them.

8. Dominant Florida Performaces

Baltimore has been lighting it up in spring training throughout February and March. They maintain a comfortable lead in the Grapefruit League and have received a handful of surprise performances from players not expected to be contending for an Opening Day roster spot.

In March alone, the Birds have defeated each of their divisional opponents. With the only exception being a hotly contested 5-4 win over Boston, all of the victories over East Coast (and Canadian) competition came by a margin of four runs or more.

9. All the other highly anticipated farm system debuts

Jackson Holliday is not the only minor-league player that Birdland will see at Camden Yards for the first time this year. A skilled pipeline, ranked No. 1 in MLB, is packed with names ready to leave their mark at the highest level.

Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo are just two of the young talents that have a chance to play Major League Baseball in 2024. Not far behind are names that Oriole fans can get used to in the future, such as Connor Norby, Chayce McDermott and Cade Povich.

10. The return of baseball (duh)

Orioles fans, aside from being the best fans in baseball, will spend the next 10 days just like other baseball supporters. Every day that ticks by is one step closer to the return of the best sport on earth.

With so much to look forward to this year, no one can blame Birdland for being impatient. A young squad with one 100+ win season already under its belt, bolstered by key additions and future call-ups, is set to be one of MLB's 2024 juggernauts.