Talk about Christmas in July. How ’bout March?

Yes of course we were looking to forward to Opening Day. We consider next Thursday a national holiday. But damn, “worried” did not begin to describe our concerns about the O’s starting rotation. Hope may spring eternal each spring training, but realistically, what chance did we have of competing with the Yanks and Red Sox—both in the top seven in recent MLB recent power rankings—with last year’s worst-in-baseball starting pitching?

And then this week. Well, it snowed on the actual first day of spring and then the real shocker followed—the Orioles signing of righty free agent Alex Cobb—the former Tampa Bay Ray with an uncanny ability to beat AL East teams—days before the team departs Sarasota and heads to Baltimore.

Hallelujah. Prayers answered. We are believers once again.

Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman, 25 and 27, respectively, are ready to come into their own. They each possess plus-stuff. And we picked up big lug Andrew Cashner—3.40 ERA last year in 28 starts for Rangers—with a two-year deal back in February. Chris Tillman, the former O’s No. 1, fills out the rotation, which suddenly looks legit. Are they the ’79 O’s rotation of Palmer, Flanagan, McGregor, Martinez, and Stone?  No. Do they need to be? No. If nothing else, we know a line-up that includes Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, Adam Jones, Chris Davis, Mark Trumbo, Trey Mancini, and Tim Beckham will score runs.

Okay, so five quick things about Alex Cobb:

• Maybe the best news: Cobb is 6-4 with a 3.43 ERA in 14 career starts against the Red Sox; 6-4 with a 2.99 ERA in 14 career starts against the Yankees; and 3-3 with a 3.23 ERA in eight career starts versus the Blue Jays.
• He’s 30 and some observes point to Tommy John surgery two years ago as a potential issue. But Cobb bounced back better than ever last season, setting career highs in starts with 29 and innings pitched with 179.1 while going 12-10 with 3.66 ERA—11 best in the American League.
• Cobb throws four pitches, including a good curveball and signature split-change, and produces more ground balls than fly balls, which bodes well given the small confines of Camden Yards.
• The O’s signed him for four years for nearly $60 million. Which means with Bundy, Gausman, and maybe Hunter Harvey, if he continues to progress, and promising Miguel Castro, currently in long relief—the O’s could have a solid starting rotation in place for the next few years.
• He proposed to his girlfriend at Florida’s Discovery Cove theme park with the help of a dolphin.

You know Spring is in the air when you start smelling peanuts, hot dogs, popcorn, and crabby waffle fries (well, for us Baltimoreans at least) lingering from Camden Yards.

In honor of MLB’s earliest opening day in history, Charm City will soon be seeing no shortage of party buses, tailgates, fan food favorites, and O’s drink specials on March 29 when the Orioles take on the Minnesota Twins.

Ballpark Buses and Breakfast

Opening Day with Claddagh Pub

Skip out on the parking paranoia and celebrate an Irish opening day with a $100 package deal that includes a coach bus ride to and from the stadium, a game ticket, free beer, and a breakfast buffet from 9-11:55 a.m. Claddagh Pub, 2918 O’Donnell St., 410-522-4220

The Famous O’s Opening Day 2018

Join Jimmy’s Famous Seafood and enjoy yet another transportation package for $140 that will get you lower-level outfield seats, an O’s t-shirt, a brunch buffet prepared by Chef Tony, a lift to and from the stadium (featuring complimentary beer), and a live concert by Here’s to the Night, a local ’90s cover band. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, 6526 Holabird Ave., 410-633-4040

Fifth Annual Opening Day Party Bus

The Chasseur and The Pig Rooster Smokehouse are teaming up again for their fifth annual opening day party bus event, which entails a light breakfast buffet and bottomless Boh drafts at the Chasseur, a souvenir baseball tee, a ride to and from Camden Yards, and drop off at The Pig and Rooster Smokehouse for an exclusive after party.The Chasseur, 3328 Foster Ave., 410-327-6984

Tailgate Greats

2018 O’s Opening Day Tailgate Shindig

LGC Sports Marketing and BMORE Around Town are hosting their eighth annual opening day tailgate party from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Purple Tailgate Lot—but celebrating in orange instead—located just a few blocks away from Camden Yards. The “shindig” will feature an open bar, game-day food, cornhole, and live entertainment. Depending on the five package options—ranging from $40 to $189—you can attend the tailgate party, or go all out and enjoy an upper-level game day ticket, early entry, and even an additional ticket and bus ride to the O’s game at Nationals Park in D.C. on June 20. Purple Tailgate Zone, 152 W. Ostend St., 443-413-2336

Second Annual Opening Day Festival

Join Game Bar & Grill and 98 Rock on March 29 and 30 for a classic ballpark celebration that will feature carnival games, dunking booths, moon bounces, live music, specialty broadcasts, a complimentary breakfast buffet from 6-10 a.m., drink deals, free shuttles to and from the stadium, and an appearance from Natty Boh himself. Game Bar and Grill, 1400 Warner St., 410-385-0100

Opening Day: Party on the Patio

Celebrate just a few steps away from Camden Yards with some DJ jams, pizza fries, beef chili burgers, yard dogs, salmon BLTs, an Orioles peach tea brew, and specialty crushes at the Marriott at the Inner Harbor this opening day. Proceeds from the event will go towards Children’s Miracle Network and guests are also encouraged to bring canned foods for the Maryland Food Bank collection. Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, 110 South Eutaw St., 410-962-0202

Ballpark Brews

Orioles Opening Day with Phillips Crab Deck Baltimore

Forget the crab legs and instead feast on all-you-can-eat hot dogs and peanuts at Phillips Crab Deck this opening day, all the while enjoying $2 Natty Bohs, $4 happy hour, and $5 Orange Crushes. Be sure to wear your O’s gear for full access. Phillips Crab Deck Baltimore, 601 E. Pratt St., 410-685-6600

Orioles Opening Day

If you can’t get to the yard, hit up Clancy’s Pub in Sparrows Point to watch the game on a 75-inch TV while grubbing on $3 Chesapeake-style Polock Johnny’s sausages, $2.50 Miller Lites, $5 Natty Bohs (both of which come with complimentary stadium cups), $1 orange jello shots, and $5 Orange Crushes. Clancy’s Pub, 6916 North Point Road, 443-242-6103

Alewife Baltimore Opening Day

Indulge in “Camden casks” all day long with Alewife Baltimore, which will be featuring ballpark-themed blends from Monument City Brewing Company including Brown with Crackerjacks, Battle IPA with baseball bat (ash, hickory, maple), and Penchant Pils with sunflower seeds, along with early Oriole bird brunch specials from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Alewife Baltimore, 21 N. Eutaw St., 410-545-5112

Opening Day Eve with Flying Dog

Beat the park crowds and ring in opening day with Portside Tavern on March 28 from 6-10 p.m., where you can enjoy specialty craft taps from Flying Dog Brewery, prizes, and giveaways. Portside Tavern, 2821 O’Donnell St., 410-522-7678

Flying Dog Opening Day Event

Speaking of Flying Dog, the Frederick County brewery is also teaming up with Max’s Taphouse for an all-nighter kind of opening day where it will feature four casks, over 20 different drafts, and even a game-day “bleacher beer” can from 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. Max’s Taphouse, 737 S. Broadway, 410-675-6297