A sold-out crowd is expected to come to downtown Baltimore on Thursday for Orioles opening day against the Angels. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.

Pregame festivities begin at 2:30 p.m. There will be a moment of silence to honor the victims of the Key Bridge collapse, their families and the city’s first responders who immediately stepped into action.

The Morgan State University choir will perform the national anthem. A 30-by-42-foot replica of the flag that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be lowered during it.

Aubree Singletary, the daughter of Baltimore City postal worker and a rising basketball star, will throw the first pitch to Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. David Rubenstein, Michael Arougheti, Mitchell Goldstein and Michael Smith — all members of the ownership group whose deal to purchase a majority stake in the team was finalized Wednesday — will say the ceremonial “play ball.”

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

The forecast calls for rain in the morning, but the precipitation is expected to taper off in the afternoon. There is a 43% chance of rain at 3 p.m., dipping to 24% at 4 p.m. and 13% at 5 p.m.

Friday is a scheduled off day in case there is inclement weather on opening day. The Phillies and Mets have postponed their games to Friday, but the Orioles have not announced a delay or postponement. Last year, the Orioles moved opening day from Thursday to Friday due to the forecast.

Read More

After bridge collapse, Orioles players hope baseball can be a refuge

Orioles sign veteran utilityman Tony Kemp to a major league deal

Matt Holliday questions Orioles’ decision to send son Jackson Holliday to Triple-A

The Baltimore Department of Transportation is encouraging fans to use public transportation options such as Metro Subway, Light Rail, Park & Ride express bus services, the Charm City Circulator and the Harbor Connector. It is expecting increased traffic due to the Key Bridge collapse.

The following streets will be closed Thursday:

  • Emory Street from Dover to Portland streets (closed 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Portland Street from Emory to Greene streets (closed 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
  • South Sharp Street from Pratt to Lombard streets (closed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
  • Washington Boulevard from Paca to Greene streets (closure starts at 10 a.m.)
  • Eutaw Street from Pratt to Camden streets (closure starts at 1 p.m.)
  • Camden Street from Howard to Russell streets (closure starts at 1 p.m.)
  • Hamburg Street from Russell to Leadenhall streets (closure starts at 1 p.m.)
  • Left lane closure of Russell Street from Eislen to Pratt streets (lane closure 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)