The Major League Baseball season is upon us, and there are five games to look for on Opening Day. It’s not just beginning a new season, with a new slate. We all know that hope springs eternal. These are the story-lines that the baseball fan should know, and that the baseball fan should cling to!
(Opening night) 8pm ET St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs:
A Sunday Night game on ESPN, in Wrigley and versus the rival Cardinals, this is going to be great. Barring anymore setbacks, it should be Adam Wainwright against Jon Lester. Joe Maddon in the dugout, and the possibility of young phenom Kris Bryant at third, means an electricity in the Windy City that hasn’t existed since the days of Kerry Wood and Mark Pryor.
1:05 pm ET Toronto Blue Jays vs. NY Yankees:
The Derek Jeter era is over in the Bronx and questions remain as to who will take his place as the clubhouse leader. Second year Yankees Brian McCann and Jacoby Ellsbury will have their shot. Masahiro Tanaka will take the mound, as well. Coming back from injury, Tanaka is looking to take back his reign as one of the most dominant starters in the American League.
3:05 pm ET Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies:
Cole Hamels should be taking the hill against the Red Sox who desperately need him. Boston loaded up on bats, but has a very questionable starting rotation and bullpen. At the pre-waiver trade deadline, in July, Hamels will be the biggest prize. If the Red Sox are in the divisional race, they’ll be chasing the stud-ace they’ll face on opening day.
4:10 pm ET Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals:
The defending American League champion Kansas City Royals open at home against the ‘could be’ 2015 Cinderella story. James Shields is gone, so an ace must step up for K.C. Chi-town will likely debut Jeff Samardzija, after acquiring him from Oakland in the offseason, with Chris Sale on the DL. It is only game one, but this could give us an inside look to what the AL Central will look like.
4:10 pm ET San Diego Padres vs. LA Dodgers:
Normally, all eyes would be on MVP and Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, as he starts for Tinseltown. Instead, it is the new-look Padres. San Diego added an all new outfield (Matt Kemp, Will Myers and Justin Upton), James Shields and an aura of winning baseball. It has been years since the Padres have been relevant. A brand new day in San Diego has arrived, and taking on the big brothers in LA is their first task.
9:40 pm ET San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks:
The defending world champion Giants’ Madison Bumgarner is the real deal. Bumgarner dominated last October, like he was channeling his inner Koufax. A more stunning post-season, I have never seen. The problem is Bumgarner has been very average in the regular season over his young career. He’ll take the bump at Arizona on Opening Day. If he is to become the elite pitcher he is able to be, a dominating performance in the desert would be a great springboard.
Yes, some of these games will be played simultaneously and the NCAA men’s national title game will start at about 9:oo pm ET that night. But, this is Opening Day, so get your remote ready, or line up several televisions side-by-side, so you can scan the sports globe. That’s what I’m planning on.
