{"id":116935,"date":"2026-03-28T17:24:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T21:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=116935"},"modified":"2026-03-28T17:24:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T21:24:07","slug":"in-case-you-missed-it-some-mlb-opening-day-2026-stat-observations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/03\/28\/in-case-you-missed-it-some-mlb-opening-day-2026-stat-observations\/","title":{"rendered":"In Case You Missed It \u2026 Some MLB Opening Day 2026 Stat Observations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like your one shot of asking out the prom queen, MLB Opening Day 2026 has come and gone quickly. It is way too small of a snapshot to say if we learned anything definitive. However, there were a lot of interesting stats and potential harbingers for this season. Here are some brief observations of the early spring day with the Christmas morning aura.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Aces Dealing Zeros\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOB4qX3D0kp\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 5068px; aspect-ratio: 5068\/3379;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the top pitchers came out dealing on MLB Opening Day 2026. When I say dealing, I mean literally allowing zero runs. If these <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no-soup-for-you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> performances are consistently repeated this season, it is going to be a fun Cy Young race in each league.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crochga01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garret Crochet<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pitched six scoreless frames for Boston against the Reds. He fanned eight batters and allowed only three hits. Barely a year after being acquired by the Sox, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/03\/31\/garrett-crochet-red-sox-agree-to-six-year-extension\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">this lefty has made that extension look brilliant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Philadelphia, I first-hand witnessed<\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sanchcr01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cristopher Sanchez\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> electric outing against the Rangers: 6 innings pitched, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 10 K\u2019s. Regardless of how <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wheelza01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zack Wheeler<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> comes back from injury, the Phils already have a bona fide number one with this tall Dominican lefty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Down in Houston, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brownhu01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hunter Brown<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> made his first Opening Day start and didn\u2019t disappoint. In only 4.2 innings, this righty struck out nine Angels and didn\u2019t allow a run.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Braves may be down a few guys in their rotation, but <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/salech01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chris Sale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> did his part with six scoreless frames against the Royals. When healthy, this is still one of the most dominant guys on the mound.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Hot Out of the Oven<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBQMPhGzKx\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 4367px; aspect-ratio: 4367\/6549;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/milb\/prospects\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MLB\u2019s top prospects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> came charging out of the gate on Opening Day. Yes, it\u2019s only one game, but boy did some youngsters make a statement.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much-ballyhooed prospect <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcgonke01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kevin McGonigle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had four hits, including two doubles, and two ribbies in his Tigers\u2019 debut against the Padres. The quality of the at-bats was something to behold.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The young darling in St. Louis, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wethejj01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">JJ Wetherholt<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, homered in his first game for the Cards, helping the home team to a victory.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Citi Field, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bengeca01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carson Benge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> went deep for the Mets as they smacked Paul Skenes and the Pirates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/delauch01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chase DeLauter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a top outfield prospect for the Guardians, slammed two long balls at spacious Safeco Field.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hitting ninth in the Phils\u2019 lineup, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/c\/crawfju01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Justin Crawford<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> singled in each of his first two MLB plate appearances to make his father proud, delighting the faithful at CBP.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Is He Back?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBaKpDXvHE\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3072px; aspect-ratio: 3072\/2180;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most MLB fans would love to see <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/t\/troutmi01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mike Trout<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have a return to greatness in 2026. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/07\/mike-trout-just-the-numbers\/\" target=\"_self\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His career numbers speak for themself<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but injuries in recent years have severely derailed one of the best all-around players the game has ever seen. However, if Opening Day gives a glimpse into the future, we could be in for a treat as the center fielder for the Angels reemerges into his elite form. <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/mike-trout-homer-powers-angels-past-astros-on-opening-day\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trout blasted a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning to help the Halos secure a win in Houston<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Then he followed that up with another bomb the next night. Only time and health will tell, but this could be a wonderful renaissance for baseball fans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Mike Trout so far this season:<\/p>\n<p>Walk -&gt; SB<br \/>\nWalk<br \/>\nWalk<br \/>\nHR<br \/>\nK<br \/>\n1B<br \/>\n1B<br \/>\nHR<\/p>\n<p>WE MIGHT BE SO BACK <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IRtnGCLP9o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/IRtnGCLP9o<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 AT (@BaseballWRLD_) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BaseballWRLD_\/status\/2037705862798524466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 28, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><b>Did That Really Happen?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is the Opening Day pitching line for <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/skenepa01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paul Skenes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: .2 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 2 walks, and a 67.50 ERA. #WTF<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reigning NL Cy Young winner may be the best pitcher in MLB, and this outing doesn\u2019t refute that because every ace has some duds. <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/gameday\/pirates-vs-mets\/2026\/03\/26\/823649\/final\/box\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it is noteworthy when someone of that ilk doesn\u2019t make it out of the first inning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are some extenuating circumstances that led to this aberration. The Mets were all pumped up for the home opener with a revamped lineup. Plus, <\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/mlb\/pirates\/onsi\/news\/pittsburgh-pirates-oneil-cruz-explains-outfield-mistakes-opening-game\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the defense behind Skenes wasn\u2019t on par with Willie Mays<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This Pirate phenom is scheduled to make his next start against the Reds. I would bet the over on his strikeouts that day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">In Paul Skenes entire career (55 starts), he had only let up 5 earned runs in a game once.<\/p>\n<p>He just let up 5 ER to the Mets\u2026 before the end of the first inning \ud83d\ude33 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/YbhKSYvW2G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/YbhKSYvW2G<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Brett Hanfling (@Brett_Hanfling) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Brett_Hanfling\/status\/2037226667450454287?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>(Top Image Credit:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like your one shot of asking out the prom queen, MLB Opening Day 2026 has come and gone quickly. It is way too small of a snapshot to say if we learned anything definitive. However, there were a lot of interesting stats and potential harbingers for this season. Here are some brief observations of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5735,"featured_media":116965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1071,21,4,2,14,16,22,23,26,25],"tags":[28635,5908,198,28573,29339,5519,6536,5799,28872,683],"class_list":["post-116935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","category-braves","category-redsox","category-featured","category-astros","category-angels","category-mets","category-phillies","category-pirates","category-cardinals","tag-carson-benge","tag-chase-delauter","tag-chris-sale","tag-cristopher-sanchez","tag-garret-crochet","tag-hunter-brown","tag-jj-wetherholt","tag-justin-crawford","tag-kevin-mcgonigle","tag-zack-wheeler"],"modified_by":"Matthew Nethercott, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5735"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116935"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116935\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":116966,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/116935\/revisions\/116966"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/116965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=116935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=116935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}