A look at what's happening around the majors today:
FOR OPENERS
Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Mike Trout and
everyone else is set to play, at last. All 30 teams are in action, with opening
day on deck at Yankee Stadium, Dodger Stadium and ballparks in between. The
forecast is pretty good in most places, with no snow or frosty temps expected,
although rain is a possibility in Kansas City and Oakland.
Chris Sale starts
for the World Series champion Red Sox when they visit red-hot Seattle -- well,
the Mariners have started out 2-0 after sweeping the A's last week at the Tokyo
Dome.
CY AND SIGH
Jacob deGrom and Blake Snell get
an early chance to defend their Cy Young Awards -- first-time winners last
year; they're pitching against the guys who were the runner-ups.
DeGrom (10-9, MLB-leading 1.70 ERA) starts for the Mets when
they face three-time Cy winner Max Scherzer (18-7,
MLB-high 300 strikeouts) at Nationals Park. Snell (21-5, 1.89 ERA) starts for
the Rays vs. Justin
Verlander (16-9, AL-best 290 Ks) and the Astros at Tropicana
Field.
Since the Cy Young Award was first presented in 1956, only
twice before have reigning winners opposed the second-place finisher on opening
day the next season. In 1979, Ron Guidry (Yankees) faced runner-up Mike
Caldwell (Brewers) and NL winner Gaylord Perry (Padres) went against Burt
Hooton (Dodgers).
DEBUT YOU
Paul
Goldschmidt (Cardinals), Manny Machado (Padres), Nelson Cruz (Twins), Michael
Brantley(Astros), Robinson Cano (Mets), Billy
Hamilton (Royals) and Yasiel Puig (Reds)
play for the first time with their new teams. The Phillies show off a bevy of
newly acquired All-Stars: Harper, Andrew
McCutchen, Jean Segura, J.T. Realmuto and David
Robertson.
Harper has five career home runs on opening day, tied
with Albert Pujols and Ian Kinsler for
most among active players. He'll take on Julio Teheran and
the NL East champion Braves -- Harper is 18 for 50 (.450) with a personal-high
eight homers against the Atlanta right-hander.
AILING
Cleveland shortstop Francisco
Lindor, surprise World Series MVP Steve Pearce,
Reds star Scooter
Gennett and aces Clayton
Kershaw and Luis Severino are
hobbled. Royals catcher Salvador
Perez, Tigers pitcher Michael
Fulmer and Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza
Jr. are out for the year.
GOOD LUCK, SKIP!
Six managers will make their debut: Brandon Hyde (Orioles),
Charlie Montoyo (Blue Jays), David Bell (Reds), Rocco Baldelli (Twins) and
Chris Woodward (Rangers) are first-time skippers; while Brad Ausmus succeeded
longtime Angels skipper Mike Scioscia.
FAREWELLS
Manager Bruce Bochy, who guided the Giants to three titles
in five seasons, begins his final season when San Francisco plays at San Diego.
... The Rangers host the Cubs to begin the 26th and last season at their
current ballpark. Texas moves next year across the street into a new stadium with
a retractable roof. ... Longtime announcers Marty Brennaman of the Reds and
Steve Blass of the Pirates, both 76, start their last seasons when Pittsburgh
visits Cincinnati. The teams also end the regular season together in Pittsburgh
on Sept. 29.
THEY BLUE IT
The Rays are looking at using blue lights to tint the roof
of Tropicana Field in hopes of giving the domed stadium a different look as
well as making it easier for players to track fly balls. Plans to use them are
pending approval by Major League Baseball, which is not expected to make a
decision by opening day. Tampa Bay played an exhibition at Tropicana Field on
Tuesday and turned on the blue lights for the national anthem, but not during
the game.
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