And now for the actual opening day of the baseball season. The first full slate of games is almost in the books (minus the rainouts.) What I saw:
Verlander was dealing. He easily could’ve gotten the win, if not for…
Alex Gordon. After ranking him extremely high in my top 100, I’ll be watching closely all year.
When Miguel Cabrera hit his homer, he sprinted down the first base line hoping to get a double, which is what he would have had in South Florida. He’s accustomed to the Dolphin Stadium. He’s in for a huge season. And that’s not a waistline crack.
If Gary Sheffield stays healthy, he’s in for a terrific season batting in that lineup. His hands are still quick and he takes walks.
Tigers Announcers, Rod Allen and Mario Impemba, suck.
Nationals Announcers, Don Sutton and Bob Carpenter, are worse. They inexplicably described Pedro Feliz as one of the most underrated players in the league.
Surprisingly, Don’s kid, Darin Sutton, is one of the best announcers.
Nick Markakis has a stolen base. Here comes 30/20. Outside of The Greek God of Roto, the Orioles will be painful to watch this year and I would stay away from all Orioles starters and relievers. Sherrill won’t even be worth it.
Victor Martinez was pulled from the game with a hamstring injury. Am I worried? No, because I didn’t draft V-Mart in any league. Should you be worried if you did draft him? Yup. Someone you might want to think about…
Chris Snyder was batting fifth. He’s looking like a great pickup if he lasts in that spot.
Torre put Posada Russell Martin in the sixth hole. Guess it’s a force of habit for him to bat a catcher sixth. This could be an issue for Martin’s value.
Mark Reynolds might strikeout 200 times this year.
No reason to think Jim Thome can’t hit 35 home runs if he stays healthy.
My better logic says it’s only one day, my gut is telling me Franklin Gutierrez is in for a great year. I already said this, “…Franklin Gutiérrez is 25 and about to get the right field job on one of the best offensive AL teams. Gutiérrez could go 70/20/80/.270/20 in the ninth hole.” Between Gutierrez and Lastings Milledge, I like Gutierrez better.
Johan Santana… Oh, man.
Eric Gagne… Oh, crap.
Kerry Wood… You knew that was coming. Carlos Marmol will be closing by May and end the season with more saves than Wood.
Carlos Zambrano, I’m not too concerned he was pulled because of the forearm cramp. Big Z could find a way to throw 120 pitches with a broken hand.
On one team, I had Pujols and Wainwright. Not thrilled I lost the home run, but I am thrilled there was a home run to lose. You should be too. Though I’m having a hard time seeing the positive in losing the Wainwright start.
Ian Snell will find a way to lose more games than he wins, but he’ll keep the games close. Always gives up a home run at some point.
I’m hoping Cox moves Matt Diaz up and Mark Kotsay down in the order against righties.
Michael Young hit a home run. That projects to 162 on the season. I’d say he falls short by about 150.
Yunel Escobar looked good. Quick wrists, knocking the ball to the opposite field.
Michael Bourn stole 2 bases. Granted, Ronnie Paulino could steal against Bard, but I told you to avoid drafting steals early and grab Bourn late. He might steal 50 this season.
I hate Tom Gordon.
