Opening Day, few things are so important in sports. Huge hype for the first of 162 games of an incredibly long 6-month season. Immense pressure for starting pitchers that rivals late September playoff run only to be immediately followed by a game that means next to nothing in the big picture of a .60th of a percent of the season. But that is the beauty of baseball, the season is made up of tiny almost insignificant numbers that mean very little alone, similar to one hit, one strikeout or one blown call but when to compound them day after day, month after month they make or break a team.
Today, saw the first use of instant replay by the Cubs that was upheld and the first overturned call by the Brewers.
Grady SIzemore went 2 for 4 with a home run the Red Sox in his first game in 2 years. Always a great player with the Cleveland Indians it is nice to see him play at this level after being plagued by numerous injuries.
Johnny Cueto spent all last year up and down with injury problems, today pitched brilliantly striking out 8 against the NL-Champ Cards.
And speaking of birds:
Nelson Cruz of the Orioles hit a homerun
Kolten Wong of the Cards went 1-3
Jose Reyes left the Jays game with injury
Billy Hamilton started the season 0-4 with 4 strikeouts in a still close 1-0 game in the 9th.
MVP Andrew McCutchen was mortal at only 1-3 in a 10th inning nail-biter.
Stephen Strasburg was knocked around (6 ER) but Anthony Rendon and Adam LaRoche saved his hide. With Rendon hitting a 10th inning 3-run shot.
The Phillies and Rangers pitchers missed the bus and the hitters hit off the tee for the game scoring 24 combined runs. Ryan Sanberg and Jimmy Rollins have no problems right now after a grand slam… but that greatly overshadowed a 1-6 night, ouch. Only one player did not safely get on base, Mitch Moreland, who felt left out and might have faked an injury in the 9th out of shame.
Jose Abreu is hitting .500 with a double after his first pro game with the ChiSox. You have to root for this kid, he comes to America and chooses to play for one of the worst records in baseball. That is love of the game. (I hope this club contends because of this kid some day.)
And another Sox was not too shabby, Chris Sale went 7 innings striking out 8.
Still to play tonight are Mike Trout and Jose Fernandez two of baseballs best players and both players were in diapers when Derek Jeter won his first World Series.
I never thought I would utter these words: Off to watch the Marlins and Rockies.
This division is so hard to call, the Cards are just great and the young Bucs and Reds are just getting better and may make the already close finish in 2013 even closer this season. Milwaukee is a swing team and could impress people if the young guys continue to improve and Ryan Braun’s attention with the media does not become a distraction for the team. So hard to call, any of the three top teams could take this division, leaving the others as Wild Card hopefuls.
St. Louis Cardinals – As a tone that has been set in the other two playoff teams in the NL Central, the Cardinals also lost several of their 2013 pieces, unlike the others they did make a free agent acquisition signing Jhonny Peralta from the Rangers. The bat brings in to St. Louis could make up for the loss of Carlos Beltran and David Freese if he can hit under the intense scrutiny that will follow his PED suspension.
A full season with both Allen Craig, Matt Holiday and Matt Adams in the lineup will make any thoughts that this offense could struggle a passing notion. Before the loss of Beltran to New York Adams and Craig looked to create a difficult log jam at first. Craig now finds a new home in the outfield opposite from Holiday in left. The trio could combine for 80 homers and drive in 275 runs if all can stay healthy.
The biggest question for the Cardinals will be their pitching staff. Adam Wainwright will again open the season as their go-to pitcher, but as good as the Cardinals were in 2013 you have to question their staff just slightly.
Shelby Miller and Michael Wacha are both under 23-years old, there is some concern when you put that much weight on to pitchers so young. Miller is less of a concern with the travel of a full season under his arm making 30 starts in 2013 and going 15-9. Wacha made a historic run down the stretch after the late season September call up and performing brilliantly in the playoffs until that fateful Game 6 where the Red Sox lit Wacha up for 6-runs in 3-innings. This is not to say Wacha will fold under pressure for his career, the Sox were clearly the better team in the Series and outplayed the entire rotation not just Wacha, the question that needs to be answered is how he will pitch in the Playoffs after a taxing 162-game season. If Wacha and Miller continue to perform as well as 2013 concluded then you could see the Cardinals in the World Series in 2014 again.
While there is a small concern about Wacha and Miller because of their youth, there is a big concern about the Cards other pitchers in the rotation. Lance Lynn did win 15-games, but he also lost 10 and had 3.97 ERA. Had Lynn taken this performance to most other teams he may have seen a big difference in his record without the offensive production protecting his run differential. If this offense does not give Lance 6+ runs you could see his value in the dirt. Lance’s spring outings have not been a positive indicator of how his season will shape up giving up 5 runs and 7 hits over 2 starts this March.
Jamie Garia looks good when he can make it to the mound, struggling over the past few years with injuries again took it toll in 2013 with an injury in May that shut Garcia down for the season and yet to start pitching all though the team reports he is playing catch. He may need to stay behind and get some extended work or a few minor league starts depending on his progress, but he will see the rotation sometime in April… hopefully.
The biggest difference between St. Louis playing in the World Series and watching the title games will be the production of two rookies. Kolten Wong is penciled in as the starting second baseman for the Cards, he is also a high candidate for the Rookie of the Year. He may not have to be Wil Myers good, he just needs to be productive.
St. Louis needs to make a move with hot prospect Oscar Taveras. He is not needed on Opening Day, nor will he be healthy for a few weeks with another hamstring injury. But for three years he has been hyped as the “Next Thing” and every year he gets hurt. The Cardinals need hitting depth in the outfield now that Beltran is gone and Jon Jay and Peter Bourjos are better suited as a 4th outfielder. Hitting depth is what kept the Cards from another ring, and this year lack of hitting depth will keep them out of the Series with the improving health of the Dodgers.
DIVISION WINNER.
Pittsburgh Pirates – One thing the NL Central did not do this season was get stronger through free agency. Each of the top teams let vets walk and did not bring in much for free agents aside from a few minor league signings hoping to catch on in bench roles.
Pittsburgh was a bit smarter than Cinci and St. Louis in the players they let walk. Refusing to negotiate much with Marlon Byrd and AJ Burnett both players left for potential cellar-dweller starting jobs in Philly. Burnett is easily replaced with the emergence of Garrit Cole in 2013. Over shadowed by a strong rookie crop Cole put together a very respectable 10-win and 100-strikeout season in only 19-games, not a bad start as long as hit good fortunes continues as well as they have this spring hitting 97-mph in a win against the Twins and earning a spot as the second starter.
Fransico Liriano will get his first opening day nod after leading the staff to their first playoff season in 20 plus years. Expect nothing less that 15-wins and 180 strikeout out of their big man.
Wandy Rodriguez started the season phenomenally, the team was 8-2 in games he started until injury shut him down in early June. Should he struggle this team may struggle with him without a Gerrit Cole to fall back on when Wandy went down last summer.
Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke were inconsistent at times in 2013 and if we can see more of the great pitching that had the team atop the MLB in the summer this team should see good fortune with a solid rotation.
While there may be some question to starting depth in their rotation, their offense will have little question as to what they can do. Winning more with flair than with power the Pirates play simple baseball of moving the runners consistently without having to rely solely on power to put the tallies on the scoreboard.
Reigning MVP and Gold Glove centerfielder, Andrew McCutchen will again lead the squad on both in the field and at the plate. His 38 doubles and 27 stolen bases make him a threat to be in scoring position regularly for Russel Martin and Pedro Alverez.
Along with the emergence of Staling Marte and Neil Walker the Bucs should have no problem winning games even with a struggling staff. Marte’s unexpected explosion last summer played second fiddle to the playoff run, but clearly the Pirates could once again have an outfield as good the days of Bonds, Bonilla and Van Slyke if developing right fielder Jose Tabata continues to progress thought a .282/.342 6HR 33RBI in only 300 AB is nothing to turn your nose at.
Jordy Mercer could be the Pirates ‘Marte of 2014’ after hitting .285/.386. The young shortstop struggled after taking over the regular position in May, but by September began to shine hitting .347 in the final weeks of the season.
This team is younger and got their first taste of success in 2013, don’t think they will not be hungry for more, but arrogance and inexperience could also be their downfall. If they fall don’t expect it to be out of the Wild Card by more than 2 games. WILD CARD.
Cincinnati Reds – Losing Shin-Soo Choo from your offense and Bronson Arroyo from your pitching staff is a pretty significant loss for the Reds on paper. But when you consider 2013 was a 90-win team without Johnny Cueto or rookie Billy Hamilton you can really argue that the Reds have not lost any ground in 2014.
Without Arroyo the rotation is still in very good shape, maybe even better than 2013. Cueto will be back from an injury plagued ’13 and finally able to focus on a season without worry his next pitch could be another DL stint. A trio of 14-game winners in Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Mat Latos are all under 27 years old and ready to improve on a great Wild Card run and contend for the division in ’14. Leake and Tony Cingrani, who filled in most of ’13 for Cueto, look to keep growing as young pitchers. Both pitchers have yet to hit their prime and look to be at the top of the Reds rotation for years to come.
The baseball world is excited to see Billy Hamilton try to chase Rickey Henderson’s record or even the first player to swipe 100-bags for the better part of 25-years. Hamilton clearly has the legs to steal 100-bases, but the question remains if he can get on base consistently to steal the bases.
If anyone can teach Hamilton the mechanics of good hitting it is first baseman Joey Votto. One of the best contact hitters since coming into the league Votto should see a huge jump in his batting average if Hamilton plays as well as hoped. With Hamilton a constant threat to steal second or even third pitchers are likely to lay off the off-speed pitches to get the ball to the catcher as fast as possible. Too many fast balls and Votto will make you pay dearly.
Zack Cozart, Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce all struggle with contact but when they do they are a threat to take the pitchers deep, Bruce particularly who hit 30 for the Reds in 2013.
The future of Milwaukee Baseball
Milwaukee Brewers – There were 13 players suspended by Major League Baseball for the remainder of the 2013 season, but no player will have it harder in 2014 than Ryan Braun, and rightfully so. For starters, Braun is the highest profile player who will play this season. Two other players have star power, Nelson Cruz and Jhonny Peralta, but they chose to sign with contender teams as high-production role players and not the top dog leader of the clubhouse of a team that will struggle to hit .500% And finally, Braun went free and left a courier to take the blame on his 2012 post-MVP positive test. Braun will be asked about this every city he visits on the road and if Milwaukee sits in the cellar with a poor producing Braun look for the fans to call for blood.
The one bright note that could take pressure from Braun is the exposure of shortstop Jean Segura and Khris Davis. Segura could be what scouts thought teammate Rickie Weeks was destined to achieve. Stolen in 2012 from the Angels the Brewers reaped the rewards in 2013 with a magnificent .294/.329 12HR 49RBI season.
Davis could be the surprise breakout star of 2014, he won’t contend for Rookie of the Year because he exceeded the requirements of 130 AB by 6 last season. Davis opened eyes in Milwaukee with 11HR in 56 games. Averaged out that is about 40 HRs and 90 RBI. Had Davis had a full season at that production it could have been as spectacular as Yasiel Puig’s historic run.
Milwaukee could surprise the NL Central if one of the top talents fall apart or suffer injury issues. The rotation for the Brewers is respectable with ace Yovani Gallardo one of the best young arms in the NL. He will be supported by Kyle Lohse, Matt Garza, Marco Estrada and Wily Peralta. If this staff was in a contending city they may be viewed as potent as St. Louis or Pittsburgh. The pitching staffs biggest struggle will be holding a lead with their relievers.
Again?????????????????/ Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Chicago Cubs – Will this be the year that Chicago breaks their drought? Almost certainly. The only thing that will stop them from another World Series title will be Anthony Rizzo not hitting 628 home runs.
St. Louis Cardinals
Jordy Mercer could be the Pirates ‘Marte of 2014’ after hitting .285/.386. The young shortstop struggled after taking over the regular position in May, but by September began to shine hitting .347 in the final weeks of the season.
Without Arroyo the rotation is still in very good shape, maybe even better than 2013. Cueto will be back from an injury plagued ’13 and finally able to focus on a season without worry his next pitch could be another DL stint. A trio of 14-game winners in Homer Bailey, Mike Leake and Mat Latos are all under 27 years old and ready to improve on a great Wild Card run and contend for the division in ’14. Leake and Tony Cingrani, who filled in most of ’13 for Cueto, look to keep growing as young pitchers. Both pitchers have yet to hit their prime and look to be at the top of the Reds rotation for years to come.
Destination: OCTOBER 