Boston Ends New York's 11-game Opening Day Home Winning Streak

4/1 Games

Boston 8, New York Yankees 2

Jacoby Ellsbury had 3 hits and rookie Jackie Bradley scored twice for Boston while the Yankee lineup mustered just 6 hits in front of a quiet crowd.  Starter C.C. Sabathia struggled on the mound giving up 4 runs in 5 innings and the bullpen wasn't much better.  Reliever Joba Chamberlain made his season debut in the 9th inning sporting a mustache that resembled a mailman, and promptly walked 2 batters and surrendered 3 runs to pad Boston's lead.. John Lester didn't shine either for the Red Sox, but he did pick up the win after leaving with the lead after 5 innings.

Washington 2, Miami 0

Stephen Strasburg held the Marlins to 3 hits while walking none as he displayed tremendous control, and Bryce Harper provided all the Nationals offense with HRs in his first two at-bats.  This should be a trend in Washington D.C. for a long time and it probably won't be the first time I write this summary. 

New York Mets 11, San Diego 2

Mets starter Jonathan Niese limited the Padres to 4 hits and lead off hitter Collin Cowgill hit a grand slam to put the game out of reach in the 7th inning.  Mets fans have plenty to cheer for.  They're undefeated!

Chicago Cubs 3, Pittsburgh 1

Cub pitcher Jeff Samardzija tossed 8 shutout innings striking out 9 as he out-dueled Pirate pitcher A.J. Burnett who struck out 10. 

Milwaukee 5, Colorado 4 (10 innings)

Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez hit a go-ahead double in the 8^th and catcher Jonathan Lucroy hit a sacrifice fly to center in the 10^th inning as the Rockies bullpen couldn’t hold a late lead.

Chicago White Sox 1, Kansas City 0

White Sox pitcher Chris Sale shutout the Royals through 7 and 2/3 innings and catcher Tyler Flowers provided the game’s only run with a solo HR.  New Royals ace James Shields took the tough loss after allowing 6 hits and the one run.

Los Angeles 4, San Francisco 0

It was showtime in Los Angeles as pitcher Clayton Kershaw threw a complete game 4-hit shutout and broke a scoreless tie with a solo HR in the 8th to lift the Dodgers past the defending champions.

Detroit 4, Minnesota 2

Justin Verlander allowed 3 hits and Prince Fielder & Torii Hunter contributed 2 hits apiece as the Tigers edged the Twins in Minneapolis.

Los Angeles Angels 3, Cincinnati 1 (13 innings)

Angels catcher Chris Iannetta drove in all 3 runs with a solo HR in the 3rd inning and a 2-run double in the 13^th inning while Jeff Weaver combined with 6 relievers to hold the home team Reds to just three hits.

Atlanta 7, Philadelphia 5

Braves 1B Freddie Freeman hit a 3-run HR in the first inning and right fielder Justin Upton hit a solo shot in  the 5th as they roughed up Phillies starter Cole Hamels.  Justin's brother B.J. also debuted for the Braves and went 0-4. 

Seattle 2, Oakland 0

Felix Hernandez quieted the Oakland crowd and dazzled Athletic hitters by pitching 7 and 2/3 masterful innings of 3-hit ball while striking out 8 to pick up his first win. 

Arizona 5, St. Louis 2

Ian Kennedy pitched into the 7 strong innings and struck out 8 Cardinal hitters and Adam Wainwright was lit up for 11 hits as the Diamondbacks prevailed at home.

Fantasy Spin

Chase Utley went 3-5 with a single, a triple & a home run and is finally healthy after battling knee problems for years.  It's only one game, but he's hitting third and should see some good pitches to hit in front of Ryan Howard.  His home run is a good sign indicating his power might be back and the triple means he legged it all the way out showing his knees can hold up. 

 

News & Notes

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper at age 20 became the youngest player to open the season with HRs in his first two at-bats.

24-year old Texas Ranger shortstop Elvis Andrus signed an 8-year $120 million contract extension.

Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick dislocated his right shoulder sliding into 3^rd base in the 3^rd inning.

A.L. MVP Watch -  Chris Iannetta, Los Angeles Angels??

N.L. MVP Watch – Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals - legit

Record Watch - Bryce Harper is on pace for 364 home runs. 

History – Texas Rangers

The Rangers franchise was established in 1961 with the name Washington Senators when the American League expanded in 1961.  The original American League Washington Senators franchise played in Washington D.C. from 1901 – 1961, but moved to Minnesota in 1962 to become the Twins.  Washington kept a team in the nation’s capital with the creation of the new Washington Senators and played there from 1961-1971.  Ted Williams managed the Senators in 1969 but winning didn’t come easy, and before the 1972 season they moved to Texas and debuted as the Rangers.  They made the World Series just twice in 51 years, in 2010 & 2011, losing to the Giants & Cardinals respectively.  They were within one strike of beating the Cardinals two years ago but unbelievably they lost.  Michael Young is the team’s all-time hit leader (2230) and Juan Gonzalez the all-time HR leader (372).  Incredibly their all-time stolen base leader is Bump Wills with just 161.  For perspective, the single-season record by one player is 130 by Ricky Henderson in 1982.  

Trivia - Today’s Question - Rickey Henderson led the American League in stolen bases 9 times during the 1980's.  Who led the league the year Rickey didn't?

Yesterday’s Question:  Which 3 players have hit 3 HRs in an Opening Day game?

Answer – George Bell with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1988, Tuffy Rhodes with the Chicago Cubs in 1994, & Dmitri Young with the Detroit Tigers in 2005.

Tuesday 4/2 Schedule (all times EST)  My picks to win are highlighted.  Yesterday's Picks:  8-4

                                                                                                                                        

3:10 pm    Baltimore Orioles (Hammel) @ Tampa Bay Rays (Price)                            

7:07 pm    Cleveland Indians (Masterson) @ Toronto Blue Jays (Dickey)                   

8:10 pm    Colorado Rockies (De La Rosa) @ Milwaukee Brewers (Estrada)            

8:10 pm    Texas Rangers (Darvish) @ Houston Astros (Harrell)                                

9:40 pm    St. Louis Cardinals (Garcia) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Cahill)                  

10:05 pm  Seattle Mariners (Iwakuma) @ Oakland Athletics (Parker)                       

10:10 pm  San Francisco Giants (Bumgarner) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (Ryu)            

 

Actual Las Vegas Proposition bet for today:    Over/Under: 7 Strikeouts by Yu Darvish

Yesterday’s Prop Bet: Over/Under: 2 Chicago White Sox OF Adam Dunn strikeouts against the Royals.  Result - Vegas was right on as he struck out twice.  Push.