When we really get down to it, opening day in the MLB means nothing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great day in sports, but as far as meaning to the actual regular season, it’s only the first of 162. With that said, what if opening day meant everything?
Here are five ridiculous (but not too far out of the question) opening day observations acting as though yesterday had barring on the rest of the season:
1. As evidence in their 12-5 victory of the White Sox, the Cleveland Indians are for real. The Tribe’s lineup is sprinkled with young talent and it appears C.C. Sabathia’s wrist is fine. Watch out Detroit, Minnesota and Chicago, because the Indians are here to compete.
2. After a 7-1 loss to Milwaukee, the Dodgers are overrated. Two hits? Other than a Jeff Kent home run, the Brewers’ Ben Sheets completely shut down the LA lineup, throwing the first complete-game on opening day since 1992.
3. With their 7-1 win over Boston, the Royals are seemingly the surprise team in the AL this year while the Red Sox are going to fall hard. Gil Meche was exactly what Kansas City needed to turn everything around and Curt Shilling is due for a crash and burn season.
4. With their 5-1 loss to the Reds, the Cubs are obviously not the sleeper team everybody thought they were. Carlos Zambrano was lit up for five runs on six hits and isn’t the NL Cy Young candidate he appeared to be just days ago.
5. The Tigers magical ’06 World Series run was an obvious fluke seeing as how Fernando Rodney gave up a 3-3 tie in the 10th to give Toronto a 5-3 win. Detroit is going to have bullpen troubles all year.
Or, it was just day one of 162 and all of this means nothing.
