Category: MLB (Page 407 of 448)

The long anticipated start for Daisuke Matsuzaka is officially in the books. Dice-K went seven innings, striking out 10 and only yielding one run in a 4-1 victory over the Royals.

The most encouraging thing for Red Sox fans is that Matsuzaka seemingly had command of all of his pitches. What often happens early in the regular season is that starting pitchers rely on fastballs until they get control over the rest of their pitches. But Matsuzaka threw multiple pitches with good command, including the much talked about “gyro ball”, which is basically a pitch with severe drop off by the time it reaches the plate.

Overall, Boston fans have to be encouraged about what they saw, especially since Curt Shilling gave them next to nothing in his 2007 debut.

In his first at bat against the Padres’ Chris Young Wednesday night, Barry Bonds hit a solo shot to left center for his first home run of the year and 735th career blast. And so it begins. Will he break Henry Aaron’s all-time home run record? Will Bud ‘the slug’ Selig be in attendance when/if he does? Will he get booed or will he be in the comforts of Pac Bell/3 Com/AT&T Park? How much steroids did he have to use to get the record, about a half cup (copy write Will Ferrell in Blades of Glory)?

How about this line of thinking: he shouldn’t even be playing this year. No team wanted him this past offseason, yet the Giants basically outbid themselves for his services. While credit is due for them ridding him of his large entourage and various other “privileges”, the Giants just wanted to sell more tickets this year for the All-Star Game. So yet again he’s back for another year, haunting us every step of the way.

Bonds needs 21 more dingers to pass Hammerin’ Hanks’ record. Let’s start the voting now. Be as creative as you want in your explanation of how he will or will not break the record, now’s the time to hammer him at all costs so go for it. Being as objective as possible, he had a solid spring training and his legs look fresh in the first two games (he stole a freaking base in the Giants’ opener) at both the plate and the field. So, I reluctantly say yes, he will break the record. I know, I know, boo me, but I’m being objective.

Seriously, you’ve got to love where Twins’ closer Joe Nathan’s priorities are. According to the StarTribune.com, Nathan will be by his pregnant wife’s side tonight as her labor is induced…until he’s needed to close.

Apparently, Nathan is going to monitor tonight’s game against the Orioles from the hospital and if it looks like he’ll be needed to close, he’s going to drive to the Metrodome and do just that. After he picks up the save, he’ll then drive back to the hospital.

Could you imagine that conversation?

Joe Nathan: “Hey honey listen, I’ll be right back okay?”
Lisa Nathan: “Where are you going Joe?”
Joe Nathan: “It’s looking like we need someone to save tonight and I’m the only one to do it.”
Lisa Nathan: “But I’m pregnant and ready to give birth!”
Joe Nathan: “Yeah I know, can’t you just hold on for a few hours? Jeez, I mean come on, I’d do the same for you.”

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.

The St. Louis Cardinals will try to defend their World Series title by taking on the New York Mets tonight at 8:15pm ET on ESPN2. Do the Cards have enough to repeat? Will the Mets put it all together and give St. Louis a run for its money? Will the injury to Kenny Rogers hurt the Tigers chances for a AL title repeat?

Check out Bullz-Eye.com’s 2007 MLB Baseball Preview for team previews, predictions and much more.