... only 23490285049698476 to go.
Despite the 3-2 lost to the Twins, I'm not too terribly disappointed in the outcome of the game. Jered Weaver really wasn't as on as everyone would've expected given his Spring Training performance. But really, Spring Training is a different thing. You play for only a fraction of the crowd, in a smaller stadium, in a non-impacting situation. Today was different. The whole ceremony of Opening Day was a totally different deal. Being only 25, and having only played one full season in the bigs, I'm sure Weaver was nervous. You could see it in his body language the whole first inning or so. He kept throwing to first to slow the game down, and he kept wiping his face into his sleeve and walking circles around the mound to calm himself down. He only gave up 3 runs in 6.1 innings. That's really not all that bad, considering how close he was to really giving up a blow out. He made some good pitches when they really counted, and got out of some pretty tight situations. Actually, the pitching in general stayed out of some pretty bad situations - Darren O'Day nearly gave up a 2-out grand slam in his outing, but ended up getting the hitter out on a pop fly to left.
Kotchman definitely had a good day. I should've used him as my starting first basemen instead of Morneau, who went 0-3 with a walk. Kotchman went 3-4 with a run. I'm really hoping this will be a good sign for him, he could use a real break out year after all the crazy injuries he's had in the past. Figgins also did decent today.
I almost thought Vlad was going to hit it out in the 8th, after he almost got dinged in the head by a crazy up and in pitch. He fell to the floor. and 99% of the time that happens, he hits is straight over the center field wall. That would've been exciting. But I guess there's always that 1%...
I was a little disappointed with Garret Anderson's performance today. After calling off that one bloop double that could've been caught by Izturis as well, and not hustling to catch another bloop double late in the game, I'm not so sure starting him and keeping him in for the entire nine innings will be wise. He isn't very fast, and it seems like he gives up a little easily out there in left. They could've saved themselves a lot of pitch count and trouble had it been Reggie out there in left. But I guess that could be my own personal bias. But I don't think too many would disagree with me on it.
I'm also still waiting for Kendrick to hit when it matters. After the Spring he had, I was starting to expect more out of him. When he came up in the ninth after Kotchman's 2-out single, I figured maybe he'd get it done for once. But nope - struck out swinging. I don't want to not trust him, I'm really just waiting for the day he proves me wrong.
I'm still waiting.
Yes, I know it's only the first game. I'm hoping tomorrow, they'll come back to the field with their nerves calmed a little bit. It seemed like Torii Hunter was a bit taken back by the whole situation, and it showed in his 0-4 record. It's understandable. I mean, 11 years with the organization, and only that organization at that. It would've been a bit of an internal struggle. I give him credit though. He'll break out in a big way I'm sure. He'll hold down center defensively for sure. And really, I think he ought to be hitting directly behind Vlad, but that'll come with time I'm sure.
So in all, not too bad of a day. Close game, and the pitching did well to keep it as close as they did. Hopefully tomorrow will be a different story on the opposite end.
Around the League:
A lot of surprising outcomes today, with the Kansas City Royals just edging out the Detriot Tigers (who were considerable favorites to win this game, especially with the addition of Miguel Cabrera, who did manage to hit one out of the park), the Tamba Bay Rays overtaking Baltimore's Orioles, and the Washington Nationals winning their game two over the Phillies.
Not surprising, Johan Santana got the Mets their first win, and C.C. Sabathia's teammates dug him out of a good enough hole to at least get the win for the team and keep a one out of his losses column.
We'll have to wait one more day for the final opener at the old Yankee Stadium, and will see how Wang does against Halladay.
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