Two blogs later, returning to the source.

Much has changed - marriage, new location, new job for me, and an entire lineup shift for my team.  There have been few constants, and the years have been up and down since my last post to this blog.  But one thing remains the same: I still love baseball.

Tonight began the first (but really third) official game of the 2014 Season. The San Diego Padres hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers, to a record crowd of over 45,000 of mostly split allegiance.  While I was working hard to really resurrect this blog within that time, I did make a few observations.

1. Cashner, though he gave up a few runs, has really good stuff. A couple of bloops that happened to find holes were really to blame for any damage.  Otherwise, the movement on his fastball was pretty impressive.

2. It seems to me that few of the players (particularly the infielders) in the Dodger's starting lineup trust Puig to do what needs to be done.  Hanley's cut-off of Puig's throw to third early in the game is testament to the sentiment, I feel.

3. Not only that particular instance of distrust, but a general lack of communication and chemistry throughout the Dodger's team - there were quite a few places where it looked like the players didn't know how to read each other (Wilson's bobble on a grounder in front of the mound, for example). That doesn't bode well for the team, especially with Kershaw out for an unidentified amount of time.

4. Petco remained true to its nature - a place where home runs go to die (one of a few very pitcher friendly parks).

As the Dodgers fall 2-1, and the Padres get off to a pretty good start (nice to see teams not give up after going down early in a game and staying there for 8 innings) albeit only a single game in.  What this game did secure is my love of the game, my general excitement for the season, and my renewed interest in resurrecting this blog now that I have some free time and energy! Tomorrow, true Opening Day, will be an exciting one, as my family and I will be in attendance with what will hopefully be a sold-out crowd at Angels Stadium as the Angels take on the Seattle Mariners.

Some Hopes/Projections for tomorrow (and the season at large):

• Weaver/Hernandez always proves to be a great duel, though the Angels have typically had a pretty good handle on King Felix's stuff.
• Trout will make his regular season debut as a rich(er) man, and so far it hasn't seemed to phase him in any sense - he's still incredibly ridiculous.  Looking forward to his continued dominance.
• The Mariners has made some pretty expensive acquisitions hoping to finally be able to keep up in the West.  While it seems many writers are still very skeptical, I'll wait to let it play out some before I make any judgment. 
• Speaking of which, Robinson Cano in a Mariners uniform... this one still surprises me, and I'm anxious to see how it works out for him, going from one of the largest stages of Major League baseball, to near-oblivion.
• Many Angels players have had incredible Springs - Howie Kendrick most notably (Trout aside).  I remember so much talk surrounding him as a young player about winning batting titles; while I don't think that it truly in the cards for him at this point, I do think he's going to have another solid hit-for-average season.
• I think this year we'll see the true potential of what has become a very expensive lineup.  Pujols looks to be healthy this year, and despite the injury to his calf in Spring Training, Hamilton has been very productive as well.  Even with losing (one of my favorites) Trumbo, this 2-3-4 looks like it might finally live up to the hype.
• While pitching is still a question mark (as many writers have been keen to note), this is a significant upgrade from last year's sad state.  With Blanton finally released, and some definite upside being displayed by Santiago and Skaggs, it can't possibly be worse than last year - and with the lineup clicking in ways not previously seen (the chemistry, sense of urgency, and overall camaraderie and positivity of the team is a MUCH welcomed sight), it should be interesting. I really like Santiago - definitely becoming a fan favorite (follows everyone on twitter and reacts! Makes you feel like he actually acknowledges you and reads you!) - and I think Skaggs could really develop well (even though I'm not sure he's quite ready to be an every day starter, again, better than the alternative).  I think I'm mostly looking forward to Richards being an every-day fixture, finally. I couldn't figure out why he wasn't last year, and so I'm glad to see that he will be given a true chance.  I think he's got great attitude and presence on the mound, and I really think he's got the potential to be dominating this year. Hoping for a break-out.

Until tomorrow - from the Stadium!