Game notes and grades as the Houston Astros top the Cleveland Indians 2-0 on Opening Day.
It’s Opening Day, the most wonderful day of them all! Baseball returned to Houston as the Astros hosted the Indians to start the season. The game turned into a pitchers’ duel, and in the end it was Houston who emerged victorious, 2-0.
A national television audience finally learned how to pronounce Dallas Keuchel’s name as the Astros’ left-hander shut out the Indians lineup and out dueled defending Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.
The two teams combined for six hits, including just one hit in the first five innings combined, as the game became a showcase for Keuchel and Kluber. Kluber struck out seven and may have started to silence some doubters who thought his out-of-nowhere Cy Young season was just a fluke, taking a no-hitter into the sixth.
Game notes:
- Kluber actually signed his new five-year contract extension in the locker room prior to the game.
- These two teams could become the poster children for MLB’s efforts at creating a faster game, as the game was completed in just over two hours.
- Some odd lineup decisions for Houston: light-hitting Luis Valbuena actually hit third for the Astros, ahead of superior hitters like Chris Carter, Jason Castro, Jed Lowrie, and Colby Rasmus.
Grades
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