Opening Day is a time for making over generalizations to the entire 162-game season. Â Here are my overreactions after one game.
New York Mets – Mets fans have some cause for concern as Noah Syndergaard left his start early due to blistering on his throwing hand. Syndergaard insisted that it was nothing to worry about and that it used to happen to him all the time in the minor leagues. At the plate, Mets fans have to be encouraged by Jay Bruce’s patient approach at the plate. Bruce walked three times on Monday and saw a total of 21 pitches in his four plate appearances.
Philadelphia Phillies – Philadelphia fans saw their season start off with a bang as their Cesar Hernandez led off their Opening Day game against the Reds with a home run to right field. A strong start by Jeremy Hellickson coupled with each of the top five batters in the lineup getting into the hit column should be a bright spot for the Phillies. However, this is not going to be a good baseball team.
Washington Nationals – Stephen Strausburg threw just 85 pitches through seven innings while giving up six hits and two runs in a winning effort against the Miami Marlins. The Washington ace proved his worth while their phenom, Bryce Harper, homered on opening day for the fifth career time. Most importantly new addition Adam Lind came in off the bench and immediately contributed with a pinch hit home run. Ultimately giving Nats fans hope for a better bench than what they have come accustomed to in the past couple years.
Atlanta Braves – Lets start with the good thing…Julio Teheran was brilliant through six scoreless innings. That’s about the only good thing that the Braves had going for them. They couldn’t hit. Their bullpen was a complete and utter disaster. I mean a COMPLETE AND UTTER DISASTER. With a bullpen like this and a lineup that struggles to string decent hitters together it’s going to be a long season for the Braves.
Miami Marlins – Don’t panic Marlins fans. Your team is going to be good because your team can hit and your team has decent pitching. If there is anything to take from opening day it is that Edinson Volquez looked great through five innings. He was efficient and was making batters swing and miss. That is when he is at his best. It would have been nice to see the bullpen hold onto the lead. But with a lineup like the Marlins boast, I don’t see any cause for concern.
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