Opening Day 2017 is behind us, but the work has only begun around the FanSided Network as we dive into another week’s worth of MLB news, notes, rumors and analysis.
The first games of the 2017 MLB season are in the books, and the FanSided MLB network of writers and sites couldn’t be happier. We take a look back at some of our best work this week.
Ahead of Opening Day, our Joshua Sadlock ranked the top 25 Opening Day performances of all-time. Bob Feller’s no-hitter in 1940 was an easy choice for No. 1, and Hank Aaron tying Babe Ruth’s home run record also made the cut, but some otherwise fairly unmemorable players made the list for producing very memorable moments. Remember Tuffy Rhodes and Corey Patterson, Cubs fans?
Of course, Madison Bumgarner may force his way onto the list after sitting down 16 straight on the mound and hitting two homers for the Giants Sunday.
Other pieces this week from FanSided.com’s team of MLB writers include:
- Manny Machado and the future of the Orioles, from Dave Stevenson.
- Editor Josh Hill put together a terrific longform piece on the legacy of the 2001 Seattle Mariners.
- The Mets are the new kings of New York, according to Brad Weiss
- Everybody ranks the top 25 players 25 and under, but we took it a step further, knocked Mike Trout and Kris Bryant out of the equation, and ranked the top 25 MLB players under 25, from yours truly.
Elsewhere on the FanSided MLB network
FanSiders across the network are passionate about their teams, and no detail goes unnoticed. This week, there was plenty of (over)reaction to the first few games of the 2017 campaign.
The Boston Red Sox are off to a strong start this season, and there were five key performers in the opening series against the Pirates, according to Jimmy Longo of BoSox Injection.
Rising Apple’s Michelle Ioannou chatted with Steve Gelbs of SNY about the upcoming season.
Expansion isn’t a topic likely to go away anytime soon. S.A. Rose of Call to the Pen explored both domestic and international market options should Major League Baseball choose to go to 32 teams.
At Climbing Tal’s Hill, Cody Poage took a look at some of the Statcast moments the Houston Astros created on Opening Day.
Looking back after two years, JD Jensen asked if the Rockies won the Troy Tulowitzki trade for Rox Pile.
The Braves used some questionable defensive positioning and spotty bullpen use against the Mets, according to Dan Horton of Tomahawk Take.
John Town made note of five Opening Day observations for That Ball’s Outta Here, and added five observations from the team’s first loss.
Joseph Jacquez of Venom Strikes offered four takeaways from the Diamondbacks early results.
District on Deck’s Drew Douglas (say that three times fast) found three takeaways from the first game of the season for the Washington Nationals.
Quick Hits
At Marlin Maniac, Sean Millerick asked why manager Don Mattingly pitched David Phelps two innings on Monday.
The bottom third of the Angels lineup got off to a disappointing start, as Vincent Page noted for Halo Hangout.
Nolan Writin’s Alex Al-Kazzaz noted the Texas Rangers are off to a 0-3 start for the first time in a decade, and that the pitching staff is largely to blame.
At South Side Showdown, Etheria Modacure isn’t as worried about White Sox lefty Jose Quintana’s struggles in the season opener.
Rumor has it that Francisco Lindor is good at baseball. Steven Kubitza recapped Lindor’s greatness from Wednesday’s dramatic performance for Wahoo’s on First.
Adam Levi wrote about the Mariners failure to be aggressive on the basepaths so far this season for Sodo Mojo. Anthony Hill made the case to abolish divisions in Major League Baseball.
San Diego Padres starter Clayton Richard was brilliant in a victory over the Dodgers Tuesday. Jonathan Goehring of Friars on Base wondered why Clayton wasn’t made the team’s No. 1 starter coming out of spring training.
At Jays Journal, Mike Weiler examined the up-and-down nature of Blue Jays manager John Gibbons’ bullpen management.
Joseph Schneider discussed five St. Louis Cardinals that were winners from spring training for Redbird Rants. Daniel R. Campbell made the case for the Cards offering Lance Lynn a contract extension.
Randi Radcliffe lays out a path for Corey Seager to win the NL MVP Award at Dodgers Way.
The Royals bullpen, a longtime strength for the team, has been a disaster so far in 2017, according to David Hill of Call to the Pen. Hill also shared his thoughts on the maddening pitcher that is Jake Odorizzi for Rays Colored Glasses.
Similarly, Yankees fans are running out of patience with Michael Pineda, according to Steve Contursi of Yanks Go Yard.
At Around the Foghorn, Jake Mastroianni made a case for Eduardo Nunez to hit leadoff for the Giants while Denard Span works through hip tightness.
Mark Brown of Venom Strikes shared some thoughts from manager Torey Lovullo on lineup construction.
Jon Corn of BoSox Injection analyzed how a more strategic playing style is benefiting the team already in 2017.
Looking for some value for your fantasy team? Brad Kelly made a handful of bold predictions for NL West teams for Fantasy CrackerJacks.
Planning for the future
For rebuilding clubs like the Reds, thoughts have already turned toward the trade deadline. Nick Vorholdt speculated on which veterans Cincinnati may part with this summer for Blog Red Machine (which is easily the best blog name on the network).
Cubbies Crib is looking toward the draft, and Robert Davis pointed out five college players the team should target.
Matthew Dewoskin of Reviewing the Brew is looking forward to three talented prospects making their big league debuts this year in Milwaukee.
Benjamin Chase explored the top lineups to watch on Opening Day in the minors for Call to the Pen.
At Jays Journal, Craig Borden scanned the Toronto organization’s minor league rosters and previewed each of the full-season clubs prior to MiLB Opening Day.
Alex Burke of Tomahawk Take asks, is Carson Kelly the answer for the Braves?
Next: MLB Power Rankings: Cubs still on top
There are more than 30 sites in the FanSided MLB network, covering every big league team, fantasy baseball, minor leagues and more. Interested in joining the team? Openings are available for site experts and contributors.