What's on Tap: Opening Day 2009

For us baseball fans, today has been a day that we have looked forward to since the World Series came to an end.

That wait comes to an end today as Major League Baseball kicks off Opening Day with 13 games on the schedule, although one of those has already been postponed due to weather.

So let's take a look at "What's On Tap" for Monday, April 6th, 2010.

New York Mets   (Johan Santana)

Cincinnati Reds  (Aaron Harang)

1:10pm EST - Great American Ballpark - Cincinnati, OH

Pre-game Note: Gary Sheffield will be with the New York Mets in Cincinnati, but is only expected to be available for pinch hitting duties.

Todd's pick - Mets should win pretty easily, especially with Santana on the mound.

Cleveland Indians   (Cliff Lee)

Texas Rangers   (Kevin Millwood)

2:05pm EST - The Ballpark at Arlington - Arlington, TX

Pre-game note: New Ranger Andruw Jones will not start today.  The Rangers have elected to go with Marlon Byrd in left field against Indians' starter Cliff Lee.

Todd's pick - Harder one to pick, but I think Cleveland may be too strong this afternoon.  Indians in a close one.

Kansas City Royals   (Gil Meche)

Chicago White Sox   (Mark Buehrle)

Game has been postponed due to weather, rescheduled for Tuesday April 7th.

Tampa Bay Rays   (James Shields)

Boston Red Sox   (Josh Beckett)

Game has been postponed due to weather, rescheduled for Tuesday April 7th

Colorado Rockies   (Aaron Cook)

Arizona Diamondbacks   (Brandon Webb)

3:40pm EST - Chase Field - Phoenix, AZ

Pre-game Note:  The Rockies will begin their season with a noticeable hole in the outfield.  I'm sure it will be strange for Rockies' fans not to see Matt Holiday patrolling left field.

Todd's pick:  This should be a good pitching match up and though I'm hesitant to pick Arizona, I think they are stronger offensively than Colorado. 

New York Yankees   (C.C. Sabathia)

Baltimore Orioles   (Jeremy Guthrie)

4:05pm EST - Camden Yards - Baltimore, MD

Pre-game note:  New Yankee C.C. Sabathia will make his first start in a Yankee uniform.  Time will tell if the Yankees made a good decision by investing as much as they did in the left-hander.

Todd's pick:  Yankees should jump out early and stay ahead for all 9 innings.

Washington Nationals   (John Lannan)

Florida Marlins   (Ricky Nolasco)

4:10pm EST - Dolphin Stadium - Miami, FL

Pre-game note:  The Nationals open their season with a brand new face in former Red Adam Dunn.  He's playing in another hitter's park, so there's no telling how much he brings to the Nationals.

Todd's pick: Tough one to call but with Florida going at home and Nolasco getting the start, I'll take the Marlins.

Pittsburgh Pirates   (Paul Maholm)

St. Louis Cardinals   (Adam Wainwright)

4:15pm EST - Busch Stadium - St. Louis, MO

Pre-game note:  The Cardinals will begin the season with rookie David Freese at 3rd base.  He will be given the opportunity to sink or swim in the absence of Troy Glaus who could be out until after the All-Star break.

Todd's pick:  Cardinals are far and away stronger.  Should be over early.

Los Angeles Dodgers   (Hiroki Kuroda)

San Diego Padres   (Jake Peavy)

7:05pm EST - Petco Park - San Diego, CA

Pre-game note:  The Padres will look to improve on a 99-loss season in 2008.  They have the right guy on the mound to get the team off to a good start.  Jake Peavy has given the Dodgers fits over the years, both at Petco and at Dodger Stadium.

Todd's pick:  The Dodgers offense could be a problem, but if Peavy gets into a groove and gets some help from his offense, the Dodgers could be looking at a season opening loss.  I'll take San Diego in a close one.

Chicago Cubs   (Carlos Zambrano)

Houston Astros   (Roy Oswalt)

7:05pm EST - Minute Maid Park - Houston, TX

Pre-game note:  The Astros begin the 2009 season with a new fixture behind the plate.  Pudge Rodriguez will start his tenure with the Houston Astros and needs to be in sync with his pitching staff to show he's still effective.

Todd's pick:  I like both pitchers, but Chicago is stronger offensively.

Detroit Tigers   (Justin Verlander)

Toronto Blue Jays   (Roy Halladay)

7:15pm EST - Rogers Centre - Toronto, Canada

Pre-game note:  One of the better pitching match ups this evening should make for a great game.  The question for Detroit is the performance of third baseman Miguel Cabrera.  If he can shake off 2008 and come out strong, I think Detroit can climb back into the AL Central Race.

Todd's pick:  Jays at home with Halladay on the mound, should be close but the Jays will pull this one out.

Seattle Mariners   (Felix Hernandez)

Minnesota Twins   (Francisco Liriano)

8:10pm EST - Target Field - Minneapolis, MN.

Pre-game note:  Francisco Liriano makes his long awaited and long anticipated return to the Twins' rotation.  Question is, can he stay healthy all season?

Todd's pick:  I like the Twins, especially with Liriano on the hill

Oakland A's   (Dallas Braden)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim   (Joe Saunders)

9:10pm EST - Edison Field - Anaheim, CA

Pre-game note:  Joe Saunders will make the start in place of John Lackey who will start the year on the disabled list. 

Todd's pick:  Angels at home and with Saunders on the mound, should be a good start for the Angels.