Around the Majors: Apr. 6

Eric StashinApr 7, 2009

Let’s take a look at who made a major impact on Opening Day with the daily leaders, as well as plenty of notes from all the days games:

Game Notes

Cleveland vs. Texas

TOP NEWS

It certainly is not 2008 anymore. Last year’s AL Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee, who had an ERA of 0.28 last season after his first four starts, got rocked on Opening Day. In total he was tagged for seven ER on 10 hits and one walk over five innings of work. He was a pitcher I was down on heading into the season, but this was worse then anyone could have imagined.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia got the Opening Day nod for the Rangers and had a big day, going 2-for-4 with 1 HR, 3 RBI and 2 R. If he’s going to stay in the line-up, he could emerge as a Top 10 catcher this season.

New York (AL) vs. Baltimore

C.C. Sabathia, like a few other starters, fell flat on Opening Day. He couldn’t get out of the fifth, giving up six earned runs on eight hits and five walks, failing to register a strikeout. Am I the only one having flashbacks to early 2008? It’s not time to panic, but we all know some Yankees fans are far from happy...
Adam Jones went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI and 3 R. He has the potential to be a great sleeper outfielder, and this certainly was a great start for him.

Detroit vs. Toronto

Those hoping for a rebound from Justin Verlander got a rude awakening last night. He went just 3.2 innings giving up eight ER on eight hits and two walks, striking out four. I wouldn’t panic yet, but after last season this is far from the start Detroit (and fantasy owners) wanted to see. His next start is scheduled against Texas.
Every Blue Jay had at least one hit, with Adam Lind (4-for-5, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R) and Travis Snider (2-for-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R) making major impacts. I have my concerns with both of them, but time will tell.

Seattle vs. Minnesota

Felix Hernandez (8 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K) out-pitched Francisco Liriano (7 IP, 4 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K) on this night, but I’d still at Liriano as the better pitcher long-term this season. His control is obviously there, he just made two major mistakes, costing him dearly.
I guess you can go home again, as Ken Griffey Jr. started in the outfield, going 1-for-3 with a solo HR. He was replaced late in the game for defensive reasons, which will likely be a usual trend in close games.

Oakland vs. Los Angeles (AL)

Howie Kendrick showed that if he can stay healthy, he could have a tremendous season. He batted second, going 2-for-4 with 1 HR, 2 RBI and 1 R. With Bobby Abreu, Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu hitting behind me, he could score plenty of runs.
The A’s collected just three hits. Is that a trend that could continue all season long? They did only strikeout three times, which was surprising.

New York (NL) vs. Cincinnati

The revamped Mets bullpen has lived up to the hype, at least for one day. Sean Green, J.J. Putz & Francisco Rodriguez combined for 3.1 innings giving up just 1 walk, protecting a tenuous one-run lead for Johan Santana. Had they been around last season, Santana may have been a lot closer to another Cy Young Award.
Aaron Harang gave up seven hits and three walks, but only one earned run over five innings. The home plate umpire certainly had a tight strike zone (Santana walked four), which played a part in his struggles.

Colorado vs. Arizona

It’s obvious by now that I am extremely high on Brad Hawpe and he lived up to my hype in game one, going 3-4 with 3 RBI and 1 R batting in the No. 5 hole. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, with Matt Holliday gone I see Hawpe having a huge season.
Brandon Webb and Aaron Cook both struggled, giving up four HR between them. Webb is going to rebound. Cook, I’m not as sold on.

Washington vs. Florida

Emilio Bonifacio had a good spring, earning the Marlins 3B job, and brought it to Opening Day, going 4-for-5 with 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 R and 3 SB. Does anyone smell sleeper? I like him much better as a 2B, but he has the potential.
Hanley Ramirez looked comfortable in the No. 3 spot, going 2-for-3 with 1 HR, 5 RBI and 2 R.
Who didn’t have a big day for the Marlins? John Lannan, who many thought could be a sleeper, got shelled for six ER over three innings. He’s not going to be that bad, but I have my concerns.

Pittsburgh vs. St. Louis

Has Jason Motte already lost his job as closer? It certainly was a tough start, giving up four earned runs on four hits in one inning, blowing the lead for Adam Wainwright. I’d say he had a tenuous hold, at best, so it probably just got a bit shakier.
Nyjer Morgan provided a good spark atop the Pirates' lineup, going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and 1 SB. He has the potential to be a nice source of SB for those in need, so keep an eye on him at this point.

Chicago (NL) vs. Houston

Kevin Gregg gave up one run on two hits, though he luckily had a three-run lead to work with and picked up the save. Carlos Marmol, meanwhile, walked one in the eighth without giving up a run. Let the speculation begin!
The Astros hit Hunter Pence seventh? Really? Why he is at the bottom of the order, when Ivan Rodriguez is hitting second and Geoff Blum sixth, is beyond me. I can’t expect that to last for too long.

Los Angeles (NL) vs. San Diego

For now, it appears that Matt Kemp will be batting seventh (with Orlando Hudson No. 2, Manny Ramirez No. 3, Andre Ethier No. 4). Certainly not the way I envisioned the Dodgers' lineup taking shape, but we all now that Joe Torre is not one to leave things as is. Don’t read too much into day one’s lineup.
Adrian Gonzalez went 0-for-2 with two walks. With the group that’s surrounding him, he could easily lead the league in walks.
Jonathan Broxton was dominant in his first save opportunity, striking out two in his perfect inning.

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