Oakland A's Home Opener Against Red Sox: This Time Actually at Home

I was lucky enough to get a ticket to the A's second home opener of the season...this time in Oakland, not Japan.

I am excited for the game, which will be the second matchup between Daisuke Matzusaka of the Boston Red Sox and Joe Blanton of the Oakland A's. Last week in Japan, the Red Sox won in 10 innings when A's closer Huston Street blew the lead late.

Now it's time for a rematch.

While the A's are the home team tomorrow, it won't feel like it. Red Sox Nation, I assume, will fill about half or more of the stadium. I have seen them play Boston in Oakland many times before, and the Red Sox fans, and front-runners too, always seem to make it out to the ballpark.

I have no worries about that though. I will be sitting in the bleachers with the A's drummers, and we will be making enough noise to drown out the Boston Tea Party.

Pictured above is Daric Barton, A's rookie first baseman and my pick for Rookie of the Year. I really don't see Dan Johnson being with the A's much longer. Mike Sweeney is a great addition for the ball club. A right-handed batter with some pop is something the A's need.

In addition to Dan Johnson being gone soon and Daric Barton winning Rookie of the year Honors, here are the rest of my predictions for the A's 2008 season:

 - Rich Harden will pitch in at least 20 games.

 - Eric Chavez will miss more games than he will play.

 - Huston Street will NOT be signed to a new deal and might even get traded.

 - Fernando Hernandez will impress other teams with his pitching.

 - The A's will finish with a .500 record or better, ending up in third place in AL West.

Thanks for reading my first entry. Hope you check back soon!