Major League Baseball 2011: Opening Day Observations

So what conclusions can be made after watching all 30 major league clubs play their first game of the 2011 season?

None.

Don't fall into the trap of overanalysis after only 0.62 percent of the season has been played. You can, however, make a few basic observations to keep an eye on during the first few months of the season. Here are four of mine:

Adam Dunn's Presence in the White Sox Lineup

Finally! Adam Dunn has landed on an American League team where he will be the DH for 130 to 140 games this season.

His debut on Chicago's south side was picture perfect for Sox fans: two hits, two runs, four RBI and a home run to top it off.

His contributions could go deeper than just his own production, though.

Carlos Quentin seems to be a major beneficiary of Dunn's arrival. Much has been expected of Quentin since his huge 2008 season, and a five-RBI day with a mammoth home run on Opening Day bodes well for his 2011 season.

Matt Holliday's Early Holiday

Matt Holliday may have put too much into that 407-foot bomb he hit on Opening Day. That evening, he had to have an emergency appendectomy and is now out for three to six weeks.

Sure, the St. Louis Cardinals are maintaining hope and keeping him off the 15-day DL, but I think this is going to effect him for sometime. Surgery to your core may rehab quickly, but it lingers.

Now the Cards are down to two bona fide stars after the loss of Holliday and Adam Wainwright. I'll be surprised if they can press on this way for very long.

Hey, Cincinnati Reds! You need to take advantage of this!

The AL East is Going To Be a Nightmare

Yes, the Boston Red Sox should still win the division by a few games, but the division looks like the SEC during football season.

The retooled Baltimore Orioles look as good as advertised. The Toronto Blue Jays will probably be in first for the next two months, and then fade into obscurity. It's an annual tradition. But I think they will be a tough win each and every night for teams in the AL East.

The Tampa Bay Rays got off to a slow start, but that is partly because of the aforementioned improved O's. Even though I condemned them to a tough season, you can't completely overlook the defending division champs.

Finally, the New York Yankees. Many aren't high on them this year, including me. But that short right field porch is going to be feasted upon by Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira this year, as they showed on Opening Day.

The gauntlet that the 2011 AL East will be may not be news to you, but it comes as a surprise to me.

The Milwaukee Brew Crew's Closer Woes Continue

Trevor Hoffmann had a hideous start to last year. John Axford had as bad of a start as a closer can have this year.

What the heck can the Milwaukee Brewers do?

With a three-run lead, the biggest lead that still qualifies as a save, Axford and his rolled up pant legs allowed the Cincinnati Reds to battle back and win on a walk-off home run.

The Brewers have the hitting and pitching to win the NL Central this year and remain my favorite to do so. But a question mark during spring training reared its ugly head on Opening Day.

If I were Brewers' GM Doug Melvin, I would have Billy Wagner on speed dial. You can't let a guy who throws about 14 pitches per appearance ruin your season.