Budweiser Clydesdale make their way around the Busch Stadium field as part of Opening Night festivities before a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, Sunday, April 2, 2017, in St. Louis. That would be important because the Cards didn't get anything in return from three departed players who combined for 60 home runs past year - Matt Holliday, Brandon Moss and Jeremy Hazelbaker. At the same time I am acutely aware of how good the 2017 Cubs should be, and am more willing to now go along for the ride.
And there was the first intentional walk without throwing a pitch in baseball history.
"We believe he can compete at the highest level, and we still feel that Yadi is one of the greatest catchers in the game". Jedd Gyorko led the National League in home runs after the All-Star break last season and is a potential breakout candidate. They had a similar issue at Wrigley Field a couple of years ago when they first put a ribbon board in right field.
The Indians also welcome back outfielder Michael Bradley, out for most of 2016 after shoulder surgery, but now second baseman Jason Kipnis has a shoulder injury.
"This is Game 1 of 162, and we've got to find out our identity again this year, same as we had to last year and the year before", said Anthony Rizzo, before going 1-for-4, including a fly to right that ended the eighth and left the bases loaded. The Cubs' offense should be fine in the long run, but the outfield still is a position group worth monitoring. He's pretty good. So is Carlos Martinez, although the Cubs hit him pretty well previous year.
The American Gaming Association has estimated that $36.5 billion will be wagered on Major League Baseball this year, most of it illegally through offshore websites and bookies. That inning could have been a big one for the Cubs, instead they wound up not scoring at all until Willson's homer. The Chicago Cubs will send Jon Lester to the hill tonight and the hometown St. Louis Cardinals will counter with Carlos Martinez. Because he and I were really - we got along really, really well and he's going to be very, very important for them. Cincinnati will need pitcher Brandon Finnegan to take a step forward in his development and Homer Bailey to return to form after Tommy John surgery, while 22-year-old top prospect Jose Peraza gets his chance to shine at second base after the Reds parted with veteran Brandon Phillips.
Seung Hwan, who threw Contreras' home-run ball, was the winning pitcher.
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Fowler is on the other side now, and the Cardinals are happy to have him. "I thought our guys handled spring training extremely well".
"I think if you remain somewhat uncomfortable, you continue to grow".
Oh (1-0) got the win for St. Louis, while Montgomery (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Cubs. This is just another of Joe's ways of getting everyone in the lineup and enough rest for all, I think.
It's opening day for the Major League Baseball so I can't resist going to the diamond for today's Play of the Day. Given the fashion in which the Cubs lost the season opener, you can expect the doubters to come clamoring out of the woodwork. The Cardinals could be the team to beat this year in the very Tough NL Central.
Director Frank Kunovic said the betting line at the hotel-casino for the number of games the Cubs will win is at 96.5. "I'm not one normally into symbolism, but I think if you're looking for it from us, that's it".
Arrieta pitched well against St. Louis last season, going 3-1 in four starts with a 2.38 ERA. Stay tuned for a summer of fun.
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