Opening Day winners and losers: Orioles shine, Giants disappoint
LOSER
Tampa Bay Rays
Final season, the Rays did not lose till two weeks into the season. Additionally they did not enable eight runs in a sport till their seventeenth. It solely took one awful Opening Day efficiency for each to occur to Tampa Bay in 2024.
The Rays misplaced 8-2 to the Blue Jays, with the prepare coming off the rails for Tampa beginning pitcher Zach Eflin his third time by way of Toronto’s lineup. He allowed six earned runs in 5.2 innings, whereas his counterpart, Jose Berrios, solely allowed two runs in six innings. Tampa Bay batters recorded eight hits however in any other case confirmed poor plate self-discipline with 11 strikeouts and solely two walks.
WINNER
Reds DH Nick Martini
The Reds are projected to complete third within the open NL Central and bought off to a promising begin by caring for the Nationals, that are anticipated to be one of many NL’s worst groups. The unlikely coronary heart of Cincinnati’s 8-2 romp was designated hitter Martini, who had the most effective Opening Days in franchise historical past after fighting for a roster spot just a week ago.
He hit two dwelling runs and drove in 5 runs in 4 at-bats, changing into the first Reds player in 17 years to hit two dingers on Opening Day and third all-time. Adam Dunn did it twice (2005, 2007), and Frank McCormick was the primary to perform the feat means again in 1941.
LOSER
San Francisco Giants
The Giants spent some huge cash this offseason, making their begin considerably of a priority. In a 6-4 loss to the Padres, San Francisco’s aid pitching and protection was its downfall.
Beginning pitcher Logan Webb had a stable outing, permitting two runs in six innings, however Giants reliever Luke Johnson, who missed all the 2023 season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure however had a 1.98 earned run common in 2022 with the Braves, allowed three runs with out recording an out.
The Padres tied the sport at three on a throwing error by catcher Patrick Bailey, which is especially disheartening after San Francisco ranked final in errors (117) in 2023.
WINNER
Los Angeles Dodgers
Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman mixed to go 5-for-8 on the plate and scored six of L.A.’s seven runs in a breezy 7-1 win over the Cardinals of their dwelling opener. Beginning pitcher Tyler Glasnow, acquired in a commerce with the Rays throughout the offseason, allowed solely two hits and one run in six innings. Thursday was enterprise as standard for the Dodgers, who’ve the burden of monumental expectations following their monster offseason.
However they did not look slowed down towards St. Louis. As a substitute, the Dodgers merely appeared like the most effective crew in baseball.
LOSER
Texas Rangers’ championship banner
Congratulations to the Rangers on the world’s most anticlimactic banner reveal.