MLB Opening Day Open Thread

Happy Baseball Day! The 2017 Major League season officially starts today with a triple-header At 12:10, the Yankees and Rays kick things off from historic Tropicana Field (the eighth-oldest ballpark in baseball!) New York has some young boppers now, led by Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird, and enormous man-child Aaron Judge. Tampa Bay is re-tooling, like they always seem to be doing, but still bring talented players like Evan Longoria and Kevin Kiermaier, fresh off his contract extension. Masahiro Tanaka takes on Chris Archer on ESPN.

At 3:10, we move to the National League where the Arizona Diamondbacks host the San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks are moving in a new direction under new GM Mike Hazen, and the Giants will try to avoid the “odd year” jinx. Old friend Zack Greinke takes to the hill for Arizona against old enemy Madison Bumgarner on ESPN2.

At 7:35 it is the marquee game as the defending World Champion Chicago Cubs travel to St. Louis to take on their bitter rivals, the Cardinals. The Cardinals just inked veteran Yadier Molina to a contract extension and will try to knock the Cubs off the division throne. Jon Lester faces Carlos Martinez on ESPN.

Enjoy this amuse bouche today, but be ready for the main course tomorrow at 3:10 when the Royals take on the Twins.