Here’s a quick look at all of the opening day match-ups for Monday, March 31:
Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates (1:05 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: CHC: WGN 720 PIT: KDKA-FM 93.7
TV: CHC: WGN, ESPN PIT: ROOT SPORTS, ESPN
Probable Starters:
Jeff Samardzija (RHP) vs. Francisco Liriano (LHP)
Pirate to watch: Andrew McCutchen
McCutchen will be receiving his NL MVP award from Barry Bonds before the game, kicking off his repeat MVP campaign. I think he will be in the running and is clearly one of the elite players in The Show.
Cub to watch: Jeff Samardzija
Can Samardzija live up to his ace potential? And will he still be wearing Cubbie blue when he does? Samardzija has been tight lipped on his future, but recently put his Lakeview condo on the market.
Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers (1:08 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: KC: KCSP 610, Royals Radio Network DET: 97.1 The Ticket
TV: KC: FSKC DET: FS-D
Probable Starters:
James Shields (RHP) vs. Justin Verlander (RHP)
Royal to watch: Mike Moustakas
If the Royals take the next step forward this season, a big year from Moustakas will be part of the reason why. After a successful off-season stint in the Venezuelan Winter League, Moustakas is poised to finally live up to his potential in 2014.
Tiger to watch: Ian Kinsler
Detroit’s offseason splash improved the team by subtraction (Prince Fielder to Texas, Miguel Cabrera back to 1B, Nick Castellanos an everyday player at 3B), but Kinsler’s addition could be huge for the Tigers. A 5-category contributor and strong defender at 2B, Kinsler will be a key part of any post-season run the Tigers make in 2014.
Washington Nationals at New York Mets (1:10 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: WSH: 106.7 The Fan, WFED 1500 NYM: 710 WOR
TV: WSH: MASN 2 NYM: SNY
Probable Starters:
Stephen Strasburg (RHP) vs. Dillon Gee (RHP)
National to watch: Bryce Harper
Harper has fully recovered from his knee injury and has added even more muscle in the offseason. However, he also just got named the most overrated player in baseball by his peers. I think it will be tons of fun watching Harper hit with a chip on his shoulder in 2014.
Met to watch: Curtis Granderson
What can the Grandyman do at Citi Field? The Mets faithful expects he will contribute plenty of home runs (he will) and worry he will also contribute plenty of strikeouts (he will), but the big question is whether or not he can stay healthy.
Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers (2:05 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: PHI: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP TEX: 103.3 ESPN , Rangers Radio Network, 1540am ESPN Deportes
TV: PHI: CSN TEX: FSSW
Probable Starters:
Cliff Lee (LHP) vs. Tanner Scheppers (RHP)
Phillie to watch: Jimmy Rollins
Rollins has followed up a poor 2013 (.667 OPS) with a controversial spring training, arguing with pundits, fans, and new manager Ryne Sandberg. Contrary to what he believes, this 35 year old SS is on the decline, and I’ve got to imagine that he might not be donning the “P” much longer.
Ranger to watch: Prince Fielder
Fielder moved to Texas looking for redemption after an abysmal postseason performance for Detroit in 2014. Fielder is my pick to win the AL MVP in 2014, his left-handed power and patience profile should play well in hitter-friendly Arlington.
Atlanta Braves at Milwaukee Brewers (2:10 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: ATL: WCNN 680/WAYA 106.7, Braves Radio Network MIL: WTMJ 620, Brewers Radio Network
TV: ATL: SPSO MIL: FSWI
Probable Starters:
Julio Teheran (RHP) vs. Yovani Gallardo (RHP)
Brave to watch: Freddie Freeman
The MVP buzz is swirling around Freeman, the Braves new clubhouse leader. If he can keep building on his fantastic 2013 and break the 30 HR barrier, he could lead the Braves to the playoffs regardless of the health of Atlanta’s pitching staff.
Brewer to watch: Ryan Braun
How will Braun perform without the PEDs? I think he’s this year’s NL Bust of the year candidate, but Braun will get the opportunity in 2014 to prove that it was his talent, not the drugs, that fueled his early career success.
Boston Red Sox at Baltimore Orioles (3:05 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: BOS: WEEI 93.7 BAL: 1090 WBAL, Orioles Radio Net
TV: BOS: NESN, ESPN2 BAL: MASN, WJZ, ESPN2
Probable Starters:
Jon Lester (LHP) vs. Chris Tillman (RHP)
Red Sox to watch: Grady Sizemore
A great gamble by the Boston front-office, Sizemore showed flashes of his prime landing the starting CF job this spring. If Sizemore can stay healthy, he will be 2014′s comeback player of the year.
Oriole to watch: Chris Davis
“Crush” made his fantasy owners look like geniuses last summer, but his 2013 2H (.238 BA) has me pumping the brakes. I think 25 HR are more likely than 50 for Davis in 2014, but it would be fun to see him prove me wrong.
Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox (4:10 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: MIN: 96.3 K-TWIN, TIBN, BOB FM CWS: WSCR 670, 97.5 ESPN Deportes
TV: MIN: FS-N CWS: CSN
Probable Starters:
Ricky Nolasco (RHP) vs. Chris Sale (LHP)
Twin to watch: Joe Mauer
In a major change for Twins fans, Joe Mauer replaces Justin Morneau as the team’s everyday 1B. Mauer and the Twins are hoping this move away from catcher will mean better health and more ABs for Mauer and his MVP-caliber bat.
White Sox to watch: Paul Konerko
When offered the starting 1B spot in his final opening day by manager Robin Ventura, Paul Konerko politely declined because he thought it would be best for the team for him to start on the bench. Anecdotes like this show why captain will not be easy to replace on the South Side.
St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds (4:10 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: STL: KMOX 1120 CIN: WLW 700, Reds Radio Network
TV: STL: FS-M, ESPN CIN: FS-O, ESPN
Probable Starters:
Johnny Cueto (RHP) vs. Adam Wainwright (RHP)
Red to watch: Billy Hamilton
Will this speedster live up to the hype and light the NL Central on fire? He’s my pre-season Rookie of the Year pick, and I think he’s got 100 SBs in these wheels.
Cardinal to watch: Jhonny Peralta
The Cardinals free agent splash will add some offense to the SS position, which has been a black hole in recent seasons. Peralta is another post-PED question mark, so it will be interesting to see how he performs in the NL this season.
Toronto Blue Jays at Tampa Bay Rays (4:10 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: TOR: SN590 TB: WDAE 620 AM /95.3 FM, WGES 680
TV: TOR: SNET TB: Sun Sports
Probable Starters:
R.A. Dickey (RHP) vs. David Price (LHP)
Blue Jay to watch: Jose Reyes
Can this top of the order dynamo return to his earlier form? Or was last season’s ankle injury a shade of things to come for this speedster who is now on the wrong side of 30? The Blue Jays need him flying if they have a shot in the always brutal AL East.
Ray to watch: Wil Myers
Last season’s AL ROY looks to build on an excellent rookie campaign. Keep your eye on this 23 year-old who can do a bit of everything, he will be stuffing the stat sheet all summer long in Tampa Bay.
Colorado Rockies at Miami Marlins (7:05 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: COL: KOA 850 MIA: 940 AM WINZ, WAQI 710
TV: COL: ROOT SPORTS, ESPN2 MIA: FS-F, ESPN2
Probable Starters:
Jorge De La Rosa (LHP) vs. Jose Fernandez (RHP)
Rockies to watch: Troy Tulowitzki/Carlos Gonzalez
Now’s the time for Tulo and CarGo to live up to their potential for a full season. If these two superstars can stay healthy, they could lead the Rockies to an NL West crown and beyond.
Marlin to watch: Giancarlo Stanton
Don’t sleep on Big Mike. This is the year that Stanton breaks the 50 HR barrier and fulfills his prodigious power potential. The Marlins won’t be very good, but it should be tons of fun watching Stanton mash the ball this summer.
San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks (9:40 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: SF: KNBR 680 ARI: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, KSUN La Mejor 1400
TV: SF: CSN-BA ARI: FS-A
Probable Starters:
Madison Bumgarner (LHP) vs. Brandon McCarthy (RHP)
Giant to watch: Madison Bumgarner
It’s hard to believe this lefty is only 24 years old. He’s had an exceptional early career (3 straight seasons of 200+ IP and a sub 3.40 ERA), and he will need to keep it up if he hopes to power the Giants back into World Series contention.
Diamondback to watch: Mark Trumbo
The D’backs went out and got Trumbo’s power bat to accompany Paul Goldschmidt. If Trumbo pans out and provides potential NL MVP Goldschmidt with some batting-order protection, the Diamondbacks could push for the NL West crown.
Cleveland Indians at Oakland Athletics (10:05 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: CLE: WTAM 1100, WMMS 100.7 OAK: 95.7 FM The Game
TV: CLE: SportsTime Ohio OAK: CSNCA
Probable Starters:
Justin Masterson (RHP) vs. Sonny Gray (RHP)
Indian to watch: Carlos Santana
What will Carlos Santana play in 2014? 3B, 1B, Catcher…guitar?? Cleveland is experimenting with moving Santana to the hot corner to keep his bat in the lineup while also giving playing time to Yan Gomes. Santana’s got elite hitting potential, but he’s yet to have the season where he put it all together. Maybe that will happen in 2014.
Athletic to watch: Sonny Gray
The right-hander looks poised to become an ace, and, given the health of Oakland’s pitching staff (Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin going down in spring training), the A’s need Gray to fulfill that promise. A sub 3.00 ERA is in the cards if Gray can put it all together.
Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels (10:05 ET)
TV and Radio:
Radio: SEA: 710 ESPN
TV: SEA: ROOT SPORTS, ESPN2 LAA: FS-W, ESPN2
Probable Starters:
Felix Hernandez (RHP) vs. Jered Weaver (RHP)
Mariner to watch: Robinson Cano
Seattle made a bold step by signing Cano this offseason. Will his power stroke hold up in the less hitter-friendly confines of his new home park? And did the Mariners put enough pieces around him to make a run at the AL West title?
Angel to watch: Albert Pujols
When the Mariners look across the field into the opposing dugout, will they Robinson Cano’s future in Albert Pujols? Already a bust, Pujols looks to regain his form and lead the Angels to some kind of success. Remember Angels fans, only 7 years and $212 million remaining…