Preview Roundups
April 06, 2015
Toronto at NY Yankees 1:05 PM ET
Alex Rodriguez makes his long-awaited return to the New York Yankees when they open the regular season at home against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday afternoon. Suspended from baseball for 2014 for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, Rodriguez returned to the squad in spring training and managed to avoid any major distractions, batting .286 with a team-high three homers through Friday.
Minnesota at Detroit 1:08 PM ET
David Price sealed Detroit’s fourth consecutive American League Central crown in 2014 with a dominant performance versus Minnesota at home in the regular-season finale. Price will get a chance to open this season in the same manner Monday when the Tigers open their season with a three-game set against the Twins.
Colorado at Milwaukee 2:10 PM ET
Keeping stars on the field is paramount to any team's success, and no player is more important to the Milwaukee Brewers than Ryan Braun. "I've always said that as long as I'm healthy, I feel like success is inevitable," Braun told reporters as the Brewers prepare to host the Colorado Rockies on Monday. "Hopefully I'm about to continue to stay healthy, but I feel good. I'm able to do some things I haven't been able to do for a long time."
Boston at Philadelphia 3:05 PM ET
After months of speculation as to whether he would be traded to Boston, Phillies ace Cole Hamels opens up the regular season with a start against the Red Sox as the teams begin play with an interleague set in Philadelphia. Hamels, who posted a career-best 2.46 ERA in 2014, will remain linked to trade rumors for much of the season, especially if the Phillies are unable to improve from consecutive 73-win seasons.
Baltimore at Tampa Bay 3:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays look to start over on Opening Day after their first sub .500 season since 2007 when they host the Baltimore Orioles to begin a three-game series Monday. Kevin Cash makes his managerial debut for the Rays with several new players on the roster and an injury-depleted pitching staff while Baltimore starts its quest for a third trip to the playoffs in four years with several key performers unavailable.
NY Mets at Washington 4:05 PM ET
The Washington Nationals spent a lot of money in the offseason to upgrade what was already a strength of their team – the starting rotation. The Nationals will give their $210 million addition an Opening Day start when they send Max Scherzer to the mound against the visiting New York Mets on Monday.
Chi. White Sox at Kansas City 4:10 PM ET
The Kansas City Royals begin defense of their American League pennant when they host the improved Chicago White Sox on Monday to open a three-game series. Kansas City finished one victory from a World Series crown and looks to recapture the spirit it built during its magical run while the White Sox added Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera to their lineup after disappointing 73-win campaign in 2014.
LA Angels at Seattle 4:10 PM ET
Felix Hernandez dominated Los Angeles hitters last season and looks to fluster the defending American League West champions again when the Seattle Mariners host the Angels in Monday’s season opener for both teams. Hernandez compiled a superb 0.79 ERA in five outings against Los Angeles last season, recording three victories and allowing just 14 hits in 34 innings while striking out 47.
Atlanta at Miami 4:10 PM ET
The Miami Marlins locked up Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich to long-term deals during an active offseason that has fueled playoff hopes in South Florida. The Marlins host the rebuilding Atlanta Braves in Monday’s season opener, and while star pitcher Jose Fernandez continues recovering from Tommy John surgery, Opening Day starter Henderson Alvarez fronts a strong starting rotation for a team seeking its first postseason trip since winning the 2003 World Series.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati 4:10 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are enjoying an air of optimism heading into the season while the National League Central Division-rival Cincinnati Reds could have more of an uphill climb. Twenty-game winner and 2014 Cy Young Award runner-up Johnny Cueto may have a say in that as the Reds look to rebound from last season's fourth-place finish when they host the Pirates in an Opening Day matchup on Monday.
San Diego at LA Dodgers 4:10 PM ET
The hot stove was sizzling this offseason thanks in large part to San Diego and Los Angeles, each of which continued a flurry of activity on Dec. 18 by completing a blockbuster trade with each other. Matt Kemp and Yasmani Grandal will be among several players taking the field with their new team for the first time on Monday when the Dodgers open a three-game set with the Padres in a battle between the two favorites in the National League West.
Cleveland at Houston 7:10 PM ET
With an average of 88.5 wins over the last two seasons, the Cleveland Indians are facing high expectations heading into Monday's season opener against the host Houston Astros. Perhaps the biggest reason for the raised expectations is reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, who will be on the mound for the team that Sports Illustrated has picked to win the World Series in 2015.
Texas at Oakland 10:05 PM ET
Even the most devout Oakland fan may need a scorecard to identify the team’s new players after a major revamping in the offseason and the new-look Athletics open the season on Monday by hosting the Texas Rangers. Mainstays such as Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss and Derek Norris along with pitching rentals Jon Lester and Jeff Samardzija are among the departures while designated hitter Billy Butler, versatile Ben Zobrist and third baseman Brett Lawrie are among the additions.
San Francisco at Arizona 10:10 PM ET
For a team that has won three World Series titles in the past five years, the San Francisco Giants sure have plenty of question marks. The defending champions look to put a dismal spring training behind them Monday when they visit the equally unsettled Arizona Diamondbacks in the season opener for both teams.