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| 1st April, 2008 - 1:49 pm | Christopher Reina/RealGM - The 2008 season kicked off with no less than 15 teams who have a legitimate chance at winning a World Series and that number doesn't factor in teams like the Rockies and D-Backs of a year ago who defied expectations.
While there are certainly no trends that can be spotted after one game, there are plenty of good/bad signs to go around.
Kansas City Royals 5, Detroit Tigers 4 (11)
Alex Gordon and the Royals spoiled the Tigers' debut of Miguel Cabrera and his solo homerun. Monday was a bit of a breaking out party for Gordon who arrived in Kansas City with great expectations last year, but hit just .247/.314/.411. He hit a two-run job in the seventh off Justin Verlander and made a lead-saving defensive play in the 11th.
Arizona Diamondbacks 4, Cincinnati Reds 2
The D-Backs continued their 2007 tradition of winning tight low-scoring games on Tuesday as Brandon Webb threw six innings of three-hit, two-run ball while striking out six. Their bullpen (Chad Qualls, Tony Pena and Brandon Lyon) didn't give up a single walk, hit or run over three innings of work. Chris Young and Eric Byrnes each hit solo homers in the third.
Milwaukee Brewers 4, Chicago Cubs 3 (10)
Eric Gagne followed up the Brewers' three-run 9th inning on Kerry Wood by yielding a three-run homer to Kosuke Fukudome in the bottom of the inning. But Tony Gwynn hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Craig Counsell in the top of the 10th and David Riske worked a perfect 10th for the save. More than Fukudome's 3-for-3 afternoon, the story was the utter ineffectiveness of these two team's anointed closers.
Washington Nationals 11, Philadelphia Phillies 6
The final score is deceiving since the game was tied at six heading into the bottom of the ninth before Tom Gordon gave up five runs as Nick Johnson, Paul Lo Duca and Ronnie Belliard all hit RBI doubles along the way. Washington was atrocious at scoring runs in 2007 and they are quickly out to a 2-0 start with a lineup that has some teeth.
Tampa Bay Rays 6, Baltimore Orioles 2
James Shields settled down after giving up a two-run double to Kevin Millar in the first by pitching six scoreless innings. B.J. Upton had a two-run single in the third for the Rays to take a lead the bullpen wouldn't squander. As many are predicting Jeremy Guthrie struggled, giving up nine hits and five earned runs over 5.1 innings.
San Francisco Giants 0, Los Angeles Dodgers 5
This game was effectively over in the first two innings when Barry Zito gave up four runs, including a two-run homer to Jeff Kent, who always takes a special pleasure in beating the Giants. Brad Penny didn't have his best stuff, but he gave up just four hits over 6.2 scoreless innings. Juan Pierre didn't start, but his playing time chances improved with Andre Ethier's 0-4 afternoon.
Chicago White Sox 8, Cleveland Indians 10
The White Sox were shutout 11 times in 2007, so it was promising to see Jim Thome hit two homeruns off C.C. Sabathia, but Mark Buehrle never got out of the second inning after giving up seven earned runs in the inning including homers to Franklin Gutierrez and Grady Sizemore. Buehrle would have a tough time pointing fingers, but Orlando Cabrera bluntly blew a double-play opportunity that helped spark that second inning. But Nick Masset came in and stopped the bleeding which allowed the White Sox to chip away at the lead before tying it in the seventh.
New York Mets 7, Florida Marlins 2
Johan Santana threw seven innings while giving up just three hits, two walks and striking out eight. His lone mistake, as it was a MLB-high 33 times, was a two-run homerun to Josh Willingham. David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran combined to go 6-for-13.
Texas Rangers 2, Seattle Mariners 5
Despite having a problem throwing strikes (56% of his pitches), Erik Bedard settled down after yielding a first inning homer to Michael Young by throwing 5.0 innings, giving up just three hits. J.J. Putz picked up the save striking out two, which followed impressive outings from Sean Green and Eric O'Flaherty.
Los Angeles Angels 2, Minnesota Twins 3
Livan Hernandez replaced Johan Santana and gave up just two earned runs in seven innings while scattering seven hits. Carlos Gomez replaced Torii Hunter and went 2-for-3 with two runs and two stolen bases. Hunter, who received a very gracious standing ovation during his first at bat, went 0-for-4.
Pittsburgh Pirates 12, Atlanta Braves 11
The Braves scored five runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to send the game into extra innings, but Xavier Nady hit his second homer of the game in the top of the 12th to cushion the Pirates to a hard-fought win. Tom Glavine gave up one earned run over five innings, but eight Atlanta relievers combined to yield eight earned runs.
Houston Astros 0, San Diego Padres 4
Jake Peavy was an all-around gem on Opening Night at Petco Park, throwing seven innings, giving up just three hits and no runs. He also drove in two runs, including an RBI single. In his Houston debut, Miguel Tejada went 2-for-4.
- Christopher Reina is the executive editor of RealGM and the creator of the Reina Value.
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