It’s a beautiful day for baseball. Usually is. I know the Mariners and A’s split a pair of games in Tokyo and the defending champions from St. Louis spoiled the grand opening of Marlins Park, but today is Opening Day. Here’s a few rumblings from the National League West to keep an eye on.
Cain got paid
Matt Cain is the highest paid right-handed pitcher in baseball history. Isn’t this a great country?
I’m a big fan of Cain, and I think he’s a terrific pitcher. But I’m not sure the average baseball fan even knows who Cain is. That’s also because I define “average baseball fan” as those annoying women who claim to love the Indians and say Grady Sizemore is their favorite player and couldn’t tell you who the Indians’ manager is.
Good for Cain though. His numbers don’t lie. His career ERA is 3.35. He has lost 11 games each of the past two seasons, but I think win-loss records are awful stat for pitchers. Cain’s record the past two years look average, at best, because of the Giants’ anemic offense.
I read many stories this spring about Cain getting traded at this year’s deadline. So much for that. With Tim Lincecum, Cain and Madison Bumgarner, the Giants’ rotation can compete with anyone.
Rockies rotation
Rockies manager Jim Tracy announced 49-year-old Jamie Moyer would start the second game of the season for Colorado. If Moyer earns a win at any point this year, he’ll be the oldest to do so in Major League history.
Former Indians first-round pick Drew Pomeranz will open the season the Rockies rotation, though he won’t make his season debut until April 15.
D-backs rotation
Josh Collmenter earned the third spot in Arizona’s rotation over Trevor Cahill. I was a little surprised by that, but it also gives the defending NL West champs a pretty solid No. 4 starter. Collmenter, Cahill and Joe Saunders need average years for the D-backs. Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson are studs.
Best of the West
After the 25-man rosters were set, it’s even clearer the Diamondbacks and Giants are the only teams with a chance to win this division. The Dodgers’ rotation is pretty weak after Clayton Kershaw. The Rockies’ rotation is just weak. The Padres are the Padres. It’s a two-team race. And just like I wrote in my preview, I believe both get in the playoffs.
Happy Opening Day!
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