It'll be the reigning champion against the dethroned when the D-backs begin their defense of the National League West title against the Giants on Friday, and most expect these to be two of the teams to take the 2012 quest for the crown down to the wire.
The team that wants to reclaim that title has a profound respect for the team that's holding it, so the Giants go into the opening series at Chase Field with a definite understanding of who's holding the flag and who has to wrest it away.
"To start with them, that is going to create some interest, really, for both clubs," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who knows a thing or two about the NL West, having managed in the division since 1995, first with the Padres and now with the Giants. "We think we're a better club, an improved club, and they are, too. They had a great year last year.
"We're looking forward to getting the season started, and the fact we're playing them, we know we have to turn it up a notch. We had our struggles against their pitching last year. Let's hope we have a little more success this time around."
For the Giants to say a pitching staff did well against them is saying something, indeed. The Giants rode their pitching to the 2010 World Series title, and they have almost all of the members of that staff intact heading into 2012 -- including Matt Cain, signed to a $112.5 million contract extension earlier this week.
The Giants' pitching conversation really begins with two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, but the flip side is Arizona's pitching prowess, which begins with 21-game winner Ian Kennedy, who helps anchor a strong rotation that pushed the D-backs into a five-game NL Division Series playoff run last year. Together, they make for one of the best Opening Day pitching matchups around.
With a bullpen that now rivals the Giants' top-notch corps, the D-backs put Kennedy atop a rotation that includes co-ace Daniel Hudson, and added former Bay Area pitching star Trevor Cahill in a trade with the A's in the offseason.
In five starts vs. the Giants last year, Kennedy was 3-0 with a 1.22 ERA. In a 21-4 season, he didn't get the win in his first Opening Day start, instead registering one of his eight no-decisions in a 7-6 D-backs victory over the Rockies. He allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings in that assignment.
"Last year, I wasn't like overamped up, it went away after the first inning. It was there and then it kind of goes away," he said. "I feel like this year, it's going to be the same thing where there's going to be adrenaline, especially since it's going to be at home against the Giants. I can't say it's going to be any easier."
It sure won't be if he's sharing the mound with Lincecum, who is making his fourth Opening Day start. That said, Lincecum went 0-3 with a 4.32 ERA in his four starts against the D-backs last season, and he remembers the Sept. 23 game last year when Arizona celebrated the NL West title by beating the Giants.
"I'm sure a lot of people are itching to get back out there against them and start the battle over," Lincecum said. "Hopefully, it'll be in our favor this time."
Giants: Trying to be more offensive
Some of the Giants' final roster moves showed just how much they're trying to improve the depth of their offense, which ranked last in the Majors in runs scored a year ago.
One sign is that they went to great lengths -- trading Chris Stewart to the Yankees and sending Eli Whiteside to the Minors -- to get 22-year-old catcher Hector Sanchez on the Opening Day roster. He'll be the backup to Buster Posey to start the season after elevating from Class A ball last year to prominence in the Giants' plans.
"He's done a good job. He's earned this," Bochy said of Sanchez, who hit .383 with four homers while working with all the pitchers this spring.
More evidence that the Giants want to have a little more offensive depth is how they kept Brett Pill on the roster as a bench player, giving the team an added boost in reserve from the right side of the plate.
• As the season begins, it's apparent Aubrey Huff will be the primary left fielder for the Giants. The domino effect of that, with newcomers Melky Cabrera in right and Angel Cabrera in center, is that Nate Schierholtz will begin the season looking for playing time.
"I talked to Nate, and he knows this is how we're starting out," Bochy said.
D-backs: Bullpen making late adjustments
With Takashi Saito's calf injury late in Spring Training, the D-backs made some alterations to their original plans and wound up holding on to Wade Miley as a long reliever to take Saito's spot, at least until the veteran reliever is eligible to return from the disabled list April 15.
"Right now your starters aren't stretched out as much, so you tend to rely more on your bullpen," Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. "I would rather do that than push the [starters] early in the season."
• After a 2011 season in which he hit career highs with 39 doubles, 31 homers and 88 RBIs, 24-year-old right fielder Justin Upton knows there's room for improvement heading into 2012.
"I think as well as I hit last year, I wasn't as consistent as I could have been," Upton said. "I still hit those long slumps. I think being a good hitter is about being able to get out of those a little quicker and still producing when you're not feeling great. That's something that comes with time and being able to take a step back and play the game."
Worth noting
• The two teams have been in the NL West together since the D-backs entered the league in 1998, but this is the first time the D-backs have opened a season against the Giants.
• Entering their 15th season, this will mark the ninth time in franchise history the D-backs have opened at home.
• Overall, the Giants hold a 137-103 advantage over the D-backs, but the two teams split their 18 meetings in 2011.
• Pitching matchups for the remainder of the series: Lefty Madison Bumgarner will meet Arizona's Hudson on Saturday, and Cain will take on right-hander Josh Collmenter in the Sunday finale.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Rockies vs Astros preview April 6, 2012
For the Astros, it was a natural outgrowth of an ownership change. For the Rockies, it was a conscious decision to change standard operating procedure.
By different roads, two teams that have undergone significant cultural shifts will arrive at the same place on Friday: Minute Maid Park in Houston for Opening Day.
After the Rockies took a step backward each year since making the playoffs in 2009, general manager Dan O'Dowd took a long look at how the organization had been going about its business. He decided that too often talented young players were brought along a little too quickly without enough veteran presence to help them find their way.
Yes, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is a clubhouse leader. But to reinforce his message, O'Dowd added veterans Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Hernandez to the mix and traded for Marco Scutaro and Jeremy Guthrie, who will start the opener.
"Changing the culture motivated the changes. And one thing led to another. There was a vision of what we wanted, but all the dots kind of connected on their own," he told the Denver Post.
The idea, he added, was to create a bridge for the prospects with "proven players who understand how to play the game with joy and perform well."
The centerpiece of this blueprint is Cuddyer, who got a three-year, $31.5 million deal in part because of the intangibles he provides.
"I think he's going to be a plus for us on the field because he gives nothing but 100 percent effort," manager Jim Tracy said. "But he's a huge piece to our clubhouse from the standpoint of morale and keeping everybody pushing in the right direction and minimizing adverse situations and turning negatives into positives."
Cuddyer said he learned the importance of peer leadership from Twins veterans like Torii Hunter and is now paying it forward.
"There are different definitions of leadership. I'm not an in-your-face, rah-rah football kind of guy. That's exhausting. What I am, though, is a friend and a teammate. I care about everyone in this room and I ask that in return," he said.
"One of the things Dan O'Dowd relayed to me was how he wasn't happy with how the clubhouse dynamic was last year. And, to his credit, he changed it. He got rid of a lot of good players and brought in a lot of quality guys, quality people and quality players as well."
Two bonuses: Guthrie pitched well enough in Spring Training to be named the Opening Day starter. And 49-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer made the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the clubhouse.
Meanwhile, in Houston, the decision by Drayton McLane to sell the team he's owned for 19 years to Jim Crane had predictable consequences. New management almost always wants its own people and Crane was no exception. Longtime club president Tal Smith was replaced by George Postolos and general manager Ed Wade was replaced by Jeff Luhnow.
The Astros even hired a "director of decision sciences" to help organize information.
There were numerous changes on the field, too, for a team that lost 106 games in 2011. Livan Hernandez, Jack Cust and Zach Duke were released in Spring Training. When the final roster was announced, it contained 10 players who will open the season in the Major Leagues for the first time.
Only two players who were regulars a year ago, second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Chris Johnson are back where they were while Carlos Lee has been moved from left field to first base.
Opening Day starter Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and J.A. Happ are the holdover starters while workhorse starter Brett Myers is the new closer.
Luhnow concedes that outsiders might not be impressed. "Most [experts] are picking us to be dead last in the Central and 29th or 30th in all of baseball," he said. "Even the Vegas line has it that way.
"But I think we're going to surprise some people. We have an expectation, an attitude in the clubhouse and among the coaching staff and in the front office that we can do this. We have the talent in the organization to win any series. I think our guys have the potential to win a lot of games, a lot more than people expect. You're going to see 100 percent effort and the results are going to track that."
One of the few changes the Astros didn't make will be responsible for making that happen. That would be manager Brad Mills, and he provides a link to their Opening Day opponent. He was the Rockies' first Triple-A manager at Colorado Springs.
Of course, no matter what happens this season, there are even bigger changes in store for the Astros, who will move into the American League in 2013.
By different roads, two teams that have undergone significant cultural shifts will arrive at the same place on Friday: Minute Maid Park in Houston for Opening Day.
After the Rockies took a step backward each year since making the playoffs in 2009, general manager Dan O'Dowd took a long look at how the organization had been going about its business. He decided that too often talented young players were brought along a little too quickly without enough veteran presence to help them find their way.
Yes, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is a clubhouse leader. But to reinforce his message, O'Dowd added veterans Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Hernandez to the mix and traded for Marco Scutaro and Jeremy Guthrie, who will start the opener.
"Changing the culture motivated the changes. And one thing led to another. There was a vision of what we wanted, but all the dots kind of connected on their own," he told the Denver Post.
The idea, he added, was to create a bridge for the prospects with "proven players who understand how to play the game with joy and perform well."
The centerpiece of this blueprint is Cuddyer, who got a three-year, $31.5 million deal in part because of the intangibles he provides.
"I think he's going to be a plus for us on the field because he gives nothing but 100 percent effort," manager Jim Tracy said. "But he's a huge piece to our clubhouse from the standpoint of morale and keeping everybody pushing in the right direction and minimizing adverse situations and turning negatives into positives."
Cuddyer said he learned the importance of peer leadership from Twins veterans like Torii Hunter and is now paying it forward.
"There are different definitions of leadership. I'm not an in-your-face, rah-rah football kind of guy. That's exhausting. What I am, though, is a friend and a teammate. I care about everyone in this room and I ask that in return," he said.
"One of the things Dan O'Dowd relayed to me was how he wasn't happy with how the clubhouse dynamic was last year. And, to his credit, he changed it. He got rid of a lot of good players and brought in a lot of quality guys, quality people and quality players as well."
Two bonuses: Guthrie pitched well enough in Spring Training to be named the Opening Day starter. And 49-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer made the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the clubhouse.
Meanwhile, in Houston, the decision by Drayton McLane to sell the team he's owned for 19 years to Jim Crane had predictable consequences. New management almost always wants its own people and Crane was no exception. Longtime club president Tal Smith was replaced by George Postolos and general manager Ed Wade was replaced by Jeff Luhnow.
The Astros even hired a "director of decision sciences" to help organize information.
There were numerous changes on the field, too, for a team that lost 106 games in 2011. Livan Hernandez, Jack Cust and Zach Duke were released in Spring Training. When the final roster was announced, it contained 10 players who will open the season in the Major Leagues for the first time.
Only two players who were regulars a year ago, second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Chris Johnson are back where they were while Carlos Lee has been moved from left field to first base.
Opening Day starter Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and J.A. Happ are the holdover starters while workhorse starter Brett Myers is the new closer.
Luhnow concedes that outsiders might not be impressed. "Most [experts] are picking us to be dead last in the Central and 29th or 30th in all of baseball," he said. "Even the Vegas line has it that way.
"But I think we're going to surprise some people. We have an expectation, an attitude in the clubhouse and among the coaching staff and in the front office that we can do this. We have the talent in the organization to win any series. I think our guys have the potential to win a lot of games, a lot more than people expect. You're going to see 100 percent effort and the results are going to track that."
One of the few changes the Astros didn't make will be responsible for making that happen. That would be manager Brad Mills, and he provides a link to their Opening Day opponent. He was the Rockies' first Triple-A manager at Colorado Springs.
Of course, no matter what happens this season, there are even bigger changes in store for the Astros, who will move into the American League in 2013.
Cardinals vs Brewers preview April 6, 2012
The stakes will be a good bit lower, but the intensity level likely won't be. When the Cardinals and Brewers play on Friday -- their first meeting since last year's hard-fought National League Championship Series -- they won't be playing for a pennant, but they will be setting the stage for what should be an entertaining NL Central race.
Miller Park will be festooned with bunting, and all the usual pageantry will be on display. This one doesn't need any of it, though. A race that figures to be one of baseball's most wide-open gets rolling early. The game begins a stretch of 27 straight divisional games for the defending World Series champion Cards, including six head-to-head April meetings with the Brewers.
Milwaukee, of course, won the division last year, a fact that seems a bit forgotten in some of the coverage of the 2012 NL Central. The Brewers lost star slugger Prince Fielder since October, but other than that, the club returns basically intact -- and the addition of Aramis Ramirez should help paper over some of the lost production from Fielder. So while the consensus seems to be that the Central will be a Cardinals-Reds battle, it would be unwise to write off the reigning division winners.
"The Central is a much tougher division than people give it credit for," said Cardinals star Lance Berkman. "I clearly feel like we should be the favorites to win the division, but I think Milwaukee is going to be awfully good again. ... I think the Brewers are going to be a lot tougher than people give them credit for."
Besides, it's not like the Cardinals aren't doing without some mainstays as well. Albert Pujols joined Fielder in leaving the division for greener pastures, and St. Louis will not have the services of Chris Carpenter for an indeterminate amount of time as he recovers from a nerve condition. There are plenty of new faces on both sides of this rivalry, but the essence remains intact.
These are two very familiar clubs, playing for the same prize. And oh by the way, they're not each other's biggest fans, either. The rivalry has been heated at various times over the past several years, and never more so than during the 2011 regular season. So what better way to get things going early in 2012 than to face each other?
"It's a good way to get the blood flowing again," said Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan. "It makes for another good season. It's a great rivalry."
The expected fireworks didn't really materialize during last fall's playoff series, but this is still a rivalry with some legitimate animosity. Add in the fact that the teams faced each other 18 times in a 2 1/2-month span at the end of 2011, and you get some tension.
"For some reason, every time we face each other, you've got some pretty exciting games," said Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo. "Both teams play hard. It's going to be a little bit weird, knowing we finished against them and we start off against them, but I'm looking forward to it. I don't think [the rivalry] will change. They ended up winning the World Series, and it's because they played hard just like us."
Gallardo faces another young Mexican-born starter on Friday, St. Louis lefty Jaime Garcia. They've gone against each other once before, but each team is definitely familiar with the opposing pitcher.
Garcia has had regular-season success against the Brewers, with a 3.27 ERA in eight career appearances, but he scuffled somewhat in his first of two NLCS starts. Gallardo has seen little but frustration against the Redbirds in his career, with a 1-7 record and 5.66 ERA in the regular season and a subpar showing last October as well.
One curious twist to this game: While it's the Brewers' season opener, it's not the Cards' first game. The Redbirds opened their season with a 4-1 win over the Marlins on Wednesday. And though baseball teams are plenty used to traveling, St. Louis has had a good bit of darting around recently. The Cardinals played an exhibition in Springfield, Mo., on Monday, flew back to Florida after the game, played the Marlins in Miami on Wednesday, then head back north to Milwaukee.
It's not the way they would have drawn it up, but it's what they've got to work with. And given that it's the Brewers on the other side of the field, it's a certainty that they'll be ready.
"At the end of the day I just want to win the ballgame," said St. Louis closer Jason Motte. "They lost Prince, but they still have a really good ballclub. I feel like the Central always turns out to be a tough division. It's usually pretty tight. I'm looking forward to another battle this year."
Miller Park will be festooned with bunting, and all the usual pageantry will be on display. This one doesn't need any of it, though. A race that figures to be one of baseball's most wide-open gets rolling early. The game begins a stretch of 27 straight divisional games for the defending World Series champion Cards, including six head-to-head April meetings with the Brewers.
Milwaukee, of course, won the division last year, a fact that seems a bit forgotten in some of the coverage of the 2012 NL Central. The Brewers lost star slugger Prince Fielder since October, but other than that, the club returns basically intact -- and the addition of Aramis Ramirez should help paper over some of the lost production from Fielder. So while the consensus seems to be that the Central will be a Cardinals-Reds battle, it would be unwise to write off the reigning division winners.
"The Central is a much tougher division than people give it credit for," said Cardinals star Lance Berkman. "I clearly feel like we should be the favorites to win the division, but I think Milwaukee is going to be awfully good again. ... I think the Brewers are going to be a lot tougher than people give them credit for."
Besides, it's not like the Cardinals aren't doing without some mainstays as well. Albert Pujols joined Fielder in leaving the division for greener pastures, and St. Louis will not have the services of Chris Carpenter for an indeterminate amount of time as he recovers from a nerve condition. There are plenty of new faces on both sides of this rivalry, but the essence remains intact.
These are two very familiar clubs, playing for the same prize. And oh by the way, they're not each other's biggest fans, either. The rivalry has been heated at various times over the past several years, and never more so than during the 2011 regular season. So what better way to get things going early in 2012 than to face each other?
"It's a good way to get the blood flowing again," said Milwaukee outfielder Nyjer Morgan. "It makes for another good season. It's a great rivalry."
The expected fireworks didn't really materialize during last fall's playoff series, but this is still a rivalry with some legitimate animosity. Add in the fact that the teams faced each other 18 times in a 2 1/2-month span at the end of 2011, and you get some tension.
"For some reason, every time we face each other, you've got some pretty exciting games," said Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo. "Both teams play hard. It's going to be a little bit weird, knowing we finished against them and we start off against them, but I'm looking forward to it. I don't think [the rivalry] will change. They ended up winning the World Series, and it's because they played hard just like us."
Gallardo faces another young Mexican-born starter on Friday, St. Louis lefty Jaime Garcia. They've gone against each other once before, but each team is definitely familiar with the opposing pitcher.
Garcia has had regular-season success against the Brewers, with a 3.27 ERA in eight career appearances, but he scuffled somewhat in his first of two NLCS starts. Gallardo has seen little but frustration against the Redbirds in his career, with a 1-7 record and 5.66 ERA in the regular season and a subpar showing last October as well.
One curious twist to this game: While it's the Brewers' season opener, it's not the Cards' first game. The Redbirds opened their season with a 4-1 win over the Marlins on Wednesday. And though baseball teams are plenty used to traveling, St. Louis has had a good bit of darting around recently. The Cardinals played an exhibition in Springfield, Mo., on Monday, flew back to Florida after the game, played the Marlins in Miami on Wednesday, then head back north to Milwaukee.
It's not the way they would have drawn it up, but it's what they've got to work with. And given that it's the Brewers on the other side of the field, it's a certainty that they'll be ready.
"At the end of the day I just want to win the ballgame," said St. Louis closer Jason Motte. "They lost Prince, but they still have a really good ballclub. I feel like the Central always turns out to be a tough division. It's usually pretty tight. I'm looking forward to another battle this year."
Yankees vs Rays preview April 6, 2012
October starts early this year. Like, six months early.
What figures to be a season-long cage match in baseball's best division gets under way on Friday as the American League East's two favorites square off in the season opener at Tropicana Field. The reigning AL East champion Yankees visit the 2011 Wild Card-winning Rays in the first of 18 head-to-head meetings between the rivals.
For the Yankees, the goal is the same as it always is: World Series or bust. For the Rays, the expectations are higher than they've ever been at the start of the season, with Tampa Bay a consensus pick to finish first or second in the division.
And with a new playoff format making a division title more critical than it's been in nearly 20 years, each of these 18 matchups becomes more important this year. Never mind the fact that the AL West features two very serious playoff contenders, meaning that it's far from a guarantee that third place in the East secures the second Wild Card for any team.
These are clubs that expect to be playing in the postseason, but they've been through the battles enough to know that you get to October by grinding away starting in April.
"For us to have those expectations is a great thing," said Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations. "It's never a problem. It's never something that you shy away from. And I think the bigger part is, the only way it can become a problem is if you take on that mentality of 'We're that good' or 'We don't have to work.'"
Facing the Yankees on Opening Day should certainly provide a good reminder that they have to work. For New York, a 97-win 2011 season ranks as a disappointment because that season ended before the World Series.
"I'm excited for us," starter CC Sabathia said. "If we stay healthy and pitch the way we're supposed to, we're going to be right back in the position we want to be in. We have a great clubhouse and great chemistry on this team, so it's fun to be a part of it. Hopefully we can put it all together and make a good run."
The Yanks and Rays played twice in the spring, but that doesn't exactly count. The rivalry gets its true renewal Friday with one of the more compelling pitching matchups of the season's first week. Two of the top four finishers in last year's AL Cy Young Award balloting take the mound for the mid-afternoon contest. Sabathia goes up against James Shields.
That's not the only reason runs will be hard to come by, either -- though it's certainly a major one. Sabathia and Shields are among the best in the business, but they'll also get some help from the ballpark. Tropicana Field played as one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the Majors in 2011, continuing a trend that has seen it go from neutral to a hitter's graveyard over the past few years.
So even though it's the take-and-rake Yankees against a Tampa Bay team of underrated offensive potency, the odds favor a low-scoring contest. It's hard to know exactly what either of these offenses will provide, however. There are questions facing each -- questions that may not get answered against stars like Sabathia and Shields.
Tampa Bay has turned over nearly half its lineup since last year, with new or newly prominent faces at designated hitter, first base, catcher and second base. How that new starting nine works is the biggest question for Tampa Bay, since the Rays are fully expected to feature outstanding starting pitching and defense and a solid bullpen.
"Andrew [Friedman] had himself a great offseason," manager Joe Maddon said. "Combined with all of the guys we have coming back it's really exciting."
For the Yankees, it's a different question. It's not about how new faces fare; it's about what some very familiar faces have to offer. Stars Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are in their 30s and both coming off down years. Curtis Granderson had a huge season in 2011, but it's an open question whether he can repeat that. Derek Jeter bounced back nicely from a slow start, but at 37, it's fair to wonder what he can produce this year.
It's not a matter of talent with the Yanks. It's a matter of the number of miles on the odometers. If the stars can produce as they have in the past, New York will sport an absolutely fearsome lineup. If decline continues or gets worse for some of those veteran players, the Yankees won't rampage through pitching staffs like they have in recent years.
"The thing is, you have to stay healthy," Rodriguez said. "You have to avoid the injury bug. I'd like to go out and play north of 145, 150 games and let the chips fall where they may, but at this point in my career, it's go out and avoid the injury bug, stay focused, and stay healthy. The most important stat to me is the win column."
By the end of the day Friday, either his team or Tampa Bay will have one, and the race will be on.
What figures to be a season-long cage match in baseball's best division gets under way on Friday as the American League East's two favorites square off in the season opener at Tropicana Field. The reigning AL East champion Yankees visit the 2011 Wild Card-winning Rays in the first of 18 head-to-head meetings between the rivals.
For the Yankees, the goal is the same as it always is: World Series or bust. For the Rays, the expectations are higher than they've ever been at the start of the season, with Tampa Bay a consensus pick to finish first or second in the division.
And with a new playoff format making a division title more critical than it's been in nearly 20 years, each of these 18 matchups becomes more important this year. Never mind the fact that the AL West features two very serious playoff contenders, meaning that it's far from a guarantee that third place in the East secures the second Wild Card for any team.
These are clubs that expect to be playing in the postseason, but they've been through the battles enough to know that you get to October by grinding away starting in April.
"For us to have those expectations is a great thing," said Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations. "It's never a problem. It's never something that you shy away from. And I think the bigger part is, the only way it can become a problem is if you take on that mentality of 'We're that good' or 'We don't have to work.'"
Facing the Yankees on Opening Day should certainly provide a good reminder that they have to work. For New York, a 97-win 2011 season ranks as a disappointment because that season ended before the World Series.
"I'm excited for us," starter CC Sabathia said. "If we stay healthy and pitch the way we're supposed to, we're going to be right back in the position we want to be in. We have a great clubhouse and great chemistry on this team, so it's fun to be a part of it. Hopefully we can put it all together and make a good run."
The Yanks and Rays played twice in the spring, but that doesn't exactly count. The rivalry gets its true renewal Friday with one of the more compelling pitching matchups of the season's first week. Two of the top four finishers in last year's AL Cy Young Award balloting take the mound for the mid-afternoon contest. Sabathia goes up against James Shields.
That's not the only reason runs will be hard to come by, either -- though it's certainly a major one. Sabathia and Shields are among the best in the business, but they'll also get some help from the ballpark. Tropicana Field played as one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the Majors in 2011, continuing a trend that has seen it go from neutral to a hitter's graveyard over the past few years.
So even though it's the take-and-rake Yankees against a Tampa Bay team of underrated offensive potency, the odds favor a low-scoring contest. It's hard to know exactly what either of these offenses will provide, however. There are questions facing each -- questions that may not get answered against stars like Sabathia and Shields.
Tampa Bay has turned over nearly half its lineup since last year, with new or newly prominent faces at designated hitter, first base, catcher and second base. How that new starting nine works is the biggest question for Tampa Bay, since the Rays are fully expected to feature outstanding starting pitching and defense and a solid bullpen.
"Andrew [Friedman] had himself a great offseason," manager Joe Maddon said. "Combined with all of the guys we have coming back it's really exciting."
For the Yankees, it's a different question. It's not about how new faces fare; it's about what some very familiar faces have to offer. Stars Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are in their 30s and both coming off down years. Curtis Granderson had a huge season in 2011, but it's an open question whether he can repeat that. Derek Jeter bounced back nicely from a slow start, but at 37, it's fair to wonder what he can produce this year.
It's not a matter of talent with the Yanks. It's a matter of the number of miles on the odometers. If the stars can produce as they have in the past, New York will sport an absolutely fearsome lineup. If decline continues or gets worse for some of those veteran players, the Yankees won't rampage through pitching staffs like they have in recent years.
"The thing is, you have to stay healthy," Rodriguez said. "You have to avoid the injury bug. I'd like to go out and play north of 145, 150 games and let the chips fall where they may, but at this point in my career, it's go out and avoid the injury bug, stay focused, and stay healthy. The most important stat to me is the win column."
By the end of the day Friday, either his team or Tampa Bay will have one, and the race will be on.
Twins vs Orioles preview April 6, 2012
Combined, they lost 192 games last season.
So when it comes to turning the page and looking toward the new season, nobody had to ask the Twins and O's twice.
The new year arrives precisely at 3:05 p.m. ET on Friday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. That's when the first pitch will be delivered in a season that both clubs hope serves as a return to respectability.
"We all have short memories here," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "The fans have short memories, evaluators have short memories. But [the players] have to show it. ... People will forget about last year if we let them."
But first, a quick word about last year.
For the Twins it was a dizzying fall from grace. They entered 2011 as back-to-back American League Central champs realistically looking to repeat, but injuries -- most notably involving former MVPs Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau -- eroded their lineup, they kicked the ball around and they didn't pitch well. It added up to a 99-loss season that still stings.
The O's also entered 2011 with high hopes after finishing 2010 with a 34-23 record under manager Buck Showalter. They expected their young arms to make major strides, but they, too, fell victim to injuries early in the year, and their young players did not develop as planned.
What followed were shakeups to both front offices, with Andy MacPhail, the O's president of baseball operations, opting not to return and Twins GM Bill Smith being dismissed. Into those spots stepped Dan Duquette, installed as Baltimore's GM 10 years after he last held such a role with Boston, and Ryan, who had stepped into an advisory position to make room for Smith four years ago, only to become Smith's successor.
New leadership in the front office is a start, but the Twins and O's are looking for big changes on the field, too, if they're going to compete with such powerhouse teams as the Tigers in the AL Central and the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the AL East.
Healthy stars would sure help.
The Twins, for one, are encouraged by what they saw this spring from Mauer and Morneau. Both are expected to be everyday presences in manager Ron Gardenhire's lineup, though Morneau seems destined for mostly designated hitter duty at this point.
"I think if you take two pretty good players, two MVP-type guys, out of anybody's lineup, you're going to struggle," Gardenhire said. "And we did. We really did. And not just because of their performance but their leadership on the field and [what they brought] to the table. We need them on the field. And they want to be on the field. I can guarantee you that. They both really want to play baseball."
Morneau's long-term concussion issues have hindered his career, and O's second baseman Brian Roberts knows the feeling. Roberts will open the season on the disabled list with concussion symptoms dating back to 2010, so the O's are once again without their leadoff man.
But what will truly determine how far both of these clubs climb out of last year's rubble will be their ability (or lack thereof) to piece together an effective rotation. After all, the Twins finished 12th and the O's last in the 14-team AL in starters' ERA last season.
It is, then, incumbent upon Opening Day starters Carl Pavano and Jake Arrieta to set an early tone in the opener.
"I'm not going to sit here and give predictions," Pavano said of his club, "but we're a considerably better team, no doubt about it."
Indeed, the Twins are heartened by the return to health of Mauer and Morneau, and the O's are encouraged by Brian Matusz's solid spring after a disappointing 2011 and Arrieta's full recovery from elbow surgery.
It's a long and difficult climb back to coherence after losing 90-plus games, but those are foundation points on which to build. And Opening Day is the first real opportunity to put those short memories to good use.
"We just need to concentrate on our own," O's center fielder Adam Jones said. "Worry about our own [selves] and execute for each other. If we do that, I think we'll be fine."
Orioles: Little set in stone
Showalter is not going to be a prisoner to a set lineup this season. He has newfound flexibility in the DH spot with Vladimir Guerrero gone. Wilson Betemit is expected to get the majority of starts in that spot, but he can also be used at various spots in the field.
And there is even flexibility within the order. For example, shortstop J.J. Hardy can bat anywhere from first to seventh, depending on the day or the matchup.
"I like the flexibility our lineup has and the ability to move parts around," Showalter said. "You don't get locked in. We've got some things we can move around, take advantage of the matchups. If we can keep our egos out of it and have some trust in each other, we should be able to present some lineups that are a little more versatile than last year."
Twins: Replacing key pieces
In addition to the 99 game losses last year, the Twins lost three key pieces to free agency in the offseason, with outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, and closer Joe Nathan all heading elsewhere.
In the wake of those departures, new veteran presences were brought onboard in the form of left fielder Josh Willingham, shortstop Jamey Carroll and right-hander Jason Marquis. The hope is that the new bodies have a big influence, whether it be through production or sheer clubhouse presence.
"I think the organization did a great job of bringing in guys to replace the guys we lost," Pavano said. "They've done a great job of giving guys what they need to get healthy, and we'll continue to get that. I think that was a huge step. The organization gave us the players we need, and now it's our turn to do our jobs. Let's go out and win ballgames."
Worth noting: To honor the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park before Friday's game, 1992 Opening Day starter Rick Sutcliffe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Chris Hoiles. With Hoiles behind the plate, Sutcliffe threw a five-hit complete-game shutout against the Indians in the first game at Camden Yards. ... The last time these two clubs faced each other on Opening Day was in 2007, but the last time they both opened in Baltimore was on April 11, 1967. The O's won that one, 6-3, with Brooks Robinson's two-run homer in the first inning looming large. ... The O's have the all-time edge in this matchup, 165-125.
So when it comes to turning the page and looking toward the new season, nobody had to ask the Twins and O's twice.
The new year arrives precisely at 3:05 p.m. ET on Friday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. That's when the first pitch will be delivered in a season that both clubs hope serves as a return to respectability.
"We all have short memories here," Twins general manager Terry Ryan said. "The fans have short memories, evaluators have short memories. But [the players] have to show it. ... People will forget about last year if we let them."
But first, a quick word about last year.
For the Twins it was a dizzying fall from grace. They entered 2011 as back-to-back American League Central champs realistically looking to repeat, but injuries -- most notably involving former MVPs Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau -- eroded their lineup, they kicked the ball around and they didn't pitch well. It added up to a 99-loss season that still stings.
The O's also entered 2011 with high hopes after finishing 2010 with a 34-23 record under manager Buck Showalter. They expected their young arms to make major strides, but they, too, fell victim to injuries early in the year, and their young players did not develop as planned.
What followed were shakeups to both front offices, with Andy MacPhail, the O's president of baseball operations, opting not to return and Twins GM Bill Smith being dismissed. Into those spots stepped Dan Duquette, installed as Baltimore's GM 10 years after he last held such a role with Boston, and Ryan, who had stepped into an advisory position to make room for Smith four years ago, only to become Smith's successor.
New leadership in the front office is a start, but the Twins and O's are looking for big changes on the field, too, if they're going to compete with such powerhouse teams as the Tigers in the AL Central and the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the AL East.
Healthy stars would sure help.
The Twins, for one, are encouraged by what they saw this spring from Mauer and Morneau. Both are expected to be everyday presences in manager Ron Gardenhire's lineup, though Morneau seems destined for mostly designated hitter duty at this point.
"I think if you take two pretty good players, two MVP-type guys, out of anybody's lineup, you're going to struggle," Gardenhire said. "And we did. We really did. And not just because of their performance but their leadership on the field and [what they brought] to the table. We need them on the field. And they want to be on the field. I can guarantee you that. They both really want to play baseball."
Morneau's long-term concussion issues have hindered his career, and O's second baseman Brian Roberts knows the feeling. Roberts will open the season on the disabled list with concussion symptoms dating back to 2010, so the O's are once again without their leadoff man.
But what will truly determine how far both of these clubs climb out of last year's rubble will be their ability (or lack thereof) to piece together an effective rotation. After all, the Twins finished 12th and the O's last in the 14-team AL in starters' ERA last season.
It is, then, incumbent upon Opening Day starters Carl Pavano and Jake Arrieta to set an early tone in the opener.
"I'm not going to sit here and give predictions," Pavano said of his club, "but we're a considerably better team, no doubt about it."
Indeed, the Twins are heartened by the return to health of Mauer and Morneau, and the O's are encouraged by Brian Matusz's solid spring after a disappointing 2011 and Arrieta's full recovery from elbow surgery.
It's a long and difficult climb back to coherence after losing 90-plus games, but those are foundation points on which to build. And Opening Day is the first real opportunity to put those short memories to good use.
"We just need to concentrate on our own," O's center fielder Adam Jones said. "Worry about our own [selves] and execute for each other. If we do that, I think we'll be fine."
Orioles: Little set in stone
Showalter is not going to be a prisoner to a set lineup this season. He has newfound flexibility in the DH spot with Vladimir Guerrero gone. Wilson Betemit is expected to get the majority of starts in that spot, but he can also be used at various spots in the field.
And there is even flexibility within the order. For example, shortstop J.J. Hardy can bat anywhere from first to seventh, depending on the day or the matchup.
"I like the flexibility our lineup has and the ability to move parts around," Showalter said. "You don't get locked in. We've got some things we can move around, take advantage of the matchups. If we can keep our egos out of it and have some trust in each other, we should be able to present some lineups that are a little more versatile than last year."
Twins: Replacing key pieces
In addition to the 99 game losses last year, the Twins lost three key pieces to free agency in the offseason, with outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, and closer Joe Nathan all heading elsewhere.
In the wake of those departures, new veteran presences were brought onboard in the form of left fielder Josh Willingham, shortstop Jamey Carroll and right-hander Jason Marquis. The hope is that the new bodies have a big influence, whether it be through production or sheer clubhouse presence.
"I think the organization did a great job of bringing in guys to replace the guys we lost," Pavano said. "They've done a great job of giving guys what they need to get healthy, and we'll continue to get that. I think that was a huge step. The organization gave us the players we need, and now it's our turn to do our jobs. Let's go out and win ballgames."
Worth noting: To honor the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park before Friday's game, 1992 Opening Day starter Rick Sutcliffe will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Chris Hoiles. With Hoiles behind the plate, Sutcliffe threw a five-hit complete-game shutout against the Indians in the first game at Camden Yards. ... The last time these two clubs faced each other on Opening Day was in 2007, but the last time they both opened in Baltimore was on April 11, 1967. The O's won that one, 6-3, with Brooks Robinson's two-run homer in the first inning looming large. ... The O's have the all-time edge in this matchup, 165-125.
White Sox vs Rangers preview April 6, 2012
The last time the Texas Rangers played a game with meaning, they had a World Series championship in their grasp -- twice -- and let it slip away, losing a Game 6 for the ages and then Game 7 in St. Louis.
The mission now is to start all over again and make 2012 something that will allow the Rangers and their fans to release the grip of '11 once and for all.
The journey begins at Rangers Ballpark on Friday against a Chicago White Sox outfit under new manager Robin Ventura that could answer to Paul Konerko and the 24 Mysterians. President Obama's favorite team might lead the American League in question marks.
The Sox designated southpaw John Danks to engage right-hander Colby Lewis on Opening Day.
One of the coolest players ever to handle the hot corner, Ventura had a wonderful career and now embarks on a new one, full of challenges. One of Ventura's tasks in his first managerial spring is to extract offensive production from Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham, each trying to rebound from disappointing 2011 seasons.
If these three can help Konerko -- write him down for 30 homers, 100 RBIs and a .280 to .300 average -- the White Sox can score enough runs in their cozy home ballpark to allow their solid group of starters to breathe a little easier.
"For me, it was more mental than physical and the ability," Ventura said of the trio of slumbering boppers who showed renewed life in the spring. "The ability is there. Every season's different, so to see the way they were motivated when they came in was important. I'm happy that they've been able to keep that going."
As many "ifs" as there are surrounding the White Sox, they can't possibly measure up to the "what-ifs" the Rangers must let go of as they try to forget about that one strike, that one last out that eluded them against the miracle Cardinals.
The Rangers' leader, Michael Young, has done everything he can to put it all in the deep freeze and forge ahead. Mr. Ranger insists his teammates will not carry a hangover into the new season.
"That's something that takes on a life of its own," Young said, "but it's on the outside, not with anybody on this club. If you're a competitor, you don't let it affect you.
"The last two years have been great for us and the [Dallas-Fort Worth] Metroplex. Our work's not done. We know we have a lot of talent here, and we know what we have to do."
The Rangers have a freewheeling clubhouse filled with colorful characters. It's a good thing, too. Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre last season and Yu Darvish this spring are quickly embraced and made to feel comfortable. They have a great deal of fun together -- right up to the time when the game faces surface.
"The good thing about this group is new guys become part of the core quickly," Young said. "Nap has been here a year and is a huge part of the team. Adrian is a great guy on the club.
"If you go out and play hard and fit in, you're going to be part of a fun atmosphere. But at 6 o'clock, it gets serious. It's all business on the field."
In his walk year, Josh Hamilton -- the most talented player on the roster and perhaps in the sport -- needs to avoid serious injuries and stay on the field, more than ever with the Angels roaring. The center fielder can win a second American League Most Valuable Player Award if he does, which would pay off handsomely if he enters free agency in November.
A four-time All-Star, Hamilton has played 89, 133 and 121 games the past three seasons.
The Rangers have depth everywhere, starting with the league's best table-setting duo in Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. Beltre, Napoli, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy and Mitch Moreland are all capable of launching bombs along with Hamilton and Kinsler.
Joining Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and former closer Neftali Feliz in a potentially dominant rotation, the towering Darvish is the X factor. AL hitters don't know him, and his stuff is real. If he replaces C.J. Wilson's 16 wins, the Rangers will be content. But he has the stuff to go beyond that if everything falls in place.
New closer Joe Nathan had some spring struggles, but he has a long history of getting outs under pressure. Mike Adams and Alexi Ogando have closer stuff should Nathan struggle to find his old lights-out stuff.
Wilson is in Southern California with Albert Pujols, making sure the Rangers don't earn a third consecutive AL West title. That would match the roll the Angels were on when Texas interceded in 2010 and took over division supremacy.
White Sox: Closer possibilities abound
• Having dealt Sergio Santos to Toronto, the White Sox do not have a proven closer. Ventura feels he has impressive candidates in Matt Thornton, Hector Santiago, Addison Reed and Jesse Crain. "I feel good with the way our back end of the bullpen is," Ventura said.
• Another impressive reliever has been rookie Nate Jones, who has a big curveball to go with some serious heat. "You see a guy like Nate Jones who has come through, who didn't necessarily have a spot when you visualize it, and all of a sudden you go through Spring Training and see how he has progressed and done things," Ventura said. "Those are the good surprises."
• "There are a lot of positives still around here," White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said. "We are more optimistic than some other people."
Rangers: Ross makes jump from Double-A
• Robbie Ross, a second-round pick out of high school in 2008, made the jump from Double-A to the Texas bullpen with a brilliant spring. Ross was 10-5 with a 2.34 ERA in 27 games at Double-A Frisco and Class A Myrtle Beach last season. Only six of those starts were at the Double-A level.
• Versatile Brandon Snyder, who made the 25-man roster with a strong spring showing, is on the Rangers' depth chart in four roles: at first and third base, in left field and at DH. In 33 at-bats with the Orioles the past two seasons, he hit .273 with a .351 on-base percentage. A first-round Draft pick in 2005 from Las Vegas, Snyder was primarily a first baseman in the Minor Leagues.
Worth noting
• A strong start through a tough April and May schedule, featuring 26 games against the division and 14 in a row to begin May, will be essential for the White Sox.
• Thirteen of the Rangers' first 21 games will be at home, with the Mariners, Yankees and Rays following the White Sox into Rangers Ballpark this month.
The mission now is to start all over again and make 2012 something that will allow the Rangers and their fans to release the grip of '11 once and for all.
The journey begins at Rangers Ballpark on Friday against a Chicago White Sox outfit under new manager Robin Ventura that could answer to Paul Konerko and the 24 Mysterians. President Obama's favorite team might lead the American League in question marks.
The Sox designated southpaw John Danks to engage right-hander Colby Lewis on Opening Day.
One of the coolest players ever to handle the hot corner, Ventura had a wonderful career and now embarks on a new one, full of challenges. One of Ventura's tasks in his first managerial spring is to extract offensive production from Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Gordon Beckham, each trying to rebound from disappointing 2011 seasons.
If these three can help Konerko -- write him down for 30 homers, 100 RBIs and a .280 to .300 average -- the White Sox can score enough runs in their cozy home ballpark to allow their solid group of starters to breathe a little easier.
"For me, it was more mental than physical and the ability," Ventura said of the trio of slumbering boppers who showed renewed life in the spring. "The ability is there. Every season's different, so to see the way they were motivated when they came in was important. I'm happy that they've been able to keep that going."
As many "ifs" as there are surrounding the White Sox, they can't possibly measure up to the "what-ifs" the Rangers must let go of as they try to forget about that one strike, that one last out that eluded them against the miracle Cardinals.
The Rangers' leader, Michael Young, has done everything he can to put it all in the deep freeze and forge ahead. Mr. Ranger insists his teammates will not carry a hangover into the new season.
"That's something that takes on a life of its own," Young said, "but it's on the outside, not with anybody on this club. If you're a competitor, you don't let it affect you.
"The last two years have been great for us and the [Dallas-Fort Worth] Metroplex. Our work's not done. We know we have a lot of talent here, and we know what we have to do."
The Rangers have a freewheeling clubhouse filled with colorful characters. It's a good thing, too. Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre last season and Yu Darvish this spring are quickly embraced and made to feel comfortable. They have a great deal of fun together -- right up to the time when the game faces surface.
"The good thing about this group is new guys become part of the core quickly," Young said. "Nap has been here a year and is a huge part of the team. Adrian is a great guy on the club.
"If you go out and play hard and fit in, you're going to be part of a fun atmosphere. But at 6 o'clock, it gets serious. It's all business on the field."
In his walk year, Josh Hamilton -- the most talented player on the roster and perhaps in the sport -- needs to avoid serious injuries and stay on the field, more than ever with the Angels roaring. The center fielder can win a second American League Most Valuable Player Award if he does, which would pay off handsomely if he enters free agency in November.
A four-time All-Star, Hamilton has played 89, 133 and 121 games the past three seasons.
The Rangers have depth everywhere, starting with the league's best table-setting duo in Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. Beltre, Napoli, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy and Mitch Moreland are all capable of launching bombs along with Hamilton and Kinsler.
Joining Lewis, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and former closer Neftali Feliz in a potentially dominant rotation, the towering Darvish is the X factor. AL hitters don't know him, and his stuff is real. If he replaces C.J. Wilson's 16 wins, the Rangers will be content. But he has the stuff to go beyond that if everything falls in place.
New closer Joe Nathan had some spring struggles, but he has a long history of getting outs under pressure. Mike Adams and Alexi Ogando have closer stuff should Nathan struggle to find his old lights-out stuff.
Wilson is in Southern California with Albert Pujols, making sure the Rangers don't earn a third consecutive AL West title. That would match the roll the Angels were on when Texas interceded in 2010 and took over division supremacy.
White Sox: Closer possibilities abound
• Having dealt Sergio Santos to Toronto, the White Sox do not have a proven closer. Ventura feels he has impressive candidates in Matt Thornton, Hector Santiago, Addison Reed and Jesse Crain. "I feel good with the way our back end of the bullpen is," Ventura said.
• Another impressive reliever has been rookie Nate Jones, who has a big curveball to go with some serious heat. "You see a guy like Nate Jones who has come through, who didn't necessarily have a spot when you visualize it, and all of a sudden you go through Spring Training and see how he has progressed and done things," Ventura said. "Those are the good surprises."
• "There are a lot of positives still around here," White Sox general manager Kenny Williams said. "We are more optimistic than some other people."
Rangers: Ross makes jump from Double-A
• Robbie Ross, a second-round pick out of high school in 2008, made the jump from Double-A to the Texas bullpen with a brilliant spring. Ross was 10-5 with a 2.34 ERA in 27 games at Double-A Frisco and Class A Myrtle Beach last season. Only six of those starts were at the Double-A level.
• Versatile Brandon Snyder, who made the 25-man roster with a strong spring showing, is on the Rangers' depth chart in four roles: at first and third base, in left field and at DH. In 33 at-bats with the Orioles the past two seasons, he hit .273 with a .351 on-base percentage. A first-round Draft pick in 2005 from Las Vegas, Snyder was primarily a first baseman in the Minor Leagues.
Worth noting
• A strong start through a tough April and May schedule, featuring 26 games against the division and 14 in a row to begin May, will be essential for the White Sox.
• Thirteen of the Rangers' first 21 games will be at home, with the Mariners, Yankees and Rays following the White Sox into Rangers Ballpark this month.
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