NEW YORK, NY – Thursday was MLB’s Opening Day for most teams and the Yankees and Mets got their seasons off to a winning start. Both teams are on pace for 162 wins, after the Yankees beat up on the Orioles in a matinee in the Bronx and the Mets shut out the Nationals in Washington.
On the heels of his Cy Young Award season and his contract extension earlier this week, Jacob deGrom took the mound on opening day for the Amazin’s and picked up where he left off. The Mets’ ace pitched six scoreless innings, giving up five hits and a walk to the Nats. The 30-yearold should pick up more wins this year after the Mets bolstered their lineup in the offseason. The Metsies took an early lead on new guy Robinson Cano’s first inning home run and never looked back. It was a good start for Cano, who returns to New York after five years and a PED stint had him starring in Suspended in Seattle. The new scenery in a familiar town should be good for Cano who should have a good season if he can stay healthy and keep his pee clean. Things are looking good for the Mets and new GM Brodie Van Wagenen, who made a splash in his first offseason with the Queens outfit.
The Yankees had a good day of their own in the Bronx as Masahiro Tanaka took the mound for the Bombers in their opener. Tanaka threw 5.2 innings, giving up one earned run and six hits in the process. The Yankees took an early lead through Luke Voit’s three-run homer in the first inning. Greg Bird also homered in the 8th inning to bookend the Yankee scoring. It was a game in which every Yankee had a hit except for Brett Gardner, who did reach base on a walk and score one of the Yankees’ 7 runs. Gardner will be shot by firing squad before today’s first pitch.
Both the Mets and Yankees are back it today. For the Yanks, we’ll soon see how well the starting rotation can keep up in the absence of Luis Severino. The ace is out until at least May with a shoulder injury. Rotator cuff inflammation in spring training is not a good sign, just ask any Mets fan. Severino may throw a bullpen session this weekend in Florida but be’s still a long way away from starting games for the Yanks.
Meanwhile, the Amazins have an infusion of youth to go along with their veteran pickups. Jed Lowrie and Todd Frazier have come down with Metsitis, getting injured for no real reason, so the kids have an opportunity to make everyone forget them – at least Short Matts nemesis, Frazier.
