Aces In An Early Season Hole

(Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

 "I felt good. But when you're going against another team's No. 1 and give up four runs, you're going to lose,"   -David Price on his outing against Baltimore.

Here's the list of pitchers from yesterday's slate that ended up struggling taking either the loss for their team or ending up with a no decision: David Price, Jon Lester, Ubaldo Jimenez,  CJ Wilson, Fausto Carmona, Carl Pavano, and Mike Pelfrey. That is one hell of an All-Star caliber list of guys right there. As David Price stated above, if you give up 4 runs facing off against the other teams ace, you will most likely lose.


The start that stood out most to me was Jon Lester's against the Rangers. Lester lacked command of most of pitches throughout the outing giving up 3 home runs. It was the first time in his career that he gave up 3 dingers in a start. At one point Lester hit 2 batters in an inning and left his pitches out over the plate and missed Jarrod Saltalamacchia's glove way too much resulting in giving up 5 earned runs. His stat line for the outing was as follows:

Jon Lester: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 HR, 1 BB, 0 K, 2 HBP

The Red Sox will need a quick turnaround from Lester with the uncertainty of Josh Beckett and in my opinion the ugliest pitcher to watch throw a game, Daisuke Matsuzaka. Lester does have a history of terrible April starts and since 2008 has an ERA of over 8. I expect nothing but improvement from Lester but as for opening day starts goes, this one was ugly.

*Do note that even as a Yankee fan I have nothing against Jon Lester. In fact we both share something big in common both having fought Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma at around the same time. 

Opening Day 2011: The Unofficial National Holiday

There is not a day more anticipated by baseball fans than opening day. Everyone for at least one day is in first place and everything just seems right. With six games leading off the season there was plenty to be excited about and the games didn't disappoint. Here's a recap of my version of Christmas...

 

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

 Tigers 3, Yankees 6

Mike Mussina threw out the ceremonial first pitch (a sentimental favorite of mine) as the Yanks took on the Tigers in the Bronx on a gloomy dreary day but came out on top in this one. Mark Teixeira managed to blast a 3-run bomb off of Justin Verlander and the player of the game, Curtis Granderson had the biggest hit of the day putting the Yanks in the lead for good with a solo homer off of former Yankee Phil Coke (a lefty might I add). Granderson also made 2 spectacular catches in the games. The Yankees' improved bullpen took over for CC Sabathia and held Detroit in check the rest of the way for the win. Joba Chamberlain, Rafael Soriano, and Mariano Rivera earned the Win, a Hold, and Save respectively.

Celebrate. (Associated Press)

Brewers 6, Reds 7

Offense was a big deal in this matchup and the Brew Crew took on the Reds in Cincy. Back to Back homers by Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez started the game while Ryan Braun added his own solo shot. Milwaukee took a 6-3 lead to the ninth where it all seemed to unravel. John Axford blew the save for the Brewers when he gave up a 2 out, 3-run walkoff oppo homer to Ramon Hernandez and the Reds continued with their 2010 ways by stealing another win from an NL Central team.

Braves 2, Nationals 0

Derek Lowe was on his game and held the Nats scoreless while Jason Heyward added another opening day homer to his resume.

Angels 4, Royals 2

Anaheim's bullpen almost let this one slip away but otherwise the Angels looked like their old winning selves beating KC 4-2. Jared Weaver pitched 2-hit ball into the seventh and homers by Torii Hunter and Jeff Mathis led the offense for LAA.

Padres 5, Cardinals 3 F/11

They needed eleven innings to settle this opener. Albert Pujols GIDP'd 3 times in this one (must be the contract....joking). Cameron Maybin his a solo shot for the Padres and his single in the 11th led to the Padres taking the lead and holding on for the win.

Giants 1, Dodgers 2

3 Giant errors were costly against Los Angeles as Clayton Kershaw dominated the Giant's offense for a 2-1 win in LA.