Major League Baseball Returns

Opening Day of the MLB was earlier than ever before this year. March 28^th marked the official start to the season, although technically the Mariners and the Athletics met in Japan for their opening series 2 weeks ago. Opening Day usually falls in the first week of April.

Notable Match Ups

All 30 teams were involved in Opening Day 2019 with 15 games scheduled throughout the day. The reigning World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox, were welcomed to 2019 by getting rocked by the Seattle Mariners 12-4. Of course, the Mariners were the underdogs. Especially since 12 of the 25 man roster are fresh faces. The offseason was a busy one for Seattle, selling off some of their biggest names like Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, Jean Segura, Nelson Cruz, and James Paxton.

That didn’t stop them from rocketing 5 homers, 2 of which came from shortstop Tim Beckham. The Red Sox started 7-time All-Star Chris Sale on the mound. Beckham was 0-15 vs Sale, but it didn’t faze him.

“I just wanted to see a ball up in the zone,” Beckham said. “I mean, I know the past history, I don’t care about that. He still has to come out and throw the ball tonight. I respect him. He’s a really good pitcher, but I want to see something up in the zone that I can handle.”

 

Edwin Encarnacion’s first hit as a Mariner was a 3-run dinger to center in the 2nd. Ryon Healy and Domingo Santana rounded out the Opening Day home run derby with one apiece.

Five Boston pitchers allowed 12 runs by Seattle, resulting in the most runs given up by a defending World Series champion on Opening Day in MLB history.

The Mariners went on to lose their next game by one but found victory yesterday 6-5. They finish up their 4 game home series with the Red Sox this afternoon at 3:10 Pacific time.

Dodgers v Diamondbacks

The Dodgers came out swinging for Opening Day. The back-to-back World Series runners up smashed a record 8 homers versus the Arizona D-Backs.  Last season, the Dodgers were the second best home run team and they seem to be gunning for first in that category this year.

Joc Pederson (LF) kicked things off in the second inning with a 2 run shot to center off D-backs starter Zack Greinke. He’d repeat the 2 run long bomb in the bottom of the 6th. Last season Pederson tallied a decent 25 home runs for the season. Joining him in the Opening Day home run club were second baseman Enrique “Kiki” Hernandez with 2, catcher Austin Barnes, shortstop Corey Seager, right fielder Cody Bellinger, and first baseman Max Muncy.

With their 8th HR, the Dodgers have tied their franchise record for a game.

The Dodgers also have the most players with a home run on opening day in the Live Ball era (since 1920). pic.twitter.com/qWBS8NdyC4

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 28, 2019

The previous MLB Opening Day home run record of six was originally set in 1988 by the New York Mets and was tied in 2018 by the Chicago White Sox.

Arizona eeked out a win in 13 innings on Friday before getting completely dismantled again yesterday. This time the Dodgers tallied 18 runs to Arizona’s 5. LA has racked up 34 runs in three games with 13 home runs.

Sunday Baseball

Opening series will conclude today with another 15 games for your enjoyment.

Sunday, March 31, 2019 All Times ET Subject To Change.

Clearly, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get your bets in. New to MLB betting? Check out our Best MLB Betting Offers Guide and get in the game!