Washington Nationals vs. Miami Marlins - The Nationals came out with a bang today and showed the world they are here to compete in 2013. Stephen Strasburg pitched 7 innings, 3Ks, and gave up 0 runs. Though Strasburg had a good showing it was the 20 year old phenom Bryce Harper who shocked the world. Harper hit a Homerun in both of his first two at bats. I believe Harper will be a 30-30 player this year and compete for the NL MVP.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees - This matchup has been lob sided for the past two years with the Yankees winning most of their last meetings, but the new look Red Sox showed the potential to have a decent team this year when they exploded on the Yankees putting up 8 runs and 4 of them off Ace C.C. Sabathia. The Red Sox also previewed Rookie Jackie Bradley Jr. who went 0-1 drawing 3 walks and 1 strikeout. Bradley did have an amazing catch today thought. Everyone needs to keep an eye on this kid all year he is a great player.
L.A Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants - This series will be like October style baseball every time they play all year long. In this game we had Clayton Kershaw going against Matt Cain and it lived up to every expectation it could have. Both pitchers pitched great games Cain went 6 innings with 8Ks and 1 walk with 0 earned runs. Kershaw topped that performance by throwing a complete game shutout only giving up 4 hits with 7Ks with 0 walks 0 earned runs and he helped his own cause when he hit a Homerun off relief pitcher George Kontos in the 8th inning. The Dodgers took the game 4-0. This series will be one to watch all year, and each team will be fun to watch as they fight for the NL West title.
L.A Angels vs. Cincinnati Reds - This was the first ever Opening Day Interleague game and boy was it one for the history books. The Reds lost 3-1, but the thing is this game went to 13 innings! The Reds hosted the All-Star studded Angels and held their own. The Reds kept Josh Hamilton and the rest of the Angels offense quiet for most of the game. Hamilton went 0-4, Pujols went 0-4, Trumbo 1-5, and Trout 1-6. Jared Weaver pitched a marvelous game with 6 innings 4Ks, 2 walks, and 1 earned run. The Reds put up almost equivalent numbers with newly acquired Sin Soon-Choo went 2-5, Votto - 0-4, Phillips, 0-5, and Bruce 0-5. Johnny Cueto pitched side by side with All-Star Jared Weaver. Cueto went 7 innings giving up 1 run, 9Ks, and 2 walks.
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies - The Atlanta Braves were the talk of the offseason when they acquired OF brothers Justin & B.J Upton. Well the world got to see the new look Braves on Monday night. Freddie Freeman stole the spotlight with a 2 run homer in the 2nd, then Dan Uggla went yard with a bomb to left in the 3rd. By the end of the 4th there was still nothing heard from the Upton brothers. Then in the 5th Justin Upton hit a 460 ft BOMB to left center! The Phillies showed that they have improved from last year and the addition of Ben Revere seemed very promising. The Braves showed the Nationals they aren't going to give them the NL East. The Braves ended up with a big W, 7-5.
All around it was one of the best Opening days in a while. It was a lot of fireworks and a lot of excitement. Also, I didn't include two great games that are being played on the west coast as I type this. Cardinals vs. Dbacks and, Mariners vs. Athletics are underway as I type! Also, The Rays, Indians, Orioles, and Blue Jays start their seasons off Tuesday! Let the excitement of baseball run wild cause we still have 161 games to go!