Preview: Rays (2-2) at Orioles (2-0)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: April 08, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
Steven Souza Jr. demonstrated some power in the minors, but it was never quite clear if it would translate to the big leagues.
His bat is leading the way for Tampa Bay thus far in 2016.
Souza looks to continue his power surge Friday night as the Rays visit the Baltimore Orioles.
Tampa Bay salvaged a home split of a season-opening series with Toronto after dropping the first two games. Souza went 6 for 15 with three home runs, including two in Wednesday's 5-3 win.
A third-round pick by Washington in 2007, Souza is flashing the promise that helped persuade the Rays to relinquish the highly touted Wil Myers in a three-team, 11-player deal in December 2014.
Souza hit 16 homers in 110 games while still holding rookie status in 2015, but also struck out 144 times. He homered 56 times in the minors from 2012-14.
"I'm just staying within myself," Souza said. "Letting the ball take its course."
He batted .137 in 16 games against Baltimore last season, though three of his seven hits were home runs.
Tampa Bay tied for 18th over the last two seasons with 284 homers, but has scored nine of its 14 runs on six home runs. The Rays' 18 straight games with at least one home run are a club record.
Chris Archer gets the nod after striking out 12 in five innings in Sunday's opener, though he also walked three while throwing 107 pitches and allowing three runs in a 5-3 defeat.
"I always want to go more than five innings," said Archer, who is 2-4 with a 4.44 ERA in eight starts against the Orioles. "But I understand that you can't be perfect every inning, every game."
The Orioles completed a three-game sweep of Minnesota with Thursday's 4-2 comeback victory.
Jonathan Schoop singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh after a 21-minute rain delay. Manny Machado and rookie Joey Rickard, hitting atop the order for the first time after going 4 for 7 in his first two games, both homered.
Baltimore is chasing its second 4-0 start in 20 years and has won 13 of 17 at home dating back to a 7-6, 11-inning win against Tampa Bay on Sept. 2. Star outfielder Adam Jones sat out Thursday due to sore ribs, though manager Buck Showalter expects him to be back Friday.
"I just thought it would be smart to give him a day," Showalter said.
Jones could be in for a rough return, though, as he's 2 for 22 with seven strikeouts against Archer. Machado is 8 for 19 off the right-hander.
Chris Tillman retired all six batters he faced before a rain delay ended his opening day outing after only two innings. He'll look to win for the first time in six starts against Tampa Bay after three straight victories previously. He owns a 5.52 ERA in 11 career games against the Rays at Camden Yards.
Evan Longoria, 5 for 17 thus far, is a .327 hitter with six home runs in 49 at-bats against Tillman.
Baltimore won last season's series 10-9.
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: April 08, 2016 7:05 PM EDT
Steven Souza Jr. demonstrated some power in the minors, but it was never quite clear if it would translate to the big leagues.
His bat is leading the way for Tampa Bay thus far in 2016.
Souza looks to continue his power surge Friday night as the Rays visit the Baltimore Orioles.
Tampa Bay salvaged a home split of a season-opening series with Toronto after dropping the first two games. Souza went 6 for 15 with three home runs, including two in Wednesday's 5-3 win.
A third-round pick by Washington in 2007, Souza is flashing the promise that helped persuade the Rays to relinquish the highly touted Wil Myers in a three-team, 11-player deal in December 2014.
Souza hit 16 homers in 110 games while still holding rookie status in 2015, but also struck out 144 times. He homered 56 times in the minors from 2012-14.
"I'm just staying within myself," Souza said. "Letting the ball take its course."
He batted .137 in 16 games against Baltimore last season, though three of his seven hits were home runs.
Tampa Bay tied for 18th over the last two seasons with 284 homers, but has scored nine of its 14 runs on six home runs. The Rays' 18 straight games with at least one home run are a club record.
Chris Archer gets the nod after striking out 12 in five innings in Sunday's opener, though he also walked three while throwing 107 pitches and allowing three runs in a 5-3 defeat.
"I always want to go more than five innings," said Archer, who is 2-4 with a 4.44 ERA in eight starts against the Orioles. "But I understand that you can't be perfect every inning, every game."
The Orioles completed a three-game sweep of Minnesota with Thursday's 4-2 comeback victory.
Jonathan Schoop singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh after a 21-minute rain delay. Manny Machado and rookie Joey Rickard, hitting atop the order for the first time after going 4 for 7 in his first two games, both homered.
Baltimore is chasing its second 4-0 start in 20 years and has won 13 of 17 at home dating back to a 7-6, 11-inning win against Tampa Bay on Sept. 2. Star outfielder Adam Jones sat out Thursday due to sore ribs, though manager Buck Showalter expects him to be back Friday.
"I just thought it would be smart to give him a day," Showalter said.
Jones could be in for a rough return, though, as he's 2 for 22 with seven strikeouts against Archer. Machado is 8 for 19 off the right-hander.
Chris Tillman retired all six batters he faced before a rain delay ended his opening day outing after only two innings. He'll look to win for the first time in six starts against Tampa Bay after three straight victories previously. He owns a 5.52 ERA in 11 career games against the Rays at Camden Yards.
Evan Longoria, 5 for 17 thus far, is a .327 hitter with six home runs in 49 at-bats against Tillman.
Baltimore won last season's series 10-9.
Preview: Red Sox (1-1) at Blue Jays (2-2)
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 08, 2016 7:07 PM EDT
Following a rough end to their opening series, the Toronto Blue Jays are ready to begin play at home.
Whether Josh Donaldson is healthy enough to be in their lineup remains to be seen.
The reigning AL MVP hopes to be available Friday night when the Blue Jays host the Boston Red Sox.
Donaldson went 4 for 16 with two homers and four RBIs as Toronto (2-2) split its series at Tampa Bay, but left Wednesday's 5-3 loss with a strained right calf muscle. Though Donaldson didn't work out Thursday, the Blue Jays are optimistic he'll be ready for the home opener.
"To be honest, I think he'll be out there (Friday) night," manager John Gibbons told MLB's official website. "If it's worth giving him a day or two, if he needs that, it would be smart to do that, but I don't think that's going to happen."
Donaldson, who hit .333 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 19 games against Boston (1-1) in 2015, dealt with the same injury last season and again during spring training.
"He played through it, that's part of it," Gibbons said.
Nine of Toronto's 15 runs at Tampa came off five homers, but its bullpen blew late leads while yielding five runs to lose the last two contests.
The Blue Jays hope their fortunes will be better at Rogers Centre, where they went 53-28 to tie for the AL's best home record but were 4-6 against Boston. Including three postseason starts in 2015, Marcus Stroman is 10-2 with a 2.20 ERA in 16 at home.
The right-hander pitched into the ninth and was charged with three runs in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Rays.
'I want to finish games," said Stroman, who has one complete game in 28 starts. "That's the mentality. That's the motto. It didn't work out, but I look forward to getting out there the next time and going nine.'
He's lasted at least seven innings in each while posting a 1.26 ERA to win all four starts - three at home - against the Red Sox.
"When Stro takes the mound, it's different," said teammate Troy Tulowitzki, who is 2 for 13 with a homer and seven strikeouts. "He raises the bar that (he) wants you to match his energy and just the swag that he has."
Though last-place Boston finished 15 games behind the AL East champion Toronto in 2015, these two are the predicted frontrunners for this season's division title. The Blue Jays won't face former teammate and new Boston ace David Price, who went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 regular-season starts for them after coming over from Detroit in July.
After splitting a weather-shortened two-game set at Cleveland, the Red Sox begin a stretch of 13 straight against division opponents - seven opposite Toronto.
"We're looking forward to this run," manager John Farrell said. "We're looking forward to the challenge."
David Ortiz hit two of Boston's five homers against the Indians, but only that many while batting .162 in nine games at Toronto last season. He's 2 for 11 without a home run when facing Stroman.
Teammate Dustin Pedroia is 4 for 7 against Stroman. He's hit safely in 14 straight games against the Blue Jays, and is batting .330 with 16 RBIs in his last 21 meetings.
Scheduled starter Joe Kelly went 2-6 with a 5.94 ERA in his first 16 starts for Boston last season but 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA in the last nine. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA in five starts against Toronto.
Donaldson is 8 for 14 against Kelly.
Game: 1
Venue: Rogers Centre
Date: April 08, 2016 7:07 PM EDT
Following a rough end to their opening series, the Toronto Blue Jays are ready to begin play at home.
Whether Josh Donaldson is healthy enough to be in their lineup remains to be seen.
The reigning AL MVP hopes to be available Friday night when the Blue Jays host the Boston Red Sox.
Donaldson went 4 for 16 with two homers and four RBIs as Toronto (2-2) split its series at Tampa Bay, but left Wednesday's 5-3 loss with a strained right calf muscle. Though Donaldson didn't work out Thursday, the Blue Jays are optimistic he'll be ready for the home opener.
"To be honest, I think he'll be out there (Friday) night," manager John Gibbons told MLB's official website. "If it's worth giving him a day or two, if he needs that, it would be smart to do that, but I don't think that's going to happen."
Donaldson, who hit .333 with four homers and 11 RBIs in 19 games against Boston (1-1) in 2015, dealt with the same injury last season and again during spring training.
"He played through it, that's part of it," Gibbons said.
Nine of Toronto's 15 runs at Tampa came off five homers, but its bullpen blew late leads while yielding five runs to lose the last two contests.
The Blue Jays hope their fortunes will be better at Rogers Centre, where they went 53-28 to tie for the AL's best home record but were 4-6 against Boston. Including three postseason starts in 2015, Marcus Stroman is 10-2 with a 2.20 ERA in 16 at home.
The right-hander pitched into the ninth and was charged with three runs in Sunday's 5-3 victory over the Rays.
'I want to finish games," said Stroman, who has one complete game in 28 starts. "That's the mentality. That's the motto. It didn't work out, but I look forward to getting out there the next time and going nine.'
He's lasted at least seven innings in each while posting a 1.26 ERA to win all four starts - three at home - against the Red Sox.
"When Stro takes the mound, it's different," said teammate Troy Tulowitzki, who is 2 for 13 with a homer and seven strikeouts. "He raises the bar that (he) wants you to match his energy and just the swag that he has."
Though last-place Boston finished 15 games behind the AL East champion Toronto in 2015, these two are the predicted frontrunners for this season's division title. The Blue Jays won't face former teammate and new Boston ace David Price, who went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 regular-season starts for them after coming over from Detroit in July.
After splitting a weather-shortened two-game set at Cleveland, the Red Sox begin a stretch of 13 straight against division opponents - seven opposite Toronto.
"We're looking forward to this run," manager John Farrell said. "We're looking forward to the challenge."
David Ortiz hit two of Boston's five homers against the Indians, but only that many while batting .162 in nine games at Toronto last season. He's 2 for 11 without a home run when facing Stroman.
Teammate Dustin Pedroia is 4 for 7 against Stroman. He's hit safely in 14 straight games against the Blue Jays, and is batting .330 with 16 RBIs in his last 21 meetings.
Scheduled starter Joe Kelly went 2-6 with a 5.94 ERA in his first 16 starts for Boston last season but 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA in the last nine. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 5.52 ERA in five starts against Toronto.
Donaldson is 8 for 14 against Kelly.
Preview: Pirates (3-0) at Reds (3-0)
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: April 08, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
Three consecutive postseason appearances take the luster out of a 3-0 start that ultimately won't mean much come October, when the Pittsburgh Pirates truly hope to shine.
They didn't put too much emphasis on last year's opening series either after being swept in Cincinnati. They went on to finish with the second-best record in the majors while watching the Reds lose 98 games despite winning their first four.
Pittsburgh has a long way to go before it starts celebrating, but it surely wouldn't mind beginning 4-0 for the first time in 13 years in Friday night's series opener at Cincinnati.
The Pirates finished 98-64 in 2015 before losing the NL wild-card game to Chicago, which marked a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season that began with them scoring eight runs in three losses to the Reds.
They're hoping a different start to 2016 leads to an even better year and perhaps some postseason success. Andrew McCutchen (5 for 11), Gregory Polanco (3 for 7, five walks) and Francisco Cervelli (4 for 11, three RBIs) led the way in a three-game sweep of St. Louis as the Pirates scored 15 runs without a homer.
'We've reached a point now where we're no longer surprised when we play well,' manager Clint Hurdle said.
The Pirates held the Cardinals to four hits in Wednesday's 5-1 win that brought Pittsburgh to the brink of winning its first four for the first time since 2003. John Jaso tripled to give the Pirates a three-bagger in their first three games for the first time since 1910.
'It was a good first series, a good example of teamwork,' Jaso said. 'The pitching was great and everyone in the lineup, one through eight, contributed.'
Francisco Liriano opened the season by striking out 10 over six scoreless innings of Sunday's 4-1 victory, and he'll get the ball in this one. Liriano went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts against the Reds last season and has a 4.12 ERA in seven starts in Cincinnati.
Jay Bruce is 4 for 24 with seven strikeouts against the left-hander, but he's gotten off to a hot start. Bruce went 6 for 12 in a three-game sweep of Philadelphia, hitting a three-run homer in the fourth, an RBI single later that inning and a solo shot in the seventh of Thursday's 10-6 win.
His five RBIs tied a career high, and his start is especially encouraging after he hit .217 in 2014 and .226 last year.
'He put a lot of work in to close some holes in his swing,' manager Bryan Price said. 'I know he was disappointed in his last two seasons.'
Eugenio Suarez hit his first career grand slam in the eight-run fourth Thursday. The Reds acquired Suarez from Detroit in December 2014 in exchange for Alfredo Simon, who went 13-12 with a 5.05 ERA with the Tigers.
Simon is back, though, after signing a one-year deal last month and will get the call against the Pirates. The right-hander faced Pittsburgh twice last season, going eight innings of a 1-0 win April 15 before allowing six runs and a career-high 15 hits in a 9-3 loss July 1.
Cincinnati went 11-8 against the Pirates in 2015 despite finishing last in the Central Division. It's unclear if it will have Brandon Phillips in this matchup after he sat out Thursday with a stomach virus.
Game: 1
Venue: Great American Ball Park
Date: April 08, 2016 7:10 PM EDT
Three consecutive postseason appearances take the luster out of a 3-0 start that ultimately won't mean much come October, when the Pittsburgh Pirates truly hope to shine.
They didn't put too much emphasis on last year's opening series either after being swept in Cincinnati. They went on to finish with the second-best record in the majors while watching the Reds lose 98 games despite winning their first four.
Pittsburgh has a long way to go before it starts celebrating, but it surely wouldn't mind beginning 4-0 for the first time in 13 years in Friday night's series opener at Cincinnati.
The Pirates finished 98-64 in 2015 before losing the NL wild-card game to Chicago, which marked a disappointing end to an otherwise successful season that began with them scoring eight runs in three losses to the Reds.
They're hoping a different start to 2016 leads to an even better year and perhaps some postseason success. Andrew McCutchen (5 for 11), Gregory Polanco (3 for 7, five walks) and Francisco Cervelli (4 for 11, three RBIs) led the way in a three-game sweep of St. Louis as the Pirates scored 15 runs without a homer.
'We've reached a point now where we're no longer surprised when we play well,' manager Clint Hurdle said.
The Pirates held the Cardinals to four hits in Wednesday's 5-1 win that brought Pittsburgh to the brink of winning its first four for the first time since 2003. John Jaso tripled to give the Pirates a three-bagger in their first three games for the first time since 1910.
'It was a good first series, a good example of teamwork,' Jaso said. 'The pitching was great and everyone in the lineup, one through eight, contributed.'
Francisco Liriano opened the season by striking out 10 over six scoreless innings of Sunday's 4-1 victory, and he'll get the ball in this one. Liriano went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts against the Reds last season and has a 4.12 ERA in seven starts in Cincinnati.
Jay Bruce is 4 for 24 with seven strikeouts against the left-hander, but he's gotten off to a hot start. Bruce went 6 for 12 in a three-game sweep of Philadelphia, hitting a three-run homer in the fourth, an RBI single later that inning and a solo shot in the seventh of Thursday's 10-6 win.
His five RBIs tied a career high, and his start is especially encouraging after he hit .217 in 2014 and .226 last year.
'He put a lot of work in to close some holes in his swing,' manager Bryan Price said. 'I know he was disappointed in his last two seasons.'
Eugenio Suarez hit his first career grand slam in the eight-run fourth Thursday. The Reds acquired Suarez from Detroit in December 2014 in exchange for Alfredo Simon, who went 13-12 with a 5.05 ERA with the Tigers.
Simon is back, though, after signing a one-year deal last month and will get the call against the Pirates. The right-hander faced Pittsburgh twice last season, going eight innings of a 1-0 win April 15 before allowing six runs and a career-high 15 hits in a 9-3 loss July 1.
Cincinnati went 11-8 against the Pirates in 2015 despite finishing last in the Central Division. It's unclear if it will have Brandon Phillips in this matchup after he sat out Thursday with a stomach virus.
Preview: Cardinals (0-3) at Braves (0-2)
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: April 08, 2016 7:35 PM EDT
Though they're in the midst of their worst start in nine years, the defending NL Central champions insist there's no reason to panic three games into the season.
A lack of scoring has been partly to blame for the St. Louis Cardinals, who must now return to a venue where they've struggled offensively in recent seasons.
Matt Wisler will try to extend his early career mastery of St. Louis and lead the Atlanta Braves to their first win Friday night in the series opener at Turner Field.
The Cardinals certainly didn't have many offensive highlights in Pittsburgh, batting .168 while also going 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position en route to the club's worst start since it last finished below .500 in 2007.
Matt Carpenter (1 for 11), Matt Holliday (1 for 10) and Randal Grichuk (1 for 10) are among those off to slow starts. Grichuk is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's 5-1 loss so he could work through some timing issues.
"It's too early to be concerned with anything," Carpenter told the team's official website. "We just didn't hit... But we will, and once we hit, we'll be fine."
The Cardinals will try to avoid getting blanked in four straight by the same opponent for the first time after they managed 12 hits over the final three games in Atlanta last season. They're also looking to stave off their first 0-4 start since dropping the first six in 1997.
"It's early," Wednesday's losing pitcher Mike Leake said. "We're all right. We're three games into it. I think we just need to slow down and play competitive baseball."
Wisler was dominant in the 2015 finale, allowing four hits and walking one while coming within one out of his first complete game in a 2-0 win. The right-hander had a 1.19 ERA in winning his last three starts after going 0-7 with a 8.08 mark over his prior nine.
Wisler, who worked on his changeup with former star Tom Glavine in the offseason, has given up two runs over 15 2/3 innings in winning two career starts versus St. Louis.
"When I came up I felt good and was going after guys, then August hit and I was terrible," Wisler said. "I lost some confidence in myself and got it back in September."
Jaime Garcia will try to pick up a St. Louis rotation that has allowed 23 hits, seven walks and 11 earned runs over the first 14 2/3 innings. The left-hander finished an injury-plagued 2015 strong by going 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA over his last 12 starts.
One of those losses came at Turner Field on Oct. 2 when he surrendered two runs and six hits over four innings of a 4-0 defeat. Drew Stubbs, who has hit .310 over 29 at-bats versus Garcia, is expected to join Tyler Flowers and Gordon Beckham in the Braves' lineup.
Freddie Freeman is 4 for 7 with two homers off Garcia. Freeman, Adonis Garcia (two RBIs) and A.J. Pierzynski drove in Atlanta's four runs in two home losses to Washington.
The Braves haven't dropped their first three since an 0-4 start in 2012, but they've won four in a row overall and nine of the past 11 home meetings with the Cardinals.
Yadier Molina can become St. Louis' all-time leader for games caught with 1,440.
Game: 1
Venue: Turner Field
Date: April 08, 2016 7:35 PM EDT
Though they're in the midst of their worst start in nine years, the defending NL Central champions insist there's no reason to panic three games into the season.
A lack of scoring has been partly to blame for the St. Louis Cardinals, who must now return to a venue where they've struggled offensively in recent seasons.
Matt Wisler will try to extend his early career mastery of St. Louis and lead the Atlanta Braves to their first win Friday night in the series opener at Turner Field.
The Cardinals certainly didn't have many offensive highlights in Pittsburgh, batting .168 while also going 3 for 22 with runners in scoring position en route to the club's worst start since it last finished below .500 in 2007.
Matt Carpenter (1 for 11), Matt Holliday (1 for 10) and Randal Grichuk (1 for 10) are among those off to slow starts. Grichuk is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's 5-1 loss so he could work through some timing issues.
"It's too early to be concerned with anything," Carpenter told the team's official website. "We just didn't hit... But we will, and once we hit, we'll be fine."
The Cardinals will try to avoid getting blanked in four straight by the same opponent for the first time after they managed 12 hits over the final three games in Atlanta last season. They're also looking to stave off their first 0-4 start since dropping the first six in 1997.
"It's early," Wednesday's losing pitcher Mike Leake said. "We're all right. We're three games into it. I think we just need to slow down and play competitive baseball."
Wisler was dominant in the 2015 finale, allowing four hits and walking one while coming within one out of his first complete game in a 2-0 win. The right-hander had a 1.19 ERA in winning his last three starts after going 0-7 with a 8.08 mark over his prior nine.
Wisler, who worked on his changeup with former star Tom Glavine in the offseason, has given up two runs over 15 2/3 innings in winning two career starts versus St. Louis.
"When I came up I felt good and was going after guys, then August hit and I was terrible," Wisler said. "I lost some confidence in myself and got it back in September."
Jaime Garcia will try to pick up a St. Louis rotation that has allowed 23 hits, seven walks and 11 earned runs over the first 14 2/3 innings. The left-hander finished an injury-plagued 2015 strong by going 7-2 with a 2.74 ERA over his last 12 starts.
One of those losses came at Turner Field on Oct. 2 when he surrendered two runs and six hits over four innings of a 4-0 defeat. Drew Stubbs, who has hit .310 over 29 at-bats versus Garcia, is expected to join Tyler Flowers and Gordon Beckham in the Braves' lineup.
Freddie Freeman is 4 for 7 with two homers off Garcia. Freeman, Adonis Garcia (two RBIs) and A.J. Pierzynski drove in Atlanta's four runs in two home losses to Washington.
The Braves haven't dropped their first three since an 0-4 start in 2012, but they've won four in a row overall and nine of the past 11 home meetings with the Cardinals.
Yadier Molina can become St. Louis' all-time leader for games caught with 1,440.
Preview: Astros (1-1) at Brewers (1-2)
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: April 08, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
After watching the Houston Astros give up 27 runs in the first three games of the season, manager A.J. Hinch is rightfully concerned about how many batters are reaching base against his pitchers.
On the other hand, Hinch is encouraged by the early season performance of rookie Tyler White.
The Astros will continue their season-opening road trip when they begin a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
The Astros started the season by dropping two of three to the New York Yankees. Starter Mike Fiers gave up five runs and nine hits in five innings in Thursday's 8-5 loss, but the Astros lost the game after he came out.
Hard-throwing right-hander Ken Giles relieved loser Will Harris in the seventh inning and gave up a go-ahead three-run homer. Giles has allowed a home run in each of his two appearances after surrendering three over the previous two seasons with Philadelphia.
"I think the worrisome trend is more how much traffic we're allowing as a team on the bases," Hinch told MLB's official website. "Obviously, you look at that inning and it's the middle part of their order and they did a lot of damage, and we had held their middle of the order in check pretty well most of the series."
Astros starters gave up 10 earned runs over the last two games of the series after ace Dallas Keuchel mostly held the Yankees at bay in a 5-3 win on opening day. Collin McHugh was rocked for six runs in one-third of an inning in the second game, a 16-6 Astros loss.
Right-hander Scott Feldman will get the ball for the Astros on Friday. Feldman, entering the final year of a three-year contract, is 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee - none with Houston - while striking out 15 in 17 innings.
White had three hits and four RBIs on Thursday, including his first career home run. He is 6 for 9 in his first three major league games.
"I think that's the key for him is he looks like he's a guy that's in every at-bat, certainly so far in his young career," Hinch said. "That's encouraging to watch him keep his heart rate down, keep the at-bats going, have really good at-bats, doesn't try to do too much, but yet does do damage and has contributed quite well."
Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was hitless in the finale but had three homers in the series.
Right-hander Chase Anderson will make his Milwaukee debut after being acquired from Arizona in January. Anderson, who will face the Astros for the first time, went 6-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts last season.
The Brewers (1-2) had a day off after beating San Francisco 4-3 on Wednesday as former Astro Chris Carter hit his first homer and added a go-ahead sacrifice fly. Carter, signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, slugged 90 homers over the past three seasons for Houston.
"It's not too often a big guy like him has such a short, compact swing," Milwaukee third baseman Aaron Hill said. "I don't want to say he's perfected it, but he's done a great job of knowing his strength. He continues to get better and wants to get better. It will be fun to see what he's able to do this year with a new team."
Game: 1
Venue: Miller Park
Date: April 08, 2016 8:10 PM EDT
After watching the Houston Astros give up 27 runs in the first three games of the season, manager A.J. Hinch is rightfully concerned about how many batters are reaching base against his pitchers.
On the other hand, Hinch is encouraged by the early season performance of rookie Tyler White.
The Astros will continue their season-opening road trip when they begin a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night.
The Astros started the season by dropping two of three to the New York Yankees. Starter Mike Fiers gave up five runs and nine hits in five innings in Thursday's 8-5 loss, but the Astros lost the game after he came out.
Hard-throwing right-hander Ken Giles relieved loser Will Harris in the seventh inning and gave up a go-ahead three-run homer. Giles has allowed a home run in each of his two appearances after surrendering three over the previous two seasons with Philadelphia.
"I think the worrisome trend is more how much traffic we're allowing as a team on the bases," Hinch told MLB's official website. "Obviously, you look at that inning and it's the middle part of their order and they did a lot of damage, and we had held their middle of the order in check pretty well most of the series."
Astros starters gave up 10 earned runs over the last two games of the series after ace Dallas Keuchel mostly held the Yankees at bay in a 5-3 win on opening day. Collin McHugh was rocked for six runs in one-third of an inning in the second game, a 16-6 Astros loss.
Right-hander Scott Feldman will get the ball for the Astros on Friday. Feldman, entering the final year of a three-year contract, is 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee - none with Houston - while striking out 15 in 17 innings.
White had three hits and four RBIs on Thursday, including his first career home run. He is 6 for 9 in his first three major league games.
"I think that's the key for him is he looks like he's a guy that's in every at-bat, certainly so far in his young career," Hinch said. "That's encouraging to watch him keep his heart rate down, keep the at-bats going, have really good at-bats, doesn't try to do too much, but yet does do damage and has contributed quite well."
Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was hitless in the finale but had three homers in the series.
Right-hander Chase Anderson will make his Milwaukee debut after being acquired from Arizona in January. Anderson, who will face the Astros for the first time, went 6-6 with a 4.30 ERA in 27 starts last season.
The Brewers (1-2) had a day off after beating San Francisco 4-3 on Wednesday as former Astro Chris Carter hit his first homer and added a go-ahead sacrifice fly. Carter, signed to a one-year deal in the offseason, slugged 90 homers over the past three seasons for Houston.
"It's not too often a big guy like him has such a short, compact swing," Milwaukee third baseman Aaron Hill said. "I don't want to say he's perfected it, but he's done a great job of knowing his strength. He continues to get better and wants to get better. It will be fun to see what he's able to do this year with a new team."
Preview: Twins (0-2) at Royals (1-1)
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: April 08, 2016 8:15 PM EDT
The last time the Kansas City Royals faced the Minnesota Twins, they locked up home-field advantage throughout the 2015 postseason.
This week they collected their rings as World Series champions.
The Royals meet the Twins for the first time as reigning champions when the AL Central rivals start a three-game series on Friday night in Kansas City.
The Royals had two days off after splitting two games in three days against the New York Mets in a rematch of the Fall Classic they won in five games.
They got their jewel-encrusted championship rings prior to Tuesday's game, then were shut down by World Series villain Noah Syndergaard, the towering right-hander who beat them in Game 3 last October after throwing at leadoff man Alcides Escobar.
Escobar tripled to lead off the bottom of the first inning Tuesday but the Royals managed only two more hits as they struck out nine times against Syndergaard in six innings.
"We've got our rings now, so the whole process is over now," Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. "So it's time to turn the page, move on and get better playing baseball and winning baseball.'
The Royals were 12-7 against the Twins last year, including a three-game sweep to end the season. They secured home-field advantage with a 6-1 win at Minnesota in the Oct. 4 season finale.
Right-hander Yordano Ventura was Kansas City's opening day starter last year and will make his first start of 2016 on Friday. Ventura pitched much better over the second half of 2015, going 9-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star break. He was 13-8 with a 4.08 ERA overall and is 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA in five career starts versus the Twins.
Minnesota was swept in Baltimore to start the season, scoring six total runs in a tight three-game series marred by its lack of hitting in key spots.
Joe Mauer hit his first home run Thursday but the Twins couldn't hold onto a two-run lead in a 4-2 loss. Minnesota hit .216 in the series, went 2 for 21 with runners in scoring position, left 20 men on base and struck out 35 times.
Leadoff hitter Brian Dozier is in the middle of Minnesota's woes, opening the season 0 for 11.
"The one thing we were able to do last year was capitalize on opportunities, comparably when we didn't have as many as some other teams," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "I think it's one of those things that builds early. Guys get up there and they are grinding, almost too hard even though we are only three games in."
Ervin Santana will make his second start after the right-hander's first career opening day start was cut short by a 70-minute rain delay. He threw two scoreless innings in Monday's 3-2 loss, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three.
Santana, who spent 2013 with Kansas City, is 5-7 with a 4.63 ERA in 16 career starts against his former team, including an 0-1 mark with a 2.40 ERA in two starts last season.
Escobar is 7 for 21 lifetime against Santana and cleanup hitter Eric Hosmer is 4 for 12 with two homers and four walks.
Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar is 5 for 10 against Ventura but Mauer has one hit in 10 career at-bats against him with five strikeouts.
Dozier, who led the Twins with 28 homers and 39 doubles last season, hit .179 with no home runs and four doubles in 18 games against Kansas City in 2015. He went 1 for 6 against Ventura.
Game: 1
Venue: Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium
Date: April 08, 2016 8:15 PM EDT
The last time the Kansas City Royals faced the Minnesota Twins, they locked up home-field advantage throughout the 2015 postseason.
This week they collected their rings as World Series champions.
The Royals meet the Twins for the first time as reigning champions when the AL Central rivals start a three-game series on Friday night in Kansas City.
The Royals had two days off after splitting two games in three days against the New York Mets in a rematch of the Fall Classic they won in five games.
They got their jewel-encrusted championship rings prior to Tuesday's game, then were shut down by World Series villain Noah Syndergaard, the towering right-hander who beat them in Game 3 last October after throwing at leadoff man Alcides Escobar.
Escobar tripled to lead off the bottom of the first inning Tuesday but the Royals managed only two more hits as they struck out nine times against Syndergaard in six innings.
"We've got our rings now, so the whole process is over now," Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain said. "So it's time to turn the page, move on and get better playing baseball and winning baseball.'
The Royals were 12-7 against the Twins last year, including a three-game sweep to end the season. They secured home-field advantage with a 6-1 win at Minnesota in the Oct. 4 season finale.
Right-hander Yordano Ventura was Kansas City's opening day starter last year and will make his first start of 2016 on Friday. Ventura pitched much better over the second half of 2015, going 9-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 15 starts after the All-Star break. He was 13-8 with a 4.08 ERA overall and is 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA in five career starts versus the Twins.
Minnesota was swept in Baltimore to start the season, scoring six total runs in a tight three-game series marred by its lack of hitting in key spots.
Joe Mauer hit his first home run Thursday but the Twins couldn't hold onto a two-run lead in a 4-2 loss. Minnesota hit .216 in the series, went 2 for 21 with runners in scoring position, left 20 men on base and struck out 35 times.
Leadoff hitter Brian Dozier is in the middle of Minnesota's woes, opening the season 0 for 11.
"The one thing we were able to do last year was capitalize on opportunities, comparably when we didn't have as many as some other teams," Minnesota manager Paul Molitor said. "I think it's one of those things that builds early. Guys get up there and they are grinding, almost too hard even though we are only three games in."
Ervin Santana will make his second start after the right-hander's first career opening day start was cut short by a 70-minute rain delay. He threw two scoreless innings in Monday's 3-2 loss, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three.
Santana, who spent 2013 with Kansas City, is 5-7 with a 4.63 ERA in 16 career starts against his former team, including an 0-1 mark with a 2.40 ERA in two starts last season.
Escobar is 7 for 21 lifetime against Santana and cleanup hitter Eric Hosmer is 4 for 12 with two homers and four walks.
Twins shortstop Eduardo Escobar is 5 for 10 against Ventura but Mauer has one hit in 10 career at-bats against him with five strikeouts.
Dozier, who led the Twins with 28 homers and 39 doubles last season, hit .179 with no home runs and four doubles in 18 games against Kansas City in 2015. He went 1 for 6 against Ventura.
Preview: Athletics (1-2) at Mariners (2-1)
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: April 08, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
SEATTLE (AP) - For the second straight season, young Seattle Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker will make his season debut against the Oakland Athletics.
Almost any result will be better than Walker's first start against the A's to begin last year. He gave up nine earned runs, nine hits and didn't make it through the fourth inning.
'I definitely want to go out there and have a good outing against them, because last year they got me pretty well. I guess a little payback this time,' Walker said.
The Mariners return to the Pacific Northwest on Friday night to kick off their home slate with a three-game series against the A's. Friday will include all pomp and circumstance of a traditional opening day - including new Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. throwing out the first pitch - plus some curiosity about this year's Mariners.
Can the power surge Seattle displayed in Texas, led by four home runs by Robinson Cano, continue at home?
The Mariners hit nine home runs in the three-game series in Texas, where Seattle won two of three and likely should have swept. Cano was the instigator of the power surge, becoming the 29th player in major league history to homer in each of the first three games of the season.
It'll be the task of Oakland lefty Eric Surkamp to try to slow the Mariners. Surkamp is replacing Felix Doubront, who suffered an elbow sprain in his final spring training start last week.
Surkamp appeared in one game last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing four runs in 3 1-3 innings, and his last start came in 2013 for San Francisco.
"At the beginning of the spring, we didn't see him in the rotation, but he earned it," manager Bob Melvin told MLB's official website.
He'll be opposed by Walker, who finished last season with an 11-8 mark and a 4.56 ERA. The Mariners didn't want to overwork his arm so he didn't pitch in late September after reaching 169 innings.
Walker admitted at times last season to pitching with the worry of being sent to the minors if he struggled, but said he's more comfortable with his position this year.
'I feel pretty good where I'm at right now,' Walker said. 'I know (James) Paxton's down there waiting, and he's really good and any time he can come up here. I know I have to go out there and get my work in, and pretty much do my job and do what I can to help my teammates.'
New Seattle manager Scott Servais said the key for Walker on Friday and throughout the season is going to be his secondary pitches and not always relying on his fastball.
'I think he will be juiced up, but I think you'll see a really good fastball,' Servais said. 'The thing with Taijuan is the secondary stuff, can he harness it, can he get it in the strike zone and be the complete pitcher, and doesn't get locked into one pitch. I'm excited for him to get that opportunity and I think he's ready for it.'
Friday will also be the home debut for Servais as manager. He won over many of his players and fans with a fiery display in Tuesday's 10-2 win when he yelled and pointed at the Texas bench after Chris Iannetta was hit by a pitch.
'I know the city is excited, a lot of change, a lot of good vibe around our organization,' Servais said. 'Rightly so, and I think they're going to like watching us play.'
The fans enjoyed watching them play the A's in 2015, as the Mariners went 13-6 in the series.
Nelson Cruz spurred that success, hitting .333 with five homers and 12 RBIs. A matchup against Surkamp will be favorable to the slugger, whose 14 homers against lefties last season were tied for the most in the majors and .357 average versus southpaws was fourth-best.
The A's opened 2016 by dropping three of four at home to the Chicago White Sox. Offense was their biggest problem as they scored 10 runs while batting .212 with six extra-base hits.
Mark Canha has hit Oakland's lone home run and went 3 for 3 with a homer against Walker last season.
Game: 1
Venue: Safeco Field
Date: April 08, 2016 10:10 PM EDT
SEATTLE (AP) - For the second straight season, young Seattle Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker will make his season debut against the Oakland Athletics.
Almost any result will be better than Walker's first start against the A's to begin last year. He gave up nine earned runs, nine hits and didn't make it through the fourth inning.
'I definitely want to go out there and have a good outing against them, because last year they got me pretty well. I guess a little payback this time,' Walker said.
The Mariners return to the Pacific Northwest on Friday night to kick off their home slate with a three-game series against the A's. Friday will include all pomp and circumstance of a traditional opening day - including new Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. throwing out the first pitch - plus some curiosity about this year's Mariners.
Can the power surge Seattle displayed in Texas, led by four home runs by Robinson Cano, continue at home?
The Mariners hit nine home runs in the three-game series in Texas, where Seattle won two of three and likely should have swept. Cano was the instigator of the power surge, becoming the 29th player in major league history to homer in each of the first three games of the season.
It'll be the task of Oakland lefty Eric Surkamp to try to slow the Mariners. Surkamp is replacing Felix Doubront, who suffered an elbow sprain in his final spring training start last week.
Surkamp appeared in one game last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing four runs in 3 1-3 innings, and his last start came in 2013 for San Francisco.
"At the beginning of the spring, we didn't see him in the rotation, but he earned it," manager Bob Melvin told MLB's official website.
He'll be opposed by Walker, who finished last season with an 11-8 mark and a 4.56 ERA. The Mariners didn't want to overwork his arm so he didn't pitch in late September after reaching 169 innings.
Walker admitted at times last season to pitching with the worry of being sent to the minors if he struggled, but said he's more comfortable with his position this year.
'I feel pretty good where I'm at right now,' Walker said. 'I know (James) Paxton's down there waiting, and he's really good and any time he can come up here. I know I have to go out there and get my work in, and pretty much do my job and do what I can to help my teammates.'
New Seattle manager Scott Servais said the key for Walker on Friday and throughout the season is going to be his secondary pitches and not always relying on his fastball.
'I think he will be juiced up, but I think you'll see a really good fastball,' Servais said. 'The thing with Taijuan is the secondary stuff, can he harness it, can he get it in the strike zone and be the complete pitcher, and doesn't get locked into one pitch. I'm excited for him to get that opportunity and I think he's ready for it.'
Friday will also be the home debut for Servais as manager. He won over many of his players and fans with a fiery display in Tuesday's 10-2 win when he yelled and pointed at the Texas bench after Chris Iannetta was hit by a pitch.
'I know the city is excited, a lot of change, a lot of good vibe around our organization,' Servais said. 'Rightly so, and I think they're going to like watching us play.'
The fans enjoyed watching them play the A's in 2015, as the Mariners went 13-6 in the series.
Nelson Cruz spurred that success, hitting .333 with five homers and 12 RBIs. A matchup against Surkamp will be favorable to the slugger, whose 14 homers against lefties last season were tied for the most in the majors and .357 average versus southpaws was fourth-best.
The A's opened 2016 by dropping three of four at home to the Chicago White Sox. Offense was their biggest problem as they scored 10 runs while batting .212 with six extra-base hits.
Mark Canha has hit Oakland's lone home run and went 3 for 3 with a homer against Walker last season.
Preview: Dodgers (3-0) at Giants (2-1)
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: April 08, 2016 10:15 PM EDT
If this year's first meeting between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers is any indication, the rivals could be in for a wild and entertaining season series.
After the Giants handed the visiting Dodgers their first defeat, the teams continue their four-game set Friday night.
'It's special,' said first-year Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts, who played for both teams, of the rivalry. 'It's real. These are two amazing franchises. Both teams need one another. They came over to the West Coast together. It's great for baseball.'
While the Dodgers (3-1) have claimed three straight NL West titles, San Francisco won three of the last six World Series - all in even years - and expects to be a contender again this season. After Los Angeles outscored San Diego 25-0 to sweep its opening three-game set, its 31-inning streak without yielding a run - one shy of the major league record to start a season - ended when the Giants (3-1) scored three times in the fifth Thursday and overcame a 4-0 deficit to win 12-6.
'You play all nine innings and you keep going no matter what,' said Hunter Pence, whose grand slam highlighted San Francisco's five-run eighth.
'Things turn around.'
Joe Panik had three hits and three RBIs for the Giants, who recorded 17 hits while scoring 12 runs for the second time this week.
'We can beat you in many different ways,' said Panik, who is 8 for 16 in his last four home games against the Dodgers. 'We never think that we're done.'
San Francisco likely needs to remain productive at the plate with Matt Cain on the mound. Various injuries have limited the veteran right-hander to 26 starts while going 4-11 with a 4.74 ERA the past two seasons.
Cain, who went 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three spring training starts, is 0-3 with a 5.27 ERA in his last five against the Dodgers but has not faced them since May 2014.
Yasiel Puig, 4 for 11 with two doubles and a home run against Cain, is 8 for 15 with two triples, a homer, six runs scored and four RBIs through four games.
Though Los Angeles pitchers were battered Thursday, it's hitters are batting .313 with 13 doubles thus far.
Adrian Gonzalez is 7 for 14 with three doubles and four RBIs, and hitting .400 with seven RBIs in his last nine against the Giants.
The Dodgers look to regroup on the mound while handing the ball to 26-year-old Ross Stripling, who makes his major league debut two years after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The right-hander, who never pitched in Triple-A, went 3-6 with a 3.66 ERA pitching for Double-A Tulsa and Class-A Great Lakes last year.
He beat out established major league pitchers Carlos Frias and Zach Lee for the fifth spot in the rotation.
'For me it's just kind of telling him to enjoy the moment, go out there and be himself and compete," Roberts said. "You're here because you belong here."
It appears Stripling won't have to face Buster Posey, who had three hits with two RBIs on Thursday, to start this contest as the veteran catcher is expected to be rested.
Game: 2
Venue: AT&T Park
Date: April 08, 2016 10:15 PM EDT
If this year's first meeting between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers is any indication, the rivals could be in for a wild and entertaining season series.
After the Giants handed the visiting Dodgers their first defeat, the teams continue their four-game set Friday night.
'It's special,' said first-year Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts, who played for both teams, of the rivalry. 'It's real. These are two amazing franchises. Both teams need one another. They came over to the West Coast together. It's great for baseball.'
While the Dodgers (3-1) have claimed three straight NL West titles, San Francisco won three of the last six World Series - all in even years - and expects to be a contender again this season. After Los Angeles outscored San Diego 25-0 to sweep its opening three-game set, its 31-inning streak without yielding a run - one shy of the major league record to start a season - ended when the Giants (3-1) scored three times in the fifth Thursday and overcame a 4-0 deficit to win 12-6.
'You play all nine innings and you keep going no matter what,' said Hunter Pence, whose grand slam highlighted San Francisco's five-run eighth.
'Things turn around.'
Joe Panik had three hits and three RBIs for the Giants, who recorded 17 hits while scoring 12 runs for the second time this week.
'We can beat you in many different ways,' said Panik, who is 8 for 16 in his last four home games against the Dodgers. 'We never think that we're done.'
San Francisco likely needs to remain productive at the plate with Matt Cain on the mound. Various injuries have limited the veteran right-hander to 26 starts while going 4-11 with a 4.74 ERA the past two seasons.
Cain, who went 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA in three spring training starts, is 0-3 with a 5.27 ERA in his last five against the Dodgers but has not faced them since May 2014.
Yasiel Puig, 4 for 11 with two doubles and a home run against Cain, is 8 for 15 with two triples, a homer, six runs scored and four RBIs through four games.
Though Los Angeles pitchers were battered Thursday, it's hitters are batting .313 with 13 doubles thus far.
Adrian Gonzalez is 7 for 14 with three doubles and four RBIs, and hitting .400 with seven RBIs in his last nine against the Giants.
The Dodgers look to regroup on the mound while handing the ball to 26-year-old Ross Stripling, who makes his major league debut two years after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The right-hander, who never pitched in Triple-A, went 3-6 with a 3.66 ERA pitching for Double-A Tulsa and Class-A Great Lakes last year.
He beat out established major league pitchers Carlos Frias and Zach Lee for the fifth spot in the rotation.
'For me it's just kind of telling him to enjoy the moment, go out there and be himself and compete," Roberts said. "You're here because you belong here."
It appears Stripling won't have to face Buster Posey, who had three hits with two RBIs on Thursday, to start this contest as the veteran catcher is expected to be rested.
Five to Follow MLB Betting: Friday, April 8, 2016, Opening Line Report
by Alan Matthews
The most interesting game on Friday's schedule? Believe it or not, It's probably Colorado's home opener against San Diego. Yes, those two teams are likely to finish in the bottom two spots of the NL West, but they have been big stories early this season. That's because the Padres were just shut out three straight games by the Dodgers. No team had ever gone scoreless over the first 27 innings of a season. The Padres had all of 11 hits with 28 strikeouts. Just an awful lineup. Meanwhile, Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story is the first player since 1900 to homer in each of his first three big-league games. He has four of them total, hitting two off Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke on Monday. Tuesday it was off Shelby Miller and Wednesday off Patrick Corbin -- so three pretty darn good pitchers.
Yankees at Tigers (-115, 8)
It's Detroit's home opener with a 1:10 p.m. ET start and the Tigers unveil their big offseason pitching acquisition in former Washington Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. He was one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League the past four seasons, making at least 32 starts in each and with an ERA no worse than 3.66. Really the only worry about the guy was he already had Tommy John surgery, but it was back in 2009 and it certainly hasn't seemed to affect him since. Zimmermann did beat the Yankees last season while with Washington, allowing two runs in seven innings. Didi Gregorius is 3-for-8 with a homer off him. It's Luis Severino for New York. He's the team's top pitching prospect and was 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 late-season starts in 2015. He didn't face the Tigers. They will get DH Victor Martinez back in the lineup here as he came off the bench in the two interleague games in Miami to start the week. And Martinez hit a pinch-hit homer in both games. Martinez is the first player since 1914 with a pinch-hit dinger in each of his team's first two games of a season.
Key trends: The Yankees are 0-4 in their past four road games. They are 1-5 in their past six series openers. The Tigers are 5-2 in their past seven after an off day. New York is 5-1 in the past six meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in four of the past five in Motown.
Early lean: Tigers and under.
Phillies at Mets (-215, 7.5)
Shown on the MLB Network. It's New York's home opener with another 1:10 p.m. ET first pitch. The Mets will raise/post/whatever their National League pennant banner before the game. I was reading somewhere this is the second-most expensive Opening Day ticket in the majors. New York's starter is expected to be Jacob deGrom, but his wife is expecting any day now and he will leave for Florida if it happens. DeGrom was 14-8 with a 2.54 ERA last year and great in three starts in the NL playoffs (not so good in his one World Series start). DeGrom was 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA in three starts vs. the Phillies last year. It's not clear who would start if deGrom is called away. It's likely to be either lefty Steven Matz or 90-year-old Bartolo Colon. The Phillies counter with Jerad Eickhoff. He was part of the haul acquired in the Cole Hamels trade from Texas last July and was 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA in eight starts with the Phillies as a rookie. He faced the Mets three times and was 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA. Michael Conforto was 4-for-8 with a homer off him.
Key trends: The Phillies are 4-13 in their past 17 series openers. The Mets are 5-0 in their past five on Friday. New York is 1-7 in its past eight vs. the NL East. The under is 5-1 in deGrom's past six at home. The Phillies are 3-13 in their past 16 at the Mets.
Early lean: Mets on runline if deGrom starts and under regardless.
Padres at Rockies (-145, 11)
Another matinee at 4:10 p.m. ET. By the way, the three Dodgers starting pitchers in that Padres series combined to go 2-for-9 (.222) with a homer at the plate. San Diego's lineup hit a combined .120 and obviously without an RBI. The Padres were outscored a combined 25-0. They face Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles here. He was limited to only 10 starts last season due to injury and was 2-5 with a 5.14 ERA. One of his best starts of the year was against San Diego, allowing one run in 6.2 innings. Matt Kemp is 3-for-8 with a homer off him. San Diego goes with Colin Rea. Last year as a rookie, he was 2-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 31.2 innings. His best start was his last, Sept. 8 vs. Colorado when he shut the Rockies out on two hits over seven innings. Rea did pitch one inning of relief against the Dodgers on Monday and allowed a run.
Key trends: The Padres are 1-5 in their past six road games. The Rockies are 8-3 in their past 11 series openers. But Colorado has dropped five straight Lyles series openers. The over is 5-1 in the past six meetings in Colorado.
Early lean: Rockies and under -- highest total of early season and I'm not sure Padres can still score much.
Rays at Orioles (+110, 8)
Tampa goes with ace Chris Archer in this series opener. He was pretty strong in Sunday's season opener against the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs and five hits in five innings and striking out a whopping 12 in a loss. Archer was already at 107 pitches through five and thus pulled. He became the first pitcher to whiff 12 batters on Opening Day since Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat in 2007. Chris Davis is 4-for-13 off Archer with a homer and five RBIs. Baltimore originally had scheduled Mike Wright here but has shuffled things up and will go with ace Chris Tillman. He pitched Opening Day against Minnesota and looked great early, shutting out the Twins over two innings and striking out five. However, a long rain delay then ended his night. The Orioles wanted to have their best guy against Archer instead of the fairly inexperienced Wright. Tillman wasn't great vs. Tampa last year, though, going 1-3 with a 4.79 ERA in six starts. Evan Longoria is a .327 hitter off him with six homers in 49 at-bats.
Key trends: The Rays are 3-7 in Archer's past 10 on the road. The Orioles are 4-1 in Tillman's past five starts. The O's are 1-4 in Tillman's past five vs. Tampa. The under is 8-0 in his past eight series openers.
Early lean: Rays and under.
Rangers at Angels (-125, 8.5)
I'm not a fan of either Texas or the LA Angels, but I'll be rooting personally for Rangers starter A.J. Griffin here. He was very good as a rookie in 2012 with Oakland and then went 14-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 2013 in 32 starts with the A's. He looked like a future star. But Griffin hasn't pitched in the majors since then due to Tommy John surgery in 2014 and a major shoulder injury last year. He was signed to a minor-league deal by Texas in December and has won the No. 5 spot in the rotation for now. Good for him. The Halos go with Matt Shoemaker. He was great in 2014, going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA and finishing second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. Last year, he was just 7-10 with a 4.46 ERA. He allowed three runs in 6.1 innings in his lone start vs. Texas. Shin-Soo Choo is 1-for-9 with five strikeouts off him but that hit was a homer. Shoemaker was rocked this spring so he might not be long for the rotation.
Key trends: The Angels are 7-1 in their past eight in Game 2 of a series. They are 2-9 in Shoemaker's past 11 at home. L.A. is 4-0 in his past four at home vs. Texas. The over is 7-3-2 in Shoemaker's past 12 vs. the AL West.
Early lean: Rangers and over.
by Alan Matthews
The most interesting game on Friday's schedule? Believe it or not, It's probably Colorado's home opener against San Diego. Yes, those two teams are likely to finish in the bottom two spots of the NL West, but they have been big stories early this season. That's because the Padres were just shut out three straight games by the Dodgers. No team had ever gone scoreless over the first 27 innings of a season. The Padres had all of 11 hits with 28 strikeouts. Just an awful lineup. Meanwhile, Rockies rookie shortstop Trevor Story is the first player since 1900 to homer in each of his first three big-league games. He has four of them total, hitting two off Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke on Monday. Tuesday it was off Shelby Miller and Wednesday off Patrick Corbin -- so three pretty darn good pitchers.
Yankees at Tigers (-115, 8)
It's Detroit's home opener with a 1:10 p.m. ET start and the Tigers unveil their big offseason pitching acquisition in former Washington Nationals right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. He was one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League the past four seasons, making at least 32 starts in each and with an ERA no worse than 3.66. Really the only worry about the guy was he already had Tommy John surgery, but it was back in 2009 and it certainly hasn't seemed to affect him since. Zimmermann did beat the Yankees last season while with Washington, allowing two runs in seven innings. Didi Gregorius is 3-for-8 with a homer off him. It's Luis Severino for New York. He's the team's top pitching prospect and was 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 late-season starts in 2015. He didn't face the Tigers. They will get DH Victor Martinez back in the lineup here as he came off the bench in the two interleague games in Miami to start the week. And Martinez hit a pinch-hit homer in both games. Martinez is the first player since 1914 with a pinch-hit dinger in each of his team's first two games of a season.
Key trends: The Yankees are 0-4 in their past four road games. They are 1-5 in their past six series openers. The Tigers are 5-2 in their past seven after an off day. New York is 5-1 in the past six meetings. The "over/under" has gone under in four of the past five in Motown.
Early lean: Tigers and under.
Phillies at Mets (-215, 7.5)
Shown on the MLB Network. It's New York's home opener with another 1:10 p.m. ET first pitch. The Mets will raise/post/whatever their National League pennant banner before the game. I was reading somewhere this is the second-most expensive Opening Day ticket in the majors. New York's starter is expected to be Jacob deGrom, but his wife is expecting any day now and he will leave for Florida if it happens. DeGrom was 14-8 with a 2.54 ERA last year and great in three starts in the NL playoffs (not so good in his one World Series start). DeGrom was 1-0 with a 4.41 ERA in three starts vs. the Phillies last year. It's not clear who would start if deGrom is called away. It's likely to be either lefty Steven Matz or 90-year-old Bartolo Colon. The Phillies counter with Jerad Eickhoff. He was part of the haul acquired in the Cole Hamels trade from Texas last July and was 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA in eight starts with the Phillies as a rookie. He faced the Mets three times and was 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA. Michael Conforto was 4-for-8 with a homer off him.
Key trends: The Phillies are 4-13 in their past 17 series openers. The Mets are 5-0 in their past five on Friday. New York is 1-7 in its past eight vs. the NL East. The under is 5-1 in deGrom's past six at home. The Phillies are 3-13 in their past 16 at the Mets.
Early lean: Mets on runline if deGrom starts and under regardless.
Padres at Rockies (-145, 11)
Another matinee at 4:10 p.m. ET. By the way, the three Dodgers starting pitchers in that Padres series combined to go 2-for-9 (.222) with a homer at the plate. San Diego's lineup hit a combined .120 and obviously without an RBI. The Padres were outscored a combined 25-0. They face Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles here. He was limited to only 10 starts last season due to injury and was 2-5 with a 5.14 ERA. One of his best starts of the year was against San Diego, allowing one run in 6.2 innings. Matt Kemp is 3-for-8 with a homer off him. San Diego goes with Colin Rea. Last year as a rookie, he was 2-2 with a 4.26 ERA in 31.2 innings. His best start was his last, Sept. 8 vs. Colorado when he shut the Rockies out on two hits over seven innings. Rea did pitch one inning of relief against the Dodgers on Monday and allowed a run.
Key trends: The Padres are 1-5 in their past six road games. The Rockies are 8-3 in their past 11 series openers. But Colorado has dropped five straight Lyles series openers. The over is 5-1 in the past six meetings in Colorado.
Early lean: Rockies and under -- highest total of early season and I'm not sure Padres can still score much.
Rays at Orioles (+110, 8)
Tampa goes with ace Chris Archer in this series opener. He was pretty strong in Sunday's season opener against the Blue Jays, allowing two earned runs and five hits in five innings and striking out a whopping 12 in a loss. Archer was already at 107 pitches through five and thus pulled. He became the first pitcher to whiff 12 batters on Opening Day since Felix Hernandez accomplished the feat in 2007. Chris Davis is 4-for-13 off Archer with a homer and five RBIs. Baltimore originally had scheduled Mike Wright here but has shuffled things up and will go with ace Chris Tillman. He pitched Opening Day against Minnesota and looked great early, shutting out the Twins over two innings and striking out five. However, a long rain delay then ended his night. The Orioles wanted to have their best guy against Archer instead of the fairly inexperienced Wright. Tillman wasn't great vs. Tampa last year, though, going 1-3 with a 4.79 ERA in six starts. Evan Longoria is a .327 hitter off him with six homers in 49 at-bats.
Key trends: The Rays are 3-7 in Archer's past 10 on the road. The Orioles are 4-1 in Tillman's past five starts. The O's are 1-4 in Tillman's past five vs. Tampa. The under is 8-0 in his past eight series openers.
Early lean: Rays and under.
Rangers at Angels (-125, 8.5)
I'm not a fan of either Texas or the LA Angels, but I'll be rooting personally for Rangers starter A.J. Griffin here. He was very good as a rookie in 2012 with Oakland and then went 14-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 2013 in 32 starts with the A's. He looked like a future star. But Griffin hasn't pitched in the majors since then due to Tommy John surgery in 2014 and a major shoulder injury last year. He was signed to a minor-league deal by Texas in December and has won the No. 5 spot in the rotation for now. Good for him. The Halos go with Matt Shoemaker. He was great in 2014, going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA and finishing second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. Last year, he was just 7-10 with a 4.46 ERA. He allowed three runs in 6.1 innings in his lone start vs. Texas. Shin-Soo Choo is 1-for-9 with five strikeouts off him but that hit was a homer. Shoemaker was rocked this spring so he might not be long for the rotation.
Key trends: The Angels are 7-1 in their past eight in Game 2 of a series. They are 2-9 in Shoemaker's past 11 at home. L.A. is 4-0 in his past four at home vs. Texas. The over is 7-3-2 in Shoemaker's past 12 vs. the AL West.
Early lean: Rangers and over.
StatFox Super Situations
MLB | ST LOUIS at ATLANTA
Play Against - Any team (ATLANTA) after 2 straight losses by 2 runs or less against opponent after a loss by 4 runs or more
189-129 since 1997. ( 59.4% | 65.6 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends
MLB | TEXAS at LA ANGELS
TEXAS is 47-37 (+27.0 Units) against the money line in Road games in road games over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.3) , OPPONENT (4.3)
MLB | ST LOUIS at ATLANTA
Play Against - Any team (ATLANTA) after 2 straight losses by 2 runs or less against opponent after a loss by 4 runs or more
189-129 since 1997. ( 59.4% | 65.6 units )
StatFox Situational Power Trends
MLB | TEXAS at LA ANGELS
TEXAS is 47-37 (+27.0 Units) against the money line in Road games in road games over the last 2 seasons.
The average score was: TEXAS (4.3) , OPPONENT (4.3)
National League games
Phillies @ Mets
Eickhoff is 2-0, 0.96 in his last four starts; four of his last six starts stayed under. He is 1-2, 2.70 in three starts against the Mets.
deGrom is 3-1, 2.88 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. He is 2-0, 3.34 in five starts against Philly.
Phillies are 0-3, outscored 19-8 in Cincinnati; they were 5-14 against the Mets LY. Mets split their first two games, scoring six runs.
Padres @ Rockies
Rea is 2-2, 4.55 in six MLB starts (over 4-2). He blanked Colorado for seven innings in his only start against them LY.
Lyles is 1-4, 8.14 in his last six starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. he is 2-3, 5.40 in seven starts against San Diego.
San Diego was outscored 25-0 by the Dodgers in its first three games. Colorado won two of first three games, scoring 20 runs. Padres were 12-7 vs Colorado LY.
Pirates @ Reds
Liriano is 4-0, 2.65 in his last six starts; over is 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts. Liriano was 1-0, 3.00 in three starts against the Reds LY.
Simon is 0-3, 6.20 in his last three starts. He is 4-5, 3.60 in 20 games (six starts) vs Pittsburgh in his career.
Reds/Pirates both won their first three games. Reds were 11-8 vs Pittsburgh LY.
Cardinals @ Braves
Garcia is 2-3, 5.97 in his last six starts; three of his last four stayed under the total. He is 2-1, 4.04 in six career starts against the Braves.
Wisler is 3-0, 1.19 in his last three starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. He was 2-0, 1.15 against the Cardinals LY.
St Louis lost its first three games, outscored 15-7. Braves lost their first two games, scoring a total of four runs. Atlanta was 4-2 against the Cardinals LY.
Cubs @ Diamondbacks
Hammel is 1-2, 6.75 in his last four starts; starts vs Arizona. He is 2-2, 4.22 in four career starts at Chase Field.
Ray is 2-1, 3.12 in his last five starts; starts against the Cubs. He is 0-1, 3.60 in one start against the Cubs.
Chicago won first three games outscoring foes 29-7. Arizona lost three of its first four games this season. Cubs were 4-2 against Arizona LY.
Dodgers @ Giants
Stripling is making his MLB debut here.
Cain is 0-2, 4.50 in his last three starts; over is 6-0-2 in his last eight. He is 5-11, 3.49 in 30 career starts against the Giants.
Dodgers, Giants both won three of their first four games. Giants are 12-8 in last 20 games in this great rivalry.
Phillies @ Mets
Eickhoff is 2-0, 0.96 in his last four starts; four of his last six starts stayed under. He is 1-2, 2.70 in three starts against the Mets.
deGrom is 3-1, 2.88 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. He is 2-0, 3.34 in five starts against Philly.
Phillies are 0-3, outscored 19-8 in Cincinnati; they were 5-14 against the Mets LY. Mets split their first two games, scoring six runs.
Padres @ Rockies
Rea is 2-2, 4.55 in six MLB starts (over 4-2). He blanked Colorado for seven innings in his only start against them LY.
Lyles is 1-4, 8.14 in his last six starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. he is 2-3, 5.40 in seven starts against San Diego.
San Diego was outscored 25-0 by the Dodgers in its first three games. Colorado won two of first three games, scoring 20 runs. Padres were 12-7 vs Colorado LY.
Pirates @ Reds
Liriano is 4-0, 2.65 in his last six starts; over is 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts. Liriano was 1-0, 3.00 in three starts against the Reds LY.
Simon is 0-3, 6.20 in his last three starts. He is 4-5, 3.60 in 20 games (six starts) vs Pittsburgh in his career.
Reds/Pirates both won their first three games. Reds were 11-8 vs Pittsburgh LY.
Cardinals @ Braves
Garcia is 2-3, 5.97 in his last six starts; three of his last four stayed under the total. He is 2-1, 4.04 in six career starts against the Braves.
Wisler is 3-0, 1.19 in his last three starts; four of his last five starts stayed under. He was 2-0, 1.15 against the Cardinals LY.
St Louis lost its first three games, outscored 15-7. Braves lost their first two games, scoring a total of four runs. Atlanta was 4-2 against the Cardinals LY.
Cubs @ Diamondbacks
Hammel is 1-2, 6.75 in his last four starts; starts vs Arizona. He is 2-2, 4.22 in four career starts at Chase Field.
Ray is 2-1, 3.12 in his last five starts; starts against the Cubs. He is 0-1, 3.60 in one start against the Cubs.
Chicago won first three games outscoring foes 29-7. Arizona lost three of its first four games this season. Cubs were 4-2 against Arizona LY.
Dodgers @ Giants
Stripling is making his MLB debut here.
Cain is 0-2, 4.50 in his last three starts; over is 6-0-2 in his last eight. He is 5-11, 3.49 in 30 career starts against the Giants.
Dodgers, Giants both won three of their first four games. Giants are 12-8 in last 20 games in this great rivalry.
American League games
Bronx @ Tigers
Severino is 2-0, 2.19 in his last four starts; five of his last seven starts stayed under.
Zimmerman is 1-2, 5.34 in his last five starts; six of his last nine starts went under.
Bronx won its last two games, scoring 24 runs. Detroit won both its games down in Miami, scoring 15 runs. Bronx was 5-2 against the Tigers LY. .
Indians @ White Sox
Anderson is 5-0, 1.09 in his last five starts; his last four starts went over the total. He won his only start vs Chicago, allowing one run in 6.2 IP.
Danks is 0-3, 5.48 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts went over. He was 0-3, 6.43 in three starts vs Cleveland LY.
White Sox won three of first four games. Indians split their first two games; LY they were 9-10 against the Pale Hose LY.
Rays @ Orioles
Archer is 0-4, 6.00 in his last seven starts; he was 1-2, 3.04 in four starts against the Orioles LY. Over is 7-1-1 in his last nine starts.
Tillman is 2-0, 3.05 in his last four starts; he was 1-3, 4.79 in six starts against Tampa Bay last season.
Rays split first four games, winning last two while allowing five runs. Baltimore won three straight against the Twins: 3-2/4-2/4-2. O’s were 10-9 vs the Rays last year.
Red Sox @ Blue Jays
Porcello is 1-3, 4.82 in his last four starts (under 3-1). He was 2-2, 6.45 in six starts against Toronto LY.
Stroman is 6-0, 2.98 in his last eight starts; his last five starts went over. He is 4-0, 1.2 in four career starts against Boston.
Boston split its first two games, Toronto split its first four, losing last two while coring total of five runs. Red Sox were 10-9 against Toronto LY.
Twins @ Royals
Santana is 5-1, 1.73 in his last seven starts; three of his last four starts stayed under. He was 0-1, 2.40 in two starts against the Royals LY.
Ventura is 0-2, 6.43 in his last five starts; three of his last four starts went over total. He was 1-1, 3.65 against the Twins LY.
Minnesota got swept three straight in Baltimore, scoring two runs in each game. KC split its first two games. LY, Royals were 12-7 against Minnesota. .
Rangers @ Angels
Griffin is 4-1, 3.75 in his last six starts; five of his last seven starts went over total. He is 2-2, 2.81 in five career starts against the Angels. .
Shoemaker is 2-1, 2.50 in his last three starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. He is 4-0, 2.39 in four career starts against Texas.
Angels lost two of their first three games. Rangers lost their last three games, allowing a total of 23 runs. Angels are 13-7 in last 20 games against Texas.
A’s @ Mariners
Surkamp is 2-3, 7.67 in seven career starts, with Giants in 2011, 13.
Walker is 3-1, 4.71 in his last five starts; six of hislast eight starts went over. He has an 0-1, 7.71 mark in four games (two starts) vs Oakland.
Oakland lost three of first four games; Mariners won two of first three, scoring 19 runs in last two games. A’s were 6-13 against Seattle LY.
Interleague
Astros @ Brewers
Feldman is 1-0, 1.40 in his last four starts (under 3-1). He is 2-1, 2.12 in three career starts against Milwaukee.
Anderson is 0-1, 4.44 in his lst five starts; his last three starts stayed under. This is his first outing against Houston.
Houston, Milwaukee both lost two of their first three games. .
Bronx @ Tigers
Severino is 2-0, 2.19 in his last four starts; five of his last seven starts stayed under.
Zimmerman is 1-2, 5.34 in his last five starts; six of his last nine starts went under.
Bronx won its last two games, scoring 24 runs. Detroit won both its games down in Miami, scoring 15 runs. Bronx was 5-2 against the Tigers LY. .
Indians @ White Sox
Anderson is 5-0, 1.09 in his last five starts; his last four starts went over the total. He won his only start vs Chicago, allowing one run in 6.2 IP.
Danks is 0-3, 5.48 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts went over. He was 0-3, 6.43 in three starts vs Cleveland LY.
White Sox won three of first four games. Indians split their first two games; LY they were 9-10 against the Pale Hose LY.
Rays @ Orioles
Archer is 0-4, 6.00 in his last seven starts; he was 1-2, 3.04 in four starts against the Orioles LY. Over is 7-1-1 in his last nine starts.
Tillman is 2-0, 3.05 in his last four starts; he was 1-3, 4.79 in six starts against Tampa Bay last season.
Rays split first four games, winning last two while allowing five runs. Baltimore won three straight against the Twins: 3-2/4-2/4-2. O’s were 10-9 vs the Rays last year.
Red Sox @ Blue Jays
Porcello is 1-3, 4.82 in his last four starts (under 3-1). He was 2-2, 6.45 in six starts against Toronto LY.
Stroman is 6-0, 2.98 in his last eight starts; his last five starts went over. He is 4-0, 1.2 in four career starts against Boston.
Boston split its first two games, Toronto split its first four, losing last two while coring total of five runs. Red Sox were 10-9 against Toronto LY.
Twins @ Royals
Santana is 5-1, 1.73 in his last seven starts; three of his last four starts stayed under. He was 0-1, 2.40 in two starts against the Royals LY.
Ventura is 0-2, 6.43 in his last five starts; three of his last four starts went over total. He was 1-1, 3.65 against the Twins LY.
Minnesota got swept three straight in Baltimore, scoring two runs in each game. KC split its first two games. LY, Royals were 12-7 against Minnesota. .
Rangers @ Angels
Griffin is 4-1, 3.75 in his last six starts; five of his last seven starts went over total. He is 2-2, 2.81 in five career starts against the Angels. .
Shoemaker is 2-1, 2.50 in his last three starts; over is 3-1-1 in his last five. He is 4-0, 2.39 in four career starts against Texas.
Angels lost two of their first three games. Rangers lost their last three games, allowing a total of 23 runs. Angels are 13-7 in last 20 games against Texas.
A’s @ Mariners
Surkamp is 2-3, 7.67 in seven career starts, with Giants in 2011, 13.
Walker is 3-1, 4.71 in his last five starts; six of hislast eight starts went over. He has an 0-1, 7.71 mark in four games (two starts) vs Oakland.
Oakland lost three of first four games; Mariners won two of first three, scoring 19 runs in last two games. A’s were 6-13 against Seattle LY.
Interleague
Astros @ Brewers
Feldman is 1-0, 1.40 in his last four starts (under 3-1). He is 2-1, 2.12 in three career starts against Milwaukee.
Anderson is 0-1, 4.44 in his lst five starts; his last three starts stayed under. This is his first outing against Houston.
Houston, Milwaukee both lost two of their first three games. .
Josh Donaldson (calf) is back in the Blue Jays' lineup on Friday versus the Red Sox.
Donaldson exited Wednesday's loss to the Rays due to a strained calf. He's in the designated hitter spot Friday in order to protect the calf as much as possible, but fantasy owners will take it as long as his bat is in there. Darwin Barney is at third base, Edwin Encarnacion is at first and Chris Colabello and Justin Smoak are on the bench.
Donaldson exited Wednesday's loss to the Rays due to a strained calf. He's in the designated hitter spot Friday in order to protect the calf as much as possible, but fantasy owners will take it as long as his bat is in there. Darwin Barney is at third base, Edwin Encarnacion is at first and Chris Colabello and Justin Smoak are on the bench.
Adam Jones (rib cage) is not in the Orioles' lineup Friday but expects to return sometime over the weekend.
Jones also insisted that the injury he's dealing with is to his rib cage and not oblique. He's feeling much better Friday and thinks he just needs another day or two of rest. Joey Rickard is in center field in Jones' place, while Nolan Reimold is handling left. J.J. Hardy is also getting a day off for the O's, as Manny Machado is at shortstop and Ryan Flaherty is at third base.
Jones also insisted that the injury he's dealing with is to his rib cage and not oblique. He's feeling much better Friday and thinks he just needs another day or two of rest. Joey Rickard is in center field in Jones' place, while Nolan Reimold is handling left. J.J. Hardy is also getting a day off for the O's, as Manny Machado is at shortstop and Ryan Flaherty is at third base.
