Top News:
Jeff Wilson / Foul Territory:
Rangers, Red Sox set Opening Day lineups — Mike Napoli will be the Rangers' first baseman and Michael Young will be the designated hitter Opening Day against the Red Sox. Julio Borbon will be the starter in center field. — Manager Ron Washington said he wanted to put Young at first …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Baseball Time in Arlington and Lone Star Ball
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Michael Rezendes / Boston Globe:
City questions Sox plan for mixed drinks
Discussion:
Boston Globe, IT IS HIGH! and HardballTalk
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Francona releases Red Sox lineup
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Boston Globe
Jim Armstrong / Denver Post:
Carlos Gonzalez among MLB's best five-tool players — Every five-tool major-leaguer has the same talents and, it turns out, almost the same short shelf life. For the most part, being a five-tool player — hitting for average, hitting with power, running, fielding and throwing — is a 20s thing.
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Mark Kiszla / Denver Post:
Rockies' non-stars will determine how season goes — In pursuit of truth, rising Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki needed to pose a tough question to Albert Pujols, three-time MVP of the National League. — Does the best hitter on the planet fear failure? — The answer might keep you awake nights, worried about monsters under the bed.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Mets' Mike Pelfrey gets his chance on Opening Day to prove he can be the ace with Johan Santana out — MIAMI - Mike Pelfrey grew as a pitcher and person last year, managed a midsummer slump and became the Mets' de facto ace when Johan Santana suffered a serious shoulder injury in September.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Dodgers Beat World Series Champion Giants 2-1 — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw struck out nine in seven dominant innings and Matt Kemp scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by catcher Buster Posey in the sixth, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory …
Discussion:
Hardball Times, True Blue LA, Batter's Box Interactive …, Yahoo! Sports and USA Today
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Charlie Manuel tweaks Phillies opening-day lineup — Ninety-four times last season, Charlie Manuel changed the batting order of his lineup. Injuries, ineffectiveness, and indecision prompted a new combination regularly. Yet his starting eight was arranged in exactly the same way for Game 1 as it was in Game 162.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Weeks, Gomez hit back-to-back jacks — CINCINNATI — Sure, the Brewers were bummed about Zack Greinke's place on the Opening Day disabled list. But they showed Thursday how they'll try to get by in his absence. — Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez delivered back-to-back home runs in the Brewers …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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John Hickey / Seattle Mariners:
Why Ichiro wants to be a Mariner into his 40s — Ichiro Suzuki starts his second decade with the Mariners Friday night in Oakland. / Getty Images — OAKLAND - Upon the first pitch to him from the A's Trevor Cahill at 7:07 p.m. Friday night, Ichiro Suzuki will start his 20th season in professional baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Dye ‘at peace’ with decision to retire — In each of the past two offseasons, Jermaine Dye expressed frustration that no team would offer him a contract that he deemed suitable. — But Dye, upon informing FOXSports.com of his retirement Thursday, said he was “at peace” with his decision to end his career at age 37.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Hunter, Mathis Homer as Weaver, Angels Beat KC 4-2 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Torii Hunter and Jeff Mathis homered, helping Jered Weaver and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 Thursday in a chilly season opener. — Weaver allowed two harmless singles to Melky Cabrera …
Discussion:
Royals Review
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
League to close; Langerhans in center field — Closer role could change; outfielder's spring nets starting job — OAKLAND — On the eve of his team's Opening Day debut against the A's, Mariners manager Eric Wedge made two things official Thursday. Brandon League will serve as closer …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Associated Press:
Maybin home run saves Padres; Pujols 0-for-5 — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Cameron Maybin tied it with a two-out homer in the ninth inning and grounded a single that led to the go-ahead run in the 11th Thursday as the San Diego Padres opened with a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Buehrle not worried about 2012 and beyond — CLEVELAND — Mark Buehrle's franchise-record ninth Opening Day start with the White Sox also could be his last one thrown for the South Siders. The talented southpaw is playing in the final season of a four-year, $56 million extension.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
