Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
On Day 1, a 2011 echo — Sox rally in opener, then fall to Tigers in 9th — Alfredo Aceves walked off after surrendering the winning hit as the Tigers celebrated behind him. Coverage, C1. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) — Jonathan Papelbon was in Pittsburgh, setting down the Pirates 1-2-3 …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Tigers Overcome Valverde Slip, Beat Red Sox 3-2 — DETROIT (AP) — Jose Valverde figured this day was coming. At some point, the jovial closer was finally going to blow a save and end a streak that dated to 2010. — When he gave up a ninth-inning lead Thursday in Detroit's season opener against Boston …
Clark Spencer / MiamiHerald.com:
Lance Berkman: Marlins Park too spacious for homers — CINCINNATI — Cardinals first baseman Lance Berkman predicted to reporters Wednesday that hitting a home run at Marlins Park is so difficult that one day soon they will have to shorten the distance to the fences.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Cueto leads Reds over Marlins 4-0 — CINCINNATI—Jay Bruce homered and drove in a pair of runs, and Johnny Cueto dominated in his first opening-day start, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday before one of their biggest crowds.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Volquez Walks in 2 Runs, Loses Padres Debut — SAN DIEGO (AP) — It wasn't a great day for starting pitchers at Petco Park, especially for San Diego's Edinson Volquez. — Volquez walked in the Los Angeles Dodgers' first two runs and the Padres went on to a 5-3 loss on Thursday.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Kirk Nieuwenhuis expected to join Mets — Kirk Nieuwenhuis is expected to join the Mets when Andres Torres is placed on the disabled list on Saturday, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. — Torres strained his calf muscle chasing a ball in the right-centerfield gap during today's game, forcing him to exit early.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: Kirk debut expected Saturday
Source: Kirk debut expected Saturday
Discussion:
NY Daily News, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue, New York Times, HardballTalk and MetsBlog.com
Roger Mooney / Boston Herald:
Offense the big question mark as Rays start season — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The starting rotation is very good, among the very best in the game. The defense was the best in the league last season. Together, those two are capable of carrying the Tampa Bay Rays to another trip to the postseason.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Associated Press
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs interested in Nationals lefty John Lannan — Geovany Soto congratulates Ian Stewart (left), who scored the Cubs' lone run on Marlon Byrd's single in the fourth inning. John J. Kim~Sun-Times — The Cubs aren't done putting together their early-season roster.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Baseball Nation and HardballTalk
Kate Shellnutt / Houston Chronicle:
Astros' season opener a holy day for area Christians, Jews — Photo: Brett Coomer / © 2012 Houston Chronicle — The Astros' opening day is among the holiest on the calendar for faithful baseball fans, full of hot dogs and hope for a new season, but this year, it falls on two actual holy days …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
White Sox To Sign Kip Wells — We'll keep track of the day's minor moves right here... - The White Sox agreed to sign right-hander Kip Wells to a minor league deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Wells, 34, last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2009.
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
Will Graves / Associated Press:
Halladay cruises, Phillies beat Pirates 1-0 — PITTSBURGH—If only Roy Halladay and the Philadelphia Phillies had gotten this 1-0 win last October. — Halladay was nearly flawless for eight innings Thursday and the Phillies showed off their pitching from the start, opening a new season by edging the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Blogging Baseball
RELATED:
Larry Granillo / Baseball Prospectus:
It's Groundhog Day, Bob. Who're You Gonna Call? — Look for an “Opening Day(s)” Tater Trot Tracker post this weekend. Before I get a chance at that, though, I couldn't pass up the brilliance that occurred this afternoon at Wrigley Field. — As is fairly typical for the first game of the season …
Globe and Mail:
Blue Jays triumph in longest opening day game in baseball history — J.P. Arencibia's three-run homer in the 16th inning sent the Toronto Blue Jays to a 7-4 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday in the longest opening-day game in major league history. — Arencibia was for 6 …
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com