MLB Season is Underway

March 30th, 2014 was considered Opening Night among the MLB. The featured game on ESPN was between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The outcome of this game was a 3-1 win by the Padres. They were held scoreless until the 8th inning when newly acquired pitcher, Brian Wilson, came in and gave up the long ball to Seth Smith. This homer started their rally. Even though last night was considered Opening Night, the Dodgers already had two games under their belt. They played the Arizona Diamondbacks in a short two game series.

 Today, March 31st, is Opening Day. Some people would consider this a national holiday because of the impact the sport has on our country. This is a strong case for people to try and take off work to watch what they have been waiting 5 months to see. After all of the off-season moves, this year's Opening Day could be one of the most interesting of the decade. We will see how the new players mesh with their team in a real-game environment. Please enjoy watching your favorite team take the field today on this unofficial National Holiday. Game on!

Turmoil and the Tigers

Max Scherzer has reportedly declined a contract from the Detroit Tigers. What would some reasons be why he declined making near $24 million a year? Or how about for the Tigers, is Max Scherzer, reigning AL Cy Young winner worth that much? In my opinion, Max believes he is one of the best pitchers in the league. He is a solid pitcher who could be a number one on many rosters. Not in the Tigers rotation though. Even though Scherzer won 21 games last year, he has only won more than 15 games one other year. I would not pay a pitcher, who could easily end their career with one pitch, top dollar when they have averaged just 12.1 wins per year. I do not see Max winning more than 18 games this year along with an earned run average above 3.5. By Max declining this deal I feel as if the Tigers are in a better position to bargain as the season goes on. If he has a poor season, he will not be worth how much he thought he was. The Tigers will not offer him $24 million a year and he will most likely re-sign with the Tigers for close to that amount. If, by chance, he has another break-out year, he could be on the move. I feel like his odds of only losing 3 games again and producing the eye-popping numbers that he mounted last season are highly unlikely. The Doug Fister trade could, in turn come back to bite the Tigers in the paws at the end of this season. With Bruce Rondon going down right now, I do not picture the Tigers trying to move Scherzer before the trade deadline. The team right now is on damage control. They need to try and stop the bleeding before it turns to a point of no return. Max has to be a vital point in this defense otherwise the Tigers will be back to the same old mantra: "there's always next year."