# MLB: March/April 2018 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [March 29, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387 "2018-03-29T01:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/1 "2018-03-29T01:43:00Z")
Welcome to a new season. All 30 teams have an equal shot on Opening Day! _cough_ But seriously: how are you feeling about your team as we begin another long year toward October? Here’s [an ESPN article](http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/powerrankings_2018preseason/ranking-mlb-teams-ahead-2018-season) with power rankings to get you going. Oddly enough, I’ll be at Marlins Park this Opening Day. I heard a snippet on a Miami radio station this afternoon with the DJ openly mocking the team and the fact that tickets for tomorrow are still easy to get (I can verify that was true). I’m very interested to see the locals’ reactions to the new ownership. Meanwhile, my Dodgers and Indians are both mostly unchanged from last season, and still poised to be near the top of the pile. I’m content and excited about baseball again. BASEBALL. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/2 "2018-03-29T02:48:19Z")
It’s a good time to be an Astros fan. There haven’t been a whole lot of those, so I’ll take it. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/3 "2018-03-29T02:57:03Z")
I’m thinking that I’m smart for taking this week off from work. Not only did I get to see a good friend earlier this week, I also get to watch opening day on TV. Heck, I should have flown to Florida. I’ve only been to one opening day and that was back in 2012 for the D-Backs. I’ll never attend opening day in Chicago, just too unpredictable of weather and sky high ticket prices, early season games at Wrigley can be hell. ---
**Author:** ![nachtmusick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ac91a4/32.png) [@nachtmusick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nachtmusick)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/4 "2018-03-29T03:37:50Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Meanwhile, my Dodgers and Indians are both mostly unchanged from last season, and still poised to be near the top of the pile. I’m content and excited about baseball again. > > BASEBALL. Have fun at Chavez Latrine: > **[Dodger Stadium flooded with sewage after pipe bursts](https://abc7.com/dodgers-sewage-leak-dodger-stadium-angles/3271581/)** > > A pipe broke at Dodger Stadium Tuesday, flooding the field with sewage and putting a premature end to the final preseason game. Now that’s some foul territory. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/5 "2018-03-29T06:22:47Z")
Play Ball! Paid the MLBTV dues. Gonna drink beer and eat hot dogs! All day! ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/6 "2018-03-29T11:25:15Z")
Woo, baseball is back! I think the dodgers are looking good and aside from the IT injury seen to be starting out healthy and with lots of depth. Im asst least expecting them to win the division. I’m back going to Coors Field this year and looking forward to the non shitty Rockies. Hopefully the boys in blue will have a winning record against them this year. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/7 "2018-03-29T11:32:22Z")
It’s here! It’s finally here! Our long dark winter is over! BASEBAAAAAAAALL! ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/8 "2018-03-29T12:03:27Z")
I’ll be making my annual pilgrimage to the Mecca that sits at 1060 W Addison sometime this summer. Living about an hour or so from Cincinnati, I’ll probably head that way a time or two, as well. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/9 "2018-03-29T13:51:28Z")
Happy New Year! Anything less than a Yankee world championship will be a major disappointment. Speaking of disappointment, what’s up with MLB Network taking a complete pass on opening day? Surely between them, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and your local network we should be up to our ears in games today. Nope. Two games on ESPN plus your local network. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/10 "2018-03-29T14:24:44Z")
BASEBALL! BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL BASEBALL BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASEBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! Hey guys you know what today is? Ya know? Ya know? It’s BASEBALL! Baseball is back! BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL I’ll tell you what I like is BASEBALL! Lots and lots and lots of baseball, baseball every day, baseball all day. I like baseball on TV and on the radio and live. I like reading about baseball and playing baseball and watching baseball and listening to baseball and that makes today great 'cause BASEBALL is back, lots and lots and baseball, and the more baseball the better, 'cause BASEBALL. Gimme baseball, a whole lotta baseball. Today’s the day for baseball, as every day should be 'cause baseball is the best, but today is special because it’s been way too long since BASEBALL! BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL BASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALLBASEBALL What do I like about baseball, you ask? Let me tell you, I like a lot of things about baseball; I like ballparks and home runs and stolen bases and hot dogs and baseball diamonds and baseball shows and baseball books and the crack of the bat! I like extra innings and pitchouts and bullpens and popcorn and Hall of Fame arguments and role players and superstars and relief pitchers and slides and foul balls and souvenirs and cheering crowds and scoreboards! If it’s a part of baseball I like it, 'cause BASEBALL IS BACK AND I LOVE BASEBALL. This year 2430 regular season games are scheduled. Not enough. I want 24,300 and 243,000 would be better still because the only thing better than baseball is MORE BASEBALL and the only thing better than more baseball is MORE BASEBALL THAN THAT. Gimme baseball, all the baseball! BASEBALL! ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/11 "2018-03-29T14:35:00Z")
So…the Giants start the season with one proven Major League pitcher in their rotation, their closer [might literally have a dead arm](https://mlblogsmoresplashhits.wordpress.com/2018/03/28/mark-melancon-might-open-the-season-the-dl-and-heres-what-that-should-have-you-very-alarmed/), and their starting outfield is a combined 96 years old. Still, the standings say they’re tied for first in their division right now, and their Opening Day starting pitcher [owns Clayton Kershaw at the plate](https://www.mlb.com/cut4/giants-pitcher-ty-blach-pretty-much-owns-clayton-kershaw/c-226520816). Magic Number 162…Let’s Play Ball! ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/12 "2018-03-29T15:31:18Z")
[Happy Opening Day, Everyone!!!](https://youtu.be/04KQydlJ-qc) ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/13 "2018-03-29T16:02:19Z")
The Mets are batting Noah Syndergaard eighth today but I’ll worry about that later. LET’S GO METS! ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/14 "2018-03-29T16:45:17Z")
Cubs start the season with a homerun by the leadoff batter! ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/15 "2018-03-29T16:55:13Z")
Doggone, Rusty Staub died today. In my opinion, an underrated player with the misfortune to have played for some pretty poor teams. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/16 "2018-03-29T17:03:35Z")
One of the oddest first innings I’ve ever seen. First pitch homerun and 3 hit batters, 2 with the bases loaded. Cubs lead 3-0 ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/17 "2018-03-29T17:19:28Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Cubs start the season with a homerun by the leadoff batter! How apt. I was just reading a [538 article](https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/juiced-baseballs/) from last month about juiced baseballs. I knew home runs were up (duh) but I didn’t realize how dramatically. For all of MLB: 2014: 4,186 2017: 6,105 :eek: I wonder what it will be this year. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/18 "2018-03-29T17:49:47Z")
Kyle Schwarber has just again proved that he’s the worst fielding outfielder in the major leagues. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/19 "2018-03-29T18:00:33Z")
2 hours to go we have good seats about 10 rows in by 3rd base. Beer and hot dogs here we come. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387/20 "2018-03-29T19:34:01Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Cubs start the season with a homerun by the leadoff batter! Not just that, and not just with the first pitch of the game, but the first pitch of the entire MLB season. I think that’s the second time this has happened in MLB history - at least, that we know about; Dwight Evans did the same thing for Boston with the first pitch of the 1986 season. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-march-april-2018/811387.md?page=2)