MLB Opening Day

By Reagan Ahlquist & Garrett Athey

     The 2017 MLB season begins on April second and will feature three games with six teams that hope to start the season off with a win. The Opening Day games include the New York Yankees at the Tampa Bay Rays, the San Francisco Giants at the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Chicago Cubs at the St. Louis Cardinals.

     The season comes after a long offseason, including some major additions. Chris Sale, a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, was traded to the Boston Red Sox for some younger talent. Power hitter, Mark Trumbo, resigned with the Orioles to keep Baltimore’s batting rotation one of the best in the majors. Last year’s American League RBI leader, Edwin Encarnacion, joined the reigning American League champs, the Cleveland Indians, adding another big bat to an already potent lineup.

     Rewards this season will be interesting as experts expect new contenders. Boston Red Sox outfielder, Mookie Betts, is expected to put up better numbers this year and take home the American League MVP award, that he finished in second place for this past season. Los Angeles Angels centerfielder, Mike Trout, will still make a strong case, as he does every year as he won the award last year and has two totals. And for the National League, Kris Bryant, reigning MVP from the Chicago Cubs, should put together another MVP campaign. If Bryce Harper can come back and have another season, like his 2015 season, then he will possibly earn his second MVP award.

     This coming season comes with some impressive looking teams. With new signing and prospects making it up to the big leagues, many teams rosters look different from last year, for the better or worst. The hometown favorites, the Baltimore Orioles, added Seth Smith and brought back Mark Trumbo to the roster to help get them to the World Series. Glenelg Junior, Seth Taylor, believes “The Orioles is who I’d take to win the World Series. I think they’ll show up and prove everyone wrong.” Baltimore had an impressive previous year and managed to make the Wildcard game, but failed to make any strength to their pitching rotation, which struggled last year. Others believe AL East rivals, the Boston Red Sox, have a better chance than the birds. With the addition of Chris Sale, Glenelg Junior Michael Forster believes, “He will definitely boost the Sox’s rotation and lead them to the World Series.” Boston managed to make the playoffs last year and the addition of Sale might be the factor to push them to the World Series. This season will be exciting to watch with all the new additions and breakout players.