4-5 Predictions

Now that the sting of knowing I am not going to go undefeated has passed, it is time to look at the first day where there are multiple games.  With it being the first game for all these teams the pitching matchups will be very good.  Let's take a look at the games and who will win.

Away	Home	Time (ET)	Away Probable	Home Probable
Red Sox	Tigers	1:05pm	Lester (0-0)	Verlander (0-0)
Braves	Mets	1:10pm	Hanson (0-0)	Santana (0-0)
Phillies	Pirates	1:35pm	Halladay (0-0)	Bedard (0-0)
Nationals	Cubs	2:20pm	Strasburg (0-0)	Dempster (0-0)
Blue Jays	Indians	3:05pm	Romero (0-0)	Masterson (0-0)
Marlins	Reds	4:05pm	Buehrle (0-0)	Cueto (0-0)
Dodgers	Padres	7:05pm	Kershaw (0-0)	Volquez (0-0)

Boston (Lester) at Detroit (Verlander)

After the meltdown that took place last year the Red Sox are ready for a new season and putting the past behind them.  Unfortunately all that they have in front of them today is the reigning American League Most Valuable Player and the winner of the pitching triple crown this year.  I think Verlander picks up where he left off last year and the Tigers win this one.

Winner: Tigers


Atlanta (Hanson) at New York Mets (Santana)

Johan Santana is pitching for the first time in 19 months today and I think they will watch his pitch count very closely.  Even without Chipper Jones in the lineup the Braves have some power with Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla, and Jason Heyward.  Since Tommy Hanson has a career ERA of 3.69 against the Mets and I don't trust Santana I'm going to say the Braves win this one.

Winner:  Braves


Philadelphia (Halladay) at Pittsburgh (Bedard)

A good pitching matchup here since it is April and Erik Bedard is healthy and I think that 2 runs will win this game.  None of the hitters in the National League know Bedard and I think that will be to his advantage, but even without Ryan Howard and Chase Utley this Phillies team is still very talented.  Plus they have Halladay on the mound and who would ever pick against him?

Winner:  Phillies


Washington (Strausburg) at Chicago Cubs (Dempster)

Expectations are high in Washington as the Nationals are poised to make a run at the National League East crown.  One of the biggest keys for Washington all season is if Strausburg can stay healthy because he is one of the most talented pitchers in all of baseball.  I think he stays healthy through this start and against the Cubs lineup featuring Alfonso Soriano, Starlin Castro and a bunch of scrubs I like his chances to win.

Winner:  Nationals


Toronto (Romero) at Cleveland (Masterson)

Ricky Romero is a pitcher I am very high on and he needs to be good if the Blue Jays plan on getting out of fourth place this year.  I think Romero will be an all-star and tonight is his first chance to show what he is capable of.  Justin Masterson is a good pitcher but he is facing a good hitting lineup in the Blue Jays and will give up a couple of runs. Romero is a better pitcher and is going against a worse lineup.

Winner:  Blue Jays


Miami (Buehrle) at Cincinnati (Cueto)

The Marlins are a game into the season already and after a one game series has to travel to Cincinnati today after playing at home last night.  This schedule makes absolutely no sense to me.  I think that the Marlins will be the toughest team for me to predict all season as they are so talented and yet have so many loose cannons.  Cincinnati is looking to rebuild after a disappointing 2011 campaign and a win here will get them on the right track.

Winner:  Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers (Kershaw) vs San Diego Padres (Volquez)

Edinson Volquez came over in the trade for Mat Latos and won the opening day start.  His reward is going against the 2011 Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw and all Kershaw has done against the Padres the last three years is have a 1.87 ERA in 10 starts with 2 complete games.  Much like Verlander in the American League I think Kershaw will start the defense of his Cy Young award with a win.

Winner:  Dodgers


Record: 2-1