OPENING DAY STANDOUTS

Source: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.

It’s happening people, baseball season has officially BEGUN! I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally have something to watch almost every day, and the fact that New York baseball has kicked off with a bang certainly makes the start of 2019 even better. 

Luke Voit’s first-inning, three-run homer hyped up the stadium crowd. Voit also racked up an impressive four RBI-day when he was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. Yes, I know it is the first game but I think this move definitely won him some brownie points for the first base position. Although Bird struck out his first three at-bats, he joined Voit and launched one out of the park in the eighth.

Source: Newsday Jim McIsaac

Voit is not the only player to shine; Masahiro Tanaka also helped embarrass the Orioles with a 7-2 victory by striking out five and giving up no walks. Our favorite pair Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton took position at the corners to set Voit up in the first inning.

Not only are Yankees fans hungry for a win, so is legend Mariano Rivera who threw out the first pitch at the Opening Day game. 

Source: NY Post

“I believe in the team,” Rivera said. “I see the guys playing and the talent that we have is enough to win. So the question is, are we hungry enough to win? I believe we are. So, saying that, I’m happy to see the guys on Opening Day and to be able to share it with them. But we need another championship and I think we’re going to have another great year,” reported NJ.com

Source: NY Post

Down in DC, the Mets also won their Opening Day game 2-0 against the Nationals. Robinson Cano was a star in this game, hitting a homer during his first at-bat as a New York Met, and helping the team get an early 1-0 lead.

Met fans also got to see an incredible pitching duel with Jacob DeGrom and Max Scherzer. Even though Scherzer gave up an early run, he ended up staying in for most the game and recording an impressive 12 strikeouts. 

Like we saw last season, DeGrom was able to pitch well without receiving too much offensive support. I’d say DeGrom was definitely relieved because of his contract extension, recording 10 strikeouts and lasting six innings. 

Source: The Sports Daily

New closer Edwin Diaz impressed me by flawlessly striking out the side in the ninth inning and collecting his first save for the New York Mets. 

I know it is a little early to start getting our hopes up, but it feels like it is going to be a great year for New York baseball. 

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke