After a mini-series in Japan last week the MLB season kicks off in earnest tonight, after an offseason that saw three of the most expensive contracts in American Sports history. Ben Steele offers his best bets...
"Bryce Harper spent the offseason as one of the most sought after free agents in the history of baseball. He eventually signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and makes his much-anticipated debut against a familiar opponent."
Bronx big hitters set to open their account early
Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees
Live on BT Sport 2
Thursday, 17:05 BST
Mike Carlson's Team-by-Team guide highlighted the outstanding hitting prowess of the New York Yankees and I expect them to kick off the season with a comfortable win.
With an Opening Day matchup against a Baltimore Orioles side who lost a staggering 115 games last season, the likes of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge will fancy their chances to continue their impressive preseason form. Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka has never won a start on the first day of the season but with a vaunted batting lineup behind him the Japanese pitcher should be able to pick up his first win of the season.
Teheran a welcome visitor to Harper's new home
Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies
Thursday, 19:05
Bryce Harper spent the offseason as one of the most sought after free agents in the history of baseball. He eventually signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies and makes his much-anticipated debut against a familiar opponent.
Atlanta Braves ace Julio Teheran has struggled mightily against Harper in his career, in fact nobody has ever had more success against him. Harper has a batting average of .450 against Teheran and has hit eight homers against the 28-year-old Colombian, more than against any other pitcher. During his six years with the Nationals Harper hit 92 home runs in Washington but it is in Philadelphia that he had his most success as a visiting player. If history teaches us anything, look for Harper to begin repaying his exorbitant salary tonight with at least one home run.
Runs at a premium in LA
Arizona Diamondbacks @ LA Dodgers
Live on BT Sport 2
Thursday, 20:10 BST
The Los Angeles Dodgers begin their hunt for a third consecutive National League pennant without Clayton Kershaw on the mound for the first time since 2010. The former MVP will be replaced by Hyun-Jin Ryu who gave up just five runs across his five starts in Spring Training and will look to build on a 2018 season that ended with a career best 1.97 ERA. Facing him will be former Dodger Zach Greinke, a five-time all-star who has won at least 13 games in the last eight seasons. Expect a pitcher's duel with runs at a premium.
Sox will kick off their title defence with a win
Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners
Live on BT Sport 2
Thursday, 23:10 BST
The defending champion Boston Red Sox open their season in Seattle against a Mariners side who kicked off the season in Tokyo with a pair of wins over the Oakland A's. The Red Sox are 13-5 on Opening Day since 2000 and with the exceptional Mookie Betts heading up their lineup Boston will fancy their chances of getting ahead against Marco Gonzales early on and picking up another win. The Mariners will attempt to counter Betts with Tim Beckham, a shortstop who reached base seven times in his nine plate appearances in Japan.
While the Mariners are at home and have started the season well, I expect the locals to go home disappointed and Boston to begin the defence of the title with a comfortable win.