The day that baseball fans have waited for since October is finally here. The Pirates are up from Bradenton, Florida and back in Pittsburgh to prepare for another 162-game season.
On Wednesday morning, the Pirates finalized their 25-man roster by placing Chris Leroux on the 60-day disabled list with a strained pectoral muscle which allowed Juan Cruz and Jared Hughes to make the final roster in the bullpen. Also, all eyes have been on Matt Hague who absolutely tore the cover off of the ball in spring training hitting .400 with a major league leading seven home runs, tied with Albert Pujols and Freddie Freeman. I went on record a couple of weeks ago saying that Hague should start in Indianapolis instead of Pittsburgh. Clint Hurdle, who is far more knowledgeable than me, rewarded Hague for his fine spring with a spot on the opening day roster. Along with Hague, Yamaico Navarro and Josh Harrison, who were thought to be battling for the backup infield spot, both made the team as well.
Taking the hill on opening day for the Pirates is veteran southpaw Erik Bedard who posted a 5-9 record with a 3.62 ERA for the Red Sox and Mariners last season. Bedard, who is in his first season in the National League, has battled injury issues throughout his career, but is considered to be one of the best pitchers when healthy. Bedard got the opening day nod over other newly acquired pitcher A.J. Burnett after Burnett broke his right orbital bone after fouling a ball off his face during a bunting competition.
Opposing Bedard and the Pirates, will be Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay. Halladay, in my mind, has been the most dominant pitcher in baseball over the past decade. Last season, Halladay posted a 19-6 record with a 2.35 ERA last season as part of the big three in the Phillies rotation with tomorrow’s starter Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels.
Three things to watch in the game:
1) Erik Bedard – How will Bedard do in his first start as a Bucco? With his injury history, it will be important to see how he holds up in the opener, and how he controls his elite-level curveball.
2) Pedro Alvarez – To many, the Pirates season is riding on the former first round pick Alvarez. With an offense that is lacking a serious power bat, the Pirates are hoping to see more of the Alvarez they saw in 2010 rather than 2011. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Alvarez only went 9-of-53 in the spring.
3) Can they make it 6 – The Pirates have won their past 5 opening day games. It will be a daunting task going up against one of the elite teams in the league and arguably the best pitcher in baseball. The Pirates found success against the Phillies in the past and without sluggers Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, don’t count anything out.
Pirates (0-0) vs Phillies (0-0)
Erik Bedard (0-0 0.00 ERA) vs Roy Halladay (0-0 0.00 ERA)
First pitch – 1:35 p.m.
Pirates lineup
Presley – 7
Tabata – 9
McCutchen – 8
Walker – 4
Jones – 3
Barajas – 2
Alvarez – 5
Barmes – 6
Bedard – 1
Phillies lineup
Victorino – 8
Polanco – 5
Rollins – 6
Pence – 9
Wigginton – 3
Mayberry – 7
Ruiz – 2
Galvis – 4
Halladay – 1
Photo credits – Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE
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