Opening Day is here

Only three more days until one of the most anticipated dates in America, Opening Day. There’s nothing like going to the first baseball game of the year. It seems like the weather is always perfect and the day just feels right. Enjoying a hot dog, peanuts and a cold drink while the spring sun shines down. Opening Day truly is an unofficial American holiday. In my short life, I’ve managed to witness multiple Dodger Opening Day’s with my dad. As far back as I can remember I’ve been going to Chavez Ravine every year the first week of April to enjoy the Dodgers play the Giants, Padres or Diamondbacks. Yes there have been some games where the Dodgers lost, and there’s been others where the Dodgers have decimated the opposing team. Hopefully that happens this Thursday, March 29th when the Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants.

The scheduled pitching match up for Opening Day was supposed to be Clayton Kershaw versus Madison Bumgarner. A match up that is always amazing when it happens and one that doesn’t happen all that often during the regular season. But, for us baseball fans we will have to wait until another day to see that pitching duel. Just this past weekend, Madison Bumgarner fractured his hand after getting hit with a line drive. Bumgarner is expected to miss a lengthy amount of time and come back close to the all star break.

Instead of Madison Bumgarner, the Giants will send lefty Ty Blach to the mound. Blach is a decent pitcher in general but he is an ace when it comes to facing the Dodgers. For some strange reason the Dodgers just can’t get to this guy. In four starts and seven appearances total, Blach has a 2.23 era against the Dodgers. This includes a game in 2016 when he pitched against Kershaw and outpitched him going eight innings and not allowing a run. He also got two hits off of Kershaw during that game. However, this should not worry anyone too much.

In Clayton Kershaw’s ten year Major League Baseball career, he has dominated the Giants. Last season alone, Kershaw was 4-1 with a 1.59 in five starts. Kershaw’s era against the Giants is the lowest for any major league team. As of 2018, Clayton Kershaw has 22 wins against the Giants. Let’s hope to see him add to that total this year.

The best part of Opening Day for myself is getting to watch baseball with my dad. Like I said before, he’s taken me to multiple Opening Day’s. I’d like to say roughly 15 but who knows the actual number, I didn’t start keeping my ticket stubs until a few seasons ago. Be excited to see the fighter jets fly over each stadium after National Anthem and be excited that baseball is finally here! On a day that is so easy to forget about everything except baseball, remember to stay safe. While you’re doing that, don’t forget to put on some sunscreen if your game starts at noon and make sure you enjoy a nice hot dog, or Dodger Dog if you’re at Chavez Ravine. Have a fun and exciting Opening Day everyone!