Major League Baseball had its opening day for the 2013 season on Sunday, March 31. Baseball fanatics around the country were tweeting about their teams and how this would be their year. Students at Harding sported their team regalia around campus the following week to show their support.
It might be too early to start predicting the world champion since we are just a few games into this season and most teams still have 150 plus games left on their schedule. Teams can go from being at the top of their division to dead last. That is what makes baseball so interesting.
At the beginning of every baseball season, teams are fresh out of spring training where there are injuries, trades and newcomers to every roster. These major leaguers are seasoned athletes. Some are accused of illegal drug use or simply just being too arrogant, but they give us what we are looking for: a good game.
When it comes to MLB players, they all want to make a name for themselves. A name that has been brought up all over sports media is Clayton Kershaw, a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. This guy is going to be a legend. In the opening game for the Dodgers, Krenshaw threw seven strikeouts and had no walks. He also crushed a home run over the center fence. In the 2011 season, Kershaw was the Cy Young Award winner for the National League.
Another name I think will continue to receive attention, if he stays healthy, is Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo is coming into his second season in the big leagues. He made quite a name for himself during the 87 games he played in last season. Rizzo hit 15 home runs and had 48 runs batted in throughout 2012. For a rookie, those numbers are pretty impressive. If Rizzo can step up to the plate and deliver, he will continue to help out the Cubs this season.
When it comes to teams to watch during the season, the San Francisco Giants are a given for most baseball fans. The Giants have won the World Series two out of the past three seasons. San Francisco may have a similar roster compared to their 2012 team, but personally I think their reign is going to come to an end.
Look for organizations such as the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers to make a run for the World Series this season. Experts have predicted that these two teams will make appearances late in post season play. I think the Nationals and Tigers both have talented teams that will show baseball fans what this sport is all about, playing competitively.
One thing that I am looking for this season is the underdog. Teams to look for would be the St. Louis Cardinals, the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels. Whether they have started the season with multiple injuries on their roster or have not earned a good win yet, these teams should not be overlooked. It could be those teams who end up playing in the World Series.
Baseball is an unpredictable sport in my opinion. One day a player can have the best game of his career and the next nothing seems to go his way. Unpredictability is what makes this sport so beautiful.
The 2013 MLB season is underway and will keep baseball fans on their toes throughout this year.
