Opening Day 2012

If Opening Day 2012 is an accurate preview of what is to come this season, pitching will once again be at a premium. While the arms of Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Dempster, Kyle Lohse, and others were shredding lineups, bats were being pounded into the ground in frustration.

Mets veteran Johan Santana allowed only two hits through five innings; the Cubs Dempster allowed two hits in seven innings, while fanning 10; Strasburg of the Nationals allowed one run over seven innings; and the Cardinals Lohse had a no hitter going through six innings. Not a single above listed name is considered a candidate for any kind of end of the year award, but each of these was an all star performance. Last year's American League Cy Young winner and AL MVP Justin Verlander made the Boston red Sox look like a high school team, allowing two hits over eight innings. Though, to be honest, no one should be surprised that the Tigers' ace had a ludicrous stat line. Roy Halladay tore apart the Pirates, posting the same eight innings and two hit line as Verlander.

Pitchers duels mean close games, and close games make for exciting finishes. Detroit's Austin Jackson started off the new campaign with a game winning RBI single off of Red Sox reliever Mark Melancon, driving in pinch runner Danny Worth from third base.

The Cubs choked away a one run lead in the eight inning against the Nationals, with reliever Kerry Wood walking in a run in the eight, and closer Carlos Marmol allowing consecutive hits in the ninth inning. A one out triple by Ian Stewart, making his Cubs debut, put the Cubs within 90 feet of tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. A sharply hit ground ball off the bat of Jeff Baker left pinch runner Joe Mather hanging out to dry, as he was called out at home, and the comeback attempt was ended. It took 16 innings to decide the victor of the Indians home opener, with the Blue Jays coming out on top.

The Indians scored four runs in the second inning, but a three run Blue Jays rally in the top of the ninth inning tied the game. A bench clearing near-brawl in the 14th inning was the only extra inning highlight, up until Jays' catcher J.P Arencibia launched a three run blast into the left field seats in the top of the 16th inning.

The most surprising story of the season thus far is the Miami Marlins, who have repeatedly said that they will take the world by storm. The Marlins, sporting new uniforms, a new stadium, and a new roster, have scored only one run in their first two games. Giancarlo Stanton has yet to reach base on contact, yielding a less than impressive .000 average in eight at bats. Hanley Ramirez has been equally unsuccessful, as he is also sporting an 0-8 start to the season. Chris Coghlan has yet to reach base in four tries, and Emilio Bonafacio is a mere one for six. The season is extremely young, and the Marlins still have 160 games to get things straight, though it has been ugly early.