Baseball season opens today.
For the first time in 40 years, every single team will play on Opening Day. It seems only fitting for this coming season that everyone is being invited to the party.
In fact, it seems like MLB is poised to have a banner season.
It doesnt mean there arent some really bad teams that will start playing out the string starting today. Enter the Miami Marlins.
Its just that there are so many good teams out there worth watching, especially in big markets. Yes, the blue bloods are back. It can only mean good things for baseball.
The Dodgers are good. So are the Yankees. So are the Cubs and Nationals. The Angels are in the mix to be very interesting and very good. Yes, so are Red Sox and Indians.
And we havent even mentioned the World Champion Astros, who got better in the offseason if thats even possible.
Watch an extended cut of the Astros winning their first World Series
Jose Altuve fields Corey Seager’s grounder and throws to first to secure the Astros’ Game 7 win, clinching the team’s first title Check out http://MLB.com/video for more! About MLB.com: Former Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced on January 19, 2000, that the 30 Major League Club owners voted unanimously to centralize all of Baseball’s Internet operations into an independent technology company.
Best of all, the Evil Empire is back. Yes, theres a reason to watch, fear or love the Yankees. And thats a good thing.
Baseball is always better off when the Yankees matter.
In 2018, the Yankees will, indeed, matter. They will be must-see TV. They will pack stadiums around the country when they come to town.
And if you dont believe it, just look at the exhibition game TV ratings.
They set huge TV ratings record in games that didnt even matter or count. Its a preview of what is to come.
This offseason, the Yankees – who missed getting to the World Series by one game – sent shockwaves through MLB America with the trade to land reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins. He joins Aaron Judge, the AL Rookie of the Year and AL HR champ. Its a dream team duo of 50-plus HR hitters.
Its something MLB hasnt seen since Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in the 60s.
Aaron Judge: All Rise
Relive Aaron Judge’s historic 2017 rookie season in this stunning virtual reality experience. Step into the batter’s box at Yankee Stadium, experience the Home Run Derby in Miami, and journey through the Postseason in fully immersive VR.
The March 4th Rays-Yankees game was the networks most-viewed spring training game in five years.
The Yankees spring training games on YES Network were up at one point 89% from last season.
On the West Coast, Shohei Ohtani – the hitting and pitching sensation from Japan – picked the L.A. Angels to start his career in the States. It was indeed, a shocker when you think the Angels didnt make the playoffs this past season and havent won a postseason game in the Mike Trout era.
You can bet baseball fans went online and looked at the schedule to see when either the Yankees or Angels come to town. The two teams hook up in late April in Cali. Tickets will be at a premium.
These kind of matchups simply add to the momentum from baseballs postseason that was thrilling and exciting. It was also a TV ratings hit. Even MLB Network enjoyed its greatest viewing week and month in the networks history.
Ohtani walks twice, hits RBI single in spring offensive debut
Shohei Ohtani puts together a productive day at the plate in his offensive debut, drawing two walks before ripping an RBI single to center Check out http://MLB.com/video for more! About MLB.com: Former Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced on January 19, 2000, that the 30 Major League Club owners voted unanimously to centralize all of Baseball’s Internet operations into an independent technology company.
In a time of mostly declining sports TV ratings – check NFL ratings which dropped double digits this past season – it speaks volumes.
When the playoffs started, no one was certain who was going to win the World Series. It wound up being Houston. Thats sports at its best.
You can say the same thing in 2018.
Think about the last three teams to the win the Fall Classic. Houston had never won a World Series in team history. Two years ago, the Chicago Cubs won it all, giving that franchise its first title in more than 100 years. And in 2015, the Kansas City Royals won a World Series for the first time since 1985.
Oh yes, baseball is on a roll. All markets, big and small, have a shot to win. Thats what fans want more than anything, an honest chance that their team can be the last one standing.
The Yankees havent won a title since 2009.
That could change. Many fans thought the Yankees – filled with a lot of young, homegrown talent – were fun last season. They liked Judge and his home run magic. Gary Sanchez is another young star with a HR bat.
Now, with Stanton,the Bronx Bombers will be a team to watch. And not just for New York fans. Baseball fans love the long ball. Both can deliver.
Giancarlo Stanton crushes a MONSTER homer to left
Giancarlo Stanton doubles the Yankees’ lead to 4-0 in the top of the 3rd as he mashes a monstrous two-run homer into the second deck in left About Major League Baseball: Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S.
Judge set a new MLB rookie record with 52 homers. Stanton hit 59 dingers. These two return the Yankees to their Bronx Bombers ways. If they are on TV, you will have to watch their at-bats, see who hits it further.
Its a dream pairing for the game.
It all adds up to a potential banner season for the National pastime.
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Parkers 2018 MLB Predictions:
AL Division Winners – Yankees, Indians and Astros.
AL Wildcards – Twins, Angels.
NL Division Winners -Nationals, Cubs and Dodgers.
NL Wildcards – Brewers and Mets
World Series – Cubs and Yankees.
World Series Winner – Yankees in 6. Bullpen and Bombs deliver another championship to Da Bronx.
