Tomorrow marks the start of a new Major League Baseball season, but what can Fans expect in the upcoming months?
It’s that time of the year again. Baseball sweeps across America and Toronto with the start of a new Major League season, Opening day, tomorrow.
Teams will battle it out over the next 6 months and 162 games with a chance at October postseason Baseball season with a chance at the World Series title.
The Texas Rangers had won their first World Series title back in November, after they’d beaten the Arizona Diamondbacks 4 games to 1, bringing the title to Arlington.
We’ve already been treated to a blockbuster Spring training campaign, with last year divisional winners the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues respectively.
The Dodgers have been at much of the centre of attention this Spring Training, with the big arrivals of Japanese stars Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and two-time American League MVP and two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani.
Ohtani had signed a record breaking 10 year, 700 million dollar contract with the Blue side of LA, the largest contract in professional sports history. He signs after representing the Los Angeles Angels for six seasons.
The Dodgers are considered by many as the strong favourites to represent the National League this year in the World Series, along with the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves last year were inspired by National League MVP award winner Ronald Acuna Jr., who had a 41-home runs and 73 stolen bases, becoming the founding member of the 40/70 club. They also had leading home run hitter Matt Olsen with 54 and leading strikeout taker Spencer Strider with 281 Ks.
On the other side of the Major Leagues, American League East winners last year The Orioles who had the best record over spring break and an 101-61 record last year in the regular season, looking to improve on a disappointing visit to October last year, after being swept by the Rangers.
But plenty are in the mix, with many believing the American League is the more open of the leagues.
A stacked AL East sees the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees with Juan Soto fight toe to toe with the Orioles for the Division and a Playoff berth.
AL West outfits Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers will also compete for a chance to represent the American League this year.
It’s safe to say, after one of MLBs most important Off-season’s in years alongside a great spring training campaign, Baseball fans have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming months.
