A couple of injuries in spring training as we went an impressive 20-6-2 in the games that didn't count:
Ryan Pepiot strained his forearm and will be out until late May/early June while starting LF
Kevin Alcantara tore his quadriceps and will miss the first week of the regular season.
A couple of our AL East rivals added bullpen pieces in March with Boston signing reigning NL Reliever of the Year Edwin Diaz to a 1/13 deal while those same Sox dealt reliever Devin Williams to the Yankees for a prospect.
Here's how the Opening Day roster shakes out:
C-Langeliers, Bailey
1B-Marsh
2B-O.Cabrera
SS-C.Williams
3B-E.De La Cruz
IF-Saggese, Winn
LF-L.Acuna (starting for Alcantara)
CF-Chourio
RF-Auer
OF-Lora
DH-Casas (Saggese vs LHP)
SP-McClanahan, W.Santana, Bradley, Brash, DL Hall
LR-Canterino
MR-Perkins, Nardi, Cronin, Costume, Moran, Juenger
SU-Alvarado
CL-Peguero
Matt Canterino was out of options and thus made the staff over Chang-hyoek Kim (who was very impressive in ST) and
Joel Diaz. Also Rule 5 pick
Griffin Canning was returned to us by the Yankees and assigned to Durham.
The preseason predictions:
For a change, the preseason picks like us.
Opening Day:
2028 got off to an excellent start in St. Louis as
Shane McClanahan was perfect for 7 1/3 before giving up a double to Jose Gonzalez. Cardinal starter Brandon Pfaadt matched Mac almost pitch-for-pitch before the Rays broke through in the 7th for 5 runs, keyed by an Elly De La Cruz RBI triple and followed by 4 RBI singles.