Debuting the Closing Bell column on Opening Day for Fantasy Alarm proves to be quite an honor. Early games provided power, bullpen meltdowns and intriguing pitching observations. Before delving into all the data, from the “I’m not crying, you’re crying” department, how the Blue Jays honored Roy Halladay with his sons putting a baseball on the mound along with a moment of silence represented the quiet pitcher’s eloquence well. On to the closing time thoughts.

 

Home runs, everywhere

Perhaps the MLB did not change the baseballs? On the first pitch of the 2018 season, Ian Happ launched a home run putting the Cubs quickly ahead of the Marlins. Another poignant moment happened when Anthony Rizzo homered not far from his high school, Stoneman Douglas, and told reporters it felt like an out of body experience. Kyle Schwarber, well he tried to play defense in left field, but crushed a home run as well.

Under the radar third baseman Brian Anderson carried over his hot spring going 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI.

Not to be outdone by the Cubs, Giancarlo Stanton opened his Yankee career with Statcast’s hardest hit opposite field home run (117.3 MPH exit velocity), doubled and homered for a second time in the ninth inning to finish a three hit debut with four RBI. Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez also hit baseballs with hits carrying an exit velocity above 105 MPH. Plus, the lineup took pitches to get starter J.A. Happ out of the game early.

Of course, with the DFS community swooning over the Royals, the White Sox and specifically Matt Davidson, asked Stanton to hold his beer. Davidson cleared the fence three times prior to publish with five RBI and a walk. He showed improved plate discipline in the spring, whether it carries it over all year remains to be seen, but his debut looks pretty good even if he does not attain his 486 home run pace. Post-hype candidate Tim Anderson’s pitched in with two home runs, three RBI and a walk as well. Key here, he walked.

Brandon Nimmo looked comfortable leading off for the Mets reaching base four times along with teammate Adrian Gonzalez. Yoenis Cespedes, if he stays healthy, will turn in a tremendous season. Cespedes went 2-for-5 with three RBI and drove in Amed Rosario two times. Some complained about Rosario hitting last, but so far, so good. By the way, Jay Bruce stole the first base of 2018, as planned.

Yadier Molina turned a Noah Syndergaard fastball around for his first home run during his 14th straight Opening Day start. In case you missed it, Jose Martinez recorded three hits and his first home run justifying the preseason love regarding his robust Statcast data from last year. His buy low window may close quickly.

Eduardo Nunez hit Boston’s first inside-the-park home run since Carl Yasztremsky in 1968 and Xavier Bogaerts looked healthy with three hits, two of them doubles, in his season debut.

For the second straight year, George Springer started the Astros season with a lead-off home run and it’s the 100th home run of his career. He’s also the first player to lead off with a home run in back-to-back seasons. Bregman followed with a double sporting a 105.5 MPH exit velocity but Cole Hamels settled in to miss a quality start by one out. Yulieski Gurriel’s slated to make his debut in Houston’s second home game this year. It’s safe to say he’s ahead of schedule.

Adam Jones hit a walk-off home run to lead the Orioles to a comeback victory after blowing a lead in the top of the inning. No arrows for Fernando Rodney today. Anyone not using Lucas Duda in DFS missed out on his first home run as a Royal, with health, there should be at least 29 more. Byron Buxton owners, do not jump off a ledge. Yes, he hit eighth, but stole a base after a hard single up the middle. Buxton swiped 29 bases last year, being caught once, when he overslid second base.

 

Starting pitching observations

Carlos Martinez worked in back fields near the end of spring training but started the season looking out of sorts allowing six walks against five strikeouts. Not the debut his owners were anticipating. Joining him on the not so good list, Jon Lester did not benefit from great defense, but only lasted 3.1 innings giving up three earned runs on seven hits and three walks wrecking his owners ratios.

On the other hand, Noah Syndergaard won his first game in just under a year with 10 strikeouts and no walks. He did give up two home runs and four earned runs. Chris Sale went six innings without his best stuff allowing one hit and three walks with nine strikeouts. In four Opening Day starts, Sale’s struck 32 over 28 innings with a 1.93 ERA.

Aaron Nola looked to be on cruise control but left the game after only throwing 68 pitches with a five run lead. Nola did record three strikeouts but will receive a no-decision after the Phillies bullpen imploded.

Astros ace, Justin Verlander went six innings with five strikeouts and his last one featured a 96 MPH fastball. Verlander limited the Rangers to four hits and two walks.

Luis Severino fanned seven Blue Jays in 5.2 shutout innings yielding one hit and three walks. Joining him in the terrific debut department, Dylan Bundy fired seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts, including 12 swinging strikes with his slider. Bundy ceded five hits and one walk deserving a better fate.

 

Shaky bullpens

Segue alert as Brad Brach spoiled Bundy’s gem with a rough ninth inning. Brach allowed two hits, two walks and two runs forcing extra innings. Since he did not enter the year with the “closer” label, Darren O’Day or Mychal Givens could receive the next save opportunity for the Orioles. Stay tuned.

Not to be outdone, Fernando Rodney served up the game winning home run to Adam Jones incurring his first loss of the season. Minnesota will be patient with their veteran archer, but keep tabs if he scuffles at the onset of the season.

Corey Knebel emerged as a waiver wire hero last year, but blew his first save chance in San Diego giving up two hits and an earned run. Like predicted, Jacob Barnes notched the first save for the Brewers this season.

In other closer news, with Mark Melancon landing on the disabled list, it appears Hunter Strickland will open the year in the role. Add him if seeking saves.

Also, the Cardinals signed Greg Holland to a one-year contract. However, do not let this shroud attention from Jordan Hicks who reached 101.6 MPH on the gun in his debut. Only six pitchers reached this velocity all of last year. Hicks could be a sneaky head-to-head format play with starting pitcher eligibility as a high strikeout reliever.

This concludes the first of many closing bells on Fantasy Alarm. Be sure to join our growing “team” to stay ahead of the competition. Last, remember this will be a marathon, not a sprint. Take events from today in stride and do not react rashly.

 

Statistical Credits:

BaseballSavant.com

MLB.com