The Braves gave us an indication of how they will handle things in the 9th inning. See my report in Daily Trends.

R.A. Dickey allowed three runs in five innings Monday to get the win for the Blue Jays. He’s no star, but note that hast posted a WHIP under 1.25 in six straight years. He’s also thrown at least 200 innings each of the past five years. You could do a lot worse when rounding out your mixed league staff.

Frustration thy middle name is Ray. Why? Because I’m trying to help you and you aren’t letting me.

Kevin Gausman is working his way back from shoulder woes and is set to make his minor league debut this season at Double-A on Saturday. If that outing goes well he will make one more appearance before hopefully making his first big league start April 19 for the Orioles. I’m still a fan. Don’t give up too soon on the righty.

Adrian Gonzalez had three hits and three RBI Monday. The guy is just money in the bank. In each of the last nine years he’s driven in at least 90 runs while hitting at least .275 each season. He is the only player in baseball who can make that claim.

John Jaso is batting leadoff for the Pirates yet again. Over the past four seasons Jaso has a .370+ OBP, a number that suggests batting him leadoff makes sense. Of course, Jaso is 32 years old and pretty bereft of speed, and in 551 career games he’s hit leadoff only 125 times. It could last though he’s still a moderate play at best since he only qualifies at first base at this point.

Follow this link to check out the entire Player Profile Series as the 2016 season begins.

There has still been no resolution in the Jose Reyes suspension situation. "We've very much been bystanders, waiting on this policy like everybody else," Rockies’ general manager Jeff Bridich said. "I don't know if there's a ticking clock right now. They don't give us that kind of information." I’m confused. What is the delay Major League Baseball? Make a decision so we can all move on. Reyes is owed $44 million the next two years.

Tyson Ross was bombed for eight runs, seven earned, over 5.1 innings against the Dodgers. I could care less. It’s one start. Move on.

Michael Saunders – who is he? Check out his just written Player Profile.

 

NUMBERS, NUMBERS, NUMBERS

Anyone paying attention in AL-only leagues? Brett Cecil tied a major league record with his 38th straight outing… without allowing a run. The record was previously set by Craig Kimbrel. Cecil last allowed a run on June 21st, 2015.

Carlos Correa hit a homer on Opening Day. He also stole a base to become just the second shortstop to homer/steal on Opening Day since 2010. The other was Jimmy Rollins last year. The homer was also the 23rd of Correa’s career tying him with George Springer for the most in Astros history through 100 games.

Felix Hernandez allowed three runs over six innings Monday to the Rangers, but only one was earned. His velocity was down a bit, and he did walk five, but don’t get anywhere close to panicking, OK? By the by, Felix is the first Opening Day starter to lose a game in which he allowed one hit, yes one, while lasting six innings in 100 years. By the by two… Felix has received 0, 1 or 2 runs of offensive support in 35.8 percent of his 335 career starts. Great work Mariners.

Clayton Kershaw is the second starting pitcher since 1913 to go seven even with nine strikeouts and one hit allowed on Opening Day. The effort moved him to 6-0 with a 0.93 ERA on Opening Day. The best. Period.

Trevor Story hit two homers Opening Day. He is the first player to hit two homers in an MLB debut that took place on Opening Day.