Finally! The 2005 MLB year has begun. How I missed thee! Without hockey to spell me (in fact, it's my favorite sport to watch), I felt that Opening Day was always an eternity away. Fortunately, “eternity” in this case was only April 5th, 2005. It's on that day (today) that the St. Louis Cardinals resume their pursuit of the World Series title that eluded them last year.
So, tonight was game 1 of 162. St. Louis at Houston. It was a fun, although at times tense, game.
Chris Carpenter was brilliant. Well, he was way better than most could expect the first game of the season. He pitched extremely well, had only a minor lapse, and recovered nicely. That's nice. It's very nice to see Carpenter start out well. He was sorely missed at the end of last year and it's nice to have him back.
The St. Louis offense was stellar. They abused Oswalt and tiny Minute Maid Park. Jim Edmonds made a statement about concerns with him having another great year after last. Contribution was made from up and down the lineup (save the pitcher). I like seeing Dave Eckstein slappin' balls around and hustling down the line. He's got some zip and nearly beat out a couple of throws to first base. Grudzielanek was quiet, but contributed in other ways.
Defensively, the Birds were relievingly good. I've been worried about the middle fielders all off-season. Yet Eck, Grudz, and Edmonds did very well. Granted, Rolen helped Eck out a time or two, but that's part of being a team. Nice work, guys.
The dark spot in the game was, surprisingly, our bullpen. Collectively and individually, it was like watching a bunch of minor leaguers (at best). Reyes was very unsettling to me since he was a rock last year. Tavarez, while always a bit of a loose cannon, seemed to be under a cloud for having to pitch in MMP since his little tirade (read: temper tantrum) last year. King wasn't where he should have been (or where I expected him, at least) and Izzy is still the same “Heartattack Isrinhausen”. Fortunately, while the pitchers may have been throwing at a AAA level, the 'Stros were lucky to be playing college ball most of the game.
All in all, it was a very positive game. I'm confident that the bullpen boys will get their act together. In fact, with a different home ump at the helm tomorrow, it may turn into a completely different commentary. After all, Montague was being EXTREMELY tough tonight. The first trip through the pitchers in a season always makes me nervous. I want to see how each first outing goes before I pass judgement. Carpenter passed with flying colors tonight. Marquis starts out in the hole with me since he's never really won me over anyway. But I'll certainly give him a chance. He's earned that much.
Play Ball!