And They're Off!

By Drew Schultz

If any of you are like me, today was one of the highlights of your year. No, it wasn't because of the conclusion of March Madness (unless your Hendrickx), it was the always exciting Opening Day. This year games weren't short on amazing plays and great storylines. King Albert continued to wreck N.L pitchers, Mark Buehrle made one of the best fielding plays by a pitcher in recent memory, Shaun Marcum took a no-hitter into the 7th and a hotshot rookie stole the show in Atlanta. Overall it was a day filled with exciting moments, but how much can you gather about a season after only one day? Here are my 4 big storylines from Day One and beyond:

1. Just how good can Jason Heyward be this year?
- What a debut for the homegrown 20 year old rookie. I was lucky enough to actually catch his first at-bat and WOW. This kid is going to be the real deal. He has amazing bat speed, great discipline and a real swagger about him. He took a 2-0 fast ball from Big Z and drilled it into the right field bleachers. The main thing that caught my eye is how quick his bat is, after watching the replays the only player I can really compare him to is Barry Bonds, that might be a lofty comparison but count me as a believer. All this being said even Bonds didn't have the greatest rookie year. Heyward should run away with the rookie of the year in the N.L if he stays healthy, but anyone instantly expecting him to hit .300 and belt 30 HR is crazy.

My Projection: .275 Avg, 15-20 HR, 60 RBI, .340 OBP & 1 Rookie of the Year award.

2. Is this the year Albert Pujols wins the Triple Crown?
- Not since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 has someone won the Triple Crown, but if anyone can do it Albert is the guy. Last year Hanley Ramirez hit .342 something I don't expect him to repeat as a .316 career hitter and as pitchers face Pablo Sandoval more they will begin to find holes in his swing. All this adds up to Albert being the favorite to win the Batting Title. The hardest part may be winning the Homerun Crown and RBI Titles. His main competition appears to be Prince Fielder & Ryan Howard. Pujols, with Matt Holiday behind him all year, will get pitches to drive every game, something he hasn't always been accustomed to throughout his career. With Holiday around I think this could be the year the stars align and we have our 1st Triple Crown winner in 43 years.

My Projection: .345 Avg, 52 HR (Career High), 142 RBI. 1 Triple Crown clinched on the last day of the season

3. Who will win the N.L Cy Young?
- Halladay? Lincecum? Carpenter? Wainwright? Santana? What about a dark horse like Jair Jurrjens? While Carpenter and Wainwright might have successful years I don't see them repeating last years success in an improved N.L Central. Santana doesn't have the bullpen or run support to win enough games to be considered. Jair Jurrgens has the stuff to be a legitimate contender, but does he have the experience? And could you possibly give the Cy Young to a player who's team finishes 2nd to another contender's team? So that leaves us with Halladay and Lincecum. This race should come right down the end barring an injury and might be one of the most exciting races to watch in baseball this year. Both pitchers have the ability to simply over match almost every batter in the J.V League, I mean N.L. My early vote goes with Halladay though. Halladay dominated the toughest division in baseball the last two years and with his trade to the N.L I can only see his numbers getting better. Facing the pitcher instead of a designated hitter will help him lower his ERA and raise his strikeout numbers. Not to mention that the Phillies offense should be able to bail him out in some bad starts if he ever has one.

My Prediction: 1 Cy Young for Mr. Doc Halladay

4. Who will win the A.L East?
- This looks to be a 3 team race between the Yankees, Red Sox & Rays and what a race it should be. The Damn Yankees are back and with the additions of Curtis Granderson and Javier Vazquez look to be dangerous again. The Sox made some moves of their own adding Marco Scuatro, Adrian Beltre and John Lackey. While the Rays might've not made the big moves as the other two teams they still return a viable core that could be dangerous if Garza and Price can win some more games. For me, it really comes down to pitching in this division as all 3 teams have outstanding lineups capable of scoring runs at will. This is where the Red Sox really pull away in my eyes, anytime you can acquire a playoff team's ace, John Lackey, and he becomes your 4th pitcher your obviously stacked. Regardless of the winner this division should send 2 teams to the playoffs.

My Prediction: A division championship for the Red Sox and a Wild Card for the Yankees.

Here are my other predictions for the 2010 MLB Season:

American League-
MVP: Evan Longoria
Cy Young: C.C Sabathia
ROY: Scott Sizemore
Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire, Finally
Breakout Player: Matt Wieters, check this guy out this year!
Most Disappointing Player: Johnny Damon

Wild Card: Yankees

American League Division Series:
Twins over Angels
Red Sox over Yankees

American League Championship Series:
Red Sox over Twins

National League-
MVP: Albert Pujols
Cy Young: Roy Halladay
ROY: Jason Heyward
Manager of the Year: Dusty Baker
Breakout Player: Colby Rasmus
Most Disappointing Player: Manny Ramirez

Wild Card: Dodgers

National League Division Series:
Rockies over Cardinals
Phillies over Dodgers

National League Championship Series:
Phillies over Rockies

World Series:
Red Sox over Phillies in 6

For another Blogger's take head over to The Burbs Blog