April 4, 2012: Cardinals @ Marlins

Looks like I chose a great day to start this blog! Tonight is slated to be an eventful night as we have three huge games beginning with Opening Day as the new look Miami Marlins christen their new digs against the defending World Series Champions the St. Louis Cardinals. We'll also take a look at a potential NBA Finals preview when the Miami Heat host the Oklahoma City Thunder and their dynamic duo Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Finally, we take a look at The Battle of LA, the Staples Center Showdown, Lakeshow vs Lob City, the.....you get the idea. The Lakers try hold off the Clippers in the Pacific Division in a pivitol game with epic playoff implications. Let's take a closer look:


Cardinals @ Marlins
When: 7:00 pm
Where: Marlins Park (live), ESPN (tv)
Who: Kyle Lohse (0-0 0.00 ERA) vs Josh Johnson (0-0 0.00 ERA)
Why: ITS OPENING FREAKIN' DAY!!!! If it weren't for the aforementioned NBA games on tap for tonight, this game would dominate the airwaves. In any case, baseball is back and what better way to kick off the season with the defending champs taking on the new look Miami Marlins in their brand spanking new ballpark. Here's three burning questions for each team for the season:

Cardinals
1. Can the Cardinals repeat without Albert Pujols?
2. How will Mike Matheny fair in the post-LaRussa era?
3. Can Adam Wainwright return to form?

Marlins
1. New unis, new name, new stadium, same Fish?
2. Can Hanley Ramirez adjust to playing 3rd base?
3. Are the Marlins equipped to dethrone the Phillies?

 Prediction: No Pujols. No Chris Carpenter. Big time problems for the red birds! Lohse will hold his own for the most part but eventually Jose Reyes, Ramirez, Giancarlo Stanton & Co. will rough him up. Josh Johnson will turn out a brilliant performance against an offense lacking that lethal bat in the middle of the line up. Expect Lance Berkman to pick up a RBI, but nothing much after that.

Result: Marlins win 5-1