Opening day of the 2010 Major League Baseball season has finally arrived. Today, the Phillies will be in Washington to face the Washington Nationals, with the first game of the day scheduled to begin at 1:05 eastern.
Making his highly anticipated debut for the Phillies is Roy Halladay, who was acquired in a trade this winter. Halladay is projected by nearly everyone to win the National League Cy Young award, as he was dominant for much of his career in the American League East. The National League East, while still a tough division, isn’t as strong offensively as the AL East, and Doc will also get to face the Mets, Marlins, and Nationals multiple times a year. Not quite the same as facing the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays.
John Lannan will make his second-consecutive Opening Day start for Washington. The 25-year old went 9-13 last year, while posting a respectable 3.88 ERA in more than 200 innings.
Other things to watch for:
Placido Polanco will make his Phillies debut (but not really a debut) today as well, as he’ll man the hot corner and bat in the #2 hole. Polanco should bring even more offense to this already potent Philly lineup.
Nationals prospect Ian Desmond will begin the season as their starting shortstop, and will bat 8th. Desmond appeared in 21 games last season, posting a .280 average.
With Brad Lidge, JC Romero, and Joe Blanton all starting the season on the disabled list, the Phillies bullpen will be a bit thin. Kyle Kendrick will come from the bullpen to take over for Blanton in the rotation until he’s healthy. Kendrick had a phenomenal spring, but was unable to take Jamie Moyer’s spot in the rotation away from him. While the Blanton injury certainly isn’t good news, it will allow Philadelphia to see Kendrick start again, and to see if he can carry over what he started in the spring. Ryan Madson will be the primary closer while Lidge is out, also.
President Barrack Obama will throw out the first pitch.
