Opening Day

Opening day.

I don’t know if it’s just because it’s opening day and the start of a new season that has me so excited but I feel different this year. I haven’t been this excited about the start of a season in quite some time. I mean, 2002 caught EVERYONE by surprise and by the time I woke up from my World Series bliss it was 2004, we had Vlad and we were one and done come post-season. 2005 played out more or less like I imagined and I am still trying to forget the defensive woes of last years team. But…this year…this year feels different.

Why? Well, first of all, Lackey takes the mound tonight and the Spring he had has made all of baseball pay attention. Every year, Lackey gets better a little earlier in the season. Could this be the first start of a 20 win season and a Cy-Young? More than a possibility. I say it’s likely that Lackey has another 3.5 ERA 200 strikeout type season with the 20 wins to match it this time.

I have also been listening to the nonsense being spewed by a large group of fans foreshadowing our apparent lack of offense. Hear me say this now, write it down, email it to yourself, tattoo it to your butt-cheek: the Angels offense WILL be better than last year. Stop crying like we will have to win every game 1-0. It’s pessimistic, annoying, and most importantly, it’s just wrong. How can you be so sure, Victor? Well, first of all, Howie Kendrick is playing 2nd base. All the kid has to do is hit 25 doubles and bat .275 and he is MILES better than Adam Kennedy. However, Kendrick will easily lace 50 doubles this year and will hit closer to .300 and probably finish up the season in the 2-hole.

Wait…there’s more. Casey Kotchman. This kid WILL hit 15 homeruns this season and hit about .275 AND he WILL play some super-duper-ice cream-scooper-style first base for us this year. I know everyone wants to bemoan the multi-year contract given Gary Matthews, Jr. but it is a safe bet that we will have the most offensive production from a center fielder since Matthew McConaughey was getting help from “angels in the outfield.”

I guess I am super excited for tonight because we finally have a leadoff guy that knows how to lead off, a 1st baseman that might hit more than 5 homeruns, and what some say could be the most prolific hitter in a decade manning the defensive 4 spot.

Now add to all of this the fact that Percival is throwing out the first pitch and retiring as an Angel and what could be better than opening night at the Big ‘A?’

My prediction: Angels win 6-2 and GA goes yard.