The baseball season began with a bang and a win for the Chicago Cubs. The White Sox game began at 3:15 p.m.
The baseball season began with a bang and a win for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs beat the Marlins in Miami 8-4 on Opening Day. Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs hit a home run on the very first pitch of the year, connecting Thursday against Miami’s Jose Urena at Marlins Park. Happ tagged a 95 mph fastball and sent it far over the right field fence. The drive kept up a familiar pattern in the majors: big leaguers hit a record 6,105 home runs last season. Happ’s homer was part of a three-run first inning for the Cubs. New Marlins CEO Derek Jeter watched his team instantly fall behind from his seat two rows back of the Miami dugout. The Chicago Cubs and White Sox announced their lineups for Opening Day earlier Thursday. The Cubs began the season playing the Marlins in Miami at 11:40 a.m. Center fielder Ian Happ was the lead-off man for the Cubs, followed by third baseman Kris Bryant, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, catcher Willson Contreras, left fielder Kyle Schwarber, shortstop Addison Russell, right fielder Jason Heyward, second baseman Javy Baez and pitcher Jon Lester. The Chicago White Sox are in Kansas City to play the Royals at 3:15 p.m. Second baseman Yoan Moncada will bat leadoff for the Sox, followed by right fielder Avisail Garcia, first baseman Jose Abreu, designated hitter Matt Davidson, left fielder Nicky Delmonico, catcher Welington Castillo, shortstop Tim Anderson, third baseman Yolmer Sanchez and center fielder Adam Engel. James Shields will take the mound as the Sox starting pitcher. The March 29 start date is the earliest in the history of Major League Baseball, not including international openers. It is also the first time all teams are scheduled to play on Opening Day since 1968. However, Cincinnati did postpone because of rain. The Cubs Home Opener takes place on April 9, and you can watch that on ABC7.
