That familiar smell is in the air. The smell of freshly cut grass, water soaking the once hard packed dirt that sat dormant for the past few months, the brand new bats being taken out of the bags and being stacked for each individual player, and the anticipation of a new season to come.
In just a few short hours, players from both the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays will make their way to the Ballpark at Arlington and begin a six-month marathon to the World Series.
Today starts a new day, a new series, and a new journey for every team in the big leagues. Dreams and aspirations to be a champion are in the front of every player's mind. But today also starts game one of a long and sometimes grueling 162 game schedule.
For the Texas Rangers, there's also a new feeling amongst the ballclub. A feeling they haven't had in quite some time, a feeling they can put their finger on but one that they're not quite ready to say. It's the feeling of a real shot at finally getting over that hump and finally grabbing a hold of the AL West and not letting go.
Make no mistake, this team can smell it, almost taste it. They know the potential they have, they know they have the players, they know they have the talent, but putting it all together will be their one big challenge.
This afternoon, at 1:05 pm CDT, that long journey will begin for the Rangers' Opening Day starter Scott Feldman and the rest of this ballclub.
Feldman finished the 2009 season with a 17-8 record and a 4.08 ERA, a big improvement from his 6-8 record and 5.29 ERA in 2008. He will be the ace of the staff for the first time but has earned the right after a superb year. The Rangers will need those kind of numbers again in 2010 if they're going to stay in the hunt and make their move for the AL West crown at the end of the year.
Two big additions to the club are former Los Angeles (don't call me Anaheim) Angel Vladimir Guerrero, who is expected to be in the DH role but make a few spot starts in the outfield, and former Oakland A's and Chicago Cubs pitcher Rich Harden, who will be the Rangers' number two man behind Feldman.
The Rangers will take on 28-year old right hander Shaun Marcum and the Toronto Blue Jays of the AL East. Marcum made 25 starts for the Jays last season, finishing with a 9-7 record and a 3.39 ERA.
The Blue Jays will begin their first season without long time ace Roy Halladay, who was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-team deal back in December. Taking his place at the top of the rotation is Brandon Morrow who the Jays acquired from the Seattle Mariners. Morrow was 2-4 in 10 starts for the Mariners and also saved six games for the team in 2009.
Series: April 5, 7-8
Series starters:
Rangers: Scott Feldman, Rich Harden, C.J. Wilson
Blue Jays: Shaun Marcum, Brian Tallet, Ricky Romero
Key players:
Rangers: Scott Feldman, Vladimir Guerrero, Michael Young, Josh Hamilton
Blue Jays: Shaun Marcum, Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, Alex Gonzalez
Series prediction: Rangers 2-1
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