VEB Open Thread - Monday, 04/05/21

Good morning, everyone! Hope you enjoyed the weekend, however you may have spent it. If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you already know how the weekend went for the Cardinals.

With that in mind, here’s what you might have missed from around the league:

• After positive COVID-19 tests on the Nationals pushed back the entire Opening Series, the Nationals will open their season with the Braves on Tuesday night. The Mets will take on the Phillies starting Monday.
• Three teams enjoyed (and three teams subsequently suffered from) series sweeps over Opening Weekend. The Astros topped the Athletics four games in a row, while the Orioles took three from the Red Sox, and the Phillies won all three against the Braves.
• Shohei Ohtani started on the mound for the Angels on Sunday night — and batted second in the lineup, ahead of Mike Trout. Ohtani smacked a 451-foot home run his first time up and fanned seven batters over 4 ²⁄₃ innings, reaching 100 MPH on nine pitches. Ohtani collided with White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu in a play at the plate and was removed from the game, but Ohtani is said to be fine.. just dealing with some ‘general soreness’.

• Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo made his Major League debut on Sunday afternoon and homered on the first pitch he saw from Indians righty Aaron Civale. Pretty cool moment for the 22-year-old who made the club after slashing .325/.460/.750.

The Cardinals are in Miami this week to take on the Marlins. Daniel Ponce de Leon will start Monday’s game. First pitch from Miami is set for 5:40 PM.