So how ‘bout that for an Opening Night? - A Hunt and Peck

On Sunday night the Major League Baseball season officially began when the Cardinals took the field to face reigning World Series Champions and divisional opponents in the Chicago Cubs.

It has been several months since we last saw bases be balled (balls be based?) and this game did not disappoint. The lovely VanHicklestein has recapped the events here for your convenience and entertainment.

Carlos Martínez struck out ten, Randal Grichuk homered (and walked earlier in the game!), and the Cardinals walked off.

Not bad.

what else is going on in baseball...

• A reason to watch every MLB team in 2017. | Sports on Earth
• Which spring stats should we believe in? | Sports on Earth
• Ring in April Fools' Day with 10 of the best baseball pranks of the past year | MLB.com
• Alex Rodriguez appeared on 'The View' to answer all of your pressing 'J-Rod' questions | MLB.com
• 10 great moments in using caps to catch baseballs | MLB.com
• Madison Bumgarner homers on Opening Day | MLB.com
• Madison Bumgarner is 1st pitcher to hit 2 home runs on opening day | SBNation.com
• Witness the first walk-off win of the season, courtesy of the D-backs and Chris Owings | MLB.com
• A new season is here, so enjoy a curated playlist of songs for its official start | MLB.com
• Swings and pitches may both trend upward in 2017. | Sports on Earth
• How Brian Cashman Sold the Yankees’ Rebuild | FanGraphs Baseball
• Watch: The Five Craziest Opening Day Games | FanGraphs Baseball
• The Best of FanGraphs: March 27-31, 2017 | FanGraphs Baseball
• Lessons from Opening Day of the 2017 MLB season | SBNation.com
• Baseball is back! What to watch in every Opening Day game | ESPN
• Can Noah Syndergaard level up to Kershaw-grade greatness? | Mets Blog | ESPN
• From Taft to Trump: Scouting presidential first pitches | ESPN

what the cardinals are up to...

• Grichuk's big night gives Cards 1st '17 win | MLB.com
• The new intentional walk debuted on Sunday night and was so fast you probably missed it | MLB.com
• Carlos Martinez honored Oscar Taveras and Yordano Ventura with pregame ritual | MLB.com
• Aledmys Diaz steals two bases off Jon Lester | MLB.com
• Grichuk, Martinez power Cardinals to 4-3 win on Opening Night 4.2.17 | Viva El Birdos

KNOW THINE ENEMY...

the chicago cubs

• The Cardinals next three games are scheduled against the Cubs | Viva El Birdos
• Bryzzness is good! Cubs' new promo rocks | MLB.com
• Cubs cap Opening Day tripleheader | MLB.com
• Cubs stroll into Opening Night as champs | MLB.com
• St. Louis Cardinals to reveal extension for Stephen Piscotty | ESPN
• Sources: Cardinals complete contract extension with Piscotty | Derrick Goold: Bird Land | stltoday.com
• Molina calls new $60 million deal a 'great honor' | St. Louis Cardinals | stltoday.com
• If You Don't Think Sports Are Important To This City, You Missed An Incredible, Beautiful Sunday In Downtown STL | 101Sports.com
• Yadier Molina Signs Three Year Contract Extension with Cardinals | 101Sports.com
• Cardinals 4, Cubs 3: Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign | Bleed Cubbie Blue
• A Chicago Cubs Community | Bleed Cubbie Blue

the nl central

• Tyler Glasnow named 5th starter | Bucs Dugout