LEADING OFF: Opening day! Guardians debut, Ohtani and Braves

A look at what’s happening around the majors Thursday:

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OPENING DAY

Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks is set to deliver the first pitch of the season against Corbin Burnes and Milwaukee at Wrigley Field just past 2:20 p.m. EDT, the first of seven games still on the calendar amid rainy forecasts across the country.

Gerrit Cole and the Yankees had been set to start the season at home against the rival Red Sox, but New York announced Wednesday that the game was postponed. Same for the Twins and their opener against visiting Seattle.

Still plenty on the docket, though. The World Series champion Atlanta Braves plan to raise a banner before hosting Cincinnati, and they'll do it without fan favorite Freddie Freeman, who signed with the Dodgers last month. Los Angeles is among 12 teams that weren't scheduled to open until Friday.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW

Plenty new around the majors this year, starting with the branding in Cleveland. The Guardians make their regular-season debut in Kansas City with ace Shane Bieber on the mound against Zack Greinke.

Cleveland will get the first, surely, of many looks at Bobby Witt Jr., baseball's top prospect who forced his way into the Royals' opening day lineup. A shortstop in the minors, Witt will play third base to start his big league career.

He's one of several touted prospects told they'll begin the season in the majors, including Seattle outfielder Julio Rodríguez, Detroit slugger Spencer Torkelson, Philadelphia shortstop Bryson Stott and Tampa Bay outfielder Josh Lowe. Cincinnati right-hander Hunter Greene — who was up to 104 mph at Triple-A last year — will start a game over the weekend.

SAME FACE, NEW PLACE

Carlos Correa makes his Minnesota debut in a showdown with new Mariners lefty Robbie Ray, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. Both...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Opening-day-Guardians-debut-Ohtani-17061450.php