SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – Spring Training games officially got underway today, with the Rockies, Diamondbacks, Cubs and White Sox in action in Arizona. But here in the Sunshine state two teams took to the field today, with the rest hitting the diamond tomorrow.
Boston Red Sox/Minnesota Twins
Fenway South aka JetBlue Park had thee Irish-green clad Red Sox on display today, and Bobby Dalbec delivered early for Boston in this one, with the first home run of Spring Training.
The Red Sox would dominate this one, kicking off the onslaught of daily games, as they come out on top over Minnesota, 14-1.
Baltimore Orioles
Tomorrow in Sarasota, the Orioles prepare to open their season at Ed Smith Stadium against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Orioles will enter this one with Spencer Watkins on the mound, and manager Brandon Hyde says fans can expect everyday starters to be slowly rolled out this Spring, giving the younger guys a go early on.
First pitch tomorrow afternoon is set for 1:05pm.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Also, tomorrow afternoon in Bradenton at LECOM Park the Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome the world-renowned New York Yankees.
The Pirates will enter tomorrow’s match-up against a less than full-go Yankees squad, as not every star will be in Bradenton.
The Yankees have some of the youngest stars in the game like Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres, but also seasoned vets like Giancarlo Stanton and new additions like Josh Donaldson.
The Pirates will use this Spring to measure the competition for playing time at nearly every position.
First pitch from LECOM Park is also set for 1:05pm.
Tampa Bay Rays
In Port Charlotte, the only Suncoast Spring team taking to the road will be the Tampa Bay Rays, as they’ll be in Ft. Myers at JetBlue Park taking on the Boston Red Sox.
The Rays will see their first Spring action of the year, after the Red Sox won earlier today.
Fans will be out in droves to see young, phenom shortstop, Wander Franco, who will be beginning his first full season in the big leagues.
It’ll also be his first action since signing his 11-year, $182 million contract.
First pitch tomorrow is set for 1:05pm.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves begin the defense of their World Series tomorrow at CoolToday Park against the Minnesota Twins.
The Braves, of course, recently acquired and extended former Oakland A’s 1B Matt Olson, moving on from the former NL MVP-turned L.A Dodger, Freddie Freeman.
First pitch in North Port is set for, you guessed it, 1:05pm.
