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For whatever reason, I never seem to mind an Opening Day loss as much. There’s nothing like an Opening Day win—especially a magical one like last year—but really nothing can take me off that “baseball is back” high for at least one day.
The 2019 Rays took full advantage of this character quirk, starting the day with a bang...
THAT'S HOW YOU START A SEASON, @austin_meadows!
— FOX Sports Florida (@FOXSportsFL) March 28, 2019
The young OF shows off the and puts the @RaysBaseball on the board with a leadoff homer against Justin Verlander!
Check out all of the #OpeningDay action live now on FOX Sports Sun and FOX Sports Go! #RaysUp #MLB pic.twitter.com/r2qMNKxnNq
But not doing a whole lot after that. But it’s OK! Baseball was back.
Now day two? Day two is totally different. The Rays draw another ace in Gerrit Cole, but starting the year 0-2 would be a bummer even if we all know at heart that two mere games don’t matter in the grand scheme of the 162-game season. No pressure, Charlie Morton.
What Did Twitter Have to Say?
Let’s start with some excellent advice from all of our favorite writer front office employee:
this opening day, consider liking the Rays, instead of your own team
— Jeff Sullivan (@based_ball) March 28, 2019
Need a reason to? The Rays social media has you covered. How can you not just adore these guys?
too hard. #RaysUp | OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/7MV9tjutHl
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 28, 2019
Plus, they were drippin on OD (especially Choi)
Sauce. #RaysUp | #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/hzTe9aUBsU
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 28, 2019
And there were definitely a few good moments to cling on to from 2019 Rays Opening Day
Blake Snell, Filthy 80mph Curveball.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 28, 2019
Altuve ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/XeDDm0fKdZ
Yuli Gurriel caught stealing by Zunino... Pop time was 2 seconds flat.
— Daren Willman (@darenw) March 28, 2019
Although it wasn’t all roses and peaches
That's 3 HR off Snell today.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 28, 2019
He'd never allowed HR in 3 straight innings before - although he did serve up 3 in ONE inning last 5/13 against the Orioles.
Overall, gotta keep our eye on the big prize, and news like this only helps
#Rays Sternberg said he was "highly optimistic" about the team's chances this season, is confident they are good enough to win 90 or more and reiterated they have $ to make in-season additions if warranted
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 28, 2019
Rays Links
- Snell, Rays bested by Verlander, Astros — Juan Toribio’s recap of Opening Day.
- From Snell to Zunino to Lowe, here are three takeaways from Rays’ loss to Astros — Josh Tolentino recapping for The Athletic.
- Game 1 — Houston Astros 5 Rays 1 — Postgame News and Notes — Neil Solondz on day one, with several audio clips at the end.
- Rays take tough loss but may have gotten good lesson — Topkin on the broader lessons learned on Opening Day.
- Bumpy Day: Blake Snell struggles and Tampa Bay Rays fall in opener — Rylan Stiles with his version of things over at Rays Colored Glasses.
- Marc Topkin’s takeaways from Rays’ 5-1 loss to Houston — Let the Choi love rain down.
- Morton torn about facing Astros in Rays debut — Hopefully the only thing he’s torn about is whether to no-hit them or just go ahead and make it a perfect game.
- Just relax, Blake Snell will be better (If not, the Rays are in trouble) — The second clause seems a bit unnecessary after one game, but your point is taken, John.