MLB Opening Week with Mat Germain, plus a special RaysUp review

2 teams undefeated in MLB – Twins & 
Rays 
the Twins rotation is strong 

 Royals beat the Jays – what happened to Berrios

 AL East 

 Don’t write off the Red Sox - Rafael Devers 

 Toronto has traded off much of their lineup

 Baltimore will their pitching hold up 




NL East  

Mets are experiencing what it’s like a 40 year old Cy
Young award winner

Braves & Mets leading NL East

 Marlins acquisition of Luis Arraez will strengthen
their team. They need more offense



 NL Central

 Mat called it when he saw Brice Turang in AAA is a
spark plug Brewers lineup 

 Chicago Cubs disappointing start

 Over all Parity between the teams in NL East will
be a dogfight

 Highlights – Brian Reynolds w/ Pirates, Reds
pitching looking solid

Brett Taylor  Bleacher Nation and Dansby Swanson
great debut with the Cubs




NL West

Dodgers young players stepping up

 Diamondbacks – will MadBum be able to be back to
himself

 Rockies – Kris Bryant showing promise

 Diamondbacks, Evan Longoria – Longo can still hit
it Long




Mat Germain  – fWAR tweet

 Hitters who've already reach 0.5 fWAR: 

1 Adam Duvall 0.7 #RedSox 2 Wander Franco 0.6 #Rays 3
James Outman 0.5  -  fWAR definition -
https://bit.ly/3m9GkxO




More on NL West

Mark asks Oakland A’s really? 
Mat, A’s will be pesky – expect them to be better than
Nationals

Nationals team is only of AAA quality

Seattle Mariners expectations to be a powerhouse – NASA
rocket or backyard homemade missile?

Will Seattle be better when Robbie Ray returns?



 Angels will continue to be a challenge with Trout &
Ohtani

Balancing of the new 2023 schedule on Division games in first
month of the season

 Will Twins hold 1.000 winning percentage

 Anthony Rendon – MLB & MLBPA agree on penalty for
player behavior. Is this a good sign for a better relationship
with union & MLB?

 Teams can no longer complain about the toughness of
their division



Tampa Bay Rays


Durham Bulls, Rays AAA minor league teams being broadcast on
MLBtv & other MiLB games, great way to see the future of the
Rays

 Rays Minor league – players moving up and down from A
to AAA teams

 Durham had a tough series with Norfolk

 Curtis Mead & Kyle Manzardo they are looking hungry
to move upTaj Bradley & Grayson Rodriguez playing in
difficult weather

 Pitching Arms - Tyler Glasnow how much of him will we
see him, Zach Eflin, Jeffrey Springs, Shane McClanahan are
looking good. We won’t see Shane Baz until next year

 Closer, Pete Fairbanks - No hits on his past 23 innings
– a man possessed

 Fairbanks & Jason Adam 2 strong arms to depend on
in the bullpen

 Randy Arozarena came out strong hustling against the
Nationals



Mat Germain  on Twitter @Mat_Germain_
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