Opening Day is one of the most glorious days in sports, despite the fact that MLB tried to ruin it by having an opening series in Japan and then by having a one game series (yea, that’s not even possible Major League Baseball - a series means multiple) in Washington.

Now that all the teams and players have each put on the uniform for the first official games of the season, and to honor the first true day of the MLB schedule, we make initial observations on every team about what we saw on Opening Day after watching some games and examining boxscores:

Atlanta Braves - Starting out 0-2 against the Nationals and Pirates isn’t a good sign for the Braves returning to the top of the NL East. Jeff Francouer turned on a pitch and hit it a long way for a home run in the 12th inning. It was too little, too late, but it is a good sign that Francouer has found his stroke after being hit in the face by a pitch during Spring Training. (And what are they thinking signing Scott Spiezio?)

Arizona Diamondbacks - Brandon Webb looks nearly unhittable. Sometimes it’s a wonder that some batters actually make solid contact against him. His sinker and changeup looked great Monday.

Baltimore Orioles - We warned you in the O’s team outlook that Jeremy Guthrie is likely to sustain the strong pitching he showcased at the end of last year. Today: 5 1/3 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER , only 2 K.

Boston Red Sox - Manny Ramirez looked like the Manny of old in Japan. Hopefully, his sweet swing returned from the trip with him, so that he can go back to “Manny just being Manny,” cause that’s what we all really love.

Chicago Cubs - Kerry Wood didn’t look that good, but the first run he allowed did come on a broken bat showing that he’s getting good movement. Kosuke Fukudome is an instant hero in the Windy City.

Chicago White Sox - Mark Buehrle got absolutely ripped. Seven hits and seven runs, but less than seven outs. It’s never good when your Opening Day starter/supposed ace has a 37.80 ERA.

Cincinnati Reds - Great American Ballpark already is showing its effect. The Reds gave up three solo home runs in the tiny park and lost 4-2.

Cleveland Indians - As he was attempting to move up to second base on a ball in the dirt, Victor Martinez went down hard with a strained hamstring. The Indians and my fantasy team need Martinez to be healthy. He was already 2-2 on the day.

Colorado Rockies - The Rockies #1 starter, Jeff Francis, had a rough outing, but the good thing is that it is just like a final Spring Training tune-up after the game was rained out.

Detroit Tigers - Brandon Inge, much maligned at times this off-season and now playing centerfield, absolutely hosed Kansas City’s Mark Teahen at the plate to keep the game tied in extra innings.

Florida Marlins - Their Opening Day starter, Mark Hendrickson, is a #4 or a #5 on most teams, including on the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. To have a chance, the Marlins need Hanley Ramirez on base multiple times every game.

Houston Astros - Roy Oswalt needs to pitch better and deeper as the ‘Strps need him to win every start. Who else in that rotation is going to get consistent wins?

Kansas City Royals - Leo Nunez showed electric stuff in his two innings of relief striking out three batters before turning the ball over to closer Joakim Soria in the 11th inning of the Royals’ extra inning win.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Torii Hunter had a chance at a sweet return to Minnesota but he missed a hanging breaking ball striking out in the 9th inning against Joe Nathan in a one run game.

Los Angeles Dodgers - We expect big things from Rafael Furcal this year, and he is off to a good start. 3-4, R, RBI and a web gem that showcased his tremendous arm.

Milwaukee Brewers - If 10 million dollar man Eric Gagne can’t close the door regularly, expect Derrick Turnbow to take over. They need a consistent closer as they will be winning some games.

Minnesota Twins - Pat Neshak struck out the side in the 8th, and Carlos Gomez is an exciting player to watch, much the same as former teammate Jose Reyes (imagine those two in the same lineup, some catchers get quesy even thinking about that duo on the basepaths together). 2-3, 2 R, 2B, 2 SB

New York Mets - Three hits, eight K in seven innings. Santana is as good as advertised. Jose Reyes won the first battle of NL East shortstops beating Florida’s Hanley Ramirez.

New York Yankees - An ominous start for the final opener in Yankee Stadium. Opening Day postponed due to rain. But the rainout also means that there will never have been a regular season game played in the month of March in the ‘House that Ruth Built.’

Oakland Athletics - In a return to the dead ball era of the early 20th century, pitcher Joe Blanton will get his second start in the A’s third game (He’ll face Dice-K for the second time). I don’t think that exactly fits into Billy Beane and the Moneyball scheme.

Philadelphia Phillies - The Phils need Brad Lidge to hurry back. Tom Gordon is no longer worthy of being considered as an option to close games.

Pittsburgh Pirates - Xavier Nady becomes even better trade bait after a great Opening Day with two long balls. What an interesting way to allow two runs in the bottom of the ninth and allow the Braves to tie up the game.

San Diego Padres - Jake Peavy does it all. He hit some absolute ropes in his first two ABs against good buddy Roy Oswalt, and then he worked Oswalt for a deep count and eventual walk in his third at bat forcing the Astros to pull their ace. Peavy also is pretty good as a pitcher.

San Francisco Giants - Barry Zito is no ace. He became the second starter since 1900 to start and lose 4 straight Opening Day starts. (stolen from Baseball Tonight’s stat of the night) Matt Cain has to be the team’s ace with Tim Lincecum as his trusty sidekick.

Seattle Mariners - Erik Bedard threw 79 pitches in the first three innings, but he was able to get out of jams when he had to. The four walks are still of concern, but Bedard should settle in nicely with Seattle: 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 K, 4 BB

St. Louis Cardinals - Skip Schumaker made a great diving catch even though it won’t matter as the first innings that were played were rained out.

Tampa Bay (no longer Devil) Rays - Watch out for them this year. We know they were playing the Orioles, but 5-10, 3 R, 3 RBI from the bottom third of the lineup. Dioner Navarro, who hit .227 last season, even had 3 hits.

Texas Rangers - Kevin Millwood actually pitched well giving the Rangers six strong innings. However, Kazuo Fukumori struggled in his debut with the Rangers.

Toronto Blue Jays - Roy Halladay doesn’t like the fact that the game was rained out. Instead of a day game, he’ll now start Tuesday night at 7:05. Last season, Halladay’s daytime ERA was 1.68 runs lower than at night last season (2.49 to 4.17).

Washington Nationals - Break up the Nats! 2-0 with a walkoff and a 9th inning rally. Lastings Milledge has looked like the highly touted prospect he once was and should be considered again.

Shotgun Spratling

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