Game Thread #1: Rockies (0-0) at Brewers (0-0)

It's time to bust out the Rally Lobster!

Click the link above for our Series Preview, head over to Purple Row for Rubie's answers to their questions, then follow us after the jump for today's pitching matchup, lineup and conversation on today's game!

Yovani Gallardo (13-12, 3.73 last season) enters today with an opportunity to set the tone for Brewer pitching in the early season. Last year, he was in the top five in the National League in fewest hits per nine innings (7.271), K/9 (9.889) and strikeouts (204), but also in walks (94). Today is his first Opening Day start and his third in his career against the Rockies - he's 0-2 with a 9.49 ERA in 12.1 innings. Perhaps the biggest flaw in his game is his tendency to be inefficient with his pitches: He was third in the National League with 106.7 pitches per start in 2009.

Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47 last season) actually has a similar problem: He led all NL starters with 108.2 pitches per start while throwing 218 regular season innings (and 12 more in the playoffs) as a 25 year old last season. This is his third career start against the Brewers: He's 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in his previous two appearances. Perhaps his biggest strength is his ability to prevent the long ball: Despite playing his home games at Coors Field, Jimenez allowed just .537 home runs per nine innings last season, sixth best in the NL.

If you had predicted this before the season, people likely would have laughed at you: Jim Edmonds is starting in right field on Opening Day in place of Corey Hart (h/t JS):

Brewers
2B Rickie Weeks
CF Carlos Gomez
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
RF Jim Edmonds
3B Casey McGehee
C Gregg Zaun
SS Alcides Escobar
RHP Yovani Gallardo

And for the Rockies:

CF Carlos Gonzalez
LF Seth Smith
1B Todd Helton
SS Troy Tulowitzki
RF Brad Hawpe
C Chris Iannetta
3B Ian Stewart
2B Clint Barmes
P Ubaldo Jimenez

Enjoy the game!