Friday's Action:
Well, lets hope that the season ends on a better note than it began. I don't have the stomach to get into the details, for that I can point you here, but in a nutshell Yo struggled, the offense was okay, if not spectacular, and the Cardinals' bats continued to pound out the hits. The only good news: it's only one of 162.
In the only other action involving a team from the division the Houston Astros lost to the Colorado Rockies in the home opener at Minute Maid Park. The mostly young Astros were led by the mostly old Carlos Lee who powered the offense going 2-for-3 with a home run and driving in two. Brian Bogusevic followed Lee's 4th inning home run with a solo shot of his own accounting for the other Houston run. The Rockies offense was led by Troy Tulowitzki who had two hits, including a solo home run, and two RBI. Former Twin and new Rockie Michael Cuddyer also had a big day at the plate with two hits, one RBI, and a stolen base.
News and Notes:
Astros:
- placed Jed Lowrie on the 15-day disabled list, delaying the start of his Houston career
- sold out Minute Maid Park, amazing those of us rational people who wonder how 43,464 fans can subject themselves to the punishment of sitting through nine innings watching these guys
- turned 50 on Friday, Happy Birthday, Astros! Hopefully the Brewers can give them them several going away presents, in the forms of losses, in their last season in the NL Central.
- opening day roster contains 10 players making their first opening day MLB roster. Hopefully, for Astros fans, this signifies a bright future for the franchise.
Cardinals:
- placed reliever Scott Linebrink on the DL and replaced him on the 40-man roster with right-hander Victor Marte
- pitcher Adam Wainwright, who missed the entire 2011 season following Tommy John surgery, is looking forward to facing the Brewers this afternoon.
Cubs:
- new radio analyst, Keith Moreland, has the difficult task of replacing the late Ron Santo.
- pitcher Matt Garza is, according to GM Theo Epstein, " ...a smarter guy than you'd think..." Talk about your backhanded compliment.
- continued their history as lovable losers on Thursday, beginning 2012 in traditional Cub fashion.
- have talent, but do they have enough to seriously compete for the division crown? Of course chairman Bob Nutting is going to say all the right things. It sort of comes with the territory. Also, GM Neal Huntington is looking forward to the future. After 19 consecutive losing seasons can you blame him?
- 2011 No. 1 pick Gerrit Cole will make his professional debut as a Bradenton Marauder. In other Marauder news, A.J. Burnett made his first rehab start on Friday night
Reds:
- and 2B Brandon Phillips are reportedly close to an agreement on a contract extension. How much money do they have left in the checkbook after the recent Joey Votto extension?
- fans, apparently hundreds of them, purchased counterfeit tickets to Thursday's home opener, confirmed by the club in this press release.
Here are the updated NL Central standings:
| W | L | GB | Last 10 | Streak | |
| Cardinals | 2 | 0 | - | 2-0 | W2 |
| Reds | 1 | 0 | 0.5 | 1-0 | W1 |
| Cubs | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Astros | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Brewers | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0-1 | L1 |
| Pirates | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0-1 | L1 |
On Tap:
The Brewers resume their series with Cardinals at 3:05 CDT, airing nationally on FOX. Zach Greinke takes the hill against the Cards and Adam Wainwright, who is making his first start since 2010.
The Cubs face the Nationals at 12:05 CDT. Genius Matt Garza will look to stymie the Nats' bats while new National Gio Gonzalez will look to quiet the Cubs.
Twenty-six year old Astros starter Lucas Harrell faces the Rockies and 49-year-old Jamie Moyer at 6:05 CDT.
The Pirates and Phillies continue their intrastate series at 6:05 CDT. After facing Roy Halladay in the opener things don't get much easier for the Pirates offense as they and starter Jeff Karstens face lefty Cliff Lee.
Mat Latos makes his Reds debut against Ricky Nolasco and the Marlins at 6:10 CDT in the sandwich game of their three game series.