Green turf, fresh mound and plate prep, the smell of hot dogs, nachos and beer, the pop of the bat, the snap of the glove, the roar of the fans. There are so many intricate pieces that make the whole of the excitement of opening day. But we can’t forget one of the biggest events in 2023 opening day; Jacob deGrom on the mound for the Rangers!
By now I’m sure you all have heard about the new rules this year, but just in case I will catch you up with a brief overview.
For better or worse, say goodbye to the shift. Before a pitch is thrown, all four infielders must be on the infield dirt (or infield grass) with two on each side of second base. Players will be able to move as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand. Corey Seager will love this rule, having lost 30 hits to the shift last year- the most in baseball.
The addition and enforcement of the pitch clock has the ability to make a big impact on game length. Pitchers get 15 seconds to throw a pitch with the bases empty, 20 seconds with a runner on. Hitters have to be in the batter’s box with eight seconds on the pitch clock.
Bases now expand to 18 inches and pitchers can only step off twice to attempt to pick off a runner.
But let’s get back to opening day. We’re going to focus on deGrom’s performance.
First pitch is off and deGrom fires and Turner hits it foul. deGrom throws a slider for a strike, and Turner is out swinging on the third pitch. Three throws three strikes starts deGrom’s tenure with the Rangers.
Next is a flyout to Garcia. deGrom shoots his first two pitches to Realmuto at 100mph. In his 10th pitch of the inning, he strikes out Realmuto with a 101 mph pitch.
deGrom is DEALING in the first.
It took deGrom 10 pitches to get three outs. Nola needs 10 pitches to get out Semien, the Rangers lead-off batter.
In the second inning, deGrom takes 3 pitches for Hall to pop out. Castellanos swings for a double. He has Stott at 1 and 2 for a few pitches, and strikes him out. Bohm goes yard for two runs. The pitch was elevated and away and he shot it into the Rangers bullpen. Full count on Cave and he strikes him out. So far one misplaced pitch is making the difference.
Nola gets the Rangers out in 8 pitches.
We are in the third. deGrom isn’t expected to go too deep today. March slams a triple into right field. Not sure what he saw but he may have deGrom’s number. Turner also fires a triple down the first base line, March scores. Is deGrom tiring already? No outs yet this inning. A wild pitch lets Turner take home. Pitchcom isn’t working for the Rangers and may be part of the problem. Once everything is sorted out, deGrom strikes out Schwarber for the first out. Another ball falls into right field and Realmuto doubles. Another wild pitch gets Realmuto to third. deGrom finally gets out of the inning with a strikeout.
Not sure what’s going on here. The first inning was stellar. Big change since then. Ten pitches in the first, 22 in the second and 28 in the third. It was said deGrom would go around 70 pitches.
It’s started raining so now it’s up to the Umps on whether or not the roof stays open or closes. Why in the world the Rangers started with it open with today’s forecast is beyond me. If they move to close it, it will stay closed.
The third inning ends without the Rangers having anything to show for it.
Finally closing the roof. New to me is that they keep playing while it closes.
deGrom gets his seventh strikeout to start the forth. Extra bases for Bohm making it three doubles already for the Phillies. Ragans in for deGrom after 73 pitches.
All the hits for the Phillies during Jacob deGrom’s tenure were for extra bases. deGrom leaves the game with the Rangers down 5-0.
The Rangers rallied to win the opener 11-7 in just about three hours. They play the Phillies again tomorrow starting with first pitch at 3:05 central. Eovaldi will be on the mound.
