5 must-watch games for Week 2 of the MLB season
Entering the second week of the MLB season, there are a ton of games on an almost daily basis. Your time is valuable, and you can't possibly see every game. Here are three games worth entering into your schedule. You can't miss these.
Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers - April 10
There is nothing quite like a pitcher's duel. Chris Sale will make his second start as a member of the Red Sox in an attempt to put the flu-riddled team on his back in this series finale. Problem is, his counterpart is Tigers ace Justin Verlander. This has the makings of a crisp, fast-paced game, though both teams have potent bats who could spoil either ace's day with one swing.
Oakland Athletics at Kansas City Royals - April 10
This one is all about the Royals. It's the home opener, but it's also an opportunity for the team to pay tribute to pitcher Yordano Ventura, who died in an automobile accident on Jan. 22. Ventura's mother, Marisol Hernandez, will be throwing out the first pitch.
Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants - April 13
It might carry more intrigue if Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner was hitting at Coors Field, but it's still plenty exciting. Rockies starter Jon Gray looks to build on Saturday's solid showing against the Dodgers and entrench himself as one of the game's most exciting young pitchers. The Rockies currently sit closer to the top of the division than the Giants do, so combined with Gray versus Bumgarner this game carries an upstart versus establishment kind of vibe.
Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays - April 14
Games between the Orioles and Blue Jays are always filled with fireworks. It might be the most tense rivalry in the entire American League East at present. Jose Bautista has made himself a public enemy in Baltimore and he's made a living clowning their pitching, and this would be a great series to break out of his slump. Friday's game is the big one, though, as newly crowned ace Aaron Sanchez is on the mound.
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs - April 15
This Saturday afternoon matinee will mark Jake Arrieta's first start of the season against division-rival Pirates. Arrieta has already picked apart the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, so why not add a third National League Central victim? Not so fast. He made six starts against the Pirates in 2016 and amassed a 4.93 ERA and allowed five home runs in the process. Maybe the Pirates have his number.