Perennial playoff contenders had bad weekends on opening weekend of the 2012 MLB season.  Teams that went 0-3 to start the season include the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, and the San Francisco Giants. 

The last time the Yankees went 0-3 to start the season was in 1998, when the team won 114 games and won the World Series.  This year, the Tampa Bay Rays won three close games including a spectacular pitching performance by Jeremy Hillickson who took a shut-out into the 9th and beat the Yankees 3-0 in Game 3.

The Red Sox had up and down performances including a close 3-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 of the series, a blow-out 10-0 loss in Game 2, and an extra innings loss in Game 3 13-12.  The series sweep left manager Bobby Valentine without a win on his new team. 

The Braves lost close games to the New York Mets, including a great pitching performance by Jonathon Niese who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in the final games of the series.

The Twins were also subjected to a near no-no by Jason Hamels of the Baltimore Orioles who swept the Twins in Baltimore.

The San Francisco Giants lost all three games to defending NL West champions Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Giants' three aces Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, and Matt Cain all lost in one-run games.