MLB is less than a week away. While many settled for Spring Training as the grand return of baseball, next Sunday, the 2013 season begins and though the matchups aren't quite as exciting, by this point next week, your phone and social media accounts will be engulfed with baseball updates as the MLB Season Opener is this upcoming Sunday.
The Houston Astros host the Texas Rangers in Miller Park at 8 p.m. ET. In a game that will answer a few questions even though it's just the first game of the new season.
For beginners, the world will be introduced to Astros team. There are probably more people who had the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the Sweet 16 than there are people who can name the Astros position players. There is Carlos Peña who they acquired in the offseason and Jose Altuve, the young All-Star second baseman, we'll start with those two and stay there. For the Rangers, they will display a lineup and outfield lacking Josh Hamilton as the slugger signed with the Los Angeles Angels over the offseason.
For many, the Rangers are competitors. They need a utility hitter to replace their longtime and former face of the franchise, Michael Young who went to the Philadelphia Phillies via trade. Can Nelson Cruz stay healthy and provide the pop necessary? Will they have enough left on offense, as Mike Napoli also walked, to take the Rangers to the playoffs?
The Rangers will be playing baseball for the first time following their disappointing four-game skid that cost them first place in the A.L. West and further advancement into the 2012 playoffs as they were bounced by the Baltimore Orioles in the A.L. Wild Card Game. The Oakland Athletics are practically placing the same team on the field with the same young starters along with other improvements. The Seattle Mariners look capable of ruining anybodies playoff hopes. While the Angels, if they can get the right pitching, are a threat to take it all in 2013.
It will be the Astros' first game in the American League as, this year, interleague games will be a regular occurrence throughout the season.
Tune into ESPN or check back to Sports World Report next week as we will bring you live play-by-play and live streams to enjoy and watch the first game of the 2013 season. Also, we'll have in depth predictions for every baseball team as we continue do research on the mysterious nine players the Astros will be placing on their field.
