MLB: Opening Day in Baseball in Japan
MLB: Opening Day in Baseball in Japan
As production of United States products continues to be outsourced to other countries, in some perverse way2008-03-24
As production of United States products continues to be outsourced to other countries, in some perverse way, it makes sense the opening of the baseball season will take place in Japan at 6:05 AM Eastern time (that’s 3:05 Pacific for A’s fans), with Oakland “hosting” the current World Series champion Boston Red Sox. This has been done twice before, yet the commercial enterprise this points to is like many things around us.
The Red Sox couldn’t have made a better acquisition for this moment, as Daisuke Matsuzaka of Japan will climb the hill for Boston in opening game. The 27-year-old Matsuzaka pitched eight seasons in Japan with the Seibu Lions, and will return to Tokyo Dome to be the starter, right where he made his debut nine years ago. “I think it’s an emotional game for him because he’s going to be fired up and the crowd’s probably going to be crazy and rooting for him,” Boston third baseman Mike Lowell said, “which is good for us.”
For the entire year, including postseason, Boston was 107-69, earning +11.8 units of profit. The Red Sox will trot out one of the most dangerous lineups in baseball, led by David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. The team remains virtually intact with, including another Japanese import, reliever Hideki Okajima.
After years of competing on a shoestring budget, the Oakland A’s are in rebuilding mode (76-86, -16 units) coming off first losing season since 1998. The A’s traded seasoned stalwarts like ace Dan Haren and outfielder Nick Swisher for younger players, lowering skimpy payroll even further. Oakland will also be without regular third-sacker Eric Chavez, who is recovering from back surgery.
Joe Blanton will oppose Matsuzaka after a 14-10 season with 3.95 ERA. Blanton becomes the bell-cow of the Oakland starters, with his excellent command, good movement and the ability to throw curve ball on any count. He is 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in five starts against Boston; however was battered for 10 earned run in less than 20 innings last season by BoSox batters.
The Red Sox are the designated road team and Sportsbook.com has them as -153 money line favorites, with total of 9.5. The teams split eight encounters in 2007, with Boston 90-43 (+17.8 Units) against the money line as a favorite of -110 or higher last season.
The two American League teams will play again on Wednesday before flying home and resuming Oakland’s opening “homestand” on April 1 and 2. ESPN2 will telecast this contest for early risers.