Opening Day 2016

Ok, so tomorrow is probably going to be Opening Day because the weather in NYC looks bad. It makes so much sense for Houston to start to season in NY in April, right? I mean, it's not like it's 80 degrees there and it's not like their stadium has a roof. Noooo, let's play in frigid, rainy NY. Smart.

Regardless, I'm excited for the season. The off-season wasn't quite as long as usual. Perhaps it's because I was lucky enough to see my alma mater unexpectedly make a Final Four run in the NCAA basketball tournament. That killed some time during the dog days of spring training.

I'm cautiously optimistic for the Yankees this year. I'm VERY concerned about the starting pitching staff. I can't see a single member of the current staff giving the team 200 innings this year...but if they can all give 150 or so, we'll be in business. Still a big IF.

I'm excited to see year two of Nathan Eovaldi and Luis Severino. Eovaldi showed a lot of promise as the summer wore on, although his season ended prematurely with a forearm injury. I'm even more excited to see a full season from Luis Severino. He proved he belonged last year, and I hope he realizes his ace potential. He could be next year's Opening Day starter.

Big Mike and Masahiro Tanaka are question marks Both are injury prone, but both can be dominant when things are clicking. I'd love to see them both stay healthy. Tanaka gets the ball for his second straight Opening Day start, although it was more by default than anything else.

In terms of the lineup, sure there are still a few old farts, but man I'm excited to see some youth sprinkled in. I love the Starlin Castro pickup. He grew up with a lot of pressure in the Cubs organization, and that's gone now. He's free. It wouldn't surprise me if he had a monster year. He is just 26, and already had 991 career hits. That's insane.

There is also a ton of young players finally ready to help. At some point this season, the Yanks could have Severino on the mound, Gary Sanchez catching, Didi and Starling at 2nd and short, and Aaron Hicks in center. That's an exciting group up the middle, and all 26 or under. The youth movement is here.

Your guess is as good as mine with how it's all going to shake out. This team could win 95 game. Or 75. But baseball is here, it's time to start the grind again. Let's do it.

Lastly, in the spirit of Opening Day, here's my first and only 2016 Topps Opening Day card, and it's of Michael Pineda, naturally. He wasn't in Series One, so I'd imagine this is what his Series Two card will look like.

One thing I don't get is why they numbered these with "OD", especially when Opening Day is above the number anyways. Seems redundant. Oh well, I won't lose sleep over it, but it's an odd choice. Also, the light gray numbering from Series One is back. Good luck with that, set collectors.

That wraps it up. Rain rain go away so we can PLAY BALL!