Rays and Marlins have Different Opening Days

Opening day for the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins was quite different. The Rays secured a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Tigers. Meanwhile, the Marlins suffered a 5-3 defeat to the Mets.

Rays

After topping the AL East in back-to-back seasons, the Rays finished third and secured a wild card victory over the Athletics in last season’s playoffs. With more playoff expectations in Tampa Bay, the Rays would come out on opening day with an impressive performance.

Shane McClanahan didn’t waste any time on the mound and recorded his first strikeout via the first batter he saw.

Yea, that's the stuff. pic.twitter.com/tqD0Qlrjzz

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 30, 2023

In six innings pitched, McClanahan struck out six batters, walked one and gave up just four hits on the evening.

It was a deadlock until the third inning when Jose Siri went yard off Eduardo Rodriguez. It would be his fifth home run with Tampa Bay since being traded from Houston last season.

Hey Siri, how bout a home run? pic.twitter.com/fT5wRIuLK5

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 30, 2023

Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley would each drive in a run at the expense of Rodriguez to extend the Rays’ lead.

With two runners on base, Manuel Margot made an impressive diving catch during the seventh inning in right field to preserve the shutout.

MarGOODNESS GRACIOUS WHAT A CATCH pic.twitter.com/2K5XUDkhxY

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 30, 2023

With the 3-0 lead still intact, Wander Franco hit a solo shot in the bottom of the eight to extend the lead to four runs.

Having quite a Wanderful Opening Day pic.twitter.com/HYlEuJADSm

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 30, 2023

Tampa Bay would hold on for a 4-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

https://twitter.com/RaysBaseball/status/1641556269218557952?s=20

Marlins

Last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara didn’t have the opening day he dreamed for. His start, however, went according to plan after throwing the first couple innings scoreless.

https://twitter.com/Marlins/status/1641542527407865861?s=20

A Brandon Nimmo sac-fly brought in Daniel Vogelbach for the first run of the game.

https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1641542861853171712?s=20

After the Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Marlins would respond. A three-run sixth inning featuring a two-run Garrett Cooper home run would tie the game up at 3-3.

TIE IT UP GARRETT COOPER. #MakeItMiami pic.twitter.com/UMVE6ws2Su

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 30, 2023

However, it didn’t take long for Brandon Nimmo to regain the lead for the Mets. With two on base, Nimmo would take a 1-1 pitch into right center field to drive in both runners and take a 5-3 lead.

.@You_Found_Nimmo finds a couple runs! pic.twitter.com/fiWMTP6L49

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2023

The Marlins would be unable to mount a comeback and suffered a 5-3 loss on opening day.

Final. pic.twitter.com/1nSWlOl09b

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 30, 2023