Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.You Oughta Know...
The Rangers have scored at least eight runs in their first three games of the season, the first team to do that since the 2003 Yankees. Those Yankees won the pennant. The Rangers are 3-0 for the first time since 1996, when they won the division.
"You couldn't be more excited right now coming off this first series, playing with energy and passion," pitcher Brandon McCarthy said. "The team chemistry in here is second to none, and right now it's a special team to be part of."While that bodes well for the Rangers, it doesn't look so good for the Indians, who have been on the wrong end of these beatings. When your top three starters get hit like that, look out.
From the Trainers' Room...
Cubs catcher Geovany Soto said he will miss two or three games. The reigning NL rookie of the year, Soto was examined on Thursday after straining his shoulder making a throw on Tuesday night. The exam revealed no structural damage.
Numbers Game...
Cardinals lefty Dennys Reyes picked up his first save in nine years and 192 days. It's the longest gap between saves since Boston's Curt Schilling got his first save in 13 years and 77 days on July 19, 2005, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
In Their Own Words ...
"It doesn't always have to be an oil painting to be successful." -- Rays manager Joe Maddon, after closer Troy Percival survived a Red Sox rally before closing out a 4-3 victory.
Advance Scouting ...
Tampa Bay has won 12 straight games against Baltimore, but the series at Camden Yards that opens tonight (7:05 PM ET) is ripe for a Rays letdown, coming between the opening series of the year at Boston and a return home to face the Yankees and raise the AL pennant.
