It’s Opening Day! Hope springs eternal for every baseball team. It will be cold in New York but they will get the game in for the Yankees. Mets go live in Washington tonight. Fans in the stands – finally – although limited unless you are in Texas because…. of course.

SU has read a few of the experts’ predictions for the season. A lot of love for the Dodgers I must say. Some say it’s a slam dunk. Repeat champions? SU says teams are not as motivated that next season – even ones as stacked as the Dodgers. Many are high on the Padres and the Braves. The AL is not as interesting – apparently – as many feel the Yankees will roll through the season and the playoffs. Clearly, they are mesmerized by the all right-handed line-up and why that is a formula for success.

SU’s thoughts on the 2021 season:

• Unless the Yankees have totally revamped their strength and conditioning program (which they probably have), I can’t believe that guys like Judge, Stanton, Voit, Hicks are doing to stay healthy all year. Combine that with starters who haven’t pitched in 2 years and another (Severino) coming back from Tommy John surgery, and Zach Britten injured, SU is not 100% sold on the pitching staff. And Chapman is always hurt for a month or two on top of that.
• I hate the all right-handed line-up. And I hate watching Gary Sanchez hit. He needs to aim for right field this year. SU does not care about the home runs. Show me a new approach this year.
• The Yankees look great on paper. I would have to say that given the regression of the Rays with their player departures and the Red Sox being in a rebuild, anything short of making it to the World Series this year would be a disappointment. They don’t have to win it but I think you have to get there in 2021. Many are high on the Angels and the White Sox. The AL West looks like the toughest division in the AL as Oakland and the Astros are always contenders.
• In the NL, SU is high on the Mets. Smart to lock up Lindor – he is young, charismatic and easy to root for. I don’t think they will win the NL East but they will be a Wild Card. SU will also root for Joe Girardi in Philadelphia and Didi Gregorius.

I think the season will really build as more people get vaccinated and teams allow more fans in the stands for games. Will we see vaccinated fans only sections in 2021 along the lines of the alcohol-free sections of years past? SU will sign up for that. And if you want to limit attendance to 50%, I am there for that as well. I don’t need the pushing and shoving in the men’s room in the 5th inning from intoxicated, yelling fans.

I say too much love for the Dodgers. Yankees vs. the Padres in the World Series, and the Yankees finally break through. The key will be Cashman picking up some left-handed hitters at the trade deadline. The Mets will get the Wild Card and will advance to the NLCS where they lose to the Padres. The Subway Series will return as will the rivalry in New York.

Giancarlo Stanton will play in 75 games. In fact, the Yankees will sit him in April when the temperature dips below 40 degrees to avoid calf injuries. Judge will schedule his oblique injury for May and will return in July. Gary Sanchez will be the AL MVP (OK, just kidding).

The floor is open for anyone who wants to weigh in with their thoughts on 2021 baseball. Be bold. Play Ball!