The most impressive aspect of Schmitt’s hot start has been his work at the dish. It’s not uncommon for first time call-ups to look good with the bat as opposing teams usually don’t yet have enough information to exploit weaknesses. After watching pitchers attack Schmitt with a variety of sequences, it looks like it’ll be a while before teams adjust to him, at which point it’ll be on him to adjust back. This looks like a vary possible reality ‘cause the kid has a solid plan in the box and swing to back it up. He uses the middle of the field extremely well and has more than enough bat speed to demolish mistakes.Â
Speaking of Chang, he had the game of his life. In addition to driving in the game-winning runs, he hit a ball that damn-near ripped a hole in the DraftKings sign that sits atop the Green Monster for a solo shot in the 4th. Later, he made a dope leaping catch on a screaming line drive off the bat of Taylor Ward.Â
They’ll be one of the teams least affected by the new restrictions placed on defensive shifts. The aforementioned quickness, butter-smooth glove-work, laser arms, and a general lack of drop off from the starters to the bench players make for a defense of steady hands that would be the envy of every sufferer of Sunday Scaries slouched in their seat at the Sasquatch Saloon.
It’s time to kick that dusty, Charlie-Brown-lookin’ tree out to the curb, load the grill with bratwurst, crack the coldest beer you’ve got, and give a toast to the game so fine that it’s played on diamonds. Let’s rip into those Opening Day gifts and see what we got!