The Stock: Let’s get this season started
The regular season has officially started! In order to get you properly excited for the week ahead, we at The Stew are introducing The Stock this season. The Stock will attempt to look at the best matchups of the week, point out some major story lines and stats and provide you with food and pop culture recommendations.
We’re hoping this becomes a nice one-stop-shop for the week ahead. It’s a place fans can go Monday morning in order to get excited about the upcoming games. Without further ado, let’s dive into week one!
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Best early week matchup
The Dodgers take on the Padres, but we’re going with the Mariners against the Angels this week. Despite the Padres most recent move, the Dodgers still look like favorites in the National League West. That’s not the case in the American League, where the West can be won by either team. It’s early, sure, but Seattle against Los Angeles could actually have playoff implications. Hey, the division may come down to one game, who’s to say it won’t be decided in April?
Best late week matchup
Boston plays New York, but the Yankees don’t look as strong on paper this season. Let’s go with Tigers against the Indians. Both teams are expected to compete for the American League Central, and Detroit may have a chip on their shoulder after a fair amount of prognosticators said the Indians could take the division. The pitching matchups won’t be as strong, but you get Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Michael Brantley. That’s fun!
Biggest story line this week
Sorry, haters, it’s Alex Rodriguez. Did you hear that he’s back? Did you hear that maybe his team doesn’t want him back? Did you hear that he’s a monster sent from the future to destroy all mankind? Some of those things are true. How A-Rod is received this week will be, at least, entertaining. The Yankees play at home all week, and it’s unclear whether fans will embrace him, or boo him. On the road, well, we know what’s going to happen there. Also, if they boo early and he gets a hit, how long before the fans come around on the 39-year-old?
Stats to watch
Longest current hit streak: Pirates outfielder Starling Marte carries a 13-game hit streak into Monday’s game. He’s set to face off against Johnny Cueto, so he should be tested.
That’s all for now. We’ll look at consecutive scoreless inning streaks if they reach interesting levels. We’ll do the same with hit streaks.
Sunday Night Baseball matchup
Surprise, it’s the Red Sox against the Yankees. While it’s too early in the season to have probable starters listed on most sites, Masahiro Tanaka lines up for the start with New York. He would be opposed by Clay Buchholz unless the Red Sox alter their rotation.
Recipe for Yankees’ fans
We recommended pizza for last week’s Sunday night game, but we have to do it for New York. Here’s a recipe for some thin crust. Don’t want that, how about a giant pastrami sandwich? You can obviously buy pastrami at a store and go nuts, but if you want to be ambitious and make some, go here. Finish with some cheesecake.
Recipe for Red Sox’s fans
Who doesn’t love some clam chowder? You can make it Massachusetts-style. If you want to opt for a side dish, go with Boston baked beans. For dessert, you have to make some Boston Cream Pie.
[Our division previews: NL East | AL East | NL Central | AL Central | NL West | AL West]
Music to put you in the mood (New York edition)
Jay-Z is a good choice if you like hip-hop. You can’t mention New York without The Ramones. Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez are from New York if you prefer pop. It shouldn’t be tough to find a band, or artist, you enjoy from New York.
Music to put you in the mood (Boston edition)
The easy default would be Boston here. You could also opt for Aerosmith or the Pixies if you are into something a little harder. You can also listen to James Taylor, the Cars or the New Kids on the Block. Pretty solid stuff.
Possible celebrity sightings (New York edition)
Jay-Z (again!), Billy Crystal and Adam Sandler are Yankees’ fans. There are a lot of famous Yankees’ fans, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding them.
Possible celebrity sightings (Boston edition)
There are also a lot of famous Red Sox’s fans. Like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Stephen King, Denis Leary and Seth Meyers all root for Boston.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
