Pitcher Taillon threw it slow, E-U-hay-ni-O

(sing along kids to Old McDonald!)

So nice, he did it twice.

Eugenio Suárez (ARI): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI

Eugenio’s first homer last night was off an 87 mph cutter, and the second was off a 79 mph sweeper.  Both were no-doubt home runs from the moment of contact.

If you recall, Suarez had a month-long stretch last season where he went absolutely nuclear – and for many, he was available on the waiver wire and helped those fantasy teams to championships.  From 8/23/24 – 9/23/24 (28 games), he had 40 hits with 29 RBIs and 11 home runs.  This fantasy season, he was probably drafted in many of your leagues (currently 90% rostered in Yahoo leagues), and he’s peaking early.  He has 3 home runs, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs to start his 2025 season.

Let’s see how the other hitters did Friday:

Mookie Betts (LAD): 3-5, 2 HR, 3 R, 4 RBI

Going into the season, Betts didn’t know when he would eat solid food again.  Apparently, the medicine that fixed his ailment has instilled ice in his veins because he had no problem delivering this walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th (in case you missed it):

It was his second of the game and bookended the night in grandiose fashion after the team received their World Series rings before the game.  Freddie Freeman, who has also been dealing with a nagging rib injury, also hit a home run earlier in the 6th inning – whatever miracle drug the team doctors are prescribing does a body good!

Jonah Heim (TEX): 2-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Heim had two picture-perfect home runs yesterday, making it tough to predict whether he or Kyle Higashioka will be the more productive catcher on the Rangers this season.  Witness the poetry in motion for yourself:

Oneil Cruz (PIT): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB

After a quiet opening day (0-4, BB, SB), Cruz added his second stolen base and a 2-run homer to right field in the 5th inning.  We saw a fair share of good and bad by Cruz this spring, with 17 strikeouts in 47 plate appearances, paired with 3 home runs and 9 walks.  He gets another exploitable pitcher today in Valente Bellozo, so maybe he gets warmed up thanks to the Miami pitching rotation.

Pavin Smith (ARI): 3-4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI

Smith is that under-the-radar fantasy asset probably sitting on your waiver wire that just steadily comes through against average righty pitching.  He’s serving as DH on the Diamondbacks, but he’s still usable as 1B/OF in many fantasy formats, and he’s only rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues.

Gleyber Torres (DET): 1-2, HR, R, RBI, BB

The now-grizzly Gleyber hit his first home run with the Tigers last night, which is the good news.  The bad news is he was holding his side and grimacing in pain while running the bases, and the rumor during the broadcast was a possible oblique strain, although he stayed in for about 3 more innings until being replaced at 2B in the bottom of the 6th.  He’s currently listed day-to-day, but watch for more detailed reports on the extent of the injury and whether it could impact his swing going forward.

Jackson Holliday (BAL): 2-3, HR, R, RBI

Holliday was the only notable player for a Baltimore team that maybe was a little tired from running the bases on Opening Day.  The Baltimore debut of Charlie Morton went about as expected, although the Blue Jays won the game by singling the Baltimore pitchers to death (11 of 14 hits were singles).

Ryan McMahon (COL): 3-3, 2B, BB.

When a Rockie away from Coors has a 3-for-3 day, it’s noteworthy.  Other than this performance, there were a whole lot of whiffs. The only home run came from a player who pinch-hit in the bottom of the 9th inning.  Guess we have to wait a bit longer for the hit-friendly aspects of Steinbrenner Field to show themselves.

Max Muncy (OAK): 1-5, HR, R, RBI

The lesser-known Max Muncy (no relation to the Dodgers version, although they share the same birthday) got his first MLB hit last night, and he made it count with a solo shot in the 8th inning.  If you only consider games since opening day, he’s the most productive Muncy this season.

Rafael Devers (BOS): 0-4

Oh Raffy – normally your swing is a chaotic wonder but the start to 2025 has been rough.  Seven strikeouts in eight at-bats to start the year and a golden sombrero is all you have to show for last night, even with an at-bat with the bases juiced.  Do you miss the quiet moments at third base to balance your channeled rage at the plate?  Something feels off about Boston early on, and maybe the drama over third base duties vs. designated hitter duties isn’t as resolved as it seems.