Is there anything better than Opening Day of baseball season?
With apologies to the Rangers and Astros, who played the first regular-season game Sunday night in Houston, this morning feels more like Opening Day with 13 games scheduled to be played from Yankee Stadium in New York to Miller Park in Milwaukee to the O.co Coliseum in Oakland.
Every team – even the cash-strapped Astros, whose projected payroll of $25 million is smaller than New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez's $29 million salary – believes today is the first step toward a championship season no matter the odds.
And what about those odds? Bovada Sportsbook of Las Vegas lists the Washington Nationals as 7-1 favorites to win the World Series, followed by Detroit and Toronto at 8-1. The Dodgers and Angels are at 9-1.
Despite many analysts giving the Giants a good chance to repeat as World Series champions, San Francisco is 12-1. The A's, at 30-1, still have a lot of doubters.
The longest odds to win the World Series? The Astros, now in the American League, at 250-1.
But favorable or long odds to win in late October mean nothing on April 1. It's the beginning of a six-month, 162-game journey in which anything in possible.
What to watch
Baseball, Giants at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m., CSNBA: The Giants lead the rivalry 1,190-1,166.
What to watch II
Baseball, Mariners at A's, 7:05 p.m., CSNCA: Oakland, the defending American League West champ, opens the season at sold-out O.co Coliseum.
Today's poll
What is your favorite Opening Day?
• Baseball season
• Football season
• Basketball season
Vote above or leave your comments in the comments field; or go to www.sacbee.com/sports
Weekend poll results
What is your favorite Sacramento pro sports team nickname?
• Capitals: 6%
• Kings: 40%
• River Cats: 46%
• Other: 8%
Total votes: 711
Call The Bee's Victor Contreras, (916) 326-5527. Follow him on Twitter @SacBeeVictor.
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