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In a sport where the regular season is 162 games long, it's hard to really get excited about the very first game of the year. But with so many story lines heading into this game in Miami tonight, it could be the most exciting season opener we've seen in a while. The game starts at 7 and can be seen on ESPN.
For a second, let's try to list all of the things that could make the game tonight intriguing. First of all, it's the first game in the Miami Marlins new stadium. Then there's all of the new Miami Marlins themselves, Jose Reyes, Carlos Zambrano and Heath Bell just to name a few. O, and Ozzie Guillen is new too, and he is never short on excitement. It will also be worth watching to see how Hanley Ramirez does with his position switch to third base. And won't some Marlin please hit a home run so we can see that celebration monstrosity out in center field?
And that's just the Marline. The Cardinals are going to be their first game as reigning World Series champions, but it will also be their first season opener without Albert Pujols at first base in about a decade. They also lost hall of fame manager Tony La Russa in the offseason. Honestly, does anyone have any idea what to expect in this game tonight? Should make for some compelling television.
We'll have plenty more on this game throughout the day, but for more on Marlins baseball, please head over to Fish Stripes. You can also check out Viva El Birdos for more on the Cardinals.