What you need to know about the new MLB season here | Other games

First pitch
Only one person can throw the first ball, and that is Gerrit Cole. The New York Yankees star player started the new season at 7:05 pm (Dutch time) with his first pitch in a home game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Five minutes later, the Detroit Tigers started their game with the Cleveland Indians, so all eyes were on one of the biggest earners in the MLP since moving out of Houston last year. The goal in nine years is worth $ 324 million (6 276 million).

The audience
Cole had a great debut season with his favorite club, but unfortunately had to do without spectators. Tonight it’s different. Yankee Stadium welcomes 11,000 fans. Most clubs are allowed – subject to corona rules – to fill about 10 to 25 percent of their ballpark. At the Texas Rangers Stadium, all 40,518 seats may even be occupied. Is everything completely safe again? It is not. Five players missing due to Corona The Washington Nationals game was canceled tonight. Opponent Opening day The New York Mets will be. Also, due to heavy rain in Fenway Park, a line passed through the Boston Red Sox-Baltimore Orioles. That game was postponed to tomorrow.

Million contracts
In the MLP, despite the corona crisis, a lot of money was thrown here and there this spring. Shortstop Fernando Toddys Jr. signed with San Diego Buttress for 14 years at a fee of $ 340 million (29 290 million) (one record). Will Pitcher Trevor Boyer earn $ 102 million (87 87 million) at LA Dodgers for the next three seasons after being transferred from the Cincinnati Reds? After all, short stop Francisco Lindor announced today that he has extended his contract with the New York Mets for another ten years to $ 341 million.

New rules
Everything was different last year with 16 (30) teams in 60 games and play-offs in the regular season. But the MLP has returned to normal with 162 games and 10 teams qualifying for the postseason. However, there are a few innovations that have already been tested over the past year. For example, extra innings with a runner in the second inning (if it is still built after 9 innings) can force a decision a little faster.

Dutch
Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox), Ozzie Albies (Braves), Jurickson Profar (Padres), Didi Gregorius (Billies), Andreldon Simmons (twins), Jonathan Scoop (Tigers), Chadwick Trump (Giants) and Kenley Johnson (again) A good number of (potential) orange internationals. The latter culminated in his work by winning the World Series after two failed attempts with the Dodgers last year. Johnson (33) has had a tough season personally, but it is still close to being a ‘world champion’. In Spring training he showed that his form is going better this year.

Favorite
Will this be two in a row for Johnson and Co? It may be so. The Los Angeles star team was already impressive, and only strengthened by the arrival of the excellent pitcher Boyer. The La Dodgers winning team in the National League is in the New York Yankees American League. Among bookmakers, the two best clubs top the list of competitors.