On the surface it looks like the Blue Jays would be the play with that offense being incredible last year and everyone back. They even have a .323 average and .828 OPS combined in 65 ab vs. Masterson. However, most of that damaged came in 2010 in Masterson's start in Toronto when he gave up 8 ER. Masterson, a sinker ball pitcher is in a totally different situation at home here. He's posted good numbers in April in his career including a 2.18 ERA last year. Also Toronto on the road last year was nothing special as they were 15th with just a .700 OPS also 13th with a .719 OPS vs. RHP, so just average. Cleveland however had a .734 OPS at home last year and were one of the better home teams early. They are also healthy like they were to start 2011 when they got off to a 30-15 start. Ricky Romero has a 4.85 ERA at Progressive Field and Masterson just seems to be the better choice here in my opinion at home as a do
The Dodgers have a lot to be excited for with new ownership and the return of the NL MVP and CY YOUNG winners. Kershaw goes today and he is 25-7 in his last 32 starts vs. the NL West. The Dodgers have a major advantage in this game with Kershaw who posted a 2.35 ERA during day games and a 2.87 ERA on the road last year and even better he has 10 GS in the last 3 years vs. the Padres and posts a 1.87 ERA and a 2.04 ERA at Petco Park where opponents have a .171 average against him. The Padres were dead last last April with a .600 OPS and they were 23rd with a .688 OPS vs. LHP for the season, .665 26th during day games. I don't see much of that changing at least against Kershaw.
On the flip side Edinson Volquez tries to make a new name for himself and this is the park to do it. Volquez however struggled big time last year and this spring although numbers are not terrible 3.48 ERA he handed out 11 walks in just 20 innings pitched. Dodgers should have runners on base all afternoon while Kershaw picks up right where he left off. The one thing that's a huge question mark is the depth of the Dodgers bullpen but they don't need it today. Both Jansen and Gueara are the 8th and 9th inning guys who will get the work and both posted ERA's well under 3 last year with Jansen striking out an amazing 96 over just 53 IP and opponents hit .153 against him.
