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The crack of the bat… the roar of the crowd… it’s Opening Day! Of all the major professional sports, only baseball has built up such a mythology around the first day of the regular season. 

Which is why it’s unfortunate that they’ve diluted the experience by having three games on Sunday. But hey I’m an old Inspector, I digress. The point is, Opening Day carries with it a strong association with spring and renewal and the coming of good weather. It builds anticipation for summer, which is right around the corner.

And who doesn’t like summer baseball? Sit outside in the sun for three hours with friends or family, a beer and hot dog in each hand… what could be better? Nothing, in my humble opinion.

The most anticipated game arguably happened yesterday, as the reigning World Series champion Cubs (how strange is that sentence?) fell to the rival Cardinals, 4-3. Still, there’s plenty of intrigue around the majors as the season gets underway. Here’s the games that intrigue the Inspector today.

(All times EST, check local listings)

Braves @ Mets, 1 PM: There is plenty of enthusiasm in Queens as Mets fans believe this could be the year after several close calls the past few seasons. Of course, that depends on the loaded pitching staff staying healthy. Flame-throwing Noah Syndergaard will get the start for the Mets. His fastball has to be seen to be believed.

Pirates @ Red Sox, 2:05 PM: Once again, fanatics of Red Sox Nation have extremely high expectations for their talented squad. The Sox were up there with the Cubs for offensive prowess last season, and with young guns like Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. coming into their own, they should be even better this year. Meanwhile, the Pirates hope that superstar Andrew McCutchen’s dismal season last year was a fluke.

Padres @ Dodgers, 4 PM: Here’s a fun fact: according The Los Angeles Times, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will make $33 million this season, which is more than the entire $28 million payroll of the Padres. Kershaw may well be worth the cost though; he is currently the most dominant pitcher in the majors. If he can lead a talented, if sometimes dysfunctional, Dodgers squad to its first World Series championship in almost 30 years, no one will complain about his price tag.

Indians @ Rangers, 7 PM: Can the Indians recover after last year’s heartbreaking loss to the Cubs? In case you forgot, the Indians blew a 3-1 series lead. Still, they have one of the best top-to-bottom rotations in the game, headlined by ace Corey Kluber (who will get the Opening Day start) and featuring quality names like Danny Salazar, Carlos Corrasco, Josh Tomlin and veteran Trevor Bauer. And don’t forget Andrew Miller in the bullpen, who may just be redefining the way teams use relievers. If the pitchers perform, maybe the Tribe can put the “3-1” jokes to rest for good.

Angels @ A’s, 10 PM: It’s likely that neither of these teams will be very good this season. So why are we highlighting this game? Two words: Mike Trout. Trout is by far the best player in baseball and at only 25, is on course to be one of the best ever. In a way Trout is much like Pump Products in that he is (1) a proud child of New Jersey and (2) the best in his field (being a baseball player vs. selling pumps). He’s the modern day Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle and you should take every opportunity you can to watch and appreciate him.

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