Corbin Burnes threw six one-hit innings in his Baltimore debut, and Matt Chapman homered twice in his second game with San Francisco. However, the standout performance of the week came from Juan Soto in his first series for the New York Yankees. Soto's impact was immediate as he played a pivotal role in the Yankees' four-game sweep at Houston. In the opener, he threw out the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning. The following day, he had three hits and a bases-loaded walk. Soto continued his stellar play by hitting a home run on Saturday night and delivering a clutch RBI single in the finale to secure a 4-3 win for New York.
With the health of Gerrit Cole uncertain, Soto's arrival has provided a significant boost to the Yankees. The trade that brought Soto to New York from Washington was a major deadline deal in 2022, and his performance has lived up to the hype. At just 25 years old, Soto's talent and impact on the field are undeniable.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Orioles made a strong start to the season by scoring 24 runs in their first two games against the Los Angeles Angels. Burnes, their newly acquired ace, showcased his skills by striking out 11 batters and allowing only one baserunner in an 11-3 victory.
Chapman also made a notable impact for the San Francisco Giants with two home runs and a double in his second game with the team.
On the road, four teams remained undefeated after sweeping their opening series. The Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Pittsburgh Pirates all secured wins away from home. Milwaukee will be the only team returning for its home opener against Minnesota on Tuesday.
In a thrilling comeback of the week, the Cincinnati Reds staged a late rally by scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Washington 6-5. The game featured back-to-back home runs by Will Benson and Christian Encarnacion-Strand to secure the victory.
Looking back at historical achievements, the most recent Baltimore pitcher to win a Cy Young Award was Steve Stone in 1980. The Orioles have a rich history of Cy Young winners, including Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Mike Flanagan, and Stone.
As the new MLB season unfolds, exciting performances and memorable moments are already shaping the narrative for the year ahead.
