Almost every year since they have been available, I have been ordering the Road to Opening Day Team Set. I believe I missed 2019. Things have changed quite a bit over the years. The set is significantly smaller than it was even last year. It was 15 cards last year, this year it is only ten. The price is lower though, which is a good thing. I have not gotten the autograph set for awhile, and I do not think there even was one the last couple of years. Still, I look forward to it as a way to add new players.
So here is the set this year:
1. Rafael Devers. In Boston's 10-9 loss to the Orioles on Opening Day, Devers had two hits in five at-bats, including a double. He scored twice and drove in a run.
2. Triston Casas. My parallel in the set is the blue version of Casas. Only three players were available as parallels. This card is numbered to 49.
3. Triston Casas. Casas was 0 for 2 on Opening Day with a walk and two RBIs. He has had a rough start to the season.
4. Enrique Hernandez. Hernandez was hitless in three at-bats to start the season. He played shortstop.
5. Chris Sale. Surprisingly Sale did not start on Opening Day. Corey Kluber drew the start and does not appear in this set.
6. Alex Verdugo. Verdugo led off the game and had two hits in five at-bats, scoring two runs. He had a triple among his two hits.
7. Kenley Jansen. The first new player in this set. Jansen did not pitch on Opening Day due to the loss.
8. Justin Turner. The second new player. Turner was the DH on Opening Day and had two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.
9. Brayan Bello. Bello started the season in the minors rehabbing from an injury.
10. Tanner Houck. Houck started the season as the third starter.
11. Masataka Yoshida. Here we go. My first Yoshida card. I have been waiting for this. Yoshida started off strong, picking up two hits, a run scored and an RBI in four at-bats. He cooled off eventually significantly, but made some adjustments and is a hitting machine. I am very excited about Yoshida.
Even though that hit streak ended recently it was a lot of fun to see Yoshida just go off on a tear like that. Just knowing he's capable of that at the MLB is already really exciting.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. He looks like the real deal.
DeleteI know the reason why the stars are included, but these sets should really include the free agents and invitees, even the big prospects
ReplyDeleteI could get behind that.
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