Yankees-Rays Starts MLB Season; Manfred Attending Cubs-Cards

The Yankees and Rays opened the MLB season Sunday afternoon with a 1:10pm ET game in St. Petersburg, and the contest "is a sellout." This is the 12th straight year the Rays "have sold out their home opener" (TAMPABAY.com, 3/30). This year also marks the Rays' 20th season, but what they "haven't yet done" is prove if MLB "can be successful" in the market (TAMPABAY.com, 4/1).

Meanwhile, the defending World Series-champion Cubs begin their title defense on "Sunday Night Baseball" against the Cardinals in front of "what should be one of the biggest crowds in Busch Stadium history" (AP, 4/1). MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be in St. Louis, and ESPN's Buster Olney wrote under the header, "Rob Manfred Needs To Step Up, Foster Relationships With Players" (ESPN.com, 3/31). The Giants' game against the D-backs at 4:00pm ET also is "officially sold out" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/30).