Opening week headlines.

The first week of the Major League Baseball season is now in the books. Regardless of how early it is in the season, everyone likes to speculate on what they have seen thus far and this observer is no different. We have had some very expected outcomes and some very shocking results in the first week.

The dominate headline has got to be the 0-6 start from the Detroit Tigers. Many of the Detroit faithful have their reasons on what is happening in Detroit. I’ve heard that the absense of their centerfielder, Curtis Granderson has had an impact on their misfortune. This may have a nugget of truth behind it but to say such a thing only puts excuses on the lack of “W’s” they have yet to accumulate. The last thing you want to do is make excuses. Personally, I believe this team will be just fine. They are too good. Much better than their 0-6 start. Curtis Granderson will have an immediate impact once he is cleared, which could be soon. According to an X-ray on Sunday night, the broken right hand is showing significant healing and he could begin doing baseball activities as early as Monday.

The Milwaukee Brewers are off to a 5-1 start after a complete game shutout Sunday courtesy of Ben Sheets. Sheets has not allowed a run in 15 1/3 innings. This team does not have very many weak spots with the exception of their long-relief however, I think it’s fair to say that every team in Major League Baseball has a weakness in their bullpen. If Sheets can stay healthy, look for him to win 20-plus games this year. Sheets has a breaking-ball that is the nastiest of the nasty.

The defending world champs, Boston Red Sox come out of the gate with a 3-4 record and have the winless Detroit Tigers coming to town for the Fenway park home opener on Tuesday. Taking the mound Tuesday will be Boston ace, Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has only given up 4 hits in 11 innings pitched with a 15/5 strikeout to walk ratio. Like many clubs, Boston has yet to find their summer fever however, you know that they will.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto struck out 8 of his first 13 batters in his Major League debut. He recorded 10 strikeouts with 0 walks, which is the most strikeouts by any Reds pitcher making their Major League debut since 1900, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Way to go Johnny!

Ken Griffey Jr. is 6 homeruns away from the coveted 600 milestone. Griffey hit number 594 on Sunday in the first inning off of Phillies starter Brett Myers.