Coincidentally, Luis Salazar started at third base in 1990. Two years later, he started in left field. The Cubs aren't the only team with historic left field problems. Pat Burrell became the 16th player since 1983 to start the season in left field for the Phillies. That list includes such greats as Pete Incaviglia, Wes Chamberlain, and John Kruk.
Southpaws can wait Only five left-handed pitchers are slated to start their teams' season openers.
That's almost half as many as the previous three seasons. Perhaps that's a good luck charm, as lefties haven't fared well on Opening Day. When Randy Johnson won Arizona's opener last season, it marked the first time in three years that a southpaw won an Opening Day start without beating another left-handed pitcher. Peter Bergeron laced the first pitch for a single, and Jose Vidro cranked the next pitch into right field for a two-run homer. Consecutive Opening Day losses by the Mariners until they beat the A's on Monday, ending what was the longest active skid.