The Cubs’ 12-run Opening Day romp over the Rangers was very impressive, featuring Javy Báez homers in consecutive frames and a six-spot in the 5th inning. The 2016 world champs opened with a 9-0 whitewashing of the Angels. Last year saw eight runs in a win against the Marlins in Miami.
“I think that was, offensively, better than any game we had last year,” Kris Bryant told reporters afterwards.
But as good as Joe Maddon’s teams have looked, Dusty Baker was the king of season-opening domination. Baker’s boys scored 15 or more runs in three of the four debut games he managed in Chicago.