WASHINGTON — Kyle Schwarber kicked off an incredible season against left-handed pitching last year with a home run off the eventual National League Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale. By the end of May, Schwarber had a .337 batting average against lefties — and a .177 average against righties. The numbers evened out in the end, but some of his teammates at the time joked that he belonged in a platoon. He finished the year with a .300 batting average and an .898 OPS against lefties.
For Schwarber, repeating that success is going to be a challenge. It’s only day one, but he’s off to a good start.