In the first inning of the first game of this season, Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez will stand on the pitching rubber, flex his shoulders, tuck his chin, find the grip on his sinker, and stare in at steel-blue eyes he already knows so well.
The righthander the Cardinals insist can win a Cy Young Award will face the Cubs hitter who already has an MVP award, and the duel set to define this division resumes.
Kris Bryant vs. Carlos Martinez.
Round 25.
“He knows me, and I know him,” Martinez said. “I will see him a lot.