Pablo López was handed the ball for his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Minnesota Twins, but things quickly unraveled in St. Louis. Despite his intentions to set the tone for the season, he struggled significantly, giving up four runs (two earned) and making two critical errors, including a balk and a throwing error. The Twins managed to score three runs, including a two-run homer by Harrison Bader, but it wasn’t enough as they fell 5-3 to the Cardinals.

After a lengthy rain delay, López allowed runs in each of the first three innings, leading to an early deficit. The Cardinals capitalized on his mistakes, notably with a two-strike changeup that Lars Nootbaar hit for a two-run homer. The Twins' chances dwindled further after a home run by Nolan Arenado in the eighth inning, leaving them unable to recover. Though Willi Castro contributed an RBI double, the Twins could not convert opportunities to close the gap, resulting in a frustrating season opener.

The 2025 MLB season has officially kicked off, featuring 28 of the 30 MLB teams on Opening Day. Highlighting the event are the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees, last year's World Series participants. Notably, Lars Nootbaar stands out as the only USC alum on an active MLB roster, having played 109 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. Garrett Stubbs, previously the No. 2 catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, has been optioned to Triple-A. Other former Trojans like Kyle Hurt and Tyler Gilbert are sidelined with injuries, while Blake Sabol starts the season in Triple-A with the Boston Red Sox.

The roster also features notable coaches from USC, including Yankees manager Aaron Boone and Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, emphasizing USC's lasting impact in Major League Baseball.

As the final weekend of fantasy baseball drafts approaches, savvy managers are preparing to capitalize on undervalued hitters for the 2025 season. With waiver wire activity heating up, a focus on process-oriented stats like barrel rate and contact percentages can reveal potential breakout hitters. A tailored leaderboard based on these stats has identified 20 hitters who outperformed league averages yet are not commonly drafted within the top 200 picks.

This list includes players like Lars Nootbaar, known for his power metrics, and Jonathan Aranda, whose early season struggles might tempt some to overlook his underlying potential. Others such as Austin Wells and Jorge Polanco bring intriguing combinations of contact and power, making them worth monitoring as the season progresses. As spring training performances solidify their roles, these hitters may become the difference-makers in your fantasy roster.

The St. Louis Cardinals are nearing the completion of arbitration decisions for eligible players as they prepare for the 2025 season. The team is focused on reducing payroll, resulting in a mixed outcome for their players. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar emerged victorious in his arbitration case, securing a salary of $2.95 million, while Brendan Donovan lost his hearing and will earn $2.85 million, much less than he sought. With these hearings concluded, the Cardinals are now awaiting the decision on Andre Pallante's case.

Donovan's struggle is particularly notable given his importance to the franchise's future, raising questions about the team's reluctance to settle outside of arbitration. This situation echoes last year's arbitration with utility player Tommy Edman, who was later traded. Despite the current challenges, fans hope for a competitive team and are eager for owner Bill DeWitt Jr. to be more open to spending in free agency.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been active in the offseason, recently acquiring right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for fellow pitcher Matt McShane. The trade is contingent upon Shugart passing a physical examination. Shugart, hailing from Bridge City, Texas, showcased his pitching prowess in high school and later at the University of Texas, where he transitioned from relief to starting roles.

After being drafted by the Red Sox in 2018, Shugart faced challenges, including a 50-game suspension in 2019. Despite setbacks, he made his MLB debut in 2024. This trade marks the second deal for the Pirates this week, having previously acquired pitcher Brett De Geus from the Toronto Blue Jays.