Originally posted at http://twins-extcs.blogspot.com/

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Only the elite get a chance to take the mound on Opening Day. So you may scratch your head when you find out that Kyle Lohse is doing it for the second time today. And he’s doing it for the defending World Series Champions, no less. OK, a few pieces needed to fall into place for Lohse in order to achieve this accomplishment, but facts are facts. And when we look back at the record books, history will show Kyle as a 2-time Opening Day starter.

St. Louis would have thrown Chris Carpenter up there today, but he will start the year on the DL with a nerve injury. Loshe also started the season for the Cards in 2008, but that only happened due to rain. The original Opener was scheduled on March 31, 2008, but was called after 2 ½ innings. The rain not only made Lohse the official Opening Day starter on April 1st, but it also erased an Albert Pujols home run.

Lohse will also go down as an opening day starter for Marlins Park, the new 37,000 seat ballpark just west of Miami. The first pitch is set for 7:05 ET and can be seen on ESPN.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bv3sbYLo8Q8/T3xwb2A5WJI/AAAAAAAAAeM/pEjz44M_NeQ/s1600/4d811ee7a98fd.image.jpg

Same could be told for Pavano or Livan

and Lohse gets the Opening Day win since he completely stymied the MIA bats.