Toronto at Houston, April 1-3

After all, the Astros won 90 games last season and took the eventual champs to seven games before falling short in their quest to become the first repeat WS winners since Joe Torre's Yankees made it three in a row back in 2000. They certainly didn't expect to begin their first season with Joe Espada by getting swept in a four game series in their own park. That's got to hurt.

Yes, Joe Espada is the one who manages this crew. Dusty Baker has put away his toothpick and waits for the inevitable call from Cooperstown. He stands seventh on the all-time list for managerial wins - Bruce Bochy might catch him this year - and he was a pretty good player as well.