The Cleveland Guardians opened their 2024 season in Oakland against the Athletics.
Shane Bieber and Alex Wood took the mound for each team, in front of 13,522 fans at the Coliseum.
The former was the victor, but not only that: he was thoroughly impressive.
Granted, the A’s lineup isn’t much of a threat these days, but he did what he had to do and slowly and methodically sat down each hitter.
When it was time to hand the ball to his manager, Bieber had given him six scoreless innings, four hits, one walk, and 11 strikeouts.
Considering the season he had last year, and the work he put in during the offseason at Driveline, that definitely had to feel good.
He even joined an elite group in the process.
“For the third time in his career, Shane Bieber has at least 10 strikeouts on Opening Day. He becomes the sixth player to have at least three 10-k Opening Day starts: Randy Johnson – 4, Bob Gibson – 3, Pedro Martinez – 3, Félix Hernández -3, Max Scherzer – 3, Shane Bieber – 3,” Guardians insider Mandy Bell tweeted.
For the third time in his career, Shane Bieber has at least 10 strikeouts on Opening Day. He becomes the sixth player to have at least three 10-k Opening Day starts:
Randy Johnson – 4
Bob Gibson – 3
Pedro Martinez – 3
Félix Hernández -3
Max Scherzer – 3
Shane Bieber – 3— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) March 29, 2024
That’s not a bad group to be in.
Just look at those names!
To think that, if he manages to make one additional Opening Day start with double-digit strikeouts, he would tie MLB legend Randy Johnson with four such games.
Bieber is still not even 30, so the odds are with him.
For a night, Bieber looked like the vintage version of himself, the one that dominated the league from 2019 to 2022.
If he will be this good, Cleveland has a very good chance to do something special in 2024.
NEXT: Guardians Post Hilarious Message To Kick Off Their Season
