A lot of things must go right for the New York Yankees to be a contender for the American League East title, but they will always be difficult to beat when Masahiro Tanaka takes the mound. Tanaka attempts to remain unbeaten against the Tampa Bay Rays in his career when the Yankees visit their AL East rival for the season opener Sunday afternoon.

San Francisco unveils its new-look bullpen Sunday as the Giants visit the Arizona Diamondbacks in the season opener for both teams. After recording 32 blown saves last season, the Giants signed free agent closer Mark Melancon in hopes of settling a bullpen that was last seen imploding in Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs.

The curse is over, but the rivalry only has intensified. The world champion Chicago Cubs begin their title defense Sunday night with the opener of a three-game series against the host St. Louis Cardinals.