Cardinals, Cubs, MLB Open Season Thursday

It’s baseball’s opening day today, with Major League Baseball trying to return to a semblance of normal after a coronavirus-shortened season last year.

As part of that, fans will be returning to stadiums, but all teams but one -- the Texas Rangers -- will allow them only in reduced capacity. When the Rangers have their home opener next Monday, they will allow fans at full capacity.

The season will kick off with a full slate of 15 games, but the Washington Nationals will be starting without five players, after one tested positive for coronavirus and the others are quarantining.

The Chicago Cubs will play host to PIttsburgh today at 1:20 p.m. while the St. Louis Cardinals are on the road at Cincinnati for a 3:10 p.m. contest.

Mets, Lindor Agree To Deal

The New York Mets have agreed to a 10-year, $341 million deal to keep shortstop Francisco Lindor, after they acquired him from the Cleveland Indians during the offseason, according to media reports Wednesday.

The 27-year-old was an All-Star in four of his six MLB seasons, all with the Indians. The deal is the largest ever for a shortstop, passing Fernando  Tatis Jr.'s February $340 million, 14-year deal with the San Diego Padres.