NL East Opening Day Series Previews

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers

Interleague games year round mean that there is always a series involving an American League team and a National League team.  The Phillies have the luxury of being the first NL team of the year to utilize the DH rule.  Although they have yet to announce their Opening Day starter, the Phils will have to go up against Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish.

Cliff Lee seems to be the most likely candidate to start the first game for Philadelphia.  With Cole Hamels injured, Lee is the next best arm in the rotation.

The Phillies will be going up against a tough Texas Rangers team that acquired Prince Fielder from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for longtime second baseman Ian Kinsler.  The Rangers may have lost Nelson Cruz, but they have plenty of power bats in Fielder, third baseman Adrian Beltre, and newly acquired left fielder Shin-Soo Choo.  Lee will have his hands full against a team that was one win away last season from clinching a wild card berth.