Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a pattern.
Trea Turner will almost certainly hit leadoff in Rob Thomson’s first Opening Day lineup Thursday against the Texas Rangers. And one thing will be on everyone’s mind when he steps to the plate for his first at-bat as a Phillie.
Andrew McCutchen signed a three-year/$50 million deal to join the Phillies ahead of the 2019 season. Gabe Kapler had the former NL MVP lead off against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day, and was rewarded as McCutchen hit a 428-foot home run off of Julio Teherán:
Three years later, Kyle Schwarber made his Phillies debut by hitting at the top of the order for Joe Girardi against the Oakland Athletics. Schwarber’s first act in red pinstripes was to hit a 426-foot home run off of Frankie Montas:
Turner’s Phillies tenure won’t begin at Citizens Bank Park, but rather at Globe Life Field in Arlington. However, given how locked in he’s been at the plate recently, it would be hard for anyone to be shocked if Turner’s first at-bat as a Phillie has the same ending as McCutchen and Schwarber’s did.
In 23 at-bats for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic, Turner homered five times. And then he returned to Clearwater, and hit a home run in his first game back in Grapefruit League play:
Schwarber will likely be waiting in the on-deck circle, so there would be worse outcomes than Turner singling into center field in his first Phillies at-bat. But don’t be surprised if Turner is circling the bases before Schwarber even steps into the batter’s box on Thursday.
