The Cardinals and Marlins play the second special “not opening day opening day” game of the year as the teams play the first regular season game at the Marlins Park. Kyle Lohse gets the opening day nod against Josh Johnson. The game airs on ESPN at 7 PM EDT. I’m a bit surprised Lohse got the call to start instead of Adam Wainwright. Both pitched well during the spring, but Lohse did throw a bit better. He also might deserve it based on his 2011 season.

Who led the rotation in ERA? That would be Lohse, with his figure of 3.39.

And wins? Lohse again. His total of 14 ranked ninth in the National League.

Lohse was back to the fine control he exhibited in 2008, his last good season before 2011. As a low strikeout pitcher, he can’t afford to put extra men on base when balls in play find holes in the defense.

Josh Johnson gets his third opening day call. He hopes that this turns out to be the first season since 2009 that he completes as well. In those three seasons, however, Johnson allowed the fewest HR per 9 IP (400 innings minimum). Part of that might have been the old ballpark. We’ll see how the ball carries in this one.

Both these teams sport new personnel, including two new managers. The Cardinals lost a franchise icon, and the Marlins took one from the Mets. It’s a champion versus a contender as the North American part of the 2012 schedule gets under way.

Enjoy!