MLB

From the cooperation of Masahiro Tanaka's right elbow to the rise of Mookie Betts, every team has an X-factor.

They are those impossible-to-predict but ridiculously important variables that will play a monster role in determining how the 2015 MLB season will shake out. The New York Yankees are far from the only squad with a serious injury concern that could make or break the campaign.

The last way the Kansas City Royals hoped to kick off their defense of the American League crown was with an injury to their ace, Yordano Ventura, who was forced to leave Opening Day with a thumb ailment.

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Opening Day couldn't have gone much worse for the Milwaukee Brewers. First, they lost 10-0 at home to the Colorado Rockies. Then came news that Ryan Braun suffered an injury in the defeat. He was not in Tuesday's lineup either. 

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The Miami Marlins spent a lot of money on their new stadium—$515 million, mostly funded by Miami-Dade County, to be specific.

It features some interesting things, like a quasi-strip club at field level, an exploding fantasy fountain and a monstrous retractable roof. 

Conventional wisdom decrees that any time you have an opportunity to lower the possibility for violence at a sporting event, you take it.

Conversely, it would appear that new security measures around the league have made entering stadiums a longer, more tedious process for fans. 

If the New York Yankees want to return to the postseason in 2015, they're going to need Masahiro Tanaka to be the ace he was in 2014.

The Oakland A's are always filled with entertaining storylines, and 2015 is no different.

The team is fun. From the white cleats to the famed right field bleacher crew, the A's are exciting and unique. 

They made a big splash this offseason with a ton of moves, and many worried the A's took a step backward. But then they moved on to spring training, where they finished with the best record of any team.

But is it all a facade?

Baseball is back!

The Detroit Tigers' Yoenis Cespedes hopped on the highlight train with an incredible leaping grab in the top of the third inning against the Minnesota Twins. 

The writing had been on the wall for months. The Atlanta Braves, frustrated after a second-half collapse sent them spiraling out of playoff contention in 2014, were rebuilding. Gone were cornerstone outfielders Justin Upton and Jason Heyward, and the same went for catcher Evan Gattis.     

"Are you saying Pan? Or Pam?"

While it seems he is likely heading to the disabled list shortly, it appears Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander hasn't let that keep his spirits down.