Texas Rangers baseball preview: What’s in store for 2016 MLB

Opening Day is here.

The sweetest two words of spring arrived Sunday as the major league baseball season began with three games, a tripleheader on the ESPN family of networks, culminating with a Sunday night game between the world champion Kansas City Royals and the team they beat in the World Series, the New York Mets.

The Texas Rangers open their season at 3:05 p.m. Monday at Globe Life Park in Arlington against the Seattle Mariners.

It’s Cole Hamels time, and Rangers time. Optimism is high, the grass is cut, “bunting” and “pregame festivities” are trending.

Rangers are bound to be better this time around

Texas Rangers continue to put together pieces for World Series run

Looking back at past five seasons of Rangers bullpens

Young, talented Houston Astros rising to the top in AL West

Toronto Blue Jays’ powerful lineup should keep them atop AL East

Royals remain class of AL Central, but threats are building

New York Mets favored in NL East behind stellar rotation

Consistent Cards, talented Cubs should duel for NL Central title

Giants could surpass Dodgers in NL West behind strong rotation, bullpen

This story was originally published April 3, 2016 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Texas Rangers baseball preview: What’s in store for 2016 MLB."