The NYCMBL will officially kick off the 2014 Spring/Summer season this weekend, with a limited slate of games featuring some intriguing matchups. Let's take a brief glimpse at what's on the docket for Week 1.

Saturday, March 29

Astoria Mets vs. Downtown Bulls - 8 a.m. @ Elmjack Field

Two top Single-A squads will be going at it in the official league opener on Saturday, when the Mets and Bulls meet for an early-morning double-header in Queens. Hurler Paul Baumann (7-4, 2.12 ERA) leads the way for the Bulls who finished the 2013 season with a 14-9 record, against a revamped Mets team (8-17) that lost some big hitters, but added some capable hurlers in Jeff Applebaum, Juan Suero and John Simkins.

NY Giants vs. All Out - 1:45 p.m. @Elmjack Field

The Giants (10-10), an NYCMBL mainstay, will welcome newcomers All Out to the Metro League on saturday, as they look to return to their 2012 form. The Giants feature a number of new faces courtesy of the disbanded Express, including Adrian Santiago (1-1, 2.80 ERA). All Out, run by league veteran Chris Cancel, should be a contender in the BX/Manhattan division this year.

NY Storm vs. NYC Mud Hens - 4 p.m. @Red Hook

The 2013 NYCMBL champions take the first step in defending their title this weekend when they take on the Hens, whom they beat in the second round of the Brooklyn/Queens playoff last year. The Storm come into the season with a fearsome slugging tandem of John Lanahan and Bryan Howard who have teamed up to drive in 82 runs over the past two seasons. The Hens, as usual, boast a deep pitching staff led by 2013 Cy Young winner Chris Liegel. 

NY Tigers vs. Bronx Titans AA - 5 p.m. @Taft High School

The Bronx Titans appear to be a championship favorite this year, bolstered by big additions on the mound including big righthander Angel Betances and former Indians farmhand Abel Guerrero. Veteran hurler Joey Carey, who won the Cy Young and MVP awards in 2012, will look to lead his Tiger team to an upset win. 

Sunday, March 30

Elmjack Dodgers vs. Baisley Pirates - 8 a.m. @Elmjack Field

The Dogers won the Single-A crown last year, but face a stiff test in their first game in the Double-A. The Pirates owned the best regular season record in the Bklyn/Queens division last season and again look to be one of the top teams in the conference. The Dodgers pitching staff, led by Danny O'Brien, Kevin Briffa and Bobby Myers, totaled 10 shutout wins last year, but they will have their hands full with a deep and talented Baisley lineup. 

Too Hot vs. Skyscrapers - 9 a.m. @Taft HS

Too Hot might be the Single-A favorites this season, but they can't afford to look past the Skyscrapers who tallied only two wins in 2013.  Too Hot has a loaded pitching staff led by Mervin Guillermo (8-2, 1.69 ERA) and is coming off a preseason upset of the Rainmakers, a top Double-A squad. 

NY Beers vs. BX Orioles - 12:30 p.m. @Taft High School

Like All Out, the Orioles are new to the Metro League and will be challenged early on in this 9-inning affair against the NY Beers. Mike Darling's squad is led by 2013 Bx/Manhattan Cy Young winner Ryan Smith (10-1, .56 ERA). Smith will be joined by another Dartmouth hurler, as the Beers also picked up 6-4 righthander Dan Ternowchek. The Orioles lineup is led by Matthew Ortiz who hit .392 and hit 2 homers for the Titans in 2013. 

BQE Nationals vs. The Proletariat - 4 p.m. @Taft High School

The newly formed Nationals squad is comprised of some talented league veterans, including Tim Mena, Bryan Burney and Matt Shiels and should be ready to go against the Proles, who were known as the NY Pirates for the last two seasons. Many of the Nationals are coming off a Fall Ball championship with the Indians squad, but the Proles have a number of talented hurlers including Terrence Vogenberger and Bennet Poepping.