Opening Day: What's In Store...

Get to the ballyard early - here's the stuff to look forward to as the Pirates and Cards open the 2016 MLB season:

Let's hope the Bucs are as ready as the field (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

• The gates will open at 11 AM; the festivities begin at 12:30 with a 1:05 game time. Everyone w/ a ticket gets a magnetic calendar schedule.For those who can't get to the park in person, the game will be on ESPN and Root Sports, along with a radio blast from 93.7 The Fan.
• Cutch will receive his 2015 Louisville Silver Slugger Award.
• Starling Marte will be honored with his 2015 Rawlings Gold Glove Award and the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award.
• Mark Melancon will be presented the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award by Kent Tekulve and El Roy Face.
• The Buc suits will speak after being recognized as the 2015 Organization of the Year as chosen by Baseball America.
• There will be a moment of silence for the Pirate organization members who have passed away.
• A joint unit color guard will present the flag.
• Player intros.
• A big flag will be unfurled on the field.
• God Bless America will be performed by United States Air Force Staff Sgt. Vanessa Bartow.
• Jackie Evancho will sing the National Anthem.
• Pitt running back James O'Connor will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• Frankie Liriano will toss the first actual pitch. Play ball! 
• Final factoid: neither pitcher should have Opening Day butterflies. For Frankie, this is his third straight OD assignment, and his mound foe, Adam Wainwright, will toss his fourth consecutive season lidlifter for the Cards.