Cubs will face old friend in opener

Dexter Fowler is going to have a bunch of old friends on hand for his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The rivalry between the Cardinals and Chicago Cubs begins a new chapter in prime time on Sunday. The Cubs are the new kings of baseball, coming off their first World Series title since 1908, while the Cardinals are trying to return to the playoffs after missing the party last year.

That would be more than enough for an intriguing opening day, but then there’s Fowler playing his first game in St. Louis since he signed an $82.5 million, five-year contract from the Cardinals during free agency. First up is his old team, the same one he helped to a historic championship in November.

“Playing against the Cubs is gonna be bittersweet. Obviously the last game I played was with them,” Fowler said. “(But) I’m excited to be in St. Louis and get started on this side.”

Fowler spent two successful years in Chicago, drawing praise for his presence in the clubhouse and his solid all-around play on the field. The Cubs won 97 games and made it to the NL Championship Series in his first year with the team, and then won the franchise’s third World Series championship in November.

It looked as if Fowler was on his way out of Chicago before last season, but he re-signed with the Cubs in a surprise move during spring training. The centerfielder and lead-off hitter then batted .276 with 13 homers and a .393 on-base percentage in 125 games, making the all-star team for the first time.

As far as the Game 1 reunion is concerned, don’t expect any frosty glares or awkward moments — unless someone is trying to have a little fun with the other side. Fowler joked about tackling Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo if he gets on first base, and Chicago manager Joe Maddon continued to speak glowingly of Fowler’s time with the team — even while he seemed to be preparing himself for the sight of Fowler in a Cardinals uniform standing right across from him during pregame introductions.

“I’m like the first one down and he’ll be hitting leadoff for the Cardinals so he’s going to be right there,” Maddon said. “And I’ve thought about that. Because he and I were really — we got along really, really well and he’s going to be very, very important for them.

“But I’m happy for him. He took a chance last year coming back to us on the contract that he did. He nailed it and he deserves everything that he’s getting right now.”

Tampa Bay keeps Weeks: Former Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks will be on Tampa Bay’s opening day roster after joining the Rays on a minor league contract.

The 34-year-old Weeks hit .244 with three home runs and 10 RBI during spring training.

The Rays open the season at home Sunday against the New York Yankees.

Gibbons rewarded: Blue Jays manager John Gibbons received a contract extension through the 2019 season after guiding Toronto to the playoffs the last two years.

Gibbons has spent parts of nine seasons as Toronto’s manager.