Adam Wainwright outpitched Jon Lester to spoil the new-look Chicago Cubs' season opener.
It was quite a start for the St. Louis Cardinals' pursuit of another NL Central crown.
Wainwright tossed six shutout innings and the Cardinals blanked the Cubs 3-0 to kick off the 2015 MLB season on Sunday night.
The 33-year-old Wainwright (1-0) struck out six and scattered five hits for St. Louis, which has won the last two Central Division titles and lost to the San Francisco Giants in last year's National League Championship Series.
Matt Holliday posted a pair of RBI singles, while Trevor Rosenthal picked up the save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Jon Lester (0-1) struggled in his Chicago debut, though, surrendering three runs on eight hits and two walks with six strikeouts over just 4 1/3 frames.
>>Braves Move All-Star Closer Kimbrel To San Diego
Just hours before the Major League Baseball season was set to begin, the Atlanta Braves made headlines by sending All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to the San Diego Padres in a six-player swap.
Kimbrel has been as dominant as any relief pitcher in baseball since breaking through with Atlanta in 2010, posting a 1.43 ERA with 186 saves. He has led the National League in saves each of the past four seasons.
Veteran outfielder Melvin Upton is also on his way to San Diego, where he will be reunited with his younger brother Justin. The duo spent the past two seasons together in Atlanta, but Justin was sent to the Padres this winter.
The Padres gave up outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin as well as prospects Matt Wisler and Jordan Paroubeck.
Wisler, considered San Diego's top minor leaguer, is a 22-year-old right- handed pitcher who finished last season with a 4.42 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A.
>>Indians Extend Cy Young Winner Kluber
The Cleveland Indians and 2014 American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber officially agreed to terms on a five-year contract Sunday.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but the deal includes club options for 2020 and 2021.
Kluber, who turns 29 on Friday, is coming off his finest season as a professional. He led the AL with 18 wins while posting a 2.44 earned run average and registering 269 strikeouts over 34 starts.
The right-hander has gone 31-19 with a 3.34 ERA in 75 games, all but five as a starter, for the Indians since 2011.
