Let’s Play Two: Salt Lake Bees To Open Season With Saturday Doubleheader

Apr 1, 2023, 9:21 AM | Updated: 10:20 am

Smith's Ballpark home plate entrance. March 31, 2023

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY – 22-year-old Chase Silseth was scheduled to throw the first pitch of the 2023 minor league season. Despite a valiant effort by the Salt Lake Bees ground crew, Opening Day was delayed for one afternoon, forcing a Saturday doubleheader to open the season.

The Bees will host the Sacramento River Cats for two seven-inning games at Smith’s Ballpark on Saturday, April 1.

.@SaltLakeBees https://t.co/vjCDahE8Xl pic.twitter.com/H8F9qmzhWJ

— Sacramento River Cats (@RiverCats) March 31, 2023

The clean slate of Opening Day had to wait for the Bees, but in his third stint as Bees manager, Keith Johnson looks for Salt Lake getting off to a fast start.

“It’s a fresh start. Obviously, with us having halves this year, it’s going to add a little bit more of a sense of urgency to win. A lot of guys made adjustments over the offseason and trying to get them get them going, get them off to a hot starts. Hopefully continue to see them progress. Hopefully have some guys that I send up to the big leagues for the first time and also some guys I send up there that don’t ever come back again.”

Game One Expected Starters

Chase Silseth (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Tristan Beck (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Silseth takes the ball for Salt Lake, starting his first professional Opening Day. Last season Silseth was dynamic for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas, going undefeated with a 7-0 record and 2.28 ERA in 15 starts. On May 13, Silseth threw six shutout innings against the Oakland Athletics in his Major League debut. He went 1-3 with a 6.59 earned run average in seven big league starts. He worked 111.2 innings last season.

Beck made three starts at the Double-A level in 2022 before being promoted to Sacramento where he finished the season. He finished the year with a 5.25 ERA and a 5-9 won/loss record.

Take to a behind-the-scenes listen to the Salt Lake Bee's Media Day as team broadcaster Steve Klauke, Manager Keith Johnson, and Opening Day Starting Pitcher Chase Chase Silseth take questions from media outlets.

Listen now on Spotify and Watch on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/Zf99baZkox

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) March 31, 2023

Game Two Expected Starters

Jake Kalish (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

To Be Determined (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

In his first season with the Bees in 2022, Kalish earned PCL Pitcher of the Month honors in May. He was named a PCL Post-Season All-Star after finishing the season with a 10-2 record and 2.87 earned run average in 11 starts and 23 appearances overall.

Easy Salt Lake Bees Listening With KSL

After having Opening Day snowed out, the Bees are scheduled to open the 2023 campaign with a seven-inning doubleheader against the Sacramento River Cats beginning on Saturday, April 1. First1:05 pm pitch for game one is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. (MT).

Happy Opening Weekend, Bees Fans!
The Bees face off against the Sacramento River Cats Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1:05pm. We can’t wait to have you back at the ballpark. pic.twitter.com/UZjBFudoOL

— Salt Lake Bees (@SaltLakeBees) March 30, 2023

All Salt Lake Bees games will be featured on the KSL Sports app.

Listen to ‘Voice of the Bees’ Steve Klauke on KSL Sports Zone. Purchase tickets to see the Bees play at slbees.com.