The flowers are blooming and the bats are swinging. 

Last season the Cubs exceeded expectations when their hot young bats and Jake Arrieta’s pitching took them all the way to the NLCS. The White Sox made what they thought were key upgrades ahead of last season, but those moves didn’t pan out. 

Opening Day brings a lot of hope and a lot of questions. WBEZ’s Sports Contributor Cheryl Raye Stout looks at both teams, and we take calls from listeners about their opening day memories and traditions.