MLB: Ranking the 30 Opening Day Starters
With opening day here, MLB teams have announced who’ll start on the mound for their respective clubs. Here’s a ranking of all 30 MLB opening day starters.
Usually if one is the starting pitcher on opening day, that means that pitcher is the team’s ace. Occasionally, some teams will start a different pitcher on opening day because of matchups.
For the most part, though, the ace gets the ball to start the season. It’s an honor for a pitcher to start on opening day.
The first pitcher to get the ball in the 2017 season is Tampa Bay Rays’ ace Chris Archer as the Yankees and Rays square off against each in the 2017 MLB season opener on April 2. Yankees’ ace Masahiro Tanaka takes the bump for the Yankees and is the first home starter of the season.
Some teams have a guaranteed pitcher that starts the season opener (unless unhealthy). Like the Dodgers and their ace Clayton Kershaw, who is starting his seventh straight opening day game for the team. Or the Mariners and Felix Hernandez with his ninth opening day start in 2017.
For other teams, their choice for opening day starter isn’t as simple. For instance, the Cincinnati Reds and their choice to start Scott Feldman. On some teams, Feldman might not even crack the rotation, but on the Reds, he’s their No. 1.
But where does each pitcher rank amongst one another? Here are the opening day starters for each team, ranked from No. 30 to No. 1.
No. 30 – Scott Feldman – Reds
Scott Feldman, as mentioned in the opening slide, is the Cincinnati Reds opening day starter. The Reds are clearly in the middle of a rebuilding process and any pitcher in their rotation would take the No. 30 spot.
In his career, Feldman has a record of 71-77, a 4.40 ERA, a 4.38 FIP, a 1.356 WHIP and 789 strikeouts. Not exactly a stat line that screams opening day starter.
The 34-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $2.3 million deal with the Reds in the offseason. The Reds are the fifth major league team he will play for. Feldman played a majority of his career as a Texas Ranger.
No. 29 – Jhoulys Chacin – Padres
Similar to Feldman and the Reds, Jhoulys Chacin got the start for the San Diego Padres because there aren’t better options. And like the Reds, the Padres are in rebuild mode.
After spending the 2016 season with both the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels, Chacin signed with the Padres in the offseason to a one-year, $1.75 million deal. In his eight-year career, the right-hander owns a 46-57 record with a 3.94 ERA and 654 strikeouts.
No. 28 – Edinson Volquez – Marlins
The tragic death of Jose Fernandez caused a sorrow in the baseball community. It also left the Miami Marlins without an ace or a true No.1 pitcher.
The Marlins chose Edinson Volquez as their opening day starter. They signed him in the offseason to a two-year, $22 million deal. The righty played a big role in the Kansas City Royals championship run in 2015.
Last season, Volquez struggled mightily on the mound. Her bWAR sat at -0.9 last season. In his career, Volquez has a 4.44 ERA, 1,229 strikeouts and a 89-79 record. A transition back to the NL may help the 33-year-old.
No. 27 – Kendall Graveman – Athletics
For the second straight season, the Oakland Athletics’ ace Sonny Gray won’t pitch in the season opener. Last season because of food poisoning and this season because of a strained lat.
The second best pitcher in the A’s rotation, Kendall Graveman gets the opening day nod. The A’s acquired Graveman two years back in a trade that sent star third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays.
Over his three-year career, Graveman has a 16-20 record with an ERA of 4.08 and 189 strikeouts.
No. 26 – Ricky Nolasco – Angels
The Los Angeles Angels were the last team to announce their opening day starter. The Angels plan to send Ricky Nolasco to the mound in their opener. Nolasco isn’t the Angels’ ace, and probably not their two-spot starter either. Those two spots are filled by Garrett Richards and Matt Shoemaker, but nevertheless, Nolasco gets the ball.
Last season at the trade deadline, the Angels acquired Nolasco and Alex Meyer from the Minnesota Twins for Hector Santiago. In the first half of the season with the Twins, Nolasco struggled and posted a 5.13 ERA. His ERA improved when he pitched for the Angels. His ERA in Los Angeles was 3.21. He also pitched extremely well for the club in September.
No. 25 – Jon Gray – Rockies
The Colorado Rockies certainly have a lot of young arms in their rotation. Tyler Chatwood, Tyler Anderson and Jon Gray are all vital pieces for the Rockies’ 2017 season. The team decided that Gray would start for the club on opening day.
In his rookie season, Gray ranked seventh in bWAR for the Rockies (2.3). He finished the season 10-10 with an ERA of 4.61, a 3.60 FIP and 185 strikeouts. Despite the high ERA, Gray showed spurts of success last season. The 25-year-old looks like a bright spot in the Rockies’ future.
No. 24 – Kevin Gausman – Orioles
The past three seasons, Chris Tillman started opening day for the Baltimore Orioles and it looked like a fourth would happen this season. Tillman’s dealt with a lingering shoulder issue and won’t be available at the start of the season. Instead, Kevin Gausman takes the hill for the O’s.
In his four seasons in the league, Gausman’s best season came in 2016. His bWAR reached 4.2 last season. That proved best for a pitcher in the Orioles’ rotation.
In his career, Gausman has a 23-31 record, a 3.97 ERA, and 414 strikeouts. Can Gausman emerge as the Orioles’ true ace in 2017?
No. 23 – Junior Guerra – Brewers
The 2016 Milwaukee Brewers had very few bright spots, but one of them was Junior Guerra‘s performance. He did well enough to earn the Brewers’ opening day start.
His rookie season resulted in a 9-3 record, a 2.81 ERA and 100 strikeouts. Those stats spearheaded Guerra to the ace role in Milwaukee.
With the division led by the tough Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, Guerra needs to follow his successful 2016 campaign with another good season in 2017. Only then, the Brewers have a shot to compete.
No. 22 – Jeremy Hellickson- Phillies
Back in 2011, Jeremy Hellickson won the AL Rookie of the Year award. That was the best season of Hellickson’s career. He followed the 2012 season with another solid season, but after that Hellickson struggled.
The 29-year-old bounced back in 2016 with the Philadelphia Phillies and thus earned 2017 opening day starter duties.
Hellickson’s 2016 campaign included a 12-10 record, a 3.71 ERA and 154 strikeouts. Although the Phillies won’t compete in the NL East, it’ll still be interesting to see how Hellickson performs in 2017.
No. 21 – Ervin Santana – Twins
For the second consecutive season, Ervin Santana gets the ball on opening day for the Minnesota Twins. The 34-year-old posted his lowest ERA (3.38) since 2013. His 3.38 ERA tied the second lowest of his career.
In 12 years, Santana owns a 133-116 record, a 4.09 ERA and 1,738 strikeouts. The Twins need more success from Santana in 2017 if they want to even compete in the AL Central. Minnesota could be a sleeper team in 2017 with the AL Central looking like the weakest division in baseball. Remember, the Twins just barely missed the playoffs in 2015.
No. 20 – Chris Archer – Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays’ ace Chris Archer was an All-Star in 2015 but failed to produce the same success in 2016. Last season, Archer led the league in losses with 19.
Archer carries a ton of potential but is on a team that looks like it’ll finish last again in the tough AL East. He didn’t get the attention he deserves. That could change soon enough, though. Archer could end up with another team if the Rays fall out of contention early.
In his five-year career, Archer has a 41-51 record, a 3.51 ERA, a 3.48 FIP, a 1.202 WHIP and 795 strikeouts.
No. 19 – Masahiro Tanaka – Yankees
Masahiro Tanaka made a big splash in 2014 when he broke onto the scene in New York and earned an All-Star Game appearance in his first big league season. Tanaka came over to MLB after playing baseball in Japan.
Despite some arm issues, Tanaka has provided the Yankees with an ace since the decline of C.C. Sabathia. In his three years in MLB, he sports a 39-16 record along with an ERA of 3.12, a FIP of 3.53, a WHIP of 1.045 and 445 strikeouts.
If the Yankees want a shot at the playoffs in 2017, Tanaka needs to carry the rotation in New York.
No. 18 – Gerrit Cole – Pirates
In 2015, Gerrit Cole emerged as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ true ace with a stellar All-Star campaign that included him finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young voting.
Cole struggled with an injury-plagued 2016 season. The Pirates, in general, fell off as one of the top teams in baseball in 2016. In order to think about contention this season, they’ll need Cole back on his game.
In four seasons with Pittsburgh, Cole is 47-30 with a 3.23 ERA, a 2.98 FIP, a 1.205 WHIP and 538 strikeouts.
No. 17 – Danny Duffy – Royals
Similar to the Miami Marlins situation, the Kansas City Royals tragically lost their ace in the offseason in a car crash. The sudden loss of Yordano Ventura poses a problem for the Royals’ rotation. Danny Duffy is called upon as the new ace for Kansas City.
Duffy displayed his potential and his strikeout ability for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March. Duffy didn’t start the 2016 season in the Royals’ rotation but ended up one of their key starters by season’s end.
The Royals signed Duffy to an extension in January. The two came to an agreement on a five-year, $65 million deal. Duffy owns a 3.71 ERA, a record of 36-33 and 540 strikeouts in his six-year career.
No.16 – Marco Estrada – Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays had plenty of options to choose from for opening day starter. Instead of going with Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez or J.A. Happ, they chose Marco Estrada.
Estrada’s pitched well since he joined the Blue Jays in 2015. He earned his first All-Star Game selection in 2016. Estrada owns a 45-43 record in his nine-year career. He also has a 3.86 ERA and 804 strikeouts.
The pitching depth of the Blue Jays could carry them into the postseason again in 2017.
No. 15 – Micheal Fulmer – Tigers
The Detroit Tigers named 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer as their opening day starter over Cy Young runner-up Justin Verlander.
Hard to argue with the decision, though. In 2016, Fulmer posted an 11-7 record, a 3.06 ERA, a 3.76 FIP, a 1.119 FIP and 132 strikeouts. An impressive season that not too many people saw coming.
No. 14 – Yu Darvish – Rangers
The Texas Rangers opted with Yu Darvish as their opening day starter instead of Cole Hamels. The right-hander is making his first over MLB opening day start.
Darvish missed the entire 2015 season because of Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old returned in 2016 and pitched in 17 games. He went 7-5 with a 3.41 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 2016.
Before Darvish’s injury, he made the AL All-Star team in his first three big league seasons. The Rangers need Darvish back and fully healthy in 2017, in order to fight for the AL West crown.
No. 13 – Jose Quintana – White Sox
With Chris Sale now in Boston, Jose Quintana takes over as the ace for Chicago White Sox. Although with the White Sox in rebuild mode, they could trade Quintana by the trade deadline.
In 2016, Quintana made his first All-Star Game. He posted an ERA of 3.20, a FIP of 3.56, a WHIP of 1.163, 181 strikeouts and a record of 13-12.
Quintana also dazzled in his start in his start for Team Colombia against the USA in the World Baseball Classic.
No. 12 – Julio Teheran – Braves
One of the most underrated pitchers in the game pitches in Atlanta. Braves’ ace Julio Teheran continues to pitch well for a team that is rebuilding.
A two-time All-Star, Teheran in his six-year career owns a 47-40 record, a 3.39 ERA, a 3.85 FIP, a 1.159 WHIP and 709 strikeouts.
If Teheran pitched for a playoff contending team, he’d get a lot more attention. The 26-year-old may get the spotlight soon enough with the Braves slowly on the rise.
No. 11 – Felix Hernandez – Mariners
After making five consecutive All-Star Games, Felix Hernandez failed to make the ASG in 2016. Over the past couple seasons, Hernandez hasn’t dominated like he did in years past. And that knocked him out of the top-10 in these rankings.
Hernandez remains the obvious ace for the Mariners but he needs to perform better in 2017 if the Mariners want any chance of a playoff spot.
The right-hander sports quite the resume. He’s a former AL Cy Young winner, a two-time ERA leader and a six-time All-Star. His career stats include a 154-109 record, a 3.16 ERA, a 3.29 FIP, a 1.181 WHIP and 2,264 strikeouts.
With the recent news about Drew Smyly missing the first six to eight weeks of the season, the Mariners truly need Hernandez to step up in 2017.
No. 10 – Carlos Martinez – Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals had Adam Wainwright as their ace for a majority of the past five seasons. As he continues to get older, Wainwright is not as dominant as he was before. Now the ace role shifts over to 25-year-old flamethrower Carlos Martinez.
In his first two seasons with the Cardinals, Martinez primarily pitched out of the bullpen. He transitioned to a starter in the 2015 season and earned his first trip to the All-Star Game. He continued his stellar 2015 pitching with another good season in 2016.
As a starter, Martinez owns a 32-17 record with a 3.21 ERA, a 1.285 WHIP and 391 strikeouts. The Cardinals announced Martinez as the starter for the season opener. Ending Wainwright’s streak of four straight opening day starts.
In the offseason, the Cardinals locked Martinez up in the offseason. The two sides agreed to a five-year, $51 million deal that included a 2022 and 2023 team option. The deal was an under-the-radar move, but a smart one for the Cardinals. Martinez is just hitting his stride and could be a big factor if the Cardinals are going to have any shot at winning the NL Central in 2017.
No. 9 – Zack Greinke – Diamondbacks
In the 2015-2016 offseason, Zack Greinke left the Los Angeles Dodgers and signed a whopping six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His first season in Arizona didn’t pan out like the Diamondbacks were hoping for.
After a brilliant season in 2015, where Greinke led all of baseball with a 1.66 ERA, a 222 ERA-plus and a 0.844 WHIP, he failed to reciprocate that success in 2016. Greinke finished behind Cubs’ pitcher Jake Arrieta for the 2015 NL Cy Young award.
In 2016, Greinke finished with a 4.37 ERA, his highest since the 2005 season. His 4.12 FIP hadn’t reached that high since 2006. Overall, Greinke wasn’t his normal, dominant self in 2016. Perhaps the oblique injury he suffered in 2016 played a factor in his struggles. He also moved from a pitcher’s park in Los Angeles to more of a hitter’s park in Arizona.
Greinke’s resume keeps him in the top-10 on this list. The 33-year-old is a former Cy Young award winner, a three-time All-Star, a two-time ERA leader, a three-time gold glove winner and he even has a silver slugger. His career stats include a 155-100 record, a 3.42 ERA, a 3.37 FIP, a 1.190 WHIP and 2,021 strikeouts.
No. 8 – Dallas Keuchel – Astros
The 2015 AL Cy Young didn’t fare well in the 2016 season, to say the least. After an outstanding 2015 season that resulted in him, not only winning the Cy Young but also finishing fifth in the AL MVP voting, Dallas Keuchel looked like a different guy on the mound.
The 2016 Houston Astros started with a terrible April and it resulted in them missing the playoffs. If the Astros want to get back to the playoffs in 2017, they need their ace to step up and carry the rotation.
In 2015, Keuchel finished 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA, a 2.91 FIP, 216 strikeouts and a league-leading 1.017 WHIP. Along with the award, Keuchel also earned his first All-Star Game appearance. Keuchel got the start for the AL squad.
Now compare his 2015 campaign to his 2016 season. Keuchel posted a 9-12 record, a 4.55 ERA, a 3.87 FIP, a 1.286 FIP and 144 strikeouts. Each category decreased for him in 2016. So why is Keuchel so high on this list?
Based on how Keuchel pitched in 2015, his 2016 struggles don’t outweigh his potential. Look for the Astros’ left-handed ace to bounce back in 2017. And if he does, the Astros are almost a lock for the playoffs.
No. 7 – Stephen Strasburg – Nationals
Perhaps the biggest surprise opening day starter goes to Stephen Strasburg. Not because he’s undeserving, but the Washington Nationals chose him over the defending NL Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer.
In fact, the last time a previous year’s Cy Young didn’t start the following opening day was opening day of 2005. It happened to both of the 2004 Cy Young winners, Roger Clemens and Johan Santana.
Despite being the Nationals second best starter, Strasburg still cracks the top-10. Last season, Strasburg started out great and went half way into July without a loss (13-0). In August, Strasburg struggled and after one start in September, he missed the remainder of the season due to an elbow injury.
The 28-year-old entered the league with huge hype and promise for the Nationals. Injuries have made things difficult for the right-hander. Can Strasburg stay healthy and finally put it all together in 2017?
In his seven-year career, Strasburg is 69-41 with a 3.17 ERA, a 2.85 FIP, a 1.094 WHIP and 1,084 strikeouts. He made his second All-Star Game in 2016. His previous appearance happened in 2012.
No. 6 – Rick Porcello – Red Sox
Rick Porcello won the AL Cy Young award last season but didn’t crack the top-five on these rankings. Before last season, Porcello didn’t have a standout season. Nevertheless, the Red Sox penciled him as their season opener, and deservingly so.
The Red Sox had another viable option to start the season on the mound. Newly acquired left-hander Chris Sale started three out of the past four seasons for the White Sox. Now in Boston, Sale slides into the two-spot.
In his eight-year career, Porcello 107-82 with a 4.20 ERA, a 3.94 FIP, a 1.306 WHIP and 993 strikeouts. Last season was Porcello’s second year in Boston. He spent the majority of his career in Detroit.
Last season, the 28-year-old exploded in the win department. He led all of baseball with 22 wins. Along with his career-high in wins, Porcello posted career bests in ERA (3.15), walks (32), strikeouts (189), ERA-plus (145), FIP (3.40), WHIP (1.009) and a league-leading strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.91).
If Porcello continues his success from last season, the Red Sox starters could carry deep into the 2017 postseason.
No. 5 – Noah Syndergaard – Mets
What a steal the Mets pulled off in December 2012. They acquired Noah Syndergaard along with three other players from the Toronto Blue Jays for R.A. Dickey, Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas.
One of the best up-and-coming pitchers in baseball, Syndergaard leads a strong and young Mets’ rotation. He becomes the seventh different opening day starter for New York in the past seven seasons.
In his two MLB seasons, Syndergaard has a 23-16 record, a 2.89 ERA, a 2.72 FIP, a 1.103 WHIP and 384 strikeouts. So far in his short MLB stint, the right-hander has reached a bWAR of 7.4. He made his first MLB All-Star Game in 2016 and led the league in FIP at 2.29 and HR/9 at 0.5.
Syndergaard, 24, will play an integral part in the Mets’ playoff chances in 2017. The main question that revolves around the entire rotation isn’t talent, but instead health. If the Mets’ rotation can stay healthy and put it together, they might make another run at the World Series, a la their 2015 season. “Thor” leads the way for the team in Queens.
No. 4 – Madison Bumgarner – Giants
Of course, the Giants tasked postseason stud Madison Bumgarner with his fourth straight opening day start for the club. Despite the Giants having one of the best rotations in baseball, Bumgarner was the obvious choice for the team.
Hard to argue with Bumgarner’s resume. Since his rookie season in 2010, Bumgarner is a four-time All-Star, three-time World Series champion that includes an NLCS MVP and WS MVP. He’s not only a factor on the mound but also at the plate too. Bumgarner owns two silver slugger awards, as well.
October is when Bumgarner gains his real swagger. He’s one of the best postseason pitchers in today’s game. In 16 games, Bumgarner owns an 8-3 record, a 2.11 ERA and 87 strikeouts. He especially excels in the World Series. In 36 innings pitched, Bumgarner has allowed just one earned run. Want grit and toughness on the mound? Just look back at his performances in the 2014 World Series.
In the regular season, the 27-year-old, left-hander dominates too. He has a 100-67 with a 2.99 ERA, a 3.12 FIP, 1.098 WHIP and 1,381 strikeouts.
Despite his dominance on the mound, Bumgarner has yet to finish higher than fourth in Cy Young voting. Perhaps 2017 is the season that he finally takes home the award.
No. 3 – Jon Lester – Cubs
One of the least obvious opening day starter options was from the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs. Joe Maddon had the tough task of deciding which of his top three starters would get the ball to start the 2017 campaign.
Lefty Jon Lester won the rights to start on opening day over 2015 NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta and 2016 MLB ERA leader Kyle Hendricks. Lester earned the start with his stellar 2016 campaign, that ended with him finishing second in the NL Cy Young voting. He also made his fourth All-Star team.
The 33-year-old pitcher went 19-5 with a 2.44 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 1.016 WHIP and 197 strikeouts in 2016. His ERA was second-best in the league behind teammate Hendricks’ 2.13 ERA. His 164 ERA-plus also finished second to Hendricks’ 188.
This season’s opening day start is Lester’s sixth opener of his career. He opened for the Boston Red Sox four times and for the Cubs in 2015.
Lester never came as close to winning the Cy Young award as he did in 2016. He had a couple fourth-place finishes in Boston. Can Lester finally win the award in 2017? If Lester pitches like he did in 2016, not only are his chances good to win the award but also for the Cubs to repeat as champions.
No. 2 – Corey Kluber – Indians
The 2014 AL Cy Young winner earns the No. 2 spot in the opening day starter rankings. Corey Kluber is the ace of a very talented Cleveland Indians’ rotation. He played an integral role in the Indians’ 2016 World Series run and made the opening day starter decision for manager Terry Francona a simple choice.
Throughout the Indians’ postseason, Kluber was nails. In 34.1 innings of work, he allowed just seven runs for an ERA of 1.83. He finished with a 4-1 record and 35 strikeouts. His playoff success was a continuation of his stellar regular season on the mound.
Last season, Kluber tied his career high in wins with 18, posted an ERA of 3.14 and struck out 227 batters. He led the AL in three categories, including shutouts (2), FIP (3.26) and ERA-plus (149). Kluber finished third in the AL Cy Young voting and made his first All-Star Game in 2016.
In his career, Kluber sports a 58-44 record with a 3.33 ERA and 936 strikeouts. Despite not winning the Cy Young award in 2015 or 2016, Kluber’s been the most consistent AL pitcher over that stretch.
The soon to be 31-year-old needs another strong season if the Indians want to make it back to the Fall Classic. That attempt starts when Kluber takes the hill on April 3 against the Texas Rangers.
No. 1 – Clayton Kershaw – Dodgers
Of course, Clayton Kershaw earns the No. 1 spot in these rankings. There isn’t a better pitcher in today’s game than Kershaw. And as mentioned in the first slide, he’ll make his seventh consecutive opening day start for the Dodgers in 2017.
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Last season, Kershaw dominated through the first three months of the season. But toward the end of June, Kershaw suffered a back injury and missed the entire months of July and August. He returned in September.
If it wasn’t for the back injury, Kershaw more than likely would have won the NL Cy Young award. In 2016, Kershaw went 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.80 FIP, .725 WHIP and 172 strikeouts.
Kershaw sports quite the resume in his nine seasons with the Dodgers. He’s a six-time All-Star, a gold glove winner, three-time NL Cy Young award winner and in 2014 he took home the NL MVP honors.
His career pitching bWAR sits at 52.7. The 29-year-old currently ranks 84th all-time in overall pitching bWAR. His career stats include a 126-60 record, a 2.37 ERA and 1,918 strikeouts.
Next: Top 100 players for 2017
If Kershaw can stay healthy, he’ll battle again for the Cy Young award in 2017. And in the long term, he could go down as one of the greatest pitchers of all-time.