MLB: Ranking the 30 Opening Day Starters
By Anthony Sosa
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.