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2019 MLB Season: Breaking Down the Best Opening Day Matchups

By Ben Fadden

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox, manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros, manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals walk through the concourse during All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 16: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox, manager A.J. Hinch of the Houston Astros, manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals walk through the concourse during All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Houston Astros at Tampa Bay Rays

Justin Verlander and Blake Snell will go to work at Tropicana Field to start their respective 2019 MLB season. Tampa Bay Rays ace Blake Snell is coming off of a 2018 Cy Young and Justin Verlander is fresh off inking a 2-year-deal extension, worth $66 million to stay a Houston Astro.

Snell had an amazing year, leading his team a 90 win season with an American League leading 21 wins and a 1.89 ERA.

Verlander finished second behind Snell in the Cy Young voting and will be making his 11th consecutive Opening Day start.

Snell will be leading a rotation that will include only three starters (Snell, Morton, Glasnow) and two openers.

It seems to be the first year that Verlander will be leading a rotation that does not include former Cy Young, Dallas Keuchel. As of this writing, Keuchel has yet to sign with one of the thirty teams.

Snell will be going up against a lineup that includes former MVP Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and new outfielder Michael Brantley.

Verlander, on the other hand, will be facing a less star-studded lineup in Tampa. Tommy Pham and Kevin Kiermaier will lead a younger lineup at the ‘Trop to start their interesting 2019 MLB season.

The best Opening Day matchup is lining up to be a classic between the two best National League pitchers right now…

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