The meaning of MLB’s Opening Day starters

Really, the only thing Norris has going for him is Experience. Which is one of the three things that can get you an Opening Day start, the others being History and March Brilliance. And it seems that Experience often counts more than the other two combined.

Ultimately, the Astros are in trouble if Lyles doesn’t find his fastball command, but ... well, actually the Astros are in trouble regardless of what Lyles’ fastball. But there actually is some pitching talent on this roster. There might not be a legitimate ace here, but there are five or six guys who could start for a lot of clubs. And so I remain unconvinced that the Astros are going to lose 140 games this season.

Admit it. You’ve been holding your breath all winter, waiting for the Philadelphia Phillies to announce their Opening Day starter. Well, go ahead and breathe. Breathe. Because the smoke is white, and it’s Cole Hamels. Details (via Jim Salisbury):

First of all, I consider the first game for each team a sort of holiday. No, maybe it’s not a legal holiday. But if Arbor Day gets to be capitalized, then by gosh I’m going to capitalize Opening Day.

Look, a new entry in our ongoing saga!

Source: CSNWashington.com’s Mark Zuckerman

Uh, here is news:

I can’t figure out if Topkin’s making a little joke about how boring camp has been this spring. Probably, since with the exile of James Shields, the Rays really didn’t have any other candidate at all. Oh, and also Price won one of these little trophies last year.

I’m not sure why, but I’m mildly fascinated (or maybe somewhat interested) in Opening Day starting pitchers.

We might arrive at some sort of surprise scale for these announcements: