Games of the Day

Seattle and Texas open the AL West season with Felix Hernandez battling Cole Hamels in Arlington. Hernandez posted one of the better records of his career at 18-9, despite what amounted to an off year for him. His strikeout rate was down from the previous season, while his walk and home run rates rose. Hamels enjoyed the run support when he moved to Texas, going 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts, helping Texas win the AL West.

Boston and Cleveland look to have stronger teams as David Price takes on Corey Kluber in Cleveland. Price posted the highest WAR of his career in 2015, but knocked around in the playoffs. Kluber’s 2015 season was similar to his 2014 season, but with nearly the opposite record. He went from 18-9 in 2014 to 9-18 in 2015. His home run rate went up, but he also went from a .207/.277/.284 slash line allowed in 2014 with runners in scoring position to .265/.350/.444. That’s a big reason his ERA went up a run.

Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the Dodgers against Tyson Ross and the Padres in San Diego. Since 2009, Kershaw owns the best ERA in the majors (min 800 IP) by half a run. (Note also, how many pitchers in the top 20 are opening day starters.) He the complete package, with a high K rate, low walk rate, and an extremely low HR rate. Ross suffers from lack of support. Over the last two seasons he appeared in 64 games, all starts, posting a 3.03 ERA. He should be better than 23-26.

Colorado visits Arizona as Jorge de la Rosa faces Zack Greinke in his Diamondbacks debut. de la Rosa is the all-time Rockies win leader, one of only three Colorado pitchers to reach 60 wins. Greinke is the wandering superstar, playing for his fifth team in seven years. He went 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA in three seasons with the Dodgers, walking just 1.9 batters per game.

The Cubs look like the best team in the majors entering 2016, and they open in Anaheim with Jake Arrieta pitching against Garrett Richards. Over the last two season, Arrieta’s been the toughest pitcher in the majors to hit, with a .192 BA allowed. Richards saw a fall-off in 2015 after a knee injury ended his 2014 season. We’ll see if a year of health makes a difference.

Enjoy!

from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/25GsvEM