Opening Day Starters

[Frayed Knot]

- It's down to less than a week for some teams as Oakland & Seattle are already on their way to Japan for next Wednesday's (6:10 AM EDT) game, the first of two they'll play there.

- Exactly a week after that, Florida gets to christen their new pad with a one-game home-stand a day before the remaining teams get going.

- The filled-in starters below are the ones listed on the MLB.com schedule.
I'm sure we can guesstimate at a bunch of others which haven't been publicly confirmed yet but we'll fill it in as we go along.
Home teams listed second.

DATE	TEAM	STARTER	vs	TEAM	STARTER
3/28	MARINERS	Felix Hernandez		A�s	Brandon McCarthy
4/4	CARDINALS	Kyle Lohse		MARLINS	Josh Johnson
4/5	RED SOX	Jon Lester		TIGERS	Justin Verlander
4/5	BRAVES	---		METS	Johan Santana
4/5	PHILLIES	---		PIRATES	---
4/5	MARLINS	2nd Game		REDS	---
4/5	NATIONALS	Steven Strasburg		CUBS	---
4/5	BLUE JAYS	Ricky Romero		INDIANS	Justin Masterson
4/5	DODGERS	Clayton Kershaw		PADRES	Tim Stauffer
4/6	CARDINALS	2nd Game		BREWERS	Yovani Gallardo
4/6	WHITE SOX	---		RANGERS	---
4/6	TWINS	Carl Pavano		ORIOLES	---
4/6	YANKEES	---		RAYS	James Sheilds
4/6	ROCKIES	---		ASTROS	---
4/6	GIANTS	---		D�BACKS	Ian Kennedy
4/6	ROYALS	---		Angels	Jered Weaver

[Ceetar]

Sabathia obviously.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, there are several 'obviously' choices, or at least probably obvious ones, that we could fill in here. Mainly though I was waiting for some kind of confirmation first.
Sabathia is one of the Duh! ones but, knowing the Yanx, they're not only going to be reluctant to confirm it but would likely be cagey if asked whether they've even got someone named CC Sabathia on their team. "Umm no comment. Such information is a private team business and we have no intention of signaling our intentions to the competition."

[Fman99]

Wow, I read "6:10 AM" and my first thought was "stay home, call in sick, watch baseball and eat omelettes."

My 2nd thought involved that exact plan plus also alcohol.

[Ceetar]

Fman99 wrote: Wow, I read "6:10 AM" and my first thought was "stay home, call in sick, watch baseball and eat omelettes." My 2nd thought involved that exact plan plus also alcohol.

It's tempting, and it'd be a given if it was the Mets, but A's M's? I'm torn. I'll probably compromise and watch it while I get ready in the morning, and listen o nthe way to work.

[TransMonk]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120323&content_id=27555798&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Jeremy Guthrie has been named as the Rockies' Opening Day starter.

[Frayed Knot]

DATE	TEAM	STARTER	vs	TEAM	STARTER
3/28	MARINERS	Felix Hernandez		A�s	Brandon McCarthy
4/4	CARDINALS	Kyle Lohse		MARLINS	Josh Johnson
4/5	RED SOX	Jon Lester		TIGERS	Justin Verlander
4/5	BRAVES	---		METS	Johan Santana
4/5	PHILLIES	---		PIRATES	---
4/5	MARLINS	2nd Game		REDS	---
4/5	NATIONALS	Steven Strasburg		CUBS	=#008000]Ryan Dempster
4/5	BLUE JAYS	Ricky Romero		INDIANS	Justin Masterson
4/5	DODGERS	Clayton Kershaw		PADRES	Tim Stauffer
4/6	CARDINALS	2nd Game		BREWERS	Yovani Gallardo
4/6	WHITE SOX	---		RANGERS	---
4/6	TWINS	Carl Pavano		ORIOLES	---
4/6	YANKEES	---		RAYS	James Sheilds
4/6	ROCKIES	=#008000]Jeremy Guthrie		ASTROS	---
4/6	GIANTS	---		D�BACKS	Ian Kennedy
4/6	ROYALS	---		Angels	Jered Weaver

[ashie62]

Kyle Lohse..after all these up and down, injury filled years starts for the world champs on opening day.

[Gwreck]

Erik Bedard (PIT) and Roy Halladay (PHI) will face each other on opening day.

[Frayed Knot]

Frayed Knot wrote: DATE TEAM STARTER vs TEAM STARTER 3/28 MARINERS Felix Hernandez A�s Brandon McCarthy 4/4 CARDINALS Kyle Lohse MARLINS Josh Johnson 4/5 RED SOX Jon Lester TIGERS Justin Verlander 4/5 BRAVES --- METS --- 4/5 PHILLIES Roy Halladay PIRATES Erik Bedard 4/5 =#FF0000]MARLINS =#FF0000]2nd Game REDS --- 4/5 NATIONALS Steven Strasburg CUBS Ryan Dempster 4/5 BLUE JAYS Ricky Romero INDIANS Justin Masterson 4/5 DODGERS Clayton Kershaw PADRES Tim Stauffer 4/6 =#FF0000]CARDINALS =#FF0000]2nd Game BREWERS Yovani Gallardo 4/6 WHITE SOX --- RANGERS --- 4/6 TWINS Carl Pavano ORIOLES --- 4/6 YANKEES --- RAYS James Sheilds 4/6 ROCKIES Jeremy Guthrie ASTROS --- 4/6 GIANTS --- D�BACKS Ian Kennedy 4/6 ROYALS --- Angels Jered Weaver

Mets � Willets Point Mar 25 2012 06:33 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox. I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports.

Fman99 Mar 25 2012 07:18 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does.

Frayed Knot Mar 25 2012 07:21 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox. I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports. Part of the reason I do threads like this is to re-familiarize myself with who's where and who each team thinks of as their top guy. I tend to need refresher courses at this time of year.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 25 2012 08:18 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

Fman99 wrote: Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does. you're playing?

Gwreck Mar 25 2012 08:37 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

More: Lincecum Johnny Cueto for the Reds The Associated Press (via SI) referred to Sabathia as the Yankees opening day starter.

Fman99 Mar 25 2012 09:19 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Fman99 wrote: Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does. you're playing? Only in leagues that don't take 15 hours to draft. So sorry.

Frayed Knot Mar 28 2012 02:17 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

DATE TEAM STARTER vs TEAM STARTER 3/28 MARINERS Felix Hernandez A�s Brandon McCarthy 4/4 CARDINALS Kyle Lohse MARLINS Josh Johnson 4/5 RED SOX Jon Lester TIGERS Justin Verlander 4/5 BRAVES --- METS --- 4/5 PHILLIES Roy Halladay PIRATES Erik Bedard 4/5 MARLINS 2nd Game REDS =#0000FF]Johnny Cueto 4/5 NATIONALS Steven Strasburg CUBS Ryan Dempster 4/5 BLUE JAYS Ricky Romero INDIANS Justin Masterson 4/5 DODGERS Clayton Kershaw PADRES Tim Stauffer 4/6 CARDINALS 2nd Game BREWERS Yovani Gallardo 4/6 WHITE SOX =#0000FF]John Danks RANGERS =#0000FF]Colby Lewis 4/6 TWINS Carl Pavano ORIOLES --- 4/6 YANKEES =#0000FF]CC Sabathia RAYS James Sheilds 4/6 ROCKIES Jeremy Guthrie ASTROS =#0040FF]Wandy Rodriguez 4/6 GIANTS =#0000FF]Tim Lincecum D�BACKS Ian Kennedy 4/6 ROYALS --- Angels Jered Weaver

Edgy MD Mar 31 2012 11:37 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

Hanson is official for the Braves.

Mets � Willets Point Mar 31 2012 08:14 PM Re: Opening Day Starters

Edgy DC wrote: Hanson is official for the Braves. I was hoping for Livan.

Ceetar Apr 01 2012 08:54 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

And the first pitch thrown for the Mets will be Johan Santana, as it should be.

Frayed Knot Apr 01 2012 09:42 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

Almost, but not quite, all filled in. The Padres & Blue Jays have apparently backed-off previous claims of Tim Stauffer & Ricky Romero starting their OD games. Orioles still up in the air ... and how 'bout that Bruce Chen! DATE TEAM STARTER vs TEAM STARTER 3/28 MARINERS Felix Hernandez A�s Brandon McCarthy 4/4 CARDINALS Kyle Lohse MARLINS Josh Johnson 4/5 RED SOX Jon Lester TIGERS Justin Verlander 4/5 BRAVES Tommy Hanson METS Johan Santana 4/5 PHILLIES Roy Halladay PIRATES Erik Bedard 4/5 =#FF0000]MARLINS =#FF0000]2nd Game REDS Johnny Cueto 4/5 NATIONALS Steven Strasburg CUBS Ryan Dempster 4/5 BLUE JAYS --- INDIANS Justin Masterson 4/5 DODGERS Clayton Kershaw PADRES --- 4/6 =#FF0000]CARDINALS =#FF0000]2nd Game BREWERS Yovani Gallardo 4/6 WHITE SOX John Danks RANGERS Colby Lewis 4/6 TWINS Carl Pavano ORIOLES --- 4/6 YANKEES CC Sabathia RAYS James Sheilds 4/6 ROCKIES Jeremy Guthrie ASTROS Wandy Rodriguez 4/6 GIANTS Tim Lincecum D�BACKS Ian Kennedy 4/6 ROYALS Bruce Chen Angels Jered Weaver

Frayed Knot Apr 02 2012 06:56 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

Padres at least get an opening day starter out of dealing away Mat (what happened to my other T?) Latos. DATE TEAM STARTER vs TEAM STARTER 3/28 MARINERS Felix Hernandez A�s Brandon McCarthy 4/4 CARDINALS Kyle Lohse MARLINS Josh Johnson 4/5 RED SOX Jon Lester TIGERS Justin Verlander 4/5 BRAVES Tommy Hanson METS Johan Santana 4/5 PHILLIES Roy Halladay PIRATES Erik Bedard 4/5 MARLINS 2nd Game REDS Johnny Cueto 4/5 NATIONALS Steven Strasburg CUBS Ryan Dempster 4/5 BLUE JAYS --- INDIANS Justin Masterson 4/5 DODGERS Clayton Kershaw PADRES =#0000FF]Edison Volquez 4/6 CARDINALS 2nd Game BREWERS Yovani Gallardo 4/6 WHITE SOX John Danks RANGERS Colby Lewis 4/6 TWINS Carl Pavano ORIOLES --- 4/6 YANKEES CC Sabathia RAYS James Sheilds 4/6 ROCKIES Jeremy Guthrie ASTROS Wandy Rodriguez 4/6 GIANTS Tim Lincecum D�BACKS Ian Kennedy 4/6 ROYALS Bruce Chen Angels Jered Weaver

Ceetar Apr 02 2012 07:03 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

Volquez started Opening Day for the Reds last year right? and then was in the minors by May? He must be awesome at Spring Training or something.

The Second Spitter Apr 02 2012 07:36 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

O's will probably go with Hammel on Opening Day.

Edgy MD Apr 02 2012 07:39 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

For years now, i see the name Jeremy Guthrie and think, "Hey! Ex-Met made good!" Then I dimly realize that I'm not looking at Jeremy Griffiths or Mark Guthrie, but a different character altogether. And seeing as he's lost 60 games over the last four years, I'm not necessarily looking at a guy who's made good, either. Tough times it's been for the O's.

The Second Spitter Apr 02 2012 07:42 AM Re: Opening Day Starters Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Apr 02 2012 07:47 AM

Edgy DC wrote: For years now, i see the name Jeremy Guthrie and think, "Hey! Ex-Met made good!" Then I dimly realize that I'm not looking at Jeremy Griffiths or Mark Guthrie, but a different character altogether. And seeing as he's lost 60 games over the last four years, I'm not necessarily looking at a guy who's made good, either. Tough times it's been for the O's. I think Guthrie for Hammel and Lindstrom (of Jason Vargas fame) will be a good trade for them. Lindstrom was in the running for the closer's job before he got injured.

Frayed Knot Apr 06 2012 07:21 AM Re: Opening Day Starters

DATE TEAM STARTER vs TEAM STARTER 3/28 MARINERS Felix Hernandez A�s Brandon McCarthy 4/4 CARDINALS Kyle Lohse MARLINS Josh Johnson 4/5 RED SOX Jon Lester TIGERS Justin Verlander 4/5 BRAVES Tommy Hanson METS Johan Santana 4/5 PHILLIES Roy Halladay PIRATES Erik Bedard 4/5 MARLINS 2nd Game REDS Johnny Cueto 4/5 NATIONALS Steven Strasburg CUBS Ryan Dempster 4/5 BLUE JAYS =#0000FF]Ricky Romero INDIANS Justin Masterson 4/5 DODGERS Clayton Kershaw PADRES Edison Volquez 4/6 CARDINALS 2nd Game BREWERS Yovani Gallardo 4/6 WHITE SOX John Danks RANGERS Colby Lewis 4/6 TWINS Carl Pavano ORIOLES =#0000FF]Jake Arrieta 4/6 YANKEES CC Sabathia RAYS James Sheilds 4/6 ROCKIES Jeremy Guthrie ASTROS Wandy Rodriguez 4/6 GIANTS Tim Lincecum D�BACKS Ian Kennedy 4/6 ROYALS Bruce Chen Angels Jered Weaver

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox.

I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports.

[Fman99]

Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does.

[Frayed Knot]

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox. I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports.

Part of the reason I do threads like this is to re-familiarize myself with who's where and who each team thinks of as their top guy.
I tend to need refresher courses at this time of year.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Fman99 wrote: Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does.

you're playing?

[Gwreck]

More:

Lincecum

Johnny Cueto for the Reds

The Associated Press (via SI) referred to Sabathia as the Yankees opening day starter.

[Fman99]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Fman99 wrote: Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does. you're playing?

Only in leagues that don't take 15 hours to draft. So sorry.

[Frayed Knot]

DATE	TEAM	STARTER	vs	TEAM	STARTER
3/28	MARINERS	Felix Hernandez		A�s	Brandon McCarthy
4/4	CARDINALS	Kyle Lohse		MARLINS	Josh Johnson
4/5	RED SOX	Jon Lester		TIGERS	Justin Verlander
4/5	BRAVES	---		METS	---
4/5	PHILLIES	Roy Halladay		PIRATES	Erik Bedard
4/5	MARLINS	2nd Game		REDS	=#0000FF]Johnny Cueto
4/5	NATIONALS	Steven Strasburg		CUBS	Ryan Dempster
4/5	BLUE JAYS	Ricky Romero		INDIANS	Justin Masterson
4/5	DODGERS	Clayton Kershaw		PADRES	Tim Stauffer
4/6	CARDINALS	2nd Game		BREWERS	Yovani Gallardo
4/6	WHITE SOX	=#0000FF]John Danks		RANGERS	=#0000FF]Colby Lewis
4/6	TWINS	Carl Pavano		ORIOLES	---
4/6	YANKEES	=#0000FF]CC Sabathia		RAYS	James Sheilds
4/6	ROCKIES	Jeremy Guthrie		ASTROS	=#0040FF]Wandy Rodriguez
4/6	GIANTS	=#0000FF]Tim Lincecum		D�BACKS	Ian Kennedy
4/6	ROYALS	---		Angels	Jered Weaver

[Edgy MD]

Hanson is official for the Braves.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Edgy DC wrote: Hanson is official for the Braves.

I was hoping for Livan.

[Ceetar]

And the first pitch thrown for the Mets will be Johan Santana, as it should be.

[Frayed Knot]

Almost, but not quite, all filled in.
The Padres & Blue Jays have apparently backed-off previous claims of Tim Stauffer & Ricky Romero starting their OD games.
Orioles still up in the air ... and how 'bout that Bruce Chen!

DATE	TEAM	STARTER	vs	TEAM	STARTER
3/28	MARINERS	Felix Hernandez		A�s	Brandon McCarthy
4/4	CARDINALS	Kyle Lohse		MARLINS	Josh Johnson
4/5	RED SOX	Jon Lester		TIGERS	Justin Verlander
4/5	BRAVES	Tommy Hanson		METS	Johan Santana
4/5	PHILLIES	Roy Halladay		PIRATES	Erik Bedard
4/5	=#FF0000]MARLINS	=#FF0000]2nd Game		REDS	Johnny Cueto
4/5	NATIONALS	Steven Strasburg		CUBS	Ryan Dempster
4/5	BLUE JAYS	---		INDIANS	Justin Masterson
4/5	DODGERS	Clayton Kershaw		PADRES	---
4/6	=#FF0000]CARDINALS	=#FF0000]2nd Game		BREWERS	Yovani Gallardo
4/6	WHITE SOX	John Danks		RANGERS	Colby Lewis
4/6	TWINS	Carl Pavano		ORIOLES	---
4/6	YANKEES	CC Sabathia		RAYS	James Sheilds
4/6	ROCKIES	Jeremy Guthrie		ASTROS	Wandy Rodriguez
4/6	GIANTS	Tim Lincecum		D�BACKS	Ian Kennedy
4/6	ROYALS	Bruce Chen		Angels	Jered Weaver

[Frayed Knot]

Padres at least get an opening day starter out of dealing away Mat (what happened to my other T?) Latos.

DATE	TEAM	STARTER	vs	TEAM	STARTER
3/28	MARINERS	Felix Hernandez		A�s	Brandon McCarthy
4/4	CARDINALS	Kyle Lohse		MARLINS	Josh Johnson
4/5	RED SOX	Jon Lester		TIGERS	Justin Verlander
4/5	BRAVES	Tommy Hanson		METS	Johan Santana
4/5	PHILLIES	Roy Halladay		PIRATES	Erik Bedard
4/5	MARLINS	2nd Game		REDS	Johnny Cueto
4/5	NATIONALS	Steven Strasburg		CUBS	Ryan Dempster
4/5	BLUE JAYS	---		INDIANS	Justin Masterson
4/5	DODGERS	Clayton Kershaw		PADRES	=#0000FF]Edison Volquez
4/6	CARDINALS	2nd Game		BREWERS	Yovani Gallardo
4/6	WHITE SOX	John Danks		RANGERS	Colby Lewis
4/6	TWINS	Carl Pavano		ORIOLES	---
4/6	YANKEES	CC Sabathia		RAYS	James Sheilds
4/6	ROCKIES	Jeremy Guthrie		ASTROS	Wandy Rodriguez
4/6	GIANTS	Tim Lincecum		D�BACKS	Ian Kennedy
4/6	ROYALS	Bruce Chen		Angels	Jered Weaver

[Ceetar]

Volquez started Opening Day for the Reds last year right? and then was in the minors by May? He must be awesome at Spring Training or something.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

O's will probably go with Hammel on Opening Day.

[Edgy MD]

For years now, i see the name Jeremy Guthrie and think, "Hey! Ex-Met made good!" Then I dimly realize that I'm not looking at Jeremy Griffiths or Mark Guthrie, but a different character altogether. And seeing as he's lost 60 games over the last four years, I'm not necessarily looking at a guy who's made good, either.

Tough times it's been for the O's.

[Guest The Second Spitter]

Edgy DC wrote: For years now, i see the name Jeremy Guthrie and think, "Hey! Ex-Met made good!" Then I dimly realize that I'm not looking at Jeremy Griffiths or Mark Guthrie, but a different character altogether. And seeing as he's lost 60 games over the last four years, I'm not necessarily looking at a guy who's made good, either. Tough times it's been for the O's.

I think Guthrie for Hammel and Lindstrom (of Jason Vargas fame) will be a good trade for them. Lindstrom was in the running for the closer's job before he got injured.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Guest

[Frayed Knot]

DATE	TEAM	STARTER	vs	TEAM	STARTER
3/28	MARINERS	Felix Hernandez		A�s	Brandon McCarthy
4/4	CARDINALS	Kyle Lohse		MARLINS	Josh Johnson
4/5	RED SOX	Jon Lester		TIGERS	Justin Verlander
4/5	BRAVES	Tommy Hanson		METS	Johan Santana
4/5	PHILLIES	Roy Halladay		PIRATES	Erik Bedard
4/5	MARLINS	2nd Game		REDS	Johnny Cueto
4/5	NATIONALS	Steven Strasburg		CUBS	Ryan Dempster
4/5	BLUE JAYS	=#0000FF]Ricky Romero		INDIANS	Justin Masterson
4/5	DODGERS	Clayton Kershaw		PADRES	Edison Volquez
4/6	CARDINALS	2nd Game		BREWERS	Yovani Gallardo
4/6	WHITE SOX	John Danks		RANGERS	Colby Lewis
4/6	TWINS	Carl Pavano		ORIOLES	=#0000FF]Jake Arrieta
4/6	YANKEES	CC Sabathia		RAYS	James Sheilds
4/6	ROCKIES	Jeremy Guthrie		ASTROS	Wandy Rodriguez
4/6	GIANTS	Tim Lincecum		D�BACKS	Ian Kennedy
4/6	ROYALS	Bruce Chen		Angels	Jered Weaver