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MLB Opening Day 2017: Top 5 pitching matchups

By Joshua Sadlock

Mar 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (22) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Gerrit Cole vs. Rick Porcello

2016 stats:
Cole — 7-10, 3.88 ERA, 116.0 IP, 98 K, 36 BB, 3.33 FIP, 1.440 WHIP, .289 BAA
Porcello — 22-4, 3.15 ERA, 223.0 IP, 189 K, 5.91 SO/BB, 1.009 WHIP, Cy Young

Porcello will get second billing to ace Chris Sale in the Boston rotation this season, but he gets the start on Opening Day — a nod to his status as the defending AL Cy Young. This will be his first start ever on Opening Day. Porcello really came into his own last season, going 13-1 with a 2.97 ERA at home. He has great control, and benefited from some of the best run support in MLB history last season. Porcello was able to use his two-seam fastball to get ahead in counts and then generate plenty of weak contact on the ground. He has made two starts in his career against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and is 2-0 with a 0.39 ERA in 23.0 innings pitched.

Porcello’s opponent, Gerrit Cole, is looking to bounce back in 2017 after an injury-plagued effort in 2016. Cole is also making his first start on Opening Day, as well as first ever appearance at Fenway Park. In 2015, Cole went 19-8 with a 2.60 ERA and pitched in the All-Star Game. His ERA was inflated last season by an extremely high opponent’s BABIP of .349. Cole’s FIP of 3.33 indicates that he was much closer to his dominant self. If he is healthy, Cole’s power fastball should give the Red Sox problems in the chilly April air.

There are very high expectations for the Red Sox this season, and for Porcello as well. He will be pitching to prove his dominance in 2016 was no fluke. The Pirates have much lower expectations, but should be able to surprise some people with a strong season. Cole must pitch up to his abilities for them to have a shot at contending, and he had a very strong run in the Grapefruit League.

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