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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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Sep 27, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) pitches in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Justin Verlander vs. Jose Quintana

2016 stats:
Verlander — 16-9, 3.04 ERA, 227.2 IP, led AL with 254 K and 1.001 WHIP
Quintana — 13-12, 3.20 ERA, 208.0 IP, 181 K, first All-Star appearance

Divisional rivals will square off at newly-christened Guaranteed Rate Field. The Chicago White Sox are in the thick of a massive rebuild, but will still get to send out an ace on Opening Day. Jose Quintana has not been traded, but will probably not end the season in Chicago. The Detroit Tigers will counter with their own ace Justin Verlander, who appears fully back on track after dealing with injuries for two seasons.

Verlander enjoyed a resurgent season in 2016, and had a very strong claim for the Cy Young. After an ugly month of April, he hit his stride, and looked like his old self thanks to a few tweaks to his arsenal. Verlander was dominant against the White Sox last season. He held them to a .203 batting average with 28 strikeouts in 21 innings. That should continue this season against a stripped-down lineup.

Quintana has been one of the most underrated pitchers in the league in his five-year career, but is finally beginning to be recognized. He has four straight years with over 200 innings and 32 starts, and has been remarkably consistent. Quintana will not blow anyone away with raw stuff, but knows how to work his fastball and secondary pitches to induce weak contact. He has great command, and will give his team a chance to win more often than not.

Quintana’s .500 win-loss record might not paint a picture of a dominant pitcher, but he is more than capable of going pitch-for-pitch with Verlander.

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