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MLB Opening Day 2023: Ranking all 30 Opening Day starters from worst to best

By Zachary Rotman

Sep 30, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (21) signals two outs in the second inning of the MLB National game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. /

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 25. German Marquez – Colorado Rockies

German Marquez is a pitcher who just needs to get out of Colorado. The right-hander has a career ERA of 5.08 at Coors Field and 3.77 on the road. He had a 5.00 ERA last season, but that was mainly due to a 6.70 (!) ERA at home, compared to a 3.43 road ERA. Even with his poor home luck, Marquez is not an ace on a team better than the Rockies. Marquez is, fortunately, starting in San Diego for the opener, so he might actually pitch well.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 24. Hunter Greene – Cincinnati Reds

Hunter Greene had moments when he lived up to the hype last season. He had a start in which he threw seven no-hit innings against the Pirates and two other starts where he allowed just one hit. Greene allowed too many home runs (1.7 HR/9) but he struck out 11.7/9. Greene and his electric stuff should be fun to watch in front of a sold-out Great American Ballpark. Hopefully he takes a leap in 2023.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 23. Mitch Keller – Pittsburgh Pirates

After an inconsistent first half, Mitch Keller started to show Pirates fans the kind of pitcher he can be. In 13 second half starts, the right-hander posted a 3.09 ERA in 70 innings pitched. This included starts which he allowed three runs or fewer against the Phillies, Orioles, Brewers, Cardinals twice, and Mets twice. Keller will be facing Hunter Greene in a matchup of two youngsters on rebuilding teams.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 22. Eduardo Rodriguez – Detroit Tigers

Eduardo Rodriguez had a strange first season in Detroit, as he missed a lot of time due to personal reasons and wasn’t quite pitching up to the five-year $77 million deal he signed in the 2021 offseason. Rodriguez had a 4.05 ERA and 4.43 FIP in his 17 starts and 91 innings pitched. Rodriguez has a track record of being a solid mid-rotation arm at worst, so that gives him the edge over the younger Keller and Greene for me.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 21. Miles Mikolas – St. Louis Cardinals

Miles Mikolas was able to stay healthy and deliver a huge season for St. Louis in 2022 as the right-hander had a 3.29 ERA in 32 starts. The strikeouts were low (6.8 K/9), but he walked just 1.7 batters per nine which helped him post a 1.033 WHIP. His 3.87 FIP suggests he got a bit lucky, but Mikolas was an all-star for the Cards last season. He takes the ball for the opener over Adam Wainwright as the Cardinals legend entering his final season will begin the campaign on the Injured List.

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