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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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Mar 2, 2023; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) throws in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics during a Spring Training game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 20. Pablo Lopez – Minnesota Twins

Pablo Lopez was dealt from the Marlins to the Twins in the deal that sent AL Batting Champ Luis Arraez to Miami. Lopez should provide a big boost to a Twins rotation that needed it. He’s not quite an ace, but he’s a really solid second or third starter on most teams. Lopez was finally able to stay healthy, making 32 starts for the Fish last season. He faces off against Zack Greinke in his first start for his new ball club looking to make a good first impression with the Twins faithful watching.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 19. Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs

There aren’t many more fun pitchers to watch than Marcus Stroman. His enthusiasm on the mound and his ability to throw a large variety of pitches all while standing at 5’8″ is really fun. He puts on a show. Stroman takes the ball in front of what should be a very loud Wrigley Field crowd against the division rival Brewers. He’s always had a knack for pitching well in big games, so this season opener should be no different.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 18. Blake Snell – San Diego Padres

Yu Darvish is dealing with an injury and will not be able to take the ball on Opening Day. Joe Musgrove had an unfortunate weight room accident and fractured his left big toe. That leaves presumptive third starter Blake Snell to take the ball at Petco Park against German Marquez and the Rockies. Snell isn’t the Cy Young ace he was with the Rays, but he pitched well last season for San Diego, particularly in the second half. He’ll look to carry that 2.19 second-half ERA into the 2023 season.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 17. Logan Webb – San Francisco Giants

Logan Webb gets the daunting task of facing Arson, oh wait, Aaron Judge at Yankee Stadium. Judge was almost Webb’s teammate, but the Giants ace has to face him in front of a sold-out Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on the day Judge officially begins his reign as captain of the Yankees. Webb had a 2.90 ERA last season and finished 11th in the NL Cy Young balloting. With Carlos Rodon gone, he’s the undisputed ace of this staff.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 16. Framber Valdez – Houston Astros

It’s hard to put Framber Valdez at 16, but when this list is comprised of mostly established aces it’s hard to put him any higher. Valdez is coming off his best MLB season and is going to be just fine as the Astros Opening Day starter. The southpaw had a 2.82 ERA and led the league with 202.1 innings pitched. He’s as consistent as they come when it comes to delivering quality starts, and I’d expect nothing less from him in 2023.

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