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

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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Diamondbacks
Sep 22, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (23) celebrates at the end of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 15. Luis Castillo – Seattle Mariners

If there were any doubts as to whether the Mariners giving up what they gave up to get Luis Castillo was worth it, those doubts washed away as Castillo dominated for the Mariners and helped them break their long postseason drought. He took the ball in Game 1 of the postseason and delivered 7.1 scoreless innings in front of a loud Rogers Centre in a Mariners victory.  Castillo had a 2.99 ERA overall in 25 starts during the regular season and has been a durable innings eater for most of his career.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 14. Aaron Nola – Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have the luxury of picking between two aces for to take the ball on Opening Day. They chose Aaron Nola over Zack Wheeler after Nola’s solid 2022 campaign. The right-hander posted a 3.25 ERA in 32 starts and 205 innings pitched. He walked just 1.3 batters per nine which is a little hard to fathom. His impeccable control helped lead him to a fourth-place finish in the NL Cy Young race. He will take his talents to Texas as the Phillies open against the Rangers.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 13. Shane McClanahan – Tampa Bay Rays

Shane McClanahan showed that he’s a legitimate ace in his second season with the Rays. The southpaw posted a 2.54 ERA in 28 starts and 166.1 innings pitched. He struck out 10.5 batters per nine while walking just 2.1/9. Pitching in the tough AL East isn’t easy, especially for a young guy like McClanahan, but this lefty lived up to the hype. He finished sixth in the AL Cy Young balloting and will hope to get off to a good start in 2023 at home against a poor Tigers lineup.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 12. Alek Manoah – Toronto Blue Jays

After an impressive rookie season, Alek Manoah took the league by storm in year two. 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 starts and 196.2 innings pitched is nothing to sneeze at. The right-hander was the best pitcher on a really solid Toronto staff and was an AL Cy Young finalist, finishing third in the voting. He has a tough matchup against reigning NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and the Cardinals, but I expect Alek Manoah to shove like he always does.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 11. Zac Gallen – Arizona Diamondbacks

It’s time for Zac Gallen to get his respect. He doesn’t get talked about much at all as he plays for the Diamondbacks, but this right-hander is a legitimate ace. After a shaky 2021 season, Gallen was one of the five best pitchers in the National League, posting a 2.54 ERA in 31 starts and 184 innings pitched. He had a five-start span in which he did not allow a run in 41.1 innings from August 8th to September 4th. He finished fifth in the NL Cy Young balloting.

Ranking every Opening Day pitcher: 10. Dylan Cease – Chicago White Sox

Dylan Cease broke out in 2022 and was one of the best pitchers in baseball. The talented right-hander posted a 2.20 ERA in 32 starts and 184 innings pitched. He was the AL Cy Young runner-up to Justin Verlander and struck batters out at a 30.4% clip. Not too shabby. What’s dinging Cease a bit here is his walk numbers as he walked 3.8 batters per nine. Regardless, Cease is quite good and will hopefully pith well against the defending champion Astros.