The Hottest Pitchers of MLB Opening Day 2023: Who Will Come Out on Top?
Top MLB pitchers to watch on Opening Day 2023
The long-awaited MLB Opening Day 2023 is upon us! Fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the showdown between their beloved teams and their fierce rivals on the diamond. To heighten the anticipation, we present a list of the most exceptional MLB pitchers to keep an eye on during this momentous event. Our team of experts has evaluated each pitcher and their probability of winning, and we are excited to share our predictions with you.
Max Fried (Atlanta Braves) vs. Washington Nationals
On the upcoming Opening Day 2023, baseball enthusiasts worldwide will be keeping a close eye on the showdown between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals, particularly on the pitching prowess of Max Fried. Fried, who boasts an impressive record against the Nationals, with an expected weighted on-base average of 0.294 (xwOBA) against their current roster of hitters and an average of 0.207, is among the top MLB pitchers to watch on Opening Day 2023. Given that the Nationals are still in a phase of reconstruction, Fried's chances of securing a victory are looking favorable. In fact, he's among the MLB pitchers with the best chances of winning on Opening Day 2023, and expert predictions suggest he's likely to do just that. As we await the game, it's exciting to see which MLB pitcher will get a win on Opening Day 2023, but all eyes will be on Max Fried as he takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves.
Jacob Degrom (Texas Rangers) vs Philadelphia Phillies
Jacob Degrom, who recently joined the Texas Rangers, will be facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day. Degrom has faced this lineup several times, with 214 plate appearances against them, a 36.9% K rate, and a 0.261 xwOBA. Although injury is a concern for Degrom, he is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and his new team will be looking to showcase his talent at Globe Life Field. Will Degrom add another win to his record on Opening Day?
Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) vs. Houston Astros
The Chicago White Sox will take on the Houston Astros on Opening Day, and Dylan Cease will be on the mound for the White Sox. Cease had an impressive record of 14-8 in 2022, with 227 K’s and a 2.20 ERA. Cease is no slouch against the Astros lineup, with a 21% K rate and only 17 hits allowed in 56 plate appearances against them. Interestingly, Jose Altuve, who has 5 of those hits, will not be available for Opening Day. Will Cease continue the World Series curse with the Astros, or will the curse end this year? I’ll take Cease on this one.
Zac Gallen (Arizona Diamondbacks) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Zac Gallen, a UNC Baseball Alum, will be pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day. Gallen had a fantastic record in 2022, with a scoreless innings streak of over 40 innings and a 12-4 record with a 2.54 ERA in 184 innings pitched. He has also done well against the Dodgers lineup, with a 0.254 xwOBA and 0.176 average against him from this lineup, which does not include Bellinger and Trea Turner. Fans are eagerly waiting to see Gallen in action, and he is a strong contender to win on Opening Day. (Visit here to REALLY increase your faith in Gallen)
REST OF THE LEAGUE
With MY Picks to win
American League Games:
Kyle Gibson (Baltimore Orioles) vs. Boston Red Sox
Shane McClanahan (Tampa Bay Rays) vs. Detroit Tigers
Zach Greinke (Kansas City Royals) vs. Minnesota Twins (SLEEPER PICK)
Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) vs. Houston Astros
Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) vs. Oakland Athletics
Jacob Degrom (Texas Rangers) vs Philadelphia Phillies
Alek Manoah (Toronto Blue Jays) vs. St. Louis Cardinals
National League Games:
Max Fried (Atlanta Braves) vs. Washington Nationals
Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers) vs. Chicago Cubs
Max Scherzer (New York Mets) vs. Miami Marlins
Mitch Keller (Pittsburgh Pirates) vs. Cincinnati Reds (SLEEPER PICK)
Blake Snell (San Diego Padres) vs. Colorado Rockies
Zac Gallen (Arizona Diamondbacks) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Logan Webb (San Francisco Giants) vs. New York Yankees
FAQs
Q. What is the World Series curse?
A. The World Series curse refers to the belief that teams that win the World Series are likely to lose their first game in the next season. This belief has some historical evidence to support it, as several teams have lost their first game after winning the World Series.
Q. Who is considered the best pitcher in baseball?
A. Jacob Degrom is considered by many to be the best pitcher in baseball. He has won two Cy Young Awards and has been named an All-Star four times.
Q. What is xwOBA?
A. xwOBA (expected Weighted On-Base Average) is a statistic used in baseball to measure a hitter's performance. It takes into account the quality of contact made by the hitter and the number of times the hitter gets on base. xwOBA is calculated using advanced analytics that use data such as launch angle, exit velocity, and pitch speed to estimate how likely a given plate appearance is to result in a successful outcome for the hitter.
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The statistical information presented in this article was gathered from reputable sources such as Baseballsavant.com, Fangraphs.com, and Baseball-reference.com. These sites offer comprehensive data on various aspects of the game and are trusted by baseball enthusiasts and analysts alike.
