Who should be the Nationals Opening Day Starter?
The Nationals have not had a true ace in their rotation since the departure of Max Scherzer via trade, leaving the spot for Opening Day starter up to best pitcher available. After Patrick Corbin got the nod the past couple seasons despite subpar performance, who should get the nod this season?
By Nick Meyers
Opening Day is more symbolic than anything, but in reality it is just one of at least 162 games that the team will play that season. Nevertheless, teams will typically put their best foot forward and start the season with their ace, or it some teams' case - whoever their best pitcher is, on the mound. Undoubtedly, the Nationals will attempt to do the same, but who is their best pitcher?
Max Scherzer filled the role of Opening Day starter for the Nationals for the better part of a decade. Since then, Opening Day has not had the same feel without the true ace of the rotation.
Patrick Corbin got the nod as Opening Day starter for the past couple of seasons, but that always felt more like a seasoned-veteran, longer-tenured National move as opposed to Corbin truly being the ace or leader of the pitching staff. The stats would suggest that it was very much not due to Corbin being the best pitcher in the rotation.
So will this be the year where Davey Martinez finally gives the Opening Day nod to the pitcher who deserves it the most as opposed to the pitcher who has just been here the longest? We can only hope.
So who is the most deserving pitcher? Let's take a look at the candidates.