D-Backs tab new ace Greinke as Opening Day starter
The Arizona Diamondbacks spent $206.5 million to bring right-hander Zack Greinke to their club in the offseason, so it's no surprise they'll be handing the ball to the former Cy Young winner to start Opening Day.
Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale told reporters on Wednesday that Greinke will get the starting nod when the club hosts the Colorado Rockies on April 4.
Arizona sent shock waves through the baseball world when they surprisingly signed the 32-year-old to the richest contract in baseball history for a pitcher on Dec. 8 after he was pursued by numerous clubs, including the Los Angeles Dodgers who he pitched for over the previous three seasons.
Greinke will headline a starting staff that also includes offseason acquisition Shelby Miller, as the Diamondbacks compete for their first NL West title since 2011.
2016 PROJECTED ROTATION
| PLAYER | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zack Greinke | 222.2 | 19-3 | 1.66 | 0.84 |
| Shelby Miller | 205.1 | 6-17 | 3.02 | 1.25 |
| Patrick Corbin | 85 | 6-5 | 3.60 | 1.27 |
| Rubby De La Rosa | 188.2 | 14-9 | 4.67 | 1.36 |
| Robbie Ray | 127.2 | 5-12 | 3.52 | 1.33 |
The Diamondbacks finished the 2015 campaign third in the NL West with 79 wins and are projected by PECOTA to win 78 games next season.
HEADLINES
- Report: A's won't rule out trading Miller, have high asking price
- Classic success: The Mariners' approach to pitching won't ever go out of style
- Trout chose surgery over trying to manage pain as DH
- TV series in the works about Ohtani's ex-interpreter's gambling scandal
- Hyde keeping struggling Kimbrel as O's closer: 'Need to get him right'