Scott Feldman is the Opening Day Starter

Earlier today, Bo Porter made it official. Scott Feldman will be the fifth different Opening Day starter in as many years for the Houston Astros. The announcement should not be a surprise as Feldman was the only lock for the rotation as the offseason came to a close.

After spending eight seasons with the Texas Rangers, Feldman signed with the Chicago Cubs last offseason. He pitched fifteen games before being dealt to the Baltimore Orioles. Overall he posted a respectable 12-12 campaign with a 3.86 ERA. So far in Spring Training, the veteran has a 4.50 ERA through two appearances and six innings. This will be Feldman’s second career Opening Day start.

As a member of the 2010 Texas Rangers, Feldman opened the season April 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays at home. He earned the victory in that appearance throwing 100 pitches yielding 5 hits and 3 earned runs. Hopefully he will be able to replicate success of that nature again for the 2014 opener.

The Houston Astros host a 3-game opening series against the New York Yankees. Though he has not faced Brian McCann in his career, Feldman has yielded a .265/.347/.371 line against active Yankee hitters. The Yankees have not formally announced their rotation for the 2014 season. People should expect C.C. Sabathia to be starting on Opening Day with either Masahiro Tanaka or Hiroki Kuroda following. If Tanaka does pitch in Houston during the opening series it will be his major league debut.