Who pitches opening day for Angels?

March 27, 2008 · Paul Raymond · Jump to comments

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With pitchers John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar both out indefinitely, who starts Opening Day for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Manager Mike Scioscia still hasn’t announced his starting rotation members or the order of the players. But if you look at the Angels current spring rotation, you can easily break it down and figure which young gun it is. So who is it?

It looks like 25-year old Jered Weaver will get the nod. Looking at the rest of the spring schedule, Weaver is currently scheduled to pitch Monday on normal rest. Its not a bad choice either if Scioscia decides to go that route. This spring Weaver went 5-1 with a 1.37 era in 26 and 1/3 innings pitched. He would of had a 6th win had it not been for a blown save by Francisco Rodriguez. Weaver also had a solid sophomore season in 2007, going 13-7 with a 3.91 era in 161 innings. For his career he’s 24-9 with a 3.33 era and 220 strikeouts in 284 innings pitched.

There isn’t a more deserving guy to get the nod out of the current Angels options. “If it’s me, it’s a tremendous honor,” Weaver said. “You always admire the No. 1 guys, and it’s an honor to have the Angels even think about me doing it. At the same time, it kind of stinks that our two horses are down. It’s a bummer it had to happen like this.” It’s great his ego is in check as well and that he’s nothing like his brother Jeff.

Angels could have had something special this season, with Lackey, Escobar and Weaver but hey injuries are part of the game. Let’s see if the rest of this team can man up and keep pace with the Seattle Mariners.