OC Register: Ricky Nolasco to start for Angels on opening day in Oakland

[AngelsWin.com]

ANAHEIM – Ricky Nolasco will be the Angels’ opening day starter on Monday night in Oakland, followed by Matt Shoemaker and Garrett Richards. Jesse Chavez will start the Angels’ home opener April 7, the first game of a three-game series against...

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[totdprods]

Worth noting, this probably boosts Nolasco's chances of his option vesting...

[Jig Stew]

Looks like April Fools Day came early this year

[Chuck]

I think this is a good move. Nolasco took the hill on opening day a few times in his career and he's the veteran of this rotation who finished the season nearly untouchable. 

This takes less pressure off Richards, Shoe and Skaggs IMO. I like it. 

Plus, I believe Chavez has a stellar record pitching at the Big A if I'm not mistaken. 

Good alignment headed into the season. 

[Second Base]

Definitely wasn't expecting that a month ago. Typically you line your ace up for the first start, not your #4 that just came from a different organization.

[Blarg]

I think I would have adjusted the rotation to make Shoe the opening pitcher in Anaheim.

[totdprods]

Little weird. Not really sure why Nolasco would get it over Shoe, but I guess in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't make much difference. 

[Docwaukee]

So Nolasco on opening day and Jesse Chavez for the home opener?  um.  ok.  

 

[arch stanton]

I don't think these guys are pulling their decisions from their rear ends. They may have looked ahead down the schedule and decided the best way to get the matchups they like down the road a few series or when they could make call ups

[Angels#1Fan]

45 minutes ago, hangin n wangin said:

lol Scioscia is a fucking idiot and I hate him.

lol One should never hate, however it's OK to dislike intensely. lol

[Billy_Ball]

If Nolasco pitches like he did as an Angel last year (with help from Nagy), I have no problem with it.  Plus, it's against a weak Oakland team in a pitchers' ballpark.  Congrats Ricky.

[JustATroutFan]

Really,  Scioscia could have done way better than this. Nothing against Nolasco but Richards should have gotten the start. Best pitcher with the highest ceiling on the Angels.

[Billy_Ball]

Maybe Scioscia doesn't want a repeat of last year's opening day when Richards started.  Not that he was terrible - 3 ER in 5 IP, as Salas and Rasmus gave up 5 ER in a 9-0 loss the the Cubs.

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

5 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Plus, I believe Chavez has a stellar record pitching at the Big A if I'm not mistaken. 

Jesse is 0-3 in 4 starts at the big A, but in 34.1 innings had a  2.62 ERA, and a WHIP of 0.990 with 27 SO, 7 BB, 4 HR allowed, and 10 ER.

[AngelsFanSince86]

It's definitely a strange move, but I get it.  Richards is going to be limited this year and they aren't going to place him as the number 1 rotation guy. Shoe got hit in the head and they don't want to put any more pressure on him right now.  There is a lot of pressure that can come with opening day and Nolasco is a vet that has already done it.  Richards and Shoe both are still question marks to a degree.  Why put the extra pressure off telling them they are the ace before they have had the chance to put it together again on the field in meaningful games? Scioscia has made a LOT of moves I don't agree with throughout the years, but keeping the pressure off of two guys that are still working their way back isn't one of them.

 

 

[DoubleOffTheWall]

Solid move. Richards and shoe can step up later.

[mtangelsfan]

This is about as important as a home run in the eighth inning of a 10-1 game.

[totdprods]

One thing I noticed, we have an extremely heavy schedule to start the year - over the first 46 days season, we have two off days - April 10th and May 1st, including 20 games in a row 4/11 thru 5/1. Barring any changes in order, that pencils Nolasco, Shoemaker, and Richards in for 9 starts until our 3rd off day May 18th. The fact that Petit, Norris, and Ramirez can go multiple innings really helps that pen.

Best I can tell, the match-ups for the first few series:
at Oakland (haven't decided on their #4 and #5 yet)
Nolasco vs. Graveman 
Shoemaker vs. Manaea
Richards vs. Cotton
Skaggs/Ramirez/TBA vs. Triggs/Hahn/Alcantara

Seattle (may flip Iwakuma/Paxton after first series)
Chavez vs. Gallardo
Nolasco vs. Hernandez
Shoemaker vs. Iwakuma or Paxton

Texas (could go with 4-man to start year)
Richards vs. Perez or Hamels
Skaggs/Ramirez/TBA vs. Griffin or Perez
Chavez vs. Griffin/Perez or Darvish or Griffin

at Kansas City
Nolasco vs. Duffy
Shoemaker vs. Kennedy
Richards vs. Hammel

at Houston (Collin McHugh could return and replace one of these)
Skaggs vs. Musgrove
Chavez vs. Fiers
Nolasco vs. Keuchel 
Shoemaker vs. Morton/McCullers
 

[yk9001]

1 hour ago, mtangelsfan said:

This is about as important as a home run in the eighth inning of a 10-1 game.

Im with MT.  There are 162 of these games.  Who cares who starts the first one.  Nobody on the staff is Sandy Koufax in his prime.

[mtangelsfan]

I'm with mt.

[Tank]

i'm with MT also. there are plenty of reasons to get upset with sosh, but this isn't one of them. whether he pitches game 1, 2, or 3 is like worrying about whether or not bill gates can pay for dinner.

[Troll Daddy]

Do you guys really believe that Scioscia make the decision on starting Nolasco alone?

good choice btw 

[Stradling]

Well I think ultimately who starts opening day on the mound for the Angels is Scioscia's decision and no one else's.  Now if the Angels traded for Chris Sale or signed some huge dollar free agent I could see the decision being made by Arte or Eppler.  This was a Scioscia decision with input from his staff, right or wrong.  

[Jason]

I really don't care who starts on opening day but this does reiterate the point that the Angels do not have an Ace.  

[Troll Daddy]

1 hour ago, Stradling said:

Well I think ultimately who starts opening day on the mound for the Angels is Scioscia's decision and no one else's.  Now if the Angels traded for Chris Sale or signed some huge dollar free agent I could see the decision being made by Arte or Eppler.  This was a Scioscia decision with input from his staff, right or wrong.  

Wong 

Eppler is numero uno ... seriously, in game decisions are on Scioscia but roster and lineups are discussed with Eppler/Scioscia and the coaching staff. 

Money Ball!