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

[mtangelsfan]

9 minutes ago, Jason said:

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

More like they don't have a pre-season ace.  Who knows if Richards, Skaggs or Shoe become one this season.

[Ohtaniland]

10 hours ago, JustATroutFan said:

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.

Richards is ready but might be a little rusty. I'm concerned about Skaggs, he's already 2 1/2 years post tommy john surgery so he should be 100% ready by now. 

[mulwin444]

Nolasco and Chevez have put together the best overall springs in regards to starting pitching:

 

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=ana#elem=[object+Object]&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+pitching&game_type='S'&season=2017&season_type=ANY&league_code='MLB'&sectionType=sp&statType=pitching&page=1&ts=1490992800450&position='1'&sortColumn=gs&sortOrder='desc'&extended=0

Shoemaker has been hit and miss while Richards and Skaggs are both under 10 innings for the spring.  

It makes sense given the circumstances

[Ohtaniland]

1 hour ago, mtangelsfan said:

More like they don't have a pre-season ace.  Who knows if Richards, Skaggs or Shoe become one this season.

We don't have an established true number 1 yet. That doesn't mean that Richards, Shoemaker, Skaggs or Nolasco won't eventually fill that role but it's too early to tell right now. Right now Nolasco is probably the only guy that can pitch 190 - 200 innings. Maybe Shoe can but we'll see. 

[Jason]

2 hours ago, mtangelsfan said:

More like they don't have a pre-season ace.  Who knows if Richards, Skaggs or Shoe become one this season.

All 3 will be good, solid pitchers but I don't think any of them are a true "ace". 

[Angelsfan81]

20 hours ago, AngelsWin.com said:

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...

View the full article

I think that's wrong. They open with a 4 game series in Oakland, so Skaggs will probably open up the home stand.

[stormngt]

16 hours ago, JustATroutFan said:

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.

Uh you are aware of Richards health issues?  I don't think anyone is suggesting Nolasco is a better pitcher than Richards. But Richards will be on a pitch limit.  It might be wise to have him match up with with the opponents #3 starter instead of their ace.

[Troll Daddy]

It's a road game ... who gives a crap

[Stradling]

2 hours ago, hangin n wangin said:

The day Ricky Nolasco is your team's ace is the day your starting pitching staff has turned into an absolute poop ball.

Ok, let me know when that happens. 

[Erstad Grit]

Anyone notice Chacin was named Padres opening starter? 

[Tank]

4 hours ago, hangin n wangin said:

The day Ricky Nolasco is your team's ace is the day your starting pitching staff has turned into an absolute poop ball.

I don't think anyone is drawing that conclusion here.

[totdprods]

More convinced it's because of our schedule. The Rangers and Mariners each have four off days before we even get our third. The Astros get their fourth when we get our third too. 

Nolasco is going first so he gets the chance to eat up as many innings as possible, plain and simple.