By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
To no surprise, Aaron Nola will receive the starting nod on Thursday, March 28, when the Philadelphia Phillies open the 2019 season against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler announced his decision on Friday, ahead of the club's 6:05 p.m. night spring training contest, also opposite their National League East rival.
Your 2019 Opening Day starter: @AaronNola027. #GeauxPhils ⚜️ pic.twitter.com/4ZP5b1ayCg
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 8, 2019
Nola will start on Opening Day for the second consecutive season and for the second time overall in his career; he is the eighth different Opening Day starting pitcher in the Citizens Bank Park era (since 2004), joining Kevin Millwood (2004), Jon Lieber (2005-06), Brett Myers (2007-09), Roy Halladay (2010-12), Cole Hamels (2013, 2015), Cliff Lee (2014) and Jeremy Hellickson (2016-17). In 2018, also against the Braves, Nola allowed one run, three hits and one walk, over 5 1/3 innings, with three strikeouts spanning 20 faced batters.
With star outfielder Bryce Harper, the Phillies are set to open the season at home for the first time since 2015 (BOS, L, 0-8), and for just the second time since 2011 (HOU, W, 5-4).
