In the past four seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies haven't had the same pitcher start on Opening Day in back-to-back years.
Roy Halladay started on Opening Day in 2012, in what would turn out to be the final Opening Day start of his career. Cole Hamels, fresh off a six-year extension, started in 2013. Hamels was injured to start the season in 2014, so Cliff Lee got the ball against the Texas Rangers. And then in 2015, Hamels started on Opening Day for the second time in his career.
In 2016, none of those four will get the ball for the team. Halladay will be in his third season out of the game, Lee is a free-agent and Hamels is pitching in Texas.
Aaron Nola, who is entering his first full season in the big-leagues, said in an interview with Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice that he would like to follow the in footsteps of those four successful pitchers, and start on Opening Day.
Lawrence: Do you want to get the assignment to start on Opening Day in Cincinnati on April 4th?
Nola: Of course I do. But we have a lot of quality arms. I’m still young.
In terms of the pitchers currently on the staff with the longest future with the team and the most upside, Nola probably should get the ball on Opening Day. But as he alluded to, that's not always how things work for younger pitchers.
The depth-chart on the team's website, which is unofficial, currently lists Nola as the third starter, behind off-season acquisitions Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton. Neither has ever started on Opening Day, but given that both are veteran starters, the Phillies may elect to hold off on having Nola start to open the season this year and side with one of the other two.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is the Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
