Quote:
Originally Posted by CBeisbol
Perhaps to have the #1 starter pitch on opening day
|
Not really. My Spring Training rotation is always 6 pitchers (the 5th and 6th starters are usually battling for the final rotation spot) and I use a strict order. My #1 always starts the first game. There are enough days off between the end of Spring Training and the start of the regular season so the #1 starter is rested and ready to go.
The reality is that in Spring Training who pitches the first game, or any game, is pretty irrelevant. The starter is going to go 4 innings at the most, there are substitutions galore, and with days off before the start of the season everyone is rested anyway.
The goal of Spring Training is get the guys who you know will be on the roster ready, determine which guys get the last one or two open roster spots, look at some young guys for the future, and otherwise prepare for the season. If you win the game, great. If you don't, it's not a big deal.