I’ve always wondered what the players feel about something that is largely ceremonial. On paper, it doesn’t really matter who starts the first game so long as whoever does makes all of his starts during the season. You, of course, will be facing the opposition’s best pitcher as well, so putting out your best pitcher to face him is the norm. But in those first few games, teams tend to be little more conservative with how much their starters throw being as how they’re still coming off of spring training. Bullpens play a pretty big part in the decision that day, so having a fully stocked bullpen is almost equally as important as who toes the rubber for the first pitch.
