MLB Opening Day 2011: Power Ranking All 30 Opening Day Starting Pitchers

Casey SchermickMay 31, 2018

Opening Day is lurking right around the corner and teams are preparing themselves to make a run for the World Series. Many people always say that pitching is the key to success, and that saying has held true for the past few seasons. Here is a ranking of all 30 Opening Day starters.

30: Luke Hochevar

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BALTIMORE - JULY 30: Starting pitcher Luke Hochevar #44 of the Kansas City Royals delivers against the Baltimore Orioles during MLB action at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 30, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. Hochevar collected the loss as the Orioles

Team: Kansas City Royals

2010 Stats:

Record: 6-6

ERA: 4.81

Strikeouts: 76

WHIP: 1.43

29: Ian Kennedy

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 09: Starting pitcher Ian Kennedy #31 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 9, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christ

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

2010 Stats:

Record: 9-10

ERA: 3.80

Strikeouts: 168

WHIP: 1.20

28: Jeremy Guthrie

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Greg Fiume/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - AUGUST 03: Jeremy Guthrie #46 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Camden Yards on August 3, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Team: Baltimore Orioles

2010 Stats:

Record: 11-14

ERA: 3.83

Strikeouts: 119

WHIP: 1.16

27: Kevin Correia

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J. Meric/Getty Images

BRADENTON, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Pitcher Kevin Correia #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a photo during photo day at Pirate City on February 20, 2011 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

2010 Stats:

Record: 10-10

ERA: 5.40

Strikeouts: 115

WHIP: 1.49

26: Livan Hernandez

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - JULY 22: Livan Hernandez #61 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 22, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Team: Washington Nationals

2010 Stats:

Record: 10-12

ERA: 3.66

Strikeouts: 114

WHIP: 1.32

25: Fausto Carmona

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J. Meric/Getty Images

ST PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 17: Pitcher Fausto Carmona #55 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on May 17, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Team: Cleveland Indians

2010 Stats:

Record: 13-14

ERA: 3.77

Strikeouts: 124

WHIP: 1.31

24: Mark Buehrle

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 11: Pitcher Mark Buehrle #56 of the Chicago White Sox throws a pitch prior to the start of the spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djanse

Team: Chicago White Sox

2010 Stats:

Record: 13-13

ERA: 4.28

Strikeouts: 99

WHIP: 1.40

23: Ryan Dempster

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 11: Ryan Dempster #46 pitcher of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the spring training baseball gameat Camelback Ranch on March 11, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Imag

Team: Chicago Cubs

2010 Stats:

Record: 15-12

ERA: 3.85

Strikeouts: 208

WHIP: 1.32

22: Jered Weaver

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Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 22: Pitcher Jered Weaver #36 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim throws against the Texas Rangers on July 22, 2010 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

2010 Stats:

Record: 13-12

ERA: 3.01

Strikeouts: 233

WHIP: 1.07

21: Brett Myers

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

KISSIMMEE, FL - MARCH 01: Brett Meyers #39 of the Houston Astros pitches during a Spring Training game against the Atlanta Braves at Osceola County Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Team: Houston Astros

2010 Stats:

Record: 14-8

ERA: 3.14

Strikeouts: 180

WHIP: 1.24

20: Edinson Volquez

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Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 28: Edinson Volquez #36 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park on September 28, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds won 3-2 to clinch the NL Central Division title. (Photo by Joe Rob

Team: Cincinnati Reds

2010 Stats:

Record: 4-3

ERA: 4.31

Strikeouts: 67

WHIP: 1.50

19: Justin Verlander

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Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - JULY 09: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the first inning during the game against the Minnesota Twins on July 9, 2010 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Team: Detroit Tigers

2010 Stats:

Record: 18-9

ERA: 3.37

Strikeouts: 219

WHIP: 1.16

18: Yovani Gallardo

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ST. LOUIS - JULY 4: Stating pitcher Yovani Gallardo #49 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 4, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Brewers 7-1. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Team: Milwaukee Brewers

2010 Stats:

Record: 14-7

ERA: 3.84

Strikeouts: 200

WHIP: 1.39

17: Mike Pelfrey

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Andrew Burton/Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Mike Pelfrey #34 of the New York Mets pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 28, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Team: New York Mets

2010 Stats:

Record: 15-9

ERA: 3.66

Strikeouts: 113

WHIP: 1.38

16: C.J. Wilson

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Norm Hall/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 04: C.J. Wilson #36 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics at Phoenix Municipal Stadium on March 4, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Team: Texas Rangers

2010 Stats:

Record: 15-8

ERA: 3.35

Strikeouts: 170

WHIP: 1.24

15: Tim Stauffer

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Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

PEORIA, AZ - MARCH 13: Pitcher Tim Stauffer #46 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch against the Cleveland Indians during the spring training baseball game at Peoria Stadium on March 13, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Image

Team: San Diego Padres

2010 Stats:

Record: 6-5

ERA: 1.85

Strikeouts: 53

WHIP: 1.44

14: Derek Lowe

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 11: Pitcher Derek Lowe #32 of the Atlanta Braves against the San Francisco Giants during Game Four of the NLDS of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Turner Field on October 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Team: Atlanta Braves

2010 Stats:

Record: 16-12

ERA: 4.00

Strikeouts: 136

WHIP: 1.37

13: Trevor Cahill

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 03: Starting pitcher Trevor Cahill #53 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the spring training game at Maryvale Baseball Park on March 3, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty

Team: Oakland Athletics

2010 Stats:

Record: 18-8

ERA: 2.97

Strikeouts: 118

WHIP: 1.11

12: Clayton Kershaw

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Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 05: Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Cincinnati Reds during the spring training game at Camelback Ranch on March 5, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Ima

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

2010 Stats:

Record: 13-10

ERA: 2.91

Strikeouts: 212

WHIP: 1.18

11: Ricky Romero

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Leon Halip/Getty Images

LAKELAND, FL - MARCH 01: Ricky Romero #24 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Lakeland, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 6-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Imag

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

2010 Stats:

Record: 14-9

ERA: 3.73

Strikeouts: 174

WHIP: 1.29

10: Carl Pavano

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J. Meric/Getty Images

FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Pitcher Carl Pavano #48 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Boston Red Sox during a Grapefruit League Spring Training Game at Hammond Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Imag

Team: Minnesota Twins

2010 Stats:

Record: 17-11

ERA: 3.75

Strikeouts: 117

WHIP: 1.20

9: Jon Lester

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Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 13: Starter Jon Lester #31 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 13, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Team: Boston Red Sox

2010 Stats:

Record: 19-9

ERA: 3.25

Strikeouts: 225

WHIP: 1.20

8: David Price

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J. Meric/Getty Images

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - OCTOBER 06: Pitcher David Price #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the Texas Rangers during Game 1 of the ALDS at Tropicana Field on October 6, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Team: Tampa Bay Rays

2010 Stats:

Record: 19-6

ERA: 2.72

Strikeouts: 188

WHIP: 1.20

7: C.C. Sabathia

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Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees celebrates after he forced Josh Hamilton #32 of the Texas Rangers to ground into a double play to end the top of the fifth inning of Game Five of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yank

Team: New York Yankees

2010 Stats:

Record: 21-7

ERA: 3.18

Strikeouts: 197

WHIP: 1.19

6: Ubaldo Jimenez

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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 2: Starter Ubaldo Jimenez #38 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Rockies 1-0 in 11 innings. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Get

Team: Colorado Rockies

2010 Stats:

Record: 19-8

ERA: 2.88

Strikeouts: 214

WHIP: 1.15

5: Josh Johnson

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Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

VIERA, FL - MARCH 02: Josh Johnson #55 of the Florida Marlins pitches during a Spring Training game against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium on March 2, 2011 in Viera, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Team: Florida Marlins

2010 Stats:

Record: 11-6

ERA: 2.30

Strikeouts: 186

WHIP: 1.10

4: Felix Hernandez

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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JULY 26: Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on July 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Mariners 6-1. (Photo by Jonathan Danie

Team: Seattle Mariners

2010 Stats:

Record: 13-12

ERA: 2.27

Strikeouts: 232

WHIP: 1.06

3: Chris Carpenter

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Marc Serota/Getty Images

JUPITER, FL - MARCH 01: Pitcher Chris Carpenter #29 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws against the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium on March 1, 2011 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

2010 Stats:

Record: 16-9

ERA: 3.22

Strikeouts: 179

WHIP: 1.18

2: Roy Halladay

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

2010 Stats:

Record: 21-10

ERA: 2.44

Strikeouts: 219

WHIP: 1.04