Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Stroman Named Cubs' Opening Day Starter

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated 3/22/23

With MLB Opening Day roughly one week away, the Cubs have named Marcus Stroman their starter for the first game of the 2023 campaign.

Opening Day is a beautiful day for baseball fans. The excitement of a clean slate, anything happening, and fans hopes at an all-time high is too much to contain. In addition, the tradition of taking the ball on Opening Day for your team is an honor for pitchers. In the case of the Chicago Cubs, they have named their starter for March 30 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. According to the man himself, Marcus Stroman will start on Opening Day for the Cubbies.

Last season, Stroman started game No. 3 for the Cubs against the same Brewers. In his Cubs debut, he went 5.0 innings while allowing just two hits and one earned run. He also struck out three batters and walked three more. After a rocky start, Stroman settled in last season. He finished the season with a 6-7 record, 3.50 ERA, and 138.2 innings of work in 25 starts.

With Kyle Hendricks, last season's Opening Day starter, on the shelf with injury, Stroman was the clear favorite to start on Opening Day. After a solid showing in the World Baseball Classic for Team Puerto Rico, as well as in Spring Training with the Cubs, the Stro Show is primed to begin 2023 on the right foot.

Opening Day's start time for the Cubs is 1:20 p.m. CDT at Wrigley Field. Following Opening Day, the Cubs are off on Friday, March 31 before finishing their series with the Brewers on April 1 and 2.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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