Major League Baseball begins its 2022 season on April 7 with Opening Day. Here is a look at the pitching matchups across the league, which also has a slate of season openers on April 8. We will update this list — which is organized by the schedule — as starters are announced. (An asterisk indicates a likely starter.)
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Thursday, April 7
Brewers at Cubs
Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. RHP Corbin Burnes
Kyle Hendricks
2021 stats: 14-7, 4.77 ERA, 32 GS, 181 IP, 1.3 fWAR, 6.51 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 11-10, 4.20 ERA, 31 GS, 174 IP, 2.1 fWAR, 6.86 K/9
Cubs further reading: Kyle Hendricks explains why ‘down and away’ is his key to a successful 2022
Corbin Burnes
2021 stats: 11-5, 2.43 ERA, 28 GS, 167 IP, 7.5 fWAR, 12.61 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-6, 2.77 ERA, 29 GS, 174 IP, 5.54 fWAR, 11.77 K/9
Brewers further reading: The Brewers have developed pitchers. Can they start to do the same with position players?
Mets at Nationals
Time:7:05 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup:RHP Tylor Megill vs. LHP Patrick Corbin
Tylor Megill
2021 stats: 4-6, 4.52 ERA, 18 GS, 89 2/3 IP, 0.6 fWAR, 9.94 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 5-6, 4.34 ERA, 18 GS (30 G), 98 IP, 0.9 fWAR, 9.96 K/9
RHP Jacob deGrom, who was originally named the Opening Day starter,underwent an MRIlast week that showed a stress reaction in his right scapula. He will not throw for four weeks, at which point he’ll be re-evaluated. The Mets on Thursday will decide if Max Scherzer (hamstring) will start Friday.
Mets further reading: Thoughts on Jacob deGrom’s prognosis, what to watch for in the season’s first series and more
Patrick Corbin
2021 stats: 9-16, 5.82 ERA, 31 GS, 171 2/3 IP, 0.2 fWAR, 7.50 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-10, 4.16 ERA, 29 GS, 170 IP, 2.4 fWAR, 8.70 K/9
Nationals further reading: Five questions that will follow the Nationals into the season
Guardians at Royals
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup:RHP Shane Bieber vs. RHP Zack Greinke
Shane Bieber
2021 stats: 7-4, 3.17 ERA, 16 GS, 96 2/3 IP, 2.6 fWAR, 12.48 K/9
2022 ZiPS projection: 13-7, 3.11 ERA, 31 GS, 186 IP, 5.2 fWAR, 11.65 K/9
Guardians reading: Players to watch, and the key storylines that will shape the year
Zack Greinke
2021 stats: 11-6, 4.16 ERA, 29 GS (30 G), 171 IP, 1.3 fWAR, 6.32 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 10-7, 4.01 ERA, 29 GS, 168 IP, 2.2 fWAR, 7.29 K/9
Royals further reading: Why Zack Greinke signed with the Royals: ‘It was my No. 1 choice’
Pirates at Cardinals
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup:RHP JT Brubakervs. RHP Adam Wainwright
JT Brubaker
2021 stats: 5-13, 5.36 ERA, 24 GS, 142 1/3 IP, 0.3fWAR, 9.34 K/0
2022 ZiPS DC projection:9-9, 4.46 ERA, 26 GS, 134 IP, 1.5 fWAR, 8.77 K/9
Pirates further reading:
Adam Wainwright
2021 stats: 17-7, 3.05 ERA, 32 GS, 206 1/3 IP, 3.8 fWAR, 7.59 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 13-11, 4.10 ERA, 31 GS, 185 IP, 1.9 fWAR, 7.26 K/9
Cardinals further reading: Why St. Louis remains committed to a motivated Paul DeJong at shortstop
Reds atBraves
Time: 8:08 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup:RHP Tyler Mahle vs. LHP Max Fried
Tyler Mahle
2021 stats: 13-6, 3.75 ERA, 33 GS, 180 IP, 3.8 fWAR, 10.50 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 11-8, 4.08 ERA, 31 GS, 161 IP, 3.1 fWAR, 10.09 K/9
Reds further reading: The 9 things that need to happen for a successful Reds season
Max Fried
2021 stats: 14-7, 3.04 ERA, 28 GS, 165 2/3 IP, 3.8 fWAR, 8.58 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 16-8, 3.24 ERA, 31 GS, 180 IP, 4.1 fWAR, 8.70 K/9
Braves further reading:The Braves are reigning World Series champions, but the vibe and focus haven’t changed
Astros at Angels
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: LHP Framber Valdez vs. RHP Shohei Ohtani
Framber Valdez
2021 stats: 11-6, 3.14 ERA, 22 GS, 134 2/3 IP, 1.9 fWAR, 8.35 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 14-10, 4.00 ERA, 31 GS, 183 IP, 2.4 fWAR, 8.48 K/9
Astros further reading: Shortstop, center fielder performance in the spotlight as Opening Day arrives
Shohei Ohtani
2021 stats: 9-2, 3.18 ERA, 23 GS, 130 1/3 IP, 3.0 fWAR, 10.77 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 8-5, 3.63 ERA, 28 GS, 146 IP, 3.1 fWAR, 10.4 K/9
Angels further reading: The ‘no-plan plan’ for rotation leaders Shohei Ohtani, Noah Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen
Padres at Diamondbacks
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: RHP Yu Darvish vs. LHP Madison Bumgarner
Yu Darvish
2021 stats: 8-11, 4.22 ERA, 30 GS, 166 1/3 IP, 2.9 fWAR, 10.77 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 10-8, 3.87 ERA, 29 GS, 162 IP, 2.7 fWAR, 10.16 K/9
Padres further reading: 5 questions that could define the season for San Diego
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Madison Bumgarner
2021 stats: 7-10, 4.67 ERA, 26 GS, 146 1/3 IP, 1.5 fWAR, 7.63 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 8-9, 4.89 ERA, 31 GS, 170 IP, 1.1 fWAR, 7.64 K/9
Diamondbacks further reading: Brent Strom, baseball’s best pitching coach, takes on a new challenge: the Diamondbacks
Friday, April 8
Red Sox at Yankees
Time: 1:05 p.m. ET (postponed from Thursday due to weather)
Pitching matchup: RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Gerrit Cole
Nathan Eovaldi
2021 stats: 11-9, 3.75 ERA, 32 GS, 182 1/3 IP, 5.6 fWAR, 9.63 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-7, 3.73 ERA, 31 GS, 174 IP, 4.1 fWAR, 9.68 K/9
Red Sox further reading: 10 predictions, a full roster projection, and where they’ll land in the standings
Gerrit Cole
2021 stats: 16-8, 3.23 ERA, 30 GS, 181 1/3 IP, 5.3 fWAR, 12.06 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 17-8, 2.82 ERA, 32 GS, 197 IP, 5.3 fWAR, 12.26 K/9
Yankees further reading: The pressure is on. How will the club, from the owner’s box to the clubhouse, handle it?
White Sox at Tigers
Time: 1:10 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup:RHP Lucas Giolito vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
Lucas Giolito
2021 stats: 11-9, 3.53 ERA, 31 GS, 178 2/3 IP, 4.0 fWAR, 10.13 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection:14-9, 3.36 ERA, 32 GS, 188 IP, 4.8 fWAR, 11.20 K/9
White Sox further reading:Season preview 2022: ‘How bad do you want it?’
Eduardo Rodriguez
2021 stats: 13-8, 4.74 ERA, 31 GS (32 G), 157 2/3 IP, 3.8 fWAR, 10.56 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 13-10, 3.47 ERA, 32 GS, 178 IP, 4.2 fWAR, 9.63 K/9
Tigers further reading:Season preview:New stars, promising youth and other key storylines
A’s at Phillies
Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup:RHP Frankie Montas vs. RHP Aaron Nola
Frankie Montas
2021 stats: 13-9, 3.37 ERA, 32 GS, 187 IP, 4.1 fWAR, 9.96 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-9, 3.54 ERA, 31 GS, 175 IP, 3.3 fWAR, 9.83 K/9
A’s further reading: A’s 2022 season preview: 10 reasons to keep an eye on Oakland this season
Aaron Nola
2021 stats: 9-9, 4.63 ERA, 32 GS, 180 2/3 IP, 4.5 fWAR, 11.11 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-7, 3.46 ERA, 32 GS, 187 IP, 4.5 fWAR, 10.58 K/9
Phillies further reading: Why Rhys Hoskins believes ‘a much more confident bunch’ can flip the script
Orioles at Rays
Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: LHP John Means vs. LHP Shane McClanahan
John Means
2021 stats: 6-9, 3.62 ERA, 26 GS, 146 2/3 IP, 2.5 fWAR, 8.22 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC DC projection: 12-11, 4.35 ERA, 29 GS, 159 IP, 2.2 fWAR, 8.08 K/9
Orioles further reading: Carrying on a union legacy: John Means became the Orioles’ rep in 2021, following his late Teamster father’s footsteps
Shane McClanahan
2021 stats: 10-6, 3.43 ERA, 25 GS, 123 1/3 IP, 2.5 fWAR, 10.29 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 11-8, 3.86 ERA, 28 GS, 138 IP, 2.0 fWAR, 10.21 K/9
Rays further reading: Rays’ budding superstar Wander Franco is ready for his encore
Dodgers at Rockies
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: RHP Walker Buehler vs. LHP Kyle Freeland
Walker Buehler
2021 stats: 16-4, 2.47 ERA, 33 GS, 207 2/3 IP, 5.5 fWAR, 9.19 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-6, 3.23 ERA, 32 GS, 192 IP, 4.5 fWAR, 9.74 K/9
Dodgers further reading: World Series or bust? ‘I’m putting it in the universe’
Kyle Freeland
2021 stats: 7-8, 4.33 ERA, 23 GS, 120 2/3 IP, 1.5 fWAR, 7.83 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 9-8, 4.85 ERA, 132 IP, 1.6 fWAR, 7.18 K/9
Rockies further reading: The realist’s guide to a perfect season in Colorado
Mariners at Twins
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET (postponed from Thursday due to weather)
Pitching matchup: LHP Robbie Ray vs. RHP Joe Ryan
Joe Ryan
2021 stats: 2-1, 4.05 ERA, 5 GS, 26 2/3 IP, 0.6 fWAR, 10.13 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 7-6, 4.11 ERA, 24 GS, 116 IP, 1.8 fWAR, 9.44 K/9
Twins further reading: With new players come fresh ideas, postseason experience and a championship mentality
Robbie Ray
2021 stats: 13-7, 2.84 ERA, 32 GS, 193 1/3 IP, 3.9 fWAR, 11.54 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 12-8, 3.46 ERA, 193 IP, 3.8 fWAR, 11.77 K/9
Mariners further reading: The offense should be better, but will it be enough to move the needle?
Marlins at Giants
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: RHP Sandy Alcantara vs. RHP Logan Webb
Sandy Alcantara
2021 stats: 9-15, 3.19 ERA, 33 GP, 205 2/3 IP, 4.2 fWAR, 8.80 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 13-9, 3.43 ERA, 32 GS, 197 IP, 4.1 fWAR, 8.98 K/9
Marlins further reading: How the Marlins plans to use homegrown talent and savvy additions to keep pace in the NL East
Logan Webb
2021 stats: 11-3, 3.03 ERA, 26 GS (27 G), 148 1/3 IP, 4.1 fWAR, 9.59 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 11-6, 3.03 ERA, 31 GS, 168 IP, 4.3 fWAR, 9.40 K/9
Giants further reading: Can a projection-busting squad run it back? It’ll have to start with a strong rotation
Rangers at Blue Jays
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Pitching matchup: RHP Jon Gray vs. RHP José Berríos
Jon Gray
2021 stats: 8-12, 4.59 ERA, 29 GS, 149 IP, 2.3 fWAR, 9.48 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 11-10, 4.16 ERA, 31 GS, 159 IP, 2.3 fWAR, 9.56 K/9
Rangers further reading:Season preview: 5 exciting storylines to watch for
José Berríos
2021 stats: 12-9, 3.52 ERA, 32 GS, 192 IP, 4.11 fWAR, 9.56 K/9
2022 ZiPS DC projection: 14-8, 3.84 ERA, 32 GS, 194 IP, 3.2 fWAR, 9.28 K/9
Blue Jays further reading: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. declared the Blue Jays will be a movie. Will they produce?
(Photo of Gerrit Cole: Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today)
