Reviewing The Brew Round-table: Gallardo on Opening Day

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to Opening Day, baseball fans worldwide treat the day as a holiday. For the Milwaukee Brewers, 2014 will be a season in which they’ll try to improve from their 74-88 appearance in 2013. Though, does it all hinge on Opening Day?

This week the staff answered the question, “What do you make of Yovani Gallardo being named the Opening Day starter?”

Ryan Connor:

“I’m not really surprised. The Opening Day starter is mostly ceremonial, and not always given to the best starter. I think Roenicke knows that Gallardo was a great disappointment in 2013, and that he likely isn’t going to be the best pitcher on the staff this year. I don’t really make much of it, but let’s just hope Yo has a bounceback year.”

Dave Radcliffe:

“It doesn’t come as a surprise that Gallardo received the nod to start Opening Day. Is he deserving? Not based on his performance a season ago, and not in comparison to Kyle Lohse or Matt Garza. And Gallardo hasn’t had much success pitching on Opening Day, either. The decision certainly isn’t the end all, be all for the Brewers, but it’s pretty indicative of the way Ron Roenicke goes about his business.”

John Dinse:

“When looking at the options for the Brewers to start opening day in Boston, Yovani Gallardo seems to be the logical choice. While 2013 didn’t register as one of Gallardo’s best, he is still a 27 year-old starter with a career record of 81-53 and an earned run average of 3.72. Stats alone don’t tell the story, Gallardo has made 179 starts since breaking into the majors in 2007. His longevity in Milwaukee, coupled by his success and overall consistancy make him the best fit for opening day starter within a field of viable candidates in Matt Garza and Kyle Lohse. However, while this honor is deserved it does not constitute Gallardo as the staff  “ace” in fact he often gets miscast by many fans and baseball insiders just because he is the Brewers #1 starter. While the Brewers really don’t have an “ace” I am more than happy with their overall pitching depth and feel comfortable with Gallardo on March 31. ”

David Grant:

“I have no problem with Yovani Gallardo making his record fifth Opening Day start. He’s having a good spring, he’s a veteran and proven starter. The season will tell us whether he is the best pitcher on the staff, but this is not a shocking move. If this was a playoff Game 1 scenario I may want to go with a more consistent (last year) Kyle Lohse or my shiny new free agent, Matt Garza, but it’s not.”

Benjamin Orr:

“Whatever the decision was, one thing is for certain and that is no matter who starts on Opening Day will not affect the entire season. I can’t say it’s shocking that Gallardo is making the start considering Garza’s bloated spring and Lohse I just don’t see as a number one. That’s just it though, there is no true number one here so it’s a crap-shoot any way you slice it.”

That’s what we had to say about the topic, how about you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.