Last season Hoch was passed over in favor of John Bale and Tomko, a less controversial move due to his limited minor league experience. I'm sure there will be some that echo Sam's comments that Hoch didn't blow Trey and DM away with his spring performance but neither did Ponson or HoRam. And don't you want to put the best team possible out there?
I think Hochevar will be in KC by the end of May (if not before) but where will the Royals be in the standing by then? Division titles may not be won in April but they can certainly be lost.
April records this decade:
2008 * 12-15 (75-87) counting 1-0 in March
2007 * 8-18 (69-93)
2006 * 5-17 (62-100)
2005 * 6-18 (56-106)
2004 * 7-14 (58-104)
2002 * 8-16 (62-100)
2001 * 10-15 (65-97)
2000 * 12-13 (77-85)
It's interesting that their three best April records coincide with their three best season records. Whether or not you think they can compete for the Central (and I'm having my doubts now) a fast start is imperative for a successful season.
Now back to the home opener, I would actually let Greinke make this start. Yeah I know he's the #2 guy but he's also 0-6 with 7.78 ERA in Chicago (Ponson is even worse, unsurprisingly). And wouldn't it be fitting that one of the faces of the franchise and fresh off a new 38 million dollar contract extension start the first game in a completely renovated K? I get why the team would hesitate to do this though I doubt it wouldn't be hard to sell Greinke on the idea, but I could be wrong.
So to recap: Hoch in Omaha, Ponson likely starting home opener. Let the fun begin.
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