I don’t know if I have a strong opinion on using an opener (a pitcher who starts the game with the mindset that he’ll only be going for just an inning or two) or not. On the one hand (theoretically at least) you are keeping the opposing teams three or four best hitters at bay, if you expect the opener to shut them down completely. On the other hand, assuming the opener is one of your better non-starting pitchers (and he’d have to be if you are assuming he’ll neutralize the opposing teams best hitters), not having him available later in the game (where outs and runs are more valuable) seems like a negative.
Who would be the opener for the Royals, if they wanted to do such a thing?
