Fit for a King: Felix superb in Opening Day start

Welcome back, King.

In the spring there was a debate whether to hand the Opening Day start to Felix Hernandez, the aging ace on the wrong side of his peak, or James Paxton, the on-the-rise lefty with a big arm to match his "Big Maple" nickname.

Arguing in Hernandez’s favor, it’s more than fair to mention the symbolism associated with beginning the 2018 season with the King on the hill, which has been one of few constants in this franchise in the past decade plus, aside from poor managerial decisions and an empty ballpark in October.

That matters as much as anything on this day, of course. When tradition, ceremony and emotional attachment are nearly as important as the final score. For what…