Smoltz Should Start Opening Day

After passing off the opening day honors last season, John Smoltz is all set to handle the Atlanta Braves' first start of 2007. To the surprise of no one, manager Bobby Cox aligned his spring training rotation to ensure that Smoltz would be ready to pitch the April 2 opener at Philadelphia.

"We could always switch things around, but it looks that way," Cox said Monday.

Smoltz deferred a year ago, letting Tim Hudson take the opening-day start in what was supposed to symbolize a passing of the guard at the top of the rotation. But the 39-year-old right-hander went on to have a much better season than Hudson, going 16-9 with a 3.49 ERA. While acknowledging that he was excited about pitching in the first game, Smoltz downplayed the honor.

Smoltz would certainly like to forget his record in three opening-day starts: 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA. Two years ago, he lasted only 1 2-3 innings against the Florida Marlins, giving up six earned runs.

Kyle Davies will start against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Grapefruit League opener Thursday. He'll be followed in the next three games by Smoltz, Hudson and Chuck James. Lance Cormier will fill the fifth slot in the rotation if Mike Hampton isn't ready to pitch next Monday against Washington.
Source: AP