The Minnesota Twins have announced that Pablo Lopez will be their Opening Day starter. The Twins will kick off the season on March 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. This marks Lopez’s third consecutive Opening Day start as the ace of the Twins. Lopez is a man for the occasion. He has won both of his previous Opening Day starts.
Although Lopez had a slightly disappointing season in 2024 by his usual high standards, he still posted a record of 15-10 with a 4.08 ERA over 185.1 innings. He has proven to be durable for the Twins, making 32 starts over the last three seasons. Lopez is known for his ability to go deep into games, demonstrating masterful command. He registers very few walks, boasting an impressive 5.3% walk rate in 2024. His fastball, averaging 95 mph, served as his primary weapon last season.
To elevate his performance further, Lopez should improve on his secondary pitches, as he has a tendency to rely heavily on his fastball at times. When his secondary offerings are effective, he is capable of being a Top 10 candidate in the Cy Young voting. However, his secondary pitches were inconsistent in 2024. Something to check out in Spring Training.
Last season, the Twins’ starting rotation ranked 22nd in ERA with a collective 4.36 ERA. This season, expectations are higher, with Lopez leading a rotation that includes Bailey Ober, Joe Ryan, Simeon Woods Richardson, and Chris Paddack.
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