The Atlanta Braves have tabbed Mike Soroka as their Opening Day starting pitcher, making him the youngest man to toe the mound to kick off the season for the team in the franchise’s modern era.
Soroka, who put together a stellar 2019 season despite not turning 22 until last August, will be the first pitcher to start the first game of the season for Atlanta since Julio Teheran’s streak of six straight starts began in 2014.
The Canadian righty, who compiled an excellent record of 13-4 last season with a 2.68 ERA, earning an NL All-Star nod, will look to build on a good start to Spring Training before the COVID-19 pandemic sent everyone home. He posted a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings on the mound back in March.
The Braves are considered to be a World Series contender and one of the favorites to win the NL East, the division which they have conquered the past two seasons.
Despite Atlanta’s early playoff exit last season, Soroka made a fantastic start in his team’s Game 3 NLDS win, throwing 7 innings of one-run ball along with seven strikeouts.
Atlanta will kick off the 2020 season on the road at Citi Field against the New York Mets on July 24th.
