Removing any last bit of anticipation about the decision, Chicago Cubs manager Rick Renteria today announced that Jeff Samardzija would start on Opening Day for the Cubs in Pittsburgh on March 31. Travis Wood will follow.
No real surprise here, despite Wood’s arguably superior 2013 season. The “Opening Day” label is just that, and, for now, Samardzija is the guy on the Cubs. He did it last year, he’s still here, so he’ll do it again. That’s just kinda how it is. Fine by me.