Dallas Keuchel to start Opening Day for the Astros

In a surprise to no one, it appears that left-hander Dallas Keuchel will be the Opening Day starter for the Astros when they play the Cleveland Indians on Monday, April 6 at Minute Maid Park.

@kidkeuchy gets the ball on Opening Day! Congratulations, Dallas! @astros

— Steve Sparks (@SteveSparks37) March 17, 2015

Looking forward to watching Dallas Keuchel on Opening Day vs. Cleveland on 4/6. Congrats, @kidkeuchy! #Astros

— Robert Ford (@raford3) March 17, 2015

Dallas Keuchel will start opening day for the Astros, Hinch says.

— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) March 17, 2015

Again, this is no surprise. It is quite the rise for Keuchel, from barely making the rotation two years ago to not having a locked-in rotation spot last spring to starting on Opening Day.

Keuchel went 12-9 last season with a 2.93 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 200 innings. He also led the league in complete games with five and picked up his first career shutout.

He becomes the sixth straight different Astros starting pitcher on Opening Day, following Roy Oswalt, Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez, Bud Norris and Scott Feldman. He joins Wandy, Dave Roberts, Mike Cuellar and Bobby Shantz as left-handers to start on Opening Day for Houston and is the 24th pitcher for the franchise overall to start Opening Day.

Keuchel will face previously announced Indians Opening Day starter Corey Kluber. The 2014 American League Cy Young award winner went 18-9 last season wiht a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 235 innings.