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The Five Least-Good Opening Day Starters in Atlanta Braves history

By Colby Wilson

Mar 30, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Derek Lowe (2011)

Derek Lowe came to Atlanta via free agency in 2009, and was… fine? He never managed to get his ERA below 4.00 in Atlanta, and by 2011 he’d been joined by Tim Hudson, Brandon Beachy and the late Tommy Hanson in Atlanta’s rotation out of camp—guys who were, to some degree, better pitchers by that point. You could do a lot worse than Derek Lowe, but he wasn’t anybody’s idea of an ace by 2011.

Yet there was Lowe, getting the last of his Opening Day starts in an Atlanta uniform. In fairness, A.) this was Fredi’s first season and B.) Lowe had put together a very good September the season before. That he won (against an elderly Livan Hernandez and a middle-of-the-road Nats team) this start was one of his final good moments in an Atlanta uniform; his ERA would hit 5.00 and he would lead the league in losses in his last season as a Brave.

Next: Rick Mahler (1988)

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