Shocking News as Madison Bumgarner will Make 5th Straight Opening Day Start

One of the easiest decisions for San Francisco Giants manger Bruce Bochy this season was naming Madison Bumgarner as his opening day starter for the fifth straight year.

He’s now just one behind Juan Marichal for consecutive Opening Day starts as a Giant. However, he’s only halfway to the 10 overall Opening Day starts that Marichal made for the Giants.

Bumgarner has been very solid for the Giants on opening day with a 2.74 ERA in those four starts with 23 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched.

Of course, we all remember his Opening Day start in 2017 when he last seven innings, while striking out 11 Arizona batters. He left that game with a 4-3 lead thanks in part to him hitting a couple of solo home runs.

However, the bullpen blew the lead and that was ultimately a sign of things to come for the Giants in 2017.

Despite the loss, those home runs on Opening Day were one of the best moments from last season.

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This year the Giants open the season in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. As far as I can tell this will be the first time Bumgarner has faced the Dodgers to start the season.

You know the atmosphere for that game will be amazing. And you know Clayton Kershaw will probably be on the bump for the Dodgers.

How great would it be if Bumgarner took Kershaw deep on Opening Day?

It’s obviously no question who will start Opening Day for the Giants these days, but will be that way forever?

Bumgarner only has this year and next on his team-friendly contract. At that point he’ll be 30, but should still demand a big contract in free agency.

I’ve written before that I think the Giants should go ahead and make him a Giant for life. Hopefully those talks heat up during spring training and they can get something done.

Next: It’s GAMEDAY! The San Francisco Giants Take the Field for 1st Time in 2018

I would love to see Bumgarner start on Opening Day for the San Francisco Giants for eight more years.