Before spring training games even started this year, Giants manager Bruce Bochy named Madison Bumgarner as his Opening Day starter.
For the rebuilding Milwaukee Brewers and second-year manager Craig Counsell, it took a little bit longer.
On Monday, Counsell announced that 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Wily Peralta will take the mound on April 4 in Milwaukee. It will be Peralta's first Opening Day start.
Last season, Peralta finished with a 5-10 record and posted a 4.72 ERA. He struck out 60 batters in 108.2 innings.
[RELATED: Bochy names Bumgarner as Giants' Opening Day starter]
The best season of his four-year career came in 2014 when he finished 17-11 with a 3.53 ERA in 198.2 innings.
Counsell announced that Jimmy Nelson will pitch the second game of the series against the Giants, and Matt Garza will get the series finale. Taylor Jungmann and Chase Anderson will round out the Brewers' rotation.
"In 2014, Wily had a big season. I think last year, a number of things happened that didn't allow him to perform the way we expect him to perform. I think he's more than capable of getting back to the level he was in 2014. He's really primed and in the sweet spot to get back to that level," Counsell said Monday according to MLB.com.
Peralta got the nod from Counsell despite a rough spring. In 10 innings this month, Peralta has a 11.70 ERA and has given up 23 hits. Counsell defended his choice on Monday.
"Look, the results haven't been good. In the Dodgers start [on March 14], I saw the Wily Peralta I wanted to see, so I know it's there. That was enough for me, really," Counsell said.
