A's manager Bob Melvin informed Frankie Montas he would be the Opening Day starter, and the 27-year old right-hander immediately called his wife. Then he brought the good news to his mom and dad.
Say what you will about a shortened 60-game baseball season with odd rules and asterisks next to most every stat. Pitching on Opening Day still means something.
It was a big moment for Montas, even though he knew deep down the prestigious assignment was coming. Melvin tipped his hand by lining up his camp pitching schedule a certain way, but that didn’t take away from the big reveal.