The Royals have announced their starting pitcher for the first game of the season.

 

Left-handed pitcher and emerging star Cole Ragans will get the ball for Kansas City, when they open the season on March 28th against the Minnesota Twins.

 

Ragans was one of the league's best arms when traded to the Royals last season, posting a 5-2 record with a 2.64 ERA in 12 games pitched, along with 89 strikeouts. He was also named the American League Pitcher of the Month in August.

 

This will be the third season for Ragans, and he becomes the Royals' fourth least-experienced Opening Day arm, with just 21 starts in his career, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

 

Ragans says he is only focused on one thing this season.

 

Opening Day is on March 28th, at home against the Twins at 3:10 p.m., which kicks off a three game series.