Scott Feldman to start Opening Day for Astros vs. Yankees

Scott Feldman has a 4.50 ERA in two spring training outings this season. (Mark Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Astros are coming off three straight 100-loss seasons, and they hope Scott Feldman is the man to get the 2014 season off on the right note.

The 31-year-old will start for Houston on Opening Day against the Yankees on April 1 at Minute Maid Park, manager Bo Porter announced on Monday. It will be Feldman's first Opening Day start.

"You look at his track record and the fact he's a former 17-game winner and the fact that he gives us a great opportunity to win a ballgame each and every time he takes the mound," Porter told MLB.com. "He's a strike-thrower, he's a competitor."

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Feldman signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Astros in December.

Bud Norris, Houston's Opening Day starter last year, was traded to Baltimore in July.

Feldman, who is 6-foot-7, was 12-12 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 starts last season for the Cubs and Orioles. Before that, he pitched eight seasons for the Rangers. He is 51-56 with a 4.62 ERA in 234 career appearances, including 131 starts.

The Astros' pitching staff had a league-worst 4.79 ERA last season.

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