Opening Time: James McDonald, Almost Famous

Today's Opening Time is a think piece about a mid-level pitcher struggling with his own limitations (and his clubs limitations) in the harsh face of stardom. It's in consideration for the front page, but don't tell the Pirates.

Roto Theory has grown up significantly through the years, but sometimes the best rules are the ones you've held from the early days.

Draft hitting, figure out pitching. That's been the basic maxim I've been working off for two decades. It's not complicated, maybe it's not marketing-friendly, but it seems to fit the shape of the assignment. Pitching is an unnatural act with a ton of moving parts; stars can go down at any reason, and fresh faces emerge at all times.

James