Strict Routine is Key:: Burnes attributes his success and consistency, including his Cy Young award and large contract, directly to a meticulous daily and inter-start routine developed since 2019.
Managerial Delay:: Manager Torey Lovullo's prolonged decision on the Opening Day starter (between Burnes and Zac Gallen) left insufficient time to adjust Burnes's schedule for the second game without disrupting his routine.
Burnes's Preference:: Given the timing, Burnes preferred to make one final spring start and then begin his regular season in the fifth game slot (April 1st vs. Yankees) on slightly extra rest, rather than alter his preparation.
Why This Matters:: This highlights the critical importance of routine and preparation for elite athletes. It also shows a team accommodating a star player's process, even if it means an unconventional rotation order to start the season.
Impact on Schedule:: Burnes will miss facing his former rivals, the Chicago Cubs, in the opening series.
After a challenging 2019 season (8.82 ERA), Corbin Burnes began working with mental performance coach Brian Cain. This collaboration led to a highly structured approach, meticulously planning everything from offseason workouts (counting backward from Spring Training) to daily activities between starts – including workouts, arm care, mental preparation, and even sleep schedules. Burnes firmly believes this disciplined process is the foundation of his transformation into one of baseball's elite pitchers (2.88 ERA since 2020, top among qualified starters).
Manager Torey Lovullo admitted he 'agonized' over picking between Zac Gallen and Burnes for Opening Day. By the time he named Gallen (last Thursday before the season), there were only eight days left. This timeframe didn't allow the Diamondbacks to adjust Burnes's specific, five-day cycle preparation to have him ready for Game 2 without compromising the routine he credits for his success. Lovullo took responsibility for not fully understanding the rigidity of Burnes's process sooner.
While starting fifth might raise eyebrows for a $210 million ace, the practical impact is minimal. Rotation orders shift throughout the season due to off-days. Burnes is still projected to make around 32 starts. The main immediate effect is that the Chicago Cubs avoid facing their former division rival in the opening series; instead, they'll likely face Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt. Burnes is now set to make his Diamondbacks debut on April 1st at Yankee Stadium.
Why is Burnes's routine so important that he'd start 5th?
Burnes directly credits his detailed routine, developed after a career low-point in 2019, for his consistent success and durability, including his Cy Young award. He and the team felt deviating from it for his first start wasn't worth the risk.
Does starting 5th mean he's less important to the team?
No. This is purely a scheduling adjustment based on his preparation cycle and the timing of the Opening Day decision. He remains a key part of the rotation, and his overall number of starts shouldn't be significantly affected.
Will this affect his performance?
Sticking *to* his routine is designed to optimize his performance. Both Burnes and the team believe adhering to his process gives him the best chance for success.
Discipline Drives Success:: Burnes's story underscores how structured routines and mental preparation can be crucial for high performance in any field.
Adaptability Matters:: Even with star players, teams sometimes need to adapt schedules to accommodate individual needs and processes.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term:: The Diamondbacks prioritized Burnes's long-term effectiveness and comfort by respecting his routine, even if it meant an unusual start to the season.
What do you think about athletes sticking so rigidly to routines? Does it guarantee success, or is flexibility sometimes better? Let us know your thoughts!
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