Brewers' Woodruff easy choice to start season opener

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is following up his first All-Star appearance by getting his first opportunity to start a season opener.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell says Woodruff will get the start when Milwaukee begins the season July 24 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Kyle Hendricks will be starting for the Cubs. Woodruff made the NL All-Star team last year and went 11-3 with a 3.62 ERA despite missing nearly two months with a strained left oblique.

The Brewers went 18-4 in the games that Woodruff started.