List_of_Arizona_Diamondbacks_Opening_Day_starting_pitchers

List of Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day starting pitchers

List of Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day starting pitchers

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Phoenix, Arizona. They play in the National League West division. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[1] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[2] The Diamondbacks have used 10 different Opening Day starting pitchers in their 21 seasons. The 10 starters have a combined Opening Day record of eight wins, seven losses (8–7), and six no decisions.[3][4] No decisions are only awarded to the starting pitcher if the game is won or lost after the starting pitcher has left the game.

Randy Johnson, the Opening Day starter from 1999 to 2004

Randy Johnson holds the Diamondbacks' record for most Opening Day starts with six, and has an Opening Day record of 3–2. Brandon Webb started four Opening Days, and Ian Kennedy has been the Opening Day starter thrice.[3] Andy Benes, Javier Vázquez, Dan Haren, and Wade Miley have started one Opening Day each.[3] Kennedy has the best winning percentage as the Opening Day starting pitcher with a record of 2–0.[3][5] Benes, Vázquez, and Miley are tied for the worst Opening Day record, at 0–1.[3] Webb is Arizona's only pitcher with multiple no-decisions on Opening Day (three), and Johnson is the only pitcher to have won three or more opening games.[3]

Overall, the Diamondbacks have a record of 8–7 at home on Opening Day, compared to a 4–2 record at away games.[3] The Diamondbacks went on to play in the National League Division Series (NLDS) playoff games in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2017, and 2023, winning the National League Championship Series in 2001 and 2023, and the World Series in 2001.

Key

Season Each year is linked to an article about that particular Diamondbacks season.
W Win
L Loss
ND (W) No decision by starting pitcher; Diamondbacks won game
ND (L) No decision by starting pitcher; Diamondbacks lost game
Pitcher (#) Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Diamondbacks
* Advanced to the postseason
** Won National League Championship Series
† Won World Series

Pitchers

Andy Benes was the starter for the 1998 Opening Day, Arizona's first season
More information Season, Pitcher ...

References

  1. [1]
    Bastian, Jordan (March 22, 2010). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". MLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
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    Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  3. [3]
    "Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
  4. [4]
    "Arizona 6, San Diego 3". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
  5. [5]
    "Arizona 9, Colorado 8". Yahoo!. 2009-04-06. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
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    "Diamondbacks 2, Padres 0". ESPN. 2002-04-01. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
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    "Opening Day 2012: Arizona 5, San Francisco 4". Baseball Reference. 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2012-04-12.
  16. [16]
    "D-Backs 6, Cardinals 2". MLB.com. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
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    "San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, April 6, 2015". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
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    "San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, April 2, 2017". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
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    "Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, March 29, 2018". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
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    "Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, March 28, 2019". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  23. [23]
    "Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres Box Score, July 24, 2020". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
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    "Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres Box Score, April 1, 2021". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  25. [25]
    "San Diego Padres at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, April 7, 2022". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  26. [26]
    "Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score, March 30, 2023". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  27. [27]
    "Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks Box Score, March 28, 2024". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
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