List of Minnesota Twins Opening Day starting pitchers

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Bert Blyleven made six Opening Day starts for the Minnesota Twins Bert Blyleven.jpg
Bert Blyleven made six Opening Day starts for the Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the American League Central division. They formerly played in Washington, D.C. as the Washington Senators before moving to Minnesota after the 1960 season. 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 Twins have used 26 different Opening Day starting pitchers in their 51 seasons in Minnesota. Starters have a combined Opening Day record of 14  wins, 25  losses and 12  no decisions. No decisions are only awarded to the starting pitcher if the game is won or lost after the starting pitcher has left the game. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

Brad Radke holds the Minnesota Twins record for most Opening Day starts with nine. He has a record in Opening Day starts for the Twins of four wins and two losses (4–2) with three no decisions. Bert Blyleven had six Opening Day starts for the Twins and Frank Viola had four. [3] Radke has the record for most wins in Minnesota Twins Opening Day starts with four. Liván Hernández, Mudcat Grant, and Dean Chance share the best winning percentage in Opening Day starts with one win and no losses (1–0) each. Kevin Tapani has the worst winning percentage, losing both Opening Day starts he made for the Twins (0–2). [3]

Overall, Minnesota Twins Opening Day starting pitchers have a record of 4–7 with three no decisions at Metropolitan Stadium and a 1–4 record with one no decision at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Their first home opener in their current ballpark of Target Field was in 2013. This gives their Opening Day starting pitchers' combined home record 5–11 with four no no decisions. Their away record is 9–14 with eight no decisions. The Twins went on to play in the World Series in 1965, 1987, and 1991, winning in 1987 and 1991. The Twins lost both Opening Day games in the years in which they won the World Series. [3]

Key

SeasonEach year is linked to an article about that particular Twins season.
WWin
LLoss
ND (W) No decision by starting pitcher; Twins won game
ND (L)No decision by starting pitcher; Twins lost game
Final
Score		Game score with Twins runs listed first
LocationStadium in bold for home game
Pitcher (#)Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Twins
*Advanced to the post-season
**Won American League Championship Series
†Won World Series

Pitchers

Scott Baker was the Twins' Opening Day starting pitcher in 2010 0923 028c Scott Baker.jpg
Scott Baker was the Twins' Opening Day starting pitcher in 2010
SeasonPitcherDecisionFinal
score		OpponentLocationRef(s)
1961 Pedro Ramos W6–0 New York Yankees Yankee Stadium (I) [6]
1962 Jack Kralick L2–4 Kansas City Athletics Municipal Stadium [7]
1963 Camilo Pascual L4–5 Cleveland Indians Metropolitan Stadium [8]
1964 Camilo Pascual (2)ND (W)7–6 Cleveland Indians Cleveland Stadium [9]
1965** Jim Kaat ND (W)5–4 New York Yankees Metropolitan Stadium [10]
1966 Mudcat Grant W2–1 Kansas City Athletics Metropolitan Stadium [11]
1967 Jim Kaat (2)L3–6 Baltimore Orioles Memorial Stadium [12]
1968 Dean Chance W2–0 Washington Senators Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium [13]
1969* Tom Hall ND (L)3–4 Kansas City Royals Municipal Stadium [14]
1970* Jim Perry W12–0 Chicago White Sox Comiskey Park [15]
1971 Jim Perry (2)L2–7 Milwaukee Brewers Metropolitan Stadium [16]
1972 Bert Blyleven ND (L)3–4 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [17]
1973 Bert Blyleven (2)W8–3 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [18]
1974 Bert Blyleven (3)ND (W)6–4 Kansas City Royals Royals Stadium [19]
1975 Bert Blyleven (4)W11–4 Texas Rangers Arlington Stadium [20]
1976 Bert Blyleven (5)ND (L)2–1 Texas Rangers Arlington Stadium [21]
1977 Dave Goltz L4–7 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [22]
1978 Dave Goltz (2)L2–3 Seattle Mariners Kingdome [23]
1979 Dave Goltz (3)W5–3 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [24]
1980 Jerry Koosman ND (W)9–7 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [25]
1981 Jerry Koosman (2)L1–5 Oakland Athletics Metropolitan Stadium [26]
1982* Pete Redfern L7–11 Seattle Mariners Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [27]
1983 Brad Havens L3–11 Detroit Tigers Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [28]
1984 Albert Williams L1–8 Detroit Tigers Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [29]
1985 Frank Viola W6–2 California Angels Anaheim Stadium [30]
1986 Frank Viola (2)W3–2 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [31]
1987† Bert Blyleven (6)ND (W)5–4 Oakland Athletics Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [32]
1988 Frank Viola (3)L0–8 New York Yankees Yankee Stadium (I) [33]
1989 Frank Viola (4)L2–4 New York Yankees Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [34]
1990 Allan Anderson L3–8 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [35]
1991† Jack Morris L2–7 Oakland Athletics Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum [36]
1992 Scott Erickson ND (W)4–2 Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee County Stadium [37]
1993 Kevin Tapani L5–10 Chicago White Sox Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [38]
1994 Kevin Tapani (2)L2–8 California Angels Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [39]
1995 Scott Erickson (2)L0–9 Boston Red Sox Fenway Park [40]
1996 Brad Radke W8–6 Detroit Tigers Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [41]
1997 Brad Radke (2)ND (W)7–5 Detroit Tigers Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [42]
1998 Bob Tewksbury L2–3 Toronto Blue Jays SkyDome [43]
1999 Brad Radke (3)W6–1 Toronto Blue Jays Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [44]
2000 Brad Radke (4)L0–7 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [45]
2001 Brad Radke (5)W3–2 Detroit Tigers Comerica Park [46]
2002* Brad Radke (6)ND (W)8–6 Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium [47]
2003* Brad Radke (7)W3–1 Detroit Tigers Comerica Park [48]
2004* Brad Radke (8)ND (W)7–4 Cleveland Indians Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [49]
2005 Brad Radke (9)L1–5 Seattle Mariners Safeco Field [50]
2006* Johan Santana L3–6 Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre [51]
2007 Johan Santana (2)W7–4 Baltimore Orioles Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [52]
2008 Livan Hernandez W3–2 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [53]
2009* Francisco Liriano L1–6 Seattle Mariners Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome [4]
2010* Scott Baker L3–6 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Angel Stadium of Anaheim [5]
2011 Carl Pavano L3–11 Toronto Blue Jays Rogers Centre [54]
2012 Carl Pavano (2)L2–4 Baltimore Orioles Oriole Park at Camden Yards [55]
2013 Vance Worley L2–4 Detroit Tigers Target Field [56]
2014 Ricky Nolasco L3–5 Chicago White Sox U.S. Cellular Field [57]
2015 Phil Hughes L0–4 Detroit Tigers Comerica Park [58]
2016 Ervin Santana ND (L)2–3 Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards [58]
2017* Ervin Santana (2)W7–1 Kansas City Royals Target Field [58]
2018 Jake Odorizzi ND (L)2–3 Baltimore Orioles Camden Yards [58]
2019* José Berríos W2–0 Cleveland Indians Target Field [58]
2020* José Berríos (2)ND (W)10–5 Chicago White Sox Guaranteed Rate Field [58]
2021 Kenta Maeda ND (L)5–6 Milwaukee Brewers American Family Field [58]
2022 Joe Ryan L1–2 Seattle Mariners Target Field [58]
2023* Pablo López W2–0 Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium [58]
2024 Pablo López (2)W4–1 Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium [58]

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References

  1. ↑ Bastian, Jordan (March 22, 2010). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". MLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  2. ↑ Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Minnesota Twins Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved November 4, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Seattle 6, Minnesota 1". Yahoo! . Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  5. 1 2 "LA Angels 6, Minnesota 3". Yahoo! . Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1961". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1962". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1963". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1964". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1965". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1966". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  12. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1967". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  13. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1968". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1969". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1969". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1971". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1972". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1973". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1974". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  20. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1975". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  21. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1976". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  22. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1977". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  23. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1978". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1979". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  25. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1980". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  26. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1981". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
  27. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1982". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  28. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1983". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  29. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1984". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  30. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1985". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  31. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1986". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  32. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1987". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  33. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1988". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  34. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1989". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  35. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1990". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  36. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1991". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  37. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1992". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  38. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1993". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  39. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1994". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  40. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1995". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  41. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1996". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  42. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1997". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  43. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1998". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  44. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 1999". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  45. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2000". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  46. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2001". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  47. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2002". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  48. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2003". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  49. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2004". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  50. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2005". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  51. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2006". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  52. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2007". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  53. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2008". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
  54. ↑ "Toronto 13, Minnesota 3". Yahoo! . Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  55. ↑ "Twins vs. Orioles - Game Recap - April 6, 2012 - ESPN". Archived from the original on April 8, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2013". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  57. ↑ "Twins Opening Day 2014". Baseball-Reference. Retrieved April 4, 2014.
  58. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Minnesota Twins Opening Day Starters". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
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