List of Houston Astros Opening Day starting pitchers
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Houston, Texas. They currently play in the American 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 Astros began to play in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s (their name was changed to the Astros in 1965 when the Houston Astrodome opened as their home ball park).[3] Bobby Shantz started their first Opening Day game on April 10, 1962, against the Chicago Cubs at Houston's Colt Stadium and was credited with the win.[4] In their first eight seasons, the Colt .45s / Astros used eight different Opening Day starters. In 1970, that streak ended when Larry Dierker made his second Opening Day start.[4]
Roy Oswalt has made the most Opening Day starts for the Astros, with eight such starts from 2003 through 2010.[4][5][6] Three different pitchers have each made five Opening Day starts for the Astros: J. R. Richard (1976–1980), Mike Scott (1987–1991) and Shane Reynolds (1996–2000). Dierker made four Opening Day starts for the Astros, and Joe Niekro and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan made three apiece.[4] Dierker has the best record in Opening Day starts with four wins and no losses. Niekro and Don Wilson share the worst record in Opening Day starts with no wins and two losses each. Niekro also had one no decision.[4]
The Houston Astros have used 27 different Opening Day starting pitchers in their 61 seasons. The 27 starters have a combined Opening Day record of 30 wins, 21 losses and ten no decisions (which has resulted in a record of 33–28).[4][5] No decisions are only awarded to the starting pitcher if the game is won or lost after the starting pitcher has left the game.[7] The Astros have played in three home ball parks. Their first home ball park was Colt Stadium. Their starting pitchers had one win and one loss in their two Opening Day games at Colt Stadium. They played 25 Opening Day games in the Astrodome after moving there in 1965, and their starting pitchers had a record of twelve wins, eight losses and five no decisions in those games (going 14–11 overall). In 2000, they moved to Enron Field (subsequently renamed Astros Field and Minute Maid Park) in Downtown Houston. Through 2024, they have played seventeen Opening Day games there and have seen Astros starters go 8–4 with five no decisions (8–9 overall). This makes the record of the Astros' Opening Day starting pitchers in home games 21 wins, 13 losses and ten no decisions (23–21 overall). Their record in Opening Day away games is nine wins, eight losses and two no decisions (10–9 overall).[4] The Astros have advanced to the World Series four times.[8] In 2022, they set a modern Major League Baseball record by winning on Opening Day for the tenth straight season.[9]
Key
[edit]Season | Each year is linked to an article about that particular Colt .45s / Astros season. |
W | Win |
L | Loss |
ND (W) | No decision by starting pitcher; Astros won game |
ND (L) | No decision by starting pitcher; Astros lost game |
Final score | Game score with Colt .45s / Astros runs listed first |
Location | Stadium in italics for home game |
Pitcher (#) | Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Colt .45s / Astros |
* | Advanced to the post-season |
** | NL Champions |
*** | AL Champions |
† | World Series Champions |
Pitchers
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Bastian, Jordan (March 22, 2010). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- ^ Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ^ "Astros Timeline: 1962–1969". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Houston Astros Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ a b c "Chi Cubs 4, Houston 2". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2013-07-20. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
- ^ a b "San Francisco 5, Houston 2". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
- ^ "Official Rules - The Official Scorer". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "Houston Astros History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2011-04-06. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ Rome, Chandler (April 8, 2022). "Astros get revenge on Angels' Ryan Tepera, tie Beaneaters' 1800s record with 10th straight Opening Day win". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- ^ "Houston Colt .45s Opening Day 1962". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Colt .45s Opening Day 1963". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Colt .45s Opening Day 1964". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1965". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1966". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1967". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1968". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1969". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2008-10-12. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1970". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-08-27. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1971". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1972". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1973". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1974". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1975". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1976". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1977". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1978". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1979". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1980". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1981". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1982". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1983". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2017-04-26. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1984". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1985". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-09-30. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1986". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1987". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1988". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1989". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1990". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1991". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1992". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1993". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1994". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1995". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-12-27. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1996". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1997". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1998". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2019-06-08. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 1999". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2000". Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2015-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2001". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Astros 11, Brewers 3". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2002". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Brewers 9, Astros 3". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2003". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Kent slugs homer in first at-bat with Astros". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2004". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Snow's sacrifice lifts San Francisco". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2005". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Edmonds, Walker, Sanders go deep to sink Houston". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2006". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Oswalt, Lidge combine to five-hit Marlins". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2007". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Bay's two-run homer lifts Pirates over Astros in 10th". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2008". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
- ^ "Peavy throws seven strong, drives in two as Padres win". ESPN. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Philadelphia 5, Houston 4". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
- ^ "Colorado 5, Houston 3". Baseball-Reference. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
- ^ "Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros". Baseball-Reference. Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2012-04-06.
- ^ "New York 2, Houston 6". Archived from the original on 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2015". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2016". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2017". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2018". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2019". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2019-03-28.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2020". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2021". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2021-04-02. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ "Astros 3, Angels 1 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday". MLB.com. MLB. Archived from the original on 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2023". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ "Houston Astros Opening Day 2024". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2023-03-28.