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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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List Of Arizona Diamondbacks Opening Day Starting Pitchers

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, though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day. 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. 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 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. Andy Benes, Javier Vázquez, Dan Haren, and Wade Miley have started one Opening Day each. Kennedy has the best winning percentage as the Opening Day starting pitcher with a record of 2–0. Benes, Vázquez, and Miley are tied for the worst Opening Day record, at 0–1. 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.

Overall, the Diamondbacks have a record of 8–7 at home on Opening Day, compared to a 4–2 record at away games. 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
Season Pitcher Decision Opponent Location Ref(s)
1998 Andy Benes L Colorado Rockies Chase Field
1999* Randy Johnson ND (L) Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium
2000 Randy Johnson (2) W Philadelphia Phillies Chase Field
2001 Randy Johnson (3) W Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium
2002* Randy Johnson (4) W San Diego Padres Chase Field
2003 Randy Johnson (5) L Los Angeles Dodgers Chase Field
2004 Randy Johnson (6) L Colorado Rockies Chase Field
2005 Javier Vázquez L Chicago Cubs Chase Field
2006 Brandon Webb ND (L) Colorado Rockies Coors Field
2007* Brandon Webb (2) ND (W) Colorado Rockies Coors Field
2008 Brandon Webb (3) W Cincinnati Reds Great American Ball Park
2009 Brandon Webb (4) ND (W) Colorado Rockies Chase Field
2010 Dan Haren W San Diego Padres Chase Field
2011* Ian Kennedy ND (W) Colorado Rockies Coors Field
2012 Ian Kennedy (2) W San Francisco Giants Chase Field
2013 Ian Kennedy (3) W St. Louis Cardinals Chase Field
2014 Wade Miley L Los Angeles Dodgers Sydney Cricket Ground
2015 Josh Collmenter L San Francisco Giants Chase Field
2016 Zack Greinke L Colorado Rockies Chase Field
2017 Zack Greinke (2) ND (W) San Francisco Giants Chase Field
2018 Patrick Corbin W Colorado Rockies Chase Field
2019 Zack Greinke (3) ND (L) Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium
2020 Madison Bumgarner L San Diego Padres Petco Park
2021 Madison Bumgarner (2) ND (L) San Diego Padres Petco Park
2022 Madison Bumgarner (3) ND (W) San Diego Padres Chase Field
2023** Zac Gallen L Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium
2024 Zac Gallen (2) W Colorado Rockies Chase Field

References

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