Baseball offers so many chances for trivia questions – and Opening Day 2021 was no exception. The question would be: What American League Team has never lost an Opening Day game? The answer would be the Houston Astros, who have not lost an Opening Day Game since moving from the National League Central to the American League West in 2013. They did lose their last NL opener 5-3 (to the Rockies) on April 6, 2012.
The Astros’ April 1, 2021 win tied them for the most consecutive MLB (modern era) Opening Day wins (nine) – with the St, Louis Browns (1937-45); New York Mets (1975-83); Cincinnati Reds (1983-91); and Seattle Mariners (2007-15).
A few tidbits. In their streak, the Astros:
- Have won five openers at home, four on the road.
- Have had the starting pitcher record each of the nine wins (Dallas Keuchel and Justin Verlander three each, Zack Greinke, Scott Feldman, Bud Norris.)
- Have outscored their opponents 41-12, have hit .239 to the opponents’ .157.
- Put up a 1.67 earned run average to the opponents’ 5.21
- Scored five or more runs six times, while giving up as many as three runs just once.
A few other Opening Game win streak tidbits before we look at the highlights of each streak.
- The St. Louis Browns outscored their opponents by the most runs during their nine-game streak, wining by a cumulative 35 tallies.
- The Mets outscored their opponents by just 21 runs during their streak (the fewest of any of the streaks).
- In the seasons comprising their nine-game Opening Day winning streak, the Mets finished under .500 seven times and in last place five times.
- Pitching seems to key these opening Day win streaks, with none of the streaking teams recording an ERA over 2.20 over their nine wins.
- The Reds had the best batting average over their streak at .303 and scored the most runs (60).
- The Mariners had the lowest average during their streak at .223, the Mets scored the fewest runs (38).
- No team finished over .500 more than five times in their nine-year streaks (although the Astros could make it six this season).
Now, here’s a year-by-year look at the highlights of those nine Opening Day winning streaks – from the most recent back.
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—–Astros (2013-21)—-
April 1, 2021 … Astros 8 – A’s 1 at Oakland
Zack Greinke pitched six scoreless frames for the Astros (for the win), and LF Michael Brantley has three hits – including a double and a home run. DH Yordan Alvarez drove in three runs, as the Astros coasted to an 8-1 win.
July 24, 2020 … Astro 8 – Mariners 2 in Houston
Justin Verlander started (and won) this one for the Astros, giving up three hits, a walk and two earned runs, with seven whiffs in six innings – leaving with an 8-2 lead. LF Michael Brantley was the hitting star with two hits, a walk and three RBI in four plate appearances. His output included a three-run homer in the Astros’ five-run fifth inning.
March 28, 2019 … Astros 5 – Rays 1 at Tampa Bay
Justin Verlander got the start and the win – pitching seven innings and giving up three hits and one walk, while fanning nine. The Astros, who led five-to-one after five frames, got home runs from LF Michael Brantley (solo), CF George Springer (three-run) and 2B Jose Altuve (solo).
March 29, 2018 … Astros 4 – Rangers 1 at Texas
Justin Verlander started and got the win, tossing six scoreless innings (four hits, two walks, five strikeouts). The offense included solo home runs by RF George Springer and CF Jake Marisnick. Each team had just six hits.
April 3, 2017 … Astros 3 – Mariners 0 in Houston
Starter Dallas Keuchel got the win, throwing seven scoreless innings (two hits, two walks and four strikeouts), Relievers Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles each pitched a scoreless frame to close the Mariners out. CF George Springer and SS Carlos Correa each hit solo home runs and Correa drove in the Astros’ third run with a sacrifice fly. The Astros led 1-0 after the first – and that was enough.
April 5, 2016 … Astros 5 – Yankees 3 at New York
This was a squeaker by comparison to most games in the streak. The Yankees led 2-0 after two innings and the game was tied 2-2 after seven. The Astros put up a three-spot in the eighth to pull away. SS Carlos Correa had two RBI, including a homer to tie the game at 2-2 in the sixth. 3B Luis Valbuena contributed a two-run single in the three-run eighth. Starter Dallas Keuchel got the win after pitching seven innings of two-run ball (three hits, four walks, five whiffs).
April 6, 2015 … Astros 2 – Indians 0 in Houston
Dallas Keuchel started and got the victory, with seven scoreless innings (three hits, three walks, four whiffs). Tony Sipp pitched the eighth and Luke Gregerson the ninth (for the save). The Astros got only three hits (all off Indians’ starter Corey Kluber, who went 7 1/3 innings). The Houston safeties included a sixth-inning RBI single by RF George Springer. CF Jake Marisnick drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
April 1, 2014 … Astros 6 – Yankees 2 in Houston
Scott Feldman started for the Astros and picked up the victory with 6 2/3 scoreless innings (two hits, two walks, three strikeouts). The Astros jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two frames – touching Yankee starter C.C. Sabathia for all six tallies, including a first-inning two-run homer by 1B Juan Guzman and a second-inning solo shot by RF L.J. Hoes.
March 31, 2013 … Astros 8 – Rangers 2 in Houston
Bud Norris started for the Astros in their first game after moving from the National League to the American League. He picked up the win after giving up five hits and two earned runs (three walks, five whiffs) in 5 2/3 innings. Erik Bedard threw 3 1/3, one-hit, scoreless innings for a save. (A 3 1/3-inning save, a rarity these days.) The big hit was a three-run home run by pinch-hitter Rick Ankiel (in the sixth) that gave the Astros a 7-2 lead..
The Astros streak remains alive.
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—–Seattle Mariners (2007-15)—–
Felix Hernandez – Six wins in the Mariners’ streak. Photo by Chase N. 
In their nine-game Opening Day win streak, the Mariners outscored their opponents 43-13, outhit them .223 to .162 and out-homered them eight to four. The Mariners put up an earned run average of 1.30 to their opponents 3.60. In the nine wins, the Mariners never gave up more than three runs.
April 2, 2007 … Mariners 4 – A’s 0 in Seattle
Each team collected four hits in this one, but the A’s made two errors to the Mariners’ one, which proved costly – as all four Mariners’ runs (scored in the sixth inning) were unearned. The big blow in the game was a three-run home run by 1B Richie Sexson. Felix Hernandez pitched a gem for the win – eight scoreless innings, with three this, two walks and 12 strikeouts.
March 31, 2008 – … Mariners 5 – Rangers 2 in Seattle
The Rangers led 1-0 through five innings in this one, but the Mariners scored two in the sixth and three in the seventh. The big hit was a two-run double by 2B Jose Lopez in the seventh. Erik Bedard started for Seattle and gave up just one run in five frames. Reliever Sean Green came on in the sixth and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win, while J.J. Putz got the save.
April 6, 2009 … Mariners 6 – Twins 1 at Minnesota
Felix Hernandez recorded another Opening Day win – going eight innings and giving up five hits, one run and three walks – with six strikeouts. 2B Jose Lopez, just as in 2008, had a big hit, a two-run single in the ninth (he had three RBI in the game). The Mariners got home runs from RF Ken Griffey, Jr. (solo) and CF Franklin Gutierrez (two-run).
April 5, 2010 …. Mariners 5 – A’s 3 at Oakland
The Mariners scored in each of the first three frames and held the A’s scoreless until the sixth. The A’s tied the game with one run in the sixth and two in the seventh, but the Mariners won it with two in the top of the ninth. 1B Casey Kotchman, who drove in four of the Mariners’ five runs, hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth for the winning edge. Felix Hernandez started for the Mariners and gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings. Brandon League got the win with one inning of scoreless relief, with David Aardsma picking up the save.
April 1, 2011 …. Mariners 6 – A’s 2 at Oakland
The Mariners trailed 2-1 after five innings in this one, but scored two in the sixth and three in the seventh for the win. RF Ichiro Suzuki, 3B Chone Figgins and C Miguel Olivo each had two hits (six of the Mariner eight safeties) a run scored and an RBI in the game. Felix Hernandez threw a complete-game, five-hitter for the victory.
March 28, 2012 … Mariners 3 – A’s 1 (11 innings) at Tokyo (A’s home team)
This Tokyo Opener was a pitchers’ duel, tied at one-run apiece after 10 frames. Then, the Mariners played a little NL-style ball to score in the eleventh. The inning opened with a double by SS Brendan Ryan, followed by a sacrifice (Ryan to third) by 3B Chone Figgins, an RBI single by 2B Dustin Ackley (who then stole second base) and an RBI single by RF Ichiro Suzuki (who was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double). Justin Smoak then popped out to end the inning. Brandon League then tossed a scoreless ninth to save the win for fellow reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. (Felix Hernandez started and threw eight innings of one-run ball). Suzuki had four singles in five at bats and Ackley had a solo home run in addition to his eleventh-inning RBI single.
April 1, 2013 … Mariners 2 – A’s 0 at Oakland
Mariners’ starter Felix Hernandez went 7 2/3 scoreless innings in this one (three hits, one walk, eight strikeouts) for the win – with a save going to Tom Wilhelmsen. The only runs were scored in top of the fifth on a two-run single by CF and leadoff hitter Franklin Gutierrez. The A’s had just five singles in the contest.
March 31, 2014 …. Mariners 10 – Angels 3 at Los Angeles
It might seem like this was finally an Opening Day with a little breathing room for the Mariners, but they actually trailed 3-2 after six innings – and were ahead by just 4-3 before plating six runs in the top of the ninth. The Mariners took the lead in the seventh inning on an RBI triple by C Mike Zunino, followed by CF Abraham Almonte’s RBI double. Justin Smoak added a three-run homer in the top of the ninth and Dusting Ackley hit a three-run triple in the same inning. Felix Hernandez got the win, giving up three runs (two earned) on four this and a walk in six frames. He fanned 11 hitters.
April 6, 2015 … Marines 4 – Angels 1 in Seattle
Felix Hernandez picked up the win, tossing seven innings of one-run ball (two hits, one walk, ten strikeouts. Four Mariners’ hurlers took the last two innings, with Fernando Rodney getting the save. RF Seth Smith was the big gun on offense, with three hits (two doubles) and two RBI in three plate appearances. LF Dustin Ackley had a solo home run.
The Mariners lost their 2016 opener 3-2 at Texas.
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Cincinnati Reds (1983-91)
Dave Parker – Provided plenty of offense in the Reds’ streak.
In their nine-game Opening Day win streak, the Reds outscored their opponents 60-29, outhit them .303 to .206 and out-homered them 13 to 7. The Reds staff recorded a 2.20 earned run average to their opponents’ 6.52.
April 4, 1983 … Reds 5 – Braves 4 in Cincinnati
The Reds scored the winning run in this one in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by SS Dave Concepcion, plating CF Eddie Milner who had singled with two outs and stolen second. 2B Ron Oester had a two-run homer for the Reds. LF Gary Redus had a solo homer. Mario Soto got the win, giving up four runs (two earned) on five hits and four walks, with five strikeouts over eight innings. Tom Hume pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.
April 2. 1984 … Reds 8 – Mets 1 in Cincinnati
The Reds jumped on the Mets early, leading 7-1 after two innings – thanks, in great part, to a second-inning, three-run home run by CF Eddie Milner. The Reds also got a solo homer from SS Dave Concepcion in the seventh, as well as two RBI from RF Dave Parker. Mario Soto started and went the distance for the Reds, giving up one run on seven hits, while walking one and fanning eight.
April 8, 1985 … Reds 4 – Expos 1 in Cincinnati
The Reds broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fifth to salt this one away. 1B Pete rose contributed a two-run double and then was driven in by a Dave Parker (RF) single. Rose picked up a third RBI on a single in the seventh inning. Mario Soto picked up his third straight Opening Day win, pitching seven innings of one-run ball (four hits, two walks, five strikeouts). Carl Willis earned a two-inning save.
April 7, 1986 … Reds 7 – Phillies 4 in Cincinnati
Lots of scoring early in this one, with the Reds up 5-4 after just three innings. The Reds picked up 13 hits with three apiece from RF Dave Parker (one homer, two doubles, one RBI on the day) and C Bo Diaz (three singles, one RBI). CF Eric Davis had a three-run homer in the four-run second inning. Mario Soto picked up his fourth consecutive opening Day win, despite giving up four runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings, Ron Robinson picked up a 3 1/3-inning save (giving up just one hit).
April 6, 1987 … Reds 11 – Expos 5 in Cincinnati
The Expos jumped out to a 5-2 lead after three innings, but the Reds put up a nine-spot in the fourth to put this win in the books. The fourth inning featured seven hits (two home runs), two walks, three stolen bases and a wild pitch. It went like this: a lead-0ff walk to CF Eric Davis (who stole second); a one-out RBI single by C Bo Diaz; a two-run homer by 1B Terry Francona; a walk to 2B Ron Oester; an RBI double by PH Paul O’Neill; an RBI single by LF Kal Daniels (followed by a steal of second); a two-run home run by SS Barry Larkin; a double by RF Dave Parker; an RBI single by Davis (followed by a steal of second); a ground out; a wild pitch scoring Davis; and, finally, an inning-ending strikeout (Diaz). Bill Landrum got the win, tossing one inning in relief of starter Tom Browning, who gave up five tallies in three frames. The Reds got home runs from Davis, Francona and Larkin.
April 4, 1988 …. Reds 5 – Cardinals 4 in Cincinnati (12 innings)
A Kal Daniels (LF) walk-off RBI single in the twelfth inning won this one for the Reds, It was preceded by a walk, a sacrifice, a strikeout and a wild pitch. The win went to Pat Perry, who pitched the top of the twelfth inning. Mario Soto started for the Reds and gave up four runs (three earned) in five innings, before a series of four relievers shut down the Redbirds for seven frames. Daniels, who also had a home run, had the only two RBI in the game for the Reds, as they also scored on a double play (with Daniels hitting) and twice on errors.
April 3, 1989 … Reds 6 – Dodgers 4 in Cincinnati
Starter Danny Jackson got the win, giving up four runs in five innings and leaving with a 6-4 lead. Rob Dibble and John Franco held the Dodgers to one hit and no runs over the final four frames. RF Paul O’Neill went four-for-four, with a double, a home run (three-run) and four RBI.
April 9, 1990 … Reds 8 – Astros 4 at Houston (11 innings)
The Astros took a 4-2 lead after two innings in this game, but the Red scored one in the fifth and one in the sixth to tie it. There was no additional scoring until the top of the eleventh, when the Reds pushed across four runs on: a leadoff walk to C Joe Oliver; a single by 1B Hal Morris; a bunt (moving the runners to second and third) by 2B Ron Oester; an intentional walk (loading the bases) to 3B Chris Sabo; a Billy Hatcher (LF) strikeout; a three-run triple by SS Barry Larkin; a run-scoring single by CF Eric Davis; and, finally, a foul pop out by RF Paul O’Neill. Mariano Duncan (2B) had a good day for the Reds, with a homer, single and three RBI in four at bats. Tom Browning started for the Reds, but lasted just four innings (four runs on five hits and a walk). Reliever Randy Myers, who tossed the final 1 2/3 innings got the win.
April 8, 1991 … Reds 6 – Astros 2 in Cincinnati
The Reds scored five in the bottom of the fourth (taking a 5-1 lead) to put this one out of reach. Tom Browning went 8 1/3 innings for the win (five hits, one walk, two strikeouts, two earned runs), while Rob Dibble got the save. Browning was also the offensive her0, driving in three of the Reds’ six runs with a bases-clearing double with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning. (More #WhyIHateTheDH.) The Reds also got a solo home run from SS Barry Larkin.
The Reds lost their 1992 opener to the Padres (in Cincinnati) by a 4-3 score.
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New York Mets (1975-83)
The Mets outhit their opponents in only three of their nine consecutive Opening Day wins – and were outhit 70 to 64 over the nine games (.235 to .234). Thanks to solid pitching (the Mets put up a 1.78 ERA to their opponents’ 4.21), the Mets outscored their opponents 38-17.
April 8, 1975 …. Mets 2 – Phillies 1 in New York
The Mets started their streak with a true pitcher’s duel – involving a pair of future Hall of Famers – as Tom Seaver topped the Phillies’ Steve Carlton 2-1. Both pitchers tossed complete games. Seaver gave up six hits and one run (two walks and nine strikeouts), while Carlton gave up two runs on just four hits (two walks, six strikeouts). The Mets got a solo home run from RF Dave Kingman – and won the game (walk-off fashion) on an RBI single by 3B Joe Torre in the bottom of the ninth.
April 9, 1976 …. Mets 3 – Expos 2 in New York
The Mets were outhit 8-4 in their 1976 opener, but emerged with a 3-2 win behind seven innings of one-run ball from starter Tom Seaver (five hits, one walk, eight whiffs). The big hit came off the bats of SS Bud Harrelson (hitting eighth) – a two-run double in the fourth inning. Skip Lockwood pitched two innings (three hits, one run, three strikeouts) for the save.
April 7, 1977 … Mets 5 – Cubs 3 at Chicago
The Mets trailed in this one – 2-0 after five innings, but launched a four-run rally in the sixth. The rally started with a walk to Mets’ starting pitcher Tom Seaver and included a single by CF Lee Mazzilli, an RBI double by LF John Milner, an intentional walk to RF Dave Kingman, a run-scoring ground out by 1B Ed Kranepool and a two-run single by C John Stearns. Seaver got the win, giving up three runs (nine hits, one walk, seven strikeouts) in seven innings. Skip Lockwood picked up a two-inning save.
April 7, 1978 … Mets 3 – Expos 1 in New York
Jerry Koosman drew the Opening Day assignment and tossed a one-run, complete game (eight hits, no walks, seven strikeouts). The RBI went to RF Ken Henderson, CF Lee Mazzilli and 2B Doug Flynn. This was the fourth straight Opening Day win in which the Mets were outhit by their opponent.
April 5, 1979 …. Mets 10 – Cubs 6 at Chicago
No pitchers’ duel this year, as the Mets scored ten runs on 13 hits (five runs in the seventh). Mets’ starter Craig Swan got the win – giving up three runs on nine hits over eight frames (no walks, three strikeouts). Richie Hebner (3B) had a home run, two doubles, a single and four RBI in five at bats to lead the offense.
April 10, 1980 … Met 5 – Cubs 2 in New York
This was a tight game (Mets up 1-0 through five innings) until New York busted loose for four runs in the bottom of the sixth (the Cubs had tied it at 1-1 in the top of the inning). Craig Swan started the opener for the second straight season and again picked up the win, going seven innings and giving up two runs on seven hits (one walk, three strikeouts). Neil Allen got a two-inning save, retiring six in a row. Swan was also on of the hitting “stars” – driving in two runs and collecting two singles and a walk in three plate appearances. CF Jerry Morales also had two hits and two RBI.
April 9, 1981 …. Mets 2 – Cubs 0 in Chicago
Pat Zachry started and got the win (5 2/3 innings, six hits, no walks, four strikeouts), with help from relievers Tom Hausman and Neil Allen (who got a three-inning save). The Cubs outhit the Mets seven-to-five, but the Mets got solo home runs from 1B Rusty Staub and CF Lee Mazzilli in the fourth inning.
April 8, 1981 … Mets 7 – Phillies 2
Randy Jones started and got the win – giving up just one run (unearned) over six innings (four hits, three walks and two strikeouts). The offensive star was 2B Bob Bailor, who had two doubles, a single and a walk in five plate appearances – driving in three runs and scoring two.
April 5, 1983 … Mets 2 – Phillies 0 in New York
Tom Seaver threw six, three-hit, scoreless innings (one walk, five strikeouts) for the win – and Doug Sisk earned a save with three scoreless frames (two hits, two walks, three strikeouts), There were a total of 11 hits in the game (six for the Mets) – all singles. The RBI went to Mets’ RF Mike Howard and 2B Brian Giles.
The Mets lost their 1984 opener to the Reds by an 8-1 score.
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St. Louis Browns (1937-45)
In their Opening Day win streak, the Browns outscored their opponents 52-17, outhit them .291 to .220 and out-homered them 5-3. The Brown staff put up a 1.89 earned run average to the opponents’ 6.08. In the nine games, the Browns tossed two shutouts, gave up just one run five times, two runs once and 10 runs once (in the very first win in the streak).
April 21, 1937 … Browns 15 – White Sox 10 in St. Louis
Harlond Clift – A still-record( tied) five hits in an Opening Day game,.
The Browns led this one 15-4 after six innings and held on for the win. Starter Orel Hildebrand went the distance, giving up 17 hits and ten earned runs. (How the game has changed). The Browns got solo home runs from 2B Rogers Hornsby (who had three hits and two RBI) and 3B Harlond Clift (who had five hits – still tied for the most ever in an Opening Day game.). Lead-off hitter, SS Bill Knickerbocker had four hits and four RBI and even pitcher Hildebrand go into the act with a fifth-inning, two run double.
April 19, 1938 … Browns 6 – Indians 2 at Cleveland
The Browns led 5-1 after five innings, with Bobo Newsom going the distance in a gritty performance (just two runs on 11 hits and five walks, with five strikeouts). 3B George McQuinn had three hits (single, double, triple) and the RBI went to LF Mel Mazzera, CF Sam West, RF Beau Bell and 2B Don Heffner.
April 22, 1939 … Browns 5 – White Sox 1 at Chicago
Bobo Newsom went the distance for the Browns (seven hits, one walk, ten strikeouts) for the win. Browns’ 3B Harlan Clift had a solo home run and Clift and 2B Johnny Berardino had two RBI each.
April 16, 1940 … Browns 5 – Tigers 1 at Detroit
“Slick” Coffman pitched a complete-game, seven-hitter for the win (one run, three walks, five strikeouts). The game featured a home run by CF Wally Judnich, and two RBI each for RF Rip Radcliff and C Bob Swift. The losing pitcher in this one was Bobo Newsom, who had been the Opening Day winner for the Browns the year before. Newsom was traded from the Browns to the Tigers in May of 1939.
April 16, 1941 … Browns 8 – Tigers 1 in St. Louis
This was a close contest – tied at 1-1 after 7 ½ innings – until the Browns erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the eighth. Elden Auker pitched a complete-game, four-hitter for the Browns. LF Rip Radcliff and 1B George McQuinn had two RBI each. Browns’ 2B Johnny Lucadello punched out four hits in five at bats, but had just one run and no RBI.
April 14, 1942 … Browns 3 – White Sox 0 at Chicago.
This was a pitchers’ battle with just eight hits in the game and both starters going the distance. It was, in fact, a 1-0 game until the top of the ninth when the Browns pushed across a pair of insurance runs. Bill Muncrief got the win, giving up just three hits, walking none and fanning four. The first run scored on a ground out by CF Chet Laabs in the top of the fourth. Then, in the top of the ninth, Laabs added an RBI double and scored on a single by RF Glenn McQuillen.
April 21, 1943 … Browns 3 – White Sox 0 in St. Louis
Al Hollingsworth went the distance (three hits, one walk, two strikeouts) for the Browns, who got three hits, one run and one RBI from SS Vern Stephens and two walks, a triple, a run scored and an RBI from LF Chet Laabs.
April 18, 1944 … Browns 2 – Tigers 1 at Detroit
The Browns scored in the first inning on two singles and a fielder’s choice – and the score stayed at 1-0 until the top of the ninth, when SS Vern Stephens led off with a solo home run. It turns out the run was needed, as Pinky Higgins homered for the Tigers in the bottom of the final frame. Starter Jack Kramer went 8 2/3 innings (giving up one run) for the Browns. The Higgins’ homer, which came with two outs in the ninth was followed by a single, bringing in George Caster to pitch (and earn the save – awarded retroactively, of course).
April 17, 1945 … Browns 7 – Tigers 1 at Detroit
Sid Jakucki went the distance for St. Louis (six hits, one run, no walks, four whiffs), while SS Vern Stephens, RF Milt Byrnes and 1B George McQuinn – batting in the 4-5-6 holes – combined for seven of the Browns’ 11 hits and drove in five of the six tallies.
In 1946, the Browns lost their Opening Day game to the Tigers (in Detroit) by a 2-1 score.
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