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 22 seasons. The 10 starters have a combined Opening Day record of eight wins, eight losses (8–8), 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 4–3 record at away games. The Diamondbacks went on to play in the National League Division Series (NLDS) playoff games in , , , , , , and , winning the National League Championship Series in 2001 and 2023, and the World Series in 2001.
Key SeasonEach year is linked to an article about that particular Diamondbacks season.WWinLLossND (W)No decision by starting pitcher; Diamondbacks won gameND (L)No decision by starting pitcher; Diamondbacks lost gamePitcher Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Diamondbacks*Advanced to the postseason**Won National League Championship Series†Won World Series
Pitchers
SeasonPitcherDecisionOpponentLocationRef(s)1998LColorado RockiesChase Field1999*ND (L)Los Angeles DodgersDodger Stadium2000 WPhiladelphia PhilliesChase Field2001† WLos Angeles DodgersDodger Stadium2002* WSan Diego PadresChase Field2003 LLos Angeles DodgersChase Field2004 LColorado RockiesChase Field2005LChicago CubsChase Field2006ND (L)Colorado RockiesCoors Field2007* ND (W)Colorado RockiesCoors Field2008 WCincinnati RedsGreat American Ball Park2009 ND (W)Colorado RockiesChase Field2010WSan Diego PadresChase Field2011*ND (W)Colorado RockiesCoors Field2012 WSan Francisco GiantsChase Field2013 WSt. Louis CardinalsChase Field2014LLos Angeles DodgersSydney Cricket Ground2015LSan Francisco GiantsChase Field2016LColorado RockiesChase Field2017 ND (W) San Francisco Giants Chase Field2018WColorado RockiesChase Field2019 ND (L)Los Angeles DodgersDodger Stadium2020LSan Diego PadresPetco Park2021 ND (L)San Diego PadresPetco Park2022 ND (W)San Diego PadresChase Field2023** LLos Angeles DodgersDodger Stadium2024 WColorado RockiesChase Field2025 LChicago CubsChase Field2026 LLos Angeles DodgersDodger Stadium
Pitchers Opening Day starting pitchers listed in descending order by the number of Opening Day starts for the Diamondbacks: PitcherStartsWinsLossesNo DecisionsWinning %Seasons6321.5001999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 20044120.3332023, 2024, 2025, 202641031.0002006, 2007, 2008, 20093012.0002020, 2021, 20223012.0002016, 2017, 201932011.0002011, 2012, 20131010.00019981010.000201511001.000201811001.00020101010.00020141010.0002005
References