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Best Opening Day starts in Kansas City Royals history

By Leigh Oleszczak

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: A detailed view of the ceremonial Opening Day logo home plate used during the pre-game ceremonies prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on April 4, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 04: A detailed view of the ceremonial Opening Day logo home plate used during the pre-game ceremonies prior to the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on April 4, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Starting pitcher Yordano Ventura #30 of the Kansas City Royals during opening day (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Starting pitcher Yordano Ventura #30 of the Kansas City Royals during opening day (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

The Kansas City Royals have had 26 different pitchers start Opening Day since the team was founded in 1969. Who did the best in their Opening Day performances? 

Earning the Opening Day job is a huge accomplishment for a Major League pitcher. The Kansas City Royals have had several pitchers put on top-notch performances when asked to toe the slab on Opening Day.

There have been more good performances than bad when it comes to Opening Day performances, which surprised me a bit considering this team’s history. To qualify for this list, the pitchers had to have allowed one run or fewer and go at least six innings in their first start of the season.

With that said, let’s dive into the best Opening Day starts in Royals history!

Kansas City Royals Best Opening Day Starts – No. 16: Yordano Ventura (2015)

Coming off a World Series appearance in 2014, the hype was through the roof for the Royals when they began the 2015 season. It only made sense to have Yordano Ventura, or “Ace” as many referred to him as, get the ball on Opening Day in 2015.

The last time Royals fans had watched Ventura pitch prior to this start was when he took the mound in Game 6 of the World Series and dominated the Giants. This allowed the Royals to advance to Game 7 and it was hard not to view Ventura as the ace of the squad after that performance.

When the 2015 season began and Ventura took the mound, he had picked up right where he left off the season prior, throwing fire for six innings and allowing four hits and one run while striking out two batters. The Royals backed up their ace with a 10-1 victory over the White Sox to set the tone for the season.

Ventura’s 2015 numbers were fine, as he finished the year throwing 163.1 innings and sporting a 4.08 ERA. He wasn’t his usual self in that season’s run to the World Series but was still a crucial member of the 2015 squad.

Unfortunately, Ventura never had a chance to truly shine on the big stage, as he tragically passed away in Jan. 2017.

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