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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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Pitcher Tim Belcher #41 of the Kansas City Royals in -Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
Pitcher Tim Belcher #41 of the Kansas City Royals in -Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport /

Kansas City Royals Best Opening Day Starts – No. 2: Tim Belcher (1998)

After making a name for himself elsewhere, Tim Belcher landed with the Royals in 1996 and pitched there for the next three years. He got the nod to start on Opening Day in 1998 despite sporting an ERA over five the previous season.

Belcher wowed in his first game of the 1998 MLB season, twirling seven scoreless innings while yielding three hits. He notched six strikeouts and didn’t walk a single batter. The Royals won 4-1 over the Orioles and Belcher definitely set the tone for what an Opening Day performance should look like.

The rest of his season wasn’t as stellar, as he had a 4.27 ERA through 234 innings of work. He started 34 games that year and parlayed that into another two years with the Angels, where he finished out the remainder of his career.

There are some pretty random names on this list, but Tim Belcher has to be one of the most random. He was never a great pitcher during his time in Kansas City, but his Opening Day performance in 1998 is one that still tops the charts.

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