Best Opening Day starts in Kansas City Royals history

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 James Shields #33 of the Kansas City Royals delivers the ball on Opening Day (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Royals Best Opening Day Starts – No. 13: James Shields (2013)

Royals fans were stoked for Opening Day in 2013, as the Royals had made some big moves during the offseason. The biggest move was trading for Rays pitcher James Shields, who the Royals wanted to come in and be their ace for the next two years.

It was only fitting that Shields got the ball on Opening Day and he set the tone for what it’d be like in Kansas City the next few years. Shields was outstanding in his Royals debut, twirling six innings of one-run ball against the White Sox while allowing eight hits and striking out six batters.

The problem with this performance wasn’t on Shields, as his team couldn’t give him any run support at all. The Royals lost 1-0, but fans felt confident that Shields could be special after this performance. He finished the season with a 3.28 ERA through 228.2 innings pitched and the Royals narrowly missed out on the postseason.

Kansas City Royals Best Opening Day Starts – No. 12: Bud Black (1985)

The Royals were still searching for their first World Series title and would eventually secure their first championship by the end of the 1985 season. Bud Black kicked off the season as their Opening Day starter after coming off two impressive seasons with the Royals.

Black continued to impress to start the ’85 season, throwing 7.2 innings of one-run ball while surrendering four hits and striking out three batters. The Royals won 2-1 over the Blue Jays, making Black’s performance even more stellar considering he didn’t have much run support.

Black didn’t put up as good of numbers in 1985 as he did the previous two years, posting a 4.33 ERA. He did give the Royals innings, however, with 205.2 on his resumé. We know how the Royals’ 1985 season ended and Black helped get the year off to the best possible start.

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