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Detroit Tigers: How they’ve fared on Opening Day

By Andy Patton

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 9: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 9: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers hits a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 9, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Tigers will be going for their seventh consecutive Opening Day victory on Friday when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Detroit Tigers and their fans will have to wait one extra day before they can make their 2018 debut. This is not the first time the home opener has been postponed. In 1911, 1923 and 1982 the Tigers had their first game snowed out.

Here are some more fun Tigers Opening Day facts for you all to soak in (ha) while we wait for the Tigers 2018 season to begin:

Opening Day Facts

The 2018 season began with a first pitch home run by Cubs outfielder Ian Happ. The last time the first pitch of the season was hit out of the park was 1986, when Tigers Hall of Famer Jack Morris surrendered a first pitch home run to Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans.

Speaking of Morris, he is second all-time in Opening Day starts, having made 14 of them in his career. 11 of those were with the Tigers, ranking him first in team history. Tom Seaver is first overall, with 16 Opening Day starts.

Morris is one of 55 pitchers to start Opening Day for the Tigers. Jordan Zimmermann, who is expected to take the mound tomorrow, will be the 56th.

Records

Overall, the Tigers are 67-50 in Opening Day games. They have played the Cleveland Indians the most, going 12-18 against them. Tomorrow will be the first opener against the Pirates in team history. Additionally, the Tigers are 12-6 in openers at Comerica Park.

Ivan Nova vs. Jordan Zimmermann may not be an elite pitching matchup, but it is unlikely to yield the results that Detroit’s 1993 opener did. The Tigers scored a record 20 runs on Opening Day 1993. They had 12 hits in the fourth inning alone. 1990’s legends Cecil Fielder and Travis Fryman had monstrous games, with Fielder going 4-for-4 and Fryman driving in five. The Tigers would go on to lead the league in runs scored in 1993.

Miguel Cabrera will make his 11th Opening Day start for the Tigers tomorrow, which will tie him for eighth in team history.

Lastly, the Tigers record for Opening Day home runs is three, set by Kirk Gibson and tied by Dmitri Young. Young actually hit all three of his on Opening Day 2005 against the Royals.

Next: Staff Predictions for 2018

Regardless of what happens on Opening Day 2018, this should be an interesting season for the Tigers. We here at Motor City Bengals are looking forward to providing you fresh content every step of the way. Go Tigers!

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