There will be a lot of eyes on the Houston Astros as they open the 2023 Major League Baseball season. As the defending champs, the Astros will certainly have that proverbial target on their back. But another reason the baseball world will be watching Houston open their ’23 campaign March 30 against the Chicago White Sox is to see if they can extend their streak of Opening Day victories.
Houston Astros look for 11th straight Opening Day win
The Astros will be going for their 11th straight Opening Day win Thursday night at home against the White Sox. They have not lost an Opening Day game since 2012. MLB will have all 30 teams opening their seasons on March 30… barring any weather postponements. While some of the 30 teams will play interleague games for their first contest of the year, the Astros will stay in the American League for their Opening Day contest versus the White Sox.
With a 10-game winning streak on Opening Day, you would think that the Astros would be the best Opening Day team in the last 20 years (2003-2022). Think again. Over the past 20 years, the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Seattle Mariners have each won 14 Opening Day games, tied for the most of the 30 teams in their first game of the year. The Astros, even with 10 wins since 2013, have won 12 Opening Day games since 2003.
MLB teams with most Opening Day wins since 2003
Here are the number of wins by each of the 30 MLB teams in the last 20 years.
14 — Baltimore, New York Mets, Seattle
13 — Detroit, Los Angeles Dodgers
12 — Houston
11 — Chicago Cubs, Colorado, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Toronto
10 — Arizona, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa Bay
9 — Boston, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Diego, Washington
8 — Atlanta
7 — Miami, Minnesota, Texas
6 — Cleveland, Oakland
One interesting note about the Astros streak… their team ERA in those last 10 Opening Day wins is an amazing 1.20.
Baltimore Orioles have won 10 of their last 11 Opening Day games at home
The Orioles are one of the three teams with the most Opening Day wins since 2003 with 14. But it’s also important to note that the O’s have a 10-1 record (.909) in Opening Day games played at home since 2003. That is the best home W-L percentage in Opening Day games of the 30 MLB teams.
Baltimore will travel to Boston to open their season on March 30. They are 4-5 in Opening Day games played on the road since 2003.