Sporcle Saturday: Opening Day starting pitchers in the DH era

(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire)

Good morning!

With Lucas Giolito’s Opening Day start yesterday, it marked the first time since the stretch during 2008-2011 that a White Sox starting pitcher was on the bump to begin a season for at least three consecutive years.

Here’s hoping that Giolito hangs around and gives the Sox a nice long stretch of Opening Day starts similar to the runs in the aughts (and also that he can stay healthy). For now, the streak has at least made it to three. Today’s Sporcle asks you to remember past Opening Day starters beyond just Lucas Giolito. Specifically: in the DH era, which as you likely know dates back to 1973, which starting pitchers have begun the Sox’ season? In all, there are 28 entries: how many can you name? Good luck!

Quiz Parameters

  • I’ve allotted 10 minutes for completion attempts.
  • For hints, you get just the year: if a starter was in consecutive years, I’ve noted that as well.

Useless information to amaze, annoy, confuse, and/or confound your friends and family:

  • The White Sox are 62-61 on Opening Day.
  • Their longest winning streak on Opening Day is 7, from 1987-1993.
  • Their longest losing streak? 5, from 1921-1925. After yesterday’s weird and disappointing loss, they are currently on a 4 game losing streak. The last time they had an Opening Day losing streak this long was from 1967-1970.

Direct link here

All data from baseballreference.com

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roke1960

28/28 with 7:47 left. A few fairly obscure names, but it’s a list I remember well.

asinwreck

28/28 with 5:31 left. Thank you, Ted, for reminding us that no matter how frustrating yesterday went, it pales in comparison to memories of the 1998 starting pitcher being announced despite what happened in 1997.

jorgefabregas

Opening day starter is headed to the IL https://mobile.twitter.com/JRFegan/status/1512806628936065028

jhomeslice

Wow, no Lynn/Giolito. That’s just brutal. Cease, Kopech, Keuchel, Lopez, Velasquez until further notice. Jeezus.

26/28. I didn’t get ’79 or ’82.