How the Detroit Tigers Have Fared in Home Openers Over the Past Decade
In this story:
The Detroit Tigers bring the game of baseball back to Comerica Park on Friday afternoon to host the St. Louis Cardinals for the home opener of 2026! These Tigers just spent six games on the road, walking away with a 2-4 record, the exact record they held last season before playing at Comerica Park for the first time in 2025.
Every Detroit fan knows that opening day is the biggest party of the year for the Tigers, and they want to see their team win. Luckily for the fans, the Tigers have fared well when playing against opponents in their home opener over the years. Let's take a look at the last ten, from 2015-2025.
2015 Home Opener: 4-0 Win vs Twins
Back in 2015, the Tigers sent out David Price to get the season underway against the Minnesota Twins. Price pitched in 8.2 innings, allowing five hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out five batters.
Detroit was led at the plate by Alex Avila and J.D. Martinez, both hitting home runs to push the Tigers to a 4-0 victory. The Tigers would start that season 6-0 after sweeping both Minnesota and the then-Cleveland Indians in three-game series apiece.
2016 Home Opener: 4-0 W vs Yankees
Jordan Zimmermann made his Tigers debut in 2016, leading the charge to another 4-0 victory in the home opener at Comerica Park, this time against the New York Yankees. Zimmermann wouldn't have the best career in Detroit, but he started his tenure on the right note.
Miguel Cabrera hit an RBI single and a home run to help push the Tigers over the Bronx Bombers, with a little help from Jose Iglesias and Anthony Gose, both driving in one run.
2017 Home Opener: 6-5 W vs Red Sox
After winning Rookie of the Year in 2016, Michael Fulmer took the mound to get the Tigers' season underway for their home opener. Beating the Boston Red Sox by the final score of 6-5, Detroit secured its victory late after a five-run eighth by Boston.
Victor Martinez, Mikie Mahtook, James McCann and JaCoby Jones all drove in RBIs, leading Detroit to a victory. It was after this season that the Tigers went into full rebuild mode.
2018 Home Opener: 13-10 L vs Pirates
The Tigers took on the Pittsburgh Pirates in an opening day battle, and it was a thriller. Detroit scored four in the ninth to tie the game, and thought they had won via walk-off. The play at the plate was overturned, much to the uproar of fans and players, and they would go on to lose 13-10 in 13 innings.
If there were ever a way to kickstart a rebuilding season that showcased what was to come that year, this was the game to do it.
2019 Home Opener: 5-4 W vs Royals
2019 was rock bottom for the Tigers, but they did get a home opener win against AL Central division rivals, the Kansas City Royals. Spencer Turnbull struck out 10 Royals, and Blaine Hardy got the win after holding down the fort.
Niko Goodrum drove in three, Cabrera and Christian Stewart both drove in one to earn their five runs.
2020 Home Opener: 14-6 L vs Royals
2020 was a forgettable season, and it didn't start well for the Tigers, losing their home opener 14-6. There isn't much to talk about from this game, so let's jump to 2021.
2021 Home Opener: 3-2 W vs Guardians
The Tigers got back into the win column for home opener festivities by beating the Cleveland Guardians 3-2. Matthew Boyd went 5.2 innings and allowed three hits, no runs, walking four and striking out two. Gregory Soto earned the save.
Cabrera hit a home run that game and drove in two RBIs, as Jones drove in the other.
2022 Home Opener: 5-4 W vs White Sox
Making his Tigers debut, Javier Baez won the game for Detroit by hitting a ball off the right field wall, originally ruled an out, but was overturned after it was seen hitting the wall. This had many fans excited for what was to come with Baez in Detroit, but it took him a year or so to find himself following 2022.
2023 Home Opener: 6-3 L vs Red Sox
Turnbull didn't pitch terrifically, allowing five runs in his outing. It didn't help that the Tigers were up against Chris Sale, but Jake Rogers hit a two-run home run to get something started. This was the final year that the Tigers were under .500 as a ball club.
2024 Home Opener: 5-4 W vs Athletics
The Athletics tied the game against the Tigers late, but it was Gio Urshela who collected an RBI double in the eighth inning that would give Detroit the win in front of their fans. Tarik Skubal took the mound, striking out nine yet allowing all four runs, believe it or not.
2025 Home Opener: 7-4 W vs Whte Sox
In his return to the Tigers, Jack Flaherty helped lift the franchise to a 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox. On the offensive side of things, Kerry Carpenter homered twice, and Riley Greene hit one. Looking to have the same success on Friday.
Dominic Minchella is a 2024 Eastern Michigan University graduate with a BA in Communications, Media, and Theatre Arts and a Journalism minor. He covers Major League Baseball for On SI and spends his free time watching games and sharing his insights.