Kevin Gausman is the Opening Day starter

With just over a week until the season begins, the San Francisco Giants have named their Opening Day starting pitcher: right-hander Kevin Gausman. The choice was openly between Gausman, who had a dynamic 2020, and Johnny Cueto, who is the longest-tenured member of the rotation, and has the most star shine.

Manager Gabe Kapler confirmed that Cueto will follow Gausman in the rotation.

Gausman is coming off of a career year in last 2020’s truncated season, his first with the Giants: he posted a 3.62 ERA, a 3.09 FIP, and 79 strikeouts to 16 walks in 59.2 innings. He hasn’t had a great spring thus far, but then again, it’s spring. That’s what it’s for.

In a trio of Cactus League appearances, Gausman has given up 11 hits, 1 walk, and 5 earned runs (plus 2 unearned runs) in 8 innings, while striking out 7. He’s scheduled to make one more appearance before the April 1 opener against the Seattle Mariners, but that outing is expected to be in a simulation game.

Also of note: Kapler said that Cueto being No. 2 in the rotation puts him in line to start the home opener. Seeing as how that’s the seventh game of the year for the Giants, it suggests that the team will be opening the year with a five-man rotation.

With the 2021 Opening Day starter official, let’s take a look at what the last two decades of Giants Opening Day starters have looked like:

2002: Liván Hernández
2003: Kirk Rueter
2004: Kirk Rueter
2005: Jason Schmidt
2006: Jason Schmidt
2007: Barry Zito
2008: Barry Zito
2009: Tim Lincecum
2010: Tim Lincecum
2011: Tim Lincecum
2012: Tim Lincecum
2013: Matt Cain
2014: Madison Bumgarner
2015: Madison Bumgarner
2016: Madison Bumgarner
2017: Madison Bumgarner
2018: Ty Blach
2019: Madison Bumgarner
2020: Johnny Cueto
2021: Kevin Gausman