Opening Day Countdown: Yovani Gallardo’s 82nd Win

With just 82 days left until Opening Day, we look back today at Yovani Gallardo’s 82^nd win on Opening Day 2014, with Gallardo outdueling Julio Teheran.  On a day where all eyes were on Ryan Braun (who was making his return from his PED suspension) Gallardo shined through tossing six shutout innings. Braun, not wanting to be outdone, recorded the first over call overturn by MLB’s extended replay system, when he was ruled out on a hit that helped set-up a two-running inning.

On a side note: Yes I know ’82 was the best year in franchise history,  but I figured there’s been enough heartbreak lately in being a Brewer’s fan. If you are really included to have your heartbroken you can here.

Yovani was drafted by the Brewers in the second round of the 2004 MLB Draft and spent all of 2006 and part of 2007 in the Brewers farm system, as one of the best MiLB pitchers, leading the minors in strikeouts (188). His breakout season came in 2009 where he went 13-12 with a 3.73 ERA striking out 204 batters (becoming the 4^th Brewer to strike out 200+ batters).

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On Opening Day 2014, in what would be his last as a starter for the Brewers, Gallardo allowed just four hits on the day, and became the first pitcher in Brewers history to start 5 straight Opening Days.  Gallardo also recorded four strikeouts and allowed two walks on facing twenty-four batters and throwing 92 pitches.

Gallardo posted a quality start that day, even if he hadn’t I’m not sure it would have been noticed by many. Gallardo was overshadowed by Braun (returning from his PED Suspension after having his first ban overturned) and former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was in attendance at the game.

Gallardo would later be traded away that season and the Brewers would find themselves without an Ace, if you ask some Milwaukee’s last true ace was Ben Sheets. However, with 82 days left until Opening Day it only seemed fitting to include Gallardo’s quality Opening Day start.