An opener in baseball is a relief pitcher who starts the game and pitches only the first inning or two, after which a starter or long reliever takes over for the bulk of the innings. Teams use openers so their best matchup pitcher faces the top of the order in the first inning, and so the pitcher who follows sees the lineup’s best hitters one fewer time. The strategy was popularized by the Rays, who first used it with Sergio Romo on May 19, 2018, and it is now common in the playoffs: on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the Phillies opened Wild Card Game 1 with Jesus Luzardo ahead of Andrew Painter, and the Astros and White Sox both opened with relievers.
| Term | Who pitches | How long |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional starter | A member of the five man rotation | Five to seven innings, then the bullpen |
| Opener | A reliever, often with a wipeout pitch against the opponent’s top hitters | One or two innings, sometimes just three batters |
| Bulk pitcher (or primary pitcher) | The pitcher who follows the opener, usually a starter or swingman | Three to six innings |
| Bullpen game | Relievers only, no bulk pitcher | Each pitcher covers one or two innings |
Why It Works
The top three hitters in a lineup bat in the first inning every game, and starters get hit harder each time through the order. An opener lets a reliever with a dominant pitch handle those hitters once, then the bulk pitcher starts against the bottom of the order and can go through the lineup twice before the top comes around a third time. It also protects a young or injured pitcher, which is why Philadelphia used Luzardo, back from shoulder inflammation, for a short stint ahead of 23 year old Painter.
The Downsides
Openers burn a reliever who might be needed later, they can leave a team short if the bulk pitcher struggles, and a starter used in the bulk role does not get a win unless he pitches five innings. Wins and losses are credited under the normal rules, so an opener who pitches one scoreless inning gets neither.
Related
What is a bullpen game · Wild Card starting pitchers · What is a quality start · Curveball vs. slider
Background on the first opener from MLB.com.