Johnny Cueto Leading MLB in Wins

After Tuesday's impressive 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Johnny Cueto leads MLB in wins with 17.  

Cueto is on pace for 21 wins, which would make him the first Reds pitcher to win 20+ since Danny Jackson in 1988.

Here is the short list of Cincinnati Reds pitchers who have led the NL or MLB in wins for a full season:

Reds All-Time MLB Leaders in Wins:

1923 - Dolf Luque (27 wins)

1939 - Bucky Walters (27 wins)

1943 - Elmer Riddle (21 wins - tied)

1947 - Ewell Blackwell (22 wins)

1981 - Tom Seaver (14 wins - tied)



Reds All-Time NL Leaders in Wins:

1922 - Eppa Rixey (25 wins)

1926 - Pete Donohue (20 wins - tied)

1940 - Bucky Walters (22 wins)

1944 - Bucky Walters (23 wins)

1961 - Joey Jay (21 wins - tied)

1988 - Danny Jackson (23 wins - tied)

2006 - Aaron Harang (16 wins - tied)

History of Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Starters

Thanks to Johnny Cueto, the Reds have had a true ace ready to go on Opening Day since 2012.  It's nice to get the season off to a good start.

Before Cueto (and Harang, who was at least respectable) Cincinnati fans have endured some atrocious Opening Day starters, most notably from 2002 through 2005:

2002 - Joey Hamilton
2003 - Jimmy Haynes
2004 - Cory Lidle
2005 - Paul Wilson

An unbelievable list, isn't it?

The most Opening Day starts by Cincinnati pitchers:
1) Mario Soto - 6 (1982-86, 1988)
2) Aaron Harang - 5 (2006-10)
2) Pete Donohue - 5 (1923-27)
4) Johnny Cueto - 4 (2012-15)
4) Jose Rijo - 4 (1992-95)
4) Bucky Walters - 4 (1939, 1942, 1945-46)
7) Tom Seaver, Tom Browning, Gary Nolan, Jim O'Toole, Ewell Blackwell, Paul Derringer, Si Johnson all had the honor 3 times

Mario Soto also has the most Opening Day wins (4) and sadly, no other starter has more than 2.  Dolf Luque recorded 2 as a starter and 1 in relief.

Aaron Harang has the most Opening Day losses (4).  Jose Rijo and Bucky Walters both had 3.

The best Cincinnati Opening Day starting pitching performances (in chronological order):
1925 Pete Donohue - 9 IP, 0 R
1928 Dolf Luque - 9 IP, 1 R
1940 Paul Derringer - 9 IP, 1 R
1943 Johnny Vander Meer - 11 IP, 0 R
1959 Bob Purkey - 9 IP, 1 R
1961 Jim O'Toole - 9 IP, 1 R
1963 Jim O'Toole - 9 IP, 1 R
1970 Jim Merritt - 9 IP, 1 R
1975 Don Gullett - 9.2 IP, 1 R (no decision)
1980 Frank Pastore - 9 IP, 0 R
1984 Mario Soto - 9 IP, 1 R
1993 Jose Rijo - 8 IP, 0 R

And now Cueto, who has gone 7 innings in each of his four starts:
2012 - 7 IP, 0 R, 3 H, WIN vs. Marlins
2013 - 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, ND (Reds lost to Angels in extras)
2014 - 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, LOSS vs. Cardinals (Wainwright)
2015 - 7 IP, 0 R, 4 H, ND (Reds won vs. Pittsburgh)