| 1986-04-08 | vs KCA | 1 | W 4-2 | 1-0 | 4 | 55,602 | Ron Guidry | Buddy Black | Ron Guidry | Buddy Black | Dave Righetti | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 1986-04-09 | vs KCA | 2 | L 4-7 | 1-1 | 5 | 17,555 | Ed Whitson | Charlie Leibrandt | Steve Farr | Ed Whitson | Dan Quisenberry | 8 | 9 | -1 |
| 1986-04-10 | vs KCA | 3 | W 6-5 | 2-1 | 4 | 13,052 | Joe Niekro | Bret Saberhagen | Dave Righetti | Alan Hargesheimer | | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1986-04-11 | vs MIL | 4 | W 3-2 | 3-1 | 3 | 17,042 | Bob Tewksbury | Bill Wegman | Bob Tewksbury | Bill Wegman | Rod Scurry | 17 | 16 | 1 |
| 1986-04-12 | vs MIL | 5 | W 7-3 | 4-1 | 1 | 21,343 | Dennis Rasmussen | Teddy Higuera | Dennis Rasmussen | Teddy Higuera | Dave Righetti | 24 | 19 | 5 |
| 1986-04-13 | vs MIL | 6 | W 3-2 | 5-1 | 1 | 33,029 | Ron Guidry | Jaime Cocanower | Ron Guidry | Jaime Cocanower | Dave Righetti | 27 | 21 | 6 |
| 1986-04-15 | @ CLE | 7 | W 6-2 | 6-1 | 1 | 3,223 | Joe Niekro | Tom Candiotti | Joe Niekro | Tom Candiotti | Brian Fisher | 33 | 23 | 10 |
| 1986-04-17 | @ CLE | 8 | L 4-6 | 6-2 | 1 | 5,602 | Bob Tewksbury | Phil Niekro | Phil Niekro | Bob Tewksbury | Scott Bailes | 37 | 29 | 8 |
| 1986-04-18 | @ MIL | 9 | L 5-6 | 6-3 | 1 | 9,862 | Dennis Rasmussen | Bill Wegman | Dan Plesac | Brian Fisher | | 42 | 35 | 7 |
| 1986-04-19 | @ MIL | 10 | L 3-4 | 6-4 | 1 | 13,922 | Ron Guidry | Teddy Higuera | Bob McClure | Rod Scurry | | 45 | 39 | 6 |
| 1986-04-20 | @ MIL | 11 | W 5-4 | 7-4 | 1 | 10,423 | Joe Niekro | Tim Leary | Dave Righetti | Mark Clear | | 50 | 43 | 7 |
| 1986-04-21 | @ KCA | 12 | W 8-4 | 8-4 | 1 | 30,569 | Ed Whitson | Bret Saberhagen | Ed Whitson | Bret Saberhagen | | 58 | 47 | 11 |
| 1986-04-22 | @ KCA | 13 | W 5-1 | 9-4 | 1 | 21,875 | Bob Tewksbury | Mark Gubicza | Bob Tewksbury | Mark Gubicza | Dave Righetti | 63 | 48 | 15 |
| 1986-04-23 | @ KCA | 14 | W 2-1 | 10-4 | 1 | 25,861 | Dennis Rasmussen | Dennis Leonard | Dennis Rasmussen | Dennis Leonard | Brian Fisher | 65 | 49 | 16 |
| 1986-04-24 | vs CLE | 15 | W 2-1 | 11-4 | 1 | 17,299 | Ron Guidry | Neal Heaton | Ron Guidry | Neal Heaton | | 67 | 50 | 17 |
| 1986-04-25 | vs CLE | 16 | W 10-3 | 12-4 | 1 | 20,030 | Joe Niekro | Tom Candiotti | Joe Niekro | Tom Candiotti | Dave Righetti | 77 | 53 | 24 |
| 1986-04-26 | vs CLE | 17 | L 2-3 | 12-5 | 1 | 20,195 | Bob Shirley | Don Schulze | Don Schulze | Bob Shirley | Ernie Camacho | 79 | 56 | 23 |
| 1986-04-27 | vs CLE | 18 | L 7-9 | 12-6 | 1 | 46,607 | Bob Tewksbury | Phil Niekro | Scott Bailes | Dave Righetti | Rich Yett | 86 | 65 | 21 |
| 1986-04-29 | vs MIN | 19 | W 14-11 | 13-6 | 1 | 13,213 | Ron Guidry | John Butcher | Ed Whitson | Mark Portugal | | 100 | 76 | 24 |
| 1986-04-30 | vs MIN | 20 | W 3-2 | 14-6 | 1 | 18,774 | Joe Niekro | Bert Blyleven | Joe Niekro | Bert Blyleven | Brian Fisher | 103 | 78 | 25 |
| 1986-05-01 | vs MIN | 21 | L 4-7 | 14-7 | 1 | 15,081 | Dennis Rasmussen | Frank Viola | Juan Agosto | Dennis Rasmussen | | 107 | 85 | 22 |
| 1986-05-02 | vs TEX | 22 | L 0-7 | 14-8 | 1 | 18,455 | Bob Shirley | Ed Correa | Ed Correa | Bob Shirley | | 107 | 92 | 15 |
| 1986-05-03 | vs TEX | 23 | W 9-4 | 15-8 | 1 | 16,847 | Bob Tewksbury | Bobby Witt | Bob Tewksbury | Bobby Witt | Rod Scurry | 116 | 96 | 20 |
| 1986-05-04 | vs TEX | 24 | L 3-4 | 15-9 | 2 | 50,118 | Ron Guidry | Mike Mason | Mitch Williams | Ron Guidry | Greg Harris | 119 | 100 | 19 |
| 1986-05-05 | @ CHA | 25 | W 4-1 | 16-9 | 2 | 17,347 | Joe Niekro | Richard Dotson | Joe Niekro | Richard Dotson | Dave Righetti | 123 | 101 | 22 |
| 1986-05-06 | @ CHA | 26 | W 10-6 | 17-9 | 2 | 17,850 | Dennis Rasmussen | Tom Seaver | Brian Fisher | Bill Dawley | | 133 | 107 | 26 |
| 1986-05-07 | @ CHA | 27 | W 5-1 | 18-9 | 2 | 15,626 | Tommy John | Floyd Bannister | Tommy John | Floyd Bannister | Dave Righetti | 138 | 108 | 30 |
| 1986-05-10 | @ TEX | 28 | W 4-3 | 19-9 | 1 | 37,373 | Ron Guidry | Bobby Witt | Ron Guidry | Greg Harris | Dave Righetti | 142 | 111 | 31 |
| 1986-05-11 | @ TEX | 29 | L 3-6 | 19-11 | 2 | 0 | Joe Niekro | Mike Mason | Mike Mason | Joe Niekro | Greg Harris | 145 | 117 | 28 |
| 1986-05-11 | @ TEX | 30 | L 1-9 | 19-11 | 2 | 25,423 | Bob Tewksbury | Jose Guzman | Jose Guzman | Bob Tewksbury | | 146 | 126 | 20 |
| 1986-05-12 | @ MIN | 31 | W 9-8 | 20-11 | 2 | 14,666 | Dennis Rasmussen | Mark Portugal | Dennis Rasmussen | Mark Portugal | Dave Righetti | 155 | 134 | 21 |
| 1986-05-13 | @ MIN | 32 | W 6-4 | 21-11 | 1 | 13,824 | Tommy John | Bert Blyleven | Tommy John | Bert Blyleven | Dave Righetti | 161 | 138 | 23 |
| 1986-05-14 | vs CHA | 33 | L 2-3 | 21-12 | 2 | 20,188 | Bob Shirley | Joel Davis | Joel McKeon | Brian Fisher | Bob James | 163 | 141 | 22 |
| 1986-05-15 | vs CHA | 34 | L 1-8 | 21-13 | 2 | 17,123 | Ron Guidry | Neil Allen | Neil Allen | Ron Guidry | | 164 | 149 | 15 |
| 1986-05-16 | vs SEA | 35 | L 3-7 | 21-14 | 2 | 18,321 | Joe Niekro | Mark Langston | Mark Langston | Joe Niekro | Pete Ladd | 167 | 156 | 11 |
| 1986-05-17 | vs SEA | 36 | W 11-6 | 22-14 | 2 | 18,324 | Bob Tewksbury | Matt Young | Bob Tewksbury | Matt Young | | 178 | 162 | 16 |
| 1986-05-18 | vs SEA | 37 | W 11-3 | 23-14 | 2 | 40,182 | Dennis Rasmussen | Mike Morgan | Dennis Rasmussen | Mike Morgan | | 189 | 165 | 24 |
| 1986-05-20 | vs OAK | 38 | L 1-2 | 23-15 | 2 | 17,895 | Ron Guidry | Curt Young | Curt Young | Ron Guidry | Jay Howell | 190 | 167 | 23 |
| 1986-05-21 | vs OAK | 39 | W 10-4 | 24-15 | 2 | 18,249 | Joe Niekro | Moose Haas | Joe Niekro | Eric Plunk | | 200 | 171 | 29 |
| 1986-05-22 | vs OAK | 40 | W 4-3 | 25-15 | 2 | 20,396 | Bob Shirley | Joaquin Andujar | Dave Righetti | Jay Howell | | 204 | 174 | 30 |
| 1986-05-23 | vs CAL | 41 | W 10-5 | 26-15 | 2 | 26,491 | Dennis Rasmussen | Don Sutton | Ed Whitson | Don Sutton | | 214 | 179 | 35 |
| 1986-05-24 | vs CAL | 42 | W 7-6 | 27-15 | 2 | 25,114 | Tommy John | Ron Romanick | Dave Righetti | Donnie Moore | | 221 | 185 | 36 |
| 1986-05-25 | vs CAL | 43 | W 8-5 | 28-15 | 2 | 50,906 | Ron Guidry | Kirk McCaskill | Al Holland | Doug Corbett | | 229 | 190 | 39 |
| 1986-05-26 | vs CAL | 44 | L 7-8 | 28-16 | 2 | 30,475 | Joe Niekro | Mike Witt | Mike Witt | Dave Righetti | Terry Forster | 236 | 198 | 38 |
| 1986-05-28 | @ SEA | 45 | W 6-5 | 29-16 | 2 | 12,890 | Bob Tewksbury | Mike Morgan | Ed Whitson | Mike Morgan | Dave Righetti | 242 | 203 | 39 |
| 1986-05-29 | @ SEA | 46 | W 2-0 | 30-16 | 2 | 13,889 | Dennis Rasmussen | Milt Wilcox | Dennis Rasmussen | Milt Wilcox | Dave Righetti | 244 | 203 | 41 |
| 1986-05-30 | @ OAK | 47 | L 3-6 | 30-17 | 2 | 37,449 | Joe Niekro | Curt Young | Curt Young | Joe Niekro | Bill Mooneyham | 247 | 209 | 38 |
| 1986-05-31 | @ OAK | 48 | L 3-4 | 30-18 | 2 | 35,234 | Ron Guidry | Eric Plunk | Steve Ontiveros | Ron Guidry | | 250 | 213 | 37 |
| 1986-06-01 | @ OAK | 49 | W 7-1 | 31-18 | 2 | 43,197 | Tommy John | Dave Stewart | Tommy John | Dave Leiper | | 257 | 214 | 43 |
| 1986-06-02 | @ CAL | 50 | L 7-8 | 31-19 | 2 | 32,746 | Ed Whitson | Jim Slaton | Chuck Finley | Dave Righetti | | 264 | 222 | 42 |
| 1986-06-03 | @ CAL | 51 | L 2-4 | 31-20 | 2 | 33,309 | Dennis Rasmussen | Don Sutton | Don Sutton | Dennis Rasmussen | Terry Forster | 266 | 226 | 40 |
| 1986-06-04 | @ CAL | 52 | W 11-0 | 32-20 | 2 | 39,676 | Joe Niekro | Ron Romanick | Joe Niekro | Ron Romanick | | 277 | 226 | 51 |
| 1986-06-06 | vs BAL | 53 | L 2-5 | 32-21 | 3 | 36,511 | Ron Guidry | Scott McGregor | Scott McGregor | Ron Guidry | Don Aase | 279 | 231 | 48 |
| 1986-06-07 | vs BAL | 54 | L 5-7 | 32-22 | 3 | 26,858 | Tommy John | Mike Boddicker | Mike Boddicker | Tommy John | Don Aase | 284 | 238 | 46 |
| 1986-06-08 | vs BAL | 55 | L 9-18 | 32-23 | 3 | 52,021 | Ed Whitson | Ken Dixon | Ken Dixon | Ed Whitson | Tippy Martinez | 293 | 256 | 37 |
| 1986-06-09 | @ DET | 56 | W 9-7 | 33-23 | 3 | 29,265 | Dennis Rasmussen | Jack Morris | Ed Whitson | Bill Scherrer | Bob Shirley | 302 | 263 | 39 |
| 1986-06-10 | @ DET | 57 | W 6-3 | 34-23 | 3 | 26,141 | Joe Niekro | Walt Terrell | Joe Niekro | Walt Terrell | Dave Righetti | 308 | 266 | 42 |
| 1986-06-11 | @ DET | 58 | L 3-9 | 34-24 | 3 | 26,256 | Ron Guidry | Frank Tanana | Frank Tanana | Ron Guidry | Guillermo Hernandez | 311 | 275 | 36 |
| 1986-06-12 | @ BAL | 59 | W 7-5 | 35-24 | 3 | 32,135 | Alfonso Pulido | Ken Dixon | Brian Fisher | Tippy Martinez | Dave Righetti | 318 | 280 | 38 |
| 1986-06-13 | @ BAL | 60 | W 3-1 | 36-24 | 2 | 47,220 | Bob Tewksbury | Storm Davis | Bob Tewksbury | Storm Davis | Dave Righetti | 321 | 281 | 40 |
| 1986-06-14 | @ BAL | 61 | W 4-2 | 37-24 | 2 | 43,487 | Dennis Rasmussen | Scott McGregor | Dennis Rasmussen | Scott McGregor | Dave Righetti | 325 | 283 | 42 |
| 1986-06-15 | @ BAL | 62 | L 3-4 | 37-25 | 2 | 43,910 | Doug Drabek | Mike Boddicker | Mike Boddicker | Brian Fisher | Don Aase | 328 | 287 | 41 |
| 1986-06-16 | vs BOS | 63 | L 1-10 | 37-26 | 2 | 45,576 | Ron Guidry | Roger Clemens | Roger Clemens | Ron Guidry | | 329 | 297 | 32 |
| 1986-06-17 | vs BOS | 64 | L 6-7 | 37-27 | 2 | 40,167 | Joe Niekro | Rob Woodward | Bob Stanley | Joe Niekro | Joe Sambito | 335 | 304 | 31 |
| 1986-06-18 | vs BOS | 65 | L 2-5 | 37-28 | 2 | 41,841 | Bob Tewksbury | Oil Can Boyd | Oil Can Boyd | Bob Shirley | | 337 | 309 | 28 |
| 1986-06-19 | @ TOR | 66 | L 9-10 | 37-29 | 2 | 35,389 | Dennis Rasmussen | Dave Stieb | Bill Caudill | Dave Righetti | | 346 | 319 | 27 |
| 1986-06-20 | @ TOR | 67 | W 10-8 | 38-29 | 2 | 38,109 | Doug Drabek | John Cerutti | Brian Fisher | Don Gordon | | 356 | 327 | 29 |
| 1986-06-21 | @ TOR | 68 | W 4-2 | 39-29 | 2 | 43,678 | Ron Guidry | Doyle Alexander | Dave Righetti | Dennis Lamp | Alfonso Pulido | 360 | 329 | 31 |
| 1986-06-22 | @ TOR | 69 | L 1-15 | 39-30 | 2 | 40,101 | Joe Niekro | Jimmy Key | Jimmy Key | Joe Niekro | | 361 | 344 | 17 |
| 1986-06-23 | @ BOS | 70 | W 11-3 | 40-30 | 2 | 35,355 | Bob Tewksbury | Oil Can Boyd | Brian Fisher | Oil Can Boyd | | 372 | 347 | 25 |
| 1986-06-24 | @ BOS | 71 | W 8-1 | 41-30 | 2 | 34,382 | Dennis Rasmussen | Rob Woodward | Dennis Rasmussen | Rob Woodward | | 380 | 348 | 32 |
| 1986-06-25 | @ BOS | 72 | L 4-5 | 41-31 | 2 | 35,015 | Doug Drabek | Al Nipper | Al Nipper | Doug Drabek | Joe Sambito | 384 | 353 | 31 |
| 1986-06-27 | vs TOR | 73 | L 7-14 | 41-32 | 2 | 30,815 | Ron Guidry | Doyle Alexander | Jim Acker | Brian Fisher | Tom Henke | 391 | 367 | 24 |
| 1986-06-28 | vs TOR | 74 | L 4-7 | 41-33 | 2 | 43,187 | Joe Niekro | Jimmy Key | Jimmy Key | Joe Niekro | | 395 | 374 | 21 |
| 1986-06-29 | vs TOR | 75 | L 3-6 | 41-34 | 2 | 35,437 | Bob Tewksbury | Dave Stieb | John Cerutti | Brian Fisher | Tom Henke | 398 | 380 | 18 |
| 1986-06-30 | vs DET | 76 | W 3-2 | 42-34 | 2 | 20,207 | Dennis Rasmussen | Walt Terrell | Dennis Rasmussen | Walt Terrell | Dave Righetti | 401 | 382 | 19 |
| 1986-07-01 | vs DET | 77 | W 5-4 | 43-34 | 2 | 20,570 | Doug Drabek | Frank Tanana | Dave Righetti | Guillermo Hernandez | | 406 | 386 | 20 |
| 1986-07-02 | vs DET | 78 | L 3-8 | 43-35 | 2 | 20,209 | Ron Guidry | Dave LaPoint | Dave LaPoint | Ron Guidry | Guillermo Hernandez | 409 | 394 | 15 |
| 1986-07-03 | vs DET | 79 | W 9-5 | 44-35 | 2 | 43,227 | Alfonso Pulido | Eric King | Alfonso Pulido | Eric King | Dave Righetti | 418 | 399 | 19 |
| 1986-07-04 | @ CHA | 80 | L 1-2 | 44-36 | 2 | 31,971 | Bob Tewksbury | Richard Dotson | Richard Dotson | Bob Tewksbury | | 419 | 401 | 18 |
| 1986-07-05 | @ CHA | 81 | W 8-0 | 45-36 | 2 | 21,759 | Dennis Rasmussen | Joe Cowley | Dennis Rasmussen | Joe Cowley | | 427 | 401 | 26 |
| 1986-07-06 | @ CHA | 82 | L 2-5 | 45-37 | 3 | 26,335 | Doug Drabek | Floyd Bannister | Floyd Bannister | Doug Drabek | Bob James | 429 | 406 | 23 |
| 1986-07-07 | @ TEX | 83 | W 14-3 | 46-37 | 2 | 19,020 | Scott Nielsen | Charlie Hough | Scott Nielsen | Charlie Hough | | 443 | 409 | 34 |
| 1986-07-08 | @ TEX | 84 | L 1-6 | 46-38 | 2 | 23,652 | Alfonso Pulido | Mike Mason | Mike Mason | Alfonso Pulido | | 444 | 415 | 29 |
| 1986-07-09 | @ TEX | 85 | W 5-4 | 47-38 | 2 | 26,715 | Bob Tewksbury | Jose Guzman | Bob Tewksbury | Jose Guzman | Dave Righetti | 449 | 419 | 30 |
| 1986-07-10 | @ MIN | 86 | W 11-1 | 48-38 | 2 | 21,759 | Dennis Rasmussen | Frank Viola | Dennis Rasmussen | Frank Viola | | 460 | 420 | 40 |
| 1986-07-11 | @ MIN | 87 | W 9-3 | 49-38 | 2 | 25,020 | Doug Drabek | Neal Heaton | Doug Drabek | Neal Heaton | Brian Fisher | 469 | 423 | 46 |
| 1986-07-12 | @ MIN | 88 | W 8-0 | 50-38 | 2 | 30,366 | Scott Nielsen | Mike Smithson | Scott Nielsen | Mike Smithson | | 477 | 423 | 54 |
| 1986-07-13 | @ MIN | 89 | L 0-5 | 50-39 | 2 | 26,722 | Bob Tewksbury | Bert Blyleven | Bert Blyleven | Bob Tewksbury | | 477 | 428 | 49 |
| 1986-07-17 | vs CHA | 90 | W 5-4 | 51-39 | 2 | 25,152 | Dennis Rasmussen | Richard Dotson | Dennis Rasmussen | Richard Dotson | Dave Righetti | 482 | 432 | 50 |
| 1986-07-18 | vs CHA | 91 | W 8-4 | 52-39 | 2 | 30,124 | Joe Niekro | Floyd Bannister | Joe Niekro | Floyd Bannister | Dave Righetti | 490 | 436 | 54 |
| 1986-07-19 | vs CHA | 92 | L 3-8 | 52-40 | 2 | 46,530 | Scott Nielsen | Joe Cowley | Joe Cowley | Scott Nielsen | Gene Nelson | 493 | 444 | 49 |
| 1986-07-20 | vs CHA | 93 | L 0-8 | 52-41 | 2 | 31,158 | Bob Shirley | Neil Allen | Neil Allen | Bob Shirley | | 493 | 452 | 41 |
| 1986-07-21 | vs TEX | 94 | W 8-4 | 53-41 | 2 | 20,109 | Doug Drabek | Bobby Witt | Doug Drabek | Bobby Witt | Dave Righetti | 501 | 456 | 45 |
| 1986-07-22 | vs TEX | 95 | W 9-1 | 54-41 | 2 | 26,099 | Dennis Rasmussen | Ed Correa | Dennis Rasmussen | Ed Correa | | 510 | 457 | 53 |
| 1986-07-23 | vs TEX | 96 | W 3-2 | 55-41 | 2 | 31,640 | Joe Niekro | Charlie Hough | Dave Righetti | Charlie Hough | | 513 | 459 | 54 |
| 1986-07-25 | vs MIN | 97 | L 5-9 | 55-42 | 2 | 32,201 | Scott Nielsen | Neal Heaton | Neal Heaton | Scott Nielsen | Keith Atherton | 518 | 468 | 50 |
| 1986-07-26 | vs MIN | 98 | L 4-8 | 55-43 | 2 | 36,335 | Doug Drabek | Frank Viola | Allan Anderson | Doug Drabek | | 522 | 476 | 46 |
| 1986-07-27 | vs MIN | 99 | W 4-1 | 56-43 | 2 | 30,312 | Ron Guidry | Bert Blyleven | Ron Guidry | Bert Blyleven | Dave Righetti | 526 | 477 | 49 |
| 1986-07-28 | @ MIL | 100 | L 4-5 | 56-44 | 2 | 37,488 | Joe Niekro | Juan Nieves | Juan Nieves | Joe Niekro | Dan Plesac | 530 | 482 | 48 |
| 1986-07-29 | @ MIL | 101 | L 4-6 | 56-45 | 2 | 25,630 | Scott Nielsen | Danny Darwin | Danny Darwin | Scott Nielsen | Mark Clear | 534 | 488 | 46 |
| 1986-07-30 | @ MIL | 102 | L 0-5 | 56-46 | 2 | 30,599 | Doug Drabek | Teddy Higuera | Teddy Higuera | Doug Drabek | | 534 | 493 | 41 |
| 1986-08-01 | @ CLE | 103 | L 3-4 | 57-47 | 3 | 0 | Ron Guidry | Bryan Oelkers | Phil Niekro | Ron Guidry | Ernie Camacho | 537 | 497 | 40 |
| 1986-08-01 | @ CLE | 104 | W 5-3 | 57-47 | 3 | 64,934 | Joe Niekro | Tom Candiotti | Brian Fisher | Tom Candiotti | Dave Righetti | 542 | 500 | 42 |
| 1986-08-02 | @ CLE | 105 | L 5-6 | 57-48 | 3 | 42,201 | Bob Shirley | Ken Schrom | Dickie Noles | Dave Righetti | | 547 | 506 | 41 |
| 1986-08-03 | @ CLE | 106 | W 12-8 | 58-48 | 3 | 45,356 | Al Holland | Phil Niekro | Rod Scurry | Phil Niekro | Brian Fisher | 559 | 514 | 45 |
| 1986-08-04 | vs MIL | 107 | L 4-5 | 58-49 | 3 | 21,869 | Doug Drabek | Teddy Higuera | Teddy Higuera | Doug Drabek | Mark Clear | 563 | 519 | 44 |
| 1986-08-05 | vs MIL | 108 | L 1-2 | 58-50 | 3 | 22,014 | Dennis Rasmussen | Bill Wegman | Dan Plesac | Dave Righetti | Mark Clear | 564 | 521 | 43 |
| 1986-08-06 | vs MIL | 109 | W 5-3 | 59-50 | 3 | 21,395 | Ron Guidry | Juan Nieves | Ron Guidry | Juan Nieves | Brian Fisher | 569 | 524 | 45 |
| 1986-08-07 | vs MIL | 110 | L 2-10 | 59-51 | 4 | 18,121 | Joe Niekro | Tim Leary | Tim Leary | Joe Niekro | John Henry Johnson | 571 | 534 | 37 |
| 1986-08-08 | vs KCA | 111 | W 2-0 | 60-51 | 3 | 32,086 | Tommy John | Charlie Leibrandt | Tommy John | Charlie Leibrandt | Dave Righetti | 573 | 534 | 39 |
| 1986-08-09 | vs KCA | 112 | W 3-2 | 61-51 | 2 | 45,086 | Doug Drabek | Bret Saberhagen | Brian Fisher | Buddy Black | | 576 | 536 | 40 |
| 1986-08-10 | vs KCA | 113 | L 3-13 | 61-52 | 2 | 40,198 | Dennis Rasmussen | Scott Bankhead | Scott Bankhead | Dennis Rasmussen | | 579 | 549 | 30 |
| 1986-08-11 | vs CLE | 114 | W 6-5 | 62-52 | 2 | 21,343 | Ron Guidry | Phil Niekro | Brian Fisher | Frank Wills | | 585 | 554 | 31 |
| 1986-08-12 | vs CLE | 115 | W 6-4 | 63-52 | 2 | 21,913 | Joe Niekro | Ken Schrom | Tim Stoddard | Rich Yett | Dave Righetti | 591 | 558 | 33 |
| 1986-08-13 | vs CLE | 116 | W 4-0 | 64-52 | 2 | 25,139 | Tommy John | Tom Candiotti | Tommy John | Tom Candiotti | Dave Righetti | 595 | 558 | 37 |
| 1986-08-15 | @ KCA | 117 | W 7-4 | 65-52 | 2 | 40,302 | Doug Drabek | Scott Bankhead | Doug Drabek | Scott Bankhead | Dave Righetti | 602 | 562 | 40 |
| 1986-08-16 | @ KCA | 118 | L 2-4 | 65-53 | 2 | 39,426 | Dennis Rasmussen | Danny Jackson | Danny Jackson | Dennis Rasmussen | Buddy Black | 604 | 566 | 38 |
| 1986-08-17 | @ KCA | 119 | L 0-5 | 65-54 | 2 | 39,484 | Ron Guidry | Mark Gubicza | Mark Gubicza | Ron Guidry | | 604 | 571 | 33 |
| 1986-08-19 | vs SEA | 120 | L 3-7 | 65-55 | 2 | 23,169 | Tommy John | Mark Langston | Mark Langston | Tommy John | | 607 | 578 | 29 |
| 1986-08-20 | vs SEA | 121 | W 5-2 | 66-55 | 2 | 26,205 | Doug Drabek | Mike Moore | Tim Stoddard | Mike Moore | Dave Righetti | 612 | 580 | 32 |
| 1986-08-22 | vs OAK | 122 | W 3-2 | 67-55 | 2 | 30,185 | Dennis Rasmussen | Joaquin Andujar | Dennis Rasmussen | Joaquin Andujar | Dave Righetti | 615 | 582 | 33 |
| 1986-08-23 | vs OAK | 123 | L 1-2 | 67-56 | 2 | 40,179 | Ron Guidry | Curt Young | Curt Young | Dave Righetti | Jay Howell | 616 | 584 | 32 |
| 1986-08-24 | vs OAK | 124 | L 4-11 | 67-57 | 2 | 31,796 | Tommy John | Dave Stewart | Dave Stewart | Rod Scurry | | 620 | 595 | 25 |
| 1986-08-25 | vs CAL | 125 | L 3-5 | 67-58 | 2 | 30,941 | Joe Niekro | John Candelaria | John Candelaria | Joe Niekro | Donnie Moore | 623 | 600 | 23 |
| 1986-08-26 | vs CAL | 126 | L 0-2 | 67-59 | 2 | 28,060 | Doug Drabek | Mike Witt | Mike Witt | Doug Drabek | | 623 | 602 | 21 |
| 1986-08-28 | @ SEA | 127 | W 4-2 | 68-59 | 3 | 13,343 | Dennis Rasmussen | Mike Morgan | Dennis Rasmussen | Mike Morgan | Dave Righetti | 627 | 604 | 23 |
| 1986-08-29 | @ SEA | 128 | W 13-12 | 69-59 | 3 | 14,211 | Ron Guidry | Mark Langston | Tim Stoddard | Karl Best | Dave Righetti | 640 | 616 | 24 |
| 1986-08-30 | @ SEA | 129 | L 0-1 | 70-60 | 3 | 0 | Tommy John | Bill Swift | Bill Swift | Tommy John | Matt Young | 640 | 617 | 23 |
| 1986-08-30 | @ SEA | 130 | W 3-0 | 70-60 | 3 | 26,065 | Joe Niekro | Mike Brown | Joe Niekro | Mike Brown | Dave Righetti | 643 | 617 | 26 |
| 1986-08-31 | @ SEA | 131 | L 2-6 | 70-61 | 3 | 11,944 | Doug Drabek | Mike Moore | Mike Moore | Doug Drabek | | 645 | 623 | 22 |
| 1986-09-01 | @ OAK | 132 | L 8-9 | 70-62 | 3 | 30,167 | Mike Armstrong | Bill Krueger | Bill Krueger | Mike Armstrong | Dave Von Ohlen | 653 | 632 | 21 |
| 1986-09-02 | @ OAK | 133 | W 9-8 | 71-62 | 3 | 11,142 | Dennis Rasmussen | Curt Young | Brian Fisher | Jay Howell | Dave Righetti | 662 | 640 | 22 |
| 1986-09-03 | @ OAK | 134 | L 3-5 | 71-63 | 3 | 10,164 | Ron Guidry | Dave Stewart | Dave Stewart | Tim Stoddard | | 665 | 645 | 20 |
| 1986-09-05 | @ CAL | 135 | W 7-4 | 72-63 | 3 | 44,701 | Doug Drabek | Ray Chadwick | Doug Drabek | Ray Chadwick | Dave Righetti | 672 | 649 | 23 |
| 1986-09-06 | @ CAL | 136 | L 2-9 | 72-64 | 3 | 51,182 | Joe Niekro | Mike Witt | Mike Witt | Joe Niekro | | 674 | 658 | 16 |
| 1986-09-07 | @ CAL | 137 | L 2-7 | 72-65 | 3 | 35,480 | Dennis Rasmussen | Don Sutton | Don Sutton | Dennis Rasmussen | Gary Lucas | 676 | 665 | 11 |
| 1986-09-09 | @ TOR | 138 | W 3-1 | 73-65 | 3 | 35,353 | Ron Guidry | Dave Stieb | Ron Guidry | Mark Eichhorn | Dave Righetti | 679 | 666 | 13 |
| 1986-09-11 | @ TOR | 139 | W 3-1 | 75-65 | 3 | 0 | Doug Drabek | Jimmy Key | Doug Drabek | Jimmy Key | Dave Righetti | 682 | 667 | 15 |
| 1986-09-11 | @ TOR | 140 | W 7-5 | 75-65 | 3 | 33,292 | Bob Tewksbury | John Cerutti | Brian Fisher | Tom Henke | Dave Righetti | 689 | 672 | 17 |
| 1986-09-12 | vs BOS | 141 | L 2-7 | 75-66 | 3 | 42,024 | Scott Nielsen | Bruce Hurst | Bruce Hurst | Scott Nielsen | | 691 | 679 | 12 |
| 1986-09-13 | vs BOS | 142 | W 11-6 | 76-66 | 3 | 50,116 | Dennis Rasmussen | Tom Seaver | Dennis Rasmussen | Tom Seaver | Bob Shirley | 702 | 685 | 17 |
| 1986-09-14 | vs BOS | 143 | W 11-5 | 77-66 | 2 | 51,461 | Ron Guidry | Al Nipper | Ron Guidry | Al Nipper | Dave Righetti | 713 | 690 | 23 |
| 1986-09-15 | vs BAL | 144 | W 5-3 | 78-66 | 2 | 17,377 | Brad Arnsberg | Mike Boddicker | Tim Stoddard | Mike Boddicker | Dave Righetti | 718 | 693 | 25 |
| 1986-09-16 | vs BAL | 145 | W 8-1 | 79-66 | 2 | 18,747 | Doug Drabek | Scott McGregor | Doug Drabek | Scott McGregor | Bob Shirley | 726 | 694 | 32 |
| 1986-09-17 | vs BAL | 146 | L 3-8 | 79-67 | 2 | 18,056 | Bob Tewksbury | Eric Bell | Eric Bell | Bob Tewksbury | Don Aase | 729 | 702 | 27 |
| 1986-09-19 | @ DET | 147 | L 3-8 | 79-68 | 3 | 23,572 | Dennis Rasmussen | Dan Petry | Dan Petry | Dennis Rasmussen | Eric King | 732 | 710 | 22 |
| 1986-09-20 | @ DET | 148 | W 5-2 | 80-68 | 3 | 31,157 | Ron Guidry | Frank Tanana | Ron Guidry | Frank Tanana | | 737 | 712 | 25 |
| 1986-09-21 | @ DET | 149 | L 1-3 | 80-69 | 3 | 25,113 | Doug Drabek | Walt Terrell | Walt Terrell | Doug Drabek | Guillermo Hernandez | 738 | 715 | 23 |
| 1986-09-22 | @ BAL | 150 | W 4-2 | 81-69 | 2 | 19,081 | Bob Tewksbury | Scott McGregor | Bob Tewksbury | Scott McGregor | Dave Righetti | 742 | 717 | 25 |
| 1986-09-23 | @ BAL | 151 | W 5-3 | 82-69 | 2 | 19,728 | Scott Nielsen | Eric Bell | Dave Righetti | Rich Bordi | | 747 | 720 | 27 |
| 1986-09-24 | @ BAL | 152 | W 4-1 | 83-69 | 2 | 20,004 | Dennis Rasmussen | Mike Flanagan | Dennis Rasmussen | Mike Flanagan | Dave Righetti | 751 | 721 | 30 |
| 1986-09-26 | vs DET | 153 | L 2-3 | 83-70 | 3 | 21,902 | Ron Guidry | Walt Terrell | Walt Terrell | Ron Guidry | Mark Thurmond | 753 | 724 | 29 |
| 1986-09-27 | vs DET | 154 | L 0-1 | 83-71 | 3 | 25,778 | Doug Drabek | Jack Morris | Jack Morris | Dave Righetti | | 753 | 725 | 28 |
| 1986-09-28 | vs DET | 155 | W 10-2 | 84-71 | 2 | 30,022 | Bob Tewksbury | Bryan Kelly | Bob Tewksbury | Bryan Kelly | | 763 | 727 | 36 |
| 1986-09-29 | vs TOR | 156 | W 8-1 | 85-71 | 2 | 15,770 | Dennis Rasmussen | John Cerutti | Dennis Rasmussen | John Cerutti | | 771 | 728 | 43 |
| 1986-09-30 | vs TOR | 157 | W 5-2 | 86-71 | 2 | 15,166 | Scott Nielsen | Dave Stieb | Scott Nielsen | Dave Stieb | Dave Righetti | 776 | 730 | 46 |
| 1986-10-01 | vs TOR | 158 | L 0-3 | 86-72 | 2 | 17,876 | Ron Guidry | Jimmy Key | Jimmy Key | Ron Guidry | Tom Henke | 776 | 733 | 43 |
| 1986-10-02 | @ BOS | 159 | W 6-1 | 87-72 | 2 | 31,697 | Doug Drabek | Bruce Hurst | Doug Drabek | Bruce Hurst | Dave Righetti | 782 | 734 | 48 |
| 1986-10-04 | @ BOS | 160 | W 5-3 | 89-72 | 2 | 0 | Bob Tewksbury | Oil Can Boyd | Bob Tewksbury | Steve Crawford | Dave Righetti | 787 | 737 | 50 |
| 1986-10-04 | @ BOS | 161 | W 3-1 | 89-72 | 2 | 34,290 | Dennis Rasmussen | Al Nipper | Dennis Rasmussen | Al Nipper | Dave Righetti | 790 | 738 | 52 |
| 1986-10-05 | @ BOS | 162 | W 7-0 | 90-72 | 2 | 32,735 | Scott Nielsen | Jeff Sellers | Scott Nielsen | Jeff Sellers | | 797 | 738 | 59 |