| 1986-04-08 | @ TEX | 1 | L 3-6 | 0-1 | 7 | 40,602 | Dave Stieb | Jose Guzman | Jose Guzman | Dave Stieb | Greg Harris | 3 | 6 | -3 |
| 1986-04-09 | @ TEX | 2 | W 3-1 | 1-1 | 6 | 8,589 | Doyle Alexander | Ed Correa | Doyle Alexander | Ed Correa | Tom Henke | 6 | 7 | -1 |
| 1986-04-10 | @ TEX | 3 | W 11-10 | 2-1 | 5 | 8,341 | Jimmy Key | Bobby Witt | Tom Henke | Greg Harris | | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1986-04-11 | @ KCA | 4 | W 6-2 | 3-1 | 4 | 39,033 | Jim Clancy | Mark Gubicza | Jim Clancy | Mark Gubicza | | 23 | 19 | 4 |
| 1986-04-12 | @ KCA | 5 | L 0-1 | 3-2 | 4 | 24,332 | Jim Acker | Dennis Leonard | Dennis Leonard | Jim Acker | | 23 | 20 | 3 |
| 1986-04-13 | @ KCA | 6 | L 4-7 | 3-3 | 7 | 26,684 | Dave Stieb | Buddy Black | Buddy Black | Dave Stieb | Steve Farr | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1986-04-14 | vs BAL | 7 | L 1-2 | 3-4 | 7 | 43,587 | Doyle Alexander | Mike Boddicker | Mike Boddicker | Doyle Alexander | | 28 | 29 | -1 |
| 1986-04-17 | vs BAL | 8 | L 3-5 | 4-5 | 6 | 0 | Jimmy Key | Mike Flanagan | Mike Flanagan | Jimmy Key | Don Aase | 31 | 34 | -3 |
| 1986-04-17 | vs BAL | 9 | W 7-4 | 4-5 | 6 | 19,251 | Jim Clancy | Ken Dixon | Tom Henke | Tippy Martinez | | 38 | 38 | 0 |
| 1986-04-18 | vs KCA | 10 | L 4-6 | 4-6 | 7 | 21,224 | Dave Stieb | Dennis Leonard | Dennis Leonard | Dave Stieb | Dan Quisenberry | 42 | 44 | -2 |
| 1986-04-19 | vs KCA | 11 | W 6-5 | 5-6 | 7 | 26,149 | Doyle Alexander | Buddy Black | Doyle Alexander | Buddy Black | Tom Henke | 48 | 49 | -1 |
| 1986-04-20 | vs KCA | 12 | L 4-6 | 5-7 | 7 | 38,141 | Jim Acker | Charlie Leibrandt | Charlie Leibrandt | Dennis Lamp | Dan Quisenberry | 52 | 55 | -3 |
| 1986-04-21 | vs TEX | 13 | W 7-6 | 6-7 | 6 | 16,219 | Jimmy Key | Ed Correa | Mark Eichhorn | Greg Harris | Tom Henke | 59 | 61 | -2 |
| 1986-04-22 | vs TEX | 14 | L 1-10 | 6-8 | 6 | 16,161 | Jim Clancy | Bobby Witt | Bobby Witt | Jim Clancy | Mickey Mahler | 60 | 71 | -11 |
| 1986-04-23 | vs TEX | 15 | L 8-9 | 6-9 | 6 | 17,281 | Dave Stieb | Mike Mason | Mitch Williams | Dennis Lamp | Greg Harris | 68 | 80 | -12 |
| 1986-04-25 | @ BAL | 16 | W 2-1 | 7-9 | 6 | 20,524 | Doyle Alexander | Storm Davis | Mark Eichhorn | Don Aase | | 70 | 81 | -11 |
| 1986-04-26 | @ BAL | 17 | L 5-11 | 7-10 | 7 | 22,659 | Jimmy Key | Mike Flanagan | Brad Havens | Tom Henke | | 75 | 92 | -17 |
| 1986-04-27 | @ BAL | 18 | W 8-0 | 8-10 | 6 | 29,928 | Jim Clancy | Ken Dixon | Jim Clancy | Ken Dixon | | 83 | 92 | -9 |
| 1986-04-29 | vs CAL | 19 | L 3-4 | 8-11 | 7 | 18,103 | Dave Stieb | Kirk McCaskill | Terry Forster | Mark Eichhorn | Donnie Moore | 86 | 96 | -10 |
| 1986-04-30 | vs CAL | 20 | W 6-4 | 9-11 | 7 | 18,171 | Doyle Alexander | Mike Witt | Doyle Alexander | Donnie Moore | | 92 | 100 | -8 |
| 1986-05-01 | vs CAL | 21 | L 4-7 | 9-12 | 7 | 20,102 | Jimmy Key | Jim Slaton | Jim Slaton | Jimmy Key | Donnie Moore | 96 | 107 | -11 |
| 1986-05-02 | vs SEA | 22 | L 2-3 | 9-13 | 7 | 18,134 | Jim Clancy | Milt Wilcox | Pete Ladd | Mark Eichhorn | | 98 | 110 | -12 |
| 1986-05-03 | vs SEA | 23 | L 2-4 | 9-14 | 7 | 27,115 | Jim Acker | Mike Morgan | Mike Morgan | Jim Acker | Pete Ladd | 100 | 114 | -14 |
| 1986-05-04 | vs SEA | 24 | W 3-2 | 10-14 | 7 | 22,154 | Dave Stieb | Mike Moore | Tom Henke | Mike Moore | | 103 | 116 | -13 |
| 1986-05-05 | vs OAK | 25 | W 10-6 | 11-14 | 7 | 20,111 | Doyle Alexander | Jose Rijo | Mark Eichhorn | Bill Krueger | | 113 | 122 | -9 |
| 1986-05-06 | vs OAK | 26 | L 3-17 | 11-15 | 7 | 22,177 | Jimmy Key | Moose Haas | Moose Haas | Jimmy Key | | 116 | 139 | -23 |
| 1986-05-07 | @ CAL | 27 | L 2-6 | 11-16 | 7 | 24,895 | Jim Clancy | Don Sutton | Don Sutton | Jim Clancy | Doug Corbett | 118 | 145 | -27 |
| 1986-05-08 | @ CAL | 28 | W 7-6 | 12-16 | 7 | 23,650 | Jim Acker | Ron Romanick | Mark Eichhorn | Terry Forster | Tom Henke | 125 | 151 | -26 |
| 1986-05-09 | @ SEA | 29 | L 3-13 | 12-17 | 7 | 12,026 | Dave Stieb | Mike Moore | Mike Moore | Dave Stieb | | 128 | 164 | -36 |
| 1986-05-10 | @ SEA | 30 | L 7-8 | 12-18 | 7 | 20,155 | Doyle Alexander | Mark Langston | Pete Ladd | Tom Henke | | 135 | 172 | -37 |
| 1986-05-11 | @ SEA | 31 | W 4-3 | 13-18 | 7 | 10,172 | Jimmy Key | Bill Swift | Jimmy Key | Bill Swift | Mark Eichhorn | 139 | 175 | -36 |
| 1986-05-12 | @ OAK | 32 | W 5-3 | 14-18 | 7 | 20,126 | Jim Clancy | Joaquin Andujar | Jim Clancy | Joaquin Andujar | Mark Eichhorn | 144 | 178 | -34 |
| 1986-05-13 | @ OAK | 33 | L 3-6 | 14-19 | 7 | 7,124 | Jim Acker | Chris Codiroli | Bill Mooneyham | Dennis Lamp | | 147 | 184 | -37 |
| 1986-05-14 | @ OAK | 34 | L 4-9 | 14-20 | 7 | 10,940 | Dave Stieb | Curt Young | Curt Young | Dave Stieb | | 151 | 193 | -42 |
| 1986-05-16 | vs CLE | 35 | W 7-6 | 15-20 | 7 | 21,251 | Doyle Alexander | Tom Candiotti | Jim Acker | Tom Candiotti | Mark Eichhorn | 158 | 199 | -41 |
| 1986-05-17 | vs CLE | 36 | W 11-5 | 16-20 | 7 | 27,473 | Jimmy Key | Neal Heaton | Jimmy Key | Neal Heaton | | 169 | 204 | -35 |
| 1986-05-18 | vs CLE | 37 | W 10-2 | 17-20 | 7 | 28,063 | Jim Clancy | Don Schulze | Jim Clancy | Don Schulze | | 179 | 206 | -27 |
| 1986-05-19 | vs CLE | 38 | L 4-6 | 17-21 | 7 | 27,202 | Dave Stieb | Phil Niekro | Phil Niekro | Dave Stieb | Scott Bailes | 183 | 212 | -29 |
| 1986-05-20 | @ CHA | 39 | L 1-2 | 17-22 | 7 | 12,837 | John Cerutti | Joel Davis | Joel Davis | John Cerutti | | 184 | 214 | -30 |
| 1986-05-21 | @ CHA | 40 | L 4-5 | 17-23 | 7 | 13,976 | Doyle Alexander | Neil Allen | Gene Nelson | Jim Acker | | 188 | 219 | -31 |
| 1986-05-22 | @ CHA | 41 | W 5-0 | 18-23 | 7 | 12,605 | Jimmy Key | Richard Dotson | Jimmy Key | Richard Dotson | | 193 | 219 | -26 |
| 1986-05-23 | @ CLE | 42 | L 1-3 | 18-24 | 7 | 61,340 | Jim Clancy | Don Schulze | Don Schulze | Jim Clancy | | 194 | 222 | -28 |
| 1986-05-24 | @ CLE | 43 | W 9-6 | 19-24 | 7 | 12,348 | Dave Stieb | Phil Niekro | Dennis Lamp | Jamie Easterly | Mark Eichhorn | 203 | 228 | -25 |
| 1986-05-25 | @ CLE | 44 | W 8-1 | 20-24 | 7 | 13,772 | John Cerutti | Ken Schrom | John Cerutti | Ken Schrom | | 211 | 229 | -18 |
| 1986-05-26 | @ MIN | 45 | L 1-9 | 20-25 | 7 | 10,885 | Doyle Alexander | Mark Portugal | Mark Portugal | Doyle Alexander | | 212 | 238 | -26 |
| 1986-05-27 | @ MIN | 46 | L 6-7 | 20-26 | 7 | 9,052 | Jimmy Key | John Butcher | Frank Pastore | Tom Henke | | 218 | 245 | -27 |
| 1986-05-28 | @ MIN | 47 | W 14-8 | 21-26 | 7 | 9,133 | Jim Clancy | Bert Blyleven | Jim Clancy | Bert Blyleven | | 232 | 253 | -21 |
| 1986-05-30 | vs CHA | 48 | W 6-0 | 22-26 | 7 | 31,125 | Dave Stieb | Joel Davis | Dave Stieb | Joel Davis | | 238 | 253 | -15 |
| 1986-05-31 | vs CHA | 49 | W 4-3 | 23-26 | 7 | 40,145 | Doyle Alexander | Neil Allen | Tom Henke | Gene Nelson | | 242 | 256 | -14 |
| 1986-06-01 | vs CHA | 50 | L 4-6 | 23-27 | 7 | 31,302 | Jimmy Key | Richard Dotson | Richard Dotson | Jimmy Key | | 246 | 262 | -16 |
| 1986-06-02 | vs MIN | 51 | W 3-1 | 24-27 | 7 | 26,022 | Jim Clancy | Bert Blyleven | Jim Clancy | Bert Blyleven | Tom Henke | 249 | 263 | -14 |
| 1986-06-03 | vs MIN | 52 | W 6-5 | 25-27 | 5 | 27,112 | John Cerutti | John Butcher | Mark Eichhorn | Keith Atherton | Tom Henke | 255 | 268 | -13 |
| 1986-06-04 | vs MIN | 53 | L 4-10 | 25-28 | 6 | 30,234 | Dave Stieb | Frank Viola | Frank Viola | Dave Stieb | | 259 | 278 | -19 |
| 1986-06-06 | @ DET | 54 | W 12-2 | 26-28 | 5 | 37,353 | Doyle Alexander | Walt Terrell | Doyle Alexander | Walt Terrell | | 271 | 280 | -9 |
| 1986-06-07 | @ DET | 55 | L 1-2 | 26-29 | 6 | 37,750 | Jimmy Key | Frank Tanana | Frank Tanana | Jimmy Key | Guillermo Hernandez | 272 | 282 | -10 |
| 1986-06-08 | @ DET | 56 | W 4-2 | 27-29 | 5 | 36,681 | Jim Clancy | Eric King | Mark Eichhorn | Randy O'Neal | Tom Henke | 276 | 284 | -8 |
| 1986-06-09 | vs BOS | 57 | W 5-1 | 28-29 | 5 | 27,551 | Dave Stieb | Rob Woodward | Dave Stieb | Rob Woodward | | 281 | 285 | -4 |
| 1986-06-10 | vs BOS | 58 | L 3-4 | 28-30 | 6 | 28,149 | John Cerutti | Jeff Sellers | Bob Stanley | Mark Eichhorn | | 284 | 289 | -5 |
| 1986-06-11 | vs BOS | 59 | L 2-3 | 28-31 | 6 | 25,226 | Doyle Alexander | Roger Clemens | Roger Clemens | Doyle Alexander | Bob Stanley | 286 | 292 | -6 |
| 1986-06-12 | vs DET | 60 | W 9-0 | 29-31 | 6 | 30,135 | Jimmy Key | Dave LaPoint | Jimmy Key | Dave LaPoint | | 295 | 292 | 3 |
| 1986-06-13 | vs DET | 61 | L 5-10 | 29-32 | 6 | 36,471 | Jim Clancy | Eric King | Eric King | Jim Clancy | | 300 | 302 | -2 |
| 1986-06-14 | vs DET | 62 | W 6-5 | 30-32 | 6 | 40,063 | Dave Stieb | Jack Morris | Tom Henke | Guillermo Hernandez | | 306 | 307 | -1 |
| 1986-06-15 | vs DET | 63 | W 9-6 | 31-32 | 6 | 38,157 | John Cerutti | Walt Terrell | Dennis Lamp | Chuck Cary | Tom Henke | 315 | 313 | 2 |
| 1986-06-16 | @ MIL | 64 | W 9-2 | 32-32 | 6 | 12,809 | Doyle Alexander | Bill Wegman | Doyle Alexander | Bill Wegman | Don Gordon | 324 | 315 | 9 |
| 1986-06-17 | @ MIL | 65 | W 2-1 | 33-32 | 5 | 14,465 | Jimmy Key | Danny Darwin | Tom Henke | Dan Plesac | | 326 | 316 | 10 |
| 1986-06-18 | @ MIL | 66 | L 1-3 | 33-33 | 6 | 21,652 | Jim Clancy | Teddy Higuera | Teddy Higuera | Jim Clancy | | 327 | 319 | 8 |
| 1986-06-19 | vs NYA | 67 | W 10-9 | 34-33 | 6 | 35,389 | Dave Stieb | Dennis Rasmussen | Bill Caudill | Dave Righetti | | 337 | 328 | 9 |
| 1986-06-20 | vs NYA | 68 | L 8-10 | 34-34 | 6 | 38,109 | John Cerutti | Doug Drabek | Brian Fisher | Don Gordon | | 345 | 338 | 7 |
| 1986-06-21 | vs NYA | 69 | L 2-4 | 34-35 | 6 | 43,678 | Doyle Alexander | Ron Guidry | Dave Righetti | Dennis Lamp | Alfonso Pulido | 347 | 342 | 5 |
| 1986-06-22 | vs NYA | 70 | W 15-1 | 35-35 | 6 | 40,101 | Jimmy Key | Joe Niekro | Jimmy Key | Joe Niekro | | 362 | 343 | 19 |
| 1986-06-23 | vs MIL | 71 | L 3-5 | 35-36 | 6 | 26,110 | Dave Stieb | Danny Darwin | Danny Darwin | Dave Stieb | Dan Plesac | 365 | 348 | 17 |
| 1986-06-24 | vs MIL | 72 | W 8-0 | 36-36 | 6 | 26,280 | John Cerutti | Teddy Higuera | John Cerutti | Teddy Higuera | | 373 | 348 | 25 |
| 1986-06-25 | vs MIL | 73 | W 5-1 | 37-36 | 6 | 30,181 | Jim Clancy | Tim Leary | Jim Clancy | Tim Leary | Dennis Lamp | 378 | 349 | 29 |
| 1986-06-27 | @ NYA | 74 | W 14-7 | 38-36 | 6 | 30,815 | Doyle Alexander | Ron Guidry | Jim Acker | Brian Fisher | Tom Henke | 392 | 356 | 36 |
| 1986-06-28 | @ NYA | 75 | W 7-4 | 39-36 | 4 | 43,187 | Jimmy Key | Joe Niekro | Jimmy Key | Joe Niekro | | 399 | 360 | 39 |
| 1986-06-29 | @ NYA | 76 | W 6-3 | 40-36 | 3 | 35,437 | Dave Stieb | Bob Tewksbury | John Cerutti | Brian Fisher | Tom Henke | 405 | 363 | 42 |
| 1986-06-30 | @ BOS | 77 | L 9-10 | 40-37 | 5 | 30,770 | Jim Clancy | Al Nipper | Bob Stanley | Jim Acker | | 414 | 373 | 41 |
| 1986-07-01 | @ BOS | 78 | L 7-9 | 40-38 | 5 | 32,729 | Doyle Alexander | Tom Seaver | Tom Seaver | Doyle Alexander | Joe Sambito | 421 | 382 | 39 |
| 1986-07-02 | @ BOS | 79 | W 4-2 | 41-38 | 5 | 27,493 | Jimmy Key | Roger Clemens | Jimmy Key | Roger Clemens | Tom Henke | 425 | 384 | 41 |
| 1986-07-03 | @ BOS | 80 | W 8-5 | 42-38 | 4 | 21,123 | John Cerutti | Oil Can Boyd | John Cerutti | Oil Can Boyd | Tom Henke | 433 | 389 | 44 |
| 1986-07-04 | vs CAL | 81 | L 1-9 | 42-39 | 5 | 30,283 | Dave Stieb | Don Sutton | Don Sutton | Dave Stieb | | 434 | 398 | 36 |
| 1986-07-05 | vs CAL | 82 | W 7-3 | 43-39 | 4 | 40,426 | Jim Clancy | Ron Romanick | Jim Clancy | Ron Romanick | | 441 | 401 | 40 |
| 1986-07-06 | vs CAL | 83 | L 2-8 | 43-40 | 5 | 36,197 | Dennis Lamp | Kirk McCaskill | Kirk McCaskill | Dennis Lamp | | 443 | 409 | 34 |
| 1986-07-07 | vs SEA | 84 | W 7-5 | 44-40 | 5 | 26,208 | Jimmy Key | Mike Morgan | Jimmy Key | Mike Morgan | Bill Caudill | 450 | 414 | 36 |
| 1986-07-08 | vs SEA | 85 | L 5-8 | 44-41 | 5 | 28,241 | John Cerutti | Lee Guetterman | Mark Huismann | John Cerutti | Matt Young | 455 | 422 | 33 |
| 1986-07-09 | vs SEA | 86 | W 6-5 | 45-41 | 5 | 30,044 | Dave Stieb | Mike Moore | Bill Caudill | Mike Moore | Tom Henke | 461 | 427 | 34 |
| 1986-07-10 | vs OAK | 87 | W 8-4 | 46-41 | 5 | 28,172 | Jim Clancy | Eric Plunk | Jim Clancy | Eric Plunk | | 469 | 431 | 38 |
| 1986-07-11 | vs OAK | 88 | W 6-5 | 47-41 | 5 | 30,370 | Joe Johnson | Jose Rijo | Mark Eichhorn | Jose Rijo | Tom Henke | 475 | 436 | 39 |
| 1986-07-12 | vs OAK | 89 | L 3-5 | 47-42 | 5 | 35,470 | Jimmy Key | Dave Stewart | Dave Stewart | Jimmy Key | Steve Ontiveros | 478 | 441 | 37 |
| 1986-07-13 | vs OAK | 90 | L 5-10 | 47-43 | 5 | 37,138 | John Cerutti | Bill Mooneyham | Curt Young | Bill Caudill | Dave Leiper | 483 | 451 | 32 |
| 1986-07-17 | @ CAL | 91 | W 8-5 | 48-43 | 5 | 31,585 | Jimmy Key | Don Sutton | Jimmy Key | Don Sutton | John Cerutti | 491 | 456 | 35 |
| 1986-07-18 | @ CAL | 92 | W 2-0 | 49-43 | 4 | 31,672 | Jim Clancy | Kirk McCaskill | Jim Clancy | Kirk McCaskill | Mark Eichhorn | 493 | 456 | 37 |
| 1986-07-19 | @ CAL | 93 | L 3-9 | 49-44 | 5 | 30,577 | Dave Stieb | John Candelaria | John Candelaria | Dave Stieb | | 496 | 465 | 31 |
| 1986-07-20 | @ CAL | 94 | W 6-3 | 50-44 | 5 | 27,795 | Joe Johnson | Mike Witt | Tom Henke | Doug Corbett | Bill Caudill | 502 | 468 | 34 |
| 1986-07-21 | @ SEA | 95 | W 8-3 | 51-44 | 4 | 17,823 | John Cerutti | Mark Huismann | John Cerutti | Mark Huismann | | 510 | 471 | 39 |
| 1986-07-22 | @ SEA | 96 | L 7-8 | 51-45 | 5 | 10,152 | Jimmy Key | Mark Langston | Jerry Reed | Bill Caudill | | 517 | 479 | 38 |
| 1986-07-23 | @ SEA | 97 | W 6-2 | 52-45 | 4 | 11,485 | Jim Clancy | Mike Moore | Jim Clancy | Mike Moore | Dave Stieb | 523 | 481 | 42 |
| 1986-07-25 | @ OAK | 98 | L 5-6 | 52-46 | 5 | 12,778 | Joe Johnson | Jose Rijo | Doug Bair | Bill Caudill | | 528 | 487 | 41 |
| 1986-07-26 | @ OAK | 99 | L 0-2 | 52-47 | 6 | 22,168 | John Cerutti | Eric Plunk | Eric Plunk | John Cerutti | Joaquin Andujar | 528 | 489 | 39 |
| 1986-07-27 | @ OAK | 100 | L 0-1 | 52-48 | 6 | 21,628 | Jimmy Key | Curt Young | Dave Leiper | Stan Clarke | | 528 | 490 | 38 |
| 1986-07-28 | @ KCA | 101 | W 6-0 | 53-48 | 6 | 40,468 | Jim Clancy | Charlie Leibrandt | Jim Clancy | Charlie Leibrandt | | 534 | 490 | 44 |
| 1986-07-29 | @ KCA | 102 | W 5-2 | 54-48 | 6 | 27,292 | Dave Stieb | Scott Bankhead | Dave Stieb | Scott Bankhead | Tom Henke | 539 | 492 | 47 |
| 1986-07-30 | @ KCA | 103 | W 7-2 | 55-48 | 5 | 35,750 | Joe Johnson | Dennis Leonard | Joe Johnson | Dennis Leonard | | 546 | 494 | 52 |
| 1986-08-01 | vs BAL | 104 | L 3-7 | 55-49 | 6 | 34,370 | Jimmy Key | Ken Dixon | Ken Dixon | Jimmy Key | | 549 | 501 | 48 |
| 1986-08-02 | vs BAL | 105 | L 2-5 | 55-50 | 6 | 41,091 | Jim Clancy | Scott McGregor | Scott McGregor | Jim Clancy | Don Aase | 551 | 506 | 45 |
| 1986-08-03 | vs BAL | 106 | W 6-4 | 56-50 | 5 | 36,446 | Dave Stieb | Mike Flanagan | John Cerutti | Mike Flanagan | Tom Henke | 557 | 510 | 47 |
| 1986-08-04 | vs BAL | 107 | L 2-12 | 56-51 | 6 | 35,041 | Joe Johnson | Mike Boddicker | Mike Boddicker | Joe Johnson | | 559 | 522 | 37 |
| 1986-08-05 | vs KCA | 108 | L 6-8 | 56-52 | 6 | 30,437 | Dennis Lamp | Scott Bankhead | Scott Bankhead | Dennis Lamp | Steve Farr | 565 | 530 | 35 |
| 1986-08-06 | vs KCA | 109 | W 8-0 | 57-52 | 5 | 32,130 | Jimmy Key | Danny Jackson | Jimmy Key | Danny Jackson | | 573 | 530 | 43 |
| 1986-08-07 | vs KCA | 110 | W 5-4 | 58-52 | 5 | 34,285 | Jim Clancy | Mark Gubicza | Mark Eichhorn | Steve Farr | Tom Henke | 578 | 534 | 44 |
| 1986-08-08 | @ TEX | 111 | L 7-9 | 58-53 | 5 | 31,197 | Dave Stieb | Charlie Hough | Greg Harris | Mark Eichhorn | | 585 | 543 | 42 |
| 1986-08-09 | @ TEX | 112 | L 6-7 | 58-54 | 6 | 31,517 | Joe Johnson | Mike Loynd | Greg Harris | Bill Caudill | | 591 | 550 | 41 |
| 1986-08-10 | @ TEX | 113 | W 8-7 | 59-54 | 6 | 15,040 | John Cerutti | Jose Guzman | Mark Eichhorn | Mitch Williams | | 599 | 557 | 42 |
| 1986-08-11 | @ BAL | 114 | L 1-3 | 59-55 | 6 | 21,444 | Jimmy Key | Mike Flanagan | Mike Flanagan | Jimmy Key | Don Aase | 600 | 560 | 40 |
| 1986-08-12 | @ BAL | 115 | W 3-0 | 60-55 | 5 | 20,292 | Jim Clancy | Scott McGregor | Jim Clancy | Scott McGregor | | 603 | 560 | 43 |
| 1986-08-13 | @ BAL | 116 | L 6-7 | 60-56 | 5 | 22,477 | Dave Stieb | Mike Boddicker | Don Aase | Luis Aquino | | 609 | 567 | 42 |
| 1986-08-15 | vs TEX | 117 | W 6-1 | 61-56 | 5 | 31,411 | Joe Johnson | Ed Correa | Joe Johnson | Ed Correa | Mark Eichhorn | 615 | 568 | 47 |
| 1986-08-16 | vs TEX | 118 | W 13-1 | 62-56 | 5 | 41,203 | Jimmy Key | Charlie Hough | Jimmy Key | Charlie Hough | | 628 | 569 | 59 |
| 1986-08-17 | vs TEX | 119 | W 8-7 | 63-56 | 4 | 38,413 | Jim Clancy | Mike Mason | Mark Eichhorn | Jeff Russell | | 636 | 576 | 60 |
| 1986-08-19 | vs CHA | 120 | W 5-1 | 64-56 | 3 | 34,158 | Dave Stieb | Joe Cowley | Dave Stieb | Joe Cowley | | 641 | 577 | 64 |
| 1986-08-20 | vs CHA | 121 | W 4-1 | 65-56 | 3 | 33,493 | Joe Johnson | Jose DeLeon | Joe Johnson | Jose DeLeon | | 645 | 578 | 67 |
| 1986-08-21 | vs CHA | 122 | L 3-4 | 65-57 | 3 | 35,393 | Jimmy Key | Richard Dotson | Dave J. Schmidt | Jimmy Key | Gene Nelson | 648 | 582 | 66 |
| 1986-08-22 | @ MIN | 123 | L 3-4 | 65-58 | 4 | 14,359 | Jim Clancy | Bert Blyleven | Bert Blyleven | Jim Clancy | George Frazier | 651 | 586 | 65 |
| 1986-08-23 | @ MIN | 124 | W 7-4 | 66-58 | 4 | 22,604 | John Cerutti | Mike Smithson | John Cerutti | Mike Smithson | Mark Eichhorn | 658 | 590 | 68 |
| 1986-08-24 | @ MIN | 125 | W 7-5 | 67-58 | 3 | 18,117 | Dave Stieb | Frank Viola | Tom Henke | Keith Atherton | | 665 | 595 | 70 |
| 1986-08-26 | @ CLE | 126 | L 6-6 | 67-59 | 3 | 5,400 | Joe Johnson | Scott Bailes | | | | 671 | 601 | 70 |
| 1986-08-27 | @ CLE | 127 | W 3-2 | 69-59 | 2 | 0 | Jimmy Key | Greg Swindell | Mark Eichhorn | Bryan Oelkers | Tom Henke | 674 | 603 | 71 |
| 1986-08-27 | @ CLE | 128 | W 6-3 | 69-59 | 2 | 9,051 | John Cerutti | Jose Roman | John Cerutti | Frank Wills | Tom Henke | 680 | 606 | 74 |
| 1986-08-28 | @ CLE | 129 | W 9-1 | 70-59 | 2 | 7,466 | Jim Clancy | Ken Schrom | Jim Clancy | Ken Schrom | | 689 | 607 | 82 |
| 1986-08-29 | vs MIN | 130 | W 6-5 | 71-59 | 2 | 38,241 | Dave Stieb | Mike Smithson | Mark Eichhorn | Keith Atherton | | 695 | 612 | 83 |
| 1986-08-30 | vs MIN | 131 | W 8-1 | 72-59 | 2 | 43,556 | Joe Johnson | Frank Viola | Joe Johnson | Frank Viola | Dennis Lamp | 703 | 613 | 90 |
| 1986-08-31 | vs MIN | 132 | W 7-5 | 73-59 | 2 | 45,161 | John Cerutti | Mark Portugal | Luis Aquino | Allan Anderson | Mark Eichhorn | 710 | 618 | 92 |
| 1986-09-01 | vs CLE | 133 | W 5-4 | 74-59 | 2 | 44,335 | Jimmy Key | Greg Swindell | Tom Henke | Ernie Camacho | | 715 | 622 | 93 |
| 1986-09-02 | vs CLE | 134 | L 5-9 | 74-60 | 2 | 33,535 | Jim Clancy | Ken Schrom | Ken Schrom | Jim Clancy | Frank Wills | 720 | 631 | 89 |
| 1986-09-03 | vs CLE | 135 | W 3-1 | 75-60 | 2 | 31,532 | Dave Stieb | Tom Candiotti | Dave Stieb | Tom Candiotti | Tom Henke | 723 | 632 | 91 |
| 1986-09-05 | @ CHA | 136 | L 0-5 | 75-61 | 2 | 11,650 | Joe Johnson | Richard Dotson | Richard Dotson | Joe Johnson | | 723 | 637 | 86 |
| 1986-09-06 | @ CHA | 137 | W 4-0 | 76-61 | 2 | 22,014 | Jimmy Key | Floyd Bannister | Jimmy Key | Floyd Bannister | | 727 | 637 | 90 |
| 1986-09-07 | @ CHA | 138 | L 3-4 | 76-62 | 2 | 13,553 | Jim Clancy | Steve Carlton | Gene Nelson | Jim Clancy | Bobby Thigpen | 730 | 641 | 89 |
| 1986-09-09 | vs NYA | 139 | L 1-3 | 76-63 | 2 | 35,353 | Dave Stieb | Ron Guidry | Ron Guidry | Mark Eichhorn | Dave Righetti | 731 | 644 | 87 |
| 1986-09-11 | vs NYA | 140 | L 1-3 | 76-65 | 2 | 0 | Jimmy Key | Doug Drabek | Doug Drabek | Jimmy Key | Dave Righetti | 732 | 647 | 85 |
| 1986-09-11 | vs NYA | 141 | L 5-7 | 76-65 | 2 | 33,292 | John Cerutti | Bob Tewksbury | Brian Fisher | Tom Henke | Dave Righetti | 737 | 654 | 83 |
| 1986-09-12 | @ MIL | 142 | L 1-4 | 76-66 | 2 | 7,255 | Jim Clancy | Mike Birkbeck | John Henry Johnson | Jim Clancy | Mark Clear | 738 | 658 | 80 |
| 1986-09-13 | @ MIL | 143 | W 7-1 | 77-66 | 2 | 10,472 | Joe Johnson | Pete Vuckovich | Joe Johnson | Pete Vuckovich | Mark Eichhorn | 745 | 659 | 86 |
| 1986-09-14 | @ MIL | 144 | L 0-5 | 77-67 | 3 | 8,706 | Dave Stieb | Teddy Higuera | Teddy Higuera | Dave Stieb | | 745 | 664 | 81 |
| 1986-09-15 | @ MIL | 145 | W 5-2 | 78-67 | 3 | 5,742 | John Cerutti | Bill Wegman | John Cerutti | Bill Wegman | Tom Henke | 750 | 666 | 84 |
| 1986-09-16 | vs DET | 146 | W 6-4 | 79-67 | 3 | 31,128 | Jimmy Key | Walt Terrell | Jimmy Key | Walt Terrell | Tom Henke | 756 | 670 | 86 |
| 1986-09-17 | vs DET | 147 | L 6-8 | 79-68 | 3 | 30,116 | Jim Clancy | Jack Morris | Jack Morris | Jim Clancy | Guillermo Hernandez | 762 | 678 | 84 |
| 1986-09-19 | vs BOS | 148 | W 6-4 | 80-68 | 2 | 40,494 | Dave Stieb | Tom Seaver | Dave Stieb | Tom Seaver | Tom Henke | 768 | 682 | 86 |
| 1986-09-20 | vs BOS | 149 | W 5-2 | 81-68 | 2 | 43,713 | Joe Johnson | Al Nipper | Joe Johnson | Al Nipper | Mark Eichhorn | 773 | 684 | 89 |
| 1986-09-21 | vs BOS | 150 | L 2-3 | 81-69 | 2 | 44,197 | Jimmy Key | Roger Clemens | Roger Clemens | Jimmy Key | Calvin Schiraldi | 775 | 687 | 88 |
| 1986-09-22 | @ DET | 151 | L 1-2 | 81-70 | 3 | 14,979 | Jim Clancy | Jack Morris | Jack Morris | Jim Clancy | | 776 | 689 | 87 |
| 1986-09-23 | @ DET | 152 | W 6-3 | 82-70 | 3 | 14,364 | John Cerutti | Bryan Kelly | Mark Eichhorn | Guillermo Hernandez | Tom Henke | 782 | 692 | 90 |
| 1986-09-24 | @ DET | 153 | W 8-2 | 83-70 | 3 | 15,069 | Dave Stieb | Dan Petry | Dave Stieb | Dan Petry | | 790 | 694 | 96 |
| 1986-09-25 | @ DET | 154 | W 4-2 | 84-70 | 3 | 16,591 | Joe Johnson | Frank Tanana | Joe Johnson | Frank Tanana | Tom Henke | 794 | 696 | 98 |
| 1986-09-26 | @ BOS | 155 | W 1-0 | 85-70 | 2 | 33,657 | Jimmy Key | Roger Clemens | Mark Eichhorn | Calvin Schiraldi | Tom Henke | 795 | 696 | 99 |
| 1986-09-27 | @ BOS | 156 | L 0-2 | 85-71 | 2 | 33,358 | Jim Clancy | Bruce Hurst | Bruce Hurst | Jim Clancy | | 795 | 698 | 97 |
| 1986-09-28 | @ BOS | 157 | L 3-12 | 85-72 | 3 | 32,929 | Duane Ward | Oil Can Boyd | Oil Can Boyd | Duane Ward | | 798 | 710 | 88 |
| 1986-09-29 | @ NYA | 158 | L 1-8 | 85-73 | 3 | 15,770 | John Cerutti | Dennis Rasmussen | Dennis Rasmussen | John Cerutti | | 799 | 718 | 81 |
| 1986-09-30 | @ NYA | 159 | L 2-5 | 85-74 | 3 | 15,166 | Dave Stieb | Scott Nielsen | Scott Nielsen | Dave Stieb | Dave Righetti | 801 | 723 | 78 |
| 1986-10-01 | @ NYA | 160 | W 3-0 | 86-74 | 3 | 17,876 | Jimmy Key | Ron Guidry | Jimmy Key | Ron Guidry | Tom Henke | 804 | 723 | 81 |
| 1986-10-03 | vs MIL | 161 | L 1-4 | 86-75 | 3 | 26,619 | Jim Clancy | Bill Wegman | Bill Wegman | Jim Clancy | Dan Plesac | 805 | 727 | 78 |
| 1986-10-05 | vs MIL | 162 | L 1-2 | 86-77 | 4 | 0 | Joe Johnson | Tim Leary | Tim Leary | Tom Henke | Mark Clear | 806 | 729 | 77 |
| 1986-10-05 | vs MIL | 163 | L 3-4 | 86-77 | 4 | 34,176 | Dave Stieb | Mike Birkbeck | Juan Nieves | Mark Eichhorn | Mark Clear | 809 | 733 | 76 |