Hope sprung everlasting with Main League Baseball’s Opening Day on Thursday, the primary full day of motion on this new 2024 season.
Some highlights included Juan Soto’s successful Yankees debut, the Dodgers stars coming collectively for his or her house opener, Corbin Burnes dominating because the Orioles kicked off their AL East title protection and Tyler O’Neill setting a document with a fifth consecutive Opening Day house run.
There are 10 video games scheduled for Friday, together with the Braves-Phillies and Mets-Brewers openers that had been postponed because of climate.
This is how Opening Day 2024 unfolded:
MLB Opening Day scores
This is Thursday’s full schedule and outcomes (all instances Jap):
MLB SALARIES: Baseball’s prime 25 highest-paid gamers in 2024
- Brewers at Mets – 1:10 p.m. ET – postponed to Friday at 1:40
- Orioles 11, Angels 3
- Braves at Phillies – 3:05 p.m. – postponed to Friday at 3:05
- Tigers 1, White Sox 0
- Reds 8, Nationals 2
- Yankees 5, Astros 4
- Twins 4, Royals 1
- Blue Jays 8, Rays 2
- Pirates 6, Marlins 5 (12 innings)
- Dodgers 7, Cardinals 1
- Padres 6, Giants 4
- Rangers 4, Cubs 3 (10 innings)
- Guardians 8, Athletics 0
- Diamondbacks 16, Rockies 1
- Crimson Sox 6, Mariners 4
The whole lot falls into place for Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Normalcy, in the end the Dodgers say, lastly arrived Thursday afternoon.
Effectively, aside from that 395-foot stroll alongside a blue carpet from heart discipline to the third-base line throughout pre-game introductions.
Except you assume it’s regular having Hollywood stars announce the beginning lineup and Corridor of Famers from two completely different sports activities firing up the group earlier than the sport.
Then sure, the most anticipated Dodgers’ house opener in franchise historical past was identical to another baseball recreation in the course of an extended season.
“It was superior,” mentioned Los Angeles native Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers’ beginning pitcher.
— Bob Nightengale
Tyler O’Neill units MLB document with fifth straight Opening Day house run
Along with his house run within the eighth inning, Crimson Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill grew to become the primary participant in Main League Baseball historical past to homer in 5 consecutive opening day video games.
The solo house run off Mariners reliever Cody Bolton got here at an enormous second for Boston, an insurance coverage run that prolonged the result in 6-4.
O’Neill is in his first yr with Boston, becoming a member of the crew in an offseason commerce after six years with the Cardinals. His earlier opening day house runs had been from 2020-2023 with St. Louis.
— Jesse Yomtov
Most runs in a single inning: Diamondbacks make franchise historical past
The Diamondbacks began the underside of the third inning with seven hitters reaching base, in the end scoring a franchise-record 14 runs on 13 hits within the body.
Arizona leads 16-2 by way of three innings.
Rockies starter Kyle Freeland was charged with 10 runs within the recreation and Anthony Molina took the hit for six extra, getting only one out within the fateful third inning.
Jonah Heim, Rangers stroll off Cubs in extras
Travis Jankowski hit a solo house run within the backside of the ninth for the Rangers to power further innings, then Jonah Heim’s RBI single with the bases loaded within the backside of the tenth gave the defending World Sequence champions a 4-3 win on opening day.
Rangers elevate World Sequence banner earlier than Opening Day vs. Cubs
Kicking off the season at house, the Texas Rangers raised their 2023 World Sequence banner at Globe Life Subject on Thursday, celebrating the franchise’s first ever championship
Juan Soto saves Yankees after rally to beat Astros
HOUSTON – Trailing by 4 runs early Thursday afternoon, the Yankees rallied to a 5-4 victory in opposition to the Houston Astros on Opening Day earlier than 42,642 followers at Minute Maid Park.
In his Yankees debut, Juan Soto – not celebrated for his protection – made the play of the sport to avoid wasting his new crew.
Nearer Clay Holmes was shaky within the ninth, and Kyle Tucker’s base hit to proper discipline practically tied the sport – however Soto gunned down Mauricio Dubon, attempting to attain from second base.
The play was upheld on a replay problem.
After Oswaldo Cabrera’s game-tying, solo homer within the sixth, Alex Verdugo’s seventh-inning sacrifice fly scored Aaron Choose (double) with the go-ahead run.
— Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.com
Corbin Burnes dominates in Orioles debut
BALTIMORE — Corbin Burnes is an Oriole, and in his first outing within the American League, served discover {that a} 101-win crew would possibly certainly be the pennant favourite together with his appreciable skills in tow.
Think about the task accomplished to close perfection.
“Couldn’t have requested for something greater than that,” Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde mentioned. “Possibly one unhealthy pitch by way of six innings. Simply an superior, superior efficiency.”
Burnes struck out 11 in six innings and did not permit a baserunner after Mike Trout’s solo house run within the opening body of Baltimore’s 11-3 win.
“That’s not straightforward to do – a brand new crew, Opening Day, a variety of jitters, most likely fairly anxious,” Hyde mentioned. “To exit and do what he did, that’s actually spectacular.”
— Gabe Lacques
Dodgers win Opening Day vs. Cardinals
Issues went in response to plan for the new-look Dodgers of their house opener Thursday, a 7-1 win victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Shohei Ohtani had two hits, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman each homered and prized offseason acquisition Tyler Glasnow struck out 5 in six innings, giving up one run within the win. The Dodgers formally began the common season final week in Korea, splitting two video games with the San Diego Padres.
Nick Martini leads Reds to opening day win vs. Nationals
The one factor higher for the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day than a parade on a sunny day and a boisterous full-house crowd at Nice American Ball Park?
How a couple of double-Martini begin to the season that left the group shaken and positively stirred throughout a 8-2 Reds win over the Washington Nationals.
Nick Martini, the outfielder on the roster bubble many of the spring, drove in 5 runs with house runs within the second and third innings to again six scoreless innings of pitching from free agent starter Frankie Montas.
Martini, who was informed simply earlier than the Reds broke camp in Arizona final weekend that he’d made his first profession Opening Day roster in an emotional second that supervisor David Bell didn’t appear to see coming for the veteran journeyman.
When Bell informed Martini he was within the opening lineup because the DH?
“I didn’t look forward to the response. I simply informed him and walked away,” Bell mentioned with a smile.
— Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer
Yankees opening day rating: Bombers rally again vs. Astros
The Yankees overcame a 4-0 deficit with 5 unanswered runs – 3 within the fifth and one within the sixth and seventh innings – to take a 5-4 lead heading into the seventh inning stretch.
Within the fifth Juan Soto had an RBI single, Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Anthony Volpe had a based-loaded stroll. Oswaldo Cabrera hit a solo house run within the sixth and after which new Yankee alex Verdugo added a sac fly to take a 5-4 lead within the seventh.
Dodgers opening day rating: Los Angeles leads Cardinals by way of 5
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 by way of 5 innings at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.
Mookie Betts (solo) and Freddie Freeman (two-run) bothered homered off Miles Mikolas within the backside of the third to make it 5-0, earlier than Paul Goldschmidt answered with a solo house run within the prime of the fourth to chop the result in 5-1.
Reds’ Nick Martini having big Opening Day
Nick Martini confirmed critical pop in his first 79 plate appearances for the Cincinnati Reds throughout the 2023 season. On Thursday at Nice American Ball Park, he grew to become the primary Reds participant to hit two house runs on Opening Day since Adam Dunn in 2007.
Martini homered in his first plate look of the 2024 season for the Reds. It was the Reds’ first house run of the season. Martini added his second house run of the sport within the backside of the third, to provide Cincinnati a 7-0 lead.
— Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer
Astros vs. Yankees rating: Houston will get three in first inning
The Houston Astros scored three runs within the backside of the primary in opposition to Yankees starter Nestor Cortes Jr., getting a two-run single from Chas McCormick and an RBI single from catcher Yainer Diaz.
Houston added one other run within the second inning on a solo homer from heart fielder Jake Meyers to make it 4-0.
Lefty Framber Valdez received the Opening Day begin for the Astros and had allowed 4 baserunners by way of two scoreless innings.
Dodgers rating vs. Cardinals: LA up early behind Glasnow
Freddie Freeman hit an RBI single and Max Muncy added a sacrifice fly within the backside of the primary inning to provide the Dodgers a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals on at Dodger Stadium
Tyler Glasnow began for the Dodgers, placing out three by way of two scoreless innings. Los Angeles started the common season final week in Korea, splitting two video games with the San Diego Padres.
Royce Lewis hits Twins Opening Day house run
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis homered off Kansas Metropolis Royals starter Cole Ragans within the prime of the primary inning on Thursday, a stellar begin for the previous No. 1 total choose who enters 2024 with massive expectations.
Lewis is enjoying in his first Opening Day after hitting .309 with a .921 OPS and 52 RBI in 58 video games final season.
Orioles Opening Day rating: Mike Trout hits 2024’s first house run for Angels
Three-time MVP Mike Trout hit a solo homer off Orioles starter Corbin Burnes within the prime of the primary inning at Camden Yards.
The Angels outfielder has averaged simply 79 video games performed over previous three seasons. Baltimore traded for the previous Cy Younger winner Burnes within the offseason, trying to repeat as AL East champions.
The Orioles scored two runs within the backside of the primary to take a 2-1 lead.
Orioles maintain second of silence after bridge collapse
BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Orioles held an eight-second second of silence for the six staff killed in Tuesday’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier than their Opening Day recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Angels at Camden Yards on Thursday.
The bridge, situated lower than 10 miles from Camden Yards, collapsed seconds after the delivery vessel Dali misplaced energy, veered off target and struck the crossing. 4 our bodies have but to be recovered.
Simply earlier than the second of silence, a 30-by-42 foot flag from Baltimore’s Fort McHenry was lowered from the batter’s eye. It’s a reproduction of the flag flown over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner
— Gabe Lacques
MLB 2024 predictions
Two of the six USA TODAY Sports activities baseball consultants surveyed picked the Dodgers to win the World Sequence and two extra picked Atlanta, with the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles additionally receiving a vote.
- Bob Nightengale: Orioles over Atlanta
- Gabe Lacques: Atlanta over Mariners
- Steve Gardner: Dodgers over Mariners
- Scott Boeck: Padres over Astros
- Jesse Yomtov: Atlanta over Texas
- Borelli: Dodgers over Orioles
MLB Opening Day video games postponed
All 30 groups had been set to play in Main League Baseball’s formal 2024 Opening Day on Thursday, however inclement climate on the East Coast had already led to a number of video games being postponed Wednesday afternoon.
The Mets-Brewers recreation at Citi Subject (New York) and Phillies-Brewers contest at Residents Financial institution Park in Philadelphia had been each bagged about 24 hours earlier than the scheduled first pitch.
These groups all had a built-in off day after the scheduled Opening Day – for this very motive – and can as an alternative play their first video games of the season on Friday.
MLB fantasy rankings
A take a look at the highest fantasy baseball gamers for 2024:
Rank | Participant | Pos |
1 | Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves | OF |
2 | Mookie Betts, Dodgers | 2B/OF |
3 | Julio Rodriguez, Mariners | OF |
4 | Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks | OF |
5 | Bobby Witt Jr., Royals | SS |
6 | Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres | OF |
7 | Kyle Tucker, Astros | OF |
8 | Freddie Freeman, Dodgers | 1B |
9 | Trea Turner, Phillies | SS |
10 | Juan Soto, Yankees | OF |
MLB energy rankings
There are practically two dozen reliable contenders and a handful of what may very well be termed “tremendous groups” as Main League Baseball’s Opening Day lurks on Thursday. In USA TODAY Sports activities’ first installment of MLB energy rankings, it’s truthful to ask: Can anybody go wire-to-wire?
The primary to reply that query are the Atlanta Braves, who prime our preliminary common season rankings. Winners of 104 video games a yr in the past, the Braves solely received higher this winter and boast probably the most gamers nonetheless firmly within the prime of their careers.
Right here’s our prime 5:
- Braves
- Dodgers
- Orioles
- Phillies
- Astros
Learn USA TODAY Sports activities’ full Opening day energy rankings right here
— Gabe Lacques
How Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal matured into Opening Day ace
Tigers starter Tarik Skubal underwent flexor tendon surgical procedure, his second elbow surgical procedure in six years, in August 2022. He returned to the Tigers in July 2023 — a late begin to his fourth MLB season — and applied changes he made to his mechanics, exercise routine and pitch combine whereas rehabbing.
To this point, so good. In 2023, Skubal posted a 2.80 ERA with 14 walks and 102 strikeouts throughout 80⅓ innings in 15 begins.
He was value 3.3 fWAR from his July 4 return till the Oct. 1 season finale, tops amongst all pitchers over that span. He gained AL Pitcher of the Month for his five-start efficiency in September, posting a 0.90 ERA with 4 walks and 43 strikeouts throughout 30 innings, capped by a scoreless streak of 11 innings that he’ll deliver into his first Opening Day begin.
– Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
Reds Opening Day : Elly De La Cruz electrifies Cincinnati
“There’s a variety of electrical energy on this crew,” Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz mentioned.
The quickest crew within the league final yr led the majors in stolen bases and talked brazenly this spring about getting higher on the bases – “We predict we could be a lot higher,” supervisor David Bell mentioned.
That electrical model of crew play took successful with extended-time accidents to heart fielder TJ Friedl (wrist) and Matt McLain (shoulder), and the half-season suspension of rookie Noelvi Marte for steroids.
However the man with the quickest dash time clocked within the majors final yr – to not point out the toughest (99 mph) infield throws and the tape-measure energy – remains to be standing 6-foot-6 tall in the course of issues for the Reds as they open the season.
And that velocity, energy and electrical energy look extra vital than ever with a few of the key absences.
“I’ve received to be able to go anyway,” mentioned De La Cruz, who completed the spring sturdy.
— Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer
Yankees Opening Day vs. Astros, a well-known foe
HOUSTON – A model new begin.
Aaron Choose and the New York Yankees couldn’t transfer any faster from the frustration of final season, aiming towards a whole reset in 2024.
“I believe everyone’s actually excited,’’ mentioned Choose because the Yankees left spring coaching within the days Thursday’s Opening Day in opposition to the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
“It’s simply been a fantastic vitality all camp… a special stage of focus,’’ the Yankees captain mentioned of an oft-spoken time period amongst gamers who skilled final yr’s fourth-place end.
“I believe everyone right here is able to get issues rolling.’’
— Pete Caldera, NorthJersey.com
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