Welcome to MLB Opening Day!
All 30 groups have been scheduled to be in motion Thursday earlier than rain postponed the scheduled Milwaukee Brewers-New York Mets and Atlanta Braves-Philadelphia Phillies openers to Friday.
The Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles obtained issues began with Corbin Burnes delivering a dominant debut for Baltimore. Quickly after, issues actually heated up with eight video games performed at — highlighted by an exciting New York Yankees win over the Houston Astros in a showdown in Texas.
The Texas Rangers raised the primary World Collection banner in franchise historical past earlier than taking up the Chicago Cubs in supervisor Craig Counsell’s crew debut (7:35 p.m. ET on ESPN). And, if that wasn’t sufficient, there are a trio of late-night video games on the West Coast, together with Luis Castillo and the Seattle Mariners towards the Boston Purple Sox at 10:10 p.m. ET.
What are we on the lookout for because the season will get began? Our reporters give their pregame takes from the ballpark, plus we’ll submit lineups as they’re introduced and dwell updates all through the day, together with takeaways from every recreation because it concludes.
Season preview: Energy rankings | Predictions | Strikes that rocked offseason
MLB Rank 2024: Who’re baseball’s 100 finest gamers? | Snubs, surprises
ESPN+: Passan’s daring predictions, breakout stars | 2024 MLB payroll tiers
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Stay updates | | Takeaways | Storylines & lineups
Postponed video games: MIL-NYM, ATL-PHI
Stay updates from each Opening Day recreation
Takeaways from accomplished Opening Day video games
New York Yankees 5, Houston Astros 4
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
The knock on Juan Soto lately — the one blemish on a generational participant — has been his protection within the outfield. The numbers supported what eyes indicated: It has been ugly.
He has insisted he is higher than that, and that he is labored at it. On Thursday, he confirmed that off in an enormous spot, throwing out Mauricio Dubón, the game-tying run, at house plate from proper subject within the ninth inning. Soto pounded his chest. He set free a scream. The play was reviewed and stood. Moments later, Clay Holmes secured the sport’s closing out within the Yankees’ 5-4 comeback win.
Soto had his first signature Yankee second. And it got here on protection — simply as all of us anticipated. – Jorge Castillo
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
The Giants re-tooled their .roster as a lot as any crew within the offseason, including Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy, plus extremely touted heart fielder Jung Hoo Lee from Korea. Their linchpin, nonetheless, stays ace starter Logan Webb, who has a 3.07 ERA over the previous three seasons and led the majors with 216 innings final season.
Sadly, his 2024 begins with a number of the similar points as final season: A scarcity of help. In 2023, regardless of a 3.25 ERA that ranked fourth within the NL — plus that workload — Webb completed simply 11-13 attributable to some shaky offensive help (he had 18 video games the place he allowed two runs or fewer and gained simply 9 of them). On Thursday, the dearth of help got here from the bullpen. He left after six innings with a 3-2 lead, however the Padres scored 4 runs within the seventh inning off the Giants bullpen, with Jake Cronenworth delivering a key two-run double off Ryan Walker. Good comeback for San Diego, robust loss for the Giants. — David Schoenfield
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
The phrase from Blue Jays camp out of spring coaching painted the image of a rejuvenated Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: He is misplaced some weight, he is been extra joyful, he is extra assured and he put collectively constantly good at-bats, hitting .463 in Grapefruit League play. The hope is he can discover his MVP-level stroke of 2021 after two good-not-great seasons in 2022 and 2023. His first hit of 2024: A mammoth 450-foot blast over the batter’s eye in heart subject at Tampa off a cutter from Zach Eflin, matching his longest house run of 2023. That will probably be a pleasant confidence increase for the younger slugger, who reached the majors in 2019 however remains to be simply 25 years outdated.
The Jays are attempting Guerrero within the second spot within the batting order, primarily flipping spots with Bo Bichette. Certainly, you’ll be able to argue that Bichette has handed Guerrero because the face of the Blue Jays (he is definitely been extra precious through WAR the previous two seasons). You may’t argue with this: The Toronto offense is not as deep because it was even a pair years after ending eighth in runs within the AL final season. They want each of their younger begins to ship. – David Schoenfield
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
We noticed Royce Lewis’ star-crossed profession on full show on Thursday: The No. 1 general decide within the 2017 draft, Lewis twice tore his ACL as a minor leaguer, lacking all of 2021 and most of 2022 in consequence. He nonetheless remained a prime prospect and reached the majors for his first prolonged keep in 2023 – solely to play simply 58 video games attributable to an indirect pressure and hamstring. However when he did play, he appeared like a star — hitting over .300 with energy, together with 4 grand slams in lower than a month.
He started 2024 with a house run in his first at-bat, ripping a 423-foot blast to left subject after which singled in his second at-bat. Nonetheless, when Carlos Correa then doubled, Lewis limped into third base and was changed by a pinch-runner (and do not blame chilly climate because it was 65 levels in Kansas Metropolis). The Twins’ lineup wants Lewis raking within the three-hole. Let’s hope it is not severe. – David Schoenfield
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
Miles Mikolas precipitated a little bit of a stir earlier this month when he mentioned the Dodgers have been enjoying “checkbook baseball.” On Opening Day, he obtained a first-hand take a look at what that checkbook has supplied. It obtained them Mookie Betts ($365 million), who reached base 3 times, together with a solo homer. It obtained them Freddie Freeman ($162 million), who reached base 3 times, together with a two-run homer. It obtained them Shohei Ohtani ($700 million), who reached base 3 times, together with a double. And it obtained them Tyler Glasnow ($136.6 million), who allowed three baserunners in six innings. The Dodgers have written a variety of checks recently, particularly amid their $1.2 billion offseason. They’re cashing in early. – Alden Gonzalez
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
All spring, the Reds mentioned they’d sufficient depth to cowl something that got here their manner. Little did they understand how shortly it will be examined as they opened the season with a suspension and a myriad of accidents. However up stepped journeyman Nick Martini who hit two house runs to propel Cincinnati to a straightforward win over Washington. Martini got here into the sport with 354 profession at-bats – and simply eight profession house runs – however he was the Opening Day spark for a crew who has playoff aspirations. On the mound, the Reds obtained a stable debut from newcomer Frankie Montas who shut out the Nationals over six innings whereas giving up simply 4 hits with out issuing a stroll. That Opening Day mixture of energy and pitching is strictly what the group drew up this offseason once they added veterans to a younger and gifted group of prospects. Cincinnati must be within the NL Central race all 12 months. – Jesse Rogers
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
Can the Tigers contend within the AL Central? It has been an extended standing query as they have been in an prolonged rebuilding part — but when they get performances on the mound like they did at the moment, they’re going to be in good condition. Tarik Skubal and three relievers shut down the one power the White Sox have: a veteran lineup that has produced up to now. It additionally helps to have Javy Baez producing. He batted eighth for Detroit on Opening Day — singling to proper on an 0-2 pitch from left-hander Garrett Crochet within the third inning and finally scoring the lone run of the sport.
In the meantime, Crochet was the lone shiny spot for the White Sox. In his first profession begin he struck out eight over six innings, however sadly for Chicago, he had no assist on the plate. – Jesse Rogers
Baltimore Orioles 11, Los Angeles Angels 3
Recap | Field rating | Highlights
Corbin Burnes allowed a first-inning house run to Mike Trout however was in any other case completely dominant in his Orioles debut. That was the one hit he allowed in his six innings as he struck out 11 of the 19 batters he confronted, with seven of these Ok’s coming together with his curveball. The Angels had no probability. With Kyle Bradish and John Means beginning the season on the IL, the Orioles are on the lookout for their large offseason acquisition to get off to a scorching begin — in contrast to final season with the Brewers, when Burnes uncharacteristically struggled early on together with his management and had a so-so 3.97 ERA via his first 10 begins. Even with out Bradish and Means, the Orioles have an opportunity to get off to a blazing begin: Of their first 36 video games, solely six are towards groups that made the playoffs final season, and people six are house video games towards the Brewers and Twins. — David Schoenfield
What to look at, lineups for remaining Opening Day video games
First pitch: 7:35 p.m. ET | ESPN
The pitching matchup: Justin Steele vs. Nathan Eovaldi
The massive storyline: Each groups have large-font narratives producing heightened curiosity of their openers. For the Rangers, it is a celebration as Texas will increase its first World Collection banner earlier than the sport. In the meantime, the Cubs usher in a brand new period through which the face of the crew could be its new supervisor, Craig Counsell, who grew to become the highest-paid skipper in historical past after leaping from one in all Chicago’s chief division rivals within the Brewers. Counsell obtained paid based mostly on a deserved popularity as one of many recreation’s most well-rounded skippers. But when that banner rises, he’ll be admiring the exploits of his opponent, Bruce Bochy, who will probably be taking part in his fourth title celebration as a skipper, or three extra titles than the Cubs have gained during the last 115 years.
One fascinating reality to impress your pals: The magic quantity for wins in Texas is 102. That is a excessive bar however these are the defending champs, in spite of everything. If the Rangers hit that complete, Bochy’s profession complete would leap to 2,195 and he’d leap over Joe McCarthy, Bucky Harris, Dusty Baker and Sparky Anderson into sixth on the all-time wins record. And if the Rangers repeat as champs, he’d be a part of McCarthy, Casey Stengel and Connie Mack as the one managers with at the least 5 World Collection wins. But, from the did-you-know class: Bochy enters the season eight video games beneath .500 for his regular-season profession. — Doolittle
Cubs lineup
Cubs lineup Ian Happ (S) LF
Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
Cody Bellinger (L) CF
Christopher Morel (R) DH
Dansby Swanson (R) SS
Michael Busch (L) 1B
Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
Yan Gomes (R) C
Rangers lineup
Marcus Semien (R) 2B
Corey Seager (L) SS
Josh Jung (R) 3B
Adolis Garcia (R) RF
Wyatt Langford (R) DH
Jonah Heim (S) C
Ezequiel Duran (R) 1B
Evan Carter (L) LF
Leody Taveras (S) CF
First pitch: 10:07 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Shane Bieber vs. Alex Wooden
The massive storyline: It is the acquainted existential query: If an enormous league baseball recreation is performed in an empty stadium, does it make a sound? With the A’s on their manner out of city, diehard Oakland followers have chosen Opening Day as a manner of constructing a press release. Final 12 months was the 12 months of the Reverse Boycott, the place followers confirmed up en masse on choose events to indicate their visceral disregard for possession. This 12 months, after the crew’s choice to desert Oakland for Las Vegas, the followers have chosen a distinct strategy, the UnReverse Boycott, or Reverse UnBoycott, the place they hand around in the parking zone to indicate possession they nonetheless care — with out paying to show it. The A’s have taken steps to mitigate the dangerous publicity by opening the parking zone simply two hours earlier than recreation time, however indignant A’s followers have confirmed their resourcefulness.
One fascinating reality to impress your pals: Stephen Vogt is the Guardians’ new supervisor. Stephen Vogt can also be a cult hero in Oakland, the place the mantra “We Imagine In Stephen Vogt” — accompanied by the drumbeat from the diehards within the right-field bleachers — grew to become an earworm of the final of the Oakland glory days. — Keown
Guardians lineup
Steven Kwan (L) LF
Jose Ramirez (S) 3B
Ramon Laureano (R) RF
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
David Fry (R) DH
Tyler Freeman (R) CF
Andres Gimenez (L) 2B
Austin Hedges (R) C
Brayan Rocchio (S) SS
Athletics lineup
Ryan Noda (L) 1B
Zack Gelof (R) 2B
JJ Bleday (L) CF
Brent Rooker (R) DH
Seth Brown (L) LF
J.D. Davis (R) 3B
Shea Langeliers (R) C
Lawrence Butler (L) RF
Nick Allen (R) SS
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Brayan Bello vs. Luis Castillo
The massive storyline: Name this the battle of two playoff contenders who determined to not spend any cash this offseason — leaving two very sad fan bases. Boston’s payroll is down about $21 million from final season whereas Seattle’s is down about $1 million. The Purple Sox ran the best payroll within the sport once they gained the World Collection in 2018 however could not crack the highest 10 this season. The Mariners missed the postseason by one win however merely retooled the roster somewhat than making vital additions. Nonetheless, with Julio Rodriguez and what could possibly be one of many sport’s finest rotations, the Mariners might problem for his or her first division title since 2001 — and possibly even their first World Collection look.
One fascinating reality to impress your pals: Rodriguez had 60 house runs and 62 stolen bases over his first two seasons. Solely six different gamers in MLB historical past reached 60-60 via their age-22 seasons: Alex Rodriguez, Mike Trout, Ken Griffey Jr., Ronald Acuna Jr., Andruw Jones and Cesar Cedeno. Rodriguez could have his sights on a 40-40 season in 2024. — Schoenfield
Purple Sox lineup
Jarren Duran (L) LF
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Trevor Story (R) SS
Triston Casas (L) 1B
Tyler O’Neill (R) RF
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B
Connor Wong (R) C
Mariners lineup
J.P. Crawford (L) SS
Julio Rodriguez (R) CF
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Mitch Garver (R) DH
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Mitch Haniger (R) RF
Dominic Canzone (L) LF
Ty France (R) 1B
Josh Rojas (L) 3B
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Kyle Freeland vs. Zac Gallen
The massive storyline: From a nationwide perspective, just about all of the curiosity on this recreation surrounds Arizona, a breakout crew in 2023 that will not be sneaking up on anybody this time round. The Diamondbacks are defending an NL pennant for the second time of their historical past and as a membership constructed on a basis of a surfeit of younger, high-upside gamers, they need to in idea be higher. However can they be improved sufficient to maintain tempo within the high-powered NL West? Getting off to a powerful begin will probably be a problem as Arizona is coping with key accidents in its pitching employees. That record is led by key free agent signee Eduardo Rodriguez (lat pressure) and nearer Paul Sewald (indirect).
One fascinating reality to impress your pals: Arizona star Corbin Carroll is a good all-around participant and one of many video games’ finest younger hitters. However the place he breaks the dimensions is on the basepaths. On the floor, you see that he scored 116 runs in 2023 whereas racking up 10 triples and recording a 54-for-59 success fee on steals. Add it up and Carroll’s plus-12 runs above common within the baserunning part of bWAR was 5 runs higher than every other participant in baseball final season, ranked as the all time complete for a participant 22 or youthful and was tied for the Twelfth-best single-season determine in historical past. You may’t take your eyes off him. — Doolittle
Rockies lineup: TBA
Diamondbacks lineup
Ketel Marte (S) 2B
Corbin Carroll (L) RF
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF
Christian Walker (R) 1B
Gabriel Moreno (R) C
Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B
Blaze Alexander (R) DH
Alek Thomas (L) CF
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS