Welcome to MLB Opening Day!
All 30 groups had 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 will get issues began with new O’s ace Corbin Burnes on the mound at 3:05 p.m. ET. Quickly after, issues will actually warmth up with seven video games scheduled to start at 4:10 p.m. ET — highlighted by a New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros showdown in Texas.
Later, the Texas Rangers will increase the primary World Collection banner in franchise historical past earlier than taking up the Chicago Cubs in supervisor Craig Counsell’s group 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 Crimson Sox at 10:10 p.m. ET.
What are we searching for because the season will get began? Our reporters give their pregame takes from the ballpark, plus we’ll publish lineups as they’re introduced and dwell updates all through the day, together with takeaways from every sport because it concludes.
Season preview: Energy rankings | Predictions | Strikes that rocked offseason
MLB Rank 2024: Who’re baseball’s 100 greatest gamers? | Snubs, surprises
ESPN+: Passan’s daring predictions, breakout stars | 2024 MLB payroll tiers
Soar to a sport:
LAA-BAL | DET-CHW | MIN-KC
NYY-HOU | PIT-MIA | SF-SD
STL-LAD | TOR-TB | WSH-CIN
CHC-TEX | CLE-OAK
BOS-SEA | COL-ARI
Postponed video games: MIL-NYM, ATL-PHI
First pitch: 3:05 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Patrick Sandoval vs. Corbin Burnes
The massive storyline: The very best regular-season group within the American League final yr unveils its latest star whereas the group that misplaced the largest one within the sport begins anew. Burnes’ Baltimore debut is the primary attraction of the afternoon, although after the Orioles ran roughshod by means of the Grapefruit League, the largest query is: How good can they be? Extraordinarily is the reply, notably with the No. 1 general prospect in baseball, Jackson Holliday, beginning the season at Triple-A after slashing .311/.354/.600 in spring coaching.
Sandoval will get his first Opening Day begin after Shohei Ohtani bought the nod the previous two years. Ohtani’s absence hangs over the Angels, whose lineup consists of the return of Mike Trout from the hamate bone harm that saved him out all however one sport over the season’s last three months and a menagerie of prime prospects and excessive draft picks.
One enjoyable reality to impress your folks: In his NL Cy Younger-winning 2021 season, Burnes began the yr with 58 strikeouts earlier than yielding his first stroll. He surpassed the earlier file of 51, held by Dodgers nearer Kenley Jansen. The streak broke one other mark: 56 consecutive walk-free strikeouts at any level within the season, held by Gerrit Cole and Curt Schilling. In opposition to the 127th batter he confronted, St. Louis utilityman Tommy Edman, Burnes walked him on 5 pitches. — Jeff Passan
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Tarik Skubal vs. Garrett Crochet
The massive storyline: The Tigers have been rebuilding for a very long time — their final successful season got here manner again in 2016 — however perhaps that is the season they lastly break by means of. They’ve a few fascinating rookies becoming a member of the lineup in second baseman Colt Keith (the No. 40 general prospect) and middle fielder Parker Meadows (No. 45). Keith is extra bat over glove whereas Meadows is a tooled-up 6-foot-5 plus defender. However the Tigers’ playoff hopes might relaxation on a dominant season from Skubal, who went 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA and 11.4 Ok’s per 9 in 15 begins final season. His fastball averaged 96.4 mph in his last spring coaching sport and he could possibly be a Cy Younger contender.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: Crochet is likely one of the impossible Opening Day starters in MLB historical past, which tells you what to anticipate from the White Sox in 2024. He is made 72 appearances within the majors, however all these got here in aid, making him simply the third pitcher since World Warfare II to make his first profession begin on Opening Day. The others: Tanner Scheppers for the Rangers in 2014 and Fernando Valenzuela for the Dodgers in 1981. — David Schoenfield
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Pablo Lopez vs. Cole Ragans
The massive storyline: One among these groups gained the division final yr, however fell within the ALDS. The opposite group matched a franchise file with 106 losses, ending 31 video games out of first place. One among these groups made round $110 million in free agent commitments this offseason; the opposite simply $6.2 million. Who was who? Nicely, it was the bottom-feeding Royals who spent large over the winter whereas the Twins … not a lot. Can Kansas Metropolis presumably shut a 31-game deficit in a single offseason? It is a tall order, clearly, however at the very least the Royals behaved like a group attempting to alter its fortunes.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: In keeping with ESPN BET, this pitching matchup pits two of the highest seven AL Cy Younger candidates. Lopez completed seventh a season in the past whereas the emergent Ragans would have been a first-rate contender if he had put up his Kansas Metropolis-only numbers over a full season. Ragans was traded from Texas on June 30 and solely 4 AL starters produced a decrease ERA than his 2.64 mark after the All-Star break. — Bradford Doolittle
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Nestor Cortes vs. Framber Valdez
The massive storyline: It is a assembly between two rivals anticipated to compete for the American League pennant. Each rosters are loaded with stars. Each function intriguing younger abilities. Each groups splurged on premier expertise from San Diego in the course of the offseason (Juan Soto through commerce on one aspect, Josh Hader through free company on the opposite). The heated historical past, after all, is there.
However Thursday’s matchup particularly is as a lot about who is not enjoying. Former Astros teammates Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander would have been the opening day starters if not for accidents. Cole is coping with nerve irritation and edema in his proper elbow. Verlander had a setback together with his proper shoulder. Two left-handers seeking to rebound from disappointing seasons will take the ball of their locations.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: The Astros have reached the final seven American League Championship Collection, one shy of the longest LCS streak in historical past. The Braves set the file within the ’90s, advancing to eight straight NLCS. Atlanta gained one (1) World Collection throughout that span. The Astros have gained two. Yankees followers, after all, would argue that the title in 2017 would’ve been theirs if the Astros weren’t banging trash cans. New York as an alternative hasn’t gained a championship since 2009. It is the franchise’s longest title drought since going with out a parade between 1978 and 1996. — Jorge Castillo
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Mitch Keller vs. Jesus Luzardo
The massive storyline: Oneil Cruz is again at shortstop for the Pirates after fracturing his ankle 9 video games into 2023 and he is seemed good in spring coaching with seven residence runs, together with a number of monstrous blasts. Henry Davis, the primary general decide within the 2021 draft, struggled as a rookie final season whereas transferring from catcher to proper subject, however an offseason harm to Endy Rodriguez has Davis again behind the plate and he is additionally had spring. Different younger Pirates embody pitcher Jared Jones, the group’s No. 3 prospect who cracked the Opening Day rotation, and Paul Skenes, final yr’s No. 1 general decide who should not want a lot time within the minors. If that group delivers, the Pirates have an opportunity to develop into this yr’s Marlins as a shock playoff group.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: It has been a tough spring coaching for the Miami rotation as Braxton Garrett (shoulder), Eury Perez (elbow) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) will all start the season on the IL (on prime of Sandy Alcantara already being out for the yr). Luzardo must step up and he is a sleeper Cy Younger candidate after ending within the prime 10 amongst NL starters in ERA, strikeout charge and fWAR. — Schoenfield
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Logan Webb vs. Yu Darvish
The massive storyline: It is a matchup of maybe the 2 largest curiosities in baseball this season. The Giants went from a projected fourth-place end within the NL West to the third-best group within the NL by PECOTA’s projected standings with the signings of reigning Cy Younger winner Blake Snell and third baseman Matt Chapman. San Francisco had a giant winter — however was it actually sufficient to show them right into a playoff group after two disappointing seasons?
The Padres are $60 million lighter in payroll with the commerce of Juan Soto and free agent exits of Snell, Josh Hader, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Nick Martinez and extra. They added Dylan Stop and Michael King, bulked up their bullpen, continued their positional musical chairs and, after splitting their season-opening sequence in Korea with the Los Angeles Dodgers, have practically the identical query to reply: Was it actually sufficient to show them right into a playoff group after a disappointing season?
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: Like his former Kiwoom Heroes teammate Ha-Seong Kim, new Giants middle fielder Jung Hoo Lee spent seven seasons within the Korea Baseball Group earlier than coming into the posting system as a 25-year-old free agent. Kim walked (four-year, $28 million contract, which expires after this season) so Lee may run (six-year, $113 million deal). Lee has not been the house run hitter in Korea that Kim was, however a .340/.407/.491 line and impeccable pedigree — his dad is Korean baseball legend Jong-Beom Lee, nicknamed Son of the Wind — made the so-called Grandson of the Wind one of many KBO’s hottest gamers. Oh, and he slashed .414/.485/.586 this spring, so the hype could also be actual. — Passan
The pitching matchup: Miles Mikolas vs. Tyler Glasnow
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The massive storyline: The Dodgers opened their season in South Korea final week and, assuming you awakened actually early, you have already seen what their lineup appears to be like like with Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman atop it. However since then Ohtani has been embroiled in main controversy whereas on the middle of a betting scandal through which he claims his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole hundreds of thousands of {dollars} from his accounts and wired them to a bookmaker who’s beneath federal investigation.
It is a story that’s poised to hover over the Dodgers all yr, as in the event that they weren’t already getting sufficient consideration. How an exceedingly non-public, world famous person like Ohtani handles it — whereas residing as much as the stress of a $700 million contract and being with out Mizuhara, who took care of many facets of his life since Ohtani got here to america greater than six years in the past — shall be fascinating to look at. It begins now.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: The Cardinals rewarded Mikolas, an important innings-eater in an unstable rotation, with a three-year, $55.75 million extension final March, then watched him navigate a down yr that mirrored that of the group round him. Mikolas’ ERA jumped from 3.29 in 2022 to 4.78 in 2023, and it wasn’t simply unhealthy BABIP luck. His anticipated slugging share rose to .499, throughout the backside 6% of the league. Mikolas has at all times been a pitch-to-contact man, however he allowed manner an excessive amount of laborious contact final yr. His 226 hits allowed led the majors. — Alden Gonzalez
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Jose Berrios vs. Zach Eflin
The massive storyline: Two groups which can be attempting to shake off current playoff disappointment and work out how one can get a bit of higher in October — however within the AL East, it’s a must to get there first. The Jays had been swept within the wild-card sequence the previous two seasons and together with the wild-card sequence in 2020, are actually 0-6 within the playoffs this decade. The underside half of their lineup appears to be like a bit of smooth and nearer Jordan Romano is starting the season on the IL with elbow irritation. The Rays had been additionally swept within the wild-card sequence the previous two seasons and misplaced within the ALDS in 2021, giving them a 1-7 file the previous three postseasons since their run to the 2020 World Collection. The Rays have a whole rotation on the IL, though Eflin is coming off a 16-win season. He’ll want one other large season given the considerations with the remainder of the rotation.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: Everybody — particularly the Blue Jays — is questioning whether or not Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can hit once more like he did in 2021, when he hit 48 residence runs with a 1.002 OPS and completed second within the AL MVP voting. That was the yr the Jays needed to play greater than half of their residence video games in Dunedin and Buffalo — and Guerrero completely raked in these two parks, hitting .364 with 21 residence runs in 44 video games. His highway numbers the previous three seasons have been fairly secure and he actually struggled at Rogers Centre in 2023, hitting .238 with a .716 OPS. — Schoenfield
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET
The pitching matchup: Josiah Grey vs. Frankie Montas
The massive storyline: The final time this a lot pleasure accompanied a Reds Opening Day was in 2013, with Cincinnati coming off an NL Central-best 97-win season. A brand new era of Reds are right here, and whereas infielder Matt McLain and outfielder TJ Friedl will begin the season on the injured record and third baseman Noelvi Marte on the suspended record following a constructive PED check, loads of expertise stays: Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and a deep, younger rotation. The Reds spent greater than $110 million on free brokers, together with Montas, and so they’ll face a Nationals group that’s concurrently rising up with shortstop CJ Abrams and catcher Keibert Ruiz whereas biding their time till the arrivals of extremely touted outfielders James Wooden and Dylan Crews in addition to third baseman Brady Home.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: Grey, beginning his first Opening Day, went to Le Moyne School in Syracuse, New York, the place he principally performed shortstop earlier than transitioning to the beginning rotation as a junior. Grey punched out 105 in 93.1 innings and was drafted within the second spherical in 2018 by … the Cincinnati Reds. They dealt him to the Dodgers in a commerce that was ostensibly speculated to be a wage dump for Los Angeles, which two and a half years later moved him to Washington with Ruiz within the Max Scherzer-Trea Turner deal. — Passan
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 group could be its new supervisor, Craig Counsell, who turned the highest-paid skipper in historical past after leaping from certainly one of Chicago’s chief division rivals within the Brewers. Counsell bought paid primarily based on a deserved status as one of many sport’s most well-rounded skippers. But when that banner rises, he’ll be admiring the exploits of his opponent, Bruce Bochy, who shall 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 folks: 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 bounce 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 part of McCarthy, Casey Stengel and Connie Mack as the one managers with at the very 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
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 a giant league baseball sport 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 creating a press release. Final yr was the yr of the Reverse Boycott, the place followers confirmed up en masse on choose events to point out their visceral disregard for possession. This yr, after the group’s determination to desert Oakland for Las Vegas, the followers have chosen a unique strategy, the UnReverse Boycott, or Reverse UnBoycott, the place they hand around in the car parking zone to point out possession they nonetheless care — with out paying to show it. The A’s have taken steps to mitigate the unhealthy publicity by opening the car parking zone simply two hours earlier than sport time, however indignant A’s followers have confirmed their resourcefulness.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: 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 — turned an earworm of the final of the Oakland glory days. — Keown
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 Crimson Sox ran the best payroll within the sport once they gained the World Collection in 2018 however might not crack the highest 10 this season. The Mariners missed the postseason by one win however merely retooled the roster quite than making vital additions. Nonetheless, with Julio Rodriguez and what could possibly be one of many sport’s greatest rotations, the Mariners may problem for his or her first division title since 2001 — and perhaps even their first World Collection look.
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: Rodriguez had 60 residence runs and 62 stolen bases over his first two seasons. Solely six different gamers in MLB historical past reached 60-60 by means of their age-22 seasons: Alex Rodriguez, Mike Trout, Ken Griffey Jr., Ronald Acuna Jr., Andruw Jones and Cesar Cedeno. Rodriguez may have his sights on a 40-40 season in 2024. — Schoenfield
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 sport surrounds Arizona, a breakout group 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 concept be higher. However can they be improved sufficient to maintain tempo within the high-powered NL West? Getting off to a powerful begin shall be a problem as Arizona is coping with key accidents in its pitching workers. That record is led by key free agent signee Eduardo Rodriguez (lat pressure) and nearer Paul Sewald (indirect).
One fascinating reality to impress your folks: Arizona star Corbin Carroll is a good all-around participant and one of many video games’ greatest younger hitters. However the place he breaks the size 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 charge on steals. Add it up and Carroll’s plus-12 runs above common within the baserunning element 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 possibly can’t take your eyes off him. — Doolittle