MLB 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Opening Day Matchups

The 2025 MLB season commenced with the Tokyo Series, where the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, swept the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. However, the true thrill begins now with a full Opening Day lineup!

On Thursday, March 27, 26 teams will compete in 14 games, with the Dodgers and Cubs continuing their seasons. The Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies will play on Friday, March 28, giving the Rays extra time to prepare George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Secure your tickets now for the best seats on the most eagerly awaited day of the baseball year! Here’s a detailed overview of the 15 remaining season openers, starting with the 14 games scheduled for Thursday. All games are available live on MLB.TV (local and national blackout restrictions apply).

Thursday, March 27 Matchups (All Times ET)

Brewers at Yankees, 3:05 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs. Carlos Rodón (NYY)

  • Rodón steps in for the Yankees with Gerrit Cole unavailable. Peralta makes his second consecutive Opening Day start for Milwaukee.

• New Face: Devin Williams, the Yankees' new closer, arrives from the Brewers. The Yankees also added Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Max Fried.

• Note: Christian Yelich is set to return for the Brewers after recovering from back surgery.

  
  

Orioles at Blue Jays, 3:07 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Zach Eflin (BAL) vs. José Berríos (TOR)

  • Eflin makes history by starting consecutive Opening Days against the same team for two different clubs.

• New Face: Anthony Santander debuts for the Blue Jays against his former team, the Orioles.

• Note: Tyler O'Neill aims to extend his record-setting Opening Day home run streak to six.

  
  

Red Sox at Rangers, 4:05 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Garrett Crochet (BOS) vs. Nathan Eovaldi (TEX)

  • Crochet makes his Red Sox debut after a breakout 2024 season. Eovaldi starts his second straight Opening Day for the Rangers.

• New Face: Alex Bregman debuts for the Red Sox, facing a familiar opponent in the Rangers.

• Note: The Rangers boast a perfect 3-0 Opening Day record at Globe Life Field.

  
  

Phillies at Nationals, 4:05 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs. MacKenzie Gore (WSH)

  • Wheeler makes his second consecutive Opening Day start. Gore seeks a breakout year.

• New Face: Nathaniel Lowe joins the Nationals, bolstering their lineup.

• Note: This is the first Opening Day matchup between these NL East rivals since 2010.

  
  

Guardians at Royals, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs. Cole Ragans (KC)

  • Bibee makes his first Opening Day start, filling the void left by Shane Bieber. Ragans makes his second consecutive Opening Day start.

• New Face: The Royals' revamped bullpen features Hunter Harvey, Lucas Erceg, and Carlos Estévez.

• Note: The Guardians are on a five-year road Opening Day streak.

  
  

Mets at Astros, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Clay Holmes (NYM) vs. Framber Valdez (HOU)

  • Valdez makes his fourth straight Opening Day start. Holmes makes his Mets debut.

• New Face: Juan Soto debuts for the Mets after signing a record-breaking contract.

• Note: Valdez is the first Astros pitcher to start four consecutive Opening Days since Roy Oswalt.

  
  

Giants at Reds, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Logan Webb (SF) vs. Hunter Greene (CIN)

  • Webb makes his fourth straight Opening Day start. Greene follows up his breakout 2024.

• New Face: Willy Adames debuts for the Giants, returning to a familiar ballpark.

• Note: The Giants' left field Opening Day streak reaches 19 different players in 19 years.

  
  

Braves at Padres, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Chris Sale (ATL) vs. Michael King (SD)

  • Sale makes his first Opening Day start since 2019. King makes his first ever Opening Day start.

• New Face: Jurickson Profar joins the Braves after a stellar 2024 season with the Padres.

• Note: The Braves open the season in the same location where their 2024 season ended.

  
  

Angels at White Sox, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) vs. Sean Burke (CWS)

  • Kikuchi makes his first career Opening Day start. Burke makes his with very little major league innings.

• New Face: Jorge Soler joins the Angels, adding power to their lineup.

• Note: Both teams hope for healthy seasons from their star players, Mike Trout and Luis Robert Jr.

  
  

Pirates at Marlins, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Paul Skenes (PIT) vs. Sandy Alcantara (MIA)

  • Skenes starts his first Opening Day after his rookie of the year season. Alcantara returns from injury to make his fifth Opening Day start.

• New Face: Tommy Pham joins the Pirates, his 10th MLB team.

• Note: Skenes faces Alcantara, a former Cy Young winner.

  
  

Twins at Cardinals, 4:15 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Pablo López (MIN) vs. Sonny Gray (STL)

  • Former teammates face off as Gray makes his first Cardinals Opening Day start.

• New Face: Willson Contreras transitions to first base for the Cardinals.

• Note: The Twins have a history of road Opening Day struggles.

  
  

Tigers at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Tarik Skubal (DET) vs. Blake Snell (LAD)

  • Skubal faces the defending World Series champions. Snell makes his Dodger debut.

• New Face: Gleyber Torres joins the Tigers after a long stint with the Yankees.

• Note: The Dodgers have a strong home opener record following a World Series win.

  
  

Cubs at D-backs, 10:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Justin Steele (CHC) vs. Zac Gallen (AZ)

  • Gallen makes his third consecutive Opening Day start. Steele makes his second start of 2025 after the Tokyo series.

• New Face: Kyle Tucker debuts for the Cubs.

• Note: Ketel Marte ties a franchise record for Opening Day starts.

  
  

Athletics at Mariners, 10:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Luis Severino (ATH) vs. Logan Gilbert (SEA)

  • Gilbert makes his first Opening Day start. Severino makes his second career Opening Day start.

• New Face: Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs anchor the A’s pitching staff.

• Note: The Mariners have a strong Opening Day record.

  
  

Friday, March 28 Matchup

Rockies at Rays, 4:10 p.m.

• SP Matchup: Kyle Freeland (COL) vs. Ryan Pepiot (TB)

  • Freeland makes his fourth Opening Day start. Pepiot steps in for the injured Shane McClanahan.

• New Face: Danny Jansen joins the Rays, aiming to improve their catching production.

• Note: The Rays play their first regular-season game at George M. Steinbrenner Field.