A flag will be raised, an indomitable ace and a star-studded lineup will collide and 24 more Major League Baseball teams will get their 2026 seasons underway as Opening Day – the traditional, plausibly real one – arrives.
From afternoon back east until the wee hours on the West Coast, a slate of intriguing matchups are set, beginning with reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes taking on the New York Mets - and new $42 million third baseman Bo Bichette - at Citi Fields in Queens.
The action will continue through the afternoon with a trio of notable rookies debuting: Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle at San Diego, Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford at home against Texas and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, batting leadoff in the lid-lifter at Busch Stadium against Tampa Bay.
The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers will have a twilight opener out west, as they take on Arizona at 8:30 ET.
Follow along for live updates all day and night:
