The commencement of the 2024 MLB season in full swing arrives on Thursday with the much-anticipated Opening Day, following a brief glimpse of action during the Seoul Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to what lies ahead on Opening Day:
How to Watch:
Opening Day features a lineup of games on Thursday, March 28, with 26 teams taking the field. Additionally, two extra Opening Day games are scheduled for Friday due to rain delays.
The Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Angels kick off the day’s action at 3:05 PM ET at Camden Yards in Maryland. The Orioles will observe a moment of silence to honor the victims and the city’s courageous first responders in light of Tuesday’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
Every game is accessible live on MLB.TV and through local broadcasters, the list of which can be found here.
Ohtani Cloud Overshadows Dodgers Start:
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ preseason optimism and World Series aspirations, fueled by the acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, have been overshadowed by recent events. A gambling scandal involving Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has dominated headlines in the weeks leading up to Opening Day.
Despite the distractions, Ohtani’s performance during the Seoul Series, where he went 3-for-10 with two RBIs and a stolen base, hints at his determination to excel on the field. However, questions linger about the impact of the scandal as Ohtani prepares to make his home debut against the St. Louis Cardinals at 6:10 p.m. ET.
‘The Bronx Bombers’ Seeking Improvement:
The New York Yankees, despite their illustrious history and talented roster, faced a disappointing postseason absence last year, marking their first since 2016. Anticipating a rebound, the Yankees underwent significant roster changes during the offseason, notably acquiring Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres.
Soto, a three-time All-Star, brings considerable firepower to the Yankees lineup, joining forces with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gerrit Cole. With heightened expectations, the Yankees commence their 2024 campaign against the Houston Astros, aiming to reclaim their dominance in the American League.
Other Names to Keep an Eye On:
Across the MLB landscape, several intriguing storylines unfold. Ronald Acuña Jr., fresh off a stellar season, looks to maintain his MVP-caliber performance for the Atlanta Braves. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers embark on their title defense against the Chicago Cubs, showcasing emerging talent like Wyatt Longford.
Full Schedule of Opening Day:
The action-packed Opening Day schedule features matchups across the league, promising excitement and anticipation among fans. Below is the complete schedule for Opening Day games, with additional games scheduled for Friday, March 29. (All times in ET).
Thursday, March 28
Los Angeles Angels @ Baltimore Orioles – 3:05 PM ET
Washington Nationals @ Cincinnati Reds – 4:10 PM ET
San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres – 4:10 PM ET
St. Louis Cardinals @ Los Angeles Dodgers – 4:10 PM ET
Toronto Blue Jays @ Tampa Bay Rays – 4:10 PM ET
Minnesota Twins @ Kansas City Royals – 4:10 PM ET
Detroit Tigers @ Chicago White Sox – 4:10 PM ET
Pittsburgh Pirates @ Miami Marlins – 4:10 PM ET
New York Yankees @ Houston Astros – 4:10 PM ET
Chicago Cubs @ Texas Rangers – 7:35 PM ET
Cleveland Guardians @ Oakland Athletics – 10:07 PM ET
Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 10:10 PM ET
Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners – 10:10 PM ET
Friday, March 29
Milwaukee Brewers @ New York Mets – 1:40 PM ET
Atlanta Braves @ Philadelphia Phillies – 3:05 PM ET
