The unmistakable buzz of Major League Baseball’s Opening Day filled the air as the Chicago White Sox squared off against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on March 26, 2026. With the first pitch scheduled for 2:10 p.m. Eastern Time, fans from both cities tuned in, eager to see how these two teams—linked by history, rivalry, and even a few shared faces—would launch their new campaigns.
Opening Day always brings a fresh sense of possibility, but this matchup had an extra layer of intrigue. The starting pitchers, Jacob Misiorowski for Milwaukee and Shane Smith for Chicago, weren’t just talented young arms—they were former Minor League teammates, their paths intertwined through Single-A Carolina, High-A Wisconsin, Double-A Biloxi, and Triple-A Nashville. In fact, back in July 2023, they even pitched in the same game for High-A Wisconsin, with Misiorowski starting and Smith holding the lead in relief. Now, after Smith was plucked from the Brewers in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, the two faced off as Opening Day starters for rival clubs.
“He was an awesome teammate,” Misiorowski recalled in a pregame interview. “What I remember more is being in Double-A, where everyone is grinding to get out of there. But he was positive in the clubhouse and really a great guy.”
Both pitchers entered the day with something to prove. Misiorowski, Milwaukee’s electric right-hander, came off a rookie season in which he posted a 6-5 record and a 4.05 ERA. His fastball regularly touches 100 mph, complemented by a wicked slider, curveball, and changeup. Despite the ERA, his expected numbers—like a 3.41 xERA and a .202 expected batting average—hinted at a breakout campaign if he could harness his command. Brewers manager Pat Murphy even dubbed him “our Forrest Gump,” referencing Misiorowski’s unpredictable but eventful 2025 journey from prospect to All-Star to bullpen ace and back to the rotation.
On the other side, Shane Smith’s story was equally compelling. Once an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, signed by Milwaukee while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, Smith became the White Sox’s top pick in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft. He rewarded Chicago’s faith by earning a 2025 All-Star nod, finishing with a 7-8 record and a 3.81 ERA over 146.1 innings. While Smith doesn’t overpower hitters with strikeouts, his fastball sits at a respectable 96 mph, and his ability to avoid hard contact—ranking in the 76th percentile for barrel rate—has made him a reliable presence atop the White Sox rotation. However, his Spring Training was rocky, with nine walks and five hit batters over just 10 2/3 innings, raising questions about his command heading into the regular season.
The lineups reflected both teams’ ambitions and challenges. For Chicago, manager Will Venable went with Chase Meidroth at the top, followed by Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, and veteran Andrew Benintendi in the cleanup spot. The big offseason addition, Munetaka Murakami, slotted into the heart of the order, making his much-anticipated MLB debut after a storied career in Japan. The rest of the lineup—Austin Hays, Everson Pereira, Edgar Quero, and Luisangel Acuña—showed a blend of youth and experience. Notably, Meidroth’s start at second base marked the 14th straight Opening Day with a new White Sox second baseman, a streak stretching back to Gordon Beckham’s consecutive starts from 2010-2013.
For Milwaukee, the absence of young star Jackson Chourio—placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hand fracture—forced some reshuffling. Brice Turang led off, followed by William Contreras, Christian Yelich, Andrew Vaughn, Jake Bauers, Sal Frelick, David Hamilton, Garrett Mitchell, and Joey Ortiz. Despite Chourio’s injury, optimism remained high; last year, the Brewers posted a team 107 wRC+, and their offense, returning most key contributors, was widely projected as a top-five unit in the league.
Bullpen depth was another focal point. Milwaukee’s relief corps, anchored by Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe, looked formidable. Megill, an All-Star last season, was set to resume closing duties, with Uribe, Angel Zerpa, Jared Koenig, and Aaron Ashby providing strong support. “It’s a great bridge between Misiorowski and victory,” one analyst noted. Chicago, meanwhile, had bolstered its bullpen with the addition of Seranthony Domínguez as a set closer, alongside Sean Newcomb, Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure, and Jordan Hicks. Taylor, in particular, was praised as one of the best middle relievers in the game.
Injuries, as always, played a role. The White Sox were without catcher Kyle Teel, who suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain during the World Baseball Classic and was expected to miss four to six weeks. Right-hander Mike Vasil was set to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the season, while outfielder Brooks Baldwin started the year on the injured list with elbow soreness. For the Brewers, beyond Chourio, the team awaited the return of Quinn Priester, who had been a key contributor during a 19-game win streak but was recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome.
Spring Training trends offered a final glimpse into each squad’s mindset. The White Sox, aggressive on the basepaths, swiped 43 bags—second in the Cactus League and fourth in all of baseball. Acuña impressed with his versatility and bat, while Anthony Kay, returning from a stint in Japan, struck out 15 in 16 1/3 innings. For the Brewers, first basemen Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn combined for eight homers in Arizona, and David Hamilton, pegged by manager Murphy for a “quantum leap,” led the team with an .833 OPS and five steals.
Historical context only added to the anticipation. The Brewers and White Sox have a rivalry dating back to the 1970s, with four previous Opening Day meetings. The last such clash came in 1995, when Milwaukee’s John Jaha launched a first-inning grand slam en route to a 12-3 Brewers victory. Both fanbases hoped for another memorable chapter.
As for the odds, Milwaukee entered the opener as a strong -186 favorite, with Chicago a +153 underdog and the over/under set at eight runs. Pundits and fans alike expected Misiorowski’s electric stuff to give Milwaukee the edge, especially once the game reached the bullpens.
“Smith will do his best to keep this one close, but I expect Misiorowski to carve through this White Sox lineup like a hot knife through butter,” one preview predicted. “When this game gets to the bullpens, Milwaukee should really open things up.”
With the first pitch thrown and the season underway, all eyes were on American Family Field. Would the Brewers’ potent offense and deep bullpen live up to the hype, or could the revamped White Sox lineup and their gritty ace spoil the party? As the innings unfolded, one thing was certain: Opening Day had delivered all the drama fans craved, setting the stage for a thrilling 2026 MLB season.