As Major League Baseball gears up for the excitement of the 2025 season, the preparations for Opening Day are well underway. The much-anticipated day is set for Thursday, March 27, 2025, with 14 games scheduled to start at 3 p.m. ET. Fans across the country are eagerly awaiting the first pitches, especially with the Los Angeles Dodgers raising their World Series banner in Chavez Ravine, setting the tone for a competitive season.
The Dodgers are entering the year as heavy favorites to repeat as champions, bolstered by their roster depth and high-profile offseason signings. Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell has been added to the pitching lineup, alongside Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, adding significant depth to their rotation and increasing expectations for the team.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres are all vying for a chance to dethrone the Dodgers in the National League. The Braves, who will start without Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuña Jr. due to rehabilitation from injuries, are still optimistic about maintaining their competitive edge as the season progresses.
On the other hand, the Phillies are looking to build on their successes from last season, where they sent a record seven players to the All-Star Game. Their roster is packed with potential, but questions loom over the health of key players like Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, both pending free agents.
The Mets made a splash this offseason, landing superstar Juan Soto on a historic 15-year, $765 million deal. The addition of Soto alongside NL MVP runner-up Francisco Lindor promises to create one of the most dynamic lineups in the league, but the team’s early-season struggles due to injuries may hinder their performance. Notably, pitchers Frankie Montas and Francisco Alvarez are expected to be sidelined until at least May.
Meanwhile, prospect Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB draft, takes the mound as Opening Day starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His impressive performance last season, which included a 1.96 ERA, has fans hopeful for a strong season ahead.
Across the league, teams are finalizing their roster decisions as the season approaches quickly. Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks is confirmed to start for the third consecutive year as the D-backs open their season against the Chicago Cubs. Gallen's steady development makes him a reliable ace, having finished the last season with a 3.65 ERA.
The Athletics will feature Luis Severino as their Opening Day starter after he signed a record-breaking three-year, $67 million contract, the largest in franchise history. This marks a significant investment for the team, which continues to rebuild and relocate. Severino is set to make his debut against the Seattle Mariners.
For the Chicago White Sox, rookie Sean Burke will take the mound for the team on Opening Day, while the Cincinnati Reds will rely on their ace Hunter Greene. Greene’s stellar performance last season earned him eighth place in the NL Cy Young voting, and he looks to build on that success.
The season will also see the return of Sandy Alcantara for the Miami Marlins, who missed all of last year due to Tommy John surgery. The 2022 NL Cy Young winner is back and eager to resume leading the Marlins' rotation as they face the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In contrast, the Washington Nationals are continuing their rebuilding efforts, having seen their record improve from just 55 wins in 2022 to 71 last season under the leadership of general manager Mike Rizzo. The Nationals aim to solidify this growth and possibly explore fielding a competitive team again in the near future.
The Toronto Blue Jays are also making strides in their roster selections, wrapping up their Grapefruit League schedule on March 23, 2025. Manager John Schneider confirmed that Myles Straw, Nathan Lukes, and Alan Roden will comprise the final three spots on their Opening Day roster.
Straw has made a notable impact this spring, hitting .414 with a 1.072 OPS, while Roden also impressed as the Blue Jays’ fifth-ranked prospect. These players’ performance can significantly affect the Blue Jays’ offensive capabilities as the season advances.
As the excitement builds leading up to Opening Day, each team is finalizing their game plans and ensuring their players are ready for the upcoming challenges. From the high expectations in Los Angeles to the hopeful signs in Washington, the 2025 MLB season promises drama, competition, and unforgettable moments right from the start.
