Baseball is back! The 2025 Major League Baseball season officially kicks off on Thursday, March 27, with 28 teams set to take the field for Opening Day. The excitement is palpable as fans anticipate the return of America's pastime, with several marquee matchups and intriguing storylines to follow.
This year's Opening Day features a total of 14 games, including some of the league's biggest stars making their debuts in new uniforms. Among those is Juan Soto, who will don the New York Mets jersey for the first time as they face the Houston Astros. Soto, known for his powerful hitting and exceptional on-base skills, is expected to add a significant boost to the Mets' lineup, especially given that Citi Field has been a favorable home run park in recent years.
The action gets underway early, with the New York Yankees hosting the Milwaukee Brewers at 3:05 p.m. ET, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays taking on the Baltimore Orioles just two minutes later. The games will continue throughout the day, culminating in a late-night matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs, which is set to begin at 10:10 p.m. ET.
As fans gear up for the season, notable pitching matchups are also in the spotlight. One of the most anticipated duels features Paul Skenes, the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year, squaring off against Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner. This matchup is particularly exciting as Alcantara returns to form after undergoing Tommy John surgery, showcasing his impressive velocity this spring.
Another key matchup is between Tarik Skubal, last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, and Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young recipient. With both pitchers known for their ability to rack up strikeouts, fans can expect a thrilling contest when the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers face the Detroit Tigers.
Additionally, Garrett Crochet of the Chicago White Sox will take on Nathan Eovaldi, who was instrumental in the Texas Rangers' World Series victory in 2023. The matchup, while not featuring the previously expected Jacob deGrom, still promises to deliver an exciting display of pitching prowess.
For those looking to catch all the action, SiriusXM will broadcast each Opening Day game live, providing fans with access to their favorite teams' broadcasts. The service offers a range of channels dedicated to MLB, ensuring that listeners can stay tuned in to the games wherever they are.
Here's a complete rundown of the Opening Day schedule:
- Yankees vs. Brewers - 3:05 p.m. ET (Yankees 175, Brewers online)
- Blue Jays vs. Orioles - 3:07 p.m. ET (Blue Jays 89, Orioles online)
- Nationals vs. Phillies - 4:05 p.m. ET (Nationals 177, Phillies online)
- Rangers vs. Red Sox - 4:05 p.m. ET (Rangers 176, Red Sox online)
- Astros vs. Mets - 4:10 p.m. ET (Astros 180, Mets online)
- Padres vs. Braves - 4:10 p.m. ET (Padres 183, Braves online)
- Reds vs. Giants - 4:10 p.m. ET (Reds 179, Giants online)
- Royals vs. Guardians - 4:10 p.m. ET (Royals 181, Guardians online)
- Marlins vs. Pirates - 4:10 p.m. ET (Marlins 182, Pirates online)
- White Sox vs. Angels - 4:10 p.m. ET (White Sox 178, Angels online)
- Cardinals vs. Twins - 4:15 p.m. ET (Cardinals 184, Twins online)
- Dodgers vs. Tigers - 7:10 p.m. ET (Dodgers 175, Tigers 89)
- Diamondbacks vs. Cubs - 10:10 p.m. ET (Diamondbacks 89, Cubs online)
- Mariners vs. Athletics - 10:10 p.m. ET (Mariners 176, Athletics online)
It's worth noting that the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays will not participate in Opening Day festivities, as they are scheduled to play their season opener on Friday, March 28, at 4:10 p.m. ET.
The anticipation surrounding this season's Opening Day is heightened by the offseason's flurry of activity, with familiar faces now in new places. As teams look to establish their identities early in the season, fans will be eager to see how these changes impact performance on the field.
The 2025 MLB season promises to be an exciting one, with countless storylines unfolding, from individual player debuts to team dynamics. With so much talent on display, baseball fans are in for a treat as they settle in for a summer filled with thrilling moments and unforgettable games.
