Mar 25, 2026, 11:00 PM ET

Happy MLB Opening Day!

The 2026 season has arrived, starting with a blowout victory for the New York Yankees over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night and continuing with season openers for the rest of MLB on Thursday and Friday. Whether it’s ace showdowns, powerhouse matchups or new faces in new places you want to see, there is something for everyone.

What are we looking for as the season gets started? Here’s our takeaway from the Yankees-Giants opener and a pregame look at what you need to know for the remaining games (including each team’s initial 2026 Power Ranking and final offseason grade). We’ll also post lineups as they are announced and live updates throughout, followed by takeaways after every final pitch.

Jump to a game:

Wed: NYY 7, SF 0

Thu: PIT-NYY | CHW-MIL | WSH-CHC | MIN-CLE
BOS-CIN | LAA-HOU | DET-SD | TEX-PHI
TB-STL | ARI-LAD | CLE-SEA

Fri: ATH-TOR | COL-MIA | KC-ATL

Wednesday

Thursday/Friday Opening Day storylines we’re watching

Paul Skenes vs. Freddy Peralta showdown: In the best pitching matchup of the day, we have last year’s NL Cy Young winner facing Peralta, who finished fifth in the voting. Peralta was traded from the Brewers to the Mets, so he’ll face the dual pressures of serving as the expected ace of the Mets and pitching for a big contract as he heads to free agency.

Tarik Skubal‘s potential last Opening Day with Tigers: Following an arbitration filing in which the Tigers lowballed Skubal with a $19 million offer that was $13 million below what Skubal was ultimately awarded, the writing is on the wall: Skubal is headed to free agency after the season. How well Skubal and the Tigers ignore the off the field chatter will be key to their title hopes.

Dodgers open their three-peat chase: The gang is back, seeking to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto draws the opener with Shohei Ohtani scheduled to make his pitching debut Tuesday. Two new faces help make the Dodgers the favorite to win it all: right fielder Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Diaz.

A matchup of 2025 division winners: Two reigning AL division champs square off with Tanner Bibee battling Logan Gilbert. The Mariners are a popular World Series pick after reaching the ALCS and it appears Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena have put their WBC no-handshake rift behind them.

Blue Jays return after World Series heartbreak: The Jays kick off Friday against the A’s and will have to forget that World Series loss as they begin the 162-game grind to get back to October. Bo Bichette is gone after signing with the Mets, but in an active offseason the Jays added starter Dylan Cease, third baseman Kazuma Okamoto, reliever Tyler Rogers and pitcher Cody Ponce, the KBO MVP in 2025 after going 17-1.

Thursday

Friday

First pitch: 7:07 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Luis Severino vs. Kevin Gausman

What to know about the Athletics

Power ranking: 23 | Offseason grade: D

Biggest change since we saw them last: It wasn’t the splashiest offseason for the Athletics, but their biggest move was adding veteran Jeff McNeil to their already-promising lineup in a trade with the Mets.

What to know about the Blue Jays

Power ranking: 4 | Offseason grade: B+

Biggest change since we saw them last: The Blue Jays showed they’re serious about getting back to the World Series after their crushing Game 7 loss to the Dodgers when they lavished top free agent starter Dylan Cease with a seven-year, $210 million deal.

First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Kyle Freeland vs. Sandy Alcantara

What to know about the Rockies

Power ranking: 30 | Offseason grade: C-

Biggest change since we saw them last: It’s a whole new ballgame for the Rockies, who turned their baseball operations department over to former Cleveland Browns (yes, you read that right) exec Paul DePodesta.

What to know about the Marlins

Power ranking: 25 | Offseason grade: C+

Biggest change since we saw them last: Acquired in an offseason trade with the Cubs for starter Edward Cabrera, Owen Caissie is an outfielder with the kind of offensive upset the Marlins have been craving.

First pitch: 7:15 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Cole Ragans vs. Chris Sale

What to know about the Royals

Power ranking: 15 | Offseason grade: C

Biggest change since we saw them last: You won’t see it until they head to K.C. for their home opener, but the Royals’ most notable offseason change came when they decided to move the fences in at Kauffman Stadium.

What to know about the Braves

Power ranking: 10 | Offseason grade: B+

Biggest change since we saw them last: Mike Yastrzemski was originally signed as a fourth outfielder in a busy offseason for the Braves, but his role became even more important when Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 season after his second positive PED test.