Spring coaching is underway and Main League Baseball’s 2025 common season is quick approaching. As such, it’s by no means too early to hold tabs on every crew’s Opening Day starter. These bulletins are available in all through spring coaching and typically earlier than camp even opens.
With that in thoughts, right here is our dwelling doc chronicling each crew’s Opening Day starter scenario. These bulletins are tentative as a result of typically issues change on account of damage, so examine again frequently for updates. We’ll have every part you must learn about Opening Day starters proper right here.
Earlier than we get to the great things, right here is the all-time Opening Day begin leaderboard:
- Tom Seaver: 16
- Steve Carlton: 14
- Jack Morris: 14
- Randy Johnson: 14
- Walter Johnson: 14
Whereas it is true that Opening Day counts for just one recreation within the standings, it is nonetheless an honor to be tabbed because the beginning pitcher for that day. With that in thoughts, this is who’s getting the ball in Recreation 1 across the league.
Zac Gallen has began the final two Opening Days for the D-backs, although it appears doubtless the nod will go to Corbin Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Younger winner and recipient of a $210 million contract this offseason. Whether it is Burnes, it will be his fourth straight Opening Day begin, following 2022-23 with the Brewers and 2024 with the Orioles. The D-backs will host the Cubs to start 2025.
The A’s have used six completely different Opening Day starters within the final seven years and this yr will make it seven in eight years. The good cash is on Luis Severino getting the ball after signing a three-year, $67 million contract that’s the largest in franchise historical past. The A’s will start the season on the street towards the Mariners. Their first dwelling recreation in Sacramento will likely be Monday, March 31, towards the Cubs.
It will likely be a shock if it is anybody however reigning NL Cy Younger winner Chris Sale. Sale has made 5 profession Opening Day begins between the White Sox (2013-14, 2016) and Crimson Sox (2018-19). Final yr he threw 177 ⅔ innings with an MLB-leading 2.38 ERA. He struck out an NL-best 225 batters. The Braves will open 2025 on the street towards the Padres. Spencer Strider, who’s coming off UCL surgical procedure, began Opening Day for Atlanta in 2025.
With Corbin Burnes leaving as a free agent and no big-name starter imported to switch him, Zach Eflin appears more likely to get the Opening Day begin for the O’s. Acquired from the Rays not less than summer season’s deadline, Eflin had a 2.60 ERA in 55 ⅓ innings for the Orioles. He was Tampa’s Opening Day starter final yr. The O’s will likely be in Toronto to face the Blue Jays on Opening Day.
Brayan Bello began Opening Day for the BoSox final season, although offseason commerce pickup Garrett Crochet figures to get the decision right here. Crochet had a terrific first yr as a giant league starter, hanging out 209 batters with a 3.58 ERA in 146 innings. That earned him a spot within the All-Star Recreation. The Crimson Sox will start the common season in Texas towards the Rangers.
Imanaga will certainly get the nod in his dwelling nation when the Cubbies start the brand new season with two video games towards the Dodgers in Tokyo from March 18-19. The crew introduced it Feb. 18. Imanaga threw 173 ⅓ innings with a 2.91 ERA in 2024, and completed fourth within the Rookie of the Yr voting and fifth within the Cy Younger voting. He’ll be be Chicago’s fourth completely different Opening Day starter in 4 years, and this can symbolize his first Opening Day begin in simply his second season in MLB.
Garrett Crochet, final yr’s Opening Day starter and breakout participant, was traded over the winter. The Opening Day task might fall to veteran Martín Pérez, who’s getting into his 14th big-league season. It might be his first Opening Day begin. The ChiSox will host the Angels on Opening Day as they appear to enhance upon final yr’s historic 121-loss season.
Though Nick Martinez had a terrific 2024, it will appear doubtless Hunter Greene will get the Opening Day nod after ending eighth within the NL Cy Younger voting a yr in the past. He began the season opener for Cincinnati in 2023. Frankie Montas, now with the Mets, was their Opening Day starter in 2024. The Reds will tackle the Giants at dwelling to start the brand new season.
Shane Bieber has began the final 5 Opening Days for Cleveland, and though he re-signed with the membership this offseason, he will not make a sixth straight as he rehabs from Tommy John surgical procedure. Tanner Bibee, the membership’s finest pitcher final yr and their No. 1 starter within the postseason, is the plain candidate to start out Recreation 1 in Bieber’s place. The Guardians will likely be in Kansas Metropolis to play the Royals on Opening Day.
Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez have mixed to start out the final six Opening Days for Colorado (three apiece). Márquez returned from Tommy John surgical procedure final July and made only one begin earlier than elbow irritation despatched him again to the injured record. It is a good wager both he or Freeland will begin Opening Day once more in 2025. The Rockies will go to the Rays to start the brand new season. That would be the first MLB regular-season recreation performed in George M. Steinbrenner Subject, Tampa’s dwelling for 2025.
It is just a matter of time till supervisor A.J. Hinch makes it official, and names reigning AL Cy Younger winner Tarik Skubal the membership’s Opening Day starter. Skubal began Opening Day final season, then adopted that up by throwing 192 innings with a 2.39 ERA and an MLB-leading 228 strikeouts en path to incomes the league’s high pitching honors. The Tigers and Skubal will likely be in Los Angeles to face the Dodgers on Opening Day.
Barring a shock, Framber Valdez will make his fourth straight Opening Day begin for the Astros. He would be the first pitcher to start out 4 consecutive season-openers for Houston since Roy Oswalt made eight straight from 2003-10. Valdez had a 2.91 ERA in 176 ⅓ innings in 2024. He will likely be a free agent after the 2025 season. The Astros will start the brand new season at dwelling towards the Mets.
Kansas Metropolis has two glorious Opening Day starter candidates in Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans. Lugo completed second within the AL Cy Younger final yr. Ragans completed fourth within the voting, and began Opening Day final season. Being the incumbent might give Ragans the sting right here. Both approach, the Royals are in good arms. The Royals will host the AL Central-rival Guardians on Opening Day.
You do not give Yusei Kikuchi three years and $63 million after which not begin him on Opening Day, proper? Kikuchi appears more likely to get the task for the Halos, with veteran southpaw Tyler Anderson the highest different following his bounceback 2024. The Angels will likely be on Chicago’s South Facet to tackle the White Sox on Opening Day.
The Dodgers had no scarcity of Opening Day worthy starters. Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Younger Award winner, might have had a leg up beneath regular circumstances. However, for the reason that Dodgers will open the season with two video games towards the Cubs in Tokyo (March 18-19), they’re anticipated to go along with Yamamoto. Newcomer and fellow Japanese native Roki Sasaki is a candidate to start out the second recreation of that collection.
Along with his Tommy John surgical procedure rehab full, Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Younger winner was the odds-on favourite to start out the primary recreation of the brand new season for the stripped-down Marlins, and he acquired the gig on Feb. 13. He began Opening Day 4 straight years from 2020-23 and can now begin a brand new streak in 2025. Alcantara had a 4.14 ERA in 184 ⅔ innings in 2023, his final wholesome season. He didn’t pitch in any respect in 2024. The Marlins will host the Pirates on Opening Day.
It will likely be Peralta for the second straight yr, he confirmed to MLB.com on Feb. 13. “I was within the hallway yesterday, getting back from understanding, and (supervisor Pat Murphy) simply advised me,” Peralta mentioned. He began Opening Day final season and was the Recreation 1 starter within the postseason for the defending NL Central champs. Peralta had a 3.68 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 173 ⅔ innings in 2024. The Brewers will likely be in New York to play the Yankees on Opening Day.
On Jan. 22, Rocco Baldelli turned the primary supervisor to announce his Opening Day starter. He confirmed it is going to be López for the third consecutive season on the Inside Twins radio present (through the Star Tribune). López has a 3.87 ERA with 432 strikeouts in 379 ⅓ innings in two years with the Twins since coming over within the Luis Arraez commerce with the Marlins. He would be the first Twins pitcher to make three consecutive Opening Day begins since Brad Radke made seven straight from 1999-2005. The Twins will start the brand new season on the street towards the Cardinals.
The Mets have had 4 completely different Opening Day starters within the final 4 years and it’ll develop into 5 in 5 in 2025. Sean Manaea, who returned to the crew on a three-year contract price $75 million, is probably the most logical alternative, although Kodai Senga might get the nod as a substitute. Jose Quintana began the season opener for the Mets final yr. Juan Soto and the Mets will likely be in Houston to play the Astros on Opening Day.
Barring damage, Gerrit Cole will make his fifth Opening Day begin for the Yankees. He in fact acquired harm final spring, which despatched the Yankees scrambling. Nestor Cortes would up beginning the season opener as a substitute. Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Younger winner, had a 3.41 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 95 innings after coming back from his elbow damage in June. The Yankee will host the Brewers to start the brand new season.
Aaron Nola’s run of six straight Opening Day begins got here to an finish final season, when Zack Wheeler was given the ball in Recreation 1 and he’ll take it once more this yr. Wheeler is getting into for the primary yr of his three-year, $126 million extension. He was the NL Cy Younger runner-up final yr due to a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 200 innings. The Phillies will likely be on the street to face the Nationals on Opening Day.
Mitch Keller has began the final two Opening Days for the Pirates, but it surely needs to be Paul Skenes this season, proper? Proper. The No. 1 decide within the 2023 draft was named NL Rookie of the Yr final yr, and he completed third within the NL Cy Younger voting. He arrived in Might and threw 133 innings with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. Skenes and the Pirates will likely be in Miami to tackle the Marlins on Opening Day.
Sonny Grey was introduced because the membership’s Opening Day starter final yr, then a hamstring damage throughout spring coaching pressured the Cardinals to pivot to Miles Mikolas. So long as Grey makes it via camp wholesome, he figures to be the decide once more this yr. Grey has made three profession Opening Day begins with the Athletics (2014-15) and Reds (2020). St. Louis will face the Twins, one among Grey’s former groups, within the season opener.
Yu Darvish has began three of the final 4 Opening Days for San Diego, although it appears doubtless he’ll cede the respect to Dylan Stop or Michael King. Stop is a commerce candidate, nevertheless, and King was the Padres’ No. 1 starter final October. Issues are a bit up within the air for the Padres proper now. They are going to host the Braves on Opening Day.
With all due respect to future Corridor of Famer and new Gians Justin Verlander, there isn’t any cause to suppose it is going to be anybody however Logan Webb. He has began the final three Opening Days and completed sixth within the NL Cy Younger voting final season. Webb posted a 3.47 ERA in an NL-leading 204 ⅔ innings in 2024. The Giants will likely be on the street to tackle the Reds in Recreation 1 of the brand new season.
Luis Castillo has began the final two season openers for Seattle, although Logan Gilbert and George Kirby are each greater than worthy of the Opening Day task. Whether it is Castillo, it will be his fifth profession Recreation 1 begin (additionally 2019 and 2021 Reds, and 2023-24 Mariners). The Mariners will open the 2025 common season at dwelling towards the A’s.
The Rays will add a giant arm to their rotation this yr when Shane McClanahan returns from Tommy John surgical procedure. His arrival will get began instantly, as he is been handed his third profession Opening Day begin (additionally 2022-23). IThe Rays will host the Rockies at George M. Steinbrenner Subject on Opening Day.
Extremely, the Rangers haven’t had a pitcher begin consecutive Opening Days since Kevin Millwood began 4 straight from 2006-09. That would change this yr if Nathan Eovaldi, final yr’s Recreation 1 starter, will get the ball. He rejoined Texas on a three-year, $75 million contract this offseason. After all, Jacob deGrom returned from Tommy John surgical procedure late final yr, and the two-time Cy Younger winner is a tremendous Opening Day possibility as effectively. The Rangers will tackle the Crimson Sox at dwelling on Opening Day.
The Blue Jays might begin José Berríos or Kevin Gausman on Opening Day, and neither could be misplaced. Berríos began Opening Day for Toronto in 2022 and 2024. Gausman has made two profession Opening Day begins (2017 Orioles and 2021 Giants). The Blue Jays will host the Orioles on Opening Day.
Final yr was the primary time since Livan Hernandez in 2011 that somebody apart from Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer, or Stephen Strasburg began Opening Day for the Nationals. Josiah Grey acquired the Recreation 1 begin final season, and he is at the moment rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure. MacKenzie Gore is the highest possibility right here. The Nationals will start the brand new season at dwelling towards the Phillies.
