Happy MLB Opening Day!
The 2026 season has arrived, starting with a 7-0 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:
Thu: PIT-NYM | CHW-MIL | WSH-CHC | MIN-CLEBOS-CIN | LAA-HOU | DET-SD | TEX-PHITB-STL | ARI-LAD | CLE-SEA
Fri: ATH-TOR | COL-MIA | KC-ATL
Takeaways: NYY 7, SF 0
Live updates
Thursday games
First pitch: 1:15 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Paul Skenes vs. Freddy Peralta
What to know about the Pirates
Power ranking: 22 | Offseason grade: B
Biggest change since we saw them last: The Pirates’ active offseason was one of the biggest surprises of the winter as they added veterans Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Marcell Ozuna to an offense that also will be getting a jolt whenever No. 1 overall prospect Konnor Griffin is deemed ready.
What to know about the Mets
Power ranking: 6 | Offseason grade: B+
Biggest change since we saw them last: How much time do you have? After their historic September collapse, the Mets opted for a full overhaul this offseason. Among the most notable exits: Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz and Brandon Nimmo. Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr. and Opening Day starter Peralta headline the new faces in Queens.
Lineups
PiratesOneil Cruz (L) CFBrandon Lowe (L) 2BBryan Reynolds (S) LFMarcell Ozuna (R) DHRyan O’Hearn (L) RFJared Triolo (R) SSSpencer Horwitz (L) 1BNick Gonzales (R) 3BHenry Davis (R) C
MetsFrancisco Lindor (S) SSJuan Soto (L) LFBo Bichette (R) 3BJorge Polanco (S) 1BLuis Robert Jr. (R) CFBrett Baty (L) DHMarcus Semien (R) 2BCarson Benge (L) RFFrancisco Alvarez (R) C
First pitch: 2:10 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Shane Smith vs. Jacob Misiorowski
What to know about the White Sox
Power ranking: 28 | Offseason grade: C
Biggest change since we saw them last: The White Sox took advantage of a free agency market that never unfolded for Japanese infielder Munetaka Murakami, inking the power hitter to a two-year $34 million deal as they look to take a step toward competitiveness this season.
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What to know about the Brewers
Power ranking: 11 | Offseason grade: C
Biggest change since we saw them last: Coming off a 97-win season that ended with an NLCS loss, the Brewers traded ace Freddy Peralta and infielder Caleb Durbin. This is Milwaukee though, so don’t automatically expect a step back this year — especially with promising youngsters Jett Williams and Kyle Harrison coming back in those deals.
Lineups
White SoxChase Meidroth (R) 2BColson Montgomery (L) SSMiguel Vargas (R) 3BAndrew Benintendi (L) DHAustin Hays (R) LFMunetaka Murakami (L) 1BEverson Pereira (R) RFEdgar Quero (S) CLuisangel Acuna (R) CF
BrewersBrice Turang (L) 2BWilliam Contreras (R) CChristian Yelich (L) DHAndrew Vaughn (R) 1BJake Bauers (L) LFSal Frelick (L) RFDavid Hamilton (L) 3BGarrett Mitchell (L) CFJoey Ortiz (R) SS
First pitch: 2:20 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Cade Cavalli vs. Matthew Boyd
What to know about the Nationals
Power ranking: 29 | Offseason grade: C
Biggest change since we saw them last: The Nationals have a new front office regime led by 35-year-old president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. After inheriting a roster stuck in rebuilding mode, the Nats dealt pitcher MacKenzie Gore for five prospects.
What to know about the Cubs
Power ranking: 7 | Offseason grade: B
Biggest change since we saw them last: Out: Kyle Tucker. In: Alex Bregman. After missing out on the All-Star third baseman an offseason ago, the Cubs got their guy this time — and also brought in high-ceiling starter Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Marlins.
Lineups
NationalsJames Wood (L) LFAndres Chaparro (R) 1BBrady House (R) 3BDaylen Lile (L) DHJoey Wiemer (R) RFCJ Abrams (L) SSNasim Nunez (S) 2BKeibert Ruiz (S) CJacob Young (R) CF
CubsMichael Busch (L) 1BAlex Bregman (R) 3BIan Happ (S) LFPete Crow-Armstrong (L) CFNico Hoerner (R) 2BCarson Kelly (R) CMoises Ballesteros (L) DHDansby Swanson (R) SSMatt Shaw (R) RF
First pitch: 3:05 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Joe Ryan vs. Trevor Rogers
What to know about the Twins
Power ranking: 24 | Offseason grade: F
Biggest change since we saw them last: After a trade deadline teardown last summer, it was a quiet winter in Minnesota. That means there will be ample opportunity for young players to step up this season.
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What to know about the Orioles
Power ranking: 12 | Offseason grade: B+
Biggest change since we saw them last: You were probably expecting to see a pitcher’s name here. But instead of adding an ace, the Orioles focused on adding thump to their lineup with the additions of Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward. The pair combined for 74 home runs a season ago.
Lineups
TwinsAustin Martin (R) LFByron Buxton (R) CFLuke Keaschall (R) 2BRyan Jeffers (R) CMatt Wallner (L) RFJosh Bell (S) DHVictor Caratini (S) 1BRoyce Lewis (R) 3BBrooks Lee (S) SS
OriolesTaylor Ward (R) LFGunnar Henderson (L) SSPete Alonso (R) 1BAdley Rutschman (S) CSamuel Basallo (L) DHTyler O’Neill (R) RFColton Cowser (L) CFCoby Mayo (R) 3BBlaze Alexander (R) 2B
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Garrett Crochet vs. Andrew Abbott
What to know about the Red Sox
Power ranking: 9 | Offseason grade: A
Biggest change since we saw them last: Alex Bregman has gone to the North Side of Chicago, but it was still a productive winter in Boston. The Red Sox bolstered their rotation by signing Ranger Suarez and trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo and revamped their infield in deals for Willson Contreras and Caleb Durbin.
What to know about the Reds
Power ranking: 18 | Offseason grade: C-
Biggest change since we saw them last: There was a lot of talk about Kyle Schwarber joining his hometown Reds this offseason — but when Schwarber opted for a Philly return, Cincy pivoted to third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who hit 49 home runs between Arizona and Seattle last season.
Lineups
Red SoxRoman Anthony (L) LFTrevor Story (R) SSJarren Duran (L) DHWillson Contreras (R) 1BCaleb Durbin (R) 3BWilyer Abreu (L) RFIsiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2BCarlos Narvaez (R) CCeddanne Rafaela (R) CF
RedsTJ Friedl (L) CFMatt McLain (R) 2BElly De La Cruz (S) SSSal Stewart (R) 1BEugenio Suarez (R) DHSpencer Steer (R) LFTyler Stephenson (R) CNoelvi Marte (R) RFKe’Bryan Hayes (R) 3B
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Jose Soriano vs. Hunter Brown
What to know about the Angels
Power ranking: 27 | Offseason grade: D
Biggest change since we saw them last: Acquired in their trade for Taylor Ward, former top prospect Grayson Rodriguez is the boom-or-bust name to know in an offseason full of pitching moves for the Angels.
What to know about the Astros
Power ranking: 13 | Offseason grade: C
Biggest change since we saw them last: You won’t see them on Opening Day with Brown the no-doubt ace of Houston’s staff, but Japanese star Tatsuya Imai and former Pirates right-hander Mike Burrows were brought in to solidify the rest of the Astros rotation.
Lineups
AngelsZach Neto (R) SSMike Trout (R) CFNolan Schanuel (L) 1BJorge Soler (R) DHYoan Moncada (S) 3BJo Adell (R) RFJosh Lowe (L) LFLogan O’Hoppe (R) COswald Peraza (R) 2B
AstrosJose Altuve (R) 2BYordan Alvarez (L) DHIsaac Paredes (R) 3BCarlos Correa (R) SSJoey Loperfido (L) LFCam Smith (R) RFChristian Walker (R) 1BYainer Diaz (R) CJake Meyers (R) CF
First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Tarik Skubal vs. Nick Pivetta
What to know about the Tigers
Power ranking: 8 | Offseason grade: A
Biggest change since we saw them last: Tarik Skubal’s future with the team — and arbitration case — dominated the headlines, but Detroit also had a strong offseason headlined by the signing of Framber Valdez, who will slot in behind Skubal in the rotation this season.
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What to know about the Padres
Power ranking: 16 | Offseason grade: C-
Biggest change since we saw them last: It was an uncharacteristically quiet offseason for AJ Preller with the departures (Dylan Cease, Luis Arraez) more notable than any arrivals (Miguel Andujar, Nick Castellanos) to San Diego’s roster.
Lineups
TigersKerry Carpenter (L) RFGleyber Torres (R) 2BColt Keith (L) DHRiley Greene (L) LFSpencer Torkelson (R) 1BKevin McGonigle (L) 3BDillon Dingler (R) CParker Meadows (L) CFJavier Baez (R) SS
PadresFernando Tatis Jr. (R) RFXander Bogaerts (R) SSManny Machado (R) 3BJackson Merrill (L) CFMiguel Andujar (R) DHGavin Sheets (L) 1BRamon Laureano (R) LFFreddy Fermin (R) CJake Cronenworth (L) 2B
First pitch: 4:15 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Cristopher Sanchez
What to know about the Rangers
Power ranking: 14 | Offseason grade: C+
Biggest change since we saw them last: Marcus Semien, one of the stars of Texas’ 2023 championship team, is now a New York Met in a one-for-one swap for Brandon Nimmo. But the Rangers’ offseason will ultimately be judged by how strikeout artist MacKenzie Gore performs after being acquired from the Nationals.
What to know about the Phillies
Power ranking: 5 | Offseason grade: B-
Biggest change since we saw them last: The most important thing for Phillies fans is what didn’t change since we saw the Phillies last with Kyle Schwarber’s return highlighting the winter. Meanwhile, Brad Keller joined the bullpen coming off a breakout season with the Cubs last year.
Lineups
Rangers
Brandon Nimmo (L) RFWyatt Langford (R) CFCorey Seager (L) SSJake Burger (R) 1BAndrew McCutchen (R) DHJosh Jung (R) 3BJosh Smith (L) 2BDanny Jansen (R) CSam Haggerty (S) LF
PhilliesTrea Turner (R) SSKyle Schwarber (L) DHBryce Harper (L) 1BAlec Bohm (R) 3BBryson Stott (L) 2BAdolis Garcia (R) RFBrandon Marsh (L) LFJ.T. Realmuto (R) CJustin Crawford (L) CF
First pitch: 4:15 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Drew Rasmussen vs. Matthew Liberatore
What to know about the Rays
Power ranking: 21 | Offseason grade: B
Biggest change since we saw them last: This winter’s edition of the Rays’ seemingly annual tradition of trading veterans sent Brandon Lowe to Pittsburgh and Shane Baz to Baltimore. The lineup will have some new faces in Jacob Melton, Cedric Mullins and Gavin Lux.
Lineups
RaysYandy Diaz (D) DHRyan Vilade (D) LFJonathan Aranda (Z) 1BJunior Caminero (D) 3BBen Williamson (D) 2BJonny DeLuca (D) RFNick Fortes (D) CCedric Mullins (Z) CFCarson Williams (D) SS
CardinalsJJ Wetherholt (L) 2BIvan Herrera (R) DHAlec Burleson (L) 1BMasyn Winn (R) SSNolan Gorman (L) 3BJordan Walker (R) RFNathan Church (L) LFPedro Pages (R) CVictor Scott II (L) CF
What to know about the Cardinals
Power ranking: 26 | Offseason grade: B+
Biggest change since we saw them last: The Cardinals’ rebuild hit high gear this offseason as the front office traded Sonny Gray, Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras and Nolan Arenado. St. Louis fans will get a glimpse at the future when top prospect JJ Wetherholt makes his debut on Opening Day.
First pitch: 8:30 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Zac Gallen vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
What to know about the D-backs
Power ranking: 19 | Offseason grade: C+
Biggest change since we saw them last: After an offseason of Ketel Marte trade rumors, the Diamondbacks opted to keep their All-Star second baseman and also re-signed Opening Day starter Gallen. Though he is not the superstar he was earlier in his career, Nolan Arenado is the big-name addition here and Arizona also reunited with right-hander Merrill Kelly, a key member of the 2023 NL champion team.
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What to know about the Dodgers
Power ranking: 1 | Offseason grade: A
Biggest change since we saw them last: Since we last saw the Dodgers celebrating their Game 7 World Series win, all they’ve done is go out and fill their two biggest holes (left field and closer) in the grandest fashion possible by signing Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz.
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. ET | Pitching matchup: Tanner Bibee vs. Logan Gilbert
What to know about the Guardians
Power ranking: 20 | Offseason grade: D+
Biggest change since we saw them last: N/A. Coming off a surprising AL Central title run, it was a very quiet winter in Cleveland.
What to know about the Mariners
Power ranking: 2 | Offseason grade: A-
Biggest change since we saw them last: After their 2026 ended one win shy of the first World Series appearance in franchise history, the Mariners made a late-offseason splash when they traded for versatile infielder Brendan Donovan.
Friday games
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 upside 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.
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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.
Takeaways from completed games
It’s become something close to a legal obligation to assess the Yankees’ offseason by using the words run it back. But lost in the implied criticism of the team’s offseason, which included no splashy additions, is this: The guys they’re running it back with are pretty good.
In the first game of the 2026 season, a stand-alone spectacle at Oracle Park that was long on pomp and short on suspense, Max Fried cruised through 6⅓ innings, allowing just two hits and one runner past first base, as the Yankees beat the Giants and made rookie manager Tony Vitello’s debut one he’ll probably want to forget.
Vitello became the first person to go directly from college head coach to big league manager, and Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey made the out-of-the-box decision in part to inject the former Tennessee head coach’s unique brand of energy and intensity into a team that has hovered around .500 for the past four seasons. But a pitcher like Fried can sap the energy of even the most rabid group, and with him on the mound, the Yankees’ five-run second inning made the outcome all but inevitable. — Tim Keown
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