MLB Opening Day 2023: Season previews, schedule and more

ByESPN ESPN logo
Monday, March 27, 2023

Spring training is almost over, which means MLB's 2023 Opening Day is finally upon us!

All 30 teams will play in 15 games on Thursday, March 30, with two matchups kicking off the fun in the early afternoon: the Giants-Yankees and Braves-Nationals. The former is one of three interleague contests on Thursday, in addition to the nine divisional matchups that will take place. The reigning champion Astros, featuring new memberJose Abreu, open their season against the White Sox, the 2020 MVP's former team, on ESPN.

Thirty of the best pitchers across the majors will take the mound, including eight Cy Young Award winners, 21 All-Stars and five pitchers who will be debuting for new clubs.

What are the most important things to know from the offseason going into the 162-game marathon that is the 2023 season? What are the most exciting matchups on Thursday? What are some storylines to watch?

We have you covered on everything you need to be prepared for this year's Opening Day, from season previews and analysis to Thursday's schedule.

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Opening Day schedule

(All times ET)

1:05 p.m.:Atlanta Braves atWashington Nationals

The pitching matchup: Max Fried vs. Patrick Corbin

1:05 p.m.:San Francisco Giants atNew York Yankees

The pitching matchup: Logan Webb vs. Gerrit Cole

2:10 p.m.:Baltimore Orioles atBoston Red Sox

The pitching matchup: Kyle Gibson vs. Corey Kluber

2:20 p.m.:Milwaukee Brewers atChicago Cubs

The pitching matchup: Corbin Burnes vs. Marcus Stroman

3:10 p.m.:Detroit Tigers atTampa Bay Rays

The pitching matchup: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Shane McClanahan

4:05 p.m. on ESPN+:Philadelphia Phillies atTexas Rangers

The pitching matchup: Aaron Nola vs. Jacob deGrom

4:10 p.m.:Minnesota Twins atKansas City Royals

The pitching matchup: Pablo Lopez vs. Zack Greinke

4:10 p.m.:New York Mets atMiami Marlins

The pitching matchup: Max Scherzer vs. Sandy Alcantara

4:10 p.m.:Pittsburgh Pirates atCincinnati Reds

The pitching matchup: Mitch Keller vs. Hunter Greene

4:10 p.m.:Toronto Blue Jays atSt. Louis Cardinals

The pitching matchup: Alek Manoah vs. Miles Mikolas

4:10 p.m.:Colorado Rockies atSan Diego Padres

The pitching matchup: German Marquez vs. Blake Snell

7 p.m. on ESPN:Chicago White Sox atHouston Astros

The pitching matchup: Dylan Cease vs. Framber Valdez

10:07 p.m.:Los Angeles Angels atOakland Athletics

The pitching matchup: Shohei Ohtani vs. Kyle Muller

10:10 p.m.:Arizona Diamondbacks atLos Angeles Dodgers

The pitching matchup: Zac Gallen vs. Julio Urias

10:10 p.m.:Cleveland Guardians atSeattle Mariners

The pitching matchup:Shane Bieber vs. Luis Castillo