After months of uncertainty, MLB fans will get to enjoy a very special Opening Day on Thursday.
Just a month ago, we didn’t know if we would get baseball in April, as negotiations for the 2022-26 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) were starting to turn ugly.
But an agreement was reached, and here we are: after a second period of free agency, lots of trades, and a rather short spring training, Opening Day will be on April 7, which is Thursday.
There will be nine games on Thursday, which means 18 teams will be looking to start the year on the right foot.
Here are all nine games: Boston Red Sox – New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers – Chicago Cubs, New York Mets – Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians – Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners – Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates – St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds – Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros – Los Angeles Angels, and San Diego Padres – Arizona Diamondbacks.
Lots Of Interesting Games On Thursday
MLB writer and analyst Mike Petriello certainly has his favorite, and it may be a surprising choice.
“I don’t know what Opening Day game you’ll be watching, but the one that has Julio Rodríguez, Carlos Correa, and Robbie Ray all making their team debuts sounds like a good option to me,” he tweeted, referencing the Mariners – Twins showdown, which will start at 4:10 pm ET.
I don't know what Opening Day game you'll be watching, but the one that has Julio Rodríguez, Carlos Correa, and Robbie Ray all making their team debuts sounds like a good option to me.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) April 4, 2022
He added another reason to watch that particular game.
“Also deep, deep sleeper AL ROY candidate Joe Ryan. Is he Tork, Witt, Julio? He is not. Has he already had a tiny tiny bit of MLB success, and is guaranteed tons of opportunity? Yes he is,” Petriello tweeted in the same thread.
Certainly, the idea of watching reigning Cy Young Robbie Ray and the Mariners’ loaded lineup is enticing enough, and if we add Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton, and Joe Ryan’s Twins, then it is even more exciting.
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