MLB Opening Day

Braves at Nationals, 1:05 p.m., MLB Network · Giants at Yankees, 1:05 p.m., YES · Orioles at Red Sox, 2:10 p.m., NESN · Brewers at Cubs, 2:20 p.m., MARQ · Tigers at ...

](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fantasy/2023/02/07/fantasy-baseball-updated-top-200-player-rankings-2023-mlb-season/11172314002/) [We ranked the top 250 for 2023](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/fantasy/2023/02/07/fantasy-baseball-updated-top-200-player-rankings-2023-mlb-season/11172314002/). 1 prospect in MLB?](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/24/mlb-100-names-to-know-2023-gunnar-henderson-top-prospects/11528553002/) [Expectations are high](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/24/mlb-100-names-to-know-2023-gunnar-henderson-top-prospects/11528553002/) for the favorite to win American League Rookie of the Year. [has shown new life, new energy and gusto](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/28/low-budget-guardians-have-higher-expectations-2023/11553806002/). [opened the spring with a starting rotation](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/03/26/2023-mlb-opening-day-9-questions-entering-season/11544922002/) of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, Nestor Cortes and Frankie Montas. [has arrived](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/27/anthony-volpe-meet-new-york-yankees-opening-day-shortstop/11547643002/), at age 21, and will jog out to his position on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on Thursday afternoon to hold down one of the most prestigious positions in sports. [it was permanently implementing a provision](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/27/mlb-rules-2023-shift-pitch-clock-bases/11358317002/) in use since 2020 that every half inning after the ninth begins with a runner on second base. [Larger bases](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): The bases are now 18 inches square (previously 15 inches). [is a Tri-State kid](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/03/27/anthony-volpe-meet-new-york-yankees-opening-day-shortstop/11547643002/), pride of Watchung, New Jersey, and Morristown’s Delbarton School, from where you can reach Yankee Stadium in less than an hour, with cooperation from various bridges and thoroughfares. [Pitch clock](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): There is a 30-second timer between batters and a time limit between pitches. (Home plate – which stays the same size – to first base is 3 inches shorter.) [Pickoff limits](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/02/28/mlb-shift-rule-explained-2023-season/11364513002/): Pitchers are limited to a maximum of two pickoff attempts per plate appearance. The Oakland A’s ($62.2 million) ranked fifth among teams who made the most money while the Pittsburgh Pirates ($51.5 million) ranked eighth and the Kansas City Royals earned $27.8 million.

Maor Leagu Baseball kicks off the 2023 season with all teams playing and a number of rule changes. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images.

Seattle Mariners](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11tncbjm7b;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 10:10 p.m. Oakland Athletics](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11sd4nl_23;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 10:07 p.m. Los Angeles Dodgers](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11k42r9jg1;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 10:10 p.m. Houston Astros](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11tndvnqs8;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 7:08 p.m. Miami Marlins](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11tnflnkds;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 4:10 p.m. Louis Cardinals](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11sd65qz7n;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 4:10 p.m. Cincinnati Reds](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11k42rc6t0;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 4:10 p.m. Kansas City Royals](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11sd4p1h3_;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 4:10 p.m. Texas Rangers](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11k416n8lh;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 4:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11k42qs299;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 2:20 p.m. Washington Nationals](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11tndwh15p;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 1:05 p.m. New York Yankees](https://www.google.com/search?q=mlb+schedule&rlz=1C1AVFC_enUS889US889&oq=mlb&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l3j46i131i433i512j69i60l4.1895j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11sd4n_hdx;4;/m/09p14;dt;fp;1;;;), 1:05 p.m.

On a busy opening day, every team is in action. Between M.L.B.'s new rules and some intriguing player movement, you might want to get caught up.

history to qualify for both the batting title and the E.R.A. Earlier in the day, the Yankees put Gerrit Cole up against a major breakout candidate in Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants. If Ohtani plays the way he did in the last two seasons, he might make that Judge contract look tiny by comparison. He has made it clear he will walk away to find a chance to win. He’s a 55-60 runner but it plays up on the bases because he has great instincts both for reading pitchers and reading situations. Here’s a look at some of the [new rules](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/24/sports/baseball/mlb-rule-changes.html?action=click&pgtype=Article&state=default&module=styln-mlb-season&variant=show®ion=MAIN_CONTENT_1&block=storyline_levelup_swipe_recirc) taking effect this season: The Yankees, whose games averaged a major league-high 3 hours 13 minutes last season, beat the San Francisco Giants, 5-0, in the first game of the day. While at shortstop, he’s got great hands and gets himself into the right position to make plays more than most shortstops I see. So it’s safe to say the team thinks Volpe, 21, has a bright future. After months of speculation about how new rules will change the game and a spring training filled with fast games and plenty of flubs, opening day of the 2023 Major League Baseball season is finally here. As for the effects of that clock on the game? (Switching to overhand pitching in the late 19th century was probably more extreme, but let’s put that aside.)

The best pitching matchup of the day features two Cy Young winners.

[Don't expect](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/potential-nationals-sale-likely-on-hold-until-masn-tv-rights-resolved-per-reports/)a [Nationals](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/WAS/washington-nationals/)sale this season. [Here's our coaching tracker.](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/vcu-hires-utah-state-coach-ryan-odom-after-mike-rhoades-departure-to-penn-state/) [the blockbuster trade](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/bears-trade-no-1-pick-to-panthers-heres-what-the-blockbuster-deal-means-for-both-chicago-carolina/) with the Bears, after all -- but what about elsewhere around the league? [lost many key parts](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-free-agency-eagles-lose-miles-sanders-several-other-key-players-early-in-offseason/) of their NFC championship team of last year but have two first-round picks. [spoken highly of](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-draft-panthers-frank-reich-says-anthony-richardsons-plays-throws-scream-top-of-the-draft-pick/)Anthony Richardson, but both he and Will Levis are apparently out of the running. [Anthony Volpe](/mlb/players/3117930/anthony-volpe/) [got congratulated by](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/yankees-anthony-volpe-makes-opening-day-roster-derek-jeter-congratulates-teams-new-shortstop/)Derek Jeter and [will wear No. Meanwhile, Cal [hired](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/mark-madsen-hired-by-cal-bears-land-utah-valley-coach-who-was-a-star-player-for-rival-stanford/)Utah Valley's Mark Madsen. [Sandy Alcantara](/mlb/players/2211794/sandy-alcantara/), [Marlins](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/teams/MIA/miami-marlins/)-- Arguably the best right-handed pitcher of this generation and arguably the best right-handed pitcher in the sport right now. Here's a breakdown of who they like to win it all: [Here's why our Dayn Perry went with San Diego](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-predictions-2023-expert-picks-for-full-baseball-standings-playoff-fields-and-world-series-champions/). [traded for](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/phillies-trade-for-former-top-prospect-cristian-pache-put-rhys-hoskins-on-60-day-il-with-torn-acl/)a former top prospect. The Padres have the most loaded lineup in baseball once [Fernando Tatis](/mlb/players/2507363/fernando-tatis/)returns, and my title expectations for them assume they'll be aggressive in fortifying the rotation leading up to the trade deadline." 1 pick in the 2023 draft(or something in between), hope springs eternal today, and there are plenty of great pitching matchups to get the season underway.

Offseason chaos. A historic World Baseball Classic. New rules. After a wild winter, MLB's regular season starts today with all 30 teams in action.

[Shane Bieber](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/40912/shane-bieber) vs. [Zac Gallen](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39910/zac-gallen) vs. [German Marquez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/34874/german-marquez) vs. [Dylan Cease](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/34943/dylan-cease) vs. [Alek Manoah](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/42436/alek-manoah) vs. [Mitch Keller](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/33722/mitch-keller) vs. [Pablo Lopez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39671/pablo-lopez) vs. [Eduardo Rodriguez](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32675/eduardo-rodriguez) vs. [Corbin Burnes](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/39878/corbin-burnes) vs. [Kyle Gibson](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/31053/kyle-gibson) vs. [Logan Webb](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/41216/logan-webb) vs. [Max Fried](https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/_/id/32685/max-fried) vs.

Thursday is opening day and new rules are in effect, including clocks at stadiums to hurry along pitchers and hitters.

The 2023 MLB season begins Thursday afternoon. Here are the top plays from all 15 Opening Day games!

More than a dozen Jacksonville-area players are on Opening Day rosters, either active or IL, for the 2023 Major League Baseball season.

Notable: Lawrence has had the movement on his pitches working of late, including the World Baseball Classic with Panama. Notable: After tumultuous off-season, Clevinger returns to AL Central with White Sox; likely to occupy No. 3 or No. Position: Pitcher Position: Catcher Position: Outfielder Position: First baseman Position: Infielder

Opening Day is such a national holiday, such a relief after months without baseball, that even if every game were an uneventful 6-2 matchup with no ...

(For the record, the first hitter to earn a time violation was Baltimore’s Austin Hays, and later in that game, Boston’s Rafael Devers became the first hitter to strike out on a time violation.) But Opening Day was absolutely not that game, with replacement Robertson -- who, it should be noted, also is on the Top 10 list of active saves leaders -- coming in and shutting down the Marlins in order to finish off a 5-3 victory. Stroman clearly took the violation in stride: He went on to throw six scoreless innings and strike out eight in a 4-0 Cubs victory. Cruz won this round, in an incredible way, by turning on a 101.3 mph heater from Greene in the third inning. He kept hitting the rest of the day, helping the O's score seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings combined to give them a lead they would never relinquish in a 10-9 victory. He is, of course, widely thought to be the long-awaited heir apparent to Derek Jeter at shortstop. Ohtani ended the World Baseball Classic with a dominant inning of relief, and he went back to his customary role as a starting pitcher/DH against the A’s and … The retiring Cardinals veteran has become a staple of Opening Day in St. ,"type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-03-30T20:51:46.436Z","description":"Oneil Cruz crushes a solo home run to right field for his first homer of 2023, tying the game at 1 for the Pirates in the top of the 3rd","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:26","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-03/30/82fb143b-c08c18f6-0822ffd4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"oneil-cruz-first-homer-of-2023","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"season-2023","title":"Season 2023"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"gamepk-718773","title":"2023/03/30 pit@cin"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-665833","title":"Oneil Cruz"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-134","title":"Pittsburgh Pirates"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"hitting","title":"hitting"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"in-game-highlight","title":"in-game highlight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"game-action-tracking","title":"game action tracking"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"home-run","title":"home run"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"opening-day","title":"Opening Day"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"2-yahoo-mlb-ads-feed","title":"2-Yahoo MLB Ads Feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"send-to-news-mlb-feed","title":"Send To News MLB feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"yahoo-in-game","title":"Yahoo In-Game"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"greatest-plays","title":"Greatest Plays"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"international-feed","title":"International Partner feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"fan-duel","title":"Fan Duel"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"eclat-feed","title":"Eclat feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/goufzs7cxv2y5frhmhkq","title":"Oneil Cruz's first homer of 2023","type":"video","url":"/video/oneil-cruz-first-homer-of-2023"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"**8\\. 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