Major League Baseball Gears Up for 2025 Season: Opening Day Starter Updates
As spring training unfolds, Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are solidifying their lineups and gearing up for the 2025 regular season. Among key decisions, the selection of Opening Day starters stands out. While these announcements are typically made as spring training progresses, they can change due to injuries or other factors. Here’s a comprehensive look at projections and updates regarding each team’s starting pitcher on Opening Day.
Opening Day Starter Landscape
Tom Seaver leads the all-time Opening Day starts leaderboard with 16 appearances, followed by Steve Carlton, Jack Morris, Randy Johnson, and Walter Johnson, each with 14 starts. Despite the limited impact of a single game in the standings, being chosen as the Opening Day starter is seen as an honor and a reflection of a pitcher’s importance to the team.
Team Projections and Key Players
Arizona Diamondbacks: Following Zac Gallen‘s back-to-back starts, Corbin Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young winner, is projected to take the mound. This would mark Burnes’ fourth consecutive Opening Day start.
Oakland Athletics: After a series of different starters, Luis Severino, who recently inked a three-year, $67 million contract, is the leading candidate for the A’s as they face the Seattle Mariners.
Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, is expected to start despite competition from Spencer Strider, who is recovering from UCL surgery.
Baltimore Orioles: With Corbin Burnes departing, Zach Eflin is anticipated to start after impressing last season with a 2.60 ERA.
Boston Red Sox: Following last year’s starter Brayan Bello, Garrett Crochet, a promising trade acquisition, is in line to get the call against the Texas Rangers.
Chicago Cubs: Kodai Senga, coming off a strong season, is set to start their series in Tokyo against the Dodgers, marking his first Opening Day assignment.
Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene is a strong candidate, having recently finished eighth in the NL Cy Young voting.
Cleveland Guardians: Due to Shane Bieber‘s recovery from Tommy John surgery, Tanner Bibee, the Guardians’ top postseason pitcher last year, will likely step in.
Detroit Tigers: Manager A.J. Hinch is expected to officially announce Tarik Skubal, last year’s AL Cy Young winner, for Opening Day.
Houston Astros: Framber Valdez seems poised to start, aiming for his record-setting fourth consecutive Opening Day start. He recently posted a 2.91 ERA.
Kansas City Royals: The choice may come down to Seth Lugo or Cole Ragans, both of whom had strong 2024 seasons.
Los Angeles Angels: Manager Ron Washington confirmed Yusei Kikuchi, a recent acquisition, as the Opening Day starter.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Handling the unusual Opening Day in Japan, Yamamoto is expected to get the start, with Roki Sasaki as a candidate for the second game.
Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara, returning from injury, is officially set to make his fifth consecutive Opening Day start.
Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta will reprise his role, having been the Opening Day starter last season.
Minnesota Twins: Louie López has been confirmed for his third consecutive Opening Day start.
New York Mets: With a recent influx of talent, Sean Manaea is the frontrunner to start, though Kodai Senga remains a contender.
New York Yankees: Gerrit Cole is expected to take the mound, continuing his role as the team’s ace.
Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler, after finishing as the runner-up in the NL Cy Young voting, will start against the Nationals.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Projected to kick off their season against the Marlins, Paul Skenes, last season’s NL Rookie of the Year, is a strong candidate.
San Diego Padres: With uncertainty regarding the starting pitcher, Dylan Cease or Michael King could lead the rotation.
San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb has officially been named the Opening Day starter for the fourth consecutive year.
Seattle Mariners: A decision is pending between Luis Castillo and rising stars Logan Gilbert and George Kirby.
Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan, returning from surgery, is likely to start against the Rockies in their new home stadium.
Texas Rangers: With the team’s revolving-door history of Opening Day starters, Nathan Eovaldi seems the most probable choice.
Toronto Blue Jays: It’s a toss-up between José Berríos and Kevin Gausman, both of whom have been effective in previous seasons.
Washington Nationals: With Josiah Gray on the mend from Tommy John surgery, MacKenzie Gore is the expected starter for the Nationals’ opener against the Phillies.
Significance and Conclusion
The Opening Day starter announcements carry considerable weight within the MLB, impacting team morale and fan anticipation for the season. As teams finalize their rotations, injuries and other factors may still shift these projections. The importance of these matchups extends beyond rankings; they shape the narratives of franchises and can set the tone for the entire season.
With the situation constantly evolving, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye as spring training progresses and the season draws near. Each team’s decision at the start of the season may have lasting implications, ultimately influencing playoff hopefuls and contenders as they journey through the 2025 season.
