For the first time in 50 years, every major league team was scheduled to start the season on the same day -- before rain got in the way of Nationals-Reds and Pirates-Tigers. Still, one Opening Day is reason to celebrate, and that's exactly what we plan to do.
To welcome back baseball, ESPN's David Schoenfield lays out what to watch for and makes a prediction for every game. As the day plays out, our team of reporters will provide live updates from every ballpark to take you inside the moments, the optimism and the atmosphere that make Opening Day the best day of the baseball year.
Jump to: CHC-MIA | PIT-DET (PPD) | STL-NYM | MIN-BAL
HOU-TEX | NYY-TOR | BOS-TB | LAA-OAK | WAS-CIN (PPD)
PHI-ATL | MIL-SD | CHW-KC | SF-LAD | CLE-SEA | COL-ARI
Chicago Cubs 8, Miami Marlins 4
.@kschwarb12 connects.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 29, 2018
Ball travels far. pic.twitter.com/PaqlfJmwQt
A special homecoming for @ARizzo44. #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/rNoAVuVKiD
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2018
MLB
Ian Happ (23 years, 229 days old) is the 4th-youngest Cubs player to hit an Opening Day HR and the youngest to do so since 1955 according to Elias Sports Bureau research.
This was the first pitch of the season 😱 #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/UmLJoIk6Ww
— ESPN (@espn) March 29, 2018
MLB
Watch Anthony Rizzo react to being back in S.Florida for Opening Day while wearing a Majory Stoneman Douglas t-shirt. The Cubs and Marlins will host victims families and the baseball team on Friday night.
New York Mets 9, St. Louis Cardinals 4
MLB
The Mets have taken firm command on Opening Day, scoring five runs in the 5th off Carlos Martinez and two Cardinals relievers to take an 8-3 lead. Biggest hit was an Amed Rosario two-run single.
Noah Syndergaard has 10 Ks through 5 IP today.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 29, 2018
That's already the 2nd-most Ks by a @Mets pitcher in a game on Opening Day. Pedro MartÃnez had 12 in 2005. pic.twitter.com/Tr7BdvR5wx
MLB
Yoenis Cespedes put the Mets ahead with a two-run single in the second inning off Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez. Yesterday, the slugger made headlines when he said this year's team is "way better" than the 2015 Mets squad that won the NL pennant.
MLB
Mets fans are lined up in right-center field to dunk a dude in a Cardinals jersey. Here's the moment one toss hit the mark; but don't feel too bad for the guy. It's 50 degrees here at Citi Field, but there's no water in the tank today — just pieces of soft, cushy foam to break his fall.
MLB
Noah Syndergaard will start for the Mets on Opening Day, and the Viking helmets have been dusted off here at Citi Field.
Baltimore Orioles 3, Minnesota Twins 2
MLB
Adam Jones hit a walkoff homer in the 11th inning to give the Orioles a 3-2 win over the Twins. It's Baltimore's eighth straight victory on Opening Day, the longest active streak in MLB.
#Walkoff + #OpeningDay + @SimplyAJ10 = this was bound to happen. #Birdland pic.twitter.com/gtREVNfxp1
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) March 29, 2018
Go up and GET IT. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/DvjoT51yGa
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2018
MLB
Manny Machado picking up right where he left off in spring training: On the very first pitch he saw, the Orioles slugger - who posted a 1.015 OPS in Grapefruit League action - laced an opposite field double.
MLB
Among those on hand to witness the beginning of the Manny Machado Shortstop Era? Former Orioles SS Cal Ripken. If the Hall of Famer were still playing, and if he hadn't missed a day of work, The Streak - which ended 20 years ago - would currently stand at 5,717 games.
Houston Astros 4, Texas Rangers 1
W. 1-0.#NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/RncibFnNAw
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 29, 2018
The first player in MLB history to homer on #OpeningDay in back-to-back seasons. UNREAL. #SpringerDinger | #NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/4H1d5p43JV
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 29, 2018
Via @EliasSports, @Astros RF George Springer is the 1st player in MLB history to hit a leadoff HR on Opening Day in consecutive seasons.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 29, 2018
New York Yankees 6, Toronto Blue Jays 1
MLB
Giancarlo Stanton has a multi-homer Opening Day. Lofts a homer to center that lands amid rows of bunting. He had an MLB-best 10 multi-homer games last year with the Marlins.
Of course @Giancarlo818 homered on #OpeningDay ... in his first at-bat.
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2018
UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/ypnmSeyaD8
According to @statcast, Giancarlo Stanton's homer to right went 426 feet. He had one in Atlanta earlier this week that traveled 434 feet (to left).
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) March 29, 2018
MLB
Check out this list of four MLB players to homer on Opening Day the year after they led the majors in homers, per Elias: Barry Bonds (2002), Mark McGwire (1999), Roger Maris (1962), Giancarlo Stanton (2018).
An inspiration to everyone around him. #DocForever pic.twitter.com/hsWezsj1C7
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 29, 2018
Tampa Bay Rays 6, Boston Red Sox 4
MLB
What a disastrous eighth inning for the Red Sox bullpen, ruining Chris Sale's outing and possibly Alex Cora's first game as manager. Joe Kelly and Carson Smith walked four batters and Denard Span cleared the bases with a triple for a 5-4 Tampa Bay lead (now 6-4). Craig Kimbrel will be rested for Friday's game.
First homer of 2018, just the way you drew it up. 😉 pic.twitter.com/8QawD06uwe
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 29, 2018
One pitch and the @KKiermaier39 2018 Gold Glove campaign is underway.#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/4RSlUZrknu
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 29, 2018
MLB
Beautiful day outside. Inside? Same old Tropicana Field, where a small grease fire in the 300 level of the ballpark has left it a bit hazier than usual, at least for now. The fire is out, and the Rays don't expect gameday operations to be impacted.
Oakland Athletics 6, Los Angeles Angels 5
MLB
Mike Trout is 0-for-6. The Angels' two-time MVP had never had at least six ABs in a game and not had a hit in his career. He just struck out swinging with runners at first and second to end the top of the 11th inning.
MLB
Albert Pujols' 615th career home run, a solo blast to left field to start the sixth inning, chased A's starter Kendall Graveman. Pujols is seventh on the all-time home run list, behind Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Alex Rodriguez (696), Willie Mays (660) and Ken Griffey, Jr. (630). Graveman, meanwhile, went 5-plus innings Thursday, giving up five runs on seven hits, including three home runs, and struck out one in 71 pitches, 53 strikes.
And on the first MLB pitch he sees, Shohei Ohtani singles sharply through the infield to right field. Yes, they kept the ball. https://t.co/AZLsRJeJMl
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) March 29, 2018
"Welcome to the Sho!"
— Angels (@Angels) March 29, 2018
Ohtani logs his first Major League hit in his first career AB! #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/I3hGREqjrE
MLB
Yes, Shohei Ohtani's every move (every step?) will be chronicled by the Japanese media.
Atlanta Braves 8, Philadelphia Phillies 5
#OpeningDay. Tie ballgame. Bottom of the 9th.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 29, 2018
Take it away Nick! #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/7Hr1Y7I7b5
MLB
Braves legend Hank Aaron takes a ride around the ballpark before the opening day first pitch between the Braves and Phillies. The Hall of Famer was an All-Star 25 times and set the previous record with 755 career home runs.
MLB
New Hall of Famer Chipper Jones throwing out the first pitch for Braves opening day.
Milwaukee Brewers 2, San Diego Padres 1
"And for my next trick, I will escape this bases loaded jam in the 11th!" pic.twitter.com/gj5wO5iR1b
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 30, 2018
Beautiful #SDOpeningDay. Beautiful double play!#HangAStar🌟 pic.twitter.com/aXq4TUQmLc
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 29, 2018
Ryan Braun will be playing his first official game at first base today. Should be an interesting process. pic.twitter.com/qLYnZ4AmOR
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 29, 2018
Chicago White Sox 14, Kansas City Royals 7
.@matt_davidson24, AGAIN! MERCY!
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 29, 2018
Matty D. is the 15th #WhiteSox player with 3 HR in one game (last Dan Johnson on 10/3/12 at CLE); club record is 4 (Pat Seerey, 7/18/48 at PHI). #SoxStats pic.twitter.com/pa6NVPFyeD
MLB
Neither third baseman Mike Moustakas nor first baseman Lucas Duda was with the Royals when spring training began. But they're the early stars as Kansas City built a 4-0 lead over the White Sox in the first inning. Moustakas had an RBI single and Duda a three-run home run.
This was Good. #RaisedRoyal #Royals50 pic.twitter.com/DCzXHOQlJk
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) March 29, 2018
San Francisco Giants 1, Los Angeles Dodgers 0
MLB
The Giants spoil the home opener of the rival Dodgers, winning 1-0 on Joe Panik's fifth-inning homer off Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw, making his eighth opening day start, went six innings, allowing eight hits and striking out seven. Lefty Ty Blach kept the Dodgers off balance for five shutout innings to get the win. It was San Francisco's first shutout season-opening win since 1994. The Dodgers had not been whitewashed in an opener since 1998.
MLB
Clayton Kershaw is finished after six innings. The Dodgers ace allowed one run on Joe Panik's solo homer and eight hits while striking out seven. Hard-throwing righty J.T. Chargois is on to make his L.A. debut.
Perfection. #OpeningDayLA pic.twitter.com/hXZNr3tlCc
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 29, 2018
MLB
Kirk Gibson autographed his famous home run seat in a ceremony yesterday at Dodger Stadium. He is throwing out the first pitch before today's season opener against the Giants.
Ready to go #OpeningDay #OpeningDayLA @Dodgers @MLB pic.twitter.com/FTYdNxKGFd
— Kenley Jansen (@kenleyjansen74) March 29, 2018
Seattle Mariners 2, Cleveland Indians 1
MLB
Felix Hernandez exits to a standing ovation and a massive roar from the Safeco Field crowd. He allowed no runs on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 5 1/3 innings and 83 pitches. The Mariners will take that. Dan Altavilla got an inning-ending double play after taking over, so the book on Felix is closed.
Punished. 💥#OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/cfsTjzPCl3
— Mariners (@Mariners) March 30, 2018
Welcome home, Ichiro.#OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/qBK6mPQHRm
— Mariners (@Mariners) March 30, 2018
Arizona Diamondbacks 8, Colorado Rockies 2
Smooth sliding. #DbacksOpeningDay #GenerationDbacks pic.twitter.com/AXpDthYPse
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 30, 2018
First homer of the season? Everyone knew it would be @DJLeMahieu!#ThatsMyDJ 💿 pic.twitter.com/50pLpWFdFN
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 30, 2018
MLB
The Diamondbacks' 20th anniversary season is about to get underway with a rematch of last year's NL Wild Card game against the Colorado Rockies.
MLB
And here it is...the now-famous Diamondback bullpen cart.
Pittsburgh Pirates 13, Detroit Tigers 10
Postponed to Friday
@ Mother Nature: Why? pic.twitter.com/duxvVfndjZ
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 29, 2018
MLB
Tigers fans commiserate after opening day being postponed early Thursday morning. They, based on the face paint and gear, had been ready for baseball.
MLB
Crazy game in Detroit. The Tigers score the winning run in the 10th ... only they don't, when the call at home plate is overruled after a long delay. That leads to Ron Gardenhire getting ejected in his first game as Tigers manager and we go to the 11th still tied at 10.
Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds 0
Postponed to Friday
MLB
Clearly the postponement of Opening Day didn't dampen the enthusiasm here in Cincinnati. It's a sea of red at the block party going on between the two stadiums.
MLB
Max Scherzer's day is done after six innings of work. He allowed five hits, 1 walk and struck out 10 batters. Scooter Gennett was the only one able to get anything going against Scherzer, who at one point struck out seven straight batters. Gennett was 3-for-3 against Scherzer with two singles and a double.