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Temperatures are increasing. Winter is almost in the rearview mirror. Just about every top free agent has found a home, and teams have returned to their cities from Spring Training. Baseball is back, and an 11-game slate will set the table for the 2026 MLB season on Thursday.<\/p>\n
After the World Baseball Classic set the table for high-intensity action, with Team Venezuela claiming a thrilling championship win over the United States, baseball is carrying some momentum into 2026. The first game of the regular season has already come, as the New York Yankees<\/a> and San Francisco Giants<\/a> faced off Wednesday, but 22 more teams embark on their World Series dreams on Thursday.<\/p>\n WATCH: Stream MLB Opening Day 2026 with DIRECTV<\/a><\/p>\n Early in the day, reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> against the new-look New York Mets<\/a>. Inter-league matchups are also on the docket, with the Detroit Tigers<\/a>‘ Tarik Skubal pitching against the San Diego Padres<\/a> as the headliner. And of course, later in the evening, the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a> will take step No. 1 toward a potential three-peat by facing the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a>.<\/p>\n Find somewhere comfortable to sit and lock in your 2026 predictions \u2014 because competitive, all-day MLB action returns Thursday on Opening Day.<\/p>\n The Sporting News is tracking live updates, scores and highlights from Opening Day 2026, where 22 teams will be in action to begin their new seasons. Follow along with the latest from each game below.<\/p>\n MORE: The Sporting News’ picks, predictions for the 2026 MLB season<\/a><\/p>\n MLB Opening Day live scores<\/p>\n For live updates of Opening Day scores, check below.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n SN’s MLB HQ:\u00a0Live MLB scores<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Updated MLB standings<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Full MLB schedule<\/a><\/p>\n MLB Opening Day live updates, results, highlights from Thursday’s games<\/p>\n All times ET.<\/p>\n Red Sox vs. Reds<\/p>\n 5:53 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Boston opens up a 1-0 lead thanks to a single from\u00a0Ceddanne Rafaela, with Crochet escaping a jam in the sixth inning.<\/p>\n 4:32 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Ace Garrett Crochet is on the mound for Boston on Opening Day. Boston couldn’t score despite hits from Roman Anthony, Wilyer Abreu and Jarren Duran in the first inning, and now Crochet goes to work against Elly De La Cruz and the Reds.<\/p>\n Angels vs. Astros<\/p>\n 6:16 p.m. \u2014\u00a0A familiar sight to baseball fans: a Trout home run. The Angels star puts his team up 1-0 in a pitcher’s duel in the seventh inning. Brown had nine strikeouts for Houston, but Trout jumped on the Astros’ bullpen.<\/p>\n SCORELESS NO MORE!<\/p>\n Mike Trout homers on #OpeningDay<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/540PJl6Gsu<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:32 p.m. \u2014\u00a0NL West action is underway, with Mike Trout and the Angels taking on Hunter Brown and the Astros.<\/p>\n Tigers vs. Padres<\/p>\n 5:40 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Detroit’s bats are off to a great first game. McGonigle added a second hit already, while\u00a0Dillon Dingler homers in San Diego to make it 8-0 Tigers.<\/p>\n Dillon Dingler Dinger \ud83d\udca5#OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BhH2N4nZky<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:26 p.m. \u2014\u00a0It’s a fantastic start to 2026 for the Tigers. They’ll have Tarik Skubal on the mound, but before he even begins pitching, Detroit puts up a four-spot in the first inning. That includes the first MLB hit for top prospect Kevin McGonigle, a two-run double.<\/p>\n Welcome to the bigs, Kevin McGonigle!<\/p>\n He drives the very first pitch he sees for a 2-run double and his first MLB hit \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/U2RMcKlXgZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a>Rangers vs. Phillies<\/p>\n 6:10 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Cristopher Sanchez carried all of his WBC momentum into Opening Day. He strikes out 10 Rangers in just six innings, keeping Texas scoreless in his first start of 2026.<\/p>\n Cristopher S\u00e1nchez strikes out the side in the 6th!<\/p>\n 10 Ks for the @Phillies<\/a> southpaw \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8 pic.twitter.com\/7ucClqqoyi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 5:40 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Philadelphia extends its lead to 5-0 at home thanks to a three-run homer from Alec Bohm.<\/p>\n Alec Bohm pops an opposite-field 3-run shot for the @Phillies<\/a>! #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/VoQsz60Ol9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:50 p.m. \u2014 Justin Crawford, the son of former outfielder Carl Crawford, is on the board with hit No. 1 in MLB.\u00a0<\/p>\n First pitch, first MLB hit \ud83d\udc4f<\/p>\n Welcome to the league, Justin Crawford! pic.twitter.com\/X7FolxDbnh<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:33 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Schwarbomb No. 1 is out of the way. After finishing among the NL MVP voting leaders last season, Kyle Schwarber opens 2026 with a two-run shot for the Phillies.\u00a0<\/p>\n An #OpeningDay<\/a> Schwarbomb for your feed \ud83d\udd14 pic.twitter.com\/yITqirIxHN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:25 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Cristopher Sanchez is on the mound for Philadelphia at home, with Justin Crawford making his MLB debut in center field, while the Rangers will be on the road with new faces in Andrew McCutchen and Brandon Nimmo.<\/p>\n Rays vs. Cardinals<\/p>\n 6:14 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Tampa Bay has broken it open. The Rays put up a six-spot in the sixth inning.<\/p>\n A 6-run inning for @RaysBaseball<\/a>! #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/IuRdEllVmG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 5:52 p.m. \u2014\u00a0SportsCenter Top-10 alert?<\/p>\n Nathan Church makes an outstanding play at the wall \ud83d\ude2e<\/p>\n (MLB x @AceHardware<\/a>) pic.twitter.com\/gxu6kFt1ol<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 5:29 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Tampa Bay knots it up at one with a solo home run from\u00a0Jonathan Aranda.<\/p>\n Jonathan Aranda ties the ballgame with a solo shot \ud83d\udcaa#OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xiLJUGxe6I<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 5:14 p.m. \u2014\u00a0A strong day for players making their MLB debuts continues. Wetherholt homers in his first game as a Cardinal.<\/p>\n JJ WETHERHOLT \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n He leaves the yard in his Major League debut! pic.twitter.com\/4NNDZYirt6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:24 p.m. \u2014\u00a0One of five games getting underway has\u00a0JJ Wetherholt leading off in his Cardinals debut against Junior Caminero and the Rays. The action in St. Louis has begun.<\/p>\n Twins vs. Orioles<\/p>\n 5:40 p.m. \u2014\u00a0It was a quiet offensive day at Camden Yards, and that can be attributed to Rogers. He went seven scoreless innings on the mound against the Twins, and the Orioles claim a 2-1 win. Adley Rutschman had a pair of hits for Baltimore.<\/p>\n 3:21 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Game No. 1 for the Twins and Orioles is underway, with Joe Ryan pitching for Minnesota and Trevor Rogers for Baltimore.<\/p>\n Nationals vs. Cubs<\/p>\n 5:30 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Washington opens 2026 with a nice win, using a breakout offensive day to claim a 10-4 win over the Cubs.\u00a0<\/p>\n 3:45 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The Nationals have broken open a 7-2 lead, as Jacob Young adds a two-run homer.<\/p>\n nothin but nethttps:\/\/t.co\/M7AONBLYL5<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/G6s6vYbVkI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:24 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Washington is back on top thanks to CJ Abrams, who smashes a two-run hit at Wrigley Field.<\/p>\n CJ Abrams drives in 2 runs to give the @Nationals<\/a> the lead! #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9jQRnr7Yi4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:15 p.m. \u2014 Pete Crow-Armstrong gets the Cubs on the board.<\/p>\n Pete Crow-Armstrong delivers for the @Cubs<\/a> with his first hit and RBI of the season \ud83d\udcaa #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/r43ZdEEa6K<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:05 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Outside of the home run, Boyd has been cruising. He’s got seven punchouts in three innings.<\/p>\n Matthew Boyd has 7 strikeouts through 3 innings on #OpeningDay<\/a> \ud83d\ude2e pic.twitter.com\/kReXwCt4E6<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:43 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Joey Wiemer opens the scoring in this one. He hits a home run to left field off of Matthew Boyd, and it’s 1-0 Nationals.<\/p>\n Joey Wiemer smashes a 110.5 MPH homer to get the @Nationals<\/a> going on #OpeningDay<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/KAyYiK3WD7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:03 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Meanwhile, Nationals vs. Cubs is also about to get underway. Washington is beginning its\u00a0Blake Butera era, while Alex Bregman is playing his first game as a Cub.<\/p>\n countin’ it down pic.twitter.com\/wvLNazJroG<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Wrigley Field looks good on you, @ABREG_1<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/03cR3LcRNX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) March 26, 2026<\/a>White Sox vs. Brewers<\/p>\n 5:40 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The Brewers open the 2026 season with a statement, dominating the White Sox 14-2. Everything was working for Milwaukee.\u00a0<\/p>\n 5:15 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Munetaka Murakami has his first MLB home run, albeit in a blowout.\u00a0<\/p>\n Munetaka Murakami hits a MOONSHOT for his first Major League home run \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/rU8MOXna9l<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 4:51 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The Brewers are cruising. They now lead 14-1 in the seventh inning; eight different batters have driven in at least one run. Between their ace’s dominance, and the lineup dominating White Sox pitching, Milwaukee is having a good Opening Day.<\/p>\n 4:21 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Misiorowski finished with 11 strikeouts, dominating the White Sox on Opening Day.<\/p>\n 3:56 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Milwaukee’s got a nice lead in Game No. 1; Sam Frelick had a deep shot for his first home run of the year.<\/p>\n Sal Frelick demolishes his first home run of the 2026 season \ud83d\udd25 #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Vh3dywxvnA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:30 p.m. \u2014 Misiorowski’s stuff remains as electric as ever to open 2026.<\/p>\n TEN #OpeningDay<\/a> strikeouts for Jacob Misiorowski \ud83e\udd2f pic.twitter.com\/zEiFyRhHjk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:05 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Milwaukee scores its first runs of the year in a big way, with William Contreras clearing the bases to make it 3-1 Brewers.<\/p>\n William Contreras clears the bases and gives the @Brewers<\/a> the lead \ud83d\ude24 #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8vR5oYhK3j<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:18 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The White Sox strike first.\u00a0Chase Meidroth homers off Misiorowski, quickly making it 1-0 Chicago.<\/p>\n Chase Meidroth opens the @WhiteSox<\/a> season with a BLAST \ud83d\udca5 #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9q3eo4rwk4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:02 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Here are the lineups for Game No. 2 of the day. Munetaka Murakami makes his MLB debut for Chicago, while Jacob Misiorowski takes the mound for the Brewers.<\/p>\n Your 2026 Opening Day lineup \u2935\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/2j2j0hqlC4<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Game numero uno<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa: https:\/\/t.co\/eycfmE2vgm<\/a> \u2014 Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) March 26, 2026<\/a>Pirates vs. Mets<\/p>\n 4:35 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The first game of the day is complete. The Mets’ new-look bats jumped on Paul Skenes, coasting to an 11-7 victory. Juan Soto, Luis Robert Jr., Marcus Semien and Francisco Alvarez all had multi-hit games for New York.\u00a0<\/p>\n 3:50 p.m. \u2014\u00a0The day can’t get much better for the Mets, with Carson Benge now homering in his MLB debut, while Francisco Alvarez also added a home run.<\/p>\n Carson Benge’s first career HR comes on #OpeningDay<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/kJZCKOh2xt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:25 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Juan Soto is back to doing Juan Soto things, adding another Mets run to the board.<\/p>\n Juan Soto collects his first RBI of 2026 \ud83d\udcaa#OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FNk4TayuHk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 3:05 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Former White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. drives in another Mets run.<\/p>\n Luis Robert Jr. adds on for the @Mets<\/a> in his debut in Queens! #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zsZWMBzbzr<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:33 p.m. \u2014\u00a0We have our first successful ABS challenge, courtesy of Francisco Alvarez of the Mets.<\/p>\n Francisco Alvarez initiates the first successful ABS Challenge, Powered by @TMobile<\/a>.<\/p>\n The ball call was overturned to a strike. pic.twitter.com\/00RpKJBGy7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:17 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Two at-bats, two home runs for Brandon Lowe as a Pirate. He swats a solo homer for Pittsburgh, and he’s driven in all three of the team’s runs.<\/p>\n Having some d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu…another one for BLowe! pic.twitter.com\/3nTy3VAUjD<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2:00 p.m. \u2014 During Skenes’ implosion, O’Neil Cruz also had a missed fly ball in center field.<\/p>\n An absolute nightmare first inning for Oneil Cruz pic.twitter.com\/jjsX8UNj2L<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 1:51 p.m. \u2014\u00a0What a turnaround. The Mets have stormed right back in the bottom of the first, forcing what might just be Paul Skenes’ worst-ever MLB start. He’s allowed five earned runs on 37 pitches, allowing four hits and two walks. And already, the reigning Cy Young Award winner is done.<\/p>\n Skenes is pulled, and the Mets’ new-look offense has opened 2026 in a huge way.<\/p>\n Brett Baty CLEARS THE BASES \ud83d\ude24<\/p>\n The @Mets<\/a> are making some noise on #OpeningDay<\/a> \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/Jwusemrx9E<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Paul Skenes doesn’t make it out of the first inning on Opening Day pic.twitter.com\/jLudVfnppJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 1:27 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Very quickly, we have our first home run of the 2026 season. Brandon Lowe sends a deep fly ball into right field, and it gets over the wall to make it 2-0 Pirates, perhaps a good omen for their season.<\/p>\n Brandon Lowe hits the first home run of the 2026 season! #OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tvsutZSBuq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 1:22 p.m. \u2014\u00a0Freddy Peralta fires in a fastball to O’Neil Cruz, and Opening Day is underway.<\/p>\n 11:41 a.m. \u2014\u00a0Here are your lineups for Game 1 of Opening Day. Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O’Hearn are three new slugging bats for Pittsburgh, while Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr. and Marcus Semien will all be making their Mets debuts shortly.<\/p>\n 1\/162<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa: @NBCSports<\/a> | @peacock<\/a> \u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n #OpeningDay<\/a> starters \ud83d\udc4f #LGM<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6rG86qDBKV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 New York Mets (@Mets) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 11:40 a.m. \u2014\u00a0The Mets, who have plenty of new faces in 2026, will have outfielder Carson Benge making his MLB debut today.<\/p>\n Freddy Peralta is also on the mound for New York, his team debut after the offseason’s blockbuster trade.<\/p>\n Carson Benge will bat 8th and start in right field in his MLB debut today!<\/p>\n Here’s what to expect from the @Mets<\/a>‘ No. 2 prospect: https:\/\/t.co\/lPCzzQHd5U<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LEqqvFwHdz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 11:39 a.m. \u2014 Fresh off the WBC, Paul Skenes takes the mound against the Mets. What does he have in store for Year 3 in Pittsburgh?<\/p>\n 2024: NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes makes the #OpeningDay<\/a> start for the @Pirates<\/a>! pic.twitter.com\/vuUtl4sJBn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 11:37 a.m. \u2014 Hello, and welcome to Opening Day. The MLB is officially returning to NBC today, which, just as the NBA did, will bring plenty of nostalgia. Pirates vs. Mets, beginning shortly, is the network’s first game of the season.<\/p>\n Nostalgia >>><\/p>\n MLB returns to NBC with an EPIC doubleheader.<\/p>\n Pirates-Mets: 1 pm ET \u2014 MLB (@MLB) March 26, 2026<\/a>How to watch MLB Opening Day 2026National:\u00a0NBC, MLB NetworkLive stream: DIRECTV<\/a>, Peacock, MLB.TV<\/p>\n There are 11 games on the schedule for Opening Day this year. The only two games that will air nationally on NBC are Pirates vs. Mets at 1:15 p.m. ET, and Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers at 8:30 p.m. ET. Those two matchups can also be streamed through Peacock.<\/p>\n MLB Network will also be airing one game: Tigers vs. Padres at 4:10 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n The rest of the games will be airing on MLB.TV, which is included in DIRECTV’s<\/a> MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription.\u00a0<\/p>\n Catch every game \u2014 try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live college basketball, MLB, NHL and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1 and NFL Network \u2014 all included with DIRECTV.<\/p>\n Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.<\/p>\n MLB Opening Day schedule 2026MatchupTime (ET)TV channelPirates at Mets1:15 p.m.NBC, PeacockWhite Sox\u00a0at Brewers2:10 p.m.MLB.tvNationals at Cubs2:20 p.m.MLB.tvTwins at Orioles3:05 p.m.MLB.tvRed Sox at Reds4:10 p.m.MLB.tvAngels at Astros4:10 p.m.MLB.tvTigers at Padres4:10 p.m.MLB.tvRangers at Phillies4:15\u00a0p.m.ESPN App,\u00a0MLB.tvRays at Cardinals4:15\u00a0p.m.MLB.tvDiamondbacks at Dodgers8:30\u00a0p.m.NBC, PeacockGuardians at Mariners10:10 p.m.MLB.tv<\/p>\n Bold = national broadcast\u00a0<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfb: WTMJ 620#ThisIsMyCrew<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vXbnEOAJIT<\/a><\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfb: @937theFan<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/GGBfFUFvwe<\/a><\/p>\n
2025: NL Cy Young
2026: ?<\/p>\n
D-backs-Dodgers: 8:30 pm ET#OpeningDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oyddTj8tRp<\/a><\/p>\n