What to KnowThe Los Angeles Dodgers open the 2026 season at home Thursday evening against division rival Arizona. The game will be nationally broadcast as part of NBC and Peacock‘s Opening Day doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. California time.The Dodgers will raise their 2025 World Series banner on Opening Day with the ring ceremony the next day.Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who delivered an heroic 2025 postseason performance, will start for Los Angeles against the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen.Lakers Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The Los Angeles Dodgers take the first step Thursday in the quest for a third straight World Series title when they open the season against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

The matchup of divisional foes, one of 11 Opening Day games around the league, is Game 1 of 162 in LA’s postseason chase and a shot at joining the Yankees and A’s as the only MLB teams to win three consecutive World Series. The Yankees were the last team to accomplish the uncommon feat in 2000.

No MLB team except the Dodgers has won back-to-back titles since then, illustrating the professional sports three-peat’s high degree of difficulty.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who tossed complete games in two postseason series last year, was named LA’s Opening Day starter. The Diamondbacks will counter with righty Zac Gallen.

Here’s what to know about Thursday’s Opening Day game.

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How to watch

The game will be nationally broadcast as part of NBC and Peacock‘s Opening Day doubleheader. First pitch is at 5:30 p.m. California time.

The Dodgers will raise their 2025 World Series banner on Opening Day with the ring ceremony the next day.

Who will sing the National Anthem and throw out the first pitch?

Gospel singer Keith Williams Jr. will sing the National Anthem. He will be accompanied by a flyover from two F-35C planes from Air Test & Evaluation Squadron NINE from the Detachment Edwards Air Force Base.

Lakers Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Michael Ozanian breaks down why the Los Angeles Dodgers rank second in MLB franchise value and what’s driving their rise near the top.

Dodgers and Diamondbacks Opening Day starting pitchers

Months after a masterful postseason that ended with a World Series MVP award, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be back on the mound at Dodger Stadium. The right-hander also started in the 2025 opener. He is coming off a 12-8 2025 with a 2.49 ERA in 30 starts, but it was his willingness and ability to do anything the team needed in the postseason that raised Yamamoto’s profile among the league’s best arms.

Yamamoto threw complete games in the NLCS and World Series. He earned Ws in three of the team’s four World Series games, taking his place among legendary franchise postseason stars.

For Arizona, right-hander Zac Gallen will make his third Opening Day start. Gallen finished 13-5 with a 4.83 ERA in 33 starts last year.

Merrill Kelly was the team’s initial starter, but he suffered an injury setback in camp.

Three Dodgers players are featured on the new mural. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 3 p.m. on Tuesday March 24, 2026.

Dodgers and Diamonbacks potential starting lineups

Lineups will be announced closer to game time, but here are the likely starting lineups for both teams.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani, DH

Kyle Tucker, RF

Mookie Betts, SS

Freddie Freeman, 1B

Will Smith, C

Teoscar Hernández, LF

Max Muncy, 3B

Andy Pages, CF

Miguel Rojas, 2B

Arizona Diamondbacks

Geraldo Perdomo, SS

Ketel Marte, 2B

Corbin Carroll, RF

Gabriel Moreno, C

Nolan Arenado, 3B

Carlos Santana, 1B

Pavin Smith, DH

Jordan Lawlar, LF

Alek Thomas, CF

Key offseason moves for the Dodgers

Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Diaz headlined what was another aggressive offseason in Los Angeles.

Tucker joins the Dodgers outfield  on a four-year, $240 million contract after spending 2025 with the Cubs. He is coming off his fourth straight All-Star season, tallying at least 133 hits and 25 doubles in each of his four full, healthy seasons.

Diaz, the best closer on the free agency market, shores up what was considered the weakest link in the Dodgers lineup last year. The right-hander had 28 saves and a 1.63 ERA with the Mets last year before he agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal with Los Angeles.

Diaz, 32, enters 2026 as one of the league’s elite closers after returning from a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. The injury suffered during a celebration in the World Baseball Classic forced him to miss the 2023 season.

Diaz finished 2025 with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings and the second-lowest ERA among relievers who threw at least 50 innings. At 38 percent, his strikeout rate was second in the league.

The Dodgers also exercised the club option on third baseman Max Muncy and re-signed infielder and World Series hero Miguel Rojas.

In a last-minute move, Alex Freeland, the team’s No. 8 prospect, was named to the final spot on the 26-man roster earlier this week when the Dodgers optioned Hyeseong Kim to Triple-A. Kim had a strong spring at the plate with a .407 average, but it was the switch-hitting Freeland who made his first Opening Day roster.

Rob and Kate Banks live 5 minutes from the stadium. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Dodgers injuries

The injured list includes starters Blake Snell and Gavin Stone; relievers Brock Stewart, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol; and utility men Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández. Only Hernández and Phillips are beginning the season on the 60-day IL. The others could potentially return within the first two months.

Some of the new dishes include burrito bowls and a fried chicken bucket. Lauren Coronado reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.

What’s on the Dodger Stadium menu?

Levy Restaurants, the hospitality company behind the food and beverages at Dodger Stadium, released its lineup of a few new items coming to the Los Angeles venue on Opening Day.

Some of the new additions to the lineup.

Cochinita Pibil Bone Marrow Taco: A taco filled with house-braised conchinita pibil (slow-roasted pork), topped with rich, roasted bone marrow, pickled onions, and fresh cilantro on warm blue corn tortillas.

Char Siu Pork Loaded Fries: Crispy fries topped with house-made char siu pork and furikake spice, served with Sriracha mayo.

Loco Moco Bowl: A Hawaiian comfort classic featuring a juicy seared beef patty over fluffy steamed rice, smothered in a savory brown gravy and crowned with a sunny-side up egg.

Watermelon Habanero Margarita: A mix of “sweet and heat” — tequila shaken with fresh lime juice and a house watermelon-habanero mix, served over ice with a zesty Tajín-dusted rim.