Opening day has finally arrived!
The Detroit Tigers open up their 2026 campaign on Thursday afternoon on the West Coast against a National League opponent for the second-straight year. This time around, the Olde English D begin their journey back to the postseason against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.
Last season, the Motor City Kitties finished with an 87-75 record, falling one game short of the American League Central crown after an epic second-half collapse allowed the Cleveland Guardians to slip past them. The Padres ended the regular season with three more wins than the Tigers, putting them behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers by three games.
AJ Hinch sends his ace, Tarik Skubal, to the mound on opening day for the third consecutive season, while Craig Stammen has Nick Pavetta on the bump opposite him. Here is how the two match up.
Detroit Tigers (0-0) vs. San Diego Padres (0-0)
Game 1: LHP Tarik Skubal (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
* Note: Stats in the table below are Fangraphs’ 2026 projections