The 2026 Major League Baseball season began Wednesday night with a nationally spotlighted opener at Oracle Park, where the New York Yankees rolled past the San Francisco Giants, 7-0.
New York wasted little time setting the tone for the new season, breaking the game open with a five-run second inning and never looking back.
On the mound, Yankees starter Max Fried delivered a dominant outing, holding San Francisco to minimal offense over six-plus innings. The Giants struggled to generate momentum throughout the night, managing only a few scattered hits.
The standalone opener once again underscored baseball’s tradition of beginning the season with a national showcase, while also highlighting evolving elements of the game, including expanded broadcast platforms and continued experimentation with automated ball-strike technology. The opener drew national attention not only for the matchup between two historic franchises, but also for its unique broadcast, as the game was streamed on Netflix — a sign of baseball’s expanding media footprint
Phillies, Pirates, Orioles, and Nationals open today
Following Wednesday’s opener, the full league schedule gets underway on Thursday, with all remaining teams beginning their seasons — including several key matchups featuring regional interest.
The Philadelphia Phillies open their season at home against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park. The late-afternoon matchup is expected to draw a strong Opening Day crowd as Philadelphia looks to begin the season on a positive note in front of its home fans on what is forecasted to be a warm spring day.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, behind Cy Young award-winner Paul Skenes, start their campaign on the road against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The early-afternoon contest marks the first test for a Pirates club aiming to build momentum in a competitive National League Central, against the new-look Mets.
In Baltimore, the Orioles, with high hopes and a revamped lineup, host the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards.
Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals open on the road against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Elsewhere across the league, a full slate of games fills the schedule from afternoon through late evening, officially launching the 2026 season for all 30 clubs. Baseball season is underway.
Source: The Athletic, ESPN, SI