When is MLB Opening Day 2023?
By Josh Hill
Opening Day is an unofficial holiday for baseball fans, as it marks the dawn of a new season and the beginning of one team's World Series journey. Every fan base wants that team to be theirs, but like Highlander, there can only be one.
There's also something poetic about the start of the season; baseball blooming in spring when the season begins to change and we all emerge from our winter hibernation. The smell of hot dogs grilling, the tangy taste of mustard, and the sound -- that sound -- of a bat cracking after making contact with the ball followed the roar of a crowd.
It's romantic. It's corny. It's perfect.
Opening Day 2023 TV schedule
Here's a look at what the Opening Day schedule is and where to catch the games:
Game | Time (CT) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
Braves vs. Nationals | 12:05pm | MLB.tv |
Yankees vs. Giants | 12:05pm | MLB.tv |
Red Sox vs. Orioles | 1:10pm | MLB.tv |
Cubs vs. Brewers | 1:20pm | MLB.tv |
Rays vs. Tigers | 2:10pm | MLB.tv |
Rangers vs. Phillies | 3:05pm | MLB.tv |
Royals vs. Twins | 3:10pm | Bally Sports North |
Marlins vs. Mets | 3:10pm | MLB.tv |
Reds vs. Pirates | 3:10pm | MLB.tv |
Cardinals vs. Blue Jays | 3:10pm | MLB.tv |
Padres vs. Rockies | 3:10pm | MLB.tv |
Astros vs. White Sox | 6:00pm | ESPN |
A's vs. Angels | 9:07pm | MLB.tv |
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks | 9:10pm | MLB.tv |
Mariners vs. Guardians | 9:10pm | MLB.tv |
Surprisingly, as of right now ESPN is only broadcasting a single game on Opening Day. Outside of the Astros-White Sox game in the evening, there aren't any other games on the ESPN schedule -- which is wild to fathom.
This could change, but it looks like the best bet to catch Opening Day is on MLB.tv. Apple TV and FOX will begin broadcasting games the following week, but won't be airing any Opening Day games this year.
When is Opening Day 2023?
Opening Day will be on Thursday, March 30 this year, with every single team in action. Unlike years past, MLB won't be holding a game the night before and deeming it the first game of the season, nor will there be some 5 am CT game somewhere like Japan that kicks off the season ahead of time either.
Instead, all 30 teams will be playing a fully loaded slate of games that serves as a baseball buffet to get the season started. Only five games the day after but the first weekend of the season will feature Saturday and Sunday with full 15-game slates.
This marks the first time since 1968 that every team will play its first game of the season on the same day. You want a blast from the past? MLB has you covered. Somewhere Ken Burns is blushing with this sort of romanticism.
When do the Minnesota Twins play on Opening Day 2023?
The Minnesota Twins will be getting their season underway in Kansas City on March 30th, with first pitch scheduled to take place at 3:10 pm ET.
Minnesota is not one of the teams scheduled to play the next day, and will instead resume its series against Kansas City on Saturday afternoon at the same time as Opening Day.
Fans will have to wait until April 6th for the first game of the season at Target Field. The Houston Astros will be coming to town, and it will double as the first promotional night of the year.