There are a lot of interesting storylines to look forward to in the 2023 Major League Baseball season. The top headline as the season gets underway will likely be how the new rule changes are impacting regular season games, but there are still so many other items of interest that are sure to capture fans’ attention. Among the things fans pay most attention to as the season gets underway is how the offseason Hot Stove League moves turned out once the games count and if there will be a changing of the guard at the top of the standings. As the 2023 Major League Baseball season draws near, lots of variables will make for an intriguing Opening Day on March 30th. Learn more about the biggest games to watch on Opening Day.
Cleveland Guardians vs. Seattle Mariners
After winning the American League Central in 2022 the Guardians added Josh Bell to their potent lineup and with a strong pitching rotation led by perennial Cy Young candidate Shane Bieber, Cleveland has its sights set on making a much deeper run at the World Series.
Mariners fans have been in a frenzy since the 2022 version of their team showed the potential of becoming a league power. The club ended its long playoff drought by reaching the postseason and with reigning Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez on the cusp of becoming the next face of Major League Baseball, the Mariners are poised to make an even bigger impact.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Most experts feel the National League West will be a two-team race between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. However, sneaking up in the desert will be the Arizona Diamondbacks who have quietly amassed a trove of young talent, especially rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll whose potential is off the charts. Their first series of the season is against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers and will be a crucial test for Arizona as they try to prove they can compete with the best in the west.
The 2020 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have earned the right to still be considered the cream of the crop but there is no doubt things feel more uncertain than they have in quite some time. Some familiar names and faces, notably Trea and Justin Turner, are no longer in the Dodgers’ lineup. And now Gavin Lux will miss the entire season after tearing his ACL. Some of the sheen has started to come off but that may be precisely what gives the Dodgers extra motivation.
San Francisco Giants vs. New York Yankees
It may look unusual to have these two teams face one another on Opening Day but there is too much history to ignore the significance of this season-starting set. The usually solid Giants had a down year in 2022 and will now be the first team to face the new AL regular season HR champ Aaron Judge – the player they attempted to sign this past offseason. Given the hype attached to any Yankees season along with the two major markets involved, this is definitely one of the marquee matchups to open the 2023 season.