The Seattle Mariners will host the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park for Opening Day on March 26, marking the first baseball game played there since last year’s American League Championship Series.
This matchup brings together two defending division champions and is the only Opening Day game in Major League Baseball featuring such a pairing. The event is notable for fans as both teams are coming off strong seasons, with the Mariners seeking redemption after falling just short of their first World Series appearance, while the Guardians aim for their third consecutive AL Central title under manager Stephen Vogt.
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Pacific Time and will be available to watch on MLB.TV. In Seattle, fans can stream games live throughout the season via Mariners.TV or listen on 710 Seattle Sports radio. Cleveland viewers can access CLEGuardians.TV presented by Progressive or tune in to WTAM 1100 AM for radio coverage.
Tanner Bibee will start for the Guardians after finishing last season with a record of 12-11 and a 4.24 ERA. Bibee said, “That September really helped me throughout the offseason in giving me some realizations of what I needed to do and gave me a clear path instead of searching so hard.” Logan Gilbert will take the mound for Seattle following his recovery from injury; he said, “You set the tone for later in the game, for the rest of the season, all that kind of stuff… But win or lose, good or bad, I’m going to throw the ball as aggressively as possible. That’s the only thing I can do.”
Both teams feature changes in their lineups and coaching staffs. For Cleveland, Steven Kwan may see time in center field while Rhys Hoskins adds right-handed power. Chase DeLauter is considered one of their top prospects after an impressive spring performance. The Mariners’ lineup includes five All-Stars over its top five spots; new acquisition Brendan Donovan leads off with Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez expected to be key contributors.
Several players are beginning this season recovering from injuries but are expected back soon—Seattle’s Bryce Miller (oblique) and J.P. Crawford (shoulder), along with Cleveland’s Hunter Gaddis (forearm), George Valera (calf), and Andrew Walters (lat surgery). Both clubs return strong bullpens led by Cade Smith (Cleveland) stepping into a closer role and Andrés Muñoz anchoring Seattle’s relief corps.
The Guardians have won back-to-back Opening Day games but have not taken three straight since 1963; meanwhile, Seattle holds a strong recent record at openers with fifteen wins out of nineteen since 2007.
