2025 MLB Opening Day Guide: Top 5 Matchups to Watch

The 2025 MLB season is finally here and the storylines are endless heading into Thursday’s Opening Day games. The action gets started at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN with Brewers vs. Yankees, with 28 teams playing across the league on Thursday.

From Cy Young winners squaring off to playoff teams from last season going head-to-head, we’ll cover the top five Opening Day games and players to watch in Thursday’s Opening Day games.

Looking to get real money action on MLB Opening Day? Look no further than PrizePicks. You can cash in by picking More or Less on player stat projections — like pitcher strikeouts or hitter Hits+Runs+RBIs and many more. If your picks are right, you’ll win cash!

‍

The Bronx is Burning: Brewers vs. Yankees

Time: 3 p.m. ET

How to Watch: ESPN/ESPN+

The Yankees captured their first American League pennant since 2009 before falling short to the Dodgers in the World Series. However, the hits keep coming for New York as ace Gerrit Cole is out for the season, needing Tommy John surgery. Also, slugger Giancarlo Stanton is sidelined with an elbow injury.

The Yankees begin their AL title defense against the NL Central champion Brewers. New York will send out left-hander Carlos Rodon to the hill, who is coming off a career-high 16 victories last season. 

All Eyes on Skenes: Pirates vs. Marlins

Time: 4:10 p.m. ET

How to Watch: MLB.tv

Paul Skenes will make his first Opening Day start, leading the Pirates against the Marlins in Miami. The NL Rookie of the Year put together an 11-3 mark and 1.96 ERA in 2024 for a last-place Pittsburgh squad.

Skenes started the All-Star Game for the National League last July and is expected to be in the running for the Cy Young Award this season. His PrizePicks projection for strikeouts this season is set at 215.5, the most of any pitcher in MLB.

Every time the former LSU standout takes the mound it will be must-watch theatre to see if he can replicate his rookie numbers.

💰 Use PrizePicks Promo Code "Playbook": Claim free $50 with your first $5+ Lineup

‍

Strikeouts For Everyone: Giants vs. Reds

Time: 4:10 p.m. ET

How to Watch: MLB.tv

The Reds and Giants meet up at Great American Ballpark, pitting Hunter Greene and Logan Webb on the hill.

Greene recorded six strikeouts or more in 16 starts last season, including an 11-strikeout performance against San Francisco. The Cincinnati right-hander’s strikeout projection this season sits at 165.5.

Webb went through a 12-start stretch from May through July by compiling more strikeouts than his projection.

Royal Treatment: Guardians vs. Royals

Time: 4:10 p.m. ET

How to Watch: MLB.tv

Kansas City qualified for the postseason for the first time since capturing a World Series title in 2015. The Royals finished with 86 wins behind star SS Bobby Witt, Jr., who hit .332, knocked out 32 home runs, and drove in 109 runs.

Defending AL Central champion Cleveland heads to Kansas City to open the season, as the Guardians allowed the third-fewest runs in MLB in 2024.

Cole Ragans ranked fifth in MLB in strikeouts last season, but finished with less than his strikeout projection in two starts against Cleveland. Ragans owns the fourth-highest season strikeout projection among left-handed pitchers at 191.5.

Cy Young Duel: Tigers vs. Dodgers

Time: 7 p.m. ET

How to Watch: ESPN

The Dodgers won the World Series last season and have already jumped out to a 2-0 record following a pair of victories over the Cubs in Japan.

Los Angeles plays its home opener on Thursday against Detroit as two Cy Young winners head to the mound. Tarik Skubal starts for Detroit after the southpaw produced an 18-4 record with 228 strikeouts. The Tigers won 24 of their final 34 games to clinch their first playoff berth since 2014.

Blake Snell opposes Skubal as the left-hander makes his Dodgers debut. Snell captured the Cy Young honor in 2018 and 2023, while posting a career-best 12.5 K/9 with San Francisco in 2024.

‍

Cash in on Opening Day on PrizePicks

Opening Day is finally here. Baseball is back, and there’s no better way to celebrate than getting in on the action with PrizePicks. 

From the first pitch in the Bronx to the final out in Los Angeles, every game has a chance for you to make real money by picking More or Less on player projections. From strikeouts to doubles or total bases, you can cash in on your MLB player takes on PrizePicks.

It’s real money sports action, made easy, and Opening Day is a great time to jump into MLB DFS. Looking for strategy tips? Check out our MLB DFS tips for 2025 here, then head to the app and lock in your favorite plays all season long.