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2025 MLB Opening Day Starters: Skenes Named for Pirates, Valdez Returns for Astros

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2025 MLB Opening Day Starter Tracker: Skenes, Valdez Headline Early Announcements

With 2025 MLB Opening Day just around the corner, teams are finalizing their starting lineups, with a particular focus on the coveted Opening Day pitching assignment. While some decisions remain, many teams have already revealed their starters, offering a glimpse into their plans for the new season.

Historically, the honor of starting on Opening Day is highly regarded, even though it’s just one game. Legendary pitchers like Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, and Randy Johnson have dominated the all-time Opening Day start leaderboard.  

2025 MLB Opening Day Starters Skenes Named for Pirates Valdez Returns for Astros fan
2025 MLB Opening Day Starters Skenes Named for Pirates Valdez Returns for Astros fan

Here’s a breakdown of the confirmed and expected Opening Day starters across the league:

Confirmed Starters:

  • Baltimore Orioles: Zach Eflin (vs. Toronto)
  • Boston Red Sox: Garrett Crochet (at Texas)  
  • Chicago Cubs: Shota Imanaga (vs. Dodgers, Tokyo)
  • Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene (vs. San Francisco)  
  • Detroit Tigers: Tarik Skubal (at Los Angeles Dodgers)  
  • Houston Astros: Framber Valdez (vs. New York Mets)
  • Los Angeles Angels: Yusei Kikuchi (at Chicago White Sox)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (vs. Chicago Cubs, Tokyo)  
  • Miami Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (vs. Pittsburgh)
  • Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta (at New York Yankees)  
  • Minnesota Twins: Pablo López (at St. Louis)
  • New York Mets: Clay Holmes (at Houston)  
  • New York Yankees: Carlos Rodón (vs. Milwaukee)  
  • Philadelphia Phillies: Zack Wheeler (at Washington)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates: Paul Skenes (at Miami)  
  • St. Louis Cardinals: Sonny Gray (vs. Minnesota)
  • San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb (at Cincinnati)
  • Seattle Mariners: Logan Gilbert (vs. Oakland)  
  • Tampa Bay Rays: Shane McClanahan (vs. Colorado)

Key Storylines and Expected Starters:

  • Arizona Diamondbacks: Corbin Burnes is heavily favored to start against the Cubs.
  • (Sacramento) Athletics: Luis Severino is the likely choice for their first home game in Sacramento against the Cubs.
  • Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, is expected to take the mound against the Padres.
  • Chicago White Sox: Martín Pérez may get his first Opening Day start against the Angels.
  • Cleveland Guardians: With Shane Bieber out, Tanner Bibee is the clear choice against the Royals.
  • Colorado Rockies: Kyle Freeland or Germán Márquez are expected to start against the Rays.
  • Kansas City Royals: Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo are both strong contenders against the Guardians.
  • San Diego Padres: Dylan Cease or Michael King are in contention against the Braves.
  • Texas Rangers: Nathan Eovaldi or Jacob deGrom will likely start against the Red Sox.
  • Toronto Blue Jays: José Berríos or Kevin Gausman are the top choices against the Orioles.
  • Washington Nationals: MacKenzie Gore is the likely starter against the Phillies.  

Notable Highlights:

  • Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ rising star, earns his first Opening Day nod.  
  • Framber Valdez secures his fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the Astros.
  • Shota Imanaga to start the season in his home country of Japan.
  • Carlos Rodón will start for the yankees due to Gerrit Cole’s injury.  

As Opening Day approaches, stay tuned for updates as teams finalize their decisions.

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