Preview Roundups
March 29, 2018
Chi. Cubs at Miami 12:40 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs suffered from the dreaded World Series hangover last season, but they still managed to win 92 games and get back to the National League Championship Series. Their quest for a second world championship in three years begins Thursday with the opener of a four-game road series against the Miami Marlins.
St. Louis at NY Mets 1:10 PM ET
The New York Mets are bidding that a return to health, wise offseason investments and a different managerial voice will translate into better fortune this season. With new manager Mickey Callaway calling the shots, right-hander Noah Syndergaard hopes to have turned the corner on an injury-riddled 2017 as the Mets begin the season on Thursday afternoon with the opener of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field.
Pittsburgh at Detroit 1:10 PM ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a new era without their MVP center fielder and No. 1 starting pitcher when they open a three-game interleague series Thursday at the Detroit Tigers, who are also in rebuilding mode. Perennial All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen was dealt to San Francisco while fire-balling right-hander Gerrit Cole was sent to Houston in the offseason as Pittsburgh hopes to retool quickly after two seasons without a playoff game.
Minnesota at Baltimore 3:05 PM ET
The Minnesota Twins made a surprising run to a wild-card spot in the American League last season and are looking for more with a maturing young roster. The Twins will try to get off to a strong start when they open 2018 by visiting the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
Houston at Texas 3:35 PM ET
The Houston Astros begin the defense of the first world championship in franchise history when they visit the American League West-rival Texas Rangers on Thursday afternoon for the first contest of a season-opening four-game series. Making their second World Series appearance in October - and first as an AL team, the Astros outlasted the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, winning the decisive contest on the road for the organization's first crown since joining the majors in 1962 as the Colt .45
NY Yankees at Toronto 3:37 PM ET
In any other year, a new manager -- particularly one with no experience -- would be storyline No. 1 in the Bronx. Yet the hire of Aaron Boone has been overshadowed in the whirling vortex surrounding the New York Yankees, who unveil big-ticket offseason acquisition Giancarlo Stanton in Thursday's season opener at the Toronto Blue Jays.
Boston at Tampa Bay 4:00 PM ET
The Boston Red Sox won the American League East last season but suffered a disappointing exit in the first round of the playoffs as their starting pitching let them down and a season-long lack of power was exposed. The Red Sox tried to address both of those issues in the offseason and will get started on another division title run when they open the 2018 campaign by visiting the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday.
LA Angels at Oakland 4:05 PM ET
The Los Angeles Angels have added several pieces to their lineup in order help superstar Mike Trout, and one of those is hoping to make an impact as a two-way player. Japanese star Shohei Ohtani is expected to make his major-league debut on Thursday afternoon as the Angels visit the Oakland Athletics for the first contest of their season-opening four-game series.
Philadelphia at Atlanta 4:10 PM ET
Two teams looking to take a step forward in their rebuilds and begin climbing in the National League East open the 2018 season Thursday when the Philadelphia Phillies visit the Atlanta Braves to start a three-game series. The Phillies were active in the offseason, bringing in pitcher Jake Arrieta and first baseman Carlos Santana to bolster an emerging young core, and made news Sunday by locking up rookie Scott Kingery to a six-year deal before his major-league debut.
Washington at Cincinnati 4:10 PM ET
The Washington Nationals parted ways with manager Dusty Baker in the offseason for his lack of playoff success despite the fact he guided the club to back-to-back National League East titles and two of the four most successful seasons in club history. Dave Martinez will take his first step toward achieving what his predecessor was unable to do Thursday when the Nationals begin their season with the first of three games against the host Cincinnati Reds.
Milwaukee at San Diego 4:10 PM ET
The Milwaukee Brewers are aiming to end a six-year playoff drought as they visit the San Diego Padres in Thursday's season opener. While the Brewers are looking to build on last year's 86-win season, San Diego is striving for respectability after signing free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer.
Chi. White Sox at Kansas City 4:15 PM ET
As the Kansas City Royals begin what appears to be a rebuilding process, the Chicago White Sox hope this is the year their rebuild moves into the next phase. The AL Central rivals start the season in Kansas City on Thursday with the opener of their three-game series.
San Francisco at LA Dodgers 7:08 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers won 104 games in the regular season last year but fell one victory shy of their first World Series title in 29 years last October. They begin anew with their ace on the mound when Clayton Kershaw gets the nod in Thursday's season opener at home against the San Francisco Giants to open a four-game series.
Cleveland at Seattle 10:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians made few changes to the lineup in the offseason and begin the quest to duplicate an outstanding 2017 regular season Thursday night against the host Seattle Mariners in a battle of two Cy Young Award winners. The Indians won an American League-best 102 games last season before losing to the New York Yankees in the Division series and hope for better health from key players.
Colorado at Arizona 10:10 PM ET
The Colorado Rockies begin their 2018 season where 2017 ended when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday in a rematch of last year's National League wild-card game. Optimism is high on both teams but with Los Angeles heavily favored to win the NL West, Colorado and Arizona could be forced down the same road that led to the Diamondbacks defeating the Rockies 11-8 before being swept by the NL champion Dodgers in the Division Series.