The Tampa Bay Rays put their early success to the test with a challenging seven-game road trip that starts with the first of three against the New York Yankees in their home opener Monday. The Rays took two of three from the Yankees to open the season and three of four from Toronto after Sunday’s 7-2 triumph that was highlighted by a three-run homer from red-hot Steven Souza Jr.

Detroit hosts Boston on Monday in the finale of their four-game set as a pair of aces in the Tigers' Justin Verlander and Chris Sale of the Red Sox look to build off strong season debuts. Boston put itself in position to gain a series split with a 7-5 victory Sunday despite having three major contributors - shortstop Xander Bogaerts (bereavement), center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (knee) and designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (flu) - missing from the lineup.

The Kansas City Royals will play their home opener with heavy hearts as a ceremony honoring the late Yordano Ventura will precede their contest against the Oakland Athletics on Monday. Ventura, who went 38-31 with a 3.89 ERA for the Royals from 2013-16, was killed on Jan. 22 in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic.

After a disappointing opening week on the road, the San Francisco Giants are hoping a return to AT&T Park gets them going. The Giants are 2-5 heading into Monday’s home opener against the surprising Arizona Diamondbacks, who are heading out on the road for the first time after completing a three-game sweep of Cleveland over the weekend.

The Houston Astros rallied to avoid getting swept last time out and look to build off that emotion when they visit the struggling Seattle Mariners for their home opener on Monday. The Astros, who took three of four from Seattle in the season-opening series, knocked off Kansas City 5-4 in 12 innings on Sunday after dropping the first two contests of the set.

It is one start in the early days of April, but there will be plenty of eyes on Tyler Glasnow as he takes the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Monday’s home contest against the Cincinnati Reds. The 23-year-old Glasnow has been named the International League’s top pitching prospect twice in the past three years, but experienced a sometimes-shaky rookie season in which he made seven appearances.

After a rocky homestand to start the season, the St. Louis Cardinals hit the road for the first time Monday as they open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. The Nationals hope a return home will help them get back on track after dropping two of three in Philadelphia over the weekend. 

The Philadelphia Phillies look to extend their winning streak to three when they kick off a three-game home series against the National League East-rival New York Mets on Monday. Philadelphia dropped a 7-6 decision to Washington in its home opener on Friday before outscoring the Nationals 21-6 in winning the next two contests.

A party more than a century in the making is on tap Monday at Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs will raise their 2016 championship banners before opening a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fittingly, it’s a rematch of last year’s National League Championship Series, which the Cubs won in six games en route to their first World Series title in 108 years. 

The Colorado Rockies’ bullpen typically ranks among the worst in the majors, but there’s reason to believe the unit could be a reliable asset this season. The Rockies look to continue their hot start Monday against the visiting San Diego Padres, who boast a pair of promising rookies in outfielders Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe.