3. 3. The rest of the infield remains a work in progress, but they'll receive a major boost once future face of the franchise Adley Rutschman takes over as the starting catcher. 2. Todd Frazier (R) 1B Gregory Polanco (L) RF 4. Kyle Seager (L) 3B Jose Iglesias (R) SS RF Jackie Bradley Jr.9. Albert Pujols (R) 1B Mauricio Dubon (R) CF, 1. 8. Eight more season-opening matchups will wait for Friday, with the Red Sox and Yankees kicking it off after their opener was postponed on Thursday. 5. Mitch Moreland (L) DH Trayce Thompson was a great bargain-bin find last year, but his, The Marlins shook things up by acquiring Luis Arraez in a trade with the Twins and then. Martin Maldonado (R) C, 1. 8. 8. Corey Dickerson (L) LF Nick Senzel (R) CF 2. Starling Marte (R) CF 3. Those are significant ifs, though. 5. 1 offense in baseball. 4. Josh Bell (S) 1B 1 prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, to make his highly anticipated MLB debut.Note to know: After trading Jordan Luplow to Arizona, the Guardians will start a different center fielder on Opening Day for the 10th consecutive season. Jorge Alfaro (R) C More >Mets 9. Mike Zunino (R) C Bryan Lavastida is the only other backstop on the 40-man roster. Robinson Cano (L) 2B Anthony Alford (R) CF The speedster led the Majors with 47 stolen bases in 2021 while hitting .310.Note to know: The Mets rank first all-time in winning percentage (.650) in the first game of the season, including victories in 39 of the past 52 openers. That said, Hosmer will make the league minimum and could be cut loose if he fails to produce. Ender Inciarte (L) CF Fantasy baseball: Which prospects have fantasy value in 2023? More >Rays Aaron Hicks (S) CF Ryan Braun (R) DH ), Reds at Braves (8:08 p.m., ESPN2)FAQ, lineups, pitchers, more >. Jean Segura (R) 2B Hanser Alberto (R) 2B Who is going to play second base? Last season's lineup data from Baseball Reference, projected rosters from FanGraphs and a healthy amount of speculation about where remaining free agents will sign went into compiling each team's. Kris Bryant (R) 3B Aaron Judge in the leadoff spot? 3. 2. RF Eddie Rosario2. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B 5. Expect at least a few more buy-low moves between now and Opening Day. Cron. 2. All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference. 9. Josh Naylor (L) RF Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B Christian Yelich (L) LF Mike Yastrzemski (L) RF SP matchup: Tyler Mahle (CIN) vs. Max Fried (ATL) -- The World Series champs begin their title defense behind Fried, who's making his second straight Opening Day start after winning the clinching game of the Fall Classic.See this new face: Matt Olson will be taking over for Freddie Freeman at first base in Atlanta, with the 28-year-old lefty slugger coming off a 39-homer season for the A's.Note to know: For the 14th straight year, Joey Votto will start at first base for Cincinnati, breaking a tie with Dave Concepcion for second on the all-time franchise list for consecutive Opening Day starts, behind only Pete Rose (16). find out how many players you know in this 2021 MLB Opening Day quiz!Quiz: https://www.sporcle.com/games/baileywaltke/2021-mlb-starting-lineups-quiz-11120-update-12nd Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHrrZHUzYpFYQv5Yh7JePfA------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GiraffeNeckMarcINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/GiraffeNeckMarcTWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/GiraffeNeckMarcDiscord: https://discord.gg/rNRwa3Y------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Business Email: giraffeneckgaming@gmail.com Andrew Benintendi (L) LF Yadier Molina (R) C 9. Ozzie Albies (S) 2B Madison Bumgarner (R) P, 1. 7. DJ Stewart (L) LF, 1. 9. 5. 3. Jaylin Davis (R) RF Chad Pinder (R) 2B 1B Matt Olson4. Jason Castro (L) C Sean Murphy (R) C, 2020 MLB Opening Day lineups for every game, The greatest lineups ever? 3. 4. 9. Miguel Sano (R) 1B George Springer, R, CF 2. 3. The Angels have a ton of infield depth with Luis Rengifo and David Fletcher vying for playing time alongside the four players listed above. Cesar Hernandez (S) 2B Shohei Ohtani (L) DH Orlando Arcia (R) SS, 1. Max Muncy (L) 1B Plus see the top players at each position, complete with winning projections. 2 spot in the batting order, but he moved up in the lineup only after Michael Brantley underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. 4. Whit Merrifield (R) RF Veterans Josh Donaldson, Aaron Hicks and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are not part of our projected Opening Day lineup, but all three will play frequently as long as they are healthy. MLB Opening Day 2021 schedule Thursday, April 1 (All times U.S./Eastern) Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m., fuboTV (nationally) Cleveland at Detroit Tigers, 1:10 p.m. Minnesota. Last year's rookie sensation Matt Olson might draw the most attention, but keep an eye out for the likes of Matt Chapman, Boog Powell, Stephen Piscotty and Dustin Fowler, too. More >AL WESTAstros Twins. Check back for updates as teams announce their Opening Day starting lineups for all of Friday's games, beginning with an NL East Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets showdown at 4 p.m. Paul DeJong (R) SS Austin Hays (R) CF Expect an even split in playing time behind the plate between rookie Logan O'Hoppe and veteran Max Stassi to start the year, though O'Hoppe will be given every opportunity to seize a larger role as the catcher of the future. Top prospect Ronald Acuna Jr. will be with the team soon enough, but the Braves' Opening Day lineup will still have a lot of players to watch, from Ender Inciarte to Freddie Freeman to Julio Teheran. Sports. Chris Owings (R) 2B Frazier could also see time at the corner outfield spots. Cody Bellinger (L) CF He hit .319/.387/.540 in 318 plate appearances in the upper levels of the minors last year, and he's widely regarded as one of the best defensive shortstops in the minors. Eli White (R) DH Vladimir Guerrero Jr., R, 1B 4. Willson Contreras (R) C 3. Dansby Swanson (R) SS SP matchup: Nathan Eovaldi (BOS) vs. Gerrit Cole (NYY) -- It's a rematch of the 2021 AL Wild Card Game, when Eovaldi outpitched Cole, and both pitchers are also making their third straight Opening Day starts for their clubs.See this new face: Trevor Story, who had 24 home runs and 20 stolen bases for the Rockies in 2021, will get his welcome to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry as Boston's new second baseman. There is plenty of star power in the Yankees lineup, but they also have Gleyber Torres, Aaron Hicks, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Kyle Higashioka occupying the bottom four spots in the batting order. So, there was some shuffling to the batting order to address that, with Schwarber shifting down to the two-hole and Darick Hall slotting between Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos. 4. 9. The Giants do a great job mixing and matching while platooning at several positions, and guys like Darin Ruf, LaMonte Wade Jr. and Wilmer Flores don't always get the credit they deserve. Michael Chavis (R) 1B The Astros are returning nearly all the key players from their World Series championship team. 2B Trevor Story7. Opening Day will feature the debut of Colin Moran at third base and Corey Dickerson's first game with his new team. Someone has to be the odd man out on the infield, and Donaldson struggled mightily in 2022. Michael Brantley (L) LF Pirates at Cardinals (4:15 p.m.)FAQ, lineups, pitchers, more >. Justin Upton (R) LF RF AJ Pollock8. 9. Jurickson Profar (S) 2B Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B Daniel Murphy (L) 1B Kris Bryant (R) 3B Trent Grisham (L) CF, Mariners (Marco Gonzales) at Astros (Justin Verlander), 9:10 ET, 1. 3. 9. 5. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B 4. 5. Do you Know EVERY 2021 MLB Starting Lineup?What is the opening day lineup for every team in MLB for the 2021 season? 2. 5. 3. Jose Osuna (R) DH Brian Goodwin (L) RF, 1. 6. SP matchup: Walker Buehler (LAD) vs. Kyle Freeland (COL) After putting up Cy Young-like numbers last year, Buehler will be making his first Opening Day start for Los Angeles.See this new face: After a surprising free-agent signing, Kris Bryant will make his debut as the anchor of Colorados lineup, while Freddie Freeman takes his first regular-season cuts as a Dodger.Note to know: After losing Corey Seager in free agency to Texas, Los Angeles is poised to make Trea Turner its first Opening Day shortstop other than Seager since Jimmy Rollins in 2015. 4. Danny Santana (S) CF Fried stepped up after Mike Soroka, the Braves' 2020 Opening Day starter, went down with a torn right Achilles, finishing the season 7-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 56 innings. Top prospect Curtis Mead could also be a factor on the infield before the All-Star break. 7. What is the opening. 4. More >NATIONAL LEAGUE EASTNationals 9. The addition of Brian Anderson gives the Brewers another option on the infield, which should allow Luis Uras to shift to second base. 4. 5. Name the Mets' 2012 Opening Day lineup The only hint you're getting on Sporcle is the position that each player in the lineup played to start that game under then-manager Terry Collins.. Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman, Trea Turner and the returning Adam Eaton will spearhead the NL East champs. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH Willy Adames (R) SS Chris Taylor (R) LF Jonathan Villar (S) CF MLB Players who have won both MVP and ROY. 5. Brock Holt (L) 3B 3B Justin Turner6. Luis Castillo (R) P, 1. 1 min read. Miami's offseason trades have made room for a lot of up-and-coming talent. 6. Baseball is back. 7. Manny Machado (R) 3B Austin Romine (R) C Ty France (R) DH They're especially stacked at the top of their order -- Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado are a fearsome troika. The pitching staff is scary, too, with Jonathan Lester leading the way on Opening Day -- and Yu Darvish's debut soon to follow. Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman, Trea Turner and the returning Adam Eaton will spearhead the NL East champs. Chris Taylor will provide depth at both positions, but he could be relegated to a utility role if more than one of those up-and-comers seizes the opportunity. Eduardo Escobar (S) 2B Cron (R) 1B Realmuto3B Alec BohmDH Darick HallRF Nick CastellanosCF Brandon Marsh2B Bryson StottSP Aaron Nola, DH Carlos SantanaCF Bryan ReynoldsLF Andrew McCutchen1B Ji-Man Choi3B Ke'Bryan HayesSS Oneil CruzRF Jack Suwinski2B Rodolfo CastroC Austin HedgesSP Rich Hill, 2B Ha-Seong KimRF Juan Soto3B Manny MachadoSS Xander Bogaerts1B Jake CronenworthDH Nelson CruzLF Matt CarpenterC Austin NolaCF Trent GrishamSP Yu Darvish, 2B Thairo EstradaCF Mike YastrzemskiRF Mitch HanigerDH Joc Pederson1B J.D. 5. The outfield of Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander is sneaky-good, and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle hit 33 home runs last year as a rookie. Top prospect Lewis Brinson should be in the lineup from Game 1, and more could follow. 30-26 1 of 10 More >A's Tyler O'Neill (R) LF After a busy offseason of roster shuffling, it's worth taking an updated look at how all 30 lineups stack up heading into the 2022 season. Robinson Chirinos (R) C 3. A high-powered lineup can take a lot of pressure off the hurlers, and last year, the highest-scoring team in baseball reached the World Series as the Houston Astros plated 5.3 runs per game during the regular season to alleviate some of the burden on a young pitching staff. Mookie Betts (R) RF Ke'Bryan Hayes (R) 3B Our first Opening Day lineup projections were posted Dec. 9, and version 2.0 followed Jan. 5, so it's on to version 3.0. Note: Thursday's Orioles-Red Sox (rain) and Mets-Nationals (COVID-19 issues) games have been postponed. JaCoby Jones (R) CF, 1. Freddy Galvis (S) SS 9. Nolan Arenado (R) 3B 9. 2. 2. 8. Sam Hilliard (L) LF Tucker Barnhart (L) C Rangers at Blue Jays (7:07 p.m. TheNew York Yankeeswill sendGerrit Coleto the mound to go up against theBlue Jaysand new center fielderGeorge Springer. 7. 5. 6. Pedro Severino (R) C Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B Yandy Diaz (R) 1B More >Rockies Jose Altuve (R) 2B Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF Mitch Haniger (R) RF Jorge Soler (R) DH Omar Narvaez (L) C Ji Hwan Bae is also an option at second base, while Connor Joe, Cal Mitchell, Travis Swaggerty, Tucupita Marcano and Ryan Vilade will all get a long look in the outfield. 4. Second baseman Bryson Stott actually had better numbers against lefties (110 PA, .263 BA, .751 OPS) than righties (356 PA, .226 BA, .623 OPS), so don't expect to see him in a platoon role with right-handed hitting Josh Harrison and Edmundo Sosa. The 31-year-old hit .371/.447/.866 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in 25 games at Triple-A last season, and he could throw a wrench into the team's designated hitter plans if he continues to rake in 2023. 5. 1B Freddie Freeman3. Mike Zunino (R) C, Marlins (Sandy Alcantara) at Phillies (Aaron Nola), 7:05 ET, 1. Amed Rosario (R) SS, Tigers (Matthew Boyd) at Reds (Sonny Gray), 6:10 ET, 1. 7. After trading Matt Olson and Matt Chapman while letting Mark Canha and Starling Marte walk in free agency, the Oakland lineup has been stripped to the studs. The only viable option on the free-agent market is former rival Gary Sanchez. Tom Murphy (R) C 6. Check back for updates as teams announce their starting lineups for all of Thursday's games, beginning with an AL East Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees showdown at 1 p.m. Brandon Belt (L) 1B Ty France (R) DH Alex Dickerson (L) LF 8. 3. Jose Martinez (R) DH 8. 3B Austin Riley5. Max Muncy (L) 1B 4. This still looks like an average-at-best offense, though, and they don't have the pitching to pick up the slack. Gavin Lux hit .360/.467/.500 in 60 plate appearances last September, and trading AJ Pollock now clears a path for him to seize the everyday job at second base. Justin Turner (R) 3B 5. Kyle Isbel (L) RF 2. Mookie Betts (R) RF 8. Dylan Carlson (S) CF 3. 3-7 spots in the batting order could be shuffled around in any order based on who is swinging the hot bat, and Brandon Crawford could also enter that conversation if he plays closer to his 2021 level. Jason Heyward (L) RF 2. Jacob Stallings (R) C Padres at D-backs (9:40 p.m.)FAQ, lineups, pitchers, more >. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B Meanwhile, Starling Marte hit second in 107 of the 116 games he started. 7. The Rangers added Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Kole Calhoun and Brad Miller in free agency while also trading for one of the best offensive catchers in baseball in Mitch Garver. Newcomers Curtis Granderson and Randal Grichuk should help deepen a lineup anchored by perennial MVP candidate Josh Donaldson. 4. George Springer (R) CF Nick Castellanos (R) RF Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B 6. SS Xander Bogaerts4. Chad Kuhl (R) P, 1. Ramon Laureano (R) CF 3. More >D-backs Nicky Lopez (L) 2B Martinez1B Freddie FreemanC Will Smith3B Max MuncyCF Trayce ThompsonSS Gavin LuxLF Chris Taylor2B Miguel Vargas (R)SP Julio Uras, 2B Luis Arraez3B Jean SeguraCF Jazz Chisholm Jr.1B Garrett CooperDH Jorge SolerRF Avisal GarcaC Gary SanchezSS Joey WendleLF Bryan De La CruzSP Sandy Alcantara, LF Christian YelichSS Willy Adames1B Rowdy TellezC William ContrerasDH Jesse Winker2B Luis UrasCF Garrett Mitchell (R)3B Brian AndersonRF Tyrone TaylorSP Corbin Burnes, CF Byron Buxton2B Jorge PolancoSS Carlos CorreaRF Max Kepler3B Jose Miranda1B Alex KirilloffDH Nick GordonLF Joey GalloC Christian VzquezSP Sonny Gray, CF Brandon NimmoRF Starling MarteSS Francisco Lindor1B Pete Alonso2B Jeff McNeilDH Daniel VogelbachLF Mark Canha3B Eduardo EscobarC Omar NarvezSP Justin Verlander, 3B DJ LeMahieuRF Aaron Judge1B Anthony RizzoDH Giancarlo Stanton2B Gleyber TorresLF Oswaldo CabreraCF Harrison BaderSS Oswald Peraza (R)C Jose TrevinoSP Gerrit Cole, CF Esteury Ruiz (R)RF Ramn LaureanoLF Seth Brown1B Jess Aguilar3B Jace PetersonDH Tony Kemp2B Aledmys DazC Shea LangeliersSS Nick AllenSP Paul Blackburn, SS Trea TurnerLF Kyle Schwarber1B Rhys HoskinsC J.T. With Mike Trout (36 games) and Anthony Rendon (58 games) both healthy and ready to go for Opening Day, the Angels lineup stands to be vastly improved. More >RoyalsDanny Duffy, dealing with shoulder tightness, is expected to be Kansas City's Opening Day starter. 2. Marlins at Giants (4:35 p.m. Christian Vazquez (R) C Dansby Swanson (R) SS A breakout season from Tyler O'Neill and a strong debut from Dylan Carlson have given the Cardinals a significantly improved offensive outlook, with that duo joining established superstars Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt in the middle of the order. Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) SS Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B 6. With the bulk of the offseason's free-agency and trade moves in the rearview, it's the perfect time for another version of our Opening Day lineup predictions. 6. 5. 7. Bubba Starling (R) CF, Make your Opening Day picks. 9. J.D. He'll face new Twins shortstop Carlos Correa, after the team added the headliner of the 2022 free-agent class on a three-year deal worth $105.2 million.Note to know: MLB Pipeline's No. 7. 2. 6. Giolito is the first White Sox starter with consecutive Game 1 nods since . Major League Baseball is back for a full 162-game 2021 season after a very unique 2020. 8. Justin Smoak (S) 1B 1 prospect in baseball during his time in the Texas farm system, and while he never made much of an impact in his first go-around with the Rangers, he has since developed into a solid everyday outfielder. 8. Brian Anderson (R) 3B Alex Bregman (R) 3B Josh Donaldson (R) 3B Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich will be key new bats at the top of the lineup. 8. Stephen Piscotty (R) RF LF Chris Taylor8. Josh Fuentes (R) 3B Marcus Semien (R) 2B Chad Pinder (R) RF Andrew McCutchen (R) LF The Twins will start the season with many of the same position players who got them to the AL Wild Card Game last year, including franchise cornerstones Joe Mauer and James Dozier and the electric Byron Buxton, but the pitching staff has been revamped. Aaron Nola (R) P, 1. The White Sox announced that Giolito will make back-to-back Opening Day starts on March 15, per MLB.com's Scott Merkin. 5. 7. J.P. Crawford (L) SS 3. 6. Andres Gimenez (L) SS, 1. Randal Grichuk (R) CF 3. MLB Opening Day Starters of the 2010s. section: | slug: mlb-opening-day-schedule-2021-matchups-live-stream-game-times-how-to-watch-first-day-of-baseball-season | sport: baseball | route: article_single.us | 2. We're tracking batting orders from across the league as teams start to play in front of their home fans again for the first time since the pandemic began. Top prospect Nolan Gorman will give the team another impact bat once he arrives. All ballparks hosting Opening Day games on April 1 will allow at least limited attendance. Tommy Edman (86 games), Dylan Carlson (29 games), Brendan Donovan (25 games) and Lars Nootbaar (20 games) all saw time in the leadoff spot in the lineup last year, and spring training will likely determine who is tasked with filling that role for the upcoming season. The Orioles have three starting spots available for Gunnar Henderson, Adam Frazier,Ramn Uras and Jorge Mateo, so expect plenty of shuffling across the infield throughout the season. 9. Nick Madrigal (R) 2B, 1. 2. Feb 23, 2023. The Nats will be missing one key lineup piece on Opening Day with Daniel Murphy recovering from offseason knee surgery, but they have plenty of star power to make up for it. An offense-first catcher such as GarySanchez seems like the perfect platoon partner behind the plate for the light-hitting Jacob Stallings, and he would also add another power bat to a lineup in need of middle-of-the-order thump. 2. Austin Meadows (L) LF Players listed have the most games at that position (WAR) 2020 Most Common Starters; Rk Tm C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF DH; 1: Arizona Diamondbacks: C.Kelly (-0.29) C.Walker (0.77) K.Marte . Marcell Ozuna (R) LF Aledmys Diaz (R) DH Shortstop JeremyPea won American League Championship Series and World Series MVP honors out of the No. With a stacked lineup and pitching staff, the Bronx Bombers enter the regular season looking like a major World Series contender. 5. 6. Mike Moustakas (L) 2B Renato Nunez (R) DH Andrelton Simmons (R) SS 9. 2. Unless they make a late move to re-sign Jos Iglesias or fellow free agent Elvis Andrus, it looks like the Rockies will roll with 21-year-old rookie Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop. Avisail Garcia (R) RF Third base remains a major question mark for the Tigers after Jeimer Candelario was non-tendered at the start of the offseason. 9. Austin Riley (R) 3B 2. 9. 5. Isan Diaz (L) 2B Donovan Solano (R) 2B Manager Rick Renteria has yet to name his closer, but Nate Jones is the early favorite for the job. Brandon Woodruff (L) P, 1. Austin Barnes (R) C Mark Canha (R) LF Adam Frazier (L) 2B Harrison Bader (R) CF, Diamondbacks (Madison Bumgarner) at Padres (Chris Paddack), 9:10 ET, 1. Christian Walker (R) 1B 8. 3B Rafael Devers3. SP matchup: Shane Bieber (CLE) vs. Zack Greinke (KC) -- Two former Cy Young winners duel in Greinke's homecoming to Kansas City, where the 38-year-old won the award in 2009 and started on Opening Day 2010.See this new face: Bobby Witt Jr. has won a spot on the Opening Day roster, paving the way for the No. 6. Tim Anderson (R) SS Keston Hiura (R) 2B 3. SP matchup: Jon Gray (TEX) vs. Jos Berros (TOR) Gray and Berros are both making their third Opening Day starts and first for their respective teams.See this new face: Texas new star-studded double-play combo of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien will make its Rangers debut.Note to know: The Rangers have had a different starting pitcher on Opening Day for 13 consecutive seasons, a date that spans back to Kevin Millwood in 2009.