MLB Opening Day Schedule 2015: Times, Live Stream and Predictions for All Games
The MLB season is a 162-game marathon in which no single game is technically more important than any other, but there is no question that Opening Day feels a bit more special than the rest due to the hope that comes with the commencement of a new year.
What happens on Opening Day could never tell the story of the 2015 campaign as a whole. However, there is a ton of excitement surrounding it after baseball fans have spent months speculating how their favorite teams will fare.
With the new season finally on the verge of kicking off, here is a look at the entire Opening Day slate, along with predictions for who will come out on top in every game.
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When: Sunday, April 5, and Monday, April 6
Live Steam: MLB.TV
| Sunday, April 5 | 8:05 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals | Chicago Cubs | STL |
| Monday, April 6 | 1:05 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays | New York Yankees | NYY |
| Monday, April 6 | 1:08 p.m. | Minnesota Twins | Detroit Tigers | DET |
| Monday, April 6 | 2:10 p.m. | Colorado Rockies | Milwaukee Brewers | MIL |
| Monday, April 6 | 3:05 p.m. | Boston Red Sox | Philadelphia Phillies | PHI |
| Monday, April 6 | 3:10 p.m. | Baltimore Orioles | Tampa Bay Rays | TB |
| Monday, April 6 | 4:05 p.m. | New York Mets | Washington Nationals | WAS |
| Monday, April 6 | 4:10 p.m. | Chicago White Sox | Kansas City Royals | CWS |
| Monday, April 6 | 4:10 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates | Cincinnati Reds | PIT |
| Monday, April 6 | 4:10 p.m. | Los Angeles Angels | Seattle Mariners | SEA |
| Monday, April 6 | 4:10 p.m. | San Diego Padres | Los Angeles Dodgers | LAD |
| Monday, April 6 | 4:10 p.m. | Atlanta Braves | Miami Marlins | MIA |
| Monday, April 6 | 7:10 p.m. | Cleveland Indians | Houston Astros | CLE |
| Monday, April 6 | 10:05 p.m. | Texas Rangers | Oakland Athletics | OAK |
| Monday, April 6 | 10:10 p.m. | San Francisco Giants | Arizona Diamondbacks | SF |
Most Interesting Games to Watch
San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers
The NL West has long been among Major League Baseball's most competitive divisions, but things became even more interesting this offseason when the San Diego Padres went from cellar-dwellers to potential contenders.
San Diego completely overhauled its outfield by bringing in Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and Wil Myers while also adding an ace to its pitching staff in the form of James Shields. The former Kansas City Royals hurler will get the Opening Day start for the Padres against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and it just so happens that he will be going up against reigning Cy Young Award winner and MVP Clayton Kershaw.
The stud lefty dominated last season to the tune of a 1.77 ERA, 239 strikeouts and 21 wins. Kershaw was in midseason form during spring training, but he doesn't necessarily think it will have any bearing on how he performs when the games count, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez:
"I hope it means I'll pitch better, but I don't think it means anything. I didn't think I pitched that bad last spring and I had a 9 [ERA] and I don't think I pitched that well this spring and I had a whatever-it-was. I don't think you put much stock into it. I'd like to, but you can't, I don't think. I'll let you know [on Monday].
"
As great as the pitching matchup looks on paper, Kemp's return to Dodger Stadium as a member of the Padres is probably the biggest storyline to keep an eye on.
Kemp was a two-time All Star with the Dodgers and runner-up to the 2011 NL MVP. He did some great things in L.A., and he is very much looking forward to Opening Day, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times:
"Matt Kemp on playing against the #Dodgers on opening day: "I've pictured it a million times." http://t.co/CBg1SpWha7
— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) March 14, 2015"
The Dodgers and Padres may very well battle it out for the NL West crown all season long, which means Opening Day marks the beginning of an anticipated rivalry.
Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners
Like the Padres, the Seattle Mariners emerged as a threat to win their division this offseason, and they will have a chance to make a statement on Opening Day against an AL West foe.
The Mariners bolstered their offense by bringing in outfielder Nelson Cruz, but pitching will undoubtedly be the biggest key to their success. That starts with ace Felix Hernandez, who will go head-to-head with Jered Weaver of the Los Angeles Angels to begin the season.
King Felix wasn't his dominant self during the spring, but Larry Stone of The Seattle Times points out that he has a penchant for flipping the switch once games begin to count:
Conversely, the Angels' top star enters the season in sizzling form. As ESPN's Buster Olney notes, outfielder Mike Trout is locked in:
The reigning American League MVP is the best all-around player in baseball, and it is a treat for fans of the sport whenever they get to watch him take the field.
Both the Angels and Mariners have all the makings of playoff teams, so there will be plenty of intrigue in the air when they lock horns to start the 2015 season.
Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees
The media as a whole seems to be down on the New York Yankees this year due to their aging lineup and unpredictable pitching, but the Bronx Bombers may be more interesting now than they have been in quite some time.
The wide-open AL East appears to be there for the taking, and the Yanks certainly have a shot if they can stay healthy. The same can be said for their Opening Day opponents in the Toronto Blue Jays, who will look to spoil the festivities at Yankee Stadium.
One of the biggest factors in New York's season will be the health of starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, who will get the Opening Day nod. Tanaka was able to avoid Tommy John surgery, and he enjoyed a solid spring as well, as MLB.com's Bryan Hoch noted:
There is also plenty of buzz surrounding the return of Alex Rodriguez, who figures to see time at designated hitter, third base and perhaps even first base this season. The controversial slugger is 39 years of age, but he has looked great swinging the bat and could help propel the Yanks to the top of the AL East.
All of the uncertainty associated with the Yankees won't be dissipate on Opening Day, but the baseball world will certainly be watching to see the drama unfold.
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