The 2025 MLB regular season is set to begin on March 18. Over the next few weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to spring training, followed by position players. Childhood dreams will be realized as rosters are set for Opening Day. Each team is preparing to set out on this 162-game marathon with the same ultimate goal in mind: to win the World Series.
If you’re just catching up on what has been a whirlwind offseason, here’s everything you need to know about MLB’s Opening Day 2025 to help you choose the best MLB bets ahead of the upcoming season.
When and Where Will the 2025 MLB Season Begin?
For the sixth time in MLB history, the regular season will start off in Tokyo, Japan, while the traditional Opening Day is slated for March 27. The Tokyo games should come as no surprise considering the recent influx of world-class Japanese talent to the MLB. Reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani led the Los Angeles Dodgers to the World Series last season. This year, the Dodgers will start the season off in Tokyo where they will face the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series from March 18th and 19th at the world-famous Tokyo Dome.
Joining Ohtani and teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the Dodgers is the recently signed 23-year-old phenom Roki Sasaki. The flamethrower was posted by the NPB’s Chiba Lotte Marines this offseason which meant Sasaki was free to sign with any MLB team. To nobody’s surprise, Sasaki joined Ohtani and Yamamoto on the Dodgers and will anchor one of the league’s deadliest rotations along with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.
Chicago has plenty of Japanese star power of its own. The Cubs will likely throw out Opening Day starter Shota Imanaga to face the Dodgers, while designated hitter Seiya Suzuki will be suiting up just a few minutes away from where he grew up in Arakawa, a special ward in Tokyo City. The series will mark the 25th anniversary of MLB’s first Opening Day in Japan when the Cubs faced the New York Mets in 2000.
When is Opening Day for the 28 Other MLB Teams?
While the Cubs and the Dodgers will kick off the season in Tokyo, when do the other teams get going? The traditional stateside MLB Opening Day will take place on Thursday, March 27th, when 26 of the remaining 28 teams will play their first games of the 2025 season. The Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays will start their season on March 28th to accommodate the preparation of the Rays’ temporary home this year at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Familiar Faces in New Places: MLB Stars Who Changed Teams in the Offseason
It’s been a busy offseason in the MLB as we’ve seen multiple all-star players change teams either via trade or free agency. When the season kicks off in March, we’re going to have to get used to seeing some familiar faces in new jerseys. Here are some of the biggest names that are on new teams to start the 2025 season:
Juan Soto, New York Mets
In one of the most captivating free agency storylines in recent memory, all-star outfielder Juan Soto shed his Yankee pinstripes to don the blue and orange in Queens. Soto signed a historic 15-year contract that will pay him $765 million, including a $75 million signing bonus. With additional bonuses, the total value of the contract could be over $800 million.
Soto helped the Yankees reach the World Series where they would lose in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had one of the best offensive seasons of his career in the Bronx hitting in front of Aaron Judge, but ultimately decided to sign with the cross-town rivals in the offseason.
Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks
The top free-agent pitcher in this year’s class surprised many by signing a six-year $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was widely believed that the California native would sign with either the San Francisco Giants or his former team the Baltimore Orioles. But Burnes, who has a house in the Phoenix area, took less money to play for the Diamondbacks in order to live in Arizona year-round.
Burnes is coming off of his only season in Baltimore where he went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.096 WHIP. He’s participated in four consecutive playoff games and won the NL Cy Young Award with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021. Since 2020, Burnes has finished no lower than eighth in Cy Young voting in every season.
Max Fried, New York Yankees
The other top pitcher in this free agent class was Max Fried, who signed an eight-year $218 million contract with the New York Yankees. The 31-year-old southpaw played the previous eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves, where he compiled a career record of 73-36, a 3.07 ERA, and a 1.164 WHIP across 168 games.
Fried is a three-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time all-star. He also won the World Series with the Braves in 2021. Fried joins ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and reigning AL Rookie of the Year Award winner Luis Gil to form one of the most formidable rotations in all of baseball.
Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers
Speaking of formidable rotations, the only one that rivals the Yankees’ rotation is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers signed Snell after he opted out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants after one season. Snell received a five-year $182 million contract and will join a rotation that already boasts Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and recently signed Roki Sasaki.
The Dodgers are easily the favourites to repeat for the World Series again in October this year. In addition to Snell, the Dodgers also signed two of the top relievers on the market, Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates. With five legitimate aces in the rotation, the Dodgers are once again the class of the National League.
Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs
One of the brightest young outfielders in the game was dealt in a surprise move by the Houston Astros. Kyle Tucker is a power/speed threat with proven defensive skills in the outfield, evidenced by his Golden Glove and Silver Slugger awards. Tucker has been voted an all-star in each of the last three seasons and came fifth in AL MVP voting in 2023.
Over 633 games with the Astros, Tucker compiled a career slash line of .274/.353/.516 with 125 home runs and 94 stole bases. Tucker was traded for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesenski, and top prospect Cam Smith. Upon joining the Cubs, Tucker signed a one-year $16.5 million contract with Chicago and is set to be an Unrestricted Free Agent after the 2025 season.
Stay tuned for more updates or get stuck in to the latest MLB betting odds ahead of the season opening day.
