MLB Opening Day is upon us, which means a full smorgasbord of games for baseball fans, beginning at 1 p.m. ET and likely ending around 1 a.m.
LIVE: Follow Opening Day scores and updates from every game
There is a new suite of rules of play meant to streamline the game, from the pitch clock to the shift limitations to bigger bases. The results have borne out in spring training, with games generally lasting about two and a half hours and the pace of play feeling significantly faster.
The Astros will look to defend their 2022 World Series title, but they're coming in looking a bit different from last year. Justin Verlander has reunited with former Tigers teammate Max Scherzer in the Mets rotation and Jose Altuve will miss the first few months of the season after fracturing his thumb being hit by a pitch in the World Baseball Classic.
The Phillies are trying to retain the National League pennant, but they'll also be banged up heading into the season. Bryce Harper is still recovering from Tommy John surgery he received after last season, and Rhys Hoskins is out for the year after tearing his ACL in spring training. This is Rob Thomson's first year in a non-interim role with the Phillies, who fired Joe Girardi in June last season.
MORE: Watch MLB games live on Fubo (free trial)
Another return to form in 2023 is the full-blown MLB Opening Day. On March 30, every team will in action, as opposed to a handful of games like it went in 2022 after the lockout-shortened spring training.
Here's how to watch every game as baseball returns:
MLB Opening Day schedule 2023
Most Opening Day games are going to be broadcast by RSNs, with MLB Network carrying a few games throughout the day as well.
Here's what the full Opening Day schedule in 2023 looks like. All times are ET.
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Braves at Nationals* | 1:05 p.m. | MLB Network, Bally (ATL), MASN (WSH) |
| Giants at Yankees* | 1:05 p.m. | MLB Network, YES (NYY) |
| Orioles at Red Sox | 2:10 p.m. | MASN (BAL), NESN (BOS) |
| Brewers at Cubs | 2:20 p.m. | Bally (MIL), Marquee (CHC) |
| Tigers at Rays | 3:10 p.m. | Bally (DET & TB) |
| Phillies at Rangers | 4:05 p.m. | NBC Sports (PHI), Bally (TEX) |
| Blue Jays at Cardinals | 4:10 p.m. | Sportsnet (TOR), Bally (STL) |
| Twins at Royals | 4:10 p.m. | Bally (MIN & KC) |
| Pirates at Reds | 4:10 p.m. | AT&T SportsNet (PIT), Bally (CIN) |
| Mets at Marlins* | 4:10 p.m. | MLB Network, SportsNet New York (NYM), Bally (MIA) |
| White Sox at Astros* | 7:08 p.m. | ESPN |
| Rockies at Padres | 9:40 p.m. | AT&T SportsNet (COL), Bally (SD) |
| Angels at Athletics* | 10:07 p.m. | MLB Network, NBC Sports (OAK) |
| Diamondbacks at Dodgers | 10:10 p.m. | Bally (ARI), Spectrum SportsNet LA (LAD) |
| Guardians at Mariners* | 10:10 p.m. | MLB Network, Bally (CLE), ROOT Sports (SEA) |
* - National broadcast
MORE: Ranking all 15 MLB Opening Day pitching matchups
How to watch MLB games on Opening Day
Most Opening Day games will be broadcast on regional sports networks, meaning that viewers will need to be within their region to view them on cable television.
Across Opening Day, however, there will be a few nationally televised games. MLB Network will be carrying the 1:05 games, the Mets and the Marlins at 4 p.m., then ESPN has the lone 7 p.m. start time of White Sox vs. Astros as Houston begins defending its title. The national games will round out with Angels vs. Athletics and Guardians vs. Mariners for the West Coast slot. For games with competing time slots, what games will be broadcast will depend on region.
MLB live streams for Opening Day
Fans hoping to catch a glimpse of MLB action on Opening Day will also have the option to stream the games instead.
MLB.tv
Fans can watch MLB games that aren't in their local market using MLB.tv. If a viewer tries to access a game that is being carried by their local cable station, it will be blacked out.
The yearly package costs $149.99 per year, $24.99 per month or $129.99 for watching only a single team. It is more expensive this year as MiLB games are now included in the package.
MORE: MLB blackout restrictions for 2023, explained
Network apps
There are options to stream the nationally televised games as well. ESPN has its own streaming app to carry its services: WatchESPN and ESPN+
The only way to watch the Apple TV+ games when those come into play beginning April 7 will be with an Apple TV+ subscription. It offers a seven-day free trial, and costs $6.99 per month after the trial period.
Online streaming bundles
But if interest is more in the local games, there are streaming bundles that include access to the channels on which the games will be broadcast.
DirecTV stream, YouTube TV, Hulu Live and Fubo all provide access to select TV channels that will carry several of the games.
In Canada, viewers can find Sportsnet, which carries the Blue Jays and MLB Network on Fubo.
How to watch MLB games in Canada
Baseball fans in Canada can watch MLB games on Sportsnet, TSN, TVA Sports and RDS. All Blue Jays games are broadcast live on Sportsnet One in Toronto.
MLB Network, which hosts various live games all season, can be live-streamed on both DAZN and Fubo.
