If not for the real and present danger of a potential snow storm, the 2015 Major League Baseball opener of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago makes for an appealing start to the 162 game grind.
The Cubs vs. Cardinals opener will take place on April 5 with a telecast on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball at 8 PM ET. The regular season will end on Sunday, Oct. 4. The Cubs will be putting the finishing touches on refurbished Wrigley Field and will begin an exciting new era with manager Joe Maddon, who arrives after a stellar run with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he became celebrated as the best skipper in the game.
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Traditional Openers
On Monday, April 6, there will be 15 traditional Opening Day games followed by a complete slate of games on April 8. ESPN will load the bases with Opening Week Presented by Budweiser. The World Wide Leader will televise four games on April 6 that includes three division rivalry matchups.
The New York Yankees will host the Toronto Blue Jays at 1 PM ET as the Bronx Bombers begin a new era without retired shortstop and legend Derek Jeter.
The New York Mets will host the Washington Nationals at 4 PM ET as Max Scherzer may get the start in his debut season for the Nats. Interleague action will follow with the improved Houston Astros hosting the Cleveland Indians at 7 PM ET.
The night cap game will be the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants at the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants will be aiming to become the first repeat World Series champion since 2000.
Reds Traditional Opener
The Cincinnati Reds are the oldest MLB franchise and used to get Opening Day all to themselves. Unfortunately, for those who love such rituals and traditions, that is no longer the case. That being said the Reds still do Opening Day right.
The Reds will host the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 6 following the annual Findlay Market Parade. The Reds and Pirates have renewed their old rivalry from the 1970’s when they were two of the top franchises in the game. Both teams are now perennial playoff contenders and should again contend for post season action in 2015.
Red Sox Untraditional Opener
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox will travel to Philadelphia to meet the Phillies on April 6 in another interleague matchup. The Red Sox are expected to be one of the most improved teams in the game this year while the Phillies will continue their rebuilding efforts.
