When is MLB Opening Day 2023? Game schedule, times, what to know for first games, new rules

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic
·4 min read
3

The start of the 2023 MLB regular season is right around the corner.

Here's what to know about the start of the season, including the matchups and times for every team's first game of the season.

For the first time since the introduction of interleague play in 1997, all 30 MLB teams will play each other this season.

The league introduced a new, balanced schedule for 2023 with every team playing 52 divisional games (down from 76), 46 interleague games (up from 20) and 64 intraleague games (up from 44).

That schedule begins with the 2023 MLB Opening Day.

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When is MLB Opening Day?

MLB Opening Day is scheduled for Thursday, March 30.

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Who will play on MLB Opening Day?

For the first time since 1968, all 30 MLB teams are scheduled to play on Opening Day, meaning there are 15 games on the schedule.

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What's the schedule for MLB Opening Day?

Here are the 15 games scheduled for MLB Opening Day on March 30. All times MST.

  • Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals – 10:05 a.m.

  • San Francisco Giants at New York Yankees – 10:05 a.m.

  • Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox – 11:10 a.m.

  • Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs – 11:20 a.m.

  • Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays – 12:10 p.m.

  • Philadelphia Phillies at Texas Rangers – 1:05 p.m.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds – 1:10 p.m.

  • Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres – 1:10 p.m.

  • Toronto Blue Jays at St. Louis Cardinals – 1:10 p.m.

  • Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals – 1:10 p.m.

  • New York Mets at Miami Marlins – 1:10 p.m.

  • Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros – 4:08 p.m., ESPN

  • Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics – 7:07 p.m.

  • Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers – 7:10 p.m., Bally Sports AZ

  • Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners – 7:10 p.m.

Find a game:2023 Cactus League schedule

MLB Opening Day is right around the corner. Here's what you need to know before the 2023 MLB regular season begins.
MLB Opening Day is right around the corner. Here's what you need to know before the 2023 MLB regular season begins.

What are the key MLB regular season dates after Opening Day?

A full slate of 15 games is scheduled for Jackie Robinson Day on Saturday, April 15.

On July 4, all 30 MLB teams will be in action to celebrate Independence Day.

The 93rd All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday, July 11 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, with the All-Star break running from July 10-13.

On September 15, all 30 Clubs will play on Roberto Clemente Day.

The regular season is scheduled to end on Oct. 1.

What new MLB rules are in place for 2023?

In an effort to accelerate the pace of games, increase offense and add a layer of safety, MLB has instituted three new rules. They were used throughout spring training and will be in effect during postseason play, too. The result during spring play was a reduction of average game times by 25 minutes compared to 2022, according to MLB Network.

Pitch clock: A timer will be used to move games along and cut down on wasted time. There will be 30 seconds between batters, then pitchers must begin their motion 15 seconds after receiving the ball with the bases empty, 20 seconds with runners on base. They will be charged with a ball if the clock expires. Also, with runners on base pitchers will be limited to two pick-off or rubber step-offs per plate appearance. The clock resets each time.

Batters need to be in the box and ready for the pitch with 8 seconds left the clock, or else be charged with a strike. Batters are allowed to step out once per appearance.

End of the overshift: No more team meetings on one side of the playing field. Teams must have at least four players on the infield, and at least two defenders on each side of second base. The thinking is this will increase batting average on balls in play.

Bases are bigger: First, second and third base are now 18 inches on each side, up from 15. The idea is the larger bases might cut down on collisions between fielders and runners, especially at first.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When is MLB Opening Day 2023? Schedule, matchups, times, what to know