What Day Does the MLB Start?
The Major League Baseball (MLB) season is a long and exciting one, with the regular season running from late March through late September. Fans of the game eagerly await the start of the season every year, and this year will be no different. So, when will the 2021 MLB season begin?
MLB 2021 Opening Day
The 2021 MLB season will officially begin on Thursday, April 1, 2021. This Opening Day marks the start of the 162-game regular season schedule, which will see each team play its divisional opponents 19 times and the rest of the league 10 times.
Top Games for Opening Day
While all 30 teams will be in action on Opening Day, there are some marquee matchups that will be particularly exciting. Here are some of the top games to look out for on April 1:
- Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles – The two AL East rivals will kick off the season with an exciting matchup at Camden Yards.
- San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – The two NL West teams will battle it out in the desert, with the Padres looking to build on their surprise playoff run in 2020.
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies – The defending World Series Champions will open the season against their NL West rivals in LoDo.
- New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays – The AL East rivals will face off in the first series of the season at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida.
- Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves – The two NL East teams will begin the season in an exciting matchup at Truist Park.
MLB 2021 Schedule
The 2021 MLB schedule will feature a 162-game regular season, with each team playing its divisional opponents 19 times and the rest of the league 10 times. The season will commence on April 1 and will conclude on October 3, with the postseason scheduled to begin on October 5.
Interleague Play
Interleague play will once again be a part of the 2021 MLB schedule, with each team playing its designated interleague opponents six times. The American League teams will play the National League Central Division, while the National League teams will play the American League West Division.
MLB 2021 All-Star Game
The 2021 MLB All-Star Game will take place on July 13 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. It will mark the first time since 1972 that the All-Star Game has been held in Atlanta, and it will be the first All-Star Game held in the city since 2000.
MLB 2021 Postseason
The 2021 MLB postseason is scheduled to begin on October 5 with the Wild Card round. The American League and National League Division Series will follow, with the American League and National League Championship Series both scheduled to begin on October 21. The 2021 World Series is scheduled to begin on October 28 and will mark the first time since 2013 that the Fall Classic will be played in October.
MLB 2021 Changes
The 2021 MLB season will feature a number of changes from previous seasons, including the introduction of the designated hitter (DH) to the National League. The DH will be used in all games played in the National League, as well as in interleague games. Additionally, the 2021 season will feature a new postseason format, with 10 teams qualifying for the playoffs instead of the traditional five.
MLB 2021 Teams
The 2021 MLB season will feature 30 teams, divided into the American League and National League. The American League will be composed of the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers. The National League will be composed of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and Washington Nationals.
Conclusion
The 2021 MLB season is set to begin on Thursday, April 1, with all 30 teams in action. Fans can look forward to an exciting 162-game regular season, as well as the introduction of the designated hitter to the National League and a new postseason format. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 13, and the World Series is set to begin on October 28. Get ready for an exciting 2021 season!