The 2025 MLB season finally kicked off with a bang, delivering all the drama, excitement, and suspense we’ve come to expect from Opening Day. From the crack of the bat to clutch pitching performances, the stage was set for what promises to be another memorable season in baseball. Let’s take a look at the opening day madness.
In New York, the Yankees kicked off their AL pennant defense with a gritty 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Bronx Bombers weren’t exactly explosive, but they did make history. Austin Wells launched the first leadoff home run by a catcher in Opening Day history, while Anthony Volpe followed suit with a homer of his own. On the mound, Carlos Rodón had a solid outing, throwing 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball while striking out seven. Freddy Peralta got the loss for Milwaukee, giving up two runs in five innings of work. But the real nail-biter came in the ninth, when Devin Williams had to wriggle out of a bases-loaded jam to earn the save. Yankees fans held their breath, but the defense held firm, and they walked away with the win.
Meanwhile, over in Houston, the Mets had no such luck. The Astros flexed their muscles in a 3-1 win, with All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez throwing seven scoreless innings to shut down the Mets’ offense. The Astros capitalized on a few Mets’ miscues, and the combination of Valdez’s dominance and timely hitting proved too much for New York. Max Scherzer pitched well for the Mets, striking out seven, but couldn’t break through Houston’s stingy defense. It’s back to the drawing board for the Mets, who’ll need to find a way to make a dent in the Astros’ armor in the upcoming games.
In other Opening Day action, the Padres came from behind to beat the Braves 7-4. Gavin Sheets’ pinch-hit homer in the seventh sparked a four-run rally, and Jackson Merrill drove in four runs to give San Diego the lead. It wasn’t pretty, but the Padres’ offense came alive late, and their bullpen held on to secure the win.
The Red Sox got things started with a 5-2 victory over the Rangers, while the Marlins edged the Pirates 5-4 in a nail-biter. The Giants took down the Reds 6-4, and the Baltimore Orioles absolutely crushed the Toronto Blue Jays 12-2 in the “Battle of the Birds,” thanks to a barrage of six home runs.
In what turned into a thrilling extra-inning affair, the Phillies triumphed 7-3 over the Nationals. The Guardians took care of business at home with a 7-4 win over the Royals, and the Chicago White Sox made a statement with an 8-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a big step up from last season, when the White Sox were struggling to make an impact.
As the dust settles on Opening Day, we’ve already seen plenty of action and excitement. The 2025 MLB season is officially underway, and with these results, it’s clear this year is going to be packed with more unforgettable moments and intense rivalries.