Major League Baseball (MLB) has once again delivered excitement and anticipation as the 2025 regular-season schedule has been unveiled during the final day of the 2024 All-Star break. This early release allows fans to mark their calendars and begin planning for a season that promises to be historic and thrilling.
A Grand Opening Overseas
The 2025 season is set to start with international flair, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs will face off at the Tokyo Dome on March 18-19. This highly anticipated series is not just a kickoff but a spectacle featuring some of the league's brightest stars. Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto donning Dodger blue, and Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki representing the Cubs, will surely captivate the international audience. This series marks MLB's return to Japan for the first time since the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners opened the 2019 season in Tokyo.
Historic and Traditional Opening Day
While the Tokyo Series grabs global headlines, traditional Opening Day in the United States is set for Thursday, March 27—a landmark date as it will be the earliest Opening Day in MLB history. With all 30 teams in action, it promises to be a day of baseball feasts for fans across the continent. However, only four games will feature divisional matchups, adding a unique twist to the day's excitement.
Highlighted Early Season Matches
Among the various fixtures, the Oakland Athletics will begin their campaign with a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle. Following this, the Athletics will experience another first by playing in Sacramento on Monday, March 31, where they will face the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series. These initial games promise a dynamic start to the Athletics' 2025 journey, providing fans with plenty to anticipate.
Rivalry Weekend and Marquee Series
A separate highlight on the calendar is the much-awaited "Rivalry Weekend," scheduled for May 16-18. This special weekend will showcase 11 series involving division rivals and four series characterized by geographic rivalries. Unlike the standard four games that typically characterize interleague rivalry matchups, some teams will engage in six games, potentially intensifying the competition and drama.
All-Star Break Festivities
The 2025 MLB All-Star festivities are set to deliver an action-packed week, centered at Truist Park in Atlanta. The highlight, the 95th All-Star Game, is planned for Tuesday, July 15. The excitement will build up with the Futures Game on July 12, and the Home Run Derby on July 14. Additionally, the 2025 draft will commence on July 13, further making this week a cornerstone of the baseball calendar and a can't-miss event for baseball aficionados.
End of Regular Season and Postseason Kickoff
Baseball's regular season closing is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, with all 30 teams set to play. This final day will see eight divisional matchups, potentially determining playoff spots and divisional champions, ensuring a dramatic end to the regular season. MLB fans can barely catch their breath as the postseason starts just two days later, on Tuesday, September 30, setting the stage for the race to the World Series.
Unfulfilled International Ambitions
It's worth noting that the Tokyo Series remains the sole international fixture on the 2025 calendar. MLB had initially hoped to expand its global footprint with games in Paris. However, these plans did not materialize, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. Despite this, the season remains rich with historic moments and thrilling matchups.
Each team's individual schedules are now available on their official websites, allowing fans to explore the detailed slate of games that await. As the countdown to March 18 begins, the 2025 MLB season promises to deliver an unforgettable blend of historic firsts, traditional rivalries, and the high-stakes drama that defines America’s pastime. With stars shining from Tokyo to Atlanta, baseball fans worldwide can brace for a spectacular season ahead.