Guardians-Mariners 2026 Opening Day FAQ (Thurs., 10:10 p.m. ET)
SEATTLE -- Baseball will be played at T-Mobile Park this Thursday for the first time since Game 5 of last year’s American League Championship Series, where some of the most iconic moments of the entire season took place.
The Mariners are returning to their home crowd following an offseason of heartbreak after coming just eight outs shy of their first World Series, but they are firmly ready to turn the page -- and believe they have the talent and newfound experience to climb the next October frontier.
The Guardians, meanwhile, are seeking their third straight AL Central title since manager Stephen Vogt took over. It will also be a homecoming for the skipper, who makes his permanent residence in nearby Olympia, Wash., and was Seattle’s bullpen coach during his first season after his playing days ended.
Also returning are Tony Arnerich, Cleveland’s bench coach and Seattle’s former bullpen coach, and Andy McKay, the Guards’ new field coordinator who was instrumental to the Mariners’ ascent after over a decade in their front office.
If this matchup wasn’t already one of the best in this Opening Day slate, it’s MLB’s only that features two defending division champions going head to head.
When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET/7:10 PT on Thursday on MLB.TV.
In Seattle, the game will be carried on Mariners.TV, the new in-market streaming option that will allow fans in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana and Hawaii to stream Mariners games live throughout the season. It will also be available via traditional cable outlets, though details haven’t been released yet but are expected by Thursday. On the radio, 710 Seattle Sports will air the game.
In Cleveland, the game will be carried on CLEGuardians.TV presented by Progressive, which is back for a second season in 2026 and allows fans to stream all Guardians regular-season games in the club’s home territory with no blackouts. You can also catch games on cable or satellite; channels will be announced closer to Opening Day. Of course, Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus will have the call on the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network, WTAM 1100 AM.
All out-of-market games are available live or on demand in the US on MLB.TV (subject to blackouts and other restrictions). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. A full list of available games can be found here.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Guardians: RHP Tanner Bibee (12-11, 4.24 ERA in 2025)
Bibee earned a second shot at his first career Opening Day start. He earned the nod last year, but was scratched four hours before first pitch due to food poisoning. The right-hander is looking to bounce back from an up-and-down 2025, which he ended on a high note.
Coming off his strong 2024, Bibee led the Guardians in innings pitched this past season (182 1/3) and finished tied with Gavin Williams for the team lead in starts (31). But he experienced some tough stretches and spent the year searching for solutions, while finishing with career worsts in ERA, WHIP (1.23) and home runs allowed (27),
Bibee, however, was stellar down the stretch to help Cleveland surge to the AL Central title. Over four starts in September, he recorded a 1.30 ERA with 26 strikeouts and just five walks over 27 2/3 innings. He then allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings in the Guardians’ 6-1 win over the Tigers in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series to cap a strong finish to his season,
“That September really helped me throughout the offseason in giving me some realizations of what I needed to do and gave me a clear path instead of searching so hard,” Bibee said.
Mariners: RHP Logan Gilbert (6-6, 3.44 ERA)
Tabbed for his second straight Opening Day assignment, Gilbert is looking to return to his status as one of the game’s elite workhorses, after missing seven weeks last season with a Grade 2 right flexor strain.
Despite his first career stint on the injured list, Gilbert finished the year strong and was a key factor in helping the Mariners go deep into October. His final outing on this mound was his first career relief appearance, when twirling two perfect innings during Seattle’s 15-inning marathon in Game 5 of the AL Division Series.
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Last year’s opener featured one of Gilbert’s best starts of the season, when he threw seven innings of one-run ball on just two hits and zero walks with eight strikeouts in a 4-2 win.
“You set the tone for later in the game, for the rest of the season, all that kind of stuff,” Gilbert said. “Don't get me wrong. I know it's one game, and we have 162 before the real stuff starts. So I'm not trying to be a superhero out there. But win or lose, good or bad, I'm going to throw the ball as aggressively as possible. That's the only thing I can do.”
What might the starting lineups look like?
Guardians: There is continuity here from 2025 with some noteworthy changes. Steven Kwan (a four-time Gold Glove Award winner in left field) will also see time in center this season. Rhys Hoskins (a non-roster invitee this spring) adds some punch to the middle of the order from the right side of the plate, on a roster heavy on left-handed hitters. Chase DeLauter is one of the most intriguing position player prospects the Guardians have had in recent years. The 24-year-old (who’s ranked as Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect and No. 46 overall by MLB Pipeline) had a stellar spring on the heels of making his MLB debut in the postseason last year. Of course, at the center of it all is José Ramírez -- Cleveland’s superstar third baseman, perennial MVP candidate and franchise icon.
1. Steven Kwan, CF
2. Chase DeLauter, RF
3. José Ramírez, 3B
4. Kyle Manzardo, 1B
5. Rhys Hoskins, DH
6. Angel Martínez, LF
7. Bo Naylor, C
8. Gabriel Arias, SS
9. Brayan Rocchio, 2B
Mariners: Seattle has a whopping five All-Stars over the past two seasons comprising its Nos. 1-5 spots in the order, beginning with Brendan Donovan, who could be the contact-oriented difference maker that the club has coveted in years past. Acquired from the Cardinals in a three-team blockbuster one week before Spring Training, Donovan has all the makings of a prototypical leadoff man and should regularly be on base for Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez, both of whom could be AL MVP candidates. In the cleanup spot, Josh Naylor will look to build upon his epic first act in Seattle after being acquired at last year’s Trade Deadline, then returning on a five-year, $92.5 million free-agent deal. And rounding out the heart of the order will be Randy Arozarena, who should be positioned for more success after batting leadoff for a chunk of last season.
- Brendan Donovan, 3B
- Cal Raleigh, C
- Julio Rodríguez, CF
- Josh Naylor, 1B
- Randy Arozarena, LF
- Dominic Canzone, DH
- Luke Raley, RF
- Cole Young, 2B
- Leo Rivas, SS
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Guardians: After Bibee, the Guardians hope to be in position to bridge the game to Cade Smith. One of the Majors’ best relievers over his first two big league seasons, Smith is stepping into the closer role this season. There are a bevy of arms at Vogt’s disposal. Matt Festa was reliable in the middle-to-late innings last year, and lefties Tim Herrin and Erik Sabrowski are each experienced in high-leverage spots. New to the mix is setup man Shawn Armstrong, whom the Guardians signed to a one-year deal in December. His presence will be key given setup man Hunter Gaddis (right forearm tightness) is set to open the season on the injured list as he continues his throwing progression.
Mariners: Seattle returns an army of power arms -- closer Andrés Muñoz, lefty specialist Gabe Speier and setup men Eduard Bazardo and Matt Brash -- along with new addition Jose A. Ferrer, another southpaw, acquired from Washington. The Mariners are so bullish on Ferrer that they parted with former Top 100 prospect Harry Ford, the fan favorite catcher whose path to playing time became murky after Raleigh signed a six-year, $105 million extension ahead of last Opening Day. All arms will be on deck in the opener.
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Any injuries of note?
Guardians: RHP Hunter Gaddis (right forearm tightness), OF George Valera (mild left calf strain), RHP Andrew Walters (right lat surgery)
Gaddis threw in a Minor League game on Saturday in the latest positive step in his progression, which will extend into the early stage of the regular season. Valera is also set to open on the injured list. He last played on March 9 and has been working his way back to game action. Walters will miss the start of the season as he continues his throwing progression following his surgery this past June.
Mariners: RHP Bryce Miller (left oblique inflammation); SS J.P. Crawford (sore throwing shoulder)
Both players are expected to begin the season on the 15-day injured list, but their stints are believed to be shorter-term -- especially Crawford, who would be eligible for activation by April 1.
Crawford was limited to just seven Cactus League games and three at shortstop while dealing with the issue that lingered for most of camp. It became pronounced enough that he sought a consultation with orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister in Texas, who gave Crawford a cortisone shot. Crawford has been ramping up baseball activity in Arizona but is still mostly just hitting. Once he can throw regularly, the Mariners will want to build him up, which could include action in Minor League spring games.
Miller wouldn’t have factored into Opening Day, as he was penciled as Seattle’s No. 5 starter. He first experienced the issue during his Cactus debut and hasn’t pitched against hitters since. But he was never shut down from throwing and is on a path to building his workload. He’ll likely remain sidelined for a few weeks at minimum.
Who is hot and who is not?
Guardians: Over 14 spring games, DeLauter slashed .459/.535/.838 with five doubles, three homers and six walks with just four strikeouts. Martínez also had a stellar camp; he hit six doubles and four homers, and had a 1.233 OPS over 17 games.
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Manzardo has a .578 OPS over 18 spring games, but he's 4-for-11 with two homers over the past four games. David Fry has a .646 OPS over 14 Cactus League games. The Guardians are excited about his outlook, as he reimplemented himself into playing catcher this spring after being limited to hitting in 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Mariners: Young had the best camp of any Mariners hitter, leading the team with six homers and flashing much improved confidence. He could be a sneaky key piece to an already loaded lineup. Donovan was never a strong spring hitter with St. Louis, but he was all over everything this year, going 19-for-46 (.413). Raley hit a few massive homers with exit velocities he couldn’t reach last year while dealing with oblique and back issues. He’s their strongest bounceback candidate.
Rob Refsnyder went 6-for-40 (.150) with 15 strikeouts and was struggling with his timing enough to where he was seeking out additional at-bats. The free-agent acquisition will be their platoon DH against lefties. Robles also got off to a slow start (.186) and is also seeking a bounceback after missing most of last year with a fractured right shoulder.
Anything else fans might want to know?
• The Guardians have won on Opening Day in back-to-back seasons. They last won three straight season openers in 1961-63.
• The Mariners are 15-4 in season openers since 2007 -- and 30-19 overall.