PHILADELPHIA -- Three days after Adolis García signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies in mid-December, he checked the 2026 schedule.
Oh, that’s funny. The Phils were playing the Rangers on Opening Day.
García played for the Rangers from 2020-25, helping them win the 2023 World Series. In fact, he was a postseason hero, winning 2023 ALCS MVP honors.
“That’s something that I’m looking forward to,” García said via Phillies interpreter Diego D'Aniello.
Here's everything you need to know about the Opening Day showdown:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is at 4:15 p.m. ET on Thursday. In Philadelphia, fans can watch on NBC Sports Philadelphia and listen on 94 WIP. Back in Texas, Rangers fans can watch on the Rangers Sports Network and listen on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) for English and KFLC 1270 AM for Spanish.
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?
Phillies: LHP Cristopher Sánchez
Previous Opening Day starts: N/A
2025 season: 13-5, 2.50 ERA in 32 starts
Sánchez went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts last season, finishing second in NL Cy Young Award voting behind Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes. A native of the Dominican Republic, Sánchez will be the third pitcher in Phillies history born outside the United States to start on Opening Day, joining Venezuelan Omar Daal in 2001 and Canadian Oscar Judd in 1946. How excited are the Phillies about Sánchez's future? They just signed him to a new six-year, $107 million contract on Sunday, keeping him in red pinstripes through 2032.
Rangers: RHP Nathan Eovaldi
Previous Opening Day starts: Five (2020-22 with Red Sox; 2024-25 with Rangers)
2025 season: 11-3, 1.73 ERA in 22 starts
Eovaldi received the Opening Day nod, with co-ace Jacob deGrom lined up to start the home opener on April 3. Eovaldi was one of the best pitchers in baseball last season, but his campaign was cut short due to a rotator cuff strain in late August. He came into camp fully healthy and ready to again lead a loaded Rangers rotation in 2026.
What might the starting lineups look like?
Phillies: The Phillies finished eighth in scoring in MLB last season. They were fourth in on-base percentage (.328), fourth in slugging percentage (.431) and fourth in OPS (.759). They have a talented lineup that just hasn’t performed the past few postseasons. Following an offseason of speculation as to where Harper might hit in the order, it looks like he will hit behind Schwarber instead of Schwarber hitting behind him.
- Trea Turner, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Bryce Harper, 1B
- Alec Bohm, 3B
- Bryson Stott, SS
- Adolis García, RF
- Brandon Marsh, LF
- J.T. Realmuto, C
- Justin Crawford, CF
Rangers: The top four spots in the lineup are pretty set, regardless of who’s on the mound for the opponent. But on Opening Day, with a lefty on the mound for Philadelphia, this is likely how Texas will line up, though Evan Carter could sit against Sanchez.
- Brandon Nimmo, RF
- Wyatt Langford, LF
- Corey Seager, SS
- Jake Burger, 1B
- Josh Smith, 2B
- Josh Jung, 3B
- Andrew McCutchen, DH
- Kyle Higashioka, C
- Evan Carter, CF
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Phillies: Jhoan Duran is the closer. It’s the first time the Phillies have opened the season with a bonafide closer since Jonathan Papelbon in 2015. Setting up for Duran are right-hander Brad Keller and left-hander José Alvarado. With Orion Kerkering set to begin the season on the IL, the rest of the bullpen will consist of right-handers Jonathan Bowlan and Zach Pop, and left-handers Tanner Banks, Kyle Backhus and Tim Mayza.
Rangers: The Rangers have a veteran-heavy bullpen, led by Chris Martin, Jakob Junis, Tyler Alexander and Jalen Beeks. Robert Garcia figures to get the first opportunity to close games in 2026.
Any injuries of note?
Phillies: Phillies ace Zack Wheeler is opening the season on the injured list following thoracic outlet decompression surgery in September. He is progressing well, and he could rejoin the rotation in April. In fact, he is expected to make a rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Kerkering also will open on the IL because of a strained right hamstring. He could be back as early as April 7.
Rangers: The Rangers got through camp almost fully healthy, despite Josh Jung missing two weeks with an adductor strain in the middle of Cactus League play.
Who is hot and who is not?
Phillies: Bryce Harper crushed a game-tying home run with two outs in the eighth inning for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game on March 17. He said on March 19 that he felt like his swing was about a week away from taking off. Well, a week from March 19 is Opening Day, so we’ll see if Harper can start the season hot or not. Both Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott had excellent springs, and a recent swing adjustment from García had him swinging the bat much better down the stretch.
Rangers: Wyatt Langford is no stranger to success in the Cactus League, but he reached a new level this season. In 15 games, he hit .425 with a 1.375 OPS. He led the team in home runs (five) and RBIs (15). On the other hand, Joc Pederson’s 2025 struggles carried over into camp this spring. He hit just .158 (6-for-38) with zero extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts in Cactus League play.
Anything else fans might want to know?
The Phillies are trying to make the postseason for a fifth consecutive year. They’ve done that only once in franchise history (2007-11). They're also aiming for their third consecutive NL East title.
The Rangers' run to winning the 2023 World Series is their lone postseason appearance in the last nine seasons. That's also their only winning season during the stretch.