As the highly anticipated 2025 MLB season kicks off, baseball fans are gearing up for an exciting year. Here are three key storylines to follow as the regular season unfolds.
The 2025 MLB regular season has officially commenced, with the first games taking place today for 26 of the league's 30 teams. Although the season began earlier this month in Tokyo with a thrilling two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, today's action marks the true Opening Day for the majority of teams. The first matchup will feature the New York Yankees facing off against the Milwaukee Brewers at 2:05 PM CT. Fans can look forward to a full slate of games throughout the afternoon and evening, culminating with exciting contests between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners at 9:10 PM CT. Notably, the Tampa Bay Rays and Colorado Rockies will have to wait an extra day to begin their seasons, with the Rays preparing their new temporary stadium, George M. Steinbrenner Field.
As the Baltimore Orioles prepare for their Opening Day game against the Toronto Blue Jays, all eyes will be on infielder Livan Soto. Although Soto currently lacks a spot on the Orioles' 40-man roster and has not been officially told he will break camp with the team, reports from Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com indicate that he has a locker at the Rogers Centre. Baltimore acquired Soto from the Cincinnati Reds before the trade deadline last summer. The 24-year-old infielder possesses limited big league experience with just 23 games and 74 plate appearances to his name. However, Soto showcased his potential by achieving a .862 OPS in 12 games, demonstrating his versatility at second base, third base, and shortstop. After being designated for assignment in January, Soto received an invitation to join the big league camp this spring. His chances of making the Opening Day roster hinge largely on the condition of utility man Jorge Mateo, who is recovering from elbow surgery. If Mateo is unable to start the season, Soto would likely step in to fill his role. Notably, Mateo does not have a locker in Toronto, further complicating his status.
In addition to Soto, another player vying for a spot on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster is right-hander Bryan Baker. Like Soto, Baker has not received confirmation regarding his roster status, but he also has a locker at the Rogers Centre. Unlike Soto, Baker is already on the Orioles' 40-man roster and is out of minor league options, meaning it would be newsworthy if he did not make the team. According to Kubatko, neither Matt Bowman nor Roansy Contreras, Baker's main competition for the final bullpen spot, has a locker in Toronto, suggesting that the job may be Baker's to lose. The 30-year-old pitcher had a solid rookie season two years ago, posting a 3.49 ERA and a 3.35 SIERA in 66 games. He followed that performance with another respectable season, recording a 3.60 ERA and a 4.14 SIERA in 46 games. However, he spent a significant portion of last season at Triple-A after the trade deadline, being optioned and recalled five times. Despite a 5.01 ERA in 19 games last year, Baker's underlying metrics remained strong, with a 3.48 SIERA and a 3.59 xERA, indicating his potential for a strong comeback this season.
As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, these storylines promise to keep fans engaged and excited. Stay tuned for more updates as teams compete for glory on the diamond.
