Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images. Pictured: George Springer.
Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Thursday’s MLB slate. For real-time updates to these lineups, check out our Action Labs MLB lineups page.
Thursday’s Opening Day contest between the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox has been postponed because of rain. The teams had a built-in off day on Friday and the game will simply be moved back one day. First pitch is expected for 2:10 p.m. on Friday.
The Toronto Blue Jays begin a season with high expectations against the New York Yankees in the Bronx at 1:05 p.m. ET, but they’ll be without their prized offseason acquisition.
George Springer, who signed a six-year, $150 million contract in the offseason, was placed on the IL ahead of the start of the season with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Toronto manager Charlie Montoya said Springer’s latest MRI showed improvement and that they hoped to have him back “as soon as possible.”
The Minnesota Twins start the season in Milwaukee against the Brewers, and a National League park coupled with no DH in the National League means they will be without slugger Nelson Cruz. Third baseman Josh Donaldson is expected to play.
Be sure to check the Action Labs MLB page for real time updates throughout Opening Day.
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Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Blue Jays: Hyun-Jin Ryu (L)
- Yankees: Gerrit Cole (R)
Projected Lineups
| Toronto Blue Jays vs. Cole (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Marcus Semien | CF |
| Cavan Biggio | 3B |
| Bo Bichette | SS |
| Teoscar Hernandez | RF |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 1B |
| Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | LF |
| Rowdy Tellez | DH |
| Randal Grichuk | CF |
| Danny Jansen | C |
Key Players Projected In: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Marcus Semien, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Key Players Projected Out: George Springer
| New York Yankees vs. Ryu (L) | Position |
|---|---|
| DJ LeMahieu | 2B |
| Aaron Judge | RF |
| Aaron Hicks | CF |
| Giancarlo Stanton | DH |
| Gleyber Torres | SS |
| Gio Urshela | 3B |
| Gary Sanchez | C |
| Jay Bruce | 1B |
| Clint Frazier | LF |
Key Players Projected In: Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu, Gary Sanchez, Giancarlo Stanton, Gio Urshela, Gleyber Torres
Key Players Projected Out: None
Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers, 1:10 p.m. ET
Projected Starting Pitchers
- Indians: Shane Bieber (R)
- Tigers: Matthew Boyd (L)
Projected Lineups
| Cleveland Indians vs. Boyd (L) | Position |
|---|---|
| Jordan Luplow | CF |
| Cesar Hernandez | 2B |
| Jose Ramirez | 3B |
| Eddie Rosario | LF |
| Franmil Reyes | DH |
| Josh Naylor | RF |
| Yu Chang | 1B |
| Roberto Perez | C |
| Andres Gimenez | SS |
Key Players Confirmed In: Jose Ramirez
Key Players Confirmed Out: None
| Detroit Tigers vs. Bieber (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Robbie Grossman | LF |
| Jeimer Candelario | 3B |
| Willi Castro | SS |
| Miguel Cabrera | 1B |
| Jonathan Schoop | 2B |
| Nomar Mazara | DH |
| Wilson Ramos | C |
| Victor Reyes | RF |
| JaCoby Jones | CF |
Key Players Confirmed In: None
Key Players Confirmed Out: None
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox, PPD
Minnesota Twins at Milwaukee Brewers, 2:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Twins: Kenta Maeda (R)
- Brewers: Brandon Woodruff (R)
Projected Lineups
| Minnesota Twins vs. Woodruff (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Max Kepler | RF |
| Josh Donaldson | 3B |
| Jorge Polanco | 2B |
| Miguel Sano | 1B |
| Byron Buxton | CF |
| Andrelton Simmons | SS |
| Luis Arraez | LF |
| Ryan Jeffers | C |
| Kenta Maeda | P |
Key Players Projected In: Josh Donaldson
Key Players Projected Out: Nelson Cruz
| Milwaukee Brewers vs. Maeda (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Kolten Wong | 2B |
| Lorenzo Cain | CF |
| Christian Yelich | LF |
| Keston Hiura | 2B |
| Travis Shaw | 1B |
| Jackie Bradley Jr. | RF |
| Luis Urias | 3B |
| Omar Narvaez | C |
| Brandon Woodruff | P |
Key Players Projected In: Christian Yelich
Key Players Projected Out: None
Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Pirates: Chad Kuhl (R)
- Cubs: Kyle Hendricks (R)
Projected Lineups
| Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Hendricks (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Adam Frazier | 2B |
| Ke’Bryan Hayes | 3B |
| Bryan Reynolds | LF |
| Colin Moran | 1B |
| Kevin Newman | SS |
| Gregory Polanco | RF |
| Jacob Stallings | C |
| Anthony Alford | CF |
| Chad Kuhl | P |
Key Players Projected In: None
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Chicago Cubs vs. Kuhl (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Ian Happ | CF |
| Willson Contreras | C |
| Anthony Rizzo | 1B |
| Kris Bryant | 3B |
| Joc Pederson | LF |
| Javier Baez | SS |
| Jason Heyward | RF |
| David Bote | 2B |
| Kyle Hendricks | P |
Key Players Projected In: Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Willson Contreras
Key Players Projected Out: None
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies, 3:05 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Braves: Max Fried (L)
- Phillies: Aaron Nola (R)
Projected Lineups
| Atlanta Braves vs. Nola (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | RF |
| Ozzie Albies | 2B |
| Freddie Freeman | 1B |
| Marcell Ozuna | LF |
| Travis d’Arnaud | C |
| Dansby Swanson | SS |
| Austin Riley | 3B |
| Cristian Pache | CF |
| Max Fried | P |
Key Players Projected In: Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna Jr.
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Philadelphia Phillies vs. Fried (L) | Position |
|---|---|
| Andrew McCutchen | LF |
| Rhys Hoskins | 1B |
| Bryce Harper | RF |
| J.T. Realmuto | C |
| Alec Bohm | 3B |
| Didi Gregorius | SS |
| Jean Segura | 2B |
| Adam Haseley | CF |
| Aaron Nola | P |
Key Players Projected In: Aaron Nola, Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins
Key Players Projected Out: None
St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds, 4:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Cardinals: Jack Flaherty (R)
- Reds: Luis Castillo (R)
Projected Lineups
| St. Louis Cardinals vs. Castillo (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Tommy Edman | 2B |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 1B |
| Nolan Arenado | 3B |
| Paul DeJong | SS |
| Yadier Molina | C |
| Tyler O’Neill | LF |
| Dylan Carlson | CF |
| Justin Williams | RF |
| Jack Flaherty | P |
Key Players Projected In: Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Cincinnati Reds vs. Flaherty (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Jesse Winker | LF |
| Nick Castellanos | RF |
| Joey Votto | 1B |
| Eugenio Suarez | SS |
| Mike Moustakas | 3B |
| Nick Senzel | CF |
| Tucker Barnhart | C |
| Jonathan India | 2B |
| Luis Castillo | P |
Key Players Projected In: Eugenio Suarez, Mike Moustakas, Nick Castellanos
Key Players Projected Out: None
Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, 4:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Diamondbacks: Madison Bumgarner (L)
- Padres: Yu Darvish (R)
Projected Lineups
| Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Darvish (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| David Peralta | LF |
| Ketel Marte | CF |
| Eduardo Escobar | 3B |
| Christian Walker | 1B |
| Josh Rojas | 2B |
| Carson Kelly | C |
| Pavin Smith | RF |
| Nick Ahmed | SS |
| Madison Bumgarner | P |
Key Players Projected In: David Peralta, Ketel Marte, Madison Bumgarner
Key Players Projected Out: None
| San Diego Padres vs. Bumgarner (L) | Position |
|---|---|
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | SS |
| Tommy Pham | CF |
| Manny Machado | 3B |
| Eric Hosmer | 1B |
| Wil Myers | RF |
| Jake Cronenworth | 2B |
| Victor Caratini | C |
| Jurickson Profar | LF |
| Yu Darvish | P |
Key Players Projected In: Eric Hosmer, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Tommy Pham
Key Players Projected Out: None
Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies, 4:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw (L)
- Rockies: German Marquez (R)
Projected Lineups
| Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Marquez (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | RF |
| Corey Seager | SS |
| Justin Turner | 3B |
| Cody Bellinger | CF |
| Will Smith | C |
| Max Muncy | 1B |
| A.J. Pollock | LF |
| Gavin Lux | 2B |
| Clayton Kershaw | P |
Key Players Projected In: Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, Mookie Betts
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Colorado Rockies vs. Kershaw (L) | Position |
|---|---|
| Raimel Tapia | LF |
| Garrett Hampson | CF |
| Trevor Story | SS |
| Charlie Blackmon | RF |
| C.J. Cron | 1B |
| Josh Fuentes | 3B |
| Chris Owings | 2B |
| Elias Diaz | C |
| German Marquez | P |
Key Players Projected In: Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story
Key Players Projected Out: None
Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins, 4:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Rays: Tyler Glasnow (R)
- Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (R)
Projected Lineups
| Tampa Bay Rays vs. Alcantara (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Yoshitomo Tsutsugo | 1B |
| Austin Meadows | LF |
| Randy Arozarena | RF |
| Brandon Lowe | 2B |
| Manuel Margot | CF |
| Joey Wendle | 3B |
| Willy Adames | SS |
| Mike Zunino | C |
| Tyler Glasnow | P |
Key Players Projected In: Austin Meadows
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Miami Marlins vs. Glasnow (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Corey Dickerson | LF |
| Starling Marte | CF |
| Jesus Aguilar | 1B |
| Adam Duvall | RF |
| Brian Anderson | 3B |
| Jazz Chisholm | 2B |
| Jorge Alfaro | C |
| Miguel Rojas | SS |
| Sandy Alcantara | P |
Key Players Projected In: Starling Marte
Key Players Projected Out: None
Texas Rangers at Kansas City Royals, 4:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Rangers: Kyle Gibson (R)
- Royals: Brad Keller (R)
Projected Lineups
| Texas Rangers vs. Keller (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa | SS |
| David Dahl | LF |
| Joey Gallo | RF |
| Nick Solak | 2B |
| Nate Lowe | 1B |
| Ronald Guzman | DH |
| Leody Taveras | CF |
| Jose Trevino | C |
| Charlie Culberson | 3B |
Key Players Projected In: Joey Gallo
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Kansas City Royals vs. Gibson (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Whit Merrifield | 2B |
| Andrew Benintendi | LF |
| Carlos Santana | 1B |
| Salvador Perez | C |
| Jorge Soler | DH |
| Hunter Dozier | 3B |
| Kyle Isbel | RF |
| Michael A. Taylor | CF |
| Nicky Lopez | SS |
Key Players Projected In: Andrew Benintendi, Jorge Soler, Salvador Perez, Whit Merrifield
Key Players Projected Out: None
New York Mets at Washington Nationals, 7:09 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Mets: Jacob deGrom (R)
- Nationals: Max Scherzer (R)
Projected Lineups
| New York Mets vs. Scherzer (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Brandon Nimmo | CF |
| Francisco Lindor | SS |
| Michael Conforto | RF |
| Pete Alonso | 1B |
| Dominic Smith | LF |
| Jeff McNeil | 2B |
| J.D. Davis | 3B |
| James McCann | C |
| Jacob deGrom | P |
Key Players Projected In: Francisco Lindor, Jacob deGrom, Michael Conforto, Pete Alonso
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Washington Nationals vs. deGrom (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Victor Robles | CF |
| Juan Soto | RF |
| Trea Turner | SS |
| Josh Bell | 1B |
| Kyle Schwarber | LF |
| Starlin Castro | 3B |
| Yan Gomes | C |
| Josh Harrison | 2B |
| Max Scherzer | P |
Key Players Projected In: Josh Bell, Juan Soto, Max Scherzer, Trea Turner
Key Players Projected Out: None
Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels, 10:05 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- White Sox: Lucas Giolito (R)
- Angels: Dylan Bundy (R)
Projected Lineups
| Chicago White Sox vs. Bundy (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Tim Anderson | SS |
| Yasmani Grandal | C |
| Jose Abreu | 1B |
| Yoan Moncada | 3B |
| Luis Robert | CF |
| Leury Garcia | LF |
| Adam Eaton | RF |
| Zack Collins | DH |
| Nick Madrigal | 2B |
Key Players Projected In: Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson, Yasmani Grandal, Yoan Moncada
Key Players Projected Out: Eloy Jimenez
| Los Angeles Angels vs. Giolito (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| David Fletcher | 2B |
| Shohei Ohtani | DH |
| Mike Trout | CF |
| Anthony Rendon | 3B |
| Justin Upton | LF |
| Albert Pujols | 1B |
| Jose Iglesias | SS |
| Max Stassi | C |
| Dexter Fowler | RF |
Key Players Projected In: Anthony Rendon, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani
Key Players Projected Out: None
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics, 10:07 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Astros: Zack Greinke (R)
- Athletics: Chris Bassitt (R)
Projected Lineups
| Houston Astros vs. Bassitt (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Jose Altuve | 2B |
| Michael Brantley | LF |
| Alex Bregman | 3B |
| Kyle Tucker | RF |
| Carlos Correa | SS |
| Yordan Alvarez | 1B |
| Yuli Gurriel | 1B |
| Myles Straw | CF |
| Martin Maldonado | C |
Key Players Projected In: Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Oakland Athletics vs. Greinke (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Mark Canha | LF |
| Ramon Laureano | CF |
| Matt Chapman | 3B |
| Matt Olson | 1B |
| Sean Murphy | C |
| Mitch Moreland | DH |
| Jed Lowrie | 2B |
| Stephen Piscotty | RF |
| Elvis Andrus | SS |
Key Players Projected In: Matt Chapman, Matt Olson
Key Players Projected Out: None
San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners, 10:10 p.m. ET
Probable Starting Pitchers
- Giants: Kevin Gausman (R)
- Mariners: Marco Gonzales (L)
Projected Lineups
| San Francisco Giants vs. Gonzales (L) | Position |
|---|---|
| Austin Slater | LF |
| Mike Yastrzemski | RF |
| Donovan Solano | 2B |
| Evan Longoria | 3B |
| Wilmer Flores | DH |
| Brandon Belt | 1B |
| Buster Posey | C |
| Brandon Crawford | SS |
| Mauricio Dubon | CF |
Key Players Projected In: None
Key Players Projected Out: None
| Seattle Mariners vs. Gausman (R) | Position |
|---|---|
| Mitch Haniger | RF |
| Dylan Moore | 2B |
| Kyle Seager | 3B |
| Ty France | DH |
| Jose Marmolejos | CF |
| Tom Murphy | C |
| J.P. Crawford | SS |
| Evan White | 1B |
| Taylor Trammell | LF |
Key Players Projected In: Mitch Haniger
Key Players Projected Out: None
