Number 12: Oakland A’s at Philadelphia Phillies (Friday)
Sure, there’s a cool history tie-in here with the Athletics returning to Philadelphia after leaving the city in 1954, but Oakland has undergone a fire sale already this offseason and more could well happen as the season rolls along. This will be our first official look at the rebuilt Phillies (including Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos) as the team tries to make the postseason for the first time since 2011.
Number 11: Miami Marlins at San Francisco Giants (Friday)
Another cross-country Opening Day matchup with two teams that people are still trying to figure out exactly how their seasons are going to go. Will Miami make its way back to the postseason after adding some offseason pieces in Jorge Soler and Jacob Stallings? Will San Francisco be able to account for the loss of Buster Posey behind the plate and in the clubhouse after a record-setting 2021 season?
Number 10: Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals (Thursday)
There will be plenty of emotion inside Busch Stadium when Albert Pujols is introduced to the St. Louis faithful, but the game will quickly dissolve into a National League Central matchup featuring the Cardinals going against one of the teams expected to be at the bottom of the division (Pittsburgh).
Number 9: Cincinnati Reds at Atlanta Braves (Thursday)
It’s hard to not be excited about watching the World Series champions raise the banner in their ballpark as Atlanta will do prior to Opening Day, but Cincinnati has done nothing this offseason but shed payroll. Thank goodness Jonathan India and Joey Votto are still on the Reds roster as they try to spoil the debut of Matt Olson, Kenley Jansen, and the new-look Braves.
Number 8: Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies (Friday)
Opening Day at Coors Field is always a party, and having the rival Dodgers come to town to open the season for the second straight year will certainly keep the atmosphere hopping. Kris Bryant and Randal Grichuk will introduce themselves to Rockies fans as part of a rebuilt Colorado outfield, with Los Angeles Opening Day starter Walker Buehler looking to improve upon his career 5.03 ERA in Denver.