Matt Johnson
What is the best MLB game to watch today? The 2026 Major League Baseball season is officially underway and Opening Day delivered a lot of excitement. With baseball on nearly every day, we’re highlighting what matchups we’ll be prioritizing on MLB.TV based on the MLB schedule for Friday.
Let’s dive into our rankings of the five best MLB games today to watch.
1. Detroit Tigers vs San Diego Padres
Making his MLB debut at Petco Park on Thursday, Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle went 4-for-5 with 2 RBI, 2 runs scored and a pair of doubles. We can’t wait to see the encore performance today. This matchup also gives us a great pitching matchup, with San Diego Padres starter Michael King coming off a two-season stretch with a 3.10 ERA and a 27.4 percent strikeout rate. Meanwhile, Detroit is throwing out prized free-agent signee Framber Valdez. If that isn’t enticing enough for you, the Tigers vs Padres game also features Riley Greene, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill all at a beautiful ballpark.
- Pitching Matchup: Framber Valdez vs Michael King
- First Pitch: 9:40 PM ET
2. New York Yankees vs San Francisco Giants
After an MLB Opening Day matchup on Netflix that underwhelmed, both due to the final score and the broadcast itself, we get another clash between the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. On the mound for New York is the electric Cam Schlittler, who is coming off a breakout campaign with a 2.96 ERA and 27.6 percent strikeout rate and just a .217 batting average allowed. Schlittler is taking on a Giants lineup that got shut out and managed just 3 hits on Wednesday. On the bump for San Francisco, Robbie Ray will look to mitigate the Yankees lineup with his swing-and-miss stuff. Getting to see hitters like Aaron Judge and Rafael Devers is just the icing on the cake.
- Pitching Matchup: Cam Schlitter vs Robbie Ray
- First Pitch: 4:35 PM ET
Related: New York Yankees Pursued Trade for Star SP
3. Cleveland Guardians vs Seattle Mariners
One theme among the best MLB games today, the hope for an encore performance after a rookie put up an incredible debut. Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter homered twice in his MLB debut on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, part of a three-hit effort. He’ll be tested once again tonight, this time by George Kirby. Meanwhile, Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh will attempt to rebound after going hitless last night. There’s both a great pitching matchup here for the Guardians vs. Mariners and a lot of young hitters we’re excited to watch tonight.
- Pitching Matchup: Gavin Williams vs George Kirby
- First Pitch: 9:45 PM ET (Apple TV)
4. Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani. Need we say more? The back-to-back World Series champions fell behind 2-0 early on Opening Day last night to the Arizona Diamondbacks and then cruised to an 8-2 victory at Dodger Stadium. The new-look Los Angeles Dodgers lineup with Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith is itself worth watching. Throw in the exciting, young arm of Emmet Sheehan throwing against an underrated Diamondbacks lineup with Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte and Jordan Lawlar. That’s some great late-night television for baseball fans.
- Pitching Matchup: Ryne Nelson vs Emmet Sheehan
- First Pitch: 10:10 PM ET (MLB Network)
5. Kansas City Royals vs Atlanta Braves
This is probably one of the most underrated matchups on the MLB schedule today. On one side, you have AL MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. leading a Kansas City Royals team with playoff aspirations this season. We’re also looking forward to seeing Cole Ragans take the mound as he looks to rebound from a rough 2025 campaign. On the other side, it’s just perennial Cy Young Award candidate Chris Sale on the mound with the backing of an Atlanta Braves lineup featuring Ronald Acuña Jr. Throw in the likes of Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Drake Baldwin; that’s more than enough to get your snacks out and watch.
- Pitching Matchup: Cole Ragans vs Chris Sale
- First Pitch: 7:15 PM ET
