How to watch MLB’s Opening Day for free—and without cable
More snow is on the way to California and the Pacific Northwest, but the boys of summer aren’t going to wait any longer.
It’s opening day for Major League Baseball—and all 30 teams will be on the field. Last year saw some big changes to the rules of MLB games, with pitch timers, a limit on the number of pick-off attempts and bigger bases. Now that fans and players have gotten used to that, the season should be a bit less disruptive.
The Texas Rangers are defending their 2023 World Series win, but they’re going to have some stiff competition this year. ESPN, for example, is predicting the Atlanta Braves will be unbeatable this year in the Fall Classic.
That’s an October problem, though. For now, we sit back and enjoy the season. While the best way to experience Opening Day is sitting with a beer and a hot dog in the stands, that’s not practical for many people. There are, however, plenty of other ways to watch.
When does Major League Baseball begin its 2024 season?
Opening day is Thursday, March 28. The first pitches will take place at 1:10 p.m. ET, when the Milwaukee Brewers face the New York Mets.
What’s the schedule for MLB opening day?
Here’s who’s playing as well as when and where you can watch. (The home team is listed second and note that all games will not be broadcast):
Milwaukee Brewers vs. New York Mets, 1:10 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Wisconsin and SportsNet New York
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 3:05 p.m. ET on Bally Sports South
California Angels vs. Baltimore Orioles, 3:05 p.m. ET on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network and Fox Sports West
San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres, 4:10 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Bay Area
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 4:10 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Sun
New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros, 4:10 p.m. ET on YES Network and AT&T SportsNet Southwest
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Florida Marlins, 4:10 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Florida and AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
Minnesota Twins v. Kansas City Royals, 4:10 p.m. ET on Bally Sports North
Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Socks, 4:10 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Detroit and NBC Sports Chicago
Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds, 4:10 p.m. ET on NBC, Bally Sports Ohio and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4:10 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Midwest, Spectrum SportsNet
Chicago Cubs vs. Texas Rangers, 7:35 p.m. ET on ESPN
Cleveland Guardians vs. Oakland Athletics, 10:07 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Great Lakes and NBC Sports California
Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks, 10:10 p.m. ET on MLB Extra Innings
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners, 10:10 p.m. ET on NESN and Root Sports Northwest
Is this really Opening Day for the MLB?
Well, kind of. The Dodgers and Padres faced off in Seoul, South Korea on March 20 and 21. And both of those games do count toward regular season results. The Seoul Series, though, was an opportunity for MLB to expand its fan base into a new country. And an early overseas start could become a regular annual event for the league in years to come.
Can I watch MLB Opening Day games for free?
A lot of that depends on where you live. Most Opening Day games are going to be carried by regional sports networks, instead of broadcast ones. ESPN will broadcast one game this evening, but your best bet to watch for free is via a streaming service with a free trial.
What’s the best way to watch MLB Opening Day games online?
MLB.TV
The league’s official streaming service is the best way to catch the most Opening Day action. MLB.tv offers a seven-day free trial, after which you’ll pay $30 per month or $150 for the season.
Are there other options to watch MLB games online?
Plenty of them!
Fubo TV
This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There's a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $75 and up, depending on the channels you choose.
Apple TV
The streaming service will kick off Friday Night Baseball on March 29 this year, with the New York Yankees facing the Houston Astros and the St. Louis Cardinals visiting the Los Angeles Dodgers. Double headers will run over the next 26 weeks. There’s a seven-day free trial, after which you’ll pay $4.99 per month.
Disney+
Disney's bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $15 per month for all three combined (or $25 per month for no ads on Hulu).
Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).
Hulu with Live TV
The free trial on this service is no longer offered. It will now cost you $77 per month.
YouTubeTV
After up to a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.
Sling TV
Dish Network's Sling lower-tiered "Orange" plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive "Blue" plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but the cord-cutting service is offering 50% off of the first month’s bill.
DirecTV Stream
Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $75 per month and up after the free trial option.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
