The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) will kickoff the road to October at Citizens Bank Park this afternoon against the Texas Rangers (0-0).
After a disappointing end to their 2025 season, the Phillies are aiming to return to the World Series once again. Losing to the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philly is confident in their ability to soar to the top of baseball.
They will have to start strong against a Rangers team that is desperate to return to the postseason.
These two teams have faced off on Opening Day twice, the last being in 2023. Texas would later go on to win the World Series, while the Phillies lost in the National League Championship Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Game 1: Cristopher Sánchez (13-5, 2.50 ERA in 2025) vs Nathan Eovaldi (11-3, 1.73 ERA in 2025)
Cristopher Sánchez will take the mound for his first career Opening Day start.
The runner-up in the National League Cy Young voting a year ago, Sanchez is determined to continue to showcase his elite pitching ability.
On the other side, the Rangers will send Nathan Eovaldi, a hard-throwing righty who enters his 15th season in Major League Baseball. Eovaldi has helped anchor two World Series-winning teams, the 2018 Boston Red Sox and 2023 Texas Rangers.
Game 2: Aaron Nola (5-10, 6.01 ERA in 2025) vs Jacob deGrom (12-8, 2.97 ERA in 2025)
Just like in 2023, we will once again see Nola vs. deGrom in an opening series.
While these two have faced off plenty of times back when deGrom was in New York, we will be seeing a more seasoned approach from both arms.
Aaron Nola and Jacob deGrom help define the late 2010s and early 2020s pitching generation.
Coming off the worst season of his big league career, Nola will need a strong start to his 2026 season. deGrom will look to do the same, but health will continue to be his biggest obstacle as he navigates year 13 in the big leagues.
Game 3: Jesus Luzardo (15-7, 3.92 ERA in 2025) vs Mackenzie Gore (5-15, 4.17 ERA in 2025)
Year two for Jesus Luzardo will start on Sunday, when he gets the series finale for the Phillies.
Luzardo signed a five-year contract extension in March, locking him in long-term as a member of the Phillies organization.
He looks to build off an impressive 2025 and potentially lock in a series win for his team.
On the mound for the Rangers will be Mackenzie Gore, formerly of the Washington Nationals.
Gore was a key piece in the Juan Soto trade to the San Diego Padres back in 2022 and became a part of his own big trade when Texas traded for him this offseason.
The veteran left-hander never reached his potential with the Washington Nationals and is hopeful a fresh start in Texas can take him to the next level.
Expect to hear the name Adolis Garcia over the next several days.
The former Ranger was a hero for the team back in 2023 and will play against his former team this weekend.
Garica is a powerful right-hander with a rocket for an arm. Whether it is with his bat or glove, expect him to make an impact in this series.
Citizens Bank Park should provide the veteran outfielder with a chance to find his power once again. After a hot finish to Spring Training, I believe Garcia is going to try and make a great first impression with the Philly faithful.
