Like your one shot of asking out the prom queen, MLB Opening Day 2026 has come and gone quickly. It is way too small of a snapshot to say if we learned anything definitive. However, there were a lot of interesting stats and potential harbingers for this season. Here are some brief observations of the early spring day with the Christmas morning aura.
Aces Dealing Zeros
Some of the top pitchers came out dealing on MLB Opening Day 2026. When I say dealing, I mean literally allowing zero runs. If these no-soup-for-you performances are consistently repeated this season, it is going to be a fun Cy Young race in each league.
- Garret Crochet pitched six scoreless frames for Boston against the Reds. He fanned eight batters and allowed only three hits. Barely a year after being acquired by the Sox, this lefty has made that extension look brilliant.
- In Philadelphia, I first-hand witnessed Cristopher Sanchez’s electric outing against the Rangers: 6 innings pitched, 0 runs, 0 walks, and 10 K’s. Regardless of how Zack Wheeler comes back from injury, the Phils already have a bona fide number one with this tall Dominican lefty.
- Down in Houston, Hunter Brown made his first Opening Day start and didn’t disappoint. In only 4.2 innings, this righty struck out nine Angels and didn’t allow a run.
- The Braves may be down a few guys in their rotation, but Chris Sale did his part with six scoreless frames against the Royals. When healthy, this is still one of the most dominant guys on the mound.
Hot Out of the Oven
Some of MLB’s top prospects came charging out of the gate on Opening Day. Yes, it’s only one game, but boy did some youngsters make a statement.
- Much-ballyhooed prospect Kevin McGonigle had four hits, including two doubles, and two ribbies in his Tigers’ debut against the Padres. The quality of the at-bats was something to behold.
- The young darling in St. Louis, JJ Wetherholt, homered in his first game for the Cards, helping the home team to a victory.
- At Citi Field, Carson Benge went deep for the Mets as they smacked Paul Skenes and the Pirates.
- Chase DeLauter, a top outfield prospect for the Guardians, slammed two long balls at spacious Safeco Field.
- Hitting ninth in the Phils’ lineup, Justin Crawford singled in each of his first two MLB plate appearances to make his father proud, delighting the faithful at CBP.
Is He Back?
Most MLB fans would love to see Mike Trout have a return to greatness in 2026. His career numbers speak for themself, but injuries in recent years have severely derailed one of the best all-around players the game has ever seen. However, if Opening Day gives a glimpse into the future, we could be in for a treat as the center fielder for the Angels reemerges into his elite form. Trout blasted a go-ahead homer in the seventh inning to help the Halos secure a win in Houston. Then he followed that up with another bomb the next night. Only time and health will tell, but this could be a wonderful renaissance for baseball fans.
Mike Trout so far this season:
Walk -> SB
Walk
Walk
HR
K
1B
1B
HRWE MIGHT BE SO BACK pic.twitter.com/IRtnGCLP9o
— AT (@BaseballWRLD_) March 28, 2026
Did That Really Happen?
Here is the Opening Day pitching line for Paul Skenes: .2 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 2 walks, and a 67.50 ERA. #WTF
The reigning NL Cy Young winner may be the best pitcher in MLB, and this outing doesn’t refute that because every ace has some duds. However, it is noteworthy when someone of that ilk doesn’t make it out of the first inning. There are some extenuating circumstances that led to this aberration. The Mets were all pumped up for the home opener with a revamped lineup. Plus, the defense behind Skenes wasn’t on par with Willie Mays. This Pirate phenom is scheduled to make his next start against the Reds. I would bet the over on his strikeouts that day.
In Paul Skenes entire career (55 starts), he had only let up 5 earned runs in a game once.
He just let up 5 ER to the Mets… before the end of the first inning 😳 pic.twitter.com/YbhKSYvW2G
— Brett Hanfling (@Brett_Hanfling) March 26, 2026
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