Why MLB season openers start at unusual times including bizarre first pitch in Toronto
The 2025 Major League Baseball season is upon us as the marathon to make the World Series starts.
The new campaign actually kicked off last week in Japan with the Tokyo Series as the Los Angeles Dodgers took on the Chicago Cubs.
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However, this Thursday night is widely regarded as the actual starting point for the campaign this year, and there are some odd starting times.
Here, talkSPORT.com looks into those games and explains why they are taking place when they are.
Why are MLB season openers at odd times?
Not a single one of the MLB season-opening games is set to start either on the hour, half past, quarter past or quarter to the hour.
Instead, they've all been given unique start times.
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Every match is set to start at ten or five past the hour, which would be considered unusual anyway.
But the match in Toronto between the Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles has an even odder start time of 19:07 in the UK.
The reason for these changed start times is to do with US local or regional broadcasters.
Coverage of these MLB matches often starts just moments before the games, leaving enough time for some quick analysis and an advert.
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The national anthem is also performed, which can delay proceedings as well.
This is why the first pitch for all of these games is scheduled for a weird time.
But even that time might not be adhered to if the broadcasters overrun.
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MLB 2025: Season openers
All times UK
Thursday, March 27
- New York Yankees vs Milwaukee Brewers - 7:05pm
- Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles - 7:07pm
- Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox - 8:05pm
- Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies - 8:05pm
- San Diego Padres vs Atlanta Braves - 8:10pm
- Miami Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates - 8:10pm
- Cincinnati Reds vs San Francisco Giants - 8:10pm
- Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Guardians - 8:10pm
- Chicago White Sox vs Los Angeles Angels - 8:10pm
- Houston Astros vs New York Mets - 8:10pm
- St Louis Cardinals vs Minnesota Twins - 8:15pm
- Los Angeles Dodgers vs Detroit Tigers - 11:10pm
MLB 2025: What has been said?
After claiming victory in the 2024 World Series, the Dodgers have been invited to the White House by Donald Trump.
The President wants to personally congratulate the team for their achievements.
In a statement on X, the team said: “The Dodgers look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title."
There had been some doubt over if they would go or not, given head coach Dave Roberts previously indicated in 2019 that he wouldn't attend if invited by Trump.
However, whatever issue the pair had appears to have been buried because Roberts has indicated he will be going.
He said: “It wasn’t a formal conversation that we had as a ballclub.
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“It’s certainly a huge honour to get the invitation to the White House. It allows us to celebrate our 2024 championship.
"To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honour, so it’s a great honour for all of us.”
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