Orioles vs Blue Jays: Opening Day Starting Lineups - Game Preview

Blue Jays: Oddly enough, the DH spot feels like the big variable in 2025 as Toronto tries to maximize a crowded group of outfielders and raise the ceiling of its offense. The DH and the outfield could look different every day depending on the pitching matchup, and in-game moves should be more common than ever.

Orioles: A big piece will be missing for Baltimore at the start of the season, as star shortstop Gunnar Henderson (right intercostal strain) will be on the injured list. That likely moves Colton Cowser to the leadoff spot, with Jackson Holliday potentially shifting from second base to shortstop.

With the Orioles trying to make a jump from a great young club to a true postseason contender and the Blue Jays trying to keep their window open, every game will matter in 2025.

Baltimore is coming off a 91-win season and is typically projected above Toronto in 2025, but the Blue Jays are trying to make the most of what could be their last season with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

Whether it be in the AL East or, likelier, in the AL Wild Card race come September, these days in late March could be ones we look back on when September rolls around.

Orioles: Zach Eflin will face the Blue Jays on Opening Day for the second consecutive year. However, the right-hander did so as a member of the Rays last season, when he allowed six runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss at Tropicana Field.

The rest of the 2024 campaign went much better for Eflin, who was traded from Tampa Bay to Baltimore on July 26.

After recording a 2.60 ERA over nine starts following the move, the 30-year-old is expected to be a key member of the O's rotation this season.

Blue Jays: Jose Berrios might just be the most consistent man in baseball. An annual lock for 32 starts, Berrios gets the nod on Opening Day again and is the rock that the rest of this rotation is built upon.

Last season, Berrios held the Orioles to a 2.77 ERA over 13 innings, but his success was more about weak contact as he struck out just six batters.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 PM ET, and the game will be available to stream on MLB.TV.

It will be televised on MASN2 and Sportsnet.