It’s been a long offseason for baseball fans. Disagreement between MLB owners and the league’s players on a variety of baseball-related topics (from financial terms, to the structure of the playoffs) led to a months-long work stoppage, or “lockout”, and even had many fans wondering if the 2022 season would happen at all. However, in March, a deal was finally struck, the dark cloud over baseball was lifted, and fans everywhere circled 7 April 2022 as the date they’ve been waiting for so patiently – Opening Day.
That’s right, on 7 April baseball is back for another full season, and this year, the uncertainty provided by the winter lockout makes MLB’s return all the sweeter. As always, alongside the reigning champion Atlanta Braves, and franchises full of promise like the Seattle Mariners, eternal juggernauts such as the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will draw the greatest attention.
Flush with talent, perennial World Series contenders the New York Yankees will get things started on Opening Day with the season’s first game. In front of a capacity crowd at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers will take on arch-rivals the Boston Red Sox in what is always a high-stakes, high-emotion encounter. The first in a 3-game series, the Opening Day game will be followed by 2 more battles with the BoSox on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 April. The Yankees' division, which also includes the surging Toronto Blue Jays, will certainly be a tough one this year, but with All-Star talent like Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo, and Gerrit Cole on their side, you can never count the legendary Pinstripes out.
Over in the West, the Los Angeles Dodgers start their season against the Colorado Rockies in Denver, followed by a trip to play the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis, before a long-awaited homecoming in sunny Southern California on 14 April against the Cincinnati Reds. The Dodgers, favourites to win the NL West division, will play out the series with the Reds on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April, before the Atlanta Braves arrive in Hollywood for 3 box office games on 18, 19, and 20 April.
From the luxury of Yankee Stadium’s Legends Suite to the panoramic views of Dodger Stadium’s Top Deck, MLB ballparks have something for everyone this season. With tickets available for as little as $8 for selected games, baseball remains one of North America’s best value sports, so grab your family or friends, order a hotdog, and soak up the summer sun in some of the States’ most historic stadiums.
The world’s best players are ready. On 7 April, it’s time to play ball!
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