2026 MLB Opening Day starter tracker: Marlins, Red Sox, more make early calls
CBS Sports
by
R.J. Anderson
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Teams are already making early decisions on their 2026 MLB Opening Day starting pitchers as spring training concludes. With traditional Opening Day set for March 26, clubs like the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Miami Marlins have announced their initial choices. This early planning highlights the importance of strong pitching to set the tone for the season.
The Boston Red Sox will start Garrett Crochet for the third consecutive year, showcasing his consistency after a standout 2025 campaign with a 2.59 ERA and a high strikeout-to-walk ratio. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are likely making their last Opening Day assignment to Tarik Skubal before he potentially departs via free agency. Skubal, a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner, has been a dominant force for the Tigers over the past few seasons.
The Houston Astros will hand the ball to Hunter Brown, breaking a streak of Framber Valdez starts. Brown’s 2.43 ERA in 2025 solidified his position as the team's Opening Day choice. Over in Miami, Sandy Alcantara will make his sixth straight Opening Day start for the Marlins, despite a down season in 2025 where he bounced back strong late in the year.
This early focus on starting pitching reflects the critical role these pitchers play in shaping their teams' fates. For fans and analysts, tracking these decisions provides insight into each team's strengths and potential challenges heading into the new season. With key players entering contract years or facing uncertain futures, the choices made now could have significant implications for both the 2026 season and beyond.
For sports enthusiasts, this early look at Opening Day lineups offers a glimpse into which pitchers will be counted on to lead their teams to success—or struggle
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/13/2026