Dodgers host Diamondbacks on 2026 MLB Opening Day

SportsLine's model reveals best bets for the season opener between the defending champion Dodgers and the Diamondbacks

Mar. 26, 2026 at 11:04pm

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The Los Angeles Dodgers, who won the World Series in 2025, host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday for the 2026 MLB Opening Day. The Dodgers, led by NL MVP Shohei Ohtani, are heavy favorites at home against the Diamondbacks. World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for the Dodgers, while Zac Gallen starts for the Diamondbacks.

Why it matters

This matchup features two NL West rivals, with the Dodgers looking to continue their recent dominance in the division. The Diamondbacks will be hoping to bounce back after missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The game also marks the start of the 2026 MLB season, with fans eager to see how teams perform out of the gate.

The details

The Dodgers are heavy -266 favorites at home, with the over/under set at 9 runs. SportsLine's model projects the game to go over that total, as Gallen has struggled against the Dodgers' powerful lineup in recent meetings. Yamamoto also has had some issues in his first starts of the season throughout his career.

  • The game is scheduled for an 8:30 p.m. ET first pitch on Thursday, March 26, 2026.

The players

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The Dodgers' starting pitcher, who was the World Series MVP in 2025.

Zac Gallen

The Diamondbacks' starting pitcher, who had a 13-15 record and 4.83 ERA in 2025.

Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers' NL MVP in 2025, leading the team to its ninth World Series title.

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What’s next

The SportsLine model has simulated the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks game 10,000 times and revealed its top MLB picks and predictions for the Opening Day matchup.

The takeaway

This game features two NL West rivals with very different trajectories. The Dodgers are heavy favorites at home as they look to continue their recent dominance, while the Diamondbacks will be hoping to bounce back and challenge for a playoff spot. The model's projections suggest the game could be a high-scoring affair, making it an intriguing start to the 2026 MLB season.