White Sox and Brewers Open 2026 MLB Season

Probable pitchers, lineups, and how to watch the Opening Day matchup between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:07pm

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The Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers will open the 2026 MLB season on March 26 at American Family Field in Milwaukee. The White Sox are looking to build on a 19-win improvement from 2025, while the Brewers aim to bounce back after a disappointing end to their 97-win campaign. Shane Smith will start for the White Sox, while Jacob Misiorowski takes the mound for the Brewers. Fans can catch the game on Brewers.TV, Chicago Sports Network, and MLB Network.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams with vastly different trajectories. The White Sox are a young, up-and-coming squad looking to take the next step, while the Brewers are an established contender seeking redemption after an early playoff exit. The outcome of this game could set the tone for each team's season.

The details

The White Sox made several key offseason acquisitions, including Munetaka Murakami and Austin Hays, to bolster their lineup. Meanwhile, the Brewers will rely on the core of Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, and William Contreras to power their offense. On the mound, Shane Smith had an All-Star season for the White Sox in 2025, while the Brewers are giving the 23-year-old Misiorowski a chance to prove himself as a starter after a successful stint in the bullpen.

  • The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 2:10 p.m. ET.
  • It marks the start of the 2026 MLB regular season.

The players

Shane Smith

The Chicago White Sox's Opening Day starter, an All-Star in 2025 who pitched 146.1 innings with a 3.81 ERA.

Jacob Misiorowski

The Milwaukee Brewers' young right-handed starter, who showed promise in the bullpen during the 2025 postseason.

Munetaka Murakami

A key offseason acquisition for the White Sox, adding much-needed power to their lineup.

Christian Yelich

One of the Brewers' big bats, looking to lead the team to another division title.

Andrew Vaughn

The former White Sox player who was traded to the Brewers last year and had a great spell with his new team.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get the season started and see what this group can do. The offseason additions have really bolstered our lineup, and we're confident Shane can set the tone on the mound.”

— Tony La Russa, Manager, Chicago White Sox

“Last year's ending was tough, but we've got a chip on our shoulder and are ready to prove we're still one of the best teams in the league. Jacob's got the stuff to give us a great start to the season.”

— Craig Counsell, Manager, Milwaukee Brewers

What’s next

The White Sox and Brewers will play a three-game series to open the season, with the next two games scheduled for Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28.

The takeaway

This Opening Day matchup between the White Sox and Brewers showcases two teams with vastly different trajectories, setting the stage for an intriguing start to the 2026 MLB season. The outcome could have major implications for each team's postseason aspirations.