Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres Kick Off the 2026 MLB Season
The 2026 MLB season gets underway with an exciting matchup as the San Diego Padres host the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. Both teams are aiming for a deep postseason run, making this Opening Day contest a must-listen for baseball fans.
A Look at the Teams
The Padres, despite recent playoff appearances – reaching the NLDS in 2024 and NLCS in 2022 – are looking to regain their championship form. They’ve made some key offseason moves, re-signing Michael King and adding Sung Mun Song and Nick Castellanos, while still boasting a powerful lineup led by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. A new era begins in San Diego with rookie manager Craig Stammen at the helm.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are hoping to build on their recent success, having reached the ALDS in the past two seasons. A major storyline for the Tigers is ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, who takes the mound. Skubal is poised for a significant contract after this season, but his focus remains on delivering a championship to Detroit.
Pitching Matchup
The Padres will send Nick Pivetta to the mound, coming off a career year in his first season with the team. The Tigers will counter with Tarik Skubal, arguably one of the best pitchers in baseball.
How to Listen Live
Here’s how you can tune in to all the action:
- National Radio: SiriusXM Channel 89
- Padres Radio: 97.3 The Fan (San Diego)
- Tigers Radio: WXYT 97.1 FM (Detroit)
Fans can also stream the game live on the SiriusXM app or website. 97.3 The Fan will feature Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn Jr. calling the game for Padres fans, while Dan Dickerson, Bobby Scales, and Andy Dirks will provide coverage on 97.1 FM WXYT for Tigers fans.
Game Details
- Date: Thursday, March 26
- Time: 4:10 p.m. ET | 1:10 p.m. PT
- Location: Petco Park, San Diego, California
Additional MLB Opening Day Broadcasts on SiriusXM (ET)
- Pirates vs. Mets – 1:15 p.m. (Pirates online, Mets 89)
- White Sox vs. Brewers – 2:10 p.m. (White Sox online, Brewers 175)
- Nationals vs. Cubs – 2:20 p.m. (Nationals online, Cubs 176)
- Twins vs. Orioles – 3:05 p.m. (Twins online, Orioles 177)
- Red Sox vs. Reds – 4:10 p.m. (Red Sox online, Reds 179)
- Angels vs. Astros – 4:10 p.m. (Angels online, Astros 180)
- Tigers vs. Padres – 4:10 p.m. (Tigers online, Padres 89)
- Rays vs. Cardinals – 4:15 p.m. (Rays online, Cardinals 178)
- Rangers vs. Phillies – 4:15 p.m. (Rangers online, Phillies 181)
- Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers – 8:30 p.m. (Diamondbacks 89, Dodgers 175)
- Guardians vs. Mariners – 10:10 p.m. (Guardians online, Mariners 177)
Stay up-to-date with the latest MLB news and rumors, the 2026 MLB schedule and scores, and MLB standings.
