Phillies face Nationals on MLB Opening Day 2025. Here's what time the game starts and how to watch.
There were no $300 million signings. No major offseason acquisitions. The Philadelphia Phillies are essentially running it back despite losing in the NLDS to the New York Mets.
But baseball is back, and Opening Day is here. The Phillies still have World Series aspirations in 2025 and should be in the mix again come October.
Here's everything you need to know about the Phillies-Nationals Opening Day matchup in Washington, D.C.
How to watch the Phillies on Opening Day
The first pitch of the 2025 season is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET today. The game will air on NBC 10 and NBCSP+. Fans can also stream the game on the NBC Sports app, and out-of-market fans can watch it on MLB.tv.
You can also listen on the radio on 94 WIP, where Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will call the game.
Who's on the Phillies' Opening Day roster?
Jesús Luzardo is the headliner of the Phillies' offseason. Luzardo slots into the Phillies' starting rotation, which is considered one of the best in baseball.
Last season, Phillies starters had 16 fWAR (Fangraphs' Wins Above Replacement), third in the majors behind the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. Luzardo lengthens the Phils' rotation and eliminates what was one of the club's biggest weaknesses in 2024: the fifth starters.
Luzardo is part of an All-Star rotation consisting of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez (who sat at 98 mph during spring training) and Ranger Suárez. Luzardo's stock may be down after dealing with injuries in 2023, but his stuff is electric, and it wasn't too long ago that he started Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series for the Miami Marlins in Philadelphia.
Suárez will begin the season on the injured list but isn't expected to miss much time with back tightness. Taijuan Walker will fill in while Suárez is on the IL.
Max Kepler came over from the Minnesota Twins via free agency and will get a chance to be the Phillies' everyday left fielder.
Kody Clemens won the Phillies' final bench spot over Buddy Kennedy.
Who are the probable pitchers for Opening Day?
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler will make his second consecutive Opening Day start. The Washington Nationals will send MacKenzie Gore to the mound.
Wheeler made his first career Opening Day start last season for the Phillies, ending a string of six straight for Aaron Nola. Wheeler, 34, struck out five and allowed five hits across six innings on Opening Day last season. The Phils lost, 9-3, to the Atlanta Braves.
When is the Phillies' home opener?
While the Phillies open their season today in Washington, D.C., their home opener isn't until Monday, March 31, when they host the Colorado Rockies at Citizens Bank Park to kick off a six-game homestand.
The Phils' home opener is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET on Monday.
The Phillies, Nationals and Opening Day history
Today will be the fifth time the Phillies and Nationals have met on Opening Day since 2005, when the Montreal Expos moved to Washington. The Phillies and Nationals have split the four games since 2005.
Overall, the Phillies and Expos/Nationals have faced each other eight times on Opening Day. Philadelphia owns a 5-3 advantage.
Today is just the second time in the past seven seasons that the Phillies have opened the season away from Citizens Bank Park.
