The Chicago Cubs will begin defense of their World Series title against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 2 as the nightcap of a Sunday tripleheader, all to be broadcast on ESPN's networks, Major League Baseball announced on Thursday.
The season will open with the New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN) followed by the San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks at 4 p.m. (ESPN2) before the Cubs play at St. Louis at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
Of the 12 MLB games scheduled for April 3, the American League champion Cleveland Indians will open in Texas against the Texas Rangers as one of four Monday games on ESPN's networks. The others: Atlanta Braves-New York Mets at 1 p.m., San Diego Padres-Los Angeles Dodgers at 4 p.m. and Los Angeles Angels-Oakland Athletics at 10 p.m.