Spring Training Schedules for 2025: Highlights and Key Matchups
The eagerly anticipated schedules for the 2025 Major League Baseball spring training have finally been released, setting the stage for an exciting lead-up to the regular season. With 30 teams divided between Florida's Grapefruit League and Arizona's Cactus League, fans can look forward to a host of dynamic matchups and promising rookie showcases.
Opening Games Set the Tone
The spring training will kick off with an exciting matchup between the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, February 20 at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers' training ground. This opener promises to be a thrilling curtain-raiser, featuring two of baseball’s storied franchises.
The action continues the next day with the New York Yankees hosting the Tampa Bay Rays in the first Grapefruit League game, slated for Friday, February 21. Energetic and competitive play is expected as these two American League East rivals meet in their spring debut.
Full Schedule of Games
The opening weekend of spring training is packed with baseball, as all 30 teams will take the field for the first time on Saturday, February 22. Teams will also be back in action on Sunday, February 23, ensuring a full schedule for fans who have been yearning to see their favorite players return to the diamond.
Spring Breakout Series
A highlight of the spring training calendar is the Spring Breakout series, which showcases the top prospects from each organization. Scheduled to take place from March 13-15, this event allows fans and scouts alike to catch a glimpse of baseball's future stars as they compete head-to-head.
Special Inter-League Matchups
Exciting matchups await as the Atlanta Braves depart from Florida to take on the Cubs in Arizona for a special two-game series on March 24-25. This will provide a rare opportunity for fans on the west coast to see the Braves in action during spring training.
Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies will travel to Florida to face the Minnesota Twins on March 25, adding another layer of intrigue to the spring training schedule. These cross-league encounters not only diversify the competition but also offer a unique viewing experience for fans.
Annual Freeway Series
As spring training nears its conclusion, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels will renew their rivalry in the annual Freeway Series. The series will feature one game at Dodger Stadium and two at Angel Stadium, providing an early taste of this much-anticipated intra-city showdown.
Additional Late Spring Encounters
The Cleveland Guardians will head to Chase Field to face the Arizona Diamondbacks, while the Kansas City Royals will face off against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. These late-spring games present opportunities for final tuning before the regular season kicks off.
A Global Start to the Regular Season
The regular season will have a historic start, opening in Tokyo with a series between the Dodgers and the Cubs on March 18-19. This international fixture emphasizes Major League Baseball's growing global reach and offers fans in Japan a rare chance to see top-tier MLB action live. After the Tokyo games, both teams will return to the United States to resume their spring training schedules.
Finally, the stateside Opening Day is set for March 27, with all 30 teams slated to be in action. The comprehensive schedule promises an unforgettable start to the 2025 baseball season, replete with competitive matchups and historic firsts.
In essence, the 2025 spring training is poised to deliver a thrilling prelude to what promises to be an unforgettable MLB season. Whether it's the debut of future stars in the Spring Breakout series or the unique inter-league matchups, baseball fans have much to look forward to in the weeks leading up to Opening Day.