As baseball enthusiasts dust off their gloves and pretend to care about their fantasy teams, MLB Opening Day 2025 kicks off with 28 out of 30 teams, despite the New York Yankees starting their season with a full hospital ward.

As the Yankees prepare to face the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium with a whopping 11 players on the injured list, baseball fans across the country are left to wonder if they're watching a game or a medical drama. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to flex their muscles after beefing up their roster in the offseason, and the rest of MLB’s teams are ready to take the field for what promises to be an action-packed Opening Day, kicking off at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Opening Day traditionally represents hope and renewal, yet this year, it also seems to feature fewer bats and more crutches. The Yankees fans are gearing up for a celebration while simultaneously wondering which player will rise to the occasion, as the team's ace Gerrit Cole will not be available this season. Meanwhile, Carlos Rodon will take the mound for New York, perhaps feeling the weight of 11 absent teammates on his shoulders—or was that just his new shoulder pad?

On the other side of the diamond, Freddy Peralta will attempt to guide the Brewers through the chaos, probably considering whether to pitch a fastball or a prayer. The matchup could easily be dubbed 'Overcoming Obstacles,' a testament to both Rodon’s determination and the ever-mysterious world of MLB injuries.

As fans ooze into the stadium, likely distracted by the array of overpriced hot dogs and team paraphernalia, they will also have their eyes peeled for other spicy Opening Day matchups. In particular, the Boston Red Sox will be facing off against the Texas Rangers while the Cleveland Guardians tussle with the Kansas City Royals. And, of course, the New York Mets' clash with the Houston Astros promises to deliver the drama fans have come to expect, sans the hospital gown.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, remain in a league of their own. Having fortified their roster during the offseason, fans are left to ponder whether their strengthened lineup will lead them to success. Their determination to repeat as champions makes them a narrative of interest—and whispers of intimidation waft softly through the league. "We’re taking it one game at a time," their coach might say, or perhaps, "Now that we’ve stacked the team, we’re just seeing how many runs we can amass before taking a nap."

As the first pitches sail through the air, it won’t just be the teams battling each other; opening day is a time for fans to wrestle with their own hopes and dreams, especially for those who enter with unrealistic expectations about their fantasy league standings. Teams stray from last season's blunders with the optimism only a new season can bring—until three games in, when the reality of the sport becomes evident.

So as 3:05 p.m. ET strikes, a sense of urgency will fill the air. After all, that’s the magic moment when a small boy's dream can collide with the reality of a player hitting the disabled list before one even has a chance to fill out their brackets. For the Yankees, this season might just mean they need to deal with significant injuries, including missing their ace, Gerrit Cole, but hey, every game is an opportunity for a comeback. And who knows? With such a unique roster situation, the Yankees are faced with challenges as they begin the season.

Opening Day meansn't just baseball; it also signifies the commencement of endless statistics, sunburnt fans, and perhaps a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of the corporate healthcare system as it relates to sports injuries. As crowds gather and hopes soar, perhaps the true champions of the day will be those who manage to escape the inevitable Twitter debates about whether the designated hitter should be allowed in both leagues or about players’ performance in the first few games. But, with so much baseball to enjoy, perhaps the best thing fans can do is loosen up that neck tie and dig into a plate of nachos—after all, it’s going to be a long season ahead.