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 Yankees at Rays at 1 p.m. ET (ESPN), followed by the Giants at 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 AL champion Cleveland Indians will open at Texas against the Rangers as one of four Monday games on ESPN's networks.