With both the Blue Jays and Orioles staring down a long season in the stacked American League East, Opening Day is their shot to hit the ground running.
José Berríos will make his third Opening Day start with the Blue Jays (and fifth of his career), while the O’s will turn to Zach Eflin for his second consecutive season-opening nod after he took the ball on Opening Day for the Rays last season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the pitching matchup set for 3:07 p.m. ET on March 27:
RHP Zach Eflin
Previous Opening Day starts: 2024
2024 season: 10-9, 3.59 ERA in 28 starts
Eflin will be making an Opening Day start vs. the Blue Jays for the second consecutive season. Last year, the right-hander got the assignment for Tampa Bay and allowed six runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Toronto at Tropicana Field.
This time, the 30-year-old Eflin will be pitching on Opening Day for the Orioles, who acquired the Orlando native in a trade with the Rays last July 26. He pitched well for Baltimore down the stretch, recording a 2.60 ERA in nine starts following the move.
Now that Eflin has pitched a season opener before, he better knows how to handle the excitement and anxiousness that come with pitching amid the pageantry of Opening Day.
“It’s just a special day, honestly. There’s just a buzz around the stadium that day,” Eflin said. “There’s a buzz in Spring Training leading up to Opening Day, and to be able to take the ball on that day and lead the team into battle -- a 162-game battle -- it’s an honor. It truly is. It’s a blessing.
“I’m very humbled to be able to do it now for the second time. I don’t take that lightly. Just very, very appreciative.”
The O’s are counting on Eflin to be an anchor for their rotation, especially early in the season. Corbin Burnes, who was the team’s ace in 2024, signed a six-year, $210 million deal with the D-backs in December. Grayson Rodriguez, who was another candidate for the Opening Day assignment, will begin the season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
RHP José Berríos
Previous Opening Day starts: 4 (2024, ‘22, ’20 and ’19)
2024 season: 16-11, 3.60 ERA in 32 starts
Berríos has been a model of consistency for his entire career, and now that his outlier 2022 season is fading in the rearview mirror, he’s once again established himself as one of the most reliable pitcher in Major League Baseball.
The Blue Jays made Berríos their Opening Day starter a year ago and he delivered another excellent season, which made this decision an easy one.
This organization isn’t short on options, though. Kevin Gausman has looked great in camp and would be the Opening Day starter on plenty of teams in this league. Chris Bassitt is another option and Max Scherzer -- en route to the Hall of Fame with this stop in Toronto -- has stood on that stage many times. It’s one of the reasons why this moment means so much to Berríos.
“Sometimes, I don’t know how this happened,” Berríos said. “I know it’s because God wanted it, and that’s the way I see it. This is a solid and amazing pitching rotation. We have a lot of veterans. We have a lot of good talent. They all have the chance to pitch that day, but God chose me to throw that day. I take that with a lot of pride and honor, but also a respect for my teammates, knowing they’ve got my back. I have to go out there and do my best.”
Still just 30 years old, “La Makina” represents the best of the Blue Jays, on and off the field, and has earned respect around the league for his consistency. Now, in a major season for this organization and its future, Berríos is taking the lead again.