OPENING DAY MOVED UP FOR 2019

Major League Baseball said all 30 teams will play March 28, 2019, the earliest opening day in history, excluding international openers. The previous earliest opening day was March 29 of this year.

MLB released the 2019 schedule Wednesday. It will begin with the Japan opening series between the Seattle Mariners and host Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome on March 20 and 21. The 2019 season will be the second under the scheduling format agreed to as part of the 201721 basic agreement. That format adds an additional weekend at the beginning of the season and gives each team three to four additional off days throughout the season to provide added rest and opportunities for rescheduling.

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will play the first MLB games in Europe June 29 and 30 in London.