What you need to know about Opening Day
The Phillies’ 2021 season is here. Second-year manager Joe Girardi’s club hosts the Atlanta Braves, the three-time defending National League East Division champions, in Thursday’s opener.
Here’s what you need to know:
Gameday details
First pitch: 3:05 p.m. Thursday at Citizens Bank Park
On the mound: Aaron Nola makes his fourth consecutive Opening-Day start. He’ll face Braves LHP Max Fried (7-0, 2.25 ERA in 2020)
Weather: 45 degrees and breezy (will feel like 37) at first pitch
Tickets
A limited number of single-game tickets are available (excluding Opening Day and Friday, according to phillies.com) for the first 19 games only (May 6 vs. Brewers). Tickets must be purchased in four-seat pods as part of social distancing measures. As of Wednesday afternoon, the cheapest Opening Day ticket on StubHub was $54.
How to watch/listen/follow along
TV: NBC-10, MLB.TV
Radio: 94-WIP FM
What’s new
Alec Bohm makes his first Opening-Day start after bursting onto the scene in mid-August during the abbreviated 2020 season . ... Newcomers Chase Anderson and
Matt Moore make up the back two-fifths of the starting rotation . ... Roman Quinn, who was battling for a roster spot until the final days of spring training, is expected to start in center field, though that position will likely be a platoon situation most of the year with Adam Haseley and, perhaps later this season, with Scott Kingery or Odubel Herrera — both of whom start 2021 at the Phillies’ alternate site in Lehigh Valley . ... First-year GM
Dave Dombrowski revamped the Phils’ bullpen, which was historically bad in 2020. Veterans Brandon Kintzler, Archie Bradley, Sam Coonrod and Jose Alvarado were brought in. Alvarado is the only bullpen lefty to start this season. Connor Brogdon, who had two polar-opposite stints with Philadelphia in 2020, also is part of this year’s pen. Hector Neris is the closer to start the year.
Pregame warm-up
10 a.m., Phillies team store opens; 2:05 p.m., all gates open (all fans receive an Opening-Day rally towel); 2:38, Braves introductions; 2:44, Phillies introductions; 2:53, Frontline heroes recognition; 2:54, moment of silence;
2:55, national anthem by Kane Kalas, son of Phillies’ late broadcaster Harry Kalas; 2:59, ceremonial first pitch by West Chester 11-year-old Ellen Salone in honor Nemours Children’s Health System.
Safety guidelines
All fans, ages 2 and older, must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times on ballpark property, other than when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats . ... Fans are prohibited from bringing bags and backpacks to the ballpark. Only single-compartment purses, medical bags and diaper bags are permitted. Approved bags can be no larger than 16” x 16” x 8” and are subject to inspection . ... There are contactless and cashless payments across all points of sale locations . ... Ticketing is 100% mobile through the MLB Ballpark App . ... Each game ticket includes the entrance gate that allows easy access into the ballpark. Parking passes are also accessible through the MLB Ballpark App . ... Tailgating is not allowed . ... Six feet of social distancing is required. There are visual markers and game-day staff monitoring it.
Social media
For updates check out Citizens Bank Park on Twitter @PhilliesCBP and Facebook Facebook.com/CitizensBankPark