Tigers Open 2026 Season Against Padres with Skubal on the Mound

The Detroit Tigers begin their 2026 campaign on Thursday afternoon against the San Diego Padres, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET at Petco Park.

Skubal vs. Pivetta in Opening Day Matchup

Tarik Skubal will accept the mound for the Tigers, marking his third consecutive Opening Day start. He will be facing Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta. Bless You Boys reports that Skubal and Pivetta have 0-0 records and 0.00 ERAs entering the game.

Tigers Aim for Postseason Return

After finishing with an 87-75 record in 2025, narrowly missing the American League Central crown, the Tigers are looking to make a deeper playoff run in 2026. The Padres ended the 2025 regular season with more wins than the Tigers, finishing three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Key Players to Watch

The Tigers will be relying on ace Tarik Skubal, a back-to-back Cy Young winner, to lead the pitching staff. Go Blue Detroit highlights Skubal’s dominant 2025 campaign, where he posted a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts. Rookie Kevin McGonigle will likewise be making his debut, earning an Opening Day start at shortstop.

Broadcast Information

The game will be broadcast on Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, and the Tigers Radio Network. Detroit SportsNet is available on Comcast/Xfinity (Channel 1253), Charter/Spectrum (Channel 213 in most Michigan markets, 291 in Livonia, 436 on the Spectrum app), and DirecTV (Channel 663). Streaming options are available for $19.99 per month or $189.99 annually.

Betting Odds

As of March 26, 2026, the Tigers are favored at -130 on the moneyline, with a spread of -1.5 (+135). The over/under is set at 7 (-104).