The 3 Biggest Series During the MLB.TV Free Preview, March 26–April 2
As the 2026 MLB season gets underway, here are three of the best series to watch during the MLB.TV free preview from July March 26–April 2!
For baseball fans, there are few words more exhilarating than hearing the umpire cry out “Play Ball!” That feeling is only amplified ahead of the first pitch of the first game of the season. In certain corners of the sports world (and 30 urban corridors in North America), Opening Day is an unofficial holiday, as much an excuse to celebrate the end of winter as the beginning of the MLB season.
In honor of this rite of Spring, MLB.TV will be in free preview for all Sling subscribers – including those who purchase a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass – from Opening Day on March 26 through the following Thursday, April 2. Although not every team plays on Opening Day, all 30 will play at least one full series during the free preview, so you can get an early scouting report on your team’s budding stars…and which rival players you’ll want to jeer when they come to town.
As a reminder, MLB.TV offers MLB fans access to up to 90 out-of-market games per week, making it the perfect solution for fans who moved away but want to follow the team they grew up cheering for. Here’s a look at three series we’re especially excited for during the MLB.TV free preview from March 26-April 2. To subscribe to MLB.TV with Sling, use the link below!
Pirates at Mets
https://youtu.be/LnXQ0atidfE?si=C-GQHXWc2bku35KT
Thursday, March 26 - 1:15pm ET (NBC)
Saturday, March 28 - 4:10pm ET
Sunday, March 29 - 1:40pm ET
The opening series between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field should provide a pulse-pounding start to the 2026 season. Having moved on from franchise mainstays like Pete Alonso, the Mets enter the year with a completely overhauled roster designed to fix last year's rotation and scoring struggles, with Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto at its core. Meanwhile, the Pirates are aiming for their first postseason appearance since 2015 after acquiring veterans like Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna to boost a hitting lineup that struggled heavily to score last year.
This matchup is star-studded, featuring seven of the top 15 trending players in baseball. The Mets showcase new additions like third baseman Bo Bichette and starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, while the Pirates squad is led by reigning National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes second baseman Lowe, outfielder Tommy Pham, and center fielder Oneil Cruz.
The pitching matchups for the entire series are now officially set. Game 1 on March 26 features a heavyweight clash between Skenes and Peralta. Continuing the series, the March 28 game will feature veteran Mitch Keller facing off against David Peterson, and the March 29 series finale will highlight Carmen Mlodzinski taking on Nolan McLean.
In terms of each team’s long-term forecast, the Mets are the favorites to win the NL East, and have the fourth-best odds to win the World Series (+1300). Despite all their new acquisitions, the Pirates have the fourth-longest odds to win the NL Central, trailing the Reds, Brewers, and Cubs. But at +600 odds and with one of the best pitching staffs in the NL, it might be worth taking a flier on the Pirates to win the division.
Diamondbacks at Dodgers
https://youtu.be/B9KFI3_u4dw?si=BQ6K2FZMkaxxcX5E
Thursday, March 26 - 8:30pm ET (NBC)
Friday, March 27 - 10:10pm ET
Saturday, March 28 - 9:10pm ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers open their 2026 campaign hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, embarking on a quest to become the first team to win three consecutive World Series titles since the 2000 New York Yankees. Their NL West rival Diamondbacks arrive in Los Angeles looking to rebound and return to October baseball after missing the postseason in back-to-back years following their 2023 World Series appearance.
Los Angeles enters the year with a historically formidable roster. They are headlined by Shohei Ohtani, who returns to his two-way phenom status for a full season, and the massive offseason additions of superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker and record-setting closer Edwin Díaz (the trumpets have already been sounded). Despite this firepower, the Dodgers' pitching depth will be tested immediately, the same issue they had last season. High-profile arms like Blake Snell, Evan Phillips, Bobby Miller, and Brusdar Graterol will all begin the season on the injured list.
Arizona faces equally daunting injury hurdles right out of the gate. Their prized offseason signing, former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, is sidelined on the 60-day injured list following right elbow surgery, and veteran starter Merrill Kelly is also out with a back injury. This early attrition places an immense burden on the rest of Arizona's rotation to contain the Dodgers' powerhouse lineup. Offensively, the Diamondbacks will rely heavily on the star trio of Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Geraldo Perdomo to keep pace in what could be a challenging road series.
The pitching matchups for the series highlight the remaining frontline depth for both squads. The action kicks off on March 26 with an Opening Day clash between Arizona's Zac Gallen and Los Angeles's Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The three-game set will continue with Ryne Nelson taking the mound against Emmet Sheehan, followed by a series finale featuring left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez going head-to-head with Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow.
Royals at Braves
https://youtu.be/ODSKbPkk1Xw?si=BmDkf_uFXrFwEawf
Friday, March 26 - 7:15pm ET
Saturday, March 27 - 7:15pm ET
Sunday, March 28 - 1:35pm ET
The Kansas City Royals visit Truist Park to take on the Atlanta Braves in a highly anticipated interleague showdown to kick off the 2026 season. Both teams enter the year with great expectations but vastly different offseason narratives.
The Royals arrive as a rising powerhouse and a trendy pick by analysts to win the American League Central. Their core is riding high after a spectacular showing at the World Baseball Classic, where veteran captain Salvador Perez and WBC MVP Maikel Garcia helped lead Venezuela to a championship. They are anchored by AL MVP favorite Bobby Witt Jr., who is chasing a third consecutive season leading the majors in hits. With Kauffman Stadium's outfield fences moved in 10 feet this offseason, this dynamic Royals lineup—bolstered by veteran acquisition Lane Thomas—is primed for a serious offensive surge.
The Braves, meanwhile, are looking to rebound from a frustrating 2025 campaign where they finished 10 games below .500 and missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years. Atlanta will be guided by new manager Walt Weiss, who is taking over after longtime skipper Brian Snitker stepped down. Despite retaining a dangerous core featuring Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson, the Braves have been battered by spring training injuries, losing key rotation arms like Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach. They also signed shortstop Ha-Seong Kim to a one-year, $20 million deal, though he'll miss the first month of the season after tearing a tendon slipping on ice.
The pitching matchups present a fascinating contrast to start the year. Game 1 features a stellar left-handed Opening Day duel between Kansas City's Cole Ragans and Atlanta's veteran ace Chris Sale. Game 2 will see Michael Wacha face off against Reynaldo Lopez, while the series finale pits Seth Lugo against a currently undecided Braves starter.
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