Contrasting Styles: The Brewers rely on speed, defense (2024 Team Gold Glove winners), and run prevention, while the Yankees boast a powerful lineup that led the Majors in home runs last season.
Pitching Matchup: Brewers' RHP Freddy Peralta (11-9, 3.68 ERA in 2024) faces Yankees' LHP Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.69 ERA in 2024), who steps in for the injured ace Gerrit Cole. Peralta has never faced the Yankees before.
Injury Woes: Both teams are navigating significant injuries. The Yankees are without Gerrit Cole (season), Luis Gil (3+ months), Giancarlo Stanton (indefinite), and DJ LeMahieu. The Brewers are missing closer Devin Williams, starters Brandon Woodruff and Aaron Ashby, among others.
Historical Context: This is the fourth Opening Day meeting between the former AL rivals, with the last occurring in 1979. The Brewers won two of the previous three matchups.
Why This Matters: This game sets the tone for two division contenders, immediately testing their roster depth and adaptability in the face of key absences. It's an early look at how these playoff hopefuls handle adversity.
The Milwaukee Brewers captured the NL Central title in 2024 (93-69) for the third time in four years, building success on strong defense, speed on the basepaths, and effective pitching. They aim to continue this formula despite losing closer Devin Williams to injury early on.
The New York Yankees won the AL East (94-68) fueled by a potent offense that hit 237 home runs in 2024. They face a challenge compensating for major pitching injuries, relying on their bats to carry them early in the season.
Freddy Peralta (MIL): Coming off consecutive 200+ strikeout seasons and a career-high in innings pitched (173.2), Peralta aims to stabilize the Brewers' injury-hit rotation. He delivered a strong Opening Day performance against the Mets last year and looks to replicate that success in his first career start against the Yankees.
Carlos Rodón (NYY): Filling the Opening Day role due to Gerrit Cole's season-ending injury, Rodón seeks to build on a solid 2024 (16 wins, 32 starts). He has a decent track record against the Brewers (1-1, 2.65 ERA in 4 starts).
*Note: Lineups are projections based on source information and manager comments; the Yankees lineup listed in one source includes players not currently on their roster (Bellinger, Goldschmidt, Chisholm Jr.) and may differ significantly on game day.*
Brewers (vs. LHP Rodón):
Jackson Chourio, RF
William Contreras, C
Christian Yelich, LF
Rhys Hoskins, 1B
Joey Ortiz, SS
Eric Haase, DH
Sal Frelick, CF
Vinny Capra, 3B
Brice Turang, 2B
Yankees (Potential lineup vs RHP, source discrepancy noted):
Austin Wells, C
Aaron Judge, RF
Cody Bellinger, CF
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
Anthony Volpe, SS
Jasson Domínguez, LF
Ben Rice, DH
Oswaldo Cabrera, 3B
With Brewers closer Devin Williams injured, Trevor Megill (20 saves in Williams' absence last year) is expected to handle the 9th inning. Joel Payamps, Jared Koenig, and Bryan Hudson figure to be key setup men. Abner Uribe is unavailable due to suspension.
For the Yankees, Clay Holmes remains the established closer. *Note: One source confusingly mentioned Devin Williams taking over closing duties for the Yankees; this appears incorrect as Williams is the injured Brewers closer.* Luke Weaver is expected to handle setup duties, with Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Mark Leiter Jr. providing middle-inning support.
Both teams are significantly hampered:
Yankees: Losing ace Gerrit Cole for the season is a massive blow. Missing Luis Gil weakens rotation depth further. Giancarlo Stanton's absence removes a major power threat, and DJ LeMahieu's injury forces lineup shuffles at third base. This puts immense pressure on the offense and remaining pitchers.
Brewers: The loss of closer Devin Williams creates uncertainty at the back end of the bullpen. Injuries to starters Ashby, Myers, Hall, Woodruff, and Gasser severely test their pitching depth from the outset. Brice Turang's shoulder issue could impact their infield defense.
Hot: Brewers' Jackson Chourio (stellar spring), Rhys Hoskins (power display), and Vinny Capra (surprise power). Yankees' Cody Bellinger* (if playing, hot spring), Austin Wells, and Ben Rice also impressed in camp.
Needs a Spark: Yankees captain Aaron Judge looks to rebound from a slow spring (.129 avg).
Q: When and where is the game?
A: The game is on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, at 3:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Q: Who are the starting pitchers?
A: Right-hander Freddy Peralta will start for the Brewers, while left-hander Carlos Rodón gets the nod for the Yankees.
Q: How can I watch the Brewers vs. Yankees game?
A: The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. It will also air on regional networks (YES Network, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin) and radio (Brewers Radio Network, WFAN). Out-of-market viewers can use MLB.TV (available here), and streaming options like FuboTV (check options here) may carry the relevant channels.
Expect a classic matchup contrast: Milwaukee's speed and defense against New York's power hitting.
Both teams face significant pitching injuries, making bullpen performance and starter stamina crucial.
Keep an eye on how key players like Aaron Judge start the season and how new or young players fill roster gaps.
For those interested, betting odds (per CBSSports) currently favor the Yankees (-153) at home, with an over/under of 8 runs.
Which team do you think has the edge despite the injuries? Let us know in the comments below!
Share this article with fellow baseball fans gearing up for Opening Day!
MLB.com: Opening Day FAQ: Brewers vs. Yankees
CBSSports.com: Yankees vs. Brewers odds, line, prediction, time
Yahoo Sports: How to watch MLB Opening Day 2025
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