Here’s what you need to know about the Orioles’ 2025 home opener against the Boston Red Sox.
First pitch: 3:05 p.m. Monday
Where: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Starting pitchers: Orioles LHP Cade Povich (3-9, 5.20 ERA in 2024) vs. Red Sox LHP Sean Newcomb (1-0, 6.30 ERA in 2024)
Weather forecast
Monday’s weather forecast raises alarm bells, as the National Weather Service calls for “showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m.” The forecasts gives a chance of precipitation at 80%, with a comfortable high temperature of 78 degrees. If the rain holds off, it’s an ideal temperature to take in a baseball game.
The current forecast anticipates the chance of rain lasting through midnight. The Orioles are off Tuesday, which could serve as a makeup date should Monday’s game be postponed. Tuesday’s forecast calls for sunny skies, although the temperature will be cooler at 60 degrees.
Pregame festivities
The Orioles announced that a “special pregame ceremony” will be hosted by broadcaster Kevin Brown. Home opener festivities within the ballpark begin 35 minutes before first pitch.
Among the planned festivities are as followed, according to the team:
- National anthem: Baltimore native and “American Idol” contestant Gabby Samone will sing the anthem.
- Flag drop: A 30-foot-by-42-foot flag from Fort McHenry will be lowered from the batter’s eye during the national anthem. The flag is a replica of the one that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
- Flyover: The national anthem concludes with a flyover by Maryland National Guard’s 104th Fighter Squadron of the 175th Wing. Fittingly, the group holds the nickname of the “Fightin’ O’s.
- Ceremonial “Play Ball”: Students from Harlem Park Elementary Middle School will yell the ceremonial “Play Ball” before the game.
- Giveaway: All fans in attendance receive an Orioles rally towel.
- Hot dog race: Ketchup, Mustard and Relish will race around the right field warning track and down the first base line in the middle of the fourth inning.
Gates to the venue open three hours before first pitch at noon, with parking lots opening at 11 a.m. The team encourages fans to be in their seats by 2:30 p.m. to see all the pregame events.
And here’s how to follow the game, for those who aren’t attending:
- TV: MASN
- Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
Road closures
Several road closures are planned for Monday, according to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation:
- Eutaw Street from Pratt to Camden Streets (closure starts at 1 p.m.)
- Camden Street from Howard to Russell Streets (closure starts at 1 p.m.)
- Hamburg Street from Russell to Leadenhall Streets (closure starts at 1 p.m.)
- Washington Boulevard from Paca to Greene Streets (closure starts at 10 a.m.)
- Emory Street from Dover to Portland Streets (closed 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Portland Street from Emory to Greene Streets (closed 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.)
- Hopkins Place from Pratt Street to Lombard Street (closed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Left lane closure of Russell Street from Eislen to Pratt Street (lane closure 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Additionally, the following parking restrictions will be in effect beginning at 10 a.m. Monday:
- East side of Greene Street from Lombard Street to Washington Boulevard
- East side of Eutaw Street from Pratt to Lombard Streets
- North side of Conway Street from Charles to Sharp Streets
Pregame reading
- Orioles mailbag: How much playing time should Heston Kjerstad receive?
- Orioles’ Adley Rutschman is ‘locked in.’ 2024 could be a footnote in a hurry. | ANALYSIS
- Orioles finalize 2025 opening day roster: Who made the cut?
- The Orioles have the oldest rotation in MLB. Is that a good thing? | ANALYSIS
- Kyle Gibson was open to retiring. Then the Orioles came calling.
- The lone rebuild survivor: Orioles’ Cedric Mullins still remembers where it all started
- Between hunting and baseball, Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez is always in-season
- Where will Orioles finish in 2025? Here’s what national experts predict.
- READERS RESPOND: Fans expect Orioles to win more games than projected
Have a news tip? Contact sports editor Tim Schwartz at timschwartz@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/timschwartz13.