Rangers and Phillies Set for 2026 Opening Day Showdown Three days after Adolis García signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Phillies in mid-December, he reviewed the 2026 schedule and discovered the team would face the Rangers on Opening Day. García, who played for the Rangers from 2020 to 2025, helped the team win the 2023 World Series and was named ALCS MVP for his postseason heroics. “That’s something that I’m looking forward to,” García said through Phillies interpreter Diego D’Aniello. The Opening Day game will take place on Thursday, with the first pitch at 4:15 p.m. ET. In Philadelphia, fans can watch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia and listen on 94 WIP. Rangers fans in Texas will tune in via the Rangers Sports Network and hear the broadcast on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) for English and KFLC 1270 AM for Spanish. All out-of-market games will be available live or on demand in the U.S. through MLB.TV, with select international broadcasts also accessible. The starting pitchers for both teams will be key factors in the matchup. The Phillies will rely on left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, who posted a 13-5 record with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts during the 2025 season. Sánchez, a native of the Dominican Republic, will become the third non-U.S.-born pitcher in Phillies history to start an Opening Day game, joining Venezuelan Omar Daal (2001) and Canadian Oscar Judd (1946). The Phillies recently signed Sánchez to a six-year, $107 million contract, ensuring his presence through 2032. For the Rangers, right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound. Eovaldi, who had a 11-3 record with a 1.73 ERA in 22 starts in 2025, will be joined by co-ace Jacob deGrom for the home opener on April 3.#rangers #philies #adolis_garcia #diego_daniello #cristopher_sanchez
