GamesToWatch

Here are some dates to remember for the upcoming season:

OpeningDay: Thursday, March 27

NewYorkMetsatHoustonAstros: Juan Soto makes his Mets debut when they visit Jose Altuve and the Astros. Soto signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract in free agency, giving the Mets a boost after they made a surprising run to the NL Championship Series. He should help anchor a dangerous lineup for NewYork.The Astros traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in December, but they are well-positioned for another playo_ run after signing ChristianWalker in free agency.

SotoReturns: Friday, May 16

NewYorkMetsatNewYorkYankees:

Soto plays his rst game atYankee Stadium since signing with the Mets. Soto was traded from the Padres to theYankees in December 2023, and the four-time All-Star hit .288 with 41 homers and 109 RBIs in his lone season with the Bronx Bombers. After theYankees were spurned by Soto, the AL East champions bolstered their roster by adding Max Fried, DevinWilliams, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt.

Tito Returns: Monday, June 9

Cincinnati Reds at Cleveland Guardians: TerryFranconamanageshis rstgamebackinClevelandsincetaking overtheRedsinOctober.Franconawasin Cleveland’sdugoutfor11yearsbeforesteppingdownattheend ofthe2023seasonbecauseofhealthreasons.Afterhedeparted, StephenVogtdirectedtheGuardianstotheALCentraltitleand anappearanceintheALChampionshipSeries.Theformerbig leaguecatcherwasvotedALManageroftheYear.

All-Star Game: Tuesday, July 15

Atlanta’sTruist Park hosts the All-Star Game four years after the event was moved to Denver’s Coors Field over objections to changes in Georgia’s voting rights laws. Atlanta also hosted the 1972 Midsummer Classic at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and the 2000 All-Star Game atTurner Field.The AL has won 10 of 11 after a 5-3 victory over the NL in last year’s game atTexas.

SpeedwayClassic: Saturday, Aug. 2

Atlanta Braves at Cincinnati Reds: There will be some serious speed and power on hand when Elly De La Cruz and the Reds take on Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway inTennessee. An attendance record is a possibility at a venue that can t 146,000. De La Cruz had a major league-best 67 steals last year, to go along with 25 homers and 76 RBIs. Acuña is coming back after he missed most of last season because of a left knee injury. But Acuña joined the 40-40 club in 2023, hitting 41 homers and swiping a major leaguehigh 73 bags on his way to the NL MVP award.

BregmanIsBack: Monday, Aug. 11

BostonRedSoxatHoustonAstros: Alex Bregman returns to Houston when the Red Sox visit the Astros for the opener of a three-game series. Bregman spent his rst nine seasons with the Astros, winning twoWorld Series titles. The Gold Glove third baseman signed a $120 million, three-year contract with Boston in February.The Red Sox are expected to contend for the AL East title after they also acquired left-hander Garrett Crochet in a December trade with theWhite Sox.

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