Monday MLB Slate: First-Inning Matchups Worth Watching as Cubs, Mets, and Rangers Take the Field

Monday's MLB card is loaded with storylines, and with a first pitch arriving as early as 4:10 p.m. ET, there's no shortage of angles to consider across the afternoon and evening slate. Three matchups in particular stand out for what happens before the second inning even begins.

Chicago Cubs at Philadelphia Phillies — 6:40 p.m. ET

The Cubs and Phillies open a three-game series Monday night with Javier Assad toeing the rubber for Chicago against Cristopher Sanchez for Philadelphia. Despite a projected total of 8.0 runs suggesting a high-scoring affair, the individual track records of both starters point toward a quiet opening frame.

Assad has been sharp early in games throughout his career, posting a 3.60 ERA in first innings and holding opposing hitters to just a .160 average when runners reach scoring position. Through his lone outing this season, he threw 5.2 shutout innings without allowing more than one hit. Last year's opening-frame sample told a similar story — one earned run across seven starts, with a 1.29 ERA and a .192 batting average against in the first inning.

On the other side, Sanchez had a rough last outing against the Giants, surrendering 11 hits over five frames. But his overall numbers remain compelling. In his first two starts of the season against the Rangers and Nationals, he allowed just one earned run across 11.1 innings while striking out 17. His 2025 first-inning ERA across 32 such frames was a tidy 1.69 with a .191 average against. The Cubs add to the favorable picture — Chicago is producing the sixth-fewest first-inning runs per road game this season at just 0.17, and they carry a 27.8% strikeout rate and weak .302 wOBA against left-handed pitching.

Texas Rangers at Athletics — 9:40 p.m. ET

The late game on the West Coast features two veteran arms with something to prove. Nathan Eovaldi lines up for Texas against Luis Severino for Oakland in an AL West series opener, and both pitchers are attempting to rebuild momentum after difficult early-season stretches.

Eovaldi was dominant in 2025, posting a career-best 1.73 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over 22 starts — numbers that drew widespread admiration across the league. This season, however, the 35-year-old right-hander opened with a pair of road starts in which he surrendered runs at an alarming rate, posting an 11.42 ERA and 3.1 home runs per nine innings against Philadelphia and Baltimore. He appeared to find better footing in his most recent outing, however, delivering a quality start against Seattle at home.

The pitching storylines, the contrasting venue splits, and the late start time make this one a fascinating watch for baseball observers regardless of which side of the first-inning ledger they find themselves on.

Mets at Dodgers

The Monday evening showdown between New York and Los Angeles rounds out a compelling set of games that will keep fans engaged from coast to coast. With both clubs carrying high expectations this season, even the opening frames of their matchup carry dramatic weight.

Monday's MLB slate is a reminder of why the early innings in baseball can be just as dramatic as the final out. When elite arms take the mound in meaningful matchups, the first pitch sets the tone for everything that follows.