2026 MLB Opening Day winners and losers: Rookies make a mark in debuts, a home run streak dies and more

Key Points:

• Major League Baseball's 2026 Opening Day featured 11 games with notable pitching matchups, home runs, and a mix of close contests and blowouts, highlighted by the Yankees' shutout win over the Giants on Wednesday.
• Several MLB debutants impressed on Opening Day, including Mets' Carson Benge, Tigers' Kevin McGonigle, Phillies' Justin Crawford, Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt, and White Sox's Munetaka Murakami, collectively showcasing strong offensive performances and signaling a bright future for the league.
• Pirates' center fielder Oneil Cruz had a difficult day defensively with two significant misplays and three strikeouts, overshadowing his first at-bat hit and contributing to a challenging start to the season.
• Brewers' pitcher Jacob Misiorowski set a franchise Opening Day record with 11 strikeouts in five innings, becoming the youngest pitcher since 2007 to record double-digit strikeouts on Opening Day, helping Milwaukee dominate the White Sox.
• The new ABS challenge system saw a 62% success rate for players challenging calls, indicating struggles for home plate umpires who were overturned more than half the time during the first full day of its use.