Guardians home opener: Everything you need to know
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José Ramírez and the Guardians are set for their home opener. Photo: Michael Owens/MLB Photos via Getty Images
More than 30,000 baseball fans are expected to brave historically cold weather for the Guardians' home opener Tuesday afternoon against the Chicago White Sox.
Why it matters: The first home game is a rite of passage for Cleveland sports fans dating back to the late 1800s.
- It's part of what should be a lively spring downtown with the Cavaliers in the playoffs and new nearby bars opening.
State of play: The Guardians are off to a slow start this season with a 3-6 record.
- This week's home stand is a chance to right the ship against the White Sox, arguably the worst team in baseball.
Tuesday's game is scheduled to start at 4:10pm. Pregame festivities kick off at 3:30pm.
- Jack Sawyer, defensive end for the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, will throw the ceremonial first pitch to Steve Colavito, son of Cleveland baseball legend Rocky Colavito, who passed away in December.
- The game ball will be delivered to the mound by the grandson of Larry Dolan, the team owner who died in February.
- The Cleveland Orchestra's string section will perform the national anthem.
Flashback: Tuesday also marks the 50th anniversary of Frank Robinson becoming the first Black manager in Major League Baseball history as player/manager for the Indians at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
- Robinson's widow and daughter will deliver the lineup card before Tuesday's game.
Between the lines: Fans could face record-low temperatures in the low 30s around start time.
- The record for the lowest temperature during a home opener was 34 degrees in 2016.
Progressive Field will continue to unveil its ongoing renovations this season.
Catch up quick: The Guardians announced the $435 million "Progressive Field Reimagined" project back in 2023.
- Last season saw new blue seating in the ballpark's lower bowl, as well as the construction of open-air spaces for fans in right and left fields.
The latest: This season's renovations include upgrades to left field's Terrace District, which now houses an upstairs beer hall and a downstairs social club with rentable lounge space.
Dig in: The Terrace District also has new food options like the "Big Mozz" mozzarella stick sandwich, a fried bologna sandwich and a smoked turkey leg drumstick.
- The new Guardian Burger, courtesy of Gunselman's Tavern, will be available at the burger stand in section 175.
- The Market Garden Stand in section 133 has a spicy pepperoni flatbread, while the CLE Steak Stand in section 113 has a "Best Damn Cheesesteak" cooked up by Black Box Fix in Legacy Village.
💭 Troy's thought bubble: I can't wait to try the Guardian Burger.
- I live close to Gunselman's, which has one of the best burgers I've ever tasted in Northeast Ohio.
Where and how to watch
The big picture: As things warm up this season, so will downtown. The first-place Cavaliers begin their playoff run in less than two weeks at Rocket Arena.
- Two new bars — the country-themed Jolene's Honky Tonk and outdoor venue The Dugout — are set to open later this spring on East 4th Street.
- The Dugout will be part of DORA Park, East 4th's new designated outdoor refreshment area.
- Another sports bar, The Stadium, is now open on nearby Bolivar Road.
If you go: Tickets for the home opener are still available starting at $62.
- The game will air on Guardians TV, which is available on Cox, AT&T, DirecTV, Spectrum and Fubo.