The journey for an American League Central title begins at 4:10 p.m. ET (3:10 CT) on March 27. The reigning division champion Guardians will open the season at Kauffman Stadium against the Royals, a team vying to unseat Cleveland this year.

Despite the Guardians finishing the 2024 season with a strong lead in the division, winning by 6 1/2 games, the series between these two teams was much closer. The Royals held the series advantage, 8-5.

“There are four teams in the division that expect to be contending for the division title, and we're hopeful that we can be in that mix,” Guardians president Chris Antonetti said. “But we know we've got our work cut out for us because there’s talented young teams that are on the upswing.”

Kansas City’s rotation, which had the second-best ERA in baseball (3.55) last year, returns most of its key pieces, including Opening Day starter Cole Ragans and AL Cy Young runner-up Seth Lugo. But Cleveland, which will turn to Tanner Bibee in the opener, strengthened its starting staff this offseason and has many of the same relievers that turned into the best bullpen last year with a 2.57 ERA.

• Opening Day starters: Who's getting the call?

“The next step is to win the division,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said. “We had a taste of the postseason. We won a series. Why not win the division and maybe get a bye? I think this team is good enough to be one of the top two teams in the AL.

“I think we’ve got a really good opportunity in front of us in a tough division.”

There’s no greater opportunity than taking home a win on Day 1. Here's who is tagged with setting the tone on Opening Day:

Guardians: RHP Tanner Bibee
Previous Opening Day starts: 0
2024 season: 12-8, 31 starts, 3.47 ERA, 173 2/3 innings, 187 strikeouts, 1.12 WHIP

The Guardians needed someone in their rotation to step up last season after ace Shane Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery following his second start. Bibee answered the bell, and after emerging as an anchor atop Cleveland’s rotation in 2024, the 26-year-old was the clear choice to open the ’25 campaign.

Bibee will join great company in franchise history when he takes the ball next Thursday in Kansas City. Since 2015, just two Cleveland pitchers have started on Opening Day: Corey Kluber (’15-19) and Bieber (’20-24), who’s continuing to work his way back from Tommy John surgery.

After finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2023, Bibee’s progression in ‘24 included leading the Guardians in starts and innings. He got off to a slow start and carried a 4.91 ERA in 40 1/3 innings after eight outings. Over his final 23, he recorded a 3.04 ERA in 133 1/3 innings.

“You knew on Bibee start day, he was going to give you six strong innings-plus,” associate manager Craig Albernaz said this month.

Bibee’s step forward last season, after his strong rookie campaign, went beyond counting stats. Those with the Guardians have also lauded the growth he showed in the mental and emotional side of the game. It’s something Bibee also recognized recently when reflecting on his second season.

“The growth for him and his response to failure is what's making him into a bona fide ace in this league,” catcher Austin Hedges said this month.

The Guardians have brought Bibee along methodically this spring, staying mindful of the workload he took on last year. He set new career highs (for any professional level) in starts and innings pitched. He has made only two Cactus League starts so far but has pitched nine scoreless innings with just three hits allowed.

Royals: LHP Cole Ragans
Previous Opening Days starts: 1
2024 season: 11-9, 32 starts, 3.14 ERA, 186 1/3 innings, 223 strikeouts, 1.143 WHIP

There is no surprise in this pick, as the Royals have built their rotation for now and in the future around their young lefty. Ragans, 27, finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting in 2024 following a season in which he ranked eighth in ERA, seventh in innings and second in strikeouts. He became the first Royals left-hander to record 200 strikeouts in a single season and the fifth overall.

Ragans started the Royals’ first postseason game in nine years when he took the ball for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, and he responded to that honor by spinning six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. Ragans struck out five in four innings in the AL Division Series against the Yankees while allowing one run.

From when the Royals acquired Ragans at the Trade Deadline in 2023, he has grown from an intriguing young starter with years of control to the Royals’ ace. After posting a 2.64 ERA in the second half of ‘23, Ragans was given the Opening Day nod in ‘24. The Royals signed him to a new contract this spring, buying out one pre-arbitration season and two arb years. That leaves Ragans with one arbitration season in 2028 before becoming a free agent. And the Royals are certainly open to an extension discussion.

But first, he’s taking the ball for them on March 27, looking to guide a team with much higher expectations. Ragans only made two starts against Cleveland last year but allowed six earned runs in 8 2/3 innings against a tough lineup. He struck out 10 and walked five. Jhonkensy Noel hit the Guardians’ only homer against Ragans last year, a controversial blast in a game where he struggled with command. His other start came on Aug. 26, when the Guardians made him work for four innings, but the Royals won that game and the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep.