MLB Opening Day forecasts: What to expect for games taking place in the northeastern US

By Amanda Schmidt, AccuWeather staff writer

Spring has finally arrived, bringing with it warmer weather and blooming flowers for some. For others, the first days of spring were marred by a storm that brought snow, strong winds and rain.

For sports fans, spring's return means one thing: the official start of baseball season.

Major League Baseball's (MLB) Opening Day is on Thursday, March 28, the earliest opening day for baseball ever held in the United States. Weather in the Northeast in late March can be very unsettled, so with that in mind, here's a look at several forecasts for games in that region for Opening Day 2019.

New York Mets starting pitcher Arquimedes Caminero (48) delivers during an exhibition spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, March 7, 2019, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

New York Mets at Washington Nationals -- Thursday, March 28, at 1:05 p.m. EDT

The New York Mets will travel to Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., to face the Washington Nationals on Thursday early afternoon.

The weather will be comfortable with a partly to mostly sunny sky along with temperatures in the low 60s F, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Bill Deger.

A south wind around 10 mph is expected during most of the game. The wind will blow out toward left-center field at Nationals Park, which could be to the advantage of right-handed hitters.

“Most fans will be comfortable with a sweatshirt or light jacket, and perhaps not even that, given the forecast temperatures are among the warmest readings so far this spring,” Deger said.

Both Mets and Nats fans will likely be comfortable with the weather and their respective starting pitchers. Reigning National League Cy Young winner Jacob DeGrom toes the rubber for the Mets, while 2018 MLB strikeout leader Max Scherzer will do the same for the Nats. 

New York Yankees' Thairo Estrada, right, is tagged out by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Richie Martin as he tries to steal second base in the first inning of a spring training baseball game Sunday, March 17, 2019, in Sarasota, Fla. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees -- Thursday, March 28, at 1:05 p.m. EDT

The New York Yankees will host the Baltimore Orioles for Opening Day at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx on Thursday afternoon.

Fans will be greeted by a partly sunny sky and temperatures that are a bit low and will fluctuate between 50 F and 55 F during most of the game, according to Deger.

A light wind will be blowing from the south to southwest at around 10 mph, which will blow out to the left field foul pole -- nice home run conditions for a stadium with a notoriously short porch in right field.

“Fans will want to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt for the game with AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures in the upper 40s throughout most of the game,” Deger said.

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Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper high-fives teammates after being taken out during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Clearwater, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies -- Thursday, March 28, at 3:05 p.m. EDT

The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies will face off at Citizens Bank Park in south Philadelphia for Opening Day, as superstar outfielder Bryce Harper makes his Philly debut.

Fans can expect sunny and comfortably cool weather in in the City of Brotherly Love, with temperatures steady in the upper 50s F throughout most of the game.

Winds will be out of the south at 8 to 12 mph during the game, meaning it will blowing out to left field at Citizens Bank Park, which could benefit Phillies right-handed slugger Rhys Hoskins.

Most fans taking in the action should be comfortable with a sweatshirt or light jacket for Opening Day, Deger said.

Pittsburgh Pirates' Pablo Reyes hits a double off Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Jackson Stephens in the 10th inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds -- Thursday, March 28, at 4:10 p.m. EDT

To kick off the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates will travel to the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati to square off against the Reds.

It will be partly sunny and mild in the Queen City with temperatures mainly in the mid-60s F throughout the game.

The game's starting pitchers should be happy to learn that the wind will be from the south at 10 to 20 mph during the game, which will be blowing in from left field during the game at Great America Ball Park.

As is the case with other games in the Northeast, fans should be comfortable with a sweatshirt or light jacket during the game, but perhaps not even that, given that the forecast temperature is among the warmest readings so far this spring, according to Deger.

Weather-wise, it looks like a gentle opening to the season is on tap -- unlike what happened in the first month of the season last year and in these games, in which extreme weather played a major factor.