The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a new era without their MVP center fielder and No. 1 starting pitcher when they visit the Detroit Tigers on Friday to start a three-game interleague series, which was delayed 24 hours by rain. Perennial All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen was dealt to San Francisco while fire-balling right-hander Gerrit Cole was sent to Houston in the offseason as Pittsburgh hopes to retool quickly after two seasons without a playoff game.

The Washington Nationals parted ways with manager Dusty Baker in the offseason for his lack of postseason success despite the fact he guided the club to back-to-back National League East titles and two of the four most successful seasons in club history. Following Thursday's Opening Day postponement, Dave Martinez will take his first step toward achieving what his predecessor was unable to do Friday when the Nationals open with the first of three games against the host Cincinnati Reds.

Giancarlo Stanton lived up to the hype and then some in his New York Yankees debut, needing only two pitches to show he won't have much trouble making the transition to the American League. Stanton will have a tough act to follow as the Yankees attempt to build on their first Opening Day win since 2011 when they continue a four-game series Friday at the Toronto Blue Jays.

Denard Span grew up in Tampa Bay and his first game with his hometown team turned out to be among the more memorable moments of his career. Span overcame an early wobble of his own in the season opener to deliver the big hit in a 6-4 victory for the Tampa Bay Rays, who look to make it two in a row over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.

After belting three home runs on Opening Day, the Chicago Cubs hope to feast on a rookie pitcher when they play the host Miami Marlins in the second of a four-game series Friday. The slugging Cubs figure to make things tough on left-hander Caleb Smith, who is making his Marlins debut and just his third big-league start.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler plans to lighten the load of the starting rotation by leaning heavily on his relievers this season. After seeing his bullpen implode on Opening Day, Kapler will hand the ball to right-hander Nick Pivetta on Friday in a bid to even the three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park.

The Texas Rangers have typically had their way with their Silver Boot Series rival - especially at home - over the course of time, but the Houston Astros have left little doubt recently which team holds the edge at the moment. The Astros eye a sixth straight victory in Globe Life Park on Friday when they continue a four-game set against the host Rangers.

The Arizona Diamondbacks were in fine form at the plate in their season opener and hope to continue swinging hot bats when they resume their three-game series against the visiting Colorado Rockies on Friday. Arizona pounded out 12 hits and put together a pair of three-run innings Thursday en route to an 8-2 victory.

After working overtime on Opening Day, the visiting Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics hook up for the encore Friday. The Athletics claimed a walk-off win in the 11th inning Thursday and send Sean Manaea to the mound opposite fellow left-hander Tyler Skaggs to try to make it two in a row against their American League West rivals.

Few teams needed an Opening Day win more than the San Francisco Giants, who already have placed their closer and two starting pitchers on the disabled list. The Giants continue their four-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday with some much-needed momentum after topping Clayton Kershaw in Thursday’s 1-0 victory.

The San Diego Padres’ youth movement takes another step forward Friday, with 24-year-old left-hander Joey Lucchesi set to make his major-league debut against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The teams needed extra innings to decide Thursday’s season opener, as Orlando Arcia’s RBI single in the 12th proved to be the difference in the Brewers’ 2-1 victory.