On Wednesday in San Francisco, MLB’s 2026 season-opening game between the visiting New York Yankees and hometown Giants officially welcomed the Tony Vitello managing era, and Netflix’s streaming of live baseball.
There were several firsts to track during MLB’s start of the new season. Vitello, 47, officially became the first major league manager without any prior professional coaching experience to make the jump from the collegiate level. Building a highly successful baseball program at the University of Tennessee for eight seasons, in 2024, Vitello’s Volunteers won the NCAA Division 1 College World Series championship.
Speaking with Associated Press reporter Janie McCauley on Wednesday, Vitello tells of having a last-minute refresher on the MLB rule book.
“Just reviewing a lot of things today, so some extra conversations,” he said. “I’ve done it before, get the group together and ask as many dumb questions as possible. You rather look foolish earlier than later.”
With MLB implementing the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System for the first time in regular season games in 2026, now a batter, pitcher, or catcher can challenge a home-plate umpire’s call. Vitello’s Giants were on the receiving end of the first-ever challenge, by Yankees’ shortstop Jose Caballero in the fourth inning Wednesday, which was on a called strike thrown by San Francisco starter Logan Webb at Oracle Park.
After review, umpire Bill Miller’s call was upheld. The ABS had been introduced to MLB clubs the past two spring training seasons.
During the challenge, however, Netflix cameras failed to take to the scoreboard for the review of the pitch in question. For viewers in the stadium and those watching on their devices, being able to see where the ball actually arrives across home plate is essential when appreciating what ABS now means to the game.
New York scored five runs in the second inning,with six Yankees reaching base consecutively. The scoring parade by the Yankees was highlighted by a two-run triple by center fielder Trent Grisham bringing home Ryan McMahon and Austin Wells in that inning.
Max Fried was New York’s starting pitcher. He went 6.1 innings, allowing two hits, one walk, and collecting four strikeouts on 86 pitches thrown. Fried retired 16 of the last 18 batters he faced. Wednesday’s Game 1 assignment was the fourth of his career, while it was Webb’s fifth consecutive opening day or opening night start for the Giants.
Speaking post-game with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone was relieved to notch the club’s initial win of the season.
“You want to get that first win, first hits,” Boone said. “You want to get into that normal rhythm of the season, which takes a little bit of time. Obviously, it was a great way to start things.”
The Yankees and Giants continue their three-game series on Friday at 4:30 p.m. ET in San Francisco.
Along with Netflix streaming Wednesday’s game live, there are two other MLB jewel events scheduled for this season. On July 13, from Philadelphia, Netflix will exclusively stream the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby during the All-Star Game break. Also part of Netflix and MLB’s three-year partnership is the Aug. 13 Field of Dreams match-up between the Minnesota Twins and the Phillies in Dyersville, Iowa.
Netflix’s in-game announcers and analysts comprised a cavalcade of MLB “who’s who” of ex-players. The pregame panel totaled six talkers; five former players who had all appeared in World Series games, and host Elle Duncan (who committed a major gaffe during her commentary in referring to home plate as “home base”).
The crowded desk at the opening of the show included MLB Home Run King Barry Bonds, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, former pitcher CC Sabathia (National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025), and Anthony Rizzo, member of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs.
In-game reporter Lauren Shehadi, borrowed from MLB Network, proved—as could be predicted—to be insightful, knowledgeable, and charming during her segments.
The play-by-play crew of Matt Vasgersian, Sabathia, and Hunter Pence, a two-time World Series champion with the Giants and four-time MLB All-Star, appeared comfortable and cohesive during their first day at work together. However, when MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred joined the telecast, in what could have been a wonderful opportunity to ask poignant questions, little was learned during his half-inning of availability.
Amid the numerous Netflix production promotions throughout the telecast, current NFL quarterback Jameis Winston appeared several times in a comedic manner, including in a clip of Winston working as a member of the grounds crew. However, with many voices jockeying for attention throughout the game, Winston’s appearances only crowded the field.
There are 11 MLB Opening Day games scheduled for Thursday.
