GUIDE | Everything you need to know for the Cleveland Indians 2018 home opener
The magic is back at Progressive Field!
It's become an annual holiday to many Tribe fans.
The home opener is finally here, meaning the corner of Carnegie and Ontario will again be packed by fans celebrating the boys of summer.
Whether you're heading to the ballpark or watching from home, here's everything you need to know for the 2018 Cleveland Indians home opener on Friday.
Game info
First pitch: 4:10 p.m.
Opponent: Kansas City Royals
Who's pitching?: Carlos Carrasco (1-0, 7.94) vs. Danny Duffy (0-1, 11.25)
Gates open: Gates open two hours prior to first pitch, so 2 p.m. Give yourself some time to get through gate security. You'll have to pass through metal detectors and your bags will be searched.
Are tickets still available?: The game is sold out, but tickets are still up for grabs via third-party vendors. StubHub has plenty, but it'll cost you.
Where can I watch/listen?: The game will be aired on Channel 3, SportsTime Ohio and MLB Network for out-of-market viewers. You can also hear it on WTAM-1100.
Don't forget about WKYC.com's live pregame show, which begins at noon on our site and Facebook page.
Due to opening day coverage, some of Channel 3's programming will air at a different time.
What are the pregame festivities?: The team will unveil its 2017 American League Central Division championship banner and Corey Kluber will be presented with his second career Cy Young award. Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez will receive their Silver Slugger awards.
The Ohio State University Athletic Band will perform the national anthem while members of all branches of the military present the colors.
Tricky Dick and the Cover-Ups will play live music in the Right Field District at 2 p.m.
Who's throwing out the ceremonial first pitch?: That would be Red Gerard, the gold medalist snowboarder you likely saw if you watched the Pyeongchang Olympics. Gerard is a Rocky River native, though his family moved to Colorado for his teen years.
How's the weather looking?
Not great. Right now, it looks like temperatures will reach the low 40s and we can expect a mix of rain and snow. Follow Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling on Twitter for updates and download the WKYC app to your device, where we'll send an alert if the game gets delayed or postponed.
What should I expect downtown?
Crowds. Expects crowds, traffic and tons of fans.
If you're planning to head downtown early, expect the Prospect Avenue and E. 4th Street area to be packed. Fans will fill bars like City Tap, Panini's and Flannery's.
You can also consider heading to the Warehouse District for pregame grub, or spend some time over the bridge in Ohio City if you're aiming to avoid the bigger crowds.
What about parking?
If you plan to park relatively close to Progressive Field, be ready to pay up. The surrounding lots will have heightened prices, some reaching the $50-60 range. If you're willing to walk a few blocks, consider parking in the Warehouse District along W. 6th and W. 9th streets for considerably less, usually the $10-25 range. Lots near Playhouse Square and Cleveland State University will also offer public parking.
Take note of some parking restrictions, too. The following parking bans will take effect Friday from noon to 12 a.m.
• E. 4th Street from Prospect Avenue to Huron Road, both sides
• West Huron Road from Ontario Street to West Superior Avenue
• E. 9th Street from Carnegie Avenue to Superior Avenue, both sides
• Prospect Avenue from E. 14th Street to Ontario Street, both sides
• Huron Road between Ontario Street and Prospect Avenue, both sides
• Carnegie Avenue from E. 14th Street to E. 9th Street, both sides
Remember RTA!
If you want to avoid the parking hassle and downtown traffic, remember that you can take the Rapid for $5.50. Some Rapid stations will offer $5 cash all-day passes to Tower City. Expect heavier crowds on the RTA in the hours prior to and following the game, so be sure to give yourself some extra time.
What's new at the ballpark?
One of the best things about Opening Day is exploring the new goodies at Progressive Field.
Safety netting
One of the first things you may notice upon arrival is the safety netting surrounding home plate. The netting has been extended to reach the far ends of each dugout to ensure fan safety from foul balls.
Recharge
The ballpark has also installed new storage and phone charging lockers, which will be first-come first-serve and free of charge. You'll be able to store your belongings in one of 45 storage lockers and safely charge your phone in one of 72 charging lockers. Find them in section 169.
Food
There's plenty of new grub to try out, from specialty tacos to a sandwich smothered with Cheetos. Last week, the team offered samples of some of the new food to the media. Here's what to expect:
- The Flamethrower: Pork belly and pulled pork sandwich topped with bacon jam, barbecue sauce, green apple slaw and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
- Cheesy Bacon Mac Melt: Melt sandwich topped with mac and cheese and crisp bacon
- Pizza Logs: Fried pizza sticks with cheese and pepperoni served with marinara sauce
Top N Go: Melted nacho cheese over Fritos
PHOTOS: Progressive Field unveils new menu items ahead of 2018 Home Opener
Another Cleveland eatery has joined Progressive Field's gang of local spots. E. 4th Street's The Butcher and the Brewer will be available in section 158 to serve its food and beer. The stadium will also start serving beverages from MadTree Brewing and White Claw.
The Terrace Club, which will again be open to the public, also announced new dishes:
- North Coast Nachos: Fried kettle chips with steak or chicken, Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold beer cheese sauce, salsa, sour cream, cilantro and green onion
- Pop Fly Salad: Mixed greens, smoked gouda, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, candied pecans and poppy seed vinaigrette
- Mac Daddy Dog: Premium jumbo all-beef hot dog, smoked bacon mac and cheese, pickled fresh jalapenos
- Chicken and Tater Tot Waffles: Breaded spicy chicken, tater tot waffles with Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, chives, maple sour cream and sriracha
How else can I celebrate?
Even if you're not heading to the game, there are still plenty of ways to show your Tribe spirit.
Free Chick-fil-a
Chick-fil-a locations in Cleveland, Akron and Canton will offer a free original chicken sandwich to all customers wearing Indians gear April 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
10 Cent Beer Night
We all remember the infamous 10 Cent Beer Night and all the debauchery that went down. Instead of reliving that night at the ballpark, Lakewood's Yuzu is offering 10-cent pours of Great Lakes Brewing Company beer until the keg runs out. Learn more here.
I-X Indoor Amusement Park
Wear your Tribe gear to the I-X Indoor Amusement Park on Friday and get $4 off your admission. The promotion runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eat N Park
Wear Indians gear to an Eat N Park in Austintown, Boardman, Chapel Hill, Medina, Mentor, Steubenville, Warren and Willoughby and receive a free Smiley cookie. The promotion runs all day.
What should I know about the team?
It's OK if you haven't followed the first week of the season closely. That's what we're here for. Here, you can find the 25-man roster and links to our team coverage to get you ready to talk Tribe.
Roster
Pitchers
Cody Allen
Trevor Bauer
Matt Belisle
Carlos Carrasco
Mike Clevinger
Nicky Goody
Corey Kluber
Zach McAllister
Andrew Miller
Tyler Olson
Dan Otero
Josh Tomlin
Catchers
Yan Gomes
Roberto Perez
Infielders
Yonder Alonso
Edwin Encarnacion
Erik Gonzalez
Jason Kipnis
Francisco Lindor
Jose Ramirez
Outfielders
Lonnie Chisenhall
Rajai Davis
Brandon Guyer
Tyler Naquin
Bradley Zimmer
Headlines
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona moved by Seattle Mariners' tribute to his late father, Tito