How to watch Chicago Cubs Opening Day game against the Texas Rangers

One of the perks of the Chicago Cubs owning their own television home in Marquee Sports Network means the days of checking multiple channels to see which is carrying the game are a thing of the past. However, there are exceptions - and this Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Texas Rangers is one.

The reigning World Series champions host the Cubs at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX on Thursday night in a nationally broadcast game. If you check Marquee on your TV guide or open up the Marquee app, you'll come up empty. Why? ESPN will carry the game across the country, putting Craig Counsell and the Cubs on the national stage to kick off the 2024 season.

Cubs Opening Night: Broadcast info, start time and pitching matchups

• Chicago Cubs (0-0) @ Texas Rangers (0-0)
• Justin Steele (0-0, 0.00 ERA) v Nate Eovaldi (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
• First Pitch: 6:35p CT at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX

Left-hander Justin Steele shook off a comebacker in his final spring training tune-up and is all systems go for the first Opening Day start of his career. He's faced the Rangers just one time in his career, with a six-inning, one-run effort under his belt against Bruce Bochy's club.

Nate Eovaldi, the hard-throwing Texan, takes the ball on Opening Day for the fourth time in his career, first with the Rangers. In an ideal world, Texas would have a healthy Jacob deGrom or Max Scherzer would start, but both are recovering from injury and are targeting midseason returns as their club looks to defend its crown in 2024.

Of course, if you're more of a traditionalist, you can always tune in to 670 WSCR and hear Hall of Famer Pat Hughes along with former All-Star and Cubs third baseman Ron Coomer. No matter how you choose to enjoy the game, Chicago Cubs baseball is finally back and that's cause for celebration.