Cleveland Guardians vs. Seattle Mariners 2023 home opener guide: How to watch the game on WKYC, what's new at Progressive Field and lots more

How can I watch?

The game will air on WKYC with coverage throughout the day as follows:

• 4:30-7 a.m. Watch our extensive sneak peek at the game with coverage from inside Progressive Field on GO! with the 3News morning team
• 11 a.m. Check out today's edition of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, which streams live on YouTube.
• 1-3 p.m. Guardians Opening Day expanded coverage
• 3-4 p.m. Guardians Live
• 4 p.m. Play ball! Watch the game live on WKYC.
• 7 p.m. Tune in to Front Row to see complete post-game coverage.
• 11-11:30 p.m. Watch What's Next for all the home opener highlights you need to see.
• All day coverage: WKYC.com and the free WKYC app will showcase home opener coverage all day with live updates throughout the game. Download our free app (Android, Apple) for all your Cleveland Guardians coverage, weather updates, breaking news and more.

Want more? Our team will capture the sights and sounds of the home opener across all platforms, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Use #3Guardians to join the conversation.

What time is first pitch?

4:10 p.m.

Are tickets still available?

All the seats have already sold out, but the Guardians announced last month there were standing-room-only tickets available.

What time do the gates open?

The Guardians say gates will be open two hours before first pitch.

He was a true Cleveland sports icon -- and his legacy lives on.

In memory of drummer John Adams, the Guardians will wear a "JA" patch that features his bass drum mallets during the home opener. The team will also wear the patch to mark Adams' 50-year anniversary later this season on Aug. 24.

The team will also pay tribute with a moment of silence.

3News has also learned that Slider the mascot will use Adams' drum to get the crowd excited for the game.

Adams passed away in January at the age of 71.

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This year's ceremonial first pitch features two people with ties to Northeast Ohio taking the mound. 

That's right! Cleveland Heights native Travis Kelce joins his mother, Donna, on the mound. It comes less than two months after Travis took home a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs in a championship matchup against his brother and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Actor Tom Hanks had the honor at last year's home opener, which you can watch below:

Who is singing the National Anthem and God Bless America?

That honor goes to Cleveland native Norelle Simpson. She recently made her second Super Bowl halftime show appearance by joining Rhianna as a backup singer.

2022 AL Central Division pennant

Prior to the first pitch, the Guardians will officially unveil the 2022 AL Central Division pennant. It marks the team's 11th division title in franchise history -- the most of any team in the Central.

Cleveland Guardians Block Party

This will be held in Gateway Plaza before the game from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event, which features DJ Kyro, is open to the public.

Military moment

Members of all six military branches -- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Space Force -- will all be on hand to create a joint color presentation, and a flyover will be performed by the 112th fighter squadron of the Ohio Air National Guard with a 4-ship of F-16s.

East Palestine players recognized

3News' Emma Henderson explains:

Are there any freebies for fans?

Yes! The 2023 home opener features a magnet schedule giveaway for all fans. See this year's full promotional calendar HERE.

Home opener hype video

Check out the team's hype video, which was created in collaboration with Cleveland native Kid Cudi.

You will definitely need some warm clothes if you're going to the ballpark for Friday's game. The current forecast shows Cleveland's weather will be sunny -- but cold -- with temps in the 40s for the first pitch.

“At least we’re staying dry," 3News meteorologist Hollie Strano says. "We’ve had numerous years of rain – and dare I say snow. But it’s happened. We all know it. At least we’ve got the bright skies to help out with things today.”

Be sure to download the free WKYC app for more weather updates (Android, Apple). We're also tracking the latest weather updates HERE.

See today's forecast for game time:

It wouldn't be a visit to Progressive Field without some ballpark food. But before we get to all the new eats added to the lineup this season, it's important to know these changes:

Cashless stands

Half of Progressive Field’s concession stands will be made fully cashless for all home games this season. Fans will be able to purchase concessions at these locations with credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. All cashless concession locations will have signage near the menus indicating that location is cashless.

Cashless in-seat vendors

New this season, the majority of food and beverage in-seat vendors will be cashless – only accepting credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Fans can differentiate between the cash accepting and cashless vendors by shirt color: Cashless in-seat vendors will wear yellow shirts and vendors that still accept cash will wear green. All in-seat vendors will also wear buttons indicating cash v. cashless.

New food

Here are new eats you can try this year...

Pepper Jack Bites at FatHead's (Right Field District)

• Crusted pepper jack cheese served with ranch dressing.

Melt Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Bowl at Melt Bar and Grilled (Right Field District)

• Signature creamy macaroni and cheese topped with buffalo chicken.

Pimento Cheese & Bacon Burger at Build A Burger (Left Field)

• 1/3-pound certified angus all-beef patty topped with pimento cheese, bacon and shredded lettuce on a freshly baked brioche bun.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders at Fat Rooster (under the Left Field bleachers)

• Signature tenders, crispy fries and a hot honey glaze from the local establishment Akron Honey.

Crab Rangoon Nachos at Loaded Nacho Stands (Right Field)

• Tostitos chips topped with white cheddar cheese sauce, sweet chili sauce, shredded crab, sesame seeds and green onion.

Mac & Cheese Brisket at Throwin' Smoke BBQ (Third Baseline Concourse)

• Creamy mac and cheese topped with Montgomery Inn BBQ Brisket, with pickled & crunchy onions and a drizzle of barbecue sauce.

The Wild Thing at Happy Dog (Third Baseline Concourse)

• Field Roast Dog (Vegan), House made vegetable chili, shredded cheddar, diced onion, Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

Noodle Bowl at Down The Line Bowls (Third Baseline Concourse)

• Ramen Noodles, Asian Sauce, Red Pepper, Carrot, Napa Cabbage, Sesame Seeds, optional ginger chicken addition.

The city of Cleveland has announced the following parking restrictions, which will be in effect at 1 p.m. Friday. 

• East 4th Street from Prospect Avenue to Huron Road, both sides
• Bolivar Avenue from E. 7 to E. 14th Street, both sides
• West Huron Road from Ontario Street to West Superior Avenue
• East 9th Street from Carnegie Avenue to Superior Avenue, both sides
• Prospect Avenue from East 14th Street to Ontario Street, both sides
• Huron Road between Ontario Street and Prospect Avenue, both sides
• Carnegie Avenue from East 14th Street to East 9th Street, both sides
• The Warehouse District Parking Ban will be in effect from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m.

"Those parked illegally will be towed," according to Cleveland police.

Traffic controllers will also be in place at key intersections to help maximize traffic flow.

Finding a parking spot

Looking for a parking spot? You can use SpotHero, which lists available parking near you with prices listed. Advanced parking booking options are available now.

Several parking bans will also be in place starting at 1 p.m.:

• East 4th Street from Prospect Avenue to Huron Road, both sides
• Bolivar Avenue from East 7th to East 14th Street, both sides
• West Huron Road from Ontario Street to West Superior Avenue
• East 9th Street from Carnegie Avenue to Superior Avenue, both sides
• Prospect Avenue from East 14th Street to Ontario Street, both sides
• Huron Road between Ontario Street and Prospect Avenue, both sides
• Carnegie Avenue from East 14th Street to East 9th Street, both sides
• The entire Warehouse District Parking Ban from 10 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Saturday

RTA transportation to Progressive Field

Want to save some cash on parking? You can always take the Cleveland RTA. Here's what they suggest...

Park free at an RTA rail station and ride the Red Line, Blue Line or Green Line to the Tower City Station. You can then use the RTA's walkway from Tower City's food court, which ends near the ballpark at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.