MLB moves Cubs-Cardinals season opener to April 2

The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals will open the 2017 Major League Baseball season before a prime-time television audience.

The two Central Division rivals will now open the season at Busch Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. contest on Sunday, April 2. The game will be broadcast by ESPN, MLB officials announced. The clubs had been scheduled to play on April 3.

After a day off on April 3, the 2016 World Series champions will resume their series with the Cardinals on April 4 (7:15 p.m.) and April 5 (12:45 p.m.) at the St. Louis Cardinals' Busch Stadium.

Following a weekend series in Milwaukee, the Cubs will return to Wrigley Field for their home opener on Monday, April 10, against the Los Angeles Dodgers.