LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Dodgers will play their home opener Thursday against the Detroit Tigers with what the team is billing as "a Hollywood show for the ages, including appearances and performances from top-tiered special guests."

Josh Groban will be the Opening Day national anthem singer for the second consecutive year, accompanied by a flyover from two F-15C fighter jets from the 144th Fighter Wing in Fresno and two F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from the 63rd Fighter Squadron of Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and Pasadena Fire Department will salute the American flag for the national anthem, which will be hanging in Lot I from firetrucks from LAFD Station 20, about a mile-and-a-quarter west of Dodger Stadium.

LAFD Capt. Jerry Puga and Pasadena Fire Department Capt. Jodi Slicker will unveil the 2024 World Series emblem prior to first pitch. Fans are encouraged to get to their seats before 3:30 p.m. for pregame elements.

The identity of who will throw the ceremonial first pitch was not disclosed.

The Dodgers will present the World Series rings before Friday night's game.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will make his Dodger debut Thursday, facing fellow left-hander Tarik Skubal, the unanimous selection as the 2024 American League Cy Young Award winner.

Snell and the Dodgers agreed to terms on a five-year, $182 million contract Nov. 30, the third-largest for a left-handed pitcher in MLB history based on total value. The only ones larger were David Price's $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox in 2015 and Clayton Kershaw's $215 million contract with the Dodgers in 2014, according to ESPN.

Snell won the National League Cy Young Award in 2023, when he was 14-9 with a league-best 2.23 ERA while pitching for the San Diego Padres. He was a free agent following the season, with the Dodgers seeking to sign him late in the process, according to the Los Angeles Times.

However, he signed late in spring training with the San Francisco Giants, receiving a two-year, $62 million deal that included an opt-out this winter that Snell exercised.

Snell got off to a slow start with a 9.51 ERA and 0-3 record at the end of June after spending separate stints on the injured list due to a left adductor strain and a left groin strain. However, he was 5-0 with an 1.23 ERA over his final 14 starts including his first career no-hitter.

Snell was the American League Cy Young Award winner in 2018, when he pitched for Tampa Bay, leading the league with a 1.89 ERA and 21 victories.

Skubal led Major League Baseball in 2024 with 228 strikeouts and tied for the lead with Atlanta's Chris Sale with 18 victories. His .818 winning percentage was third behind Sale (.857) and Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs (.833).

Skubal had a no decision when he faced the Dodgers for the only time in his career, July 12, 2024, allowing two runs on two hits over six innings at Comerica Park in a game the Dodgers scored once each in the eighth and ninth innings for a 4-3 victory.

Dodger designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is hitless in six at-bats against Skubal.

The Dodgers began their quest for the first back-to-back World Series titles in their history with by sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the two-game Tokyo Series last week, despite the absences of shortstop Mookie Betts because of a virus and first baseman Freddie Freeman due to left rib discomfort. Both are expected to play Thursday.

The Tigers finished third in the American League Central in 2024, matching the Kansas City Royals' 86-76 record but losing the tiebreaker on head- to-head meetings. Detroit then swept the American League West champion Houston Astros, two games to none in a wild card series, and lost a Division Series to the Cleveland Guardians, three games to two.

The Tigers won two of three games from the Dodgers in 2024, all played in Detroit.

This is the first time the Dodgers have played an American League team in their home opener. MLB has had interleague play throughout the season since 2013 when the Houston Astros were shifted to the American League to give each league 15 teams and necessitate interleague play throughout the season and not just at designated times.

Auto and stadium gates will open at 1:10 p.m.

Drop-off and pickup locations for Uber have changed. Vehicles for the rideshare service will now enter through Gate B, off of Stadium Way, to pick up and drop off riders in Lot 1, to allow for what the team calls "a smoother entry and exit experience."

More information on parking and transportation options to Dodger Stadium can be found at www.dodgers.com/transportation.

The game will be televised by ESPN.

Tim Conway Jr