Pedro Pascal Throws First Pitch in Marvel's Surprise Avengers: Doomsday World Series Teaser
Marvel picked one of the biggest stages in American sports to show off its biggest movie. A brand-new teaser for Avengers: Doomsday aired during Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, in a first-of-its-kind crossover between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Major League Baseball.
The clip opens at a retro ballpark, where Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards — Mister Fantastic — takes the mound in a Brooklyn Dodgers cap and uses his stretching powers to throw the ceremonial first pitch, with the Thing standing nearby, according to reports from The Telegraph and Times Now. Joseph Quinn's Human Torch catches at home plate, and MLB's own stars — including Freddie Freeman, Bryce Harper, Randy Arozarena, Junior Caminero and Jacob Misiorowski — appear on camera reacting to the moment.
Disney's marketing chief Martha Morrison said in a statement shared by MLB.com that "there's no bigger stage in baseball than the World Series" and that the studio was thrilled to share the piece with fans, as reported by entertainment outlets covering the launch.
A hero from the past
The teaser did more than play ball. It also confirmed the return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, the original Captain America — a reveal that leaves Paul Rudd's Ant-Man genuinely confused about whom he should address with the superhero title, since Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson currently carries the Captain America mantle, per the reports.
The preview cut between the ballpark comedy and action footage featuring returning heroes, with Robert Downey Jr. looming over the film as the villain Doctor Doom — his second life in the MCU after Iron Man, as detailed by the Economic Times.
A stage 14 months in the making
The crossover marks one of Marvel's most unconventional marketing moves: the teaser aired during the World Series opener between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers, broadcast on Fox. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theatres worldwide on December 18, 2026 — a day before its India release — with the multiverse story reportedly picking up 14 months after the events of Thunderbolts.
While some fans noted the preview kept new footage to a minimum, the baseball crossover itself became the story — a collision of superheroes and sports that had both fanbases talking within hours.