NEW YORK — Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón thinks his tight right hamstring is only a minor setback in his return from elbow surgery last October.
Rodón felt the tightness after throwing 50 pitches of batting practice Sunday at the team’s complex in Tampa, Florida. Rodón got hurt while running and New York called off a planned minor league injury rehabilitation outing at Double-A Somerset.
“Just a little bump in the road,” the 33-year-old left-hander said before the Yankees’ home opener against Miami on Friday.
Rodón hopes to throw about 50 pitches Saturday in a controlled environment, such as batting practice.
“It’s just a matter of when he can run and cover and field his position and things like that,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “So he’s able to keep his arm going through this. It’s minor enough that that’s the case.”
Rodón is recovering from surgery on Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur.
Boone said shortstop Anthony Volpe started taking at-bats off pitching and could start a rehab assignment in mid-April.
A TWO-FER: The Cubs allowed exactly two runs in each of their last three games, all at home against the Angels. Since 1901, they have had 49 two-run streaks that reached three games, but only one that continued through a fourth game. From Aug. 23-26, 2006, the Cubs lost at home to the Phillies, 2-1; beat them, 11-2; then lost at St. Louis, 2-0 and 2-1, the final game on a ninth-inning, two-out walk-off single. The Cubs had a pair of two-run streaks of three games in 2022, winning two of three in both, and two more such streaks in 2023, going 3-0 in both. The 2022 streaks ended in a win by 4-3 and a loss by 8-5; the 2023 streaks, in a win by 10-1 and a loss by 10-1. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
STEALING BAGS: The Cubs are tied for third in MLB with seven steals. No Cub has been thrown out stealing yet this year.
WALKING THE WALK: The Cubs rank tied for fifth (with the Braves) in MLB with 30 walks. Two of the teams ahead of them (Astros, Angels) have played one more game than the Cubs.
THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner enters Friday’s action leading the NL with four doubles (tied with Brice Turang and Matt Olson) and leading MLB with four steals.
Cade Horton picked up where he left off in 2025 with his first 2026 start, a solid outing against the Nationals last Saturday.
Last year against the Guardians, July 3, 2025 at Wrigley Field, Horton threw seven shutout innings, allowing five singles with five strikeouts.
Another one just like that, please.
Joey Cantillo was Horton’s opponent in that game last year. He didn’t give the Cubs any runs, but was lifted after 3.1 innings and 68 pitches. That game was Cantillo’s first MLB start.
In his first start this year, last Saturday at Seattle, he allowed two runs in 3.2 innings, throwing 91 pitches. He walked three. Perhaps the Cubs can be patient like that and get him out of the game early.
Please visit our SB Nation Guardians site Covering The Corner. If you do go there to interact with Guardians fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 1: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on April 1, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 6-5. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The numbers, they are ugly.
Trea Turner: 5-for-26, .192 AVG, one extra-base hit
Kyle Schwarber: 4-for-22, .182 AVG, 2 HRs and 1 double
Bryce Harper: 3-for-25, .120 AVG, -0.4 fWAR (199th out of 202 MLB players)
Alec Bohm: 2-for-21, .095 AVG, 1 HR
J.T. Realmuto: 3-for-15, .200 AVG, 1 HR
Yep, it’s fair to say that, one week into the 2026 season, the “run-it-back gang” is misfiring on all cylinders.
It has been frustrating to watch. As a team, the Phils are batting .220 with a .314 on-base percentage and a .360 slugging percentage. Those numbers are… not great. Turner’s swing is currently a disaster, Harper’s bat speed looks like a 40-year-old’s, Schwarber has hit a couple tank shots but little else, Bohm’s Opening Day homer is his lone bright spot, and Realmuto’s solo homer on Wednesday is his only contribution, six games in.
But would you believe the team’s .220 average is 19th in MLB? Would you believe their .314 OBP is 13th? And that their .360 SLG is 18th? Ordinarily, numbers that low would be in the bottom-five of baseball.
So no, those are not good numbers, and certainly expectations for this group of established stars should be much, much higher. But in our ongoing effort to zoom out and make you aware of what is happening around the rest of Major League Baseball, Phils fans should know what I hope will be a comforting fact.
You’re not alone.
Some of baseball’s best players and, best teams, are also struggling.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are hitting .237 as a team. The Yankees and Cubs are hitting .227. The Tigers are at .215. The Red Sox are hitting .208. The Mariners are batting .205. The Padres? A .202 average. And while their pitching staff was expected to be pathetic, the Oakland A’s vaunted offense has the worst average in baseball, at .177.
Check out these numbers from some of baseball’s biggest stars (AVG/OBP/SLG):
Mookie Betts (Dodgers): .136/.240/.318
Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): .167/.423/.167
Kyle Tucker (Dodgers): .174/.240/.217
Will Smith (Dodgers): .200/.200/.500
Freddie Freeman (Dodgers): .208/.240/.375
Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers): .238/.238/.238
Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves): .167/.323/.208
Bo Bichette (Mets): .129/.159/.161
Marcus Simien (Mets): .130/.250/.174
Francisco Lindor (Mets): .130/.394/.304
Xander Bogaerts (Padres): .167/.200/.208
Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres): .238/.360/.286
Jackson Merrill (Padres): .217/.280/.391
Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals): .273/.292/.273
Aaron Judge (Yankees): .125/.160/.375
Jazz Chisolm Jr. (Yankees): .174/.208/.174
Julio Rodriguez (Mariners): .077/.200/.077
Cal Raleigh (Mariners): .160/.250/.200
James Wood (Nationals): .111/.200/.296
Ketel Marte (Diamondbacks): .154/.267/.269
George Springer (Blue Jays): .154/.241/.423
Jarren Duran (Red Sox): .167/.348/.167
Roman Anthony (Red Sox): .227/.320/.364
Brent Rooker (A’s): .167/.167/.167
Byron Buxton (Twins): .174/.200/.304
The American League MVP (Judge) and runner-up (Raleigh) are in there. So is the NL MVP (Ohtani) and runner-up (Schwarber). That list of ugly slash lines belongs to All Stars and MVP candidates, all of whom have struggled mightily in the first week of the season.
It is true that, for the Phillies, the issues with the offense have existed longer than just one week. They stretch back to last season, and the season before, and the season before that, specifically in the postseason. Despite an outstanding offensive season last year, the perception of this group is an underachieving collection of players who shrink when it matters most.
And hey, that might all prove itself to be true once again this October. But with just one week of big league baseball under our belts, this is most definitely not a time when things matter most. In fact, things couldn’t matter less at this point in the six-month-long season.
I get it. Watching a bad offense flail despite numerous opportunities with runners on base is maddening, and it has the affect of making the team look uninterested and/or lethargic. A .229 average with runners in scoring position is awful, ranking 22nd in baseball. That has to improve.
I’m not going to sit here and tell you not to be worried about the Phillies’ offense. It’s ugly right now. They should be better.
But in our efforts to zoom out every once in a while and take in what the rest of the baseball world is up to, understand that two-thirds of fans around the league are saying the same thing about their struggling superstars with a single week of the season under their belts.
On my latest Hittin’ Season podcast, I broke down the Phils’ comeback win against the Nationals on Sunday and the production of the two rookies who saved the series. Also, check out my conversation with Rob Friedman, the man behind @PitchingNinja, talk about the explosion of pitching in his new book, “Unhittable.”
Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after their win against the Chicago White Sox in the Opening Day game on Thursday March 26, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Brewers play in the smallest metropolitan market in baseball, and yet have developed a sustainable model of success that is the envy of other teams. They have reached the playoffs in seven of the last eight years, and haven’t had a losing season since 2016.
This year, the Brewers are off to a great start, having outscored opponents 45-17 to begin the year, by far the best run differential in baseball. But one of those series was beating up on the White Sox, and they won their series against the Rays by scoring six runs in the bottom of the eighth in the rubber match.
Milwaukee Brewers (5-1) vs. Kansas City Royals (3-3) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Christian Yelich is a career .274/.400/.597 hitter with six home runs in 18 games against the Royals. Brice Turang, who was Bobby Witt Jr.’s teammate on Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, is hitting .409 with four doubles in six games to start the year. Catcher Gary Sánchez is 4-for-8 with two home runs this season. Jake Bauers made just 17 plate appearances against lefties last year. Garrett Mitchell missed most of last year with an oblique strain and shoulder injury after a promising rookies season in 2024, when he hit .255/.342/.469 in 69 games.
Sal Frelick had a 13.5 percent strikeout rate last year, 15th-lowest among qualified hitters. Joey Ortiz had the third-worst wRC+ last year among qualified hitters, but was +13 in Outs Above Average at shortstop. The Brewers are without star outfielder Jackson Chourio and first baseman Andrew Vaughn both out with hand injuries.
*-All numbers from 2025
The Brewers have long been known as a pitching factory, and had the second-best ERA in baseball last year at 3.59. Chad Patrick bounced around before the Brewers acquired him in 2023, and he proved to be a versatile starter for them, earning some Rookie of the Year votes last year. He gave up just a solo home run as the only run in 4.1 innings of work in his season debut against the White Sox. He relies heavily on a cutter and sinker, yet had a high flyball rate last year of 44 percent.
Brandon Sproat was a top 100 prospect in the Mets organization before he was traded to the Brewers in the Freddy Peralta deal. He was teammates with Jac Caglianone at Florida for a year, before becoming a second-round pick. He had a 4.24 ERA in 26 games in Triple-A last year, and throws a hard sinker at 96 mph, along with a cutter, sweeper, curve, and change up.
Kyle Harrison was a former top 100 prospect with the Giants, and was traded to the Red Sox last summer in the Rafael Devers trade before the Brewers acquired him this offseason. A southpaw, Harrison has struggled to retire lefties in his career – they’re batting .269/.333/.473 against him. He gave up just one run – a solo home run – in five innings of work in his season debut, with eight strikeouts.
Michael Wacha was scratched from Friday’s start due to illness and Luinder Avila will be called up to make his first MLB start. Avila made 13 relief appearances with the Royals late last year and is the #9 ranked prospect in the farm system by MLB Pipeline. The game Friday night will air exclusively on Apple TV as part of their Friday Night Baseball package.
*-All numbers from 2025
*-All numbers from 2025
Trevor Megill had a career-high 30 saves in just 50 games last year, the 19th 30-save season in Brewers history. Abner Uribe’s 98.8 mph fastball is one of the fastest in baseball. Aaron Ashby had a 62.5 percent groundball rate last year, fourth-highest in baseball. Right behind him was Angel Zerpa, who the Brewers acquired from the Royals last winter in a trade for Isaac Collins and Nick Mears.
The Brewers got off to an awful start last year – they were pounded by the Yankees – then they went out and won 97 games and reached the National League Championship Series. They are a well-coached, well-prepared team that gets every ounce of talent from their roster. The Royals will have to scratch out runs when they can, as this should be a low-scoring series from two teams that can develop pitching.
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 27: General view of the Southside sign as the downtown skyline is visible before an MLB game between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox on July 27, 2025 at Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Jays start their first road trip with an afternoon game in Chicago. And we can see our old friend, Seranthony Dominguez. By we, I mean you. I’m in Maizuru, Japan today, if all goes the way it is supposed to.
I very much enjoyed Chicago when I was there a few years ago. I won’t be going back for a while yet, but I’d like to go back one day. I liked Buddy Guy’s Blues Club. Great music. Buddy is 89 years old now, so I doubt I’ll see him play the next time I’m there.
Also took a book ride on the river. And had deep dish pizza. I do kind of agree with John Stewart that it really isn’t pizza, but I liked it. We also wandered around the White Sox ballpark, looking for a pub. I understand, now, that it wasn’t a great idea, but did find one. It was packed and noisy, but people were very friendly.
Just under two weeks until the playoff fates of every NHL club have been decided. The same can also be applied to your fantasy hockey team, if you've been fortunate enough to make it this far.
You're almost there. Stay positive. And keep it going by considering some of the following players.
(Rostered rates as of Apr. 3)
Forwards
Artturi Lehkonen, COL (Yahoo: 50%): Lehkonen returned from an 11-game absence last Thursday and eventually slotted back onto his usual even-strength line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. He's been relegated to the Avs' second power play, but has still posted three points and five shots over the four outings with all of the latter players during the last two. As long as Lehkonen remains within the top six, he's bound to keep producing.
Mikael Granlund, ANH (Yahoo: 41%): Any active forward who's in the upper-half of the depth chart on a strong offense and lead PP represents a solid fantasy addition for most formats. That goes for Granlund, who also happens to qualify in Yahoo at all three positions. His coverage has recently skyrocketed thanks to a string of four contests in which he potted seven goals, including four PPGs. Granlund's stock is also boosted from averaging just under 20 minutes the last couple of weeks to go with 17 shots and 55 faceoff wins.
Lawson Crouse, UTA (Yahoo: 18%): Crouse isn't generally associated with being a scorer, though he's been known to go on a run every now and again. He's currently on one of those, having racked up four goals and two assists in addition to 17 shots, 25 hits and 22 PIM through the last eight matchups. This stretch also coincides with Crouse skating beside Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz at five-on-five. Even if he drops off that trio, there's still enough cross-category output for him to fit on any roster.
Alexander Wennberg, SJ (Yahoo: 10%): Wennberg is only eight points away from matching a career-high. And if we go by recent production and placement, there's decent odds he does it. After all, Wennberg has reeled off four goals, three helpers and seven shots across five appearances with four of those points coming while up a man on a unit featuring Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. He's also top-25 in the league for average forward ice time (20:31). Based on all those indicators and with the Sharks trying to claim a postseason berth, Wennberg shouldn't be available in nine of every 10 Yahoo leagues.
Jack Quinn, BUF (Yahoo: 10%): Even though Quinn's minutes are similar to recent years, he's already blown way past his previous scoring peak. He registered his first NHL hat-trick on March 10 and then moved up to Buffalo's lead power play where he's managed four PPPs in the last five games in addition to 19 shots and eight hits. That type of overall involvement needs to be on more fantasy lineups.
Matthew Coronato, CGY (Yahoo: 7%): The Flames' fire sale wasn't as drastic as some predicted. The remaining talent looks to be thriving, with Coronato no exception. He has three goals, six assists, three PPPs and 22 shots on 16:33 a night from nine outings. With Coronato a key part of Calgary's future, he'll be provided as many opportunities as he can handle. Pick him up as a solid complementary scorer — just prepare for the inevitable plus-minus hit.
Porter Martone, PHI (Yahoo: 6%): Martone signed a pro contract soon after Michigan State was eliminated in the Frozen Four regionals and made his Philly debut on Tuesday as he logged 16:54 — 3:17 of that on the backup PP — and fired five pucks on net. He then collected his first NHL point — an assist — Thursday where he skated more than 18 minutes. It'll be favorable for the Flyers to have a player who racked up 50 points through 35 contests against NCAA opposition, especially with the team in a playoff race. Even as a teenager, Martone's offensive skills can only help the organization and your fantasy squad.
Calum Ritchie, NYI (Yahoo: 1%): A couple of lower-body issues didn't keep Ritchie out for long, and he was obviously too good against minor-league competition while at the same time wasn't going to be rushed with the Isles. Ritchie, the main tangible piece from the Brock Nelson trade at the 2025 deadline, recorded his first point with his new organization during Game 11. Ritchie has steadily improved to where he's a regular on the lead man-advantage — albeit, one who only succeeds at a 17.0% rate — and has found the scoresheet in five straight. Low-risk, possibly high-reward. Take a chance.
Defensemen
Sam Malinski, COL (Yahoo: 28%): Cale Makar's upper-body injury probably won't be risked for the remainder of the regular season with the Avs close to clinching top spot overall. That's left Malinski to fill in as Colorado's lead right-sided defender and main power-play quarterback. He already was enjoying a career campaign before Makar's absence and is now at 37 points, with eight of those coming in the last five alongside 11 shots and eight blocks. Expect Malinski to keep piling on the offense.
Parker Wotherspoon, PIT (Yahoo: 10%): It's been a long — and mainly AHL-filled — career for Wotherspoon after he was drafted in 2015 and then wasn't getting a regular big-league look until 2023-24. The Pens saw enough promise from him last season with Boston to sign him for two years. Wotherspoon has repaid their trust by appearing in all 76 games while delivering three goals, 26 assists, 156 hits and 108 blocks. He's also been solid the last 11 contests with nine helpers, 22 hits and 11 blocks. Wotherspoon may not participate on the man-advantage yet is well-positioned at even-strength alongside Erik Karlsson.
Charle-Edouard D'Astous, TB (Yahoo: 6%): What started off as a great story has turned into a revelation, as D'Astous is taking the most of an enhanced role by continuing to contribute. Going back to March 14, he's notched nine points, 10 shots, 19 hits and 11 blocks. The ice time may not be plentiful, though D'Astous has done the most with it while carrying a secondary PP spot. As Victor Hedman isn't set to return anytime soon, D'Astous remains a worthy addition for anyone looking to boost their blueline scoring stats.
Jordan Spence, OTT (Yahoo: 6%): Ottawa's dwindling defense corps was brought up last week when discussing Carter Yakemchuk, who's since gotten hurt. Spence was expected to assume more responsibilities after arriving from LA in June, yet many healthy scratches came early on. There wasn't much in the way of power-play involvement before Jake Sanderson's injury, which only increased after Thomas Chabot went down. Spence is currently operating on the Sens' top PP and has totaled two goals, seven assists — two of those PPAs — and 19 shots from the last 10 matchups on 24:05 a night, including a whopping 30:48 (!!) on Wednesday.
Goaltenders
Jordan Binnington, STL (Yahoo: 48%): The Blues surprisingly are still in the playoff hunt, only five points out of a wild-card spot. Joel Hofer has been touted here twice this season. And before allowing five goals on Monday, he impressed across nine appearances by posting a 7-0-2 record alongside a 1.29 GAA and .955 save percentage. Despite previously struggling, Binnington has done well since returning from the Olympics with a 1.74/.925 line through seven outings. If St. Louis wants to maximize its chances of advancing, it will need to rely on both goalies, which means Binnington should earn enough starts the rest of the way.
Yaroslav Askarov, SJ (Yahoo: 34%): San Jose's also part of a congested Western Conference postseason picture of getting the club to the next stage for the first time since 2018-19. Askarov hasn't been the most consistent netminder overall and was recently hurt. Even though he gave up seven goals during his last two matchups, both ended up in wins with a few key saves that either protected a lead or spurred the Sharks to go ahead. Alex Nedeljkovic performed admirably while Askarov was out, though also conceded at least five goals three times from March 17 to 24. Might as well give Askarov a chance to keep his momentum going.
The likely highlight of today’s game: the pregame alcohol. | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
It’s been more than a year since we’ve seen live baseball on the South Side, and after a one-day Mother Nature day, there will be baseball.
Unfortunately, the baseball being played will involved the lackadaisical, 1-5 White Sox hosting the defending AL champion Blue Jays. And look no further than today’s starter for Toronto to acknowledge how a team that is trying performs vs. one that simply exists.
Indeed, ol’ versing, painting and pack-ripping Dylan Cease is back in town, facing his formative club for the first time wearing the bird on his cap. Meanwhile, the White Sox will attack him with whatever ragtag talent they can shake out of the couch cushions:
Cease didn’t get the win in his season opener, but pitched splendidly. If he whiffed 12 Athletics in 5 ⅓ innings last Saturday, imagine how many Cease is in line for today against a -0.8 WAR White Sox offense that’s averaging 12.2 strikeouts per game so far. Just two of the nine hitters in the White Sox lineup are averaging less than a strikeout per game, and they are hitting at the very bottom of the order. Priorities!
The big surprise on the White Sox end is Grant Taylor moving from fearsome but mediocre bullpen presence to opener. The hope would be two strong frames for the fireballer, but it’s just as likely a couple of walks in the first truncates his time to the first inning only. After that, Sean Burke will come from the bullpen into bulk work, and likely a deficit.
Negative about our Chisox? Well, small sample size etc. etc. ad nauseam, but the lineup has just Tristan Peters (.333) hitting better than .263, and three players with better than an .800 OPS. Yes, that is actually an improvement over recent years, and truthfully Toronto isn’t hitting much better. But, well, how do you think this one is going to turn out?
Ballgame begins at 1:10 p.m. CT, with CHSN and WMVP-1000 providing the broadcast coverage. I’ll have your postgame recap, and we’ll be recording a postgame podcast, win or lose, available in The Feed about an hour or two after final out.
The Buffalo Sabres were the hottest club in the National Hockey League for more than three months, but as they near clinching a post-season berth for the first time since 2011, the club has returned to the world of mere mortals, falling out of first place in the Atlantic Division after a 4-1 loss to Ottawa on Thursday.
The Sabres won three straight on a Western road swing late last month, but since have lost four of their last six games (2-2-2). All four losses have come against clubs (Anaheim, Boston, Detroit, and Ottawa) who are battling for a playoff spot or positioning, while Buffalo can clinch a playoff spot with a single point or a loss by the Red Wings any one of their remaining games.
The odds are still in the Sabres favor of finishing with home ice advantage in the first round. According to Moneypuck.com, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a 52.8% chance of winning the Atlantic (with a game in hand over Buffalo), while the Sabres have a 32.9% chance. Both clubs play on Saturday, with Buffalo in Washington and Tampa hosting the Bruins, before they face off in their final meeting of the season on Monday.
Big matchup between the Sabres and Lightning on Monday
Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson scored his career-high 13th goal of the season to open the scoring in the second period, but former Sabre Dylan Cozens tied it for the Senators late in the middle frame, and the home club took over the game in the third, outshooting Buffalo 12-7, scoring the game-winner from Lars Eller and adding a pair of empty-netters.
Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke after the game:
Was it tough to find open ice in the contest?
I don't know if it was tough or they took over the game last two periods. I thought they outskated, they out-competed. Their desperation level was just higher than us. As simple as that.
The game was tied going into the third, which is where you wanted to be:
I thought they were better than us. Simple as that, their compete was better. They won more battles. You look at the empty net, even the fourth goal. We had four guys in the corner. They have one and they're gonna come out and score an empty net goal. We dump it in and we just give them a breakaway on the six and five. We weren't good. We weren't good enough to win the game.
What was said in the room after the second?
(We) talked about winning more battles. Didn't feel like we were coming out of the corners with any puck, and a lot of the wall battles were going their way.
How disappointing was it that you could not take advantage of the Senators depleted defense?
That's all we talked about was they were down to five and and we didn't stress them out enough. I just felt didn't generate enough high-quality opportunities, and the game was sitting there, and they took it over.
We have a slew of early baseball games this Good Friday, so let's make some quick money with some of the earliest bets that cash out: the “run first inning” markets.
My MLB picks are expecting some early scoring in a trio of games today, including a West Coast clash between the Mariners and Angels.
Getting the YRFI at -122 in a game at Coors Field is a bargain, and today's pitching matchup suggests we'll get plenty of runs.
Philadelphia Phillies righty Aaron Nola is coming off his worst season as a pro (6.01 ERA over 17 starts) and allowed five runs in five innings in his first outing this year.
The Colorado Rockies are giving the pill to Michael Lorenzen, who surrendered seven hits and three runs in 4 1/3 innings in his season debut. Lorenzon had a 4.64 ERA with the Royals last year, and his subpar ground ball rate and exit velocity suggest he'll struggle at Coors.
Especially against a hard-hitting Phillies lineup that has some big bats at the top of the order.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBC Sports Phil | Rockies.TV
Reds at Rangers: YRFI (-102)
The Cincinnati Reds haven't been productive at the plate, but the analytics suggest positive regression. Anchored by rising stars Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart, the Reds lead the majors in exit velocity while ranking fifth in barrel rate.
Today, they take on the Texas Rangers and Mackenzie Gore, who generates strikes but gives up too much hard contact. The lefty was in the 20th percentile in barrel rate and exit velocity last year while posting a 4.33 xERA.
Reds starter Brady Singer had an almost identical 4.27 xERA last, and he allowed three runs in four innings in his 2026 debut. I don't trust him to navigate a Rangers lineup that is sixth in the majors in runs per game (5.33) and third in hard-hit rate.
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rangers Sports Network | Reds.TV
Mariners at Angels: YRFI (+114)
The Seattle Mariners mashed away from home last season, posting 5.09 runs per game. Expect the same production as they begin their first road trip this year.
The M's retained Josh Naylor while adding leadoff man Brendan Donovan to a lineup anchored by MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena.
They'll have success against Los Angeles Angels lefty Reid Detmers, who has been shaky as a starter and is better out of the bullpen. Detmers didn't make a single start last year but had a 6.70 ERA in 17 starts in 2024. He started last Saturday and gave up three runs in 4 2/3 frames.
Meanwhile, Seattle will start Bryan Woo, who has been great at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park but can be inconsistent on the road.
Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel SN West | Mariners.TV
Rohit NRFI bets 2026 Transparency Record
NRFI/YRFI picks: 4-5, -1.25 units
What is a NRFI bet?
NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.
A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.
NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: A general view during the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, welcome (back) to Fenway Park!
The Red Sox look to get their mojo this season as Don Orsillo and Xander Bogaerts return to Boston with the San Diego Padres. Gonna be a cool and cloudy one out there!
⚾️ First Pitch: 2:10pm ET — Fenway Park, Boston, MA
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres laughs in the dugout during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park on April 01, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (2-4) at Boston Red Sox (1-5), April 3, 2026, 11:10 p.m. PST
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Cody Delvecchio #25 of the UCLA Bruins throws a pitch during a game against the UC Davis Aggies at Jackie Robinson Stadium on April 16, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, I lied to you. I hope you’ll forgive me. In yesterday’s roundup, I said that Thursday would finally bring the return of multiple-game days days for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates. Turns out I was wrong, as AAA Sacramento had their game rained out and postponed. Actually, it apparently stopped raining, because the official postponement is for “wet grounds.” It will be made up on Saturday, when they play a doubleheader against the Salt Lake Bees, presuming Utah soil has dried by then.
So just one game it was, but it was a good one. Lets jump into it.
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
News
Just two small transactions for the affiliates on Thursday. AAA Sacramento lost one of their pitchers, as RHP Blade Tidwell (No. 9 CPL) was called up to San Francisco to replace the injured José Buttó. Tidwell got into Thursday’s game against his former team, the New York Mets, and made his Giants debut by recording a 3-inning save. Gotta love it!
Replacing Tidwell on Sacramento’s roster is RHP Will Bednar (No. 24 CPL). Bednar was an NRI at Spring Training this year, but curiously opened the year on the Development List. Now he’s off it, and will prepare to make his season debut.
Low-A San Jose (1-0)
San Jose Giants beat the Stockton Ports (A’s) 12-8 Box score
The Baby Giants kicked off their title defense on Thursday night by heading up the road to Stockton. And what a glorious start to the season it was, as San Jose found all the offense they were looking for (and then some), while also featuring a stellar pitching performance from an exciting arm.
One of the fun things about Low-A in this era of Minor League Baseball is that when the season starts, so do the debuts. So many young players get drafted (or sign as undrafted free agents) and don’t debut until the next year, and so this game featured a whopping 5 San Jose players who were playing in a professional baseball game for the first time in their life. A day to remember!
It’s quite fitting, then, that the 2 position players who were making their debuts were the ones who carried the offense. First baseman Hayden Jatczak and catcher Junior Barajas would have remembered Thursday for their debuts alone, but now they’ll really remember the game, because they had star showings.
Jatczak positively carried the offense, with a nearly perfect day: he hit 3-4 with a 3-run home run in the 8th inning, plus a triple, a walk, 4 RBIs, and a strikeout. It’s hard to do much better than that, especially since the home run was positively majestic and towering.
HAVE A NIGHT HAYDEN! A three-run bomb in the eighth gives the Giants a 10-6 lead. pic.twitter.com/0U2vKFKkE2
The Giants have had some remarkable success with undrafted free agents in recent years, both in the form of their own signings (Bo Davidson and Trent Harris) and players they traded for (Parks Harber). Jatczak, a 24-year old out of Kent State, will try to be the next in that line of overlooked talent.
As for Barajas, he wasn’t far behind. He also homered, as part of a 2-5 day that also included a double, 3 RBIs, and a strikeout. The son of Rod Barajas (the younger Barajas is technically Rod Barajas Jr., but goes by the eternally-cool “Junior” moniker), the lefty catcher was an 11th-round pick in July’s draft, but it’s been clear from the buzz around him that the team has been highly impressed with his bat. While not undrafted like Davidson, he may have been overlooked for one of the same reasons: a collegiate career spent at a junior college, rather than an NCAA school.
The Giants don’t have a lot of intriguing backstop bats in the system, so it will be very exciting if Barajas can hit as well as they hope — and perhaps think — he will.
While Jatczak and Barajas were the stars of the day on offense, the star of the team is shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL), and he followed up his breakout 2025 with a solid day at the top of San Jose’s lineup, as he hit 3-5 and stole a base, while striking out twice. It will be interesting to see how San Jose handles infield reps for Level and Lorenzo Meola (No. 23 CPL), last year’s 4th-round pick, who is a dynamic defensive player. In this game, Level played short while Meola (who hit 1-4 with a double and a sacrifice fly) handled second base, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they switch off assignments.
Jhonny Level with his first RBI of the year! Giants take a 2-0 lead in the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/gU4f0DNLBL
Level, who dominated the Complex League last year before holding his own for a month in San Jose, will be hoping to rid himself of that tandem by playing his way up to High-A Eugene by the summer, though a similar predicament will await him there, as last year’s 1st-round pick, Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) will be handling shortstop for the Emeralds. Good problems to have, especially since Level just turned 19 earlier this week.
Center fielder Andy Polanco, who was an 11th-round pick in 2024, also had an intriguing day, hitting 1-4 with a hit by pitch and stealing 2 bases, though he also had 2 strikeouts.
On the whole, the pitching wasn’t good, but only because the Giants used the bullpen. The game started brilliantly thanks to another debuting player who has been building a lot of buzz: RHP Cody Delvecchio, the organization’s 12th-round pick in July’s draft.
Delvecchio, a recently-turned 22-year old who played at UCLA, earned quite a bit of hype in his first pro camp, and even got into a Spring Training game, where he impressed with 2 strikeouts in a scoreless inning. Opening Day assignments are symbolic, even in the Minor Leagues, so it’s telling that Delvecchio got the nod on Day 1 in a rotation that also features RHPs Keyner Martinez (No. 10 CPL) and Argenis Cayama (No. 13 CPL). Don’t take that to mean that the Giants think Delvecchio is a better prospect than Martinez and Cayama, but it might mean that they think he’s their best pitcher right now (he’s a bit older than those two fast-rising prospects).
And Delvecchio certainly rewarded that decision with a dynamic game against the Ports, pitching 4 scoreless innings while allowing just 1 hit (a single), 1 walk, and 1 hit batter. The righty lived in the strike zone, with 42 of 64 pitches going for strikes, and he struck out 6 Stockton hitters. That’s a pretty phenomenal debut, and one that will have us excited to see what he does with his next start.
Cody Delvecchio with a strong professional debut, hurling four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while punching out six batters.
He lived at the top of the zone with his flat VAA heater, mixing in his cutter, slider, and changeup from time to time. pic.twitter.com/Au43QfOuJy
— Giant Prospective (@giantprospectiv) April 3, 2026
Unfortunately, the bullpen was awful through and through. LHP Ricardo Estrada and RHP Cooper McGrath (last year’s 18th-round pick, who was debuting) each walked 4 batters, with Estrada only recording 4 outs and McGrath only recording 1. RHPs Dylan Carter and Garrett Langrell (the final debuting player, and last year’s 16th-round pick) each gave up a trio of hits and a free pass (a walk for Carter; a hit batter for Langrell), with the former ceding 3 runs in 1.1 innings, and the latter 2 runs in as many innings. Better days ahead for all of them!
Sacramento: 5:35 p.m. PT at Salt Lake (SP: Carson Seymour) Richmond: 3:05 p.m. PT at Erie (SP: Greg Farone) Eugene: 6:35 p.m. PT vs. Hillsboro (SP: Niko Mazza) San Jose: 7:05 p.m. PT at Stockton (SP: Jordan Gottesman)
Reminder that almost all MiLB games can be watched on MLB TV
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Will Warren #98 of the New York Yankees in action against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on September 09, 2025 in New York City. The Tigers defeated the Yankees 12-2. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a highly successful 5-1 road trip to open the season, the Yankees return home to Yankee Stadium for the first time in 177 days to open a three-game set with the Miami Marlins on a rare Friday matinee. The Marlins come into this one on a roll to start the season, taking advantage of hosting the Rockies and White Sox on their season-opening homestand to match the Yankees and Brewers’ league-best starts.
Will Warren will look to keep the rotation dominance going in his second start of the season after a solid opening effort in San Francisco. The 26-year-old threw some of the fastest pitches of his career in the first inning, but lost considerable velocity as the game went on and was removed after 4.1 innings of one-run ball. It’ll be interesting to see if the adrenaline has him throwing 97 to start again, or if he’ll look to maintain normal velocity throughout.
Eury Pérez gets the start for the Marlins after throwing seven strong innings against the Rockies last week. After missing all of 2024 and the start of 2025 with Tommy John recovery, he’s healthy to start 2026 and will be looking to power through this Yankee lineup. Pérez, who turns 23 later this month, doesn’t even have 200 MLB innings under his belt, but has the potential to be one of the game’s best pitchers.
Pérez leans heavily on his high-octane four-seamer, which has consistently sat at 98 mph even after elbow surgery. He utilizes five other pitches, but throws none of them more than 20 percent of the time. Look out for curveballs and changeups to lefties, sweepers and cutters to lefties, and sliders as his primary secondary pitch. The big weakness that has bedeviled Pérez is that, when hitters do make contact, it’s usually very loud and in the air, which makes for an interesting matchup against an offense like this at Yankee Stadium (compared to last August in the Marlins’ more spacious home).
It’s a usual lineup for the Yankees, featuring the same nine players that it has for four of the six games this season. They do mix up the bottom third, however, moving Austin Wells up to seventh and putting the struggling Ryan McMahon in the 9-hole.
Jakob Marsee—who had a spectacular debut series against the Yankees when Miami swept them after the 2025 Trade Deadline—leads off for the Fish, followed by Xavier Edwards and former Baby Bomber Agustin Ramírez. Liam Hicks, Otto Lopez, and Owen Caissie (acquired from the Cubs for starter Edward Cabrera) are all off to great starts this year and will be the heart of the order, as Connor Norby, Griffin Conine, and Graham Pauley bring up the rear. That’s five lefties and a switch-hitter against Warren, who needs to be better against lefties.
Holmstrom, who has 39 points (19 goals, 20 assists) in 73 games this season, sustained an upper-body injury in their 8-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday. He did not play in their 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
Forward Anthony Duclair played in his spot on the team's second line alongside Brayden Schenn and Mathew Barzal. While Roy wouldn't divulge who would be coming out of the lineup if Holmstrom was able to play, one would think Duclair would come out.
Puck drop between the Islanders and Flyers comes your way at 7 PM ET.
The Vancouver Canucks are 75 games into their 2025–26 NHL season and have officially clinched 32nd overall for the 2025–26 season. With this result, they have secured the best possible odds to select first-overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Vancouver has seven games remaining in their 2025–26 NHL season; here’s how they stack up to the rest of the league at this point in the year.
Team Stats
Vancouver Canucks team stats, 75 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver became the first team to be mathematically eliminated from playoffs last week, though this week, they officially locked themselves into 32nd overall in the NHL. Around the league, other teams have only just begun to find themselves being eliminated from post-season contention, as the Chicago Blackhawks (31st), New York Rangers (29th), and Toronto Maple Leafs (25th) are now out of the running. Having said that, all three teams still currently have over 65 points on the season, with Chicago registering 68 in 76 games, New York putting up 71 in 76, and Toronto averaging slightly over a point per game with 77 in 76.
The Canucks’ lone saving grace stats-wise is their power play, which has found some success throughout the season but not as much as it appears to be having now in relation to the team’s place in the standings. Vancouver currently ranks 17th in the NHL in power play percentage with a success rate of 20.2%, with the Canucks having scored power play goals in four consecutive games. They’ve scored a total of nine power play goals in their past 10 games.
Individual Skater Stats
Vancouver Canucks individual skater stats, 75 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver finally has their first 20-goal scorer of the season, as Brock Boeser hit this mark after his hat trick against the Colorado Avalanche on April 1. Now at a season total of 21 goals, he’s tied for the 92nd-most goals in the NHL alongside Zach Werenski, Mikko Rantanen (who has been injured), and Kiefer Sherwood. Prior to this, Sherwood had retained the Canucks’ lead in goals despite not playing for the team since the start of January.
When it comes to the team’s overall lead in points, Elias Pettersson’s 48 currently sits at the top of the Canucks but is tied for 119th in the NHL. Ironically enough, 48 points is the current lead for power play points by a player in the league, with this being held by Connor McDavid. Pettersson also has the Canucks’ lead in power play points with 21.
Goaltending Stats
Vancouver Canucks goaltending stats, 75 games into 2025-26.
It’s not exactly a good sign when the goaltender who holds your team-high in SV% and GAA hasn’t played in months, but with the season the Canucks have had, it almost feels expected. Thatcher Demko remains the Canucks’ leader in SV% (.895%) and GAA (2.90), and has remained at the top for the better-half of this season. The next highest Canucks goaltender in both of these stats is Nikita Tolopilo, who is tied for 52nd in the NHL in SV% (.886%) and ranks 68th in GAA with 3.57. Having said that, Demko’s previous team-high of eight wins has finally been surpassed, as Kevin Lankinen notched his ninth win of the season against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.
Lankinen has taken the bulk of Vancouver’s starts since Demko was declared out for the remainder of the season, though he’s played much more as of late. While he’d started in five consecutive games, the goaltender has played in every game but one (April 2) since March 17. This has been reflected in his personal stats, as he currently ranks 23rd in the NHL in overall minutes played (2404:27), 21st in shots faced (1181), and 14th in high-danger shots faced (359).
Apr 1, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Vancouver Canucks left wing Jake DeBrusk (74) scores on Colorado Avalanche goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood (39) in the first period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Vancouver will wrap up their 2025–26 season with three games at home and four on the road. They’ll face the Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights in Vancouver on April 4 and 7 respectively, before heading to California to take on all three of the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks will play their final home game against the Kings on April 14, but will wrap their season up in Alberta against the Edmonton Oilers.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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