HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 21: Houston Astros starting pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (17) throws a pitch in the top of the first inning during the MLB game between the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros on June 21, 2026 at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kai-Wei Teng (W, 4-6) had struggled in his most recent 4 starts, and very much looked like a candidate to be replaced in the rotation. Teng put at least a temporary hold on all of that today.
Teng pitched 6 strong innings against the Guardians this afternoon, allowing just one run on 4 hits with a walk and 4 strikeouts in earning his 4th win of the season. Steven Okert, Bryan King, and Josh Hader (S, 5) followed with scoreless innings of relief as the Houston Astros (37-42) defeated the Cleveland Guardians (41-37) 2-1 at Daikin Park on Father’s Day.
The victory clinched the series victory for the Astros, who have won three consecutive series for the first time this season. The Astros are now 17-11 since May 21.
Yordan Alvarez got the Astros on the board first with his league-leading 25th HR of the season in the bottom of the first, a solo shot off Guardians’ starter Slade Cecconi (L, 3-6).
Alvarez would later off the bottom of the 4th with a walk, advance to 2nd on a single by Christian Walker, and the score on a single by Isaac Paredes to make it a 2-0 lead. However that was all the Astros could muster in both that inning and the rest of the game.
In the bottom of the 5th, a one-out triple by Petey Halpin followed by a groundout by Travis Bazzana accounted for the Guardians only run off Teng.
The Guardians did not get another hit the rest of the way.
The Astros are currently 2.5 GB of the Seattle Mariners pending the results of their game today, and 2GB the Blue Jays and Athletics for the final Wild Card spot.
Following today’s game, the Astros travel to Toronto for a 3 game series with the Blue Jays.
Apr 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter (22) throws during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter has been placed on the injured list with a left ankle injury, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled pitcher Jose Corniell.
Leiter had been dealing with the ankle issue for most of the season, but reportedly made it worse slipping on the on deck circle in the Rangers’ April contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. You remember the play, I’m sure, but in case you need a reminder, here it is:
The general reaction to the play at the time was, oh shit, now Jack Leiter is hurt. I think most of us of were surprised he even stayed in the game. Per Chris Young, Leiter felt he could pitch through the issue, but scans after his last outing showed it had gotten worse, so he’s being shut down so the ankle can heal.
One might wonder whether the Rangers would have made this move sooner if they had a viable option to replace Leiter in the rotation. Jacob Latz, who was the de facto sixth starter early on, has taken on the closer role, and given the injuries the bullpen is dealing with currently, along with ineffectiveness by a lot of the non-Latz relievers, trying to stretch him out and have him starting again isn’t realistic.
It is worth noting, though, that Jordan Montgomery is beginning a rehab assignment with Frisco. He’s recuperating from Tommy John surgery, and so probably isn’t a realistic option in the rotation until after the All Star Break, but there is some help on the way.
Corniell returned in the second half of the 2025 season from Tommy John surgery and pitched extremely well in the minors, earning a late season callup, and ultimately being the last Rangers pitcher to pitch in 2025, as his major league debut ended in a walkoff homer in his second inning of work in extra innings in Cleveland. He got off to a bit of a rocky start to the season, but in his last two appearances has allowed two runs in nine innings while striking out six and not walking anyone. He presumably will be used out of the pen for the time being.
In case you’re curious, here’s the Rangers’ current nine man major league bullpen:
Jacob Latz
Jakob Junis
Tyler Alexander
Cole Winn
Cal Quantrill
Peyton Gray
Robb Ahlstrom
Joe Ross
Jose Corniell
Yeah, probably need to leave Latz in the pen for now…
Jun 21, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) reacts after being called out on strikes against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves took the series win, but couldn’t complete the sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers after falling 9-4 at Truist Park.
Atlanta got on the board early on with Ozzie Albies picking up where he left off from last night’s game with a sacrifice fly to bring Mauricio Dubón in for the first run.
It was after that, however, when the Brewers answered back, going on a tear against Bryce Elder (6 IP/ 12 H/ 8 ER/ 6 K/ 1 HR) to make their presence known in the second inning. Brewers’ Sal Frelick hit a two-run double, and from there, Milwaukee caught the wave to end with a three-run homer from William Contreras (8-1).
It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth that Atlanta would see another run from a Joey Bart ground ball to bring in Michael Harris II. The Brewers scored their last run on a wild pitch in the seventh (9-2).
And the Braves attempted to come alive again late in the ninth with a two-run homer from Rowdy Tellez to drive in Albies (9-4), giving the Braves a little action with no outs.
The efforts to get back in the game fell short after an out from Joey Bart’s ground ball.
Though Elder gave up eight runs in the second, he did improve, staying out longer than his previous appearance last week. His confidence in targeting the strike zone, however, hasn’t looked like what he’s displayed earlier in the season, yet, instead looking as he did when he struggled last season.
The Braves will have to put together a new game plan to get back to executing basic fundamentals if they want to look like the promising team they’ve shown Braves country just a few weeks ago.
Finding ways to win has its perks, but it isn’t sustainable against teams that are targeting them to put a stop to their run.
Grant Holmes is set to take the mound tomorrow to face off against the San Diego Padres. The Braves will need the offense to be on their side as they look to be the dominant team once again.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the first inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on June 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy Father’s Day! The A’s have their fourth and final game of the series this afternoon, taking on the Angels for the fourth and final time this afternoon.
MIAMI — In a series in which hardly anything had gone right, the Giants still had to feel good about their chances Sunday with their ace, Logan Webb, on the mound.
The odds were even more in their favor given the Marlins countered with Ryan Gusto, a 27-year-old from Santa Rosa with a 5.85 ERA in 32 career big-league games.
Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb tossed a gem Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits over eight innings. AP Photo/Jim Rassol
Webb held up his end of the bargain.
But the Giants’ hitters showed no gusto against Gusto.
They struck out six times in 4 ⅓ innings against the Marlins’ meager starter, cracked him for just one run and fared no better once Miami went to the bullpen in a 2-1 loss.
“Obviously you want more runs and you want to win,” manager Tony Vitello said. “But if you pull the two [or] three innings of bad baseball yesterday, the guys played well. We just unfortunately don’t have a lot to show for it.”
The defeat completed a sweep at the hands of the Marlins and sent San Francisco 15 games below .500, matching their low point of the season previously set last weekend, when they fell to 28-43. They responded by reeling off three consecutive wins against the Cubs and Braves.
But, just like that, another three losses followed.
“It’s frustrating,” said third baseman Matt Chapman, who went 0-for-19 with eight strikeouts on the road trip. “Because it seems as soon as we have some momentum, it’s a couple steps forward and a couple steps back.”
No fault of Webb, who only made a couple of mistakes in an otherwise flawless outing. Webb limited Miami to two runs on five hits, completing eight innings for his third consecutive start.
There were probably only two at-bats he wished he could have back, and they both came against Kyle Stowers. The Marlins’ cleanup hitter punished a first-pitch sinker that didn’t quite get low enough for a home run that put Miami ahead 1-0 in the second inning and, in his next time up, worked a two-out walk that allowed Otto Lopez to double him in to make it 2-1.
“Bad pitch to Stowers,” Webb said. “And a two-out walk just can’t happen.”
The Giants’ Matt Chapman argues a call with the plate umpire Sunday. Chapman went 0-for-2 in the loss. AP Photo/Jim Rassol
The Giants advanced just two runners into scoring position, both in the third inning, when Luis Arraez sliced a two-out double into the left field corner and Casey Schmitt singled him home.
Bryce Eldridge, who reached on a walk, made it to third but was stranded there.
From the fourth inning on, the Giants mustered only four baserunners and failed to advance any of them beyond first base. With closer Pete Fairbanks unavailable having saved the last two games, the Marlins brought in Lake Bachar, who faced zero resistance in the ninth.
“Their bullpen guys did a good job all three days,” Vitello said. “You use that many guys, you’d like to think you’ve got a window that opens up when a guy’s not on that guy or doesn’t execute, but the way they lined them up was pretty good. We did have decent matchups on paper, but the bottom line is those guys got the job done for them.”
The most resistance shown by any of the Giants in the ninth, in fact, was friendly fire from Rafael Devers when Jonah Cox was called on to pinch-run after he drew a leadoff walk.
Devers unsuccessfully appeared to try to wave off Cox and stormed back to the dugout in a huff, twisting his body to avoid a pat on the back from Jayce Tingler and beelining to the clubhouse.
“You know how competitive he is,” Vitello said, downplaying the incident. “He wanted to stay in the game.”
What it means
Webb allowed more than one run for the first time in five starts since returning from a bout of bursitis in his right knee. Still, only the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, the MLB ERA leader, has posted a lower ERA than Webb’s 1.02 mark since he made his return May 29.
“The first outing [back from the IL] against the Rockies was good; it wasn’t phenomenal by any stretch of the imagination,” Vitello said. “But since then, he’s climbed every time he’s gone out there.”
The Marlins’ Kyle Stowers celebrates after hitting a home run Sunday against the Giants. Rhona Wise-Imagn Images
Who’s hot
Vitello moved Schmitt down in the order in the last game of their homestand, and he responded with his first of five straight multi-hit games from the bottom half.
That got him back in the No. 3 hole Sunday, and all Schmitt did was continue to hit.
He raked two more singles, including one that produced the Giants’ lone run for his team-leading 42nd RBI, in his sixth consecutive multi-hit effort.
It’s only the sixth time since 2000 that a Giants player has recorded multiple hits in at least six straight games, last done when Marco Scutaro strung together seven in a row in 2013.
“I think he’s back into the rhythm that he was [in],” Vitello said. “There was a little bit of a lull there. It was a matter of time before he got back going.”
Who’s not
Chapman, on the other hand, couldn’t buy a hit on this road trip.
Just as the third baseman seemed to have put it all together at the plate this month, Chapman has been out of whack seemingly every time he stepped to the plate the past five games.
Chapman looked increasingly lost as the trip went on, striking out eight times over the final four contests — caught looking in four of those instances.
“I got pitched well on this road trip,” Chapman said. “I still hit some balls hard but right at guys. That’s the ebbs and flows of the game. Just unfortunate when we’re not winning baseball games. It sucks.”
In his prior 26 games, dating back to May 17, Chapman was batting .344 with a 1.079 OPS, recording six of his seven home runs and 24 of his 41 RBIs over the stretch to raise his OPS to .762, the highest it had been since the second week of the season.
His latest cold snap sent his OPS back down to .716.
Up next
The Giants fly back to San Francisco, where they begin a six-game homestand Tuesday against the Athletics. It remains to be seen how warm of a welcome home they’ll receive with some fans organizing protests against the players who objected to the team’s LGBTQ Pride Night.
Tyler Mahle will make his first start since May 26 on Wednesday in his return from a hamstring strain, following Robbie Ray — who opens the series Tuesday.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at bat during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Dodger Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s enjoy the final game at Dodger Stadium this June.
Jun 16, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images | Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Happy Sunday, folks! The Red Sox are playing at a reasonable hour tonight after two straight wins that started after 10 pm EST. If they win, it will be their third series sweep of the season, and first of a non-AL Central team. Of course, they were immediately swept following each of the sweeps. At the same time, they head to Colorado to face the hapless Rockies next, before going back to Fenway to face the Yankees. If there ever were a time to build some momentum and turn this ship around, this would be the road trip to do it. Win six straight and have some energy on a Friday night against the Yankees — why not? Payton Tolle gets the ball against Logan Gilbert today — a top-tier pitching matchup.
Apr 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) juggles the ball after hitting an Athletics batter during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The Mariners will try to avoid a sweep today at the hands of the Red Sox, who have stacked three lefty starters to force the Mariners into using their weaker right-handed lineup.
It’s also Father’s Day. Pregame the Mariners were wearing these Taylor Swift Eras tour-inspired shirts. Most featured the Moose as the central image but some of the pitchers had ones with Bryce Miller (Bryce, for his part, opted for just the regular Steelheads compression shirt).
Lineups:
It’s a scheduled day off for Colt Emerson, who doesn’t have a hit in this series and looked visibly frustrated after some of his at-bats last night after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts – uncharacteristic for the young infielder both at the plate and as a player who tries to stay even-keeled.
News:
It looks like Randy Arozarena is tracking towards an on-time return from the IL. He’s eligible to come off it on Tuesday.
Jun 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) celebrates with first baseman Pete Alonso (25) after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Orioles will look to take the series today with Brandon Young on the mound at Dodger Stadium. The team let Friday’s game slip away and nearly lost control in the ninth inning last night. Can the Orioles manage to secure a drama-free victory, or are the Dodgers due for a dominant win?
Taylor Ward will bat leadoff and play left field for Baltimore. He’ll be joined in the outfield by Colton Cowser (center) and Leody Taveras (right). Coby Mayo will bat fifth and serve as the DH against right-handed starter Emmet Sheehan. Jeremiah Jackson will play second, Gunnar Henderson will take short, and Blaze Alexander will head to the hot corner.
Samuel Basallo will catch the day game despite starting behind the plate last night. The Orioles placed Adley Rutschman on the 7-day injured list, and Craig Albernaz will decline to send out backup backstop Sam Huff.
Young (5-2, 3.18 ERA) has given the Orioles a chance to win almost every time out. Dean Kremer and Cade Povich are both starting rehab appearances today, so Young would benefit from another solid outing.
The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with goaltender Dylan Garand on a two-year contract extension.
The first year of the deal is reportedly a two-way contract worth the league minimum salary of $850,000 at the NHL level, while the second year is a 1-way contract for the league minimum of $900,000.
Garand was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, and he’s spent much of the past seasons in the American Hockey League playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Rangers finally gave the 24-year-old goalie a look toward the latter half of the 2025-26 campaign, as he started in three games, recording a 2-0-1 record, 1.62 goals against average, and a .948 save percentage.
“It was great, such a good experience,” Garand said of his time with the Rangers to close out the season. “Obviously, waited my whole life for an opportunity like this, and yeah, it was everything I dreamed of.”
Now, with Jonathan Quick officially retired, this new contract extension positions Garand well to take over the backup goaltending vacancy left by Quick.
Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury confirmed during his exit interview that Garand will be considered for the backup goaltending position.
“As far as Dylan, I couldn’t be happier for him, coming up and playing as solid as he did,” Drury said. “I was excited about what we saw, and we're certainly looking at him and among other options as to see who could be backup.”
The show must go on — even if the air quality isn’t ideal.
The Dodgers’ game against the Orioles on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium was scheduled to proceed, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, even though some might find the conditions uncomfortable as thick smoke from a massive warehouse fire continued to blanket large parts of the city.
“From what I’ve heard is, we’re going to move forward, we’re not in any jeopardy,” Roberts said about two hours before game time, “so the league as of now feels like we’re going to just play.”
Smoke from a massive warehouse fire in Boyle Heights continued to blanket large parts of LA including Dodger Stadium. Ben Bolch for the California Post
Conditions appeared to be improving as the day progressed, with air quality readings deemed acceptable, after the stadium took on a gloomy feel earlier in the day.
More than four hours before the scheduled first pitch, smoke from the nearby Boyle Heights warehouse fire had enshrouded the stadium in an acrid, nasty haze.
Conditions surrounding the stadium appeared to be improving as the day progressed. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It’s a little dark out there, a little Gotham City as I was driving up,” Roberts said, “but I’m hopeful that we’re getting this in.”
Stadium workers and media who did not come prepared scrambled to find masks, though the grounds crew prepping the field around 9:30 a.m. went unprotected.
The smoke was so thick that the hillside trees beyond the outfield and adjacent parking lots were barely visible. Breathing without a mask was uncomfortable.
The Orioles aren’t scheduled to return to Southern California after a three-game series against the Angels that starts Monday. Getty ImagesRescheduling the game might have been difficult given the Dodgers are heading to Minnesota after this game. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A state of emergency had been declared in the region a day earlier as firefighters battled the blaze that had started Wednesday inside a massive commercial building that housed millions of pounds of frozen food.
“I didn’t know there was a fire until 10 seconds ago,” Betts said after reaching his locker inside the clubhouse. “I know nothing about that [Boyle Heights fire]. I didn’t even notice it, to be honest. I just smelled something, but I was walking and I wasn’t paying any attention. We’ll see how it goes.”
Rescheduling the game might have been difficult given the Dodgers are heading to Minnesota after the game and the Orioles aren’t scheduled to return to Southern California after a three-game series against the Angels that starts Monday.
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Roberts said an MRI exam on reliever Blake Treinen’s right elbow revealed no structural damage.
“There was just a lot of inflammation that, I think, with wear and tear, sometimes things just spur that,” Roberts said of a setback that landed Treinen on the injured list. “So I don’t think it’ll be a long thing. Obviously, he’s on the IL, so it’s gonna be two weeks, but hopefully it’s not much more beyond that.”
Will Smith’s return timetable
Roberts said catcher Will Smith, who’s dealing with neck stiffness, would not travel with the team on its upcoming 10-day, three-city trip, signaling a longer stay on the injured list.
In a best-case scenario, Roberts said, Smith could begin baseball activity next week and return to the lineup early next month. A rehabilitation assignment would not be required unless Smith does not progress as expected.
Rehab plans
Roberts said outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, recovering from a strained left hamstring, would start a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City before rejoining the team in Sacramento for a three-game series starting June 29.
A day off on Father’s Day
With the Dodgers playing a day game after a night game, utilityman Tommy Edman and catcher Dalton Rushing were out of the starting lineup as part of a planned day off.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 01: Jason Kubel #13 of the Arizona Diamondbacks runs out onto the field as he is introduced to the MLB Opening Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field on April 1, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Cardinals 6-2. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello from Chase Field in Phoenix! As I take in this weekend series in the desert, let me set up the final contest with my stream-of-consciousness thoughts on this uncommon Minnesota Twins opponent (I’m sure I’ll have more informed opinions when I return!):
The Arizona Diamondbacks were an expansion club in the 1998 season. After struggling (65-97) that inaugural year like so many new clubs do, they immediately jumped to 100-62 in 1999, reaching the NLCS before losing to the Subway Series-bound New York Mets. Having four sluggers (Jay Bell, Matt Williams, Luis Gonzalez, & Steve Finley) eclipse 25 homers and seeing pitching staff ace Randy Johnson post a 9.1 WAR campaign (17-9, 2.48 ERA, 12 CG, 271.2 IP, 184 ERA+, 1.02 WHIP) were the primary drivers of such a quick turnaround.
They got over the hump in 2001 by pairing the Big Unit (10.1 WAR) with Curt Schilling (8.8 WAR) and riding those dual horses to the World Series. My personal story about that Fall Classic is driving back from a weekend of deer hunting in Bemidji, MN the night of Game 7. Despite arriving dog-tired from days of tromping through the woods, I had to stay up to see the season’s conclusion. I’m glad I did—it was a doozy…
After another wonderful (98-64) season in ‘02 that saw them swept out of the ALDS by the WS-bound San Francisco Giants, the D-Backs wandered the proverbial (perhaps literal, in this case) desert for the next two decades. They’d pop up every once in awhile with a solid campaign but never make it deep into October.
Twins fans may recall Jason Kubel crushing 30 bombs for the Snakes in ‘12 (see header image) or Eduardo Escobar jacking 35 taters for AZ in ‘19.
But personally, despite a fantasy baseball affinity for their notable masher Paul Goldschmidt, I can’t say I followed the Diamondbacks too closely those years.
Somewhat inexplicably considering their pedestrian 84-78 record and final NL Wild Card berth in 2023, Arizona swept the Brew Crew in the WC Round, swept division-rival LA in the NLDS, and nipped Philly in a 7-game NLCS to advance to the World Series. Despite two-stepping out of Texas at 1-1, the D-Backs were then swept at Chase Field by the Rangers.
Arizona hasn’t been back to the playoffs since, though they are certainly in the mix so far in 2026.
Like I said, I’m sure I’ll have more stories/pics when I return to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. But for now, let’s hope I’m able to cheer for a visitor victory before they return home to duke it out with the Los Angeles Dodgers (yikes).
Satirical grave marker for Lester Moore, reading Lester Moore, Four Slugs from an A44, No Les No More, Tombstone, Arizona, 1966. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
TWINS
DIAMONDBACKS
Trevor Larnach – LF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Byron Buxton – DH
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Kody Clemens – RF
Corbin Carroll – RF
Royce Lewis – 1B
Gabriel Moreno – C
Brooks Lee – 3B
Pavin Smith – DH
Luke Keaschall – 2B
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Ryan Kreidler – SS
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Kyler Fedko – CF
Jorge Barrosa – CF
Alex Jackson – C
Tommy Troy – LF
Mike Paredes – RHP
Jose Cabrera – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Selected from Triple-A Reno: RHP Jose Cabrera (No. 53)
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: LHP Kohl Drake (No. 58)
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game: LHP Philip Abner
Designated for assignment: RHP Yilber Díaz
I thought the bullpen chart had misfired and not loaded any data for yesterday’s game. But it’s actually accurate. The only relievers used were Diaz and Abner, who are both no longer on the active roster, plus position player Ildemaro Vargas. The currently active bullpen all got the day off, not something you often see when your team conceded 16 runs the previous day. I do feel slightly badly for Abner, who gave the team 2.2 scoreless innings. But having thrown 44 pitches, he would have been dead space in the bullpen for several days. Hence the return of Kohl Drake instead, who like Cabrera, will be making his major-league debut.
Be fun if they both did so in the same game. From what I can see, the last time the D-backs had two debuts on the same day was on April 1, 2019, when Merrill Kelly and Jon Duplantier both made their first appearance in the majors. Meanwhile, Diaz may be toast. His ERA is 94.50, tied for third on the franchise single season list. Edgar Gonzalez had a 108.00 ERA in 2005, and Matt Koch had an undefined ERA in 2017, allowing three runs without retiring a batter. The math nerd in me is amused by the exponential progression of Diaz’s ERA. 3.81 in 2024, became 9.00 last year, and now 94.50 this year. If he pitches in 2027… I dread to think.
Cabrera is actually in his 6th professional season, though if you’ve never heard of him, that’s probably not a surprise. He is not to be found on MLB Pipeline’s top 30 Arizona prospects list, and was listed at #48 on Fangraphs pre-season rankings. He’ll likely have the advantage of surprise, since I doubt the Twins will have much in the way of advanced scouting information on him, but whether he can spin that into a decent outing, will have to be seen. He only needs an ERA of 6.00 to be better than Zac Gallen, so the bar for “success”, at least in relative terms, isn’t exactly high.
Today’s game is on Peacock. You have fun with that. I have to go get a haircut and call my Dad (it’s not Father’s Day in Scotland, but the principle stands, I guess), so we’ll see. Or maybe won’t see. Memo to guest recapper TheRealRamona: cancel that Instacart subscription on game completion. 🤔
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 15: Jared Jones #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on June 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in Denver for the series finale of a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies.
The Pirates want to finish their road trip on a high note and are giving the ball to Jared Jones for his fifth start of the season. In his last appearance on June 15 against the Athletics, Jones pitched just four innings, giving up five earned runs in an 11-2 loss in Sacramento. Jones is still recovering from missing all of 2025 with Tommy John surgery, and he’s slowly getting back into the groove of things. Perhaps a game against the Rockies, who boast one of the league’s worst records, is what he needs to get back on track.
The Rockies are countering with Michael Lorenzen, a 12-year veteran who is in his first year with the Rockies. Things have not gone off to the greatest of starts for Lorenzen, who is 2-8 to start the year in 15 starts with the team. His last appearance against the Chicago Cubs was one of his better outings, giving up just one earned run on five hits in five innings. The Rockies fell short in the later innings and lost 5-4 at Wrigley Field.
A win would make this a successful road trip for the Pirates going into the off day, so they need to put their best foot forward on Father’s Day.
Location: Coors Field, Denver, CO
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Jared Jones (1-1, 6.23 ERA) vs. Michael Lorenzen (2-8, 7.13 ERA)
BD community, chime off in the comments section below.
Jun 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) pitches in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Be ready to bust out the brooms on a sunny Father’s Day afternoon. After back-to-back nights with nail-biting conclusions in the ninth inning, the Colorado Rockies are somehow on the verge of sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Denver. It’s the first day of summer, the forecast is for clear skies and high temperatures, and the ball might be flying with today’s pitching match-up.
Right-handed veteran Michael Lorenzen has struggled through the spring with the Rockies. His 12 home runs allowed are the second-most among the pitching staff and his ERA has been below 6.00 just once so far. He has especially struggled at Coors Field with an 8.44 ERA over seven starts.
However, Lorenzen might finally be turning a corner. The 34-year-old is coming off of his best two starts of the season—interestingly enough both against the Chicago Cubs. In both starts—one on the road and one at home—Lorenzen gave up just one earned run with minimal walks and at least five strikeouts while working for five innings.
Right-handed pitcher Jared Jones will be on the bump for the Bucs this afternoon. Jones is making his fifth start of the season after completing his rehab from Tommy John surgery, which robbed him of his 2025 campaign after a promising 2024.
Jones enters today’s game with a 6.23 ERA and four home runs allowed, but 18 strikeouts over 17.1 innings of work. His last outing came against the Sacramento Athletics, where he worked four innings and gave up five earned runs on eight hits—two of which were home runs.
In two career starts against the Rockies, Jones has given up six earned runs on seven hits with a home run and has struck out 16 batters in 11.2 innings. His primary pitch is a high velocity four-seam fastball that averages 98.8 MPH and he backs it up with a slider, a changeup, and a curveball.
