Padres shut down Giants in 5-1 victory

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 06: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants hits a home run against the San Diego Padres in the fifth inning at Oracle Park on May 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Wednesday was Career Day at Oracle Park, a day where students could “learn about careers in sports and media with an exclusive Q&A with San Francisco Giants Front Office executives.” They got to see the Giants lose their second straight to the San Diego Padres, 5-1, a game where the team and the organization were left with far more Q’s than A’s.

Some of those questions included:

  • “Have you guys considered getting more than three hits in a game?
  • “How long is that Willy Adames contract again?”
  • “What’s Tony Vitello’s favorite show coming to the Curran Theatre this year?”
  • “Why are you obsessed with playing catchers in the outfield?”
  • “I am a sports psychologist. Can you give Ryan Walker my business card?

The Giants got two hits from rookie Jesus Rodriguez and a 5th-inning home run from Rafael Devers, but that was the entirety of their offense Wednesday. Perhaps they were confused by opener Bradgley Rodriguez, specifically by the arrangement of consonants in his first name, and his befuddgling sinkerball dgelivery that let him retire the Giants on seven pitches.

Matt Waldron (1-1) took over in the second inning, sporting a 9.88 ERA. Five innings, seven strikeouts and one Devers bomb later, he exited with a 2-1 lead and a 7.71 ERA. Yes, facing the Giants offense is like prescribing Ozempic for your ERA.

It was the first time Devers had gone deep since April 18 and it tied up the game at 1-1. He hit the dinger to lead off the the 5th inning, but the Giants only managed a single baserunner the rest of the way off a Padres bullpen that’s quite good — but not that good.

Adrian Houser (0-4) was the hard-luck loser for the Giants, giving up three hits and two runs in 6+ innings. Gavin Sheets began the scoring by blasting a ball into McCovey Cove the 4th inning and is now slugging .538 against the Giants for his career.

Houser got tagged with an extra run and the loss through very little fault of his own and a great deal of fault to the Giants defense. He faced one batter in the 7th, Fernando Tatis, Jr., who reached on a Matt Chapman error. Keaton Winn issued a walk and retired two hitters, then Vitello went to lefty Matt Gage when Ty France pinch-hit for Sung-Mun Song. France lined a ball to right field that went off Rodriguez’s glove for a two-run triple.

Vitello acknowledged that Rodriguez hadn’t played much right field, with most of his outfield experience coming in left, but thought the catcher had done well for the most part and “showed no fear…just didn’t catch that ball, which would have been an outstanding play.”

It’s a tough right field and it would have been a tough play for most players, but it’s reasonable to ask if a non-catcher would have had an easier time. However, Rodriguez was also the only Giant to get a hit after the Padres took the lead, and with two outs, France would have driven in both runs with a single anyway.

In the top of the 8th, the Padres put the game out of reach against Walker, who walked Manny Machado, threw a wild pitch, and then gave up a two-run shot to Xander Bogaerts, who went deep for the second straight game.

Padres manager Craig Stammen really pushed the right buttons Wednesday. Not only did he get a big pinch-hit from France, but he brought in Bogaerts for Sheets after France stayed in to play first base.

It didn’t end up mattering, as Adrian Morejon struck out four in two innings of relief work before Mason Miller struck out two more in the 9th. Miller now has 34 strikeouts in 17.1 innings this season, an even better K rate than Henry Rowengartner.

So the Giants dropped the series, but never fear! There was a College Fair after the game, where aspirants for a career in sports business can look for jobs and, we assume, try out for entry-level jobs as corner outfielders and middle relievers. As for the 2026 Giants, their playoff résumé is looking worse by the day.

Kvaratskhelia is perfect attacking scalpel for PSG’s surgical brilliance | Barney Ronay

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s trickery and imagination gave Konrad Laimer a torrid time in Munich. Arsenal, beware

Well, it was never going to be quite the same. You only get one all-time high, one first kiss, one Catcher in the Rye, one loved-up alien-ball dreamscape of a game like the first leg between these two teams.

In the event Bayern Munich never really laid a glove on Paris Saint-Germain at the Allianz Arena. They trailed from the third minute to Ousmane Dembélé’s goal, drew level on the night through Harry Kane at the death, but looked in between like a team trying to generate energy from a standing start, always kept at one remove by the extended arm, the palm on their forehead, fists whirling in the empty air between.

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Braves finally lose series after flat offensive performance in Mariners rubber match

May 6, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Atlanta Braves infielder Matt Olson (28) is short on the tag at first during the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

All good things must come to an end.

This finally applies to the Braves’ series winning streak to start the 2026 season, which came to an end Wednesday in Seattle.

After blowing a lead in Monday’s loss and winning Tuesday on Matt Olson’s ninth-inning homer, Atlanta’s bats fell flat in a 3-1 loss in the series finale vs. the Mariners. After winning 10 of their first 11 series and splitting a four-game set in the other, the streak finally ended in the middle series of the longest road trip of the Braves’ season.

It would appear the Braves (26-12) just missed the ideal time to face Seattle (18-20) right-hander Bryan Woo. After he had allowed 13 runs on 16 hits — including six home runs — in his last two starts, Woo (2-2) allowed just three baserunners (one hit, two walks) through six innings against the Braves’ potent lineup on Wednesday, striking out nine.

The Braves’ only hit off Woo was Mauricio Dubon’s two-out single in the fourth inning. That prevented them from being held hitless through four innings for the first time this season, but they were largely stifled by the Seattle starter.

The only saving grace was the Braves fouled off enough pitches that they drove Woo’s pitch count and chased him after six innings.

Martín Pérez (2-2) did well to keep the game tight and give the offense a chance to wake up throughout his start. His day ended on a somewhat sour note when he hung a 3-1 changeup which Julio Rodriguez smashed out of the park to center field. But it wasn’t a bad day by any means for Pérez, who allowed two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking one.

The Braves finally broke onto the scoreboard into the eighth against Eduard Bazardo, putting runners on the corners with no outs on back-to-back singles and plating their first run on a Dominic Smith sacrifice fly.

A brutal pickoff from pinch runner Jorge Mateo, who represented the tying run, derailed the rally attempt. A bad mistake was made that much worse when Drake Baldwin followed with a single which would have put Mateo in scoring position with one out and the strong part of the Atlanta lineup coming up.

Seattle tacked on an insurance run in the ninth off Didier Fuentes, who struck out four and allowed one run on two hits over two relief innings. That wound up being unnecessary when the heart of the Braves order was retired in order in the ninth.

The Braves finished with just four hits and two walks while striking out 12 times. That included two strikeouts each by Baldwin, Olson, Dubon and Austin Riley. Jim Jarvis, called up Wednesday morning for his major league debut, was 0-for-2 with a strikeout before Smith pinch hit for him in the eighth.

18-20: Chart

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 06: Julio Rodríguez #44 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his home run during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park on May 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mariners 3 Braves 1

Seeing José Ferrer once every three business days: Bryan Woo, .35 WPA

José Ferrer every day: Cal Raleigh, -.11 WPA

Game thread comment of the day:

Royals vs. Guardians game 37 thread

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 27: Cole Ragans #55 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning of the home opener at Truist Park on March 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Winners of their last five games and ten of the last thirteen, the Royals are looking to continue erasing the early struggles and get to the top of the AL Central. Today will be the third game of the Cleveland series that is going to be at worst a split for the boys in blue. A victory today would put Kansas City above the Guardians in the standings and a win over the series over the weekend could also catapult them past the now Skubaless Tigers.

Thoday’s lineup is an interesting one. Vinnie Pasquantino is in the fifth slot and Lane Thomas is batting third. Both Caglianone and Jensen will be taking the day off, at least until possible pinch hitting situations later in the game.

The big question of the day is which Cole Ragans will the team see today. His early exit after Jose Ramirez lined one off of is hand the last time he faced Cleveland has set Ragans on an odd trajectory in 2026. For two starts after that, Ragans walked a lot of batters and struggled to get his typical strike outs, both on the road. Then he came back to Kauffman and dominated the Angels with 11 Ks only to go back on the road last start and look a little uncomfortable again. Dominant or command issues, which will it be?

Opposite Cole will be Joey Cantillo who gave the Royals a very hard time in early April. He has struggled a little with walks all year but has been mostly effective. Kansas City’s offense has been much better in the last couple of weeks relative to when they saw Joey before, so hopefully they can get to the big lefty this time.

Game #36: A’s at Phillies Game Thread

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 04, 2026: Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Hohokam Stadium on March 04, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

The A’s got smacked last night in the first game of the series last night. They now get another chance to get a win in Philadelphia and set up a potential series-deciding contest for Thursday evening.

It’ll be left-handed Jeffrey Springs on the mound tonight. He recently got through a rough patch that included a shorted start due to a hip issue but it seems he’s been able to put that in the near view mirror. Let’s hope we get early-season Springs this evening.

Here’s the Athletics’ lineup for this evening:

An interesting bottom third of the lineup tonight. New catcher Jonah Heinz gets his first start with the team catching Springs this evening. And we’ll get a Zack Gelof sighting at third base as well. Most of the rest of the lineup is in their usual spots.

It’s Zack Wheeler going for the Phillies tonight. He’s only just returned from his injury but has looked like his old dominant self through his first two starts. Let’s hope the A’s can handle him in his third outing of the year.

And the Philly lineup tonight for the middle game:

Gotta get the win tonight. Let’s go A’s!

Yankees vs Rangers: Will Warren vs Nathan Eovaldi

Apr 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren (29) follows through on a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

One night after taking down the Rangers and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, the Yanks are at it again in the Bronx, with the chance to win their sixth consecutive series. It’s been a torrid start to the 2026 season, driven in large part by outstanding starting pitching. One of the hurlers who’s led the way takes the ball in the Boogie Down Bronx tonight.

Will Warren had a perfectly cromulent campaign for New York in ’25, but I don’t think anyone expected him to make the early leap he has thus far. Through 37.2 innings, his ERA is a sparkling 2.39, as he strikes out well over a batter per inning (10.99 K/9) and limits traffic on the bases behind him (1.062 WHIP). He’s mainly a three-pitch pitcher, with his four-seam fastball, sinker, and sweeper. But against lefties, he also features a curve and a change that have proven effective – hitters have ah combined two hits against the offerings, none for extra bases.

Meanwhile, old friend Nathan Eovaldi makes the start for Texas. If it feels like you just saw him, it’s because you did. His last start was against New York in Arlington, when he spun seven innings of shutout ball en route to victory, which also happens to be the Yankees’ last loss. Throw out his season numbers because the more pertinent information might be how well he pitches against New York. Eovaldi has a career 3.91 ERA but in 132.2 innings versus the Yankees, he’s pitched to a 3.05 mark. He’s allowed one run across his last 21 innings against New York, dating back to the start of 2025. Be prepared to be frustrated tonight.

The Yankee lineup tonight is about what you’d expect to see with no Giancarlo Stanton or Ben Rice, with Jasson Domínguez and Paul Goldschmidt filling in for them. Everyone in the lineup tonight has faced Eovaldi before, so they should have a reasonable idea of what to look for. Keep an eye on Aaron Judge. He’s historically hit Eovaldi well (.864 career OPS in 40 at-bats) and is on one of those Judgian tears at the plate – hitting .308/.459/.712 with 12 homers and 27 walks in his last 30 games.

Win tonight and clinch the series with the finale tomorrow afternoon. After that, the Yankees leave the friendly confines of the Bronx to head on the road. Let’s do it with momentum.

How to Watch:

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT

TV broadcast: Amazon Prime Video, Rangers Sports Network, MLB Network

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 / 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270

Online stream: MLB Network (out-of-market-only)

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

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GameThread: Tigers vs. Red Sox, 6:40 p.m.

May 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Kerry Carpenter (30) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run against the Texas Rangers in the seventh inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (18-19) vs. Boston Red Sox (14-21)

Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park
SB Nation Site: Over the Monster
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: Game 38: RHP Jack Flaherty (0-2, 5.90 ERA) vs. RHP Sonny Gray (2-1, 4.30 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Flaherty729.022.717.731.26.18-0.1
Gray523.013.15.153.84.490.2

Lineups

RED SOXTIGERS
Jarren Duran – LFKevin McGonigle – SS
Willson Contreras – 1BMatt Vierling – CF
Wilyer Abreu – RFColt Keith – 3B
Trevor Story – SSRiley Greene – LF
Masataka Yoshida – DHDillon Dingler – C
Ceddanne Rafaela – CFKerry Carpenter – RF
Marcelo Mayer – 2BZach McKinstry – 2B
Carlos Narvaez – CSpencer Torkelson – 1B
Caleb Durbin – 3BJace Jung – DH

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Matthew Boyd injury update: Cubs pitcher will have knee surgery

The Chicago Cubs rotation just took another hit.  

Manager Craig Counsell announced Wednesday that left hander Matthew Boyd will undergo surgery for a left meniscus injury, with no timetable to return. The news is another blow to a Chicago starting staff that has been devastated by injuries since opening day.  

Boyd, 35, had already missed time this season with a left biceps strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list from April 6-22. He returned to make several starts and appeared to be rounding into form Sunday against Arizona, when he turned in his first quality start of the season. He allowed two runs over six innings to lower his ERA to 6.00.  

ESPN reported that Boyd suffered the injury while playing with his children.  

This is a blow to a staff that has been hit hard. Cade Horton, who was expected to be a key part of the rotation, is already done for the year after an MRI revealed UCL damage in his right elbow. Justin Steele, Chicago’s opening day starter in 2024, is still recovering from Tommy John surgery and isn't expected back until later this month or early June. With Boyd now headed to the operating table, the Cubs are running dangerously low on starting pitching.  

Edward Cabrera and Shota Imanaga figure to anchor the rotation with Jameson Taillon still struggling. Javier Assad and Colin Rea, both of whom filled in during Boyd’s biceps absence, figure to see increased workloads again.  

Boyd signed a two-year, $29.5 million contract with Chicago before the 2025 season. He rewarded the Cubs with a career year earning his first All-Star selection. He was 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA and a team-leading 179 2/3 innings pitched. He has a $15 million mutual option for 2017.  

Matthew Boyd injury update

Boyd has an extensive injury history.  

He has dealt with a flexor tendon strain, Tommy John surgery, a biceps issue this year and now the meniscus injury that requires surgery. Despite that, he remained one of the more reliable starters just a year ago.  

The Cubs entered play Wednesday at 20-14 and in first place in the National league Central.  

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd out indefinitely after knee surgery

Washington Nationals vs Minnesota Twins Game Thread

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 05: James Wood #29 of the Washington Nationals rounds first base after hitting a one-run double in the seventh inning during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alyssa McDaniel/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

After getting pummeled by the Twins last night, the Nats need to get off the mat and fight back. They have a chance to even the series tonight, but they have to play better baseball to do that. If they drop this game, the Nats will fall to 10 games under .500 at home.

Blake Butera is making a couple tweaks to his lineup. Notably, Brady House will be back in the lineup. House’s playing time has been more limited recently, but he will be out there in this one. Drew Millas will also be back at catcher. Luis Garcia Jr. is still being held out of the lineup with his wrist issue. Miles Mikolas will be the starter, but expect Brad Lord or Mitchell Parker to get some long relief work tonight.

The Twins are also making a couple changes. After hitting lower in the order last night, Brooks Lee will be in the 2 spot. Victor Caratini, Matt Wallner and Tristan Gray will all be added to the lineup tonight. The struggling Royce Lewis gets the night off. Bailey Ober does not throw hard but his massive 6’9 frame and filthy changeup gives him a unique look.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

This is a game the Nats need to win. It would be a tough look to drop the first two games to a Twins team that is not a whole lot better than themselves. That would just further the narrative about the team’s home struggles. Hopefully the boys can get it done tonight. Follow along in the comments below and let’s go Nats!

Wednesday night Orioles game thread: at Marlins, 6:40

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 6: Brandon Young #63 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in a game against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on April 6, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Orioles found some momentum yesterday with a thrilling 9-7 victory. Baltimore bounced back from a brutal four-game sweep in New York over the weekend, and the O’s will look to take another step in the right direction with Brandon Young on the mound tonight.

Young impressed in his first two outings before hitting a wall last week against Houston. The 27-year-old will look to perform closer to the five shutout innings he delivered last month against Chicago.

Young will need his defense to deliver against a Miami team capable of taking the extra base. Gunnar Henderson will take his usual spot at shortstop with Coby Mayo playing to his right. Jeremiah Jackson (second) and Pete Alonso (first) will round out the infield. Adley Rutschman will catch Young, and Samuel Basallo will serve as the designated hitter.

Taylor Ward, Leody Taveras and Dylan Beavers will handle the outfield duties from left to right.

The Orioles will face right-handed pitcher Eury Pérez. Pérez holds a 2-3 record with a 4.46 ERA.

Orioles lineup

  1. Gunnar Henderson SS
  2. Taylor Ward LF
  3. Adley Rutschman C
  4. Pete Alonso 1B
  5. Samuel Basallo DH
  6. Leody Taveras CF
  7. Dylan Beavers RF
  8. Coby Mayo 3B
  9. Jeremiah Jackson 2B

Starter: RHP Brandon Young

Game 36 Game Day Thread – Texas Rangers @ New York Yankees

Texas Rangers @ New York Yankees

Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 6:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

Yankee Stadium

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Will Warren

Today’s Lineups

RANGERSYANKEES
Brandon Nimmo – DHTrent Grisham – CF
Ezequiel Duran – 2BAaron Judge – RF
Corey Seager – SSCody Bellinger – LF
Josh Jung – 3BJasson Dominguez – DH
Evan Carter – CFJazz Chisholm – 2B
Kyle Higashioka – CPaul Goldschmidt – 1B
Jake Burger – 1BAustin Wells – C
Alejandro Osuna – LFRyan McMahon – 3B
Andrew McCutchen – RFJose Caballero – SS
Nathan Eovaldi – RHPWill Warren – RHP

Go Rangers!

Dodgers' Andy Pages continues insane season, has first 3-homer game of MLB career

Considered a top prospect prior to his MLB debut in 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers' outfielder Andy Pages has certainly lived up to the hype through his first two seasons. The 25-year-old slashed .272/.313/.461 with 27 home runs in 2025, and operated center field almost every game in those playoffs to help the Dodgers win back-to-back championships.

Pages has already proven himself a valuable asset to the Dodgers' dynasty. But after today's performance against the Houston Astros, he might be considered a franchise cornerstone.

Pages just experienced the first three-homer game of his young career. In total, Pages went 3-for-5 with six RBIs. The Dodgers won 12-2.

That's right. On his own, Pages would've been able to defeat the Astros today. That's mighty impressive for a talent as young as Pages.

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages hits a single in the second inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.

Pages' three home runs

Pages' first home run of the night came in the third inning off starter Lance McCullers Jr. The Dodgers were already leading 3-1, but Pages' dinger cemented a five-run inning for his team.

McCullers was pulled from the game after this home run.

Pages' second homer came just two innings later, with the Dodgers leading 7-1. This two-run home run came off reliever Jason Alexander.

Pages' third and final home run came in the top of the ninth inning, with the game already well in hand. It was so well in hand, in fact, that the Astros opted to put César Salazar, normally a catcher, on the mound. Pages took the second pitch of the at-bat to deep left field.

Did Pages have any multi-homer games prior?

Pages had recorded two multi-homer games prior to today's performance, both coming in 2025:

  • June 17 vs. San Diego Padres: Pages goes 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs; Dodgers win 8-6
  • August 25 vs. Cincinnati Reds: Pages goes 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs; Dodgers win 7-0

So far in 2026, the Dodgers are 6-0 in games where Pages homers.

Andy Pages stats

Pages is enjoying the best season of his career thus far. Not only is he on-pace to set new career highs in batting average (.336) and OPS (.938), but he's also nearly on pace for a 30-30 season.

As it stands, Pages is on trajectory for 35 home runs and 26 stolen bases. If he can reach that 30-30 threshold, Pages would become just the fourth Dodger in franchise history to accomplish that feat — Shohei Ohtani (2024), Matt Kemp (2011), Raul Mondesi (1997, 1999).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Andy Pages stays hot, logs first 3-home run game in win over Astros

Adam Ottavino calls Framber Valdez incident nefarious before ESPN debut

Adam Ottavino has not worked a game in the ESPN booth yet, but the veteran of 15 years in the big leagues is not going to be nervous to call it as he sees it.  

Just a year removed from the clubhouse, Ottavino made that clear on Wednesday, a day before his analyst debut with ESPN for the St. Louis Cardinals-San Diego Padres game. He didn’t hedge when asked about the controversy of the day: Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez drilling Trevor Story up and in with a 94-mile an hour fastball on Tuesday night, one pitch after the Tigers’ lefty surrendered back-to-back home runs to the Boston Red Sox. Benches cleared. Valdez was ejected and on Wednesday afternoon MLB suspended him six games. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who was clearly unhappy with Valdez’s stunt, was suspended one game.  

Ottavino, who has been hosting his own podcast since leaving the game, did not hedge.  

“Did I think it was intentional? Yes. Do I think it’s a horrible look? Yes? Do I know for sure? No,” Ottavino said in an interview with USA TODAY. “Whether this is intentional or not, it certainly looks awfully nefarious. It’s no wonder the Red Sox reacted the way they did. I think they were justified.” 

That is the kind of candor that Ottavino said he will bring to the booth.  

“My goal is always to tell the truth,” the former Yankees and Mets reliever said. “I don’t make it personal, but I will let you know the truth of how things will be received.” 

The 40-year-old Ottavino will work alongside Todd Frazier and play-by-play man Mike Monaco on Thursday, May 7 for the second game of ESPN’s doubleheader. He said preparing for a game in the booth as an analyst isn’t all that different from preparing as a pitcher: build a plan and be ready to pivot when the game demands it.  

He also has strong opinions and insight on the automated ball-strike system and how it is reshaping how pitchers need to think. Ottavino said he sees it changing behavior on both sides of the plate.  

“Walks are up, and it’s not because of net challenges favoring the offense,” he said. “Batters have more trust that the strike zone is the strike zone. They can challenge if need be. We’ve seen guys chase less on borderline pitches knowing they have a challenge in their back pocket.” 

 The practical implication for pitchers is significant, he said. The ABS pickup point sits 8 ½ inches behind the front of the plate, which renders a whole category of previously productive pitches far less effective. Pitches that start in the zone and trend out, which hitters would chase, are far less effective. Under ABS, Ottavino sees an opportunity for pitches that start off the plate and trend back.  

He said if he were still pitching, he would be using a high curveball more.  

“A ball that appears high and drops into the zone midway over the plate, that is going to clip the ABS zone and be called a strike pretty often,” he said. "You might see more people attempt that.” 

Former New York Mets relief pitcher Adam Ottavino throws against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Sept. 24, 2024.

Ottavino said he loves ABS and favors keeping the challenge system as is and not moving to the fully automated calls.  

“I love that players and umpires alike are getting humbled at times with their knowledge of the zone,” Ottavino said. “In a world where usually the more technology you add the more color you strip out of the game, I think this one actually added a little bit of that. “ 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adam Ottavino comments on Framber Valdez incident ahead of ESPN debut

Premier League CEO Masters earned £2.6m including £1.1m bonus in 2024-25

  • Accounts for year ending July 2025 show improved salary

  • Richard Masters had earned £1.9m the previous year

The latest accounts filed by the Premier League show the chief executive, Richard Masters, received £1m in a performance-related bonus.

Accounts by the Premier League for the year ending 31 July 2025 were published on Companies House on Tuesday and revealed Masters’ improved salary.

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