Game 24 Game Day Thread – Pittsburgh Pirates @ Texas Rangers

Apr 21, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Ezequiel Duran (20) celebrates after he hits a double and drives in a run during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Texas Rangers

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 7:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Braxton Ashcraft vs. RHP Jack Leiter

Today’s Lineups

PIRATESRANGERS
Oneil Cruz – CFBrandon Nimmo – RF
Brandon Lowe – 2BCorey Seager – SS
Bryan Reynolds – LFJake Burger – 1B
Marcell Ozuna – DHJoc Pederson – DH
Ryan O’Hearn – RFJosh Jung – 3B
Nick Gonzales – 3BEvan Carter – CF
Spencer Horwitz – 1BKyle Higashioka – C
Konnor Griffin – SSJosh Smith – 2B
Henry Davis – CEzequiel Duran – LF
Braxton Ashcraft – RHPJack Leiter – RHP

Go Rangers!

Game #24: Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 22: Bryan Reynolds #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts during an MLB game against the Texas Rangers on June 22, 2025 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Texas Rangers, April 22, 8:05 p.m. ET

Location: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet

Pitching Matchup: Braxton Ashcraft (1-1, 2.38 ERA) vs. TBA


The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today in the Lone Star State against the Texas Rangers looking to grab a win.


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Cavs at Raptors Game 3: How to watch, odds, and injury report

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Jarrett Allen #31 celebrates with Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers before Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been in complete control of their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors so far. They’ve cruised to stress-free wins in the first two games of this series, but anything can happen when the series shifts to a different venue.

“The series hasn’t even started yet until you go on the road,” Max Strus said after practice on Wednesday. “So we got to come in with an aggressive mindset, just like we treated games one and two, and play our best basketball.”

We’ll see what adjustments either team makes for Game 3. The Raptors decided to bench normal starting center Jakob Poeltl for the entirety of the second half of Game 2, opting to go small with the 6’7” Collin Murray-Boyles at center. At this point, it’d be surprising if they went back to Poeltl.

No matter who the Raptors decide to go with at center, the Cavs hope to get the version of Evan Mobley they did through the first two games of this series. He put up 25 points and eight assists in the win on Monday.

“He’s in a great, great, spot,” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said on Wednesday. “Physically, this is probably the best I’ve seen him move in two years, just moving really well, and then just confidence…he’s kind of in a flow state right now, which equals super [aggressiveness]. I’m watching him go to the offensive board. It’s another level than it was in the regular season. He’s definitely turned it up.”

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WhoCleveland Cavaliers (2-0) at Toronto Raptors (0-2)

Where: Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON

When: Thur., April 23 at 8 PM

TV: Prime Video

Point spread: Cavs -3

Cavs injury report: Thomas Bryant – QUESTIONABLE (calf)

Raptors injury report: Immanuel Quickley – QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Raptors expected starting lineup: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles

Previous matchup: The Cavs secured a 2-0 lead with a 10-point victory.

Here’s a look at both teams’ regular-season impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

Offensive RatingDefensive RatingNet Rating
Cavs118.9 (8th)115 (15th)+3.9 (9th)
Raptors116.8 (13th)113.2 (7th)+3.6 (11th)

LHP Enmanuel de Jesus optioned to Toledo, RHP Burch Smith called up to the Tigers

Detroit Tigers pitcher Burch Smith practices during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In the wake of his disastrous performance in Tuesday night’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, left-hander Enmanuel de Jesus has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo. RHP Burch Smith has been recalled. To open a spot for Smith on the 40-man roster, LHP Bailey Horn has been transferred to the 60-day injured list. Horn had arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow over the offseason, and has dealt with some inflammation this spring. A brief rehab assignment in Lakeland was cut short after the inflammation returned, and he’ll be re-evaluated and won’t be eligible to return to action until late May.

As for de Jesus, he was the darling of spring camp, showing off a solid pitch mix and excellent command both in Grapefruit League action and in the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. The Tigers selected his contract late in spring training as de Jesus had an opt-out clause looming and other teams were starting to inquire on him.

However, that command has been lacking since the season began. The strikeouts were plentiful and he still hasn’t allowed a home run yet, so the potential for him as he transitions from a starter in South Korea’s KBO to a major league reliever is pretty obvious. That potential ran off the road on Tuesday night in Detroit.

De Jesus entered the game with two outs in the sixth inning in relief of Keider Montero. He promptly carved up Garrett Mitchell with a pair of well located fastballs for strikes, and then a nasty cutter that got the swinging strikeout. However, in the seventh inning, de Jesus had a thorough and comprehensive meltdown.

After two fairly loud outs to start the inning, David Hamilton singled, and de Jesus followed that by walking Blake Perkins. Unfortunately, after picking off Hamilton at second, de Jesus started to do the right thing and charge the baserunner, but then hastily threw to shortstop Kevin McGonigle and sailed the throw into the outfield. A pair of singles followed, knocking in two runs, and de Jesus was visibly frustrated with himself through the rest of the inning, which ended on a ground out.

De Jesus is a 29-year-old pitcher who has played around the world. He knows how to field his position, and he should know how to settle himself down after a mistake. Instead, he came back out in the eighth, gave up back-to-back triples and then failed to break for first on a grounder to Spencer Torkelson that would have really helped the cause had de Jesus been on time to first base. He was not, and the inning spiraled into a seven-run debacle that saw Connor Seabold enter in a bases loaded situation and struggle as well.

Obviously, the key issue with de Jesus has been command. He and fellow KBO import Drew Anderson have both struggled to get ahead of hitters and spot their full pitch mix. There’s reason to understand that, as neither are particularly used to relief work, and the KBO ball is made to have some tackiness to the cover and has slightly higher seams. They aren’t the first pitchers to need some time to adapt. However, they were both in spring camp since mid-February, if not sooner, and you can only have so much time to get comfortable with the change. Pitchers who followed this route like Miles Mikolas or Erick Fedde, had some issues but they didn’t extend much into the regular season.

But the real issue, and what got de Jesus optioned, I suspect, was the mental error of letting the issues pile up on his mind, affecting his awareness and performance. That just can’t happen to this degree. De Jesus has never really had any control issues, and while no one expects him to be a closer tier reliever, his stuff is plenty good enough to keep major league hitters in check. The fact that his command disappeared and the metrics on his stuff even took a hit after the mistake in the seventh, speaks to the fact that he boiled over internally. Now he’ll get some time in Toledo to think about things and try to settle back in.

In his place I tended to expect RHP Ricky Nolasco, who has been outstanding for the Toledo Mud Hens early on. On the other hand, the 33-year-old Smith has likewise been nearly unhittable and hasn’t walked a batter in 10 innings of work. He also offers a little more of a unique look to hitters than Nolasco provides in comparison to the rest of the Tigers’ bullpen. Smith also has 247 1/3 innings of maajor league experience, which Nolasco definitely does not.

The Tigers still have Tyler Holton and Brant Hurter in their bullpen, so they’re fine in terms of left-handers. Hopefully Smith can add some quality length to the bullpen and help the Tigers out in the middle innings. They certainly could use some assistance in that regard.

Kenny Atkinson predicts Cavs role player to breakout against Raptors

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 8: Jaylon Tyson #20 and Sam Merrill #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers high five during the introductions against the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

INDEPENDENCE — The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken a comfortable 2-0 lead in their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors despite not getting consistent help outside of their star players.

Max Strus’s 24 points in Game 1 account for nearly half of the team’s bench points through the first two games of the series. In Game 2, Cleveland’s bench was outscored 45-19 by the Raptors’ reserves.

The lack of bench production hasn’t hurt the Cavaliers so far this series. But according to head coach Kenny Atkinson, he believes that one player will help turn this around: Jaylon Tyson.

“I told him today he’s next up,” Atkinson said after practice on Wednesday. “Max had that big game, core four had their big games. [Next] it’s going to be Jaylon Tyson. I can almost guarantee that he’s going to have one of those games where he’s converting that offensive rebound, he’s getting into the half roll because they’re playing smaller.”

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Tyson has been the Cavs’ most pleasant surprise this series. The improvements he’s made as a three-point shooter and defender have allowed him to become a mainstay in the rotation. However, a toe injury at the end of the regular season took him out of the rhythm he was in. That’s difficult for someone heading into their first real postseason action.

The stats haven’t been impressive through two games this series. Tyson has just five points on 1-8 shooting in 26 total minutes. That hasn’t stopped his head coach from praising what he’s seen so far.

“I’d give him a B, B+ in what we’re asking him to do,” Atkinson said. “He’s got all this stuff he could do, and now you have to reduce your package, and then you have to be aware of who I’m on the court with. There’s another level of sacrifice, and he’s getting that.”

Games 3 and 4 will be challenges. Toronto is a tough environment to play in. The margins for Cleveland will be much smaller in the next two games than they were in the first two. They’ll need some of their role players to step up and make positive contributions. Atkinson is sure Tyson will answer the call.

“He’ll have a big game,” Atkinson said. “It’s just a matter of time. It’s really talking to these guys individually about the patience needed until we get there. But I’m loving what I’m seeing from him right now.”

Where to watch San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 22

The San Diego Padres (16-7) meet the Colorado Rockies (9-15) in the second game of their series. The Padres won the opener 1-0 on Tuesday. Starting pitchers are Walker Buehler for San Diego, with a 4.58 ERA, and Tomoyuki Sugano for Colorado, with a 3.92 ERA.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 22

  • Time: 8:40 p.m. ET / 5:40 p.m. PT

  • Where: Coors Field, Denver, CO

  • TV Channels: Rockies.TV, Padres.TV Presented by UC San Diego Health

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • San Diego Padres: 16-7 (No. 2 in NL West)

  • Colorado Rockies: 9-15 (No. 5 in NL West)

  • Spread: Colorado Rockies +1.5

  • Moneyline: Colorado Rockies +135 (40.9%) / San Diego Padres -160 (59.1%)

  • Over/Under: 11.5

San Diego Padres: Walker Buehler (1-1, ERA: 4.58, K: 18, WHIP: 1.25)
Colorado Rockies: Tomoyuki Sugano (1-1, ERA: 3.92, K: 15, WHIP: 1.16)

Weather: 78°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 50,144 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

GameThread: Tigers vs. Brewers, 6:40 p.m.

Apr 21, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Kerry Carpenter (30) strikes out to end the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (12-12) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (13-9)

Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park
SB Nation Site: Brew Crew Ball
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: Game 25: RHP Casey Mize (1-1, 2.78 ERA) vs. RHP Chad Patrick (1-0, 0.95 ERA)

PlayerGIPK%BB%GB%FIPfWAR
Mize422.226.67.434.43.130.6
Patrick419.012.09.337.33.970.2

Lineups

BREWERSTIGERS
Brice Turang – 2BKevin McGonigle – 3B
William Contreras – CGleyber Torres – 2B
Jake Bauers – 1BJahmai Jones – DH
Gary Sanchez – DHRiley Greene – LF
Garrett Mitchell – CFSpencer Torkelson – 1B
Brandon Lockridge – LFWenceel Perez – CF
Sal Frelick – RFKerry Carpenter – RF
David Hamilton – 3BJavier Baez – SS
Joey Ortiz – SSJake Rogers – C

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Gamethread 4/22: Phillies at Cubs

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 21: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the eighth inning at Wrigley Field on April 21, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

For the Cubs:

Let’s talk about it.

Jays can’t complete the sweep in 7-3 loss to Angels

Apr 22, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (22) looks on after losing to the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images | William Liang-Imagn Images

Blue Jays 3 at Angels 7

You didn’t really think they were going to get a sweep, right?

The Jays were in tough against Jose Soriano, off to the kind of start that only a handful of pitchers have in the last century. And it was easy to see why he’s yet to allow more than an earned run in a start with Soriano featuring a sinker that waffled in ways that a baseball thrown in the upper-90s has no business doing, a splitter that fell off the table the way a baseball thrown in the low-90s has no business doing, and for good measure a knucklecurve with a sharp downward finish. In other words, good luck to hitters.

In that light, the Jays managed a couple of remarkable feats. First, they managed to get to Soriano for seven hits over five innings. Few of them were really well hit, but they found some holes with decent contact. But second, even with all traffic, not only were they shut out, but they didn’t even manage to get a runner to second. All were singles, and the two innings with two hits had them separated by a caught stealing and double play.

So they were winning battles, losing campaigns, but arguably didn’t lose the war as they battled Soriano enough to run up his pitch count and get him out of the game after just 5 (shutout) innings, giving themselves a shot at a soft(er) underbelly of an Angels pen which would have to bridge 4 innings.

For his part, Eric Lauer worked two very quick and efficient innings, needing just 16 pitches to work around a double on his first pitch and induce three cans of corn in the second. The rest of the outing was rockier, as Lauer’s third inning was far more laborious. Logan O’Hoppe opened with a bloop hit, with light hitting #9 Bryce Teodosio wisely opting to bunt behind him. He laid one down so well he beat it out, After striking out Zach neto he was very carful with Mike Trout and walked him to load the bases, then went 3-0 to Jo Adell before coming back to get him to fly out. It did open the scoring, but also opened a base for Jorge Soler whom he was struggled to hit the corners.

The rest of the damage consisted of a pair of solo home runs over the next two innings. Nolan Schmanuel (close enough) flined one just over the right field wall in the 4th, and Mike Trout slammed a moonshot in the 5th. That made it 3-0 entering a battle of the bullpens in the 6th.

Ryan Zeferjahn dispatched the first four batters he faced (including totally undressing Jesus Sanchez), but walked Kaz Okamoto before yielding a bloop double to Andres Gimenez to finally move a runner past first base. That brought in Chase Silseth, who got Tyler Heineman but yielded a two out smash into the right field corner from Nathan Lukes to break the goose egg and put the Jays within one. Ernie Clement grounded his third hit of the day to cash Lukes, and it was a brand new game.

Briefly, anyway. Seemingly mirroring the Angels, Tommy Nance worked a clean 6th, got the first out of the 7th, then walked Trout. Adell singled to put the go ahead run on third, so it was Fisher time. Unfortunately, he didn’t really have it, striking out Soler but then walking Soler to load the bases for Schmanuel (close enough). This time he didn’t hit it nearly as hard, but lofted a shallow double to clear the bases. Vaughn Grissom in turn flared a ball just past Clement’s grasp for another another run, and 7-3 was the eventual margin.

Jays of the Day: Clement (+0.16 WPA), Gimenez (+0.10). Lukes ended up at just 0.01 despite two hits of which one was critical.

Boo Jays: Fisher (-0.26), Vladdy (-0.12 with the 0fer), Nance (-0.10). A couple of near misses in the battery, with Heineman and Lauer at -0.09 apiece.

With the matinee today followed by the off-day, the Jays are off for the next 48 hours as they return home to take on Cleveland with Gavin Williams scheduled against Max Scherzer on Friday t the usual 7:07 EDT start.

Where to watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 22

The Los Angeles Dodgers (16-7) face the rival San Francisco Giants (10-13). The Giants won the series’ first game 3-1 on Tuesday. Starting pitchers are Shohei Ohtani for the Dodgers, with a 0.50 ERA, and Tyler Mahle for the Giants, with a 7.23 ERA.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 22

  • Time: 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT

  • Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA

  • TV Channels: NBCS BA, SportsNet LA

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 16-7 (No. 1 in NL West)

  • San Francisco Giants: 10-13 (No. 4 in NL West)

  • Spread: San Francisco Giants +1.5

  • Moneyline: San Francisco Giants +165 (36.1%) / Los Angeles Dodgers -200 (63.9%)

  • Over/Under: 7.5

Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani (2-0, ERA: 0.50, K: 18, WHIP: 0.72)
San Francisco Giants: Tyler Mahle (0-3, ERA: 7.23, K: 21, WHIP: 1.93)

Weather: 62°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 41,915 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

MLB's 'Ohtani Rules' benefit more than Dodgers despite complaints

No reason to end the griping, sniping and debating over the so-called "Ohtani Rules."

Not until there’s time to better understand the issue, which bubbled to the surface this week after Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell made remarks that triggered a question laced with conspiracy.

If and why are Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers getting preferential treatment from Major League Baseball?

“First of all, Ohtani is a treasure, right?" Dan Duquette, former general manager of the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, told USA TODAY Sports.

No debate there, and here’s what you need to know about the rules:

MLB teams are allowed to carry only 13 pitchers on their active 26-man roster, with one exception. Teams can carry 14 pitchers if one of them qualifies as a two-way player. Ohtani, 31, is the only player in the major leagues who qualifies as a two-way player under MLB criteria (more on that later). That means the Dodgers are currently the only team eligible for the exception

With 14 pitchers on their roster, the Dodgers get an extra arm that rivals don't have the luxury of having.

Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound in 2025 after only DHing in 2024.

Another rule introduced since Ohtani came to America allows a two-way player who has finished pitching to remain in the game as a designated hitter rather than require him to play in the field.

Duquette suggests the "Ohtani Rules" are in baseball’s best interest.

“He is the most marketable player in the game around the world," Duquette said. “So any discussion about how he is employed on the field needs to be thoughtful and take into account the workload.’’

Ohtani, who is a left-handed hitter and right-handed pitcher, has undergone two elbow reconstruction surgeries on his right arm – in 2018 and 2023. As a result, he did not pitch in 2019 or 2024.

MLB two-way player rules

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has responded to Counsell’s insinuation that Ohtani and the Dodgers are getting preferential treatment.

"We're more than willing to have other teams go out and find a player that can do both (pitching and hitting)," Roberts said. “He's an exception because he's an exceptional player."

It’s more complicated.

One reason the Dodgers have Ohtani is they’re a big-market franchise that had the means to sign the Japanese superstar to a 10-year, $700 million contract in 2023. They’ve also spent massive amounts to money to surround Ohtani with enough talent to win two straight World Series titles and be favored to win a third in a row.

Other teams have tried to develop two-way stars through the draft. But Rick Hahn, former general manager of the Chicago White Sox, said there’s an inherent challenge.

“The challenge is that those two skills (pitching and hitting), when you're talking about an 18- or a 21-year-old and continuing that development in the minors, those two skills can very much develop at different paces,’’ Hahn told USA TODAY Sports. “The player probably wants to be in the big leagues. The team certainly wants to get the benefit of the drafted player in the big leagues.’’

The likely outcome: the player is called up to the major leagues before he has adequate time in the minor leagues to develop as a two-way player.

There was no such conundrum with Ohtani, who developed his two-way skills playing professional baseball in Japan before making his major league debut in 2018 with the Los Angeles Angels.

Not to mention Ohtani is a baseball unicorn.

Shohei Ohtani pitching rules explained

A player qualifies as a "Two-Way Player" only if he accrues at least 20 Major League innings pitched and at least 20 Major League games started as a position player or designated hitter (with at least three plate appearances in each of those games) in either the 162-game season or the prior 162-game season.

John Coppolella, former manager of the Atlanta Braves, echoes a point made by Roberts, the Dodgers manager.

“The rule is not specific to the Dodgers," Coppolella told USA TODAY Sports. “All teams are eligible to carry a 14th pitcher if the player is classified as a two-way player. If Ohtani signed with the Yankees or the Braves, they would be treated the same way.’’

So why all the fuss?

Dave Stewart, a retired pitcher who won a World Series ring with the Dodgers in 1981, said he thinks people are piling on because the Dodgers' immense payrolls and success. That includes three World Series titles in the past six years.

“Anything that is in favor of the Dodgers, then everybody's got a complaint about it or they see something wrong with it,’’ Stewart told USA TODAY Sports. “But the truth is, if other teams had the ability to do what they're doing, they would do it.”

Stewart also suggested the absence of "Ohtani Rules" would create more harm than the current rules create benefit for the Dodgers superstar.

“If you got a two-way player that's capable of doing it… then you have to create a special rule, a special situation for that type of player," Stewart said. “You can't punish the player because he's capable of doing two things."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shohei Ohtani pitching rules for Dodgers benefit baseball

Where to watch New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 22

The New York Yankees (14-9) take on the Boston Red Sox (9-14). The Yankees shut out the Red Sox 4-0 in the series’ opener on Tuesday. Starting pitchers are Max Fried for the Yankees, with a 2.97 ERA, and Ranger Suarez for the Red Sox, with a 3.22 ERA.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 22

  • Time: 6:45 p.m. ET / 3:45 p.m. PT

  • Where: Fenway Park, Boston, MA

  • TV Channels: MLB Network, NESN, Amazon Prime Video

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • New York Yankees: 14-9 (No. 1 in AL East)

  • Boston Red Sox: 9-14 (No. 5 in AL East)

  • Spread: Boston Red Sox +1.5

  • Moneyline: Boston Red Sox +115 (44.4%) / New York Yankees -140 (55.6%)

  • Over/Under: 7.5

New York Yankees: Max Fried (2-1, ERA: 2.97, K: 23, WHIP: 0.81)
Boston Red Sox: Ranger Suarez (1-1, ERA: 3.22, K: 15, WHIP: 1.07)

Weather: 46°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 37,755 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

Game Thread #23: Milwaukee Brewers (13-9) @ Detroit Tigers (12-12)

Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick (39) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

After one of their best games on offense last night, the Brewers are back for game two of their series against the Tigers this evening.

Though Chad Patrick was announced as the original starter, the Brewers have decided to go with DL Hall as an opener tonight. Hall will likely pitch an inning or two, then give way to Patrick for the bulk work. Hall has a 6.75 ERA in two previous appearances against the Tigers, but hasn’t pitched against them since 2023. Meanwhile, Patrick is making his first career appearance against the Tigers. He is coming off of a strong start against the Blue Jays, where he pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed just one run. This is also the second time the Brewers are using an opener in front of him.

For the Tigers, Casey Mize makes his fifth start of the season. Through his first four games, he has a 2.78 ERA and 3.14 FIP, with 25 strikeouts compared to seven walks. He has allowed zero or one runs in three of his four starts, including a scoreless 6 2/3 innings against the Red Sox in his last start. The Brewers last faced him in 2024 and scored five runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 innings.

Before the game, the Brewers provided a couple of injury updates. Quinn Priester was assigned to Triple-A Nashville to begin a rehab assignment and is pitching tonight. He is scheduled for three innings and 45-50 pitches, but it could be a while before he’s ready. Also, Jackson Chourio took swings on the field today and it went well.

After a 12-run outburst yesterday, the Brewers will use the same lineup with just a couple of changes. Branon Lockridge will play in left field over Blake Perkins, and Joey Ortiz starts at shortstop with David Hamilton moving over to third base. Lockridge will bat sixth and Ortiz is in his usual ninth spot.

First pitch is at 5:40 p.m. The game will be on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.

New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox: Max Fried vs. Ranger Suarez

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 13: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches 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

The Yankees have epitomized what it means to go through the ebbs and flows of a baseball season, even if we’re not even four weeks into the 2026 season. They started 7-1, lost 8 of their next 11, which included a five-game losing streak, and have now rebounded to win four in a row heading into the middle game of a rare weekday April series at Fenway Park against the rival Red Sox. With their two best pitchers going the next two days, they’re in prime position to not only win the series, but push for a sweep.

The Yankees will give the ball to their ace, Max Fried, to make his sixth start of the season on Wednesday night. After being untouchable in his first two starts of the season, Fried has allowed three runs in each of his last three starts, and while he’s been able to eat innings despite not having the same dominance, his ERA is up to 2.97 (145 ERA+) with a 3.07 FIP, which is somehow third in the Yankees’ rotation. In his first year as a Yankee, he made four starts against Boston (postseason included), pitching to a 1.46 ERA in 24.2 innings.

Former Phillies All-Star Ranger Suarez will make his first appearance in baseball’s greatest rivalry, as he’s on the mound for Boston in his fifth start of the year. His first two starts were rough, allowing eight runs in 8.1 innings, but the soft-tossing lefty has thrown 14 shutout innings over his last two starts against the Cardinals and Tigers and has provided both length and stability to a struggling Red Sox rotation over the first 23 games.

Suarez has always gotten by with a deep pitch mix that keeps hitters off balance and sensational command of his pitches that prevents his slower fastballs from ending up in dangerous spots. Yet, even with his two consecutive strong outings, his peripherals look quite regressed from last season. The 30-year-old, who’s never thrived on getting whiffs and strikeouts, is getting even less of those now, and he’s gone from being one of the best starters in baseball at limiting hard contact and keeping the ball on the ground to being about average at both.

Suarez offers a six-pitch mix that includes three different fastballs, all sitting between 88 and 92 mph, which have historically induced soft contact. He continues to get a lot of whiffs out of his changeup and curveball and will also figure to mix some more sliders in against the Yankees’ lefties. He’s been getting very lucky on all of his fastballs, so the Yanks will have a chance to do some damage on pitches that are not being located as well as they usually are. In his lone career start against the Yankees last July, he allowed one run in 5.2 innings.

Paul Goldschmidt is back in the lineup and leading off as he looks to set the table for Aaron Judge against the lefty. That also means that Ben Rice, who’s seen lefties very well to start the year, will start the day on the bench. Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton follow, while Amed Rosario and Randal Grichuk continue their platoon work in third base and left field. Jazz Chisholm Jr. will look to build on yesterday’s two-hit night, followed by José Caballero and Austin Wells.

Boston’s lineup is a doozy. Ceddanne Rafaela is leading off and Roman Anthony is on the bench with a balky back. Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu, and Trevor Story follow in the heart of the order. Four of the bottom five batters in the order started last night on the bench, with the exception of former Yankee farmhand Caleb Durbin. That means Andruw Monasterio, Jarren Duran, Connor Wong, and old friend Isiah Kiner-Falefa will round out the lineup.

How to watch

Location: Fenway Park — Boston, MA

First pitch: 6:45 pm ET

TV broadcast: NESN, MLB Network

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), WEEI 93.7 (BOS)

Online stream: Amazon Prime Video, MLB.tv (out-of-market only)

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Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves Game Thread

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 20: CJ Abrams #5 and Brady House #12 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after scoring in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park on April 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a very complete performance last night, the Nats are back in action tonight. They split the first two games of the series, so the Nats will look to secure at least a split tonight. Grabbing a split against a team the caliber of the Braves would be big for this young group.

As usual, manager Blake Butera made a few alterations to his lineup. Brady House is back at third base, which pushed Jorbit Vivas to second. Jacob Young was moved out of the three hole and is hitting 6th tonight. Keibert Ruiz is back in the lineup after Drew Millas started the first two games of the series. Zack Littell will look to bounce back from a rough outing last time. He will need to keep the ball in the yard.

The Braves are not making a ton of changes tonight. Mike Yastrzemski will be back in left field, but otherwise it is the same group as last night. Jonah Heim will catch again, which pushes Drake Baldwin to DH. The Braves decided to call up 20 year old Didier Fuentes to make this start. Fuentes is one of the youngest players in the league, but his stuff is loud and his control is very good for a 20 year old.

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Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Last night was a great performance, it is all about stacking those types of games. The Braves will be up for the fight, but the Nats have shown they can compete with anyone, except maybe the Dodgers. Follow along down below and let’s go Nats!