LOS ANGELES — Kyle Tucker got his first walk-off hit since signing a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The right fielder’s game-ending single scored the tying and winning runs in a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins after he was hitless in his first four at-bats, including a strikeout. It was his first walk-off hit since May 15, 2023, with Houston.
“It was great. He needed it,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s been grinding and trying to find some success and some good fortune. Big spot right there, walk-off at home, so that was great.”
Last week, Tucker was dropped to the cleanup spot from the No. 2 hole in an effort to get the slugger going.
“I’ve had some good contact with not a whole lot to show,” he said. “It’s tough sometimes just because you don’t see the results right away, but you’ve got to stick to it and just try to make as much quality contact as you can.”
The change in the order will be the plan going forward.
“Moving him down allowed the game to come to him a little bit slower and I think that has been a benefit,” Roberts said.
Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in January. He had yet to break out at the plate despite batting behind leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani until swapping places with Freddie Freeman in the order.
Joining a star-laden clubhouse as a big-time free agent can unsettle some players.
“The transition certainly is unpredictable,” Roberts said. “He’s very consistent in how he approaches each day. He is traditionally a slow starter as I understand. He’s a pro and he wants to be out there and still plays good defense. I do think that a moment like this, even for a player that’s been around a long time, can kind of inspire more confidence in him.”
Tucker prefers to let his performance speak for itself. Playing alongside Ohtani, Freeman and Mookie Betts, he no longer has to carry a team or be its face the way he did with the Chicago Cubs.
Roberts said he’s given up trying to read Tucker’s poker face.
“That’s just who he is. It’s not personal to anybody,” the manager said. “Just doesn’t give anyone a whole lot.”
Instead of shaking Tucker’s hand after his game-winning hit, Roberts pushed him in the chest, which provoked a smile.
Tucker barely reacted as Ohtani and Dalton Rushing scored the tying and winning runs.
“I hit it and started going to first and it wasn’t quite loud yet until we actually ended up winning the game,” Tucker said, “so it was like, did I get the score wrong? But afterwards I saw everyone running out and it got loud, so I was like, ‘Sweet, this is sick.’”
That qualified as a big reaction from Tucker.
“Guys are working on him. I think he’ll loosen up,” Roberts said. “I think even Shohei when he first got here was a little bit more reserved compared to where he is now.”
Tucker said the players and coaching staff have made him feel at home.
“Anytime I can contribute to the win I’m happy,” he said. “It’s been nice being over here.”
The Miami Heat did not survive the play-in tournament this season and did not make the playoffs. They did get out of it the past two seasons, only to be bounced in the first round. The Heat have looked like one of those teams stuck in the middle and trying to get out of a rut.
That stagnation has led to some speculation that there could be a change at the top, with Pat Riley stepping aside as the team president. In his annual postseason press conference, Riley shot that down. Emphatically.
Pat Riley: “I'm not going to retire. I'm not going to resign. I'm not going to step aside. When I came here almost 31 years ago, I have the same attitude as I had in that press conference, period. I want another parade down Biscayne Boulevard. It may come. It may not.” pic.twitter.com/MJwvKZNT6h
"I'm not going to retire. I'm not going to resign. I'm not going to step aside. When I came here almost 31 years ago, I have the same attitude as I had in that press conference, period. I want another parade down Biscayne Boulevard."
Riley, 81, went on to admit that he will not be able to do this forever, but that right now he plans to keep going. Riley's quote is via Ira Winderman at the Sun-Sentinel:
"I love this franchise, period. I mean, I love what we've built here over 30 years. You know, one day it will happen. Don't think that I have thought about it. I've thought about it. I'm aging up, OK. I'm 81 years old now. That's aging up. I think Micky and Nick (Arison, the Miami Heat owners) will decide whether or not I age out."
Riley and the Heat are expected to be big game hunters this summer, trying to get back in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo as well as any other free agents who become available and can turn the Heat back into contenders. However, do not expect any trade for a star to be centered around Bam Adebayo.
"I want to build this around Bam. I think Micky wants the same thing… I'm going to give you a flat-out no, I wouldn't (trade Adebayo). Unless somebody gave me 8 picks and Wembanyama."
Adebayo averaged 20.1 points and 10 rebounds a game this season while playing All Defensive Team-level defense. More than that, for the Heat, he is the veteran embodiment of the culture they have built and try to instill in young players entering their system. Adebayo is a pillar of "Heat Culture," and that is incredibly highly valued in the Heat's organization.
Riley also discussed the federal gambling indictments, which hit the Heat hard this season with the arrest of Terry Rozier, who was not with the team all season.
"It's probably the most stupid thing that a player could do... But when you get in bed with gambling sites as a league and they advertise on your network, it seems like everything's okay. To me that's a contradiction of what we're trying to do from a purity standpoint."
The Heat want to put that indictment and this season behind them and look to the future. Whatever changes are coming to Miami next season — and there could be massive ones — Riley and Adebayo will be back. Count on it.
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani will be held out of the lineup when he starts on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Miami Marlins.
It’ll be the second time this season Ohtani pitches but does not hit. He’ll be throwing on five days’ rest.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the plan for Ohtani after a 5-4 win in the series opener.
The first time Ohtani pitched for the Dodgers but didn’t hit occurred April 15, when he struck out 10 in an 8-2 victory over the New York Mets. He was held out of the batting order after being struck in the back of his right shoulder by a pitch earlier that week.
The previous time Ohtani was not in the lineup as the designated hitter during a start on the mound was May 28, 2021, with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers will miss his bat. He has a 10-game hitting streak against the Marlins dating to September 2024.
Ohtani had his second consecutive three-hit game, finishing 3 for 5 with a ground-rule double, two singles, two runs and an RBI.
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 26: (L-R) Daniel Schneemann #10, Rhys Hoskins #8, Brayan Rocchio #4 and Juan Brito #34 of the Cleveland Guardians look on during a pitching change in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre on April 26, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tara Walton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Guardians’ fans saw the team lost a frustrating game but got the news the organization would call up Travis Bazzana today last night – the rare Lose-Win situation.
I was busy covering the Bazzana call-up so I neglected to write a game recap. Here goes: Parker Messick was very good again, so was Colin Holderman who looks like the pitching factory has ironed out his wrinkles. But, Hunter Gaddis had the rare implosion at the worst possible time and coughed up the lead. Unfortunately, there is no room for error because the Guardians’ offense is mired in a slump. Daniel Schneemann’s two-run home run was all they could muster, as they could not touch a bad Rays’ bullpen. Rays’ closer Bryan Baker tried his darndest to give up the lead in the ninth. Kyle Manzardo got a single with one out. Now, sitting at home, I wondered why manager Stephen Vogt did not pinch-run Juan Brito for Manzardo at this point. Manzardo has 7th percentile sprint speed. Juan Brito has 35th percentile sprint speed. Brito WAS in the dugout, not on his way to Columbus. Would that have been enough of a difference to allow Brito to score on the ensuing Chase DeLauter double? I think there’s a decent chance it would have. But, hey, it’s probably a reminder that having Bazzana’s speed in the lineup should help. Anyway, George Valera swung at two pitches nowhere near the strike zone and made the second out and Schneemann had offered enough heroics for the night and ended the game with his own punchout.
The Tampa pitching matchups do NOT get any easier today as the Guardians look to snap a three-game losing streak, so the Guardians’ hitters need to figure some stuff out quickly.
But, hey, Travis Bazzana is on his way! Presumably, he will fill out the 40th roster spot which is currently open and result in Juan Brito’s brief time here mercifully coming to an end for the time period. Will Brito be the most I have ever been wrong on a prospect? Very possibly. But, let’s hope he can get back to recognizing that being a disciplined hitter and pulling fly balls is his path to success.
AROUND MLB: The Twins and White Sox won, while the Tigers and Royals were idle. I will note that the Red Sox shutout the Blue Jays. Perhaps the thing that most concerns me about the Guardians at the moment is that they were not able to take that series against a struggling Toronto team… time to get things turned around, boys.
NEW YORK, NY - 1956: Pitching coach Jim Turner #31 (right) of the New York Yankees looks out from the dugout while standing on the steps of the dugout and holding a fungo bat prior to a game in 1956 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. Pitcher Tom Sturdivant (left) sits against the dugout wall. (Photo by: Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The late 1950s were among the best of times in the rich history of the New York Yankees. While the likes of Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford made the headlines, those years featured deep rosters for the Bombers, including exemplary depth and talent on the mound. Among that unsung crowd during that time, the Yankees enjoyed the early years of Tom Sturdivent’s career.
A right-handed pitcher who likely started his career at the peak of his abilities before turning in a decade of journeyman work, Sturdivent was an important part of several World Series winning squads. Although his time in New York was relatively brief, he made the most of it with some solid work on the bump, and a couple of rings to add to the trophy case.
Tom Sturdivant Born: April 28, 1930 (Gordon, KS) Died: February 28, 2009 (Oklahoma City, OK) Yankees Tenure: 1955-59
Born in Kansas and signing at the age of 18, Tom Sturdivant spent the first decade of his professional baseball career with the Yankees. Originally an infielder, he turned in middling results with the bat in the minor leagues until 1950, before missing the ‘51 season due to military service. He returned in 1952, this time converting to working full-time on the mound.
After re-routing his baseball career, Sturdivant climbed his way up to the big leagues, making his debut in April of 1955. He appeared in 33 games in his rookie season, primarily out of relief, with only one of those being a start, and he pitched quite well. In 68.1 innings of work, the righty managed a 3.16 ERA. He pitched twice in that season’s losing World Series effort, but struggled to make a mark, allowing a pair of runs across three innings of work.
In 1956, Sturdivant came in with a bigger role in store, and handled the added workload gracefully. Although he pitched in fewer games (32), he more than doubled his innings load, and managed to maintain a remarkably similar 118 ERA+ mark in more than 150 frames. He was efficient and kept himself out of trouble, posting a league-leading 2.12 K/BB. He appeared twice in that season’s Fall Classic and was much more successful, highlighted by a complete game in Game 4 of the series. The Yankees took home the World Series in seven games, thanks in part to Sturdivant’s heroics in the fourth game.
Riding the wave of a championship, Sturdivant would enter the 1957 season on a high note and pitch the best baseball of his career. At the age of 27, the hurler started 28 games, working over 200 innings for the only time in his big league career. In his full-time role, Sturdivant shined with a career-best 2.54 ERA. It turned out to be the finest work he would have with the Yankees, and in his Major League career.
After back-to-back successful 16-win seasons in the Bronx, the downswing of Sturdivant’s career unfortunately began in 1958. He began to experience arm troubles, and would never again reach the quality or volume that he did with the Yankees in the two years prior. In ‘58, the righty was only able to start 10 games for the Yankees, with much diminished returns on the mound. Although he did not pitch in the series, his team did win another World Series that season, adding another ring to his collection.
He began the 1959 season with the Yankees once again, but after continued struggles from the jump, Sturdivant’s time in pinstripes was nearing the end. He was traded to the Athletics in late May, as his days in New York, as well as his best days on the mound, were over.
Although it was a new chapter for Sturdivant, it was not entirely unsuccessful. He pitched 165.2 above-average innings in 1961 between Washington and Pittsburgh, and would top 100 innings of work a couple more times, including another solid season with the Pirates in ‘62.
As far as the terms you could describe Tom Sturdivant’s career, well-travelled is certainly one of them. Beyond the Yankees, Washington, and Pittsburgh, the pitcher also made stops with the Athletics, Tigers, Red Sox, and Mets in his 10 years of big league time. Pitching in over 1,100 innings in the Major Leagues, Sturdivant worked out to a roughly league-average run-preventor, which is a far more valuable thing than it sounds, and the Yankees were able to enjoy the very best of that career.
Born on this day 96 years ago, a pitcher whose peak saw a couple of great seasons and a complete game victory in the World Series, Tom Sturdivant was an unsung hero on the highly talented 1950s Yankees rosters.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Aaron Judge allowed Ben Rice to match his home run total only for a few pitches.
Together, the sluggers now have accomplished something for the New York Yankees with their powerful starts that only Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra had done before them.
Rice went 404 feet the opposite way for a two-run shot to left field in the Yankees’ 4-2 win at Texas, his 10th homer of the season. Judge immediately followed by driving a full-count curveball 414 feet to tie for the MLB lead with his 11th.
“After he hit his, he said, `I’m not going to let Benny catch me,’” Rice said with a smile. “Just trying to keep him honest, keep him motivated.”
They became the second pair of Yankees teammates to each have 10 or more homers in the first 29 games of a season, joining Mantle and Berra in 1956.
“I’m glad that I don’t have to face them, let’s just put it that way,” said Yankees starter Max Fried (4-1), who threw six scoreless innings for New York (19-10).
“Benny’s off to an amazing start. Judgie, ho-hum, 11 homers already,” manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s a pretty good combo there.”
Rice, a 27-year-old first baseman, is hitting .322 with 23 RBIs. Judge is at .252 with 19 RBIs.
“Just consistent at-bat after consistent at-bat. Like it’s must-watch TV at this point,” Judge said of Rice. “He’s going to put something in play hard or he’s going to take his walk and pass the baton. It’s just impressive to watch, and I get a front-row seat. ... And, makes my job easier when he does that.”
Rice deposited a 95 mph first-pitch fastball from Jack Leiter into the Yankees bullpen in left-center field to make it 2-0 with two outs in the third inning. It was Rice’s sixth homer in 11 games.
Judge then homered into the left-field seats, the ball landing not far from the spot he hit his AL season record 62nd homer on Oct. 4, 2022. He also had two doubles and was hit by a pitch in his other plate appearances.
“Maybe his best game of at-bats. ... On all four times, stings two doubles, smokes the homer where he just rides out the curveball,” Boone said.
And it came a day after Judge also went deep on his 34th birthday.
Judge has hit 260 of his 379 career homers since the start of the 2021 season and already has four 50-homer seasons.
Rice has 43 homers in 216 career games since his debut in June 2024.
After their fast starts in 1956, Mantle went on to hit a majors-best 52 homers and Berra finished with 30.
When Rice was asked if he could keep pace with Judge all season, he said he’s relishing the moment now.
“Yeah, I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I’m enjoying it. I’m enjoying it right now being this close,” Rice said before reflecting on the history he now shares with a trio of three-time MVPs: Judge and two Hall of Fame players.
“It’s pretty cool. I definitely would not have anticipated something like that,” he said. “But obviously the three names I’m surrounded with there are pretty big ones, so definitely very humbling.”
ARLINGTON, Texas — New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton will go on the injured list with a low-grade strain of his right calf.
Stanton exited the series opener at Houston after experiencing calf stiffness while running the bases and missed the following three games, including a series-opening 4-2 win over Texas.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed the results of an MRI after the game.
“It doesn’t look too serious, but enough to not want to wait a couple of more days,” Boone said.
Asked if Stanton could return as soon as he’s eligible to come off the 10-day IL, Boone said that’s possible, but he didn’t want to put a timetable on it.
The Yankees recalled outfielder Jasson Domínguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before the game, and the switch-hitter went 1 for 4 with a strikeout as the designated hitter in his big league debut this season.
They had an open spot on their 26-man roster after right-hander Luis Gil dropped to 1-2 with a 6.05 ERA in four starts and was optioned to Triple-A after a loss to the Astros.
Stanton, a five-time All-Star, is hitting .256 this season with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 24 games.
He has been plagued by injuries and hasn’t played a full season since 2018, his first with the Yankees. He has been out of the lineup due to injuries to his elbows (2025), left hamstring (2020, 2023 and 2024), left quadriceps (2021), and right ankle and left Achilles (2022).
New York Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton is on the injured list again, and New York is using the roster move to call up one of its top pitching prospects.
Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Monday night that an MRI revealed a low-grade right calf strain, which Stanton suffered Friday while running the bases in Houston. The Yankees held off on the IL move for several days before acting, but Boone said the results left little choice. He added that Stanton could potentially return when first eligible but did not want to set a firm timetable.
The move clears a roster spot for right-hander Elmer Rodríguez, a 22-year-old prospect who turned heads in spring training and at the World Baseball Classic. Boone confirmed on his weekly appearance on the Talkin' Yanks podcast that Rodríguez will start April 29 against the Texas Rangers in his major-league debut. Will Warren, who had been listed as the probable starter, will be pushed back and is expected to start this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles.
Stanton, 36, is hitting .256 with three home runs and 14 RBIs through 24 games. He ranks among the league leaders in bat speed and exit velocity, but staying healthy has been a persistent issue. He has required at least one IL stint every season since 2018 and has not reached 500 plate appearances in a season since 2021. Stanton is under contract through 2027 with a team option for 2028.
Outfielder Jasson Domínguez was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday – initially as the corresponding move for Sunday's optioning of Luis Gil – and went 1 for 4 as the designated hitter in New York's 4-2 win over Texas.
With Stanton sidelined, the Yankees can give Domínguez the DH spot, at least against right-handed pitching. The switch-hitting Domínguez, who spent 2025 in the big leagues but was demoted to Triple-A this spring, has been significantly better batting from the left side in his career.
The roster math only gets trickier from here. Shortstop Anthony Volpe is expected back from the injured list this week, which will force another move. José Caballero has been the interim shortstop but will likely return to the utility role he has filled in the past. A veteran like Randal Grichuk, who is hitting .194 with no home runs in 33 plate appearances, could be in danger of losing his roster spot. Paul Goldschmidt has also gotten off to a slow start, but his track record should give him a longer leash.
Ben Rice, who has not caught this season, has been the primary first baseman and is tied with Aaron Judge for the team lead in home runs with 11. His emergence as a hitter complicates any arrangement that would make him a backup catcher.
Alex Cora, who was fired Saturday by the Boston Red Sox, was officially offered the Philadelphia Phillies managerial job on Monday afternoon but rejected it, two persons with direct knowledge of the decision told USA TODAY Sports, instead deciding to instead spend time with his family.
They spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.
Cora, who’s in the second year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract, is expected to sit out now for the rest of the season. When asked if he plans to stay home the rest of the summer, Cora said in a text message to USA TODAY Sports: “Full-time dad."
Cora’s decision leads to the first father/son, GM/manager combination in baseball history with Preston Mattingly Does that make Don Mattingly the the first manager who has ever spanked his GM?
Chad Tracy, 45, who replaced Cora, and Mattingly, 65, will be given the opportunity to manage their new teams for the rest of the season before a decision is made whether they will be kept past this year.
The firings leave Carlos Mendoza of the New York Mets, Joe Espada of the Houston Astros and perhaps Matt Quatraro of the Kansas City Royals on the hot seat.
Here's a look at some of the top managerial candidates, for the rest of this season and beyond:
Alex Cora
Cora, who managed the Red Sox for eight years and led them to the 2018 World Series title, is the manager everyone wants. He’s widely considered one of the finest in the game, and since he’s being paid by the Red Sox through 2027, can be acquired at a bit of a discount.
Cora likely will be offered the Phillies’ job again at the end of the season, and perhaps the New York Mets’ job even sooner. Yet, since he informed the Phillies that he wanted to take time off, he likely would give the same answer to the Mets. This would leave the Mets likely turning to bench coach Kai Correa for the rest of the season if they part ways with Mendoza.
Brandon Hyde
He was the American League Manager of the Year in 2023 after leading the Baltimore Orioles to a 101-victory season. Yet, he was fired last year after they got off to a 15-28 start. He’s also working in Tampa as a special assistant.
Carlos Beltrán
He was actually hired to manage the Mets after the 2019 season, but fired before he managed a game because of his role with the Houston Astros’ 2017 cheating scandal. Currently a special assistant with the Mets, he could become the first manager in MLB history to have to take time off in his first year to attend his own Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Albert Pujols
Pujols could have been the Los Angeles Angels’ manager this year, but his contract demands and request for personnel changes led the Angels to instead turning to Kurt Suzuki on a one-year contract. He also finished runner-up to Craig Stammen for the San Diego Padres’ job.
Rocco Baldelli
Baldelli, 44, who’s working as a special assistant for the Dodgets, led the Minnesota Twins to three postseason berths in seven years. He’s also a native of New England and would be a natural candidate in Boston.
David Ross
Ross, a two-time World Series champion as a player, played for the Red Sox and managed the Cubs for four years, leading the Cubs to an 83-79 record his final season. He was fired only because Craig Counsell became available. He’s working for ESPN these days but is itching to return.
Yadier Molina
Just like Pujols, another future Hall of Famer. He’s widely considered one of the greatest defensive catchers in history, with a brilliant baseball mind. The only real question with Molina is whether he would have the patience to deal with the media twice a day.
Omar López
He is currently the Astros’ bench coach, but his stock soared after leading Team Venezuela to the WBC championship. If the Astros fire Espada, he’s the natural successor.
Rob Thomson
If someone wants a veteran manager, at least for the interim, Thomson owns the highest winning percentage (.568) in Phillies franchise history and guided them to four postseason appearances in four years. He’s only the fourth manager in MLB history to reach the postseason in each of his first four seasons.
The Phillies were 9-19 when he was fired, but he shouldn’t be blamed for Phillies’ offense to go AWOL, their rotation hitting the skids, and the defense becoming erratic.
Apr 27, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Alex Hoppe (48) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
About the only good thing to come from last night’s 11-4 drubbing at the hands of the Minnesota Twins was the big-league debut of hard-throwing Alex Hoppe. You know we love a debut around here, and it was extra special that it was such a quiet stinker of a game that Brad Adam could easily track down Hoppe’s wife Sasha, able to be present for his big-league debut, for a fully wholesome in-game interview.
We’ve been interested in Hoppe since the Mariners traded minor-league catcher Luke Heyman for him this winter, and that interest ratcheted up during spring training, where he was hard to miss, with his cornstalk shock of white-blonde hair and loud stuff. I was able to sit down with Hoppe this spring and ask him some questions about his experience leaving the club that drafted him, and what he’s excited about in becoming a Seattle Mariner.
Hoppe reported to Mariners camp this spring in mid-January, eager to acquaint himself with his new club and a whole new part of the country. Born in Clinton, Iowa (home of the former Mariners Low-A affiliate the LumberKings) and spending his college years at UNC-Greensboro before being drafted by the Red Sox, the 27-year old, deeply polite Midwesterner had never been west of Kansas City, Missouri before coming to the Mariners organization, and was eager to get comfortable with both a new club and a new environment.
“I said, I’d like to come down early, is that allowed?”
In Arizona, Hoppe took part in “Shove Camp,” the strength-and-conditioning intensive the Mariners put their pitching prospects through prior to spring training. He spent time getting to know the coaching staff and his fellow players, as well as learning how the Mariners do things, which he felt gave him a leg up coming into the spring.
Hoppe admitted he was startled to be traded from the organization that had drafted and developed him, and concerned about moving to an unfamiliar part of the country, but the more he thought about it, the more excited he was about the idea of being a Seattle Mariner.
“I think a lot of [the shock] was location-wise. Is it going to be different? But then I started thinking. I’ve heard the Mariners are one of the best organizations in baseball at developing pitching, so this is a great step for my career, going forward.”
He prepared for his new organization by connecting with friends and acquaintances who had firsthand experience with the Mariners, who all told him the same thing:
“They said, hey, they’re going to take what you do best and try and get you to do that as much as you can, and stay true to what your strengths are and amplify those strengths. So that was what I knew before I even became a Mariners and so far, that’s held true.”
It’s easy to see what Hoppe’s strengths are in watching him pitch: his slider—the pitch that got him his first two big-league strikeouts in last night’s game—is a swing-and-miss pitch that tunnels nicely with his four-seam fastball. The four-seamer, which he describes as his favorite pitch, comes in violently, with hard downward action thanks to his higher arm angle as he aims to backspin the pitch through the zone. Hoppe says the Mariners have emphasized to him that they see him as a “north-south” pitcher who will attack the top and bottom of the zone.
“The first part that probably stands out is the velo. That’s a big part of who I am, I throw hard.”
But that big velocity – his four-seamer is between 96-99, which he rounds out with a hard slider (87-88), a two-seamer the Mariners encouraged him to add, a cutter (91-92), and an occasional changeup – hasn’t always been part of Hoppe as a pitcher.
“It’s been a progression for me. When I went into college I topped out at 88. But I’ve always been a late bloomer physically, and going into college, I was like a buck-sixty and five foot ten and I’d never been in a weight room, really. So it’s been a steady progression. As my body physically developed, I got more accustomed to throwing programs at the collegiate level, and so throughout college I was able to increase my velocity. It wasn’t until my last year in college when I was hitting upper-9s, and then it wasn’t until my first year in pro ball where I had touched 100 for the first time. It’s just always been a steady progression as I’ve matured physically. Just, I’ve always been a little bit behind on that compared to some other guys, which is perfectly fine. It’s just been a challenge to go, like, from throwing upper 80s to all of a sudden touching triple digits, learning how to harness that.”
Harnessing that big stuff has been Hoppe’s challenge as he’s worked his way up the minor-league ladder, and while he was with Boston he worked on strategies to help him do that.
“It’s about staying within yourself, not trying to do too much. A big thing I’ve been working on in my career is like, I don’t need to be at 110% to throw 100 if I stay controlled, stay within my mechanics, and don’t get rushed or anything like that. I’ll still have the velo that I want, I’ll be over the plate more. Because that’s that biggest thing for me. Yes, I can throw the hard fastball and the hard secondaries and such, but the challenge for me is like, can we consistently be over the plate? Because when I do that, I have great success.”
When Hoppe joined the Mariners, those conversations continued. Hoppe said he was impressed with how many forms communication can take in the Mariners organization.
“If you’re a visual learner, they may put up a PowerPoint. If you’re a talker, multiple conversations where we just talk. Some guys are just active, so you’ve gotta see it live. Some guys really like to dig into the data, and some guys just want to be told exactly what to do.”
“I value data. I love using it in practice. When it comes to game time, go out and compete; for me, personally, I can’t be thinking about all the data points and all the numbers and statistics and stuff when I’m out there, because at the end of the day, I’m trying to win my 0-0s and my 1-1s.”
One of the biggest things that’s helped Hoppe adjust to his new environment is the amount of positive feedback he’s received from Mariners pitching development, who he says 100% believed in him as a big-leaguer maybe even before he believed in himself as one.
“I know I have my faults and stuff, but they told me, do this and you’re gonna help us. You’ve got all the hard stuff done, just make these fine little tweaks and you’ll be right here with us competing your ass off and winning us ballgames…They’ve been very vocal about it. The staff has been like, hey, we see you as this type of player, doing this for us, helping us get to and win a World Series. That’s what we see for you. We believe in you, even if you may not believe it yet. They’ve been great at vocalizing that and making sure I know that as a player too.”
The first part of the prediction is checked off: Alex Hoppe is, as of last night, officially a big-leaguer. Now the next, and harder part: making those tweaks to stay one, and in doing so, helping the big-league club win games and get closer to the ultimate vision board entry, the World Series.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 24: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after striking out in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on April 24, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Just three weeks ago, the Giants hosted the Philadelphia Phillies in a series I figured was over before it started. As you’ll recall, the Giants sent the Phillies away from Oracle Park in grand style: back to back shutouts. It didn’t exactly send Philadelphia into a tailspin, but after entering the series in San Francisco 6-4, they’ve gone 3-15. The two teams have effectively swapped positions.
Are these 9-19 Phillies firmly in “also ran” territory with five months of the season remaining? Well, they fired their manager, Rob Thomson, this morning. He was the guy who took over after Gabe Kapler. Replacing Thomson is… haha — wait, seriously? Don Mattingly!
I had forgotten he managed the Marlins for seven seasons (2016-2022) and only in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season did he have a winning record (2020).
Anyway, a manager is usually only as good as their roster, and in this Phillies roster ol’ Donnie Two Times might have found himself firmly between those Marlins teams and his Dodgers teams. There are certainly good players on this roster, but as we saw in San Francisco and as we can see by their record, the bloom is off the rose for this particular group.
You know, unless Don Mattingly energizes them for this series.
But the 10-game losing streak they’ve already suffered this season is their longest since 1999. They’ve also lost 11 of 12 heading into this series. Their 9-19 start is their worst since 2002. The vibes are nonexistent at this point.
On the other hand, there’s a chance the Giants might have actually lost some of their momentum with the travel day. Going 4-2 on a homestand that included the Dodgers was such a good time and their comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the finale against the Marlins so heartening that getting on a plane and heading east seems like it could’ve cooled off a team that was warming up.
Can the confusion and consternation of the Phillies situation make it easier for the bats to stay in a groove? We’ll find out, I suppose. The Giants faced two of the pitchers in this series back in San Francisco and got 11 hits and 4 runs against the Phillies’ ace Cristopher Sanchez. In three starts since, he’s given up 26 hits in 17.12 IP while striking out 20. He has a 4.11 FIP in that span as well.
You’ll recall that the Giants shutout the Phillies in the final two games of the series and since then, Philadelphia has mustered just 3.75 runs per game (60 runs in 16 games) and a team line of .218/.284/.370 with a 7.2 BB% and 21.7 K%. It was actually lower on the 9-game homestand they had following the Giants series (3.66).
That Phillies series really does feel like the first key turning point of this Giants season and having a rematch so soon could be tricky. The Phillies have enough dangerous talent that the Giants are better off seeing them in a state of transition than at full strength and you just hope they can get through this series before they coalesce around their new manager.
Who is Don Mattingly.
A famously not great manager.
Still, it’s Baseball, so, you never know. Maybe this is the situation that works for manager and team. But, you know, they should put it together after the Giants leave town.
Series overview
Who: San Francisco Giants (13-15) at Philadelphia Phillies (9-19) Where: Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania When: Tuesday & Wednesday at 3:40pm PT, Thursday at 10:05am PT National broadcasts: MLB Network simulcast (Wednesday)
Projected starters Tuesday: Tyler Mahle (RHP 1-3, 5.26 ERA) vs. Jesus Luzardo (LHP 1-3, 6.91 ERA) Wednesday: Logan Webb (RHP 2-3, 4.86 ERA) vs. Cristopher Sanchez (LHP 2-2, 2.94 ERA) Thursday: Adrian Houser (RHP 0-3, 7.36 ERA) vs. Andrew Painter (RHP 1-2, 5.25 ERA)
Players to watch
Phillies
Kyle Schwarber: Again, always keep an eye on this guy. He’s been the second-best hitter on the Phillies in the 16 games since the Giants series (135 wRC+) but with 6 homers and an 11% walk rate. On the negative side, just a .197 average and 29.6 K%.
Bryce Harper: He has been the best hitter on the Phillies over the same span (150 wRC+) and has mixed in 4 homers, 2 doubles, a triple, and a home run to go with a 10.4 BB% and 20.9 K%.
Jesus Luzardo: It’s going to be tough to get to Cristopher Sanchez twice in a month, I’d think, so the series might come down to how they handle the other Phillies lefty. He’s had just one great start this season (11 strikeouts and 1 run in 6.2 innings at Coors Field), but his only other decent start was last week against the Cubs in Chicago where he allowed just 1 run in 4.2 IP to go with 4 walks and only 3 strikeouts. He’s made 6 career starts against the Giants and sports a 5.37 ERA in 31 IP. Last year, though he was 1-0 in 2 starts with a 2.19 ERA.
Giants
Adrian Houser: It’s probably not going to go well for the Giants’ well-paid pitching machine, but he’s pitched okay at Citizens Bank Park for his career. In 4 games and 2 career starts, he’s 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and — gasp — just 1 home run allowed. Now, that count could go up right away, but on the other hand, the Giants might need him to spin a gem for them to pull out a series win.
Heliot Ramos: He appears to be sneaking back to his lefty-mashing ways (career .849 OPS vs. LHP) with a triple slash of .292/.346/.500 (.846 OPS) in 26 PA against them this season. He’s been on a roll of late, with a .932 OPS over his past 15 games (55 PA).
Matt Gage/Ryan Borucki: It’s going to come down to getting some key outs against lefties and, well, these are the non-Erik Millers available to the Giants.
Tony Vitello watch
You know what? It could be worse for Giants fans, right? The Giants could’ve dropped $10 million on the manager’s position and be in a Phillies or Mets situation right now and we’d all have to sit there and let things play out while the front office hoped like hell that things would turn around. Vitello looks less deer in the headlights just a month into the job and, well, that’s a very good thing. But if Don Mattingly is able to exact some revenge against the Giants by catching Tony Vitello doing something “first time manager”-ish, I’m gonna lose it.
The Giants were lucky that Don Mattingly was the Dodgers’ manager for all those years. Sorry, Phillies fans.
Prediction time
The Giants will figure out a way to win a game in this series… right? Don Mattingly isn’t going to turn this whole Phillies mess around in a single series… right??
Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) /looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire/Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH — The sequence might as well have served as a metaphor of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season.
There Sidney Crosby was, his left knee throbbing after absorbing a blistering shot from the point by teammate Ryan Shea, limping off the ice and disappearing down the tunnel in the second period of Game 5 against Philadelphia.
A few minutes later, with the Penguins’ longtime captain still out of sight, the Flyers tied it. Suddenly, a contest Pittsburgh had controlled for significant stretches was gone. The young Flyers, many of them experiencing the cauldron of playoff hockey for the first time, were surging. A quick playoff exit for a team that spent six months defying expectations loomed.
And just like that, Crosby’s familiar No. 87 returned to the bench. And just like that, he was over the boards and on the ice. And just like that, he was finishing off a shift by flipping the puck to Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang at the top of the Flyers’ zone.
Crosby’s back was to the play when Letang’s somewhat innocent shot from the point sailed wide of the Philadelphia net. Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar kept his eyes forward, expecting a big rebound. It never came.
The puck instead glanced off the back of Vladar’s left leg, then his right and trickled across the goal line to provide the goal that turned out to be the game-winner as Pittsburgh fended off elimination and forced maybe more than a little doubt into the mind of the Flyers, whose once-comfortable 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series no longer feels quite so comfortable after Pittsburgh’s 3-2 victory.
Game 6 is in Philadelphia and the Penguins will head across the state not only with momentum, but also with their unquestioned leader starting to look like his old self after an uncommonly quiet start.
Save for his brief retreat to the trainer’s room, Crosby was everywhere. He assisted on Connor Dewar’s goal in the second period, got another primary assist on Letang’s second goal in as many games and nearly added a goal himself when his diving flick toward the Flyers’ open net in the final minutes clanged off the left post.
So much for looking every bit of 38. It was vintage Crosby.
“When things get hard and your back is against the wall, there is no doubt in my mind that he’s going to lead the charge in terms of elevating and finding a way to do everything possible to help us win this game,” first-year Penguins coach Dan Muse said.
Crosby has 21 points in 24 games in his career when facing elimination. His 100th career playoff victory looked an awful lot like the 99 that came before it, with Crosby doing a little bit of everything, including taking a wallop off his left knee, then returning a few minutes later as if nothing happened.
“I feel good,” he said. “I mean, that’s stuff that happens sometimes and you try to go to the front of the net and it’s just one of those ones that found its way. Sometimes they hit you, sometimes they go by.”
Crosby absorbed a direct hit, albeit from friendly fire, and bounced back immediately. It’s been that way all season for the Penguins, whose surprising season has been marked by righting themselves just when it looked like things were about to get sideways.
What they’re trying to pull off now would trump everything that came before it by a wide margin. The odds remain slim — only four teams have ever rallied after losing the first three games of a series — but they’re not as slim as they were when the puck dropped for Game 4.
Crosby will take it. So will his team.
“I think the last couple games we found our stride a bit,” he said. “We should feel good about that ... we’re playing good hockey and we’ve got to go in there and find a way to win again.”
Who will win Giants vs Phillies today: Giants moneyline (+145)
The San Francisco Giants are still two games below .500, but they’ve started to play better lately. The visitors have won four of their last six contests, and they just took two out of three from the Marlins.
Tyler Mahle takes the bump in the opener, and he was brilliant last time out, tossing seven scoreless against the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers. The righty is also very familiar with the Philadelphia Phillies lineup, holding them to a .235 average across 68 at-bats.
On the other side, Jesus Luzardo has been awful. He sports a 6.91 ERA, and that balloons to 10.69 across three home starts. He’s given up nine earned runs across his previous two outings.
While the Giants are hitting only .222 against him, they’re starting to find a rhythm offensively lately, and opponents are batting .333 against Luzardo at Citizens Bank Park.
COVERS INTEL: Luzardo has allowed 19 earned runs in only 16 innings at home, and the Giants have scored 12 runs across their last two contests.
Giants vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-130)
The Under has cashed in four of the last six meetings between these two teams. Philadelphia’s offense is non-existent, ranking 28th in the big leagues in runs. While the Giants are producing lately, they’re 29th in runs scored as well.
Luzardo’s struggles are a clear opportunity for San Fran to tag him for some runs, but Mahle is coming in confident after dominating the Dodgers, and the Phillies are truly a lost cause offensively at the moment. They’re hitting just .219 overall, and .223 at home.
I believe you’ll see the Giants generate offense against Luzardo. However, Mahle will toss another gem, and add to the Phillies’ misery. Expect a relatively low-scoring contest in the City of Brotherly Love.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 7-7, -3.94 units
Over/Under bets: 7-7, -1.19 units
Giants vs Phillies odds
Moneyline: Giants +142 | Phillies -168
Run line: Giants +1.5 | Phillies -1.5
Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5
Giants vs Phillies trend
The Giants have hit the Moneyline in seven of their last 10 games (+4.80 Units / 42% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Giants vs. Phillies.
How to watch Giants vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSBA, NBCSP
Giants starting pitcher
Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA)
Giants vs Phillies latest injuries
Giants vs Phillies weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CLEVELAND — Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 amateur draft, will be called up by the Cleveland Guardians and could make his major-league debut during Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Guardians have not announced the roster move.
The 23-year-old second baseman is the top prospect in the Guardians’ organization. He is batting .287 with two home runs and 10 RBIs in 24 games for Triple-A Columbus.
Juan Brito, who is expected to be sent down to make away for Bazzana, only is batting .176 in 15 games and has 17 strikeouts in 51 at-bats.
Brito was called up from Columbus on April 7 after Gabriel Arias was placed on the injured list due to a strained left hamstring.
Bazzana showed his potential during the recent World Baseball Classic, when he had two hits and a home run for Australia in its 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei.
Bazzana missed two months last season due to an oblique strain. He had a .239 batting average with nine home runs, 39 RBIs and 12 stolen bases with Double-A Akron and Columbus.
For the past two games, Austin Reaves has been listed as questionable due to an oblique strain, then ruled out just before game time.
For Game 5 at home Wednesday, things may be different — Reaves is optimistic about playing, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Lakers, up 3-1 on the Rockets, have the chance to close out the series on Wednesday on their home court, advancing to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round.
Players are notoriously poor judges of how soon they can return from an injury, but the fact that Reaves has been "questionable" for the past two games means he is near a return. The Lakers will play at least three more games this postseason, and it feels like there is a very good chance we'll see Reaves in at least one of those. Maybe starting Wednesday.
Having Reaves back on the court would be a massive lift for Los Angeles, giving it another shot creator so the entire load does not fall on the shoulders of LeBron James (who has handled that weight brilliantly through four games). Reaves was the Lakers' second-best shot creator this season, averaging a career-high 23.3 points while shooting 36% from beyond the arc, adding 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. When Doncic was out earlier in the season, Reaves showed he could be a team's primary shot creator for a stretch (and Doncic is not yet close to returning from his hamstring strain, based on what coach JJ Redick has said to date). The return of Reaves forces the Rockets to adjust their defensive matchups — one of their elite defenders needs to be on him.
Having Reaves and LeBron as the shot creators also means Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart can return to more of an off-ball role, where they are comfortable and thrive.
Redick likely would try to keep Reaves' minutes under control in a return — he's not getting run out there for 40 minutes — but any time would be a lift for the Lakers.
On the Rockets' side, a Kevin Durant return for Game 5 seems unlikely, Charania reports. Durant is dealing with a bone bruise after rolling his ankle this series, and he has played in just one game so far. The Rockets' offense, when forced to slow down in this series, has been disjointed and just kind of a mess. Things looked better in Game 4, when the Rockets' defense held the Lakers' offense in check, forced turnovers and allowed Houston's young players to get out and run in transition. That is how the Rockets can thrive in this series.
It just will be harder to do that with Reaves back in the lineup.
COVERS INTEL: Luzardo has allowed 19 earned runs in only 16 innings at home, and the Giants have scored 12 runs across their last two contests.