Jun 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) completes a double play off the bat of Minnesota Twins left fielder Trevor Larnach (9) during the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
It was a pitcher’s duel all day in the Twin Cities. The offense’s got going late, but it was the Royals getting the last laugh, beating the Twins 3-2 after a 2-run top of the 9th inning.
Carter Jensen hit a leadoff homer to the right field seats off Joe Ryan. The first career leadoff homer for Jensen, it was also his 8th on the season.
Luinder Avila was really good, his first 4 innings of work were hitless, with a pair of walks. He did run into trouble in the 5th. Austin Martin hit a leadoff single and Victor Caratini smashed a double off the right center field wall. Royce Lewis worked a walk, loading the bases with nobody out. Tristan Gray crushed a liner to center, but Kyle Isbel was able to get underneath it. 1-1 on the sac fly. Avila’s last pitch of the day was the biggest one, inducing Ryan Kreidler to hit into an inning ending double play.
Avila’s final line was 5 innings, 2 hits, 1 run, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts, on just 70 pitches.
The Royals had plenty of runners on against Joe Ryan but failed to capitalize. Ryan went 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and striking out 5.
Daniel Lynch IV got a 1-2-3 6th. Lucas Erceg gave up a 1 out walk, but no further damage was done in the 7th, an encouraging sign for the heavily struggling Erceg.
Matt Strahm got the 8th, after recording two quick outs, pinch hitter Orlando Arcia launched his first homer of the year to put the Twins in front 2-1. Strahm quickly retired the next batter to end the inning.
Isaac Collins led off the 9th with a single, Tyler Tolbert pinch ran for him and stole second base. Josh Rojas reached on a fielder’s choice, on a grounder back to the pitcher, but the throw went to second trying to get Tolbert, his headfirst dive back into the bag beat the tag.
Isbel would bunt the runners over, before Jensen tied the game with a sac fly to right. Bobby Witt Jr. up next, and he lined one over the head of Arcia at shortstop, Rojas would beat the throw home and the Royals were ahead 3-2.
Alex Lange got the 9th, trying to record a third consecutive save. He allowed a leadoff double to Kody Clemens off the right field wall but bounced back with two straight strikeouts. Caratini got hit by a 2-2 pitch, bringing up Lewis. After a long battle and full count, Lange struck him out looking.
The Royals have now clinched at least a series split; they are 4-5 on the long road trip. They are 26-39 on the season. Noah Cameron starts the finale tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. CT.
Jun 6, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller (50) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Mariners halted a brief two-game losing skid today – over which the pitching staff surrendered 14 runs – with a shutout 4-0 win against the Tigers. Bryce Miller made his first non-piggyback start of the year and delivered six strong innings against the Tigers, one-hitting Detroit over six innings while striking out a season-high nine batters.
The lone hit Miller gave up could have been Detroit’s first scoring chance of the day, when Colt Keith led off the third inning with a triple. But Miller buckled down and stranded Keith at third, getting Matt Vierling to pop out, striking out Wenceel Pérez looking (and eliciting a failed challenge from Pérez to wipe out Detroit’s challenges for the game, something that would benefit the Mariners later), and handing Gleyber Torres his second of four strikeouts on the day to end the inning. Miller racked up nine strikeouts over his outing and sixteen whiffs, currently good for best in MLB today (a lead he’ll certainly surrender when Yamamoto faces the Angels tonight).
The Tigers did make Miller work; in the fourth, Kerry Carpenter battled him for 12 pitches before earning the second walk of the inning, putting runners on at first and second with just one out and creating Detroit’s best scoring opportunity of the day. But Riley Greene went after the first pitch he saw, a splitter at the bottom of the zone, for an inning-ending double play.
Miller’s velocity held well over his outing, as he was still touching 96-97 in the fifth inning before tailing off a little in the sixth, when he said he “got a little tired” and lost some of his velo and command. It didn’t help that Pérez led off the inning with another long at-bat, this time one Miller won with a ten-pitch strikeout (he was later helped out by some very generous strike calls against Gleyber Torres—but with the Tigers out of challenges, Torres had no recourse). The bullpen helped Miller’s shutout hold over the back three innings: José Ferrer overcame some early inning jangles and a leadoff walk to hang a zero, ending on a filthy strikeout of Spencer Torkelson on a 98.8 mph sinker; Matt Brash overcame a walk of his own, getting Torres looking at a sinker on the outer edge for the platinum sombrero; and Gabe Speier worked around a leadoff double and a walk of his own to complete the shutout, thanks – once again – to a Riley Greene game-ending double play.
But even if the Tigers had been able to push across one or two runs, it wouldn’t have been enough to overcome the Mariners offense, which stacked four runs in the early innings of this game. The first run came in the second inning courtesy of a Dominic Canzone double which came off the bat at 105.5 mph, traveled 417 feet, and would have been a home run at 24 other MLB parks. Dom had to settle for a double, scoring Randy Arozarena, who had walked.
The Mariners stacked on another two runs in the next inning with back-to-back singles from Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor followed by yet another double from Arozarena, who cannot be stopped. Julio scored easily, and then encouraged Naylor to follow him home, making for a close play at the plate where Naylor was luckily ruled safe. With not enough evidence to overturn, the Tigers lost their challenge and final opportunity to argue about anything in this game.
If you can look you can see Naylor toss in his sliding glove as he slides into home, which I assumed was so he had all his fingers available to touch home plate but could also serve as a distraction to the catcher. Maybe that’s part of the reason why the Tigers aren’t very happy with Josh Naylor, who got hit…somewhat obviously in his next at-bat (they’re also mad about this play last night, which seems much more dubious to read for ill intent).
But the Tigers can only complain so much in a game where they were thoroughly shut out; meanwhile, Canzone stretched the lead to 4-0, finally getting revenge on the outfield walls in Detroit with this 451-foot no-doubter, the longest hit homer by a Mariner this season.
That’s all the scoring the Mariners would do on the day, but all they would need thanks to the pitching, bouncing back after back-to-back shaky outings. Tomorrow Luis Castillo aims to prove he too deserves to be freed from the confines of the piggyback, taking the ball in the series finale against another starter with something to prove: Jack Flaherty, fighting for his place in Detroit’s rotation as the Tigers pitching is getting healthier.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 17: Lars Nootbaar #21 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium on September 17, 2025 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Forrest Gump once said that life is like a box of chocolates because you never know which kind you’re going to get. The same can be said for Matthew Liberatore this season. Will you get good Libby or bad Libby? Saturday, the Cardinals ended up with both versions, but it would be more late inning magic powered by Jordan Walker and Lars Nootbaar that would help St. Louis overcome Cincinnati again.
Saturday’s Cards/Reds matchup started out almost completely opposite of what went down Friday night. Instead of coming back from a 3-run deficit in the early innings to tie the game, the Cardinals jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Alec Burleson and José Fermín opened up the inning with back-to-back singles. Bryan Torres then bunted both of them over and ended up on first base himself when he beat the throw to load the bases. After Pedro Pagés flew out to left, Victor Scott II came through with a partial-swing single dumping the ball into right field and scoring both Burleson and Fermin. St. Louis would get a sharp single from Masyn Winn, too, giving St. Louis their early 3-0 lead.
The St. Louis Cardinals enjoyed Good Libby for the first two innings as he didn’t allow any hits or baserunners and got through both innings throwing just 19 pitches. In the Cardinals edition of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Bad Libby took the mound in the top of the 3rd and allowed the Reds to rally. He walked the first two batters, Marte and McLain. After getting one out on a bunt popup gone wrong, Liberatore got the ground ball he needed from JJ Bleday, but it went under the glove of Alec Burleson and first scoring the two runners that Liberatore walked cutting the St. Louis lead down to 3-2. Spencer Steer would hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3-3.
Cincinnati took their first lead of the game in the top of the 4th when Dunn singled and then two batters later, McClain hit a 381 foot home run on a 85 mph Liberatore slider making it 5-3 Reds. That would end Matthew’s day as Oli Marmol brought in Gordon Graceffo to put out the fire which he did. Matthew Liberatore’s final stat line for Saturday was 4 1/3 innings allowing 4 hits, 5 runs total, 3 of them earned with 4 strikeouts and 3 unfortunate walks.
Not so fast say the comeback Cardinals. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Jordan Walker hammered a 94 mph full-count sinker and sent it off of the railing above the right-center field wall for his 16th home run of the year cutting the Reds lead to just 1.
The Cardinals and Reds would team up in the bottom of the 6th to try and cause trouble for Cincinnati. José Fermín ripped a single to center and then Bryan Torres would chop a ball into the ground toward third when Suarez would decide to not let the ball go foul and threw high to first base giving St. Louis runners on first and second with no one out. Fermin and Torres then stole the bases in front of them making it second and third with no one out. Lars Nootbaar was sent up as a pinch hitter, but the Reds intentionally walked him to load the bases because they apparently wanted Cincinnati to lose as much as we did. Oli Marmol then pinch-hit Jimmy Crooks for Pedro Pages, but he hit into a rally-killing double play. Masyn Winn’s ground out ended the inning with the Cardinals getting ZERO runs out of a bases-loaded nobody out opportunity. Even with the Reds tendencies toward self-destruction, we got nothing.
Gordon Graceffo did a solid job in relief. He allowed 2 hits, but got out of a couple jams allowing the Reds no runs during 1 2/3 innings of relief. Ryne Stanek was brought in to pitch what turned out to be a very uneventful 1-2-3 top of the 7th inning. It was George Soriano answering the bell in the top of the 8th inning. Other than a pitch clock violation and a double given up to Dunn, no real harm done as he did not allow the Reds to extend their lead.
The Cardinals would threaten in the bottom of the 8th inning when José Fermín hit the 7th pitch he saw for a single through the right side of the infield. Bryan Torres executed a perfect sacrifice bunt moving him up to second base. That brought up Lars Nootbaar who reminded everyone why we always scream NOOT! With one Lars swing, the Cardinals were back in the lead 6-5 on a 433 foot 2-run homer!
Riley O’Brien was brought in for the top of the 9th inning to confirm the win we all knew was coming in and he did, but not without drama. He allowed two 2-out hits giving Cincinnati the tying run 90 feet away. It was all down to Riley O’Brien versus Spencer Steer who he walked to load the bases for rookie Sal Stewart. That led to a Dusty Blake mound visit. Not sure what was said, but it led to a full count ground out to second to end the game. Thank you, Jimmy Crooks for that ABS appeal on the 3-1 pitch that was called a ball, but was overturned. Whew, that was too close. Somewhere, I’d like to think that former Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue is smiling watching the Reds be miserable again.
The St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up a long homestand on Sunday by trying to sweep the Cincinnati Reds. Michael McGreevy is scheduled to make the start for the Cardinals while RHP Rhett Lowder will take the mound for the Reds. First pitch is scheduled for 1:15pm central time at Busch Stadium and the broadcast will be available on Cardinals.tv.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 4: Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park on June 4, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (29-36) will continue their nine-game homestand this afternoon as they play the second game of a three-game series against the Athletics (30-33) at Daikin Park.
RHP Tatsuya Imai (2-3, 5.52 ERA) will make his eighth start of the year for the Astros tonight opposite the A’s and RHP Kade Morris (0-0, —- ERA), who’s is starting his first game as a big league pitcher
VS. THE A’S: The Astros are hosting the A’s in Houston for their first series in the Bayou City since last July.
The Astros are 2-2 vs. the A’s in 2026 and are looking to reverse their luck vs. the A’s this season after going 5-8 against them in 2025. That marked the Astros first season series loss to the A’s since the 2020 season (3-7).
THREE-SOCK PAREDES: 3B Isaac Paredes has homered in a career-high tying three consecutive games for the third time in his seven-year career (last, April 11-13, 2025)…should he homer today, he’d become the first Astro to homer in four straight games since 3B Alex Bregman did so from Aug. 10-13, 2024.
SEÑOR CIEN: 3B Isaac Paredes hit his 100th career homer on Thursday and his 101st last night, making him one of just four Mexican-born players in MLB history to the reach 100 career homers, joining Vinny Castilla (320), Jorge Orta (130), and Aurelio Rodriguez (124)…Paredes also reached another milestone last Sunday, becoming the 10th Mexican player to reach 500 career hits.
ABOUT THE NO-NO: On May 25 at TEX, RHP Tatsuya Imai started the Astros 17th regular season no-hitter and their 18th no-hitter overall in club history…Imai worked the first 6.0 hitless innings before giving way to LHP Steven Okert (1IP) and RHP Alimber Santa (2IP)…the no-hitter was the Astros seventh since 2019, which is the most in the Majors in that span…additionally, the Astros 18 no-hitters overall are the most in the Majors since the franchise was born in 1962.
THERE IS A SANTA!: RHP Alimber Santa set a club record by retiring the first 18 batters of his career consecutively before giving up a walk on Wednesday…the 18 consecutive batters retired are the most to begin a career since the Pirates RHP Nick Kingham retired 20 straight to open his career on April 29, 2018 vs. STL…Santa still has not allowed a hit in his first 6.0 Major League innings, which per Elias, ties as the third longest of such a streak in franchise history.
TODAY’S AVAILABILITIES: The Astros clubhouse will be open to approved media at Daikin Park from 11:20-12:10 p.m. CT…Astros Manager Joe Espada will be made available in the Astros dugout at approx. 12:10 p.m.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, June 5, 310 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network, SCHN2 (Spanish)
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KTRH 740 AM, KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Jun 6, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Dominic Canzone (8) receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Jun 6, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) reacts in front of umpire Chris Segal after striking out in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Bryce Miller one-hit the Tigers over six innings of work, while Keider Montero had a bit of a rough day on the mound. The Tigers’ bats were quiet all afternoon, failing to take advantage of good work from their bullpen, as the Mariners evened the series at a game apiece with a 4-0 victory on Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park.
This duel between young starters saw them each fire a 1-2-3 first inning. Keider Montero popped up Cole Young, and then Kevin McGonigle made a nice diving play on a Julio Rodriguez grounder up the middle. The throw appeared just a hair late, but Rodriguez was called out and while the replay seemed to indicate otherwise, the Mariners challenge was denied. Gleyber Torres and Kevin McGonigle worked Bryce Miller through a pair of long at-bats, but the Tigers didn’t get a baserunner either against the impressive right-hander.
In the second Montero walked Randy Arozarena to start the inning. Luke Raley sent a ball to left field, but Riley Greene got a good read on it and made a pretty spectacular diving catch. Dominic Canzone was next, and in a 2-2 count, Montero dropped a swingback changeup just inside. Dillon Dingler made a rare mistake by challenging it, and then Canzone hit a ball to the wall and over Matt Vierling’s head in center field. The ball kicked back into Vierling’s leg and stuck under the base of the wall for a moment while Vierling lost sight of it. Arozarena raced around to score as Canzone cruised into second with a double.
Patrick Wisdom got a good swing off as well, cranking a ball to center field, but Vierling ran it down for the second out. Colt Emerson was next, and he flew out in foul territory down the left field line to end the frame. 1-0 Mariners.
Kerry Carpenter led off the bottom of the second and he nearly cranked a 1-1 offspeed pitch out to right field, but it was just foul and he struck out on a good heater from Miller. The right-hander carved up Riley Greene with a trio of good splitters, then dialed up 98 mph with riding life to blow away Spencer Torkelson.
Montero got Jhonny Perada on a quick ground out to open the third, and Cole Young flew out. He got ahead of Julio Rodriguez, and was on the verge of ending a quick inning, but instead the outfielder poked a fourseamer away out of the zone through the right side of the infield for a single. Josh Naylor smoked the first pitch he saw for a single to right field, and Arozarena jumped on the first pitch he saw as well, and drove a sinker into the right field corner. Rodriguez scored, and the relay in from Pérez to Torkelson to Dingler was just a hair late and Naylor slid in just under the tag. The Tigers challenged that play unsuccessfully, and it was 3-0 Mariners. The replay also showed Naylor throwing his sliding glove at Dingler, presumably to distract him, as he dove for the plate, which didn’t make him any more likable. The heart of the Mariners’ order was seeing Montero’s fastball pretty well. A good knuckle curve whiffed Raley to end the inning.
Colt Keith led off the bottom half, ambushing a high breaking ball and driving it to the wall in right center field for a standup triple. The Mariners decided to crash the infield in, which was surprising under the circumstances. They backed off once Vierling got into a 1-1 count, and he popped out to first. Wenceel Pérez struck out and blew the Tigers second challenge in the process. Torres was blown away by a high fastball to strand Keith at third.
Canzone led off the fourth and immediately added to the Mariners lead with a missile to straightaway center field. 4-0 Mariners. Montero’s fly ball tendencies and minimal strikeouts become a bit of a problem as the weather keeps warming up. Wisdom grounded out and Montero popped Emerson up with a high fastball. Perada slapped a little single through the right side, and that brought the top of the order up again with a runner on base. Fortunately Cole Young flew out weakly to right field.
McGonigle led off the bottom half and Miller pretty much avoided him, issuing a walk. Dillon Dingler hit a 400 footer to left center but Rodriguez ran it down. Carpenter and Miller locked up in a lengthy duel as the right-hander threw everything but the kitchen sink to try and get the Tigers’ right fielder out. Carpenter hit multiple pitches hard but foul and fought off numerous 3-2 pitches. Finally, Miller walked him as McGonigle was thrown out trying to steal second. The Mariners challenged the pitch incorrectly, and so McGonigle had second base anyway and there were two on and one out for Riley Greene, but he grounded into a 3-6-1 double play to end the inning.
Montero got Rodriguez to open the fifth, then yanked a fastball that drilled Naylor in the upper back. It didn’t look intentional, but since it’s Josh Naylor you never know. Montero got Arozarena to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, and Naylor slid into second well inside the bag toward Torres as he turned it over to first. This may bear watching over the rest of the series.
Torkelson flew out to deep left to kick off the bottom half. A high splitter drew a foul tip into the glove from Colt Keith. Miller started yanking fastballs and fell behind 3-0 to Vierling, but he pulled it together and locked up Vierling with good heaters and eventually got a routine ground out to end the fifth.
Since it’s June 6, it’s good to bring you this little interview clip with a 101-year-old WWII veteran.
Lefty Drew Sommers succeeded Montero in the sixth against a pair of left-handed hitters. He got ahead of Raley, but he still drove a ball to the wall in right center field. Pérez hauled it in for the first out. Sommers’ mid-90’s sinker and low arm angle locked up Canzone for strike three. A 95 mph high fourseamer blew Wisdom away to end the inning. Pretty good stuff from Sommers.
Miller was at 78 pitches to start the bottom of the sixth, and the Tigers really needed to get him out of the game. Pérez helped that cause with a 10 pitch AB, but struck out looking on a heater that may well have been a ball, but the Tigers were out of challenges. Torres took a 1-1 fastball four inches off the plate for a called strike and couldn’t challenge, and then home plate umpire Chris Segal rang up on a breaking ball that was also not particularly close. Gleyber had some calm words for him, but there was no recourse, and McGonigle grounded out to first. Segal continued to have a pretty poor game calling balls and strikes the rest of the way. With Miller at 94 pitches, his day was done, but that was the only positive for the Tigers so far in this one.
Sommers was still on the mound in the seventh with the Tigers down four runs. He dusted Emerson to start the inning. With a stretch of right-handers coming up to bat, A.J. Hinch turned to Ty Madden instead against Perada. Really nice outing from Sommers though. Four straight outs, three by strikeout.
Madden, moving back to the bullpen with Justin Verlander and shortly thereafter, Tarik Skubal returning to the rotation, quickly gave up a single to Perada, and then he hit Cole Young. He bounced back to whiff Rodriguez with a splitter for the second out. Naylor grounded out to Torres to end the frame.
LHP José A. Ferrer took over from Miller in the bottom of the seventh. He immediately walked Dillon Dingler, and then came everyone’s favorite move as Jahmai Jones attempted to pinch-hit for Kerry Carpenter. He failed, popping out, and this has got to stop. We’re at 85 plate appearances. That’s not many, but Jones has been an abject disaster. Riley Greene flew out to deep left center field, and Torkleson was blown away by 99 mph to end the inning. The only knock in this one from the Tigers remained Colt Keith’s triple.
Arozarena led off the eighth with a sharp ground ball that Torres couldn’t quite corral. Madden popped up Luke Raley for the first out. Canzone pulled a grounder past Torres for a single to put two on with one out for Patrick Wisdom. Madden dialed up 96 to blow Wisdom away despite another gift call from the home plate umpire on the first pitch of the at-bat. Madden worked ahead of Emerson, and eventually popped him up to Dingler to end the inning. Pretty good work from Madden, and nice to see the velo popping in a relief role.
Matt Brash took over from Ferrer in the bottom of the eighth. Keith tapped one back to the mound for the first out, and Vierling grounded out to second. Pérez drew a walk to turn the lineup over, and Torres stepped into the box no doubt glad to see someone other than Bryce Miller on the mound. It did him no good, as Brash locked him up with a 98 mph backdoor sinker to send this to the ninth inning.
Perada flew out to Pérez to open the fram, but Cole Young singled up the middle. That brought Rodriguez up, but he flew out to Vierling in center. Madden punched out Naylor to complete a fine relief outing. 2.2 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K.
Lefty Gabe Speier entered in the bottom of the ninth to close the Tigers out. McGonigle started them off with a blooper that parachuted down just fair inside the left field line for a leadoff double. Dingler flew out to center field, but Jones drew a walk. Unfortunately, Riley Greene grounded into a double play to end it.
The series will be decided at 1:40 p.m. ET on Sunday. A pair of struggling right-handers will go toe-to-toe as Jack Flaherty squares off against Luis Castillo. Meanwhile, in West Michigan all eyes will be on Tarik Skubal, as he makes what is hoped to be the only rehab start he’ll require before rejoining the Tigers’ rotation.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 04: Spencer Strider (99) of the Atlanta Braves in the dugout during the Thursday evening MLB game between the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays on June 4, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves took game one of the series against the surprisingly good Pittsburg Pirates last night and look to take the series today.
Braxton Ashcraft has been one of the key reasons the Pirates have a winning record. Not only does he have a 2.77 ERA, but he has an ERA of 1.97 in away games this season. The Braves are going to have have their work cut out for them. Ashcraft’s underlying metrics shows that his output has been no fluke with an expected ERA (xERA) of 2.78.
Spencer Strider struggled a bit in his last outing giving up three earned runs in 5.0 innings, but he did have eight strikeouts to only two walks. If he can limit the hits today, it would go a long way towards a win for the Braves.
This game may come down to the bullpens. Follow along in the comments below.
A new name with a strong pedigree has entered the 2027 MLB Draft.
Striker Pence — the nephew of former four-time All-Star Hunter Pence — announced on Thursday, June 4, that he has reclassified to the 2027 class to earn draft eligibility for next year's draft.
Striker Pence, Baseball America’s No. 1 player in the 2028 class, has reclassified and will be eligible for the 2027 MLB Draft.
6-foot-6 RHP with an electric fastball up to 101 mph. He’s the nephew of former MLB outfielder Hunter Pence.
Pence was previously the No. 1 ranked played in the 2028 high school class, according to Baseball America. Pence pitched at Santiago High School in Corona, California.
Just 17-years old, Pence can clock 101 mph with his impressive fastball. The 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher also features a slider and splitter in his arsenal. The slider sits in the mid-80s, while the splitter is in the upper 80s.
Last August, Pence caught the attention of the baseball world when he fired seven straight pitches clocked at 100 mph at the Area Codes game at Blair Field in Long Beach, California.
2028(!!) RHP Striker Pence is on to pitch. His first seven fastballs?
BALTIMORE, MD - May 25: Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (6) bunts the ball during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles on May 25, 2026, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Once again, we have an opener for Sean Burke, and today it is Brandon Eisert. | (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
One of Hawk Harrelson’s (many) favorite sayings was, “It’s not who you play, it’s when you play ’em.” It’s both, of course, but at least Hawk was half-right in this case.
The “when you play ’em” part is a split for the White Sox against the Phillies — the unlucky part being that the Phils have turned their season around since Don Mattingly took over as manager, the lucky part being somehow scheduling a series in Philadelphia where they won’t face either Christopher Sanchez or Zack Wheeler.
Instead, today the Phillies will send out rookie righthander Andrew Painter, who has a lofty 5.74 ERA and has allowed 64 hits in 53 1/3 innings. Painter had been doing better of late — until he ran up against the Dodgers last time out and gave up four runs in 3 1/3 innings, including two homers. Given how the ball soared out of the park last night, a propensity to surrender long fly balls looks to be a bit of a problem.
The White Sox counter with an opener strategy, with lefty Bryan Eisert getting the start ahead of Sean Burke, presumably because Eisert’s a lefty and so are the two sluggers in the top three spots in the Philly lineup. That’s not as clear-cut a decision as it might seem: While Bryce Harper has pretty normal platoon splits, Kyle Schwarber is crushing southpaws to the tune of a 1.002 OPS.
The announcing crew has taken to calling the pitcher who follows an opener “bulk reliever,” which sounds like a constipation remedy but in this case means Burke. The righty has a 3.72 ERA (3.33 FIP) and was solid last time out, giving up just one run in 5 1/3 innings (though that was against the lowly Tigers).
Painter will face a Sox lineup with only two hitting from the right side, which means without Randal Grichuk, who had two homers last night before being pinch-hit for by … Andrew Benintendi:
Eisert/Burke will take on a Phillies lineup led by Schwarber, who leads the majors with 23 dingers.
First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Central on a scorcher in Philadelphia, sunny and 90°, with any fly ball to right a candidate for making the seats given wind gusts to 27 mph heading that direction.
Usual broadcast suspects, except John Schriffen is off to go announce UFC fights somewhere, which seems more his speed. Maybe with luck, he won’t come back.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 05: Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers high fives Wyatt Langford #36 after Seager hit a home run during the sixth inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Globe Life Field on June 05, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for June 6, 2026 against the Cleveland Guardians: starting pitchers are Jack Leiter for the Rangers and Tanner Bibee for the Guardians.
Texas squares off once again against the Guardians at the Shed. With a righthander on the mound for Cleveland, we have a somewhat more normal looking lineup for the Rangers. Kyle Higashioka starts behind the plate once again.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Seager — SS
Jung — 3B
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Duran — 2B
Burger — 1B
Carter — CF
Higashioka — C
6:35 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -120 favorites.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 05: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals celebrates his grand slam with Nasim Nuñez #26 during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on June 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There were questions about whether the Nats offense was heading for a lull after the Marlins sweep. They made sure to let the world know that this offense is not going anywhere with a 14 run performance last night. Now they will look to build on that effort and attempt to secure a series win in the desert.
With a lefty on the mound, Blake Butera will make some lineup adjustments. Andres Chaparro will get his first start in a while, playing in favor of Luis Garcia Jr. at first base. James Wood will be in the DH spot today. That means Daylen Lile will be in left, Jacob Young in center and Dylan Crews in right. Curtis Mead will be back at third base following a day off. Keibert Ruiz will be back behind the plate and hitting 9th. Zack Littell had a strong May and will look to continue that in June.
With a righty on the mound, the D-Backs will make some adjustments too. Pavin Smith will be in the lineup as the DH, which pushes Tommy Troy to left and Ryan Waldschmidt to center. Gabriel Moreno will be behind the plate after getting a day off yesterday. Eduardo Rodriguez has had a huge bounceback this year, but he relies on command rather than overwhelming stuff.
After last night, the Nats need to keep their foot on the gas and push to get above .500. Getting a quick series win would be a great way to prove that the Marlins series was just a fluke. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
SEDONA, AZ - OCTOBER 07, 2014 - Chapel of the Holy Cross built in the red rocks of Arizona in Sedona, October 07, 2014. (Photo by Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Today’s Lineups
NATIONALS
DIAMONDBACKS
James Wood – DH
Ketel Marte – 2B
Curtis Mead – 3B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Andres Chaparro – 1B
Gabriel Moreno – C
CJ Abrams – SS
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Dylan Crews – RF
Pavin Smith – DH
Daylen Lile – LF
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Jacob Young – CF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Nasim Nunez – 2B
LuJames Groover – 1B
Keibert Ruiz – C
Tommy Troy – LF
Zack Littell – RHP
E. Rodriguez – LHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: RHP Drey Jameson
Optioned to Reno: RHP Kade Strowd (following last night’s game)
Strowd left the game with what Torey Lovullo called a “dead arm”, but the fact he’s not immediately going on the IL is, hopefully, good news. Lovullo said today that the pitcher is alright “so far,” but will continue to be evaluated. Given he threw 32 pitches, it’s likely he would have needed a day or two off anyway. Also, Taylor Clarke should be back tomorrow, and one imagines Abner will be going back down, especially after his terrible performance last night.
Anyway, the main topic is a question Chicharron asked in last night’s recap: “Are the D-Backs on their way to setting an MLB record for most innings pitched in a season by position players?” Of course, that kinda depends on your definition of “position players”. Does Shohei Ohtani count? I mean, he certainly is a position player. The list of teams with most position player appearances on the mound is dominated by two-way players. The top pair are the Brewers in 2003 and 2004, with 42 and 33 respectively. But all 75 of those were by Brooks Kieschnick, who appeared as an outfielder, DH and pinch-hitter for Milwaukee too. Rick Ankiel and Ohtani also appear in the top ten.
The “true” record since the D-backs entered the league probably belongs to the 2022 Tigers, who used a position player on twelve occasions to pitch twelve innings, Cody Clemens appearing seven times. The only other team to reach double digits might be a surprise: the 2022 Dodgers, who won 111 games. Hanser Alberto pitched 11 innings for them – but just two of those were in blowout losses, the others seeing him come in with at least an eight-run lead. The D-backs so far are at five appearances and 5.2 innings after Adrian Del Castillo’s outing. So the pace is there, but last night was the first such since April, when James McCann pitched in four games. Stay tuned, folks…
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 31: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park on May 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the Atlanta Braves looking to grab a win.
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