Jun 10, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; A partial annular eclipse of the sun rises over the skyline of Toronto. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY NETWORK
First Pitch: 2:07 pm CDT TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy
Not only did the Twins blow a 4-0 lead last night in what looked like a morale-boosting, streak-extending win against a top-tier opponent, but they also officially lost two players, as Royce Lewis and Cody Laweryson hit the IL.
It’s the kind of 12-hour implosion all too familiar to the Twins, which is part of the reason that having Joe Ryan on the bump today could serve as a nice stabilizer before the series gets away from Minnesota.
In a season that requires him to step up to the level of a true ace, Ryan has had a pair of nice starts (@BAL and vs. DET), as well as a four-inning clunker against the Kansas City Royals. Perhaps the most encouraging stat is his having avoided the long ball in 14 innings so far this season, even as his H/9 and BB/9 rise above their usual averages. Ryan is 2-1 against the Jays in his career, with a 4.70 ERA in four total starts.
Random sidebar. Did you know that Joe Ryan has never intentionally walked a hitter? This sent me on a dive, whereupon I learned that actually, Mick Abel is the only member of the starting rotation to have intentionally walked a hitter in his career. Upon reflection, I suppose the proper conditions usually leading to an intentional walk are rarely present early enough in a game for a starter to be the one tasked with issuing the free pass. But I wouldn’t have guessed that the full rotation had one career IBB between them, and that it belonged to the second-youngest guy on the club.
Anyway. The Blue Jays will be tossing Eric Lauer, who boasts a career 8.80 ERA against the Twins. This is Lauer’s second season in Toronto, having pitched for the Padres and Brewers for six years before exclusively pitching in the KBO and the minor leagues in 2024. He returned to the Jays after they selected Lauer’s minor-league contract last year, and ultimately threw 4.2 innings in the marathon World Series Game 3 last October.
Lauer’s another lefty. Who would have guessed, with the way things have matched up for the Twins so far in 2026? He features a four-seam well below league-average lefty velocity, and a change/cutter/slider mix bolstered by a very occassional curveball.
The Twins will try to even the series this afternoon and give them a chance for a road victory against the Blue Jays. GO TWINS GO!
Apr 8, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
On Wednesday, we asked you to grade the Rockies’ rotation through one start on the road and one start at home apiece (more or less). So far, fans have been impressed.
98% of responders believe the Rockies’ rotation is passing the test with a C or above.
Only 2% of folks believe the rotation is underperforming, but nobody believes they failed their initial go-around.
After seeing more starts this week, do you agree with the results? Do you still agree with your initial grade? Let us know in the comments!
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 05: Martín Pérez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sunday, April 5, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kyle Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Happy City Connect Saturday to all who celebrate. Which, to be clear, should be everyone.
Last night’s Dale Murphy-honoring offensive outburst propelled the Braves to a Game 1 win, teeing up the chance for a series win in Game 2 tonight.
In case you were wondering, the Braves’ records in the previous City Connect uniforms were:
6-8 in 2025
7-6 in 2024
9-6 in 2023
The Braves are hoping to make it 2-0 in the new powder blues.
In the third turn through the rotation, Weiss and company will be sticking with Martín Pérez to toe the rubber for the Braves tonight. After a stellar long relief outing versus the Athletics on March 31, his first official start in Arizona was not as crisp. He allowed five hits, four earned runs, and one walk in his five innings of work. He wasn’t on the hook for that extra-innings loss (that dubious honor would go to Joel Payamps and his singular pitch in the tenth), but he’ll be looking to bounce back. After last night’s bungled mop-up job, José Suarez isn’t quite breathing down his neck for the spot, but Didier Fuentes might be.
As much as this is an early April game, Cleveland will be fighting to not lose their first series this year. They’ll send 25-year old lefty Parker Messick (1-0, 0.87 ERA) to face the Braves in his tenth big league start. Messick earned the fifth starter job out of camp and posted strong outings against the Dodgers and Cubs. He held the former to four hits in six efficient innings, only needing 71 pitches to earn his first win and hand LA their first loss of the season. Chicago tagged him for two hits, three walks, and one earned run.
Messick can throw the kitchen sink. He relies most heavily on the four-seamer (32.9%), followed by the changeup (22.2%). There’s been a slight uptick in sinker usage so far, but he’s unafraid to mix in the slider, curveball, and cutter.
80’s Night was a deeply overstimulating blast at the ballpark. I can do without the neon, vaporwave graphics, and Back to the Future homages, but I am hoping Game 2 brings us more Braves bombs. If you’re at the block party before tonight’s game, don’t miss Demetrius and your chance to win a Battery Power koozie!
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 10: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros reacts after being pulled during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on April 10, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:
Tatsuya Imai is having trouble adapting to life in MLB at a time his team really needs him to be the star he’s shown he can be in Japan:
Tatsuya Imai said the mound at T-Mobile Park “was really hard” and he had trouble adjusting. The weather he pitched in Friday is “not usual in Japan,” he said, and his mechanics are out of whack when runners reach base – https://t.co/snNPEUDhij
In the meantime, Christian Vazquez will remain Imai’s personal catcher:
Joe Espada plans to keep Christian Vázquez paired with Tatsuya Imai for the foreseeable future because "right now, I feel like it's important for the transition of Imai to the major leagues and just to build some stability in our rotation and take us deep into games."
Could Cody Bolton be getting tabbed to start Sunday for the Astros?
Cody Bolton is dressed to throw a bullpen session right now at T-Mobile Park. Starters customarily throw a bullpen two days before their start. The Astros are TBA for Sunday.
Whatever the Astros decide to do with who they add to the starting rotation (Arrighetti is a lock, Bolton appears to be getting another turn) can’t really be worse than what they have done so far:
Astros pitchers have a 6.32 ERA
Starters: 5.55 in 60 innings Relievers: 7.08 in 61 innings
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller strikes out the side again. He has faced 24 batters this year and has struck out 19 of them. The last reliever to win the Cy Young award was Eric Gagne in 2003.
Kenley Jansen is not tied for 3rd all time in saves.
Congratulations to Detroit Tigers closer Kenley Jansen, who saves his 478th game to tie Hall of Famer Lee Smith for third place on the all-time saves list.
Did Jo Adell have the greatest single defensive performance ever?
This @jaysonst Stark column trying to suss out if Jo Addell’s 3 HR robbery game was the single greatest defensive game in baseball history is delightful. I won’t spoil an incredible “anecdote,” but I’m thrilled to share it with a free-to-all gift link: https://t.co/UI8q3xsQAd
Why has the Mariners offense struggled so much (at least when the Astros aren’t walking them all game)?
Seattle's biggest stars have struggled at the plate with the team off to rough start this season. How real are the concerns? Let's find out.https://t.co/cOG8pAbE25
In 8 years in Flushing, Jeff McNeil was a 2x All Star, a Silver Slugger, and a batting champ. Fans remembered in his first at-bat in Citi Field as a visiting player.
Jeff McNeil receives a warm ovation in his first at-bat back in Queens.
The Mets moved Bo Bichette down from the two-hole to the cleanup spot for Saturday’s start against A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez. And, with Jorge Polanco back in at the three spot, they moved Luis Robert Jr. up to bat behind leadoff man FranciscoLindor.
“Just wanted to shake some things up here,” Mendoza said about the lineup change.
“We’ve still got pretty good hitters at the top, but just kinda wanted to give him a different look here,” he continued. “Putting Luis in the two hole, getting Polanco back in the lineup, helps with some of the righty-lefty, then you can get creative. Just wanted to give it a different look today.”
Bichette has started to swing a better bat after a rough start to the year. After going 2-for-22 in the first five games of the year, he is 12-for-39 (.308) with two doubles and three RBI over his last nine games. (Bichette is 2-for-7, both doubles, with 2 RBI in his career against Lopez.)
The move hopefully won't cool off Robert, who is 14-for-43 (.326) to start the season with two home runs and seven RBI, good for a .928 OPS. He also has 11 walks through 13 games, after only drawing 40 walks in 110 games in 2025.
Clay Holmes stays in line
More good news on the Holmes front after the starter exited Friday’s game at the top of the sixth inning with left hamstring tightness.
“Feeling better,” Mendoza said of the right-hander. “Normal soreness after an outing. Went through a series of tests, strength-wise, in the training room and checked all of the boxes.
“So, as of right now, I think the next step is making sure he throws his bullpen couple days from now before we make the final call. But, as of right now, he’s in line to make the next start.”
Mendoza said the Mets haven’t had any discussions on possibly pushing Holmes’ next start back a few days, “But, if we feel like we gotta go there, then I’m pretty sure we will have that conversation.”
"Feel like I’ll be able to make my next start," Holmes said. "But until I wake up tomorrow, we don’t really know. Can’t rule anything out, but feel pretty good about it right now. I can still keep throwing. I didn’t feel it tighten up on a throw….I think we’ll be good, but we’ll have to see."
Holmes was off to a second consecutive solid outing before leaving with the injury, allowing just one run on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts.
Through three starts, he has a 1.50 ERA and 1.111 WHIP over 18 innings.
Former San Diego Padres Luis Arraez (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Baseball’s best pure hitter no longer calls San Diego home. Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez joined the San Francisco Giants on a one-year, $12 million deal this offseason. He wanted to return to being an everyday second baseman.
The San Diego Padres hoped for a reunion, but could not guarantee playing time at second. Arraez left the organization for a better opportunity, but that is life in baseball’s transient lifestyle.
Now, the Padres are trying to find new ways to score runs with a revamped top of the batting order. So far, they have managed to stay afloat despite their struggles to score runs at Petco Park.
The home schedule at Petco Park has been challenging
The home schedule has been a challenge for the Friars. They opened the 2026 campaign against the talented Detroit Tigers starting rotation, followed by a series with the San Francisco Giants. For their effort, the Padres averaged 2.4 runs per game on their first homestand.
This weekend, the Friars get a brief respite against the inexperienced Colorado Rockies before facing the American League West-contending Seattle Mariners. It is hard to kickstart your offense against such quality pitching.
Offense found its groove on the road
After a disappointing opening home stand, the Padres’ offense showed some life on their last road trip. The lineup averaged close to five runs per game away from Petco Park.
The move of Ramon Laureano to the leadoff spot has allowed the remainder of the order to wear down opposing pitching staffs with a quick strike power-hitting approach. Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Gavin Sheets, Nick Castellanos and Jake Cronenworth would never be considered an easy out. All are ready to pounce on a mistake.
It can be exhausting for a starting pitcher who has to navigate a hot lineup multiple times in a start. The goal is to force them to overthink on the mound. It is hard to be perfect with every pitch thrown. The Friars must continue to take advantage of bad pitches.
The loss of Arraez has not limited the Padres’ offense at the start of the season. Instead, the lineup is feeding off one another, as every hitter is doing their part to extend innings and score runs.
The Friar Faithful’s optimism is running high, especially after back-to-back walkoff wins. The recent outburst has demonstrated that the lineup can lift the team out of a less-than-ideal pitching matchup.
The production can only get better in the coming months.
Richard Lovelady | (Photo: Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
You’ve read this on this site before: The Mets have designated left-handed relief pitcher Richard Lovelady for assignment. This time, he’s being replaced by veteran right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel.
The Mets first acquired Lovelady in June last year, and they’ve now designated him for assignment five times in less than a year. Despite having DFA’d him three times during the 2025 season, the Mets signed Lovelady to a major league deal in late October. And they DFA’d him again in January to clear a 40-man roster spot when they acquired infielder Vidal Bruján.
When you look at all of that, you can’t help but feel for the player, even if there’s a sense of relief that the Mets might be moving on. Lovelady was booed at Citi Field in the Mets’ first season of the series during an extra-inning loss to the Pirates, but those boos were likely intended as much for the Mets’ front office and manager putting him in that spot as they were for the performance of Lovelady himself.
In 7.1 innings with the Mets since Opening Day this year, Lovelady has a 3.68 ERA and a 4.92 FIP. In 10.0 innings with the Mets last year, he had a 6.30 ERA and a 6.74 FIP.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 5: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning during the game against the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 5, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field looking to grab a win.
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Apr 10, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during the first inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
The suddenly slumping New York Yankees lost again on Friday night at Tropicana Field. The offense continues to come up short, and they just can’t buy a hit. We’re putting the bats to the side for a moment though to discuss Luis Gil and his first start of the season at the MLB level after struggling on Sunday in Triple-A. Skipped in his first time around because the Yankees only needed four starters through the first couple weeks, Gil’s in an important season, as the luster really faded from him last year after an AL Rookie of the Year win in 2024.
It’s safe to say things could have gone better on Friday. Four rocky innings of work and 88 pitches were the final tally, and to be completely honest, this was—for large stretches of his outing—2025 Gil all over again, struggling to throw strikes and to consistently generate swings and misses.
Gil allowed three runs on three hits and three walks in the four frames, striking out two. He also threw a wild pitch and hit a batter in the disappointing outing.
After struggling with velocity for much of the spring, Gil averaged 95.1 mph on his four-seamer on Friday against the Rays, down from the 95.3 mph of 2025 and a more impactful 96.6 the year before. This pitch was his bread and butter in 2024, when he won Rookie of the Year, but it just earned one swing-and-miss on 13 swings for a meager eight-percent whiff rate. For reference, the fastball earned an 18.8-percent whiff rate in 2025 and a 28.5-percent whiff rate in 2024.
For the night, Gil got just five empty swings: three on his slider, which he struggled to fully command, one on his changeup, and one on his four-seamer.
Gil threw 38 balls and 50 strikes on the night, but he was all over the place with all his pitches:
Gil opened the game trying to establish the four-seamer and complementing it mainly with sliders. He got two quick outs in the first inning before running into trouble, walking Jonathan Aranda and hanging this slider to Yandy Díaz, who gladly deposited it in the right field stands for a game-tying two-run dinger:
What looked like a quick and painless opening frame for Gil turned into a 32-pitch inning that set the tone for the rest of his outing and immediately capped his upside to go relatively deep into the game.
The second time through the lineup, Gil started to introduce more sinkers and changeups. The former actually helped him get five called strikes and led to a 57.9-mph average exit velocity in three batted-ball events, with just one of them going for a hit. One could argue that, with better command, the pitch could potentially be useful. It doesn’t look like a huge difference-making offering, though.
It’s hard to envision a successful Gil without better control, command, and velocity. Take away those three things, and his ceiling is severely capped.
It’s also important for him to maintain his velo deep into his outings. The pitch averaged 95.8 mph in the opening frame, and then slipped to 94.4 mph in the second, 93.8 mph in the third, and 94.4 mph again in the fourth. His sinker did average 96.6 mph in the third, though, but Gil just won’t be successful if he’s sitting in the 93-94 mph range.
Gil did make a nice defensive play on a squeeze play attempt by the Rays in the fourth, preventing another run from scoring. So at least his glove helped him out a little bit.
It’s still early. Heck, it’s Gil’s first start of the season. We are willing to grant him a pass, as we shouldn’t be judging a pitcher using just one outing. However, one thing needs to be said: given that this more of the same frustrating Gil, he will need to pick it up soon if he doesn’t want to be at serious risk of losing his rotation spot whenever Gerrit Cole or Carlos Rodón return. Unlike in the ALDS, he is fully behind Will Warren on the depth chart.
Apr 10, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Kevin McGonigle (7) stands on third base in then first inning against the Miami Marlins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (5-9) vs. Miami Marlins (8-6)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park Opponent Site: Fish On First Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (0-1, 5.23 ERA) vs. RHP Janson Junk (0-1, 3.09 ERA)
We have a full slate of 15 MLB games to choose from today, which offers up lots of options when it comes to prop betting from the matinee matchups to the late-night finishes on the West Coast.
Keep reading to see my best MLB player props for Saturday, April 11, highlighted by a plus-money Jackson Merrill play.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Kodai Senga
Over 6.5 Ks
-108
Trent Grisham
1+ runs
-120
Jackson Merrill
1+ RBI
+125
Kodai Senga Over 6.5 strikeouts (-108)
Kodai Senga has looked sharp in his return to the New York Mets' rotation after a 2025 marred by injuries.
He's recorded 16 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over his first two starts, good for a rate of 12.3 per nine. That’s above his career mark of 10.2 per nine, and more like what Mets fans have expected after his outstanding rookie campaign in 2023.
The Athletics have been one of the more strikeout-heavy offenses in baseball early this season, racking up 133 Ks in their first 13 games. Senga should get plenty of swings and misses against this lineup, and that makes his strikeouts Over a great play.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, SNY
Trent Grisham 1+ runs (-120)
While Trent Grisham has been struggling in some ways in the early going – his .158 batting average looks ugly on the Jumbotron – he’s been excelling at his most important job, which is getting on base at the top of the New York Yankees lineup.
Grisham has a .347 OBP and has scored seven times in 13 games to start the season.
Journeyman Nick Martinez has given the Tampa Bay Rays some good innings to start the year, but I don’t have confidence in the 35-year-old to keep up this start.
The Yankees have underperformed offensively, but those struggles have mostly come against southpaws, while they have a .720 OPS against righties. I like Grisham to get on base and the rest of the New York lineup to bring him home tonight.
Time: 6:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: YES, Rays.TV
Jackson Merrill 1+ RBI (+125)
Jackson Merrill hasn’t gotten himself into a groove yet this season, but his numbers still benefit from hitting behind Fernando Tatis Jr. and in front of Manny Machado. Merrill has seven RBIs in his first 14 games despite hitting .189 in that span.
Merrill has been historically strong against right-handed pitching, putting up an .855 OPS against righties in his career. Colorado Rockies starter Ryan Feltner isn’t an imposing matchup in that regard either, with only 38 2/3 innings at the MLB level in the last two years and a 5.17 career ERA.
Facing Feltner could get the San Diego Padres lineup going, and with Merrill in the middle of it all, I like him to pick up an RBI tonight.
Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Rockies.TV, Padres.TV
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.
Two weeks into the MLB season and the betting market for the National League Cy Young award has seen some movement, including one long shot worth taking before it's too late and one favorite to dabble on.
National League Cy Young Favorite: Paul Skenes (+350)
The one bet I made in the preseason for NL Cy Young was Paul Skenes at +250 odds. After his disastrous opening day start against the Mets where he recorded 0.2 innings on 37 pitches with four hits and five earned runs allowed, everything has been up hill for Skenes.
Over the next two starts versus the Reds and Padres, Skenes posted a combined 11 1/3 innings, two earned runs, five hits allowed, 11 strikeouts to four walks, and most importantly, two wins. While his ERA is 5.25 through three starts, that will continue dropping and likely finish below 3.00 for the season after 1.96 and 1.97 his first two seasons.
At the current price of +350, I went back to the well on Skenes to win NL Cy Young because of the value, but if we're talking value, time is running out for the best long shot in the market.
Pick:Paul Skenes to win NL Cy Young (1 unit)
National League Cy Young Long Shot: Mason Miller (+3500)
The best long shot on the board is the Padres' Mason Miller. Just a week go, Miller was 150-to-1 to win the award and yesterday, he was 45-to-1 when I played him. Now, the best price is +3500 or 35-to-1, while some books have him at 20-to-1!
Miller is on a mission right now and no one is coming close to ending his current scoreless streak. Miller hasn't allowed a run to score on him in 28 2/3 innings. It's the longest streak in all of baseball and five innings short of the Padres' franchise record held by Cla Meredith. It's not just going scoreless, it's how he's doing it. Miller has faced 24 total hitters and 19 of them have struck out! Per MLB.com, that 79.2% strikeout rate is the highest by a pitcher in his first seven appearances of a season since at least 1900!
Of course, Miller isn't a starter, he is a reliever/closer. The last reliever to win Cy Young was Eric Gagne in 2003. Gagne won by converting all 55 of his save opportunities for the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is absolutely bonkers. Gagne finished with a 1.20 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and 6.9 strikeouts to walk ratio over 82 1/3 innings pitched.
Miller is four-for-four on saves so far this season with a 0.00 ERA, 0.27 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts to one walk. Can Miller become the first reliever to win Cy Young since 2003? I think so. Although, knocking off Paul Skenes won't be easy, but if you're going to do it — do it by striking everyone out, setting franchise records for scoreless innings, and lead the MLB in saves and WHIP, which Miller could do.
Pick: Mason Miller to win NL Cy Young (1 unit)
MLB Futures Card
3 units: Pittsburgh Pirates Over 76.5 Wins (-115) 2 units: Detroit Tigers to win AL Central (+110) 1 unit: Bobby Witt to win AL MVP (+550) 1 unit: Ronald Acuna Jr. to win NL MVP (+1000) 1 unit: Pittsburgh Pirates to win NL Central (+800) 1 unit: Paul Skenes to win NL CY Young (+250) 1 unit: Paul Skenes to win NL CY Young (+350) 1 unit: Garrett Crochet to win AL CY Young (+425) 1 unit: Mason Miller to win NL Cy Young (+3500) 0.5 unit: Konnor Griffin to win NL Rookie of the Year (+600) 0.5 unit: Bubba Chandler to win NL Rookie of the Year (+1200) 0.25 units: James Wood to lead MLB in Home runs (+20000) 0.25 units: Detroit Tigers to have the most wins (+4500) 0.25 units: Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series (+1600) 0.25 units: Atlanta Braves to win the World Series (+2000) 0.25 units: Detroit Tigers to win the World Series
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TWO IS USUALLY ENOUGH: The Cubs have allowed no more than two runs in eight of their 13 games, but have lost two of the eight, both by 2-0. Last year, they were 51-7 when giving up two or fewer runs, including 13-5 when giving up exactly two. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SIX IS USUALLY ENOUGH: In yesterday’s loss, the Cubs made six hits and limited the Pirates to three. Before then, the Cubs had won all six previous games this season in which they had outhit their opponent. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner has a 12-game on-base streak in which he is batting .357/.481/.571 (15-for-42) with six doubles, a home run, nine RBI and nine walks.
GOOD STARTING: Cubs starting pitchers have a 2.47 ERA in the 13 games so far this year, which leads the NL and is second in MLB (Yankees, 2.40).
The Pirates lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Pirates lineup.
Edward Cabrera, RHP vs. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP
Edward Cabrera has not only been the Cubs’ best starter so far this year, he’s been one of the top starters anywhere in MLB, alllowing just eight of the 41 hitters he’s faced so far to reach base, no runs allowed and nine strikeouts in 11.2 innings. The only little glitch is six walks, and that was an issue for him in Miami, so hopefully it doesn’t become one here.
Cabrera hasn’t faced the Pirates since 2023, and the only current Pirate who has more than a couple of at-bats against him is Marcell Ozuna (2-for-11 with four strikeouts).
Braxton Ashcraft did pretty well in his rookie season last year — 2.71 ERA, 1.249 WHIP in 26 appearances (eight starts). This year he’s going to be a full-time member of the Pirates rotation and he has made two pretty good starts to date, completing six innings in both. In his last outing, April 5 vs. the Orioles, he struck out eight.
He made two starts against the Cubs last year (plus one relief appearance) and allowed four runs in 11 total innings, with 10 strikeouts. Michael Busch homered off him in one of those outings. Pete Crow-Armstrong is 3-for-4 with two doubles.
Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout. If you do go there to interact with Pirates fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The Columbus Clippers and the Worcester Red Sox faced off in Worcester Friday evening. The Clippers have been struggling against the WooSox, staying just above .500 with last night’s loss marking 3 straight loses against the Red Sox.
It didn’t take long for Ryan Webb to start running into trouble. In the bottom of the second a lead off triple was converted to a run on a groundout. A one-out walk and hit by pitch put two on. George Valera, on rehab assignment in Columbus, committed a fielding error in left field allowing the runner on 2nd to score.
The Clippers defensive woes would continue for the remainder of the game, racking up 6 errors on the night. Webb fell to 0-2 on the year, pitching 3.1 innings. He allowed 2H, 4R (2ER), 6BB, with 4Ks. Jack Leftwich was the only pitcher to not have runs scored on his watch. Leftwich went 1.2IP, 2H, 0R/ER, 1BB, 1K. Andrew Walters pitched an inning, allowing a run on a solo homer. It was the only hit he allowed. Walters walked no batters and struck out 2. Colin Holderman pitched the remaining 2 innings. He allowed 3 hits with 3 runs, none of which were earned. He struck out 5.
The offense pieced together some runs after their shutout the day prior. Petey Halpin went 1-for-3 with a run and a RBI. Travis Bazzana went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strike out. Milan Tolentino made up for his defensive error, going 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the eighth.
But the scoring started with George Valera in the 6th inning, hitting the Clippers’ first homer of the series. Valera went 1-for-4 with a run and 2 RBI.
The RubberDucks were more successful in their Friday night game. Josh Hartle took the mound for Akron and had a solid start. Hartle pitched 4.2 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 5.
Jack Jasiak earned his second win of the season in his 2.1 innings of work. He allowed 2 runs on 2 hits. Alaska Abney pitched 1.2, 1H, 1R, 2BB, 2K. Magnus Ellerts got the save, walking one in his 0.1 IP.
The RubberDucks offense performed well, scoring 8 runs on 7 hits and 9 walks.
Akron’s first run came in the 2nd inning. Nick Mitchell hit a lead off single, stealing 2nd and advancing to 3rd on a wild pitch. Joe Lampe drew a walk, but during Alex Mooney’s at bat, a balk scored Mitchell. Mooney and Jake Fox loaded the bases with walks of their own, but a strikeout and GIDP stopped the rally.
In the 4th inning Mitchell drew a lead off walk. Catcher Interference put runners on 1st and 2nd. Jake Fox hit a single on a liner to left, scoring Mitchell and Mooney.
The walks continued in the top of the 5th. Christian Knapczyk and Nick Mitchell drew back-to-back one-out walks. Joe Lampe hit an RBI single to put the RubberDucks up 5-3. In the next at bat, Alex Mooney hit a 3-run moon shot.
The 2nd homer of the series by @aj_mooney2, who has 7 RBI this week!
Lake County struggled against the Dayton Dragons, losing by 4 runs. Braylon Doughty fell to 0-1 on the season. Doughty only pitched 2.1 innings. He allowed 4R (2ER) on 5H, striking out one batter. In the bottom of the 3rd a one-out fielding error on 2B Luke Hill set the Caps up for failure. Doughty gave up four straight singles, putting the Dragons up 3-2 before being pulled for Donovan Zsak. Zsak has pitched 1.2 innings so far this year. He finished the 3rd inning only allowing one walk before retiring the side. He is maintaining a 0.00 ERA. Jogly García pitched 4.0, securing the loss for the Captains. He gave up 3R (2ER) on 2H and 2BB. He struck out 3. Sean Matson pitched the 8th inning, striking out one and allowing one hit.
The Captains had a strong start. In the top of the first, Jace LaViolette and Dean Curley drew back-to-back one-out walks. Aaron Walton and Bennett Thompson hit back-to-back singles to put two runs on the board.
CAPTAINS STRIKE FIRST! 🔥🔥
Back-to-back RBI singles by Aaron Walton and Bennett Thompson has Lake County out in front going into the 2nd! pic.twitter.com/RwPc00Mkap
Lake County’s final run came in the top of the 6th. Bennett Thompson drew a lead off walk. He reached 2nd on a wild pitch and 3rd on a flyout. Luke Hill hit a two-out single to score Thompson.
The Howlers took a win from the Fredericksburg Nationals. Jacob Zibin had a strong 4.0 inning outing. He allowed 1 run on 3H and 1BB, striking out 5. Luke Fernandez pitched 2 innings of scoreless baseball, striking out 2 and walking 1. Keegan Zinn earned the win and recorded a blown save. In Zinn’s 2.0 innings of work, he allowed 2R/ER, 1BB, and struck out 2. Angel Perez earned his 2nd save of the season, closing the game. He walked 2 and struck out 2.
Cannon Peebles had a great game at the plate. He went 1-for-3 with 1R, 2RBI, 2BB, HR, and a SB.
The Howlers got on the board in the bottom of the 3rd. Juneiker Caceres drew a lead off walk which was followed by Cannon Peebles’s 2-run HR.
Cannon Peebles got ALL OF THAT ONE!! 🚀⚾️
His 2-run home run gives us the LEAD here in the bottom of the third inning!
In the bottom of the 5th, the Howlers tacked on another run. Caceres and Pebbles drew back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. Yeiferth Castillo work a one-out walk to load the bases. Luis De La Cruz singled to first to score Caceres.
The final runs were scored in the bottom of the 8th. Luis De La Cruz was hit by pitch to lead off. He stole 2nd, but was caught stealing 3rd for the 2nd out of the inning. Yaikel Mijares drew a two-out walk and hustled to 3rd on Robert Arias’ single to right. Juneiker Caceres singled on a liner to left, scoring Mijares and Arias.
Munetaka Murakami has bolstered the resilience of the 2026 White Sox. | (Photo by Sydney Schneider/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Two weeks into the season and the 2026 White Sox roller coaster already has been twisting us left, right, up and down. In such a tumultuous time, the Sox have swung between being swept to being the sweepers faster than Yermín Mercedes peaked and then abruptly retired from baseball in 2021. Ah, such memorable times with Tony La Russa.
After witnessing the highs and lows of such a small sample size, here are the extremely early, yet prevalent, themes that should be followed through the rest of the season.
This Sox crew is a lot more resilient Now a full year removed from the horrors of 2024, this team is nowhere near cut from the same cloth. Despite playing pitifully on Opening Day and starting 1-5, the Sox have proven that they won’t just roll over and take losses.
As seen in their series against Toronto, the team knows how to step up. In the first two games of that series, the Sox lost but recovered the lead three times. The second game perfectly encapsulates this: After capturing an early lead, the Jays put up two runs in the sixth, quickly tampering the mood. In what would otherwise have been a typical blown win, Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montogmery delivered clutch home runs to pull the Sox ahead, 4-2, in the bottom of the sixth. Even after the Jays cut the lead to one run in the seventh, the Sox capitalized on fielding errors to add two insurance runs in the eighth. Props to Tristan Peters and Murakami’s defensive instincts that resulted in pulling off a bases-loaded, inning-ending double-play.
A similar story played out in the first two games against the Orioles, but unfortunately the Sox didn’t prevail.
This team certainly has more pep in its step, and they aren’t spiraling after losses or mistakes. You can feel the difference in this team’s attitude and mentality. If Chicago continues minimizing their number of blown wins and saves, they could creep into the wild card race.
There are no roster locks No one’s locker is safe on the South Side. That was evident when Korey Lee was DFA’d and outrighted to Charlotte to make room for Reese McGuire, and it’ll only continue.
Opening Day starter Shane Smith only spent 13 days on the 26-man roster before being optioned to Charlotte after shouldering 10 runs in fewer than nine innings. On the same day, the Sox moved Brooks Baldwin to the 60-day IL, shutting him down for the season. Don’t forget that Mike Vasil, who was supposed to be a reliable reliever, also won’t play a single regular season game until mid-2027. While Smith may be able to bounce back and rejoin the rotation, the roster has quickly turned from slightly more predictable to very uncertain.
This leaves the door open for dark horse players to emerge as unsung heroes. Peters has proven to be one of these guys after hitting a walk-off single in the home opener against the Blue Jays, and making several strong fielding plays. Anthony Kay has stepped forward as one of the top starters in the rotation after a nearly six-inning shutout and first MLB win since 2021 against the Royals on Thursday.
Any win will truly be a team effort from the Sox. As of now, there are no go-to guys who will carry this team.
The farm will get tested Chris Getz is getting a jump on the Triple-A talent at his disposal, which could make or break this season. Instead of snatching every free agent available on waivers, Getz has already called up six guys from Charlotte to plug injury gaps in the 26-man roster. While this is expected from a team that is always strapped for cash, nothing is a given with Getz steering the ship.
Unlike last year, expect Charlotte and even some of Birmingham to be drained of talent by the end of the season. Chicago’s development program and coaching staff will be put to the test with big names like Tanner McDougal, Sam Antonacci and William Bergolla Jr. on the fast-track to the Good Guys, and Bham guys including Braden Montomgery, Rikku Nishida and Calvin Harris potentially turning a major curve on their quest to the majors.
The Sox will either be exposed or praised for their youth once again. Hopefully, it goes as well as it did last year.
Kodai Senga
Trent Grisham
Jackson Merrill
