Category: MLB

Fresh off a dramatic 10-inning victory largely thanks to an emergency Blue Jays catching situation after Alejandro Kirk injured his thumb, the White Sox take on a Toronto team with an emergency pitching situation that’s the result of originally-scheduled starter Eric Lauer recovering from a bout of flu (as apparently is the case for much of the team).

That sets up a game with not one, but two dueling openers. Well, OK, it’s a full bullpen game for the Jays, but on the White Sox side, Grant Taylor had such an easy inning opening yesterday — just nine pitches, all strikes — that Will Venable is going to give him an encore.

This time Taylor will be opening for lefty Anthony Kay, who had a respectable start against the Brewers his first time out (4 1/3 innings, two earned runs, but with four walks), only to have the bullpen collapse. Kay has standard platoon splits and won’t face as many left-handed hitters with Toronto — but also won’t have to deal with Kirk at the plate.

First in the train of relievers throwing for the Jays will be lefty Mason Fluharty, who has never started an MLB game. He had a rough first outing to the regular season, but has had three very short successful appearances since. Fluharty et al. will face a White Sox lineup that includes Lenyn Sosa at DH and Reese McGuire catching:

The Blue Jays lineup is built for Kay, not Taylor, with six righties and one switch-hitter. Catcher Tyler Heineman, who had no chance to throw before the game resumed yesterday and proceeded to pick up a bunt and fling the ball into right field, will presumably be more settled today and has a strong career record against would-be thieves, throwing out 30.1%.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Central, with rain expected to end by noon, temps in the low 50s, and 18 mph wind toward left. Usual broadcast suspects.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The New York Yankees and Miami Marlins get game two of a three-game set going tonight, with the situation looking very similar to yesterday.

Yesterday, the Bronx Bombers took advantage of a Marlins pitcher who struggles with giving up hard contact... and my Marlins vs. Yankees predictions today see things playing out similarly.

See why my MLB picks for Saturday, April 4, lean towards the Yankees winning (and runs being scored) in the Bronx.

Who will win Marlins vs Yankees today: Yankees -1.5 (+115)

Many elements from yesterday’s matchup carry over today. Max Meyer’s average exit velocity last season was among the worst for qualified starters, which is a big problem when you’re headed to Yankee Stadium.

I think we will see the Yankees target this yet again, using the dimensional advantages of their home stadium to their benefit (looking towards those short porches down the lines), with Ben Rice, Giancarlo Stanton, and Cody Bellinger all starting the year strong — plus Aaron Judge showing signs of life with his first multi-hit game (and his third homer of the year) in the home opener yesterday. 

After an 8-2 win in the series opener, the Yankees' lineup has momentum and a clear matchup edge.

COVERS INTEL: Meyer's hard-hit rate and average exit velocity ranked in the bottom 5% all qualified MLB pitchers last year.

Marlins vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (+100)

I was perplexed when I projected this total at just 8.8 until I saw it — a brisk wind blowing in.

While that will certainly play a part, it’s still not enough to get me off this Over: The Yankees have already illustrated enough diversity at the plate to suggest they can score plenty of runs with hard-contact rather than relying on the home run.

On the other side, we’ve yet to mention Ryan Weathers on the mound for New York. He should be better than Meyer, but he’s still exploitable and struggled during Spring Training.

I don’t think the Marlins will need to do much to push this Over either, as I expect the Yankee bats to do some heavy lifting yet again.

Marlins vs Yankees odds

• Moneyline: Miami +156 | New York -163
• Run line: Miami +1.5| New York -1.5
• Over/Under: Over 7.5| Under 7.5

Marlins vs Yankees trend

The New York Yankees have hit the 1st Five Innings (F5) Moneyline in 32 of their last 47 games (+18.25 Units / 23% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Marlins vs. Yankees.

How to watch Marlins vs Yankees and game info

Marlins vs Yankees latest injuries

Marlins vs Yankees weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Guardians play the second of a three-game set at Progressive Field tonight.

Although Chicago fell 4-1 on Friday, my Cubs vs. Guardians predictions are backing the visitors to bounce back. 

Here are my top free MLB picks for this interleague showdown on Saturday, April 4.

Who will win Cubs vs Guardians today: Cubs moneyline (-126)

The Cleveland Guardians are sending Slade Cecconi to the mound after he surrendered six runs in 4 1/3 innings in his season debut. He posted a 4.99 xERA in 2025 and ranked second-worst in barrel rate and hard-hit rate among pitchers with at least 100 innings of work.

On the other side, the Chicago Cubs respond with southpaw Shota Imanaga, who pitched to a 3.73 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP last year.

Both teams are struggling at the dish, but the Cubs were significantly more productive last year. They also lead the majors in hard-hit rate, while the Guardians are 27th.

COVERS INTEL: Cleveland batted just .224 against lefties last year, while Imanaga flashed an impressive .218 OBA in 25 starts.

Cubs vs Guardians Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-120)

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Bush are slugging just .308 and .320, respectively, this season. That said, Bush has an xSLG of .548, while PCA’s sits at .475. These big hitters are due for a breakout, and Cecconi could be the perfect pitcher to exploit. 

While Imanaga is marginally better than Cecconi, he also tends to get hit hard. The southpaw allowed 1.9 home runs per nine innings in 2025 and gave up four runs in his season debut.

With both starters struggling and the wind blowing towards the outfield at 12 mph this evening, the total is too low at 7.5.

Cubs vs Guardians odds

• Moneyline: Chicago -126 | Cleveland +117
• Run line: Chicago -1.5 (+138) | Cleveland +1.5 (-144)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-120) | Under 7.5 (+113)

Cubs vs Guardians trend

Chicago has hit the F5 team total Over in 30 of its last 46 games (+11.35 Units / 20% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Guardians.

How to watch Cubs vs Guardians and game info

Cubs vs Guardians latest injuries

Cubs vs Guardians weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Sasaki. Ohtani. Yamamoto. That spells SOY, the special sauce that will be an essential recipe ingredient if the Dodgers plan to serve up a perfect three-course meal this season. Oh, let’s not forget a generous slice of “Díaz Delight” for dessert. Reservations, anyone?

Ken Mok
Diamond Bar

Dodgers catcher Will Smith is so quiet and unflashy that he gets overlooked. But is there a better catcher than him in MLB? The answer is a loud no!

Jeff Thompson
Bermuda Dunes

It was nice to see Dodgers owner Mark Walter say that baseball has to "come up with something that will give us some parity." Adding the new Uniqlo naming rights to the enormous television rights helped the team generate $850 million in revenue last season — the most of any MLB team. The move doesn't exactly contribute to the idea of parity. 

I'm thinking that Walter is so flush that no matter what happens, the Dodgers "will be fine," it's only fair that the team lower the ticket and parking prices to help the faithful fans who have been squeezed out of seeing a game in person. 

Peggy Jo Abraham
Santa Monica

MVP talk

Winning the Cy Young Award and MVP in the same season has been accomplished by only 11 pitchers in baseball history, including former Dodger Clayton Kershaw in 2014. The Cy Young is obviously based on the player's pitching statistics, which would have to be so superior to then be awarded the MVP over another player's hitting performance alone. None of the past dual winners were two-way players, thus how does Shohei Ohtani, who has won MVPs in both leagues, win the Cy Young and MVP? His hitting stats along with his pitching stats have to exceed the threshold of winning a Cy Young and MVP on pitching alone?

Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos

Along with the MVP candidate's statistics in the offensive category, how about including the collective statistics of the opponents they are primarily assigned to guard? If their opponents score more points, assist on more scores, then who comes out ahead?

John Snyder
Newbury Park

Automatic for the game

So far this season, the ABS System has been an overwhelming success in Major League Baseball. Players and umpires can get a definitive answer when a call is disputed. No more arguments, no more ejections. I only wish that Angel Hernández was still around so we could see him overruled and disgraced dozens of times every night.

Rodger Howard
Westlake Village

Time for change

Somebody has to say it. Yes, Luka Doncic is incredible and his addition to the Lakers might well get us to the promised land once again. But, please Luka, stop complaining to the refs after every shot you take. Firstly, while you are standing there pouting, our opponents are racing to their basket with a five-on-four advantage. Secondly, you stack up more technical fouls and diminish your superstar reputation. Love you Luka … get back on D!

Bob Mendez
Claremont

I watched two minutes of the Thunder-Lakers game Thursday and I knew it was over. It looked like the varsity against the JV team. Let’s hope Lakers sign some hungry free agents this summer.

Russell Hosaka
Torrance

Bad behavior

It seems as if Tiger Woods has as many car wrecks and visits to treatment facilities as he does major wins. And that's pathetic. If he paid as much attention to choosing a driver in his personal life as he does in his professional one, we'd all be safer. The man needs a chauffeur more than group therapy. And he can afford it. No handicaps for this guy when it comes to points against his license. Take him off the road permanently. The only vehicle he should be allowed to operate is a golf cart in the confines of a golf course.

Craig Rosen
Los Angeles

Picking on Mick

In response to the reader last week who was wondering why so many All-Area basketball players are leaving L.A. for other colleges: Mick Cronin.

Paul Kawaguchi
Rosemead

Never needing a filter, UCLA coach Mick Cronin let it fly! In response to the question, what was needed for UCLA to advance further in the NCAA tournament past its early second-round exit, Cronin barked, “About 5 more million!"

Obviously, his inability to retain 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara was frustrating and ultimately devastating. His height, passing and shot-blocking expertise was sorely missed. Add the loss of the Bruins’ leading scorer and rebounder, Tyler Bilodeau, to injury and Cronin was fit to be tied by both lack of funds and the injury bug.

Hopefully, both of those issues will be resolved by next season and UCLA will find itself back in another Final Four as the elite program their history has shown.

Rick Solomon
Lake Balboa

The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. Letters should be brief and become the property of The Times. They may be edited and republished in any format. Each must include a valid mailing address and telephone number. Pseudonyms will not be used.

Email: sports@latimes.com

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Detroit Tigers (3-4) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (4-3)

Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park
SB Nation Site: Viva El Birdos
Media: Detroit Sportsnet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Jack Flaherty (0-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. RHP Dustin May (0-1, 13.50 ERA)

The St. Louis Cardinals will tackle another day game at Comerica Park as they’ll do battle with the Detroit Tigers and former Cardinal Jack Flaherty. According to MLB.com, Dustin May will make his second start of the year for the Cardinals. Game start is scheduled for 12:15pm central time. Masyn Winn out of the lineup today after leaving Friday’s game due to tightness in his hip. Thomas Saggese will play short for the Cardinals Saturday.

The first week of the season was somewhat miserable for corners of the fanbase. It didn’t help that they didn’t win their opening series against the Rangers, losing it in quite bizarre fashion. Outside of a furious comeback against the Nationals on Wednesday afternoon, they almost lost the series to them as well, meaning people just weren’t happy with the team.

So, I posed a question about something positive people could find in the season’s initial week of play. What was an optimistic thing people could grab on to. You responded.

It’s Cristopher Sanchez that you all are excited about and with good cause. He’s turned himself into an Ace and showed as much during the first week of the season. Was his second start as great as the first? No, but that’s what pitchers of his caliber do – they fight through a lack of stuff for a particular day and give their team a chance to pick them up.

This post was brought to you by FanDuel.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It’s a full Saturday of MLB action today, but my MLB home run predictions see value in two players from the same game, as the Nationals and Dodgers have both good matchups... and good hitting conditions.

See why my MLB player props for April 4 are keying in on CJ Abrams and Teoscar Hernandez from that game, as well as the electric Elly De La Cruz — and a nearly 200/1 parlay for all three to go yard!

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HR	Odds
CJ Abrams	+560
Teoscar Hernandez	+450
Elly De La Cruz	+600
💲Today's HR parlay	+19993

CJ Abrams (+560)

CJ Abrams is off to a strong start this season, hitting .269 with an increase in his hard-hit rate. The Nationals' shortstop has gone deep in back-to-back contests and is seeing the ball well, with six hits in his last four games.

He'll face flamethrower Tyler Glasnow today, but Abrams is hitting .429 against fastballs early in the season (after hitting .292 against the heater last year), and he has gone yard off Glasnow already in his career.

We also get a boost from the weather, as the wind is expected to be blowing 10 mph straight out to center field.

• Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NATS, SNLA

Teoscar Hernandez (+450)

I'm sticking with the same game but shifting over to the Dodgers, as Teoscar Hernandez has long been an elite power hitter, but has yet to hit a dinger in 2026.

His issue has been an absurd 69% ground-ball rate (and a 6.3% fly-ball rate that's well below his 28.1% career average), but the veteran is still hitting .320 on the year and has a great get-right matchup in facing Jake Irvin.

The Nats righty surrendered an MLB-worst 38 home runs last year, and started his 2026 campaign by allowing two dingers to the Cubs — including a 58% hard-hit rate and 33.3% FB rate.

Teo is also 4-for-13 off Irvin in his career, with a pair of long balls.

• Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NATS, SNLA

Elly De La Cruz (+600)

Elly De La Cruz is only hitting .214 so far, but his power has been on full display when he does make contact. The Cincinnati Reds star has six hits on the season, but three of them have left the yard — and he’s gone deep in two of his last three contests.

He and the Reds will face Kumar Rocker tonight, and while the young righty has electric stuff, he struggles with control... and coughing up homers: Rocker only made 14 starts last year, but allowed 11 dingers... and the wind at Globe Life Field is projected to be blowing out to left field at around 13 mph.

• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: RSN, CINR

Today’s HR parlay

CJ Abrams	Bet Now +19993
Teoscar Hernandez
Elly De La Cruz

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Ernie Clement is riding a four-game hitting streak, and with a lefty expected to throw some bulk innings for the Chicago White Sox, my Blue Jays vs. White Sox predictions expect that streak to continue. 

Find out more in my free MLB picks for Saturday, April 4.

Blue Jays vs White Sox predictions

Blue Jays vs White Sox best bet: Ernie Clement Over 1.5 total bases (+145)

Ernie Clement is on a shortlist of Toronto Blue Jays hitters seeing the ball well right now, batting .310 with a hit in four straight.

The Jays slugger has also gone Over the 1.5 total bases mark twice in his last three games. 

Grant Taylor has been named the opener for the Chicago White Sox, but lefty Anthony Kay is expected to get the ball afterward for some bulk innings. 

Clement crushes lefties. He led the Jays with a .900 OPS against left-handed pitching last season, and I expect that trend to continue here this afternoon. 

COVERS INTEL: Clement had a .549 slug-rate against lefties last year with  26 extra base hits in just 175 at-bats. 

Blue Jays vs White Sox same-game parlay (SGP)

George Springer has recorded a hit in four of his last five games, and with Grant Taylor expected to pitch just one inning this afternoon, he’s set to face a weak White Sox bullpen that finished 17th in ERA last year and utilized Seranthony Dominguez on Friday.

For the final leg of the SGP, let’s take Under 0.5 strikeouts for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Jays slugger has only struck out twice this season, going 5-2 to the Under on this line.

The Jays' superstar sees the ball extremely well and won't swing at anything he doesn't have to.

Blue Jays vs White Sox SGP

• Ernie Clement Over 1.5 total bases
• George Springer Over 0.5 singles
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Under 0.5 strikeouts

Blue Jays vs White Sox home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+450)

This one will be just a half-unit wager with Toronto’s bats struggling. 

However, I do like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to break out of his skid. Vladdy doesn’t have an extra-base hit yet this season, but a matchup against a hard-throwing lefty could be the key to turning things around.

Guerrero had a .519 slug rate against southpaws last season.

Blue Jays vs White Sox odds

• Moneyline: Toronto -145 | Chicago +125
• Run line: Toronto -1.5 (+115) | Chicago +1.5 (-135)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)

Blue Jays vs White Sox trend

The Toronto Blue Jays have covered the first-five innings run line in 16 of their last 21 games (+11.05 Units / 46% ROI).
Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. White Sox.

How to watch Blue Jays vs White Sox and game info

Blue Jays vs White Sox latest injuries

Blue Jays vs White Sox weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The San Francisco Giants' offense has been beyond ugly this season, and tonight they host a New York Mets squad with plenty of new faces.

My MLB picks are fading both of those offenses in the "no run first inning" market.

Check out what other early bets I'm making in my free YRFI and NRFI bets for Saturday, April 4.

Best NRFI/YRFI bets today

Pick	Odds
/ - NRFI/YRFI	-108
/ - NRFI/YRFI	+100
/ - NRFI/YRFI	-125

Brewers at Royals - Doubleheader Game 1: YRFI (-108)

With Brice Turang and Christian Yelich crushing the ball, the Milwaukee Brewers lead the majors in OPS (.825) and runs per game (7.5).

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are loaded at the top of their lineup, led by Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinny Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. They currently rank 10th in the majors in barrel rate and seventh in exit velocity.

The starters for both teams have potential but come with question marks. Brewers sophomore Chad Patrick gives up too much hard contact, while Royals righty Luinder Avila is making his first MLB start after tossing 14 innings out of the bullpen last year.

With the fences moved in at Kauffman Stadium and wind blowing towards the outfield at 13 mph, expect early runs. 

• Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FS1

Cubs at Guardians: YRFI (+100)

Both of these teams have struggled at the plate this season. That said, the Chicago Cubs have a dangerous lineup on paper, and their MLB-best hard-hit rate suggests positive regression. 

The main reason to like the YRFI bet is that both starters have been awful. The Cleveland Guardians are giving the pill to Slade Cecconi, who finished with an xERA of 4.99 last year while sitting near the bottom of the majors in hard-hit rate. 

Chicago responds with Shota Imanaga, who posted a 4.07 xERA in 2025. Both hurlers also got rocked in their first start this year.

• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FOX

Mets at Giants: NRFI (-125)

The San Francisco Giants are second-last in the majors in OPS (.554) while ranking last in both barrel rate and hard-hit rate.

Although the New York Mets plated 10 runs last night, they had mustered just three runs over their previous three games. Their lineup underwent significant turnover in the offseason, and newcomers Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien are struggling to replace Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil.

Mets starter Clay Holmes tends to look sharp in the early innings before unraveling mid-game. He posted a 2.47 ERA with an OBA of .222 through the first two innings in 2025. 

San Francisco counters with Landen Roupp, who could have a breakout season if he can cut down on the walks. He looked sharp in his season debut, allowing just two hits across six innings of shutout ball.

• Time: 9:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBC Sports BA | SNY

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

With another difficult loss for the San Diego Padres, the Friars are in last place in the National League West with a 2-5 record.

While the offense has been troubling, the real story of the day (and the last week) has been skipper Craig Stammen’s managing of the relief group.

His decision of who to keep out and who to pull have affected games drastically, actually losing three games for San Diego.

Yesterday was — unfortunately — no different.

Michael King pitched five great innings of two-run ball before coming back out in the sixth. He gave up a home run to Willson Contreras before settling in to get two outs.

After that, with a runner on first, Stammen pulled King in favor of the lefty-on-lefty matchup of Wandy Peralta and Marcelo Mayer.

It backfired immediately.

Mayer took the first pitch deep for a two-run home run to make the Boston Red Sox’s lead 5-2. They wouldn’t surrender the lead after that.

It was a shock to see Stammen pull King. Even the Padres’ broadcasters noted that King himself looked surprised he wouldn’t finish the inning.

Stammen’s the first to admit that he’s learning on the job. While that candor is appreciated, that learning needs to translate to wins soon or the voices calling for the Friars’ manager’s firing will only get louder.

Taking the mound

Connelly Early (BOS) v. Randy Vásquez (SD)

In spite of Boston losing Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, Early dazzled with five-and-a-third innings of one-run ball.

The top prospect for the Sox struck out six but struggled to limit baserunners, allowing five hits and two walks to the Reds.

The Padres struggled to score with RISP last season but have shown potential recently. Hopefully, they’ll be able to solve Early after struggling a bit against Sonny Gray yesterday.

It’s impossible to understate just how good Vásquez’s first outing of 2026 was.

In six innings against the Detroit Tigers, he allowed only two hits and three walks, striking out eight batters along the way. His performance went a long way in assuaging the Friars’ depth concerns in their starting rotation.

If Vásquez can continue to do that against Boston this afternoon, all San Diego will need to do is put some runs up as insurance.

Batter up!

Early is the first lefty the Padres will be facing since Framber Valdez in their series against the Detroit Tigers.

With that in mind, the lineup will likely shift back to what it looked like on Opening Day (with a few tweaks):

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
2. Xander Bogaerts, SS
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Jackson Merrill, CF
5. Ramón Laureano, LF
6. Gavin Sheets, 1B
7. Nick Castellanos, DH
8. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
9. Freddy Fermin, C

Stammen’s lineup construction typically favors career matchups against the starting pitcher. But with the rookie Early on the mound for Boston, he’ll be unable to do so.

This offense showed promise on Wednesday with a seven-run romp against the San Francisco Giants.

In particular, Gavin Sheets’ bat has been hot. Since his first hit of 2026 late Tuesday night, Sheets is 4-for-6 with a walk and two RBI.

Relief corps

With King’s solid 5 2/3 innings, San Diego only had to use two relievers (the aforementioned Peralta and Ron Marinaccio).

That leaves Jeremiah Estrada, Kyle Hart, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan, and Bradgley Rodriguez ahead of closer Mason Miller.

Starter Randy Vásquez had a longer leash than normal in his first start of 2026. That being said, if he falters early the bullpen has plenty of options to pitch in relief.

As you know, Cubs right-hander Cade Horton left Friday’s game in the second inning with what was termed “right forearm discomfort.”

Per this article in the Tribune, Horton and manager Craig Counsell are hopeful this is not a big deal:

Horton will return to Chicago for imaging and to be examined, likely undergoing evaluation Monday.

“I’m pretty hopeful,” Horton said. “I’m erring on the cautious side so I feel like I made the right move, even though it sucks doing that and putting the bullpen and everybody else in that situation.”

“You take a pitcher out of the game in the second inning, you’re concerned,” Counsell said. “We’re going to likely make a roster move here, and we’ll see where that takes us as we get to when Cade’s start would come up next.

“There’s reason to be optimistic this is something minor.”

So there’s that, at least. Here are further postgame comments from Counsell [VIDEO].

And here’s what Horton had to say after the game [VIDEO].

Obviously this isn’t good, but as you can hear in the video clips, both Counsell and Horton are optimistic. Let’s hope they are correct.

In the meantime, as Counsell noted, the team will likely make a roster move later today. That’s probably going to be adding a reliever, as two of the choices to replace Horton in the rotation are already on the team — Ben Brown and Colin Rea.

Relievers at Triple-A Iowa who have options include Gavin Hollowell, Luke Little, Riley Martin and Ethan Roberts. (Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks also are on the 40-man roster and have options, but both are currently on the injured list.)

Hollowell had a good spring. Personally, I’d pick him.

Horton’s next turn in the rotation will come up Wednesday in Tampa. Rea, who threw 53 pitches Friday, could take that turn. Brown last pitched Tuesday, so he could also take that turn next week, though then he wouldn’t be able to be used in relief.

Another possible choice to take Horton’s next turn would be Javier Assad, who started for Triple-A Iowa and threw 75 pitches on Thursday. Assad has made two starts for Iowa. The first was pretty good, the second, not so much. So the team could leave Rea and Brown where they are, bring up Hollowell (or another reliever) for a few days, then replace that reliever with Assad.

What do I think they will do? Call up a reliever and give the rotation start to Rea. Rea did very well last year in a similar role when Justin Steele went down with an injury, oddly enough, almost exactly a year ago (after he threw seven shutout innings against the Rangers April 7, 2025). Counsell trusts Rea, who also pitched for him in Milwaukee.

So I’m going to pose both questions to you. First, what roster move will the Cubs make today to replace Horton? And second, who will take Horton’s turn in the rotation?

Have at it.

Worcester: Cancelled (Rain)

Bob Osgood ended up with upwards of ten double headers that were the result of rain outs of games I was supposed to write about in 2025. When Thursday’s game was met with a storm in St. Paul, the uno reverse card was in play, but I hit Dan Secatore with the “draw four” with the field being unplayable in Minnesota. Yesterday’s game was not to be played, and Thursday’s game will start at 3:05 PM. So, focus on Friday night’s Sea Dogs season opener in Somerset, New Jersey. With Franklin Arias and Miguel Bleis working their way up prospect ratings, the Sea Dogs would surely keep an opening game close against the Yankees’ AA squad. Right?

Portland: L, 2-18 (BOX SCORE)

Okay, so, to be fair, the Sea Dogs’ pitching staff didn’t exactly keep this a close game from the jump. Blake Wehunt actually allowed more home runs than outs recorded and was pulled with an injury following walking the fourth batter. Cooper Adams didn’t fare much better, nor did Patrick Halligan, and suddenly the score was 8-0 at the bottom of the 2nd, which turned into 12-1 after the third.

It wasn’t all bad, although a vast majority was. Arias, the leadoff batter for Portland to start the season, had two of the team’s three hits, and dropped the deficit from 8 to 7. Max Ferguson, in the DH slot for the night, had the club’s first home run of the season. That was the closest the team came to anything positive on Friday; the Patriots kept pouring it on the Sea Dogs, as no pitcher emerged unscathed, though Michael Sansone pitched three innings of one-run baseball in an extremely low-leverage situation.

Greenville: L, 7-11 (BOX SCORE)

Kyson Witherspoon has emerged in Greenville. We will certainly hear about last year’s 15th overall pick and the former Oklahoma Sooner, SOONER rather than later. His first outing of 2026 went about as well as that pun. He charged through the first smoothly through the ground ball, inducing two including a double play. He was aided through Justin Gonzales leading off with a home run. The second ended with Witherspoon allowing one run to the Grasshoppers (Pirates High-A), and the Drive didn’t respond with any baserunners. Witherspoon couldn’t make it through the fourth; his line left a lot to be desired and he struck out just two. Joe Vogatsky provided some stability following Ben Hansen’s pitching meltdown.

Again, the top of the lineup, including Gonzalez’s home run, helped the team quite a bit, with Yoeilin Cespedes, also chipping in three hits. Two of the other three hits on the night were home runs from Nazzan Zanetello and Mason White. The team also drew seven walks. All told, the game had 80 batters in total, but the game wasn’t even really close at any point; before Greenville’s most productive inning, the score was 10-4, and it didn’t cross into save territory.

Salem, L, 10-11 (BOX SCORE)

Day two of the RidgeYaks era started off abysmally. Like all other starting pitchers on Friday, Madinson Frias allowed several runs to cross and Salem found itself in a very early deficit against Delmarva (Orioles A). They answered right back, though, and faced just a 6-4 contest at the end of that inning thanks to a three-run shot by Stanley Tucker. Still, the RidgeYak’s WPE was just 29.9%.

In the fifth, the tables turned tremendously and the lead changed hands. The WPE was up to 87.5% by the time Anderson Fermin smacked another home run, and Salem held a 9-6 lead. But, with one out in the top of the ninth, Wulliam Rodriguez let two straight two-run plays go, and Salem found themselves trailing. And so it went. The Shorebirds and RidgeYaks get going at 6:35 tonight.

Have a great Saturday!

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Atlanta Braves go for another series win to start the season when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

Atlanta’s 17-run outburst Thursday was followed by a late 2-0 victory on Friday night.

My Braves vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, April 4, explain why we’ll see another win for the visitors. 

Who will win Braves vs Diamondbacks today: Braves (+104)

Mike Soroka’s opening start looks great at face value: 5 IP, 10 Ks, and only four hits and a walk surrendered without allowing a run.

Look deeper, and you see a lot of red flags. The Tigers had a 33% barrel rate with an xwOBA of .354 and an xSLG of .534 in those five innings.

The Atlanta Braves have the second-best barrel rate in MLB at 11.6%, and their .x357 xwOBA sits only behind the Dodgers this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks xwOBAcon is the third-lowest in the majors, and Bryce Elder’s sinker/slider combo should induce plenty of ground-ball outs.

COVERS INTEL:The Diamondbacks rank sixth in balls put into play this season, but their .235 BABIP is the worst in baseball.

Braves vs Diamondbacks Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (-104)

Jordan Lawler’s broken wrist robs Arizona of one of the few hitters actually producing in 2026. The Diamondbacks failed to score Friday night, managing only two hits and leaving them with three runs in three games.

The Braves have scored 43 runs, but 17 of those came on Thursday night. They rank in the bottom half so far in exit velo and hard-hit rate.

Ronald Acuna Jr’s .223 wOBAcon and .216 xBA are limiting Atlanta’s opportunities to score runs, and the Braves needed a pair of ninth-inning solo blasts to win last night.

This total feels just a bit too high.

Braves vs Diamondbacks odds

• Moneyline: Atlanta +104 | Arizona -108
• Run line: Atlanta -1.5 (+163) | Arizona +1.5 (-170)
• Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-100) | Under 9.5 (-104)

Braves vs Diamondbacks trend

The Atlanta Braves have hit the Moneyline in 18 of their last 26 away games (+12.90 Units / 44% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Diamondbacks.

How to watch Braves vs Diamondbacks and game info

Braves vs Diamondbacks latest injuries

Braves vs Diamondbacks weather

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The 2019 Yankees were a very odd team. They had a number of players come somewhat out of nowhere to put up solid seasons, and often in response to another member of the team going down with an injury. Cameron Maybin was one of those who stepped up.

Having been a cash considerations pickup early in the season, Maybin was mainly only acquired to fill in for injuries. However, he started playing well enough that the Yankees felt the need to keep him around. Other than a small sample size run early in his career, the 127 OPS+ he put up in 2019 was by far the best of his career.

Even if it was just one season, he was a lot of fun to watch.

Cameron Keith Maybin
Born: April 4, 1987 (Asheville, NC)
Yankees Tenure: 2019

Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Maybin starred at the city’s T.C. Roberson High School. Legend had it that during his high school career, he hit a 490-foot home run. In his senior year of high school in 2005, he was considered one of the top prospects available in that year’s MLB Draft, as he was viewed as a genuine five tool talent. Despite being even higher ranked by several draftniks, he fell to the Detroit Tigers at the 10th overall pick, as there were some concerns about his signability. Maybin was committed to play at Southern University, but he still ended up agreeing to terms with the Tigers.

After signing with Detroit, Maybin shot up the various prospect rankings and also shot right through the minor leagues. He debuted in pro ball in 2006, and by the next August he was already getting called up to Detroit at just 20-years-old. In his second career game, he homered off Roger Clemens and the Yankees. Clemens then hit him with a pitch next time up, because Roger Clemens.

However, Maybin wasn’t destined to stick around Detroit for long. The following offseason, he was one of the centerpieces of one of the biggest trades of the era. He, fellow future Yankee Andrew Miller, and others were sent to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

Despite his talent and prospect reputation, Maybin never quite made it in Florida, especially considering what Cabrera went on to do in Detroit. Over three seasons there, he posted an 88 OPS+, and was eventually traded to the Padres.

Over the next several years, Maybin became a perfectly fine MLB player, especially on defense, just never a truly spectacular player who could stick around somewhere for long. He became a bit of a journeyman, having stints in San Diego, Atlanta, back in Detroit, Anaheim, Houston, back in Miami, and Seattle.

To start 2019, Maybin signed a minor league deal with the Giants as a non-roster invite for spring training. He didn’t end up sticking there and was eventually released, before signing a minor league deal with Cleveland. They assigned him to Triple-A, and he was OPS’ing just .663 when the Yankees came calling.

In early April 2019, Clint Frazier went down with an injury. At that point, all of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, and, yes, Jacoby Ellsbury were on the IL as well, and the depth was running thin. That led to the Yankees acquiring Maybin from Cleveland for cash considerations.

Maybin’s first game as a Yankee came on April 26th, where he recorded a hit, which he proceeded to do in all of his first seven games with the team. While his acquisition may have initially just been a short-term play for depth, eventually Maybin just kept hitting to the point where the Yankees had to keep him around. From June 15-18, he homered in four consecutive games and had an OPS of .892 in over 100 plate appearances. Beyond him playing well, Maybin’s affable personality also endeared himself to fans and teammates.

Shortly after that, Maybin himself was forced to the IL with a calf strain, which kept him out a little over a month. Even as he and other Yankees’ outfielders started to recover and return, the team simply had to keep Maybin around, as he was playing too well. He just kept on hitting right through the end of the season, posting a .858 OPS.

Maybin didn’t get a ton of playing time in the postseason, but he hit decently there too, going 2-for-6 with a home run and two stolen bases.

Following that season, Maybin returned to Detroit for a third stint in 2020. He was traded part way through the COVID-shortened season to the Cubs. He then played a handful of games for the Mets in 2021 before retiring from playing. After playing, he’s spent some time in various broadcast booths as an analyst, including a year with the YES Network.

In total, Maybin’s tenure with the Yankees totals just 82 games. However, his tenure was way more fun than you might expect from that short a stint.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series he