How does the ABS challenge system work and how will it impact games?

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 30: Maikel Garcia #11 of the Kansas City Royals signals for an ABS challenge against home plate umpire Alex Tosi in the fifth inning during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, March 30, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Mikayla Schlosser/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Over the first week of games, you may have noticed pitchers, catchers, and hitters tapping their head after a pitch, signaling for a review. After six years of testing in the minors, MLB has implemented an Automated Ball Strike (ABS) challenge system that allows players (not coaches) to ask for a replay review of balls and strikes. Through the first week of games, the new wrinkle has brought added excitement and accountability to umpires. So how does it work?

Human umpires still call balls and strikes behind home plate. But if a pitcher, catcher, or hitter wants to challenge the ruling, they have to tap their head. Each team will be given two challenges during the first nine innings, with one challenge in each extra inning. Each team gets an additional challenge in the tenth inning. If that challenge is used, they’ll receive another in the next inning; if not, it carries over

The home plate umpire will announce the challenge, and the replay will be displayed on the ballpark video board. It should take no more than 15 seconds for the Automatic Ball Strike ruling to be issued. If the call is confirmed, the challenging team loses its challenge, but a team with a successful challenge will retain its challenge. Challenges are not allowed after replay reviews, or when a position player is pitching. If there is potential for a replay review after an ABS challenge, umpires will check to see if either manager wants to initiate a replay review before restarting the pitch clock. MLB has implemented a delay on all pitch location data to prevent teams from basing their challenge on the GameDay feed or other ball-tracking systems.

How is the strike zone determined? Each ballpark has a dozen Hawk-Eye technology cameras installed to capture player and ball movement. Each player has been officially measured, which has led to some amusing cases of players “shrinking.”

The top of the strike zone is set at 53.5% of the player’s height, while the bottom is set at 27%. The depth of the zone extends 8.5 inches in front of and behind the center of the plate. The zone is 17 inches wide, the width of home plate.

The strike zone is two-dimensional, rather than three-dimensional. Testing in the minors showed that some breaking balls barely nicked the front of the zone, only to move out of the zone as it crossed the batter, causing inconsistencies in calls.

Players have two seconds to challenge a pitch, although as we found out in the Royals’ game on Monday, the challenge may be made within two seconds after the play ends, such as when Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers made a snap throw to first.

How will ABS affect the placement of runners?  The umpires will let stand any calls unaffected by the incorrect call, but if an incorrect ball/strike call impacts a play on the bases, the umpires have discretion to then place any runners involved.

In the Royals/Rangers exhibition game last month, Seth Lugo threw a pitch that was called ball four. But the runner at first took off for second and eased up – perhaps because he thought it was a ball four call that would have forced him to second safely. Salvador Perez called for a challenge, and the call stood, but if it were overturned, Langford could have potentially been called out at the umpire’s discretion. Players will have to learn to ignore any calls, assuming it could be overturned.

Speaking of Salvy, he has been terrific at calling for challenges, successful on four of five so far. Baseball Savant even tracks which players are making the most valuable challenges. Here is the catcher leaderboard:

Royals hitters have made just one challenge, with Maikel Garcia getting a call overturned on Monday against the Twins. The Royals have been formulating a strategy on how to deal with challenges, and will not allow pitchers to challenge.

“No. 1, I don’t think pitchers should challenge any call,” pitching coach Brian Sweeney said Saturday. “Let the guy behind the plate, who has the feel for it, [do it]. I’m sure we’re going to see it over there right away. A pitcher is going to square up the glove, it’ll be a ball, he’ll go like that [tap his hat], and it’ll be a foot off the plate. It’s a process we’re trying to understand and talking to R&D and the guys in the Minor Leagues who have used it before.

The early data shows that teams are successful overturning calls slightly more than half the time, consistent with numbers from testing in the minors.

But the addition of the challenge system has brought an added measure of excitement to the ballpark. Testing in the minors showed it only added a minute to the length of games. It has added some drama to situations as fans await the outcome of a challenge.

It has also added some accountability for umpires, particularly for those that have been notoriously inconsistent.

It will also be interesting to see how the technology impacts the game. Will pitchers nibble more at the edges, hoping to hit the strike zone box? Could we see more high strikes – something many umps are less likely to call? How will teams use their challenges? Will hitters draw heat from teammates for overusing challenges? Will a catcher like Salvador Perez, who has fared poorly in framing metrics – seem like a more valuable catcher based on his challenges and the lessening value in framing? Will the system undermine the authority of umpires?

What do you think of the ABS challenge system so far? Any tweaks that need to be made?

Gamethread 4/1: Nationals at Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 26: Cristopher Sánchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the game against the Texas Rangers on March 26, 2026 at Citizens Bamk Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Here are the lineups for the series finale against Washington, with a chance to win the series. Cristopher Sanchez looks for his second win of the season, while the Nats’ Cade Cavalli looks for his first.

For the Phillies:

For the Nationals:

Crawfish Boil: Astros Brown’s Milestone, Big Ump Miscues, Fernandez’ Feat, Hot Rookies & More

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 31: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros reacts during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park on March 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The latest news on the Houston Astros and everybody else.

This was the worst blown call of the season so far, and it benefitted the Astros:

Astros managerJoe Espada had strong praise for RP Cody Bolton, who pitched well in his Astros’ debut last night:

The soon-to-be 28 year old Bolton entered last night’s game with only 42 innings of major league experience, and little success. Can he be the next pitcher to go to the “Astros’ Lab” and come out better?

The Astros have been chasing starting pitchers early:

Hunter Brown became the second fastest Astros pitcher to 600 strikeouts, doing so in 102 games. Only teammate Lance McCullers Jr. got there faster (100 games).

DBacks’ Jose Fernandez joins an exclusive club, as he becomes the 8th player in MLB history with a 2 HR game in his MLB debut:

Rookies are having huge starts to the season:

C.B. Bucknor continues to work on being the worst umpire in MLB. Thankfully there is replay.

Baseball pranks are the best:

How about some former All-Time Met on former All-Time Met crime?

Get ready for an awful lot more of these from Phillies’ phenom Andrew Painter:

Sometimes all you can do after you get gunned down on the bases is shake your head in amazement, like Cody Bellinger:

Dodgers acquire Jake Eder from Nationals

Feb 21, 2026; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Jake Eder (46) warms-up between innings during the game against the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Dodgers on Wednesday acquired pitcher Jake Eder from the Washington Nationals, in exchange for cash considerations.

Eder was designated for assignment by Washington on Saturday. The left-hander pitched in the majors in parts of the previous two seasons, appearing in one game for the Chicago White Sox in 2024 and seven games for the Angels in 2025. Over those two years, Eder has a 4.87 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings.

All of Eder’s major league appearances have been in relief, while in the minors all 69 of his games have been starts. Last season, between Salt Lake and Rochester in Triple-A had a 6.59 ERA with 61 strikeouts, 20 walks, and 15 home runs in 68 1/3 innings.

The 27-year-old has 42 days of major league service time, and has one option year remaining, having used options in 2024 and 2025.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Eder, the Dodgers moved Jake Cousins to the 60-day injured list. Cousins, who signed a one-year deal on March 25, had Tommy John surgery last June and isn’t expected back until midseason at the earliest.

Colorado Rockies game no. 6 thread: Kyle Freeland vs. Kevin Gausman

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 27: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on March 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Finishing out a road trip in which they are 1-4, the Colorado Rockies look to go out on a high note with a series win before kicking off their home opener on Friday. Unfortunately for them, they face a tough customer for the Toronto Blue Jays (4-1), as it will be a battle of the Colorado kids to close out the series.

Kyle Freeland (0-1, 4.15 ERA) makes his second start of the year for the Rockies’ rotation. The first time through the rotation, the starting pitching hasn’t been bad, but it hasn’t been great. In the season opener, Freeland labored through 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts, having thrown 81 pitches. The Rockies remain the only team not to have a starting pitcher go five innings yet this season. It would be quite beneficial if Freeland could go a bit longer into this game and help relieve a bullpen that has already worked quite a bit to start the year. In his career, Freeland owns a 9.31 ERA against Toronto in two starts and a 7.20 ERA in his lone start at the Rogers Centre.

Kevin Gausman (0-0, 1.50 ERA) takes the hill for the Blue Jays after a spectacular performance in his first outing of the year. The Denver native allowed just one run on one hit, a home run, facing the Athletics in the season opener. He went six innings, didn’t allow a single walk, and struck out 11 batters on 83 pitches, 60 of which were strikes. Gausman has been one of the most reliable and effective starters in baseball since his 2020 season with the San Francisco Giants and has only gotten better while in Toronto. A certified workhorse, Gausman has thrown at least 170 innings a year over the last five seasons, all while boiling down to a two or three-pitch mix. Gausman offers pinpoint control, making his fastball and splitter mix effective against hitters, with a slider tossed in for good measure. He has a 4.78 ERA in his nine career starts against Colorado.

Additionally, the Rockies have activated Tyler Freeman from the injured list and sent Braxton Fulford down to Triple-A Albuquerque.

And now to the details.

First Pitch: 11:07 pm MDT

TV: Rockies TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

SBN Site: Bluebird Banter

Lineups:

For the visiting Rockies:

and the Blue Jays:


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Rockies vs Blue Jays Prediction, Odds & Home Run Pick for Today's MLB Game

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Kevin Gausman’s splitter was too hard to handle for the A’s on opening night, and I expect similar struggles from the Colorado Rockies this afternoon.

Find out why with my Rockies vs. Blue Jays predictions and MLB picks for today's game.

Rockies vs Blue Jays predictions

Rockies vs Blue Jays best bet: Kevin Gausman Over 6.5 strikeouts (-145)

When Kevin Gausman is locating his split-finger fastball, he's one of the most unhittable pitchers in all of baseball. 

This was the case last week when he rang up 11 A’s batters on Opening Night, and I’m expecting a similar outcome this afternoon against the Colorado Rockies

The Rockies batted just .133 against the splitter last season with a MLB-worst 41.5% strikeout rate, including striking out eight times against Gausman in his lone start against them.

Gausman had a 34% K-rate with his splitter last season and a 72.7% rate in his last outing vs the A’s.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Kevin Gausman is averaging 7.8 strikeouts per game over his last five starts.

Rockies vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)

The Toronto Blue Jays are averaging 5.2 runs per game this season, going Over the 4.5-run mark in four out of their five games this year. With Freeland and his career 9.31 ERA when facing Toronto on the mound, I think they'll eclipse that mark again.

I’ll also add Kazuma Okamoto to go Over his hits prop. He’s logged a hit in every game this season, including two dingers, and will have the platoon advantage against Kyle Freeland.

Rockies vs Blue Jays SGP

  • Kevin Gausman Over 6.5 strikeouts
  • Kazuma Okamoto Over 0.5 hits
  • Jays team total Over 4.5
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Rockies vs Blue Jays home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+285)

I’m only making this a half-unit wager. Freeland is a line-drive contact pitcher who gets hit hard by righties, and the best line drive right-handed power hitter on the Jays is Vladdy, who's certainly primed to hit his first homer of the season.

2026 Transparency record
  • Best bets: 1-3, -1.65 units
  • SGPs: 1-3, +0.5 units
  • HR picks: 1-3, +0.05 units

Rockies vs Blue Jays odds

  • Moneyline: Colorado +240 | Toronto -290
  • Run line: Colorado +1.5 (+115) | Toronto -1.5 (-135)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5

Rockies vs Blue Jays trend

The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 games between these teams. Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Blue Jays.

How to watch Rockies vs Blue Jays and game info

LocationRogers Center, Toronto, ON
DateWednesday, April 1, 2026
First pitch1:07 p.m. ET
TVRockies.TV, SN
Rockies starting pitcherKyle Freeland
(0-1, 4.15 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcherKevin Gausman
(0-0, 1.50 ERA)

Rockies vs Blue Jays latest injuries

Rockies vs Blue Jays weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Athletics at Atlanta Braves game thread

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 31: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates a solo home run against the Athletics during the first inning at Truist Park on March 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves are set to face off against the offensively struggling Athletics in a series finale that features both staff aces in Chris Sale and Luis Severino.

The Braves have only scored 3.80 runs thus far and the Athletics have only scored 3.20. The crazy part is even though the Braves have a thin rotation they have the second-best ERA per game in MLB. If the Braves win today, they will have won their first two series of the year and started 4-2. That seems much better than last year when the Braves were swept twice and started 0-7.

If the Braves lose then they will have lost a series to an inferior opponent on paper and started the season off with a .500 record in their first six games. Although this game is only one of many, it is a game that on paper they are supposed to win. If the Braves want to stay in playoff contention it is games like today that will be a key to them getting there.

First pitch is at 12:15 PM EDT.

Lineup

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Giants Reacts Survey: Who poses the biggest threat?

Xander Bogaerts attempting to tag Ildemaro Vargas as he slides into second base.
San Diego, California - September 27: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres tags Ildemaro Vargas #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks out at second base during the fourth inning at Petco Park on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Giants fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.


Opening Week was a little bit funny in the NL West. Everyone expects the Los Angeles Dodgers to run away with the division, but it didn’t need to happen so fast, did it? But no. With one series in the books, the Dodgers stood a perfect 3-0, while the rest of the division had a combined record of 1-11.

It won’t stay that way forever, of course. The Dodgers have, thankfully, lost a baseball game since then, while your San Francisco Giants have won one (two, even!). But the sentiment remains: LA is expected to be in a subdivision of their own within the actual division.

Conventional wisdom has the Dodgers alone atop the NL West, and the Colorado Rockies alone at the bottom, while the Giants, San Diego Padres, and Arizona Diamondbacks battle for runner-up supremacy. In the expanded playoff era, the Giants don’t need to be the leader among that trio to make the playoffs — hell, they don’t even need to be second! — but it sure helps. Which means that we’ll likely spend the bulk of the year, if not all of it, watching the standings to see how the Giants stack up against Arizona and San Diego.

Both teams have their share of star power, accompanied by some very loud question marks. So we want to poll you and get your opinion: which team poses the biggest threat to the Giants in the standings?

Game #6: Athletics at Braves Game Thread

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 30: Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) swings at a pitch during the MLB game between the Athletics and the Atlanta Braves on March 30th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Rise and shine everyone! We got an early one today as the Athletics wrap up their first road trip of the year. Toronto was not kind to us but Atlanta has been a bit better after yesterday’s first victory of the year. Another win today and we’ll also have our first series win of the season.

We got our Opening Day starter Luis Severino back on the mound for his second appearance of the year. His performance on Opening Night was solid as he pitched five full innings against the Blue Jays while only allowing two runs. The A’s would gladly take that again today against a Braves squad that is 3-2 to start their campaign.

Here’s how the starting lineup looks for the finale against the Braves:

With today being get away day for the club manager Mark Kotsay is giving a couple of his regulars the finale off. Catcher Shea Langeliers, who is tied for the league lead with four home runs already, gets breather as he’ll only DH today while Austin Wynns gets his catcher’s gear on. That means regular DH Brent Rooker will need to grab his outfielder’s glove and get ready to play the grass, taking over in right field for Lawrence Butler. who is just 1-for-12 to start the year.

No Nick Kurtz either today as Andy Ibanez gets the start at first base. We can likely expect to see Kurtz make a late-game appearance if the score is close so having his stick on the bench will come in handy if the A’s need a big hit.

And another day with no Jeff McNeil, who is also struggling to get going after collecting just one hit so far. This’ll be his second day off in a row so hopefully he’s not dealing with any sort of injury this early in the year. That means Darell Hernaiz gets his second start of the year at the keystone. He’s still looking for his first hit of the year after going 0-for-3 on Saturday. Maybe today’s the day for him.

The Braves meanwhile will be sending their own Opening Night starter to the mound in Chris Sale. He looked like the Chris Sale of old in his first start of the season, shutting the Kansas City Royals down for six innings and allowing just three hits. The A’s will be hoping to do more damage against the ace lefty.

And the Atlanta lineup:

First series win of the year? Sounds like a good way to end this East Coast road trip. Let’s go A’s!

Hill City Howlers 2026 season preview

Ankeny Centennial pitcher Joey Oakie warms up his arm at practice Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

The 2026 season for the Single-A Hill City Howlers begins Thursday.

First things first, the team underwent a rebrand in the offseason, transitioning from the Lynchburg Hillcats to the Hill City Howlers. Personally, I love it. They just sound more ferocious. The Howlers released a preliminary roster Tuesday. Here are the active players we have so far:

Pitchers:

Eudry Alcantara RHP, Jerfis Alfaro RHP, Harrison Bodendorf LHP, Wes Burton RHP, Luke Fernandez RHP, Miguel Flores LHP, Ettore Giulianelli RHP, Nelson Keljo LHP, Aidan Major RHP, Will McCausland RHP, Chase Mobley RHP, Joey Oakie RHP, Angel Perez RHP, Zane Petty RHP, Jacob Zibin RHP, Keegan Zinn RHP.

Analysis:

All eyes will be on top pitching prospect Joey Oakie as the headliner of this starting rotation, and rightfully so after his extremely promising finish to 2025. I’ll be interested to see what development former 10th round pick Jacob Zibin has made after pitching the entire 2025 campaign healthy for the first time in his career. Aidan Major, a 2024 fourth round pick, will be making his pro debut after missing last season with Tommy John surgery. Chase Mobley earned a huge bonus from Cleveland in 2024 and has a high ceiling, but likely will be a long developmental project.

Catchers:

Tyler Howard RHH, Victor Izturis LHH, Cannon Peebles SH.

Analysis:

I don’t see a ton here in terms of catching prospects, but Howard (11th round) and Peebles (17th round) were both 2025 draft picks by Cleveland while Izturis is finally making his full-season debut after three years in Arizona.

Infielders:

Luis De La Cruz SH 1B, Dauri Fernandez SH SS/3B, Anthony Martinez LHH 1B, Johnathan Martinez SH 2B, Yaikel Mijares SH 3B, Riley Nelson 1B LHH, Gabriel Rodriguez LHH SS.

Analysis:

Talk about a youth movement. The big names here are Dauri Fernandez and Gabriel Rodriguez. Fernandez had an extremely impressive 2025 campaign and could get a rocket strapped to him if his development continues in the same trajectory while Rodriguez has continued steady production and looks like he has the strong defensive chops to stay at shortstop. Nelson and Martinez also are interesting college bats from the 2025 draft.

Outfielders:

Robert Arias LHH CF, Juneiker Caceres LHH RF, Yeiferth Castillo LHH LF, Yerlin Luis SH LF, Jose Pirela LHH RF.

Analysis:

The oldest player in this group is Luis at an ancient 20 years old, incredible. Juneiker Caceres made a name for himself by raking a both Arizona and Lynchburg last season, but don’t forget about Robert Arias and Yeiferth Castillo. Arias has been an on-base machine his first two seasons, walking more than he struck out while Castillo has some sneaky power, blasting five home runs in Arizona last season despite standing just 5-foot-8.

Hill City is home of Cleveland’s youth movement, with prominent teenage infield, pitching and outfield prospects all getting huge full-season opportunities. Many of the high-end prospects may be on the other three full-season squads, but we’re getting a tremendous preview of the future of Cleveland’s offense and pitching with this team.

Which players are catching your eye as the Single-A season starts? Tell us in the comments below:

Red Sox Minor Lines: Unlike the big club, the WooSox are not having trouble scoring runs

FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 22: Nick Sogard #20 of the Boston Red Sox bats during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on Sunday, February 22, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

This Major League team is tough to watch, right? Well, guess what? The WooSox, featuring Nick Sogard, Nate Eaton, Kristian Campbell — all guys with playing time in the organization in the last year — are raking in the series opener in St. Paul. Let’s get right into it!

Worcester: W, 19-3 (BOX SCORE)

You ever see a box score that makes you blink at a certain stat and wish you were there, just to know how it felt to witness it in person? This was yesterday’s game for me.

The WooSox scored nineteen runs off of thirteen hits and TWENTY walks issued by the Saints (Twins AAA). This was actually the most walks drawn in the International League in two decades. St. Paul used seven pitchers and every single one of them issued a walk and all but former WooSox member Dan Altavilla allowed a hit. This game was honestly over in the first inning when the WooSox scored 8 runs, but it was REALLY over when Kristian Campbell emptied the bases with a long single in the sixth, making the game 12-3. It was so over that over wasn’t the word to use by the time Nick Sogard hit a grand slam. The slam was Sogard’s third hit of the game and capped off a 10-run sixth inning in which the team sent fourteen hitters to the plate. The game also featured Allan Castro’s first two hits and four RBIs of the season.

Even though the WooSox pitching staff walked nine St. Paul batters, that incredible sixth inning also capped off Seth Martinez powering through three innings in relief without allowing a baserunner. That grind of a relief effort helped matters, but no one was stopping the club regardless yesterday.

Have a happy Wednesday!

MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, April 1

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It’s the first "getaway day" of the new MLB season, which means MLB player props to bet on all day long.  

My best bets include a pair of strikeout props, one for Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is primed to pitch a gem against the Guardians.

That and more MLB picks for Wednesday, April 1.

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Marlins Sandy AlcantaraOver 5.5 strikeouts-106
Blue Jays Kazuma OkamotoOver 0.5 RBI+130
Dodgers Yoshinobu YamamotoOver 6.5 strikeouts-106

Sandy Alcantara Over 5.5 strikeouts (-106)

Sandy Alcantara looked a little more like his old self in his first start of the season. Now, the Miami Marlins ace will try to carry that momentum into start No. 2 when he takes the ball against the Chicago White Sox

Alcantara allowed just one unearned run on four hits while striking out five in a matchup against the Colorado Rockies, and today he gets to face one of the more free-swinging teams in baseball.

The White Sox have hit a bunch of home runs to start the season, but that swing-for-the-fences mentality also means a lot of strikeouts. Chicago is getting punched out a whopping 35.9% of the time so far this season.

Alcantara should work deep into this game, giving him plenty of opportunities to top this modest number.

  • Time: 1:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CHSN, Marlins.TV

Kazuma Okamoto Over 0.5 RBI (+130)

People aren’t paying enough attention to how good Kazuma Okamoto’s bat is going to play in the big leagues. The former NPB star has a great swing path, which creates an impressive exit velocity, and we’ve seen that in his early at-bats with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Okamoto has at least one hit in each of his first five games with the Jays and enters today’s game against the Colorado Rockies with a .300 average, a .991 OPS, two home runs, and three RBI.

Now, he gets a matchup with Rockies starter Kyle Freeland. The left-hander has been in the Bottom 13% in expected ERA and Bottom 8% in expected batting average each of the last four seasons.

Okamoto’s propensity to take the ball to all fields makes him a tough out for Freeland, and with him being in the middle of the Jays' lineup, I love him to drive in another run.

  • Time: 1:07 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Rockies.TV, Sportsnet 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Over 6.5 strikeouts (-106)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto picked up right where he left off last season, opening the 2026 MLB campaign by allowing two runs on five hits and striking out six over six innings in a matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tonight, the Los Angeles Dodgers ace takes the ball against the Cleveland Guardians in the rubber. The 27-year-old is coming off a year where he ranked in the 89th percentile in strikeout rate, and there’s no reason to think he won’t keep that up against the Guardians.

Cleveland’s lineup has been a little more exciting with a little more pop thanks to Chase DeLauter’s hot start, but it’s also meant more strikeouts. The Guardians enter this game with the third-highest K-rate in baseball at 29.5%.

Yamamoto looks like one of the best pitchers in the world, and should be able to go deep enough to cover this number.

  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: CleGuardians.TV, SNLA
2026 Transparency record
  • Prop picks: 6-4, +1.87 units

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.

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A stat that only Shohei Ohtani could have

Los Angeles, CA - March 31: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) blows away flies as he gets ready to throw a pitch during the first inning of a MLB game against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Shohei Ohtani was impressive in his pitching debut of 2026 on Tuesday night, throwing six scoreless innings to beat the Cleveland Guardians. He also reached base three times as the Dodgers designated hitter.

Sarah Langs of MLB.com dropped this wonderful nugget late Tuesday night.

These are regular-season streaks. The pitching streak for Ohtani dates back to last August 27, when he allowed a third-inning run to the Cincinnati Reds then added two more scoreless frames to finish out his time on the mound.

His September pitching starts were sparse, in part because he left his September 5 start in Baltimore with leg cramps, but did not permit a run in his 3 2/3 innings. Then he pitched five hitless innings against the Phillies on September 16 that really marked the last time Ohtani had any reins on him while pitching. He’s completed six innings every time out on regular rest since, including six scoreless innings last September 23 in Arizona.

The on-base streak dates back a few days earlier than the pitching streak. On August 23 in a loss in San Diego, Ohtani was 0-for-4, but has reached base in every game since, including the final 31 games last year and the first five this year. During those 36 straight games reaching base, Ohtani is hitting .276/.409/.597.

If he reaches base in his next game, Ohtani will have a new personal record of reaching base in 37 straight games. He also reached 36 straight games from September 11, 2022 to April 15, 2023 while with the Angels.

The longest on-base streak in Dodgers history is 70 straight games, by outfielder Fielder Jones in 1899 for Brooklyn. In the modern era, Duke Snider has the longest streak, at 58 games in 1954.

Ohtani still has a long way to go to catch those folks, but then again neither Jones nor Snider ever pitched.

Game 6 Game Day Thread – Texas Rangers @ Baltimore Orioles

Mar 31, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Brandon Nimmo (24) celebrates after hitting a single during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers @ Baltimore Orioles

Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 11:35 AM CDT (105.3 The Fan / RSN, Victory+)

Camden Yards

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. LHP Trevor Rogers

Today’s Lineups

RANGERSORIOLES
Brandon Nimmo – DHTaylor Ward – DH
Wyatt Langford – CFGunnar Henderson – SS
Corey Seager – SSPete Alonso – 1B
Jake Burger – 1BSamuel Basallo – C
Andrew McCutchen – RFCoby Mayo – 3B
Danny Jansen – CDylan Beavers – LF
Josh Jung – 3BColton Cowser – RF
Ezequiel Duran – 2BLeody Taveras – CF
Sam Haggerty – LFJeremiah Jackson – 2B
Nathan Eovaldi – RHPTrevor Rogers – LHP

Go Rangers!

Snake Bytes 4/1: No Way Jose!!!

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 31: Jose Fernandez #11 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after hitting a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on March 31, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Diamondbacks News

Jose Fernandez Hits Go-Ahead Homer to Save Snakes in MLB Debut
Diamondbacks prospect Jose Fernandez not only hit his first career home run in his major league debut on Tuesday, but he homered a second time to give Arizona the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning off Detroit Tigers closer Kenley Jansen.

Who Is Jose Fernandez?
Jose Fernandez burst onto the scene with a strong spring training and then played the role of saviour as part of his big MLB debut last night.

Jose Fernandez’s Big MLB Debut Lifts Snakes Over Tigers
Arizona’s big spring breakout star translated that success into his MLB debut when he went deep twice to bring the Diamondbacks back from five runs down.

Jose Fernandez is Seventh Player with Two-Homer Debut
The Venezuelan is only the seventh player in MLB history — and first Diamondbacks player — to hit two homers in his MLB debut.

Back-to-Back History in the Desert
Michael Soroka had himself a stellar debut on Monday night. Jose Fernandez followed that performance with a historic debut of his own, launching two homers against the Tigers, including a go-ahead blast against all-star closer, Kenley Jensen.

Diamondbacks Back to Doing what They Do Best
After a rough series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, the Diamondbacks have rediscovered their swagger at home against the Tigers, where they are finding ways to come back when being counted out.

Jose Fernandez’s “Debut” a 12-K Marketing Stunt
Mickey O’Shea needs to toss those grapes in the rubbish bin. They are sour.

Other Baseball News

An Early, Nerdy Look at the Challenge System
Poking about at the various angles with which to consider the new challenge system and the math associated with it.

Who Are the Best Remaining Free Agents
Only one of the six is a position player.

2026 Ace Rankings
Kiley McDaniel assembles his list of the top-11 starters in the game. Unsurprisingly, Arizona is not represented.

Mariners Sign Colt Emerson to Eight-Year Extension
The Mariners announced the signing of top shortstop prospect Colt Emerson to an eight-year extension that includes a club option for the 2034 campaign. Emerson, an ACES client, is reportedly guaranteed $95MM — a record for a player who has yet to make his MLB debut.

Cardinals Attempting to Extend JJ Wetherholt
Wetherholt was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft. The University of West Virginia product mashed throughout his first full minor league season, batting .306/.421/.510 between the top two levels. He’s a consensus top prospect whom the Cardinals carried on the Opening Day roster and have immediately plugged in as their leadoff hitter. Wetherholt can play shortstop but is ticketed for second base work in St. Louis thanks to Masyn Winn.

That’s simply not fair MLB, such a mean April Fool’s joke.