Jacob Misiorowski, slated to start later today against the Marlins, just turned 24 but is already one of the most exciting arms in the league. Through four stars, we’ve seen both sides of Miz — he has a 3.32 ERA and 4.04 FIP with 33 strikeouts but nine walks and two hit batters in 21 2/3 innings.
The good news?
Misiorowski’s last start against the Blue Jays featured zero walks. While the Brewers ultimately lost in extra innings, Miz went 5 1/3 innings in that one, allowing two runs (both solo homers), five hits, and no walks with five strikeouts. Let’s hope he can repeat that performance against Miami.
In honor of the Brewers new City Connect uniforms — which, I’m slightly upset to admit, are beginning to grow on me — Breaking T created a new Nobody Beats the Miz shirt in those colors.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 02: Catcher Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals in action during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium on April 02, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On Saturday, manager Matt Quatraro gave Salvador Perez a day off for the first time since August of last year, when the team captain missed two games due to illness. Other than that, his most recent day off without an injury or illness concern was June 21, 2025. Perez has struggled to start the year, hitting just .160/.210/.307 in 20 games. Quatraro said the day off was to give him a “little mental breather.”
Quatraro on giving Salvador Perez a day off today: “Just looking at the way things have gone, he's played in every game. Day game after night game, Carter was going to catch today, and Salvy’s been struggling a little bit. Just try to give him a little mental breather.” #Royals
Salvy is famous not just in Kansas City, but around the league as a guy who doesn’t want to sit. Up until now, everyone has taken it in stride as a fun thing to make jokes about.
That perhaps is in a new context now. Salvy contradicted Quatraro, posting on social media, “I don’t need a mental breather.”
Most of the Royals’ blogosphere spent the entire offseason pontificating that the team needed to play him less or at least shift him from behind the plate into a designated hitter role more often. Over at Inside the Crown, David Lesky noted that Salvy hit much better in 2025 on the days after he hadn’t caught the day before. It seemed to be fine for him to DH, play first, or sit entirely, but it was clear he needed less time behind the plate. When the Royals signed Perez to another extension, guaranteeing he’d be under contract through 2027, almost everyone hoped it came with an explanation to the captain that he wasn’t going to be able to catch every game.
And yet, as the Royals have played 21 games this season, Salvy has now played in 20 of them and caught 14 of them. That would be considered the maximum catching load for anyone but Sal. And Sal hasn’t exactly been lighting the world on fire this season.
Batting averages have been down across baseball for a while now, but batting under .200 is still very bad. Having an OBP nearing that line would be enough to get most players benched. It’s not just those numbers that look bad, either.
His bat speed and hard-hit rates are down. He’s always been known for chasing, but his chase rate is as high as its been since 2022 and 2023, when his numbers cratered for a while. Last year, it was often noted that while he was not an amazing hitter, his expected stats all suggested he was fairly unlucky. But this year, they paint a picture of a guy who would be a liability at the plate even if he was reaching them.
So, yeah, he probably deserved/needed a day off. But what the heck is going on?
In Salvy’s defense
Salvador Perez is a guy who allegedly offered to accept a trade in 2023 while the team struggled if the Royals could get significantly better by dealing him. He won the Roberto Clemente Award for exhibiting extraordinary character. He’s been the face of the franchise for more than a decade with his big smile and positive attitude. What do you have to do to upset a guy like that this much?
He’s obviously earned a lot of respect, not just in the Royals clubhouse, but around the entire league. And I just wrote last week about the importance of showing loyalty to veteran players. If he were given a day off without any discussion, that certainly would seem to be a poor choice.
In Q’s defense
When Quatraro told Anne Rogers that Sal was struggling, that was simply and obviously factually correct. When he said that he was giving Sal a mental break, that was extremely standard and boilerplate language to describe giving a struggling guy a day off. If Sal took exception to it, it seems like the best way to handle that would have been in a private discussion, not a public argument. The only way in which Sal’s reaction to getting a single day off seems reasonable to me is if Quatraro has had a much worse handle on the clubhouse culture than we’ve been given any reason to believe. This is the first time there’s ever been any kind of public rumbling of discontent, and Quatraro just received a lengthy extension as a show of faith from the front office and ownership.
It does lead me to wonder if the reason Sal continues to bat fourth even as it’s obvious to just about anyone that the team would be best served by him batting lower in the order is less about Quatraro being unwilling to make the move, as perhaps he has been afraid to upset the captain with such a demotion. But that would be an indictment of everyone involved.
Adding an extra wrinkle to all of this is the addition of Elias Díaz to the active roster, a transaction that was announced today.
The Royals were very clear entering the season that they didn’t think they needed a third catcher on the roster. Now, a day after giving Salvador Perez a day off, they add that third catcher? It could be a belief that Carter Jensen needs to play less often – he’s out of the lineup in favor of Díaz – but the timing is unfortunate, if so.
There is absolutely no way to know who is at fault in this situation, or if anyone is at fault, or if it is some combination of faults. But it’s an unfortunate distraction at a time when the team can seemingly least afford them as they try to find their way out of an early-season swoon that is rapidly exiting the realm of something that can be easily shaken off. Hopefully, everything is resolved quickly and amicably and the team can get back to winning, or we could all be in for a very, very long 2026 season.
The Arizona Diamondbacks struggle against the splitter, which should play into the hands of Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman this afternoon.
Read on to see why in my Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks for today's game.
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks predictions
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks best bet: Kevin Gausman Over 5.5 strikeouts (+105)
When Kevin Gausman’s splitter is dancing, he’s one of the most lethal pitchers in the majors, which makes his 5.5-strikeout total at plus-money an attractive price.
The Toronto Blue Jays ace has been racking up the Ks, averaging 7.75 strikeouts this season, which ranks in the 94th percentile in K%, while using the splitter as the put-away pitch, garnering a 44.2% whiff rate and a strikeout rate of 42.9%
The split-fastball has given this Arizona Diamondbacks lineup fits this season, with the third-highest strikeout rate in the majors, with a 42.4% whiff rate against the pitch.
Additionally, Gausman owns a .164 opponent batting average against this lineup.
COVERS INTEL: The Diamondbacks rank 29th in the majors with a .294 OBP.
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks same-game parlay (SGP)
I’ll continue to bet on Gausman and take the Under on his hits prop set at 5.5, a total he’s stayed Under on in three of his four starts this season. Additionally, the Arizona lineup is just 12-for-73 against Gausman through his career, with a .447 OPS
Lastly, I’ll take Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to go Over 0.5 strikeouts tonight. He’s 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts against Gausman throughout his career.
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks SGP
Kevin Gausman Over 5.5 strikeouts
Kevin Gausman Under 5.5 hits
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Over 0.5 strikeouts
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Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+500)
I’ll make this a half-unit wager. Ryne Nelson has been hit hard this season, ranking in the 10th percentile in hard-hit rate. This has resulted in four home runs allowed this year, all against his four-seamer.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crushes the baseball and has a .417 average against the four-seamer, with a .500 slug rate against the pitch. He's 2-for-8 against Nelson, with one of those hits being a home run.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 5-14, -6.35 units
SGPs: 2-17, -9.5 units
HR picks: 3-16, -1.6 units
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks odds
Moneyline: Toronto -110 | Arizona -110
Run line: Toronto -1.5 (+155) | Arizona +1.5 (-185)
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks trend
The Blue Jays have cashed the first five innings team total Under in six of their last seven games for +5.75 units and a 74% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Diamondbacks.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks and game info
Location
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Sunday, April 19, 2026
First pitch
4:10 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet, Dbacks.TV
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.42 ERA)
Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Ryne Nelson (1-1, 3.54 ERA)
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Diamondbacks weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Atlanta Braves go for the road sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday Night Baseball, closing out a key NL matchup.
Here are my favorite Braves vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks, with a focus on Ronald Acuña Jr., Grant Holmes, and Bryce Harper.
Braves vs Phillies props for April 19
Pick
Odds
Acuna Jr. o1.5 total bases
-110
Holmes o5.5 strikeouts
+130
Harper o1.5 total bases
+110
Braves vs Phillies player prop picks
Ronald Acuna Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (-110)
Ronald Acuna’s surface-level statistics (.247.347/.370) may not show it, but he’s performing at an elite level. Placing above the 90th percentile in xwOBA, xSLG, and bat speed, the production should come along shortly.
With hits in nine of his last 10 games, Acuna is starting to find his form. A matchup against Andrew Painter and his reverse splits isn’t a turn-off.
Painter has faced 22 right-handed batters this season, and eight of them have collected hits (.421 AVG). Sure, that’s a small sample size, but the rookie hasn’t proven capable of getting out Big League-caliber righties, let alone one of the very best.
Painter pitches to contact (4.9% walk rate), and Acuna has mostly limited his strikeouts (18.9% K rate). Making contact here should result in an opportunity to accumulate total bases.
Grant Holmes Over 5.5 strikeouts (+130)
The plus-money is appealing here, especially for a pitcher who has a massive 14.1% swinging strike rate in his career. I’ll bite.
Grant Holmes’ K rate has cratered from 25% to 19.3% despite his swinging strike rate actually jumping a half tick (from 13% to 13.5%). With a whiff rate in the 81st percentile, the Ks should come eventually.
The veteran’s go-to pitch, his slider, has generated a .196 xBA and 53.3% whiff rate. That’ll play against a Phillies lineup that has struggled against the pitch, posting -4.7 runs against average.
Philadelphia’s projected lineup has faced Holmes 16 times, and eight of those have resulted in strikeouts. A 50% K rate against the opposing lineup will certainly play, especially when plus money is offered on the Over.
Bryce Harper over 1.5 total bases (+110)
After facing southpaws in each of the first two games of this series, the Phillies will be glad to face the right-handed Holmes on Sunday. They’ve struggled mightily against LHP (58 wRC+), but could break out a bit after plating a single run in the first 18 innings of the series.
Bryce Harper has hit the cover off the ball in April, slashing .333/.419/.685 with as many extra-base-hits (10) as strikeouts. He’s still going strong at age 33, posting a 94th percentile xwOBA and 96th percentile xSLG.
What makes this an appetizing matchup is that he’s demolished four-seamers (.811 xSLG) and sliders (1.170). Holmes throws those 78% of the time against lefties, so Harper will have a great opportunity to stay hot.
How to watch Braves vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Sunday, April 19, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
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.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Walker Janek #6 of the Houston Astros hits a single during the fourth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.
Hendrickson got the start for Sugar Land in game one and pitched well tossing 5 scoreless innings. The offense got on the board in the 4th inning on a Biggers 2 run double. Munoz allowed a run but Santa tossed a scoreless 7th inning as he closed out the 2-1 win.
Nelson gave Sugar Land a quick lead with a leadoff home run in the first inning. Alexander started for Sugar Land in game two of the double header but struggled allowing 4 runs over 4.2 innings. Sugar Land picked up 2 runs in the 6th on a Nelson RBI single and a run scoring on a wild pitch. The Bees put the game out of reach scoring 4 runs in the 6th as Sugar Land dropped game two, 8-3.
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (8-6) won 9-5 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks jumped out to an early lead thanks to a Guillemette grand slam in the first inning. Gillis got the start and went 4.2 innings allowing 4 runs, all on a grand slam in the 2nd inning, while striking out 4. The Hooks retook the lead in the 4th on a Sacco RBI double. In the 7th, Janek connected on a grand slam, his first home run of the season. The pen was solid allowing 1 run as they closed out the 9-5 win.
Ramsey David, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (4-10) lost 7-6 (BOX SCORE)
Howard started for Asheville but struggled allowing 5 runs over 4 innings. The offense got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Holy RBI single. They got 3 more in the 3rd inning on a Nunez solo HR and Schiavone 2 run HR. Langford went 2 innings in relief allowing 1 run but Asheville got one back in the 7th on a Frey RBI groundout. In the 9th, the Tourists tied it on a Nunez single. Unfortunately the Dash walked it off in the bottom of the 9th as Asheville fell 7-6.
Alain Pena, RHP: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (3-11) lost 14-2 (BOX SCORE)
Forcucci started for the Woodpeckers but failed to make it out of the first inning allowing 2 runs. He was relieved by Carreras who allowed 2 runs over 5.1 innings while striking out 4. The offense got on the board in the 7th scoring 2 runs on an Ochoa single and error. The rest of the bullpen struggled allowing 10 runs as the Woodpeckers fell 14-2.
The New York Mets will look for some way to finally pick up a win as they wrap up their series against the Chicago Cubs this afternoon.
New York is now riding a 10-game losing streak, and I like Chicago to win again in my Mets vs. Cubs predictions. Keep reading to see why and get all my free MLB picks for Sunday, April 19.
Who will win Mets vs Cubs today: Cubs (-121)
The New York Mets are shaking things up this afternoon by starting Tobias Myers (0-1, 3.46 ERA). Myers has been capable as a starter in the past, but hasn’t thrown more than three innings in a game this season, so New York will need to dip deep into its bullpen this afternoon.
That’s a tough recipe for success against the Chicago Cubs right now. They've averaged 8.5 runs per game over their last six contests, and I don’t see Myers or the rest of the Mets staff shutting them down completely.
With the New York offense floundering right now, I like Chicago to find a way to win this game at home.
COVERS INTEL: The Mets bullpen has a solid 3.96 ERA this season, with Huascar Brazoban and Craig Kimbrel each yet to allow an earned run on the year.
Mets vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-130)
To say the Mets are struggling to score runs is a massive understatement. New York has put up a total of 18 runs in its 10-game losing streak, getting shut out three times in that span.
That means it’ll be up to the Cubs to try to carry this total. And as we saw yesterday, these Mets pitchers are doing their part to keep the team in games, even if it hasn’t been enough to get wins.
New York has hit the Under in four of its last six games, and I’m expecting another low-scoring affair that plays out like yesterday’s game.
Ed Scimia's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 4-5, -1.15 units
Over/Under bets: 2-5, -3.08 units
Mets vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: Mets +115 | Cubs -135
Run line: Mets +1.5 (-235) | Cubs -1.5 (+175)
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Mets vs Cubs trend
The Cubs have won five of their last six games. Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Cubs.
How to watch Mets vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, April 19, 2026
First pitch
2:20 p.m. ET
TV
SNY, Marquee
Mets starting pitcher
David Peterson (0-3, 6.41 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10 ERA)
Mets vs Cubs latest injuries
Mets vs Cubs weather
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Apr 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) celebrates with center fielder Alek Thomas (5) after hitting a grand slam against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Team News
Corbin in the clutch! Carroll belts 4th career slam to lift D-backs to series win
Since April 4, the bullpen has allowed 12 earned runs in 46 innings, that’s a 2.35 ERA.
“They’ve been really good,” Carroll said. “It seems like whoever comes out of that gate is ready to go from pitch one and is attacking hitters, and it’s been really fun to play behind them. Those guys got a tough job, and so it’s a huge credit to them that they’ve been taking care of business the way they have so far.”
Corbin Carroll’s grand slam lifts Diamondbacks to series win over Blue Jays
“We talk about building innings here,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think we’ve been very efficient with runners in scoring position so far this season, and the right guys in the right spot came up. I thought the Marte at-bat — I loved how Vargas got on. I loved AT’s base hit — but I thought the Marte at-bat was critical to load the bases for the next two guys. Corbin deserves the credit, but the rest of the guys built the inning for him and that’s what we stand on.”
D-backs Teammates React to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s Incredible ACL Return
Dave McKay (first base and outfield coach): “It was unbelievable seeing him at Spring Training, doing the things that he was doing. As a matter of fact I had to force him stop doing our drills. He’d come out when we do our drills, and there were certain things that we couldn’t have him do. He was insisting, finally I had to get the trainers and say get this guy out of here.”
Today Felix Reyes 8/9/2023 Wes Wilson 9/8/1998 Marlon Anderson 7/17/1988 Ricky Jordan 9/14/1949 Ed Sanicki 4/19/1938 Heinie Mueller 4/21/1898 Bill Duggleby https://t.co/qyZKICSGov
Munetaka Murakami’s seven home runs are the most of any Japanese-born player in his first 21 MLB games
He has two more than any other Japanese-born player in first 21 MLB games, ahead of Shohei Ohtani, who had five in his first 21 games as a hitter https://t.co/Drl72e8e29
1997 – A major league game is played in Hawaii for the first time. The San Diego Padres, who gave up three home games to further baseball relations and to allow renovations at Jack Murphy Stadium, play host for a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at spacious Aloha Stadium. The Cardinals win both games, 1 – 0 and 2 – 1.
The oldest English word is ‘town’.
This is one of the oldest words in the English language that is still in use. The first dictionary took note of this in 1755.
Tomato ketchup was used as medicine for 16 years.
Whether you love it or hate it, this condiment once had a place in the world beyond hotdogs. However, you’d be surprised to know that ketchup only had tomatoes in it starting 1834. Before, ketchup was made with a mix of fish and mushrooms. When Dr. John Cooke Bennet added tomatoes to the mix, he claimed that the antioxidants gave it a medicinal property. He had a pill salesman turn his tomato ketchup into pills and claimed it could treat diarrhea, indigestion, jaundice, and rheumatism.
oan of Arc convinced Charles VII she could lead his armies with no experience. She routed the English, survived a 60-foot escape leap from a tower uninjured, was falsely accused of heresy, and burned at the stake, all between the ages of 17 and 19. She was guided by voices only she could hear.
The sound made by the Krakatoa volcanic eruption in 1883 was so loud it ruptured the eardrums of people 40 miles away, traveled around the world four times, and was clearly heard 3,000 miles away. That’s like standing in New York and hearing a sound from San Francisco.
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 04: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell (7) falls into the stands after he robbed his third home run of the game in the 9th inning of the MLB game between the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels on April 4, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Mariners are in a hole.
The Mariners have played 22 games this year, or about 13.5% of the 2026 season. They are 9-13 and in fourth place in the AL West. They’ve had losing streaks of four games and five games and haven’t looked particularly competent against anybody but the free-falling Astros. It’s been a less than ideal start for a team that was considered the favorites in the American League on Opening Day.
Where do things stand?
The Mariners are still the favorites to win the AL West, but they’ve lost about 14% from their division odds, according to FanGraphs. The Rangers, in turn, have added about 14% to their odds to win the division, after starting 11-10. Most of that movement comes from the Rangers three-game sweep of the Mariners in Arlington last week. The ongoing series this weekend is tied 1-1 ahead of Sunday’s rubber match. It’s suddenly a massive game for the Mariners, who need to start making up ground on the Rangers specifically in case they wind up tied 5 1/2 months from now.
The projections are still quite bullish on the Mariners overall. They hold the second best World Series odds in the American League and the fourth best odds in the majors. They haven’t really bottomed-out or experienced any major injuries to deter the projections. They also aren’t alone in their slow start: the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Phillies and Mets have each started several games below .500 despite strong projections. This is just kind of how it goes — even great teams tend to play poorly at some point each season.
But as Dan Szymborski recently pointed out for FanGraphs, teams can play themselves out of the postseason with a bad April. With fairly even competition in the American League this year, a few extra losses early puts pressure on an outsized win streak later in the year. To some extent, the Mariners have used up one of their allowable skids right out of the gate. I wouldn’t say they’re far behind, but they are indeed behind.
The good news? The Mariners aren’t necessarily playing too bad. They don’t need to right the ship so much as wait for it to level off. Their offense has been middle of the pack with a 96 wRC+, and their pitching has been elite, leading the league in FIP and WAR. This certainly isn’t their top gear, but Base Runs estimates the Mariners record at 12-10 — they’ve been “unlucky,” in other words.
What the heck are Base Runs? You’re likely familiar with run differential, which gives us a clue about a team’s quality by looking at how many more (or less) runs they score than their opponents. Base Runs takes this a step further and estimates a team’s quality based on their performance in individual at bats. Basically, it’s more nuanced way of looking at total bases — are you getting on base and advancing bases more than your opponent? One way to think about it is five doubles in an inning and five doubles scattered across a game provide the same amount of information on a team’s true talent, according to Base Runs.
It turns out this works quite well for predicting future success. Base Runs has become one of the essential metrics for, “Is my team playing as good (or bad) as I think they are?” Right now, the Mariners are playing OK. They’ve bested their opponents by Base Runs in most games this year, including a few they ultimately lost. They’re getting on base a decent amount, but they’ve been especially good at keeping their opponents from getting on base. Plus, Base Runs is agnostic on Jo Adell’s Big Night — there’s a very real world where the Mainers are 13-9 right now.
Of course, by “very real world,” I mean no such thing. The Mariners really did lose those games, and they really do have to make up that ground. And there are legitimate reasons for concern. The lineup has struggled, though it’s more complicated than that. The Mariners leadoff and 5-9 hitters have posted a 122 wRC+ — third best in the majors. But their 2-4 hitters have posted a a league-worst 53 wRC+. That’s pretty much been the difference between the Mariners and their potential so far. Those spots in the lineup have been occupied by Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Josh Naylor, a trio that was projected among the best in the majors. You could look at this one of two ways: 1) these guys are pretty much locks to wind up well above average, and surely their best days are ahead of them, or 2) they’re wasting a narrow window where everything else has gone right.
The other notable hangup isn’t unexpected. The Mariners defense is just plain bad. I mean, it’s “too early to say anything definitive about 2026,” but they were quite bad last year, so I expect as much again. I am encouraged by Cole Young’s new range, to be fair, but that seems to be offset by Brendan Donovan playing out of position (and maybe hurt).
That’s all to say:
The Mariners were supposed to be good and they’re still supposed to be good
They have played OK and probably better than their record indicates
The pitching has been great, full stop
The hitting has been great, except for the players who were supposed to be great, who have been terrible
The Mariners haven’t bottomed out, but the pressure is on
I’ll check in on these figures again at the 40-game mark in three weeks.
The Kansas City Royals (7-14) will try to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees (12-9). The Royals have lost six consecutive games, including a 13-4 decision to the Yankees on Saturday. Starting pitchers are Cole Ragans for Kansas Cityvand Ryan Weathers for New York.
How to watch Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees
SPRINGFIELD, MO - APRIL 09: Chris Newell #9 of the Tulsa Drillers celebrates with teammates at home plate after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning during the game between the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals at Hammons Field on Thursday, April 9, 2026 in Springfield, Missouri. (Photo by Shanna Stafford/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Dodgers affiliates managed one win in five games on Saturday.
Player of the day
Tulsa first baseman Joe Vetrano hit a two-run home run in the first game of a doubleheader, then added two more hits in the nightcap, scoring the walk-off winner on an error.
Jack Suwinski homered twice, but the Comets allowed five runs in the eighth inning in a loss to the Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies).
Chayce McDermott, acquired by trade from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, made his organizational debut Saturday with a scoreless seventh inning, at the time protecting a three-run lead. But the right-hander also started the eighth inning with a hit batter and walk, ending his night. Both scored in the fateful five-run frame.
Jackson Ferris allowed three runs in four innings, and walked five, continuing a theme of his first three starts in Triple-A. Ferris for Oklahoma City has faced 50 batters and walked 10 of them, with six strikeouts and nine runs allowed in 13 1/3 innings.
Double-A Tulsa
Payton Martin struck out five in five innings, allowing only one run in the nightcap of the Drillers’ doubleheader split with the Arkansas Travelers (Mariners).
Wyatt Crowell walked three of his first 33 batters faced this season, but on Saturday the left-hander walked five batters in two-plus innings and allowed six runs, four of them earned in the first game of the doubleheader.
The opener got lopsided enough that catcher/infielder Yeiner Fernandez, he had a two-run double earlier, pitched the top of the seventh inning down seven runs. Naturally, he got all three batters he faced on 11 pitches, the only 1-2-3 inning of the game for Great Lakes. Not a bad professional pitching debut for the 23-year-old.
Roque Gutierrez pitched the final two innings of the nightcap to earn the win.
High-A Great Lakes
The Loons scored only one run, in the first inning in a loss to the Dayton Dragons (Reds).
Mike Sirota drove in said run with an RBI double, his third straight game with a double. Sirota also singled on Saturday, extending his hit streak to eight games.
Zach Root, the Dodgers’ top draft pick in 2025 out of Arkansas, had to leave his start with one out in the second inning after appearing to roll his right ankle in securing an out at first base to open the frame. After a long conversation with a trainer and manager Jair Fernandez, Root was pulled from the game, replaced on the mound by Dilan Figueredo.
It was a bad-luck start in general for Root, whose first batter in the first inning reached on an error and scored an unearned run. Figueredo allowed an unearned run of his own, then saw one of his bequeathed baserunners score in a wild pitch in the fifth inning. That’s the only earned run allowed this season by Figueredo, who pitched 3 1/3 innings on Saturday. He has seven strikeouts against only one walk in his four appearances and 9 2/3 innings.
Nicolas Cruz struck out four in three innings of relief, and allowed one run on hit and a walk. He has 13 strikeouts and two walks in nine innings this season.
Class-A Ontario
Tower Buzzers pitchers allowed runs in seven different innings in a blowout loss to the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies).
Starter Marlon Nieves, fresh off winning California League player of the week, allowed five runs, four earned, in two innings. Isaac Ayon followed with three innings with six more runs allowed.
Ontario tried to keep pace on offense, with Jose Hernandez hitting two home runs and catcher Conner O’Neal adding a grand slam. But they still lost by 10.
Tradition: Though minor leaguers are culinarily provided for these days while at work — gone are the days of maybe peanut butter and jelly plus a loaf of bread in the clubhouse — one longstanding unwritten code persists, that major league players while rehabbing in the minors take care of their temporary teammates with a postgame spread. Brock Stewart after his second appearance with Ontario on Friday night brought in Chipotle for the team.
True Blue 💙
Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart provided his Tower Buzzers teammates with postgame Chipotle after rehab stint 🐝 pic.twitter.com/mjfpaSipPI
It’s never too early for baseball panic meters to go into overdrive, and the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays lead the list of teams under the microscope heading into today’s action.
The Mets’ 10-game losing streak is especially alarming, but there are more encouraging signs elsewhere in the NL East, and my MLB player props include a wager on Ozzie Albies, who’s delivering for the division-leading Atlanta Braves.
Read on for more on Albies and my other favorite MLB picks for the April 19 slate.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Mike Trout
Over 1.5 total bases
+110
Kevin Gausman
Over 5.5 strikeouts
+104
Ozzie Albies
Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
-115
Mike Trout Over 1.5 total bases (+110)
The Mike Trout hot streak continued last night with a double off San Diego Padres starter German Marquez, and he’s now mashed 10 hits across his past eight outings.
That stretch includes five homers, with Trout putting this L.A. Angels offense on his shoulders. He’s posted a .500 OBP and a 1.115 OPS in day games so far this season, and I like this price for 2+ bases today.
San Diego’s Michael King is in the firing line today at Angel Stadium and, despite his solid start to the year, he gave up a hit to Trout in their lone head-to-head career battle.
Time: 4:07 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Angels.TV, FDSN-West
Kevin Gausman Over 5.5 strikeouts (+104)
Injuries have derailed the Toronto Blue Jays’ opening month, and they desperately need Kevin Gausman to steady the ship today against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’s been his usual reliable self through four starts this year, with a 2.42 ERA and 0.85 WHIP, and he’s already racked up 31 strikeouts.
Toronto has struggled to collect Ks in this series against Arizona, but Gausman can at least point to impressive numbers in his matchups with key Arizona hitters. Nolan Arenado and Ketel Marte are a combined 7-for-43 against him, with five strikeouts.
Look for the stumbling Jays to ride Gausman as long as possible after another disastrous Jeff Hoffman bullpen outing last night.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportsnet, Dbacks.TV
Ozzie Albies Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-115)
Ozzie Albies has been one of the engines for the Atlanta Braves’ eye-catching 14-7 start, and he’s picked up 11 hits in his last 10 contests, with six RBI in that span. I’m counting on that consistency here.
The Braves have scored 6+ runs in four of their past six outings, and Albies has nailed this Over in three of his last four games.
Today, he faces Philadelphia Phillies rookie Andrew Painter as Atlanta goes for the sweep, and Albies will be a danger man in the heart of the lineup on the heels of a double and a single yesterday off Cristopher Sanchez.
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FOX
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.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres makes a catch and avoids a collision with Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 as he robs Yoán Moncada #10 of the Los Angeles Angels of a home run in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 18, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Fernando Tatis Jr. still does not have a home run on the season and for San Diego Padres fans and the superstar right fielder, that is hard to comprehend. While the power has not shown up for Tatis Jr. after 20 games into the season, he has been an offensive contributor and proved that once again with a 2-for-4 night, with two RBI, a walk and a strikeout. That was enough to help the Padres score four runs over the eighth and ninth innings to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-1 at Angel Stadium on Saturday night. German Marquez started on the mound for San Diego and seems to be improving each time he takes the ball. The former Colorado ace did not get the win, but he did complete 5.2 innings of shutout baseball, allowing two hits with five strikeouts and two walks. The Padres bullpen took over for the remainder of the game and saw Jason Adam surrender a run in the eighth, but he also worked out of trouble in what could have been a much bigger inning for the Angels. Mason Miller, who has been automatic to this point in the season, closed the game out to secure the win and set San Diego up with a chance to take the series in the rubber match on Sunday at 1:07 p.m.
Padres News:
Ramon Laureano has been the most consistent hitter for the Padres this season and that has resulted in him climbing the lineup to the leadoff spot. He attributes some of his success this season to new San Diego hitting coach Steven Souza Jr.
Not to be lost in the celebration about the win for the Padres and the late offense was the early defense from centerfielder Jackson Merrill. He and Tatis Jr. had a near miss collision in the outfield while each attempting to rob the same potential home run, which was actually brought back by Merrill to keep the game scoreless in the early innings.
Baseball News:
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has a 50-game on base streak, but his offensive dominance was not enough to keep the Colorado Rockies from winning 4-3.
Jameson Taillon did not look sharp early and then said as much during his postgame interview. But he got better as his start wore on. Just under half of Jameson’s starts as a Cub have been quality starts. We all know that not all quality starts are created equal. Without any digging, there are some clunkers surely within that batch of games. But we also know that there are some good ones that didn’t reach the minimum definition. In the modern game, there a lot of pretty good starts that don’t reach six innings. He’s now gone six innings three straight times. He’s hanging around and giving the team a fighting chance. He’s a good rotation piece for the marathon part of the process.
Importantly, Jameson has stayed largely healthy throughout his Cub tenure. That’s becoming a valuable skill. Any once perceived existence of depth has been decimated by a swath of early season pitching injuries. I’ll admit to having blind spots for players on other rosters around the MLB. I put better than 90% of my baseball focus on the Cubs, so while I self-identify as a pretty knowledgeable Cub fan, I admit to being a casual baseball fan’s knowledge of modern players. That is even worse when it comes to minor league players. Years ago, when the team was rebuilding, I woke up every day to read prospect stories (mostly written by Josh). But again, flying blind. At this point, I have to confess to being largely unaware of more than a third of the present Cub pitchers. I feel like I probably heard the names Hoby Milner and Jacob Webb somewhere in the past and feel like I was vaguely aware of Riley Martin. But I’m going to need a scorecard sooner than later.
It’s hard not to be at least a little distressed about the mounting injury toll. It’s another display of the fickle nature of baseball that the injuries and the first sustained winning streak of the year are contemporaries of one another. You may have heard me say in the past that the road to the top isn’t guaranteed and isn’t a straight line. Ask the Toronto Blue Jays. They seemed to finally break through last year. They are off to a really rough start to 2026. Maybe they’ll be able to draw on some past success to turn their early struggles around. But they certainly don’t yet look like the team that got within a few inches of winning last year’s World Series.
After the Mets leave town, things are going to get a lot harder. The Phillies come to town for four, then the Cubs go west to face the Dodgers and Padres. All of that happens without a day off. Sunday’s game against the reeling Mets is a big one. Get this sweep. It could be almost a month before the Cubs face a team with a losing record. Right now today, it looks like a month straight of games against teams that are over .500 and either in first or second place in their division. This is a brutal stretch of games. The Cubs are probably going to need even more from their offense that has come to life over the last week or so. And they’ll likely doing it while facing better starting pitching and some of the more dominant relievers in the game today.
Oh yeah, also I had the math wrong yesterday on the Cub win pace. Writing at the end of a long day can be challenging. Anyway, the up to date math has the Cubs on an 89-win pace. But hey, they are on a 162-win pace over their last four. Stats are all about framing and context.
Buckle up.
Three Positives:
Jameson Taillon threw six innings, allowing five hits and three walks but only one run. It’s not a work of art, but it led the Cubs to victory.
Ian Happ had a solo homer and drew two walks. He scored twice.
Carson Kelly got only the one plate appearance. That one plate appearance was a three-run homer.
Game 20, April 18: Cubs 4, Mets 2 (11-9)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Carson Kelly (.346). 1-1, HR, 3 RBI, R
Hero: Jameson Taillon (.226). 6 IP, 24 BF, 5 H, 3 BB, ER, 4 K (W 1-1)
Sidekick: Ian Happ (.112). 1-2, HR, 2 BB, RBI, 2 R
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Pete Crow-Armstrong (-.080). 0-3
Goat: Dansby Swanson (-.068). 0-3
Kid: Nico Hoerner/Alex Bregman (-.063). 0-4/0-4
WPA Play of the Game: Carson Kelly’s three-run pinch hit homer with two outs in the sixth inning. (.340)
*Mets Play of the Game: Mark Vientos hit a solo shot with one out in the second inning for the game’s first run. (.110)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 19 Winner: Nico Hoerner received 119 of 191 votes
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 3/Bottom 3)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Nico Hoerner +12.5
Carson Kelly +7
Edward Cabrera/Daniel Palencia +5
Phil Maton -6
Matt Shaw -8
Pete Crow-Armstrong -15
Up Next: The Cubs will seek their first sweep and five-game winning streak of the season. Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10, 10 IP) makes his third start of the year. Tobias Myers is a 27-year-old righty, originally drafted by the Orioles with the 181st overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Winter Haven, Florida. This season he is 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 13 relief innings. He started six games last year as a Brewer. He doesn’t appear stretched out to start. David Peterson normally takes this turn in the Mets rotation but has allowed 14 ER in just 19.2 IP.
There a lot of teams that face the Cubs and I feel sorry for. The Mets are not one of them, despite having a family member who is a (NJ resident) Mets fan. Kick them while they are down and sweep this series.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 18: Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners is out as he slides into second base and Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers throws the ball to first base for a double play during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park on April 18, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, folks…
The Texas Rangers fell to the Seattle Mariners last night by a score of 7-3.
Evan Grant writes that the Rangers continue to be bedeviled by George Kirby.
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 14: Scott Kamieniecki #28 of the New York Yankees pitches during a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 14, 1994 at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On the afternoon of October 7, 1995, Scott Kamieniecki prepared to take the mound at the Kingdome for what would be the pinnacle of his Yankees tenure. As would be the case throughout that tenure, though, the moment was fraught. On the heels of a near-family tragedy the day prior that left him shaken, the 31-year-old who had endured demotions, reassignments, injuries, and struggles for the past five years was handed the ball with the chance to lead his team to victory in its first playoff series since 1981.
Scott Andrew Kamieniecki Born: April 19, 1964 (Mount Clemens, MI) Yankees Tenure: 1991-96
Scott Kamieniecki grew up in Metro Detroit, starring at St. Mary’s of Redford High School before getting taken in the second round of the 1982 MLB Draft by his hometown Tigers. He spurned them, instead enrolling at the University of Michigan. A rare player to see his stock drop during his college years, Kamieniecki would end up drafted by the Yankees in the 14th round in 1986, facing long odds to work his way to the big leagues.
He steadily rose through the ranks, finishing the 1990 season at Double-A. But it was his performance at the following spring training that put Kamieniecki on the path to the Show. “What we saw of Scott in spring training opened up a lot of eyes,” Yankees pitching coach Mark Connor later said. “The first day I saw him throw on the side, I told him, ‘that stuff is good enough to pitch in the big leagues.’”
That ‘stuff’ included a fastball that topped out in the low 90s, unremarkable in today’s game but enough to earn him a reputation as a fireballer in the early 1990s. His greatest hurdle was the mental side of the game. Highly competitive on the mound, Kamieniecki would later recall how living and dying with every pitch held him back early in his pro career. “I would have been out there in the second or third inning and had a negative attitude, like, ‘Here we go again, it’s not my day,’” he said of his ability to cope with adversity. “Now, I try to channel my energies somewhere else. If a guy gets a base hit, it’s not the end of the world.”
Kamieniecki started the year at Triple-A in 1991, where his 2.36 ERA with just two homers allowed in 76.1 innings made him a standout. A late bloomer at 27, he was ready at the right time, when the Gene Michael-led front office was beginning to promote its promising youngsters instead of trading them away for established veteran talent. “There’s a lot better atmosphere, knowing you’ve got a chance,” Kamieniecki said. “In the past, they neglected their system and traded guys away for a quick fix. Now they’ve brought up three or four of our players, and we’re feeling like a part of the Yankee future.”
His comments would prove remarkably prescient. Kamieniecki was called up to make his big-league debut just a week later, allowing two runs over six innings to earn his first victory. He was a bright spot on a team that would finish the year 20 games below .500, posting a 2.68 ERA through his first seven starts. Nonetheless, the following camp, he was forced into a battle with Greg Cadaret for the final spot in the rotation. It would begin a frustrating cycle that would go on throughout Kamieniecki’s Yankees career, with the right-hander shuttling between the rotation and bullpen with remarkable regularity.
Kamieniecki started 48 games between 1992 and 1993, a high-water mark during his time in New York. He pitched to a 4.23 ERA and 95 ERA+, serving as a solid contributor for a struggling team but doing little to cement his status going forward. Before the 1994 season, with the Yankees on the come-up, they signed veteran Bob Ojeda, a key cog on the ‘86 Mets nearly a decade earlier, supplanting Kamieniecki in the team’s rotation. While the veteran endured the indignity of returning to the bullpen, Ojeda lasted a combined three innings through two starts before the Yankees cut him loose. Back in a starting role, Kamieniecki was circumspect. “You can’t get upset and you can’t carry it out on the field,” he said at the time. “I’ve worked too hard.”
He’d stick in the rotation most of the season, putting up his best numbers in pinstripes. At 30, it looked like Kamieniecki might finally have the wind at his sails.
Of course, Kamieniecki would end up one of many victims of the labor dispute that would end the MLB season in August.
The following season, he’d miss time with injury early in the year on the Wild Card-winning club and nearly lose his job in August, this time to a young starter at Triple-A named Mariano Rivera. “It’s New York,” Kamieniecki said. “It’s the way things were before I got here and the way things will be after I leave. You have two or three bad games and you’re on the hot seat. I’m used to it.”
Nonetheless, the resilient right-hander stuck in the rotation, making a pivotal start in Game 4 of the ALDS with the chance to send the Yankees to the doorstep of the pennant. The day prior, his children were involved in a house fire that nearly turned into a tragedy. “You’re talking maybe 30 seconds more and you lose both kids,” he said later of the jarring incident which nearly precluded him from pitching in the biggest game of his life.
Kamieniecki ended up taking the bump, though he allowed five runs (four earned) in five innings in an eventual loss. The next spring he faced a familiar fate after undergoing elbow surgery in the offseason, with another member of the ‘86 Mets, Dwight Gooden, signed to take his place in the rotation. This time, he didn’t find out directly from new skipper Joe Torre but instead heard from the press that he would be on the outside looking in. A professional but disgruntled Kamieniecki called the situation “deja vu three years over,” adding simply, “nothing surprises me around here.”
When he did get the chance to pitch, he did little to build trust with his new manager, allowing 30 runs in 22.2 innings. ”If he’s like he was the last two starts, we have to start looking,” Torre said after Kamieniecki’s final outing in pinstripes. ”We can’t afford to have starters pitch two innings. It’s detrimental to the rotation and to the bullpen.” He was sent down shortly thereafter and non-tendered after the season.
After his departure, Kamieniecki was more blunt about his dissatisfaction with how he was treated in New York. He claimed the team put him on the DL with a “bogus” elbow injury, decried Joe Torre as a liar, and expressed frustration that the team made a public showing of getting him sized for a World Series ring but never gave him one.
By the time he made those comments, though, he was on to greener pastures. Kamieniecki had a career year in 1997 at the age of 33, going 10-6 with a 4.01 ERA while starting 30 games for the playoff-bound Orioles. He’d end up tossing eight scoreless innings in the ALCS against Cleveland that year, a performance which no doubt felt like a vindication of his second-class status while a Yankee.
Kamieniecki would spend two more seasons in Baltimore before splitting 2000 between Cleveland and Atlanta. He briefly returned to the Yankees as a non-roster invitee in 2001 spring training, seemingly burying the hatchet with Torre, but he didn’t make the cut. His career would end with eight games for the Iowa Cubs.
In all, the 14th-rounder who didn’t crack the big leagues until the age of 27 ended up sticking for 10 years, proving that he belonged. Kamieniecki appears to have left any hard feelings over his treatment by the Yankees in the past, making his Old-Timers’ Day debut in 2019.
Join us in wishing a happy 62nd birthday to a reliable and resilient Yankee if ever there was one.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
COVERS INTEL: The Diamondbacks rank 29th in the majors with a .294 OBP.
Acuna Jr. o1.5 total bases
Harper o1.5 total bases
Mike Trout
Kevin Gausman
