OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Third base coach Gary Pettis #8 of the Houston Astros looks on before the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on July 22, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants didn’t take long to find a new third base coach. Just four days after the team announced that they had removed Hector Borg from third base duties, and reassigned him within the organization, they formally hired his replacement: Gary Pettis.
Longtime Giants coach Ron Wotus had been serving as the interim third base coach following Borg’s demotion but, according to reporters, did not wish to remain in a full-time, traveling role. And so the Giants pounced on Pettis, announcing the news a day after USA Today’s Bob Nightengale first reported the likelihood of a deal.
Pettis, who is 68, has a lengthy resume, and has been coaching in the Majors for 22 years. He also has tons of experience as a third base coach specifically, as he served that role for the Houston Astros from 2015-2025, a run that included four championships and two pennants. He also spent many years working for the Texas Rangers, where he was primarily a first base coach, but also a third base coach for two seasons. Pettis was the first base coach for the Rangers in 2010, when they lost to the Giants in the World Series.
Not only does Pettis have tons of experience in the role, but he has plenty of experience with people in the Giants organization. During some of his time with the Astros, he worked under manager Dusty Baker, who currently serves as a special advisor to Buster Posey. And during much of his tenure with the Rangers, Pettis worked under manager Ron Washington, the organization’s Major League infield coach. So it’s safe to say that Pettis comes highly recommended from people within the organization.
In addition to his successful coaching career, Pettis played 11 seasons in the Majors as a centerfielder, and won five Gold Glove awards in a six-year period between 1985 and 1990. Befitting for his current role, Pettis was an excellent baserunner, and stole 354 bags in his career.
It’s also something of a homecoming for Pettis, who was born and raised in Oakland. He not only grew up in the East Bay, but played both his high school and college baseball in Oakland, at Castlemont High and Laney College, respectively. You can imagine how exciting it must be for Pettis to, after more than three decades in the Majors in various capacities, finally get a chance to wear a Bay Area jersey. His son, Dante, is an NFL wide receiver who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2018 draft, and spent parts of three seasons with the Niners.
Pettis is expected to join the Giants on Wednesday for their game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 23: Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) pitching during an MLB baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels played on May 23, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for June 2, 2026 against the St. Louis Cardinals: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Dustin May for the Cardinals.
The Texas Rangers go up this evening against Texas native and one time Dodgers wunderkind Dustin May.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Jung — 3B
Nimmo — RF
Burger — 1B
Duran — SS
Osuna — LF
Carter — CF
Higashioka — C
Lopez — 2B
6:45 p.m. Central start time. The game is a pick ‘em.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 16: Bryan Abreu #52 of the Houston Astros pitches in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on May 16, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The curious case of Bryan Abreu continues to become more intriguing with every appearance he makes for the Houston Astros.
For a pitcher who was once considered one of the most feared setup men in Major League Baseball, it is an understatement to say that Abreu has underperformed this season. A reliever who routinely sat above 97 mph on the radar gun has seen his velocity drop by nearly three miles per hour, and the dominant results that Astros fans had grown accustomed to simply have not been there.
To be fair, Abreu had shown signs of improvement recently, putting together several scoreless appearances and appearing to regain some of the form that made him such a valuable weapon out of the bullpen. However, even during that stretch, the warning signs remained impossible to ignore.
His command issues continue to plague him. Too often he struggles to find the strike zone, frequently walking the leadoff hitter or putting additional runners on base. With a strike percentage hovering only slightly above 50 percent, Abreu is putting himself in difficult situations before opposing hitters even have a chance to do damage.
That simply is not good enough for a pitcher whose role is to enter high-leverage situations and protect slim leads, preserve ties, or keep his team within striking distance. The margin for error is too small, and right now Abreu is creating more problems than he is solving.
Beyond the numbers, he looks different. The confidence that once defined him appears to be missing. The intimidating presence and trademark stare that accompanied his dominance on the mound seem to have faded. His body language tells a story of a pitcher searching for answers rather than one who expects success every time he takes the ball.
The Astros must determine how they want to proceed because Abreu is no longer a reliever that manager Joe Espada can trust. That statement would have been unthinkable just a season or two ago, but it reflects the current reality.
While the recent scoreless outings are encouraging, context matters. The situations in which those appearances occurred matter just as much as the final line in the box score. The usage patterns suggest Espada deploys Abreu only when necessary or when the risk to the outcome of the game is relatively limited.
The series against Milwaukee provided another example. Entrusted with a one-run lead against a quality opponent, Abreu entered with an opportunity to secure a meaningful victory. Instead, he left the game with the score tied, and the Astros ultimately lost. It was another reminder that the version of Abreu who once thrived under pressure is nowhere to be found at the moment.
The question becomes: how much longer can the Astros continue expecting different results when placing him in situations he once handled with ease?
With Josh Hader expected to return soon and other bullpen options emerging, it is fair to wonder how long Abreu can maintain his place in the bullpen hierarchy. It may even be reasonable to question how secure his spot on the major league roster remains.
Abreu is approaching free agency, and based on his current performance, it is difficult to imagine owner Jim Crane committing significant money to an extension. The organization has already experienced the consequences of investing heavily in relievers after the disastrous Rafael Montero contract, and it would be surprising to see the Astros repeat that mistake.
As an impending free agent, Abreu is pitching for his next contract as much as he is pitching to rediscover the success that once made him one of baseball’s elite setup men. Unfortunately for both him and the Astros, neither objective appears close to being achieved.
The Astros are also in a position where every victory carries increased importance. After a slow start to the season, they are playing catch-up in the standings and cannot afford to give games away while waiting for a struggling reliever to figure things out.
That brings us to the questions the Astros must answer before the trade deadline.
Is there a physical issue contributing to Abreu’s declining velocity? Are there mechanical flaws causing his inability to consistently throw strikes? Is this something that can be corrected during the season, or does he need a stint on the injured list to address either a physical ailment or make significant adjustments?
There are mental questions as well. Has the constant struggle begun to affect his confidence to the point where he is expecting failure before he ever takes the mound? Has he become trapped in a cycle where poor performances feed self-doubt, which in turn creates more poor performances?
There is also the possibility that the heavy workload of recent seasons is catching up to him. Astros fans have seen similar situations before. One cannot help but wonder whether Abreu is dealing with the effects of overuse, much like Lance McCullers Jr. eventually experienced after years of heavy reliance and repeated arm issues. While the circumstances are certainly different, the concern remains valid when a pitcher’s velocity drops and effectiveness disappears.
Whatever the cause may be, the Astros cannot afford to ignore it much longer.
Bryan Abreu was once one of the most reliable and dominant relievers in baseball. Today, he is one of the biggest question marks on a team desperately trying to climb back into contention. Between now and the trade deadline, the Astros must determine whether the answers lie in mechanical adjustments, medical treatment, rest, or simply accepting that the pitcher they once depended on may no longer be the same.
Until then, every appearance will continue to add another chapter to the curious case of Bryan Abreu.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 30: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 30, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aaron Judge has a bone bruise near his right shoulder, New York manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday before the Yankees game against the Cleveland Guardians. This will be the first game Judge has been out of the Yankees lineup this season.
The team later clarified that the imaging revealed a bone bruise to Judge's rib, not his shoulder. He feels the discomfort in the shoulder. It's not the first time he has had an issue with his right ribs.
The two-time reigning American League MVP underwent imaging Monday. Boone called the injury a nagging issue and said Judge could be back in a few days. A firm timeline will not be set until Judge meets with team doctors later Tuesday.
Yankees depth thin in the outfield
With Jasson Dominguez and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, the Yankees are actually very thin in the outfield right now. Tuesday night, Boone will have utility infielder Jose Caballero in right field for Judge. Spencer Jones, who had been called up last month, was optioned back to Triple-A Scranton on May 22 after struggling at the plate.
Aaron Judge's 2026 season
Judge, 34, is hitting .248 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI through the Yankees' first 59 games. He's slugging .533 with an .907 OPS.
Aaron Boone on Aaron Judge's injury
“Hopefully, we’ve avoided something serious. But we’ll have an idea more when he meets with the doctor and then as the next couple of days unfold," Boone said to reporters in the Bronx.
Aaron Judge's rib injury history
The Yankees captain played through a partially collapsed lung and a stress fracture of his first right rib during the 2019 postseason. He suffered the injury on a diving catch attempt on an Albert Pujols fly ball on Sept. 18 and received pain injections to get through the playoffs. The fracture was not diagnosed until March 2020, when Judge complained of shoulder soreness during spring training. He missed all of the first part of the COVID-19 interrupted spring training in 2020 with the issue.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 31: A detailed view of the #21 Roberto Clemente Award patch on the back of his cap and the major league baseball gold logo man patch on the jersey is seen worn by Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees has he looks on against the Athletics while wearing Oakley sunglasses at Sutter Health Park on May 31, 2026 in Sacramento, California. As a special privilege, all past recipients of the Clemente Award are permitted to wear a commemorative “21” patch on the back of their caps for the remainder of their careers in honor of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente's legendary humanitarian legacy. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, that explains a lot about the stuff that needed explaining. Aaron Judge was sitting out tonight’s game against Cleveland for the first time all year, and manager Aaron Boone let us know why: a bone bruise.
I share Boonie’s hope that this is a day to day concern, though it does raise more questions. Yankee players playing through pain only for the injury to linger or worsen has been a hallmark of Boone’s time as manager, and that it now involves the team’s most important player is only going to increase that scrutiny. We also have to reckon with how much that injury may have tamped down Judge’s usual MVP-level performance. It’s worth noting that Hoch later told us that it was the Captain’s right shoulder, or top hand, which typically helps drive more power into your swing than the bottom hand.
Aaron Judge has been “dealing with some shoulder soreness” for weeks, Aaron Boone said. It became “more than that” during the Sacramento series. Imaging shows a bone bruise. He will meet with a team doctor. Could be a day to day situation, Boone said.
In particular, the way this shoulder soreness has lingered also makes me skeptical about recovery. I don’t want to have both Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge on the IL at the same time, but if a shorter, immediate stint is the best path to getting 100 percent Judge back, I’ll take that over a strained day-to-day process where they try to wait something out.
Whatever path the Yankees end up taking, any game without No. 99 in the lineup, even if he’s a .950 OPS instead of a 1.050 OPS, is going to be felt. Someone else further down the line will have to step things up, starting against the Guardians in a couple hours. In the meantime, they’ll line up Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and José Caballero from left to right in the outfield, with Paul Goldschmidt sliding into the No. 2 spot in the lineup against the lefty Joey Cantillo.
As you well know, Jordan Wicks’ two starts as a Cub this year were.. uh… less than successful.
With Edward Cabrera and Matthew Boyd due back soon and Javier Assad available, it’s likely someone else will take the next rotation turn that would have been Wicks’.
As a result, Wicks was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa today to make room for what will likely be an extra reliever for a few days until that starter is needed.
That reliever is right-hander Tyler Ferguson, who the Cubs acquired from the A’s last month, so he’ll be facing his old team if he gets into a game before Friday. With the A’s this year, Ferguson pitched in just one game, throwing 1.1 innings and allowing four runs. Last year he posted a 4.66 ERA and 1.328 WHIP in 56 relief outings for the A’s, and at Iowa this year he’s appeared in six games, throwing 7.2 innings with a 3.52 ERA and 1.174 WHIP.
As noted, this is probably only for a few days until the Cubs next need a starter for the spot Wicks was occupying. As always, we await developments.
It was a surprise not to see Aaron Judge’s name in the Yankees’ lineup against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night.
Manager Aaron Boone met with reporters later in the afternoon and gave his explanation, and it’s not what Yankees fans want to hear.
Per Boone, Judge is dealing with a bone bruise in his upper right rib, and feeling it through his right shoulder. The good news, though, is that Judge is currently day-to-day.
“He’s been, kind of the last couple of weeks, dealing with some shoulder soreness, just kind of nagging,” Boone said. “And then over the weekend, the last couple of games in Sacramento, I think it became a little more than that, where I noticed on some swings and stuff.
“So, we got some imaging last night. We think overall good news, showing a bone bruise. He’s going to meet with the doctor tonight, so hopefully, a day-to-day situation. Could be a few days, could be longer. I don’t know for sure.”
Boone said that there’s not one exact moment when Judge suffered an injury, but it’s fair to say it’s “probably something that’s been affecting him a little bit here recently.”
Over his last 18 games, Judge is hitting an uncharacteristic .206 with a .309 slugging percentage, hitting just one home run during that span.
Time will tell whether or not Judge ultimately needs a stint on the IL, but for now, the hope is that a few days of rest will do the job.
"Hopefully, this is something that we get calmed down here and put it behind us," Boone said.
Carlos Lagrange of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders delivers a pitch during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
According to the YES Network’s Jack Curry, the Yankees are shifting flame-throwing pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange to the bullpen. The 23-year-old had made 11 starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, but will now begin to adjust to pitching in relief.
It’s a clear signal from the Yankees, who will see if Lagrange can help improve their bullpen from within. Lagrange’s numbers as a starter this year are nothing to write home about, a 4.41 ERA in 49 innings with 63 strikeouts against 25 walks, but the young fireballer still profiles as one of the best bets to contribute to the Yankee bullpen down the stretch. That’s thanks to his pure power stuff; Lagrange has been the hardest thrower in the minors this year, dialing things up to 103 mph, to go along with a 60-grade slider.
All that said, while Lagrange’s shift to relief may make it seem that a promotion to the bullpen in the Bronx is imminent, it’s very possible that the Yankees let Lagrange take some time to adapt to his new role. Moving Lagrange to the bullpen now gives the young pitcher ample time to make adjustments, and gives the club time to fully evaluate the state of their roster and farm system before making moves during trade deadline season. That the Yankees are willing to commit him to this role so early shows both foresight, and confidence in Lagrange’s ability to make an impact at the highest level as soon as this summer.
Though there’s still hope that Lagrange could contribute as a starter in the future, he’s most valuable to the Yankees right now as a reliever, and it’s exciting to see that his time in the majors could begin sooner rather than later. Lagrange’s road to the bigs is clear as long as he can keep things on the rails working out of the ‘pen for Scranton.
Two of the best teams in the American League open a three-game series as the New York Yankees (36-23) and the Cleveland Guardians (34-27) take the field tonight in the Bronx.
Cleveland sends left‑hander Joey Cantillo to the mound, carrying a 4‑2 record and a 3.57 ERA into his 13th start of the season. New York counters with right‑hander Cam Schlittler, who has been one of the most dominant arms in baseball so far, entering the night at 7‑2 with a stellar 1.50 ERA and 0.85 WHIP.
If you are not familiar with this year’s version of the Yankees, know that they are being led on offense by Ben Rice. Yes, Aaron Judge is healthy and playing every day, but his numbers are simply not as good as the ones Rice is putting up. The first baseman is hitting .306 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs. But Rice and Judge are not alone. The Yankees are hitting .243 as a team and lead the American League in runs scored. They have plated 305 runners which is 21 more than the second most productive offense in the league (Minnesota with 284).
Cleveland, meanwhile, scores a little over one run less per game than New York (4.1 vs. 5.2). Jose Ramirez is their leader. The veteran, though, has started slow hitting just .234 to date. Travis Bazzana (.294), Chase DeLauter (.268), and Brayan Rocchio (.293) have picked up the slack for their captain. Their bats and the Guardians’ pitching staff, ranked among the league’s best with a 3.74 ERA, keeps them competitive in nearly every matchup.
Cleveland will need to be exceptional to knock off a Yankees’ team that is hitting and pitching as well as any team in baseball right now.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. Guardians
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Time: 7:05PM EST
Site: Yankee Stadium
City: New York, NY
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, YES, CLEGuardians.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. Guardians
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-225), Cleveland Guardians (+183)
Jose Ramirez has hit safely in his last 3 games (3-12) and in 5 of his last 6 (5-21)
Chase DeLauter is 8-22 over his last 5 games
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees and Guardians
The Guardians are 32-29 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 30-29 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 30 times in Cleveland’s 61 games this season (30-31)
The OVER has cashed 26 times in the Yankees’ 59 games this season (26-30-3)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. Guardians
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Guardians:
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Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
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SURPRISE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Josh Sborz #66 of the Texas Rangers poses for a portrait during photo day at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Relief pitchers Ryan Brasier and Josh Sborz, two veteran righthanders who have been pitching for Round Rock on minor league deals, have each exercised their right to opt out of their contracts and become free agents.
June 1 is the date specified in the current CBA as the final date when a player who has at least six years of service time, as Brasier does, and who signed a minor league contract, may automatically opt out of his contract. Sborz does not have the service time accrued to automatically have the contractual right to opt out, but presumably it was included in his minor league deal with the Rangers.
The 38 year old Brasier has put up a 3.97 ERA in 22.2 innings over 22 appearances for the Express, with 23 Ks against 6 walks. He put up a 4.50 ERA and 3.17 FIP in 26 innings for the Cubs last season.
Sborz did not pitch in the majors in 2025 due to his recuperating from shoulder surgery. He had a 5.25 ERA in 12 innings over 12 appearances between Frisco and Round Rock last year. In 16.1 innings over 15 appearances for Round Rock and Frisco this year, Sborz has allowed 13 runs, striking out 17 batters and walking 12. Reports indicate that he has still not recovered the velocity he had pre-surgery.
My guess is that the Rangers would be happy to re-sign either player to a minor league contract, should they decide that there isn’t a better opportunity elsewhere.
The San Diego Padres are searching for ways to jumpstart the offense. Today, they brought up one of the top hitters at their Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas, in Jase Bowen. In the corresponding move, the Padres sent Ramon Laureano to the injured list with hip inflammation.
Pirates drafted Bowen in 2019
The Pittsburgh Pirates originally drafted Bowen in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a two-sport star (baseball and football) and committed to play both for Michigan State. However, Bowen elected to take the Pirates’ high bonus offer and begin his professional baseball career.
He has 2,345 minor league at-bats with 86 HR, but Bowen has only a 7.5% walk rate and a high 23.6% strikeout rate. Bowen chose to leave the Pirates organization and signed a minor league deal with the Friars this winter. He was invited to major league camp during Spring Training, and his performance in Cactus League games put him on the front office’s radar for a possible in-season major league call-up.
Bowen was a key contributor in the Chihuahuas’ offensive attack
This season in El Paso, Bowen is hitting .292/.362/.600 with 13 HR, 36 RBI, and 121 wRC+ in 49 games. This level of production was enough to convince the Padres’ front office to give him a chance in the majors.
Initially, they project him to be a versatile fourth outfielder, as Bowen can play all three outfield positions. Now, the organization hopes to utilize his speed at the top of the order. Bowen has averaged close to 25 stolen bases in five full minor league seasons.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with teammate Jorge Mateo #2 after hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, May 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With a matchup of Bryce Elder vs Kevin Gausman on the mound in game 1 of the series against Toronto and of the two-series homestand, the Braves are once again rolling with Jorge Mateo over Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop. Mateo is the hot hand and has been legitimately very good for Atlanta this season, providing solid defense at shortstop and surprisingly good offense.
Meanwhile the Blue Jays roll with George Springer leading off at DH and Vladdy batting third and playing first, though their offense has really struggled this year. Vladdy seems to have some batted ball luck that has gone against him, but Toronto hasn’t been the dominant team they hoped for. Let’s hope they stay that way for at least the weekend.
The Yankees are moving hard-throwing prospectCarlos Lagrange to the bullpen in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, reports SNY MLB Insider Chelsea Janes.
The move paves the way for the 23-year-old right-hander to impact the big league club in the near future.
Lagrange, a near-consensus top 100 prospect, has a 4.41 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 63 strikeouts in 49.0 innings over 11 starts this season in Triple-A.
The right-hander has a five-pitch arsenal, but relies heavily on a four-seam fastball that has averaged 98.9 mph this season in the minors and a hard slider.
He also features a sweeper, changeup, and two-seam fastball.
Lagrange could possibly be an impact starter for New York in 2027 and beyond, but is now an option to help a relief corps that has been leaking oil at times this year.
Closer David Bednar (4.50 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) has struggled, allowing earned runs in 10 of his 24 appearances. Meanwhile, Camilo Doval (5.06 ERA, 1.03 WHIP) has been up and down, though he has turned in three scoreless appearances in a row.
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 31: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers pitches during the game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the end of the month upon us, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out what’s going on in the NL Central.
(Note: Records and standings are up to date through games played on Sunday, May 31st)
First Place: Milwaukee Brewers (35-21)
Top Position Player: Brice Turang (2.0 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Jacob Misiorowski (3.0 fWAR)
When we did our End-of-April check-in, the Brewers sat fourth in the NL Central with a record only slightly above .500. Over the last month, they caught fire, going 19-7 in May and vaulting to the division lead, with a couple games to spare.
As we saw when the Yankees played them during that hot stretch, Milwaukee has been led by young ace Jacob Misiorowski, who gets more ridiculous by the game. He allowed just one earned run in all of May, putting his ERA for the month at 0.23. He hasn’t been the losing pitcher of record since April 19th.
Even more remarkable about what Misiorowski and the rest of the Brewers’ pitching staff has done is that their offense averaged just 4.1 runs per game during May, and the team still managed to put up one of the best months around the sport.
Top Position Player: JJ Wetherholt (2.5 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Dustin May (1.1 fWAR)
Not a lot of people would’ve necessarily picked the Cardinals to be good and in the playoff picture like they currently are. (They would be the second NL Wild Card if the season ended today.) They’ve managed to get off to this good start largely on the back of their emerging young talent. Rookie JJ Wetherholt is arguably the current leader for NL Rookie of the Year, posting a 123 wRC+ with defense that also grades out extremely well. Jordan Walker is starting to put the pieces together after a couple years in the majors. Iván Herrera is a pretty legit hitter.
The biggest concern for the Cardinals will probably be their rotation. Michael McGreevy is their only current regular starter who has a better than average ERA. None of their regular starters have an ERA over five, but they’ll certainly hope the rest of their rotation can tighten things up a bit so they don’t have to overexpose their bullpen down the stretch.
Tied-Third Place: Chicago Cubs (32-28, 5 GB)
Top Position Player: Pete Crow-Armstrong (2.4 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Ben Brown (1.6 fWAR)
On May 8th, the Cubs beat the Rangers to extend their ongoing win streak to 10 games, while maintaining a 3.5-game lead in the division. Since that day, they’ve gone 5-16 and are now five games back in the Central. In general, the Cubs have been quite the streaky team this year. They’ve had two separate 10-game winning streaks and also have had a 10-game losing one.
Largely, their offense has not been the problem, as they only have one regular starter — Dansby Swanson — who is a below average hitter. Their main issue is that their rotation is a bit of a mess. Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, and Matthew Boyd are all currently on the injured list, and even before that Cabrera was only OK and Boyd was just kinda bad. They recently called up former first-round draft pick Jordan Wicks, and he’s managed to put up -0.5 rWAR in just two starts. This Cubs’ team is the dictionary definition of one that will probably look to trade for a starter.
Top Position Player: Brandon Lowe (2.3 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Braxton Ashcraft (2.0 fWAR)
Whereas the Cubs will be disappointed to be at 32-28 at this stage of the season, the Pirates will be happy with the season so far.
While he’s still quite excellent(2.89 ERA, 1.9 fWAR), the Pirates are no longer just the Paul Skenes Show. Braxton Ashcraft has been very good in the rotation himself, and there are a couple other young starters with potential around, even if they have middling results this season. They also just got Jared Jones back from the IL, an intriguing young arm prior to his Tommy John surgery.
Pittsburgh’s call-up of the top prospect in baseball, Konnor Griffin, made some headlines earlier this season, and he’s been pretty good himself, although is currently on the IL. However around him, they’ve gotten some very impressive seasons at the plate, including a potential breakout campaign from Oneil Cruz, who has a 120 wRC+.
Top Position Player: Elly De La Cruz (2.7 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Chase Burns (1.6 fWAR)
Through April, the Reds were the pleasant surprise package of the NL Central, as they say atop the standings.
However, as mentioned then, that record came in part due to their success in one-run games. Well, the chickens have come home to roost a bit in that department. After being 7-0 in one-run games through April, the Reds are now 9-6 in them. They lost eight games to start May, including three in a row via walk-off against the Cubs.
They still have Elly De La Cruz being awesome, and Sal Stewart will be another in the NL ROTY running. In the rotation, Chase Burns is very impressive. But you really had to squint to see how they led the division through April, and now their record makes a bit more sense.
