May 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) looks on during the ninth inning against the Athletics at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
After two innings in Tuesday’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics, it looked like it might be another frustrating night for the Phillies’ offense. One night after squeaking out a 1-0 win over the Marlins, the Phillies seemed determined to leave as many runners on base as possible.
They loaded the bases against A’s starter Luis Severino in the first inning but couldn’t get any runs home. In the second, the first two batters reached base, but once again, Severino escaped unscathed.
In the bottom of the third, Bryce Harper realized that the best way to avoid being stranded on base was to drive himself home. For the second straight night, a Harper solo shot got the Phils out to a 1-0 lead.
After they stranded another three runners over the next two innings, it looked like they might have to win a second straight 1-0 game. However, the way that Cristopher Sanchez was pitching, he seemed capable of pulling that off. After retiring the first eight batters he faced, Sanchez allowed a couple of baserunners but worked around them.
Sanchez didn’t allow another hit until the seventh inning when Colby Thomas led off with a single. When Zack Gelof followed with another single, it appeared that Sanchez’s night might soon come to an end. Instead, he retired the next three batters, showing some real emotion when he fanned Darrell Hernaiz to end the inning.
At that point, the Phillies’ offense finally decided to give him some breathing room. Trea Turner led off the seventh with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch. After a Bryce Harper walk, Adolis Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. A Brandon Marsh and J.T. Realmuto double extended the lead to 4-0, and Bryson Stott topped off the inning with a solo home run to make it 5-0.
Despite sitting on the bench during the Phillies’ lengthy at bat, Sanchez came back out for the eighth inning. And he finished his night off with a flair, retiring the A’s in order. It was an exemplary showing for the Phillies’ ace lefthander.
In the ninth, Jhoan Duran made his return from the IL, and was a bit rusty, losing the shutout thanks in part to three walks. But a nine-run lead is a good time to work out rust, and he was eventually able to finish things off.
This whole stellar pitching from the starter and home runs from the franchise hitter thing seems like a good formula for victory. Hopefully the Phillies can continue to apply it going forward. They’ll get their first opportunity in game two of the series on Wednesday night.
May 5, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda (8) reacts after hitting a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Rays have taken small ball to new extremes, winning today on 1 double (a bloop that fell into no man’s land) and 10 singles. When your small ball is this small it maybe needs a new name: tiny ball? wee ball? But the key point is that 10 singles and a double added up to a come from behind W.
The only big blast today came in the first inning, when the Blue Jays Okamoto put his team up with a solo home run. The Blue Jays scored their second run in the second inning, with a series of singles, one a bunt RBI. The Jays tried yet another bunt to score run number three, but the Rays were able to cut the runner down at the plate and then get out of the inning.
Gausman kept the Rays guessing with his splitter, but they too were able, eventually, to piece together singles to tie the game. In the third inning, Simpson got a 2 out infield hit, Junior walked, and Aranda singled. With Simpson as the runner on second moving with the pitch, that was an easy RBI.
The Rays second run came in the fourth inning, and again without benefit of an extra base hit. The bases were loaded on two singles and a Mullins bunt that was misplayed by Gausman to load the bases. Feduccia grounded into a double play, which is hardly ideal but it did score a run. At the end of 4 the score was tied, 3-3.
The Blue Jays regained the lead in the fifth inning. A single and a walk put runners on first and second with no outs. Springer flied to center, and both runners tagged. Mullins threw into second and, honestly to my surprise, was able to nail the trailing runner for a double play that looked like it could get the team out of the inning unscathed.
But a seeing-eye single scored the runner from third to give the Blue Jays their third run.
The Rays, however, were able to string together — stop me if you’ve heard this one — a bunch of singles (OK, Aranda’s bloop was a double) first to tie the game and then to go ahead for good. By then the Blue Jays had removed Kevin Gausman and the Rays were facing side arm pitcher Tyler Rogers. Aranda doubled with one out, and Taylor Walls came in to pinch run. He then scored easily on Yandy Diaz’s single. Fraley followed with a single, and Ben Williamson then singled Diaz home for the go ahead run.
Cole Sulser polished off the Blue Jays in the ninth to earn the save.
This was a funny game to watch. It was low scoring but didn’t feel like a pitcher’s duel; neither pitcher seemed to have his best stuff. I can’t even count how many hits — for both teams — were ground balls that managed to sneak over second base for a single. It seems like the laws of probability would suggest that this exact hit can’t happen nearly a dozen times in any one game, yet here we are.
Ben Williamson had two hits and an RBI; he seems to figure so often in important rallies, every time I check stats I’m expecting to see a .900 OPS. He’s at a respectable .670 but his performance somehow feels bigger.
Finally, I would like to go back to the first week of the season and tell my earlier self that the bullpen would indeed find its way. Wow they have been good, complementing what has so far been a pretty effective starting staff. In fact the broadcasters were noting that it’s been nearly two weeks since the Rays have given up more than 3 runs in any game.
The Rays close out the series tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be at the game but I’m too superstitious to bring a broom.
DENVER, CO - APRIL 3 : Colorado Rockies fans celebrate home opening day against Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Friday, April 3, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) | Denver Post via Getty Images
There was nothing close to a consensus on where the 2026 Rockies record would end up with the range predicted extending from 55 all the way up to 82 wins.
We now have a little over a month of games on the books, which is enough time for opinions to have started to shift.
What are the biggest changes in how you see the season unfolding now as opposed to your predictions before Opening Day?
Are there any of your predictions that seem to actually be coming true?
Have any of your predictions already failed to come to pass?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Andrew McCutchen #4 of the Texas Rangers cannot get to a home run by Ryan McMahon #19 of the New York Yankees in the second inning during their game at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers scored four runs but the New York Yankees scored seven runs.
Yankees starter Elmer Rodriguez has had a peculiar beginning to his big league career. The 22-year-old has been a big leaguer for just two games in which he has played and both have been starts against the Rangers, a team not in his division and one that will face New York just six times this year.
Predictably, in his first outing at Yankee Stadium, Rodriguez let the nerves get to him in his first time on the mound in front of the home fans as he walked the first two batters and faced a bases loaded, no outs situation to start the game. By the end of the top of the first, he had also hit a batter and thrown a wild pitch that scored a run.
Overall, the Rangers benefitted with three runs off Rodriguez during his shaky first home frame but even that felt like a let down. It felt like the Rangers had allowed Rodriguez to escape when they had him and the Yankees on the ropes.
At the time, up 3-0 early, it might have seemed greedy to not be ecstatic about three runs for a club that often has a devil of a time just scoring at all, but not capitalizing on a youngster handing out baserunners with a bigger inning felt like a wasted opportunity to bury the Yankees from the jump, something that could have impacted not only this game but the series going forward.
And, of course, wouldn’t you know it, the Rangers waited until all the way until an out in the ninth to score again and the Yankees — having basically the only productive lineup in the American League — methodically chipped away at the lead until they eventually overtook Texas before blowing the doors open late to essentially render the final few innings an afterthought.
The Rangers had two hits with RISP in the first inning — their first two chances, no less! — to go along with all their other baserunners against a deer-in-the-headlines rookie starter and only one of those hits scored a run.
After that, the Rangers went 0-for-7 with RISP until they eighth inning when they again had a hit with RISP. That runner didn’t score either and they eventually left the bases loaded with the potential winning run at the plate. The Rangers finally did score again in the ninth. On a groundout.
All told, they went 3-for-13 for RISP and left a ghastly 12 on base for the night.
At this point, LSB might as well stand for LOB Statistic Briefing.
Player of the Game: Josh Jung had three more hits but was also the batter that ended the bases loaded threat in the eighth. Sequencing, surely, but this has to be in their heads by this point.
Nevertheless, we’ll go with Ezequiel Duran who is making the most of more regular playing time as he collected three hits including a triple, drew a walk to reach base four times, and had the only hit that scored a run for Texas tonight.
Up Next: The Rangers and Yankees will play again tomorrow with RHP Nathan Eovaldi set to make the start for Texas opposite RHP Will Warren for New York.
The Wednesday evening first pitch from Yankee Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 pm CDT and will be aired on the Rangers Sports Network. Tune in to see how many the Rangers can strand tomorrow!
KANSAS CITY, MO - MAY 05: Gavin Williams #32 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Gavin Williams had a rare stinker of an outing. He pitched 6 innings, allowing 5 runs and giving up 8 hits and walking 2 batters. Despite the crooked number put up against him, Gavin still struck out 7 batters.
Kansas started scoring early with Salvy Perez hitting a 2-run single to center field. The Guards offense suffered from a chronic case of “going 1-2-3” tonight. The sole bright spot coming in the top of the fourth.
Chase DeLauter hit a lead off single. José Ramírez grounded into a forceout, leaving CDL out at second and José safe at first. Kyle Manzardo slapped a single to center, putting two on for Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins launched a homer to left field, putting the Guards ahead.
Unfortunately the lead didn’t stay with Cleveland for long. The Royals came back in the bottom of the fourth to tack on two runs and retake the lead.
Colin Holderman held it down for the Guardians bullpen. He pitched 2 innings, replacing Gavin going into the seventh inning, and did not allow a baserunner. An overturned hit by pitch gave Holderman the chance to send the Royals down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the eighth.
Cleveland was unable to rally in the top of the ninth. Chase DeLauter’s single continued his impressive 13 game on base streak and Kyle Manzardo is continuing to show some ramping up in his hitting. The Guards can still split the series, and at least the Tigers lost worse.
The Yankees mashed three homers to overcome a three-run deficit against Jacob deGrom in New York's 7-4 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night in the Bronx.
The Yankees (25-11) extended their winning streak to five games.
Here are the takeaways...
-Elmer Rodriguez's control was an issue in his major league debut, and that reared its ugly head early in this one. Rodriguez walked the first two batters and then a hit to load the bases with no outs. A sac fly and an opposite-field single put the Rangers up 2-0. A fielder's choice and a hit batter loaded the bases again, this time with two outs. A wild pitch allowed the third first-inning run to score before Danny Jansen grounded out to end the frame.
It took Rodriguez 37 pitches to get out of the first.
But the young right-hander settled down. He stranded runners and was a lot more pitch-efficient, getting ground ball outs with his sinker to make it into the fifth inning. It seemed as if Rodriguez would pitch five innings, but a two-out infield single to Ezequiel Duran, followed by a Jake Burger walk, loaded the bases and spelled an end to his night.
Brent Headrick came on to strike out a pinch-hitting Sam Haggerty to get out of the jam. Headrick, making his 19th appearance this season, has inherited 13 baserunners and has not allowed any to score. The most by a pitcher without allowing a run this season. (h/t @Katie Sharp)
Rodriguez pitched 4.2 innings (94 pitches/55 strikes), allowing three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out just two.
-The Yankees got one of those runs back in a hurry thanks to a one-out double by Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger following with a double of his own, that nearly missed being a two-run homer.
Ryan McMahon would tie the game at 3-3 in the second on a two-run shot off of deGrom on the eighth pitch of the AB. The blast went 359 feet. Over his last 12 games, McMahon is hitting .324 with four extra-base hits and seven RBI. He finished 2-for-3 on Tuesday.
-Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a 413-foot blast off of deGrom in the sixth to give the Yankees a 4-3 lead. New York added on in the seventh after McMahon and Jose Caballero singled, Judge was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs and runners on the corners. Bellinger made the Rangers pay, lining a double to right field and plating two to put the Yankees up 6-3.
DeGrom had his moments against the Yankees, but he allowed six runs on seven hits (two home runs) and one walk across 6.1 innings while striking out seven.
Paul Goldschmidt, starting at first base for the injured Ben Rice, homered in the eighth to put the Yanks up 7-3.
-The Yankees used four relievers to lock down the win. Tim Hill struggled a bit in the seventh, allowing two hits and only recording one out, but Fernando Cruz picked up the final two outs to come away unscathed. But Cruz faltered in the eighth, allowing three of the four batters he faced to reach. David Bednar was brought in to get out of the bases-loaded jam, and the Yankees' closer struck out Corey Seager and got Josh Jung to pop out.
Here's how the relievers did on Tuesday...
Headrick: 1.1 IP, 3 K
Hill: 0.1 IP, 2 H
Cruz: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K
Bednar: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K
Game MVP: Headrick and Bednar
The Yankees' bullpen was mostly good, but Headrick and Bednar got out of jams that could have sunk New York.
Highlights
Cody Bellinger barely misses out on a home run, but brings in Aaron Judge for an RBI double pic.twitter.com/ZGxRhnHiWb
Athletics pitcher Luis Severino gave up just one run in the loss to the Phillies. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Athletics were back in the City of Brotherly Love today to start a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizen Bank Park. Luis Severino took the mound for the A’s this afternoon against Cristopher Sánchez for Philadelphia.
Severino worked his way in and out of trouble in the first two innings but escaped both without giving up a run. But the leadoff hitter in the third, Bryce Harper, homered for the eighth time this season to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.
Headed into the bottom of the fifth, Sánchez has held the A’s to one hit, no walks and has logged five K’s. Scott Barlow replaced Luis Severino in the bottom of the sixth. Severino’s final line was 5.0 innings, one earned run on seven hits and two walks. He struck out three. In the top of the seventh, Thomas and Gelof led off with back-to-back base hits. But with two outs, Darell Hernaiz struck out swinging to end the threat. Mark Leiter Jr. replaced Scott Barlow in the seventh. Trea Turner led off with a double to left field and after a Harper walk, Adolis García drove him in with a sacrifice fly to center. Brandon Marsh singled to right, to drive Harper to third with two outs. J.T. Realmuto doubled to left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, scoring Harper and Marsh, and chasing Leiter Jr. Tyler Ferguson replaced Leiter, and on his second pitch, Bryson Stott homered to deep right center. That brought the score to 6-0. Ferguson continued to show why he belongs in the minors, giving up another run in the seventh after a double by Justin Crawford and a single by Turner, making it 7-0. But the Phillies weren’t done in the bottom of the eighth, when Harper hit his second homer of the game to clear the bases and make it 9-0.
That was all for Sánchez who was totally dominant tossing eight scoreless innings, giving up three hits and one walk while striking out ten. Jhoan Duran replaced him and quickly loaded the bases in the top of the ninth. Wynns struck out for the second out of the inning leaving it up to Hernaiz to get the A’s on the board. He walked to drive in Colby Thomas for what would be the only run of the night for the A’s.
During the Tigers’ 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Comerica Park, Detroit starter Framber Valdez was ejected after plunking Boston shortstop Trevor Story, which led to both benches emptying out to enter the fray.
With the Tigers down 8-2 in the top of the fourth inning, Valdez, in a span of three pitches, surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu.
The lefty wasted no time with the next hitter, Story, coming up and in and drilling the infielder square in the numbers.
Framber Valdez throws a pitch in the first inning of the Tigers’ 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on May 5, 2026 at Comerica Park. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Home plate umpire Adam Beck almost immediately got in front of an incensed Story, but that didn’t stop the rest of the Red Sox bench from leaving the confines of the dugout, including Contreras, who was among the first of Boston contingent coming onto the field.
The Tigers then poured onto the field, but cooler heads appeared to prevail, as little happened along the first base line as the players converged.
Before long, Valdez got the heave-ho, the only player with an ejection over the incident.
Red Sox interim skipper Chad Tracy believed the hit by pitch was intentional. Valdez said it was not.
“Yes, I do think [it was intentional],” Tracy said, according to the Boston Herald. “I thought it was weak, and I thought everybody saw it. Their side, our side, I think everybody saw it. And yeah, it was weak.”
Framber Valdez hit Trevor Story after giving up back-to-back homers, causing the benches to clear.
“It was not intentional. It was not on purpose. It might look like that, but it wasn’t,” Valdez said through an interpreter, according to multiple reports. “I consider [the ejection] completely unfair given that, first of all, they should have given me a warning. And of course if it was on purpose, then I do it a second time or a third time, of course, I’m getting ejected.”
However, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch admitted Tuesday’s night’s incident did not feel great.
“We play a really good brand of baseball here,” he said afterward, per the Detroit News. “That didn’t feel like it…I know when you go out and you are in those confrontations, you usually feel like you are in your right. It didn’t feel good being out there.”
Valdez, who joined Detroit on a three-year, $115 million contract this offseason, came into the evening with a solid 3.35 ERA but saw that number balloon to 4.57 after allowing seven earned runs — with three more unearned runs in the mix — over just three innings.
Home plate umpire Adam Beck restrains Trevor Story after the Red Sox shortstopwas hit by a pitch by Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez (not pictured) in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The southpaw arguably became Detroit’s de facto ace this week when it was revealed Monday that two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal would need surgery on his throwing elbow to remove loose bodies.
Valdez’s first crack at headlining the rotation, however, was one to forget.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) celebrates in the dugout as he gets showered with sunflower seeds after hitting a lead-off home run against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Tigers find themselves in a precarious position early in the season. They’ve lost two starters as Casey Mize and now Tarik Skubal are out of commission, and they just dropped the first game of the series to one of the most struggling teams in the AL. They needed to start winning, if only to prove to themselves that they still had it in them, but more importantly to keep themselves atop of the division or close enough, for it to count when they start getting some pitching help back later in the month. In the second game of the series against the Red Sox, the Tigers were leaning on Framber Valdez, while the Red Sox went the Opener routine, starting lefty specialist Jovani Moran.
In the first, with two outs, Wilyer Abreu singled. Abreu then stole second. Trevor Story reached thanks to a fielding error by the freshly returned Zach McKinstry, pushing Abreu to third. Then Story stole second as well. A Ceddanne Rafaela homer was the worst-case scenario, and was precisely what happened, pushing the Sox to an early 3-0 lead. Valdez managed to get the final out of the inning, but it was quite the deficit to start the game with. Heading into the home half, Matt Vierling took one back, hitting a leadoff home run.
With one out, Jahmai Jones hit a single on the first pitch he saw. Why wait? After a second out, Riley Greene worked his way to a walk. A Wenceel Perez single then got Jones home. Spencer Torkelson was walked as well, but the Tigers ended up having to settle for just the two runs. But at least it was now only a one-run game, and the team had really tested the upper limits of what an Opener could do.
With one out in the top of the second, Connor Wong got a free bag for getting hit in the shoelaces with an 0-2 breaking ball. After the second out, it turned out to be Dillon Dingler saving the inning as he made an ABS challenge call on a called ball for it to be overturned as strike three, ending the inning. Brayan Bello came in for the Red Sox in the bottom of the inning and got the Tigers out in order.
Willson Contreras took a leadoff walk, then with one out, Story came through again, with a single that bumped Contreras to third. Rafaela then singled to bring Contreras home. An Andruw Monasterio single scored Story. The Sox weren’t done yet, though. Caleb Durbin singled, scoring Rafaela. Connor Wong singled, scored Monasterio. The Tigers challenged the safe call of Durbin sliding into third, but there wasn’t a definitive angle to overturn the call and it was upheld. Nothing was particularly hard hit, but everything was finding the grass. Thoughts of Rick Porcello vs. the Angels came to mind (IYKYK). Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a force out for the second out of the inning, but it also allowed Durbin to score. Jarren Duran was the final out of the inning, but it was safe to say the damage was done. The Red Sox now led 8-2. In the home half, the Tigers managed a two-out single from Riley Greene, but they left him stranded.
Things continued to decline in the fourth. Contreras started things out with a homer to left on a first pitch sinker. Then right on his heels was an Abreu homer to right. Following those, Valdez hit Trevor Story directly in the back with a sinker. Now… Framber Valdez has obviously not been pitching well all game. It could have been an accident, but under the circumstances Trevor Story sure didn’t think so, and the benches cleared. As the dust started to settle with no warnings issued, Valdez was suddenly tossed from the game.
Brenan Hanifee came in from the pen to replace Valdez. Rafaela then hit into a double play, and then got the final out of the inning. In the home half, the Tigers went 1-2-3.
Caleb Durbin singled to start the fifth, but three outs followed, letting Hanifee and the Tigers breathe a little sigh of relief. Matt Vierling continued to be The Man in this game, starting the home half with a single, but he was then eliminated in a force out off the bat of Kevin McGonigle. Kerry Carpenter then singled. Dillon Dingler singled right on his heels, bringing McGongile home. They’d only get the one run, but one is better than none.
In the sixth, Wilyer Abreu got a one-out walk. He was then eliminated in a force-out off the bat of Trevor Story. Rafaela then singled right into center. A Monasterio groundout ended the inning, though, with no harm done. In the home half, the Tigers once again went three-up, three-down.
Burch Smith came out of the Tigers’ pen in the seventh and he got the Red Sox out in order. In the home half, Kevin McGonigle got a one-out walk and then stole second base, but Kerry Carpenter hit into a double play to end the inning.
In the eighth, Abreu continued to be a pest with a two-out single, but the Red Sox weren’t able to do anything with the base runner. The Tigers made no real effort to get any runs back in the bottom of the inning as they went 1-2-3 and the game headed to the ninth.
Enmanuel De Jesus was the Tigers’ choice for the ninth and he was the man for the job, getting the Red Sox out in order. The Tigers headed into the home half with a big gap to overcome. The Red Sox finally dipped back into their bullpen, turning things over to Alec Gamboa who was making his major league debut. And he got his first 1-2-3 inning, as the Tigers fell and fell hard against the Sox. Better luck tomorrow.
Brandon Nimmo believes only a certain player can thrive in New York. Others, he believes, just don’t work out.
The Rangers outfielder and ex-Met — in town to face the Yankees on Tuesday night in The Bronx to start a three-game series — fielded questions in the third-base dugout about his Queens exit and discussed some of the intangibles he believes make a good ballplayer in New York City.
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“[Agent Scott] Boras and I talked about it, and we talked about it with [Mets owner] Steve [Cohen], and we talked about it with [Mets president of baseball operations] David [Stearns],” Nimmo told reporters. “There is this factor that I’m not sure you can measure it until somebody gets in New York, but there is a factor of people who seem to be comfortable here and succeed here. And some guys it doesn’t translate as well. I think it’s like one of those things, like chemistry, that’s harder to measure but it’s 100 percent a real thing.”
Nimmo didn’t specify anyone during his days in Queens or on the current iteration of the Mets that fits the latter, struggling player descriptor, but the Amazin’s have been one of the worst teams in baseball this season with a 13-22 record, in large part due to new pieces that have struggled out of the gate.
Marcus Semien, who came from Texas in the trade that sent Nimmo to the Rangers, has hit .208 with a 52 OPS+, which is 48 points under league average. Fellow newcomer Bo Bichette has also struggled at this dish with a .236/.273/.313 slash line.
TBrandon Nimmo receives congratulations from teammates after scoring a run against the Tigers at Comerica Park earlier in the season. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Nimmo played his first 10 big league seasons in New York and said he now has a different perspective. He said things are “easier” and more “laid back” in Texas. He also reiterated, as he told The Post’s Joel Sherman in February, that he believes the trade was made for baseball reasons and not anything to do about any rumored Mets chemistry issues.
“There is a certain type of player and type of person that it takes in order to be in New York and I understand that better now,” Nimmo said.
Nimmo has been a revelation for Texas with a .300 average and an .836 OPS. He told The Post’s Greg Joyce last week he believes that the reeling Mets — who have now won two games in a row — can right the ship.
Brandon Nimmo reacts after he scores on his two-run homer during the third inning of the Mets’ win over the Padres at Citi Field on Friday, Sept. 18, 2025. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
On Tuesday, he said he hopes his old club can have better fortunes the rest of the way, but his ultimate priorities are elsewhere now.
“I want them to do well,” Nimmo added. “I’ve played here before when things aren’t going well, and it’s not fun. I wish the best for them, but also I’m trying to take care of things here and make sure we’re trying to play good baseball here.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 23: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park on April 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants play game two of this three-game home series against the San Diego Padres tonight from Oracle Park, and they’re looking to take the series win after a 3-2 victory on Monday.
Taking the mound for the Giants is their ace, righty Logan Webb, who is making his eighth start of the season. The 29-year old is off to an uncharacteristically slow start, as he’s 2-3 with a 4.30 ERA, a 3.46 FIP, and 38 strikeouts to 15 walks in 44 innings. He was awesome in his last game, though, holding the Philadelphia Phillies to just one run in seven innings.
For the Padres, it’s old foe Walker Buehler, who is back in the NL West. The 31-year old right-hander, who was an All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 and 2021, is 1-2 in six starts this year, with a 5.40 ERA, a 3.42 FIP, and 24 strikeouts against 12 walks in 25 innings of work. In his last start, Buehler allowed two runs in 4.2 innings against the Chicago Cubs.
SEATTLE, WA - MAY 04: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Monday, May 4, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Connor Jalbert/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Don’t lose the series, Braves! Also, Michael Harris II in left field!
Apr 13, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) reacts following a strikeout to end the top of the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Cal Raleigh is back.
Raleigh returns to the Mariners lineup at designated hitter on Tuesday. He’s missed the last three games with “general soreness” in his core, or side, or something. The team hasn’t been too forthcoming with specifics on the injury, and it doesn’t really matter now, because Raleigh is back. He is still limited to DH, at least for now, meaning the Mariners have to start Mitch Garver behind the plate against a righty, while Dominic Canzone rides the bench. But having Raleigh back at all is an encouraging sign, and hopefully he’ll be back behind the plate again soon.
On the mound for the Mariners tonight is George Kirby, who’s had an odd start to the 2026 season. He’s walking more batters than ever, striking out fewer batters than ever, but also 56.5% ground ball rate — the fifth best in baseball. His 2.84 xERA is top 10 in baseball, so it seems to be working for him. But I’m interested to see how that approach matches up with one of the most potent lineups in baseball.
Bryce Elder gets the start for the Braves. For more on Elder, Jake Mailhot has you covered in our series preview.
For further pregame reading, Eric Sanford responds to your takes on the most impressive early season performances.
Lineups:
Tonight’s game information:
Game time: 6:40 PT
TV: Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Valle, with Angie Mentink as the field analyst
Radio: Seattle Sports 710 AM, with Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 17: A general view of Chase Field during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
PIRATES
DIAMONDBACKS
Oneil Cruz – CF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Nick Gonzales – 2B
Ketel Marte – 2B
Bryan Reynolds – RF
Corbin Carroll – RF
Ryan O’Hearn – 1B
Adrian Del Castillo – DH
Marcell Ozuna – DH
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Konnor Griffin – SS
Lourdes Gurriel – LF
Jake Mangum – LF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Joey Bart – C
Gabriel Moreno – C
Jared Triolo – 3B
Alek Thomas – CF
Bubba Chandler – RHP
E. Rodriguez – LHP
After a rough road-trip, the D-backs return to Chase Field to take on the Pirates. They’re in fourth-place in the NL Central, while Arizona sits third in the NL West. So we’re better than them, right? RIGHT? Of course, it’s not quite that simple. The Central currently has every team two games or more above .500, and possesses five of the best eight records in the National League. The third-place Diamondbacks would be clear last with that record in the Central – as would the Marlins, currently second in the NL East. And don’t even get me started on the AL Central, where the division leading Tigers and Guardians are only at .500.
The harsh reality is, the D-backs haven’t won a series so far against a team currently in possession of a winning record. Their record there is just 4-11: the Diamondbacks split series against the Braves and Padres, lost to the Brewers, and were swept by the Dodgers and Cubs. The closest was the sweep of the Tigers who, as mentioned above, are 18-18. It’s interesting that, after the first month, what was supposed to be a brutal schedule has ended up being perfectly balanced. They have played 15 games against winning teams, 15 games against losing teams (9-6 there for Arizona) and three against the .500 Tigers.
Tonight, start for the D-backs is Eduardo Rodriguez, the only member of the Arizona rotation with an ERA+ better than a hundred. On the other hand, the only current member of the Arizona bullpen with an ERA+ below a hundred is.. former starter, Brandon Pfaadt. Of course, there are few former relievers who haven’t covered themselves in glory. Every ex-member of the bullpen has an ERA of 7.71 or greater, along with James McCann. Hopefully E-Rod can deliver a W on Cinco de Mayo. Over the last thirteen games, D-backs’ starters have a 1-7 record, Eduardo getting the only win, on April 22 against the White Sox
It's still early so there's nothing to get overly excited about. But give credit where credit is due. The A's might not be in Oakland anymore, but they have ballers with them.
Shea Langeliers, 28, one of the team's many young bright stars, was placed on the paternity list, the team announced Monday, May 4. Langeliers is tied for eighth in home runs with 10, currently more than Shohei Ohtani (6), Cal Raleigh (7), Bryce Harper (8) and Pete Alonso (6).
Last year's AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz has hit five home runs. Carlos Cortes and Tyler Soderstrom are tied with four, while Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler have three apiece. Max Muncy and Jacob Wilson have two homers each.
As a team, the A's entered play on Tuesday, May 5 ranking within the top 15 of nearly every offensive category including batting average, hits, runs and walks.
Will Leitch writes: "Nick Kurtz’s walk streak ended at 20 games on Saturday against the Guardians, but the funny thing about a walk streak ending is that you can do a whole bunch of other good stuff when you are not walking: Kurtz went 2-for-5 with an RBI. He has also reached base in 28 straight games, which, after all, is the point."
The Athletic: T-14th out of 30 (with Toronto Blue Jays)
Zack Meisel writes: "The A’s offense was supposed to hum, so it’s tempting to choose Aaron Civale, who posted a 3.23 ERA in his first six starts to stabilize the rotation and keep the club afloat in the AL West. But Langeliers has blossomed into one of the league’s most underrated players. Through April, he recorded a .974 OPS and was tied for the league lead in hits. He logged a 1.018 OPS in the second half last year, and in case you needed further proof, it appears that surge was no fluke."
Matt Snyder writes: "Man, the three true outcomes are strong with Nick Kurtz, aren't they? He's up to 50 strikeouts with 34 walks and five home runs. That means 58.1% of his plate appearances result in no ball in the field of play. (I promise next week won't be another Kurtz comment)."
D.J. short writes: "We all know about Shea Langeliers’ prodigious power, but did you know that he’s tied for the major league lead with 45 hits? The A’s backstop slugged two homers on Saturday (his wife Raegan’s birthday) and he became a dad on Sunday after his wife gave birth to a baby boy. Are you ready for Langeliers with dad strength?"
Kerry Miller writes: "If the A's are going to continue to hang around as a postseason candidate, they need to figure out how to pitch in West Sacramento. Heading into Sunday, they had a 6.35 ERA and .875 OPS against at home compared to 3.14 and .650, respectively, on the road. But Aaron Civale did give them a quality start (against his former team) on Sunday to keep that record above .500. Civale also went five shutout innings in Tuesday's home start against Kansas City."
Buster Olney writes: "Nick Kurtz's camp turned down a big contract offer in the offseason, and when he got off to a slow start, evaluators wondered if that decision was initially weighing on him. But no matter the reason, he is getting back to being one of the big damage hitters in the AL, patiently waiting out opposing pitchers and capitalizing when he gets pitches to hit. Kurtz has drawn walks in 18 straight games, with five homers."
