The San Francisco Giants enter a home series with the Philadelphia Phillies faltering, having dropped three consecutive games.
However, I believe San Francisco can get back on track tonight. See why with my Phillies vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.
Who will win Phillies vs Giants today: Giants (+105)
These teams have played vastly different schedules to start the year, creating value on the home team.
The San Francisco Giants are just 3-7 but have faced three quality teams (Yankees, Padres, Mets) and will be playing their fifth consecutive home game.
The Philadelphia Phillies are 5-4, but their series wins came against two of the worst teams in the league (Rockies and Nationals). It’s not an ideal travel spot, coming off an uninspiring 4-1 loss in Colorado.
Adrian Houser’s 117 Pitching+ in his Giants debut will play in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
COVERS INTEL: Much was made about Phillies starter Andrew Painter’s impressive MLB debut (1 ER, 4 H, 8 Ks). Keep in mind that was against a poor Nationals lineup, however.
Phillies vs Giants Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-102)
There’s too much talent and past production in San Francisco’s lineup for these results to hold for too long, but right now they paint an undeniable picture — this lineup is riding the struggle bus.
The Giants are 23 points worse in wRC+ (45) and 58 points worse in wOBA (.229) against RHP than any other team. They’ve plated three or fewer runs in in eight of their 10 games.
Both starting pitchers had a 117 Pitching+ in their respective debuts, and both bullpens are due for positive regression with Top-12 SIERA marks but Bottom-10 ERAs.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 2-1, +0.87 units
Over/Under bets: 2-2, -0.09 units
Phillies vs Giants odds
Moneyline: Philadelphia -116 | San Francisco -102
Run line: Philadelphia -1.5 | San Francisco +1.5
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Phillies vs Giants trend
The Phillies have cashed the Under in 44 of their last 79 away games. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Giants.
How to watch Phillies vs Giants and game info
Location
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Date
Monday, April 6, 2026
First pitch
9:45 p.m. ET
TV
MLBN
Phillies starting pitcher
Andrew Painter (1-0, 1.69 ERA)
Giants starting pitcher
Adrian Houser (0-1, 1.69 ERA)
Phillies vs Giants latest injuries
Phillies vs Giants 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 San Francisco Giants enter a home series with the Philadelphia Phillies faltering, having dropped three consecutive games.
However, I believe San Francisco can get back on track tonight. See why with my Phillies vs. Giants predictions and MLB picks for Monday, April 6.
Who will win Phillies vs Giants today: Giants (+105)
These teams have played vastly different schedules to start the year, creating value on the home team.
The San Francisco Giants are just 3-7 but have faced three quality teams (Yankees, Padres, Mets) and will be playing their fifth consecutive home game.
The Philadelphia Phillies are 5-4, but their series wins came against two of the worst teams in the league (Rockies and Nationals). It’s not an ideal travel spot, coming off an uninspiring 4-1 loss in Colorado.
Adrian Houser’s 117 Pitching+ in his Giants debut will play in pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
COVERS INTEL: Much was made about Phillies starter Andrew Painter’s impressive MLB debut (1 ER, 4 H, 8 Ks). Keep in mind that was against a poor Nationals lineup, however.
Phillies vs Giants Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-102)
There’s too much talent and past production in San Francisco’s lineup for these results to hold for too long, but right now they paint an undeniable picture — this lineup is riding the struggle bus.
The Giants are 23 points worse in wRC+ (45) and 58 points worse in wOBA (.229) against RHP than any other team. They’ve plated three or fewer runs in in eight of their 10 games.
Both starting pitchers had a 117 Pitching+ in their respective debuts, and both bullpens are due for positive regression with Top-12 SIERA marks but Bottom-10 ERAs.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 2-1, +0.87 units
Over/Under bets: 2-2, -0.09 units
Phillies vs Giants odds
Moneyline: Philadelphia -116 | San Francisco -102
Run line: Philadelphia -1.5 | San Francisco +1.5
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Phillies vs Giants trend
The Phillies have cashed the Under in 44 of their last 79 away games. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Giants.
How to watch Phillies vs Giants and game info
Location
Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
Date
Monday, April 6, 2026
First pitch
9:45 p.m. ET
TV
MLBN
Phillies starting pitcher
Andrew Painter (1-0, 1.69 ERA)
Giants starting pitcher
Adrian Houser (0-1, 1.69 ERA)
Phillies vs Giants latest injuries
Phillies vs Giants 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.
It's a full MLB slate today, and we're kicking off the week with some MLB best bets based on prices at the prediction market Polymarket, which allows bettors all across the country to join in on the baseball action.
Our expert MLB picks are below, with a distinct National League flavor to our April 6 plays.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $20 trading bonus after you deposit $20 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/polymarketlogo.png" alt="Polymarket" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible locations only
Josh Inglis' expert pick: Pirates moneyline
Price: 56¢ (-127) at Polymarket
The Pirates draw one of the best matchups on the board against Germán Márquez, who was hit hard in his debut, allowing eight hits in just nine outs, including two home runs. THE BAT projects Márquez to allow the most earned runs of any starter today, with a fair price on the Pirates moneyline at -178. With 14 mph winds blowing out and Márquez’s fly-ball profile, Pittsburgh is in a strong spot to generate offense. On the other side, Bubba Chandler brings elite velocity and should be able to keep a light-hitting San Diego Padres lineup in check.
Jon Metler's expert pick: Rockies moneyline
Price: 38¢ (+163) at Polymarket
The Rockies cashed a parlay for me yesterday, and I wasn’t expecting to back them again on the moneyline today... but here we are — Go Rockies! The Houston Astros are sending Cody Bolton out for his first career start due to Hunter Brown’s injury. Even if Bolton manages to navigate Coors Field, he’s a career reliever, which means Houston will likely lean heavily on its bullpen — just one day after playing a 10-inning game against the Athletics in Sacramento. This sets up as a tough scheduling spot for the Astros, and the price on Colorado feels too strong to pass up. The Rockies are trading at 38% on the moneyline, but I make them closer to 44%.
Neil Parker's expert pick: Phillies moneyline
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
The San Francisco Giants check in last in baseball in wOBA and wRC+ against righties, and they’ll face an elite young pitcher in Andrew Painter, who impressed in his MLB debut with eight strikeouts and a 31% Called Strike + Whiffs rate. In the opposite dugout, the Phillies sit fifth in wOBA and wRC+ against right-handed arms, with San Fran sending veteran Adrian Houser to the bump. He sports a run-of-the-mill 4.29 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 4.51 xFIP across 413 1/3 innings since the beginning of 2022, so I'm expecting the Phillies to put enough runs on the board to pull away.
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.
It's a full MLB slate today, and we're kicking off the week with some MLB best bets based on prices at the prediction market Polymarket, which allows bettors all across the country to join in on the baseball action.
Our expert MLB picks are below, with a distinct National League flavor to our April 6 plays.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $20 trading bonus after you deposit $20 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
Sign Up Now at img src="https://img.covers.com/editorial/2026/polymarketlogo.png" alt="Polymarket" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
*Eligible locations only
Josh Inglis' expert pick: Pirates moneyline
Price: 56¢ (-127) at Polymarket
The Pirates draw one of the best matchups on the board against Germán Márquez, who was hit hard in his debut, allowing eight hits in just nine outs, including two home runs. THE BAT projects Márquez to allow the most earned runs of any starter today, with a fair price on the Pirates moneyline at -178. With 14 mph winds blowing out and Márquez’s fly-ball profile, Pittsburgh is in a strong spot to generate offense. On the other side, Bubba Chandler brings elite velocity and should be able to keep a light-hitting San Diego Padres lineup in check.
Jon Metler's expert pick: Rockies moneyline
Price: 38¢ (+163) at Polymarket
The Rockies cashed a parlay for me yesterday, and I wasn’t expecting to back them again on the moneyline today... but here we are — Go Rockies! The Houston Astros are sending Cody Bolton out for his first career start due to Hunter Brown’s injury. Even if Bolton manages to navigate Coors Field, he’s a career reliever, which means Houston will likely lean heavily on its bullpen — just one day after playing a 10-inning game against the Athletics in Sacramento. This sets up as a tough scheduling spot for the Astros, and the price on Colorado feels too strong to pass up. The Rockies are trading at 38% on the moneyline, but I make them closer to 44%.
Neil Parker's expert pick: Phillies moneyline
Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket
The San Francisco Giants check in last in baseball in wOBA and wRC+ against righties, and they’ll face an elite young pitcher in Andrew Painter, who impressed in his MLB debut with eight strikeouts and a 31% Called Strike + Whiffs rate. In the opposite dugout, the Phillies sit fifth in wOBA and wRC+ against right-handed arms, with San Fran sending veteran Adrian Houser to the bump. He sports a run-of-the-mill 4.29 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 4.51 xFIP across 413 1/3 innings since the beginning of 2022, so I'm expecting the Phillies to put enough runs on the board to pull away.
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.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on March 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on your Houston Astros and from around MLB:
This was the greatest defensive play I have ever seen Jose Altuve make.Range. Awareness. Accuracy. Timeliness. Pure Brilliance.
Get this: the Astros had 29 hits and 24 walks in the last two games of the series against the A’s, something no team has done in a two-game span since at least 1900.
Cleveland is watching it’s franchise player become it’s franchise icon:
No one in the 125-year history of CLE baseball has played in more games than José Ramírez. Every day, he breaks some franchise record originally set by some dude born in 1881.
"If they haven’t started building the statue yet, what are we waiting for?”https://t.co/UBtbDH7qrb
Cubs’ 2B Nico Hoerner has a career OPS of 104. Yet he just got the 4th largest guaranteed salary of a second baseman all time. Ken Rosenthal thinks it’s a great move by Chicago.
Five reasons why the Cubs’ $141 million extension for Nico Hoerner makes sense. https://t.co/sIOsreZjKx
Angels’ hitting coach Brady Anderson had some high praise of RF Jo Adell, who stole 3 home runs in one game Saturday, to Ken Rosenthal:
When you're being talked about in the same breath as Ken Griffey Jr., you're doing something right.@Ken_Rosenthal reveals what Angels hitting coach Brady Anderson told him about Jo Adell's stunning third home run robbery on Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/mgEDROCohw
Does the MLBPA currently have the short end of the stick in negotiations for a new CBA with MLB?
"Those pressures on both sides will become very real if we're in the middle of a work stoppage."@EvanDrellich takes a look at the players' side and whether they are more susceptible to leverage in CBA negotiations. pic.twitter.com/ZgRHQ15Whb
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park on March 29, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest news on your Houston Astros and from around MLB:
This was the greatest defensive play I have ever seen Jose Altuve make.Range. Awareness. Accuracy. Timeliness. Pure Brilliance.
Get this: the Astros had 29 hits and 24 walks in the last two games of the series against the A’s, something no team has done in a two-game span since at least 1900.
Cleveland is watching it’s franchise player become it’s franchise icon:
No one in the 125-year history of CLE baseball has played in more games than José Ramírez. Every day, he breaks some franchise record originally set by some dude born in 1881.
"If they haven’t started building the statue yet, what are we waiting for?”https://t.co/UBtbDH7qrb
Cubs’ 2B Nico Hoerner has a career OPS of 104. Yet he just got the 4th largest guaranteed salary of a second baseman all time. Ken Rosenthal thinks it’s a great move by Chicago.
Five reasons why the Cubs’ $141 million extension for Nico Hoerner makes sense. https://t.co/sIOsreZjKx
Angels’ hitting coach Brady Anderson had some high praise of RF Jo Adell, who stole 3 home runs in one game Saturday, to Ken Rosenthal:
When you're being talked about in the same breath as Ken Griffey Jr., you're doing something right.@Ken_Rosenthal reveals what Angels hitting coach Brady Anderson told him about Jo Adell's stunning third home run robbery on Saturday night. pic.twitter.com/mgEDROCohw
Does the MLBPA currently have the short end of the stick in negotiations for a new CBA with MLB?
"Those pressures on both sides will become very real if we're in the middle of a work stoppage."@EvanDrellich takes a look at the players' side and whether they are more susceptible to leverage in CBA negotiations. pic.twitter.com/ZgRHQ15Whb
SEATTLE, WA - MARCH, 1981: Pitcher Ken Clay #21 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait in March, 1981 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we here at Pinstripe Alley continue to do our daily feature highlighting a Yankee birthday of the day, we’re probably going to come upon situations where someone we write about happens to have been in the news recently. In today’s case, it was for a sad reason.
Today’s birthday is Ken Clay, who sadly passed away just over a week ago. Even before that news, he was set to feature as today’s birthday honoree, so let’s offer our best wishes to his family and loved ones on his 72nd birthday.
Kenneth Earl “Ken” Clay Born: April 6, 1954 (Lynchburg, VA) Died: March 26, 2026 (Lynchburg, VA) Yankees Tenure: 1977-79
Born on April 6, 1954, Clay was born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia where he made his name at E.C. Glass High School. A multi-sport star and five-letter athlete, Clay excelled on the baseball diamond, leading to the Yankees selecting him in the second round of the 1972 MLB Draft.
Right from the start in the Yankees’ minor league system, Clay showed talent and was dubbed an “outstanding” pitching prospect, but his path to the majors would take a little while. That was in large part because, while having decent stuff, he had some issues with control. In all of his first four seasons in the minors, he walked at least 4.1 batters per nine innings, including 27 in 48 innings in his first taste of Triple-A in 1975.
Clay started to get his control under, well, control, in 1976, and he followed that with an excellent start in ‘77. In 10 starts with Triple-A Syracuse, Clay went 5-1 with a 1.68 ERA in 75 innings. That got him a call-up to the big leagues for his first taste of The Show. Manager Billy Martin gave Clay his debut on June 7, 1977 in the eighth inning of a game the Yankees were trailing against the Rangers. Clay allowed one single in a scoreless frame, keeping the Yankees in it with a chance in the ninth, though nothing came of it.
For the year, Clay would make 21 appearances for the Yankees in 1977, including three starts. He went on to appear in the Yankees’ two World Series losses, but he pitched decently in them, earning a ring as the Yankees defeated the Dodgers, 4-2.
The following season, Clay went into the year hoping to win a spot in the Yankees’ roster, or even the rotation. However, the Yankees acquired a number of more veteran pitchers, dampening those chances. Clay began to show some frustrations over that, to the irritation of some of his veteran Yankee teammates. The generally easygoing Catfish Hunter even said that Clay had a “great arm, great slider, bad brains,” remarking that advice from him and other more experienced pitchers often went ignored.
On the field, Clay finally seemed to figure out his walk issues, but was still a bit below average, posting a 4.28 ERA. However, once again, he was good enough to merit a postseason roster spot, where he showed his potential. In Game 1 of the 1978 ALCS against the Royals, Clay threw 3.2 hitless innings out of the bullpen. He was credited with a save as he kept the Royals in check, allowing the Yankees to build and then maintain a lead. He had a less successful appearance in the World Series, but the Yankees again defeated the Dodgers, earning Clay another ring.
As the calendar turned to 1979, Clay’s frustrations about his role continued, but this time around, he was running out of positive marks to point to. Again in a swingman role, Clay posted a 5.40 ERA in in 78.1 innings.
Things fully came to a head on September 1, 1979. Having been given a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first in a game against the Royals, Clay ended up surrendering four runs on five hits and a walk, lasting just 2.1 innings, getting removed from the game by manager Billy Martin after allowing a home run to George Brett. Kansas City ended up winning the game 9-8, despite the Yankees’ big early lead. Adding to that, Clay didn’t stick around after being removed and left the dugout in frustration.
After the game, Clay was the subject of ire from not only Martin, but also Steinbrenner. As was his wont, the Yankees’ owner did not mince words about Clay, saying:
Clay has continually complained about not getting a chance to pitch, but he has refused any of our suggestions to help his pitching. I’ve heard people tell me what a great arm he has, but I question his heart. In horse racing, we have what we call a morning glory. The horse works a great three or four furlongs in the morning workout and looks sensational. Then when the race comes he starts sweating during the parade to the post, and when he gets in the gate and the race starts he stinks the place out. He spits the bit.
Clay was relegated to just one bullpen appearance for the rest of the ‘79 season, and began the following season in the minors. With the 1980 Yankees looking for pitching they could count on more, they added future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in a trade with the Rangers on August 14th. With the still-intriguing Clay pitching well in the minors, he was a featured name going the other way.
However, his fortunes didn’t really change in Texas as despite now getting an extended chance in the rotation, he posted a 4.60 ERA and also walked 29 batters in 43 innings. After the season, the Rangers included him in a 11-player deal with the Mariners. He still struggled there in 1981, and was released in March 1982. Clay never really attempted to catch on anywhere else after that, ending his baseball career at just 27 years old. Following his playing career, Clay dealt with a number of legalissues. He eventually settled back in his native Lynchburg, where he lived until his recent passing, just before his 72nd birthday.
There is a saying that there’s “no such thing as a pitching prospect,” and considering what happened to Clay, George Steinbrenner may have taken that to heart a little too much.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
SEATTLE, WA - MARCH, 1981: Pitcher Ken Clay #21 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait in March, 1981 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we here at Pinstripe Alley continue to do our daily feature highlighting a Yankee birthday of the day, we’re probably going to come upon situations where someone we write about happens to have been in the news recently. In today’s case, it was for a sad reason.
Today’s birthday is Ken Clay, who sadly passed away just over a week ago. Even before that news, he was set to feature as today’s birthday honoree, so let’s offer our best wishes to his family and loved ones on his 72nd birthday.
Kenneth Earl “Ken” Clay Born: April 6, 1954 (Lynchburg, VA) Died: March 26, 2026 (Lynchburg, VA) Yankees Tenure: 1977-79
Born on April 6, 1954, Clay was born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia where he made his name at E.C. Glass High School. A multi-sport star and five-letter athlete, Clay excelled on the baseball diamond, leading to the Yankees selecting him in the second round of the 1972 MLB Draft.
Right from the start in the Yankees’ minor league system, Clay showed talent and was dubbed an “outstanding” pitching prospect, but his path to the majors would take a little while. That was in large part because, while having decent stuff, he had some issues with control. In all of his first four seasons in the minors, he walked at least 4.1 batters per nine innings, including 27 in 48 innings in his first taste of Triple-A in 1975.
Clay started to get his control under, well, control, in 1976, and he followed that with an excellent start in ‘77. In 10 starts with Triple-A Syracuse, Clay went 5-1 with a 1.68 ERA in 75 innings. That got him a call-up to the big leagues for his first taste of The Show. Manager Billy Martin gave Clay his debut on June 7, 1977 in the eighth inning of a game the Yankees were trailing against the Rangers. Clay allowed one single in a scoreless frame, keeping the Yankees in it with a chance in the ninth, though nothing came of it.
For the year, Clay would make 21 appearances for the Yankees in 1977, including three starts. He went on to appear in the Yankees’ two World Series losses, but he pitched decently in them, earning a ring as the Yankees defeated the Dodgers, 4-2.
The following season, Clay went into the year hoping to win a spot in the Yankees’ roster, or even the rotation. However, the Yankees acquired a number of more veteran pitchers, dampening those chances. Clay began to show some frustrations over that, to the irritation of some of his veteran Yankee teammates. The generally easygoing Catfish Hunter even said that Clay had a “great arm, great slider, bad brains,” remarking that advice from him and other more experienced pitchers often went ignored.
On the field, Clay finally seemed to figure out his walk issues, but was still a bit below average, posting a 4.28 ERA. However, once again, he was good enough to merit a postseason roster spot, where he showed his potential. In Game 1 of the 1978 ALCS against the Royals, Clay threw 3.2 hitless innings out of the bullpen. He was credited with a save as he kept the Royals in check, allowing the Yankees to build and then maintain a lead. He had a less successful appearance in the World Series, but the Yankees again defeated the Dodgers, earning Clay another ring.
As the calendar turned to 1979, Clay’s frustrations about his role continued, but this time around, he was running out of positive marks to point to. Again in a swingman role, Clay posted a 5.40 ERA in in 78.1 innings.
Things fully came to a head on September 1, 1979. Having been given a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first in a game against the Royals, Clay ended up surrendering four runs on five hits and a walk, lasting just 2.1 innings, getting removed from the game by manager Billy Martin after allowing a home run to George Brett. Kansas City ended up winning the game 9-8, despite the Yankees’ big early lead. Adding to that, Clay didn’t stick around after being removed and left the dugout in frustration.
After the game, Clay was the subject of ire from not only Martin, but also Steinbrenner. As was his wont, the Yankees’ owner did not mince words about Clay, saying:
Clay has continually complained about not getting a chance to pitch, but he has refused any of our suggestions to help his pitching. I’ve heard people tell me what a great arm he has, but I question his heart. In horse racing, we have what we call a morning glory. The horse works a great three or four furlongs in the morning workout and looks sensational. Then when the race comes he starts sweating during the parade to the post, and when he gets in the gate and the race starts he stinks the place out. He spits the bit.
Clay was relegated to just one bullpen appearance for the rest of the ‘79 season, and began the following season in the minors. With the 1980 Yankees looking for pitching they could count on more, they added future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in a trade with the Rangers on August 14th. With the still-intriguing Clay pitching well in the minors, he was a featured name going the other way.
However, his fortunes didn’t really change in Texas as despite now getting an extended chance in the rotation, he posted a 4.60 ERA and also walked 29 batters in 43 innings. After the season, the Rangers included him in a 11-player deal with the Mariners. He still struggled there in 1981, and was released in March 1982. Clay never really attempted to catch on anywhere else after that, ending his baseball career at just 27 years old. Following his playing career, Clay dealt with a number of legalissues. He eventually settled back in his native Lynchburg, where he lived until his recent passing, just before his 72nd birthday.
There is a saying that there’s “no such thing as a pitching prospect,” and considering what happened to Clay, George Steinbrenner may have taken that to heart a little too much.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
FanDuel Sportsbook is paying bettors who were robbed of three home runs during Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell’s historic night of defense.
Adell snagged three balls headed over the fence, including one that sent him tumbling into the stands, during Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Key Takeaways
Adell caught three balls that were headed over the outfield wall and would’ve been home runs.
The underdog Angels won the game and the series against their division rivals.
FanDuel users received bonus bets instead of cash refunds.
FanDuel bettors experienced the same sinking feeling of despair that the Mariners did during Saturday’s unprecedented outcome.
On three occasions, a Seattle player appeared to have slammed a solo blast over the right field wall. That included last year’s MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh in the first inning, Josh Naylor in the eighth, and J.P. Crawford in the ninth.
All THREE of Jo Adell's home run robberies from tonight ...
Player home runs are one of the most popular betting markets in MLB games. Prior to the contest, sportsbooks had home run odds for Raleigh (+215), Naylor (+425), and Crawford (+800), while the Mariners were -150 on the moneyline.
Anyone who bet $10 on each outcome individually would have won $174. Taking it a step further and parlaying all three outcomes with a $10 wager would’ve resulted in $1,478.42 in winnings.
While all home run tickets on the players mentioned above could have been graded as losses, FanDuel decided to refund customers with bonus bets. The sportsbook said that it had its customers' backs for a “once-in-a-lifetime situation” like the one that Adell found himself in the middle of.
The company did not say anything about refunding Mariners’ moneyline bets.
Jo Adell saved the game.
FanDuel is saving your bets.
When a once-in-a-lifetime situation like THREE home run robberies happens, we've got your back 💙
We're refunding all HR bets on Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor and J.P. Crawford with bonus bets! https://t.co/fRSdnshrUw
Bonus bets are not the same as cash refunds. They cannot be withdrawn or transferred to other sportsbooks, but they can be used to fund wagers placed at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Adell powers the Angels’ solid start
Adell wasn’t much of a factor on offense in Saturday’s win. He hit one single but did not get on base otherwise and did not score the only run of the game.
Despite that, his defensive performance earned praise from a legendary player who happened to have a close-up view of his outfield robberies.
Torii Hunter, a nine-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, who now works as a special assistant for the Angels, said that Adell probably played “the greatest defensive game I’ve ever seen.”
He also claimed to have “blacked out” when Adell, with whom he spent time working on defense during spring training, fell into the stands clutching his third robbery.
The Angels carried the momentum from Saturday night’s thriller into the rubber match with the Mariners on Sunday, which ended 8-7 in their favor. Adell went 1-5 at the plate with an RBI and scored twice.
The Angels now sit at 5-5 on the season, one game behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros. The Mariners are 4-6 and two games out of first in the same division.
World Series and future odds
There are still more than 150 games left in the MLB regular season. Although the Angels have enjoyed a solid start, they still find themselves last in odds to win the AL West at FanDuel (+2700). The Mariners (+105) lead the odds board and are slightly ahead of the Astros (+230).
World Series odds still heavily favor the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are already down to +200. The New York Yankees are second and first among all American League teams at +800, followed by the Mariners (+1100).
There are no odds for Adell to rob three home runs in another game.
FanDuel Sportsbook is paying bettors who were robbed of three home runs during Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell’s historic night of defense.
Adell snagged three balls headed over the fence, including one that sent him tumbling into the stands, during Saturday’s 1-0 win over the Seattle Mariners.
Key Takeaways
Adell caught three balls that were headed over the outfield wall and would’ve been home runs.
The underdog Angels won the game and the series against their division rivals.
FanDuel users received bonus bets instead of cash refunds.
FanDuel bettors experienced the same sinking feeling of despair that the Mariners did during Saturday’s unprecedented outcome.
On three occasions, a Seattle player appeared to have slammed a solo blast over the right field wall. That included last year’s MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh in the first inning, Josh Naylor in the eighth, and J.P. Crawford in the ninth.
All THREE of Jo Adell's home run robberies from tonight ...
Player home runs are one of the most popular betting markets in MLB games. Prior to the contest, sportsbooks had home run odds for Raleigh (+215), Naylor (+425), and Crawford (+800), while the Mariners were -150 on the moneyline.
Anyone who bet $10 on each outcome individually would have won $174. Taking it a step further and parlaying all three outcomes with a $10 wager would’ve resulted in $1,478.42 in winnings.
While all home run tickets on the players mentioned above could have been graded as losses, FanDuel decided to refund customers with bonus bets. The sportsbook said that it had its customers' backs for a “once-in-a-lifetime situation” like the one that Adell found himself in the middle of.
The company did not say anything about refunding Mariners’ moneyline bets.
Jo Adell saved the game.
FanDuel is saving your bets.
When a once-in-a-lifetime situation like THREE home run robberies happens, we've got your back 💙
We're refunding all HR bets on Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor and J.P. Crawford with bonus bets! https://t.co/fRSdnshrUw
Bonus bets are not the same as cash refunds. They cannot be withdrawn or transferred to other sportsbooks, but they can be used to fund wagers placed at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Adell powers the Angels’ solid start
Adell wasn’t much of a factor on offense in Saturday’s win. He hit one single but did not get on base otherwise and did not score the only run of the game.
Despite that, his defensive performance earned praise from a legendary player who happened to have a close-up view of his outfield robberies.
Torii Hunter, a nine-time Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, who now works as a special assistant for the Angels, said that Adell probably played “the greatest defensive game I’ve ever seen.”
He also claimed to have “blacked out” when Adell, with whom he spent time working on defense during spring training, fell into the stands clutching his third robbery.
The Angels carried the momentum from Saturday night’s thriller into the rubber match with the Mariners on Sunday, which ended 8-7 in their favor. Adell went 1-5 at the plate with an RBI and scored twice.
The Angels now sit at 5-5 on the season, one game behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros. The Mariners are 4-6 and two games out of first in the same division.
World Series and future odds
There are still more than 150 games left in the MLB regular season. Although the Angels have enjoyed a solid start, they still find themselves last in odds to win the AL West at FanDuel (+2700). The Mariners (+105) lead the odds board and are slightly ahead of the Astros (+230).
World Series odds still heavily favor the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are already down to +200. The New York Yankees are second and first among all American League teams at +800, followed by the Mariners (+1100).
There are no odds for Adell to rob three home runs in another game.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are off to good starts — and their MVPs finally are starting to hit.
Shohei Ohtani hadn’t driven in a run until Friday, then homered in that game and again Sunday. He and Aaron Judge each have three straight multihit games.
Judge hasn’t needed to carry the Yankees, who are 7-2. They had allowed a paltry 15 runs on the season before a 7-6 loss to Miami. Cam Schlittler has made two scoreless starts and New York ran wild against the Marlins — with even Giancarlo Stanton stealing a base.
It wasn’t a great first week for the Dodgers’ quartet of sluggers — Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman — but then they broke out in a big way as Los Angeles posted 31 runs in three games at Washington. The Dodgers are 7-2 with Andy Pages off to a 16-for-34 start at the plate, so they can afford to be patient with their stars.
That includes Betts, who went on the injured list with an oblique strain.
Los Angeles now heads to Toronto for a three-game series — the first meeting between the teams since the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series in Canada last year.
Battling Bucs
On the topic of teams succeeding while waiting for stars to get untracked, Pittsburgh swept three straight from Baltimore to improve to 6-3. The Pirates have won five straight, although Paul Skenes has allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings through his first two starts.
They haven’t needed much from top prospect Konnor Griffin either. The infielder is 1 for 9 since being called up, but he has yet to play in a loss. The Pirates have 10 of their next 13 games at home, with Skenes expected to take the mound when they host San Diego.
Trivia time
When is the last time the NCAA men’s basketball champion and baseball’s World Series champion came from the same state in a given year?
Performance of the week
Jo Adell went 1 for 3 at the plate Saturday, but it’s what he did defensively that made a real impact. The Angels’ outfielder made three home run-robbing catches to help Los Angeles to a 1-0 win over Seattle.
Adell made spectacular catch while crashing into the seats when J.P. Crawford led off the ninth with a drive to right. Adell also denied Cal Raleigh what would have been the catcher’s first homer of the season.
Comeback of the week
Arizona trailed Detroit by four Tuesday night before scoring six times in the bottom of the eighth to win 7-5. The Tigers had a win probability of 96.4% after seven, according to Baseball Savant.
Corbin Carroll hit a bases-loaded double that scored two runs, and Jose Fernandez added a three-run homer. It was the second home run of the game for Fernandez, who was making his major league debut.
Trivia answer
In 1973, UCLA won the national title and the Oakland Athletics won the World Series. That pairing also won in 1972.
There was a recent near-miss in 2021 when Baylor won the NCAA Tournament and the Houston Astros lost to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. The only way this double can happen this year is if Michigan wins in basketball and the Tigers prevail in baseball.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are off to good starts — and their MVPs finally are starting to hit.
Shohei Ohtani hadn’t driven in a run until Friday, then homered in that game and again Sunday. He and Aaron Judge each have three straight multihit games.
Judge hasn’t needed to carry the Yankees, who are 7-2. They had allowed a paltry 15 runs on the season before a 7-6 loss to Miami. Cam Schlittler has made two scoreless starts and New York ran wild against the Marlins — with even Giancarlo Stanton stealing a base.
It wasn’t a great first week for the Dodgers’ quartet of sluggers — Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman — but then they broke out in a big way as Los Angeles posted 31 runs in three games at Washington. The Dodgers are 7-2 with Andy Pages off to a 16-for-34 start at the plate, so they can afford to be patient with their stars.
That includes Betts, who went on the injured list with an oblique strain.
Los Angeles now heads to Toronto for a three-game series — the first meeting between the teams since the Dodgers beat the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series in Canada last year.
Battling Bucs
On the topic of teams succeeding while waiting for stars to get untracked, Pittsburgh swept three straight from Baltimore to improve to 6-3. The Pirates have won five straight, although Paul Skenes has allowed six runs in 5 2/3 innings through his first two starts.
They haven’t needed much from top prospect Konnor Griffin either. The infielder is 1 for 9 since being called up, but he has yet to play in a loss. The Pirates have 10 of their next 13 games at home, with Skenes expected to take the mound when they host San Diego.
Trivia time
When is the last time the NCAA men’s basketball champion and baseball’s World Series champion came from the same state in a given year?
Performance of the week
Jo Adell went 1 for 3 at the plate Saturday, but it’s what he did defensively that made a real impact. The Angels’ outfielder made three home run-robbing catches to help Los Angeles to a 1-0 win over Seattle.
Adell made spectacular catch while crashing into the seats when J.P. Crawford led off the ninth with a drive to right. Adell also denied Cal Raleigh what would have been the catcher’s first homer of the season.
Comeback of the week
Arizona trailed Detroit by four Tuesday night before scoring six times in the bottom of the eighth to win 7-5. The Tigers had a win probability of 96.4% after seven, according to Baseball Savant.
Corbin Carroll hit a bases-loaded double that scored two runs, and Jose Fernandez added a three-run homer. It was the second home run of the game for Fernandez, who was making his major league debut.
Trivia answer
In 1973, UCLA won the national title and the Oakland Athletics won the World Series. That pairing also won in 1972.
There was a recent near-miss in 2021 when Baylor won the NCAA Tournament and the Houston Astros lost to the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. The only way this double can happen this year is if Michigan wins in basketball and the Tigers prevail in baseball.
Aug 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) stands in the dugout in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Kevin Cash’s lineup decisions. Cash addressed those concerns recently, noting that the team expects to experiment with different lineups throughout the season. Much of the focus has centered on Chandler Simpson’s place in the order and Junior Caminero’s lack of traditional lineup protection.
It’s not a matter of these decisions being “right” or “wrong,” but there’s a clear pattern and underlying rationale behind them.
Leading-off
One of the main criticisms of the Rays lineups has been Simpson’s spot in the order. Some want to see him leveraging his speed at the top of the lineup. That would mean bumping Yandy Diaz down to 2nd or 3rd in the lineup. He’s the best on-base hitter on the roster, so they could potentially be leaving runs off the board by replacing him with Simpson. However, Simpson is off to a hot start and is reaching base over 43% of the time. Unfortunately for him, Yandy is getting on base nearly 49% of the time. Yandy also has a more established track record of getting on base at a high clip (.373 career OBP vs .334 for Simpson so far in the majors). I think Simpson will have some opportunities at some point this season to hit leadoff, but the best version of the Rays lineup right now has Yandy leading off. The case against Simpson leading off isn’t just about OBP – it’s about optimizing both his strengths and the hitters around him.
There’s also the question of how much is Simpson’s position near the bottom of the order helping his production. There’s typically less pressure to produce when you’re near the bottom of the lineup. Simpson has batted 8th three times already this season, and his average spot in the lineup is 6.3. It’s also fair to wonder how his current role is supporting his production. Hitters lower in the lineup often operate with less pressure and clearer situational expectations. While that’s difficult to quantify, it’s at least possible that Simpson’s current usage is helping him settle in at the major league level. Simpson is already making worse swing decisions that last season, so I’m not sure the added pressure of the leadoff position would benefit his production.
There’s also evidence that having an aggressive base stealer on first doesn’t necessarily help the hitter. In some cases, it can do the opposite; hitters may alter their approach to accommodate the steal attempt rather than focusing on their own at-bat. In this case, it might be better to have someone less central than the Yandy-Aranda-Caminero group hitting behind Simpson so the Rays best hitters can focus on being their best. Simpson batting 8th like he has most of the season might be the most effective way to get him in scoring position with the top of the lineup coming around; he would have an opportunity to steal a base with the number 9 hitter at the plate or potentially advance a base with a productive out from that hitter.
Cleaning-up
So far, Caminero has primarily been batting 4th in the lineup with mainly Cedric Mullins (x4), Jake Fraley (x2), or Ben Williamson (x2) hitting immediately after him. Some fans might want Caminero higher in the lineup so he can get more plate appearances. This does make sense as he would statistically have more PAs over a full season hitting 3rd rather than 4th, but there are a few reasons to bat him 4th and it doesn’t really matter who is “protecting” him in the lineup.
First, separating Díaz and Caminero (while still keeping both near the top) creates matchup pressure later in games. An opposing team could bring in a tough RHP to face Yandy, but would likely have to let them face Aranda plus another LHB like Fraley or Mullins. This forces an opposing manager between having to neutralize Yandy/Caminero or the LHB between them – but not both.
Another reason to hit Caminero 4th is because he’ll see more PAs with runners on base than if he was batting 3rd. Batting Caminero fourth may cost him some total plate appearances over a full season, but it increases the likelihood that those plate appearances come with runners on base — and for a hitter with his power profile, that’s often the more valuable trade-off.
There isn’t any research that supports the idea that protection is something that should be prioritized when building a lineup. The effects of having a good hitter protecting the batter in front of him are likely marginal at best, and Caminero can hit just about anything out if he squares it up, so he’s not really someone who needs to see more pitches in the zone to be productive. The main thing for him will be to continue to improve his swing decisions as his zone-minus-out-of-zone swing rate is the same as last season despite him chasing less. Having someone like Aranda hitting behind Caminero won’t help him be more productive, but swinging more at pitches down the middle will. Caminero swung at pitches in the heart of the plate just over 75% of the time in 2025, but that number is down under 64% this season. He has done well to limit his chasing so far, but swinging at pitches he can do damage on will help raise his game even more.
Lineup construction isn’t just about putting the “best hitters” at the top; it’s about sequencing skills, managing matchups, and creating the most difficult set of decisions for the opposing staff. Early on, the Rays appear to be prioritizing exactly that.
Aug 26, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) stands in the dugout in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
There has been plenty of discussion surrounding Kevin Cash’s lineup decisions. Cash addressed those concerns recently, noting that the team expects to experiment with different lineups throughout the season. Much of the focus has centered on Chandler Simpson’s place in the order and Junior Caminero’s lack of traditional lineup protection.
It’s not a matter of these decisions being “right” or “wrong,” but there’s a clear pattern and underlying rationale behind them.
Leading-off
One of the main criticisms of the Rays lineups has been Simpson’s spot in the order. Some want to see him leveraging his speed at the top of the lineup. That would mean bumping Yandy Diaz down to 2nd or 3rd in the lineup. He’s the best on-base hitter on the roster, so they could potentially be leaving runs off the board by replacing him with Simpson. However, Simpson is off to a hot start and is reaching base over 43% of the time. Unfortunately for him, Yandy is getting on base nearly 49% of the time. Yandy also has a more established track record of getting on base at a high clip (.373 career OBP vs .334 for Simpson so far in the majors). I think Simpson will have some opportunities at some point this season to hit leadoff, but the best version of the Rays lineup right now has Yandy leading off. The case against Simpson leading off isn’t just about OBP – it’s about optimizing both his strengths and the hitters around him.
There’s also the question of how much is Simpson’s position near the bottom of the order helping his production. There’s typically less pressure to produce when you’re near the bottom of the lineup. Simpson has batted 8th three times already this season, and his average spot in the lineup is 6.3. It’s also fair to wonder how his current role is supporting his production. Hitters lower in the lineup often operate with less pressure and clearer situational expectations. While that’s difficult to quantify, it’s at least possible that Simpson’s current usage is helping him settle in at the major league level. Simpson is already making worse swing decisions that last season, so I’m not sure the added pressure of the leadoff position would benefit his production.
There’s also evidence that having an aggressive base stealer on first doesn’t necessarily help the hitter. In some cases, it can do the opposite; hitters may alter their approach to accommodate the steal attempt rather than focusing on their own at-bat. In this case, it might be better to have someone less central than the Yandy-Aranda-Caminero group hitting behind Simpson so the Rays best hitters can focus on being their best. Simpson batting 8th like he has most of the season might be the most effective way to get him in scoring position with the top of the lineup coming around; he would have an opportunity to steal a base with the number 9 hitter at the plate or potentially advance a base with a productive out from that hitter.
Cleaning-up
So far, Caminero has primarily been batting 4th in the lineup with mainly Cedric Mullins (x4), Jake Fraley (x2), or Ben Williamson (x2) hitting immediately after him. Some fans might want Caminero higher in the lineup so he can get more plate appearances. This does make sense as he would statistically have more PAs over a full season hitting 3rd rather than 4th, but there are a few reasons to bat him 4th and it doesn’t really matter who is “protecting” him in the lineup.
First, separating Díaz and Caminero (while still keeping both near the top) creates matchup pressure later in games. An opposing team could bring in a tough RHP to face Yandy, but would likely have to let them face Aranda plus another LHB like Fraley or Mullins. This forces an opposing manager between having to neutralize Yandy/Caminero or the LHB between them – but not both.
Another reason to hit Caminero 4th is because he’ll see more PAs with runners on base than if he was batting 3rd. Batting Caminero fourth may cost him some total plate appearances over a full season, but it increases the likelihood that those plate appearances come with runners on base — and for a hitter with his power profile, that’s often the more valuable trade-off.
There isn’t any research that supports the idea that protection is something that should be prioritized when building a lineup. The effects of having a good hitter protecting the batter in front of him are likely marginal at best, and Caminero can hit just about anything out if he squares it up, so he’s not really someone who needs to see more pitches in the zone to be productive. The main thing for him will be to continue to improve his swing decisions as his zone-minus-out-of-zone swing rate is the same as last season despite him chasing less. Having someone like Aranda hitting behind Caminero won’t help him be more productive, but swinging more at pitches down the middle will. Caminero swung at pitches in the heart of the plate just over 75% of the time in 2025, but that number is down under 64% this season. He has done well to limit his chasing so far, but swinging at pitches he can do damage on will help raise his game even more.
Lineup construction isn’t just about putting the “best hitters” at the top; it’s about sequencing skills, managing matchups, and creating the most difficult set of decisions for the opposing staff. Early on, the Rays appear to be prioritizing exactly that.
Apr 5, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth (9) tags Boston Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela (3) out during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
This isn’t a cop-out blog. I truly feel this way.
I could sit here and give you fancy-dancy analysis, couldn’t I? I have done that before and I will do so again. I don’t think a 2-7 Red Sox start calls for that type of article, though.
I’ve also done this crashout before. Dan Secatore, my fearless leader, has OK’d this before. I feel like I can only pull this move out every few years. Maybe to the uninitiated this type of prose is seen as juvenile, but I feel like I might be speaking for the masses here.
The only other time I’ve done so: August 2023. Not a good year for the Red Sox, perhaps, but I dunno what 2023 me was complaining about. Seems like we were on a relatively good run after the All-Star break up until one bad week. I can’t say for sure what made me snap on that day.
Maybe I was stressed leading up to my wedding day? That’s the only thing I can imagine, in hindsight, that was hindering my judgement.
Well, as a firmly married man right now, my mind is clear. I can feel comfortable with playing this card. I don’t get the chance to play it often—and the fact that I’m playing it in early April is awful for all of us—but it feels right to do so.
I’m playing the AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA card.
CAN OUR NINE FIGURE PITCHER GET THROUGH FIVE INNINGS IN AN OK STATE? IS THAT ASKING TOO MUCH????? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABASEBAALLFUCKINGSUCKSAAAAAAAAAAAAAA GOD FUCKING DAMNIT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFUCKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
I EVEN TRIED GETTING MY DOG TO TYPE ON THE KEYBOARD JUST NOW BUT HE WONT EVEN GIVE THIS TEAM THE TIME OF DAY. HE IS RIGHT TO DO SO. FUCK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa.
IF A DOG DOESN’T EVEN WANNA AIR HIS FRUSTRATIONS THEN IS THIS TEAM EVEN WORTH THE TIME OF DAY JESUS CHRIST.
REALLY ANNOYING FUCKING TEAM. FUCK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAasdf(my beloved wife stole some blanket from me, so that typo stays in, anyways) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
STUPID MISTAKES ON THE DIAMOND. HOW MANY OF THEM DO WE HAVE TO SIT THROUGH. AT WHAT POINT DO WE START ASKING TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO IS DRIVING THE SHIP. WE ARE CONSISTENTLY BRAIN DEAD WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDAMENTALS COMING OUT OF SPRING TRAINING. FUCK. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
I AM NOT ONE TO CALL EVERYTHING A WRAP IN EARLY APRIL BUT JESUS CHRIST THIS TEAM IS GIVING ME ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NOTHING TO MAKE ME THINK OTHER WISE. THE STARTING PITCHING ISN’T STEPPING UP. THE BULLPEN IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THE OFFENSE LOOKS, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, AIMLESS.
THE SEASON STARTED ALREADY, GUYS. I CAN TRY TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT OUR OFFENSIVE OUTPUT (I still think we can get on base a lot) AND OUR PITCHING (please just don’t hang as many cookies with two strikes!!!! I feel like half of the damage this season has come with two strikes!!!!) AND YOU WILL BE OK. GROW THE FUCK UP, THOUGH!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!! DON’T LEAVE ALL OF YOUR SCORING TO ONE FUCKING INNING. JESUS!!!!!!!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!! BE BASEBALL PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!! THE SEASON STARTED!!!!!! YOU ARE A TEAM A LOT OF PEOPLE PUT STOCK IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Song of the Week: “Somebody Kill Me Please” by Adam Sandler
The Cure is great, in his defense.
One more for the road, because I might as well: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
COVERS INTEL: Much was made about Phillies starter Andrew Painter’s impressive MLB debut (1 ER, 4 H, 8 Ks). Keep in mind that was against a poor Nationals lineup, however.
