SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the top of the first inning against the New York Mets at Oracle Park on April 04, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants begin this three-game road series against the Baltimore Orioles this afternoon. Tonight’s game will only be broadcast on Apple TV, so just a heads up if you don’t have that you’ll have to tune in on the radio.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Landen Roupp, who enters today’s game with a 4.22 ERA, 1.37 FIP, with 14 strikeouts to three walks in 10.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 9-0 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday, in which he allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts and a walk in four and two thirds innings.
He’ll be facing off against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz, who enters today’s game with a 4.09 ERA, 2.88 FIP, with nine strikeouts to three walks in 11 innings pitched. His last start was in the Orioles’ 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in five and two thirds innings.
Mar 29, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) looks on during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
After a six-game road trip that saw the Orioles both sweep and get swept, they are back home to kick off a six-game homestand against two NL West teams. First up, it’s the fellow orange and black San Francisco Giants, who are off to 5-8 start and in last place in their division.
There won’t be quite as much orange and black on the field as usual, however, since the Orioles are rolling out their brand new City Connect uniforms. I have always dreamed on the Orioles and Giants facing each other in the World Series on Halloween.
Anyway, tonight’s game, which starts at 7:15, is airing on Apple TV. That is annoying both because you need a separate subscription and because we won’t get to hear Kevin Brown, but such is life. I do have an Apple TV subscription, so join me if you can!
Shane Baz is tonight’s starter for the Orioles. His second start, last weekend in Pittsburgh, was better than his first. Although he did walk three in his 5.2 inning, 1 run effort. Mike Elias is clear he thinks Baz has ace stuff, so any time he wants to show it would be fine with me.
The Giants counter with Landen Roupp. This is Roupp’s third season with the Giants, although I could not pick him out of a lineup. In two starts this year, he has had a six-inning, zero runs game and a 4.2 inning, seven runs game. Sign me up for that second one, please.
Colton Cowser is getting a night off with Dylan Beavers starting in center field. It’s the second straight game with Beavers in center instead of Cowser. The lineup is similar to Wednesday, with only Samuel Basallo replacing Ryan Mountcastle in the batting order. Basallo will DH with Adley Rutschman behind the plate.
If the Orioles can win tonight, that’ll make four in a row. I really like the sound of that.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 06: A general view of Tropicana Field as Cedric Mullins #31 of the Tampa Bay Rays rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the second inning during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Monday, April 6, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Emmet Sheehan #80 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Emmet Sheehan takes the ball for his third start of the season on Saturday night. After pitching only 3 1/3 innings in his first start of the season, he went 5 2/3 innings last Friday, April 3 in Washington D.C. against the Nationals. With a six-man starting staff and Thursday’s off day, the Dodgers shifted their rotation a bit for the homestand, starting Tyler Glasnow in Friday night’s opener at Dodger Stadium, on five days rest.
Sheehan on Saturday will be on seven days rest.
Sheehan was drafted by the Dodgers in the sixth round in 2021. The second overall pick of that draft was Jack Leiter, who starts for the Rangers on Saturday. Leiter has 17 strikeouts and two walks in his two starts this season, with a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings.
Sep 25, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (26) throws against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
After a very bad and nasty 1-5 road trip, the Mariners return home for a little 4-game set against their division arch-rivals, the Houston Astros. With the Mariners currently sitting in dead last in the AL West, a win tonight is greatly needed.
Tonight also has the distinction of being both Ichiro Statue day and Ichiro Replica Statue Night! Lots of Ichiro today! Unfortunately, there’s a little less Ichiro than expected, as the bat on his new statue broke during the unveiling. I asked my local augur if that was a bad omen and he simply stared at me and screamed. The first 40,000 fans to arrive to the game tonight will receive a replica of the statue in its undamaged state.
Lineups
There is a suspiciously Brendan Donovan shaped hole in the lineup today, with Leo Rivas taking over duty at third base. Donovan is out with illness, but it thankfully seems to have not spread throughout the clubhouse. Otherwise, the standout is a return to the leadoff slot for J.P. Crawford. J.P. spent much of last summer in the number one spot, but Dan Wilson seems to prefer him in the number 9 hole where he can turn the lineup over. With Donovan out though, Wilson’s hand was forced. We’ll see if some of J.P.‘s old leadoff magic can be recovered.
Meanwhile, Emerson Hancock will make his third start of the season. Hancock has gotten off to a hot start this year, only allowing one run and racking up 14 strikeouts in 12.2 IP. His sweeper has been excellent, with no opposing hitters able to get a hit off it, despite a 24.6% usage rate. Paired with his 4-seamer and sinker, Emerson has been a standout pitcher in 2026.
Tatsuya Imai will be making the start for the Astros. The MLB newcomer has had a mixed first two stateside starts. In his debut against the Angels he was blown up to the tune of 4 runs, 3 hits, and 4 walks in 2.2 innings, but then held the Athletics scoreless over 5.2 innings of 3-hit ball. His slider is weird (it doesn’t slide), and he throws a fastball from a low arm slot that can confuse hitters. Look for the M’s to either score seven thousand runs or be no-hit.
Game Info
Game Time: 6:40 pm PT
TV: Mariners TV and FOR FREE over the air on KING 5 and affiliated PNW stations. Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Valle are on the call, with Ryan Rowland-Smith serving as the field reporter.
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with good ol’ Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr. on the call.
Apr 9, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Gleyber Torres (25) hits a sacrifice fly against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images | Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (4-9) vs. Miami Marlins (8-5)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park Opponent Site: Fish On First Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (0-1, 4.15 ERA) vs. RHP Chris Paddack (0-1, 8.31 ERA)
The Braves host the Guardians in a battle of the two MLB teams who have yet to lose a series. For game 1, Bryce Elder starts for Atlanta and Slade Cecconi starts for the Guardians. Today’s game starts at 7:15 PM ET in Atlanta and broadcast on BravesVision.
Join us and discuss today’s game in the comments below!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 01: Andrew McCutchen #4 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 01, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for April 10, 2026 against the Los Angeles Dodgers: starting pitchers are Kumar Rocker for the Rangers and Tyler Glasnow for the Dodgers.
Texas begins a ten game road trip tonight at Chavez Ravine. Interestingly, Joc sits and McCutchen starts against a righty.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Langford — LF
Seager — SS
Burger — 1B
McCutchen — DH
Carter — CF
Jansen — C
Smith — 2B
Jung — 3B
9:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +190 underdogs.
Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – DH Jared Young – 1B Luis Robert – CF Brett Baty – RF Marcus Semien – 2B Ronny Mauricio – 3B Francisco Alvarez – C Carson Benge – LF
SP: Clay Holmes – RHP
Athletics lineup
Lawrence Butler – RF Nick Kurtz – 1B Shea Langeliers – C Tyler Soderstrom – LF Jacob Wilson – SS Jeff McNeil – 2B Max Muncy – 3B Carlos Cortes – DH Denzel Clarke – CF
SP: J.T. Ginn – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:10 PM EDT TV: PIX11 Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Talk about a bummer ending for Blue Jays fans in last year’s World Series; losing a late lead in Game 7, then losing the game in extra innings (the same happened in Game 3). In the offseason, the Jays picked up Dylan Cease, Taylor Rogers’s brother, and today’s starter, Patrick Corbin. Corbin’s a low-90s junkballer who’s a fan of politicians that cheat at golf, plus he’s lefthanded and breathing, which means he’ll probably give Twins hitters fits. (Or, maybe not, if Zach’s got this squad measured correctly.)
The 36-year-old Corbin (old by baseball years, but in life years, I’d trade with him) was called up after the Jays got pummeled by L.A. on Tuesday, and they’re currently below .500. I’d expect them to do better soon; still, a depressing start after last year’s depressing finish. Jays fans have always been some of the nicest, politest visitors to Target Field, so I wish them the best after this weekend.
If you’re not aware, a few years back the Jays did a major renovation project to the Skydome (corporate name, Rogers Centre, but always Skydome to me). The refit was planned to cost C$ 300, and came in 33% more costly, as refits always do. A huge undertaking was re-angling the lower-level seats with better sightlines. You can see photos of the old layout and new layout and the refit construction at this site, which loves fawning over the beneficence of baseball owners. While some of the other renovations created more family-friendly seating (yay!) and a lot of new exclusive special luxury sections (barf!).
But, one thing that doesn’t make me barf: this was all paid for by private investment. Not a single taxpayer dollar was spent.
If Rogers Communications wants to spend their own money (and that of investment partners) putting in more luxury boxes and such, that’s their business. If you want to buy a car dealership and paint every car on the lot in swirling 1960s psychedelic colors, that’s your business. Customers will like it or not. Caveat emptor, or whatever the reverse is.
Alas, naturally team president Mark Shapiro has said that in 10 years or so, the team *might* need a brand-new stadium, which generally means “I’m gonna threaten to move to Punxsutawney if they offer me three billion taxpayer dollars,” but we’ll see what happens then. Or you will, or neither of us if we’re both dead.
In the meantime, let’s celebrate what the Skydome is really best known for; hotel-in-the outfield exhibitionism. From the Toronto Sun in 2014:
I love how the two mustached dudes are like, “we are so luxury with our expensive hotel, look at us,” and absolutely nobody is looking at THEM.
I tend to think of intentionally leaving the shades open on personal moments as a Manhattan thing (many Manhattan residents have binoculars near their window for this reason), but hey, Toronto can be open for wackiness, too.
Since Jays fans are generally so nice when visiting Target Field, how about some Twins fans going to the Skydome Marriott and giving the locals a show?
On Thursday, as I type this, there’s a room with a baseball view available Saturday for only C$ 1776 (or $1285 US), with comfy chairs you can move right over to the window:
C’mon, people. Take a trip and let your freaky side out! You know you WANT to. I would, but my TwinkieTown company credit card’s been frozen (lawsuits are pending). So it’s up to you!
And if you’re not into that sort of thing, at least enjoy one of my favorite team songs:
Mets rookie Carson Benge made headlines on Opening Day, homering to pick up his first career hit, which may have raised the immediate expectations around the 23-year-old a bit too high, too fast.
Since going 1-for-3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates with that home run, Benge is just 3-for-34 at the plate without another extra-base hit. Overall, Benge is hitting .108 over 11 games this season, causing some to question if he's actually ready to play in the majors.
Even with president of baseball operations David Stearns and the team backing Benge, it was asked by a reporter on Friday if there comes a point where the Mets should send Benge down to Triple-A to help improve his confidence at the plate. Stearns didn't bat an eye and said that's not something up for discussion, believing he will continue to adjust and improve as the season continues.
"We're not discussing that at all," Stearns said. "I think our view is Carson's going to figure this out. He's a good player and we're happy to have him on the team."
When asked what he's thought of Benge so far and what he needs to show to remain in the big leagues, Stearns expressed full confidence in the young outfielder.
"I think we've seen a really good athlete," Stearns said Friday ahead of the team's game vs. the Athletics. "I think we've seen, at times, some really good at-bats, and at times, maybe getting a little bit jumpy. Probably trying to do too much, maybe subconsciously trying to do too much. This is a really good athlete, it's a good baseball player. You can go through stretches at the big leagues and tie yourself in knots a little bit, and part of being in the big leagues is figuring how to get yourself out of it.
"I've been encouraged over the last couple games he's played. I think we've seen some better at-bats. We've seen a couple really nice plays made against him, which also seems to happen when you're going through stretches like this, balls seem to find gloves. Our feeling toward the player, our evaluation of the player hasn't changed at all based on the last few weeks."
Stearns went on to say that Benge has shown his athleticism in the outfield and on the basepaths, going 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts. The team is OK being "patient" with his development early in the season and believes his versatility will help them win games.
"Yeah, we're going to be patient," Stearns said. "Carson's a part of this team, we believe he's going to help us win games this year.
"The nice thing about Carson and what he brings to the team is that he can contribute in a variety of different ways, so it's not all on his bat. He's a good defender, he's a good baserunner and I think that allows someone to be able to work through things at the plate a little bit when they're contributing to wins in other ways."
In addition to the Mets' confidence in Benge, sending him down to the minors at this time would make it hard for them to construct a starting outfield with Juan Soto sidelined. Benge showed his hitting capabilities in spring training with a .366 batting average and will look to build more momentum after singling in Wednesday's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks to snap his 0-for-24 streak.
People visit the Liberty Bell on the eve of Independence Day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 2025. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
PHILLIES
Ketel Marte – 2B
Trea Turner – SS
Ildemaro Vargas – 1B
Kyle Schwarber – DH
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Bryce Harper – 1B
Gabriel Moreno – C
Brandon Marsh – LF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Bryson Stott – 2B
Jose Fernandez – DH
Adolis Garcia – RF
Tim Tawa – LF
Alec Bohm – 3B
Alek Thomas – CF
J.T. Realmuto – C
Jorge Barrosa – RF
Justin Crawford – CF
Michael Soroka – RHP
Jesus Luzardo – LHP
After a successful start to the road-trip in New York, taking two of three, it’s on to Philadelphia for the D-backs. We’ve lost the series here each of the past two seasons – last time, it took an 11-9 victory in ten innings for Arizona to avoid the sweep. That game gave Jalen Beeks his one and only save as a Diamondback. [I note, he has tossed six scoreless innings for the Rangers since signing there] Of course, we will always have those stunning wins in Games 6+7 of the 2023 NLCS. In Game 7, the D-backs bullpen pitched five innings of no-hit baseball after Joe Mantiply allowed a lead-off double, to lock down the pennant. So, yeah: this ballpark has some good memories.
Michael Soroka’s second start was nowhere near as dominant as his Diamondbacks debut. He had a K:BB of 3:3, rather than 10:1. But it still got the job done. Five innings of one-run ball, from your #5 starter is definitely something you’ll take any day. I doubt his minuscule ERA will remain that way forever, but enjoy it while it lasts. Still no Corbin Carroll in the line-up, but according to Jody Jackson, “Corbin Carroll says he feels a lot better today and all indications are that he will be back soon.” No imaging or further tests are scheduled. Good to hear: the line-up could certainly use the power.
Because the last time a Diamondbacks’ hitter left the yard? That would be in the third inning of last Friday’s game against Atlanta, when Jordan Lawlar went deep. They have had 218 at-bats since then, without a home-run. If they don’t hit one tonight, it’ll be the first time they have gone seven games without once since September 2014. The franchise record is eight, from July 2002. Also of note, this is the only occasion where the D-backs have gone longer than four games without a homer and had a winning record over that time. They are 4-2 during the current streak, and have averaged better than four runs per game, which is… not terrible.
Shōta Imanaga was absolutely magnificent Friday at Wrigley Field.
He allowed just one baserunner, a two-out walk in the second inning. (More on that later.) He struck out nine.
Imanaga had to be removed after six innings, having thrown 100 pitches. No one quibbles with that. He was the first Cubs pitcher to throw 100 pitches this year. In fact, out of 376 games started in 2026 before Friday, just 26 pitchers (6.9 percent) had thrown 100 or more pitches, with the most being 109 by Robbie Ray of the Giants this past Tuesday.
Caleb Thielbar, who’s been so good out of the pen since the beginning of last year, wasn’t today. A leadoff single by Ryan O’Hearn in the seventh spoiled any thought of a combined no-hitter and then Bryan Reynolds’ homer gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead that they did not give up, and that was the final score on a chilly Friday at Wrigley Field, a 2-0 Cubs loss.
This is largely because the Cubs had baserunners all over the place but could not do anything with them. Runners in the first and second came to naught because Alex Bregman (first) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (second) hit into inning-ending double playes. The Cubs had two on with one out in the third — nothing doing. They loaded the bases with two out in the fourth, but Moisés Ballesteros flied to left. They loaded the bases again with two out in the sixth, and Matt Shaw, batting for Ballesteros, struck out.
There was one last potential rally for the Cubs in the eighth. Again, they had a runner in scoring position with two out, but Shaw flied to right.
If you are counting — and helpfully, that boxscore link does that for you — that’s 0-for-8 for the Cubs with RISP and 11 men left on base. They had six hits and drew six walks and, well, teams should score more than zero runs with all those baserunners. Just to give you an idea how rare it is to not score at all with that many runners, here’s BCB’s JohnW53:
The Cubs had been shut out in only five previous games since 1901 with at least six hits and at least seven walks, their totals today. This was the first by 2-0. The previous five: April 10, 1979: lost at St. Louis, 7-0 (seven hits, seven walks) May 19, 1985: lost at Atlanta, 3-0 (seven hits, eight walks) May 17, 1991: lost at Philadelphia, 1-0, in 16 innings (10 hits, nine walks) May 7, 2008: lost at Cincinnati, 9-0 (six hits, seven walks) Aug. 22, 2011: lost at home to the Braves, 3-0
Shōta Imanaga’s start was just the fifth by a Cub since 1901 in which he gave up no hits, threw at least 6.0 innings and did not complete a nine-inning no-hitter. Imanaga also was the last to do it, going 7.0 vs. the Pirates at Wrigley Field on Sept. 4, 2024.
The three others: King Cole, on July 31, 1910, in a seven-inning game at St. Louis Zach Davies, on June 24, 2021, with 6.0 at Los Angeles vs. the Dodgers Ben Brown, on May 28, 2024, with 7.0 at Milwaukee
At the beginning of this recap, I mentioned I’d have more on Imanaga’s walk. That’s because… it shouldn’t have been a walk:
As you can see, pitch 9, which was called ball four, was a strike. The Cubs opted not to use an ABS challenge on this pitch, which I suppose I can understand that early in a scoreless game. On the other hand, if they had… the inning would have been over and it would have saved Imanaga the five pitches he had to then use to strike out Konnor Griffin to actually end the inning.
Only you can’t necessarily assume that, because the sequencing would have been different with Griffin then leading off the third. So who knows? I assume the Cubs brass will discuss this and decide whether, in the future, they might want to challenge a pitch like this.
Anyway, the offense, or lack thereof, is what made this a frustrating game. After Thielbar, Ethan Roberts and Riley Martin set the Pirates down with no further damage, giving the Cubs at least a chance to come back, but they could not. The Pirates appear to be a better team this year than last, so hopefully the Cubs will be better prepared for the rest of this series.
Saturday, Edward Cabrera, who’s been excellent so far this year, will try to help the Cubs even up the series. Braxton Ashcraft goes for Pittsburgh. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
David Peterson has had a disappointing start to his 2026 season.
After making his first All-Star Game a year ago, the Mets southpaw has stumbled out of the game with three subpar starts, including back-to-back outings where he's allowed five earned runs.
But for Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, it's still a small sample size and he believes Peterson will right the ship.
"Petey, I’m sure the last two haven’t gone the way he wanted, haven’t gone the way we wanted," Stearns told the media ahead of the team's series opener against the Athletics on Friday. "But we believe in who he is as a pitcher. He's a great competitor, and I think he'll put this past him."
Across his first three starts, Peterson has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) across 14.2 innings pitched. His ERA stands at 6.14 and the Mets are 1-2 in his starts.
Following Peterson's latest loss, there were questions as to whether his place in the rotation should be reconsidered, especially with Sean Manaea pitching effectively in long relief.
Stearns is confident that Manaea will make starts for the Mets in 2026 and doesn't necessarily have to replace someone in the rotation to do it.
"My expectation, just based on my experience of how many starters you need over the course of a major league season, is that Sean’s going to make a bunch of starts for us this year," Stearns said. "He’s very capable of doing that. We’ve seen some progress over the last couple of outings and that’s good to see. I give Sean a lot of credit for understandably being disappointed, but then going down there and helping the team, and he has helped us every time he’s taken the ball down there."
After experiencing decreased velocity in spring, Manaea broke camp in the bullpen. He's made three appearances, allowing three runs across 9.0 innings. While the velocity isn't where it was at his peak, it has improved and Manaea's pitching overall continues to trend in the right direction.
Should we expect Craig Kimbrel up with the Mets?
Stearns was asked about the prospect of Kimbrel joining the club this season and if there's a timeline for that to happen.
While Stearns didn't go into details on whether the veteran reliever has any opt-outs, he was happy at what he saw from him in his first rehab assignment.
Pitching for Port St. Lucie, Kimbrel worked a clean inning and struck a batter out.
"Craig threw the ball well yesterday. That was very good to see," Stearns said. "We continue to believe he can help us this year; he wants to help us. We have a stable pen so far. We haven’t made a move, but eventually we will. He’s certainly a candidate when we have an opportunity."
With Manaea giving them length and saving the bullpen twice, the Mets relievers are relatively rested and have been generally effective. But as Stearns said with Manaea, it's a long season and Kimbrel's name is likely to be called upon sooner rather than later.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 16: Kyle Nicolas #19 of Team Italy pitches in the eighth inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Semifinals between Italy and Venezuela at loanDepot park on March 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Gene Wang - Capture At Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jose Franco played the role of long man in the Cincinnati Reds bullpen through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. He’s a starter by trade – and a promising one, at that – but manager Terry Francona needed to lean on him in that role given the banged-up nature of the rest of his pitching staff at the moment.
Franco mopped up Thursday’s 8-1 loss to the Miami Marlins in the series finale in south Florida, throwing 43 pitches to get through 2.0 IP. It was his second multi-inning outing of the week, and the gassed Reds bullpen simply needed another fresh arm. So, it was unsurprising to see Franco optioned back to AAA Louisville on Friday as the team brought up righty Kyle Nicolas to take his spot on the roster.
MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed the news on Bluesky.
Nicolas came to the Reds in exchange for Tyler Callihan during spring training, though he was away with Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic at the time. So, it took a bit of time for the Reds to fully understand exactly what they had in him, and he began the year with AAA Louisville to get his feet wet within the new organization despite having appeared in 82 games at the big league level across the previous two seasons.
Nicolas allowed an earned run in his first appearance of the season with the Bats back on March 31st but has since fired 3.1 IP of scoreless ball with just a lone hit and a 6/2 K/BB. His high velocity stuff will play just about anywhere in the Cincinnati bullpen, though it would certainly appear now that they’re going to operate without a ‘long man’ until Nick Lodolo returns from his blister issue and someone gets bumped back from the rotation.
Cincinnati begins a weekend series (and 6-game homestand) on Friday night at Great American Ball Park, and they’ll do so with Chase Burns on the mound and the Los Angeles Angels in town. First pitch in that one is set for 6:45 PM ET as the game is being broadcast by Apple TV. Here’s how the Reds are going to line up for the opener:
