PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 15: Team Mexico fans drape a Mexican flag over the outfield walll during Game 9 of Pool C between Team Mexico and Team Canada at Chase Field on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The World Baseball Classic starts to loom, and in addition to the game here, fourteen other participant countries will also be playing exhibition games here or in Florida. Among the D-backs taking part, Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo are batting 2nd and 9th respectively, as the Dominican Republic take on the Tigers. Druw Jones is also hitting 9th for the Netherlands as they take on the Orioles. And Kristian Robinson is playing DH and hitting fifth for the British team [/sips tea], for their game against the Brewers in Maryvale. Meanwhile, here’s the D-backs’ line-up as they take on our southern neighbors this afternoon at Salt River Fields:
After Zac Gallen, pitchers may include RHP Dylan Ray, RHP Taylor Clarke, RHP Juan Morillo, RHP Grant Holman, RHP Joe Ross and RHP John Curtiss. Zac only threw one inning his first time out, since like Brandon Pfaadt, he is being slow-played. It was a scoreless inning with one hit and a pair of strikeouts, but I’d expect at least two and possibly three frames from him this afternoon. Also of note, scheduled to start for the Mexican side is former Diamondback, Taijuan Walker, while batting eighth will be current Diamondback, Alek Thomas. Should be an interesting game, although it doesn’t “count”, even in the Cactus League!
A couple of ways to follow this one. The game will be televised through dbacks.tv, with Steve Berthiaume, Bob Brenly & – be still my beating heart – Todd Walsh. But if you want to practice your Spanish, it will also be on La Campesina 101.9 FM and 860 AM, with Oscar Soria & Richard Saenz.
GOODYEAR, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Petey Halpin #0 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a photo during the Cleveland Guardians photo day at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Nic Antaya/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Time to play the World Champs again. Here’s the lineup:
CF Kwan SS Rocchio 3B Ramirez 1B Manzardo C Fry DH Valera RF Jones 2B Brito LF Halpin
The Los Angeles Dodgers will travel to Goodyear Park to take on the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Roki Sasaki looks to improve on his first outing of the season, in which he went 1.1 innings and allowed three hits and three runs, while walking two and striking out three. Joey Cantillo will start for the Guardians.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - JANUARY 7: Sam Cozart #35 of the Texas Longhorns poses for a portrait on Texas baseball media day on January 7, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by The University of Texas Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
After winning three games in the BRUCE BOLT College Classic in Houston over the weekend to remain undefeated, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns return to UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Tuesday for a matchup against the Houston Christian Huskies.
The Horns have won all 10 previous meetings between the two schools, including a 7-1 win over the Huskies in the Austin Regional last year. Houston Christian earned the automatic bid from the Southland Conference after making an unexpected tournament run.
Under third-year head coach Clay Vanderlaan, HCU is off to a 6-6 start this season, bouncing back from an 0-5 start to the season with series wins over Alcorn State and UIW and a midweek road win in extra innings over Rice in Houston. On Sunday, the Huskies notched an 11-10 walk-off win over the Cardinals after rallying from a 9-2 deficit over the final three innings.
Outfielder Jack Walker had a big week for Houston Christian, batting .500 with two home runs, four RBI, and eight runs scored to extend his hitting streak to seven games. First baseman Katcher Halligan has been hot at the plate, too, raising his average from .143 to .370 over an eight-game hitting streak. Walker and Halligan are two of the four batters hitting over .300 for the Huskies, led by catcher Levi Castilleja, an excellent contact hitter, at .409, and second baseman Anthony Avalos at .390.
The Huskies haven’t flashed much power this season with six home runs and a .425 slugging percentage, though they do have 29 doubles and a .301 team batting average.
Right-hander Kenan Elarton (0-0, 0.00 ERA), an Arizona transfer who played high school baseball with Texas junior catcher Carson Tinney at Valor Christian in the Denver metro, is expected to get the start for Houston Christian, his first of the season. Elarton has held opponents scoreless in his four innings pitched over three outings, striking out four while allowing four hits and three walks.
As a staff, the Huskies have struggled with a 7.30 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP as opponents have hit .298 with 12 home runs.
Texas is expected to give freshman right-hander Sam Cozart his second straight midweek start after two superlative outings. In relief of sophomore right-hander Jason Flores two weeks ago, the 6’6, 260-pounder allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts in four innings of the run-rule win over Lamar. Last week, in his first collegiate start, Cozart was dominant over four scoreless innings, holding UTRGV to one hit while striking out eight and walking three.
Expect Flores to see some action against Houston Christian, too.
“Need to get Jason Flores back out on the field. Jason’s really good and he threw awesome last Tuesday night,” Texas head coach Jim Schlossnagle said during his Monday appearance on the Around the Horns podcast.
Flores went one scoreless inning against the Vaqueros, working around two hits while striking out one.
At the plate, redshirt senior third baseman Temo Becerra is in the midst of the best power surge in his career. In Houston, the Stanford transfer went 4-for-8 with three home runs, seven runs scored, six RBI, 14 total bases, and a 2.365 OPS. The three home runs tied his career total entering the season.
First pitch is at 6:30 p.m. Central on SEC Network+.
Sean Newcomb will square off against the Padres this afternoon in his second outing with Chicago. | (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
After a late loss yesterday to San Francisco, lefty Sean Newcomb makes his second White Sox start since signing a one-year deal in December, looking to carry over the momentum he built in the Athletics’ bullpen in 2025. Newcomb primarily began his professional career as a starter before shifting into the bullpen for 32 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, while still making spot starts where needed.
With the A’s last season, Newcomb found his footing in the pen and propelled himself to one of the league’s top-five relievers after dominating 51 1/3 innings in 36 games while sustaining a 1.75 ERA and efficient 1.032 WHIP. The southpaw is expected to bolster himself as a cornerstone of the bullpen if he can maintain the progress that he built up and continue to avoid injuries. For a Chicago team that struggled so much late in games on the mound and experienced way too many one-run losses, coaches and fans are hopeful that Newcomb can promote stability into the relief staff.
On the bright side for Newcomb, the South Side offense has been raking this spring. They’ve so far ranked fourth overall in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage, and sixth in OPS, while also holding the top BA and SLG % in the American League. If you’d told me this a year ago, I’d probably have assumed you were crazy. Edgar Quero was steady last year, but he’s on fire now, slashing .529/.556/.824 (1.380 OPS) in five games (17 at-bats) and starting this afternoon behind the plate in the cleanup spot.
Chase Meidroth, Colson Montgomery, and Miguel Vargas are holding down the top of the order, respectively. While Chase and Colson have had a slower start to Spring Training, this is definitely the time to work on their swings and shake off the rust before the season starts. Vargas has been solid, however, and holds the seventh-highest batting average on the team (.412) in 17 at-bats, including two doubles. LaMonte Wade Jr. will get some reps at first, while Austin Hays, Brooks Baldwin, and Dru Baker round out the outfield as manager Will Venable works to determine the best mix.
For the Padres, righthander Nick Pivetta will be taking the mound, also making his second start of the spring. His numbers are certainly not impressive in his tiny two-inning sample (three earned runs in two innings); however, it’s already well established that Pivetta’s consistency has propelled him as one of the stronger starting pitchers in the league. In 2025, he posted a 2.87 ERA and a 0.985 WHIP in 31 starts for the Friars (181 2/3 innings) and finished in the top 15 in strikeouts.
Prospects are making up the majority of the Padres lineup; however, 2024 All-Star Jackson Merrill is holding down the two-hole, while recently added DH Nick Castellanos will swing from the four-spot as he works to make a name for himself in San Diego.
Naturally, there doesn’t appear to be a broadcast; however, if you have an MLB.TV or MLB+ subscription, you can listen in via the Padres radio broadcast. Be sure to check back here later today for the full recap! Let’s get another spring W ahead of the World Baseball Classic.
There was a lot of noise surrounding Adam Fox’s comments last week regarding his future with the New York Rangers.
Upon his return to the lineup last week on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, Fox was asked if he wants to stick around with the Rangers through a retool, and his noncommittal answer raised some eyebrows.
“I'm just trying to focus on this year right now and play each game,” Fox said. “That's really all I could do right now. That’s a conversation for when we’re done playing.”
After the Rangers’ Monday night 5-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, Fox was given the opportunity to clarify his previous statement about his future.
However, he decided to go down a similar path, answering the question vaguely while giving no reassurances about where his head is at this season.
“Kind of the same,” Fox said of whether he had anything to add to his previous comments about his future. “We’re just trying to focus on games, myself included. Like you said, there's a lot going on, the deadline and everything. But I think all anyone can do right now is just take it day by day and try to bring a good effort, trying to bring a good attitude and obviously, go from there.”
Mercogliano reports that Fox wants to see how Drury handles the coming months and assess the state of the roster this summer before making a full-throated commitment to stick it out with the Blueshirts.
The 27-year-old defenseman holds a full no-movement clause through next season. Over the final two years of Fox’s contract, which expires in 2029, he’ll have a 16-team no-trade list.
There has been no immediate speculation that the Rangers are looking to entertain offers for Fox before the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline.
Unless I’m mistaken, today’s matchup against Team Brazil is the first time the ball club has ever competed against a World Baseball Classic team?? Can anyone fact check that? Google has really taken a dive and I’m having a difficult time locating any type of database that says otherwise. Although I want to say I remember there being an A’s vs Team Venezuela game back in 2017. Did I make that up? Classic case of the Mandela effect? Brent Rooker played the genie in Kazam!, right?
Making his A’s debut against Team Brazil is none other than Aaron Civale, who recently signed a one year deal worth about $6 million with the green and gold. Now I’d be lying to you if I said I was super pumped for the Civale era. Not very often does a pitcher with a 65.1 % flyball rate and a high 80s cutter get me all hot and bothered. In fact, I don’t think there’s ever been more of a turn off. That being said, his success is our success so I will gladly sit back and support.
Go Aaron!
I don’t see the righty going more than two innings today as it is his first outing. Still, it’ll be interesting to see him shake off the rust against Team Brazil’s trio of Nepo babies:
Lucas Ramirez (son of Manny Ramirez)
Do you think he knows that his pops is an A’s spring training legend?
Joseph Contreras (son of Jose Contreras)
Dante Bichette Jr. (I won’t patronize you fine readers)
There’s something very “Straight-to-Video” about this Team Brazil squad. But that doesn’t mean we should expect them to roll over. No, in fact Civale and the A’s should be careful as, if American Pie: Band Camp has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes greatness comes from places you’d least expect. It’s been over ten years since the last time Team Brazil punched their ticket to the WBC, and manager Daniel Yuichi Matsumoto, who was captain of that squad back then as a player, will be damned if the club doesn’t walk away from this whole affair without at least one victory. Beating the A’s could either be the feather in their cap when it’s all said and done, or the very victory that propels them towards being a cinderella team (they play Team USA on Friday btw).
It is worth noting, not a single position player on their roster has Major League experience. Literally not a single soul with a bat. With all due respect to Team Brazil, I hope the A’s put up fifteen runs. Losing isn’t the end of the world (baseball classic 😉 here but it is still embarrassing. Especially knowing that Mark Kiger has seen more action in the bigs than every one of their position players combined.
(In Robert Stack’s voice) UPDATE: I looked a bit harder and found that the A’s actually squared off against Team Colombia back in 2023 and…lost :/ Final score 3-2. Freddy Tarnok got the L. Brent Rooker did, however, go 2-2 with a walk.
I turned back the clock a little further and discovered that in 2017 and 2013, the A’s took two wins away from Team Italy, and 2009 saw them beat Team South Africa. MLB.com lists their match up against Team South Africa in 2006 as a scoreless exhibition, but according to SFGATE – – the A’s dropped thirteen runs on their heads while only giving up one.
Combing through these games made me curious to how they map out who plays who. Like why have the A’s played Team South Africa and Team Italy twice? Why is Team USA playing the Rockies and Giants this year? If anyone knows the answer to this question, please feel free to word vomit in the comments. If not, I’m sure our amazing broadcast team will hit us with a little trivia throughout the game.
Checkout the lineup below as we get ready for a fun little day of baseball!
Baseball has always been framed as pitcher versus hitter beneath the bright lights of a full stadium. But often, the decisive showdown happens somewhere less visible and far more difficult to quantify.
“Everybody knows mechanics now. Everybody knows what a good swing looks like,” said Mariners mental performance coach Adam Bernero. “The edge isn’t in spin rate. The edge is mindset. It’s who can fully express themselves with freedom.”
Bernero pitched for five MLB teams across parts of seven seasons, largely without the mental performance resources now embedded across the sport. In his current role with Seattle, his work centers on helping players manage pressure and uncertainty by understanding their own identities.
“Identity is a big one,” said Bernero. “Once guys are really comfortable in who they are, things tend to free up. If they’re trying to impress everybody else, they can’t be free in their bodies.”
Bernero can often be seen playing catch with players and hanging out near the cage. These routine and simple interactions can lead to meaningful breakthroughs.
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
Logan Gilbert is one of many players who has worked closely with Bernero. His rise into one of the game’s top pitchers has coincided with an evolution in his mental process. He came to this realization after some initial struggles as a rookie.
“I kind of used to just bang my head against the wall — mechanics, mechanics, mechanics. And then if you’re still struggling, you start realizing maybe that isn’t the problem.”
For Bernero, each relationship is different and comes with its own dynamics. There isn’t always an immediate conversation after a bad game. Instead, Bernero spends time observing players, learning their tendencies, and recognizing when behavior or emotion falls outside of their normal patterns.
“He helps you understand yourself really well,” said Gilbert. “And then there are different things like breath work and mindfulness, walking, solitude.”
While Gilbert utilizes the tools he’s learned from Bernero over the years, he still doesn’t consider himself a finished product.
“It’s nuanced and complicated. The better you get, the more questions you have. It’s kind of peeling back layers on things that needed to be worked on.”
The approach isn’t unique to Seattle. Former major league outfielder James Jones understands the pressures and struggles that players face because he lived it. After injuries curtailed his playing career, Jones moved into mental performance work with the Rangers, helping players prepare not only for competition on the field, but for the expectations and scrutiny that come with reaching the major leagues.
“It’s really about understanding their personality, understanding how they tick,” said Jones. “It’s more of an art form than anything. Instead of just giving advice, our biggest thing is coming alongside the journey with them.”
Jones points to the Rangers’ preseason leadership camp, where prospects are introduced to on-field expectations and the realities of life in the major leagues. It’s part of an effort to ensure that when players arrive, the moment feels familiar rather than overwhelming.
Jones’ experience as a former player might build some initial credibility and trust in a clubhouse, but relationships ultimately sustain the work.
Brewers reliever Hoby Milner understands the mental side of the game through the daily uncertainty of relief pitching. For him, not knowing when he’ll pitch actually works to his advantage.
“Typically, I don’t like knowing the days I throw,” said Milner. “As a starter in the minor leagues, I would stress so much knowing, like, ‘The game rides on me today.’ When you know what’s going on, you can start spiraling some negative thoughts that way. When you don’t know, it’s easier to go with the flow. You’re always prepared, but you never know. It’s just, ‘Hey, you’re in.’ Okay, cool.”
Milner has been open about the mental challenges of the game and still navigates moments of self-doubt even as he’s found steady success over the past four seasons.
“Normally I go home after a bad outing and start talking to my wife about what I want to do after baseball. And she’s like, ‘Shut up, you’ll be fine.’ The next day I break it down — was it pitch selection, execution, stuff? — and try to get excited about making that adjustment next game.”
As Milner looks back at the winding road that brought him to the Cubs this offseason, he focuses on the value of controlling the things that he can control and not worrying about external factors.
In 2026, the pressures extend far beyond the field. Intense scrutiny comes with the territory of being an MLB player, including the perils of social media. It’s a challenge to block out the noise.
“What these guys have to go through with outside pressures is just extraordinary,” said Bernero. “I think if most fans saw what players get on their Instagram or Twitter feeds every day, they’d be shocked. And beyond that, just expectations — the season’s longer, and there’s not really much of an offseason anymore.”
Even for the best of us, social media is at times unavoidable. From Jones’ work with the Rangers, they try to find ways to help players think about coming at social media from a different perspective.
“Especially right now, social media can either be a trap or it can be an actual platform they use,” said Jones. “Once we shift the identity around social media — where they use it to actually impact the communities they’re going back to — we put a purpose to it rather than it just being a place to scroll.”
Baseball is defined by failure. Those failures are inevitable, and with it comes the pressure. The pressure to win, to earn the next contract, to keep a roster spot. The goal for Bernero is to help players understand themselves well enough to move through it.
“Success for me is joy and freedom,” Bernero said. “A lot of guys go through their careers without having any fun because they’re trying to be perfect. How can you enjoy the game you’ve played your whole life?”
With every pitch and every at-bat, the work continues. A quieter showdown unfolding beyond the traditional scouting report.
NEW YORK — Atlanta outfielder Jurickson Profar faces a 162-game suspension by Major League Baseball for a possible second failed test for a performance-enhancing drug, a person familiar with the issue told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the process, first reported by ESPN, was ongoing.
Profar intends to ask the players’ association to file a grievance to appeal any discipline to baseball’s independent arbitrator, Martin F, Scheinman, a second person familiar with the process said, also on condition of anonymity, because no announcement had been made.
Because this would be Profar’s second infraction, an appeal would take place after a suspension was announced.
An All-Star in 2024, Profar was suspended for 80 games last March 31 following a positive test for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone that helps production of testosterone. He issued a statement then saying: “I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”
His agent, Dan Lozano, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Profar homered in his return from suspension on July 2 and finished with a .245 average, 14 homers, 43 RBIs and a .787 OPS in 80 games. He batted .280 in 2024, when he set career highs with 24 homers, 85 RBIs and an .839 OPS.
Profar said at the start of spring training that he had sports hernia surgery in November, requiring a six-week recovery time. He has appeared in four spring training games this year, going 3 for 10 with three RBIs.
A native of Curaçao, Profar had been set to play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.
Under the suspension, he would be ineligible for the postseason.
Profar would lose his $15 million salary for this year as part of a $42 million, three-year contract through 2027. He lost half his $12 million salary in 2025 due to the initial suspension.
Four players have been suspended previously this year for positive tests, including free agent outfielder Max Kepler for 80 games under the major league program following a positive test for Epitrenbolone.
Following the offseason signing of left fielder Mike Yastrzemski to a $23 million, two-year deal, Profar had been targeted to be the Braves’ primary designated hitter.
When catcher Sean Murphy returns from a hip injury, perhaps in May, 2025 NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin could fill in at DH when not behind the plate.
With Yastrzemski, Michael Harris and Ronald Acuña Jr. in the outfield, Eli White could be a DH option. The Braves also are without projected starting shortstop Ha-seong Kim due to a finger injury. Mauricio Dubon, expected to serve a utility role, is scheduled to open the season as the starting shortstop.
The loss of Profar could create an opportunity for Dominic Smith, who signed a minor league deal on Feb. 17.
Sep 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Ryan Bergert (38) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Is it Spring Training? Is it the World Baseball Classic? It’s both!
Today’s Royals game is an exhibition against Cuba. Which is fun! I like these contests; it’s not everyday that you get exhibitions against an entire country’s national team.
You’ll also notice who’s not in the lineup: Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Jac Caglianone. That’s because they’re elsewhere, with Team USA and Team Italy.
Royals 3/3 lineup
Meanwhile, Cuba will field a roster headlined by Yoan Moncada as well as multiple other big league players.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 20: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners swings during the game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium on February 20, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a restful off-day, the Mariners are back in action today with another televised game. J.P. Crawford returns to the lineup today at DH for the first time since the opening game of spring training, while Bryan Woo makes his second start of the spring. This is also the first time the Mariners are seeing the Angels this spring, although this traveling lineup probably isn’t representative of the team they’ll see in Anaheim.
Lineups:
Scheduled to pitch behind Woo are Michael Morales, Michael Rucker, Cole Wilcox, Casey Legumina, Domingo González, and Robinson Ortiz. Wilcox, Legumina, and Ortiz are three of the pile guys I’m most interested in watching, so that should be interesting.
No Trout for the visiting Angels. George Klassen, who was part of the return from the Phillies in the Carlos Estevez trade, gets the start for the Angels.
Old friend Tayler Saucedo is scheduled to appear for the Angels.
Game information:
Game time: 12:10 PT
TV: Mariners.tv
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports (delayed); listen live on the Seattle Sports app or Gameday
Looking ahead: Cooper Criswell will start tomorrow’s game at San Francisco; Luis Castillo will start Thursday’s game against the Padres.
Also of note:
There are some WBC scrimmages going on today. Of note for Mariners fans: Team Canada vs. Toronto is currently underway, as is Colombia vs. Pittsburgh. Sadly, the Cubs – Team Italy game featuring Dominic Canzone batting cleanup isn’t available, but you can tune in right now to Team USA scrimmaging against San Francisco on ESPN, or Team Mexico vs. Arizona if you have MLB TV. At 3 PT, you can see the Dominican Republic take on Detroit, Puerto Rico vs. Boston, or Venezuela vs. Houston. We could put up a separate thread for those later games if there’s interest; otherwise, feel free to use this one to chat WBC as well as Mariners.
Peoria, AZ - February 19: Nick Pivetta #27 of the San Diego Padres throws during a spring training practice on February 19, 2026 in Peoria, AZ. (Photo by K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
San Diego Padres at Chicago White Sox, March 3, 2026, 12:05 p.m. PST
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Adric and me immediately after Game 7 of the World Series at Rogers Centre. November 2, 2025. | Michael Elizondo / True Blue LA
A new year, a new Guide trailer. Please enjoy.
Once again, we have reached the time of year when I write out where I have been and where I plan to go in the coming year, for year five, the planned final year of field research for True Blue LA.
Wait. Final? Are you quitting?
Never, but there comes a moment where prudence is required.
If I could take a moment, I have had the adventure of a lifetime traveling to Dodger games since April 2021, and as a professional since January 2022. If you told me at the Oakland Coliseum that an evening out after being vaccinated for COVID, where Cody Bellinger broke his leg, would be the starting gun to an adventure that would take me all over the world, including Game 7 of the World Series, I would look at you as if you had gone mad.
For five years, the movements of my life have been dictated in part by the baseball schedule.
I will complete the circuit in 2026. Then, once I look out at the Philadelphia skyline after my visit, I anticipate a feeling of quiet accomplishment.
Once the entire baseball 2027 schedule is published, I will get to go where I want to go, rather than having my mindset be “where have I not been yet and how do I mark that location off my list?”
If and when baseball expands, I will return to the road, be it Las Vegas, Nashville, Salt Lake City, or Portland. But generally limiting myself to the Western divisions or wherever Mom wants to go (for as long as she wants to go) is a state of play that I am genuinely looking forward to.
But before we start our final run, let us check the final score of my visits during the Dodgers’ 2025 title run. The table will look best in landscape mode if you are reading this article from a mobile device.
The results of the 2025 itinerary of field research for the Guide
Date of Game
Opponent, Stadium, and City
Result
Overall Record
Starting Pitcher
March 18, 2025
Cubs, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
W, 4-1
1-0
Yamamoto
March 19, 2025
Cubs, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
W, 6-3
2-0
R. Sasaki
April 18, 2025
Rangers, Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
W, 3-0
3-0
Yamamoto
April 19, 2025
Rangers, Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
L, 4-3
3-1
R. Sasaki
April 20, 2025
Rangers, Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
W, 1-0
4-1
Glasnow
July 13, 2025
Bonus – Giants, Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
W, 5-2/11
5-1
Yamamoto
August 15, 2025
Padres, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
W, 3-2
6-1
Kershaw
August 16, 2025
Padres, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
W, 6-0
7-1
Snell
September 2, 2025
Pirates, PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
L, 9-7
7-2
Kershaw
September 3, 2025
Pirates, PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
L, 3-0
7-3
Sheehan
September 4, 2025
Pirates, PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
L, 5-3
7-4
Snell
September 5, 2025
Orioles, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
L, 2-1
7-5
Ohtani
September 6, 2025
Orioles, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
L, 4-3
7-6
Yamamoto
September 7, 2025
Bonus – Orioles, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
Woof. That September losing streak built character and honestly tested my sanity a little. Still, things worked out in the end.
Being present to watch the Dodgers in three countries and two continents in 2025 is the weirdest flex I will ever have as a Dodger fan. Honestly, I am surprised how often I saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw pitch in the last campaign. It’s not seeing Walker Buehler more often than his mother in 2021, but considering I try to halve my workload when compared to the 2021 amateur campaign, proportions matter.
Being at Kershaw’s actual regular-season farewell is something I do not think I will ever forget.
If one factors in the inaugural amateur year of 2021, the Dodgers are now 62-38 with me in attendance in 27 major league cities and Tokyo. The team is also 2-0 in postseason play with me in attendance. Admittedly, Game 7 of the 2025 World Series has infinitely more cachet than Game 2 of the 2021 National League Division Series in San Francisco.
Accordingly, it is time to complete this five-year mission. I plan to visit my final three MLB stadiums in 2026: Daikin Park (Houston), New Yankee Stadium (the Bronx), and Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia). Considering the Dodgers’ recent history in these venues, I will have my work cut out for me as a visiting Dodgers fan.
The 2026 itinerary of field research for the Guide
Behold — my travels to complete the circuit. Again, the table will look best in landscape mode if you are reading this article from a mobile device. In the grand scheme of things, I am well ahead of schedule this year compared to the past couple of years.
Stop Number
Dates of Games
Opponent, Stadium, and City
Comments, if Any
1a
May 2-3
Cardinals, Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
1b
May 4-6
Astros, Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Stadium 28
2
May 23-24
Brewers, American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
Going for Bernie’s Slide
3
June 13-14
White Sox, Rate Field, Chicago, IL
First visit since 2024
4a
July 17-19
Yankees, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Stadium 29
4b
July 20-22
Phillies, Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Stadium 30
5
August 17-18
Rockies, Coors Field, Denver, CO
Annual trip with Mom
I plan to attend 17 games in seven cities over five trips. I could take or leave going to St. Louis, but considering that weekend, I would just be sitting at home before flying to Houston, for a few hundred more, I would rather watch the Dodgers in person.
Admittedly, while it would be nice to return to Toronto (April), Minneapolis (May), or Cincinnati (September), sometimes there is valor in saying no. My funds are not infinite, as my tax return reminds me on a now-annual basis. Besides, I really should not press my luck (Toronto) or wait until the next cycle (Minneapolis).
I had originally planned to go to San Diego this season, but the Murakami signing in Chicago swayed me. Moreover, I get the chance to meet up with friends in Chicago, which also prompted my return to Milwaukee. Molly Knight is doing an event with her readers in three ballparks in Chicago and Milwaukee over Memorial Day weekend, and I figured it would be fun to tag along for the Milwaukee/Dodgers portion of the trip.
With that idea in mind, I am going to do something I once planned to challenge David Vassegh to do: I am going to challenge Bernie’s Slide in Milwaukee, while also ghost-hunting at the Pfister Hotel. Apparently, to do the Slide, I need a buddy, which was not the rule when I last visited. Am I going to be blasting the Ghostbusters Theme on a loop while in Milwaukee? Probably.
Mom did not want to go back to Dodger Stadium in 2026, and I do not blame her for that decision one bit. Accordingly, she has chosen Denver for our annual trip in 2026, which should be fun. There is a mostly-zero probability I conclude my 2026 shenanigans in Cincinnati, but for now, what you see above is the plan.
While I hope to achieve a goal I first set out to do in 2021 this year, by definition, it will not be as epic as completing the lifelong bucket list items I managed to complete in 2025, when I went to Japan. I am very much looking forward to completing my circuit of MLB ballparks this season.
“Home” Games
Since I have returned to the Bay Area, and with the now-Sacramento Athletics’ departure from Oakland, the closest ballpark to me is, once again, Oracle Park. Joy.
My general rule for Oracle Park remains: I do not go to games in San Francisco unless I am with friends and family, because I have been to Oracle Park far too many times for any novelty to remain. I covered Oracle Park in its Guide entry. It’s fine, even though I serve as a personification of the living bane of the San Francisco Giants, who are 8-15 in my presence at Oracle Park.
If folks wish to go to Oracle Park and invite me, here are the dates for the upcoming year:
April 21-23
September 25-27 (weekend series, regular season finale)
While Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, CA, is about an hour away, I will still not attend when the Dodgers are there for two reasons.
First, I still do not want to. Second, while the Dodgers will, unfortunately, visit Sacramento in 2026, I will write up what can best be described as an anti-Guide entry explaining why Dodgers fans should not give John Fisher their hard-earned money. Moreover, even the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets will visit Sutter Health Park while I am on the East Coast, completing the circuit.
Please holler if you wish me to tag along on any adventure to any of the above-listed ballparks.
If folks want to join me on the road, please reach out as soon as possible—the more, the merrier, as I always say. The meetups I had in Tokyo, Baltimore, and Seattle were great fun.
I have been at this long enough that I am getting recognized more often in the field, which is still both confusing and neat. As always, please say hello, unless I am in the bathroom or eating.
As for upcoming Guide entries, given that the Dodgers return to Detroit and Rate Field this year, you can bet I will have new or updated entries ready for potential travelers. Please look forward to it!
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 02: Pitcher Clayton Kershaw #22 of Team USA fields a ground ball during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex on March 02, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Clayton Kershaw may be done with Major League Baseball, but as the World Baseball Classic nears, the greatest left-hander of our generation has one more box to tick. For the first time in his career, Kershaw will represent the United States of America in the World Baseball Classic, and in preparation for that assignment, Kershaw took the field at Papago Sports Complex in Arizona as part of a team workout.
Speaking to the media, Kershaw displayed a self-awareness of his current limitations: “I think for our country’s sake, it’s better if I don’t,” he said of a potential matchup with Shohei Ohtani. However, the competitor in him remains: “I can’t imagine, if it comes down to USA versus Japan, with the arms that we have, that I’ll be needed. But I’ll be ready.”
Kershaw’s importance to the US team may be more important than originally thought, as Bill Shaikin of the LA Times notes: what looked to be a stout rotation for the US team is taking several blows—Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, and Paul Skenes will all have certain limitations about how often they can pitch in this tournament—the reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young will only pitch once, for instance.
MLB even published a small clip of Kershaw warming up wearing the American colors.
Kershaw made an appearance on the Pat McAfee show as well, in which he discussed the process of his retirement. The left-hander emphasized the gradual decline of his fastball velocity, the challenges of rehabbing from surgeries, and the eventual realization that it was time to call it quits at the end of 2025.
Continuing the World Baseball Classic theme—despite being currently sidelined recovering from surgery—Kiké Hernández will soon leave the Dodgers facilities to join the Puerto Rico team, reports Jack Harris, who also notes Kyle Tucker’s current absence from Dodger camp, as he and his wife are expecting a child. Lastly, according to Harris, Tommy Edman has already started taking swings, a promising sign in his rehab, although he is unlikely to feature in any games this spring.
Some other Dodgers camp notes:
— Kyle Tucker is back home right now, with his wife expecting
— Kiké Hernández is gonna leave camp soon to be around Team Puerto Rico for the WBC (he obv won’t play, but has dyed his hair)
— Tommy Edman has started swinging in the cage, but is…
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 26: Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals is congratulated by teammates Eric Hosmer #35 and Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Kansas City Royals after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 26, 2016 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals made some improvements to the roster in the offseason, but did not make the big move that fans may have wanted. Maybe that one big player wasn’t really available. But let’s imagine we aren’t just limited to players in the game right now. What if we could add a player to the roster from Royals history?
If you could pluck one former Royal at the height of his powers and drop him onto this team, who fits like the final puzzle piece? I’m not necessarily talking about the biggest star, although George Brett could certainly fit on any roster. I’m talking about a player who would be the perfect fit for right now for this roster.
Here’s your time machine – who are you bringing to 2026?
David Shovein
