Grounds crew members toil to clear snow from the outfield of Coors Field after a spring storm blanketed the intermountain West before the Colorado Rockies host the Los Angeles Dodgers...
DENVER — There was a fight outside Coors Field on Friday afternoon.
More specifically, a snowball fight — with a couple Dodgers fans enjoying an early-spring snow day at the Rockies’ home ballpark.
Snow covered Coors Field ahead of the Dodgers-Rockies game Friday night.
In the hours leading up to the start of a four-game series between the Dodgers and Rockies, a snowstorm swept through Denver, covering the streets, seats and field in and around Coors Field with a pristine layer of frozen white powder.
Like the fans outside, Dodgers players inside the stadium enjoyed the conditions — which were not expected to impact that night’s game.
Connecticut native Emmet Sheehan had a snowball fight of his own with one of the team’s radio broadcasters. A snowman was built on the railing of the visiting dugout along the third base line.
Baseball weather in Colorado!
Emmet Sheehan is making a snowman before things clear up.
The weather didn’t stop the Dodgers from some of their normal pregame routines. Freddie Freeman, for example, cleared an area for his normal afternoon picking session. Dodgers pitchers still played catch in the outfield — where a tractor had cleared snow from the grass Zamboni-style — even as more flurries fell from an overcast sky.
Though the snow was scheduled to let up in time for first pitch, temperatures were expected to keep on plunging into the low 30s.
Not exactly baseball weather.
But, as a glass-half-full Uber driver quipped while dropping a reporter off at the ballpark, “at least the beers will stay cold.”
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers slides home to score against the Athletics in the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for April 17, 2026 against the Seattle Mariners: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Logan Gilbert for the M’s.
Texas begins a three game series in Seattle, the final stop on their road trip.
The lineup:
Nimmo — RF
Seager — SS
Langford — LF
Burger — 1B
Carter — CF
Pederson — DH
Jung — 3B
Smith — 2B
Jansen — C
8:40 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +110 underdogs.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 12: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees reacts after giving up a hit against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 10, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier this week, the Yankees played a very frustrating series against the Angels. While it ended in a split of the four games, it sure didn’t feel like it. Both Yankees’ wins required ninth-inning comebacks, while both losses saw the pitching get blow out of the water. That being said, each new series is a chance to get a new winning run going, and they can do that tonight as the Royals come to town.
For tonight’s series opener, the Yankees will send Cam Schlittler to the mound. Schlitter has gotten off to an incredible start to the season, but has allowed a couple runs in his last two starts. Tonight, we’ll get to see him try and get back to dominance again Royals’ lineups that’s only been so-so
For the Royals, veteran Michael Wacha will take the hill. Wacha has gotten off to a very good start to 2026, coming in with a 0.43 ERA in his couple starts so far. It’s worth noting that in a signal of how little confidence the Yankees (understandably) seem to have in Ryan McMahon right now, he is sitting despite being a lefty bat who could face the righty Wacha; Amed Rosario will take his place at the hot corner. It’s also not a good sign for the slumping Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells that they’re both batting behind Rosario. But Rosario’s been one of the few consistent bats for the Yanks thus far and has hit righties early on, so he’ll get his shot.
Here’s all the information to know on how to catch tonight’s game, and we hope you’ll come join us in the game thread for all the action!
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES (NYY) | Royals.TV (KCR)
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | 96.5 The Fan, Royals Radio Network (KCR)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - APRIL 11: Michael Wacha #52 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 1st inning of the game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is never a good time to play the Yankees, one of MLB’s most consistently good teams throughout its long history. But the Royals still have to do it. From a certain perspective, maybe this is a good time to face them; if you’re already losing, what’s a few more losses? Then, when you get on a roll, the Yankees won’t be there to stomp on your dreams.
Michael Wacha, the last winner the Royals had, will attempt to closely replicate the eight shutout innings he pitched against the White Sox last weekend. It will probably be harder against the Yankees, but the seemingly rejuvenated right-hander seems like the guy if the Royals have one. Not only has he pitched to a 0.43 ERA, but the underlying metrics suggest he’s pitching the best baseball of his life. Yes, not just as a Royal, but ever.
Wacha did make one start against the Yankees early last year; he allowed 3 runs in 5.2 innings. But even as he’s pitching better now than ever before, the beginning of 2025 was his worst period as a Royal.
The Yankees have been prone to giving up a lot of runs lately. The Royals scored a lot of runs yesterday. Maybe they can finally get something going in New York, where all their left-handed hitters can aim for the short fences in right field. Certainly, if Vinnie hits the ball in New York like he did all week in Detroit, he could have 10 home runs at the end of the weekend. Unfortunately, Cam Schlittler (don’t say that five times fast around impressionable ears!) has been one of the bright spots in the early going.
Schlitter was promoted to the big leagues last July and hit the ground running, immediately becoming one of the Yankees’ best starters. He’s somehow been even better than that this year, with underlying metrics that suggest he might somehow be underrated by his sparkling 2.49 ERA. He has an MLB-leading 35.8% K-BB%. The best pitchers will strike out more than a third of the batters, but he has also only walked only 1 in his 22.2 innings so far this year.
At least he’s a right-hander.
Lineups
Following yesterday’s offensive outburst, manager Matt Quatraro hasn’t changed the lineup much. Michael Massey is back in there at second after being pulled partway through yesterday’s game. Lane Thomas is in left field again, as Isaac Collins is still day-to-day with his knee contusion. We’re just going to have to hope yesterday wasn’t a flash in the pan.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Ramón Laureano #5, Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 and Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres react after defeating the Seattle Mariners 5-2 at Petco Park on April 16, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After going 2-4 in the Opening Week homestand, the San Diego Padres have now improved their record at Petco Park to 9-4 with a perfect 7-0 homestand. The Friars cannot seem to lose.
Last night’s win was particularly fantastic with Walker Buehler proving his last start (0 R, 6.0 IP) wasn’t a fluke. He went five-plus innings, giving up two runs but earning his first win as a Padre.
Tonight the Friars will have their work cut out for them against the Los Angeles Angels. But if the knuckleballer can pull off some magic in Anaheim, San Diego might just eke out a victory.
Taking the mound
José Soriano (LAA) v. Matt Waldron (SD)
Soriano has been absolutely incredible for the Halos so far this year. He’s pitched to a 0.33 ERA across 27 innings. He’s had a crazy breakout this season, limiting batters to a .103 average.
The right-hander has only allowed one run this season. That lone run came in his longest start of the year (8.0 innings) against an Atlanta Braves offense that has been potent. The Padres will have to hope they can do what no other team has yet: get to Soriano. If they don’t, they’ll hope to at least get a shot at the Angels’ lackluster bullpen.
Waldron pitched three scoreless outings in Triple-A after rehabbing his way back from preseason surgery. He’s the last remaining true knuckleball pitcher in MLB. This will be Waldron’s first start with the big-league club since his lone 2025 start against the Philadelphia Phillies.
He’s struggled with consistency in the majors. But if Waldron can get off to a good start against Los Angeles, it’ll go a long way to soothing concerns about Nick Pivetta’s temporary absence from the rotation.
Batter up!
With a right-hander on the mound in Soriano, the Friars will likely go with a similar lineup as yesterday’s. That being said, Ty France has good numbers against Soriano (4-for-8 with 5 RBI) so he could see time at first base.
Ramón Laureano, LF
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jackson Merrill, CF
Manny Machado, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Gavin Sheets, DH
Ty France, 1B
Luis Campusano, C
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Campusano will keep getting starts at catcher until Freddy Fermin returns from his recent concussion scare. That’s a-ok for the Friars since Campy has been destroying baseballs lately (and owns a .500 career average against Soriano).
Tatis has also put up some slug against the righty. Perhaps he could finally end his season-long homer drought tonight?
Relief corps
With Buehler going five-plus innings, the winning formula for San Diego was on full display: the starter leaves with a lead, and the ‘pen does exactly what it does best. Never was that more true than last night.
Bradgley Rodriguez, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Mason Miller covered four scoreless innings. Morejon continues to look more and more like his dominant self, and Adam continues to wow in his return from injury.
Miller took Randy Jones’ place on the Padres’ leaderboard after last night with 30 2/3 scoreless innings pitched. The only one standing in his way from the top spot is Cla Meredith’s 33 2/3 mark.
For tonight’s game, that leaves Kyle Hart, Ron Marinaccio, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta. The first out of the bullpen if San Diego has a lead would be Hart, given his lack of use in the last few games. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see Morgan come out in a high-leverage spot.
Brandon Williamson gets the start on Friday evening in the Twin Cities as the Cincinnati Reds hit the road after their 3-3 homestand. The Minnesota Twins will counter with Joe Ryan.
First pitch is set for 8:10 PM ET. Lineups for both clubs are listed below!
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 11: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants throws a pitch in the fifth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 11, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/IOS/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants begin a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals this afternoon.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Logan Webb, who enters today’s game with a 5.25 ERA, 3.20 FIP, with 21 strikeouts to nine walks in 24 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 6-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, in which he allowed four runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings.
He’ll be facing off against Nationals right-hander Zack Littell, who enters today’s game with a 4.20 ERA, 7.16 FIP, with 10 strikeouts to five walks in 15 innings pitched. His last start was in the Nationals’ 8-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, in which he allowed three runs on six hits with three strikeouts in five innings.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 14: Brandon Lowe #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates rounds the bases after hitting a home run in the first inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Christopher Denver/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Gus Varland #47 of the Washington Nationals reacts after his team's 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a great 5-2 road trip, the Washington Nationals come back home looking to keep the good times rolling. It has been a small sample, but this team has been much better on the road so far. At home, they are just 1-5. The Nats will look to add a second home win tonight.
Blake Butera has shuffled up his lineup a bit. Daylen Lile will be in the 6 spot, the lowest he has been this season. Butera told me this was strictly a matchup based move. After getting hit in the hand yesterday, Jacob Young is not in the lineup, but Butera said he was available off the bench. Joey Wiemer will be in center instead. Jose Tena will be at DH today and Keibert Ruiz will be behind the dish. The dependable Zack Littell will be on the mound.
The Giants offense has not been great so far this year, which has Tony Vitello searching for answers. His top 3 hitters have been reasonably effective, but Rafael Devers has been off to a slow start. The Giants picked up Daniel Susac in the Rule 5 draft, and he has earned more reps behind the plate with his red hot start. Logan Webb has been one of the steadiest and most underrated arms in the league. He will be on the mound tonight.
The Nationals have been playing solid baseball so far, but that has mainly been the case on the road. It would be nice to give the home fans a taste of Butera ball. The Giants are struggling right now, but they have solid talent and cannot be taken lightly. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
The Mets came to Wrigley Field riding an eight-game losing streak in which they had been outscored 44-12.
Those sorts of things are usually ripe for the losing streak team to break it, especially with the wind blowing out at the ol’ ballyard.
Not in this one. The Mets looked like a team in disarray and now have a nine-game losing streak in which they have been outscored 56-16 after the Cubs demolished them 12-4 on a warm, windy April afternoon.
The Cubs wasted no time getting the bats going after Edward Cabrera threw a scoreless first. With one out, Michael Busch walked and Alex Bregman singled him to third. Ian Happ struck out, but this bloop single by Seiya Suzuki made it 1-0 Cubs [VIDEO].
The Cubs’ four runs in the first inning equal their total in the first in their previous 18 games. That had been their fewest in any inning. They began today having scored six each in the second and fourth.
The Cubs then extended the lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the fourth. Swanson singled with one out and Hoerner and Busch also singled, loading the bases. Bregman hit a sharp line drive right to Francisco Lindor at short for the second out, and then this happened [VIDEO].
The Mets have some definite holes in their defense and it showed there. Meanwhile, the Cubs were getting some slick defense from Hoerner. This one ended the fifth [VIDEO].
Hoerner was 3-for-5, his third three-hit game in his last eight. Between that and the great defense, if he keeps this up he might be NL Player of the Week, or even Player of the Month for April. He’s just been outstanding.
Cabrera finished up with six innings, allowing eight hits and three runs. Not a great outing, but good enough with the offense the Cubs provided. Riley Martin, who I am liking better and better with each outing, threw a scoreless seventh which included Kelly getting this ball call overturned for a strikeout [VIDEO].
Then the Cubs blew the game open in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Suzuki doubled and scored on this double by Matt Shaw [VIDEO].
Jacob Webb allowed the Mets a run on four hits in the top of the eighth, and the Cubs did that one better in the bottom of the inning. Busch led off with a single and one out later, Happ launched this towering home run to Waveland [VIDEO].
A note from John on the Cubs’ three straight 10+ run games:
The Cubs had last scored at least 10 runs in three consecutive games Sept. 13-15, 2019, when they crushed the Pirates at home, 17-8, 14-1 and 16-6, setting a franchise record for total runs in a three-game series. This is the Cubs’ ninth three-game double-digit streak since 1901. Their record is five in a row, June 1-6, 1930.
And about the Cubs’ three wins in a row:
The Cubs’ previous three-game winning streak was the final three games of last season, when they swept the Cardinals at Wrigley Field, 12-1, 7-3 and 2-0.
Their last four-game streak was Sept. 14-17, when they beat the Rays at home, 4-3, then swept at Pittsburgh, 4-0, 4-1 and 8-4.
This is the sort of offense I think we will see more of from this team — some long-sequence innings, some home runs, taking advantage of the other team’s errors.
Unfortunately, there was bad news that broke just before the first pitch today, the Cubs announcing that Daniel Palencia was going on the 15-day IL with an oblique strain. Here’s how that happened (Bluesky link):
At this writing the Cubs have not announced who’s being called up to replace Palencia on the active roster. There aren’t a whole lot of choices, to be honest. As always, we await developments.
The Cubs will go for four straight wins Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field. The weather will be much colder with the wind likely blowing in, which could be good news for Jameson Taillon, who will start for the Cubs. Old NL Central friend Freddy Peralta goes for the Mets. Game time is again 1:20 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network (and MLB Network outside the Cubs and Mets market territories).
The Atlanta Braves have not lost any of their first six series of the season, the last team in the majors who can make that claim.
They’re atop the NL East at 12-7 and are now taking aim at the two-time defending division champions in the Philadelphia Phillies for a three-game series which begins Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
Atlanta turns to Martín Pérez (0-1, 3.14 ERA) on the mound against Philadelphia right-hander Taijuan Walker (1-2, 7.36 ERA) for the series opener.
Let’s see if the timing to take on the Phillies (who have lost three straight series) is as good as it looks for the Braves.
After another bad outing by Kodai Senga on Friday, manager Carlos Mendoza was hesitant to commit that the right-hander would make his next start for the Mets.
Senga went just 3.1 innings against the Chicago Cubs, allowing six earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, and three walks in an eventual 12-4 loss. In his last start against the Athletics at Citi Field, Senga lasted 2.1 innings, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits and two home runs in a game New York lost 11-6.
"He didn’t execute and they made him pay," Mendoza said.
Prior to his struggles which come on the heels of a rough end to his 2025 season, Senga got off to a good start, allowing four earned runs and striking out 16 over 11.2 innings in his first two outings. He also had an impressive spring training and looked like he was back to being the ace-caliber pitcher he was for the Mets in 2023 and the first half of 2025.
"Started off pretty good the first couple of outings," Mendoza said. "Coming out of spring training we saw a different guy, but then the last two I think the intent hasn’t been there. We saw the velo at the beginning and now it’s more like feeling for the strike zone, more like pitchability -- trying to mix cutters, sweepers as opposed to going right after people which is what we saw in spring training and the first two outings."
Now New York will need to make a decision on Senga whose next turn in the rotation would likely be April 23 against the Minnesota Twins. However, the Mets have an off day before then that they can use to their benefit.
Whatever New York decides to do, though, it's in a tough spot either way with its right-hander who is known to be fastidious with his craft and can harp on his mechanics, often to a fault, while sometimes also being overcritical of himself.
"It’s hard to figure it out, especially with him," Mendoza said. "But the number one thing is his health and he's healthy... I think he's gotta go back to trusting his pitches in the strike zone. He's gotta be able to compete in the strike zone, that's what it comes down to. If you get behind hitters at this level, they're gonna make you pay."
When asked about what's been the biggest difference for him during his last two starts, Senga agreed with his skipper.
"Not getting ahead, not getting first pitch strikes, getting into hitter's counts," he said.
Yet, despite the results, Senga believes he's "not all that far off" from where he needs to be.
"A lot of this stuff is the pitches just not being as strong near the hitter or near the catcher at home plate and I'm not being able to deceive them as much," he said. "... I just need to go out there and perform."
“We’ve improved defensively,” David Stearns said pregame Friday.
“We have not been perfect, but overall, I can’t point at our defense and say that our defense has been a problem.”
Just a few hours later, the Mets’ defense was a problem.
With Huascar Brazoban attempting to keep the Cubs at bay in a three-run game in the bottom of the fourth, Brett Baty booted a potential double-play ball to load the bases.
While it was ruled a hit, leaving the bat at 97 mph, it's a play he feels he should've made.
And the miscue ended up costing the Mets two batters later, as Brazoban got the next man to lineout then appeared to escape the jam, but Baty botched another should be routine grounder off his glove to prolong the inning.
A strikeout ended the threat, but Chicago stretched the lead to four with some help from the miscues.
“I’ve gotta make both of them, simple as that,” Baty said postgame. “I feel like I make those plays 10 times out of 10, I gotta make them -- I don’t care that the first one is a hit, the play should be made.”
New York, of course, went on to be blown out by Chicago as they suffered their ninth consecutive loss.
This continues what’s been a tough stretch for Baty on both sides of the ball.
The 26-year-old was tremendous at second and third last season, but with Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette in town, he's struggled to find his footing in his transition to first and right field.
He also hasn't been able to carryover his breakout at the plate thus far, as his 0-for-2 on the afternoon pushed his team-worst streak to 20 consecutive hitless at-bats.
Baty is now hitting .197 on the season, and "terrible" is how he described his play.
“I need to get back to my approach,” he said. “Swing at strikes, hitting the ball hard all over, and play defense better than I did today because I was terrible -- it’s a long season but it sucks right now for sure, just gotta keep going.”
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - MARCH 15, 2026: Ryan O'Hearn #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats during the first inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on March 15, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home today against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to grab a win against the Tampa Bay Rays.
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