ODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (17-28) will continue their seven-game homestand today as they look to win the opener of a three game series against the rival Texas Rangers (21-22).
Astros starter RHP Spencer Arrighetti (4-1, 1.88 ERA), who tossed his fifth straight quality start his last time out, will oppose RHP Jack Leiter (1-3, 4.85 ERA) and the Rangers in this series opener.
ABOUT ARRIGHETTI: RHP Spencer Arrighetti owns a sparkling 1.88 ERA in five starts on the season. In his last start he gave up only one earned run, but took his first loss of the 2026 season against the Cincinnati Reds.
ABOUT LEITER: Jack Leiter has an 11-16 career record with a 4.81 ERA in 230.0 career innings. He holds a 1-1 record against the Astros with a 4.26 ERA in 19.0 innings. Leiter is the son of famous lefty Al Leiter and the nephew of former big leaguer hurler Mark Leiter.
VS. TEXAS: The Astros and Rangers are playing their first series of 2026. Today’s game marks the beginning of the annual Silver Boot Series with the Silver Boot going to the team with the most victories. Tonight’s contest will be the 300th game between these two teams as the Astros aim to make it an even 150-150 with a victory in tonight’s game. The Astros retained the Silver Boot last season by winning seven games in 13 tries.
THE SILVER BOOT SERIES: The Astros and Rangers have played each other 292 times in their franchise histories, splitting those matchups evenly with 146 wins apiece…recently, the Astros have had the upper hand, winning or splitting nine straight season series, going 93-51 against the Rangers since the start of the 2017 season.
TODAY’S AVAILABILITIES: The Astros clubhouse will be open to approved media at Daikin Park from 3:10-4 p.m. CT…Astros Manager Joe Espada will be made available in the Astros dugout at approx. 4 p.m.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, May 15, 1:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Streaming: SCHN+
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 09: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the first inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 09, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies (17-27) are back at Coors Field after a difficult Pennsylvania swing, opening a six-game homestand with a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-22). Colorado went 2-4 through Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and yesterday’s 7-2 loss to the Pirates came with a larger concern than the score: Chase Dollander left in the second inning and has now been placed on the 15-day injured list with an elbow strain. The bad news resulted in a series of roster moves, and Sterlin Thompson (No. 13 PuRP) is reportedly headed to Denver.
Colorado also enters this homestand trying to stop a May slide that has left them 3-9 on the month.
The third-place Diamondbacks are coming off a painful 6-5 walk-off loss to Texas on Wednesday, and the overall offensive production has been underwhelming. Still, they still have Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, and former Rockie Nolan Arenado — who has a 118 wRC+ with six home runs on the year.
The Rockies are 8-11 with a .767 OPS at Coors Field and will turn to veteran lefty Kyle Freeland as they look to return to the win column.
Freeland enters at 1-4 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP, and his recent stretch since returning from the injured list has been uneven — 16 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings across three starts. Freeland is still getting hitters to chase, and he has done a good job limiting walks. The problem is that the contact has been too loud when opponents square him up, especially against the fastball.
Marte has hit Freeland hard, going 17-for-48 with three home runs and a 1.124 OPS against him.
Merrill Kelly takes the mound for Arizona, and his 2026 numbers have not been great. The veteran righty enters with a 7.62 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP through five starts, with hard contact and walks both showing up as problems. His four-seamer, changeup, and cutter have all been hit hard. But Kelly has been very good against Colorado over his career. In 17 starts against the Rockies, he is 9-3 with a 3.25 ERA, 102 strikeouts, and a 1.130 WHIP.
Ezequiel Tovar has had a brutal start to the season, but he has handled Kelly: .438 with two home runs in 16 at-bats.
A good night won’t fix all that. But a steady Freeland start, a few real swings against Kelly, and a win over a division opponent would be a great way to start the homestand.
The starting pitching rotation for the Yankees is expecting a big boost from the impending return of Gerrit Cole, but manager Aaron Boone is refusing to rush him.
In a brief pregame news conference ahead of Friday's Subway Series opener at Citi Field against the Mets, Boone emphasized that "the likelihood is two more [minor league starts] for [Cole], and then [the Yankees] will be in a position to roll."
Cole is slated to take the mound tomorrow night at 6:05 pm EST for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders against the Syracuse Mets.
When asked for specifics on how they are managing Cole's workload as he gears up for a return - at this point likely to come before the end of May - Boone noted that his star righty is under a pitch count limit in the mid 80s.
The injuries are piling up for the Yankees at the moment. Max Fried was just added to the 15-day IL due to a left elbow bone bruise. Meanwhile, DH Giancarlo Stanton, corner outfielder Jasson Dominguez, and emerging shortstop Jose Caballero are all on the 10-day IL.
With the Bronx Bombers rolling into Queens for the weekend, having lost six of their last eight games, Boone is refusing to bow to the pressure and rush Cole back into the fold in the hopes of regaining control of the AL East.
"We don't want to take [Cole] off track for a short-term need," Boone remarked.
At the time of writing, the Yankees are currently two games behind the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays in the divisional standings.
A Facebook page for Edwin O. Diaz Laboy that appears to belong to the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher includes about a dozen video of cockfights. Some of the birds fought until they stopped moving and were removed from the pit of the arena.
A federal ban prohibits cockfighting in all 50 states and in U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. USA TODAY Sports reviewed publicly available photos and videos of Diaz, roosters and cockfights posted to the Facebook account on May 15. Other posts to the account were locked to the public. Public access to the photos and reels appears to have since been restricted.
Along with photos and videos of Diaz pitching, smiling with family and friends and promoting community activities, posted to the account are more than 150 photos of roosters, cockfighting clubs or breeding facilities. One photo shows roosters packed into cardboard boxes, their heads poking out of cutout holes above small feeding dishes taped to the boxes.
The account also includes 26 reels featuring roosters, some fighting in organized matches. Others are shown on what appears to be a breeding facility where Diaz is featured holding roosters while promoting upcoming cockfights in multiple videos.
In one video, young-looking roosters are scurrying about what looks like a pen. A caption accompanying the video reads, "Upcoming champions in development."
Photos and videos of Diaz posted to the account date back to 2010. The first photo of a rooster was posted on Nov. 30, 2016, while the account's first promotion of Club Gallistico de Puerto Rico, a cockfighting club, was posted on July 31, 2018. Diaz has been featured in multiple videos and photos posted to social media promoting the cockfighting ring.
Diaz's full name is Edwin Orlando Diaz Laboy. He is currently on the injured reserve after undergoing surgery on April 22 to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, the Dodgers announced April 20.
Representatives of both MLB and the Dodgers declined comment when reached by USA TODAY Sports for a story that linked Dias to cockfighting in Puerto Rico through photos, videos and promotional material found on social media.
Multiple animal welfare organizations have called upon MLB to investigate Diaz's involvement in cockfighting since the story's publication.
Diaz, a three-time MLB All-Star, is pictured wearing a Dodgers uniform on Facebook in promotional material for cockfights.
He did not respond to interview requests USA TODAY Sports submitted to a publicist for the Dodgers and to THE TEAM, which represents Diaz.
The Facebook page also includes a photo of Diaz standing between Puerto Rican jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr., also linked to cockfighting through photos, video and promotional materials on social media.
Jose Ortiz won the Kentucky Derby May 2 on Golden Tempo and Irad Ortiz finished second on Renegade. The brothers are two of thoroughbred racing's top jockeys, both scheduled to ride in the Preakness Stakes on May 16.
Jul 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; The Silver Boot trophy is on display on the concourse for the Lone Star series with the Texas Rangers playinng against the Houston Astros at Global Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MAY 05: Rhys Hoskins #8 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 05, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Pérez (46) misses the ball that resulted a Boston Red Sox left fielder Masataka Yoshida (7) double during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (19-25) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (19-24)
Time/Place: 6:45 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Bluebird Banter Media: Apple TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Ty Madden (0-0, 2.45 ERA) vs. RHP Trey Yesavage (1-1, 0.68 ERA)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 23: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees warms up in the bullpen prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The first Subway Series matchup of the season features a pitching duel that, a few years ago, would have sounded completely ridiculous. Currently the best starter on the Yankees staff, Cam Schlittler enters Friday night looking less like a youngster trying to stick in a rotation and more like a legitimate Cy Young contender, while former Yankees closer Clay Holmes gets the nod in Queens for the Mets.
There is not much more to say about Schlittler at this point other than he has simply been dominant. Entering play Thursday, the Yankees’ 25-year-old right-hander led Major League Baseball in ERA, FIP, WHIP, and H/9.
For fun, pick between one of these two stat lines so far this season: pitcher one is 6-2 with a 1.98 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings, while pitcher two is 5-1 with a 1.35 ERA and 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings. If you took the former, congratulations, you picked Paul Skenes. If you picked the latter, you picked Schlittler. In his last outing, Schlittler tossed another gem, allowing just two hits and no runs before watching the Yankees’ bullpen let the game slip away late in Milwaukee.
The Yankees have already seen Schlittler rise to the occasion in rivalry games this season, particularly at Fenway Park against Boston, and now he gets to take center stage across town. A strong outing Friday night against the Mets would only continue building what is rapidly becoming one of the best stories in baseball.
Of course, on the other side stands a very familiar face. Holmes’ transition from Yankees closer to Mets starter last year has gone far better than many expected, as the right-hander enters tonight with a 1.86 ERA across 48.1 innings pitched over eight starts. Impressively, Holmes has yet to allow more than two runs in a single outing while consistently working at least five innings deep into games. Really putting together, a quality performance each start.
If the National League was not currently in the middle of a potential all-time great Cy Young race and the Mets were not buried near the bottom of the standings, Holmes would probably be receiving much more national attention for the season he is putting together. Yankees fans know better than most that Holmes possesses electric stuff. His first season as a starter was a success, and his performance so far this season shows he has continued to build off those positive results.
The pitching matchup may headline the night, but both offenses enter the series with very different levels of pressure. The Yankees continue to lean on one of the streakiest lineups in baseball that has several players yet to have a hot streak, while the Mets arrive in the Subway Series battered by injuries. Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco are all currently on the injured list and Bo Bichette has struggled badly, leaving Juan Soto as one of the few consistent and dangerous bats remaining in the lineup.
Soto’s status carried some uncertainty entering Friday after fouling a ball off his foot earlier this week. However, after being listed as day-to-day and serving as the designated hitter Thursday (while homering), Soto returns to left field and bats third in the opener. The Mets will hope his health holds up for the weekend as the lineup around him has struggled to consistently generate offense for much of the season.
The Yankees go with a lefty-heavy lineup tonight, as Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe are the only two right-handed hitters scheduled to start. Spencer Jones, a day removed from his 25th birthday, serves as the designated hitter while batting seventh in the lineup. Aaron Boone has publicly said the coaching staff needs to get several guys going offensively, and the Yankees will hope the off day and return home to New York can help right the ship.
Naturally, this being the Subway Series, both teams arrive in Queens through very different circumstances. The back pages of the sports section show the Yankees chasing another postseason run while the Mets are simply trying to stay afloat after a disappointing start to the season. Rivalry games always seem to take on a life of their own regardless of what the standings say, and with both teams struggling recently, both clubs will hope this series can help build some positive momentum. Subway Series, let’s play ball!
How to watch
Location: Citi Field – Flushing, NY
First pitch: 7:15 pm ET
TV broadcast: Apple TV
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App 92.3 HD2
MIAMI, FL - MAY 04: Janson Junk #26 of the Miami Marlins pitches during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on Monday, May 4, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Owen Gupta/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Oct 7, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A detailed view of empty seats in a rain delay before game three of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs between the Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
I’m happy to have a series that’s not against the Rays.
And it is on Apple TV. Stupid MLB.
I’ve been to Comerica Park once, for one game. We’d gone to Lansing to watch the Lugnuts and the Tigers had a day game, while the Lugnuts were playing in the evening. So there was time to drive to Detroit watch the game and come back and watch the Lugnuts.
Lansing is a very nice town and they had a pretty walk along the river.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell was scratched from his scheduled start Friday, May 15 against the Los Angeles Angels and will be placed on the injured list. Right-hander Will Klein was inserted to open a bullpen game in his place, the Dodgers announced.
The team said Snell was headed to the injured list "with left elbow loose bodies" and backdated his placement on the list to May 12.
Snell is just six days removed from his 2026 debut, a rocky three-inning outing against the Atlanta Braves in which he allowed four earned runs and six hits in a 7-2 loss.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner missed the start of the season because of what the team said was shoulder fatigue that carried over from a heavy postseason workload. He went 3-2 with a 3.18 ERA in five starts for the Dodgers in the 2025 MLB playoffs.
Snell has a long injury history. He first landed on the injured list in 2018 with shoulder fatigue and then broke his toe in a 2019 bathroom incident before undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery that same year to remove loose bodies in his elbow. His left adductor became a chronic problem, accounting for five IL stints over four seasons. With the San Francisco Giants in 2024, he missed the first three months with a groin and adductor strain before dominating down the stretch.
He has thrown over 130 innings in a season just twice in his career.
He signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Dodgers last winter, then missed four months in 2025 with shoulder inflammation just two starts into the season before returning to go 4-4 with a 2.41 ERA in nine regular season starts.
Mar 27, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A general view of Truist Park after a game between the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals on opening day. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
After the offense sputtered in the series finale against the Phillies, don’t ask me how they stand to try against Spencer Strider and the MLB-best Atlanta Braves. We try in ATL tonight to kick off the weekend series!
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 22: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles runs to first base against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I am going to recommend that the Orioles start off their six-game road trip strongly. Tonight they start a weekend series with the Nationals, who are not exactly a powerhouse. Then they travel to Florida to play the Rays, who are very scary this year. So let’s bank some wins!
Shane Baz is starting for the Orioles, and we are all still waiting for his breakout moment. Maybe it’ll come tonight! That would be swell. He’ll be facing Zack Littell, who has been downright awful so far this season. In addition to his 6.94 ERA, Littell has given up a bunch of home runs (14 in 36.1 innings) and barely strikes anyone out. He also gives up his fair share of walks. I would really enjoy seeing the Orioles have a patient hitting approach tonight. Get on base and sock some dingers, boys.
If Baz can keep James Wood and CJ Abrams from doing much damage, maybe he can have a good game.
I thought the Orioles might make a roster move before today’s game to jettison catcher Maverick Handley in favor of an outfielder, but they did not. Samuel Basallo has been limited to DH’ing since his home plate collision on Mother’s Day. Maybe that knee is still bothering him too much to spend a game behind the plate.
By the way, the Nationals are introducing their team puppy to the world today. Natty is an eight-week-old Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever mix and I am hoping he gets a lot of camera time. Team dogs for everyone!
Orioles lineup
Gunnar Henderson (L) SS Taylor Ward (R) LF Adley Rutschman (S) C Pete Alonso (R) 1B Samuel Basallo (L) DH Tyler O’Neill (R) RF Colton Cowser (L) CF Coby Mayo (R) 3B Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B
Nationals lineup
James Wood (L) RF Luis García Jr. (L) DH Curtis Mead (R) 1B CJ Abrams (L) SS Daylen Lile (L) LF Brady House (R) 3B Jorbit Vivas (L) 2B Drew Millas (S) C Jacob Young (R) CF
Jun 26, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; A graphic for the Subway Series prior to the game between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
Carson Benge – RF
Bo Bichette – SS
Juan Soto – LF
Mark Vientos – 1B
MJ Melendez – DH
Brett Baty – 3B
Marcus Semien – 2B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Luis Torrens – C
Clay Holmes – RHP
Yankees lineup
Trent Grisham – CF
Ben Rice – 1B
Aaron Judge – RF
Cody Bellinger – LF
Jazz Chisholm – 2B
Ryan McMahon – 3B
Spencer Jones – DH
Anthony Volpe – SS
Austin Wells – C
Cam Schittler – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:15pm EDT TV: Apple TV Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 13: PJ Poulin #50 and Curtis Mead #45 of the Washington Nationals celebrate after winning 8-7 in the tenth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 13, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a tough loss yesterday, but the Nats still got the series win in Cincinnati. Now the Nats head home and welcome a local rival for the first time this season. It is the first edition of the Battle of the Beltway for 2026. The Nats and O’s are two teams with similar records, but different vibes.
The Nats have made a few tweaks to the lineup. Curtis Mead will be in the lineup at first base, which puts Luis Garcia Jr. at DH. Jacob Young moves down to the 9 spot after spending a lot of time in the 5 hole. Jorbit Vivas will play second base over Nasim Nunez. Drew Millas will also do the catching for the second straight game. Zack Littell will get the start, but Andrew Alvarez should be available in a long relief role.
Despite going through some serious struggles this season, Gunnar Henderson remains in the leadoff spot. Last year Adley Rutschman was the struggling O’s star, but he has gotten back on track and is catching tonight. New signing Pete Alonso will be in the heart of the O’s lineup. We will also get our first look at the O’s young slugger Samuel Basallo. The O’s went all in on Shane Baz, trading a lot for him and extending him. He has struggled to start the season, but will look to get back on track tonight.
It is a busy night at the yard. The Nats are having a hot dog promotion and introducing their new team dog Natty. That should be a lot of fun, but winning would make it even better. The Nats played well against the O’s last year, and hopefully that can continue this year. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
