The Cubs came back home and got right back into a groove. When last we saw this team, they’d swept all seven games on a seven-game homestand. For those not keeping track at home, they also won the home game before that back on April 12. So this is now nine straight wins at Wrigley for the team. The last time the team had nine straight home wins was 2017.
It’s still relatively early. But this team is a study in contradictions. It doesn’t feel in any way like it is hitting on all cylinders. And yet, this team is accomplishing some unusual things. 10 game winning streaks. Nine game home winning streaks. These things don’t grow on trees. And yet, the bullpen feels like someone wrapped a bunch of duct tape around it. It’s hard to even know who some of these guys are if you don’t have a razor sharp awareness of bit players.
Then, even when a guy looks like maybe he’s going to step forward and be something more, he pulls away. Riley Martin felt like he was one of those guys who was maybe getting interesting. Then he got hurt. Ryan Rolison felt like he was someone to keep an eye on. Then he got roughed up by the Diamondbacks Friday afternoon. Granted, that offense will bite some guys along the way. But in just a few short batters, the game went from what looked like a comfortable win to needing to hold your breath. That said, hat tip for coming up with two strikeouts with the tying run on first to escape that inning. Not just any two either, but their third and fourth hitters.
Meanwhile, with the offense sputtering, Phil Maton came on and threw his first clean inning as a Cub, striking out two. He, too, has missed time with an injury. Hopefully, he is healthy now and turning a corner. But the even bigger surprise was Jacob Webb coming on and throwing two hitless innings, yielding only a walk while striking out three. For the first time, we see what the Cubs thought they had when they gave him a multi-year deal. To be fair, his deal isn’t one that particularly breaks the bank. But, the Cubs haven’t given a lot of multi-year deals to relievers.
The offense? It was relatively subdued. They had eight hits and four walks. Among the eight hits were three doubles. 16 times already they’ve had more than nine hits (13-3 record). 16 times they’ve had more walks (11-5). At 12 hits/walks combined, 20 times (15-5). So this was a little less than a middle of the road production-wise. How, then, did this one work? Two things went really well. One, Colin Rea was very good through five innings, running into trouble in the sixth. Secondly, the offense bunched all but one of those baserunners into the first four innings. Zac Gallen is a pretty good pitcher that they chased in less than four. He came into the game with a 3.14 ERA that is now 4.45.
Early offense. Good pitching. It’s a very good formula. Another win.
Three Positives:
Michael Busch had two hits, one a double. He drove in two runs.
Carson Kelly had two hits, both singles. He scored a run and drove in a run.
Jacob Webb, six very important outs protecting a one-run lead.
Hat tip to Colin Rea, two outs short of a quality start.
Game 32, May 1: Cubs 6, Diamondbacks 5 (20-12)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Jacob Webb (.274). 2 IP, 7 BF, BB, 3 K (Sv 1)
Hero: Michael Busch (.153). 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Sidekick: Colin Rea (.130). 5.1 IP, 25 BF, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 ER, 6 K (W 4-1)
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Ryan Rolison (-.210). 0.2 IP, 6 BF, 3 H, BB, 3 ER, 2 K
Goat: Seiya Suzuki (-.086). 0-3, BB
Kid: Matt Shaw (-.040). 0-3
WPA Play of the Game: With the bases loaded and two outs in a scoreless first inning, Michael Busch singled, scoring two runs. (.167)
*Diamondbacks Play of the Game: Geraldo Perdomo batted with runners on second and third with one out, the Cubs up four. He hit a three-run homer. (.159)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 31 Winner: Ben Brown 210 of 298 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 3/Bottom 3)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Nico Hoerner +9.5
Michael Conforto +7
Moisés Ballesteros/Daniel Palencia +5
Pete Crow-Armstrong -8
Matt Shaw/Seiya Suzuki -9
Current Win Pace: 101.25
Up Next: Game two of the three-game set Saturday afternoon. Shōta Imanaga (2-2, 2.88, 34.1 IP) makes his seventh start of the year. Last time out, he lost, allowing four earned runs in just 5.1 innings of work. He’ll look to bounce back. The Diamondbacks start 28-year-old Ryne Nelson (1-2, 7.71, 25.2 IP). He is also making his seventh start. Last time out, he allowed six runs over five innings of work. The time before that, he allowed eight runs while only recording one out. So he’s struggled of late. He was the 2019 second-round pick of the Diamondbacks (56th overall).
Let’s keep his struggles going and keep our streak rolling.
SEATTLE - APRIL 12: Former Mariners star Randy Johnson throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Mariners' home opener against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field on April 12, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brewers young righty Jacob Misiorowski exited yesterday’s game against the Nationals with a hamstring cramp. The hard-thrower was 5 1/3 innings into a no-hitter when he left the game.
Oregon State right-hander and top 2027 draft prospect Dax Whitney will undergo UCL surgery. He is expected to be healthy prior to next year’s draft.
J.J. Cooper at Baseball America pointed out that the MLB rulebook definition of the strike zone and the zone that is actually being called in games are two different things. ($)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 01: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres looks on during the game between the Chicago White Sox and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Friday, May 1, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ryan Levy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Diego Padres had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the first inning. Ty France was standing in the batter’s box after Xander Bogaerts battled through an at-bat to draw a walk. France has been one of the hottest hitters on the Padres roster in recent weeks, but he was unable to help his team and grounded out to second base to end the inning, stranding three runners, two of which were in scoring position. As hard as that was to watch for San Diego fans, the top of the second inning was worse. German Marquez allowed six runs in the inning and the Padres were playing catchup for the rest of the game. San Diego was unable to overcome the deficit, despite the efforts of Fernando Tatis Jr. who had three hits in the game, and took an 8-2 loss at Petco Park to open the three-game series with Chicago. The Padres will look to have better performances all around when they host the White Sox at 5:40 p.m.
Padres News:
It is not wrong to say the Padres are holding their starting rotation together with gum and paperclips. Walker Buehler, German Marquez and Matt Waldron have each had moments of success but have lacked consistency. That type of play has fans clamoring for Griffin Canning and Lucas Giolito, two pitchers who have yet to take the mound for the Padres, but either one could immediately step in as the No. 3 starter behind Michael King and Randy Vasquez.
Xander Bogaerts took a lot of criticism during his first seasons in San Diego and rightfully so. After signing a massive free-agent contract he failed to live up to the expectations of the fanbase. To his credit, Bogaerts took the criticism in stride, kept his head down and kept working. He is seeing that work payoff with his most impactful and consistent start as a Padre.
Jeremiah Estrada made his return to the Padres after a short IL stint and David Morgan who has been struggling with his command was sent down to Triple-A.
Pete Alonso did exactly what you would expect from the Polar Bear’s return to Queens to face the New York Mets, he homered on the first pitch of his at-bat.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly walks back to the dugout after a pitching change against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
There have only been a handful of games in which to judge anything done by Don Mattingly so far. There really isn’t any discernable difference between him and Rob Thomson on much of anything that either does, but one thing does sort of stick out – he’s not a fan of letting starters go too long.
On Thursday, Cristopher Sanchez was yanked after 85 pitches even though they were having a bullpen game in the second part of the doubleheader. The night before, Jesus Luzardo only threw 88 pitches. It should be said that both of at least pitched in the seventh inning, Luzardo allowed to finish it, Sanchez yanked before he could do the same. Sanchez was at least a little annoyed by the decision, but Mattingly stood by it.
Which brings us to our question of the day: what are your feelings on the few instances we’ve had to judge Don Mattingly on how he’s going to handle this pitching staff? Again, not much to go off of, but the initial decisions at least may give some idea of what’s to come.
May 1, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after hitting the game-winning home run during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
The Rockies definitely had the Braves for the first seven innings. Ah but in the last three games, the leading team didn’t finish the job. Michael Harris II was headed for the Injured List as well, don’t you know. Then, he came on to pinch hit.
Yup, pretty standard Braves heroics at the end. Here Michael Harris is again with a go-ahead pinch-hit double in the sixth inning on April 24th.
Here are the Braves scoring four in the seventh of a tie game.
Here’s Michael Harris hitting two home runs after being down 4-1 after one inning. The Braves went single, single, walk, single, double to grab three runs and a 4-2 win in April 19th and on and on.
This team is scoring runs, y’all. They’re third in homers, fourth in xwOBA, fourth in wRC+, and for the most part aren’t making dumb mistakes. We probably shouldn’t turn our back on them after they give up six runs in Denver. You could talk me into closing the door on Grant Holmes as a starting pitcher, but not this offense.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: St. Louis Cardinals first base Alec Burleson (41) scoops up a ball during the MLB professional baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants on September 24, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Alright, the Cardinals are back on top of the world following a road sweep of the Pirates and a game one win against the Dodgers on Friday. Today my main objective is to keep the good vibes rolling and focus on what has gone well across the organization so far in 2026! I will sprinkle in a few analytical points, but this is mostly just a fun list of the things going well thus far from top to bottom in the Cardinals organization. Let me know what I missed!
The Cardinals’ strong start has not been driven by one fluky breakout. Across the major league roster and multiple minor league levels, there are real signs of progress. Here are eight of the most encouraging developments so far.
8. Triple-A Power Bats
Jimmy Crooks, Blaze Jordan, Cesar Prieto, and Joshua Baez have all hit 6+ home runs and are running isolated slugging percentages of .247 or greater through Memphis’ first 30 games.
They all have warts as prospects, but I do not remember a time when the Cardinals had this much power percolating in the upper minors. The big birds have had a surprising amount of home run pop with the 7th most in baseball entering play on Friday, but after years of talking about needing to find power, there are finally options emerging at every turn.
7. Minor League Pitchers Missing Bats
While most of the focus on minor league development is on individual performance, I thought it would be interesting to see how the minor league pitching staffs are doing in the aggregate. With the renewed focus on missing bats over the last few years on the player acquisition side, are the results starting to flow through? The below table shows the aggregate strikeout rates for each of the Cardinals’ full season farm teams, year-over-year.
Sure enough, every level in the system has seen an increase in strikeout rate year over year. The 25.9% aggregate K rate ranks fifth in baseball, tied with Seattle. This ranking is up from 11th in 2025 and 18th in 2024.
It is interesting that this trend is most pronounced at the A and High-A levels, where a greater proportion of the players were acquired during the Bloom era.
6. Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera Solidifying Status as Impact Bats
After excellent 2025 seasons, both Herrera and Burleson are essentially matching last year’s production, with 2026 wRC+ marks of 141 and 123, respectively. There is nothing fluky about either of their stat lines as both have xwOBAs in the top 30 in baseball. I am a big fan and believer of both players, but neither has a particularly long track record of major league success, so the good offensive starts have been encouraging. Despite bad luck on batted balls, Herrera is 10th in the majors in OBP thanks to a 17.5% walk rate and an MLB-leading total of HBPs. While some of the players further up the list have grabbed more headlines this year, Burly and Herrera have been a tough combo in the middle of the lineup.
5. Riley O’Brien Being Awesome
O’Brien emerging as a dominant closer was not completely out of nowhere, but certainly has been a welcome surprise. He ranks third in relief pitcher fWAR at .7. With a leaky bullpen and underwhelming pitching staff overall, O’Brien has been critical in helping the Cardinals in their early run at relevance. He ranks fourth among relief pitchers in ERA going back to the beginning of last season at 1.85. The advanced metrics are positive for O’Brien as well. His Stuff+ has ticked up from 106 to 110, but thanks to his improved command, his Pitching+ is up to an elite 115. The ZiPS projection system likes what it sees, as O’Brien has improved his pre-season projected FIP from 3.99 to 3.55.
O’Brien is slowly establishing himself as a part of the team’s future core, or as one of their most attractive trade assets.
4. Rainiel Rodriguez Doing His Thing
It has been a relatively quiet start for some of the Cardinals higher-upside hitting prospects. Ryan Mitchell is striking out like crazy in low-A and Daniel Ortiz was injured in his first Double-A game. The system’s offensive star, Rainiel Rodriguez, is living up to his impossibly high expectations as he is running a 141 wRC+ in High-A as a 19-year-old. Even after a rough week, he maintains a 17/19 BB/K ratio and an isolated slugging percentage of .208. As a point of reference, Jordan Walker ran a 124 wRC+ with a 27% strikeout rate in his age 19 season in High-A. Nothing is guaranteed, but Rodriguez remains on a beeline for top 10 prospect in baseball status, if he keeps up his current trajectory.
3. Tanner Franklin Emerges
Tanner Franklin has exploded onto the scene in Peoria. Through his first five starts with the High-A club, he is striking out 34.6% of the hitters he faces while walking only 7.7%. Coming into the year, the biggest questions for the converted reliever were whether he could maintain his stamina and control as he moved into the rotation. Despite being on a limited pitch count (seemingly around 60 or 70), he has completed four innings twice and walked 2 or fewer batters in every start. Baseball America has already referenced Franklin as a pitcher trending toward top 100 status.
2. JJ Wetherholt Power
In his first 30 games, Wetherholt has lived up to the lofty expectations he had coming into the year. His defense has been surprisingly good, but his power has unexpectedly stolen the show. Coming into the season, many people, myself included, would have been happy if Wetherholt could contribute a slightly above average offensive line based on his excellent plate discipline and hit tool. It seemed reasonable to expect the power to come more slowly as he adapted to MLB pitching. Wetherholt has not only popped 7 home runs, he has posted a new career high exit velocity (108.7 MPH) and improved his 90th percentile EV from 103.7 MPH in Triple-A to 103.9 MPH in the bigs. Wetherholt with power is ridiculously fun to watch and also has the ceiling of a bona fide superstar.
1. Air Jordan
No surprises here as Jordan Walker, even after a cold stretch, remains the story of the first month of the 2026 season. Walker has improved his Barrel % from the 66th to the 97th percentile year over year. His Launch Angle Sweet Spot has improved from the 5th percentile to the 84th percentile. Overall, he is getting the ball in the air 60.5% of the time after living in the low 50s his first three seasons. Walker has drastically improved his launch angles without sacrificing his otherworldly exit velocity metrics. He ranks fourth in baseball in average EV (95.5 MPH), third in EV90, and 8th in HardHit% (59.2%).
None of this guarantees anything over a full season, of course. But for an organization that has spent the last few years searching for impact talent, swing-and-miss arms, and a clearer path back to relevance, the first month of 2026 has offered plenty of reasons to buy in… Or at least to enjoy the ride for a while.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 17: Manager Terry Collins of the Houston Astros watches batting practice before a Major League Baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium on July 17, 1994 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Astros defeated the Pirates 9-0. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 10th installment of our Legends Series features longtime manager Terry Collins, who began his career as skipper of the Astros, never enduring a losing season.
Q: I want to start in August of 94′ when you guys are 17 over the .500 mark and then the stoppage occurs. You were neck and neck with the Reds. Do you think you could’ve reached the series if play had continued?
A: You know, the game before the strike, Bagwell broke his hand, so I’m not sure what would’ve happened down the road, but we really had a good team. Biggio, Finley and Caminiti were all playing great, we had a really good club and our pitching was really starting to come around.
I had placed Shane Reynolds in the rotation with Drabek, Swindell and Harnisch and we had turned the corner.
The Expos had a good team as well, but even our bench was strong. Bob Watson assembled a really strong roster for us.
Q: When things resume the following year, you are named as one of the All-Star Game coaches. What did that recognition mean to you back then?
A: It really meant a lot. I had known Felipe Alou for a long time, and I think because of the season we were discussing a moment ago, he phoned in recognition of that. He asked me to be one of the coaches and that was very special to me. Being named to that staff was huge as it was still really my first year.
Q: Did you know at the time that Biggio and Bagwell were laying the foundation for their permanent place in Cooperstown?
A: Oh God without question! Those are the kind of guys that don’t need managers. They knew how to get ready with the same exact routines every day.
I used to watch Biggio everyday go out and do this ground ball routine, and he never missed doing that.
When we went to St. Louis, you’d see Ozzie Smith doing the same thing with the Cardinals. That’s why guys like that were so great. They never vary their routine.
Q: Did Biggio really embrace being the tone setter?
A: He really didn’t want to lead off but he knew that’s what the team needed, so he went out there and just did it. I actually thought he was the best leadoff hitter in all of baseball.
I cannot tell you how many days in a row Craig Biggio would be standing in scoring position and then Bagwell would be coming up to hit. Those guys were so special.
Q: What do you think about the managers being fired so early in the season?
A: There’s always been pressure. Although these days with the larger payrolls, it might be more intense but it’s comical to me because anyone who thinks that Rob Thomson can’t manage after leading the Phillies to the playoffs the last four years is flat out wrong. It just comes with the territory, and ias my friend Jim Leyland once told me, you’re hired to ultimately one day be fired.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets walks to the dugout after the seventh inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on April 29, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Heather Khalifa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Every day, Pinstripe Alley offers updates on what the Yankees’ top American League opponents are up to through the Rivalry Roundup. The AL East is well-trodden ground there, but with the season’s final month upon us, we’re going to take a peek around MLB as a whole and check in with each of the other five divisions. Who’s surprising? Who’s underwhelming? Who’s simply mediocre at the moment? Read on and find out.
Like the Yankees, the Mets will consume an outsized amount of attention because of the market they play in, the payroll they put up, and the habits of their owner. It was a disastrous month for the boys in Queens, and yet they’ve been just a hair worse than the Phillies, and what was expected to be a two-horse race atop the NL East has devolved into the two squads trying to avoid baseball’s worst record.
First Place: Atlanta Braves (22-10)
Despite the battering of their pitching staff in the spring, Atlanta’s managed to get off to a hot start. The pitchers that remain have all been solid and Bryce Elder has led the way with a sterling 1.88 ERA, with Robert Suarez being the dominant force out of the bullpen. Offensively, Matt Olson, catcher Drake Baldwin, and Ozzie Albies have led the way, while the club still waits for Ronald Acuña Jr. to be his usual gamebreaking self.
There are still some headwinds on the horizon — Austin Riley is barely a league average hitter while still having seven years remaining on his contract — but a 6.5 game lead in your division is nothing to sneeze at. The club’s gone from a 36 to 83.4 percent chance of winning the division per FanGraphs, taking advantage of the despondence in Philly and Queens.
Second Place: Miami Marlins (15-16)
My dark horse playoff pick this year, the Marlins haven’t exactly been bad but haven’t done enough to put themselves over what’s a pretty poor division. The team features a trio of Canadians — Liam Hicks, Otto Lopez and Owen Cassie — and two of them have paced the offense, while Cassie has looked a little overmatched in his age-23 season. As perhaps fitting for a team that stumbles along around .500, they currently sit 14th in baseball in wRC+ and 16th in pitching fWAR.
The pitching is the real opportunity for the franchise, with Max Meyer and Jansen Junk poised to join Sandy Alcantara in what could be a devastating rotation. So far the staff has been gutted by a bad bullpen and a lack of length from starters, but improving one of those marks might just be enough to produce a reliable winner in South Beach.
Third Place: Washington Nationals (15-17)
My pick for 2026’s worst team in baseball, the Nats have scrabbled together something almost resembling respectability. They do feature the worst — the WORST — pitching in MLB today, but CJ Abrams and James Wood both seem to finally be living up to their prospect potential. Wood in particular is striking out in a third of his PAs, but he’s walking in a fifth of them, a better K-BB% than he managed last year. Avoiding the second-half falloff will be the key to James’ season, and Abrams might end up being the best available player at the trade deadline. In the meantime, thank you James Wood for one of my favorite moments of the year:
Everything in this division is going to come down to how much of a bounceback the Mets and Phillies can make, but the Nationals shouldn’t let their current third-place slotting confuse them. This is a very badly managed franchise that needs some direction, and their current spot in the division doesn’t change that. The long-term forecast for the club is more important than the bottom falling out of two division rivals, and whether that forecast includes trading the everyday shortstop or not, those kind of strategic decisions should be driving the next three months.
Fourth Place: Philadelphia Phillies (12-19)
Boy, the vibes are different. Two years ago the Phillies had a Himbo Culture, a bunch of big dumb guys who were nevertheless endearing and critically, good at baseball. Now, that Himbo Culture is still at least a little present, worshipping Zack Wheeler’s rib bone and all, but the team on the whole is pretty terrible. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are as reliable a pair of hitters as you’ll find, but the rest of the lineup has struggled to stay above league average. The Phillies are running out six regulars that are below-league average hitters, with third baseman Alec Bohm being just about the worst player in the game period.
It’s a joke but one with some ring of truth: when Alex Cora was offered the Phillies’ managerial job, he looked at one of the few teams in MLB with a worse third baseman than the Red Sox, and picked sitting on the beach instead. The pitching has been slightly better, with Cristopher Sánchez still among the best in the sport and both Jesús Luzardo and Andrew Painter probably due for some positive regression. That’s the thing with the whole team really, they should probably be better, but the collective age of the roster and the deficit they find themselves in gives you a pretty deep hole you need to climb out of.
Fifth Place: New York Mets (10-21)
I’m breaking from our standard writing style to type it out in full, because I believe the weight of it merits: Three hundred and sixty-nine million dollars. I don’t care about Steve Cohen or his bank account, but that is the cheque he is writing for this baseball team, currently with the worst record in MLB. Just as I’m writing this the Mets have publicly backed manager Carlos Mendoza, and while he may be happy to have that support, it does beg the question of just who is responsible for this gong show.
The Mets are 93-100 after signing Juan Soto, what should have been the ultimate crowning achievement for a franchise that purports to have World Series aspirations. Francisco Lindor and Luis Robert Jr. are both IL bound, while Kodai Senga was moved to the list earlier this week. I don’t feel a lot of schadenfreude for the club, maybe because I don’t live in New York, but you have to wonder what exactly is the point of spending all this money just to set yourself on fire. I have my criticisms for Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman, but the money poured into the 2026 Yankees has so far yielded a first-place team. It looks like a catastrophic year for the Mets, and more proof you don’t always get what you pay for.
BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 20: Seth Hernandez #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
ESPN’s updated list of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospects shows a lot of movement within the organization’s top ten.
The very top of the list remains unchanged, as Konnor Griffin maintains his status as the top Pirates’ prospect and the top prospect in baseball. Griffin is on pace to graduate from prospect status as he continues to grow in his Major League career, but for the time being he’s the top dog for Pittsburgh.
First-year pitcher Seth Hernandez was previously ranked third for the Pirates but his dominant start to his career has him ranked as the second best prospect on ESPN’s updated list. So far this year the 19-year-old righty has a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA across five starts. Hernandez is coming off a week where he was named the FSL Pitcher of the Week and his most recent outing saw him strike out nine batters.
Moving up the list from four to three is Edward Florentino who is off to a hot start with High-A Greensboro this season. At just 19-years-old, the Dominican product is already in his third season of Minor League baseball and is excelling at a fast pace. Wyatt Sanford (4), Hunter Barco (5) and Esmerlyn Valdez (6) also found themselves moving up the most recent rankings. Barco is on the verge of working his way off this list as he’s made it to the majors and is looking better in recent outings. Valdez figures to be at the top of the list for the next prospect to be promoted as he’s already in Triple-A Indianapolis and is off to a hot start at the plate. It’s possible that he ends up in Pittsburgh as another depth piece for the team’s outfield.
Konnor Griffin in his last 7 games after this single:
Second baseman Termarr Johnson (7) and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia (8) are the only two young Bucs that find themselves moving down the list. Johnson is in his first season with Indianapolis and has been struggling at the plate. Through 27 games, he has a .161 batting average, has struck out 25 times and has zero homers. Garcia looked to be a promising prospect when he was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, but he too has struggled at the plate with Indy. He’s currently on rehab assignment with Low-A Bradenton.
Catcher Rafael Flores (9) and Antwone Kelly (10) round out the franchise’s top 10 list. Flores has been in conversation a lot recently as fans and critics have been discussing the poor play from Pittsburgh’s catchers. Flores has been performing better at the plate in Indy than Joey Bart and Henry Davis have been with the Pirates. Davis had his first two homers of the season against the Cincinnati Reds so he likely won’t be on the move, but there is an argument to be made that Flores should be promoted. Kelly was previously not in the top 10, but following some strong outings in Indy, he creeps in to the number ten spot.
The Pirates have the fifth overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft and will be looking to add more promising talented to their already stacked Minor League system.
DETROIT, MI - MAY 01: MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Texas Rangers looks on during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Rangers 5, Tigers 4
Back to .500, guys.
Not a great start from MacKenzie Gore.
Gore had some issues throwing strikes and struggled to put batters away. Gore generated just six swinging strikes in his outing out of 94 pitches. And despite throwing 94 pitches, he only faced 18 batters and registered 11 outs.
Gore needed a whopping 49 pitches to get through the first two innings, despite facing just eight batters. After a quick 1-2-3 third inning, he couldn’t get out of the fourth. With two on and two out in the inning, he walked Spencer Torkelson, then gave up singles to Wenceel Perez and Hao-Yu Lee, getting chased from the game with three runs in and two runners on base.
Go ahead, Mr. Wenceel.
Cole Winn got out of the inning with a strikeout, but was pulled with one out in the fourth after a walk, a wild pitch and a single. Jalen Beeks got a grounder from Riley Greene, but the Rangers weren’t able to turn two, such that Texas, which had been up 4-0 just an inning and a half ago, was suddenly faced with a 4-4 tie.
Beeks, by the way, got dinged with a blown save for allowing an inherited run to score in the fifth inning on a ground out. That doesn’t seem fair.
In any case, it seemed like doom awaited.
DOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
Doom didn’t await, though. At least not for the Rangers.
The collection of no-names in the Rangers pen once again banded together to keep their opponents off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Well, they do have names. Along with Beeks, there was Tyler Alexander, Jakob Junis, and Jacob Latz.
Beeks, Alexander, Junis and Latz are all sporting sub-2 ERAs on the year. Gavin Collyer and Peyton Gray have yet to allow a run. The only active members of the Rangers bullpen with an ERA over 2 are Winn (5.27) and Cal Quantrill (6.43).
The Rangers’ offense, once again able to do some damage now that they are away from the Shed, got up early with a Brandon Nimmo leadoff single and a Josh Jung two out RBI single. They seemed poised to chase Tigers starter Jack Flaherty in the third, when a Danny Jansen homer was followed by three straight walks and another Josh Jung RBI single.
They scored a third run in the inning on a Joc Pederson sac fly, but Jake Burger popped up for the second out. Alejandro Osuna then battled Flaherty for ten pitches, but ended up fanning to end the inning.
Still, Osuna ended up coming through with the winning hit later in the game, doubling to left field with Jake Burger on second in the eighth, giving the Rangers the ultimate winning margin in the game.
Brandon Nimmo left the game with hamstring soreness for the second game in a row, which is not ideal. It did, however, result in Ezequiel Duran moving from second base to right field, which set up this great play in the seventh:
MacKenzie Gore hit 96.9 mph with his fastball, averaging 94.6 mph. Cole Winn hit 95.9 mph with his fastball. Jalen Beeks’ fastball touched 93.6 mph. Tyler Alexander’s sinker topped out at 91.3 mph. Jakob Junis reached 92.2 mph with his sinker. Jacob Latz maxed out at 96.0 mph with his fastball.
Jake Burger had a 108.4 mph double. Josh Jung had a 106.9 mph ground out. Ezequiel Duran had a 105.9 mph ground out. Corey Seager had a 105.5 mph double. Brandon Nimmo had a 103.2 mph single and a 101.6 mph single. Danny Jansen had a 102.7 mph home run and a 101.6 mph fly out.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: Miguel Rojas #72 of the Los Angeles Dodgers interacts with Kiké Hernández #8 and Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting a two run homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on June 20, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images) | Getty Images
“I wanted to change the mentality, because if he didn’t, he was going to be on the way out,” Hernández explained. “Not because it was going to happen, but because he was going to do that to himself. I basically told him, ‘I’ve been where you are right now, and it’s not a good way to live. If you put a stop to it, and you say the season starts tomorrow and that’s the mentality you bring in each and every day, you’re going to be much more enjoyable.’”
“I think that’s the best that I can do to support that and let people know they’re not alone – that we can continue our lives regardless of any family member that has autism.”
The New York Black Yankees were a Negro Leagues team that existed from 1931 to 1948. True to their name, they called Yankee Stadium home from 1940 onwards until their demise. They were not a particularly successful franchise, with a 258-497 overall record, but they count among their alumni such legends as Satchel Paige, Ted Radcliffe, Willie Wells, and many more. Today, we celebrate the birthday of a player who isn’t quite at the same status as those luminaries, but had a very nice career of his own.
George Giles Born: May 2, 1909 (Junction City, KS) Died: March 3, 1992 (Topeka, KS) Black Yankees Tenure: 1936-37
George Giles was a precocious talent. He was only 17 years of age when he got his first taste of (semi-) pro baseball with the Gilkerson’s Union Giants, an independent barnstorming Black team that played mainly in the Midwest. He was the starting first baseman on one of the most successful iterations of the club, and many of his teammates on the 1926 squad, like Lefty Brown and Steel Arm Davis, were/would go on to be Negro League stars.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, consider this; the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the most successful Negro league teams, signed Giles the following year. He started 59 games for them and hit .269/.330/.360, good for a 92 OPS+. Not bad at all for an 18-year old playing in the highest level available to him — and Giles was just getting started. In 1928, his OPS+ improved to 113, and from there the speedy Giles settled in as a comfortably above-average regular, making up for his rather pedestrian power numbers (career .112 ISO) by consistently posting high averages and OBPs (career .316 and .386, respectively).
June 4, 1934, First baseman, George Giles hit two (2) home runs, a triple, and scored four runs in the Kansas City Monarchs' 8-1 winning decision at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Follow at https://t.co/11pPm3IJE2pic.twitter.com/4gEkrFsbJS
When Giles joined the New York Black Yankees in 1936, he was still only 27, but his career was in its twilight. His first season was pretty rough, as he struggled to the tune of a .273/.356/.356 line (84 OPS+). However, he managed to rebound in 1937, posting a prime DJ LeMahieu-esque .327/.395/.453 line (114 OPS+) in 39 games. Unfortunately, despite Giles’ best efforts, the fortunes of his ballclub followed the opposite trajectory; the Black Yankees enjoyed a 30-19 campaign in 1936, but struggled to a 23-33 finish in 1937. It’s unclear whether he was released or traded, but by the time the 1938 season rolled around, Giles was no longer a Yankee. He spent what would be his final year in pro baseball with the Pittsburgh Crawfords, hitting .298 in 59 plate appearances across 14 games.
I realize that this summary of Giles’ playing career is painfully short. Unfortunately, there simply isn’t much readily available information on his exploits as a player, despite the fact that he was a very good hitter who was an All-Star in 1935. It is nothing short of a travesty that his story, along with countless other Black players of his time, has been neglected for so long. While long overdue, it’s at least heartening to see the recent wave of recognition and renewed attention that the Negro Leagues is receiving. One can only hope that more details about Giles and his career surface in the coming years.
Indeed, a Giles renaissance might already be burgeoning. This 2021 piece in the Manhattan Mercury (the local newspaper for Manhattan, KS, where Giles lived most of his life) offers a vividly rendered glimpse into Giles’ career and life, including quotes from Giles himself from past interviews for the Mercury and other local outlets. The whole piece is fascinating, but Giles’ recollections of the abhorrent conditions he endured as a Black ballplayer on the road are particularly striking. In one quote, he says he used to lay newspapers on the beds of seedy motels, claiming that it warded off bedbugs. In another, he remembers how when he played against a white team in his barnstorming days, his opponents stayed at a hotel, while his team was forced to change into their uniforms in a farmer’s barn. It’s truly depressing stuff, but it needs to be told.
Given the countless hardships he endured as a player, I can only hope Giles lived a full and fulfilling post-playing life. The Mercury article gives me hope that this was the case. After working a number of jobs, Giles opened a small inn named George’s Motel in Kansas which served the Black community, providing the kind of accommodations that were unavailable to him during his playing days. And in his autumnal years, he got to witness his grandson Brian Giles — no, not that one — make his MLB debut in 1981 with the New York Mets. What a moment that must have been for him.
A final detail from that Mercury piece — when asked whether George would have been proud to see his grandson surpass his achievements by reaching the major leagues, Brian rejected that premise, saying, “Actually, I think he was more successful, doing what he did in times that presented African-American ballplayers (with challenges).” As we try to properly appreciate the Negro Leagues and Black ballplayers of the past, this perspective is something we must not forget. It’s not enough to say that the Negro Leagues were major leagues in terms of quality of play; we must also acknowledge the various ways in which Black players and their communities were held back by racism — and question the notion that those are relics of the past.
All stats from Seamheads.com.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Saturday’s MLB slate is loaded, and there’s no shortage of betting angles if you know where to look. From clear mismatches like Atlanta and San Diego to plus-money shots with sneaky value, these MLB picks focus on pitching edges, lineup production, and where the market might be off.
Let’s break down the best moneyline plays for May 2.
MLB moneyline picks for May 2
Matchup
Pick
Orioles vs Yankees
-138
Blue Jays vs Twins
+117
Diamondbacks vs Cubs
-150
Guardians vs A's
+108
Reds vs Pirates
+117
Brewers vs Nationals
-127
Astros vs Red Sox
+113
Phillies vs Marlins
-113
Giants vs Rays
-127
Dodgers vs Cardinals
-138
Rangers vs Tigers
-127
Braves vs Rockies
-222
White Sox vs Padres
-203
Mets vs Angels
+108
Royals vs Mariners
-138
Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 5-2.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for May 2
Orioles vs Yankees: Yankees (-138)
Yankees win probability: 58%
New York owns the edge where it matters most—run prevention and power. Baltimore is allowing too many runs and dealing with key injuries, while the Yankees bring a deeper lineup and more reliable pitching. Kyle Bradish hasn’t been sharp enough to trust here, and with New York’s ability to capitalize on traffic, this is a spot where the better team should take control.
Blue Jays vs Twins: Twins (+117)
Twins win probability: 46%
Toronto’s offense just isn’t getting it done. Bottom-tier power and inconsistent contact make it tough to trust them, even with Dylan Cease on the mound. Minnesota has the better offensive profile and enough pitching stability to hold serve. With more reliable run production, the Twins have a clearer path to win this game.
Diamondbacks vs Cubs: Cubs (-150)
Cubs win probability: 60%
This is a clean mismatch. Arizona’s pitching staff has been one of the worst in the league, and Ryne Nelson hasn’t shown he can slow down a quality lineup. Chicago brings elite on-base ability and consistent production, paired with a steady arm in Shota Imanaga. The Cubs should control this game from the start.
Guardians vs A's: Guardians (+108)
Guardians win probability: 48%
Cleveland doesn’t need to be explosive here—they just need to be competent. Oakland’s pitching is extremely shaky, and that opens the door for even a contact-heavy offense to generate enough scoring. With the Guardians holding the edge on the mound and in overall run prevention, they should grind out a win.
Reds vs Pirates: Reds (+117)
Reds win probability: 46%
Cincinnati has more ways to score, even if the batting average doesn’t jump off the page. They bring power and speed, while Pittsburgh leans heavily on contact without much upside. Rhett Lowder has been more efficient than Carmen Mlodzinski, and that slight pitching edge, combined with a more dynamic offense, gives the Reds the advantage.
Brewers vs Nationals: Brewers (-127)
Brewers win probability: 56%
Washington can put up runs, but their pitching is a problem. Milwaukee has the more reliable arm and a clear bullpen edge, which matters in a game that could get loose late. Even without full offensive strength, the Brewers do enough at the plate and prevent runs at a higher level, making them the safer side.
Astros vs Red Sox: Astros (+113)
Astros win probability: 47%
Houston’s offense is the difference. They consistently generate baserunners and apply pressure, while Boston lacks the same level of production. Even with some pitching concerns, the Astros lineup is capable of outscoring problems. If this turns into a higher-scoring game, Houston is clearly better equipped to handle it.
Phillies vs Marlins: Marlins (-113)
Marlins win probability: 53%
Aaron Nola’s struggles are too significant to ignore. With a high ERA and too many baserunners allowed, he’s not someone you can trust right now. Miami has been the more balanced team, with stronger lineup metrics and steady pitching from Max Meyer. Until Philadelphia shows signs of life, fading them remains the sharper play.
Giants vs Rays: Rays (-127)
Rays win probability: 56%
San Francisco simply doesn’t hit enough to win games like this. A lack of power and poor OPS numbers limit their ceiling, even with solid pitching. Tampa Bay is more balanced offensively and can manufacture runs in different ways. In what projects as a lower-scoring game, the Rays have more paths to come out on top.
Dodgers vs Cardinals: Dodgers (-138)
Dodgers win probability: 58%
There’s a clear class gap here. Los Angeles brings elite production across the board, while St. Louis struggles to prevent runs. Even if Roki Sasaki hasn’t been perfect, this is a favorable spot for him to settle in. The Dodgers’ offensive firepower and overall depth should be too much for the Cardinals to handle.
Rangers vs Tigers: Tigers (-127)
Tigers win probability: 56%
Detroit has the edge offensively, with better on-base skills and more consistent production. Texas continues to struggle generating runs, which puts added pressure on Kumar Rocker. While both starters are capable, the Tigers’ ability to create scoring opportunities gives them the higher floor in this matchup.
Braves vs Rockies: Braves (-222)
Braves win probability: 69%
This is one of the biggest mismatches on the board. Atlanta is elite offensively and pairs that with strong pitching, led here by Chris Sale. Colorado simply doesn’t have the arms to keep this lineup in check. Even on the road, the Braves should dictate the pace and overwhelm the Rockies.
White Sox vs Padres: Padres (-203)
Padres win probability: 67%
San Diego has the advantage on the mound with Michael King, and that’s where this game tilts. The White Sox offense doesn’t consistently apply pressure, making it difficult to back them against quality pitching. With a steadier bullpen and enough offense, the Padres should separate over the full game.
Mets vs Angels: Angels (+108)
Angels win probability: 48%
The Mets’ offense is a major concern, sitting near the bottom of the league in nearly every key category. That lack of production makes it tough to support them, even with decent pitching. The Angels have more power and a more functional lineup, giving them the edge in a game that likely comes down to who can actually score.
Royals vs Mariners: Mariners (-138)
Mariners win probability: 58%
Seattle’s pitching gives them the edge here. Emerson Hancock has been efficient, and the Mariners as a staff do a better job limiting damage. Kansas City doesn’t generate enough offense to overcome that gap. In what projects as a tight game, Seattle’s run prevention and slightly cleaner execution make them the more reliable side.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - MARCH 2: Sterlin Thompson #60 of the Colorado Rockies bats during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 2, 2025 in Scottsdale, AZ. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | Getty Images
As several Colorado Rockies search for traction on offense, it makes sense that the next wave of Albuquerque names has started to become more interesting.
Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) has been part of that conversation. Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP), too. Sterlin Thompson (No. 13 PuRP) is a quieter name, but maybe a more intriguing one than first appears. And with several players on the current roster still trying to find their footing, a call-up does not have to be a final judgment. Sometimes, it is just a reset for one player and a test for another.
So the better question is not simply who should come up.
It is this: What actually translates?
The Albuquerque warning label
Minor league numbers matter. They are evidence. They are not answers. That is especially true for Rockies prospects in the Pacific Coast League, and especially true when Albuquerque is involved. A hitter producing there means something, but it comes with a giant Isotopes-shaped warning label — not just because the ball flies, but also because the jump to major-league stuff and sequencing is where those numbers get stress-tested.
The PCL can inflate outcomes. MLB pitchers expose process.
That does not mean every good Albuquerque line is fake. It means the first question should be less “Who is hot?” and more “What skill is showing up?”
Or, maybe more precisely this:How is the player accessing that skill?
A first filter, not a final answer
For a quick first filter, I looked at two imperfect but useful ideas: Impact Frequency and Chase Frequency. These are not replacement stats. Rather, they are trait-and-approach metrics. They are meant to help explain why the more familiar numbers look the way they do.
Impact Frequency is hard-hit balls divided by total pitches seen. It is not traditional hard-hit rate, which is usually measured per ball in play. This raises a different question: How often does a hitter turn his overall pitch environment into loud contact?
Chase Frequency is chase-zone swings divided by total pitches seen. Again, not traditional chase rate. This is more of a translation-risk check. Will big-league pitchers see enough chase in the profile to nibble a hitter to death?
With a 300-pitch filter, the shape gets clearer. Carrigg and Zac Veen (No. 9 PuRP) rank 32nd and 33rd in Triple-A in Impact Frequency. Thompson and Condon are a step behind, at 78th and 79th. Then the picture flips in Chase Frequency: Thompson ranks 10th and Condon 22nd, while Carrigg sits 173rd and Veen is, well, the bottom.
That does not mean Carrigg and Veen are better hitters. It does not mean Thompson and Condon lack impact. It means they are accessing their offense differently.
That is the point.
Carrigg and Veen are finding loud contact a bit more often, but with more swing-decision risk attached. Thompson and Condon are getting there through “approach” first. That does not make one path automatically better than the other. It just tells us what still needs to be tested.
Thompson: approach first
Thompson is the cleanest example. He has 117 plate appearances in this sample, a strikeout rate around 22%, and a walk rate around 17%. That lives somewhere in the Edouard Julien neighborhood: walks, patience, and forcing pitchers into the zone.
The walks matter because they are frequent. The contact matters if it is hard.
The risk is that the approach has to travel intact. If Thompson expands more against major-league pitching, the profile can get thin quickly. The patience is the foundation. Without it, the strikeouts become louder, and the offensive floor drops.
Condon: patience with damage
Condon is similar, but with more damage attached. His .267/.409/.851 line is not just a slugger-in-Albuquerque line. With a walk rate around 17% and a strikeout rate around 19%, plus a 22nd-place Triple-A rank in Chase Frequency, the offensive idea makes sense. He is not just swinging big: He is controlling the zone.
The trap is that power is his calling card, and it is not fully popping yet in this snapshot. If chasing more power pulls him away from the approach, the profile gets riskier. I would rather see him keep the approach than sell out for more power.
But if the power truly develops alongside that approach?
Watch out.
Carrigg: aggressive, but not reckless
Carrigg is almost the opposite question. His traditional line explains the interest: .340/.402/.864 with 18 stolen bases. The Statcast layer adds to it. 32 hard-hit balls on 403 pitches is a real signal for a switch-hitter whose appeal already includes speed, arm strength, and defensive flexibility.
But Carrigg is not doing this the Thompson way. His nine walks in 117 plate appearances put his walk rate around 7.7%, while his strikeout rate sits around 14%. He is more aggressive, more willing to enter the chase band, and currently making enough contact for it to work.
That “currently” is doing some work. If the contact backs up, the aggression gets harder to live with. Carrigg’s profile is exciting because the bat is touching the ball often enough to let the speed, defense, and hard-hit frequency matter. If that contact slips, the whole equation gets tighter.
Veen: the counterweight
Veen is the counterweight. His .258/.340/.716 line is not terrible, and the Impact Frequency says the talent is still there. But 37 chase-zone swings on 377 pitches is not nothing.
Big-league pitchers wont need to beat him in the zone when he is willing to meet them outside of it.
What comes next?
This is still only a first filter. Launch angle, pull rate, zone contact, whiff rate, and whether the hard contact is turning into actual damage all matter from here.
Carrigg hitting the ball hard is interesting. Carrigg hitting the ball hard on the ground is a different conversation.
Condon controlling the zone is interesting. Condon doing damage when he gets a pitch to hit is the next question.
There are roster questions, too. If Ezequiel Tovar goes down, Chad Stevens probably makes the most sense for the Rockies. It is a less-splashy move, but it fits the infield need. If Jordan Beck goes down, the conversation changes. That is when Thompson, Carrigg, and Condon really enter the picture.
I am glad I am not the one making these decisions. I am impulsive. I like to dream.
But if Thompson, Carrigg, and Condon keep playing this way, it no longer feels crazy to think we could see all three in Denver at some point this year. Not because Albuquerque numbers should be taken at face value. Not because any one of them is a finished answer. Because each is starting to show a skill set worth testing.
There is something here. Maybe even several somethings.
Well, that escalated. Albuquerque set a new franchise record for runs in a 26-8 win over El Paso. It was also the most runs the Chihuahuas have ever allowed, and only the third time since 2005 that a PCL team has scored at least 26 runs in a game. Sterlin Thompson, Zac Veen, and Braxton Fulford all homered as the Isotopes piled up traffic all night. El Paso issued 13 walks, and Albuquerque kept turning those chances into damage. Sean Sullivan gave the Isotopes a useful start, allowing three earned runs over five innings. It was not spotless — eight hits, four walks, one strikeout, and a homer — but five innings of three-run ball plays just fine in Albuquerque.
Hartford fell behind early and never really got the game back under control. Reading scored twice in the first, added four more in the third, and kept tacking on in an 11-3 Yard Goats loss. The Fightin Phils improved to 12-12, while Hartford dropped to 10-14. Carson DeMartini and Bryan Rincon both homered for Reading, and Rincon also stole home as part of a double steal in the sixth. For Hartford, Aidan Longwell was the bright spot. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, and an RBI, factoring into all three Yard Goats runs. Benny Montgomery and Conner Capel each added RBI singles.
Spokane handled Eugene 7-1, improving to 9-15 while the Emeralds dropped to 18-6. Ethan Hedges got the Indians started early with a two-run homer in the first, his fourth of the season, and finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a walk. Roynier Hernandez also homered, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, an RBI, and a walk. The pitching was the real story, though. Lebarron Johnson Jr. allowed one run on one hit over three innings, walking one and striking out three. Ben Catlett took it from there and was dominant, throwing six scoreless innings with two hits allowed, one walk, and 11 strikeouts.
Fresno jumped ahead early, but Stockton took control late in a 7-3 Grizzlies loss. The Ports improved to 12-13, while Fresno fell to 14-11. Jack O’Dowd had the best offensive night for Fresno, going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Clayton Gray also went 2-for-5 and scored a run, while Roldy Brito doubled and scored. Tanner Thach drove in Fresno’s first run with a sacrifice fly. The game turned in the sixth, when Stockton scored four times to flip a 3-2 Fresno lead into a 6-3 deficit. Ethan Cole took the loss, allowing four runs, two earned, over two innings. Michael Herrera started and struck out seven over four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk. O’Dowd continues to be one of the more productive bats in the lower levels, now sitting at a 1.078 OPS after another multi-hit game.
In this piece by Scott Roche, the Rockies’ 14-18 start is framed as a small but real warning to the rest of the NL West: Colorado may not be good yet, but it is no longer automatic. The piece leans on improved pitching depth and early competitiveness against division opponents as signs of progress.
In this piece by Thomas Harding, Jim Tracy looks back on the 2009 Rockies through a few small moments that ended up feeling much bigger with time: the pitch, the at-bat, and the catch. It’s a nice little nostalgia trip, with a fun current-day wrinkle now that Tracy’s son Chad is getting his own big-league managerial shot in Boston.
Seth Dowdle has some fun with the Rockies still hanging near the bottom of ESPN’s power rankings despite a recent Mets sweep and a split with the Dodgers. Is it disrespectful? Maybe. Is it also what happens when you lose 119 games the year before? Unfortunately, yes.
In another piece by Thomas Harding, Ezequiel Tovar’s early slump gets a closer look, with fastballs standing out as a particular issue. Tovar points more to timing than a broken swing, which gives the Rockies something specific to work through as he tries to get back on track.
Orioles
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