May 15, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A group of shirtless fans cheer from their seats during the eleventh inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
If the St. Louis Cardinals season becomes something truly special later this year, you can look back to this weekend and recognize that this was that moment when the team and their fans kickstarted it all. The “Tarps Off Terrace” returned to Busch Stadium Saturday and the team responded with another victory over the overwhelmed Kansas City Royals.
Let’s start with a nod to Kyle Leahy who gave the St. Louis Cardinals one of his best starts of the year. You can tell that he’s starting to understand his vast arsenal of pitches and how that works as a starter instead of a middle reliever. Kyle pitched 6 strong innings allowing just 5 hits and 1 earned run. While he only struck out 2 and walked 3, he pitched himself out of a big bases-loaded jam in the top of the 2nd inning after he allowed 2 singles and a walk without allowing a run.
The Cardinals were the first on the board Saturday playing small ball in the bottom of the 1st inning. After Ivan Herrera hit a ground rule double into the seats down the first base line, Jordan Walker singled to left and then Herrera scored on a sacrifice fly by Alec Burleson making it 1-0 Cardinals. The Royals would tie the game in the top of the 5th inning when Maikel Garcia doubled into the left field corner and scored two batters later when Pasquantino singled evening the game 1-1.
The Cardinals would not wait long to untie the game as they rallied in the bottom of the 5th inning starting with a Thomas Saggese single followed by a hustle double from Nathan Church which advanced Saggese to third base. Victor Scott II grounded into a fielder’s choice to first base, but the throw home was not quick enough to get Saggese who scored with a evasive slide giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead which pleased the “tarps off terrace” group aka the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks baseball team. Masyn Winn followed that outburst with a sacrifice fly to score Nathan Church making it 3-1 Cardinals.
The “Tarps Off Terrace” was made possible by Manager Oli Marmol who picked up the cost of 1,500 tickets for both Saturday and Sunday’s games as he said they helped rally the team Friday night to an extra innings victory.
A fired up Gordon Graceffo pitched a clean top of the 7th inning only allowing a double to Isbel on a ball that was misjudged by Nathan Church. No harm done, though, as the Royals were unable to get him home. Justin Bruihl was chosen as the 8th inning guy tasked with keeping the Royals from making a game of it and he was successful with a drama-free effort.
The Cardinals would add to their lead in the bottom of the 8th inning when Victor Scott II singled to center. Masyn Winn reached on a fielder’s choice, but reached second on an errant throw by the pitcher Bailey Falter. Ivan Herrera then reached on a walk. After Jordan Walker flied out to left-center, Alec Burleson singled to left scoring Winn making it 4-1 Cardinals. Ivan Herrera could have scored on a throw that flew over third base into left field, but he seemed unaware that the ball was not still on the infield.
George Soriano was brought in to close out the game, but gave up a home run to Jac Caglianone cutting into the Cardinals lead 4-2. After Collins singled to center, the Kansas City Royals were allowed to bring the tying run up to the plate. Unfortunately (for them), that tying run potential turned into a game-ending double play.
Performances of note include two hits from both Nathan Church and Victor Scott II. Thomas Saggese did a fine job subbing for JJ Wetherholt who was given his first day off in as long as I can remember contributing a hit and solid defense at second base.
The Cardinals will try to sweep the Royals on Sunday as Andre Pallante will get the start for St. Louis. Kansas City will send Stephen Kolek to the mound. First pitch scheduled for 1:15pm central time in Busch Stadium.
CUBS vs. SOX: The Cubs now are 78-75 in all games against the Sox, including 13-2 in the last four seasons. But they are only 22-33 in the first games of series. They have won the last four openers and six of seven; before that, they were just 16-32! The Cubs are 28-27 in second games, including 13-14 on the road. They are 16-8 in second games after winning first games but 6-7 after winning openers on the South Side. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SATURDAY IN THE PARK: The Cubs are 3-3 on Saturdays so far this season. They were 20-7 last year. They are 0-2 on Saturdays on the road, having lost to the Dodgers at Los Angeles, 12-4, on April 25 and at Texas, 6-0, a week ago. Both games snapped 10-game winning streaks. The two losses so far are as many as the Cubs had all of last season, when they 11-2 on Saturdays on the road. Both losses were at Cincinnati, the first on May 24 and the second on Sept. 20, in their final Saturday away from home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
HAPP-ENINGS: Ian Happ, last 13 games since May 2: .279/.446/.558 (12-for-43) with a double, a triple, three home runs, 13 walks and 14 runs scored.
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs sweep a doubleheader from the Padres, 9-8 and 6-4. In the first game, Jim Hickman hit a two-run walk-off homer in the 10th inning after San Diego had scored a run in the top of the 10th. The second game was suspended for darkness in the seventh inning at 6:29 p.m. and completed Aug. 4, the first suspended game after the specific rule for suspending games for darkness at Wrigley Field had been instituted in 1969. It happened 55 years ago today, Sunday, May 16, 1971.
Jameson Taillon threw well in his most recent start, Sunday at Texas, allowing only one run in 5.1 innings. Best of all, he didn’t give up a long ball in that game, just the second time this year he’s done that.
Taillon did not face the Sox last year. Thus many of the current Sox batters have never faced him. Andrew Benintendi has homered off him previously.
Keep the ball in the yard, Jamo.
Davis Martin has suddenly become one of the better pitchers in the American League, with a 1.62 ERA and just two home runs in 50 innings. He’s got a good walk rate (just 5.2 percent). All of this is a vast improvement over last year — Martin’s current 2.6 bWAR is already more than the 1.5 bWAR he posted for all of 2025.
Martin has never faced the Cubs and only a few current Cubs have just a handful of plate appearances against him. Hopefully there’s a good scouting report.
Please visit our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox. If you do go there to interact with Sox fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The Mets skipper did say surgery isn't on the table and has been told they should expect Holmes back with the team this season.
"He’s going to be down for quite a bit here," Mendoza said. "But we should see him [this season]."
How long it will take for Holmes to rejoin the rotation is not known. However, Mendoza did say that Holmes won't start a throwing program until the fracture has healed, which could take 6-to-8 weeks. Holmes will then have to ramp up in a manner similar to spring training.
While there's a silver lining to the news, Mendoza was candid when asked what the impact of Holmes' injury means to the locker room.
"We've been hit a lot this year with a lot of our superstars with a lot of key players, but yesterday felt different," Mendoza said.
As SNY's John Harper documented after Friday's 5-2 loss, a sense of shock could be felt in the clubhouse after the Holmes injury news was divulged. The only player to speak after the game was Juan Soto, who spoke glowingly of Holmes.
Holmes is set to speak to the media prior to Sunday's series finale.
Tobias Myers an option, but there's a catch
As the Mets consider their options to replace Holmes in the rotation, Myers seems like a likely candidate.
Myers has starting experience, 32 career starts, but has been used as the long man in the Mets bullpen. However, his performance of late has seen him be used in more high-leverage situations. Still, Mendoza said the team is considering transitioning Myers into the rotation.
"He’s on the table. That’s one of the names that we are considering," Mendoza said of Myers.
Mendoza, however, did say it would be difficult to do. With the way he's been used in the bullpen and getting him stretched out to be a starter will take some time. The Mets hope they can do that in games, but that comes with its own potential pitfalls.
As the Mets skipper says, they may want to push Myers to 35-40 pitches during a game, but if he struggles or the Mets are trying to protect a lead, they may have to pull the plug on Myers sooner than they want.
As for Myers, he told SNY's Chelsea Janes on Friday that no one had approached him about replacing Holmes since the injury happened, but confirmed that he's not stretched out enough that he can start.
“At the moment, I’m [not stretched out to where I could start]. Maybe 35, 40 pitches,” Myers told Janes.
Myers last pitched in the Subway Series opener, where he tossed 25 pitches. The last time he's thrown in the 35-40 pitch range was back on May 2, when he tossed 36 pitches across 2.2 innings. His season-high is 40 pitches (April 23).
"I don’t think there’s an ideal [way to stretch Myers out], to be honest with you," Mendoza said when asked.
So if Myers is the guy to take Holmes' spot, it seems the process of stretching him out will be in the bigs.
Other options
Aside from Myers, the Mets have plenty of other in-organization options in the bigs and the minors.
When Kodai Senga's or Sean Manaea's names were brought up, Mendoza said that Senga will not be in the mix for at least this turn through the order. Senga is in Florida and will throw a bullpen with multiple ups down in PSL.
Manaea is in a better spot than Senga, but the southpaw -- like Myers -- has been used in the bullpen. The 34-year-old is more stretched out, but hasn't thrown more than 20 pitches in his last two appearances.
"When you look at the usage and pitch count, how many pitches can we ask him?" Mendoza said of Manaea. "He’s also in the conversation. We saw a better outing from here the last time. Attacking hitters, getting swing and misses. Trusting the pitches in the strike zone."
The legendary radio voice of the Mets, Howie Rose, asked Mendoza specifically whether Jonah Tong or Jack Wenninger are options, Mendoza didn't dismiss the idea.
"Everything’s on the table here. All the names you mentioned are being discussed, but we don’t want to get too far ahead," Mendoza said. "We still have to get through today, tomorrow…we’ll go from there."
Tong and Wenninger pose interesting cases to be called up. Tong has big league experience last season, but he struggled then and has had an up-and-down season with Triple-A this year.
Tong lasted just 1.2 innings and allowed seven runs (six earned) in his last start on Thursday. His ERA has ballooned to 5.68.
Wenninger, on the other hand, has been dominant. In seven Triple-A starts, he's pitched to a 1.08 ERA and has not allowed a run in his last three starts (16.2 innings). He's also allowed just seven hits. His control can be iffy (seven walks in his last three starts), but he has struck out 19 batters in that span.
After Freddy Peralta pitches Sunday, the Mets only have Christian Scott penciled in to make their start, which will be Monday. From there, anything is possible.
May 16, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) is tagged out by Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez (0) trying to steal second in the second inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Blue Jays 2 Tigers 1 (10 innings)
Jays, I clearly asked for more than two runs today.
But…..we won.
I hate bullpen days……but they seem to work. The Jays game up just one run, on seven hits, with 14 strikeouts. It is tough to argue with success. The Jays used six pitchers:
Mason Fluharty got the first four outs, allowing one hit, struck out three of five batters he faced.
Spencer Miles was the bulk guy, going 3.2 innings, allowing two hits, with two walks and five strikeouts.
Brandon Fisher gave up the only run again the Jays, a solo home run by Matt Vierlingin the sixth inning, getting two strikeouts.
Tommy Nance pitched a quick seventh, with no base runners and a strikeout.
Tyler Rogers gave up a hit and got a strikeout in the eighth.
Louis Varland pitched the ninth and tenth (I was surprised when he came back out in the 10th, after throwing 20 pitches in the ninth). He ended up throwing 26 pitches, and didn’t allow the Manfred Man to score, giving up two hits, with two strikeout in his two innings.
Offensively? We did almost nothing. Yohendrick Piñango hit his first MLB home run in the seventh inning, to tied the game at one. He was 2 for 4.
And then, in the 10th, after Kazuma Okamoto ground out (without moving Vlad (playing Manfred Man) up to third. But then Daulton Varsho singled Vlad home. After that, Myles Straw popped out to center and Lenyn Sosa doubled (but Varsho couldn’t score). After that Ernie Clement hit a soft fly out on the first pitch (a ball that couldn’t have been more than three inches off the ground.
When we couldn’t score that second run, I was sure we were looking at another loss. But, with Zack Short on second, Varland got Jake Rogers to ground out. Then Kevin McGonigle ground out (moving Short to third). And Dillon Dingle (can you imagine going to school with that name?) struck out swinging at another pitch that was closer to the ground than the strike zone.
As mentioned, the Jays got five hits, Piñango and Varsho two each. And Sosa that double in the tenth. And we only had one walk. Yes, we were very lucky to win.
I did start thinking that Okamoto maybe should move a few inches up in the strike zone.
There were some good defensive moments or at least some interesting defensive moments:
Okamoto, going after a foul pop up, had the ball bounce out of his glove, up and to his right and he made a nice bare-handed catch.
In the ninth, with two on and one out, Sosa fielded a ground ball to his left at second, but instead of going for the easy play at first, threw to second to force the runner. I was watching at the bar and I may have yelled something that shouldn’t be yelled in public. He made the play, so I guess that was good, but he too an unnecessary chance throwing to the shortstop who had the baserunner coming in at the same time. Many things could have gone wrong, but they didn’t.
Tyler Heineman threw out Matt Vierling trying to steal second in the second inning. Nice throw.
Davis Schneider’s batting average is now under .140. He challenged a strike call and was wrong, and ending up striking out.
Jays of the Day: Varsho (0.34 WPA), Varland (0.34),Miles (0.23, I’m all for stretching him out to become a strarter),Piñango (0.16), Rogers (0.11) and Nance (0.09)
Other Award: Vlad (-0.14 for an 0 for 4, he did score the winning run), Springer (-0.13, for an 0 for 4, 1 k), Sánchez (-0.10, 0 for 3, 2 k), Sosa (-0.9, for an 1 for 4, double), Giménez (-0.9, 0 for 3) and Fisher (-0.12).
Tomorrow we have game three of this series. Kevin Gausman (2-3, 3.86) starts with a depleted bullpen behind him, and Jack Flaherty (0-4. 5.73) are the starts. Please score more than 2 runs, Blue Jays.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 10: Jacob deGrom #48 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Globe Life Field on May 10, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for May 16, 2026: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Kai-Wei Teng for the Astros.
Texas plays the Astros in Houston again tonight, and will valiantly try to get more than one hit this time. Corey Seager is out of the lineup due to back spasms.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Nimmo — RF
Jung — 3B
Carter — CF
Duran — SS
Osuna — LF
Burger — 1B
Jansen — C
Foscue — 2B
6:10 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -150 favorites.
Apr 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (12) throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Casey Mize returned in fine form in this one, but the Detroit Tigers remain hamstrung offensively. The Toronto Blue Jays are having similar issues, but they pulled this one out in the tenth against Tyler Holton, and Louis Varland closed out the Tigers to even the series at a game apiece on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday’s matchup featured a sight for sore eyes, as Casey Mize returned to the bump after a few weeks out with a minor groin strain. The Tigers need him, and plenty of other players, back in action. Mize settled in pretty nicely in the top of the first. George Springer grounded out, and after Yohendrick Piñango reached on a swinging bunt, Mize got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground to Hao-Yu Lee at third, and Lee started a double play to end the inning.
Lefty Mason Fluharty was on the mound for the Blue Jays as the opener, prompting AJ Hinch to bat Hao-Yu Lee third, playing third base, in order to get his a bat against the southpaw. Kevin McGonigle’s rough stretch continued with a soft fly out to start things off. Dillon Dingler was the DH in this one, and he and Hao-Yu Lee had trouble with Fluharty’s extreme angle to the plate, taking called strike threes.
Mize whiffed Kazumo Okamoto for the first out of the second, and Dalton Varsho lined out sharply to center. Jesus Sanchez dug in and he too struck out over a splitter, shooting Mize some looks at he accepted his fate.
Matt Vierling led off the bottom half with a single back up the middle. Riley Greene was rung up on a pretty tough checked swing call. That was the end of Fluharty’s job with Greene dispatched, and John Schneider took the ball and gave it to Spencer Miles as the bulk guy. Spencer Torkelson whiffed on a mistake slider at the top of the zone. As Zach McKinstry fell behind 1-2, Vierling broke for second but didn’t get the best jump and was cut down by Tyler Heineman.
Mize went through the Blue Jays 7-8-9 in order to start the third inning. We’ve seen him a little sharper this year, but for his first start back he really didn’t look like he’d missed a beat.
Zach McKinstry flared a single into right field to start the bottom half. Wenceel Perez flew out, and Jake Rogers struck out. McGonigle pulled a single that moved McKinstry to third with two outs. Dillon Dingler followed by drawing a walk to load the bases, and Hinch turned to Gage Workman to pinch-hit for Lee instead of Colt Keith. It didn’t work out, as Workman chased a flurry of breaking balls and struck out.
Mize started the fourth with a nasty slider to punch George Springer. Piñango flew out and Guerrero’s struggles continued as he popped out to Torkelson to end the frame. The Tigers weren’t dialing in on Miles’ breaking stuff yet, and Vierling and Greene grounded out to start the bottom half. Torkelson missed a curveball over the middle for strike three, and it was on to the fifth.
Okamoto lifted a fly ball out to Riley Greene to start the inning. Varsho got a splitter that hung up over the middle of the plate first pitch and drilled a double to right field to give the Blue Jays their first threat in the game. Mize turned from splitters in the first at-bat against Sanchez, to sliders in this one and carved him up. Lenyn Sosa popped out to Workman to strand Varsho as Mize continued to look very good.
The Tigers weren’t having any luck against Miles. A pop-up from McKinstry to Okamoto saw the third baseman juggle the ball and then snatch it out of the air bare-handed. Wenceel Pérez’s struggles continued with a ground out to Okamoto. Pérez is striking out just 13.5 percent of the time and somehow cannot buy a hit this year. Jake Rogers came to the plate with a more cagey plan and stayed patient until Miles walked him. Miles stayed heavily breaking ball against McGonigle, bouncing one that got away from Heineman as Rogers scampered to second base. In a 1-2 count, Miles tried a front door swingback sinker and got a called strike three, but it was a ball and McGonigle correctly challenged it. He then swung over a curveball for strike three anyway.
After trying to be patient early on and getting chopped up by Mize’s splitter, the Blue Jays started swinging earlier through the middle of the game, but all it did was make for quick innings. Andrés Giménez flew out down the left field line as Greene made a fine sliding catch in foul territory. Heineman popped out, and Springer flew out, and Mize was through six scoreless with a pitch count at 71.
However, with Mize back off the IL with no rehab work, the Tigers didn’t want to push him too far, and so that was it for him, and it was a heck of a return to action. 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K. Mize got 10 whiffs on 42 swings, with the slider and splitter accounting for eight of those. With that, Mize’s ERA drops to 2.43 on the year, with a FIP of 2.67. The breakout year continues.
However, Spencer Miles day was done. RHP Braydon Fisher took over to face Dingler, Workman, and Vierling in the bottom of the sixth. On a 2-1 pitch, a called strike was challenged correctly by Dingler to get to 3-1 instead, but he ultimately grounded out. Workman struck out, but Vierling got an 0-1 slider over the middle and lined it into the Tigers’ bullpen for a 1-0 lead. Greene struck out on a slider, and we were onto the seventh with the Tigers up a run.
Of course, trying to take it easy on Mize meant that the Tigers bullpen would have to collect nine outs to win. Instead, Kyle Finnegan took over and immediately gave up a solo shot to Piñango, the first of his young career, on a first pitch splitter that carried just inside the right field foul pole. 1-1 game. Guerrero Jr. grounded out, and Okamoto flew out to Pérez. Finnegan walked the dangerous Varsho to put one on and Jesus Sanchez at the dish, but the right-hander got ahead 0-2 and Sanchez bounced out harnlessly to second.
Right-hander Tommy Nance took over for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the seventh and quickly dispatched Torkelson on a swinging strike three. McKinstry grounded one to Guerrero ranging toward second base, and the first baseman couldn’t hit the moving target that was Nance covering the bag. McKinstry reached, and Pérez worked ahead in the count. A couple of breaking balls evened the count at 2-2, and Pérez’s troubles with contact continued as he popped out to Heineman at home plate. With Jake Rogers down 0-1, McKinstry tried to steal second on a breaking ball thrown for strike two, but he was cut down by Heineman pretty easily, and we were onto the eighth.
Connor Seabold returned from the injured list yesterday, with Ricky Vanasco optioned to Toledo, and Seabold took over in the eighth from Finnegan. Lenyn Sosa grounded out to McGonigle to start things off. Giménez also grounded out to McGonigle. Davis Schneider pinch-hit for Heineman. A 1-1 fastball away was called a strike. Schneider challenged it incorrectly, leaving it 1-2 and the Blue Jays down to one challenge. A good fastball blew Schneider away to wrap up a brisk inning from Seabold. Welcome back, Connor.
Tyler Rogers, the closest thing to a submariner we seem to have left in the game, took over for the Blue Jays and punched out Rogers. McGonigle striped a hard ground ball just fair down the left field line for a single, but a nice play from Piñango prevented him from taking second. Dingler popped out to Okamoto at third, and Workman grounded out to Sosa to send us to the ninth.
As he did last night, Hinch turned to Kenley Jansen to hold the Blue Jays in place. The veteran closer got Springer to pop out in foul territory, with Gage Workman coming all the way over to the railing of the Tigers’ dugout to haul it in. Jansen tied Piñango in knots with a high, inside cut fastball for a whiff. That left it up to Guerrero, and the big man’s struggles contiinued as Jansen got in on him with a cutter a bit and he grounded out on a nice lunging play from McGonigle. Jansen is finally putting together consistent innings, which is a plus.
And so, it was walkoff time again, hopefully.
It wouldn’t be easy against hard-throwing Louis Varland. Vierling started it off with a ground out. Varland was firing 98-99 mph darts and got ahead of Riley Greene 0-2. Varland missed twice with soft stuff trying to get him to chase, and Greene eventually lined a single to left field. For some reason, Varland wasn’t trusting his fastball, and lollypopped a 2-2 slider over the middle. Torkelson was shortened up properly, and just lined a single up the middle. McKinstry stepped in, and surprisingly Hinch didn’t pinch hit Colt Keith. McKinstry grounded one to Sosa, who forced Torkelson at second while Greene took third. And finally it was Colt Keith time, hitting for Pérez.
Varland dropped in a knuckle curve for a first pitch strike, and then Keith chased a changeup well away. Another changeup bounced on the plate and Keith whiffed. The ball got away from Brandon Valenzuela, who replaced Heineman at catcher, but he was able to pounce on it and throw Keith out in time. On to the 10th.
Tyler Holton took over with Guerrero Jr. starting on second and this is where the lack of a lefty with better strikeout ability makes this situation a tough fit for the Tigers’ pen. Zack Short entered as the second baseman, taking over for Keith for defensive reasons. The Blue Jays were swinging away on the road, and Okamoto grounded one deep to third base, but Workman’s arm was plenty. The main reason for Holton was to try and control Varsho, but he couldn’t. Varsho lined a sinker back into center field for an RBI single, and a 2-1 Blue Jays lead.
Myles Straw pinch-hit for Sanchez to get the platoon matchup but flew out to McKinstry in right. Holton threw a cutter well down first pitch, and Sosa just golfed it to left field for a double. Greene was able to get the ball in to prevent Varsho scoring, but the situation was grim as Ernie Clement pinch-hit for Giménez. He lifted a harmless fly ball to left for the final out, but the Tigers now had to answer back.
With Short at second, Jake Rogers started things off, breaking his bat and grounding out to Clement at shortstop with Short unable to advance. McGonigle grounded a Varland offering to Guerrero at first for the second out, and Dingler chased a knuckle curve down for strike three to end it.
The Tigers pitched and defended well in this one, and it’s encouraging to see that on back-to-back days considering how they’ve been tracking. Still not enough production coming out of this lineup though, particularly in the power department.
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After the Yankees took Game 1, the Subway Series resumes tonight in Queens.
The Yankees’ ace, Cam Schlittler, allowed just one run — a Juan Soto homer — in 6 ²/₃ innings on the mound, in the 5-2 Game 1 victory. A three-run third inning opened up scoring for the Yankees, who added runs in the fifth and ninth innings as well.
In addition to losing the game, the Mets also lost starting pitcher Clay Holmes to a fractured fibula after his leg got hit with a line drive going 111-mph.
Yankees vs. Mets: what to know
When: May 16, 7:15 p.m. ET
Where: Citi Field (Queens, New York)
Channel: FOX
Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
Game 2 of the Subway Series is airing on a different network than last night’s game — here’s everything you need to know to tune in.
Yankees vs. Mets start time (May 16)
The second game of the 2026 Subway Series is scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. ET tonight, May 16.
How to watch Yankees vs. Mets for free
If you don’t have cable or a TV antenna, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to catch tonight’s game for free.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching sports live for free — the five-day free trial of both its MySports and MyNews genre packs includes FOX, where tonight’s Subway Series game is airing. When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $.99/month for your first two months and gain access to 20+ live sports or news channels, depending on the pack you choose.
TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE
Yankees vs. Mets starting pitchers
Carlos Rodón (0-0, 6.23 ERA) will start for the Yankees; Huascar Brazobán (2-1, 2.14 ERA) starts for the Mets.
This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.
KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 22: Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tanner Gatlin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Where to watch: MASN/MASN+ or FS1 (National)
Probable pitchers: RHP Chris Bassitt (3-2, 5.21 ERA, 26 K) vs. RHP Cade Cavalli (1-2, 4.02 ERA, 44 K)
After an incredibly unlucky night for the offense on Friday, the Orioles look to even this season’s first Battle of the Beltways series tonight in DC. Most of Birdland doesn’t want to hear luck as an excuse for another Orioles’ loss, but it was an undeniable part of last night’s 3-2 loss in the District. Baltimore put up a staggering 16 hard-hit balls against Zack Littell and the Nationals’ bullpen—only to be rewarded with six hits and two runs.
Strikeouts and clutch hitting were still ever-present problems for Baltimore in the loss. The O’s struck out 10 times to raise their season total to 414—the fourth-worst mark in baseball. The Birds also went 1-f0r-6 with RISP, as they failed to raise their mediocre season average of .246 with runners on second or third (16th in MLB). Still, their frequency of quality contact would have yielded more runs on a different night and possibly have helped the O’s steal Game 1.
Baltimore will look to right those offensive wrongs tonight against a relatively unknown opposing pitcher. The Nats send 2020 1st-round pick Cade Cavalli to the mound, looking to limit the talented-but-inconsistent Orioles order. The 27-year-old right-hander made his debut in 2022, but only has 20 Major League appearances since then, thanks to two separate Tommy John surgeries.
The Orioles will want to attack Cavalli early and sit on the Oklahoma natives’ big fastball. Cavalli is averaging just 4.5 IP per start this season, and has only completed 5+ innings in four of his starts. The 6’4” righty’s best pitch this year has been his changeup vs. lefties, but his fastball has been hit so hard that it’s hard for him to set up the offspeed pitch. Left-handed batters are hitting .525 with a .750 slugging percentage against the four-seamer that sits in the upper 90s but has below-average movement.
Opposing Cavalli is the frustratingly inconsistent Chris Bassitt. The 37-year-old right-hander has four starts this season in which he has allowed one or fewer earned runs. In his other four starts, he’s allowed 19 combined earned runs and an opponent batting average of .382.
Despite his inconsistent nature, the Orioles seem to win a lot with Bassitt on the mound. Baltimore has won six straight Bassitt starts while scoring an average of 6.8 runs/game in those outings. Bassitt has made two career starts in Nationals Park, both in 2022 with the Mets. The now-Orioles right-hander dominated in those outings, tossing 13 combined shutout innings, while limiting Washington to nine hits and striking out 12. In 21 career innings vs. the Nats, Bassitt has yet to allow a run.
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - MAY 15, 2026: Natty the new mascot for the Washington Nationals plays with chew toys on the field during batting practice prior to an interleague game against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on May 15, 2026 in Washington, District of Columbia. The Nationals beat the Orioles, 3-2. (Photo by Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Last night was tense at the end, but the Nats pulled out the win thanks to Daylen Lile and solid pitching. Now they will have a chance to get back to .500. The last 15 times they were in this position, they have come up short. Hopefully, the 16th time can be the charm.
The Nats are rolling out a lefty heavy lineup against Chris Bassitt. Jose Tena will get the start at third base and hit third. Nasim Nunez will be back in the lineup at second base. Jorbit Vivas stays in the lineup as the DH. Keibert Ruiz will get the nod behind the plate in this one. Cade Cavalli will be the man on the mound as the Nats attempt to reach that .500 milestone.
The O’s are only making one change to their lineup. Leody Taveras will be in center field over Colton Cowser. Other than that we are seeing the same O’s squad as last night. Gunnar Henderson had a couple hits last night, so hopefully that is not the start of an explosion for the O’s struggling star. Veteran right hander Chris Bassitt will be on the mound this afternoon.
This is a big game for the Nats. Not only is it a chance to get to that .500 mark, it is also a chance to get a series win over the O’s. The crowd was great last night and it should be packed again today. Hopefully the boys put together another good performance. Follow along down below in the comments and let’s go Nats.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 15: Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Mets walks off the mound after pitching during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Citi Field on May 15, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mets officially placed starter Clay Holmes on the 15-day IL after suffering a fractured fibula in last night’s game against the Yankees. To take his place on the roster, the Mets called up right-handed reliever Joey Gerber from Triple-A to take his spot on the roster.
Holmes suffered the fractured fibula in the fourth inning after taking a comebacker off the bat of Spencer Jones. The ball was hit 111.1 mph off the bat and led to a visit from Carlos Mendoza and the trainer. Holmes was able to stay in the game for the fifth inning, which seems improbable now given the diagnosis. Mendoza didn’t mince words after the game, saying that the team’s de facto ace and ERA leader “be down for a long time”.
The team has not yet given a timeline for Holmes’ return to action, though it seems safe to say it would come after the All-Star Break. The team won’t need a replacement starter until Wednesday’s game against the Nationals. Until then, they will roll with Huascar Brazobán (as an opener) and David Peterson as the bulk arm today, Freddy Peralta in tomorrow’s series finale, Christian Scott on Monday, and Nolan McLean on Tuesday.
The options to replace Holmes in the rotation include moving Tobias Myers or Sean Manaea from the bullpen to the rotation, or exploring some of the young arms in Triple-A, including Jack Wenninger, Zach Thornton, and Jonah Tong. For now, they will go with Gerber, who will likely stick around until Tuesday. Gerber, who was acquired in a trade with the Rays over the offseason, has made one appearance for New York this season. In that relief appearance, he tossed two scoreless innings, recording five of his six outs via the strikeout. He walked one and allowed two hits.
The Mets have recalled right-hander Joey Gerber from Triple-A Syracuse, the club announced Saturday.
The move is the corresponding move to officially placing right-hander Clay Holmes on the 15-day injured list after the starter sustained a fractured fibula in Friday night's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
Gerber made one appearance with the Mets earlier this season. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out five over 2.0 innings on April 13 before he went on the IL himself with a right finger blister. For his career, the righty has appeared in 20 big league games, with 17 of them coming in his debut season of 2020 with Seattle.
Gerber, acquired in an offseason deal for cash with Tampa, has a 3.27 ERA and 1.091 WHIP over 22 innings with 15 strikeouts to six walks over three seasons.
The 29-year-old has surrendered 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits and four walks and nine strikeouts over 10.0 innings and nine bullpen appearances at Triple-A this season
The injury to Holmes occurred when a Spencer Jones hard-hit liner up the middle struck the starter's leg. The veteran was shaken up, but remained in the game and recorded one out in the fifth inning before he was removed.
"He's going to be down for a long time," manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game, adding the injury was a "huge blow" for the club.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 15: Mason Miller #22 of the San Diego Padres reacts after getting the final out to beat the Seattle Mariners 2-0 at T-Mobile Park on May 15, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was a pretty standard night for the San Diego Padres. Starter Randy Vásquez pitched six shutout innings (and probably could have gone deeper), the high-leverage relievers covered the seventh and eighth innings before Mason Miller closed out the game for his MLB-leading 14th save. All signs pointed to a 2-0 win for the Friars.
It wasn’t nearly as simple as that. The bullpen made it a little more difficult than they needed to, allowing the tying and go-ahead run to reach the plate multiple times for the Seattle Mariners. It was an uncharacteristic night in that regard. But, each time, they worked themselves out of the jam.
The gem from Vásquez rested the majority of a somewhat beleaguered bullpen. That will certainly help to back up Walker Buehler in tonight’s game, as well as Lucas Giolito in his debut Sunday.
Taking the mound
Logan Gilbert (SEA) v. Walker Buehler (SD)
Since 2022, Gilbert has been one of Seattle’s aces, posting an ERA below 3.50 in all but one year. That ability to take the mound consistently and pitch to solid results has marked his career as a valuable pitcher for the club. He’s been off to a similarly good start this season, pitching to a 3.78 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 50 innings.
But he’s been even more dominant in his last seven starts, posting a 2.97 ERA and averaging 5 2/3 innings. The Padres will have to take advantage of the few mistakes that Gilbert makes if they hope to take Game 2.
Buehler has been a solid back end option for the Friars, but hasn’t impressed enough to ensure his roster spot. His performance has been the lesser of two evils more than its stood out from the rest. He owns a 5.20 ERA in 36 1/3 innings.
His last start against the St. Louis Cardinals was solid. He gave up two runs over six full innings against the Cards. Buehler has yet to find a consistent rhythm on the mound. If he can do that tonight it would be a major relief for any rotation concerns that popped up with starter Griffin Canning’s tough performance on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers (6 ER, 1.2 IP).
Batter up!
The majority of the Padres’ lineup doesn’t have an abundance of experience against Gilbert, but some have produced well in their careers against him. Xander Bogaerts, Nick Castellanos and Gavin Sheets each have a batting average over .270, with Castellanos batting .375 with a 1.125 OPS against the right-hander. Expect those three to be in tonight’s lineup.
Jackson Merrill, CF
Fernando Tatis Jr., 2B
Manny Machado, 3B
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Miguel Andujar, DH
Ramón Laureano, LF
Nick Castellanos, RF
Rodolfo Durán, C
It’s unlikely to be the offensive blowout the Friars need, but they should be able to scratch some runs across the board to back Buehler up. The Padres didn’t face Gilbert in their last series against Seattle, they’ll need to solve him to ensure a series win tonight.
Relief corps
It was somewhat of a surprise for Vásquez to exit after the sixth. He had been efficient, needing just 79 pitches to get through the first six frames. But a trio of left-handed batters were due up in Luke Raley, J.P. Crawford and Dominic Canzone.
Manager Craig Stammen decided to go with lefty Adrian Morejon for the more favorable matchup. The Mariners countered by pinch-hitting with righties Connor Joe and Rob Refsnyder, but Morejon made it out of the inning.
Setup man Jason Adam pitched a shaky eighth inning. After allowing two runners to reach base on a single and a walk, Adam was relieved for Miller who would pitch a four-out save.
Miller had to work to get out of the eighth, throwing 12 pitches to do so. He loaded the bases when Randy Arozarena singled on a broken-bat infield single. But he struck out Joe in a seven-pitch battle to end the threat. He gave up a walk and a single in the ninth but achieved all three outs via the strikeout to slam the door on Seattle.
Tonight, that means Miller will likely be unavailable since he threw 34 pitches. But Jeremiah Estrada, Alek Jacob, Ron Mariaccio, Yuki Matsui, Wandy Peralta and Bradgley Rodriguez. The Friars have a nine-man bullpen until Giolito is activated to the roster Sunday, so Jacob will likely be used in tonight’s game before he is sent back to Triple-A.
DETROIT (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays could be without right-hander José Berríos for the remainder of the season after the veteran pitcher is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery Wednesday.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Saturday that Dr. Keith Meister will repair a stress fracture in Berríos’ elbow and also evaluate possible ligament damage during the procedure. The team will not know the full extent of the injury or Berríos’ timetable for recovery until the surgery is completed.
“There may be some ligament stuff going on,” Schneider said.
Berríos, 31, has not pitched in the majors this season after elbow inflammation was first detected during a routine MRI while he was attempting to join Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic in spring training. A later examination revealed the stress fracture.
Berríos tried to work his way back, making four rehab starts at Triple-A Buffalo, but continued discomfort after his May 3 outing prompted another visit with Meister. He struggled during the rehab assignment, with a 10.67 ERA over 14 1/3 innings.
Last season, Berríos went 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 31 appearances for Toronto before landing on the injured list in September with elbow inflammation. He missed the postseason as the Blue Jays fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: Bubba Chandler #36 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park on May 10, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are at home hosting the Philadelphia Phillies today at beautiful PNC Park.
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ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 15: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fourth inning during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Friday, May 15, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s hard to read too much into all of two games, but the Dodgers have scored 11 runs over their last two games, more than any three-game stretch of the previous six games. They’ve scored four, five, and six runs over the last three games, and you don’t need Disco Stu to see this is a positive trend.
The Dodgers scored at least five runs in consecutive games for the first time since April 25-27, while averaging only 3.43 runs in the 14 games in between, which included nine losses. And they did so while Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman each got rare nights off.
Three straight wins have also lined up with two shutouts by the pitching staff, sandwiching a two-run game during which the only runs came on a weird bounce and a misplay on what turned into an inside-the-park home run. Had the Dodgers lined up those three pitching performances over any of the previous four-game losing streak, they would have won at least two games, if not three. But of course, baseball doesn’t really work like that.
The Dodgers’ two longest streaks of scoring at least five runs this season are four games (April 3-6 at Washington and Toronto) and three games (April 25-27 at home vs. Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins). They go for a third straight game on Saturday while facing Angels right-hander José Soriano, who has allowed zero or one run in seven of his nine starts this season.
The day after a bullpen game is always a day in which a team could use a starting pitcher going deep into a game, and to that end that’s what Justin Wrobleski has been doing since joining the rotation, even in his one bad start out of six, when he went 8 2/3 innings. Wrobleski has lasted six innings in each of his last five starts, including starts of eight and seven innings in addition to last Sunday against the Atlanta Braves.
