Game # 43, Athletics vs. Cardinals Game Thread

Jacob Lopez takes the mound today in the rubber match of the three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. | Getty Images

Last night the A’s tied up this inter-league three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park in West Sac, and today we get the rubber match at 12:05 PM. The Athletics currently reside in first place in the American League West with a 22-20 record, while the Cards are in third place in the National League Central Division with a 24-18 record.

Taking the mound for the Athletics today is 28-year-old lefty Jacob Lopez. So far on the year, Lopez has a 3-2 record with a 6.11 ERA over 35.1 innings. He’s started in seven of his eight appearances and has struck out twenty-eight batters.  He’ll face off against 25-year-old righty Michael McGreevy.  He’s 3-2 on the season with a 2.11 ERA in his eight starts this season.

McGreevy will go up against this lineup for the Mark Kotsay’s A’s today:

Lopez will battle this batting order for the visiting Cardinals:

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast

Where to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Thursday, May 14

The Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox wrap up their three-game series. The teams split the first two games. Jesús Luzardo takes the mound for Philadelphia with a 5.77 ERA, while Ranger Suarez starts for Boston with a 2.77 ERA.

  • Philadelphia Phillies: 20-23 (No. 3 in NL East)

  • Boston Red Sox: 18-24 (No. 5 in AL East)

  • Spread: Boston Red Sox +1.5

  • Moneyline: Boston Red Sox -104 (48.8%) / Philadelphia Phillies -115 (51.2%)

  • Over/Under: 7.5

Philadelphia Phillies: Jesús Luzardo (3-3, ERA: 5.77, K: 57, WHIP: 1.40)
Boston Red Sox: Ranger Suarez (2-2, ERA: 2.77, K: 32, WHIP: 0.95)

Weather: 54°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 37,755 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

Mariners Game #45 Preview and Discussion: 5/14/26, SEA at HOU

Jun 8, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver (18) reacts after scoring in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After last night’s fully-cursed game, the Mariners have just one game to play before they get to get out of Houston and return home to Seattle. Luis Castillo will take the ball for Seattle.

Lineups:

News:

Unfortunately it’s bad news for the Mariners. Cal Raleigh is headed to the IL for the first time in his career with an oblique strain. Obliques! They are evil! Read more here.

Game Information:

Game time: 11:10 PT

TV: Mariners.TV, with Aaron Goldsmith, Dave Valle, Jay Buhner and Brad Adam

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.

Where to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Thursday, May 14

The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves end their three-game series between divisional leaders. The Braves won the first two games. Starting pitchers are scheduled to be Ben Brown for the Cubs, with a 1.82 ERA, and Chris Sale for the Braves, with a 2.20 ERA.

  • Date: Thursday, May 14

  • Time: 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT

  • Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

  • TV Channels: BravesVision, Marquee Sports Network

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Chicago Cubs: 27-16 (No. 1 in NL Central)

  • Atlanta Braves: 30-13 (No. 1 in NL East)

  • Spread: Atlanta Braves -1.5

  • Moneyline: Atlanta Braves -162 (59.3%) / Chicago Cubs +136 (40.7%)

  • Over/Under: 7.5

Chicago Cubs: Ben Brown (1-1, ERA: 1.82, K: 27, WHIP: 0.91)
Atlanta Braves: Chris Sale (6-2, ERA: 2.20, K: 56, WHIP: 0.88)

Weather: 71°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 41,149 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh placed on 10-day IL with oblique strain

The Seattle Mariners placed catcher Cal Raleigh on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, the team announced Thursday, May 14.

Raleigh left Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning after experiencing pain on his right side. Raleigh lands on the injured list for the first time in his career, and in a corresponding move, catcher Jhonny Pereda was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.

Mitch Garver will take Raleigh's place in the lineup for Thursday's game against Houston and is batting eighth.

After hitting 60 home runs and finishing second in the American League Most Valuable Player voting, the 29-year-old Raleigh has gotten off to a horrible start in 2026.

He snapped an 0-for-38 hitless streak, in Seattle's May 12 victory, with two singles, his first hits since April 27.

“Logan (Gilbert) gave me some good advice to wash off the bad mojo or juju from the baseball gods,” Raleigh told the Associated Press. “So yeah, it worked. He was right, so I got to give him credit where credit’s due.”

Raleigh is batting .161 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs for Seattle, which enter the day two games back of the Athletics for first place in the AL West.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cal Raleigh oblique injury lands Mariners star on injury list

Minor League Recap: Rake County Back At It Again

Columbus Clippers 8, St. Paul Saints 3

What a season it has been for Kahlil Watson! He went 2-5 with a 2 RBI double to raise his average to .276 and his OPS to .931. Juan Brito also went 2-5 with an RBI triple. He is hitting .281 with a .903 OPS in AAA this season. Stuart Fairchild went 2-4 with a walk, and Kody Huff continues his great season going 2-3 with a walk. He is now hitting .318 with an OPS of .980.

It was a solid start for Rorik Maltrud. He gave up 3 runs in 5 innings pitched but also had 7 strikeouts to just 1 walk. His ERA on the season sits at 2.50. Daniel Espino pitched 2/3 of an inning and had two more walks, something he has been struggling with lately. Trent Denholm wound up getting the win by pitching 3.1 scoreless innings of relief with 5 strikeouts.

Akron RubberDucks 5, Chesapeake Baysox 3

We are calling this one the Juan Benjamin game. Benjamin went 4-4 with two doubles and was responsible for 3 of the 5 RubberDucks runs. Alfonsin Rosario went 1-4 with a double, Alex Mooney went 1-3 with an RBI single.

It has been a rough season for Dylan Delucia. This start wasn’t too bad but he still allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in his 4 innings pitched. His ERA on the season sits at 8.14. Adam Tulloch, Reid Johnston, and Jay Driver combined for 5 scoreless innings of relief with 5 strikeouts to just 2 walks.

Lake County Captains 16, Dayton Dragons 6

What a day it was for the Rake County Captains. They really made that nickname proud last night. Luke Hill continues to have an awesome season, he went 4-5 with two Home Runs. Nolan Schubart had 3 walks and hit a grand slam. Aaron Walton might be the highest rising position player prospect in the system after homering again today, he is hitting .319 with a 1.027 OPS on the season. They have to get him to Akron soon. Jace Laviolette went 1-4 with a double and a walk, and Dean Curley went 1-3 with two walks and an RBI single.

It hasn’t been the season that Rafe Schlesinger was hoping to have. He allowed 3 more runs today in 3.1 innings pitched and his ERA is up to 5.33 on the season. The main takeaway from this game on the pitching side has to be Cam Schuelke. His ERA is down to 0.55 on the season after throwing 2 scoreless innings of relief with 3 strikeouts and 1 walk.

Hill City Howlers 7, Wilson Warbirds 3

Dauri Fernandez went 2-4 with an RBI double and a walk. He is now hitting .288 with a .769 OPS on the season. Cannon Peebles went 2-4 with a walk and an RBI single. Jose Pirela homered again and continues his nice season. Tyler Howard went 2-4 with a 2 RBI ground rule double.

Nelson Keljo continues to look awesome. He tossed 4 more scoreless innings tonight with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. His ERA is down to 1.69 on the season. Ryan Prager made his Single A debut today and threw 2 scoreless innings of relief with 2 strikeouts.

Astros vs. Mariners Game Thread: Game 45, 5/14/2026

CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 08: Mike Burrows #50 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds on May 08, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (17-27) will continue their seven-game homestand today as they look to earn a four-game series split with a win against the rival Seattle Mariners (21-23).

Astros starter RHP Mike Burrows (2-4, 5.04 ERA), who tossed 7.0 shutout innings his last time out, will oppose RHP Luis Castillo (0-4, 6.57 ERA) and the Mariners in this series finale.

ABOUT BURROWS: RHP Mike Burrows owns a 2.50 ERA (5ER/18IP) in his last three starts and is coming off the best start of his young career on Friday at CIN (0ER/7IP).

Burrows is acclimating himself to the AL West, as he was acquired from the Pirates this offseason as part of a three-team, six-player trade in which the Astros sent OF Jacob Melton and minor leaguer RHP Anderson Brito to the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Rays sent IF Brandon Lowe, OF Jake Mangum and LHP Mason Montgomery to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

ROCK CLIMBING: The Astros are facing RHP Luis Castillo for the 11th time in his career today and for the second time this season, with the first coming on April 11 in Seattle when the Astros tagged him for seven runs on 3.1 innings.

DH Yordan Alvarez took Castillo deep in that game and now has three career home runs and a lifetime .474 (9×19) average off the three-time All-Star.

VS. SEATTLE: The Astros and Mariners are playing their second series of 2026 and after today will not see each other again until August.

With a win last night, the Astros snapped a nine-game losing streak to Seattle, which spanned back to 2025.

ABOUT THE SKIPPER:Manager Joe Espada recorded his 192nd career managerial victory last night, which moved him past Harry Craft (1962-64) into 12th in club history. He now immediately trails Jimy Williams (215) for 11th on that all-time list.

LANCE REACHES 900 K’S: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. surpassed 900 career strikeouts last night as he fanned six in his 5.1 innings pitched. McCullers became the 15th player in franchise history to reach 900 strikeouts and the quickest to do so in terms of appearances (154g).

THE ORDER: The Astros have used 44 different lineups in their 44 games in 2026. Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (hitting second), although he will bat 3rd today.

1B Christian Walker has played in every game (43 starts).

CLIMBING THE CHARTS: With two RBI last night, 2B Jose Altuve reached 900 career RBI, making him the fifth player in franchise history to reach that mark.

He also checks in with 238 career homers as a second baseman, needing one more to tie Lou Whitaker for seventh place all-time in MLB history among second basemen.

THE SHEW FITS: SS Braden Shewmake went 2×5 last night, which extended his current hitting streak to a career-long eight games.

Shewmake has hit .364 (12×33) with three homers and a 1.000 OPS in 13 games since being acquired by the Astros in a trade from the Yankees on April 19.

WALKER, TEXAS HAMMER: 1B Christian Walker is hitting .296 (24×81) in his last 21 games (since April 20) with six homers and 13 RBI.

Among AL players this season, Walker ranks tied for third in RBI (29), sixth in extra-base hits (20), seventh in total bases (84), and seventh in SLG (.525).

GUN ‘EM DOWN: In just 21 games, C Christian Vázquez has thrown out nine baserunners attempting to steal (in 25 attempts), which ranks tied for first in the AL and fourth in the Majors.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2017 – The Astros spoil Derek Jeter Night at Yankee Stadium, erupting for six runs in the 1st inning off RHP Masahiro Tanaka en route to a 10-7 win on national TV. 3B Alex Bregman hits his first career grand slam in the big 1st inning. The win gave Houston a split in what was a Mother’s Day doubleheader.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Thursday, May 14, 1:10 p.m. CT

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Where to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Thursday, May 14

The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers close out their four-game series. The Giants won the first two games before Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers shut them out 4-0 on Wednesday. Scheduled starting pitchers are Landen Roupp for San Francisco, with a 3.09 ERA, and Emmet Sheehan for Los Angeles, with a 4.79 ERA.

  • Date: Thursday, May 14

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT

  • Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

  • TV Channels: MLB Network, SportsNet LA, NBCS BA

  • Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • San Francisco Giants: 18-25 (No. 4 in NL West)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 25-18 (No. 2 in NL West)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers -173 (60.7%) / San Francisco Giants +144 (39.3%)

  • Over/Under: 8.0

San Francisco Giants: Landen Roupp (5-3, ERA: 3.09, K: 51, WHIP: 1.10)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (2-1, ERA: 4.79, K: 43, WHIP: 1.35)

Weather: 68°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 56,000 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

Mariners’ scuffling star catcher Cal Raleigh placed on 10-day injured list with right oblique strain

HOUSTON (AP) — The Seattle Mariners placed catcher Cal Raleigh on the 10-day injured list on Thursday morning with a right oblique strain, the first IL stint of the AL MVP runner-up’s career in his sixth major league season.

The 29-year-old Raleigh was mired in the longest hitless streak in the majors this season before breaking out on Tuesday night with two singles in a 10-2 rout of the Houston Astros.

On Wednesday, Raleigh left the Mariners’ 4-3 loss to Houston in the eighth inning after appearing to aggravate an injury to his right side. Raleigh missed three games from May 2 to May 4 with soreness on his right side.

“Nobody wants to go on the IL, and especially not Cal,” manager Dan Wilson said. “But I think at this point it’s the smart thing to do.”

In 41 games this season, Raleigh is hitting .161 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, four doubles, 18 walks and 16 runs. His .161 batting average is second-lowest in the majors among hitters with enough at-bats to qualify. Only Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Cedric Mullins (.150) has a lower average.

To fill Raleigh’s spot on the active roster, the Mariners recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma. Pereda, 30, has appeared in two games with Seattle this season, hitting .400 with a run scored.

Chase Dollander leaves Rockies-Pirates game

May 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander (32) throws in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Update 11:39am MT: Thomas Harding reports that Dollander was removed due to right arm tightness.


Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Dollander left today’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after facing two batters in the second inning.

After giving up a leadoff double to Endy Rodríguez and then walking Jared Triolo, he shook his right arm and was visited by Keith Dugger and Warren Schaeffer on the mound before being lifted.

Dollander threw 28 pitches, 17 for strikes while allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits with a walk. Two of the runs were scored on a two-run homer from Ryan O’Hearn in the first inning.

Brennan Bernardino entered in relief, and recently-recalled Tanner Gordon will likely pitch most of the innings today.

The reasons for Dollander leaving the game are not known at this time, but Purple Row will continue to follow this developing story.


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Why can’t the Royals win away from Kauffman?

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 06: Isaac Collins #1 of the Kansas City Royals reacts after striking out during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on April 06, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

The Royals have not been happy road warriors. Their loss to the White Sox last night ensures they will have lost six of their first seven road series, the only success being a sweep in Seattle. They are just 6-14 overall on the road, the second-worst record in baseball.

The road woes have been a complete team effort – both the hitting and the pitching have been noticeably worse away from Kansas City.

The team moved the fences in at Kauffman Stadium to give hitters a more neutral environment. Runs are up 35 percent at the K – they averaged just 3.71 runs-per-game there last year. At home, the Royals are an offensive juggernaut. They have the seventh-best home offense in baseball with a wRC+ of 115. Royals hitters have a line of .265/.349/.436 at home. They have the fifth-best on-base percentage and the second-highest hard-hit rate. Maikel Garcia is hitting .351 at home. Michael Massey is hitting .333 with three home runs in 14 games at the K. Seven Royals hitters are hitting .298 or better at home.

The road is a completely different story. Royals hitters are batting just .213/.284/.341 on the road – only the Phillies have been worse. Their hard-hit rate falls from 37.1 percent at home to just 29.9 percent on the road, fifth-worst in baseball. Garcia is hitting just .207 on the road. Isaac Collins went hitless in his first 28 at-bats on the road.

Pitchers have endured similar struggles. Their 5.05 road ERA is the fifth-worst in baseball. Royals pitchers have the third-worst home run rate on the road, while they have the tenth-best home run rate at home. Cole Ragans has a 7.97 ERA on the road, second-worst among qualified pitchers. Royals relievers have a 5.57 ERA on the road, although admittedly that figure is distorted by a six-run blowup by Carlos Estévez in Atlanta.

For all their struggles last year, the 2025 Royals were not a particularly bad road team. They finished 39-42 away from the K, scoring more runs on the road. Could the changes to Kauffman Stadium be a possible culprit for the offense? It has boosted offense at home, but could there be a “hangover” effect? Coors Field famously inflates offensive numbers for Rockies hitters, but it also seems to make their road numbers worse as hitters adjust their approach when playing in Denver, but struggle to readjust for road games. Could Royals hitters be eyeing the shorter porches at Kauffman, messing up their approach on the road?

Their home run totals on the road don’t seem to dip too much, rather it is their road batting average of .213 that is an outlier. Some bad luck could be contributing to that – their road BABIP is .261, second-worst in baseball. It could also be a matter of small sample size and matchups. Three of the teams they have visited – the Braves, Guardians, and Athletics, all sit in first place, and another – the Yankees – have one of the best records in baseball.

Still, the Royals will need to figure out their road struggles soon. Some home/road disparity is normal. But the Royals haven’t just been worse away from Kansas City – they look like an entirely different team.

Game 44: Marlins at Twins

FORT MYERS, FL- MARCH 04: Zebby Matthews #52 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during a spring training game against Puerto Rico on March 4, 2026 at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

First Pitch (CT):12:40 PM
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App
Know Yo’ Foe: Fish on First

The Twins go for the series victory and first series win vs an NL team in 2026. Zebby Matthews was recalled today to make the start, his first of the season, while the Twins’ lineup will see lefty Braxton Garrett, also making his first start of the year.

After losing the battle for the final rotation spot to Mick Abel, Zebby has been passed over several times as injuries have come up, with the Twins opting for the likes of Connor Prielipp and Kendry Rojas, and Zebby’s AAA numbers make that decision obvious. In 34.1 innings, Matthews has a 4.72 ERA/6.09 FIP/4.28 xFIP while striking out just 21.9% of batters and walking a career high 7.4% of them. His diminished velocity from Spring Training hasn’t really improved and, more importantly, his breaking pitches aren’t really breaking. He’s been better over his past three starts in St. Paul, but this many walks for a player who relies on pinpoint accuracy is concerning. We’ll see if he can turn things around today!

Roster notes:

  • RP Travis Adams was optioned to make room for Zebulon
  • Struggling Matt Wallner finally got demoted in favor of utility man Ryan Kreidler. Kreidler is likely a placeholder until one of Alan Roden, Emmanuel Rodriguez, or Walker Jenkins is healthy, but it’s a disappointing run for a player the Twins were hopeful could be part of their next core. With so many top prospects on the brink of debuting, there’s a chance we may not see the Forest Lake native with the Big League squad again.
  • In the meantime, Austin Martin will get a chance to play every day and see if his hot start is sustainable. Martin has established himself as a key role player, but he’ll get a few weeks to see if he can be more than that.
  • Byron Buxton is getting a rare day off. He’s been either their best or second-best player this season (I see you Ryan Jeffers) but even superheroes need breaks occasionally. The Twins don’t have an off day for another week so this seemed like a good time get him off his feet after a monster Wednesday performance.

Lineups

TwinsOpponent
SP: Zebby MatthewsSP: Braxton Garrett (LHP)
1. Austin Martin, RF1. Xavier Edwards, 2B
2. Brooks Lee, SS2. Liam Hicks, C
3. Ryan Jeffers, C3. Otto Lopez, SS
4. Josh Bell, DH4. Kyle Stowers, LF
5. Victor Caratini, 1B5. Christopher Morel, 1B
6. Luke Keaschall, 2B6. Jakob Marsee, CF
7. Royce Lewis, 3B7. Leo Jimenez, DH
8. Ryan Kreidler, CF8. Owen Caissie, RF
9. James Outman, LF9. Javier Sanoja, 3B

No. 6 Texas hosts last-place Missouri with SEC tournament seeding on the line

AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 22: Pitcher Dylan Volantis #99 of the Texas Longhorns screams after striking out the last batter of an inning during the college baseball game between Texas Longhorns and Michigan State Spartans on February 22, 2026, at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

For the first time since 2011, the No. 6 Texas Longhorns host the Missouri Tigers in Austin as conference opponents as head coach Jim Schlossnagle’s team tries to secure a favorable seed in next week’s SEC Tournament — as Schlossnagle noted on Wednesday, he was told the Horns could finish anywhere from second to ninth.

The context would make such a slide extremely disappoint, as Missouri enters the series in last place in the conference at 6-21 after entering the season with low expectations when the league’s head coaches picked the Tigers to finish 16th in the 16-team conference.

Given that profile, it’s unsurprising that Missouri has struggled on the road this year with a 3-12 record, but Kerrick Jackson’s program did upset then-No. 24 Kentucky in Lexington for two of those wins — the other came in Knoxville against Tennessee — the first road series win for the Tigers over a ranked team since 2021.

Missouri is also coming off a home series win against Vanderbilt, its first time taking a home conference series since April 2024, so the Tigers do present some level of danger for the Longhorns.

That danger is not typically present at the plate, however — Mizzou is 14th in the SEC in batting average (.262), 15th in runs scored (312), and last in home runs (45) and slugging percentage (.405). With 11 home runs, first baseman Jase Woita is the only Tiger in double digits, while shortstop Kam Durnin and designated hitter Blaize Ward are the only regulars batting over .300 at .329 and .321, respectively.

The pitching hasn’t been much better because the Tigers are saddled with a 5.43 ERA that ranks 15th in the SEC and a .246 opposing batting average that slots 13th. But the No. 1 starter, right-hander Josh McDevitt (3-5, 4.08 ERA), has been good for Missouri, striking out 91 batters in 69.2 innings and ranking fourth nationally in whiff rate on his fastball at 31.8 percent. Left-hander Brady Kehlenbrink (3-8, 6.45 ERA) gets the nod on Friday, but the Saturday starter remains to be determined.

“That’s the thing about Missouri is they play a lot of close games and their starting pitching, especially the first two guys, those guys can pitch for every single team in our conference in the weekend rotation,” Schlossnagle said.

The Texas rotation remains the same as last weekend, led by sophomore left-hander Dylan Volantis (6-0, 2.06 ERA) and followed by redshirt senior left-hander Luke Harrison (5-2, 3.88 ERA) and senior right-hander Ruger Riojas (4-2, 3.93 ERA).

The key for all three starters is to get off to a better start. Volantis gave up three runs over the first two innings in last Friday’s loss to Tennessee before reeling off three straight scoreless frames. For Harrison, every inning was a struggle against the Volunteers, but giving up two runs in the first inning is the continuation of a trend that includes eight runs allowed in the first inning against the Aggies and five runs allowed in the first inning against the Bulldogs. After Texas took a 4-0 lead on Sunday against Tennessee, Riojas gave up a first-inning grand slam and also conceded three runs in the first inning against Vanderbilt.

Riojas cited some poor luck on batted balls as part of the randomness of baseball as a factor in his slow starts and recent struggles, but also referenced the need to play with emotion, but not emotional.

“Honestly, the most exciting time is when you first when you first step onto the mound. You take everything in and it can be hard for you to refocus into that. I feel like I do, but maybe when I try to refocus off that excitement, it takes the edge away from it. When I try to be calm and collected, maybe I’m just too calm,” Riojas said.

With the rotation remaining the same despite the short week imposed by the start of the SEC Tournament, the biggest decisions for Schlossnsagle are who to play at second base with junior Ethan Mendoza still unable to throw — senior Jayden Duplantier, redshirt senior Temo Becerra, or sophomore Callum Early — and whether redshirt senior outfielder Dariyan Pendergrass is healthy enough to play after missing nearly a month with a hamstring injury.

“We’ve got to look at the matchups and see what that looks like,” Schlossnagle said.

Missouri trails the all-time series 37-30 and hasn’t won a series in Austin since 2007.

The series opens with 6:30 p.m. Central start times on Thursday and Friday, followed by the series finale at 2 p.m. Central on Sunday. SEC Network+ airs all three games.

Cubs vs Braves Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Chicago Cubs will look to avoid a series sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves when the two teams hit Truist Park on Thursday, May 14.

My top Cubs vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks call for the Chicago bats to wake up in the finale tonight.

Who will win Cubs vs Braves today: Cubs moneyline (+158)

The Chicago Cubs have the lowest BABIP and scored just 3.0 runs per game over the past week, and they’re a huge underdog despite pacing the majors in wOBA against left-handed pitchers.

Atlanta Braves southpaw Chris Sale is up to his typical no-nonsense self and cruising to the tune of a 2.20 ERA, but there are still signs for slight concern.

Sale’s .223 BABIP and 88.4% strand rate are notably better than his respective .313 and 81.0% marks over the previous two seasons, and the Chicago lineup is a top candidate to kick-start the statistical correction.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale’s 2.20 ERA is well below his 3.06 xERA.

Cubs vs Braves Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (+100)

In addition to the Cubs leading the majors in wOBA against left-handed pitchers, the Braves pace baseball in the metric against righties.

Of course, Atlanta also leads the way in runs per game (5.51), with Chicago tied for the third most per (5.07), and Chicago has also hit the Over in 21 of their past 35 games (+6.75 Units / 17% ROI).

Finally, while Cubs starter Ben Brown pitched well across four frames in his first start of the year, he also sports a 5.08 ERA as a starter across a healthy 118 2/3 innings.

Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 20-11, +10.05 units
  • Over/Under bets: 12-6, +5.73 units

Cubs vs Braves odds

  • Moneyline: Cubs +150 | Braves -175
  • Run line: Cubs +1.5 (-140) | Braves -1.5 (+120)
  • Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+100) | Under 7.5 (-120)

Cubs vs Braves trend

The Chicago Cubs have won 21 of their last 30 games (+11.60 Units / 29% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Braves.

How to watch Cubs vs Braves and game info

LocationTruist Park, Atlanta, GA
DateThursday, May 14, 2026
First pitch7:15 p.m. ET
TVMarquee, BravesVsn
Cubs starting pitcherBen Brown
(1-1, 1.82 ERA)
Braves starting pitcherChris Sale
(6-2, 2.20 ERA)

Cubs vs Braves latest injuries

Cubs vs Braves weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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GameThread: Tigers vs. Mets, 1:10 p.m.

May 13, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) is greeted by center fielder Matt Vierling (8) after scoring in the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Detroit Tigers (18-24) vs. New York Mets (17-25)

Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Citi Field
SB Nation Site: Amazin’ Avenue
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (2-2, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.78 ERA)

Lineups

TIGERSMETS
Kevin McGonigle – SSCarson Benge – RF
Colt Keith – 3BBo Bichette – SS
Riley Greene – LFJuan Soto – DH
Dillon Dingler – DHMark Vientos – 1B
Gage Workman – 2BMJ Melendez – LF
Zach McKinstry – RFBrett Baty – 3B
Spencer Torkelson – 1BMarcus Semien – 2B
Wenceel Perez – CFA.J. Ewing – CF
Jake Rogers – CHayden Senger – C

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