Category: Baseball

The San Francisco Giants started their four-game series against the New York Mets in exciting fashion. Then it turned downhill very, very quickly, with two ugly losses. Now, on Easter Sunday, the Giants will look to get back in the win column, and earn a series split.

Taking the mound for San Francisco is their ace, right-hander Logan Webb, who makes his third start of the season. It hasn’t quite been the year that Webb has been looking for, as he’s 1-1 with a 7.36 ERA, though he sports a 2.64 FIP. He has 12 strikeouts against five walks in 11 innings, and in his most recent game gave up three runs in six innings against the San Diego Padres.

On the other side is fellow right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga, who is coming off an up-and-down 2025 in which he made 22 starts, had a 7-6 record, posted a 3.02 ERA and a 4.12 FIP, and had 109 strikeouts against 55 walks in 113.1 innings. This is Senga’s second start of the year, after he allowed two runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in his season debut.

Enjoy the game, everyone. Go Giants!

Game #10

Who: San Francisco Giants (3-6) vs. New York Mets (5-4)

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

When: 1:05 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area, KNTV

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

The Dodgers wrap things up in our nation’s capitol against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, looking to earn a three-game sweep.

Roki Sasaki makes his second start of the season against left-hander Foster Griffin.

Today’s #Dodgers lineup at Nationals: pic.twitter.com/XZDXlh9V7z

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 5, 2026

SUNDAY GAME INFO

• Teams: Dodgers vs. Nationals
• Stadium: Nationals Park
• Time: 12:45 p.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)

Our A’s and the Astros traded blowout wins in the first two games of the series. Today’s rubber match will determine who takes the series. The Athletics have an excellent chance to win their first of the year and get on the right foot before heading to New York.

Left-hander Jacob Lopez is set to get the ball for the second time this season. The 28 year old had a tough outing his last time out against the Braves, walking five and allowing theee runs in just four innings of work. On the bright side Lopez has been dominant against these Astros in his career so this could be the perfect matchup to get him going.

Here’s the Athletics’ lineup for the finale:

Today's lineup vs. Houston – April 5, 2026 at Sutter Health Park pic.twitter.com/V1a8N0ieYM

— A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) April 5, 2026

Off day for regular center fielder Denzel Clarke, with Lawrence Butler sliding over to take over up the middle. That means we’ll get Carlos Cortes in right field this afternoon. Other than that it’s all the regulars in their main spots in the batting order.

They’ll be seeing a familiar face in longtime Astro Lane McCullers Jr. The righty has dealt with plenty of injuries over the years but he seems healthy and he’s coming off a dominant outing in his first start of the year. The A’s will need to take advantage of the opportunities he gives them today.

The Houston starting lineup meanwhile shakes out like this:

For the series!

⚾️: 3:05pm CDT
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 102.9 HD2#ChaseTheFight x @reliantenergypic.twitter.com/SqgtNSzPD2

— Houston Astros (@astros) April 5, 2026

Time for our first series win of the year. Let’s go A’s!

Luis Castillo takes the mound for the Mariners for the second time this season, completing the second spin of the rotation of this season. Despite not earning the decision last time out, Castillo shoved against the Yankees for 6 innings of three-hit ball and tallied 5 strikeouts along with it. Castillo looks to continue his solid start to the season today against the Angels.

The hope today is that the Mariners can use this series and game to stabilize and gain some consistency, in particular from the offense, which, despite their best efforts last night, was held to a shutout by Jo Adell and his three-homerun robberies.

I mean …. pic.twitter.com/MMFQ7Khv3a

— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 5, 2026

So far, the Mariners have had mixed results to start the season, dropping two out of 4 to the Guardians, including Opening Day, and then dropping two out of three to the Yankees, including a shutout loss. The Mariners have been shut out in two of their past four games. I wouldn’t say I’m worried, but I am anxious for the team to get on track and find a groove early in the season.

Game Info

First Pitch: 1:07 PM PT

TV: Mariners TV

Radio: Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com

Lineups

J.P. Crawford is back in the lineup full-time now after starting the season on the injured list and looks to keep the momentum going after recording his first hit and walk of the season last night. Also, he should have had his first home run, but we all know how that went. Cal Raleigh will DH today, with Mitch Garver behind the plate. Garver frequently takes up catching duties on a day game following a night game, and today is no exception. Brendan Donovan will be sitting for the second night in a row after leaving the game on Friday in the 7th inning. The team does not expect Donovan to spend any time on the IL and is currently managing Donovan’s groin strain on a day-to-day basis. In the meantime, Leo Rivas will continue to man third, but the Mariners will be short-handed should anything happen over the next few days.

No Donovan in the lineup again today for the Mariners. Will run through pregame drills on the field. Says he wants to be cautious after double sports hernia surgery last year. Pleased the MRI came back clean.

— Brad Adam (@RealBradAdam) April 5, 2026

No shiny lineup graphic from the Angels today, perhaps distracted by the callup of their latest rookie:

The Angels will be handing the ball over to George Klassen this afternoon. Klassen will be making his major league debut today. Klassen impressed in spring training and is regarded as one of the Angels’ top prospects. Klassen sports a deadly cocktail of fastball, slider, and cutter that grade out at 55, 60, and 60, respectively. The 24-year-old spent much of this spring working and refining with Greg Maddux and could be in the mix for a permanent spot in the rotation this year. Read more on Klassen from John in the AL West preview here.

Today in Mariners History

• 1999 – Ken Griffey Jr. hits his seventh career opening night home run, the second-highest total in Major League history.
• 2000 – Jay Buhner smacks a three-run homer in his first at-bat of the season in Seattle’s 9-3 win over Boston.
• 2010 – Mariners beat Oakland 5-3 on Opening Day…Ken Griffey Jr. becomes 27th player in Major League history to play in 4 decades.

Brett Baty was surprisingly scratched from the Mets' starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants, but fortunetly, manager Carlos Mendoza said there isn't a cause for long-term concern.

Baty is dealing with a jammed thumb that occurred on his slide into second base following a seventh-inning double in Saturday's win.

"Last night on that head-first slide at second base, he jammed that left thumb," Mendoza said. "He was able to finish the game, little sore afterwards. And then this morning, basically the same. We're just trying to be smart about it, and that's why he came out of the lineup."

The skipper added: "No. After talking to him, he's probably a day or two [away]. Should be good to go on Tuesday. We're not planning on doing any imaging or anything like that, he's just day-to-day. "

Mendoza also noted that Baty jammed his left thumb, which is more good news, as he previously needed surgery to repair a UCL tear in his right thumb, which caused him to miss the last month of the 2022 season.

"No, it's a different one, it's the other one," Mendoza said. "That's the one thing he said last night, that he didn't feel like the one he hurt before where the ligament was involved."

New York's original starting lineup for Sunday had Baty in right field and Carson Benge playing left field with Juan Soto still out as he's dealing with a minor calf strain. Instead, Jared Young will play LF and Benge will continue to play in RF. Mendoza also made it sound like Baty could be available off the bench as a pinch hitter if the team needed.

The manager went on to discuss the lineup change and explained why he's confident in both Baty and Benge playing different spots in the outfield.

"Bottom line, I feel comfortable with Baty everywhere," Mendoza said. "After talking to some of the coaches, just kinda keeping Baty, spring training he was in right field the whole time. With Bengey, he's used to playing everywhere. So it was just more like keeping Baty in a position where, since we're asking him a lot,  move him around, just kinda keep him in a comfortable spot. 

"I could go back and forth, depending on matchups, ballpark. Could go with Brett playing left, Brett playing right, Bengey playing all three. Continue to talk about versatility, that's what we got there."

The Mets are off on Monday and begin a three-game series at Citi Field with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's the play where Baty jammed his thumb https://t.co/5NVNexjekYpic.twitter.com/74XRxRIbOn

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 5, 2026

Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Bo Bichette – 3B
3. Jorge Polanco – DH
4. Luis Robert – CF
5. Jared Young – LF
6. Mark Vientos – 1B
7. Marcus Semien – 2B
8. Carson Benge – RF
9. Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Kodai Senga (RHP)

Giants lineup

1. Willy Adames – SS
2. Luis Arraez – 2B
3. Matt Chapman – 3B
4. Rafael Devers – 1B
5. Heliot Ramos – LF
6. Jung Hoo Lee – RF
7. Jerar Encarnacion – DH
8. Harrison Bader – CF
9. Patrick Bailey – C

SP: Logan Webb (RHP)

Broadcast info

First pitch: 4:05 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

We are back with Sunday baseball on the West Coast, as the Braves take on the Diamondbacks for the series finale, hoping to secure the win.

The roster has been released for both teams.

Ready to go! 🔥

📻: @680TheFan
📺: @BravesVisionTV#BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/JlwSttfbdd

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 5, 2026

Martín Pérez is taking the hill for his first career start with the Braves, with a solid squad behind him to handle offense.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has yet to go yard this season, with only one run accounted for. Maybe this time, leading off as the designated hitter will produce different results, as hitting will be his primary focus, eliminating the field work for the day. Eli White is taking over that area in right field and batting ahead of Jorge Mateo, who’s set to occupy shortstop. Mike Yastrzemski is moving up to the fourth slot, and Michael Harris II is following behind at fifth.

Mauricio Dubón is also making a return and taking over third base, giving Austin Riley, who’s been producing a .497 OPS lately, the day off.

The Diamondbacks roster has also been set.

Last one before we hit the road. pic.twitter.com/k5LVffEGs1

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 5, 2026

The first three slots have stayed consistent throughout the series, with some shifts in the remaining holes. Carlos Santana has returned to occupy first base, moving Jose Fernandez—a Dbacks fan-favorite— over to DH and batting fifth in the lineup. Tim Tawa and James McCann, who were absent from yesterday’s start, are also making a return to close out the series, with Brandon Pfaadt hoping to improve his start as he takes the mound.

The Braves are looking to secure their third consecutive series win, while the Diamondbacks are going for the split before both teams hit the road. Let’s see how the chips fall in this finale.

First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. EDT.

After a blowout loss on their Home Opener and yet another one-run loss last night, the Colorado Rockies stand just one game away from being swept at home by the Philadelphia Phillies. Believe it or not, the problem hasn’t been the pitching. Only two of the Rockies’ seven losses this season have been by more than one run and only one has been in blowout fashion.

The problem instead lies in the offense. The Rockies have scored just five total runs in their last four games, and in that time they’ve scored more than one run just once. They’re striking out more than 11 times per game on average, have the fewest walks in the league, have homered just five times, and are tied for having the second-fewest runs in baseball.

Tomoyuki Sugano will take the mound this afternoon, looking to keep the train of pitching positivity alive and hoping his Coors Field debut goes better than Michael Lorenzen’s did on Friday. Sugano looked excellent in his Rockies debut against Toronto last week, where he worked 4.2 innings and gave up just one earned run on two hits and two walks. The lone run came via a solo home run—those will happen with Sugano—but he also struck out four batters.

Making the start for the Phillies is the right-handed Taijuan Walker. Walker struggled in his first outing of the year against the Washington Nationals, giving up seven runs—six earned—on ten hits and three walks over 4.2 innings. However, Walker has also been historically successful against the Rockies. In ten career starts against the Rockies he holds an ERA of just 2.36 over 61 innings and has given up just five home runs. This season Walker is utilizing a six pitch mix consisting of a slider, a cutter, a sinker, a curveball, a four-seam fastball, and a primary split-finger.

First Pitch: 1:10pm MDT

TV: Rockies.tv

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Lineups:

Hoppy Easter 🐰🌷 pic.twitter.com/N3uHjmkBMf

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2026

Easter Sunday Baseball#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/AUinCDDOCp

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 5, 2026

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A strong start to the 2026 season for Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has been put on hold.

The Astros put Brown on the injured list on Sunday, April 5 with a shoulder strain.

Brown, the Astros' opening day starter, had only allowed a total of one earned run in his first two starts of the season with 17 strikeouts and six walks.

The move was retroactive to April 2, so it's possible he could have sustained the injury during a bullpen session between starts. Brown would have been lined up to make his next start on Sunday against the Athletics in Sacramento.

Brown has emerged as the ace of the Astros staff, especially with the departure of Framber Valdez this past offseason as a free agent.

He went 12-9 last season with a career-best 2.43 ERA in 185 ⅓ innings.

In two starts so far in 2026, he has a 1-0 record and 0.84 ERA.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Astros ace Hunter Brown goes on injured list with shoulder strain

Happy Easter!

In addition to candy, the Phillies are hoping the bunny gives them a sweep as they conclude their series against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon.

They’ll hope that Taijuan Walker can do better in his second start of the season after a rough outing against the Nationals. He oddly has good career numbers at Coors Field.

Easter Sunday Baseball#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/AUinCDDOCp

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 5, 2026

The Rockies will counter with righthander Tomoyuki Sugano. This will be the Phillies first look at the Japanese import in his second MLB season.

Hoppy Easter 🐰🌷 pic.twitter.com/N3uHjmkBMf

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 5, 2026

Game time is 3:10 PM and will be televised locally on NBCSP+.

The last of our three-game series with the White Sox.

I am in Nagasaki, Japan today. This is going be one of those heavy days that we sometimes get on holidays. The US dropped an A-bomb on the city near the end of the Second World War. We have been to a few of these places that really are tough on the psyche and remind me how lucky I am.

A few years ago we visited one of the German concentration camps in Poland where thousands and thousands of people were killed. I had to walk away from the guide a few times, cause the stories were just too bleak. Then, last year, we were at the island of Gorée that many of the slaves coming to the ‘New World’ from Africa went through. There is way too much evil in the world.

Anyway, you can’t have fun on holiday all the time. I guess.

Go Jays Go.

The latest news and updates on the Houston Astros and from around MLB:

Astros ace Hunter Brown placed on the 15-day IL today:

That pit you just felt in your stomach was real.#Astros put SP Hunter Brown on 15-day IL@CrawfishBoxeshttps://t.co/0sFUS2dDrH

— Patrick Creighton (@PCreighton1) April 5, 2026

Tatsuya Imai made one critical adjustment in his second start that yielded much stronger results:

Imai makes adjustments from start one for a bounce back win in dominant victory over A's https://t.co/9BLQVKwHfY

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 5, 2026

Imai was brilliant in yesterday’s victory, 5.2 IP scoreless, 3 H, 3 BB, 9 K:

Tatsuya Imai had it ALL working in his first MLB win 😮‍💨

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) https://t.co/h4SEtgD0zypic.twitter.com/7u77aH3geo

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

The Astros much-discussed new approach offensively was on full display in yesterday’s game:

The Astros had 32 batters reach base today, drew 13 walks, saw 200 pitches and had 28 at-bats with RISP.

Welcome to “Controlled aggression.” https://t.co/GL0VgDUg6h

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 5, 2026

Christian Walker is off to a torrid start. He currently is tied for the team lead in hits (11) and leads the team in doubles (6) and RBI (9). He hit his first HR of the season yesterday:

Christian Walker on his first home run of the season and the Astros patient hitting approach that led to 13 walks today pic.twitter.com/ttPsjBhgCw

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 5, 2026

Manager Joe Espada on the team’s win over the A’s yesterday:

Astros manager Joe Espada in the impressive win in Sacramento pic.twitter.com/iRHMgYP008

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 5, 2026

Cam Smith: Smash:

Cam Smith turns around a fastball for his second home run of the season! pic.twitter.com/DSWLmPSGE1

— MLB (@MLB) April 4, 2026

Cam Smith hit an elevated 97.9 mph four-seamer from Luis Medina an estimated 402 feet to left-center field at 111.1 mph off the bat for his home run. It’s the third-hardest-hit ball Smith has put in play in the majors.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 4, 2026

Astros have a pair of relievers working their way back:

Nate Pearson is scheduled to throw a live BP on Monday and Bennett Sousa has a live BP set for Tuesday, Joe Espada said.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 4, 2026

Is the youngest Detroit Tigers rookie in over 100 years inspiring Championship Dreams in Motor City?

Sunday Notebook: Kevin McGonigle can't find Tigers' parking lot – but phenom has Detroit dreaming title https://t.co/jRSiMiOHfd

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 5, 2026

Other notes from Bob Nightengale in that column include:

• Latest on MLB/Union CBA talks
• Former Cy Young Winner Sandy Alcantara’s performance and what it could mean at the deadline
• DBacks’ 2B Ketel Marte is now officially a 10 & 5 player, which impacts his trade market
• The Dodgers keep getting richer
• The surprise team that has scouts raving about them

The Los Angeles Dodgers have played Mookie Betts on IL with a strained right oblique. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48404073/dodgers-mookie-betts-headed-il-strained-oblique

Mookie Betts left today’s game with right low back pain.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 4, 2026

Angels RF Jo Adell robbed 3 different HRs last night vs. Seattle:

Three different plays

All the same result, courtesy of Jo Adell 😱 pic.twitter.com/4yPKDmpcJN

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

Mets’ OF Juan Soto is out of the lineup again. His MRI revealed a calf strain. His manager, Carlos Mendoza, addresses it here:

Carlos Mendoza elaborates on Juan Soto's recovery plan:

"Give it 48, 72 hours, see how he continues to progress. Again, I was surprised when I saw him today the way he was moving around, but they're tricky. We'll wait, we'll continue to call it day-by-day until we have to make a… pic.twitter.com/dxGDFJz6qd

— SNY (@SNYtv) April 4, 2026

Maybe Jake Burger is onto something:

Jake Burger is using new amber contacts this season …

He's hitting .333 with a .947 OPS so far, whatever works! https://t.co/pxwyPvWJTFpic.twitter.com/lsJwohZddX

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

Munetaka Murakami has the POWAAAAAHHHHH:

Munetaka Murakami's four homers are the most by a Japanese-born player in his first eight career MLB games 💪

h/t @EliasSportshttps://t.co/NvlWGx4JCfpic.twitter.com/P6owpvqFdZ

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

Someone needs to let Junior Caminero know that MLB has these things called cameras:

Nice try, Junior 😂

Junior Caminero thought he could get away with this one ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/YEU8SX1CUe

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

Beware the White Chalk Gremlin, TJ Friedl!

TJ Friedl somehow makes this play as he's falling down 😮 pic.twitter.com/N4vuKaB542

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

Snow bunting: It’s a SKILL.

A picture-perfect bunt through the snow 😍 pic.twitter.com/xs2XCxASkK

— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2026

Go Rays!

First Chuck: 1:10 PM CDT (click here each week for a new anthem!)

The Tube: Twins.TV

The Dial: Treasure Island Baseball Network

Spies ‘R Us: DRAYSBAY

In seeing the 21 MLB ballparks I’ve been to thus far, I’ve traversed a lot of territory. Besides ranking the yards, it has given me an opportunity to think about whether I could live in different parts of these United States.

There are some locales I could never tolerate. Houston’s humidity would melt me, as would the dryer heat of Arlington. Even St. Louis would be too soggy.

I wouldn’t last a week in NYC—too many people too close together. I’d give a little more rope to LA because I love movies—but the constant crush of citizens would be too much.

Of course, some spots I’ve really enjoyed. Colorado is a veritable paradise for someone who hates humidity, likes outdoor activities, and doesn’t mind prolonged stretches of bad baseball. Seattle’s intriguing mix of extremely fun stadium experience, coastal locale, and every eatery serving biscuits and gravy (my favorite breakfast fare) would perhaps satiate me.

But of all the places I’ve baseball-tripped to, the one (at least so far) that I’d choose to live in if wanting a change from the Land of 10,000 Lakes: St. Petersburg, home of today’s MN Twins opponent Tampa Bay Rays.

Three reasons for this seemingly odd choice (considering I might choose literal purgatory over the Orlando area):

• St. Pete isn’t nearly as hot or humid as central Florida. It gets a constant cool breeze from the ocean. In the dead of summer a few years ago, my Mom and I walked for hours along the bay and it was wonderful!
• I love Clearwater Beach. A more chill vibe than other FL beaches, plus it contains Hulk Hogan’s restaurant (pictured in header). I’d have a lot of burgers at the late WWF champion’s Hangout.
• Tropicana Fieldisn’t that bad! Yes, it is a dome and yes it is utilitarian. But the people are friendly, the team somehow finds a way to be competitive despite spending no money, and it has a “mid-2000s Metrodome” feel where everyone is there to watch the ballgame instead of schmooze on a roof deck.

Granted, the problem with Rays Baseball is that while the location would be perfect for me, it is terrible for everyone else. St. Pete got the ballpark, but all the people are in Tampa Bay Proper across the bay and don’t want to drive across the long bridge to go to games. To be honest, I was somewhat surprised that the Trop got fixed up and will host further ballgames at all.

If my growing weariness of MN winters continues, perhaps someday I’ll turn into a beach bum and retire to Clearwater/St. Pete. But not today. For now, my home remains the site of today’s Twins/Rays clash.

Lineups

(I’m often out walking or busy right up ‘til first pitch and last-minute lineup inputs stress me out—so, a clickety-click above will give you the pecking orders provided to the robotscyborgs Men in Blue)