Category: Sports News

Man, when the times are going well, they are going well. Kyle Schwarber homers twice, the bullpen does a fairly decent job of holding the game close to allow the offense to get back into and boom – extra inning victory.

Now if they can just get Aaron Nola right…

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• Jesus Luzardo and Ranger Suarez put up a duel on Thursday night. It was a game between “two brothers” ($).
• Listening to Bryce Harper talk about hitting has to be something of an interesting exercise for anyone lucky enough to do it.

MLB news:

• With the Subway Series underway this weekend, it’s a good time to ask: which potential ace would you rather have – Cam Schlittler or Nolan McLean ($)?
• The season is now at least 40 games old, the unofficial quarter mark. What are some of the things that have been gleaned from those games ($)?
• Max Fried has a bone bruise. Blake Snell has loose bodies in his elbow. Bad day to be a left handed pitcher.
• Clay Holmes broke his fibula and will be out for quite a while for the Mets. A shame.

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (22-20)

SYRACUSE 8, SCRANTON/WILES BARRE 2 (BOX)

The only team in the organization continued their winning ways with a trouncing of the Yankees Triple-A affiliate. After cooling off a bit as of late, Nick Morabito went 3-5 and Cristian Pache, Yonny Hernandez, and Ben Rortvedt each hit a solo home run to help put Syracuse on top. Zach Thorton had a fantastic performance as well, striking out nine and allowing just four baserunners over six innings of work.

CF Nick Morabito: 3-5, RBI, K

2B Ji Hwan Bae: 1-4, R, BB, K, SB

LF Ryan Clifford: 0-5, R, K

DH Christian Arroyo: 1-5, R, RBI

1B Eric Wagaman: 0-4, BB, K

3B Yonny Hernández: 1-4, R, HR, RBI, SB

RF Cristian Pache: 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, K

C Ben Rortvedt: 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI

SS Jackson Cluff: 0-3, BB, SB

P Zach Thornton: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

P Luke Jackson: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

P Mike Baumann: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

P A.J. Minter: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (12-25)

SOMERSET 7, BINGHAMTON 3 (BOX)

R.J. Gordon got rocked for six earned runs in one and two-thirds innings pitched in a losing effort. Chris Suero and Jacob Reimer drove in all three Rumble Ponies’ runs.

CF Eli Serrano III: 1-4, R, 2 K

1B Chris Suero: 2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, SB

3B Jacob Reimer: 1-4, R, HR, RBI, 3 K

DH Jose Ramos: 0-3, BB

2B Nick Lorusso: 1-4, 2 K

LF JT Schwartz: 0-4, K

C Vincent Perozo: 0-4, 2 K

RF Jaylen Palmer: 2-4, K, 2 SB

SS Diego Mosquera: 0-4

P R.J. Gordon: 1.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

P Zach Peek: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

P Max Green: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

P Gabriel Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K

P Saul Garcia: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (10-26)

BROOKLYN 8, ROME 5 (BOX)

The Cyclones’ bullpen, with the exception of Joe Charles, was fantastic, and even Charles’s one-third of an inning that led to three runs wasn’t enough to stop Brooklyn tonight. Ronald Hernandez drove in three runs and Corey Collins and Trace Willhoite each hit a dinger. Collins added a triple for good measure.

SS Mitch Voit: 2-4, R, BB, 2 K

CF Yonatan Henriquez: 0-4, BB, 2 K

RF John Bay: 0-5, R, K

1B Corey Collins: 2-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, RBI, BB

DH Daiverson Gutierrez: 1-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB

C Ronald Hernandez: 2-5, 3 RBI, K

3B Colin Houck: 1-4, R, 2B, BB, 3 K

LF Trace Willhoite: 1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI, 3 K

2B Nick Roselli: 1-3, RBI, BB, K

P Noah Hall: 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K

P Tanner Witt: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

P Dakota Hawkins: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

P Bryce Jenkins: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

P Hoss Brewer: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

P Joe Charles: 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K

P Danis Correa: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (14-23)

JUPITER 9, ST. LUCIE 7 (BOX)

Daviel Hurtado only lasted two innings in a losing effort. JT Benson went 2-5 with a homer, a double, four RBI and a stolen base.

SS Elian Peña: 0-3, R, BB, K, E

DH Jared Young: 1-4, R, 2 K

PH-DH Chase Meggers: 0-0, BB

CF JT Benson: 2-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, K, SB

1B Julio Zayas: 0-4, BB, 2 K

LF AJ Salgado: 3-5, RBI, K, SB

3B Sam Robertson: 0-2, 3 BB, K, 3 SB

2B Kevin Villavicencio: 0-5, 2 K

RF Simon Juan: 1-5, R, HR, RBI, 3 K

C Francisco Toledo: 2-3, 2 R, BB, K, 2 SB

P Daviel Hurtado: 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

P Cam Tilly: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K

P Tyler McLoughlin: 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

P Jorge De Leon: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

STAR OF THE NIGHT

Zach Thorton

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

R.J. Gordon

The Detroit Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak on Friday night with a 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the first game of the home series this weekend. A strong pitching performance punctuated by a walk-off home run that finally gave the club a win in a close game.

On Saturday, AJ Hinch gets right-hander Casey Mize back from the injured list to make his first start since April 28. On that day he only lasted 2 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out three before injuring his groin fielding a bunt toward first base.

The last time Mize faced the Blue Birds was back in 2024 on May 26, when he allowed three runs on eight hits (one home run) and two walks while striking out nobody over 4 1/3 frames in what resulted in a 14-11 team win.

Fluharty has appeared in relief for 21 of his 22 outings this season, with the only start of his major league career coming in an opener role against the Chicago White Sox on April 4. He threw just one inning, allowing a run on two hits and a walk while striking out one in a team loss.

Take a look at how the pitchers line up below.

Detroit Tigers (20-25) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (19-25)

Time (ET): 1:10 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site:Bluebird Banter
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 46: RHP Casey Mize (2-2, 2.90 ERA) vs. LHP Mason Fluharty (2-0, 5.40 ERA)

MIZE

FLUHARTY

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A full 15-game slate awaits, and we have 15 moneyline picks throughout the day for you to consider.

We've found solid matchups with good odds and a nice opportunity for you to grow your bankroll.  

Find out more in my MLB picks for Saturday, May 16. 

MLB moneyline picks for May 16

Matchup	Pick
Blue Jays vs Tigers	-108
Royals vs Cardinals	-113
Diamondbacks vs Rockies	-117
Orioles vs Nationals	-113
Phillies vs Pirates	+117
Marlins vs Rays	+122
Reds vs Guardians	+150
Cubs vs White Sox	-104
Brewers vs Twins	-108
Rangers vs Astros	-104
Red Sox vs Braves	+117
Yankees vs Mets	+108
Padres vs Mariners	-133
Dodgers vs Angels	-138
Giants vs Athletics	-127

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 5-15.

Expert MLB moneyline picks for May-16

Blue Jays vs Tigers: Tigers (-108)

Tigers win probability: 52%

Detroit gets the nod at home, where its relievers have been more reliable than Toronto's over the last two weeks. 

This is a coin flip with a home-field tiebreaker, and if this game is close late, the Tigers are the team to back.

Royals vs Cardinals: Cardinals (-113)

Cardinals win probability: 53%

St. Louis is seven games better than Kansas City in the standings and opens this series at home.

Kyle Leahy gets the ball against Noah Cameron, and the Cardinals’ lineup has been productive at Busch Stadium all season.

Diamondbacks vs Rockies: Diamondbacks (-117)

Diamonbacks win probability: 53.9%

Although Arizona's lineup has been ice cold lately, the Rockies are 17-27 and (once again) one of the worst teams in baseball. 

Their pitching has been getting shelled all season, and Eduardo Rodriguez gives Arizona a real advantage on the mound. 

Phillies vs Pirates: Pirates (+117)

Pirates win probability: 46%

Pittsburgh's lineup has been the hottest in baseball over the last two weeks, and the Pirates own a better record than Philadelphia. 

With Bubba Chandler taking the mound at PNC Park, the Buccos get the nod. 

Orioles vs Nationals: Nationals (-113)

Nationals win probability: 53%

Washington's lineup has been one of the hottest in the NL over the last two weeks, while Baltimore's offense is among the coldest.

The Nationals' hitting edge is significant enough to back the home team.

Marlins vs Rays: Marlins (+122)

Marlins win probability: 45%

Miami’s bullpen has been genuinely stingy lately, and Sandy Alcantara vs. Nick Martinez sets up a real pitching duel.

The Marlins aren’t getting blown out here, and that’s enough to make them worth a look.

Reds vs Guardians: Reds (+150)

Reds win probability: 40%

Cincinnati's lineup isn't far behind Cleveland's recent production, and Chris Paddack gives the Reds tremendous value at this price. 

Rangers vs Astros: Rangers (-104)

Rangers win probability: 51%

Houston is 17-28, and its lineup has been among the least productive in the American League recently. Jacob deGrom starting for Texas against Kai-Wei Teng is the entire argument.

Getting a pitcher of deGrom's caliber at essentially even money against a struggling team is a straightforward play.

Cubs vs White Sox: White Sox (-104)

White Sox win probability: 51%

The White Sox have been one of the hottest offensive teams in baseball over the last two weeks, while the Cubs' lineup has gone quiet. 

For the first time in a while, the South Side has life in this Windy City rivalry.

Brewers vs Twins: Brewers (-108)

Brewers win probability: 52%

Milwaukee’s relievers have been among the best in baseball lately, and they now face a Twins team whose biggest weakness is the bullpen.

Despite Minnesota getting Royce Lewis back from the IL, that's not going to prevent them from blowing games in late-inning situations.

Padres vs Mariners: Mariners (-133)

Mariners win probability: 57%

San Diego's lineup has been one of the two coldest offenses in baseball lately.

Logan Gilbert is one of the better pitchers in the AL and gets to face that dormant lineup at home.

The price is steep, but the Mariners are worth the price.

Red Sox vs Braves: Red Sox (+117)

Red Sox win probability: 46%

Boston's bullpen has been one of the best in the sport recently, and rookie starter Payton Tolle has proven to be no slouch either.

The Red Sox are a live underdog with real teeth.

Yankees vs Mets: Mets (+108)

Mets win probability: 47%

The New York Yankees' lineup has been one of the best in baseball lately, but Carlos Rodon has been unreliable, and the Mets' bullpen has been sharper than the Yankees' recently.

With Mendoza reportedly on the hot seat, the stakes of the Stadium Series at Citi Field add even more urgency. The home team at nearly even money is worth backing.

Dodgers vs Angels: Dodgers (-138)

Dodgers win probability: 58%

The Angels possess one of the coldest lineups in baseball over the last two weeks. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have a deeper, more talented roster top to bottom, and their bullpen has been sharp lately. 

Take the defending champs to pull away in Anaheim. 

Giants vs Athletics: Athletics (-127)

Athletics win probability: 55.7%

San Francisco's bullpen has been the worst in baseball over the last two weeks, and the Giants' lineup hasn't fared much better. 

The A’s offense continues to take the league by storm, and Luis Severino should deliver a solid start in this Northern California battle.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Beau Brieske got the start in this one as his rehab progression advanced to Triple-A. He gave up a run in the first, but tossed a clean second inning. Brieske averaged 95.9 mph on his fourseamer, and mixed in some good changeups in his outing. He looks fairly close to rejoining the Tigers.

Will Vest blessedly has avoided a tendon or ligament injury and is working his way back as well. He tossed a scoreless third inning. averaging 95.8 mph with his fourseamer. Vest struck out one in a perfect inning of work, but may need another outing before rejoining the Tigers’ pen.

In the top of the second, Corey Julks singled and later scored on a Tyler Gentry single to even things at 1-1. That’s how it stayed until the fifth, when Max Clark reached on an infield single and Eduardo Valencia mashed a two-run shot to left center field.

Troy Watson took over after the rehab work was done, allowing one run in five innings of work. Matt Seelinger handled the ninth, looking for a save. He got Josh Rojas to fly out, but allowed a single to John Rave. That brought the dangerous Kameron Misner to the dish. Seelinger carved him up with cutters for a strikeout, and then blew Drew Waters away with a good fastball to earn the save.

Valencia: 1-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Clark: 1-4, R

Watson (W, 1-0): 5.0 IP, ER, 2 H, BB, 0 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 8:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday with the series all tied up.

Erie SeaWolves 8, Richmond Flying Squirrels 6 (box)

The SeaWolves were down early in this one, but another Thayron Liranzo blast got them back into the game and they held off the Squirrels on Friday.

Max Alba made a spot start, and it didn’t go too well. The right-hander allowed three runs in the second inning. He did settle in to pitch in the fifth without more trouble.

In the bottom of the third, catcher Bennett Lee doubled with one out, and took third on a wild pitch. Brett Callahan and Peyton Graham didn’t press in their at-bats, and both walked to load the bases. A sacrifice fly from John Peck scored Lee. Liranzo stepped in against lefty Cesar Perdomo, and for the second day in a row crushed a right-handed homer, this time a three-run job to left, seizing a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Callahan reached on a fielder’s choice, and Graham singled him to third. Another Peck sacrifice fly made it 5-3. In the bottom of the sixth, Richmond’s Will Bednar walked four straight hitters and Bennett Lee smoked a two-run double to make it 8-3.

Wandisson Charles leaked a late run, and Tanner Kohlhepp surrendered two more, but they held on to win.

Liranzo: 1-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR, BB, K

Graham: 3-3, R, BB, SB, CS

Lee: 2-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B, BB, K

Alba: 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, BB, 4 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 1:35 p.m. ET start on Saturday with the series tied up at two apiece.

Great Lakes Loons 9, West Michigan Whitecaps 3 (box)

The crumbling Whitecaps are now 1-17 in their last 18 games.

Junior Tilien singled in Luke Shilger for a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, but that was the last the Whitecaps would see of the lead. Unfortunately, Carlos Marcano is still stretching out after a late start to the season. He gave the Whitecaps two scoreless frames before turning things over to Duque Hebbert. Things went straight downhill as Hebbert allowed six earned runs across the third and fourth innings.

In the sixth, Clayton Campbell drew a leadoff walk, and Jackson Strong launched a two-run homer that made it 6-3 Loons. Outfielder Caleb Shpur pitched the eighth as the ‘Caps waived the white flag, allowing three runs.

The Whitecaps are struggling with injuries like the parent club, but even getting Ben Jacobs up from Lakeland and into the rotation hasn’t done much for them. Malachi Witherspoon isn’t far from joining them, and there may be a few more young arms working their way up shortly, but there’s no telling when the Whitecaps will get some of their veteran hitters back.

Strong: 1-3, R, 2 RBI, HR, BB, 2 K

Tilien: 3-3, RBI, BB

Marcano: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:35 p.m. ET start on Saturday.

Clearwater Threshers 6, Lakeland Flying Tigers 2 (box)

Kelvis Salcedo’s start was a short one after a long second inning that saw him lifted due to pitch count per inning restrictions.

In the top of the second, Edian Espinal singled, and Carson Rucker doubled Espinal to third. A Javier Osorio sacrifice fly brought the run home. Unfortunately, after striking out the side in the first, and two more in the second along with two singles and an error that scored a run, Salcedo suddenly lost control and walked back-to-back hitters before surrendering a two-run double and exiting the game.

Yendy Gomez gave up two more runs in the sixth, and it was a 5-1 game. A pair of a walks and a sacrifice fly from Jack Goodman made it 5-2, but the bullpen allowed another run in the bottom half, and the Flying Tigers couldn’t muster a comeback.

Espinal: 2-3, R, BB

Yost: 1-4, 2B, 3 K

Salcedo: 1.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:30 p.m. ET start with the Flying Tigers up 3-1 in the series.

FCL Blue Jays 4, FCL Tigers 3 (box)

LHP Andrew Sears, our 11th ranked prospect for the Tigers in the preseason, and currently 9th for MLB Pipeline, emerged from injury blackout to spin a pair of perfect innings with four strikeouts in his first rehab assignment. He’ll need plenty of time to build himself up, but the hope is to return to Erie by early June. If he can get back and get it going, he’s a solid bet to help the Tigers out in the second half.

De Los Santos: 1-4, R, CS

Rodriguez: 1-3, RBI, BB, K

Sears: 2.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 4 K

The Yankees have been up and down the last week or so, but perhaps just what they need to get rolling again is a date with their crosstown rivals. The Bombers got this Subway Series started off nicely last night, Cam Schlittler shoving (what else is new?) in a straightforward 5-2 victory. They’ll look to cinch a series win in Queens with Carlos Rodón making his second start of the year, as he’ll look to sharpen his command a bit after last week’s debut in Milwaukee.

On the site today, Andrew runs through Friday night’s American League action, and Sam profiles a huge figure in Yankees history, Billy Martin, who was born on this day 96 years ago. Also, Nick delivers this month’s Reliever Confidence Index, and Kento looks at the tallest Yankee outfields of all time.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees at New York Mets

Time: 7:15 p.m. EST

Video: FOX

Venue: Citi Field, Flushing, NY

Questions/Prompts:

1. How do you think Carlos Rodón will look now that he’s gotten a start under his belt at the major league level?

2. Do you think the Mets are going to get their act together, or will this be another lost year in Queens?

MLB Trade Rumors | Steve Adams: Prior to yesterday’s game, the Yankees placed ace Max Fried on the 15-day injured list with a bone bruise in his left elbow. While, obviously, this isn’t great news, as Fried will not throw for a few weeks before being reevaluated, early indications seem to suggest that he has avoided ligament damage (although we’ll get confirmation on that in a couple of days). The start of the Gerrit Cole/Max Fried tandem atop the rotation will almost certainly be delayed once again, but at least we can cross our fingers and hope to see them both on the active roster at some point this season. Elmer Rodríguez is expected to take Fried’s next turn in the rotation, though until then, his roster spot will soon likely be occupied by a reliever.

Yahoo! Sports | Scott Walsh: In an article originally published our pal Scott in The Times-Tribune in Scranton, PA, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announce that Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will be making his sixth rehab start with them on Saturday, as they face the Syracuse Mets. Even with Fried down, the Yankees do not appear inclined to rush Cole’s rehab, and expect him to make at least two more starts before returning to the Bronx.

The Athletic | Jayson Stark: (subscription required) Now that we’re about a quarter of the way through the season, we have finally reached the point where we can begin to draw some preliminary conclusions about the game this season. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the biggest new thing this season is how the ABS challenges have changed the game, with batters swinging less and walking more — perhaps the result of the fact that the ABS strike zone is, at its edges, a touch smaller than the “traditional” zone called by most umps.

The Athletic | Chris Kirschner: (subscription required) In what will, rather annoyingly, be a staple of the next several years, the start of this season’s Subway Series once again has people talking about the fallout of Juan Soto’s decision to sign with the Mets. At this stage of the game, not much has changed since we talked about this last season, and in truth, the answer even within the front office is mixed, with people simultaneously talking about Soto’s offensive production and the importance of the moves made in the aftermath of that deal (e.g., Fried, Cody Bellinger).