Category: Sports News

The Houston Astros (1-2) continue their opening 4 game series against the Los Angeles Angels (2-1) this afternoon at Daikin Park.

RHP Tatsuya Imai will make his first big league start for the Astros opposite RHP Jack Kochanowicz and the Angels.

TODAY’S ASTROS STARTER: RHP Tatsura Imai is making his major league debut in a game every Astros fan has been looking forward to for months. Imai comes in with an excellent pedigree from the Japanese Professional League where he was 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 163.2 INN. Imai struck out 178 hitters and walked only 45 batters in those innings.

Imai put up great numbers this Spring, making three starts and posting a 0.00 ERA (0ER/6.0 IP) while allowing a microscopic .111 opponent batting average with 7 strikeouts.

Jack Kochanowicz Kochanowicz has been with the Angels since 2024. He spent most of last season in the rotation and pitched a portion of 2024 in Los Angeles. His best season came in 2024 when he was 2-6 with a 3.99 ERA in 11 starts. Last season he was 3-11 with a 6.81 ERA.

This spring, Kochanowicz was 0-0 with five starts. He had a 1.62 ERA in 16.2 INN. He had 15 strikeouts and four walks.

VS. THE ANGELS: The Astros open this season with a divisional series against the Angels, who the Astros went 8-5 against in 13 games last season. The Astros are 139-84 all time against the Angels and have won the season series against them in every full season dating back to 2015.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, March 29, 1:10 p.m. CST

Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX

TV: Space City Sports

Streaming: Space City Sports

Radio: KBME 790 AM; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2

MAI TO DEBUT: RHP Tatsuya Imai is making his MLB debut today after a stellar Spring Training, in which he worked a combined 9.2 scoreless innings across four starts…in January, the Astros signed Imai to a three-year deal…in 2025, he was an All-Star for the Seibu Lions in the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB), where he went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA (35ER/163.2IP) in 24 games.

TODAY’S AVAILABILITIES: The Astros clubhouse will be open to approved media at Daikin Park from 10:10-11 a.m. CT…Astros Manager Joe Espada will be made available in the Astros dugout at approx. 11 a.m.

Houston Astros Lineup

SS Jeremy Pena

LF Yordan Alvarez

2B Isaac Parades

DH Jose Altuve

3B Carlos Correa

CF Joey Loperfido

1B Christian Walker

RF Cam Smith

C Christian Vazquez

Los Angeles Angels Lineup

SS Zach Neto

DH Mike Trout

1B Nolan Schanuel

RF Jorge Soler

3B Yoan Moncada

CF Jo Adell

LF Josh Lowe

C Travis d’Arnaud

2B Adam Frazier

It’s the rubber match of the opening series of the season. Connelly Early makes his first start of the season against Rhett Lowder, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2024. Both bullpens are spent after a long game yesterday, so getting to the bullpen early should favor the offense. Masataka Yoshida makes his first start of the season in left field, moving Duran to center, Roman Anthony to DH, and Ceddanne Rafaela to the bench.

How to Watch or Listen

1:40 PM ET on NESN and WEEI

Lineups

Finishing up the series in Cincy! pic.twitter.com/2sXjTC2G3A

— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 29, 2026

The return of Rhett.

Powered by @PNCBankpic.twitter.com/bKPOtcoBB8

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 29, 2026

The Orioles and Twins close out the opening series this afternoon at Camden Yards, with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. The series is tied 1-1 after Baltimore won a dandy Opening Day opener 2-1 before the Twins took Game 2, 4-1, with Kyle Bradish allowing a two-run Royce Lewis homer in his debut and the offense ice-cold.

So far, O’s hitters have struck out 24 times and scored just three runs in two games. The starting pitching has been very good, though. Hopefully less of the former, more of the latter today.

On that note, is time to see what all the fuss is about: Shane Baz, the Orioles’ spendiest offseason acquisition and new owner of a five-year, $68 million deal—the largest pitching contract in franchise history, all before he’s even thrown a pitch for the team—makes his debut today. Baz is a phenomenally talented thrower, a former first-rounder and Rays No. 1 prospect with an electric fastball. He’s also struggled with elbow problems, having had Tommy John surgery in 2022 and missed most of 2023 and 2024 after that. In 2025, his first fully healthy season in four years, he posted a 4.87 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 176 strikeouts across 166.1 innings for Tampa Bay. Given what the Orioles have just paid him, he’ll look to improve on those numbers in his new home. This front office seems to believe in him.

Facing O’s hitters for the Twins is the gargantuan 6’9”, 260-lb right hander Bailey Ober. Now entering his sixth season, Ober is something of an unknown quantity. Ober was very good in 2022 and ‘23, with a combined 3.37 ERA in 37 starts, but he’s coming off a rough 2025 in which he posted a 5.10 ERA in 27 starts, and he didn’t inspire a lot of confidence this spring, allowing 17 hits and 6 earned runs in 13 innings with his fastball averaging below 90 mph in all four outings.

Can O’s hitters take advantage?

Orioles lineup

1. Taylor Ward LF
2. Gunnar Henderson SS
3. Pete Alonso DH
4. Ryan Mountcastle 1B
5. Samuel Basallo C
6. Tyler O’Neill RF
7. Coby Mayo 3B
8. Dylan Beavers CF
9. Jeremiah Jackson 2B
   

Twins lineup

1. Kody Clemens 1B
2. Byron Buxton CF
3. Luke Keaschall 2B
4. Matt Wallner RF
5. Josh Bell DH
6. Victor Caratini C
7. Trevor Larnach LF
8. Royce Lewis 3B
9. Tristan Gray SS

Coming into the 2026 season, the Royals had a lot of hype and enthusiasm surrounding them, from the fans, local media and even the national media. I think it’s fair to say that two games into the season, a lot of that enthusiasm and excitement has dissipated. A shutout on Opening Day and a blown save in game two, puts the Royals on the verge of being swept to open the season.

Sitting at 0-2, the Royals will be deploying Seth Lugo for the Sunday afternoon contest in Atlanta. Lugo, pitched in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico, but also a little bit for Kansas City in Spring Training. After a fantastic first season for the Royals in 2024, Lugo struggled last year and was also hurt at different times. Today, he hopes to start his third season with the club right and help lead them to their first victory as well.

Here is the Royals lineup for today’s contest.

Series finale Sunday. pic.twitter.com/aLEK7NyLLE

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) March 29, 2026

It’s not much different than last night’s lineup against Reynaldo Lopez, except Nick Loftin starts at second base instead of Jonathan India, who is off to a rough start. Lane Thomas also gets the nod in left field over Isaac Collins, who is also struggling currently, and Carter Jensen and Salvador Perez change positions.

As for the Atlanta Braves, they are off to a great start despite missing a lot of their stars. They have mashed their way to two victories over the Royals. 4 home runs, make up 8 of their 12 runs on the season. Right hander Grant Holmes will start for them today.

Here is the lineup for the Braves against Seth Lugo.

It's a great day for Braves baseball!#BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/rDvoYYZrp1

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 29, 2026

Can the Royals avoid a sweep and not be winless going into their home opener? Can the offense do anything after putting up just two runs over the first two games of the season? Hopefully the answer to both of those questions is yes, but we won’t know until 12:35 p.m. CT to get our answer, as first pitch on Royals.TV will be then.

Grant Holmes will be taking the mound to face off against Seth Lugo and the Kansas City Royals in an attempt to hold down the fort and end the series with a sweep.

Last night’s ending was a great comeback, and now with two wins under their belt, the Atlanta Braves are determined to end the series and the weekend off on a high note. Let’s see if today’s performances will “grant” them (see what I did there?) that achievement.

First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. EDT.

Game Notes

Preview

Lineups

While practicing patience is still encouraged, the Colorado Rockies’ 2026 season is off to a familiar start. The Rockies are in Miami looking to avoid being swept by the Marlins on Opening Weekend after losing by just one run in both of their first two games. Yesterday afternoon had some fireworks as rookie TJ Rumfield and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar both struck their first home runs of the season, but the Rockies struck out eight times in seven innings against Marlins starter Eury Pérez as they fell short.

Left-handed veteran Jose Quintana will make his first regular season start for the Rockies—suiting up in his ninth uniform—after joining the team on a one-year, $6 million deal this off-season. Quintana posted a 9.72 ERA over three starts and 8 1/3 innings during spring training with eight strikeouts and six walks. He also made a scoreless, three inning start with a strikeout as the captain of Team Colombia during the World Baseball Classic.

Quintana has made five career starts against the Marlins with a 2.61 ERA over 31 innings. His primary pitch heading into this season is a low velocity sinker backed up by a changeup, a curveball, a four-seam fastball, and a slurve.

Making the start for the Marlins is the right-handed Max Meyer. The 27-year-old missed the majority of the 2025 season with a left hip impingement, posting a 4.73 ERA with 68 strikeouts over 12 starts before landing on the season-ending injured list in June. Meyer excelled in spring training this year, not giving up a single run in three Grapefruit League outings—including two starts—with 12 strikeouts and only one walk.

Meyer uses a high-80s slider with heavy vertical drop as his primary pitch, while his four-seam fastball sits comfortably in the mid 90s. He also throws a sinker, a changeup, and a sweeper. In two career starts and ten innings against the Rockies he has a 7.20 ERA and has given up three home runs.

First Pitch: 11:40pm MDT

TV: Rockies.tv

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

Lineups:

We play more baseball today! pic.twitter.com/2CscmJTZiS

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 29, 2026

Teal Sundays are here.

🤝: @PNCBank
📺: https://t.co/pMAEOPHNJ8
👂: @MarlinsRadio, @radiomambi710, WAXY 790 AM
⏰: 1:40 PM ET
🏟️: Roof status: CLOSED#FightinFish // https://t.co/ZrOdIbYDTIpic.twitter.com/h4FsQNZEvn

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) March 29, 2026

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. New York Mets, March 29, 2026, 1:40 p.m. ET

Location: Citi Field, Flushing, NY

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet-PIT

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road today against the New York Mets at Citi Field looking to grab a win and raise the Jolly Roger.

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Mets lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Juan Soto – LF
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Jorge Polanco – DH
5. Luis Robert – CF
6. Brett Baty – 1B
7. Marcus Semien – 2B
8. Carson Benge – RF
9. Luis Torrens – C

Nolan McLean – RHP

Pirates lineup

1. Oneil Cruz – CF
2. Brandon Lowe – 2B
3. Bryan Reynolds – DH
4. Ryan O’Hearn – RF
5. Jared Triolo – SS
6. Spencer Horwitz – 1B
7. Nick Gonzales – 3B
8. Henry Davis – C
9. Jake Mangum – LF

C. Mlodzinski – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:40pm EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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The first iteration of Sunday Night Baseball for the 2026 season goes down tonight between the Cleveland Guardians and Seattle Mariners at 7:20 p.m. ET on Peacock.

Can star slugger Jose Ramirez and red-hot rookie Chase DeLauter take advantage of an advantageous pitching matchup? How about Slade Cecconi’s strikeout prop against a whiff-heavy Mariners squad?

I answer those questions with my Guardians vs. Mariners predictions and MLB picks for SNB on March 29.

Guardians vs Mariners props for March 29

Guardians vs Mariners player prop picks

Jose Ramirez Over 1.5 total bases (+100)

Emerson Hancock gets the nod for the Seattle Mariners, and that’s more about the injuries around him than it is his personal brilliance.

The tall righty has managed poor results with a 5.49 xERA and 5.23 FIP across 162 2/3 innings despite playing in the pitcher’s haven that is T-Mobile Park.

The former Georgia Bulldog pitches to contact with a lowly 16.6% K rate, and those balls-in-play have a high likelihood of falling for hits given his second-percentile xBA (.291). 

Jose Ramirez demolished right-handed pitching a year ago (143 wRC+) and has strong numbers against four-seamers, sinkers, and changeups — Hancock’s hittable three-pitch arsenal against left-handed bats. 

Slade Cecconi Over 4.5 strikeouts (-112)

The Seattle Mariners have some worrisome contact data at the plate through three games, leading to an increased expectation for Cleveland Guardians starter Slade Cecconi’s strikeout numbers.

They have the worst zone-contact percentage (74.6%) in the league, which has led to a 32.1% K rate. Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Joey Cantillo all managed to find swings and misses against this lineup, and now it’s Cecconi’s turn. 

The 26-year-old was sharp in the spring, tossing a 1.62 ERA across 16 2/3 frames. He’s riding a nine-inning scoreless streak and has found success adding a sweeper and tightening his cutter. The new arsenal should pay immediate dividends before hitters can adjust.

Chase DeLauter home run (+450)

Do you know who leads Major League Baseball in home runs entering Sunday? 

It’s Cleveland rookie Chase DeLauter with four, who has homered in each of his first three regular-season games — including last night’s game-winning dinger in the 10th inning. 

The ballyhood prospect has lived up to the hype and more, and a case can be made that he’s the league’s hottest hitter given his  .357/.357/.1.214 slash line.

There’s been a lot of swing-and-miss in his game (35.7%), but Hancock’s unimpressive strikeout abilities diminish that concern. If DeLauter makes contact, look out. 

How to watch Guardians vs Mariners and game info

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.