Category: Sports News

Today’s game features two of the best starting pitchers in the game: Reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal versus 2025 NL Cy Young runner up Cristopher Sanchez, who is making his return to the Grapefruit League after a wonderful overall performance in the World Baseball Classic. The Phillies also have Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber back from the WBC.

Here are the lineups, let’s discuss.

For the Phillies:

For the Tigers:

From driver’s licenses to Tinder, there’s something about men lying about their height baked into the fabric our society — but only in MLB can it result in a competitive advantage, until now. Baseball is implementing its Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system this season, after undergoing a trial in 2025, and that means every player in baseball is getting accurately measured for the system, with some hilarious results.

We’re seeing a lot of players who claimed they were over 6’0 suddenly fall below the mark. Alex Bregman, who recently signed with the Chicago Cubs, has magically shrunk from six-foot, which he was listed as with the Houston Astros, to 5’11 with the Red Sox, now 5’10 in Chicago. Similarly Gavin Lux, previously a strapping 6’1 27-year-old, has now lost some inches as well.

This is happening because the league has to get accurate strike zone data for every single player, which means getting their full and accurate measurements. In order to do this they’ve needed to codify what the strike zone is across all of baseball, moving away from looser the interpretation of “top of the pants to the batter’s shoulders.”

Specifically, the strike zone is now defined as 17 inches across the plate for all players, but in terms of height the zone now starts at 27% of the player’s height, falling roughly around the waist of most players, and extends to 53.5% of the player’s height. MLB says this is a general reduction from umpire rulings, which they found averaged out to be 24.2% to 55.6% — which in turn means a smaller strike zone, and fewer strikes as a result.

Theoretically lying about your height in the past should have been a disadvantage, but umpires were paying attention to what they saw — not the figure on paper. If a ball went above your shoulders or below your belt it was a ball, regardless of the height ratios of players. Now that balls and strikes can be challenges thee has to be accurate measuring for the ABS software to work off.

Interesting MLB attempted to try and use a 3D model that turned the strike zone into a cube, but claimed it caused issues. Adding depth to the equation allowed pitchers to paint unnatural corners of the strike zone that ABS would have claimed was a strike — but didn’t make sense under the former understanding of the zone. So MLB scrapped the experiment and will instead use ABS on a 2D plane, much as we’ve come to understand the zone in the past.

Now you know why some of your favorite players might rock up at the plate seeming more like short kings that the strapping six-footers they’ve been claiming for years. Personally, as a sub-six foot man myself, just own it boys. Nothing wrong with being a little shorter — except when it comes to buying dress pants. Screw the inseam measurements of dress pants when you’re shorter.

With spring training winding down, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed a number of topics on Friday ahead of their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on SNY...

Latest on Francisco Alvarez

There was a small scare on Thursday asAlvarez exited New York's spring training game early after his back tightened up on him. Mendoza said it was for precautionary reasons and called him day-to-day. 

The manager gave another update Friday, saying Alvarez felt the tightness after Wednesday's off day and was happy he chose not to push it. If all goes well, the catcher will be back in the lineup on Saturday.

"Better. Saw him earlier this morning, was getting treatment. Definitely feeling better, moving around fine," Mendoza said. "The plan is for him to go through his workout, he's going to swing the bat. Everything goes well, he's back in the lineup tomorrow."

Alvarez will look to stay healthy and cap off his strong spring, as he's gone 8-for-22 (.364) at the plate with three doubles, one home run, and four RBI across 10 games.

Regular season pitching plan

Mendoza wasted no time in naming Freddy Peralta the Opening Day starting pitcher after just three spring training games on Feb. 27. 

With Opening Day less than a week away on March 26, the manager shared a loose plan for how things may look in the second and third games of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team will have minor leaguers start on Saturday and Sunday to round out the Grapefruit League, and then play an intrasquad game on Monday that will feature Nolan McLean vs. Sean Manaea.

"And then on Monday, that game that we have here, it'll be McLean versus Manaea... do the math," Mendoza said with a laugh.

He added on McLean: "Probably game three."

When asked if Manaea will start game two of the regular season, Mendoza said, "We'll see," with a smirk.

New York has still not confirmed it will begin the year with a six-man rotation, but Mendoza gave some more insight into how the rotation may look. He noted that Peralta will be pitching on the backfields Friday instead of facing the Cardinals, since the Mets play them in the second series of the regular season. 

"There's a chance he could face them," Mendoza said, indicating that the team could keep Peralta on regular rest even with the six-man rotation. 

That would mean one starter (one of David Peterson, Clay Holmes, or Kodai Senga) likely wouldn't pitch until the seventh game of the season. 

Opening Day roster decisions

In addition to figuring out the rotation, Mendoza and the Mets will need to finalize their Opening Day roster in the coming days. 

Many expect Carson Benge to make the team as the starting right fielder, joining Juan Soto and Luis Robert Jr. in the outfield. Tyrone Taylor is a lock for the bench, in addition to Luis Torrens and Mark Vientos, giving the team one more spot if they go with the six-man rotation.

Mike Tauchman could earn that role after a strong spring, but that would mean New York would be carrying five outfielders and no backups who play shortstop.

With Bo Bichette getting the start at short on Friday, his first time playing his old position this year, Mendoza discussed how the roster could look on Opening Day when asked about carrying five outfielders.

"Yeah I think everything is on the table," Mendoza said. "Again, we still got three or four more days. I'm not anticipating this decision any time soon. I think we are going to go all the way to the last day, not only here in camp, but once we get to New York.

"We could go in a lot of different ways here. And that's why Bo is getting that opportunity today at shortstop."

Mendoza added that it'll be good for Bichette to get some "familiar" work in at short, knowing that Francisco Lindor will be playing every game possible. The other potential bench spot, if not Tauchman, could go to Vidal Brujan, who can play everywhere on the diamond except catcher.

Tobias Myers' role

When the Mets acquired Myers in the Peralta trade with Milwaukee, it was unclear if the team planned to use him as a starter or out of the bullpen.

The 27-year-old will start on Friday against St. Louis in Grapefruit League action, but it will look more like a regular season relief appearance.

"He's very versatile," Mendoza said. "We got six starters that are healthy. Knock on wood here, he's gonna be pitching out of the bullpen in a multi-inning role. This is a guy that is going to get big outs for us. He's gonna pitch in a lot of different situations -- high leverage, medium leverage, low leverage if we need to. 

"And if we go that route where there's a need for starting pitching, he's in the consideration. That's why we got him built him up to almost 70 pitches. Now, it's more like how we'll potentially be using him in the regular season. Today, he's only going to go a couple of innings, no more than 35 pitches."

Mendoza noted the team is being "mindful" of how they use Myers in case of an early-season injury to one of the six starters. The right-hander has made 31 career starts out of his 49 appearances, but 25 of them came during the 2024 season as he pitched mostly out of the bullpen in 2025.

Mets Lineup

1. Carson Benge – RF
2. Tyrone Taylor – CF
3. Bo Bichette – SS
4. Mark Vientos – DH
5. Mike Tauchman – LF
6. Vidal Brujan – 2B
7. Jared Young – 1B
8. Hayden Senger – C
9. Antonio Jimenez – 3B

Tobias Myers – RHP

Cardinals Lineup

1. JJ Wetherholt – DH
2. Ramon Urias – 2B
3. Ivan Herrera – C
4. Jordan Walker – RF
5. Thomas Saggese – CF
6. Yohel Pozo – 1B
7. Jose Fermin – 3B
8. Nathan Church – LF
9. Brody Moore – SS

Andre Pallante – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:10 PM EDT
TV: MLBN (out-of-market only), SNY, ESPN Unlimited
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Just last summer, Bryce Eldridge wasn’t sure where to position himself on relays from the outfield. He lacked other fundamentals that only come with experience at first base, such as tracking the batter, not the ball, when a pitch is on the way.

The Giants’ top prospect didn’t make their Opening Day roster, but the 21-year-old first baseman believes he put to rest this spring any doubts about his defensive future.

“My defense was always something that was kind of a question mark to these guys,” Eldridge told the California Post hours before he was optioned out of camp Thursday. “I think I played a damn good first. If you put me up with some of the best, I think I’m an above-average big-league first baseman.”

Whether or not Eldridge could crack the Opening Day roster was poised to be one of the most intriguing questions of Tony Vitello’s first spring training as the Giants’ manager.

Eldridge made his MLB debut last September, but he still only has 84 games above Double-A.

Despite his lack of experience, Eldridge made the decision about more than his defense.

“I think everyone was wondering about (his) position,” Vitello said. “But I think he showed real potential to not just be over at first base, but to be a quality defender at first base.”

In a twist, the prospect known for his prowess at the plate looked more uncomfortable in the batter’s box than he did on the infield dirt. The Giants would like to see Eldridge strike out less than his 38.7% rate this spring and, as Vitello said, “as big and strong as he is, just to be more dangerous at the plate.” Meaning: More consistently laying off pitches outside the zone.

“I think he showed he is a major-league player,” general manager Zack Minasian told the Post. “We’ve talked about him defensively, just getting more comfortable at first base in all facets. I think he’s done a good job there. Offensively, it’s huge, huge upside. I think him putting the ball in play consistently is a big deal.”

The assignment to Triple-A Sacramento should allow Eldridge to get everyday reps in at first base, in the batter’s box — and on the base paths, his next area of improvement. Base running mechanics are all the more important with Eldridge’s large, lanky frame, and he wasn’t on first base much this spring with six of his nine hits going for extra bases.

“It’s hard to keep your body under control when you’re this long and this big,” Eldridge said. “Learning how to run and use good mechanics isn’t something I’ve ever practiced, kind of like how I had never really practiced first before.”

In that case, the Giants should feel good about Eldridge’s ability to pick it up.

Vitello’s first interaction with Eldridge came when he was still a teenager and the Giants manager was attempting to recruit him to Tennessee. At the time, Eldridge was still splitting time between the mound and the outfield. He didn’t pick up a first baseman’s mitt until his first full professional season, in 2024, as he climbed from A-ball to Triple-A in the same year.

Eldridge initially struggled to make some routine plays. This spring, he made some that were only possible for somebody with an athletic, 6-foot-7 build and an understanding how to use it.

“There were several plays that I don’t know many other first basemen make,” Vitello said, commending the improvements in his footwork and the intent behind his work.

Eldridge has taken part in Ron Washington’s famously intense infield drills. He has been coached up by another legendary Giants first baseman in Will Clark. Last year, he struck up a close bond with J.T. Snow, a six-time Gold Glove winner at first base — four with the Giants.

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Snow visited Eldridge twice in Sacramento, where he told the Post that the young first baseman “opened up” about his defensive shortcomings and “got better” because of it.

“Everybody in the organization agreed he was better than day one,” Snow said. “That’s because we worked really hard. … We really got close in Sacramento.”

Eldridge told him he was confused about cutoffs and relays. Snow told him to read the third-base coach to see whether the runner is being waved home. Eldridge would set up before the pitch and lock in on the ball as it traveled to home plate.

“I said, no no no. We don’t do that,” Snow said. “We watch him wind up and we shift our eyes to the hitting zone. You focus on the catcher and the hitting zone. He never knew that because he signed out of high school and he’s 20 years old.”

Eldridge now has more than 200 games at first base under his belt. He added another 19 this spring. He would have had to contend with Rafael Devers for playing time at first base with the big-league club, but there should be no obstacle to him playing the field in Sacramento.

As for those little things he worked on with Snow, Eldridge said, “I definitely feel like I got all those things down.”

“Those are things that, over time, you don’t have to think about as much,” he said. “It’s just gonna take experience and reps, and I’m getting to that point where I’ve had pretty decent experience and taken a lot of reps.”

If there was any doubt about how seriously Eldridge was being considered for the Opening Day roster, look no further than his playing time: Only one player logged more plate appearances.

The Giants were determined to give him a serious look.

They saw enough to be confident that it won’t be long until they see him again.

Vitello said Eldridge took it “like a pro” when he delivered the hard news on Thursday.

“He’s gonna be with us at some point,” Vitello said. “We want him to be ready to rock and roll. I think he will be based off his work ethic and character.”

In the 2022 MLB Draft, Gavin Cross was taken ninth overall by the Kansas City Royals. The Virginia Tech outfielder had just wrapped up an outstanding three-year career with the Hokies.

In his “freshman” season in 2020, he started all 16 games and hit .369, recording seven multi-hit performances before the pandemic cut the season short.

His next season was considered his true freshman campaign, and he became the first freshman in program history to earn All-ACC First Team honors. He also led the team with a .345 batting average. The talent was obvious, and he looked destined for the big leagues. After another strong season, the Royals selected him ninth overall.

Cross carried that success into his first professional season, slashing .312/.437/.633 between the ACL and Columbia with the Fireflies.

At that point, he appeared to be moving quickly through the minors, with the potential to become the next big thing in Kansas City. He opened the 2023 season in High-A Quad Cities and even reached Double-A Northwest Arkansas by year’s end. However, he struggled mightily, hitting just .206/.300/.383.

It didn’t add up. How does a hitter who had posted .300-plus seasons for four straight years suddenly look lost at the plate?

The answer came later. Cross made three separate trips to the emergency room before doctors diagnosed him with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a serious tick-borne illness. Though he was treated with antibiotics, the disease left him physically drained and effectively derailed his season.

The illness is relatively rare, affecting only a few thousand people in the United States each year, according to the CDC.

In other words, a rare condition cost Cross one of the most important developmental seasons of his career and set him back on his path to the majors.

Since then, Cross has somewhat rebounded, spending the last two seasons in Double-A and putting together respectable numbers, hitting .261 and .241 with 32 combined home runs.

Now entering his age-25 season, time is beginning to feel like a factor. Prospects such as Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen have surged up the system, and Cross has faded from the spotlight.

However, with players away for the World Baseball Classic this spring, Cross received an extended opportunity in Arizona—and he made the most of it. He hit .281/.324/.500 with two home runs. The 14 strikeouts are a concern, but elevated strikeout rates are common in today’s game.

He won’t open the season in Kansas City. More likely, he returns to Double-A, though he seems close to breaking through to Triple-A Omaha.

And given the Royals’ outfield struggles over the past two seasons, opportunities could arise. If players like Starling Marte or Lane Thomas fail to produce, or if injuries hit, Cross could finally get his chance to reach the majors and live up to his draft status.

It would make for a compelling comeback story, especially after the lost season caused by Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The earliest realistic timeline for a call-up would be late July or early August, but he’s an easy player to root for, and one who still has a chance to fulfill the expectations placed on him four years ago.