Good morning Birdland,

Sometimes it feels like the Orioles are in a free fall, and then you look at their 15-17 record and realize that things could be much worse. Yesterday was one of those days.

Before their 7-2 loss to the Yankees on the Friday night, the Orioles got some bad injury news. Their closer Ryan Helsley was headed to the IL with elbow inflammation. Fortunately, imaging had already been done and come back clean. Helsley is taking medication to calm down the inflammation and is expected back relatively soon.

This is just the latest pitching injury for an Orioles team that has already had its fair share. It comes right on the heels of Opening Day starter Trevor Rogers going on the shelf with the flu. The club is also awaiting returns from Dean Kremer and Dietrich Enns.

The Orioles have shown off some of their depth in the pitching department. The likes of Cade Povich, Brandon Young, and Albert Suarez have come up and shown varying levels of success. That has its limits, though, as witnessed this week. Povich got hit around by the Yankees on Friday, right after Young was bombed by the Astros on Thursday.

Right now, the Orioles are simply in survival mode. Their double-header on Thursday marked the beginning of a streak that will see them play 15 games in 14 days. So expect to see a lot of pitching shuffling over the next two weeks. Hopefully the team can also, ya know, win some of the baseball games.

Kyle Bradish is on the bump this afternoon at Yankee Stadium. His stuff has looked good recently and the top-line stats are improving. The O’s need an ace-like start from him today, one that comes with a little length as well.

Links

Orioles Place Ryan Helsley On IL With Elbow Inflammation | MLB Trade Rumors
Here is more on Helsley’s IL stint. As they point out, an elbow issue tends to be quite ominous for a pitcher, but it sounds like the Orioles aren’t too concerned. Of course, we have heard that before and see it go south. Fingers crossed!

Catching up on Rutschman and Basallo backstop duo | Roch Kubatko
Things have gone well for the Orioles behind the plate, despite Adley Rutschman’s IL stint a few weeks back. Both he and Samuel Basallo have been hitting while many other parts of the lineup have struggled. The defense is more of a mixed bag (particularly for Basallo), but it’s outweighed by how productive the two bats have been.

Jon Meoli: The Orioles’ biggest early-season test comes this weekend in New York. Their stars need to ace it. | The Baltimore Banner
The Orioles will play two series against the Yankees in the next two weeks. I don’t expect them to win both of them, but they need to be competitive and look like a squad that could chase down the Bombers in the division at some point. That didn’t seem to be the case on Friday.

Orioles’ Pete Alonso, back in New York, has no regrets | Capital Gazette
I mean, how could he? It doesn’t sound like the Mets ever got serious about bringing him back. And it’s not as if his former squad is in an enviable position anyway. While the Orioles have their own issues, you have to think Alonso feels fine about where he ended up.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Jonathan Villar turns 35 today. He was quite good for some very bad Orioles teams. Between 2018 and ‘19, Villar was worth 6.0 bWAR, had a 106 OPS+, hit 32 home runs, and stole 61 bases.
• Brent Bowers is 55 years old. The outfielder played in just 21 big league games, all of which came with the 1996 Orioles.
• Keith Moreland is 72. He wrapped up his 12-years in the majors with a 33-game cameo on the 1989 O’s.

This day in O’s history

2010 – The Orioles complete their first home, three-game sweep of the Red Sox since 1974 when Ty Wigginton hits a walk-off double against Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the 10th inning.

The New York Black Yankees were a Negro Leagues team that existed from 1931 to 1948. True to their name, they called Yankee Stadium home from 1940 onwards until their demise. They were not a particularly successful franchise, with a 258-497 overall record, but they count among their alumni such legends as Satchel Paige, Ted Radcliffe, Willie Wells, and many more. Today, we celebrate the birthday of a player who isn’t quite at the same status as those luminaries, but had a very nice career of his own. 

George Giles
Born: May 2, 1909 (Junction City, KS)
Died: March 3, 1992 (Topeka, KS)
Black Yankees Tenure: 1936-37

George Giles was a precocious talent. He was only 17 years of age when he got his first taste of (semi-) pro baseball with the Gilkerson’s Union Giants, an independent barnstorming Black team that played mainly in the Midwest. He was the starting first baseman on one of the most successful iterations of the club, and many of his teammates on the 1926 squad, like Lefty Brown and Steel Arm Davis, were/would go on to be Negro League stars. 

If that wasn’t impressive enough, consider this; the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the most successful Negro league teams, signed Giles the following year. He started 59 games for them and hit .269/.330/.360, good for a 92 OPS+. Not bad at all for an 18-year old playing in the highest level available to him — and Giles was just getting started. In 1928, his OPS+ improved to 113, and from there the speedy Giles settled in as a comfortably above-average regular, making up for his rather pedestrian power numbers (career .112 ISO) by consistently posting high averages and OBPs (career .316 and .386, respectively). 

When Giles joined the New York Black Yankees in 1936, he was still only 27, but his career was in its twilight. His first season was pretty rough, as he struggled to the tune of a .273/.356/.356 line (84 OPS+). However, he managed to rebound in 1937, posting a prime DJ LeMahieu-esque .327/.395/.453 line (114 OPS+) in 39 games. Unfortunately, despite Giles’ best efforts, the fortunes of his ballclub followed the opposite trajectory; the Black Yankees enjoyed a 30-19 campaign in 1936, but struggled to a 23-33 finish in 1937. It’s unclear whether he was released or traded, but by the time the 1938 season rolled around, Giles was no longer a Yankee. He spent what would be his final year in pro baseball with the Pittsburgh Crawfords, hitting .298 in 59 plate appearances across 14 games.

I realize that this summary of Giles’ playing career is painfully short. Unfortunately, there simply isn’t much readily available information on his exploits as a player, despite the fact that he was a very good hitter who was an All-Star in 1935. It is nothing short of a travesty that his story, along with countless other Black players of his time, has been neglected for so long. While long overdue, it’s at least heartening to see the recent wave of recognition and renewed attention that the Negro Leagues is receiving. One can only hope that more details about Giles and his career surface in the coming years.

Indeed, a Giles renaissance might already be burgeoning. This 2021 piece in the Manhattan Mercury (the local newspaper for Manhattan, KS, where Giles lived most of his life) offers a vividly rendered glimpse into Giles’ career and life, including quotes from Giles himself from past interviews for the Mercury and other local outlets. The whole piece is fascinating, but Giles’ recollections of the abhorrent conditions he endured as a Black ballplayer on the road are particularly striking. In one quote, he says he used to lay newspapers on the beds of seedy motels, claiming that it warded off bedbugs. In another, he remembers how when he played against a white team in his barnstorming days, his opponents stayed at a hotel, while his team was forced to change into their uniforms in a farmer’s barn. It’s truly depressing stuff, but it needs to be told.

Given the countless hardships he endured as a player, I can only hope Giles lived a full and fulfilling post-playing life. The Mercury article gives me hope that this was the case. After working a number of jobs, Giles opened a small inn named George’s Motel in Kansas which served the Black community, providing the kind of accommodations that were unavailable to him during his playing days. And in his autumnal years, he got to witness his grandson Brian Giles — no, not that one — make his MLB debut in 1981 with the New York Mets. What a moment that must have been for him.

A final detail from that Mercury piece — when asked whether George would have been proud to see his grandson surpass his achievements by reaching the major leagues, Brian rejected that premise, saying, “Actually, I think he was more successful, doing what he did in times that presented African-American ballplayers (with challenges).” As we try to properly appreciate the Negro Leagues and Black ballplayers of the past, this perspective is something we must not forget. It’s not enough to say that the Negro Leagues were major leagues in terms of quality of play; we must also acknowledge the various ways in which Black players and their communities were held back by racism — and question the notion that those are relics of the past.

All stats from Seamheads.com.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

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Saturday’s MLB slate is loaded, and there’s no shortage of betting angles if you know where to look. From clear mismatches like Atlanta and San Diego to plus-money shots with sneaky value, these MLB picks focus on pitching edges, lineup production, and where the market might be off.

Let’s break down the best moneyline plays for May 2.

MLB moneyline picks for May 2

Matchup	Pick
Orioles vs Yankees	-138
Blue Jays vs Twins	+117
Diamondbacks vs Cubs	-150
Guardians vs A's	+108
Reds vs Pirates	+117
Brewers vs Nationals	-127
Astros vs Red Sox	+113
Phillies vs Marlins	-113
Giants vs Rays	-127
Dodgers vs Cardinals	-138
Rangers vs Tigers	-127
Braves vs Rockies	-222
White Sox vs Padres	-203
Mets vs Angels	+108
Royals vs Mariners	-138

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 5-2.

Expert MLB moneyline picks for May 2

Orioles vs Yankees: Yankees (-138)

Yankees win probability: 58%

New York owns the edge where it matters most—run prevention and power. Baltimore is allowing too many runs and dealing with key injuries, while the Yankees bring a deeper lineup and more reliable pitching. Kyle Bradish hasn’t been sharp enough to trust here, and with New York’s ability to capitalize on traffic, this is a spot where the better team should take control.

Blue Jays vs Twins: Twins (+117)

Twins win probability: 46%

Toronto’s offense just isn’t getting it done. Bottom-tier power and inconsistent contact make it tough to trust them, even with Dylan Cease on the mound. Minnesota has the better offensive profile and enough pitching stability to hold serve. With more reliable run production, the Twins have a clearer path to win this game.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs: Cubs (-150)

Cubs win probability: 60%

This is a clean mismatch. Arizona’s pitching staff has been one of the worst in the league, and Ryne Nelson hasn’t shown he can slow down a quality lineup. Chicago brings elite on-base ability and consistent production, paired with a steady arm in Shota Imanaga. The Cubs should control this game from the start.

Guardians vs A's: Guardians (+108)

Guardians win probability: 48%

Cleveland doesn’t need to be explosive here—they just need to be competent. Oakland’s pitching is extremely shaky, and that opens the door for even a contact-heavy offense to generate enough scoring. With the Guardians holding the edge on the mound and in overall run prevention, they should grind out a win.

Reds vs Pirates: Reds (+117)

Reds win probability: 46%

Cincinnati has more ways to score, even if the batting average doesn’t jump off the page. They bring power and speed, while Pittsburgh leans heavily on contact without much upside. Rhett Lowder has been more efficient than Carmen Mlodzinski, and that slight pitching edge, combined with a more dynamic offense, gives the Reds the advantage.

Brewers vs Nationals: Brewers (-127)

Brewers win probability: 56%

Washington can put up runs, but their pitching is a problem. Milwaukee has the more reliable arm and a clear bullpen edge, which matters in a game that could get loose late. Even without full offensive strength, the Brewers do enough at the plate and prevent runs at a higher level, making them the safer side.

Astros vs Red Sox: Astros (+113)

Astros win probability: 47%

Houston’s offense is the difference. They consistently generate baserunners and apply pressure, while Boston lacks the same level of production. Even with some pitching concerns, the Astros lineup is capable of outscoring problems. If this turns into a higher-scoring game, Houston is clearly better equipped to handle it.

Phillies vs Marlins: Marlins (-113)

Marlins win probability: 53%

Aaron Nola’s struggles are too significant to ignore. With a high ERA and too many baserunners allowed, he’s not someone you can trust right now. Miami has been the more balanced team, with stronger lineup metrics and steady pitching from Max Meyer. Until Philadelphia shows signs of life, fading them remains the sharper play.

Giants vs Rays: Rays (-127)

Rays win probability: 56%

San Francisco simply doesn’t hit enough to win games like this. A lack of power and poor OPS numbers limit their ceiling, even with solid pitching. Tampa Bay is more balanced offensively and can manufacture runs in different ways. In what projects as a lower-scoring game, the Rays have more paths to come out on top.

Dodgers vs Cardinals: Dodgers (-138)

Dodgers win probability: 58%

There’s a clear class gap here. Los Angeles brings elite production across the board, while St. Louis struggles to prevent runs. Even if Roki Sasaki hasn’t been perfect, this is a favorable spot for him to settle in. The Dodgers’ offensive firepower and overall depth should be too much for the Cardinals to handle.

Rangers vs Tigers: Tigers (-127)

Tigers win probability: 56%

Detroit has the edge offensively, with better on-base skills and more consistent production. Texas continues to struggle generating runs, which puts added pressure on Kumar Rocker. While both starters are capable, the Tigers’ ability to create scoring opportunities gives them the higher floor in this matchup.

Braves vs Rockies: Braves (-222)

Braves win probability: 69%

This is one of the biggest mismatches on the board. Atlanta is elite offensively and pairs that with strong pitching, led here by Chris Sale. Colorado simply doesn’t have the arms to keep this lineup in check. Even on the road, the Braves should dictate the pace and overwhelm the Rockies.

White Sox vs Padres: Padres (-203)

Padres win probability: 67%

San Diego has the advantage on the mound with Michael King, and that’s where this game tilts. The White Sox offense doesn’t consistently apply pressure, making it difficult to back them against quality pitching. With a steadier bullpen and enough offense, the Padres should separate over the full game.

Mets vs Angels: Angels (+108)

Angels win probability: 48%

The Mets’ offense is a major concern, sitting near the bottom of the league in nearly every key category. That lack of production makes it tough to support them, even with decent pitching. The Angels have more power and a more functional lineup, giving them the edge in a game that likely comes down to who can actually score.

Royals vs Mariners: Mariners (-138)

Mariners win probability: 58%

Seattle’s pitching gives them the edge here. Emerson Hancock has been efficient, and the Mariners as a staff do a better job limiting damage. Kansas City doesn’t generate enough offense to overcome that gap. In what projects as a tight game, Seattle’s run prevention and slightly cleaner execution make them the more reliable side.

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.

Fun game today, although it may have been ever-so-slightly overshadowed by the happenings of another Cleveland sports team. Offense looked shaky to start the game.

The Guardians had the bases loaded with no outs in the first, but failed to bring home any runs. In the bottom of the first, Cantillo gave up a 2-run 2-out homer to Brent Rooker. But, the next inning, the Guardians had runners at the corners with no outs, and then made two consecutive outs. Luckily, Cleveland’s own Chase DeLauter rocketed a double into right that the Athletics’ right fielder, Colby Thomas, misplayed, leading to 2 Guardians runs.

In the fourth, Cantillo gave up a 2-rbi single down the line to Zack Gelof. But, again, in the next inning, the Guardians answered right back with a Rhys Hoskins 1-out 2-run double.

Later that inning, Martinez (pinch-hitting for Schneemann) drove in another run with a sac fly.

Cantillo wasn’t his best today, giving up 4 earned in 4 innings. 5 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts. But, when the offense hums the way it did tonight, we spend less time focusing on the pitcher.

In the seventh, Hoskins drove in another run with a solo shot.

Bo Naylor (!) drove in a run with a 104 mph double to right, and then Rocchio drove him in right after.

Erik Sabrowski got out of a Hunter Gaddis-induced bases-loaded jam in the 7th, striking out 2 consecutive Athletics, and getting Colby Thomas to fly out to very deep left-center.

Cade Smith put out a Connor Brogdon-induced fire in the 8th, stranding runners at the corners with two outs. He came back on in the 9th for a 1-2-3 inning.

Other highlights include things such as: a Matt Festa scoreless inning, 2 Travis Bazzana walks, a 2-hit night for Bo Naylor, a *4-hit* (5x on-base) night for Chase DeLauter, and a 3x on-base game for Steven Kwan.

Have a good night!

Toledo Mud Hens 18, Columbus Clippers 5 (box)

Sawyer Gipson-Long was scratched prior to this game, fueling talk that he might be part of a spot start plan against the Rangers on Sunday in Casey Mize’s regular turn. Instead, it was a bullpen day with Grant Holman leading the way, and early on the Clippers built a 4-0 lead after Sean Hunley allowed a three-run third inning in relief. As you can see by the score, things would take a decisive turn in the Mud Hens’ favor.

It was still 4-0 Columbus when Cal Stevenson led off the fifth with a single. Andrew Navigato doubled him to third, but Tomas Nido flew out to shallow center and Stevenson couldn’t score on that fly ball, nor the shallow fly to right that followed from Max Burt. He would score on a Ben Malgeri bouncer that he beat out. Tyler Gentry doubled in Navigato and Malgeri, and it was a 4-3 Clippers lead.

In the sixth, Corey Julks led off with a walk, and Eduardo Valencia singled. After a Stevenson strikeout, Navigato singled in Julks, and later in the inning, a Max Burt single and an error brought home Valencia and Navigato. Malgeri walked, and Gentry came through with another two-run double to make it 8-4 Mud Hens. Gentry, a former Royals farmhand, has always had a very well rounded game and just never broke through to the major league level. Now 27, the right-handed hitting corner outfielder is a bit of an interesting depth option in Toledo.

In the top of the seventh, the Clippers walked in two runs, and Malgeri cleared the bases with a double that made it 13-4.

Scott Effross allowed a run in the bottom of the seventh, but in the eighth, singles from Valencia and Stevenson set the table for Navigato, who crushed his first home run since rejoining the Tigers’ organization. 16-5 Hens. They added two more in the ninth for fun.

Max Clark had the night off and missed this party.

Navigato: 3-4, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2B, HR, BB

Malgeri: 3-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, BB

Gentry: 2-5, R, 4 RBI, 2 2B, BB, K

Holman: 2.0 IP, ER, H, BB, K

Coming Up Next: The Hens take a 3-1 lead in the series into a 4:05 p.m. ET matchup on Saturday.

Erie SeaWolves 7, Chesapeake Baysox 4 (box)

John Peck remains absolutely on fire for Erie, and the offense cracked three home runs to win behind a solid day from the bullpen.

The SeaWolves got rolling immediately with a five run bottom of the first. Peyton Graham singled with one out and then stole his 13th bag of the young season. Brett Callahan made it a moot point, cranking his third home run of the season. Peck smoked a double to left, and a Justice Bigbie lineout to right, Andrew Jenkins doubled in Peck, and then rode home on an E.J. Exposito two-run shot. 5-0 SeaWolves.

Colin Fields and Johan Simon both tossed a pair of scoreless innings to start off the bullpen day. Peck cracked a solo shot in the third, making that four straight days with a home run. He would also single, steal second, and score on a Jenkins single in the eighth.

Trevin Michael allowed a pair of runs in the middle innings, but Tyler Owens handled the seventh and eighth with no issues. Wandisson Charles was knocked around for a pair of runs in the ninth but eventually pulled it together.

Peck: 3-4, 3 R, RBI, 2B, HR, K, SB

Jenkins: 3-4, R, 2 RBI, 2 2B

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

Coming Up Next: It’s a 1:35 p.m. ET start in Erie on Saturday with the SeaWolves up 3-1 in the series.

Cedar Rapids Kernels 8, West Michigan Whitecaps 4 (box)

The Kernels continue to have the Whitecaps number as they mauled Rayner Castillo and cruised to an easy victory on Friday.

After a good outing last time out, Castillo couldnt’ miss bats in this one and the Kernels scored two runs in each of the first three innings.

Jackson Strong singled, stole second, and scored after a pair of ground outs in the top of the first. So it was a 6-1 games when Castillo’s outing ended early. In the top of the fifth, Samuel Gil doubled in Hunter Dobbins and Strong to cut the lead to 6-3, but that was as close as they’d get.

Luke Stofel allowed a pair of runs in the sixth to make it 8-3. Cristian Santana doubled in the eighth and was wild pitched to third, where he would score on a Juan Hernandez ground out.

The combination of Castillo, Inohan Paniagua, Stofel, and CJ Weins combined for just three strikeouts against five walks, as the system wide drought in pitching contines. Only Ben Jacobs, Kelvis Salcedo, and Grayson Grinsell have really been impressive out of the field of prospects so far.

Hernandez: 1-3, RBI, 2B, BB, K

Strong: 1-4, 2 R, BB, K, SB

Castillo (L, 0-3): 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, K

Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday as the Whitecaps try to avoid a sweep.

Bradenton Marauders 5, Lakeland Flying Tigers 4 (box)

The Flying Tigers got a pretty good short outing from Kelvis Salcedo on Friday, and did a pretty good job at the plate against one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. The bullpen let them down a bit late to lose this one after they’d mounted a comeback.

Anibal Sales smashed a 98 mph Hernandez fastball for a solo shot in the second to open the scoring. Javier Osorio followed him with a double but was stranded. In the third, Zach MacDonald turned on a slider and bashed his eighth home run of the young season. He’ll be coming to a Whitecaps game near you pretty soon, but the strikeouts remain a pretty big problem as well.

This was just Salcedo’s second outing of the year, so he’s still building up his pitch count. He punched out five in three innings of work, but did give up a solo shot to Cristian Jauregui in the third before wrapping up his outing.

The Flying Tigers kept getting some traffic on the bases against Hernandez but wouldn’t score off of him again. Charlie Christensen threw a clean fourth for Lakeland, but he leaked a pair of runs in the fifth to lose the lead. So it was 3-2 Bradenton, and then 4-2 when Luke Hoskins allowed a run in the sixth.

The Flying Tigers struck back in the seventh with Hernandez’s day over. Jude Warwick led off with a double and Jesus Pinto was hit by a pitch. The next two hitters made outs, but Beau Ankeney drove a ball to center for a double to plate both runs and tie the game 4-4.

Unfortunately, Bradenton immediately untied it with a solo shot to lead off the eighth, and the Flying Tigers couldn’t manage another comeback.

MacDonald: 2-5, R, RBI, HR, 3 K

Salas: 2-4, R, RBI, HR, 2 K

Salcedo: 3.0 IP, ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 5 K

Coming Up Next: Bradenton leads the series 3-1.

Triple-A: Syracuse Mets (17-13)

SYRACUSE 6, LEHIGH VALLEY 3 / 5 (BOX)

The Mets used a five run fourth and the poor rainy weather to take this one by a score of 6-3 after five. AJ Minter opened the game as a continuation of his rehab assignment and did okay, surrendering an unearned run in the frame.

Eric Wagaman walked home the tying run in the third, and a trio of Yonny Hernandez, Nick Morabito and Wagaman all drove in runs in the fourth to make it 6-1. The IronPigs scored two in the top of the fifth but were denied from there. Then, the rains came and turned this to a quick five inning win.

• LF A.J. Ewing: 1-1, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 SB (2,3)
• CF Nick Morabito: 2-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI, K, SB (8)
• 1B Ryan Clifford: 0-2, BB, 2 K
• DH Eric Wagaman: 1-1, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB
• 3B Christian Arroyo: 0-3, K, E (3)
• RF Ji Hwan Bae: 0-2, K
• SS Vidal Bruján: 1-2, R
• C Hayden Senger: 0-1, R
• 2B Yonny Hernández: 1-2, R, RBI
• REHAB ALERT: LHP A.J. Minter: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• RHP Bryce Conley: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, W (1-1)

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies (9-16)

NEW HAMPSHIRE 11, BINGHAMTON 4 (BOX)

Well, when you go down 6-0 in the first inning, it kind of tells the story for the rest of the game, and Binghamton did just that. Jordan Gerber got lit up in the first, surrendering those aforementioned six first inning runs. RBI knocks by Jose Ramos and JT Schwartz got them back in spitting distance in the fourth, but three runs in the fifth and two more in the seventh buried Binghamton.

• CF Eli Serrano III: 0-4
• 1B-3B Jacob Reimer: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, K
• C Chris Suero: 0-4, 3 K
• RF Jose Ramos: 2-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI, E (2)
• DH Kevin Parada: 0-4, 2 K
• 1B TT Bowens: 0-0
• LF JT Schwartz: 1-4, RBI, K
• 3B-2B Nick Lorusso: 0-4, K
• SS-P Wyatt Young: 1-4, 2 K
• 2B-SS Diego Mosquera: 2-2, R, BB, SB (2)
• RHP Jordan Geber: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, L (1-2)
• RHP Kevin Gowdy: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• LHP Felipe De La Cruz: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
• LHP Gabriel Rodriguez: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RHP Wyatt Young: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

High-A: Brooklyn Cyclones (6-18)

FREDERICK 5, BROOKLYN 2 (BOX)

The first four and a half innings went by scoreless, with Brooklyn finally breaking the scoring in the bottom of the fifth by way of a Vincent Perozo single. That would mostly be the end of the Brooklyn offensive experience. as they mustered up one other run (a ninth inning Daiverson Gutierrez single), and just three hits.

Frederick took the lead in the sixth and rolled from there.

• 2B Antonio Jimenez: 0-4, 3 K
• CF Yonatan Henriquez: 0-2, R, 2 BB, K
• SS Mitch Voit: 0-4, 2 K
• DH Daiverson Gutierrez: 1-4, RBI, K
• RF John Bay: 1-3, R, 2B, SB (7)
• 1B Trace Willhoite: 0-3
• C Vincent Perozo: 1-2, RBI, BB
• 3B Kevin Villavicencio: 0-3, K, E (3)
• LF Sam Biller: 0-3, 2 K
• RHP Parker Carlson: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• RHP Jonathan Jimenez: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, E (3), L (0-3)
• LHP Nate Lavender: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• RHP Felix Cepeda: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 WP
• RHP Bryce Jenkins: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Single-A: St. Lucie Mets (10-15)

ST. LUCIE 8, TAMPA 1 (BOX)

Randy Guzman opened the scoring in this one, after a scoreless first three frames. Guzman hit a solo home run in the fourth, hit sixth on the year, raising his OPS to .918 on the year. Tampa tied it in the sixth, but St. Lucie responded by blowing the doors off of the game in the latter innings. They scored four in the seventh, including hitting two triples in the inning, added two in the eighth, and added a final run in the ninth, turning this game into a laugher.

• SS Elian Peña: 1-4, R, BB, SB (10), E (3)
• CF Edward Lantigua: 1-4, RBI, BB, SB (1)
• 1B Randy Guzman: 1-4, 2 R, HR (6), RBI, BB, 2 K
• DH AJ Salgado: 3-5, 2 R, 2B, 3B, HR (6), 3 RBI, 2 K
• LF JT Benson: 3-5, 2B, 3B, RBI, 2 K, SB (5)
• 3B Sam Robertson: 0-4, BB, 2 K
• RF Simon Juan: 1-5, R, HR (2), RBI, K
• C Francisco Toledo: 0-4, R, BB, 2 K
• 2B Jamari Baylor: 1-3, R, BB
• RHP Cam Tilly: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP, W (2-0)
• RHP Ryan Dollar: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP
• RHP Ernesto Mercedes: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Rookie: FCL Mets (0-0)

NO GAME (SCHEDULE)

STARS OF THE NIGHT

AJ Salgado and JT Benson

GOAT OF THE NIGHT

Jordan Gerber

The Detroit Tigers opened up their six-game homestand with a 5-4 loss to the Texas Rangers on Friday night. Jack Flaherty floundered once again and the offense simply fell short after clawing back from a 4-0 deficit.

On Saturday night, the two teams will do it again, with right-hander Keider Montero taking the mound for the Tigers while fellow righty Kumar Rocker climbs the hill for the Rangers.

Montero has struggled a bit of late when it comes to allowing the opposition to cross the plate, giving up 10 runs for a 5.40 ERA over the last 16 2/3 innings, while putting up a tidy 13:3 strikeout to walk ratio over that stretch — which does help explain the massive ERA-FIP gap. The 25-year-old last faced off against Texas last summer in Arlington on July 19, when he allowed four runs on four hits (one home run) while walking three and striking out five over 4 1/3 frames to take the loss.

Rocker, a former first-round pick in the 2022 draft, appears to be finally finding his footing in his third season of big league ball, recording two quality starts over his last two outings despite his modest strikeout totals. The 26-year-old’s last matchup with the Tigers came last season on July 19, when he stymied his opponent with 6 1/3 innings of one-hit ball in which he walked three and struck out five at Comerica Park for his final win of 2025.

Take a look below at how things look heading into Saturday’s battle in the D.

Detroit Tigers (16-17) vs. Texas Rangers (16-16)

Time (ET): 7:15 p.m.
Place: Comerica Park, Detroit, Michigan
SB Nation Site:Lone Star Ball
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 34: RHP Keider Montero (1-2, 4.00 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (1-2, 3.38 ERA)

MONTERO

ROCKER

Boy is it nice to have Zack Wheeler back in the rotation. Maybe the velocity isn’t all the way back just yet, but his ability to actually pitch makes everything he does have right now play up a bit more.

They have needed him.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• The Alec Bohm lawsuit against his parents has taken some new turns with legal filings by both sides happening ($).
• The series against the Giants was a solid start to the Mattingly years. Some takeaways from that series are here ($).
• At this point, it feels like a reunion between Alex Cora and Dave Dombrowski is just about inevitable to happen.

MLB news:

• The baseball calendar has flipped from April to May, so now is a good time to take a look back at the month that was.
• Even as they sink further and further, the Mets are holding onto their manager for dear like and won’t make any changes.
• Tampa Bay has shown a little pep in their step this year, but they’ll be without Ryan Pepiot for the remainder of it.