Worcester, Game 1: L, 2-4 (BOX SCORE)

Jake Bennett, who had his start derailed by a day due to rain, continues his hot start to 2026. He now has 16 1/3 innings with just one run earned, and continued that with three innings of shutout ball. However, neither that or the okay relief work was enough to propel Worcester to a win in Nashville (Brewers AAA). The WooSox had seven base runners all afternoon and only got some runs on the board via some singles courtesy of two-thirds of their outfield, Nate Eaton and Kristian Campbell. Eaton had two knocks of his own, but the WooSox had no lead enough built up; Devin Sweet let a lead turned into a tie, and Luis Guerrero let the go-ahead run in. Well, maybe there’d be more luck in game two of the double-header?

Worcester, Game 2: L, 2-4 (BOX SCORE)

No, it’s not de ja vu, it’s not a typo. This game was also a 4-2 loss by Worcester, and the starting pitcher also went three scoreless innings, and the bullpen also struggled. Vinny Capra also hit an RBI. An outfielder hit another RBI. Man, a lot of similarities between these two games… huh… still, Worcester has now lost four straight.

Portland: L, 3-5 (BOX SCORE)

Friday’s game in Altoona (Pirates AA) was a loss following a less-than-fulfilling Double-A debut by Jay Allmer and Dalton Rogers allowing five walks in 4 1/3 innings.

The loss is unimportant in the grand scheme, though. It’s time to start having a conversation about the trajectory of Franklin Arias’ 2026 season. After initially finding every way but home runs to get on base, he now has three home runs in a week. His OPS has now climed back above 1.5, and he emerges as a real option for a promotion, not just to Worcester, but eventually to the show before the end of the season. He has the same batting average as about three members of the lineup combined, and provides defensive stability, having just one error on the season so far. Worcester’s infield consists of some guys with experience who can aid younger guys like Mikey Romero and Arias along. He’s also still just 20, so there’s plenty of growth to continue for the team’s number two prospect. And, oh yeah, the homer was a BOMB to straightaway center:

Greenville: W, 8-7 (F/10) (BOX SCORE)

It took extra innings for the farm to have their lone winner, but, like their Major League counterparts, the Drive walked it off. This one had quite a bit more offense, though. Kyson Witherspoon started things off with a 4 1/3 innings outing where he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks, and from there the rest of the night was about avoiding facing Bowling Green (Rays High-A) center fielder Connor Husjak, who had four hits on the night. The Drive enjoyed two home runs on the night, but the most important moment of the night came on a sacrifice fly by Adonis Guzman following a Freili Encarnacion lead-off single to start the 10th. It was ugly, but a win is a win.

Salem: L, 5-7 (BOX SCORE)

Salem, like Worcester, has now lost four consecutive games. It’s tough to win games when the starting pitcher allows two home runs in four innings, but, as those two long balls were half of the total hits he allowed, matters could have been a lot worse… such as when the next reliever came in and allowed three more runs on four walks. Salem had two home runs of their own, also in the early going, the first two innings, but simply didn’t have the offense when it counted, having just four chances to knock runs in on the night and only converting once. Following a hot start, Salem is now 7-6.

I need to make an Arias pun here to shift focus back onto his amazing start to 2026, so have a Frankl-y-uhhhhh-in amazing Saturday!

The Royals’ early-season story is starting to take shape — and it’s a mix of promise, frustration, and big questions.

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy “Hokius” Greco break down the Kansas City Royals’ recent performance against the Detroit Tigers, focusing on the team’s offensive inconsistencies, bullpen volatility, and overall outlook. While flashes of production from hitters like Vinnie Pasquantino and the rising impact of Jac Caglianone provide optimism, the Royals’ struggles in low-scoring games highlight how thin the margin for error has been.

The discussion takes a deeper look at the bullpen’s recent instability, where rotating struggles among relievers and potential injury concerns have complicated late-game management. On the positive side, the hosts highlight encouraging signs from veterans like Michael Wacha, whose underlying metrics suggest he may be outperforming expectations, and preview a key upcoming start from Noah Cameron as the Royals face the New York Yankees.

Beyond Kansas City, the episode explores a major development across MLB: the potential record-breaking sale of the San Diego Padres, which could reshape league economics, influence payroll expectations, and impact future labor discussions. The hosts also provide updates on the ongoing Kansas City stadium situation, examining the latest developments in funding discussions and what it could mean for the franchise and community.

Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online:

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– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com
– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social

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Mets fans, if you don’t already know Jack Wenninger, you may want to start to. 

The right-handed pitching prospect quietly put together a tremendous showing in Double-A last season, posting a 2.92 ERA and finishing second to Jonah Tong in the Eastern League with 147 strikeouts.

He also impressed in the Spring Breakout game and his three outings in big-league camp. 

Wenninger was bumped up to Triple-A for the first time in his career to begin this year, and thus far he’s been able to carry over that success to the new level.  

The 24-year-old was extremely effective again on Friday, holding Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to just one run on a Spencer Jones homer while striking out five batters over 5.1 innings.

He now has a 1.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 15 K’s over his first three starts.

Wenninger, the No. 8 prospect in the system, may not project as a top of the rotation starter, but he gives SNY’s Joe DeMayo the feel of a high-floor No. 4 guy. 

According to DeMayo, his deep arsenal includes a fastball that touches 97 mph, a swing-and-miss splitter, a cutter, sinker, gyro slider, and he’s also thrown a curveball at times. 

Wenninger isn’t the only Syracuse arm who has been dealing of late, as Christian Scott has also put together back-to-back terrific outings after a rough first start of the season.

With both Kodai Senga and David Peterson struggling to find their footing, perhaps there could be an opening for one of the young arms to join the big league rotation in the near future.   

Carlos Mendoza was noncommittal on Senga taking his next turn after the right-hander was knocked around by the Cubs in the team's ninth straight loss on Friday afternoon. 

Senga has given up two homers in each of his last two outings, allowing a whopping 13 runs (12 earned) on 14 hits and five walks with just six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

He’s now up to an ugly 8.83 ERA and 1.90 WHIP on the year. 

Peterson actually lowered his ERA his last time out against the Dodgers, but he still wasn't effective and is sitting at a mark of 6.41 through his first four starts. 

The top three have been very solid to this point, but the Mets are going to need much better pitching performances from the bottom of the rotation as they look to turn things around.

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We have a busy Saturday across the big leagues, and that means lots of opportunities for baseballs to leave the yard.  

My MLB player props and home run analysis will include Aaron Judge, Ian Happ, and Jordan Walker. 

Read all about it in my MLB picks for Saturday, April 18.  

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HR	Odds
Aaron Judge	+220
Ian Happ	+590
Jordan Walker	+520
💲Today's HR parlay	+13589

Aaron Judge (+220)

Aaron Judge may be hitting just .240, but his power numbers are already heading in the right direction.

The reigning AL MVP has clubbed eight home runs in 20 games. He’s gone deep in two of his last three contests, and although he was kept in the yard on Friday, Judge still smacked a double. 

The New York Yankees face the Kansas City Royals again today, and Judge will face Noah Cameron. He’s 1-for-3 against the left-hander with a long ball.

Cameron has surrendered two homers already, and Judge has gone deep four times off southpaws in 2026. 

• Time: 1:35 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Royals.TV, YES

Ian Happ (+590)

Ian Happ is a player with pop in his bat, going deep 20+ times in each of the last three seasons. He’s on track for a fourth in ‘26, clubbing five home runs through the first few weeks.

Happ will be looking forward to today's matchup against New York Mets righty Freddy Peralta. 

While he’s only 4-for-37 off Peralta, three of those hits have been bombs. He left Wrigley in the series opener on Friday, and Happ has three homers off right-handed pitchers.

Peralta has had trouble with the long ball too, surrendering three in just four starts.

• Time: 2:20 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: SNY, MARQ

Jordan Walker (+520)

Jordan Walker has been a pleasant surprise for the St. Louis Cardinals early on. The slugger also has eight home runs, and he’s hitting .316.

The 23-year-old has gone yard three times in his last six contests, and tonight’s matchup profiles to be a clear chance to keep smack No. 9. 

The Cards are up against Houston Astros righty Lance McCullers Jr. He’s struggling, posting a 5.87 ERA through three starts.

While McCullers has only allowed one homer, the short porch in left in Houston undoubtedly plays in Walker’s favor. He’s in the midst of a 12-game hitting streak as well. 

• Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Cardinals.TV, SCHN

Today’s HR parlay

Aaron Judge	Bet Now +13589
Ian Happ
Jordan Walker

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.

DENVER –– This time a year ago, Tyler Glasnow failed a bad-weather test.

On April 6 of last season, the Dodgers right-hander was rolling right along through the first two innings of a start at Citizens Bank Park against the Phillies.

But then a rainstorm moved in, Glasnow lost his composure, and he failed to record an out in what became a disastrous five-run meltdown.

Such moments marred much of Glasnow’s first two seasons with the Dodgers. He would flash otherworldly potential. He would look like one of the game’s best pitchers. Then something would go wrong –– be it a mechanical flaw, a lack of feel for his throw, or outside factors like a late-spring shower amid a hostile Philadelphia crowd –– and suddenly, the $136.5 million starter would spiral into uncharacteristic form.

That’s why his outing Friday night in Denver against the Rockies was so important.

The competition wasn’t daunting, but the environment sure was.

He was making his first career start in the pitching torture chamber known as Coors Field. He was doing it on a day when snow fell for much of the afternoon, leaving the playing surface far from pristine. And when first pitch arrived, the 35-degree temperature marked the lowest on record in Dodgers’ franchise history.

They were all built-in excuses.

But in seven innings of one-run ball, Glasnow didn’t need them.

Instead, in the latest sign of growth from the 32-year-old All-Star, Glasnow navigated the game with remarkable ease. 

He worked around walks in the first and third innings. He didn’t give up his first hit until the bottom of the fourth. After that, he retired 11 batters in a row as the Dodgers pulled away for an eventual 7-1 victory. He finished with seven strikeouts and no moments of discernible stress.

“I think just feeling good was helpful,” Glasnow said afterward. “On days you feel bad, [the conditions] might affect you a little bit more. But I think today, I just felt good.”

Glasnow has felt good since the start of spring training, beginning this season with more comfort in his delivery than he said he’s had in years.

The injuries that repeatedly derailed his 2024 and 2025 seasons were behind him. The mechanical tweaks he made in search of better health had finally sunk in.

All camp, he talked about throwing “free and easy,” and taking an “external” mindset on the mound that allowed him to simply compete.

As manager Dave Roberts put it before Friday’s game, “he’s a different person for me” compared to a year prior. 

“Some of the things that he can control, he’s really manning right now and got a handle on,” Roberts said. “I think he’s grown exponentially. So I don’t see these that conditions are gonna affect him today.”

If anything, Glasnow joked the cold almost helped him.

“I’m usually super hot and sweaty,” he said, “so it was almost kind of nice.”

Just one more example of his growing self-assurance –– one the Dodgers hope has him primed for a career-best campaign.

“I think in years past, things affected him. He’ll admit that,” Roberts said. “I think right now where he’s at, he’s just put the blinders on and he’s performed. For us, that’s really good to see.”

Indeed, Glasnow acknowledged “I definitely feel different this year compared to last year,” noting that there were times in 2025 that “I just didn’t really feel like myself” as he worked through mechanical tweaks.

“When you pitch a certain way for so long, and then you switch up so many things, you just kind of feel in unfamiliar territory,” he said.

But finally, he and pitching coaches Mark Prior and Connor McGuiness found something leading into the playoffs. 

They adjusted Glasnow’s lower-body alignment. They suggested a mental cue in the way he lets his glove arm lead his throw. And then they watched in October as he took the changes and ran with them, turning in a 1.69 ERA during the team’s World Series run.

Ever since, Glasnow’s confidence has only been amplified. His ability to be “freer” and “more athletic” on the mound has steadily improved.

“I can focus on what I need to focus on,” he said.

Like attacking with his lively 96 mph fastball. Dropping gravity-defying curveballs when he gets ahead in the count. And mixing in the occasional slider and even sinker, a pitch he has added back to his arsenal since arriving in Los Angeles.

With Friday’s gem, Glasnow now has a 3.24 ERA with 29 strikeouts and only six walks in his first four starts this season. Roberts believes those numbers –– while still plenty excellent –– should be even better, insisting they belie the consistent dominance he has shown for much of the year.

If his conquering of Coors Field was any indication, in short time they likely will be.

Where Glasnow melted down in the past, this time he aced his test among the snow.

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Good morning, LSB.

The Rangers and Jacob deGrom held the Mariners scoreless last night in a 5-0 win.

Evan Grant writes that the Rangers made a statement with their first Seattle shutout in nearly four years.

Kennedi Landry writes about deGrom fighting through early trouble for the win.

Elsewhere it looks like Josh Sborz will remain a Ranger for now.

Mark Canha, meanwhile, has been wished the best in his future endeavors.

Robert Garcia is expected to avoid the IL, thankfully for Texas’ beat up bullpen.

And finally the Angels honored the late Garrett Anderson during an emotional night at the Big A.

That’s all for this morning. Have a great weekend!

Diamondbacks News

Soroka and Arenado Lead Complete Win Over Jays
Michael Soroka continued his unlikely start to the season, allowing only two runs across seven innings. Nolan Arenado hit another home run as he continued to show signs of his bat warming up. The rest of the team chipped in timely hits and a bit of fortunate defending. Sewald pitched possibly his least stressful save of the season thus far. The result was Arizona taking the first of the series against last year’s World Series team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Soroka Picks Up Fourth Win
Michael Soroka just pitched one of his best outings in a few years.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Could Return this Weekend
THe recovering left fielder started for the AA Amarillo Sod Poodles yesterday. Depending on how things look this morning, the 26-man roster may see his return to the lineup to give an already winning team a much-needed boost.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Nearng Return
A more complete look at the circumstances around Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Snakes Prospect Manuel Pena has HR Streak Come to End
The unheralded Sod Poodle homered in five consecutive games as he put his name in the team’s history books.

Other Baseball News

Angels All-Star Outfielder, Garret Anderson at 53
Garret Anderson, the multitalented outfielder who became the Los Angeles Angels’ career hits leader and led the team to its only World Series title in 2002, has died at age 53, the Angels announced.

Dodgers-Rockies Game Experiences Snow Storm Difficulties
Come first pitch, the temps had risen to a balmy 35 degrees.

Can Extensions Go Too Far?
One of the less talked about big stories of the early 2026 season is the number of big-time extensions handed out to big prospects, even before reaching the Majors. But are some of these pseudo-mega-deals going too far? A likely answer will be found with the Chicago Cubs and PCA.

Seidler Family Nearing Deal To Sell Padres To José E. Feliciano
The deal values the Padres franchise at close to $3.9 billion, which would shatter the previous record for a big league franchise in a sale. Steve Cohen’s $2.4 billion purchase of the Mets in 2020 currently stands as the record. You simply are not going to convince me that MLB is not growing financially by leaps and bounds as these sorts of figures factor into the upcoming CBA talks.

Brock Stewart made his second rehab appearance for the Class-A Tower Buzzers on Friday night in Ontario, three days after his first appearance.

This time around, Stewart retired the first two batters before allowing a two-out single then hit a batter in an eight-pitch battle. He was pulled with two outs in the inning, already at 22 pitches. Both runners were stranded.

This is expected to be a multi-week rehab stint for Stewart, who did not pitch in spring training after right shoulder surgery late last September.

Player of the day

Double-A Tulsa third baseman Jake Gelof was a triple shy of the cycle, including a two-run walk-off home run on Friday night.

Gelof tripled, doubled, and singled in his three-RBI affair.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

The Comets built a 13-3 lead then held on for a one-run win over the Albuquerque Isotopes (Rockies). Each team had an eight-run inning — Oklahoma City in the fifth, Albuquerque in the seventh.

Every Comets starter had at least one hit and scored at least one run. All nine starters also reached base at least twice, including Ryan Fitzgerald with a triple and three RBI, and Zach Ehrhard with two hits and three RBI.

Ronan Kopp faced eight batters and retired three of them with a four-walk outing. He gave up the first five runs in the seventh. Griff McGarry, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, gave up a run and two walks and two strikeouts in the ninth before getting removed with two outs in his Dodgers organization debut. Jordan Weems stranded the tying and winning runs on base with a strikeout to earn the save.

Ryan Ward was originally in Oklahoma City’s lineup at first base but he did not play on Friday, with Nick Senzel batting third and playing first base in his place. That’s because Ward is joining the Dodgers in Denver, per Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic. When he might be activated is another story.

Double-A Tulsa

Gelof’s home run completed a comeback that began in the eighth inning of the Drillers’ win over the Arkansas Travelers (Mariners).

Tulsa trailed 4-1 after starter Patrick Copen was chased in the fifth inning, but Kelvin Ramirez struck out three in his 2 1/3 scoreless frames, followed by scoreless innings from Lucas Wepf and Nick Robertson. Robertson struck out the side in the ninth to earn the win.

Josue De Paula had two hits and a run batted in the victory.

High-A Great Lakes

Down 4-0 in the fifth inning of the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, the Loons rallied for three runs in the final three innings to salvage a split with the Dayton Dragons (Reds). Mike Sirota, who doubled and scored the only run for Great Lakes in the opener, had two hits in the nightcap, including a triple and two-run, walk-off double in the seventh.

Logan Tabeling struck out eight in 3 1/3 innings in his start of the second game, allowing only one unearned run. Cody Morse struck out three in two perfect innings to earn the win in the nightcap.

Sterling Patick walked the tightrope early on in the first game, allowing eight baserunners in the first three innings but stranded them all. In the fourth, he wasn’t as fortunate, allowing a single, walk, two stolen bases, and three runs (two earned) while recording just one out.

Class-A Ontario

The Tower Buzzers scored single runs in the final four innings, but fell one run short of the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies), who rode a four-run seventh inning to victory.

Jesus Tillero was previously unscored upon in his first 11 innings of the season, with 13 strikeouts. But he had a wild night on Friday with five walks while allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Starter Cam Leiter struck out three in two scoreless innings on the mound.

Outfielder Ching-Hsien Ko hit a solo shot in the sixth inning, his first home run in Class-A in his 34th game at the level. He had a three-hit night and is 5-for-7 since getting activated off the injured list Wednesday.

Infielder Jose Hernandez, who homered once in three games for Rancho Cucamonga last year, homered in the ninth inning to pull the Tower Buzzers to within one, his first home run in eight games for Ontario.

Emil Moralez, playing third base on Friday, had three hits in the loss.

Transactions

Triple-A: Friday’s originally scheduled starting pitcher was River Ryan, but he was placed on the seven-day injured list instead, with a hamstring issue per Comets announcer Alex Freedman on the broadcast. That made active roster room for right-hander Chayce McDermott, who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

Class-A: Outfielder Brendan Tunink was Ontario’s hottest hitter to open the season, hitting .379/.424/.828 with three home runs and four doubles in eight games. But he was placed on the injured list on Friday after getting hurt scoring on a single from second base in Tuesday’s game. Tower Buzzers manager John Shoemaker didn’t want to commit to a timetable for Tunink. “Hard to say, it’s a little bit of a hamstring issue,” he said. “Sometimes those are tough to come back from. We just don’t know yet.”

Friday scores

• Oklahoma City 13, Albuquerque 12
• Tulsa 5, Arkansas 4
• Dayton 8, Great Lakes 1 (Game 1)
• Great Lakes 5, Dayton 4 (Game 2)
• Fresno 5, Ontario 4

Saturday schedule

• 10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Zach Root) vs. Dayton (Beau Blanchard)
• 5 p.m.: Tulsa (Wyatt Crowell) vs. Arkansas (Ryan Sloan)
• 5:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Jackson Ferris) at Albuquerque (TBA)
• 6:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Fresno (Angel Jimenez)