Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

Annnnnd we're back!#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/wboap6XmdT

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 14, 2026

For the Cubs:

Night two in Philly.

Watch the game live on @WatchMarquee. pic.twitter.com/O6bpAMSUaf

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 14, 2026

Let’s talk about it.

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Although the Minnesota Twins have been red-hot at the plate, rookie pitcher Mick Abel has struggled. 

That’s why my MLB picks are backing the “yes run first inning” market in tonight's matchup against the Boston Red Sox.

Check out what other bets I'm making in my free YRFI and NRFI bets for Tuesday, April 14.

Best NRFI/YRFI bets today

Giants at Reds: NRFI (+100)

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer has been awful this season, pitching to a 7.71 ERA through three starts. That said, the veteran posted a 3.96 FIP across 64 starts over the last two years, so expect improvement.

Singer is set to face a San Francisco Giants lineup that ranks 29th in the majors in runs per game (3.19) and 28th in OBP (.288).

The Giants will counter with lefty Robbie Ray and his 2.08 ERA. The veteran has great swing-and-miss stuff, and Cincinnati sits 28th in runs per game (3.38) and 29th in OPS (.623).

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBC Sports BA | Reds.TV

Angels at Yankees: YRFI (-115)

The New York Yankees will give the ball to lefty Ryan Weathers, whose 5.12 xERA and .299 xBA suggest he’s been very lucky. The southpaw will take on a Los Angeles Angels lineup that enters tonight seventh in the majors in OPS against southpaws (.726).

Meanwhile, the Yankees have been a bit inconsistent at the dish this year, but the analytics suggest positive regression. They rank first in the majors in barrel rate, third in hard-hit rate, and second in xwOBAcon (.403).

• Time: 7:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel SN West | YES

Red Sox at Twins: YRFI (+110)

Sonny Gray has looked sharp in two of three starts this year. That said, the Boston Red Sox hurler had a 4.28 ERA last season, including sporting a 4.50 ERA and .256 OBA in the first inning.

Gray's strikeout rate has plummeted to just 15.2%, and the Minnesota Twins are also red-hot at the dish, having posted an OPS of .839 over the last week. 

Meanwhile, the Red Sox have plated 6+ runs in three straight games. They face 24-year-old Mick Abel, who has failed to play up to his vast potential. Abel finished with a 6.23 ERA last year, and his xERA is at 7.17 through 13 1/3 frames this year.

• Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NESN+ | Twins.TV

What is a NRFI bet?

NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.

A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.

NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.

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.

The Colorado Rockies optioned right-handed long reliever Valente Bellozo to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on Monday. However, a corresponding roster move was not announced until Tuesday afternoon as right-handed pitcher Tanner Gordon has been recalled from the Isotopes.

Bellozo, pitched 4.1 innings of relief on Sunday against the San Diego Padres when anticipated starter Kyle Freeland was a last-minute scratch due to posterior left shoulder soreness. He gave up five earned runs on eight hits—including three home runs—with four walks and a hit batter. He only tallied one strikeout.

Right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen will make his scheduled start on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros, but the Rockies were in need of reinforcements with a depleted bullpen and down multiple starters due to injuries.

Gordon, 26, made 15 starts for the Rockies in 2025 and has been off to a strong start in 2026 with Triple-A Albuquerque. In his first three Triple-A starts of the season he has a 2.76 ERA with 15 strikeouts to four walks over 16.1 innings of work. He’s also given up just one home run so far in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League.

Gordon can either make a start during this Houston series—his last start was on April 8th so he is well rested—or will be available for bulk work out of the bullpen. His role is likely dependent on the status of veteran starting pitcher José Quintana, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right hamstring strain retroactive to March 30th. Quintana will potentially be activated this week.

It is currently unknown if Kyle Freeland will need to be placed on the injured list.

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As it turns out, Thursday night will be a very good day for local fans in Rome to show up to the ballpark and for Braves fans in general to keep an eye on the Rome Emperors. Walt Weiss spoke with the media before Tuesday’s night middle game between the Braves and the Marlins and revealed that Spencer Strider will be joining Sean Murphy in Rome to begin his rehab assignment as well.

#Braves Spencer Strider will begin his rehab assignment with Rome on Thursday (40-45 pitches).

Sean Murphy will catch him as his rehab assignment begins tonight.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 14, 2026

While Murphy is expected to begin his rehab stint tonight, he’ll serve as a battery mate with Spencer Strider on Thursday night since that’s when Strider will make his first start since suffering an oblique injury during the tail end of spring training. According to Weiss, Strider is expected to toss 40-45 pitches before bowing out. I’d imagine that Strider’s timetable for a potential return to the big leagues will come shortly after his performance and the obvious hope is that he’ll look good enough once he’s done on Thursday night.

At the same time, they could really try to let him stretch out as much as possible since he’s dealing with an oblique injury after all. Obliques are notoriously tricky to deal with and the obvious hope is that Strider won’t re-aggravate the injury in any way, shape or form while he’s on rehab assignment with Rome. So this could only be the first start for Strider on rehab for all we know.

We also got a look at what Sean Murphy’s rehab schedule in Rome will look like:

#Braves catcher Sean Murphy's rehab schedule with Rome:

TUE: Catch 4 innings
WED: Off Day
THU: Catch 5 innings
FRI: Off Day
SAT: Catch 5+ innings
SUN: Designated hitter

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 13, 2026

Either way, if you’re a fan in the Rome area then Thursday night seems like the perfect night to mosey on over to the ballpark to catch a game. If you can’t make it to the game, you’ll be able to watch for free on Bally Sports Live and I highly suggest that y’all do so since the Braves will be off on Thursday, anyways. Here’s hoping that the rehab stint is a successful one for both Murphy and Strider and that we’ll see them both at the big league level real soon!

Today’s roster moves: Here

The Cubs are interested in Lucas Giolito, per The Athletic.

Tuesday notes…

• DOUBLE DIGITS THE WRONG WAY: Last night’s game was the Cubs’ 106th since 2016 in which they allowed double-digit runs. They played another game after 102 of the previous ones. They won 53 and lost 49, including 1-0 this year, 7-4 last year and 5-4 in 2024. They allowed an average of 4.34 runs in all 102 subsequent games, including five shutouts and 20 games with one run. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• DANSBY, HEATING UP: Dansby Swanson, last three games: 3-for-9 (.333) with two home runs, four walks and six runs scored.
• KEEPING POSITIVE: The Cubs’ five-run eighth Monday kept their run differential in positive territory at +4, despite their 7-9 record.
• YOU GO, MO BALLER: Moisés Ballesteros, last six games since April 7: .563/.556/1.000 (9-for-16) with a double, two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored. (The BA/OBP difference is a mathematical oddity due to having one walk and one sacrifice fly.)

Cubs lineup:

Night two in Philly.

Watch the game live on @WatchMarquee. pic.twitter.com/O6bpAMSUaf

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 14, 2026

Phillies lineup:

Annnnnd we're back!#RingTheBellpic.twitter.com/wboap6XmdT

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 14, 2026

Riley Martin, LHP vs. Aaron Nola, RHP

Riley Martin, clearly, is an opener tonight, starting so he can face Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, Phillies left-handed batters who will come to the plate in the first inning.

Martin started one game at Triple-A Iowa this year and allowed one run in three innings. He’s never faced the Phillies, obviously, and perhaps he can stop Schwarber and Harper, and then give way, most likely, to Colin Rea, the originally scheduled starter for this game.

Rea stepped in admirably for Matthew Boyd when Boyd hit the injured list — just as he subbed capably for Justin Steele last year. He threw five two-hit innings against the Rays last Wednesday.

Last year, Rea made two starts against the Phillies. One was pretty good, the other not so much. J.T. Realmuto is 5-for-11 with a home run vs. Rea, and Kyle Schwarber has also homered off him.

Aaron Nola is off to a good start this year, with all three of his starts at least decent.

Last year he missed a whole bunch of time due to injuries, but before that he threw seven one-run innings against the Cubs April 27, 2025 at Wrigley Field.

Michael Conforto has homered twice off Nola — but is 10-for-53 overall with 19 strikeouts. Similar for Dansby Swanson: three homers off Nola, but overall 15-for-66 (.227) with 13 strikeouts.

Here is the weather forecast for Philadelphia.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on TBS (outside the Cubs and Phillies market territories).

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Mets site Amazin’ Avenue. If you do go there to interact with Mets fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

A brand new day for another game of baseball. This time, the Atlanta Braves are looking to bounce back from an embarrassing low-run loss in yesterday’s matchup. The rosters have been released.

Another day at the office 💼#BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/iJPXzgL6K1

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 14, 2026

No changes to today’s lineup, as it’s an exact reflection of yesterday.

You know what this could tell us? The same roster is set for their version of redemption, and chalk yesterday up to an unlucky opener. Reynaldo López will be taking the mound in his return, and if he can keep his steady streak (pre-brawl versus the Angels last week), the defense will be taken care of.

Maximizing runs on the board and applying offensive pressure will be what this competition comes down to. And if they can take advantage of Marlins’ Max Meyer’s weaknesses on the road, they just might accomplish that. When the Braves faced him on the road before, the on-base percentage was pretty high. Let’s see if they can extend that.

The Marlins are also keeping most of their lineup the same, with only one change near the bottom of the order.

Tuesday at Truist

📺: https://t.co/pMAEOPHNJ8
👂: @MarlinsRadio, @radiomambi710, 560 WQAM
⏰: 7:15 PM ET#FightinFishpic.twitter.com/1ausKCvzud

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 14, 2026

Javier Sanoja will be taking over left field in today’s matchup, but the remainder of the roster is staying the same, in hopes of having a repeat of game one.

And get this, no one on the roster has faced López, so we’re in for a treat.

7:15 p.m. EDT is where it all happens tonight. We’ll check in with you after to discuss the results.

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz has returned to his post, but did not emerge totally unscathed after taking a line drive off his face during a ballgame.

Albernaz told reporters Tuesday, April 14 that he suffered a broken jaw and at least seven facial fractures when a foul ball off Jeremiah Jackson's bat, clocked at 70.6 mph, struck him in the face during the fifth inning the night before.

The first-year manager was quickly shuttled down the tunnel and into the clubhouse by coaches and ballplayers, but he returned to the dugout a little less than an hour later. Perhaps unrelatedly, the Orioles stormed back from a six-run deficit as Jackson hit a grand slam and solo home run to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-7.

Albernaz did not meet with the news media after the game, farming out those duties to bench coach Donnie Ecker, but he was back for his usual afternoon briefing, and just like his first press conference as manager, evoked the name of his 2-year-old daughter.

Craig Albernaz has a broken jaw & 7 fractures in his cheek/orbital area after he was hit by a foul line drive in the face last night.

Albernaz is in good spirits & was joking through his pregame media.

Here’s a look at the damage, with a scrape on his cheek and a black eye. pic.twitter.com/tvcyo8NuMk

— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) April 14, 2026

"Gigi," Albernaz said after telling reporters he'd be on a diet of soft foods for several weeks, "has a better diet than I do."

The Massachusetts native has a scar on his cheek and a semblance of a shiner on his right eye, but is no worse for wear. Nor are the Orioles - they've now won six of seven games to improve to 9-7 and share the AL East lead with the New York Yankees.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orioles' Craig Albernaz injury update: Foul ball broke manager's jaw