The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up their road trip Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Kyle Leahy (2-2 with a 5.21 ERA) is scheduled to make the start for the Cardinals while Janson Junk (0-2 with a 4.50 ERA) will take the mound for the Marlins. First pitch scheduled for 11:10am.
Sign up for a user account and get:
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Detroit Tigers will be looking to bounce back from a series opener loss to the Milwaukee Brewers as the two teams meet again tonight.
Behind Casey Mize, I’m eyeing Detroit to snatch the second game of this series in my Brewers vs. Tigers predictions.
Read more for my MLB picks for Wednesday, April 22.
The Detroit Tigers were blown out 12-4 on Tuesday, dropping a rare home game. When playing at Comerica Park this season, the Tigers have compiled an 8-2 record at home this season. To put that dominance into perspective, they’re 12-12 overall.
AJ Hinch sends Casey Mize to the mound tonight, who has pitched to a 2.78 ERA. He’s only made one start at home, but it was impressive, allowing one earned run across 5.2 innings. The Brew Crew has faced him before, but they’ve only had 24 at-bats throughout the lineup.
On the other side, Chad Patrick takes the hill. Detroit has never faced him, but Patrick’s 0.95 ERA is a bit misleading. Firstly, he hasn’t faced a ton of difficult lineups so far, and Patrick relies heavily on contact, striking out just nine hitters in 19 innings. He also has a 3.93 FIP.
The Tigers are scoring over five runs per game at home as well.
COVERS INTEL:Mize has struck out 25 hitters in 22.2 innings of work, and he owns an impressive 1.19 WHIP. Milwaukee is 14th in the Majors in strikeouts.While I do expect both pitchers to throw the ball well, there’s reason to believe we could see a decent amount of runs, even if they come later in the game. Patrick will come down to earth, and Detroit will respond with a win. However, the trends point to runs.
The Brew Crew has cashed the Over in three of their last four. The Tigers have also hit the Over in runs in three straight. Both of these bullpens also have ERAs over four, so once the starters have departed, there’s lots of opportunity for runs.
Plus, the Milwaukee Brewers are fourth in runs scored, and Detroit is 15th. As previously mentioned, they swing it better at Comerica, too.
The Detroit Tigers have hit the Game Total Over in 28 of their last 45 games at home (+13.70 Units / 28% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Brewers vs. Tigers.
| Location | Comerica Park, Detroit, MI |
| Date | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 |
| First pitch | 6:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | Brewers.TV, DSN |
| Brewers starting pitcher | Chad Patrick (1-0, 0.95 ERA) |
| Tigers starting pitcher | Casey Mize (1-1, 2.78 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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.
NEW YORK — The flailing Mets returned home Tuesday to a quieter reception than manager Carlos Mendoza and his players anticipated with the club trying to snap an 11-game losing streak.
The tone changed once it became clear the skid was going to last at least another night.
Embattled closer Devin Williams allowed a tiebreaking RBI single to Luke Keaschall in the ninth inning and New York lost its 12th straight, falling 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.
With an opening-day payroll of $352.2 million that tops the majors, the Mets have baseball’s worst record at 7-16. The skid is their longest since they dropped 12 straight from Aug. 10-23, 2002. No team has made the playoffs after a season in which it lost 12 in a row.
New York is hitting .194 during the losing streak while being outscored 67-22. The Mets didn’t have slugger Juan Soto for any of that stretch, but he is expected to come off the injured list Wednesday after missing the last 16 games with a strained right calf.
“I’ve never been a part of something like this,” Williams said. “I think we just need to get the one win out of the way and I think everything else will take care of itself. But it’s obviously proving pretty difficult right now.”
Williams, who failed to record an out, was booed off the mound by what was left of the announced crowd of 32,798. The actual crowd appeared far smaller on a night when the temperature at first pitch was 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 Celsius).
At least a few spectators showed their displeasure with the time-honored tradition of wearing paper bags over their heads.
Fans began chanting “Fire Mendy!” as Williams loaded the bases. Austin Warren relieved Williams and received an ovation when he struck out Royce Lewis. The crowd then chanted his name after he struck out the next two batters, Brooks Lee and Byron Buxton.
The mood was far lighter a few hours earlier.
Patrick Heaney, the only person in section 524 at Citi Field shortly before the start of the game, grinned as he gazed at a sea of empty seats.
“You wouldn’t be here tonight if you weren’t a Met fan,” Heaney said.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor said following Sunday’s 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs that he expected it to “get very loud” Tuesday night. But the fans didn’t make much noise until the third inning, when Lindor hit a three-run homer to open the scoring and give the Mets their biggest lead since a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on April 5.
“I think if they can get it going today, I think the fans will rally around them,” said Josh Hudson, a Tennessee resident in town for business who was sitting in section 509 with a $15 ticket he bought on the secondary market.
Heaney, a resident of Malverne on Long Island who wore a Mets hat and 2022 playoff sweatshirt, grinned as he recalled how he ended up buying a $12 ticket and heading to the game alone.
“I couldn’t get my wife to come,” Heaney said. “I couldn’t get my kids to come. I couldn’t get my friends to come. I bought one ticket, the cheapest one I could find, and I’m going to see if I can help them turn it around.”
Mendoza, in his third season as manager after six seasons on the Yankees’ coaching staff, said before the game he wouldn’t mind a frosty reception because he knows how fans will react if the team fares better.
“They’re also going to be right behind you when we flip it around,” Mendoza said. “We’ve seen that before, too, so it’s nothing new for us that have been here. We expect those guys to continue to support us, but we’ve got to do better for them, too.
“It’s all part of it. It comes with the territory. Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
With Tulsa’s game getting postponed in Frisco, the Oklahoma City Comets were left to salvage the day across the Dodgers minor league system, even though certain individuals performed at a very high level elsewhere.
The Great Lakes Loons’ loss against the Beloit Sky Carp didn’t result from a lack of offensive firepower, primarily led by the efforts of Charles Davalan and Jose Meza, both homering twice for the first time this season. In fact, Meza, who was the Loons DH on the evening, had only one home run the whole year prior to this game.
Meza’s performance was more boom or bust, with him striking out the other three times he didn’t homer, going two for five. Meanwhile, Davalan added another hit on top of his two long balls and continues to impress since being selected with the 41st pick of last year’s Draft.
Playing in High-A for the first time in his career, Davalan has a .321 batting average in 56 at-bats with eight extra-base hits, one of the standout performers for the Great Lakes Loons.
A strong offensive performance in the first inning turned out to be nearly all the Comets needed to beat the Reiniers at home and give Ryder Ryan his second win of the season, moving to a 2-0 record despite having an ERA slightly above 5.00.
James Tibbs III and Jack Suwinski got the scoring started for the Comets, both with RBI doubles in the first, but it was Austin Gathier who headlined this win. The veteran second baseman hit a two-run homer to complete the crooked number in the first and added an RBI single in the third, driving in Tibbs III.
Ryan’s start wasn’t smooth, with nine baserunners in just five innings, but he kept the Comets in control of the game, allowing just three runs, and ultimately that was all that mattered. Sent to OKC after a couple of scoreless outings with the Tower Buzzers, Brock Stewart secured a hold in this game with a pair of strikeouts in a clean inning.
Tulsa’s game was postponed, which means a doubleheader today against Frisco.
Twice, both in the fifth and seventh innings, the Loons had a four-run lead thanks to out-homering the Sky Carp five to one. That wasn’t enough to secure the win as their bullpen completely imploded to allow six runs in the seventh, culminating in a 10-8 defeat.
The first reliever out of the bullpen in the sixth, Joseilyn González got through his opening frame without a problem, but he allowed the first three hitters he faced in the seventh to reach safely—it was a mess that not only Justin Chambers was unable to clean, but significantly worsened, leaving the game with three earned runs and without recording a single out.
This blown save squandered a rare game with not one but two different hitters going deep twice for the Loons in Davalan and Meza. The offense had a chance to get back into it late, trailing 9-8 at the top of the eighth, but Nico Pérez got picked off attempting to swipe second base with two outs and Meza at the plate, thus ending the threat.
If the bullpen was to blame for the Loons’ particularly frustrating defeat, the relievers contributed heavily to a blowout loss against the San José Giants, who now moved to a 12-4 record after beating the Towe Buzzers 12-2.
Starter Brady Smith wasn’t really on his game, but the right-hander just allowed one unearned run in three innings of work. Three of the four relievers to come out of Ontario’s bullpen allowed at least three earned runs, and at the end of nine, the Tower Buzzers pitchers had more walks (9) than strikeouts (8).
The offense had no answer against Keyner Martíinez, who struck out seven on his way to five clean innings. Much like it was used to describe the struggles of Ontario’s pitching, the strikeout-to-walk ratio serves to highlight the Giants’ dominance, punching out 15 and walking just two.
The Tulsa Drillers placed catcher Yeiner Fernandez and left-hander Luke Fox on the 7-day injured list. The Dodgers optioned outfielder Ryan Ward to the Comets and also sent righty Brock Stewart to a rehab assignment with OKC. Lastly, the Comets activated Chuckie Robinson from the injured list.
Since Michigan basketball cut down the nets inside Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, the top priority for men's college basketball programs over the last two weeks has been finding solutions to holes in their roster from last season with the transfer portal.
Programs like Louisville, Indiana, Texas and Tennessee have proven to be big winners with their activity in the transfer portal, which has included additions of Flory Bidunga and Jackson Shelstad to the Cardinals and Isaiah Johnson and David Punch to the Longhorns.
But with the transfer portal entry window officially closed, there's another key entry deadline looming for college basketball players: to declare for the NBA draft, either by forgoing their college eligibility or retaining it by "testing the waters."
There have already been some players who enter the portal, committed to a new program and remain in the NBA draft process, like Bidunga and John Blackwell, who announced his transfer from Wisconsin to Duke on Tuesday. There have been players, like UConn's Braylon Mullins, who were projected to go into the draft but elected to return to college next season instead. But other household names have yet to officially announce their plans for next season with the deadline looming not too far in the distance.
So, with April 24's deadline looming, who has already declared for the 2026 NBA Draft, and more importantly, who hasn't, as teams continue to fill out their rosters for the 2026-2027 college basketball season?
Here's a closer look at the NBA draft prospect pool and key deadlines and dates for the 2026 NBA Draft:
Each of the top three projected picks for the 2026 NBA Draft — Duke's Cameron Boozer, BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas' Darryn Peterson — have yet to announce their decision to declare at the time of this writing. All three players are expected to declare for the NBA draft before Friday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline.
In USA TODAY Sports' latest NBA mock draft, Dybantsa is projected to go No. 1 overall to the Washington Wizards, while Boozer is projected to go to the Indiana Pacers and Peterson is projected to land with the Brooklyn Nets with the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks, respectively.
Here's a list of some notable college basketball players who haven't declared for the NBA draft yet:
Here's a running list of some notable college basketball players who have already declared for the NBA draft:
* Denotes players who have also entered the transfer portal and/or testing NBA waters
The entry deadline for players for the 2026 NBA Draft is 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 24.
Friday's deadline is one of several key deadlines for players who apply for NBA draft entry, however. Should a player enter the draft but decide to "test the waters" and keep their college eligibility, they have until 11:59 p.m ET on May 27 to withdraw and return to their respective college program. The NBA-specific deadline for an early entry player to withdraw from the pool of prospects is 5 p.m. ET on June 13.
The 2026 NBA Draft starts on June 23 at 8 p.m. ET with the first round at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The second round will start at 8 p.m. ET on June 24 at the Barclays Center.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who hasn't declared yet for NBA draft? Latest on Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Chicago Cubs have won seven straight games, including multi-run victories over Philadelphia in the first two games of the series.
With a fatigued bullpen and Taijuan Walker expected to pitch in bulk relief, my Phillies vs. Cubs predictions expect Chicago to complete the sweep.
Let’s take a closer look at my daily MLB picks for April 22.
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to use Kyle Backhus as an opener before turning to Taijuan Walker for a handful of innings. That’s a recipe for disaster.
Backhus has allowed four runs and a couple of homers in 6 2/3 innings, while Walker’s struggles have been even more alarming.
He owns a 9.16 ERA, 2.04 WHIP, and has surrendered six homers in less than 19 innings of work. That's resulted in a -0.81 win probability added (WPA), the worst mark of today’s projected arms.
The Chicago Cubs rank fourth in runs per game and OPS, and should be heading for another big day.
COVERS INTEL: Chicago has posted a 21.9% line drive rate at home against right-handed pitching — the fifth-highest mark in the majors.Taijuan Walker has allowed four or more runs in three of his four appearances, and that's no coincidence.
He ranks in the ninth percentile or lower in whiff rate, xERA, and xBA. He can’t miss bats and is allowing a ton of quality contact.
The Phillies have gotten 4 2/3 frames or less from their starter in three straight games and used five relievers yesterday, leaving their bullpen vulnerable behind him.
Matthew Boyd has allowed a sky-high 17.3% barrel rate early on and last pitched April 1, which is less than ideal when taking on a Phillies team with real power.
The Chicago Cubs have hit the moneyline in their last seven games (+7.40 Units / 88% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Cubs.
| Location | Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 |
| First pitch | 7:40 p.m. ET |
| TV | NBCSP, MARQ |
| Phillies starting pitcher | Kyle Backhus (0-0, 5.40 ERA) |
| Cubs starting pitcher | Matthew Boyd (1-1, 6.75 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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.
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The Detroit Pistons look to even the series after being silenced in Game 1 by the Orlando Magic.
We break down Kalshi’s win probability markets and deliver some Magic vs. Pistons predictions to help guide your NBA picks for Wednesday, April 22.
Magic win probability:23% (+335)
Pistons win probability:78% (-355)
Despite Orlando’s Game 1 upset over Detroit, the Pistons remain heavy favorites heading into tonight, trading at 78¢.
Our prediction:Pistons to win
The Detroit Pistons weren’t in “playoff” mode in Game 1, while the Orlando Magic were still sweating from the Play-In Tournament.
Oddsmakers aren’t shying away from the top-seeded squad, with Detroit laying nearly double digits in Game 2. The Pistons even the series at 1-1 on Wednesday.
Read more in Jason Logan's full Magic vs. Pistons predictions.
Sign up now using our exclusive Kalshi promo code 'COVERS' and get a $10 trading bonus after you trade $10 on any other event contracts — including Magic/Pistons!
*Eligible to ALL states + DC, (excluding Nevada)
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Magic vs. Pistons at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Pistons -7.5 spread means the Pistons will cover, while "No" means the Magic will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).
| Outcome | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Pistons -7.5 | 56¢ (-127) | 45¢ (+122) |
| Over 219.5 points | 48¢ (+108) | 54¢ (-117) |
Our predictions:Pistons -7.5 — Yes
Most road teams aim for a split in those first two tilts of a series, and the Magic have already achieved that.
Mix in Orlando’s infuriating inconsistency, and I have a tough time trusting in a repeat performance.
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts," which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Pistons win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
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.
Oh, you thought the Red Sox had pitching depth? Lol, you’re cute. This is 2026, finding actual pitching depth is harder than transiting Hormuz. And with the Sox already looking for arms, Craig Breslow is turning to a AA pitcher who has never thown a single inning of MLB ball. Eduardo Rivera, the 33rd ranked Sox prospect according to Soxprospects.com, will be with the Sox for tonight’s game in Fenway. The 22-yeard-old lefty dominated in two starts this season, but it’s unclear at this point whether the Sox will use him in the bullpen or rotation. When Rivera takes the mound, he’ll already be the fifth Red Sox pitcher to make his MLB debut this year. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
Part of the reason why the Sox pitching depth doesn’t look as strong as it once did is because Kutter Crawford hasn’t been able to find himself back on a mound. Crawford made one outing last week before going in for an MRI on his elbow. While the imagine revealed no structural damage, he has once again been shut down. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
With all due respect to Eduardo Rivera, he’s not exactly a name that’s going to get Sox fans excited when talking about a promotion. Payton Tolle, on the other hand, is. But is he gonig to be back in Boston any time soon? Tolle hasn’t pitched since April 12 — not because he’s hurt, but because he’s been put in limbo in case of a call-up. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
But right now pitching is far from the biggest issue facing the Sox. The Sox failed to score against a pitcher who came into last night’s game with an ERA over 7. And the early season stats are brutal:
And it goes without saying that, while watching a limp offense is alway hard, it’s especially bad against the Yankees, who have put together a lineup with the power that the Red Sox desperately need. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
Win one for Jody? I think of Jody Davis when I think of number 7’s in Cub history (Also, Dansby and Rick Monday). I’ve definitely got seven on the brain with a seventh straight win and a 7-4 win. That’ll be an interesting one for Craig Counsell and the coaching staff. You have to be proud of the guys taking what is there. Also, that was a pretty sloppy win. The Cubs left a ton of baserunners, seemingly having the bases loaded in almost every inning. They also had some uncharacteristic miscues defensively.
On that defensive side, the worst of those came from two errors by Scott Kingery who was essentially playing out of position. Counsell was aggressive using Moisés Ballesteros to pinch hit early and Kingery to run after Mo drew a bases loaded walk for the first Cub run. In fairness, Ballesteros wasn’t going to play third and so using Kingery to run wasn’t the issue. He was going in anyway. Pinch -itting for Matt Shaw was very aggressive when Alex Bregman is DH for the night. Craig has been going to the early aggressive pinch hitting spot, largely batting for Ballesteros. Carson Kelly’s pinch three-run homer in that situation was a big reason for a win over the weekend.
It’s interesting to nitpick on a night when the Cubs scored seven and won. It’s splitting hairs. But also, you burned Shaw with the Phillies looking at a severely depleted bullpen and having to throw lefties basically all night long. Even if they didn’t score in the fifth, the Cubs arguably didn’t need that run as they scored six over the next three. How differently does it sequence without that first run? And things might have stacked differently for Shōta Imanaga who was brilliant but ostensibly would been losing heading to the bottom of the sixth.
The good news is that the Cubs put together 12 hits and drew 10 walks. They only had eight team at bats, so that is a ton of traffic. Everyone who played for the Cubs reached base for the Cubs, including Ballesteros as a pinch-hitter, and Kingery collecting his first hit as a Cub. The Cubs had just two extra-base hits, both of them homers. So this was a lot of grinding.
The Cubs do not look like world beaters. I’m not sure what to expect at any given time out of their bullpen. This has been very opportunistic. They are 8-1 over their last nine and have scored 65 runs in those nine games — more than seven runs per game. I do not believe this is the best baseball this team will play this year. Also, they are doing what they need to do and winning. They are taking what the other team is giving them and they’ve allowed the Mets and Phillies help them win seven games.
Good teams take advantage of sloppy play by the other team. Also, the Cubs are getting contributions from up and down the roster. A lot of people have chipped in and it has covered for some slow starts. But little by little, some signs of life are showing from the slow starters. Seiya Suzuki absolutely demolished a baseball in this one. Alex Bregman had a single and two walks. It doesn’t look all of the way there, but there is progress. Michael Busch had a two-run single off of a lefty and drew a walk. Pete Crow-Armstrong had two hits, including a beautiful bunt single.
It’s all coming together. Bit by bit.
Three Positives:
I’m enjoying every second of this streak even while recognizing it for what it is. The team is now on pace for 98.6 wins.
Game 23, April 21: Cubs 7, Phillies 4 (14-9)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
THREE GOATS:
WPA Play of the Game: Michael Busch batted with the bases loaded and two outs in the sixth, the game tied. He lofted a pop fly into no mans land between the infield and center field. It fell for a two-run single. (.249)
*Phillies Play of the Game: Kyle Schwarber homered with one out in the sixth to tie the game at one. (.169)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 22 Winner: Colin Rea received 146 out of 225 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 3/Bottom 3)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Up Next: How about win one for Andre? The all-time great Cub wore No. 8 for his six years on the North Side. The Cubs last won eight straight in 2023. Further, though, they won 83 games that year. So long winning streaks don’t necessarily correlate with great seasons. Fun with early season numbers: The Pirates lost Tuesday. They are 13-10 and in last place despite being on a 91.6 win pace.
Matthew Boyd (1-1, 6.75, 9.1 IP) makes his third start of the season as he comes off of the injured list. His last major league start was April 1. He did make one rehab start for Iowa. Don’t look at the numbers. He was making sure he was ready to go. It doesn’t feel like he’s likely to get too deep into this one. That’s why Imanaga’s efficient start was so important.
The Phillies will use 28-year-old lefty Kyle Backhus (0-0, 5.40, 6.2 IP) as an opener. Hard to imagine not putting Busch, Ballesteros and PCA all into the bottom of the order. You can slot Ballesteros there, knowing you’ll pinch hit for him later in the game to break up the clump of lefties. This spot was previously Taijuan Walker’s (1-3, 9.16, 18.2 IP). The Cubs can start with Hoerner/Bregman/Happ/Suzuki/Swanson. How long are you going to let Backhus try to pitch? His longest outing was 1.2 IP and 41 pitches. Against the Cubs. Swanson already took him deep in that one. Dansby’s had strong performances in the early going at the plate.
Keep rolling!
In their attempt to aggravate an entire fanbase to absolutely no end, the Phillies have tried every avenue of the game of baseball. The laser-like focus of fans’ ire has been on the offense and rightfully so. The number of ways that one can talk about how much the offense has struggled are legion – they aren’t hitting for much power outside of two players, they aren’t scoring in multiple innings, they have uncompetitive at bats, etc. Players hitting is the part of the game that scores runs and scoring runs helps win games, so naturally it is going to be the target for any team’s struggles. A more pessimistic point of view can focus on the pitching, which has also not been as good as hoped in this early going. Baseball Prospectus pointed that out in their look at teams that have risen and fallen the most in terms of playoff odds in the early going:
Philadelphia’s pitching has registered a 4.84 ERA so far. That’s the third-worst mark in the entire league. And if the bats have made for tedious viewing, the arms have made peoples’ brains implode and melt out their ears. The average wOBA on contact of knocks with an exit velocity of 80 mph or less is .225. Against this staff, it’s been .315. That’s 25 points higher than the team behind them. DRA tells a different story, with a league-leading 3.81 mark. The gap between what they’ve absorbed vs. what they’ve earned is second-worst.
Yet for both of those parts of the game that have dipped in the early going, perhaps nothing is more frustrating than watching a professional baseball team make errors in the field.
We’re so used to watching the Phillies struggle at the plate for long periods of time that we would expect them to perform well at their other job, yet they have not. Their 15 errors in the field is third most in the National League. Considering that they had the third fewest errors in the National League in 2025, this early season lack of performance is concerning.
It’s also that the errors they have committed have happened at some of the more inopportune times, perhaps none moreso than the error committed by Edmundo Sosa on Saturday against the Braves.
An inning that should have been completed by a routine play was allowed to continue, the Braves capitalizing on it by scoring three runs and sealing the victory.
If it feels like the fielding this year has been particularly bad, you’re not alone. Looking at some of the advance numbers, the Phillies are ranking near the bottom of the league in most anything you want to look at as a unit. As of Tuesday, they are:
That’s bad!
Now, the general rule of thumb is that fielding stats, even the ones that we would consider to be advanced, are ones that take a long time to stabilize. There is still a lot of noise happening with these stats, making their trustworthiness and accuracy questionable. For example, it’s hard to believe that someone like Bryce Harper, who has been considered an above average fielder since he started playing first base, has suddenly fallen off a cliff and become the absolute worst fielder in the game right now by FRV. Yet there he sits (or sat, as of Tuesday evening).
However, with the Phillies as a whole, the numbers seem to match the eye test.
They stink right now at defense.
That doesn’t mean improvement isn’t forthcoming. We’ve known and heard stories about the work put in with Bobby Dickerson to improve some of the fielders the team has. That work needs to get put in and soon. The way the offense is underperforming, the pitching cannot be forced to make extra pitches constantly due to shoddy defense. They’re already starting to cycle through bullpen arms to keep pitchers fresh, so a better defense can help in a few, small ways to make that slow down.
It needs to be better.
The Yankees made a quick shuffle today, placing starter Ryan Weathers on the paternity list and recalling Jake Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Bird had been sent down to the minors after allowing three runs in an outing against the Angels, replaced first by Yerry De Lo Santos and then by Angel Chivilli.
This will likely be a quick return to the majors for Bird, who has a ways to go before regaining the Yankees’ trust (he took a step last night, tossing a scoreless inning for Scranton). Despite intriguing stuff, Bird has struggled to an almost shocking degree every time he’s put on pinstripes, getting knocked around for 13 runs in nine innings as a Yankee between 2025 and 2026.
As for Weathers, he’ll be gone for at least one and up to three days per MLB’s paternity leave policy. The left-hander is coming off a superlative start, striking out eight across 7.1 shutout innings against the Royals. He’s largely been impressive in five starts with the New York, posting a 3.18 ERA and 3.28 FIP in 28.1 innings. He was lined up to go on Saturday in Houston, and appears likely to stay in that slot.
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.
The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on an Austin solo home run. Nezuh got the start and pitched well allowing 2 runs over 5 innings of work. The Travelers picked up another run in the 6th to make it 3-1. The Hooks got one back in the 8th to make it 3-2 but that was it from the offense as they fell by the score of 3-2.
Note: Austin has a .991 OPS this season.
Rodriguez got the start for Asheville and pitched well tossing 5.2 innings allowing just 1 run. The offense got on the board in the 7th on a Thomas 3 run home run as Asheville took the lead. The bullpen struggled with the Drive scoring 3 runs in the 8th and 4 runs in the 9th. Asheville got one run back in the 9th on a Cruz RBI single but it wasn’t enough as Asheville fell 8-4.
Note: Thomas has a .904 OPS this season.
The Woodpeckers got on the board in the second inning on a Huezo solo HR, a run scoring on an error and a Forrest RBI single. They got another run in the 4th on a Neyens RBI double. Verdugo got the start and pitched well tossing 4.1 scoreless innings. He was relieved by Beck who allowed 2 runs over 3.1 innings while striking out 6. In the 7th, Flores added some insurance with a 2 run double. Rosario closed it out with 1.1 scoreless innings as the Woodpeckers won 6-2.
Note: Huezo has a .960 OPS this season.
Today’s minor league starters:
SL: Miguel Ullola – 11:05 CT
CC: Bryce Mayer – 6:35 CT
AV: TBD – 5:35 CT
FV: TBD – 10:05 CT
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox continue their series in a battle of two southpaws.
Both of these pitchers have been in some elite waters throughout their careers, but one is clearly better at the moment.
My Yankees vs. Red Sox predictions and MLB picks break down why we like New York to make it two straight over Boston tonight.
Max Fried has once again looked like an elite arm. His 1% barrel rate is one of the best in baseball, his expected ERA is among the Top 10%, and with the swing-and-miss stuff down, he’s seemingly finding ways to reinvent himself. I made the fair price -144, so I’m happy backing New York in this spot.
This Boston Red Sox lineup compounds the issues Fried presents: the Red Sox have a 50% ground-ball rate and just 29% hard contact against left-handed pitching this season.
Fried does not need to strike hitters out to dominate. He induces the weakest contact in the game, and Boston is already predisposed to weak contact against lefties.
Red Sox lefty Ranger Suarez's 4.42 expected ERA tells you his 3.22 surface ERA is living on borrowed time, and the Yankees hit lefties quite hard, posting the fourth-highest hard-hit rate against southpaws this season.
COVERS INTEL: Boston's 50% ground-ball rate against left-handed pitching this season is the highest in the American League East. I lean towards the Under, which is always kind of the directional lean with Fried on the mound. However, though I expect Suarez to get hit, he should have enough success to keep this Under.
Suarez's 46% ground-ball rate plays well against the various weak spots in this New York Yankees lineup, which likely means we won’t see many big innings
Ryan McMahon, Paul Goldschmidt, and Jose Caballero have all started this season with around a 50% ground-ball rate, which is particularly problematic in this spot. On the other side, the Red Sox's weak contact against lefties should show up here.
The Red Sox have cashed the first five innings (F5) team total Under in 19 of their last 30 home games for +6.15 units and a 16% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Red Sox.
| Location | Fenway Park, Boston, MA |
| Date | Wednesday, April 22, 2026 |
| First pitch | 6:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | Prime Video, NESN |
| Yankees starting pitcher | Max Fried (2-1, 2.97 ERA) |
| Red Sox starting pitcher | Ranger Suarez (1-1, 3.22 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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 Houston Astros (9-16) and the Cleveland Guardians (14-11) conclude their three-game series at Progressive Field this afternoon with the teams splitting the first two games.
Last night, Cleveland rookie Parker Messick looked human for the first time this season allowing three runs over five innings, but Houston’s bullpen imploded in the eighth allowing six runs as the Guardians rallied for an 8-5 win. Chase DeLauter drove in a pair with a triple in the big inning and Kyle Manzardo knocked in a pair picked up a couple RBIs with a single later that inning. The Guardians maintained sole possession of first in the AL Central with the win. Houston Maintained their position in the standings as well…last in the AL West.
Tanner Bibee takes the mound for the Guardians today against Peter Lambert of the Astros. Neither hurler has been good to this point on the season. Each continues their pursuit of their first win of the campaign. Bibee brings a 4.81 ERA into the contest while Lambert sports an ERA of 7.20 following his lone start and appearance of the season last week.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Pitching matchup for April 22:
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
We're running with run lines for our MLB best bets today, taking advantage of the prices available at Polymarket (which allows users across the country to join in on baseball action).
Read on to see why our expert MLB picks for April 22 feature the Cubs, Padres, and Dodgers all winning by multiple runs.
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
 Josh Inglis: SD -1.5 | -104 |
 Neil Parker: CHC -1.5 | +122 |
 Joe Osborne: LAD -1.5 | -117 |
Prices courtesy of Polymarket.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $20 trading bonus after you deposit $20 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
*Eligible locations only
Price: 51¢ (-104) at Polymarket
Don’t let the sub-4.00 ERA from Tomoyuki Sugano fool you: He’s been one of the luckiest pitchers to start the year, carrying a 7.71 xERA vs. a 3.92 actual ERA. He’s getting hit hard, running a low BABIP and stranding 88% of runners — clear regression signals. The San Diego Padres, sitting at 16-7 SU, are well-positioned to stack runs tonight, and a late comeback is unlikely with a fully available bullpen, including closer Mason Miller. The fair price on the moneyline sits around -195, versus a -165 market, and the run line breakeven is closer to -130, making -104 strong value. The Rockies were just shut out last night, and I'm expecting those struggles to continue today.
Price: 45¢ (+122) at Polymarket
The Cubs are on a 10-3 heater, while scoring 6.4 runs per game and pacing the majors in wOBA during that span. Chicago has also covered the run line in eight of those 10 wins — and 14 of the past 22 at Wrigley Field overall. Philadelphia is projected to open with Kyle Backhus, followed by veteran Taijuan Walker in a bulk role, which sets up poorly for the Phillies: Walker has been saddled with a 5.08 ERA and 4.90 xFIP, alongside the fourth-lowest strikeout-to-walk rate (7.9%) in the majors across the last four seasons.
Price: 54¢ (-117) at Polymarket
If Shohei Ohtani’s first three starts are any indication, this could be his best season yet on the mound. He’s posted a 0.50 ERA with 18 strikeouts and a 0.72 WHIP, limiting baserunners at an elite level, which lines up strongly against a Giants lineup that's ranked 27th in OBP over the last two weeks. Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle has allowed 5+ earned runs in two of his last three starts and faces the league’s top offense vs. right-handed pitching. I'm also expecting to see a motivated Dodgers team after last night’s loss: They’re 5-1 in games following a defeat in 2026.
| Pick | Odds |
|---|---|
| Orioles ML | +115 |
| Read analysis in our Orioles vs. Royals predictions | |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
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.