Worldwide Sports News

The White Sox are finally having a shred of success after being absolutely barren for three straight years. What does that mean? It means it’s time to start complaining about the disrespect shown to the South Side by [insert national media apparatus here].

Legal sports gambling is an absolute and utter plague upon humanity and should be burnt to a crisp with fire, but I must admit extremely begrudgingly that the disgustingly ubiquitous integration of odds and gambling lines into every corner of sports are useful to the extent that they provide a solid quantitative litmus test of where public opinion lies on any given topic. If it feels like Davis Martin isn’t quite getting his due despite entering today’s start with a 1.64 ERA good for second-best in the AL, you’re not wrong. The amount of respect being afforded to him might be reflected in his absence from ESPN’s purported Top 10 Cy Young favorites, while his opponent on the hill today, Logan Gilbert, made the list despite a 4.30 ERA that would be his worst mark since his rookie season.

Nonetheless, statistical indicators are a much bigger fan of Martin’s work so far. Tom Tango’s Cy Young prediction algorithm, which tries to reflect voting behavior in terms of which stats are weighted the most heavily, has him in third place based on ERA, and second place based on FIP. The same projection systems also cast a lot of doubt on Martin’s ability to hold anything close to this pace — Tango’s formula has him finishing in 14th and 16th place, respectively. It’ll be on Martin to prove them wrong, and he’ll have another opportunity to do so today. He’s worked into the seventh inning in four of his last five starts, and another such effort today will start to put this run near historic territory for the long-gestating 29-year-old righty.

After cycling through a few different options early in the season, it might just be possible that Will Venable has found his leadoff hitter of the future in Sam Antonacci, who is 5-for-17 (.294) hitting first, with two walks, two of his trademark hit batsmen, and five runs scored. That bottom half of the lineup still leaves much to be desired, and I might wager that Drew Romo is the only one who will still be on the roster two months from now.

But if Munetaka Murakami, Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery do anything like they did in last night’s 5-1 win, that might not even matter today. Despite all his ups and downs, Vargas has quietly become an extra-base hit machine since the start of last season, racking up 64 of them in 177 games, which works out to 59 per 162. Here are the two most recent of them, ICYMI:

The lackluster bottom of the lineup also might not matter if Martin continues to do what he’s been doing, which is demonstrate outstanding command of a genuine six-pitch arsenal. It is really hard to throw that many different pitches and still manage the sub-5% walk rate that Martin has to this point. He gets ahead in the count and forces hitters to swing at pitches they probably wouldn’t swing at, if they had a choice.

All that being the case, the key indicator for how this game might go will be Martin’s ability to consistently throw first-pitch strikes, which allows him to aggressively go after hitters in the zone who have no idea which of his six pitches might be coming.

This is a free-swinging Mariners team that’s tied with the Sox for fifth in MLB in strikeout rate. They’re a bottom-10 teams in terms of runs scored, but a Top 10 team in rate stats like OPS and wRC+. It’s a lineup that’s probably due to turn around sooner rather than later, so let’s hope they can put that off for one more game before both teams move on to the next series.

First pitch is scheduled for at 1:10 p.m. CT, live from Rate Field in Armour Square. If you want to join us, broadcasts are available on CHSN (TV) and WMVP AM 1000 (radio) like always!

It’s been a tough weekend for the Yankees. We were firsthand witnesses to just how overpowering Jacob Misiorowski can be on Friday, and yesterday was one of those annoying extra innings games on the road that the club just hasn’t been able to handle since the Manfred Man rule change. They’ve got one chance to salvage a game in this series before heading to Baltimore, and they’ll turn to Carlos Rodón to help make it happen.

The lefthander has completed his rehab assignment, and will make his season debut on the road in Wisconsin. Rodón made more starts than anyone in baseball last year, not exactly something he had a reputation for doing, but a month into the year is now expected to deliver high-impact results more than pure workhorse behavior. In his final rehab start with Triple-A Scranton on Tuesday, he delivered 83 pitches and 6.1 innings, and the Yankees would likely be thrilled with a repeat performance. Don’t expect him to get above 90 tosses, but if he can balance that with some length, that would go a long way to the club’s confidence in him going forward.

The Brewers counter with Logan Henderson, who may end up a tough nut to crack despite a 4.50 ERA. The righty has yet to allow a home run, and a wicked 33.3 percent K-BB rate indicates the Yankees can’t expect an easier opposing starter than anything they’ve seen all weekend. If Carlos looks like his 2026 self, we very well may see a dynamite pitcher’s duel to close this series.

As expected, J.C. Escarra gets the start behind the plate spelling Austin Wells. Facing the righthanded Henderson, Ryan McMahon also takes over for Amed Rosario at the hot corner. The top four in the lineup remain unchanged from yesterday’s loss.

How to Watch:

Location: American Family Field — Milwaukee, WI

First Pitch: 2:10 pm EDT

TV broadcast: YES (NYY) | Brewers.TV (MIL)

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | WTMJ 620 (MIL)

Online stream: Gotham Sports App, MLB Network (out-of-market)

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Happy Mother’s Day! 16 years ago yesterday, former Athletics pitcher and current television broadcaster Dallas Braden threw his historic perfect game on Mother’s Day. Today, the Athletics look to have more success on this annual occasion by finishing the road trip with a victory and completing a three-game sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

Right-hander Luis Severino will start the A’s 40th game of the season. He enters his ninth start with a 2-3 record, a 4.15 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched. Severino was tagged with the loss in his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies, despite surrendering only one run in five innings of work. The A’s bullpen later imploded, turning a tight game into a dominant Phillies victory. The 32-year-old aims to continue his strong run of form this morning. Severino is surely happy to get another start on the road as he has performed much better away from Sacramento during his tenure with this team.

The A’s lineup today shakes out like this:

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay is sticking with the same starting nine that has helped his club win three in a row. Shea Langeliers is catching for the third straight game, a decision likely tied to the A’s having a day off tomorrow. Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and shortstop Jacob Wilson need bounce-back performances after each went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts yesterday. In Wilson’s case, it was the notoriously difficult-to-strikeout hitter’s first three-strikeout game in the majors. However, he has been chasing more pitches outside the strike zone this season, so a game like that could be what he needs to start showing more patience and discipline at the plate.

This lineup could soon be joined by minor-league prospect Henry Bolte, who is absolutely raking at Triple-A Las Vegas. After going a remarkable 12-for-12 with two home runs in each of his last two games, the young outfielder has firmly entered the conversation for his first MLB call-up. The problem is that the A’s have an outfield logjam at the moment. Outfielder Lawrence Butler is struggling offensively, but it is unlikely the A’s would send a player they recently extended to Triple-A. With Zack Gelof proving capable of handling third base, the team could instead option fellow third baseman Brett Harris to the minors to make room for Bolte.

Today’s lineup will be seeing an opener. Left-hander Keegan Akin will pitch the first inning or two for Baltimore. Then, scheduled starter Chris Bassitt will pitch the next several innings. The veteran right-hander, who spent six seasons with the A’s from 2015 to 2021, signed a one-year deal with the Orioles this past offseason.

Bassitt has not gotten off to a strong start with his new team. Through seven starts, he is 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP. In his last outing against the Miami Marlins, he allowed four runs on six hits over four innings. Today, the Orioles will count on Bassitt to pitch better against his former team as they try to avoid a home sweep. Hopefully, the A’s can take advantage of a pitcher who has a well-documented history of success, yet is off to a tough start this season.

And Baltimore’s lineup:

The A’s pitching staff has mostly limited Baltimore’s offense through the first two games of this series. Now it is up to Severino to finish the job.

A road sweep would mean a happy flight home. Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:

Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, A’s Cast

Chicago Cubs @ Texas Rangers

Sunday, May 10, 2026, 1:35 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Jameson Taillon vs. RHP Jacob deGrom

Go Rangers!

The Orioles season is once again in danger of spiraling out of control, sinking close to a point beyond which one cannot reasonably hope that they will revive their fortunes even if they improved their play. Last year’s Orioles did manage that revival, of sorts, since they ended up being just about .500 under interim manager Tony Mansolino. The 2026 Orioles have won two games more than the 2025 team did through the same number of games. That’s probably not enough to make good things happen this year.

All that we can do as fans is wonder what in the world is going on. The problems are apparent almost on a daily basis. Solutions are not so easily found. If it was simple, they surely would have figured it out already. Nothing is simple in baseball! The best teams just make it look that way sometimes.

The result of all of this is that the Orioles enter this Mother’s Day game looking to avoid being swept by the Athletics. The Athletics! They’re one of the many teams muddling along around .500 this year. For a little while, the Orioles were one of those teams. Over the last week and a half or so, they’ve fallen out. It sucks.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms of Birdland.

Orioles lineup

1. Gunnar Henderson – SS
2. Taylor Ward – LF
3. Adley Rutschman – DH
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Samuel Basallo – C
6. Leody Taveras – CF
7. Dylan Beavers – RF
8. Weston Wilson – 3B
9. Blaze Alexander – 2B

The Orioles changed things up on the morning of this game by deciding to employ Keegan Akin as an opener ahead of Chris Bassitt in a bulk innings role. Neither one of these pitchers has been good in their outings so far this season.

Athletics lineup

1. Nick Kurtz – 1B
2. Shea Langeliers – C
3. Brent Rooker – DH
4. Tyler Soderstrom – LF
5. Jacob Wilson – SS
6. Carlos Cortes – RF
7. Lawrence Butler – CF
8. Nick Gelof – 3B
9. Jeff McNeil – 2B

Sacramento’s starter is Luis Severino. At least he’s not left-handed.

Passing the quarter post on the racetrack of the season.

And Addison Barger, is out of the lineup with a ‘sore elbow’. That was an amazing throw, but maybe not the best move in his first day back.

Addison was to lead off today, but now it is Ernie Clement. I’m a fan of lead off men who will take walk when offered. But maybe he’ll get on four times and score each time.

And Tyler Heineman has apparently, been let out of the doghouse. Brandon Valenzuela homered yesterday. I guess it is a day game after an afternoon game?

GO JAYS GO!

First Chuck: 12:40 PM CDT (new anthem each week!)

The Tube: Twins.TV

The Dial: Treasure Island Baseball Network

Spies ‘R Us: Covering The Corner

If everything has gone to plan, I will have arrived back in Minneapolis last night from my Washington, D.C. jaunt. I’m sure I’ll have some pics/stories in a later post, but for today: a book club recommendation.

Unhittable by Rob Friedman.

Any baseball fan plugged into the National Pastime in the current age gets a sense that the pitchers are way ahead of the hitters. Batting average is down, contact is down, and strikeouts are up. In Unhittable, Friedman (of PitchingNinja fame) provides some great context for why/how this came to be and what exactly pitchers are doing to refine their movements and arsenals so perfectly.

There are basically two trains of thought that run through Unhittable:

First is Friedman’s in-depth explanation of the various technological and analytical tools that pitchers currently use to maximize velocity, perfect their delivery, sequence their pitches, and all the while try to keep their golden appendages healthy. Friedman cites programs like Driveline and technology like Edgertronic cameras, Rhapsodo, Trackman, & Trajekt (among many others) that are being used to dig into the fine details of why the ball moves like it does and how to repeat that over and over again. Though perhaps slightly over the head of even a dedicated baseball fan like me from a technical perspective, all these concepts are fascinating. Friedman even goes so far as to delve into physics concepts like seam-shifted wake and pitch tunneling. He makes a compelling case that pitchers in the modern era are as much scientists as artists.

A second thread running through Unhittable is the historical context. Friedman essentially starts by explaining how pitching used to be coached/taught on “feel” and abstract concepts. Building the body or strengthening the arm via weight training was even discouraged. But then hurlers like Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan (using the then-unorthodox methods of pitching guru Tom House) broke the mold by showing how conditioning & deep analysis could extend both velocities and careers. The advent of full-capture stadium cameras in the 2010s spurred this on even further, with pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes representing a new wave who are actively studying all aspects of their craft in ways previously unimaginable. The really strong writing here is a welcome break from the more technical aspects of the narrative.

Yes, there is a significant chapter devoted almost solely to Trevor Bauer. This will immediately turn some readers off, but I hope it doesn’t. For all of Bauer’s personality and off-field foibles, his story absolutely deserves (needs, really) to be recounted here. He truly was on the cutting edge of pitching analytics and in some senses paid a price for being first through the gate (a lot of criticism and scorn). Not that anyone is really feeling sorry for Bauer the individual at this point, but I’m glad he wasn’t excluded entirely from this story.

Overall, I found Unhittable to be a fascinating explanation of why pitchers continue to dominate batters in Major League Baseball. In one of the only major sports where the defense controls the ball, pitchers have the ability to always be a step ahead of their offensive counterparts–and that is exactly what is happening at the moment.

The Cleveland Guardians have established a pitching pipeline nearly second to none in MLB over the last decade or so. But let’s hope the Minnesota Twins can scratch out a few safeties and maybe dent the big Progressive Field wall a few times this early-afternoon.

Click here for Lineups!

TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (16-24) and Cincinnati Reds (21-19) play the final game of a three-game series this afternoon at Great American Ball Park with first pitch scheduled for 12:40 p.m. CT.

RHP Kai-Wei Teng (1-2, 2.35 ERA) will be on the mound for the Astros, opposite LHP Andrew Abbott (1-2, 5.13 ERA) and the Reds.

ABOUT TENG: RHP Kai-Wei Teng makes his second start of the season today after spending a majority of the season in the Astros bullpen.

In his 13 relief appearances, he’s gone 1-1 with 1.80 ERA (4ER/20IP).

Tough To Hit: Teng has posted a .183 opponent batting average, allowing 15 hits in his 23.0 IP.

Last App: Allowed one hit and struck out two in two scoreless innings on May 4 vs. LAD.

Last Start: Allowed two runs on five hits with two strikeouts in three innings on April 28 at BAL.

Fun Facts: With his first Major League win on Aug. 8, 2025 vs. WAS, Teng became the 8th Taiwanese-born pitcher in MLB history to earn a victory. Teng is also the second Taiwanese-born player to play for the Astros, joining RHP Chien Jen-Lo (2013).

VS. THE REDS: The Astros have faced the Reds 859 times in their history, their most games played against any other Major League franchise, going 404-454-1 in the all-time series.

The Astros went 2-1 against the Reds in 2025 at Daikin Park. On Friday night, the Astros secured the first win at Great American Ball Park since Sept. 9, 2012.

NO. 600: IF Isaac Paredes played in his 600th career game on Friday night at CIN. He became the 14th Mexican-born player to reach this milestone, joining players like IF Vinny Castilla, IF Hector Torres and C Alex Treviño.

THE ORDER: The Astros have used 40 different batting orders in their 40 games so far this season. Only LF Yordan Alvarez has started every game in the same spot in the lineup (second).

YESTERDAY’S WAIVER CLAIM: The Astros claimed OF Rhylan Thomas off waivers from the Seattle Mariners and optioned him to Triple A Sugar Land. To make room for Thomas on the 40-man roster, the Astros transferred RHP Hunter Brown to the 60-day IL.

ON THE MEND: LHP Josh Hader allowed one hit and struck out two in one scoreless inning last night in a rehab appearance with Triple A Sugar Land. He has tossed two scoreless innings in his two rehab appearances this season.

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1992 – Jeff Bagwell homers in the pinch in the top of the 8th to tie the Astros with the Pirates, 4-4. Two innings later, Bagwell hits the game-winner, a two-run shot in the top of the 11th. This marked the first time in club history for a player to homer twice in a game after entering as a pinch-hitter.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Sunday, May 10, 12:40 p.m. CT

Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

TV: Space City Home Network

Streaming: SCHN+

Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

The Cincinnati Reds, believe it or not, have a chance to win a series on Sunday in Great American Ball Park. After stumbling their way through one of the more painful losing streaks in recent memory, they finally found their way back into the win column on Saturday, and on Sundy they’ll send a 2025 All Star to the mound to help them wrap things.

Of course, it’s been a far different 2026 for lefty Andrew Abbott than 2025. Still, he’s potentially begun to maybe perhaps round back into form, and he’ll take his talents up against a Houston club that has posted a collective 111 wRC+ against southpaws so far this season. Gulp!

The Reds, meanwhile, are finally shuffling up their lineup a bit. Will Benson has posted a 1.042 OPS over his last 9 games and will slot in atop the order today, with Spencer Steer – who owns an .843 OPS over his last 125 PA dating back to April 3rd – is moving up to the #2 spot in the order.

First pitch is set for 1:40 PM ET. Lineups for both clubs are listed below.

Yankees right-hander Luis Gil was placed on the injured list Saturday with shoulder inflammation and isn’t expected to throw for three weeks.

Gil had been with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after he was optioned by New York following four major league starts this season where he struggled and pitched to a 6.05 ERA.

After his demotion in late April, Gil did not appear in a game for the RailRiders. He did make one start for them at the beginning of the season after not making the Opening Day roster and allowed three runs in 4.2 innings, while walking four and striking out six.

The AL Rookie of the Year in 2024, Gil hasn’t been able to sustain the success he had a few years ago and has been injured a few times. The 27-year-old began last season on the 60-day IL with a right lat strain before returning in August.