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The bases are juiced as we open another week of MLB action, and I’m ready to drive in some MLB player props winners. 

My best bets today include Ernie Clement doing his best to exact some revenge in the Blue Jays World Series rematch against the Dodgers, and Logan Gilbert racking up the Ks in a matchup vs. the Rangers.

Those and more MLB picks for Monday, April 6 below.

Best MLB player props today

Player	Pick	Odds
German Marquez	Under 14.5 Outs	+122
Ernie Clement	Over 1.5 Total Bases	+105
Logan Gilbert	Over 6.5 Strikeouts	+102

German Marquez Under 14.5 Outs Recorded (+122)

Konnor Griffin is getting all the headlines for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Buccos as a whole have begun 2026 with a bang.

The Pirates have rattled off five straight wins, plating 32 runs, and enter tonight’s game against the San Diego Padres ranked ninth in wRC+ and seventh in OPS.

That’s not great for Padres starter German Marquez. It appears that pitching in Colorado wasn’t the only issue for the veteran right-hander. He was tagged for four runs on eight hits in his first start with the Friars. That included two home runs in just three innings of work against a relatively light-hitting San Francisco Giants squad.

The Pirates have chased the opposing starter before completing five innings three times during this five-game winning streak. I’m betting it happens again tonight. 

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Padres.TV, SNP

Ernie Clement Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105)

It’s fun that we get a rematch of one of the most exciting World Series so early in the season. But while the Los Angeles Dodgers have rolled into 2026, it’s been a bit of a rough start for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Toronto enters at 4-5, thanks to some poor fundamentals, ineffective relief pitching, and a lack of clutch hits.

Luckily, they can still rely on the guy who holds the record for most hits in a single postseason: Ernie Clement. 

The Blue Jays' second baseman is one of the few guys giving them good at-bats right now, hitting .297 with 11 hits over nine games. Clement was also a monster vs. left-handed pitching last season, hitting .326 with a .900 OPS.

He faces lefty Justin Wrobleski, who allowed three runs on four hits in his first start against the Cleveland Guardians. 

I love Ernie to set the tone in this World Series rematch and go Over 1.5 total bases.

• Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FS1

Logan Gilbert Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+102)

It hasn’t been the smoothest of starts to the season for the Seattle Mariners, and that includes starter Logan Gilbert.

The 2025 All-Star has surrendered eight runs over his first two starts, but the one positive is that he’s still getting a lot of swings and misses, resulting in strikeouts. He’s punched out 13 batters in 10 2/3 innings over his first two starts.

And now he gets a great matchup to keep that going when he takes the ball against the Texas Rangers.

Gilbert has been a problem for the Rangers for a while. Current Texas batters have combined for a .202 expected batting average and a 26.8% strikeout rate. The Rangers also enter this game with the 10th-highest K-rate in baseball.

If Gilbert can be a little more efficient, he is a great bet to go Over his strikeout prop tonight. 

• Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Mariners.TV, RSN

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.

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The bases are juiced as we open another week of MLB action, and I’m ready to drive in some MLB player props winners. 

My best bets today include Ernie Clement doing his best to exact some revenge in the Blue Jays World Series rematch against the Dodgers, and Logan Gilbert racking up the Ks in a matchup vs. the Rangers.

Those and more MLB picks for Monday, April 6 below.

Best MLB player props today

Player	Pick	Odds
German Marquez	Under 14.5 Outs	+122
Ernie Clement	Over 1.5 Total Bases	+105
Logan Gilbert	Over 6.5 Strikeouts	+102

German Marquez Under 14.5 Outs Recorded (+122)

Konnor Griffin is getting all the headlines for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Buccos as a whole have begun 2026 with a bang.

The Pirates have rattled off five straight wins, plating 32 runs, and enter tonight’s game against the San Diego Padres ranked ninth in wRC+ and seventh in OPS.

That’s not great for Padres starter German Marquez. It appears that pitching in Colorado wasn’t the only issue for the veteran right-hander. He was tagged for four runs on eight hits in his first start with the Friars. That included two home runs in just three innings of work against a relatively light-hitting San Francisco Giants squad.

The Pirates have chased the opposing starter before completing five innings three times during this five-game winning streak. I’m betting it happens again tonight. 

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Padres.TV, SNP

Ernie Clement Over 1.5 Total Bases (+105)

It’s fun that we get a rematch of one of the most exciting World Series so early in the season. But while the Los Angeles Dodgers have rolled into 2026, it’s been a bit of a rough start for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Toronto enters at 4-5, thanks to some poor fundamentals, ineffective relief pitching, and a lack of clutch hits.

Luckily, they can still rely on the guy who holds the record for most hits in a single postseason: Ernie Clement. 

The Blue Jays' second baseman is one of the few guys giving them good at-bats right now, hitting .297 with 11 hits over nine games. Clement was also a monster vs. left-handed pitching last season, hitting .326 with a .900 OPS.

He faces lefty Justin Wrobleski, who allowed three runs on four hits in his first start against the Cleveland Guardians. 

I love Ernie to set the tone in this World Series rematch and go Over 1.5 total bases.

• Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FS1

Logan Gilbert Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+102)

It hasn’t been the smoothest of starts to the season for the Seattle Mariners, and that includes starter Logan Gilbert.

The 2025 All-Star has surrendered eight runs over his first two starts, but the one positive is that he’s still getting a lot of swings and misses, resulting in strikeouts. He’s punched out 13 batters in 10 2/3 innings over his first two starts.

And now he gets a great matchup to keep that going when he takes the ball against the Texas Rangers.

Gilbert has been a problem for the Rangers for a while. Current Texas batters have combined for a .202 expected batting average and a 26.8% strikeout rate. The Rangers also enter this game with the 10th-highest K-rate in baseball.

If Gilbert can be a little more efficient, he is a great bet to go Over his strikeout prop tonight. 

• Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Mariners.TV, RSN

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.

Monday notes…

• IT’S STILL EARLY: April 6 is the earliest date on which the Cubs have played the Rays. The previous earliest was April 18, in 2022, at Wrigley Field. The earliest at Miami was June 11 in 2024, the last time the Cubs journeyed there. The Cubs’ first games this season vs. the Angels and Guardians also were their earliest in those rivalries. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• HOME RUNS ARE GOOD, BUT… The Cubs have lost the last three games in which they hit exactly three home runs: on Sept. 25 of last year, at home against the Mets, 8-5; on March 29, at home against the Nationals, 6-3; and yesterday in Game 2 at Cleveland, 6-5. Before that, they had lost only three of 19 three-homer games, going back to Sept. 30, 2023. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• DOUBLEHEADER CATCH-UP: The Cubs split Sunday’s doubleheader in Cleveland. The last time the Cubs swept a doubleheader on the road was Sept. 11, 2015 at Philadelphia.
• STEALING BASES: The Cubs have stolen eight bases so far this year without being caught. They are the only MLB team with at least eight steals this year with no runners caught stealing.

Cubs lineup:

Rays lineup:

Jameson Taillon, RHP vs. Shane McClanahan, RHP

Jameson Taillon’s ERA shows 0.00, which is good!

I wouldn’t exactly call his first 2026 start “good,” though. He walked four and threw 85 pitches and didn’t complete the fifth inning. Still, it was better than his awful Spring Training. So that’s something, anyway.

The last time he faced the Rays in Tampa, June 11, 2024, he threw six shutout innings, striking out five. That’d work, though most of those guys aren’t on the Rays anymore.

Cedric Mullins, new to the Rays this year, is 5-for-14 against Jamo with two home runs. So watch for that.

Shane McClanahan allowed two hits and three walks in 4.2 innings in his first 2026 start against the Brewers. That was, in fact, his first MLB appearance since 2023, following Tommy John surgery and then a nerve issue.

He has faced the Cubs once in his career, May 30, 2023 at Wrigley Field. Nico Hoerner homered off him that evening.

That’s about all I’ve got on McClanahan.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

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

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Rays site DRays Bay. If you do go there to interact with Rays 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.

Monday notes…

• IT’S STILL EARLY: April 6 is the earliest date on which the Cubs have played the Rays. The previous earliest was April 18, in 2022, at Wrigley Field. The earliest at Miami was June 11 in 2024, the last time the Cubs journeyed there. The Cubs’ first games this season vs. the Angels and Guardians also were their earliest in those rivalries. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• HOME RUNS ARE GOOD, BUT… The Cubs have lost the last three games in which they hit exactly three home runs: on Sept. 25 of last year, at home against the Mets, 8-5; on March 29, at home against the Nationals, 6-3; and yesterday in Game 2 at Cleveland, 6-5. Before that, they had lost only three of 19 three-homer games, going back to Sept. 30, 2023. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• DOUBLEHEADER CATCH-UP: The Cubs split Sunday’s doubleheader in Cleveland. The last time the Cubs swept a doubleheader on the road was Sept. 11, 2015 at Philadelphia.
• STEALING BASES: The Cubs have stolen eight bases so far this year without being caught. They are the only MLB team with at least eight steals this year with no runners caught stealing.

Cubs lineup:

Rays lineup:

Jameson Taillon, RHP vs. Shane McClanahan, RHP

Jameson Taillon’s ERA shows 0.00, which is good!

I wouldn’t exactly call his first 2026 start “good,” though. He walked four and threw 85 pitches and didn’t complete the fifth inning. Still, it was better than his awful Spring Training. So that’s something, anyway.

The last time he faced the Rays in Tampa, June 11, 2024, he threw six shutout innings, striking out five. That’d work, though most of those guys aren’t on the Rays anymore.

Cedric Mullins, new to the Rays this year, is 5-for-14 against Jamo with two home runs. So watch for that.

Shane McClanahan allowed two hits and three walks in 4.2 innings in his first 2026 start against the Brewers. That was, in fact, his first MLB appearance since 2023, following Tommy John surgery and then a nerve issue.

He has faced the Cubs once in his career, May 30, 2023 at Wrigley Field. Nico Hoerner homered off him that evening.

That’s about all I’ve got on McClanahan.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

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

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Rays site DRays Bay. If you do go there to interact with Rays 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.

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers begin a three-game set tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington, with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. EDT. 

Find out in my Mariners vs. Rangers predictions why I’m backing Texas to win the opener behind a bounce-back start from Jacob deGrom. 

Read more for my MLB picks for Monday, April 6.

Who will win Mariners vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline (-113)

While Jacob deGrom did allow three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in his season debut, he’s held the Seattle Mariners lineup to a .231 average across 78 at-bats. The righty also had a 2.35 ERA at home last season, and the M’s are hitting .193 against right-handed pitchers.

Logan Gilbert, meanwhile, has been getting hit around. He sports a 6.75 ERA already, surrendering eight earned runs in 10 2/3 frames.

Gilbert’s underlying metrics suggest he’s been somewhat unlucky (2.82 FIP vs 6.75 ERA). However, he's also surrendered a ton of hard contact early (42.9%) and has seen an uptick in home runs allowed dating back to last season.

COVERS INTEL: Seattle is fifth-worst in the big leagues in team strikeouts, and deGrom is an elite power arm (26 Ks in 78 at-bats against the Mariners).

Mariners vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-115)

Two of the last four meetings have cashed the Under, and more importantly, we have two very good arms going to battle here. DeGrom is in a prime position to deal, and while I do believe the Texas Rangers offense will finally break out of the slump and score runs, I also don’t expect Gilbert to give up a ton of runs. 

Even with an influx of hard contact and home runs surrendered, Gilbert limits damage by missing bats at an elite rate. His 32.3% strikeout rate helped him post a 3.44 ERA last season.

While deGrom’s ERA was north of five against the Mariners in 2025, Seattle’s offense is struggling, and its core pieces have yet to produce. 

Mariners vs Rangers odds

• Moneyline: Seattle +108 | Texas -113
• Run line: Seattle +1.5 (-210) | Texas -1.5 (+175)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-105) | Under 7.5 (-115)

Mariners vs Rangers trend

The Texas Rangers have hit the Game Total Under in 46 of their last 75 games at home (+14.70 Units / 18% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Rangers.

How to watch Mariners vs Rangers and game info

Mariners vs Rangers latest injuries

Mariners vs Rangers weather

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 Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers begin a three-game set tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington, with first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. EDT. 

Find out in my Mariners vs. Rangers predictions why I’m backing Texas to win the opener behind a bounce-back start from Jacob deGrom. 

Read more for my MLB picks for Monday, April 6.

Who will win Mariners vs Rangers today: Rangers moneyline (-113)

While Jacob deGrom did allow three earned runs in 4 2/3 innings in his season debut, he’s held the Seattle Mariners lineup to a .231 average across 78 at-bats. The righty also had a 2.35 ERA at home last season, and the M’s are hitting .193 against right-handed pitchers.

Logan Gilbert, meanwhile, has been getting hit around. He sports a 6.75 ERA already, surrendering eight earned runs in 10 2/3 frames.

Gilbert’s underlying metrics suggest he’s been somewhat unlucky (2.82 FIP vs 6.75 ERA). However, he's also surrendered a ton of hard contact early (42.9%) and has seen an uptick in home runs allowed dating back to last season.

COVERS INTEL: Seattle is fifth-worst in the big leagues in team strikeouts, and deGrom is an elite power arm (26 Ks in 78 at-bats against the Mariners).

Mariners vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-115)

Two of the last four meetings have cashed the Under, and more importantly, we have two very good arms going to battle here. DeGrom is in a prime position to deal, and while I do believe the Texas Rangers offense will finally break out of the slump and score runs, I also don’t expect Gilbert to give up a ton of runs. 

Even with an influx of hard contact and home runs surrendered, Gilbert limits damage by missing bats at an elite rate. His 32.3% strikeout rate helped him post a 3.44 ERA last season.

While deGrom’s ERA was north of five against the Mariners in 2025, Seattle’s offense is struggling, and its core pieces have yet to produce. 

Mariners vs Rangers odds

• Moneyline: Seattle +108 | Texas -113
• Run line: Seattle +1.5 (-210) | Texas -1.5 (+175)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-105) | Under 7.5 (-115)

Mariners vs Rangers trend

The Texas Rangers have hit the Game Total Under in 46 of their last 75 games at home (+14.70 Units / 18% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Rangers.

How to watch Mariners vs Rangers and game info

Mariners vs Rangers latest injuries

Mariners vs Rangers weather

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.

Cleveland in April is not a vacation destination. As a former resident of Ohio, I can tell you that that “Lake Effect” is real. With temperatures on Tuesday expected to hover around freezing, the game has been moved from a night game to a day game. The Royals dropped lost their April series in Cleveland last year, and dropped five of seven there for the year.

Kansas City Royals (4-5) vs. Cleveland Guardians (6-4) at Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

Royals: 4.22 runs scored/game (14th in MLB), 4.78 runs allowed/game (20th)

Guardians: 3.20 runs scored/game (28th), 3.70 runs allowed/game (7th)

Runs have come at a premium for the Guardians, who have scored one or fewer runs in six of their ten games so far, and have yet to score more than six runs in a game. Star José Ramírez just signed a seven-year, $115 million contract extension last winter, but is off to a slow start this year, hitting .154/.214/.282. The team added Rhys Hoskins, who hit 26 home runs for the Brewers in 2024, but missed significant time last year with a thumb injury. David Fry was an All-Star in 2024, but has hit .206/.269/.392 in 120 games since then.

Rookie Chase DeLauter is off to a phenomenal start with five home runs in his first nine MLB games, and a line of .313/.343/.781. Kyle Manzardo has terrorized the Royals in his career, hitting .333/.443/.647 with three home runs in 16 games, but is off to a dreadful 2-for-30 (.067) so far this year. Steven Kwan had the fourth-lowest strikeout rate (8.7%) in baseball last year.

*-All numbers from 2025

Gavin Williams was one of the best pitchers in baseball after the All-Star break last year, with a 2.18 ERA that ranked third-best in the second half. Overall, he had the highest walk rate last year of any qualified starter. In eight career starts against the Royals, he has a 2.36 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 45.2 innings.

Tanner Bibee had a terrific run in 2023-24, but regressed a bit last year. He gave up three solo home runs in five innings his first start in 2026, and lasted just four innings in his second game. Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting .316/.458/.632 in 24 career plate appearances against him, while Salvador Perez is hitless in 17 at-bats.

Joey Cantillo had a 2.96 ERA in 13 starts last year. He had a reverse split in 2025, where lefties hit him better than righties. He has an excellent change up that netted a 49 percent whiff rate.

Note that Tuesday’s game has been moved to a day game due to concerns over cold temperatures.

*-All numbers from 2025

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are both on non-paid disciplinary leave and facing federal indictments for their roles in a gambling scheme, but the Guardians still put together a terrific bullpen last year. Cade Smith has taken over closing duties, but has been wobbly in his outings this year, with a blown save in four opportunities and five runs allowed in six games. Opponents are 1-for-14 (.071) against Erik Sabrowski this season. The Guardians are one of three teams (including the Royals) that has not allowed an inherited runner to score.

*-All numbers from 2025

With cold temperatures, two below-average lineups, and two pitching staffs with a track record of success, expect a low-scoring series this week in Ohio. The Royals have had some bullpen issues to start the year that they will need to iron out this week. The Guardians are the defending division champs, and the Royals will need to show they can stand toe-to-toe with them if they are going to seriously compete for a division title this year.

Cleveland in April is not a vacation destination. As a former resident of Ohio, I can tell you that that “Lake Effect” is real. With temperatures on Tuesday expected to hover around freezing, the game has been moved from a night game to a day game. The Royals dropped lost their April series in Cleveland last year, and dropped five of seven there for the year.

Kansas City Royals (4-5) vs. Cleveland Guardians (6-4) at Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH

Royals: 4.22 runs scored/game (14th in MLB), 4.78 runs allowed/game (20th)

Guardians: 3.20 runs scored/game (28th), 3.70 runs allowed/game (7th)

Runs have come at a premium for the Guardians, who have scored one or fewer runs in six of their ten games so far, and have yet to score more than six runs in a game. Star José Ramírez just signed a seven-year, $115 million contract extension last winter, but is off to a slow start this year, hitting .154/.214/.282. The team added Rhys Hoskins, who hit 26 home runs for the Brewers in 2024, but missed significant time last year with a thumb injury. David Fry was an All-Star in 2024, but has hit .206/.269/.392 in 120 games since then.

Rookie Chase DeLauter is off to a phenomenal start with five home runs in his first nine MLB games, and a line of .313/.343/.781. Kyle Manzardo has terrorized the Royals in his career, hitting .333/.443/.647 with three home runs in 16 games, but is off to a dreadful 2-for-30 (.067) so far this year. Steven Kwan had the fourth-lowest strikeout rate (8.7%) in baseball last year.

*-All numbers from 2025

Gavin Williams was one of the best pitchers in baseball after the All-Star break last year, with a 2.18 ERA that ranked third-best in the second half. Overall, he had the highest walk rate last year of any qualified starter. In eight career starts against the Royals, he has a 2.36 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 45.2 innings.

Tanner Bibee had a terrific run in 2023-24, but regressed a bit last year. He gave up three solo home runs in five innings his first start in 2026, and lasted just four innings in his second game. Bobby Witt Jr. is hitting .316/.458/.632 in 24 career plate appearances against him, while Salvador Perez is hitless in 17 at-bats.

Joey Cantillo had a 2.96 ERA in 13 starts last year. He had a reverse split in 2025, where lefties hit him better than righties. He has an excellent change up that netted a 49 percent whiff rate.

Note that Tuesday’s game has been moved to a day game due to concerns over cold temperatures.

*-All numbers from 2025

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are both on non-paid disciplinary leave and facing federal indictments for their roles in a gambling scheme, but the Guardians still put together a terrific bullpen last year. Cade Smith has taken over closing duties, but has been wobbly in his outings this year, with a blown save in four opportunities and five runs allowed in six games. Opponents are 1-for-14 (.071) against Erik Sabrowski this season. The Guardians are one of three teams (including the Royals) that has not allowed an inherited runner to score.

*-All numbers from 2025

With cold temperatures, two below-average lineups, and two pitching staffs with a track record of success, expect a low-scoring series this week in Ohio. The Royals have had some bullpen issues to start the year that they will need to iron out this week. The Guardians are the defending division champs, and the Royals will need to show they can stand toe-to-toe with them if they are going to seriously compete for a division title this year.

The Mariners are on a run of playing the AL West, facing Anaheim, Texas, and Houston in a row over the next two weeks. They got off to a bad start against what should be the soft part of that schedule, dropping the weekend series to the Angels as the bats continue to scuffle; they’ll now face an uphill task in Texas, facing the three-headed monster of Texas’s rotation: Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and the Rangers’ newest and shiniest acquisition, Mackenzie Gore.

The Mariners aren’t off to the start they’d like, but the Rangers aren’t exactly in clover either, fresh off a sweep by the Reds after a hot 4-1 start. Unlike the Mariners, where the pitching has been top-5 in baseball and the offense bottom-third, there’s no real culprit to point to with Texas, although the bullpen continues to be a liability, especially as their starters have had trouble getting deeper into games.

The Rangers brought in Brandon Nimmo this off-season and so far he’s proved a valuable pickup, providing thump and on-base for the Rangers out of the leadoff spot. Wyatt Langford, hitting out of the two-hole, has been slower to get it going, but you know that, like with some of the Mariners’ own struggling stars, it’s just a matter of time. Corey Seager, batting third, has continued to be Corey Seager, and Jake Burger, with two homers on the year already (aka the same number Cole Young has), bats cleanup. The Nimmo-Langford-Seager-Burger set gives the Rangers, who are pretty evenly balanced handedness-wise (Must Be Nice), a nice L-R-L-R punch at the top of the lineup. 

Beyond that things get a little murky: Evan Carter is off to a strong start, but buried in the bottom of the lineup for some reason. The two Joshes (Jung and Smith) and Ezequiel Duran are in a time-share among the non-Seager infield positions. Joc Pederson continues to exist to make Rangers fans Mad Online. So far, this is looking similar to Rangers teams of the past, but Nimmo at the top of the lineup is an x-factor, much like Donovan is for the Mariners. Hopefully the Mariners will be getting their x-factor back for this series.

Probable Pitchers 

Updated Stuff+ Explainer 

• Stuff+ scores for Mariners starters

Last year, Jacob deGrom made 30 starts for the first time since 2019 and crossed the 150 IP threshold for just the fifth time in his career. That health was the result of a conscious effort to pitch with a little less intensity. His fastball velocity was down about a tick from where it was at his peak, though it still averaged 97.5 mph. From a results standpoint, he ran his lowest strikeout rate since 2016 and the highest FIP of his career. Even in his diminished form, he was still one of the better pitchers in baseball, and as they say, the best ability is availability.

Nathan Eovaldi has also been forced to figure out how to do more with less (fastball velocity). Last year, he dropped the usage of his four-seam fastball by nearly 15 points, added a sinker to his repertoire, and increased the usage of his cutter and curveball. The result was a pitch mix that was a lot less predictable and a lot less dependent on his deteriorating velocity. Unfortunately, elbow and shoulder injuries derailed the success he was seeing with his new approach, and he spent most of the second half of the season on the shelf.

MacKenzie Gore was the Rangers’ big offseason acquisition in January. After being included in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade (the first one from Washington to San Diego), Gore has established himself as a solid frontline starter over the last few years. His secondary weapons are all fantastic — he’s the only pitcher in baseball to feature four pitches with whiff rates north of 35% — but he’s often let down by an inconsistent fastball. When he’s locating his heater well, it can give opposing batters fits. But too often — and particularly during the second half of the season when he’s worn down significantly — his locations will leak into the middle of the zone and batters will punish the pitch.

The Big Picture:

Do yourself a favor and do not look at this table. I haven’t and I’m writing the article. There’s really no benefit in it for you. Instead I invite you to look at some of my favorite works of art, one for every team in the AL West: 

• Joseph Cornell’s Setting for a Fairy Tale
• Emily Carr’s Untitled (Seascape)
• Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne
• Piet Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie
• Jean-Honore Fragonard The Swing

The Mariners are on a run of playing the AL West, facing Anaheim, Texas, and Houston in a row over the next two weeks. They got off to a bad start against what should be the soft part of that schedule, dropping the weekend series to the Angels as the bats continue to scuffle; they’ll now face an uphill task in Texas, facing the three-headed monster of Texas’s rotation: Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and the Rangers’ newest and shiniest acquisition, Mackenzie Gore.

The Mariners aren’t off to the start they’d like, but the Rangers aren’t exactly in clover either, fresh off a sweep by the Reds after a hot 4-1 start. Unlike the Mariners, where the pitching has been top-5 in baseball and the offense bottom-third, there’s no real culprit to point to with Texas, although the bullpen continues to be a liability, especially as their starters have had trouble getting deeper into games.

The Rangers brought in Brandon Nimmo this off-season and so far he’s proved a valuable pickup, providing thump and on-base for the Rangers out of the leadoff spot. Wyatt Langford, hitting out of the two-hole, has been slower to get it going, but you know that, like with some of the Mariners’ own struggling stars, it’s just a matter of time. Corey Seager, batting third, has continued to be Corey Seager, and Jake Burger, with two homers on the year already (aka the same number Cole Young has), bats cleanup. The Nimmo-Langford-Seager-Burger set gives the Rangers, who are pretty evenly balanced handedness-wise (Must Be Nice), a nice L-R-L-R punch at the top of the lineup. 

Beyond that things get a little murky: Evan Carter is off to a strong start, but buried in the bottom of the lineup for some reason. The two Joshes (Jung and Smith) and Ezequiel Duran are in a time-share among the non-Seager infield positions. Joc Pederson continues to exist to make Rangers fans Mad Online. So far, this is looking similar to Rangers teams of the past, but Nimmo at the top of the lineup is an x-factor, much like Donovan is for the Mariners. Hopefully the Mariners will be getting their x-factor back for this series.

Probable Pitchers 

Updated Stuff+ Explainer 

• Stuff+ scores for Mariners starters

Last year, Jacob deGrom made 30 starts for the first time since 2019 and crossed the 150 IP threshold for just the fifth time in his career. That health was the result of a conscious effort to pitch with a little less intensity. His fastball velocity was down about a tick from where it was at his peak, though it still averaged 97.5 mph. From a results standpoint, he ran his lowest strikeout rate since 2016 and the highest FIP of his career. Even in his diminished form, he was still one of the better pitchers in baseball, and as they say, the best ability is availability.

Nathan Eovaldi has also been forced to figure out how to do more with less (fastball velocity). Last year, he dropped the usage of his four-seam fastball by nearly 15 points, added a sinker to his repertoire, and increased the usage of his cutter and curveball. The result was a pitch mix that was a lot less predictable and a lot less dependent on his deteriorating velocity. Unfortunately, elbow and shoulder injuries derailed the success he was seeing with his new approach, and he spent most of the second half of the season on the shelf.

MacKenzie Gore was the Rangers’ big offseason acquisition in January. After being included in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade (the first one from Washington to San Diego), Gore has established himself as a solid frontline starter over the last few years. His secondary weapons are all fantastic — he’s the only pitcher in baseball to feature four pitches with whiff rates north of 35% — but he’s often let down by an inconsistent fastball. When he’s locating his heater well, it can give opposing batters fits. But too often — and particularly during the second half of the season when he’s worn down significantly — his locations will leak into the middle of the zone and batters will punish the pitch.

The Big Picture:

Do yourself a favor and do not look at this table. I haven’t and I’m writing the article. There’s really no benefit in it for you. Instead I invite you to look at some of my favorite works of art, one for every team in the AL West: 

• Joseph Cornell’s Setting for a Fairy Tale
• Emily Carr’s Untitled (Seascape)
• Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne
• Piet Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie
• Jean-Honore Fragonard The Swing

The first week of the year featuring action from all four minor league affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds is in the books, and Farmers Only is here to highlight the best of said action.

We’ll start with the AA Chattanooga Lookouts, seeing as that squad won each of their first three games of the season and sits undefeated at the time of writing this. And helping lead that charge so far is none other than Austin “Fox in the” Hendrick, the 1st round pick of the Reds back in 2020 about whom we’ve almost completely forgotten.

He’s always flashed elite power potential, but the lack of consistent contact and strike zone awareness has dogged him since being selected out of high school in the Pittsburgh area. He’s still somehow just 24 years old, however, and he’s begun the year 6 for 12 with a homer and 5 runs driven in for the Lookouts. Maybe, just maybe, he’s figuring things out a little bit (and we’ll ignore the 4/0 K/BB so far for the time being).

Leo “Shuffle” Balcazar has also been red hot for Chattanooga out of the gates after being added to the team’s 40-man roster this winter. He went 5 for 11 with a homer, a double, and a walk to begin the season.

Chattanooga begins a big six-game road trip in Birmingham on Tuesday.

Alfredo Duno is off to a hot start over in Dayton as the High-A Dragons split their first two games of the year only to have Sunday’s contest rained out. Duno has begun the season 2 for 7 with a pair of doubles and as many walks (2) as Ks (2) so far, while the perennially overlooked Carlos Sanchez has begun the year 3 for 8 with a double, walk, and stolen base.

Dayton opens a big six-game homestand against Lake County on Tuesday evening.

Down in the land of humid air and pitching paradises, Tyson “Super F.” Lewis and the Daytona Tortugas of the Class-a Florida State League dropped two of three against Jupiter to begin the season – and that includes an ugly 14-1 whoopin’ on Saturday. Lewis, though, does have an early homer under his belt after starting 3 for 12, but he’s already struck out an alarming 7 times so far. That’s tied for the most of any player in the FSL so far.

Daytona hits the road to take on Lakeland for the rest of the week with the series opening on Tuesday evening.

Over in Louisville, the 4-5 Bats are chugging along with a mix of potent offense and pitchers who can’t get an out. Each of Chase Petty and Julian “Calendar” Aguiar – two arms with big league experience who are being counted on as depth at the moment – have been shelled, the two combining for 15.1 IP and 16 ER so far. Relievers Zach “Big Sugar” Maxwell and Luis “Gonna Be” Mey have both also been rocked, while Kyle Nicolas has only allowed one run in 3.0 IP.

Offensively, though, this team is a juggernaut. We detailed how Rece Hinds was destroying baseballs already this year, and he paces the International League with 14 ribbies at the moment (with his 4 homers second most). JJ “Slovenia” Bleday has but a lone homer, but he has 4 doubles and an even 7/7 K/BB to date, while Hector “5 Weight” Rodriguez is showing the kind of plate discipline he’s long been dinged for not having by also posting 7 walks so far (along with a pair of homers and a .934 OPS).

Edwin “I’ll Be” Arroyo, meanwhile, has a bit of a power stroke back. He’s already homered, tripled, and doubled while swiping 3 bags to lead the club (and owns a .350 OBP). Keep an eye on him – he’s going to be back back as a prospect this year.

The Bats take their talents to Indianapolis and begin their six-game road series on Tuesday evening.