
Wednesday, April 01
TOP NEWS

Every team wants to start hot. It’s especially important for these 6
April can set the tone for a club trying to prove it’s a true contender. Win big, and the rest of the season is set up for you. Lose big, and big questions will loom.

Ohtani makes it look easy in 2026 pitching debut

D-backs rookie’s 2-HR debut ignites thrilling comeback

Alonso’s 1st O’s homer comes off a 2-time Cy winner he knows quite well

Led by Fried, stingy Yanks make history not seen in 80+ years

Painter’s masterpiece of a debut all the Phils and the fans could have hoped for

41-year-old Scherzer gives Blue Jays just what they need in ’26 debut

Are players challenging enough ABS calls? It’s a work in progress

With Cards pitcher in a bind, Gold Glover’s hose puts out the fire

Getting deGrom (7 K’s) back just one positive for a Rangers team flashing its potential

McClanahan is the only one not enamored with his performance in long-awaited return
TOP PERFORMANCES


Longest Home Run
Oneil Cruz
444 ft
4th Inning

Hardest Base Hit
Giancarlo Stanton
112.8 mph
6th Inning

Fastest Strikeout
Bubba Chandler
100.2 mph
1st Inning

Decisive Play
D-backs
60.1% WPA
8th Inning

2 homers, one at 444 feet (tied for longest this season)

4th Yankee with multiple hits in each of first 5 games of a season

Youngest Phillie with 8+ K’s in a game since 2016 (Aaron Nola)

8th player in MLB history with two HRs in first regular-season game

6 K’s in first start of ’26; riding 22 2/3 scoreless IP streak

PLAY A SPORCLE BASEBALL QUIZ!
MUST-SEE PLAY
It’s not often an infielder has to worry about the warning track on a fair ball, but Jeimer Candelario nearly found himself there on this play.
STAFF PICKS

Projecting an All-Rookie Team for 2026
We are a whopping four games into the 2026 Major League season, so of course it’s a perfect time to name a year-end team, right? MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo thinks so!
Tito’s catcher had a special gift to give him. It all went swimmingly
Before Tyler Stephenson gave Terry Francona some custom swimwear with the manager’s young face plastered all over it, the Reds catcher first had to model the outfit. “I just about had a heart attack,” Francona said.

Everybody wanted to get Yoshi’s autograph. But which Yoshi?
It was Yoshi bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium, with fans lining up early to get one of 40,000 giveaways. But the players wanted to get in on the fun, and many of them asked for an autograph from the man (not dinosaur) of the hour.

He got to 4 balls before 4 strikes
A strikeout and a walk in one plate appearance is something that’s not supposed to happen in baseball. Fortunately for Astros right fielder Cam Smith, only the walk counted.
1 must-visit Minor League spot from every farm system
Which Minor League ballparks are worth visiting? The answer, of course, is “all of them.” But to narrow it down, we selected one from each organization that shouldn’t be missed in 2026.

Wednesday tripleheader on MLB Network
It’s the Rangers vs. Orioles at 12:30 p.m. ET, Yankees vs. Mariners at 4 and Guardians vs. Dodgers at 8. (Subject to local blackout.)
SCOREBOARD

TEX 8
BAL 5

PIT 8
CIN 3

WSH 2
PHI 3

CWS 2
MIA 9

COL 1
TOR 5

ATH 5
ATL 2

LAA 2
CHC 0

TB 2
MIL 6

NYM 0
STL 3

BOS 2
HOU 9

DET 5
AZ 7

SF 9
SD 3

NYY 5
SEA 0

CLE 1
LAD 4






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