Category: MLB News

April 18, 2025

The Dodgers sell hot dogs for $7.99. The Diamondbacks sell them for $2.99. Why?

[ad_1]

LOS ANGELS, CA - APRIL 12, 2024:Fans wait in line to purchase food and beverages before the game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodgers Stadium on April 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The cheapest item on the menu is coffee for $4.99 and beer can cost $17.50 to $19.50.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) — Fans wait in line to purchase food and beverages before a game at Dodger Stadium earlier this month. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

In the seventh inning, fans rise and sing about buying peanuts and Cracker Jack at the ballgame.

But what if the concession prices have risen so much that fans have to think twice about buying? At Dodger Stadium, a Dodger Dog costs $7.99.

As ticket prices have soared, a small but growing number of teams in all sports are offering a limited menu of basic concession items at fan-friendly prices. At Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, a hot dog costs $2.99.

Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said team executives discussed whether discounting a handful of concession items would cost the team some revenue. It turns out, he said, they make more money that way.

“People feel like they’re getting a bargain,” Hall said, “and they buy more.”

Read more: Championship blues: Dodgers games used to be affordable family entertainment. No more.

The Chase Field $2.99 menu includes hot dogs, sodas, peanuts and popcorn. The Baltimore Orioles offer seven food items at $4 or less, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzel bites and desserts. Nine other teams have value menus or $1 hot dogs for selected games, based on the fan value page on the league website.

At the Delta Center, home of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the Utah Hockey Club, the $3 menu includes hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and ice cream.

The Atlanta Falcons, the NFL team credited with starting the trend, offer hot dogs, sodas, popcorn and pretzels at $2 each, with $3 items including sweet tea, peach shakes, nachos and vegan dogs.

The Dodgers have studied whether to introduce a value menu at Dodger Stadium, team president Stan Kasten said.

“We will increase the number of transactions if we have lower prices,” he said. “They say they make more money that way.”

That would be great, Kasten said, except for what he said was an insurmountable obstacle.

Read more: Bobby Miller struggles, but Dodgers complete sweep of Rockies

“I hate to say this,” he said. “It’s a terrible thing to say. I wish it wasn’t true.

“We can’t physically handle more transactions.”

The fan experience would be worsened that way, Kasten said. The notoriously long Dodger Stadium concessions lines would get even longer, and the notoriously crowded concourses would get even more crowded.

Dodger Stadium is built into the side of a hill, which cramps space for existing concession stands and kitchens and complicates any plans to widen the concourses. In 2013, the Dodgers needed to remove seats in order to expand concourses.

The Dodgers allow fans to bring in their own food and drink, provided the food is in a small clear bag and the drink is in a factory-sealed bottle, no larger than one liter, and non-alcoholic.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

[ad_2]

April 18, 2025

There Was A Feeling Of Sadness and Uncertainty In The Air During The Rangers' Season Finale

[ad_1]

The New York Rangers completed their season on Thursday night with a 4-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the emotions of the game spoke louder than the score or win.

It’s been a season from the start that has been riddled with drama, tension, and underwhelming play. It feels that the energy around the Rangers has only gotten worse as time has gone on.

The mood best to describe this night was sadness. Walking into the legendary Madison Square Garden for the last time this season, there was a sense of gloom.

It was business as usual, yet there was a strange feeling of emptiness like the Rangers were just playing this game for nothing, which was exactly the case.

To close out the season, the Rangers actually played really well. The win didn’t matter though, the only thing this victory did was reignite the question: What could have been and where has this team been all season?

All season long the Rangers showed no sense of heart, no sense of urgency, and no sense of purpose.

There were fans and surprisingly a lot of them in attendance cheering on the Blueshirts, but it feels like everyone gave up on the Rangers a while ago.

Throughout the contest, the sadness continued to pour on. The sadness for Sam Rosen who was calling his final game as the Rangers play-by-play announcer, the sadness of a team’s utter collapse from the top of the league to the pits of despair, and the sadness of another season ending with nothing to show for it.

There was also a feeling of uncertainty. The Rangers have had the same nucleus of players for many years and that might be changing after what can only be described as a dreadful season.

Throughout the year, the wheels were falling off this team’s core. They were barely holding it together as they continued to lose piece by piece from Jacob Trouba, to Kaapo Kakko, to Ryan Lindgren, to Jimmy Vesey.

Thursday night felt like this core’s last dance. Sure, there will be quite a few players who return to New York next season. However, major roster turnover and a drastic culture shift are inevitable.

After the game, Peter Laviolette and a few players rattled on the same old cliches, something that you knew they weren’t actually thinking deep down.

In a night full of emotions and uncertainty, one thing remained crystal clear: The fans and people of New York deserve better.

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Rangers Vs. Lightning Preview, Projected Lineup

[ad_1]

The New York Rangers are all set for their matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at 7:00 PM EST in what will be their final game of the season.

Here’s everything you need to know from a Rangers perspective.

Projected Lineup:

Forwards:

Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Gabe Perreault

Brennan Othmann-J.T. Miller-Alexis Lafrenière

Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Will Cuylle

Jonny Brodzinski-Sam Carrick-Matt Rempe

Defensemen:

K’Andre Miller-Will Borgen

Matthew Robertson-Adam Fox

Urho Vaakanainen-Zac Jones

Goaltenders:

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

Notable Storylines:

The Rangers are coming off of a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers.
Igor Shesterkin is set to start for the Rangers.
Carson Soucy is out with an illness.
Tonight marks the last game of the season for the Rangers.
The Rangers currently hold a 38-36-7 record.
The Lightning are coming off of a 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers.

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Shohei Ohtani is back on a 40/40 pace. But can Dodgers give him more RBI opportunities?

[ad_1]

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) grounds out to end the game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. — Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani did not record a hit with a runner in scoring position until Wednesday’s game against the Rockies. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Shohei Ohtani is not publicly known, nor personally sees himself, as a quick starter at the plate.

“Overall, in my career,” he said through interpreter Will Ireton, “I don’t really have a hot start in the beginning of the season.”

This year, that’s technically true again — but only if you hold the reigning National League MVP to his own stratospheric standards.

Through the opening three weeks, all of Ohtani’s triple-slash stats are down from last year (.288/.380/.550), but only because his 2024 marks (.310/.390/.646) all topped the NL. Same story with a .930 OPS that is more than 100 points lower than his gaudy 2024 total, but still good enough to rank top 20 in the majors.

Read more: Bobby Miller struggles, but Dodgers complete sweep of Rockies

With six home runs and five stolen bases, Ohtani isn’t quite on mathematical pace for another 50-homer, 50-steal season; but is on an early track to become the first player in MLB history with multiple 40/40 campaigns.

And though he has taken a few more awkward swings than normal in the opening three weeks, he has started honing in on his power stroke, too, leading off Wednesday’s win over the Colorado Rockies with a towering 448-foot blast that almost cleared the right-field pavilion.

“I think overall,” he said, “it’s been a really good first 20 games.”

The only true area of regression so far has been in one statistical category; where a glaring drop in production has signaled a key early-season problem for the team.

After racking up 130 RBIs in 159 games last year, Ohtani has just eight in this season’s opening 20 contests. Seven of them have come via his six home runs (all but one of which were solo shots). Not until Wednesday, when he returned to the plate in a seven-run first inning and knocked in Austin Barnes with an RBI single, did he record his first hit with a runner in scoring position.

“Shohei’s in a good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said recently. “We just need to get some guys on base for him.”

That reality said more about the rest of the team’s offense than its superstar leadoff man.

From the Nos. 7-9 spots in the batting order, the Dodgers have posted a .173 batting average so far, tied for worst in the majors. Prior to Wednesday, they’d given Ohtani just nine plate appearances with runners in scoring position (tied with No. 2 hitter Mookie Betts for fewest among the team’s regulars). In four of those spots, he was walked.

It created an early-season conundrum for Roberts, as he tried to shake the team out of a recent offensive lull. Should he consider dropping Ohtani in the lineup, where he could get more RBI opportunities? Or should he give his offense more time to find its footing, and hope his bottom-half hitters began heating up at the plate?

“I just feel that there’s guys who are gonna perform better than they have,” Roberts said this week, opting for the latter. “Shohei will ultimately get those opportunities.”

And on Wednesday, he finally saw signs that could be happening.

In an 8-7 win over the Rockies, the Dodgers got five hits and a walk from their bottom three hitters.

One was provided by Barnes, the backup catcher who didn’t have a hit all season before doubling in the first in front of Ohtani.

The others came from more important pieces of the Dodgers’ lineup construction: Max Muncy and Andy Pages.

Bottom-of-the-order staples who are both batting under .200 to begin the season, Muncy and Pages had arguably their best games of the year Wednesday. Pages, the second-year center fielder, went two for four with three RBIs, continuing improvements that began during his two-homer series in Washington last week.

“He is swinging the bat a lot better,” Roberts said.

Muncy, meanwhile, reached base three times with the help of a recent adjustment to his own slumping swing.

In an effort to stay more on top of the ball at the plate this year, Muncy spent his offseason purposely trying to hit grounders and low line drives. In doing so, however, he realized he had begun lurching forward in his swing. As a result, he gave himself less time to read pitches and make proper swing decisions. And even when he did, he wasn’t driving the ball like usual.

“The ball sped up on me the first few series of the season and I really wasn’t myself,” Muncy said. “I was chasing a lot of stuff and I was unable to recognize it.”

Read more: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw throws three scoreless innings in rehab start

But now, he has returned to staying back in his stance and is looking for pitches to elevate. Amid a series in which Muncy walked six times, Roberts felt he also took his best at-bat of the season against left-hander Luis Peralta on Wednesday night, launching one deep fly just foul before ripping a single into right field.

“When he’s getting on base, and it was a ton this series, then that’s a good thing,” Roberts said. “So I do think that he’s turned a corner, yeah.”

The Dodgers hope that the rest of their bottom-half hitters will do so as well.

Because the more Ohtani heats up as the season progresses, the more important it will be to have guys getting on base in front of him.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr., Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton, and the meaning of a simple handshake

[ad_1]

How far back does Bobby Witt Jr.’s admiration for Giancarlo Stanton stretch?

And what is the meaning of a simple handshake?

The answer to the first question is: many years. Witt keeps a baseball at home signed by a certain “Mike Stanton,” the name under which Stanton played as a prospect and rookie for the then-Florida Marlins until reclaiming his given appellation in 2012, when Witt was 11 years old.

Witt’s brother-in-law, pitcher Zach Neal, played with Stanton in the minor leagues in the early 2010s and obtained the autograph. He gave it to Witt, whose history admiring Stanton began in childhood.

“One of my buddies growing up, [Stanton] was his guy,” Witt said this week at Yankee Stadium. “He loved watching him play. He started hitting like him a little bit in high school. So I thought it was cool to grow up watching him, watching the Home Run Derby and all that, watching him hit home runs here and in Miami, and then play against him.”

At 24 years old, Witt is an emerging generational superstar. The ball zooms off his bat and into the outfield with a special oomph. When he hits a slow ground ball to the shortstop, he shocks crowds with speed that recalls prime Mike Trout, nearly beating out the expected routine 6-3. He would have won the American League Most Valuable Player award last year if not for the astounding Aaron Judge.

And yet Witt allows himself the giddiness of appreciation for sharing a field with those stars, now in their mid-to-late 30s, whom he once admired from the outside.

“It’s still really cool,” Witt said. “Sometimes Judge gets on base and he’s calling me by my first name and it’s like, ‘This is cool.’ Watch those guys — Trout or whoever — it is, well, it’s cool.”

The most personal of these moments came in Kansas City on Oct. 10, 2024. At 9:44 p.m. on that night, the Royals’ Yuli Gurriel lined out to Judge in center field, ending the American League Division Series.

The Yankees poured from the dugout to celebrate near the pitcher’s mound, and the Royals trudged into their clubhouse.

But Witt remained, alone on the top step. He put his arms on the padded railing and forced himself to stare at the jubilant winners.

What ran through his mind during those long minutes?

“That it could be us,” Witt said. “I was going through the whole series in those five minutes right there. What could I have done better? What do I need to do more? It doesn’t even hit you that the season is over. It feels like you’re just waiting for what’s next. Then you’re watching them celebrate and it’s like, it’s over.”

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) celebrates an RBI single during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals during game four of the ALDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Kauffman Stadium. / Denny Medley-Imagn Images

At 9:49, Stanton, who had doubled twice and driven in a run in the 3-1 Yankees win, glanced over from the party and noticed Witt lost in his feelings.

He walked over to the rival dugout and shook the young man’s hand, patted him on the shoulder and made eye contact. The brief nonverbal interaction, caught by a photographer and quickly passed around the internet, cut deep for Witt. He turned away from the field, feeling ready to face his own clubhouse.

“It was not a premeditated thing,” Stanton said this week. “It was just something in the moment that I chose to do.”

“He didn't have to do that,” Witt said. “I know he’s not doing it for the cameras. He’s just a genuine guy. The stories I hear from guys who have played with him, from [Anthony] Volpe or whoever, are that he’s a person. He’s a guy first.

“You see him walking over there. You see what he did against us that day, and it’s like, he didn’t have to acknowledge me. He could have just walked over to do his interview and go home.”

The admiration is mutual. Stanton, reticent when asked about his own gesture, lit up when prompted about Witt as a player.

“He’s incredible,” Stanton said. “He’s going to be a staple in the league for a long time. He’s fun to watch. Obviously, I don’t want him to beat us, but you see the talent grow and become more refined since he came up, and he’s only going to get better.”

It is not difficult to imagine Witt and Stanton as older men, sitting on a stage in Cooperstown as fellow Hall of Famers at the annual inductions. If that happens, Witt will remember Stanton’s brief but powerful moment of sportsmanship from the 2020s.

For now, though, he remains excited to share a field with greats of his childhood, and the veterans ready to pass a share of the game, with grace, to a new generation.

“Just playing against him, just seeing him on the basepaths,” Witt says. “That is what you reach for.”

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Yankees at Rays: 5 things to watch and series predictions | April 17-20

[ad_1]

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Yankees hit the road to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-game series starting on Thursday…

Preview

Familiar park

The Yankees and Rays have had plenty of battles at Tropicana Field, but this season will see the teams face off in a different park: George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Yes, the Yankees' spring training field is being used for Rays home games this season after their stadium was damaged by a hurricane during the offseason. How will this play for the Yanks? Their team is used to playing there, especially since the dimensions are identical to Yankee Stadium.

Will Warren, Carlos Carrasco encores?

Both Warren and Carrasco — who were on the cusp of being replaced when Clarke Schmidt returned — had their best outings of the season last weekend.

Now, each starter will have another shot to prove they deserve to remain in the rotation when Marcus Stroman (knee) eventually returns from the IL.

Warren will try and set the tone in the series-opener on Thursday. He'll be opposed by impressive right-hander Taj Bradley, so this will be a big test for Warren. Is he able to string quality starts together after picking up his first win in the big leagues his last time out?

As for Carrasco, the veteran's great spring training didn't carry over in the early going, but he pitched five innings of one-run ball in the series-opener with Kansas City, the best of his short Yankees career. New York needs Carrasco to continue his effectiveness if the Bombers want to improve on having one of the worst ERAs from a starting staff this season.

Aaron Judge power surge incoming?

The captain was quietly having a power outage. Entering Wednesday's series finale against the Royals, Judge had not hit a home run in 10 games. Although he was still getting on base and getting hits, that power was not showing. Luckily for the Yanks, the power emerged just when the team needed it most as his seventh-inning blast lifted New York to a series sweep over the Royals.

Now that Judge has finally gone yard, perhaps more are soon to follow. Judge has a habit of hitting his homers in bunches, and going down to the warm climate of Tampa in a familiar park can't hurt.

Apr 13, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodón (55) stands on the mound in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Can Carlos Rodon stop giving up homers?

I've been a staunch defender of Rodon this season. Despite not pitching up to the $162 million contract, the potential to be a No. 3 starter is there.

In just his last two starts, he's allowed nine runs, but six of them came on two three-run home runs that completely decimated what otherwise would be quality starts. But the long ball has been Rodon's bugaboo since he donned the pinstripes. He has allowed 51 homers in his first 50 games with the Yanks, which tied him with JA Happ for the most home runs allowed by a Yankees pitcher in his first 50 games with the team. That includes the five jacks he's allowed in his four starts this year.

Rodon will pitch the second game of the series against a Rays team that has hit 19 home runs in their 18 games, which is tied for 15th in the majors. Perhaps this could be a get-right game for the southpaw.

More Martian development

Arguably, the biggest development coming out of the Royals series is how well Jasson Dominguez has played in the outfield and hit at the plate. His bases-clearing double on Tuesday lifted the Yankees to a win and came as a right-handed hitter — it was only his second hit against a lefty this season.

New York will face a quartet of right-handed starters in this series, so any at-bats hitting right-handed will have to come against relievers, but Dominguez is looking more comfortable at the plate and he's produced. Against the Royals, he went 3-for-8 with two walks and drove in three RBI.

Let's see if he can carry that over into this series.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Ben Rice

The young slugger got a much-needed day off Wednesday and will likely lead off against the aforementioned quartet of righties in this series.

Which Yankees pitcher will have the best start?

Max Fried

Until the other starters step up consistently, Fried (1.88 ERA) will always be the odds-on favorite to pitch the best.

Which Rays player will be a thorn in the Yankees' side?

Yandy Diaz

The first baseman enters this series on a six-game hitting streak, and is a career .270 hitter in 81 games against the Yankees.

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Tanner Scott investment paying off, Robert Suarez leads Padres dominant pen

[ad_1]

In this week’s Closer Report, Tanner Scott‘s three saves for the Dodgers solidify his role as the team’s primary closer. Robert Suárez leads a Padres bullpen that’s been the best in baseball. And Trevor Megill appears to be fine despite some injury speculation.

2025 Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Bobby Witt Jr., Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge lead Top 300 rest of season ranks

Kyren Paris and Nick Kurtz make their rankings debuts.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1: At the Top

Mason Miller – Athletics
Josh Hader – Houston Astros
Andrés Muñoz – Seattle Mariners

Miller picked up his fourth save on Saturday against the Mets, then struck out the side on 12 pitches Wednesday against the White Sox for his fifth. He’s struck out 12 batters with just one walk and three hits allowed over six scoreless innings. The 26-year-old right-hander is just flat-out dominating when on the mound.

Hader pitched a scoreless inning in a non-save situation on Sunday before locking down his fourth save Tuesday against the Cardinals. He’s made six scoreless appearances, including a pair of two-inning outings, since giving up one run on Opening Day.

We stay in the AL West to finish out the top tier, with Muñoz pitching lights out in Seattle. He worked three save chances this week and is up to seven saves over nine scoreless innings. The only knock on the 26-year-old right-hander is an elevated walk rate, but it helps to have an 18.5% swinging-strike rate.

Tier 2: The Elite

Robert Suarez – San Diego Padres
Devin Williams – New York Yankees
Ryan Helsley – St. Louis Cardinals
Emmanuel Clase – Cleveland Guardians
Edwin Díaz – New York Mets
Jeff Hoffman – Toronto Blue Jays

Suarez picked up his MLB-leading eighth save on Wednesday against the Cubs. He’s tossed nine scoreless frames as the leader of a Padres bullpen that leads the majors with the best ERA. The 34-year-old right-hander got off to a similarly impressive start last season. This time around, it’s with more strikeouts as he’s generated a 17.1% swinging-strike rate behind increased usage of his changeup.

It was a better week for Williams as he made three scoreless appearances, including two saves to bring his total to three. The 30-year-old right-hander isn’t getting the whiffs he’s accustomed to getting in the early going while struggling with control. He’s posted an 8/6 K/BB ratio across six innings of work.

Helsley picked up his second save of the week on Wednesday against the Astros and third on the season. His one outing in which he walked four batters and allowed two runs on April 6 against the Red Sox has skewed his ratios a bit, but he’s been otherwise solid.

Clase picked up his second save of the season Tuesday against the Orioles, working just his fourth scoreless appearance in eight games. There’s nothing suggesting a decline for the 27-year-old right-hander. His profile indicates he’s been more a victim of bad luck to start the season with a bloated .467 BABIP. Clase continues to limit walks and has generated an 18.1% swinging-strike rate. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him go on a dominant stretch as his BABIP normalizes.

Díaz had allowed five runs over his last two outings before striking out two batters in a scoreless inning on Wednesday in a tie game against the Twins. Walking five batters over his last three games hasn’t helped, but he also has been hurt by an inflated BABIP. The 31-year-old right-hander’s velocity has been down a bit before getting back up to 97 on Wednesday, an encouraging sign.

After working back-to-back two-inning outings, Hoffman closed out Wednesday’s game against the Braves with his fourth save of the season. The 32-year-old right-hander is off to an excellent start with Toronto, giving up two runs with a 14/1 K/BB ratio across 10 1/3 innings.

Tier 3: The Solid Options

Tanner Scott – Los Angeles Dodgers
Ryan Walker – San Francisco Giants
Raisel Iglesias – Atlanta Braves
Jhoan Duran – Minnesota Twins
Félix Bautista – Baltimore Orioles

Walker picked up his fourth save of the season against the Yankees on Sunday, striking out one batter in a clean inning. While the 29-year-old right-hander has been effective at limiting walks and hard contact, the strikeouts haven’t been there yet with his swinging-strike rate down in the early going.

Scott converted the three save chances for the Dodgers this week, giving him three straight and six of the team’s nine saves. Blake Treinen has mixed in for two saves, but Scott is solidifying his role as the primary closer despite the early mixing and matching. The 30-year-old left-hander has allowed three runs with a 10/0 K/BB ratio across 10 innings.

Iglesias gave up a solo homer against the Rays in Tampa on Saturday but held on to the lead for his second save. The 35-year-old right-hander has allowed a lot of hard contact so far but holds a strong 7/1 K/BB ratio across six innings.

Tier 4: Only Here for the Saves

Pete Fairbanks – Tampa Bay Rays
Trevor Megill – Milwaukee Brewers
Kenley Jansen – Los Angeles Angels
Aroldis Chapman – Boston Red Sox
Justin Martinez/A.J. Puk – Arizona Diamondbacks
Jose Alvarado/Matt Strahm – Philadelphia Phillies
Kyle Finnegan – Washington Nationals
Carlos Estévez – Kansas City Royals
Luke Jackson – Texas Rangers
Emilio Pagan – Cincinnati Reds
Ryan Pressly – Chicago Cubs

Fairbanks added his third save of the season on Friday with a scoreless inning against the Braves. His swinging-strike rate is up to an impressive 20.4% over six outings after seeing a decline all last season. Durability will always remain a concern for the 31-year-old right-hander, but he should otherwise be a solid closing option.

Megill was hit with a blown save after giving up three runs on Saturday against the Diamondbacks. There was some concern following the outing as he reportedly has been pitching through a lingering knee issue. An MRI revealed no structural damage and he bounced back with a scoreless inning in a non-save situation on Wednesday against the Tigers. Abner Uribe has pitched well and figures to be next in line for saves if Megill is unavailable.

Jansen picked up a save on Saturday with a scoreless inning against the Astros. He’s yet to allow a run over six innings while posting a 7/2 K/BB ratio. While not as dominant as he once was, Jansen is as safe a bet for saves as they came when healthy

Chapman took a loss on Saturday, giving up one run against the White Sox. He bounced back with saves on Monday and Tuesday, giving him four with a 1.23 ERA and a 40% strikeout rate across 7 1/3 innings. With Chapman unavailable Wednesday, Justin Slaten picked up the save against the Rays. Liam Hendriks appears set to come off the injured list in the next week and could factor into the late-inning mix. However, I wouldn’t expect him to step in to save chances right away.

The Diamondbacks continue to play the matchup game in the late innings. After Martinez converted a pair of saves last week, Puk got the save chance against the Brewers on Sunday and converted his third of the season.

Not to the same extent, but the Phillies will mix and match the high-leverage situations. Alvarado picked up his third save on Saturday against the Cardinals, then faced the top of the Giants’ lineup on Tuesday before Matt Strahm picked up the save in the ninth.

As usual, Finnegan works through trouble to get the job done. The 33-year-old right-hander made a pair of scoreless appearances to convert two saves, giving him six with one run allowed and an 8/4 K/BB ratio across 7 2/3 innings.

Estévez is up to five saves after picking up two this week against the Twins and Guardians. He had his most impressive outing Sunday in Cleveland as he struck out the side. Lucas Erceg is pitching well in a setup role, but Estévez is locked in as the closer.

Jackson worked around a hit and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning to finish out the game against the Angels with a four-run lead on Tuesday. He then pitched a clean ninth on Wednesday for his sixth save.

Pagán has pitched well as he’s settled into the closer role in Cincinnati. The 33-year-old right-hander worked three perfect outings this week, picking up two saves to bring his total to four. Manager Terry Francona has stated that Pagán will continue to work as the team’s primary closer despite Alexis Díaz returning from the injured list.

Pressly has his best week as a Cub. The 36-year-old right-hander had not worked a clean inning through seven outings until tossing two perfect frames this week to pick up a save and a win.

Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel

Dennis Santana – Pittsburgh Pirates
Tommy Kahnle – Detroit Tigers
Seth Halvorsen – Colorado Rockies
Anthony Bender/Calvin Faucher – Miami Marlins
Jordan Leasure – Chicago White Sox

The Pirates have not converted a save since sending David Bednar to Triple-A. Still, Santana’s usage suggests he should be getting the save chances, at least until Bednar is back in the majors.

Kahnle gave up a run against the Twins on Friday but was able to hold on for his second save. Meanwhile, Jason Foley has not allowed a run over 6 2/3 innings with Triple-A Toledo.

Halvorsen pitched a scoreless inning against the Brewers last Thursday, then gave up a run against the Dodgers on Tuesday. Both outings were in non-save situations as the Rockies have won just three games all season.

Bender was charged with a blown save after giving up one run in the eighth inning against the Nationals on Friday. Calvin Faucher got the save chance the following day and converted his first.

Another week with no save chances in Chicago for the White Sox. The team did designate Mike Clevinger for assignment after he allowed five runs with a 3/8 K/BB ratio over 5 2/3 innings. It’s not much use speculating here, but Leasure seems likely to be in line for any save chances.

Relievers On The Rise/Stash Candidates

The Angels placed right-handed setup man Ben Joyce on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation after seeing a dip in velocity during his last outing. With Joyce sidelined, Ryan Zeferjahn is in line to step into more high-leverage work behind closer Kenley Jansen. Zeferjahn has collected strikeouts over his last few outings and owns a 47.4% strikeout rate behind a 22.1% swinging-strike rate, albeit over a small sample so far. The 27-year-old right-hander has closer stuff with a 98 mph fastball and wipeout slider. Zeferjahn should be next in line to close on days Jansen is unavailable, at least until Joyce returns. He’s a solid option to roster in holds leagues, especially if he can maintain the strikeouts.

Staying in Southern California, Dodgers long reliever Jack Dreyer is another reliever gaining some value in deeper roto leagues. The team has leaned on the 26-year-old southpaw to give them some length in the middle innings and he’s come through with one run allowed and a 16/1 K/BB ratio across 12 innings. He’s also falling in line to pick up two wins, which could be invaluable in those 15-plus team roto/category formats.

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Bobby Miller struggles, but Dodgers complete sweep of Rockies

[ad_1]

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 16, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller (28) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Dodgers Stadium on April 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) — Bobby Miller had a rough outing against the Rockies on Wednesday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

One year and three weeks ago, Bobby Miller was at the peak of his young major league career.

After a promising rookie campaign in 2023, the hard-throwing right-hander had made the Dodgers’ 2024 opening-day rotation. In his season debut, he dominated the St. Louis Cardinals with 11 strikeouts over six scoreless innings. And as a former top prospect in the organization’s pitching-rich farm system, his ascent in the big leagues seemed to be just beginning.

One year and three weeks later, he faces a long climb back.

Called up from triple-A Oklahoma City for a spot start Wednesday, Miller’s first MLB start of 2025 mirrored the struggles that plagued him over the rest of 2024.

Over a woeful three-inning outing, the 26-year-old gave up six runs to the middling Colorado Rockies. Despite striking out seven batters, he was knocked around for a five-spot in the third, punctuated by a hanging curveball Michael Toglia hit for a grand slam.

The Dodgers still won, riding a seven-run first inning to an 8-7 victory that completed a three-game series sweep at Dodger Stadium this week.

But Miller’s implosion was another troubling sign for the Dodgers’ young depth options on the mound.

Read more: Dodgers legend Manny Mota suffers stroke: ‘We hope he can recover all his functions’

Like Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack before him, his return to the majors inspired little confidence.

In a rare opportunity to make an impression on the Dodgers’ big-league roster, he instead faltered in a frustratingly familiar script.

Two innings into Wednesday’s start, Miller appeared to be in full control.

He had limited damage in a three-hit first inning, striking out the other three batters he faced to give up just one run. He breezed through the second, stranding a two-out single with two more strikeouts.

And in between, he waited in the dugout for the 25 minutes while the Dodgers launched an assault on Rockies starter Germán Márquez.

Shohei Ohtani blasted a 448-foot leadoff home run to the top of the right-field pavilion. Freddie Freeman also found the right-field seats for a solo blast two batters later. From there, the Dodgers just kept coming, with Andy Pages driving two runs home with the bases loaded, Austin Barnes tacking on two more with a double that marked his first hit of the season, and Ohtani collecting another RBI in his second at-bat of the inning with a base hit.

Shohei Ohtani heads for home after his first-inning home run. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

All told, the Dodgers scored seven times, had nine batters reach base and chased Márquez from the game after 37 dismal pitches.

It seemingly set Miller up to cruise through the rest of his night.

Instead, it all came unglued in the top of the third.

After responding to a leadoff single with his sixth strikeout of the game, Miller lost his feel for, what up to that point, had been an effective curveball. He hung one to Kyle Farmer for a single. He missed with two to Hunter Goodman to walk the bases loaded.

Then, in a 1-and-2 count to Toglia, he fired another that stayed over the heart of the plate. Toglia unloaded for a grand slam. Miller hid his frustration behind a stoic face.

So often last year, Miller endured starts like this, unable to build upon his early-season momentum in what became a forgettable campaign.

Following that dazzling debut against the Cardinals, he yielded seven runs over 5 ⅔ innings in his next two starts. Shoulder inflammation landed him on the injured list for two months after that. And once he returned, he never looked the same, stumbling to a 9.34 ERA over his final 10 outings.

Read more: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw throws three scoreless innings in rehab start

During that second-half stretch, Miller was dogged by a nagging knee issue. But wild command (he walked 30 batters in 56 innings on the season) and lack of execution with his breaking pitches (highlighted by a .357 batting average against his curveball) were equally troublesome problems.

On Wednesday, they resurfaced again.

An at-bat after Toglia’s grand slam, Miller fell behind Mickey Moniak by throwing two changeups that bounced to the backstop. Then, with Barnes holding his catcher’s mitt low in the zone, Miller fired a fastball that stayed up and over the plate. Moniak hit it the other way for a solo home run. What had once been a 7-1 lead was trimmed to 7-6.

Luckily for Miller, the bullpen picked up the slack against the woebegone Rockies (3-15) — including three innings of one-run relief from swingman Ben Casparius, who provided a bridge to Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott to close it out.

The Dodgers’ offense, meanwhile, provided just enough breathing room with a fifth-inning RBI single from Pages.

The question now: What will the Dodgers do next Wednesday, when there will once again be a hole in their rotation?

Tommy Edman scores on a single by Andy Pages in the first inning. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Tony Gonsolin is still expected to make one more triple-A rehab start before returning from his back injury. Knack (who had a 7.27 ERA in three outings this year) and Wrobleski (who yielded eight runs in his lone start last week) have already been optioned.

Given Wednesday’s results, Miller might be facing the same fate.

Before the game, manager Dave Roberts had remained bullish on his long-term potential, reflecting back at where he was one year and three weeks earlier.

“He was just really thriving,” Roberts recalled. “As far as the upside potential, absolutely [it’s still there].”

Wednesday, however, was a reminder of how far he’s slipped trying to reach it.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

[ad_2]

April 17, 2025

Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw throws three scoreless innings in rehab start

[ad_1]

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw warms up at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday. — Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, above working out at Camelback Ranch during spring training, made his first rehab start in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

Clayton Kershaw took the next step to a return from the 60-day injured list, making his first rehabilitation appearance in triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

The longest-tenured Dodger tossed three scoreless innings in a start against the Tacoma Rainiers in a rare Wednesday morning contest, giving up two hits, striking out two and walking none on 30 pitches (22 for strikes). Kershaw underwent left-knee and left-foot surgery — to repair his left big toe — during the offseason. He missed the 2024 postseason because of his toe injury.

“I think anytime with rehab you want to feel healthy, which I do feel good today,” Kershaw, 37, told reporters after the game at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. “Then you want to see your stuff — obviously — play. There’s some things that I need to work on still, but for the first [rehab appearance] overall, it was a good step forward.”

The future Hall of Fame southpaw’s fastball velocity averaged 87.5 mph and topped out at 88.8 mph — more than a full mile per hour down from the 89.9 he averaged in 2024. He threw 12 sliders, 10 fastballs, four curveballs and four change-ups, generating five swings and misses.

Kershaw, entering his 18th season with the Dodgers, has struggled to reach the velocity of his younger days when he’d turn up his fastball to the mid-to-low 90s, turning toward increased slider usage and continuing to toy with a fourth pitch: a change-up.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that with Kershaw, it’s not about his arm health, but rather how he’s progressing from his toe surgery. The operation to repair a ruptured plantar plate is not a common operation for baseball players, leading to speculation as to how Kershaw’s recovery would advance.

Read more: Dodgers legend Manny Mota suffers stroke: ‘We hope he can recover all his functions’

“I think with a guy like Clayton is more of how he feels,” said Roberts, later adding that training staff reports pointed to Kershaw’s toe being in good shape. “I know he’s probably happy with the uptick in velocity, the toe is the last part of it. The body feels good. The arm feels good.”

Pitching coach Mark Prior said Wednesday that Kershaw “turned a page” in the last 10 days, complimenting his performance in Oklahoma City, noting the awkward swings the lefty forced on his offspeed offerings. For Prior, he’s looking forward to seeing a fully healthy Kershaw on the mound.

“[Kershaw’s] like, ‘My arm feels good. My arm feels good,’” Prior said. “We just want to see him be able to go out there and compete on a very consistent basis, every week, every six days, seven days, whatever that is, being able to repeat that and continue to build up.”

With Kershaw trending towards a mid-to-late May activation off the injured list, his return will only further complicate the Dodgers starting rotation.

Before being optioned to triple-A to make way for Bobby Miller’s start Wednesday, right-hander Landon Knack made two starts, while left-hander Justin Wrobleski tossed a spot start while the team was in Washington.

Blake Snell, the Dodgers’ prized free-agent acquisition, has already made a trip to the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation on April 7. The former two-time Cy Young award winner began a throwing program Monday and has played catch every day since then. Roberts said Wednesday there is no current timeline for Snell’s return.

Right-handers Tony Gonsolin and reliever Evan Phillips are likely the next to return from the injured list. Phillips earned the save for Oklahoma City on Wednesday, tossing a scoreless inning and appearing in a game for the second consecutive day for the first time in his rehab stint.

Gonsolin made his longest rehab start yet Tuesday, giving up three earned runs while fanning five batters across four innings. Roberts said Gonsolin will throw another rehab start — aiming for the five-inning marker — in Oklahoma City next week, and is on track with his tune-up.

If Miller is optioned back to Oklahoma City after his start Wednesday, the Dodgers will need to fill a spot start next week once again.

Teoscar back in the lineup

Outfielder Teoscar Hernández will return to the lineup against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday after missing the last two games with a stomach bug.

“[I feel] great,” Hernández said pregame Wednesday. “The last two days it’s been a little tough, but I feel better. Just to be able to go on the field, feel good, be with the guys and play the game.”

Hernández will start in right field and hit cleanup. The second-year Dodger has slashed .281/.309/.563 to begin the season, tallying five home runs and 16 RBI so far.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

[ad_2]

April 16, 2025

Mets vs. Cardinals: 5 things to watch and series predictions | April 17-20

[ad_1]

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Cardinals play a four-game series at Citi Field beginning on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Preview

Is the elite version of Kodai Senga back?

Senga lost most of last season due to injury, but he was the best version of himself during his one regular season start in 2024 — firing 5.1 innings of two-run ball against the Braves while throwing 52 of 73 pitches for strikes and fanning nine batters.

Of course, Senga left that start after hurting his calf — an injury that cost him the remainder of the regular season and left him behind the eight ball during the minor postseason contributions he made upon his return.

During Senga's first two starts of 2025, he more than held his own, allowing just two earned runs in 10.0 innings while striking out 12. But during his recent outing against the Athletics, he was utterly dominant, needing just 79 pitches to get through 7.0 shutout innings while walking two and striking out four.

In that start in Sacramento, Senga's ghost fork was extra filthy and his fastball consistently reached 97 mph, topping out at 97.6 — the fastest he has thrown so far this season.

If Senga consistently resembles the version of himself who was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2023, the Mets — who now have Clay Holmes pitching very well and Sean Manaea on the horizon — should be in very strong shape rotation-wise.

The pitching situation

Griffin Canning was scratched from Wednesday's start due to illness, with Huascar Brazoban getting the start as an opener.

With Canning unavailable, the Mets optioned Max Kranick to Triple-A Syracuse in order to call up Justin Hagenman, who was sharp in his major league debut on Wednesday against the Twins.

The Mets will have the option of bringing Kranick back on Thursday as a replacement on the roster for the injured Jose Siri — if Siri is placed on the IL as expected.

Meanwhile, Canning is set to pitch Thursday's series-opener against St. Louis.

Is Mark Vientos' turnaround in progress?

Vientos hasn't hit much this season, with a .145/.254/.210 triple slash and OPS+ of 37.

Most glaring has been Vientos' lack of power. He has four doubles, but has yet to homer after cracking 27 long balls in just 111 games in 2024.

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) looks back from second base during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

But Vientos has a six-game on-base streak, has hit safely in his last four games, and has looked more comfortable at the plate recently.

Vientos' strikeout rate is just 19.7 percent (it was 29.7 percent last season), and his outrageously low BABIP of .188 (his career BABIP is .287) suggests he's been incredibly unlucky and is due for a rebound.

The Cardinals have been better than expected

St. Louis attempted to trade cornerstone third baseman Nolan Arenado during the offseason ahead of a season that is expected to be transitional.

But Arenado remains, and the Cards have been solid — with a 9-9 record and +10 run differential.

Their 94 runs scored were the third-most in baseball entering play Wednesday night, and their pitching has been holding its own.

It seems unlikely the Cards will be a serious playoff threat this year with their eye still very much on the future, but for now, they're a formidable opponent.

Can the Mets get to Sonny Gray?

St. Louis has Andre Pallante, Miles Mikolas, Matthew Liberatore, and Gray lined up to start against the Mets.

Gray, who finished second in NL Cy Young voting in 2023 and posted a 3.84 ERA and 1.08 WHIP last season, has been great so far.

In 23.0 innings over four starts, Gray has a 3.13 ERA and 0.78 WHIP, and has allowed just 15 hits.

He has been a bit susceptible to the home run ball — allowing four dingers so far — but his other numbers are excellent, including a minuscule walk rate of 1.2 per nine.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Mark Vientos

The signs of a breakout are there.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Kodai Senga

Senga will look to build off his strong early-season performance, and should be fresh after throwing just 79 pitches in his last start.

Which Cardinals player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Brendan Donovan

Donovan has been on fire to start the year.

[ad_2]