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It might be a little too soon for Toronto Blue Jays fans for this to happen, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are returning to Rogers Centre today for a three-game series that is a rematch of last year’s amazing World Series. Right-hander Max Scherzer, who started Game 7 for the Jays, will pitch the opener against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski. In the marquee matchup of the series, World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Dodgers squares off with Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman on Tuesday, while Dodgers Game 7 starter Shohei Ohtani goes in the finale against new Jays right-hander Dylan Cease.
Today’s Headlines
Guardians Come To Life Late To Get Doubleheader Split
The Cleveland Guardians had one hit in dropping the first game of a doubleheader with the Chicago Cubs 1-0. The second game didn’t start out much better, with two hits through five innings and trailing by the same 1-0 score. But as they say, it is how you finish that matters. The Guardians scored three runs in the sixth and three in the eighth to earn a split of the twinbill with a 6-5 triumph. C.J. Kayfus tied the game with a solo homer in the eighth and Gabriel Arias singled home the go-ahead run, with Austin Hedges driving in the insurance run with a single of his own. The Cubs put together a ninth-inning threat against Guardians closer Cade Smith as Ian Happ, who hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth after striking out six consecutive times, singled home Nico Hoerner to pull the Cubs within 6-5 with two outs. In the opener, Cubs right-handed starter Edward Cabrera allowed one hit in 5.2 innings, a Kayfus double to right leading off the sixth, while walking five and striking out four.
Ashcraft Powers Pirates To 5th Straight Win
The Pittsburgh Pirates might never lose with Konnor Griffin on the roster. Right-handed starter Braxton Ashcraft pitched six strong innings, while Ryan O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz hit home runs as the Pirates extended their winning streak to five games with an 8-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the O’s to open their home schedule and began with the MLB debut of Griffin, baseball’s No. 1 prospect. Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight while matching his longest outing at six innings. He allowed one run on four hits and didn’t issue a walk. O’Hearn drove in four runs, including a two-run homer in the first inning, while Cruz had a two-run shot in the sixth and had three RBIs.
Dodgers, Down 5 Runs, Surge Past Nationals
With the lineup the Los Angeles Dodgers roll out, there aren’t many deficits they can’t overcome. Five runs? Pfffft. Shohei Ohtani’s sacrifice fly capped a four-run eighth inning as the Dodgers, down 5-1 through four innings, rallied for an 8-6 road win over the Washington Nationals. Ohtani also homered, a solo shot in the third inning, while Santiago Espinal and Dalton Rushing also drove in a pair of runs to give the Dodgers a three-game sweep. Rushing and Teoscar Hernández also homered for the Dodgers. Those exploits were needed as Dodgers right-handed starter Roki Sasaki was roughed up for six runs in five innings, getting tagged for a pair of homers.
White Sox Notch Rare Sweep Of Jays
The Chicago White Sox are hoping they don’t have to wait until the 2055 season to do what they did this weekend. For the first time since September 1995, the White Sox swept a three-game series from the Toronto Blue Jays, finishing it off with a 3-0 victory. Right-handed starter Davis Martin allowed four hits over six shutout innings, striking out six to secure the sweep of the White Sox’s home-opening series. Miguel Vargas (first-inning triple), Lenyn Sosa (third-inning double) and Austin Hays (fifth-inning single) each drove in runs, who are 3-0 at home for the first time since 2004.
Oblique Strain Sidelines Betts 4-6 Weeks
After a weird, illness-marred beginning to 2025, Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was hoping for a clean start to 2026. That didn’t last two weeks. Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique. Infielder Hyeseong Kim was called up from Triple-A. Betts was likely injured during a check swing in his first plate appearance Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts said the injury will sideline Betts for four to six weeks.
Astros Lose Brown To Shoulder Issue
The Houston Astros will be without ace right-hander Hunter Brown indefinitely after he was placed on the 15-day IL with a strained right shoulder. Brown, who finished third in last year’s AL Cy Young Award voting, felt the issue in Friday’s bullpen session. He was scheduled to start today vs. the Colorado Rockies. Right-hander Christian Roa was called up from Triple-A. Brown returned to Houston from West Sacramento, where the Astros were playing the A’s, for further evaluation.
By The Numbers
200,000 The Philadelphia Phillies gave up their 200,000th hit in franchise history when Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies singled in the first inning. That is the most in MLB history.
18 Cincinnati Reds right-handed starter Chase Burns threw first-pitch strikes to 18 of the 24 batters he faced in the Reds’ 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers.
101 Slugger Brent Rooker hit the 100th and 101st homers of his A’s career, the second one a three-run walk-off shot in the 10th inning for a 12-10 victory over the Houston Astros. Rooker is the 30th player in A’s franchise history (Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland) to reach 100 homers with the club.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Celebrating 10 Years
Achieving 10 years of service time in MLB gives players a number of benefits, including vesting your pension. Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins achieved that Sunday. Less than 10% of players reach that milestone.
"I've been blessed to wear this jersey my whole career"An emotional moment in the clubhouse this morning as we celebrated Buck reaching 10 years in the big leagues
— Minnesota Twins (@twinsbaseball.bsky.social) 2026-04-05T18:28:16.000Z
A Simple Plan
After watching Los Angeles Angels right fielder Jo Adell have one of the most amazing defensive games in MLB history Saturday, the Seattle Mariners were greeted by a simple message on how to attack Sunday’s game. “Don’t hit the ball to Joseph Adell.”
Today’s whiteboard outside the Mariners’ clubhouse here in Anaheim… pic.twitter.com/oexsDKRMne
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) April 5, 2026
They Don’t Call That In College
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello picked up his first MLB ejection when the runner was called out for running outside the lane to first base.
Tony Vitello’s first ejection happens because the umps say this is an out
— Talkin’ Baseball (@talkinbaseballbot.bsky.social) 2026-04-05T21:59:47.000Z
Worth The Wet
A young Dodgers fan reaped the ultimate reward after sticking it out through pregame rain to watch Shohei Ohtani go through a between-starts workout. Ohtani took a photo with the kid and gave him an autographed ball.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Due to a rain delay, Miami Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks started vs. the New York Yankees instead of right-hander Chris Paddack. Fairbanks’ wife is due to give birth today and will be going on the paternity list. Paddack came on in relief.
⚾ Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jared Triolo was placed on the 10-day IL with an injury to the patellar tendon in his right knee. Outfielder-first baseman Billy Cook was called up from Triple-A.
⚾ Blue Jays right fielder Addison Barger left the game vs. the White Sox with injuries to both ankles. Barger was thrown out at first on a nice defensive play, but stumbled as hit hit the bag.
⚾ Angels center fielder Mike Trout was hit on the left hand by a pitch and left the game vs. the Mariners. He is considered day-to-day.
Articles You Should Read
Fan takes iconic photo following Adell’s final robbery — Brian Murphy, MLB.com
What make the Twins MLB’s most aggressive ABS-challenge team? — Dan Hayes, The Athletic
Rays eager to return to Tropicana Field after hurricane damaged the roof — Rob Maaddi, Associated Press
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