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We’re starting to get into the real meat of the season as the calendar has officially flipped to June, and with that the schedule gods brought us a relatively action-packed Thursday slate this week. Let’s get into it.
Today’s Headlines
Marte Magic
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been playing good baseball over the last three weeks and they continued that trend with an impressive four-game series split against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers, capped off by yesterday’s thrilling 3-2 victory. Both starting pitchers threw well in this one, with the Dodgers’ Justin Wrobleski throwing six shutout innings, and Arizona’s Ryne Nelson going seven strong of his own (2 ER). It was a tight affair throughout, with Los Angeles establishing a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning before Arizona responded to tie it up in the eighth. The best 2B in baseball then stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with a chance to send the home fans home in euphoria, and he did not let them down. The Diamondbacks stay home to welcome the Washington Nationals for a three-game set this weekend, while the Dodgers head home for a three-game series with their-cross town rival Angels.
Yankees Avoid Sweep
The New York Yankees are an impressive twelve games above .500 with their 37-25 overall record, good for second-best in all of the American League, but there are some underlying concerns about the fact that they are only 4-10 against clubs with a winning record. That concern was continuing to mount after the team lost the first two games of a series against the 36-28 Cleveland Guardians, and it would have likely entered early-season panic territory had the Yankees been swept by Cleveland this week. Luckily for the mood of the club and their ever-reactive fans, the Yankees were able to avoid a sweep yesterday behind a fantastic pitching performance from LHP Carlos Rodón (6 IP, 1 ER, 7 K, 2 H, 3 BB), who had easily his best start since returning from the IL last month. The Yankees’ offense continued to sputter without superstar Aaron Judge (more on him below in the “Injuries and Other News” section), but managed to scratch together just enough for the win behind a Jazz Chisholm Jr. sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth and a Ryan McMahon RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh. The Yankees stay in the Bronx this weekend for an always-exciting series with the Boston Red Sox, while Cleveland will be traveling to Texas to take on the Rangers.
Phillies Steady Climb Continues
The Philadelphia Phillies have been steadily climbing their way back into contention since an early-season managerial change put Don Mattingly at the helm as interim manager, and that climb took another step forward yesterday with the completion of a three-game series sweep over the San Diego Padres. Zack Wheeler (7 IP, 2 ER, 8 K, 2 H, 3BB) recovered from his only sour start of the year in his last outing by turning in another gem, taking a shutout into the seventh inning before a two-run homer by 3B Manny Machado put the Padres on the board. The Phillies still retained a 3-2 lead at that point, however, and would immediately answer with three runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh to put the game to bed. Philadelphia stays at home this weekend and will next welcome the surging Chicago White Sox in what should be a fun series, while the Padres head home to San Diego to take on the New York Mets.
By The Numbers
446 The longest home run hit yesterday came from Chicago Cub OF Ian Happ, who crushed one 446 feet in Chicago’s 7-6 win over the Athletics.
100.9 The fastest pitch thrown yesterday came from Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jared Jones during the Pirates’ 5-1 win over the Houston Astros. Jones only recently began his season after beginning the year on the IL, so it’s good to see him firing on all cylinders here.
19 The most swings and misses on the day came, perhaps surprisingly, from Athletics‘ RHP J.T. Ginn, who racked up 19 whiffs against the Cubs.
Best Moments From Yesterday
A PCA Nightmare
As mentioned already, the Cubbies beat the Athletics 7-6 yesterday, but that score does not tell nearly the full story. Cubs OF Pete Crow-Armstrong was in the middle of it all, as he first was part of one of the most bizarre inside-the-park homers you will ever see off the bat of Athletics C Shea Langeliers. Crow-Armstrong clearly lost the ball in the lights and had no idea where it was coming down, and Langeliers reaped the benefits for his second home run of the game.
PCA Restores Order
Crow-Armstrong then stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with an opportunity to ultimately get the last laugh in this one, and he did not disappoint. The Cubs had entered the inning down 6-3, but after an extended rally tied the game up, Crow-Armstrong came up with the winning run on third and delivered the game-winning single to send the home crowd into a frenzy.
Gilbert’s Grab
Milwaukee Brewers OF Andrew Vaughn is having a bit of a career resurgence at the dish since coming over from the Chicago White Sox last season. Regardless of how Vaughn finishes the rest of the 2026 season, though, there will forever be one less homer on his tally thanks to this spectacular grab at the wall by San Francisco Giants OF Drew Gilbert.
Today’s Easy “This Is Why I Love Baseball” Moment
This youngster at yesterday’s Philadelphia Phillies game not only had quick enough reflexes to snag two separate foul balls, but it was his quick thinking and heart of gold after the second one that got everyone’s attention, and for good reason.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The huge news of the day was that New York Yankees OF Aaron Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his ribs. Judge is expected to miss significant time, with the current plan being to reevaluate the slugger in four to six weeks.
⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Max Muncy was removed from Thursday’s game after colliding with Arizona Diamondbacks Ildemaro Vargas. Muncy exited due to shortness of breath after remaining down on the field for several minutes, but did eventually pass all concussion protocol.
⚾ The aforementioned Ildemaro Vargas also remained down on the field for several minutes before exiting the game. Vargas suffered multiple bruises, but all x-rays have come back negative.
⚾ Arizona Diamondbacks RHP Corbin Burnes suffered a setback (a strain in his right teres muscle) in his rehab recovery, and is now likely out until September. It’s a brutal blow for the former ace, who was on the tail end of working his way back from Tommy John surgery.
⚾ Houston Astros signed free agent 1B LaMonte Wade Jr. Jr.
⚾ Texas Rangers activated SS Corey Seager from the 10-day IL.
⚾ Arizona Diamondbacks optioned RHP Brandon Pfaadt to Reno Aces.
Articles You Should Read
“Three Starting Pitchers Who Gained Stuff and Command” — Corbin Young, FanGraphs
“Biggest Starting Pitcher Improvements from April to May” — Jack Dorfman, FanGraphs
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