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Welcome to Rivalry Weekend! AKA, three or four actual rivalries and about ten matchups that share only the slightest bit of beef or a shared state border. Blue Jays-Tigers? What’s that? The Battle for Lake Ontario? Orioles-Nationals? What ties these two together? Rebuilds, historically cheap ownership, and state borders? Sure.
Thankfully, others picked up the slack. Mets-Yankees delivered a strange, unending night with one high-wire act. Cubs-White Sox at least let one fanbase have some fun. But not the one most expect. The reverse is true for Angels-Dodgers, where Goliath mauled David.
Today’s Headlines
Weaver Saves the Mets
Only ahead 5-3 over the crosstown Yankees, the New York Mets found themselves imperiled. Bases loaded. No outs. Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge botched a lazy fly ball to put one on earlier; Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. had a bunt single. This is where things go wrong for the Mets. This is where they have gone wrong. It’s as predictable as a Hallmark romance. And yet the Mets were more like an M. Night Shyamalan movie on Saturday, subverting expectations en route to a 6-3 win. Reliever Luke Weaver steered them through the bases-loaded storm, striking out two straight and getting a groundout. How’s that for a twist?
Offensively, Mets first baseman Mark Vientos had the big night with three RBI. Vientos’ one hit was a laser down the third-base line. Two runs scored. Vientos struck again in the seventh with an RBI ground-out. The former gave the Mets a lead they’d never relinquish despite the Yankees’ best efforts. The latter was much-needed insurance for a team and a fanbase always on a knife-edge.
Sanchez Gets the Phils Back to .500
After a 6-0 win, the Philadelphia Phillies are back to .500 for the first time since April 13. Philly is now 14-4 under interim manager Don Mattingly. They have him, among others, to thank for the turnaround. But as for Saturday’s win against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philly has one man especially to thank: starter Cristopher Sánchez. The 29-year-old had the best start of his career. Sanchez pitched a complete game, shut out the Pirates, and struck out a career-best 13 batters. All while allowing no walks. In fact, Sanchez has only allowed one walk over his last 24 innings. He’s also yet to allow a run over his last 29.2 innings. He’s been sensational. There will be talk of Schwarber and Mattingly saving the Phils’ season, deservedly so. Just don’t lose sight of Sanchez.
Dodgers Dominate Angels
Hug an Angels fan. It’s one thing to lose to the big brother Dodgers. It’s another to get annihilated 15-2 at home like they did on Saturday. And it’s another thing to have ex-Angel Shohei Ohtani deliver much of the damage. Ohtani seemed like himself last night, racking up five RBI. Three came from an inside-the-park home run, the first of his illustrious career, and a pair came courtesy of an RBI double.
That’s not the worst of it for the Angels. Budding ace José Soriano had the worst start of his season, allowing six runs. Walking in back-to-back runs was an especially tough look for the 27-year-old. Alek Manoah, the Angels’ attempt at a reclamation project, entered in relief and looked irredeemable. Manoah allowed nine runs, eight of which were earned, in just one-and-a-third innings. So, yes, Angels fans desperately need some grace.
Cleveland Keeps Level with Cincinnati
The Battle of Ohio is living up to the billing. Following a raucous 7-6 Cincinnati win on Friday, Cleveland evened the series with a 7-4 victory on Saturday. This second entry in the series was, like the first, a back-and-forth affair. Cleveland took the early lead, Cincy clawed ahead, just for Cleveland to bring it back even. Its resurgence came in unexpected ways in the sixth. A wild pitch plated outfielder Steven Kwan, while a sacrifice fly scored outfielder Angel Martínez. Martinez, though, wasn’t content with a quiet stamp. He slammed his name into the stat sheet with a then go-ahead and eventual game-winning two-run dinger.
Cleveland’s bullpen took care of the rest. And really, they’re the unsung hero of the night. After a poor start from Joey Cantillo, Cleveland’s pen worked four scoreless innings. Near perfect, a hit and a walk marked its only blemishes.
Chapman Closes What Tolle Started
It’s never easy for the Boston Red Sox. Despite being ahead 3-2 with All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman on the mound, Atlanta loaded the bases. Chapman had walked a pair on eight straight balls and seemed lost. One single and it’s a tie game, if not a loss. That single never came, and the Sox won 3-2. Chapman found himself against Atlanta second baseman Ha-Seong Kim, drilling the outside zone before coaxing a grounder. Yet even this was fraught. The ball hit Chapman’s ankle. And if not for his quick reaction, Kim might have reached base, and Atlanta might’ve tied the game. But thanks to an immediate response, Chapman got the out at first and slammed the door.
Where Chapman struggled, Boston starter Payton Tolle shone. Outside of two mistakes to Atlanta catcher Drake Baldwin, Tolle shoved. The rookie coughed up just four hits, two runs, and one walk over eight terrific innings. That’s with only three strikeouts. Unconventional for Tolle? Yes. Encouraging all the same? Big time, especially against an offense like Atlanta’s. The 23-year-old now boasts a 2.05 ERA through five starts.
Don’t Sleep on St. Louis
Baseball’s most surprising story kept going on Saturday, as the St. Louis Cardinals won 4-2 over the Kansas City Royals. The Cards have now won 13 of their last 18 games, are second in the NL Central, and are 27-18. Their record is fifth-best in the National League. Go figure.
As for Saturday itself, flowers go to Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson. Burelson started St. Louis’ scoring in the first with a sacrifice fly. Then, in the bottom of the eighth, with St. Louis barely ahead 3-1, Burelson belted an RBI single. The hit provided extra cushion for the Cardinals’ bullpen. Offense aside, a carnation is due for starter Kyle Leahy. Leahy pitched six strong innings and allowed only one run. St. Louis is blooming and will go for the series sweep tomorrow.
Piñango Helps Pull Toronto Past Detroit
What’s better than getting your first big league knock? Having it tie the ballgame and lead to a 2-1 win. Such is reality for the Toronto Blue Jays and rookie outfielder Yohendrick Piñango. Down 1-0 in the seventh, Piñango powered a screaming game-tying home run to get Toronto back into the affair. The Blue Birds then scored again in the 10th, thanks to the ghost runner and an RBI single from outfielder Daulton Varsho. Flamethrowing reliever Louis Varland stopped the Tigers from doing what Varsho had, retiring three straight to seal the win. Varland, by the way, currently touts a 0.38 ERA.
Marlins Plate Eight in Extras
One wouldn’t know it based on the 10-5 final, but the Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays entered the 10th tied 2-2. Though the ghost-runner provided the initial spark, Miami’s bats caught kindling. Catcher Liam Hicks plated a pair, third baseman Javier Sanoja scored three; Even the replay booth got involved, overturning an out that let another Marlins score stand. Miami is now the first team since the 2012 Rockies to score eight runs in the tenth. Tampa Bay tried to find the same fire, and, to its credit, did. Just not to the same degree.
By The Numbers
⚾ 457. Phillies star first baseman Bryce Harper did something only a few can do: hit the batter’s eye. Yes, Harper drilled a pitch 457 feet to what is quite literally dead center.
⚾ 40. Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks became the first to reach 40 RBI this season with a two-RBI single.
⚾ 17. White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami went deep twice and, at 17 homers, is now tied for the second-most in baseball. Stay golden, Murakami-sama.
⚾ 7. Muted compared to Miami’s eight-run inning, the Nats scored seven in the seventh inning of their game against the Baltimore Orioles. At 23-23, the Nationals are third in the NL East.
⚾ 4. Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom allowed four home runs in a game for the first time since July 7, 2017.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Andy Airs Out
In case Angels fans needed another reminder of last night.
ANDY PAGES, WOW 🤯 pic.twitter.com/hkMpwnSD1p
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2026
Daylen Does It
Even more impossible than this catch by Daylen Lile? His ability to slide in a way that doesn’t shatter his leg.
DAYLEN LILE WITH THE SLIDING GRAB AT THE WALL! 👏 pic.twitter.com/DgbPoANZLh
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 16, 2026
Oh My Okamoto
Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto doesn’t just hit bombs.
WOW 🤯
Kazuma Okamoto bobbled the overhead basket catch and snagged it with his bare hand for a wild putout 😮 pic.twitter.com/06HiNkcZI2
— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2026
Cast Away
How fitting. Mets fans often feel stranded, alone, desperate, and so starved for something good that they often talk to themselves about better days that feel a million miles away.
WILSON!!!
Mr. Met dressed up as Wilson to meet Tom Hanks 😂 pic.twitter.com/dmp9rJj9vn
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 17, 2026
No Shirts in St. Louis
No shoes, no shirts. Just dubs and good vibes.
TARPS OFF! The shirtless fan group returned to Busch Stadium today and celebrated with the Cardinals in the clubhouse after another win. pic.twitter.com/v0CgDoY6XI
— FOX2now (@FOX2now) May 16, 2026
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Toronto Blue Jays will officially lose starter José Berríos to surgery. Berrios will undergo an operation to repair a stress fracture in his right elbow. The news shouldn’t come entirely as a shock. Berrios has yet to pitch this season and has battled injuries dating back to late 2025.
⚾ Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell is getting surgery. The hurler told the press he’d go under the knife this week to remove loose bodies from his elbow. Given the procedure and injury, Snell would be targeting a late July or early August return.
⚾ Houston Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo imaging this morning after feeling something in his left side. Altuve exited Saturday’s game early, grabbing his left side.
⚾ The beleaguered Boston Red Sox keep taking hits. The club announced that shortstop Trevor Story will land on the 10-day IL due to a groin injury. That injury has officially been designated as a sports hernia. Given the severity of the ailment, Story could miss six to 10 weeks, should he elect to receive surgery. Infielder Nick Sogard will replace Story. In 36 Triple-A games, Sogard is hitting .269/.417/.454.
⚾ The New York Mets placed pitcher Clay Holmes on the 15-day IL due to a fractured fibula. Despite that, Holmes will presumably be on the shelf much longer. The Mets are targeting an August return at the earliest. For now, New York doesn’t have a rotation replacement for Holmes, but reliever Joey Gerber will join the bullpen. Veteran reliever Luke Jackson will not, after opting out of his minor league deal with the club.
⚾ In other pitching-injury news, Kansas City Royals reliever Matt Strahm will be sidelined with right knee inflammation. As a result, he’ll go to the 15-day IL. Bailey Falter will fill Strahm’s void on the roster following his reinstatement from the IL.
⚾ What’s one more problem for the San Francisco Giants? The team will be without outfielder Heliot Ramos for at least two weeks as the 26-year-old lands on the 10-day IL with a right quad strain. Fellow outfielder Will Brennan will join San Fran. Likewise, pitcher Erik Miller is up, and Tristan Beck is going down to Triple-A.
⚾ Welcome back, Jose Siri. The veteran outfielder joins the Los Angeles Angels, while reliever Ben Joyce was transferred to the 60-day IL. Siri’s promotion comes at the cost of outfielder Bryce Teodosio, who goes down to Triple-A.
⚾ The Baltimore Orioles have a new member of the fam: Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham. Pham joins the O’s after a brief stint with the Mets, where he went hitless over 14 plate appearances.
⚾ There’s a new taste to Milwaukee’s Brew as the team selected the contract of right-hander Peter Strzelecki. Strzelecki will take the spot of starter Coleman Crow, who was optioned to Triple-A.
⚾ The New York Yankees officially elevated rookie Elmer Rodríguez back to the Bigs on Saturday. Rodriguez will, ostensibly, replace the now-injured Max Fried in the rotation.
⚾ The Chicago White Sox and Athletics made a simple swap: Outfielder Junior Perez is moving to the South Side, while minor league lefty Jackson Nove is going out west. The A’s also made another swap, AthleticsPR/status/2055694835856834671″>acquiring Alika Williams for minor league Pirates minor league pitcher Kyle Robinson. Infielder Michael Stefanic is the odd man out, being DFA’d for Williams.
⚾ The St. Louis Cardinals are shooing right-hander Jared Shuster away with a DFA. Shuster is the unfortunate victim of right-hander Matt Pushard’s return from the IL.
Articles You Should Read
Can These 10 players Who Have Rebounded Keep It Up? – MLB.com
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