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MLB News & Moments: Mike Trout Strikes Again

Trout takes round 2 in the Bronx.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 4/15/2026

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

The season is obviously young and small sample sizes are still rampant, but a look at today’s standing and leaderboards continue to show how you just can’t predict baseball. Outside of the Dodgers’ expected dominance, or things like Jacob Misiorowski leading the league in strikeouts, it is refreshing to see just how many weird things are happening around the sport.

The Pirates, Twins, and Rays are leading their respective divisions, while Jordan Walker is lapping the field in homers, José Soriano is the only pitcher with four wins, while Ben Rice still has a .500 OBP. Things will naturally change, as no one expects the likes of Philadelphia, the Cubs, Mets, Tigers, or Blue Jays to have losing seasons. But at least for now, let’s enjoy the randomness and chaos.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Three’s Company

After Monday’s tough loss against the Yankees that included a late blown lead and a walk-off wild pitch, the Angels showed how baseball fortunes can change quite quickly. Facing lefty Ryan Weathers, the Halos wasted no time in ambushing the Bronx, as Mike Trout, Jo Adell. and Jorge Soler put a charge into the bleachers by hitting back-to-back-to-back dingers to give LA an early 3-0 lead. Unlike the night before, though, their pitching rose up to the level of the offense, as Reid Detmers had one of the best games of his career, tossing seven scoreless innings that included nine strikeouts. More importantly, Angels’ pitching did not issue a free pass and limited the Yankees to only five hits en route to a comfortable 7-1 win. While Trout eventually went only 1-for-5 and is hitting a pedestrian .222 for the season, his third homer in two days reminded us that he can still be special.

Ready for his Close-up

In what promised to be the best pitching duel of the evening, Nolan McLean and Yoshinobu Yamamoto lived up to the hype. While both pitchers allowed an opening-frame run, they would settle down to trade zeroes the rest of the night, with Yamamoto even retiring 18 straight hitters at one point. With McLean amassing eight Ks to surpass Yamamoto’s seven, the game was left for the bullpens to decide, and that is where LA’s was a bit better. With a chance to earn his first signature moment for the Dodgers, Kyle Tucker delivered in a big way, driving in Miguel Rojas with a single in the eighth, as the LA crowd went into a frenzy. The 2-1 final score was upheld with a rare save from Alex Vesia, as regular closer Edwin Díaz and his trumpets were left on the bench. While the Dodgers continue to secure their spot as the best team in the league, the Mets have now lost seven straight.

Vladdy Ends the Craziness

With a pitching matchup of Jacob Misiorowski and Kevin Gausman, you would never expect a 9-7 final score, which is exactly what happened in last night’s Milwaukee-Toronto contest. However, that was not because the aces did not deliver, as Gausman and the Miz combined to allow five runs over ten innings. Alas, both teams’ bullpens imploded down the stretch, with their closers blowing saves in distressing fashions and the Manfred Men playing a big role as the game went to extras. First, it was Trevor Megill, who now owns an unsightly 14.40 ERA, allowing three runs to open the door for the Blue Jays. Not to be outdone, Jeff Hoffman blew his third save of 2026 by allowing two hits, three walks, and two runs to extend the game. Mercifully, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. had enough and started the tenth by driving in his second run of the day, also scoring as part of a three-run frame that decided the game for Toronto. While the late-game back-and-forth was exciting, it could also prove to be a turning point for both teams if they decide to re-evaluate their closer situations.

BuxTONS of Fun

Despite being the best team in the AL (really), the Minnesota Twins had seen limited production from arguably their best player, as Byron Buxton entered Tuesday’s action with only one homer in his ledger. That changed in a hurry, as Buxton broke the spell with a solo blast in the third that would only mark the start of a very special night. The star center fielder went deep again with another solo homer in the sixth, en route to a spectacular four-hit day that included four runs scored to lead the Twins to a commanding 6-0 win over the Red Sox. While Buxton’s heroics were special, it is also important to highlight the work of starter Mick Abel, as he earned his first win of the season by limiting Boston to only four hits over seven scoreless innings, dishing out 10 strikeouts in the process.

Deep Dish W

In terms of expectations, the Cubs may be one of the biggest letdowns of the young season. They have failed to post a three-game winning streak and stand below .500 despite a soft schedule, with their offense being maddeningly inconsistent. For a day, though, they reminded the baseball world why they are considered top-tier NL contenders. Despite using an opener and then falling into an early 3-0 hole against the Phillies, Chicago persevered and showed a blend of patience and timely hitting to flip the script, cruising to a 10-4 win to even their series in Philadelphia. Despite amassing 15 hits, the Cubs only had three extra-base knocks, but by also working six walks and going 6-for-18 with runners in scoring position, Chicago found long rallies that led to a four-run sixth inning that gave them the lead for good. Alex Bregman, Nico Hoerner, and Carson Kelly drove in three runs each, while every starter except for Dansby Swanson collected at least one hit. Even with the early jitters after coming in during the second frame, Colin Rea settled down and went six innings to earn his second win of the season.

 

By The Numbers

 

479 After earning the save in Detroit’s 2-1 win over the Royals, Kenley Jansen moved into sole possession of third place among all-time saves leaders with his 479th, surpassing Lee Smith.

7 The Mets extended their losing streak to seven games, which remains the longest active run of losses in the league. The Brewers are not far behind, with six straight defeats.

18 Byron Buxton had the 18th multi-homer game of his career. His most recent one came last September against the Rangers.

9 The San Francisco Giants took their third straight loss, falling 2-1 to the Reds and dropping to an NL-worst 6-11. In nine of their 11 losses so far, their offense has scored two or fewer runs.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Man on Fire

The A’s have a number of exciting things going for them, including their core of young hitters slowly becoming established stars at the plate, but that doesn’t even consider the human highlight reel they employ in center field. Denzel Clarke reminded us how special he is at the position, possibly robbing an Andrew McCutchen homer. While the ball may not have cleared the wall, and denying an elder statesman like Cutch of extra bases is kinda rude, Clarke’s heroics proved essential. In what ended up being a tight 2-1 victory for the Athletics over Texas, that level of defensive wizardry was warranted.

Steven Universe

The Cleveland Guardians lost a heartbreaker to the Cardinals, first blowing a ninth-inning lead and ultimately falling in extras, but at least they can find solace in this web gem from Steven Kwan. With Alec Burleson at the dish and a man on second, the lefty hit a low liner that appeared certain to find green grass in the outfield. Instead, Kwan not only dove expertly to make the catch, he also found the perfect footwork and timing to nail the runner, who was caught between second and third. Good thing Kwan can always rely on his defensive prowess, as his slow start at the plate continues – he went 0-for-5, and his OPS stands at a poor .633.

No, You Take It

In a truly lucky bounce, Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez was in the process of committing a bad error when the ball clanked off his glove. Somehow, even with speedy Ozzie Albies running, the ball landed squarely in the vicinity of second baseman Xavier Edwards, who alertly caught it and threw to first to secure the out. It would all be for naught in the end, as Atlanta stormed back to earn a narrow 6-5 win over the Fish.

Someone Pressed B

In terms of pitching, Yoshinobu Yamamoto can do it all. He has been worth all the hype and investment the Dodgers put into him, being the one true and consistent ace of their rotation. Last night, he also displayed some unexpected athleticism. After fielding a routine grounder to first, so routine and easy that the batter never comes into frame, Freddie Freeman decided to add an unnecessary layer of difficulty to the put-out, lobbing a high ball to Yamamoto as he was covering first. In typical Yoshi fashion, LA’s ace could do no wrong, jumping expertly to catch the ball and step on the base. It may be true that this team is breaking baseball, folks.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Brewers have placed outfielder Christian Yelich on the 10-day IL with a left groin strain. The injury occurred last Sunday, after Yelich had started the season with solid numbers, including a .375 OBP and a handful of steals. Milwaukee expects him to be out until mid-May at the earliest, putting a dent into their good start to the season. In the meantime, the club has selected utility player Greg Jones to take Yelich’s place on the roster. 

⚾ The Padres are losing their Opening Day starter to the 15-day IL, as Nick Pivetta is out with right elbow inflammation. He joins Joe Musgrove as a standout Friar pitcher on the IL, as he awaits further imaging that will reveal the extent of his injury. While Pivetta’s short-term absence could be problematic for San Diego, his long-term health is also of note, as he could become a free agent if he chooses to opt out of his current deal.  

⚾ Arizona’s Ketel Marte became a late scratch for last night’s game against the Orioles due to back tightness. However, manager Torey Lovullo indicated that he should be back for today’s contest. He is considered day-to-day, and his status should be monitored closely. 

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Mason Miller is Unbelievable — Ben Clemens, Fangraphs

Judge and Trout Battle in Dinger Duel — Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com

 

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Pablo Figueroa

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Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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