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While The Mamas & the Papas sang of Mondays, let’s talk of Saturday. It was a full day of baseball, chock-full of 15 games, each with its own unique verse to share. The Yankees beat the brakes off the Brewers with a 20-run output, the Orioles and Blue Jays had a back-and-forth battle beyond the border, a blue-and-orange bout between the Mets and the Astros, and more Dodgers domination.
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Today’s Headlines
A Bronx Barrage
The Bronx Bombers lived up to their nickname Saturday. The Yankees manhandled the Brewers, scoring a franchise-best 20 runs, with Aaron Judge leading the charge in arguably a career-best day. More impressive than the volume of New York’s runs is the how. The Yankees clubbed nine homers on Saturday, one shy of tying the single-game record set by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1987. Despite that, the Yankees find themselves in esteemed company, with the 1999 Cincinnati Reds being the only other team in MLB history with more than eight homers in a single game.
All that aside, the Yankees might have something neither the ’99 Reds nor the ’87 Blue Jays had: New bats. The idea is simple: To move more sections of the wood into the bat’s label so the hardest part hits the ball. Though unheard of, nothing about it seems illegal. Not yet, at least. Regardless, the early results aren’t just good, they’re historic.
Michael Kay explains that the Yankees made new bats "where they moved a lot of the wood into the label so the harder part of the bat is going to strike the ball."
Seems relevant today… pic.twitter.com/cpldzigdrT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 29, 2025
Nestor’s Not-So-Nasty Return
Nestor Cortes’s return to the Bronx yesterday was historic for all the wrong reasons. The southpaw’s former ballclub blitzed him early, hitting three straight home runs to start a game for the first time in franchise history. It was also the first time a team in MLB history hit home runs on the first three pitches they saw. As if that wasn’t enough, Austin Wells joined the party two batters later with a solo shot of his own to make it 4-0. Matters only went from bad to worse when Anthony Volpe hit a three-run jack in the second. All told, Cortes allowed six hits, five walks, five home runs, and eight runs in just two innings pitched. His ERA right now is 36.00.
Where other teams might’ve given up, the Brewers battled. They’d score nine runs in their own right – a tally good enough almost any other night – but couldn’t survive New York’s offensive onslaught or avoid a 0-2 start, their first since 2022.
Jesús Took the Wheel
Welcome to Philadelphia, Jesús Luzardo. The newest Philly dominated the Nationals in his 2025 debut, striking out 11 while allowing two runs on five hits and a pair of walks. His 11 strikeouts are tied with Jim Bunning for the second-most by a pitcher in their Phillies debut. It was a no-regrets type of start. Well, almost no regrets. The only pitch Luzardo might want back from the affair is a knee-high changeup Keibert Ruiz parked 414 feet over the fence for two runs.
A Dansby Dive
Death, taxes, and Dansby Swanson’s defense. These are the three universal constants. The latter reared its head Saturday during the Cubs’ duel with the Diamondbacks in a brilliant game-winning, body-diving, heads-up play. The only thing better than the play is Garrett Hampson’s reaction to it. The Diamondback lays on the infield dirt, hands behind his head, wondering what happened.
Soriano Shines
The Angels might have something in José Soriano. The right-hander hammered the Chicago White Sox yesterday afternoon, pitching seven scoreless and striking out five with just two hits allowed. It was an encouraging 2025 debut for Soriano, who posted a 3.42 ERA, 122 ERA+, and 1.204 WHIP in 20 starts last season. What’s discouraging is that the Angels’ offense also looked like they did yesteryear, scoring just one run. Thankfully, Ben Joyce and Kenley Jansen pitched scoreless eights and ninths to hand the Halos a 1-0 win.
Tuck and Cover
How do you ingratiate yourself with a new fanbase? If you’re Kyle Tucker, the answer to that question is to be yourself and hit bombs. His latest and first as a Cub is a 405-foot two-run dinger to right. It’s a sight Cubs fans could get used to if the Ricketts family follows John Malkovich’s advice and pays the man his money.
Going, Going, Nope
While it’s far too early to pick a catch-of-the-year, we might already have a nominee. Griffin Conine laid it all out there, stretching his arms as if made of plastic, to rob Jack Suwinski of a go-ahead home run in the top of the eighth. The only person happier in LoanDepot Park than Conine was his father, Jeff, a beloved Marlin in town for his enshrinement today in the team’s Hall of Fame. All in all, it’s a great weekend to be a Conine in South Beach.
Back in Stride
Atlanta’s All-Star ace Spencer Strider is back… well, kind of. Still rehabbing last year’s season-ending elbow injury, Strider made his 2025 debut with Triple-A Gwinnett yesterday afternoon. The mustache maestro struck out six while coughing up just one run, a walk, and two hits in three innings. Strider’s expected to make one more start in the minors before Atlanta decides whether or not to promote him to the major league roster.
Strider wasn’t the only big name in Triple-A rehabbing. Orioles stud Gunnar Henderson made his second start with Triple-A Norfolk yesterday and looked his usual self. While a fun oddity here and now, the Orioles expect Henderson back in the Bigs sooner rather than later.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Busch Stadium’s Newest Snack
Forget peanuts and crackerjacks. Willson Contreras has a new ballpark treat: Batting tape.
Old Dog, Same Tricks
Though age is just a number, it’s anything but for Justin Verlander. The longtime Tiger and Astro officially became the oldest active player in American sports with his start on Saturday.
From the Giants’ game notes today (and Elias) Justin Verlander is the oldest player in all four major US sports: pic.twitter.com/sHWxMzxMwq
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 29, 2025
Blasé Bellinger
Think Cody Bellinger is enjoying his time as a Yankee? No, seriously, because we can’t tell.
Cody Bellinger never change 😂 pic.twitter.com/RXFsKG9Br5
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 29, 2025
Orbit’s On One
Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu once wrote The Art of War, a military treatise detailing the necessary sets and skills to succeed in warfare. Thanks to its military tactics and strategy, it’s built a reputation as one of the most enduring texts on the topic. What it doesn’t cover is psychologically attacking your opponent by having your mascot cut up pizza in front of them before battle. Thankfully, that’s where the Astros come in.
BREAKING: Astros mascot Orbit decides to offend the entire state of New York with a disgusting display of eating pizza with a knife and fork. Ugly, ugly scene. pic.twitter.com/mAmspoq2Lj
— Keith Raad (@KeithRaad) March 29, 2025
Some Flare for Flaherty
If Nestor Cortes’s return to his old stomping grounds was a nightmare, Jack Flaherty’s was a dream.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ In news no one wants to hear, Cleveland All-Star third baseman José Ramírez left Saturday’s game against the Royals with what the team calls a “right wrist sprain”. The injury occurred in the third inning when Ramírez awkwardly landed on his wrist while trying to steal second. The good news is that Ramírez is considered day-to-day, per Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt.
⚾ Ramirez wasn’t the only storied third baseman to go down on Saturday. Manny Machado also failed to see the night through, exiting in the fifth with right calf tightness. Thankfully, neither Machado nor the Padres seem concerned, calling him day-to-day for now.
⚾ After dealing with thumb issues this spring, Max Scherzer has a new problem: Right lat soreness. The injury knocked the surefire Hall of Famer out of his Blue Jays debut after just three innings pitched. Following the game, Scherzer claimed his lat soreness is related to his thumb and that he has to get “this 100 percent before [he] pitch[es] again.”
⚾ Rays outfielder Josh Lowe is headed to the 10-day IL with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Veteran farmhand Jake Mangum’s already taken Lowe’s spot on the 26-man roster and figures to somewhat fill the hole Lowe leaves behind.
⚾ The Red Sox and top prospect Kristian Campbell are reportedly in “deep talks” on a long-term extension.
⚾ The Orioles are already making changes. The club acquired right-hander Cody Poteet yesterday from the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations.
Articles You Should Read
How deGrom plans to return to form in 2025 — Jeff Passan, ESPN
‘What a performance’: Judge rips 3 of Yanks’ club-record 9 HRs – Bryan Hoch, MLB.com
Two New Ballparks Enter the Villa – Michael Rosen, Fangraphs
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
