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Some nuggets while looking at the standings following Sunday’s games: The San Diego Padres have the best record in MLB at 13-3. The Chicago Cubs have the best run differential at plus-43 (while only four games above .500 at 11-7), and the Colorado Rockies the worst at minus-44 (they are 3-12). The Los Angeles Dodgers are 11-6 with a run differential of zero. Five teams have at least 10 wins, and they’re all in the National League (three in the West). Each league has three teams with at least 10 losses.
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Today’s Headlines
Crochet Revenge Game
There was a reason why the Chicago White Sox traded left-handed starter Garrett Crochet in the offseason. He was wasted on a team that lost 121 times in 2024, setting a modern-era MLB record. So, while it wasn’t truly a revenge game when he took the mound for the Boston Red Sox in Chicago, Crochet sure pitched like it. He took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and struck out 11 as the Red Sox dropped the White Sox 3-1. Crochet was lifted after surrendering his only hit of the game, a sharp single past a diving shortstop Trevor Story with one out in the eighth by Chase Meidroth, one of the players Boston sent to Chicago for the big lefty.
Crochet with the heat.
Giants’ Lee Loves Big Apple
We never got to see what Jung Hoo Lee could do for the San Francisco Giants last season due to a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum when he smashed into the outfield wall. He is making sure to let folks know what he can do in the early stages of 2025. Lee hit his second and third homers of the weekend as the Giants surged past the New York Yankees 5-4. Lee homered in his first career plate appearance at Yankee Stadium on Friday, then notched the first multi-homer game since coming over from South Korea in Sunday’s finale. He did it in consecutive at-bats, driving a solo homer in the fourth, then a go-ahead three-run shot in the sixth to put the Giants up 4-3. Both came off Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón. The three homers this weekend were the first three of the season for Lee, who hit two in 37 games a year ago.
A Bunch Of Zeroes
It almost reads like the score of a first-round tennis match: 8-0, 2-0, 6-0. Instead, they are the scores from the San Diego Padres‘ three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, capped by the 6-0 whitewashing. That was thanks to Michael King’s complete-game performance, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out eight. It was the finale of a lost weekend at Petco Park for the Rockies, who managed a total of nine hits in the three games, five of which were by Kyle Farmer (he had all three Rockies hits in Friday’s opener). It was the 34th time a team has been shut out for a series of three or more games since 1901, the first time in each role for the Padres and Rockies. Next for the Rockies, who have lost five of six and are struggling mightily on offense: A trip up to visit the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Greene Dominates Again
If you were thinking that Hunter Greene was supposed to take down an anemic Pittsburgh Pirates offense, you were right. But that he did it in an ace-like fashion is what continues to make him one of the most fascinating young pitchers in baseball. The fireballing right-hander tossed seven shutout innings as the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the Pirates with a 4-0 triumph. Greene allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out eight, lowering his ERA to 0.98 after four starts. The 25-year-old has not allowed a run in his last 18.2 innings.
Blue Jays Rally Past Orioles
Myles Straw needs his speed to be productive. The Toronto Blue Jays couldn’t have been any happier for that to be true than in the series finale against the Baltimore Orioles. Straw beat out a chopper to third base in the top of the 10th inning that allowed Andrés Giménez to score the go-ahead run in a 7-6 win over the Orioles. It was a big win for the Jays, who erased a 6-3 deficit with a three-run eighth inning, capped by Bo Bichette’s RBI single. However, it wasn’t all good news for Toronto. Outfielder-DH George Springer left the game in the fifth inning with left wrist discomfort. He was injured swinging during the at-bat and continued before being taken out after striking out.
Steele’s Season Over
Chicago Cubs No. 1 starter Justin Steele is set to have season-ending surgery to repair damage to the UCL and flexor tendon in his left elbow. Steele experienced elbow issues in his start Monday vs. the Texas Rangers and was put on the 15-day injured list. Further testing found that the UCL needs to be addressed, but to what extent won’t be known until the surgery. That could be as extensive as Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Colin Rea, who started Sunday, will remain in the rotation. The Cubs entered Sunday 10-7 and one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central. Steele landed on the IL late last season with elbow problems.
Best Moments From Yesterday
A Mad Dash
Home runs come in all shapes and sizes. Just ask Daniel Schneemann of the Cleveland Guardians, whose double was upgraded to a Little League homer.
Mounting Waltimore
When the left-field wall at Camden Yards was moved in this season, it figured that Orioles slugger Ryan Mountcastle would be one of the bigger beneficiaries. After all, he lost 11 homers in the three seasons it was at its deeper distance. While it took a few games, Mountcastle finally made his presence felt. It shouldn’t be surprising that it came against the Blue Jays, whom Mountcastle has tagged a career-high 19 times.
#Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle just conquered the new left-field wall for the first time.No player lost more homers to the old wall over the past 3 years than Mountcastle.
— Jake Rill (@jakerill.bsky.social) 2025-04-13T18:13:50.977Z
Defense Doesn’t Rest On Sundays
In need of some stellar defense? Here are a few plays to keep you going.
MATOS ROBBERY 🤯
— Giants on NBC Sports Bay Area (@nbcsgiants.bsky.social) 2025-04-13T18:23:13.840Z
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Tommy Helms, the 1966 NL Rookie of the Year with the Cincinnati Reds, passed away at the age of 83. He was also an interim manager for the Reds. Helms played for the Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Boston Red Sox in a career that spanned 14 seasons (1964-77).
⚾ Atlanta right-handed starter Spencer Strider’s comeback from Tommy John surgery will culminate with his return to the rotation Wednesday against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
⚾ The Seattle Mariners called up third baseman Ben Williamson, a second-round draft pick in 2023, to make his MLB debut. Outfielder Dominic Canzone was optioned to Triple-A. Williamson is ranked as the 13th-best prospect in the Mariners’ organization.
⚾ Boston Red Sox right-handed starter Richard Fitts went on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain. Right-handed Michael Fulmer was promoted from Triple-A.
⚾ Colorado Rockies infielder Tyler Freeman was placed on the 10-day IL due to a strained left oblique. Infielder Adael Amador was called up from Triple-A.
Articles You Should Read
At 35, Marlins’ Brantly back where it all started — Kevin Barral, Fish on First
Once worried about sticking, McKinstry central figure for Tigers — Cody Stavenhagen, The Athletic
Wannabe cowboy Misner lassoes role with Rays — Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
