Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
People wonder how the Milwaukee Brewers do it. How does one of the smallest MLB markets stay competitive year in and year out. For the last handful of years, analysts correctly gave credit to stellar starting pitching. But with a rotation overhaul this offseason, the Brewers are doing it in a different way in 2024. The Brewers slugged their way past the St. Louis Cardinals 12-5 on Saturday to improve to 13-6. Their plus-33 run differential is fourth-best in MLB and will need to continue if the Brewers are to contend in the National League Central. But this is the stat that stirred this whole conversation. In the last four seasons, the Brewers are 62-33 in March and April, the best record in MLB. Good starts don’t guarantee good finishes, but they certainly help.
Today’s Headlines
Wheeler Finally Wins
In his first four starts of the season, Zack Wheeler pitched like the guy the Philadelphia Phillies gave a three-year, $126 million contract extension in spring training. The only problem is that he had yet to crack into the win column (but wins are overrated, right?). In fact, despite his 3.00 ERA and 143 ERA+, Wheeler was 0-3. The only way to fix that is to make sure the other team doesn’t get going. The right-hander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in the Phillies’ 9-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Wheeler’s bid for MLB’s second no-hitter of the season was broken up on Korey Lee’s ground single to right field. That was the end of the night for Wheeler, who struck out eight and walked two without allowing a run during the Phillies’ fifth straight victory.
Ace. Always. pic.twitter.com/9iUyft4GgC
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 21, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Yankees Honor Sterling
Following 5,631 games as the radio announcer for the New York Yankees, John Sterling this week retired. That it happened in the early part of the season was shocking. The 85-year-old said he didn’t have the stamina to keep up with the daily demands. Before Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Yankees honored the career of Sterling, who called his first game for the team in 1960.
Well, John, we thank you. pic.twitter.com/qjo70UJkiB
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) April 20, 2024
Quite A First
First MLB hit ✅. First MLB homer on first MLB hit ✅✅. Making the family proud ✅✅✅. Oakland A’s rookie Max Schuemann, who was hitless in six plate appearances in his first five MLB games, broke through in a big way in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians.
Max Schuemann's first big league hit is a game-tying homer and his family is loving it! 🥹 pic.twitter.com/r8XS8Uae6i
— MLB (@MLB) April 20, 2024
Location, Location, Location
San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey launched a tiebreaking two-run homer on his bobblehead day. But what was more impressive was the positioning of a kayak in McCovey Cove. Talk about scouting reports. BTW, it was technically a Splash Hit, but it never touched water.
talk about a hole-in-one pic.twitter.com/6i0u4PeLMo
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 20, 2024
New HR Celly?
We aren’t sure if this will catch on, but Josh Naylor had a unique way of celebrating his homer that gave the Guardians the lead against the A’s. First the homer, then the celebration.
This guy is unbelievable.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/XSXd2YLfAW
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 20, 2024
Love him so much.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/3vSq9qFkYA
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 20, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez has a torn ligament in his left thumb and will require surgery. Earlier in the day, it was said that it was only a sprained left thumb and was placed on the 10-day injured list. He could be out for up to two months.
⚾ Texas Rangers right-handed starter Max Scherzer (herniated disk) is expected to make his first rehab outing Wednesday.
⚾ Rangers outfielder Nathaniel Lowe (strained oblique) was activated off the 10-day IL and started against Atlanta.
⚾ Miami Marlins left-handed starter A.J. Puk (left shoulder fatigue) was placed on the 15-day IL.
⚾ Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela (right hamstring strain) was placed on the 10-day IL.
⚾ Minnesota Twins right-handed reliever Daniel Duarte will undergo surgery on his right elbow and miss the rest of the season.
⚾ Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon injured his left hamstring trying to beat out an infield single leading off the game against the Cincinnati Reds.
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Chad Green (strained right teres major) was placed on the 15-day IL.
Articles You Should Read
Approaching 100, oldest MLB player roomed with Yogi, stymied Williams — Daniel Brown, The Athletic
Velocity vs. injury: Is there a better way for pitchers? — Travis Sawchik, The Score
Erskine spun epic tales of Jackie, Giants, Dodgers — John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle
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