Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Great starts to a season have spectacular stats. The same can be said about poor starts. But by the end of this 162-game marathon we call an MLB season, those numbers will settle somewhere different. Still, some of these numbers are fun to look at.
Today’s Headlines
Sho.64 ERA
We all saw what Aaron Judge did in his walk year last season with the New York Yankees. Could Shohei Ohtani be on his way to something more spectacular as a two-way player? The Los Angeles Angels‘ superstar continued his torrid pitching start to the season, allowing two hits while walking two and striking out 11 over seven shutout innings in a 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. It lowered his ERA to 0.64 in his first five starts. He has also limited opposing hitters to just a .092 batting average, the lowest mark since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893.
0.64 🦄 pic.twitter.com/bFyZbz5Oz5
— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2023
Smyly Loses Perfecto Bid In 8th
You could think of a million ways for a perfect game to be broken up. Fat chance that you would come up with how Chicago Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly had his bid for perfection ruined against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Leading off the eighth inning, David Peralta hit a weak dribbler down the third-base line when this happened. Smyly allowed just this one hit in seven and two-thirds innings, striking out 10 in the Cubs’ 13-0 win.
THIS is how Drew Smyly's perfect game bid ends??? pic.twitter.com/AHaiPZ0pA7
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 21, 2023
Rays Extend HR Streak In Walk-off Win
Did you think the Tampa Bay Rays were done with streaks after starting the season 13-0? Think again. The Rays wasted little time in extending their season-opening homer streak to 20 games when Harold RamÃrez went deep in the first inning. But the Rays squandered a 4-0 lead after the first inning as the Chicago White Sox scored seven unanswered runs over the next three innings. The White Sox led 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth. Christian Bethancourt hit a leadoff homer to pull the Rays within 7-6, Yandy DÃaz followed with a single and the next batter, Brandon Lowe, sent the fans home happy with a two-run walk-off homer. Lowe’s blast kept the Rays perfect at home at 11-0. The 1880 Chicago White Stockings hold the record with a 21-0 home start.
The Rays hit home runs.
The Rays win ballgames.
That's @RaysBaseball. pic.twitter.com/Ow1HM0CMdC
— MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Wright Place, Wright Time
The New York Mets are in San Francisco this weekend to face the Giants. David Wright is with the team and stopped in at a bar called the Local Tap, just blocks from Oracle Park. The bartender happened to be wearing a Wright jersey and a big fan of the former third baseman.
When your bartender in SF is wearing a David Wright jersey… And you’re David Wright. 😱 pic.twitter.com/6HwALOTh3o
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 21, 2023
‘You’re Not The Catcher’
Catcher Jose Trevino isn’t exactly the most identifiable member of the New York Yankees. After all, he wears a mask all game. So when he was plopped on a street corner with a camera and looking to interview Yankees fans, he was met with many indifferent reactions.
Man on the street, Jose Trevino edition. pic.twitter.com/LfZO0noYvE
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 21, 2023
Injuries and Other Moves
Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom (right wrist soreness) threw a bullpen and appears on track to start Sunday against the Oakland A’s.
Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes (left pectoral muscle) had no issues during his bullpen and will start Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.
Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell (left labrum) likely needs shoulder surgery, which would end his season. He will have a second opinion Monday before a final decision is made.
Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson is expected to be out multiple weeks with a strained hamstring.
Articles You Should Read
How is expansion affected by possible A’s move to Vegas? — Andy McCullough and Stephen J. Nesbitt, The Athletic
Dodgers’ Stan Kasten not threatened by big-spending Padres, Mets — Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times
Ball-doctoring has no impact on a pitcher’s long-term reputation — Benjamin Hoffman, New York Times
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)