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Today’s Headlines
Bronx Bombing
After a tense one-run game that opened the series with a Baltimore win on Monday, the Yankees probably decided to flip the script almost immediately. While they did not match their season-opening feat of three lead-off homers on three pitches, they at least repeated the three-homer part, opening up a 3-0 lead before the Orioles could see what hit’em. Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, and Ben Rice started the party, while Cody Bellinger would add a fourth one following the first out of the inning. It was all part of a 15-3 demolishing of Baltimore, as New York finished the game with six homers and four doubles, giving Carlos Rodón a smooth win on the mound. On the other hand, Kyle Gibson will want to forget this day, with nine runs allowed in only 3.2 innings.
BACK-TO-BACK-TO-BACK TO START THE GAME.AGAIN.Good evening from the New York @Yankees.
Jacob deWinner
In his prime, Jacob deGrom was arguably the best pitcher in baseball and one of the top hurlers of the 21st century. Alas, multiple injuries and setbacks deprived us of seeing the righty regularly on the mound. Today, the former Cy Young winner earned his first W since 2023, spinning a gem over the Athletics. Over six masterful innings, deGrom kept the A’s scoreless while allowing only four hits and no walks, while striking out seven. Even as he had plenty of run support in the eventual 15-2 blowout, the most encouraging sign for deGrom should be that he completed his work in only 65 pitches. If he can keep up this level of effectiveness and efficiency, he could become the ultimate weapon in a weak AL West.
Jacob deGrom was dealing tonight! 👏
The Tools of Ignorance
Playing catcher has to be one of the most grueling, thankless jobs in all of baseball. The recent developments and rule changes have made the position even tougher, as backstops now need to be better prepared to handle the running game while trying to steal strikes for their pitchers. In the following play, the modern standard of having one knee down cost the Nationals the game, as catcher Keibert Ruiz was unable to react quickly to a pitch in the dirt. Had he used the more traditional catching stance, this would have been an easy block. The walk-off wild pitch was probably an appropriate ending to this crazy game, as Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering blew a 3-run lead and allowed Washington to take a 6-5 advantage, only to see Nationals’ closer Kyle Finnegan give it right back and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Walk-off wild pitch for the @Phillies! 🤯
Wild, Wild West
While it is still early, it can be confidently said that the NL West is the clear best division in baseball. Three of its teams have 18 wins, while no other division boasts more than one, making every inter-divisional series a must-watch (Rockies excepted). The first meeting of the season between the Giants and Padres did not disappoint, as both teams staged multiple rallies and the game was decided late. Frontline starters Logan Webb and Nick Pivetta were far from their usual dominance, but Pivetta was a tad more effective to earn his fifth win of the season. More importantly for the Friars, Xander Bogaerts finally emerged from his powerless slump, hitting his first homer of the season to add two crucial insurance runs in the seventh inning. With the Dodgers taking an easy win over the Marlins, they are now atop the West, while the Giants and Padres are closely behind.
Xander Bogaerts hits his first home run of the season in the @Padres win.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Falling With Style
The Toronto Blue Jays are going through it right now. In what was their eighth loss over the past ten games, the Jays took a hard 10-3 beating from Boston, including five homers from the Beantown offense. However, at least they have Daulton Varsho back from the IL, and he announced his presence with a ridiculous play. Tracking a long fly ball from Jarren Duran, Varsho took a tumble near the warning track as disaster appeared imminent, especially considering Duran’s speed. Instead, the outfielder kept his cool and somehow found the ball, making an improbable and unnecessarily spectacular catch. Professional athletes are something else.
Daulton Varsho is back. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@keeganmatheson.bsky.social) 2025-04-30T00:08:29.067Z
Byron Slide
The Minnesota Twins lost a heart-breaker to the Guardians, as a Kyle Manzardo walk-off homer in the ninth was enough to send the home crowd happy. It was not Byron Buxton’s fault, though, as the veteran outfielder gave everything in his power to keep the game close. With Steven Kwan hitting a line drive that looked like a sure double or possible triple, Buxton took a perfect route and timed his jump expertly, sliding onto the warning track smoothly while securing the catch. Here’s hoping for a healthy Byron the rest of the way.
Byron Buxton defensive gems are timeless 😮💨
Just Like They Drew it Up
Contrary to their usual selves, it seems that everything is bouncing right for the Mets in 2025. Case in point, this play in today’s fourth inning. Randall Grichuk hit a ground ball that looked ready to split the hole, just as third baseman Mark Vientos dove for the ball and deflected it right at Francisco Lindor’s glove. Lindor had the presence of mind to immediately turn and throw Grichuk out. The Amazin’ Mets would go on to comfortably win 8-3 in what was their MLB-best 21st W of the season.
5-6-3What a play by the @Mets infield! 🔥
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Arizona’s AJ Puk will be shut down for a couple of weeks due to a flexor strain. The team hopes that no surgery will be necessary, though there is no clear timetable for the closer’s return.
⚾ The Mets announced that reliever AJ Minter may miss the rest of the season, as his left lat strain is more severe than originally expected. While no final decision is set, it could represent a massive blow for the hurler, who had rehabbed from a hip injury in the offseason.
⚾ It was a tough day for veterans around baseball, as at least three recognizable names were designated for assignment. JD Davis (Angels), Ian Anderson (Atlanta), and Yuli Gurriel (Padres) were cleared out of their respective rosters as they await their next baseball stop.
Articles You Should Read
A Ballplayer’s Best Friend — Kiri Oler, Fangraphs
April’s All-MLB Team — Jason Foster, MLB.com
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