Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
MLB’s inaugural Rivalry Weekend didn’t disappoint on day two. The Mets and Yankees played a taut affair in the Bronx, the Reds and Guardians fought for the heart of Ohio, the Cubs and the White Sox did the same for Illinois, and the Royals and Cardinals followed suit for Missouri. Even the Diamondbacks and Rockies engaged in a spirited affair. If last weekend was one of odd mismatches and pairs, everything’s felt right at home these last two days.
Don’t forget to watch every game with the Pitcher List community on Playback!
Today’s Headlines
Mets Take Game Two of Subway Series
Though Juan Soto is currently the centerpiece of the Subway Series, the Mets found heroes elsewhere. Offensively, credit goes to Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos, and Francisco Lindor. The three cashed in on their chances early and late to lead the Mets ahead 3-2 on the scoreboard. On the pitching front, it was all Griffin Canning. The right-hander corralled the Yankees as he has many teams, allowing only a pair of runs in five-and-a-third innings despite the Yankees’ seven hits. Edwin Diaz also donned a blue-and-orange cape, working a scoreless ninth to seal an otherwise uneventful bout between the two rivals.
Perhaps the most surprising part of Saturday’s affair was Aaron Judge’s statline. The runaway favorite for AL MVP looked anything but, going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Judge’s last, a game-ending punchout, sets up a spicy Sunday night showdown to decide the winner of the latest Subway Series.
Twins Take It To 13
The Minnesota Twins might never lose again. No, really. The Twins won their 13th-straight game on Saturday and looked dominant doing so. The offense put up a six-spot and the pitching staff a goose egg while the Brewers failed to put up a fight. Milwaukee managed just three hits and three walks on a fairly rudderless night. Those nights are the norm as of late. With yet another shutout, Minnesota’s third in a row, they’ve pitched a new franchise best 33 straight scoreless innings. Minnesota will look to continue both streaks tomorrow as it inches closer toward breaking its franchise-best 17 consecutive wins.
Red Sox Rally Late
Pierce Johnson inherited a mess. The Atlanta reliever entered the eighth in a 6-4 game with the lead in the balance and runners on second and third. At the plate for Boston was former All-Star Jarren Duran, a hitter who, when right, can lash a single or launch a home run. Johnson made it two pitches before the former became reality. Boston tied the game on the single, reignited a spark inside Fenway’s green walls, and Johnson could only hope to salvage things in the ninth. Sadly, Rafael Devers had other ideas. Boston’s recently beleaguered star belted a high curve from Johnson and sent it 402 feet to right-center for the first walk-off in Devers’ career.
A Duel in the Desert
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies added to their not-so-historic rivalry on Saturday with a dazzling back-and-forth in the desert. It went a little like this: Colorado rocked the historically-reliant Zac Gallen early and Arizona rebutted, sparking a we-score, you-score situation. The standoff culminated in a 6-6 score by the end of the third. But like all standoffs, someone falls from a six-shooter. That seemed Colorado’s fate with an 11-6 deficit through five. Instead, Colorado stood alone in the shootout. They’d score seven combined runs in the sixth and seventh to steal a 14-12 win.
Toronto Tops Detroit
One way to renew a long-simmering rivalry? A new piece of pain. That’s what the Toronto Blue Jays delivered to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. More specifically, that’s what infielder Ernie Clement mailed to the Motor City with a walk-off single on a middle-low fastball. Clement’s hit and Toronto’s comeback spoiled a brilliant game by Detroit starter Reese Olson. Olson, though, was well met by Toronto’s bullpen, which allowed one run across nine innings. Regardless, it’s a much-needed win for Toronto in its pursuit of .500 baseball and a bump in the road for Detroit, losing just four games this month. That bump, along with this dormant rivalry, could grow with some more dramatics today.
PCA Came to Play
It wouldn’t be rivalry weekend without a showdown in Chicago. And it wouldn’t be a normal day of baseball without Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong making his presence known. The second-year stud went just two-for-five, including an RBI single to plate a pair and a triple, just his second of the day. It wasn’t the flashiest day, yet it only reinforces a growing truth: Crow-Armstrong isn’t going anywhere. He’s now hitting .285/.321/ .570 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs, 14 steals, and 11 doubles. Only four other players in MLB history have as many steals, home runs, and RBIs in their team’s first 45 games as Crow-Armstrong. Their names? Barry Bonds, Lou Brock, Eric Davis, and Ken Williams.
Orioles Fire Hyde
The Baltimore Orioles announced yesterday that manager Brandon Hyde was fired. The move comes off a shaky 15-28 start for the O’s, their worst in several years. Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias said, “As the head of baseball operations, the poor start to our season is ultimately my responsibility. Part of that responsibility is pursuing difficult changes to set a different course for the future,” regarding the firing. The organization also parted ways with field coordinator Tim Cossins and promoted Tony Mansolino to interim manager. Hyde leaves Baltimore with a 421-493 record.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Return of the Kersh
Let’s appreciate one of the few highlights from Clayton Kershaw’s otherwise underwhelming season debut.
Clayton Kershaw strikes out the first batter he faces in his return to the mound! 👏#RivalryWeekend pic.twitter.com/ds3hImx6yv
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2025
Harris Hops
The Red Sox and Kristian Campbell tried to keep punching early on. The only problem? Michael Harris II caught their fist.
Leaping grab at the wall by Michael Harris II 🤯
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/EHHWDLQsSM
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 18, 2025
Great Scott
Michael Harris II wasn’t the only suffixed outfielder with a sweet snag on Friday.
Victor Scott II tracks it down! #RivalryWeekend pic.twitter.com/2he3kFVuGu
— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2025
Holy Hoo Lee
Jung Hoo Lee wasn’t going to miss the defensive party. In fact, he might be in charge of it thanks to this beauty.
JUNG HOO LEE pic.twitter.com/b8ZZoGFLzz
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 18, 2025
Ronald’s Just About Ready
Attention, baseball. Ronald Acuña Jr. is ready for you.
WELCOME BACK, RONALD ACUÑA JR.
A 420FT @SoFi RONNIE ROCKET TIES THIS BALL GAME. pic.twitter.com/pKHytK1wDI
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) May 17, 2025
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Royals will be without their crown jewels. The club announced on Saturday that starters Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo are headed to the 15-day IL. A left groin strain will sideline Ragans while his rotation-mate has a sprained middle finger on his throwing hand. In the meantime, two southpaws, Noah Cameron and Evan Sisk, will join Kansas City.
⚾ Carlos Correa isn’t the only Twin landing on the seven-day IL with a concussion. Star outfielder Byron Buxton joined his teammate on the concussion IL, and it’s no coincidence. The teammates collided into one another late last week.
⚾ The San Francisco Giants are reshuffling their rotation counts. Right-hander Jordan Hicks is moving to the bullpen, the Giants announced on Saturday. Hicks, a redemption project mostly turned right last season hasn’t been the same in 2025, carrying a 6.55 ERA and a 1.522 WHIP in nine starts. Replacing Hicks in the rotation is right-hander Hayden Birdsong, who has a 2.31 ERA in 11 appearances.
⚾ Before his debut, the Dodgers officially activated Clayton Kershaw and demoted right-hander Ryan Loutos. Bigger Dodgers pitching news, though, is the transfer of Blake Snell to the 60-day IL. Snell made just two starts before a shoulder injury, and judging by this move, won’t make a third soon.
⚾ One of the few offseason acquisitions made by the Pittsburgh Pirates is coming to fruition. Spencer Horwitz, whom the Buccos acquired from the Guardians, made his season debut on Saturday after recovering from wrist surgery. Horwitz replaced Matt Gorski on the active roster and went 0-for-2.
⚾Andrew Knizner’s time with the Nationals is over. The club released the veteran catcher ahead of a possible opt-out date of the contract since he’s yet to play in the Major Leagues. If there’s any solace, Knizner did everything right, hitting .382/.516/.500 in Triple-A. It’s unlikely we’ve seen the last of him.
Articles You Should Read
8 hitters who have put cold starts in 2025 behind them – Brian Murphy, MLB.com.
10 MLB Prospects Who Caught Our Attention In May – Matt Eddy, Baseball America
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
