Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Today’s Headlines
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Kodai Senga was the talk of baseball this off-season. After signing a 5 year, $75 million deal with the New York Mets, the Japanese superstar made his MLB debut against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. He got into trouble early, loading the bases and having a pitch clock violation (but hey, who hasn’t?) in the first inning. But then, he settled in and implemented the famous ghost pitch.
Senga notched his first MLB strikeout on this forkball/splitter pitch, and his first victim, Yuli Gurriel was ready to call in some Ghostbusters for backup, even losing his bat in the duel against the pitch.
Kodai Senga, Ghost Fork. 👻🍴
Yuli Gurriel, Ghost Bat.
Senga's 1st Career MLB K. pic.twitter.com/e04s6rHFQR
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2023
Senga went 5.1 innings, striking out 8 and walking 3, while earning his first MLB win as the Mets beat the Marlins 5-1.
Trout and Ohtani Go Back-to-Back… with Warriors Swag?
Baseball fans were spoiled this off-season when we got to see Trout and Ohtani duel in the World Baseball Classic. Angels fans continue to be spoiled, as they are benefitting from a healthy Trout and Ohtani to start the season. The benefit? Just back-to-back homers on 2 pitches. It was the first home run of the season for each star player, as the Angels continued their strong offensive start to the season, beating the Oakland Athletics 6-0.
But that is kind of standard operating procedure for Angels fans, they are used to rooting for Ohtani and Trout homers. However, are they used to rooting for the Golden State Warriors? The Angels debuted a new home run hat this weekend, crowning any home run hitter with a Warriors straw hat.
As you can imagine, Twitter is riddled with conspiracy theories on this significance. Is it for the respective basketball teams of their opponents? Or do the Angels just really love the Warriors? I guess we will soon find out, as the Angels begin a series with the Mariners on Monday. Will we see a vintage Seattle Supersonics hat?
What’s your most conspiracy-ridden theory for why the Angels are using a Golden State Warriors straw hat for their home run celebration? #Athletics #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/yPM8KDoZHJ
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) April 2, 2023
Best Moments From Yesterday
Another Year, Another Dominant Rays Pitcher
Tampa Bay continues to remind baseball fans it will always find ways to win. This time, with a dominant pitching performance by Jeffrey Springs. The left-hander was nearly perfect yesterday, as he carried a no-hitter through 6 innings, walking only one batter and striking out twelve. Springs adds to the Rays’ pitching depth, and his performance serves as a warning to the AL East. Runs may be hard to come by when going to the Trop.
12 Ks and 0 H for Jeffrey Springs.
You're gonna want to keep an eye on this guy. pic.twitter.com/Yz4zABSUKR
— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2023
Oh the Humanity
Giancarlo Stanton is still punishing baseballs for inexplicably no reason. His latest crime came on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants when pummeled a baseball 485 feet into center field of Yankee Stadium. This is becoming a common occurrence with Stanton, as his home run trot illustrates it was just another day at the office for the power-hitting outfielder.
FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIVE FEET 💣
Giancarlo Stanton follows Aaron Judge with a long-ball of his own!
(via @Yankees)pic.twitter.com/b56qZn9c7Z
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 2, 2023
Injuries & Transactions
San Francisco Giants placed catcher Joey Bart on the 10 day IL with a mid back strain.
Washington Nationals placed Corey Dickerson on the 10 day IL with a calf strain.
Articles You Should Read
Old-school speed: These are MLB’s fastest teams — Mike Petriello, MLB
MLB Can Change the Game, But Can’t Control It — Owen Poindexter, Front Office Sports
Know Your Angles: The Best (And Worst) of MLB — Ben Brown, Pitcher List
Fantasy Baseball
Sit/Start Week 1: Reviewing All Starting Pitcher Matchups From 4/3-4/9
Hitters to Start and Avoid in Week 1 (4/3-4/9)
The Stash Week 1: Top 10 Pitcher Prospects to Stash in 2023
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)