Issue #601
The goal with The Baseball Buffet series is to provide the best daily dose of relevant baseball info in a smart-brevity format (mostly short bullets, getting to the point, with quick analysis/insights.) Think of it like what baseball fans of a certain age would look forward to in their morning newspaper’s sports section each day!
⚾ Welcome! ⚾
The below are some appetizers from today’s full Baseball Buffet newsletter. Paid subscribers receive the full edition. (Upgrade now at 30% off the annual rate!)
Yesterday featured a full slate of games, including a double-header. Here are the results (link to all game box scores):
SEA 7, LAA 8 (11) - The lead in this game went back and forth several times, with the Angels striking first with an RBI single by Jorge Soler that drove in Zach Neto. Angels’ pitching prospect George Klassen was roughed up a bit in his MLB debut (2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K). Cole Young had a key 3-run HR for the Mariners in the fifth inning to put them up 5-4, but then the Angels came back with two in the bottom of the frame to reclaim the lead. In the top of the ninth Cal Raleigh hit a double, and then Julio Rodríguez hit a single to drive him in and tie the game 6-6. The game went into extras, and both teams scored a run in the tenth. Having already pitched the 10th, the Angels sent reliever Shaun Anderson out again for the 11th, and after loading the bases he managed to strikeout Cal Raleigh. In the bottom of the frame, with Gabe Speier pitching for Seattle and runners on second and third and only one out, Nolan Schanuel hit a fly to shallow left field. Adam Frazier tagged up and LF Randy Arozarena’s throw was a bit off target, allowing Frazier to dive in safely. It is early in the season, but somehow the Angels have a better record (5-5) than the Mariners (4-6).
MIA 7, NYY 6 - After a lengthy rain delay, this one finally got underway with the Marlins opting to go with reliever Pete Fairbanks, usually their closer, for the first inning. He gave up a walk and three hits, including a three-run HR by Ben Rice. Max Fried gave up his first earned runs of the season (6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) but the Yankees were still ahead 4-3 through seven innings. Their bullpen allowed four runs in the top of the eighth, as they loaded the bases and then allowed a 2-run double by Graham Pauley, followed by a 2-run single by Xavier Edwards. Down 7-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Jazz Chisholm hit a 2-run double, but then Anthony Bender managed to strike out J.C. Escarra to close it out. (See the article by Bill Ladson at MLB for the additional reason Miami started Pete Fairbanks.)
CHC 1, CLE 0 (Gm 1) - This contest was a pitchers’ duel, with both starters allowing only one hit apiece: CHC SP Edward Cabrera (5.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 4 K) and CLE SP Slade Cecconi (6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K). Three Cubs relievers combined with Cabrera for a one-hit shutout, while in the top of the eighth Miguel Amaya drove in Dylan Carlson from second base for the lone run of Game 1 of the doubleheader.
CHC 5, CLE 6 (Gm 2) - Both starting pitchers did well: CHC SP Shota Imanaga (5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) and CLE SP Parker Messick (5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K). The Cubs had three homers by Matt Shaw, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ, and were ahead 4-3 going into the bottom of the eighth. Reliever Jacob Webb allowed 3 hits, a walk, and three runs, including a HR by CJ Kayfus. The Guardians brought in closer Cade Smith for the ninth inning, and he allowed a hit and two walks, but also struck two and eventually closed it out for his third save of the year.
BAL 2, PIT 8 - PIT SP Braxton Ashcraft pitched well (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K), and Pirates’ relievers Mason Montgomery and José Urquidy each had 3 K. I had noted yesterday that BAL SP Chris Bassitt didn’t have good historical numbers against Pittsburgh’s hitters, and sure enough he struggled. He actually managed to contain his nemesis Brandon Lowe, but Ryan O’Hearn got things going with a 2-run HR in the first inning, and the Bucs scored four more in the second inning. Oneil Cruz went 2-4 with a HR, 2 runs, and 3 RBI while batting leadoff, and Jake Mangum was 2-4 with 2 runs out of the ninth spot.
SDP 8, BOS 6
TBR 4, MIN 1 (10)
TOR 0, CWS 3
MIL 8, KCR 5
PHI 1, COL 4
CIN 2, TEX 1
LAD 8, WSH 6
NYM 5, SFG 2
ATL 5, ARI 6 (10)
HOU 10, ATH 12
STL 5, DET 3
Today’s Trivia Question
Today is a big day for Birthday Boys who were catchers, as Hall of Famers Mickey Cochrane and Ernie Lombardi were both born on April 6th. Cochrane's all-time batting average was .320, while Lombardi's was .306. How many of the other five players can you name who had a career average of .300+, who primarily played catcher (50% or more of their games), and who had at least 3,000 plate appearances in the AL/NL?
(Trivia answers are provided for paid All-Star subscribers of the Baseball Buffet.)
🎂 Today’s Birthday Boys 🎉
Row 1: Mickey Cochrane, Ernie Lombardi, Bert Blyleven
Row 2: Joe Williams, Bret Boone
Currently active players who were born on April 6 include CWS Edgar Quero, TBR Jesse Scholtens, and HOU Bennett Sousa.
Today’s Matchups
Pretty full slate for a Monday with 13 contests. Here are a few that jump out to me (and here is the full list):
LAD Justin Wrobleski vs. TOR Max Scherzer - a 2025 World Series rematch, featuring future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer
SEA Logan Gilbert vs. TEX Jacob deGrom - game one of a good AL West series, and featuring two solid starting pitchers
PHI Andrew Painter vs. SFG Adrian Houser - Rookie Andrew Painter did well in his first major league start
Additional pitchers throwing today include TBR Shane McClanahan, PIT Bubba Chandler, MIL Brandon Woodruff, MIN Joe Ryan, and ATL Chris Sale.
Baseball Quote of the Day
One of today's Birthday Boys is Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, so here are several good quotes from him:
"The problem with being Comeback Player of the Year is it means you have to go somewhere before you can come back."
"The best thing about the New Year is your 4.90 ERA disappears and starts back at zero."
"I love baseball. I love watching baseball. As a broadcaster, I get to watch the best 700 players put on the uniform year after year. That, to me, is exciting."
"It enrages me to see only certain players singled out for the Hall of Fame because they were born with a God-given specialty. When I take my kids to the Baseball Hall of Fame, I want them to experience the full array of talents that make the game what it is today, not just the larger-than-life freaks of nature. I want them to know that you don't have to be the biggest or the strongest to reach your goals, and that hard work and perseverance are also rewarded."
"I know I've got a lock on the Dutch Hall of Fame."
⚾ Enjoy the games today!⚾
Want more?
The above was just some highlights from today’s full Baseball Buffet. Paid All Star subscribers receive all of the following, every day:
Longer game summaries for every game
Current MLB standings
Notable player transactions… injuries, call-ups, free agent signings, trades, etc.
Rotating statistical leader lists
Current hitting streaks of seven or more games
On this day in baseball history…
Career summaries for each of The Birthday Boys
Daily Hitter Watch and Pitcher Watch lists - who has historically done well or poorly against their matchup today?
Good Reads… my favorite recent baseball articles from other writers
… and the answer to the trivia question!
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Did you know? I wrote a 600+ page book with the same title as this newsletter/blog? Now Taking the Field: Baseball’s All-Time Dream Teams for All 30 Franchises was published in early 2019, by ACTA Sports. It is available at Amazon and most other major booksellers.
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