Expert MLB Picks and Previews

Giants’ Rafael Devers shows signs of snapping out of slump, faces Pirates The San Francisco Giants hope Rafael Devers can build upon a recent surge when they seek a second straight home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night. Devers contributed a single and a solo home run to a 5-2 win in the series opener Friday, running his

Young, exuberant Cardinals want to celebrate again vs. Padres Many observers thought the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals’ season basically would be over by the dog days of summer. That still might happen, but the only barking heard around St. Louis’ dugout these days is by the players after a homer or another win. Friday night’s 6-0 victory at the San

D-backs hope prospect Ryan Waldschmidt can provide spark vs. Mets The Arizona Diamondbacks believe they took a step toward addressing a slumbering offense when they promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt from Triple-A Reno on Friday. Five-year veteran Alek Thomas, whose .181 batting average typified the D-backs’ sputtering start, was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Waldschmidt, 23, had a

Dodgers’ Blake Snell set for season debut vs. Braves There is no time like the present for Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell, who will skip his final rehab start and make his season debut Saturday night against the visiting Atlanta Braves. Snell has not pitched in a game since recording four outs in Game 7 of the World Series

Expect a close score when Tigers, Royals duke it out The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers only know about playing close games against each other this season. After the Royals earned a comeback, walk-off win in the opener of a three-game series on Friday, they will look to hand the visiting Tigers a fifth consecutive defeat Saturday night. When

The Pittsburgh Pirates visit the San Francisco Giants on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco. First pitch is set for 9:05 PM ET, with regional coverage listed on NBCS-BA and SportsNet PT. Pittsburgh enters at 21-18, while San Francisco sits at 15-23 after taking Friday’s series opener 5-2. The Giants needed that opener badly. They had

The St. Louis Cardinals stay in San Diego on Saturday, May 9, 2026, for the third game of their series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. ET, with FOX carrying the game. St. Louis enters at 23-15 and second in the NL Central, while San Diego is 22-16 and second in

The Atlanta Braves visit the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with first pitch set for 9:10 PM ET. This is the second game of a heavyweight National League weekend series, with Los Angeles holding a 1-0 series lead after Friday’s 3-1 win. Atlanta still owns one of the best records in baseball at 26-13

Guardians pursue fourth straight victory in matchup with Twins The Cleveland Guardians have won three straight games to remain in first place in the American League Central. It’s up to struggling right-hander Tanner Bibee to keep the momentum going Saturday night when the Guardians continue a three-game series against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Bibee (0-5, 4.58 ERA) will oppose Twins