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Four Reds starters—TJ Friedl, Jonathan India, Christian Encarnacion‑Strand and now Jake Fraley—hit the IL this week, yet Cincinnati erupted for a 10‑run first inning Saturday, snapping a 1‑6 funk. Manager Terry Francona credits clubhouse morale: “They’ve been enthusiastic,” he said. Replacement bats like Spencer Steer (two HRs, five RBIs) and Elly De La Cruz (three hits, three runs) have stepped up, proving the farm’s depth can offset a battered roster and keep playoff hopes afloat. MLB Pipeline’s No. 97 prospect, Chase Petty, endured a nine‑run nightmare in his April 30 debut yet showed flashes of his 98‑mph sinker and sweeping slider at Triple‑A Louisville (3.52 ERA, 35 Ks in 29 IP). Key adjustments: attacking with first‑pitch strikes to avoid hitter‑friendly counts and trusting his changeup as a neutralizer against Houston’s left‑handed core.

Kansas City’s seven‑game winning streak ended in a 10‑1 drubbing Saturday, but another chance for a statement looms. The Royals have not won a series against Boston since August 2022, dropping five straight sets. A victory Sunday would cement their surprising 2025 surge—already 16 wins in 19 games—while silencing skeptics who point to an early soft schedule. For Boston, salvaging a road series stabilizes playoff aspirations after up‑and‑down pitching and clubhouse noise surrounding roster tweaks. Seth Lugo (3‑3, 2.84 ERA) shoulders the Royals’ hopes despite career struggles vs. Boston (0‑3, 7.24 ERA). Key for Lugo is commanding his sweeper early; last season the pitch flattened twice in back‑to‑back losses to the Sox. Lucas Giolito (0‑1, 8.38 ERA) makes just his third post‑surgery start. His velo ticked

When Drew Rasmussen takes the mound on Sunday, the moment will be more than just another start — it’ll be personal. The Tampa Bay Rays right-hander is not only facing his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, but doing so on Mother’s Day — a day he says means a lot to him for all the right reasons. “It’s just really cool to get to pitch on a day to celebrate them,” Rasmussen said, referring to his mother, mother-in-law, and wife. It’s a full-circle kind of afternoon: honoring the family that helped him chase his dream while competing against the team that gave him his major league debut. Drafted by Milwaukee, Rasmussen debuted with the Brewers on August 19, 2020. He

Reaching the .500 mark doesn’t usually make headlines, but for the Minnesota Twins, it’s a major milestone in what’s becoming a dramatic early-season turnaround. Just over a week ago, the Twins were buried in the AL Central standings at 13-20. They had lost 15 of their first 22 games and looked like a team adrift. But after rattling off seven straight wins, including a potential second consecutive series sweep, Minnesota now stands even at 20-20 — and trending up. “It feels great,” said right-hander Joe Ryan. “Vibes are really good. It doesn’t feel streaky, either. We’re beating good teams and doing it with quality baseball. That just adds another layer of confidence.” The Twins will try to close out the