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Nothing comes easily for M’s ahead of finale vs. Rangers
At some point this season, the Seattle Mariners will coast to a victory.
It appeared that might be the case on Saturday, when they carried a six-run lead into the ninth inning against the visiting Texas Rangers.
But nothing has been easy for these Mariners.
Closer Andres Munoz, who blew a four-run lead in a 7-6 loss Wednesday at San Diego, was forced to make an entrance in the ninth on Saturday with two outs and the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate.
Munoz struck out Brandon Nimmo for the final out in a 7-3 victory as the Mariners beat the American League West co-leaders for the first time in five meetings this season. The current three-game series will conclude Sunday afternoon in Seattle.
“It feels a lot better,” said Munoz, comparing Saturday to his previous outing. “We still have a lot of work to do. I’ve been working a lot these (last) couple days to get to this point. Obviously, we are not there yet, but it makes me feel a lot better that we are going in the right direction.”
Seattle’s George Kirby (3-2) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings in improving to 9-1 in his career starts against Texas. Luke Raley homered as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.
Josh Jung went deep for the Rangers, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.
Texas had its chances on Saturday, going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and leaving 16 on base.
“We kept putting pressure on, had the right guys up, the hot hitters up and just couldn’t get that big hit,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I loved the battle, loved the at-bats. We did not chase today, for the most part, against a really tough pitcher.”
The Mariners were without third baseman and leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan, who left after the third inning Friday with discomfort in his left hip.
Donovan, who had offseason surgery for a sports hernia, has missed time with hip and groin issues this season.
“It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it, getting through spring training, and the slow ramp-up in spring training. Now that we’re into the season, it’s just continued monitoring.”
Sunday’s series finale will feature Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore (2-1, 3.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (0-2, 2.16).
The two squared off April 8 in Arlington, Texas, with Gore and the Rangers winning 3-0. Gore pitched five scoreless innings of one-hit ball with nine strikeouts while Woo gave up one earned run (three overall) on five hits over five frames.
Gore, who suffered a 2-1 loss to the host Athletics on Tuesday in West Sacramento, Calif., is 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA in three career starts against Seattle.
Woo, who lost 4-1 Tuesday at San Diego despite pitching seven solid innings, is 2-3 with a 4.12 ERA in eight previous starts vs. the Rangers.
–Field Level Media
LAFC host the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium on Sunday, April 19, in one of the best MLS spots on the board this week. It is a real Western Conference measuring-stick game, not just another early-season fixture. San Jose come in second in the West at 6-1-0, while LAFC sit third at 5-1-1, and both sides have looked like serious contenders through the opening stretch.
There is also a pretty clear workload angle. LAFC are back from Mexico after finishing off Cruz Azul in the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals and now have a semifinal with Toluca on deck later this month. San Jose played in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday as well, beating Phoenix Rising 2-0, so neither side is fully coming in on a quiet week. That said, LAFC still feel slightly more squeezed because their midweek trip carried more intensity and more travel.
What makes this matchup tricky, honestly, is that both teams have earned the market respect. LAFC have not conceded a league goal at home yet and have outscored MLS visitors 12-0 in Los Angeles. San Jose, on the other hand, are 3-0-0 on the road in league play and have built the best eight-game start in club history across all competitions. So yes, LAFC deserve to be favored, but this is not some soft home spot against a team faking good form.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before locking anything in.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Earthquakes | +400 | +0.5 (+110) | O 3.5 (+125) |
| LAFC | -143 | -0.5 (-160) | U 3.5 (-167) |
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San Jose Earthquakes Betting Form
San Jose are one of the real surprises in MLS, but at this point it is more than a surprise story. The Quakes are 6-1-0 in league play, tied on points near the top of the conference, and they have conceded only two goals in MLS. The defensive side of it has been just as impressive as the record. Daniel already has five league clean sheets, and the back line has helped the team pile up six shutouts in eight matches across all competitions.
They are not built around one scorer carrying everything either, which I think matters in this kind of road test. Preston Judd leads the team with three goals, Niko Tsakiris has become a real creator with 2 goals and 4 assists in seven league games, and the attack has been spread across multiple players. Timo Werner is also expected back in the mix after missing recent league games, which gives Bruce Arena another vertical runner and another transition threat if his minutes are there.
From a betting angle, San Jose make sense if you believe they can keep this game uncomfortable and deny LAFC clean control. They have been good away from home, they are defending set pieces and crosses better than in recent seasons, and they have enough pace to punish heavy-field-possession teams if the ball turns over. The one concern is availability in midfield and at fullback, with Jackson Yueill listed doubtful and Marcos López out indefinitely, so the Quakes may not be at full strength in some of the areas that matter most against LAFC’s wide pressure.
LAFC Betting Form
LAFC still look like LAFC, just in a slightly more controlled version. They are unbeaten at home in MLS at 4-0-0, they have not allowed a single league goal at BMO Stadium, and across all competitions they have outscored visiting teams 17-1. Hugo Lloris has been outstanding, leading MLS with six clean sheets, and the defense in front of him has allowed a league-low two goals overall. That is not a fluke over one or two games anymore.
The attacking talent is still there too. Son Heung-Min leads MLS with seven assists, Denis Bouanga has four league goals and has been brutal in this matchup historically, and LAFC have the sort of front-line quality that can turn a tense match with one quick sequence. The problem, maybe, is that the exact rotation picture is not fully clear after the midweek trip to Cruz Azul. MLS itself flagged that question going into this match, and that is part of why the LAFC side feels a bit more fragile from a betting perspective than the home record alone suggests.
LAFC’s injury list is not overwhelming, but it is not empty either. Amin Boudri, Stephen Eustáquio, Thomas Hasal and Igor Jesus were all listed out for this match. Aaron Long is also out long term, though Ryan Porteous has stepped in well and helped stabilize the back line. That defensive continuity is a big reason LAFC remain the deserved favorite, even if the spot itself is not especially soft.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Matchup Breakdown
This match comes down to whether LAFC can actually impose their usual home rhythm against a San Jose team that has been far better at controlling game state than most expected. LAFC want territory, quick combinations around the box, and moments where Bouanga or Son can isolate defenders. San Jose are more comfortable than they used to be without the ball, and they have enough structure now to sit in the match and wait for their transition windows rather than forcing the issue too early.
The defensive numbers on both sides are what keep pulling me back toward the total instead of the side. LAFC have allowed only two league goals and none at home in MLS. San Jose have also allowed just two in league play and bring five MLS clean sheets from Daniel into this one. The public xG picture is still a little noisy this early in the season, so the cleaner read here is based on repeatable output: shot suppression, clean sheets, road discipline, and the fact that both clubs have turned recent matches into much tighter contests than their names might suggest.
There is also the competition context. LAFC are balancing league play with a Champions Cup semifinal ahead, while San Jose have an Open Cup path and a fast turnaround into another league match on April 22. That usually pushes both coaching staffs toward pragmatism, at least early. You can read more broadly about how those situational spots affect pricing in a general expert betting guide, but the simple version is that neither side has much incentive to turn this into a reckless, stretched game from minute one.
If one stylistic edge matters most, it is probably LAFC’s ability to create through elite individual quality even when the overall game stays compact. That is why I still lean LAFC on the side. But San Jose’s road form and defensive consistency make it hard to love laying too much chalk here. This feels more like a match decided by one or two moments than by sustained domination.
San Jose Earthquakes vs LAFC Predictions and Best Bets
My side lean is LAFC, mostly because the home profile is just too strong to ignore. They have defended BMO Stadium extremely well, and even with the midweek travel, they still look like the team more likely to own the cleaner scoring chances. If you are playing the result market, LAFC on the 3-way moneyline makes more sense to me than chasing a heavier handicap. San Jose are good enough that I do not really want to ask LAFC to win by margin.
The total is where I have more conviction. Under 3.5 is heavily juiced, and I get why. LAFC’s home defending has been spotless in league play. San Jose have barely conceded all season. Even the trend data points that way, with both teams carrying strong under profiles through seven league matches. There are attacking names on the field, sure, but the market is pricing this like a high-level Western Conference match with real tactical caution underneath it, and I think that is the right read.
I am less interested in both teams to score than I usually am in an MLS game with this much talent. LAFC can absolutely win to nil, and San Jose can absolutely make this ugly enough that the match finishes 1-0 or 2-0 either way. If San Jose score first, maybe the whole script changes. Still, the sharper betting angle is to respect how consistently both defenses have performed rather than betting on chaos because the badge names feel explosive.
So the lean is LAFC, but the best bet is on the total. It is not the sexiest play on a Sunday night showcase, though sometimes that is exactly the point.
Best Bet: Under 3.5 Goals (-167).
MLS Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this game and the rest of the MLS board, checking free MLS picks is useful because not every handicapper will land on the same angle here. Some will want LAFC at home, some will prefer the draw price, and others will stay focused on the under because that is where the cleaner data points sit. Comparing those approaches matters in a match with this many moving parts.
That is also where the broader platform helps. You can compare the top sports handicappers and use the handicapper leaderboard to see who is actually producing over time, who specializes in soccer, and who tends to price MLS correctly when scheduling and rotation start to matter.
And if you want a stronger card beyond the free board, that is where premium soccer picks come in. On a slate where one or two matches can look obvious and still get weird, having access to long-term records, profit tracking, and league-specific opinions is a lot more useful than just following the loudest single pick.
This Bundesliga Matchday 30 meeting at Borussia-Park has a little more pressure on it than the table first suggests. Mainz 05 arrive in 10th place on 33 points, while Monchengladbach sit 15th on 30. So yes, Mainz have been the steadier side over the larger sample, but Monchengladbach are the team that really need to create some breathing room from the bottom. That usually changes the tone of a match like this. It is not quite desperation football yet, though it is getting close for the hosts.
Kickoff is set for Sunday, April 19 at Borussia-Park, and the scheduling context matters. Mainz are coming off a brutal 4-0 loss at Strasbourg on Thursday, which knocked them out of the UEFA Conference League after taking a 2-0 first-leg lead. That creates two angles at once: physical fatigue from the short turnaround and a possible emotional dip after a collapse in Europe. Monchengladbach, by contrast, have had a full week since their 1-0 loss at RB Leipzig, and that rest edge is probably one of the biggest reasons they are slight favorites here.
The market reflects that tension pretty well. Mainz have been the better league team lately, but Monchengladbach are at home and should be fresher. It is a tight lower-half match with both teams still needing points, which is usually where side pricing gets a little tricky and totals become just as important as the moneyline.
Mainz 05 vs Monchengladbach Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before kickoff. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with Monchengladbach a slight home favorite and the draw carrying real value in what projects as a close game.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainz 05 | +200 | +0.25 (-120) | O 2.5 (-123) |
| Monchengladbach | +128 | -0.25 (-103) | U 2.5 (-104) |
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Mainz 05 Betting Form
If you strip out the European result for a second and look only at league form, Mainz have been the sharper team. Over their last 10 Bundesliga matches, they have gone 5-3-2 while averaging 1.4 goals from 4.2 shots on target and 11.1 total attempts per match. They do not dominate possession, not even close, but they have been pretty efficient in transition and more reliable than Monchengladbach at turning limited control into points. That matters because this is not a spot where they need to force the game for 90 minutes. They can sit a little, counter, and still create enough.
The concern is the workload and the emotional hangover. Mainz were hammered 4-0 by Strasbourg on Thursday after beating them 2-0 in the first leg, and that kind of swing can stay with a squad for a few days. They also lost 1-0 to Freiburg in league play last weekend, so the momentum has cooled after what had been a very solid run through March and early April. You can still make a case for Mainz on the draw-no-bet or double-chance side of things based on form alone, but the timing of this fixture is awkward.
Availability is another part of the handicap. Robin Zentner has been out, Philipp Mwene has been listed as questionable, and Jae-Sung Lee remains sidelined, so there are some real constraints around the spine and width of the team. Nadiem Amiri and Paul Nebel still give Mainz a bit of control and ball progression, and Phillip Tietz remains their more direct box threat, but I would be careful about assuming Mainz show up with their cleanest, strongest version here after Thursday.
Monchengladbach Betting Form
Monchengladbach’s table position is ugly, and their last 10 league-game sample is not exactly persuasive either. They are 2-4-4 across that stretch, averaging 1.2 goals while conceding 1.7 per match, and the defensive shot profile has been a problem. Opponents are averaging 6.1 shots on target and 13.6 attempts against them over those last 10 league games. That is not the profile of a team you want to trust at a big number. At a short home price, though, it becomes more interesting because the market is already pricing in their flaws.
The home form is mixed, but there have been signs of life. They beat RB Leipzig 1-0 at home on March 29, drew 2-2 with Heidenheim on April 4, and before that beat St. Pauli 2-0 at Borussia-Park. So even if the broader season has been messy, Monchengladbach have at least shown a little more resistance at home than on the road. Their season-long home record sits at 4-5-5, which is hardly dominant, but it is still better than the away version of this team.
There are injury issues here too, and that is probably why I would stop short of getting too aggressive with the home side. Kevin Diks and Jens Castrop both picked up knocks at Leipzig, while the broader injury list still includes absences such as Tim Kleindienst, Robin Hack, Nathan Ngoumou, and Tobias Sippel. So Monchengladbach do not exactly come into this one clean either. Still, they have had the full week to prepare, and that freshness edge might be enough in a game where neither side feels fully stable.
Mainz 05 vs Monchengladbach Matchup Breakdown
This is one of those matches where the better recent form belongs to the away side, but the cleaner game-state setup belongs to the home side. Mainz have been more efficient over the last 10 league matches, yet they are also the team coming off a collapse in Europe and a short turnaround. Monchengladbach, meanwhile, have been loose defensively for weeks, but they are at home, rested, and facing a team that just spent Thursday chasing a quarterfinal tie in France. I think that trade-off is what makes this match feel closer to a toss-up than the last-10 records alone would suggest.
The stylistic clash is pretty interesting. Mainz are comfortable without much possession and have been able to generate decent value from direct phases, especially when Amiri and Nebel can move the ball quickly into the front two. Monchengladbach tend to carry a bit more of the ball at home, but the real issue is what happens after they lose it. Their defensive structure has not been reliable enough, and that is part of why both teams to score keeps showing up as a live angle around this fixture. If you like to frame these types of matches from a market-first perspective, the expert betting guide is a useful way to sort side value from derivative value.
There is also the head-to-head angle. Mainz beat Monchengladbach 3-1 in the reverse meeting on March 7, and that result still matters because it showed where the away side can hurt them. Mainz do not need a flood of chances to create damage here. They just need space to attack the gaps Monchengladbach tend to leave when the press or rest defense gets stretched. At the same time, this is a different spot now. The travel, the fatigue, and the emotional weight of Thursday’s loss make repeating that performance harder.
The weather should not get in the way. Forecast conditions in Mönchengladbach point to cool temperatures and mostly clear evening conditions, so this looks like a normal surface-speed match without much wind or rain distortion. That keeps the focus on energy levels, defensive shape, and whether Mainz have enough left in their legs to keep this open for long stretches.
Mainz 05 vs Monchengladbach Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is toward both teams to score, with only a slight preference on the side. Mainz are the better recent league team, and I do not think that disappears because of one horrible night in Strasbourg. But the short turnaround is real, and Monchengladbach are in a more comfortable preparation spot. That makes the side harder to trust than the goal angle for me. If I had to choose a side, I would lean slightly toward Monchengladbach draw no bet rather than the full 3-way moneyline, mostly because the hosts should be fresher and the draw feels live.
The total sits in an interesting range because the market is basically split. Over 2.5 is a bit shorter than the under, and I get why. Mainz have been more efficient lately, Monchengladbach allow too much, and neither defense feels fully trustworthy. Still, I am not sure I need the match to get to three goals when a 1-1 or 2-1 type of script already captures most of the strongest ideas here. BTTS feels cleaner than choosing over 2.5 outright.
I also think this is a game where the first goal matters more than usual. If Monchengladbach score first, they can protect the fresher legs angle and force Mainz to chase after Thursday’s workload. If Mainz score first, then suddenly the home crowd gets tense and the pressure of the table starts to show. That uncertainty is another reason I would rather stay off the full-match side at a short number and take the scoring angle instead.
So the bet that makes the most sense to me is a simple one. Mainz have scored in four of their last five matches before Strasbourg, Monchengladbach keep giving up enough looks to make that dangerous, and the hosts should still be able to create their own chances at home against a tired defense. It is not the most glamorous read on the board, but it is probably the most honest one.
Best Bet: Both Teams To Score (-161).
Bundesliga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this match as part of a bigger Sunday card, checking today’s Bundesliga picks is the best next step. This is the kind of game where price sensitivity matters, and it helps to compare this spot with the rest of the league board before locking in a side or total. You can usually get a better sense of whether a match like this is worth a straight bet or just a smaller derivative play.
The other edge is transparency. ScoresAndStats makes it easy to compare top sports handicappers and sort through the handicapper leaderboard, which matters in soccer because not every expert attacks the same markets the same way. Some are better with sides, some with totals, and some really only shine in specific leagues.
And if you want a deeper card than the free board provides, you can always look through premium soccer picks. For a match like Mainz 05 vs Monchengladbach, where the market is tight and there are arguments both ways, having a few proven viewpoints instead of one rushed take is usually the smarter way to bet it.
Bayern Munich host VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, April 19, in Bundesliga Matchday 30, and the stakes are pretty obvious on both sides. Bayern come in first on 76 points from 29 matches and need only one point to clinch the title after Borussia Dortmund lost on Saturday. Stuttgart are fourth on 56 points, right in the middle of the Champions League race, so this is not some casual late-season spot for them either.
The scheduling angle matters here. Bayern are coming off a draining 4-3 win over Real Madrid that sent them into the Champions League semifinals, and a DFB-Pokal semifinal with Leverkusen plus a PSG tie are coming fast. Stuttgart do not have that same congestion now, but they are missing suspended top scorer Deniz Undav, which changes the shape of their attack in a real way. Bayern also picked up a fresh blow with Serge Gnabry ruled out, while Tom Bischof, Lennart Karl, and Sven Ulreich were already unavailable.
VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich Odds
These are the current betting lines for VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich, and bettors should keep checking the latest soccer odds because this market has Bayern as a clear home favorite. It is also worth noting that the 3-way moneyline is pricing the draw around +433 at one widely listed book, so there is still a meaningful middle outcome in the market.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| VfB Stuttgart | +530 | +1.5 (-128) | O 3.5 (-160) |
| Bayern Munich | -249 | -1.5 (-110) | U 3.5 (+125) |
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VfB Stuttgart Betting Form
Stuttgart are still having a strong season even if the market is treating them like a heavy underdog here. They have scored 60 league goals in 29 matches, posted 52.74 xG and 40.55 xGA, and they are averaging 6.03 shots on target per game with nearly 59 percent possession. Those are not the numbers of a side just trying to hang on. They are the numbers of a team that can carry territory, create pressure, and threaten in transition if the opponent loses structure.
The recent form is solid too. Stuttgart are 3-1-1 in their last five Bundesliga matches with 10.31 xG and 6.66 xGA in that stretch, and their last five away matches have produced 9.96 xG. That road sample is important because it shows they are still generating real chances away from home, not just leaning on home control. They have also been one of the better defensive teams in the second half of the season, with 11 league clean sheets overall and the best defensive record of the Rückrunde noted by Bayern’s own preview content.
Still, the Undav suspension is a major problem. He has 18 Bundesliga goals and six assists in 25 appearances, and he is the most natural finisher in this squad. Without him, Stuttgart likely lean on Ermedin Demirović up top, with Chris Führich and likely Bilal El Khannouss or another support runner underneath. Demirović is productive enough, with nine goals in 20 league appearances, but he does not quite replicate Undav’s all-around box threat.
Bayern Munich Betting Form
Bayern’s attacking numbers are ridiculous, honestly. Through 29 Bundesliga matches they have 105 goals, 85.00 xG, 31.89 xGA, 556 shots, 251 shots on target, and 67 percent possession. They are first in the league in goals, xG, and shots on target, and it is not especially close. At home they are 12-1-1 in the Bundesliga, so even with the European workload sitting in the background, the baseline level here is still extremely high.
The recent league form is just as strong. Bayern are unbeaten in their last five Bundesliga matches, posting 16.54 xG and 6.75 xGA while scoring 17 goals. Their last five home league matches produced 18.57 xG, which tells you the chance volume at Allianz Arena has stayed overwhelming even when the matches have asked different questions of them. This side is not merely winning. It is stacking shot pressure, box entries, and sustained possession until opponents crack.
The likely setup still gives Bayern more than enough firepower. The projected 4-2-3-1 has Neuer behind Stanišić, Kim, Ito, and Davies, with Kimmich and Goretzka in midfield and Musiala, Guerreiro, Luis Díaz, and Nicolas Jackson around the front line. Harry Kane remains the headline piece with 31 Bundesliga goals, while Michael Olise leads the league with 18 assists. Gnabry being out matters, but it does not exactly leave Bayern short on solutions.
VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is interesting because Stuttgart are one of the few Bundesliga teams who can meet Bayern with some real attacking credibility. They are fourth in goals and fifth in xG, they keep the ball well, and they have enough depth to change the game late. Bayern’s own preview of Stuttgart stressed the bench production, and that is not fluff. Stuttgart have 23 goal contributions from substitutes this season, second only to Bayern’s 28, so they can still alter the rhythm even if the first hour gets messy.
Still, stylistically this is a hard ask without Undav. Bayern can press high, pin teams deep, and then punish clearances with another wave. Stuttgart are usually comfortable enough in build-up, but Bayern’s volume is different. When one team is averaging 8.66 shots on target per match and the other is walking in without its top scorer, it becomes harder to make the case that the underdog will trade clean chances for 90 minutes. For broader market context on how side and total can connect in matches like this, the expert betting guide fits naturally here.
The one clear argument for Stuttgart is the schedule spot. Bayern just emptied a lot emotionally and physically against Real Madrid, and there is no real need for them to chase this game recklessly because a draw is enough to seal the title. That could flatten the tempo a bit, at least early. Stuttgart also have a decent away record at 6-3-5, and they have taken points in several difficult road matches this season. So I do not think this is a blind “Bayern roll them” spot, even if Bayern deserve to be favored.
VfB Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is still Bayern, but the sharper angle is probably not the straight moneyline. The number is short for a match against a top-four caliber opponent, and the title context plus the midweek exertion makes a pure win ticket feel a little thin. Bayern are clearly better, yes, and the season-long numbers back that up hard. But this is one of those spots where price matters more than branding.
The spread is more interesting. Bayern -1.5 at around -110 is asking them to win with authority, and honestly that is still plausible because their attack has been a machine all season and Stuttgart are missing Undav. Bayern have scored 105 times in 29 league matches, and they have already beaten Stuttgart 5-0 in the reverse league fixture this season. That does not guarantee another blowout, of course, but it reinforces the gap in finishing power when Bayern get this matchup onto their terms.
The total is the trickiest piece. Over 3.5 is juiced, and I understand why. Bayern have gone over in four of their last five, and their recent xG output is absurd. But a title-clinching home match where one point is enough can also create a slightly more controlled script, especially if Bayern get ahead. Stuttgart are good enough to contribute to an over, though, and their recent away xG says they should get at least a few decent moments.
So the play I trust most is Bayern on the handicap rather than forcing a goals bet. The matchup still favors Bayern’s pressure, Bayern’s finishers, and Bayern’s depth, and Stuttgart losing Undav pushes the attacking balance a little too far toward the hosts for me.
Best Bet: Bayern Munich -1.5 (-110).
Bundesliga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this league regularly, it helps to compare this game to the rest of the board instead of just forcing a position because Bayern are on TV and the title is in play. The Bundesliga picks page is useful for that wider scan, especially on a day when motivation angles and pricing can get tangled up fast.
That bigger view matters even more when you are deciding whose opinion to trust long term. ScoresAndStats lets you sort through top sports handicappers and track the handicapper leaderboard, which is the cleaner way to judge whether someone is actually finding value or just riding one hot weekend.
For bettors who want more than the free board, premium soccer picks give another layer of filtering by record, style, and volume. In a match like Stuttgart vs Bayern Munich, where the favorite is deserved but the exact bet type matters, that extra context can be the difference between backing the right side and just backing the obvious team.
Juventus host Bologna at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, April 19, in a Serie A Matchday 33 spot that matters a lot more than a standard late-April fixture. Juventus come in fourth and are trying to hold their place in the Champions League positions, while Bologna are still alive in the European chase and need something from this match to keep real pressure on the teams above them. Juventus arrive off wins over Genoa and Atalanta, and Bologna just beat Lecce in league play before their midweek trip to Aston Villa in Europe.
The scheduling angle is hard to ignore. Juventus had a full week to prepare after a huge road win at Atalanta, while Bologna had to absorb a draining Europa League second leg in England on Thursday and then turn around for a difficult trip to Turin. That does not automatically make this a walkover, because Bologna have won six of their last eight league matches and still have a pretty dangerous front line available, but it does tilt the spot toward the home side.
Bologna vs Juventus Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before placing anything because a Sunday Serie A number can move late.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bologna | +573 | +1.5 (-165) | O 2.5 (-145) |
| Juventus | -219 | -1.5 (+120) | U 2.5 (+116) |
Bologna Betting Form
Bologna are not coming in cold. They beat Lecce 2-0 last weekend, and the broader league form is good enough to keep them relevant in the race for Europe. Riccardo Orsolini scored again in that one, and Bologna’s attack still has enough movement and secondary creation to bother teams that get loose in transition. The official squad list also shows that Orsolini, Santiago Castro, Jens Odgaard, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Lewis Ferguson, Remo Freuler and Jhon Lucumí all made the trip, so the spine of the side is there.
Still, this is not a perfect setup for them. Bologna were in Birmingham on Thursday for a 4-0 loss to Aston Villa that ended their European run, and there is a decent chance that result leaves both physical and emotional residue. They also picked up a new concern with Niccolò Casale, whose ankle sprain left him day to day, and their squad list suggests less depth than usual around the defense and goalkeeper group. That matters against a Juventus team that has been much cleaner defensively of late.
From a betting perspective, Bologna make the most sense when the game turns messy and they can attack second balls, crosses, and broken defensive lines. They are one of the better crossing teams in the league by volume and accuracy, and Orsolini remains the obvious danger man, even if his finishing has run a little hot and cold this season. If Bologna are live here, it is probably through a compact first half and then a match that becomes more chaotic later.
Juventus Betting Form
Juventus look more like a control team right now than a chaos team, and that has value in this kind of matchup. They are unbeaten in six straight Serie A matches, have gone 218 league minutes without conceding, and have taken four wins from their last five league outings. The 1-0 result at Atalanta was not flashy, but it was the sort of mature away performance that usually tells you a side understands the table pressure.
There is also real attacking upside even if Juventus have not always played at full speed. Kenan Yildiz has been one of the league’s most productive young attackers, the team is second in Serie A for total shots, and the official club preview notes Juventus are the most accurate shooting side in the league while also allowing very few shots on target. That profile is why the home favorite case is stronger than just “big club at home.” They tend to create cleaner looks than Bologna, and they have been harder to break down.
The team news is manageable, not ideal. Juventus are still without Arkadiusz Milik, Mattia Perin and Juan Cabal, while Dusan Vlahovic remains out and there were minor recent concerns around Kenan Yildiz. Still, Yildiz and Khéphren Thuram returned to full training, Weston McKennie is back after suspension, and the official squad list is strong enough that Luciano Spalletti should still be able to put out a balanced starting eleven.
Bologna vs Juventus Matchup Breakdown
This feels like a game where Juventus should have the cleaner control and Bologna should have the more obvious need to survive the opening phases. Juventus are the more accurate shooting side, they concede very few efforts on target, and they have become a little more patient lately. Bologna, meanwhile, are still dangerous out wide and do a good job generating crosses, but the short turnaround from Thursday to Sunday is a real concern when you are facing a defense that has been this settled.
There is also a style clash here that matters for totals and handicap bettors. Juventus complete more dribbles than anyone else in Serie A and create a lot through individual progression, while Bologna are one of the league’s most active teams in terms of substitutions and cross-heavy wide play. That can create a strange rhythm. At times this may look open, then suddenly slow down, then get stretched again late if Bologna are chasing. That is part of why the main side angle interests me more than the total.
What I keep coming back to is the spot. Bologna have been better than the market gave them credit for a while now, but this is a tough travel turnaround after Europe, and Juventus know that every point matters with AC Milan up next. If you think through this matchup using a broader expert betting guide, the situational edge is pretty clearly on the home side even before you get to the talent gap.
Bologna can absolutely keep this tight for a while. They have not been conceding early very often, and Orsolini plus Castro give them enough threat to punish sloppy moments. But Juventus have scored in 14 straight home meetings with Bologna, and the current version of Juve looks built to wear teams down rather than rush the game. I think that matters in the final half hour.
Bologna vs Juventus Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Juventus, and I think the best angle is to play the handicap instead of laying the moneyline. The price on the straight win is short for a match against a live opponent, but Juventus -1.5 gets you into a better number in a spot where the home side should be fresher, more stable, and more likely to control territory. Bologna are competitive, yes, but this is a rough turnaround after a damaging European defeat.
The total is a little trickier. There is a reasonable under case because Juventus are defending well and Bologna may not want this to get too open too early. At the same time, if Juventus score first, the game can flip fast because Bologna will have to chase and their legs may not be where they need to be after Thursday. That is why I do not love forcing an Under 2.5 position just because Juventus have been tight defensively.
Both teams to score is also awkward. Bologna have enough attacking quality for one goal, but Juventus have been better at suppressing clean chances lately, and Michele Di Gregorio should have a manageable platform behind a stronger defensive structure. I would rather back Juventus to separate than ask Bologna to contribute.
So, for me, the value is on Juventus winning by margin rather than simply winning. A 2-0 type result feels more realistic than the market perhaps suggests, and it lines up with Juventus’ recent defensive run, Bologna’s schedule load, and the urgency around the top-four race.
Best Bet: Juventus -1.5 (+120).
Serie A Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this match and the rest of the board, checking today’s Serie A picks is useful because not every strong read on Juventus vs Bologna lands on the same market. Some bettors will prefer the side, some will look at the total, and others will play a derivative based on game state. Being able to compare those angles matters, especially in a match like this where the schedule context is part of the handicap.
That is where the platform becomes more valuable than a single pick. You can compare the top sports handicappers and sort through the handicapper leaderboard to see who has actually produced over time, who specializes in soccer, and who handles these tighter European-race matches well. For bettors, that transparency is a big part of the edge.
And if you want a stronger position than the free board gives you, that is where buy expert picks can make sense. On a slate full of late-season matches with uneven motivation and tricky price points, having access to long-term records and league-specific opinions is usually more useful than chasing one loud angle and hoping it sticks.
Genoa travel to Arena Garibaldi on Sunday, April 19, for a Serie A matchup that means very different things to both sides. Pisa come into Matchday 33 sitting 20th on 18 points through 32 matches, so the survival math is getting ugly and fast. Genoa are 13th on 36 points, not totally clear of danger, but in a far more stable position heading into this one. The reverse meeting ended 1-1 back on January 3, which is worth remembering because it showed Pisa can at least drag this matchup into a slower, tighter script when things break their way.
Recent form leans toward the visitors. Pisa have lost four of their last five league matches and were beaten 3-0 by Roma in their most recent outing, while Genoa are 3-0-2 across their last five and just beat Sassuolo 2-1. There is no cup distraction here and no European workload hanging over either side, so this is mostly about league pressure, matchup fit, and whether Pisa can create enough real threat to justify backing them at home. Right now, I think that is the hard part of the case.
Genoa vs Pisa Odds
These are the current betting lines for this match, and bettors should keep checking the latest soccer odds before betting.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genoa | +140 | -0.5 (+135) | U 2.5 (-185) |
| Pisa | +205 | +0.5 (-185) | O 2.5 (+145) |
Genoa Betting Form
Genoa are not some dominant away side, so I would not overstate the edge, but their season profile is still much healthier than Pisa’s. Through 32 league matches, Genoa have posted 41.47 xG and 41.86 xGA, with 377 total shots and 129 shots on target. That is basically a mid-table process profile. On the road they are 3-5-7 with 19.33 xG and 22.09 xGA, which is hardly elite, though it is still functional enough against a team sitting bottom of the table with the worst possession rate in the league.
The recent trend is pretty decent too. Genoa are 3-0-2 in their last five Serie A matches, and their last 10 league games have produced 13.72 xG overall. The away attacking volume is not huge, but they have at least shown they can play different scripts. They beat Verona 2-0 away, handled Roma at home, and then followed the recent losses to Udinese and Juventus by bouncing back against Sassuolo. That matters a bit in this spot because Pisa have not shown much ability to punish teams that make one or two mistakes in possession.
The absences are the one thing that keep this from being more straightforward. Genoa are set to miss Mikael Ellertsson, Morten Frendrup, and Ruslan Malinovskyi through suspension, with Maxwel Cornet and Brooke Norton-Cuffy also out. That is a real dent, especially in midfield control and set-piece quality. Still, the projected shape around Lorenzo Colombo, Vitinha, Junior Messias, and Aaron Martin gives them enough attacking routes, and Colombo has been their most active finisher this season.
Pisa Betting Form
Pisa’s numbers are rough and, honestly, they line up with the table. Through 32 matches they have just 23 goals, 30.95 xG, and 51.08 xGA, with only 311 shots and 88 on target. They average 9.72 shots and 2.75 shots on target per match, and they have the lowest possession share in Serie A at 40.0%. That profile usually points to a team that spends too much time defending, struggles to sustain attacks, and needs high-leverage moments rather than repeated pressure.
At home, there is at least a small argument that Pisa are a little more competitive than the overall record suggests. They have generated 15.09 xG at home this season, and across their last five home league matches they have created 4.83 xG. The problem is that this still is not a very lively attack, and the stronger home performances have been too isolated. Their only win in the last five league matches was the 3-1 result against Cagliari, while the other recent results include losses to Juventus, Como, Torino, and Roma.
Pisa’s clearer individual threats are Stefano Moreo and Matteo Tramoni. Moreo leads the team with six league goals, and Tramoni remains one of the few players who can carry a transition or create something from a half-chance. The projected setup looks like a back three or a flexible 3-4-2-1, but there is some uncertainty around the lineup, and reports have pointed to Daniel Denoon and Marius Marin as the main availability concerns. If Pisa do not get enough control in midfield, the whole match can start feeling very reactive again, which is not where you want to live against a road favorite with more balance.
Genoa vs Pisa Matchup Breakdown
This matchup comes down to whether Pisa can turn home urgency into actual territorial pressure. I am not fully convinced they can. Pisa have the league’s lowest possession rate at 40.0%, while Genoa sit at 47.9%, and the shot gap between the teams is fairly meaningful too. Genoa have taken 377 shots to Pisa’s 311, and Genoa have put 129 on target to Pisa’s 88. That does not automatically make Genoa attractive at any price, but it does suggest the visitors are more likely to create the cleaner chances even if the match stays ugly.
The total market tells a similar story. Under 2.5 is sitting at -185, which is a strong signal that the expected game state is tense and fairly compressed. Pisa’s attack has not generated enough consistent volume to force an over argument on its own, and Genoa’s road profile is more pragmatic than explosive. If you are weighing the relationship between side, total, and game state, the expert betting guide is useful here because this is one of those matches where the best side and the likely tempo are tied closely together.
There is also the issue of Genoa’s suspensions. Malinovskyi and Frendrup being out could reduce some of the visitors’ control through midfield and blunt a bit of their progression. That is probably Pisa’s best argument. If they can turn the match into second balls, throw-ins, and broken sequences around the box, they may find a route. But if Genoa settle into possession at all, Pisa usually do not have enough sustained ball-winning or shot creation to push the match onto more dangerous ground.
I do not see much of a travel or schedule angle changing the read. This is a domestic spot, not a workload trap. So the game state probably comes from table pressure alone: Pisa need points badly, Genoa would love to put more distance between themselves and the bottom four, and neither side is likely to treat a draw as a disaster early. That keeps me leaning toward a careful, low-margin match where one moment can decide it.
Genoa vs Pisa Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Genoa on the 3-way moneyline. The price is not screaming value, but the statistical gap is real. Genoa have the better season-long xG profile, the better shot numbers, the better recent form, and the more trustworthy attacking floor. Pisa’s urgency is real, sure, but urgency and output are not the same thing, and too many of their recent matches have drifted into sterile possession deficits and low-quality final-third work.
The total is the other obvious place to look. Under 2.5 at -185 is not exactly fun, but I understand why the market is there. Pisa average only 2.75 shots on target per match, and even their recent home xG output has stayed modest. Genoa can create enough to win, but they are not built like a team that needlessly turns these spots into open games, especially away from home. That makes the under logical, even if the price is a bit heavy.
BTTS is where I hesitate. Pisa are at home and desperate, and Genoa’s midfield suspensions could open some cracks. Still, Pisa’s chance creation has been too light for me to treat both teams scoring as the strongest angle. I think the cleaner read is that Genoa are more likely to find the one or two decisive moments, while Pisa still need to prove they can regularly produce enough to cash an attacking bet against competent opposition.
So, yes, Genoa are the side I prefer, but I would keep the staking sensible. This feels more like a controlled edge than a blowout script. The market already knows Pisa are struggling.
Best Bet: Genoa 3-Way Moneyline (+140).
Serie A Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting this league regularly, it helps to compare this match with the rest of the card instead of forcing action in isolation. The today’s Serie A picks page gives you a wider look at the board, which matters because not every favorite in a survival match is automatically the best value on the slate.
That is also where the handicapper side of the platform becomes more useful. You can sort through top sports handicappers, compare styles on the handicapper leaderboard, and get a better sense of who actually performs over time instead of just chasing one hot result.
For bettors who want more than the free board, premium soccer picks give another layer of selection and tracking. In matches like Genoa vs Pisa, where the edge is real but not massive, that extra filtering can help decide whether to stay with the straight side, lean into the total, or pass and wait for a better number.
Friburgo host Heidenheim at Europa-Park Stadion on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Bundesliga Matchday 30. It is a big spot for both sides, just in very different ways. Friburgo enter the day ninth in the table on 40 points and still close enough to keep the European conversation alive, while Heidenheim sit 18th on 19 points and are running out of room at the bottom.
There is a workload angle here too, and it matters. Friburgo just came through a Europa League quarterfinal and advanced to the last four after beating Celta Vigo 3-1 away in the second leg, so there is real momentum, but also some fatigue risk after Thursday minutes. Heidenheim have had a cleaner week to prepare, though their recent league form still looks fragile and the away profile has been rough for a while now.
This also looks like a relatively clean weather game. Temperatures in Freiburg are mild, with partly sunny to mostly cloudy conditions expected through the afternoon, so there should not be much in the forecast that changes the game plan. That keeps the focus where it belongs, on Friburgo’s stronger home attack against a Heidenheim side that has struggled to defend away from home.
Heidenheim vs Friburgo Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest soccer odds before kickoff. This is a 3-way moneyline market, with Friburgo priced at -152 to win, Heidenheim at +375, and the draw at +300. The current handicap is Friburgo -0.75, and the total is sitting at 2.5 goals.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heidenheim | +375 | +0.75 (-106) | O 2.5 (-161) |
| Friburgo | -152 | -0.75 (-116) | U 2.5 (+123) |
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Heidenheim Betting Form
Heidenheim come into this match under real relegation pressure, and the league numbers are hard to ignore. They are 4-7-18 through 29 matches with a minus-32 goal difference, 32 goals scored, and 64 conceded. Over their last 10 league matches, they have only one win, with six defeats and three draws, and they are giving up 2.2 goals per game in that stretch. That is usually not a sustainable profile for taking points on the road against a team with Friburgo’s home ceiling.
The attacking output is not completely dead, which is probably the only reason BTTS stays in the conversation. Heidenheim have averaged 1.5 goals across their last 10 league matches, and six of those 10 have gone over 2.5. But the road split is the bigger issue. In their last 10 away league matches, they have just one win, with 0.9 goals scored and 2.1 allowed per match. That usually forces them into a reactive style, and when they are pinned back for long stretches, the defensive line starts to crack.
Lineup-wise, the shape looks like a 4-3-2-1 with Marvin Pieringer leading the line and Arijon Ibrahimovic plus Mathias Honsak working underneath him. That setup can create transition moments, and Pieringer does give them a direct outlet, but the chance volume has still been too low overall. Heidenheim are averaging only 3.3 shots on target in their last 10 league games, which is not much margin for error in a spot like this.
Friburgo Betting Form
Friburgo are not arriving in perfect league form, but the home profile is still strong enough to trust. They are 11-7-11 in the Bundesliga and have scored 42 while conceding 47, yet their last 10 home matches tell a more useful betting story: seven wins, one draw, two defeats, with 2.1 goals scored and 1.1 allowed per game. That split matters here because this is where Friburgo tend to look more assertive, more aggressive in the final third, and a little cleaner in possession.
The recent schedule has been busy, but there is also real momentum from Europe. Friburgo beat Mainz 1-0 in league play last weekend, then followed that with a 3-1 win at Celta Vigo to reach the Europa League semifinals. So yes, there is some workload risk, but there is also confidence, and I think that matters when the home side is facing a bottom-table opponent. This is not the kind of matchup where they should need to chase chaos.
The expected or confirmed personnel also helps. Noah Atubolu starts in goal behind a back line built around Matthias Ginter, while Vincenzo Grifo, Lucas Höler, and Igor Matanovic give Friburgo enough quality between the lines and around the box. The injury list is not empty, with Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, Patrick Osterhage, and Max Rosenfelder out, but the core attacking group is available, and that keeps the home side in a good place from a betting perspective.
Heidenheim vs Friburgo Matchup Breakdown
This game should come down to territory and control. Neither side is a huge possession bully on current form, but Friburgo are more reliable at turning normal possession into usable pressure at home, while Heidenheim have spent too much of the season defending their own box. Over the last 10 league games, Friburgo have averaged 12.3 attempts and 4.4 shots on target, while Heidenheim are allowing 13.9 attempts and 5.2 shots on target over the same span. That is a pretty clean edge for the hosts.
The scheduling angle is a little tricky. Friburgo clearly carry the heavier load because of Europe, and in some spots that would make me hesitate. But Heidenheim are in such poor away form that the extra rest does not automatically close the gap. Friburgo have also shown they can rotate just enough without losing their structure, and the home scoring average of 1.9 over the last 10 at Europa-Park Stadion suggests the attacking level has held up reasonably well.
Tactically, I think Heidenheim’s best hope is to keep this direct and uncomfortable. If they sit too deep for too long, Grifo and Höler can start dictating the half-spaces, and Matanovic is good enough to punish poor box defending. If you are weighing side versus total in a match like this, the expert betting guide is useful for thinking through whether the favorite’s edge is stronger on the result or on derivative markets. Here, the favorite’s edge looks more stable than the total to me.
There is still a path to goals, though. Heidenheim’s last 10 matches have produced 3.7 total goals per game on average, and six of their last 10 away matches cleared 2.5. Friburgo’s home matches have leaned that way too, with seven of their last 10 at home finishing over 2.5 and BTTS landing in seven of those 10. So the total is not simple. The cleaner angle still feels like trusting the home side first, then deciding whether you want to tie it to goals.
Heidenheim vs Friburgo Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Friburgo on the moneyline. The table spot, the home split, and the matchup all line up in their favor. Heidenheim have been too loose defensively, especially away from home, and they do not create enough stable pressure to make me comfortable backing them in a road relegation spot like this. Friburgo are not flawless, but they are the team with the clearer route to control.
The handicap is where it gets a little more interesting. Friburgo -0.75 is playable, though perhaps not quite as comfortable as a full one-goal line would be. Heidenheim have enough transition threat to keep this from feeling automatic, and Friburgo did play in Europe on Thursday. Still, if the hosts get ahead, this is the kind of matchup where the game can stretch and expose Heidenheim’s defensive numbers again.
The total is the tougher call. Over 2.5 makes sense on paper because both teams’ recent profiles lean that way, especially Friburgo at home and Heidenheim away. But I do not love forcing that bet when the favorite is also coming off a European trip and may be more interested in managing the match than turning it into a shootout. I would rather trust Friburgo to do enough than ask the game to hit a specific tempo.
So that leaves me with the simplest angle, which is often the right one. Friburgo have the stronger squad, the far better home trend, and the opponent with the weakest defensive profile on the board here. I think they win, and I think they probably do it by controlling most of the dangerous moments rather than by surviving a coin-flip game.
Best Bet: Friburgo Moneyline (-152).
Bundesliga Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are building a full card instead of betting this match in isolation, checking today’s Bundesliga picks is the cleanest next step. It helps to compare this match with the rest of the league board, especially when you are deciding whether a favorite like Friburgo is worth laying by itself or as part of a broader Sunday portfolio. You can also stack that with the weekly view from best soccer bets this week if you want a wider soccer picture.
The bigger value, though, is transparency. ScoresAndStats lets you compare top sports handicappers and sort through the handicapper leaderboard, which makes it easier to separate short-term noise from long-term winning profiles. That matters in soccer because betting styles vary a lot. Some experts lean sides, some lean totals, and some are much stronger in specific leagues.
And if you want more than just the free board, the site also makes it easy to shop buy expert picks for bettors who want a deeper card every day. For a league like the Bundesliga, where price sensitivity matters and matchup context shifts quickly, having a few trusted viewpoints instead of one rushed opinion is usually the smarter way to attack the market.
Skidding Mets make pitching change ahead of series finale vs. Cubs
A year ago, New York Mets left-hander David Peterson was in the midst of a first-half breakout that helped him earn a spot on the National League All-Star team.
Now, Peterson has been scratched from his latest start as skidding New York looks for a spark.
The Mets will aim to end their longest losing streak in more than 20 years on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game series.
The Mets announced late Saturday that right-hander Tobias Myers (0-1, 3.46 ERA) will start in place of Peterson, who reportedly is not injured. Right-hander Javier Assad (1-1, 8.10 ERA) will start for Chicago.
The Cubs handed the Mets their 10th straight loss Saturday afternoon, 4-2, after pinch-hitter Carson Kelly belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the sixth inning.
The skid is the longest for the Mets since they dropped 11 in a row from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004. New York has been outscored 60-18 during the current streak and hasn’t led at the end of an inning since the first frame of an 11-6 loss to the Athletics on April 11 — a span of 62 innings.
The Mets, who have six new starters in their everyday lineup after parting ways with Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil and Brandon Nimmo over the winter, are 7-14 overall. It’s the worst 21-game start for the franchise since the 1983 team opened 6-15 on its way to finishing 68-94.
“Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us; you’ve got to keep going,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We haven’t been playing good baseball. That’s the bottom line.”
Peterson has been struggling since his first All-Star Game appearance. The southpaw is 0-3 with a 6.41 ERA in four starts this year and 3-5 with a 6.35 ERA in his last 16 starts dating to July 20.
Myers, who hasn’t started since Aug. 9, has pitched at least 1 1/3 innings in each of his six games this year. He has thrown at least 30 pitches four times — including in his most recent appearance Wednesday, when he allowed one run over two innings in the Mets’ 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kelly’s second career pinch-hit homer continued an impressive week for the Cubs, who have won four straight games.
Chicago’s streak of consecutive games with least 10 runs scored was snapped at three Saturday, but the Cubs have scored 51 runs in the last six games after scoring 59 in the first 14 games of the season.
The Cubs also have pitched well during their winning streak despite the loss of closer Daniel Palencia, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a strained left oblique.
Jameson Taillon gave up one run over six innings Saturday in the third straight quality start for the Cubs, whose relievers have a 3.17 ERA during the winning streak. The surge began Tuesday, when Colin Rea allowed three runs over six innings against Philadelphia as a bulk reliever.
Caleb Thielbar earned the first save of the streak Saturday when he struck out two in a perfect ninth. It was just the sixth career save for the 39-year-old Thielbar, who has made 422 big league appearances dating to 2013.
“This group, we’re always prepared,” Kelly said. “We’re always looking for that opportunity. Just as a group, we’re pulling for each other at all moments.”
Assad took the loss in his most recent start last Monday, when he gave up nine runs over 4 1/3 innings as the Cubs fell to the Phillies 13-7.
Myers is 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in five career games (three starts) against the Cubs. Assad is 1-1 with a 3.45 ERA in four games (three starts) vs. the Mets.
–Field Level Media
Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki hopes his turnaround starts vs. Rockies
Roki Sasaki’s spectacular performance as a reliever during the 2025 postseason is not translating to success as a starter this season.
Sasaki (0-2, 6.23 ERA), in his second MLB season after much success in Japan, will start for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday afternoon against the Colorado Rockies in the third game of a four-game series in Denver. The teams have split the first two contests.
This will be the first time Sasaki has faced the Rockies.
After earning three saves with an 0.84 ERA in nine games during the Dodgers’ run to their second consecutive World Series championship last year, the right-hander has made it through five innings in only one of his three starts in 2026 and has struggled with his control (10 walks in 13 innings).
The 24-year-old took a 5-2 loss in his most recent start last Sunday against the Texas Rangers. He threw 94 pitches in only four innings and gave up two runs on five hits and five walks, adding six strikeouts.
“So that’s something that I talked to him about, and challenging him to, when you take the baseball, we’re trying to go five innings or more,” manager Dave Roberts said after that game. “So I think that’s kind of the next progression for him, to be consistently able to do that.
“But I do feel the growth part of it is to hang in there, make pitches when he needs. That’s important. He spread the walks out, I guess, as well as you could, to kind of limit damage. That was something I was proud of in that sense.”
And Roberts can continue to be proud of Shohei Ohtani, who extended his on-base streak to 50 games. That ties “Wee” Willie Keeler for the third-longest such streak in Dodgers’ history since 1900. Next on the list is Shawn Green, whose 53-game streak came in 2000.
Ohtani had a single in the ninth inning but had reached base on Colorado errors twice before that.
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen (1-2, 8.10 ERA) will be Colorado’s starter on Sunday.
He will look to continue the momentum the Rockies gained Saturday night with their 4-3, come-from-behind win. Troy Johnston’s two-run double in the sixth inning turned a 3-2 deficit into the winning margin. Relievers Brennan Bernardino (who got the win), Jaden Hill and Victor Vodnik protected the lead.
Vodnik earned his third save of the season.
“They have some of the best stuff in the league,” Saturday’s starter, Ryan Feltner, said about the team’s bullpen. “I think their biggest thing is coming out and attacking.”
Lorenzen will look to turn around his fortunes this season.
He has given up 32 hits, tied for the most in the National League, in 16 2/3 innings over five games, four of them starts. Lorenzen’s latest outing was Tuesday, in which he took the loss at Houston, 7-6, by giving up seven runs (two earned) and six hits in 2 2/3 innings.
In nine career games against the Dodgers, Lorenzen is 1-0 with a 4.08 ERA over 17 2/3 innings. His sole win came as a member of the Texas Rangers on July 13, 2024, allowed an earned run in seven innings in the 3-1 Rangers’ victory.
— Field Level Media
Reds RHP Brady Singer ‘good’ to go against Twins
The Cincinnati Reds will look for their second series sweep of the season when they play the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Cincinnati’s scheduled starting pitcher, Brady Singer (1-1, 5.60 ERA), earned his first win of the season on Tuesday. The right-hander scattered six hits, gave up one run and struck out one in a 2-1 home victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Though Singer was struck with a comebacker to his right foot in the sixth inning, he finished the frame. X-rays came back negative.
“I’m glad the X-rays came back good,” Singer said. “It caught me square in the foot. But I’m good for the next (start).”
Both of the Reds’ wins over the Twins in this three-game series have been by one run — 2-1 in the opener on Friday and 5-4 after a comeback on Saturday.
Cincinnati swept three games at the Texas Rangers from April 3-5.
Singer said after his last start that the Reds’ bullpen was a difference maker. Cincinnati relievers have not allowed a run in a combined eight innings while posting 11 strikeouts against the Twins.
“They are incredible,” Singer said. “They’ve been huge for us all year long and are going to carry us the rest of the way, too. It’s great to see what they are doing.”
Singer has struggled over 13 career starts against the Twins. He’s 3-7 with a 5.63 ERA and 73 strikeouts.
Bailey Ober (2-0, 5.49 ERA) is set to take the mound for the Twins on Sunday. The right-hander picked up the win in his last start on Monday, when he allowed seven hits, four runs and one walk with seven strikeouts in six innings in a 13-6 decision over the visiting Boston Red Sox.
In four career starts against the Reds, Ober is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA, 16 strikeouts and seven walks over 21 2/3 innings.
The Twins are 3-0 when Ober pitches at home this season.
After the Minnesota offense sputtered on Friday, the Twins shook up their lineup. Josh Bell moved into the No. 3 hole and Luke Keaschall slid down to the five spot. The move paid immediate dividends as Minnesota took a 2-0 first-inning lead.
Bell and Keaschall each collected two hits in the game, and Austin Martin scored two runs and secured a catch as he ran into the right-field wall. Martin is the right-handed-hitting complement in a right-field platoon with left-handed-hitting Trevor Larnach, who started in left on Saturday.
Martin has a .295 batting average, one home run and four RBIs this season while mostly hitting second when he is in the Twins’ lineup.
“He’s having really consistent at-bats,” manager Derek Shelton said. “It’s the rare opportunity for a guy in a platoon that we are seeing this many left-handers.
“Since spring training, he’s had a high quantity of at-bats and has been very impressive,” Shelton continued. “There’s no urgency in his at-bats, and I mean that in a really good way. He’s taking what’s coming to him, whether it’s taking a walk or being aggressive early in counts.”
Shelton said the team hopes to get Royce Lewis back from the 10-day injured list soon. The Twins’ third baseman has been sidelined by a left knee strain and started his rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A St. Paul.
“We thought all along that this (injury) was right at the minimum amount of time or close to it,” Shelton said. “His progression has gone extremely well. He’s done all on-field activities, hit on the field and took ground balls with the group. Now it’s on to the next step.”
–Field Level Media
