Greetings, friends. We’re back for another baseball season. More importantly, we have a fun new series this year!
Welcome to the Daily Opener.
Every morning, I’ll be with you to recap the previous day of baseball and talk about what stood out to me. We’ll find fun stats. We’ll lament some injuries. We’ll take a peek at the day ahead. And we’ll have a few laughs.
Have questions or just want to talk baseball? Feel free to reach out on Twitter @mikeMaher with questions or feedback anytime.
Top Stories
Happy Jackie Robinson Day, friends.
Going forward, I hope to have this article published earlier in the morning. That didn’t happen very often this week. For today, though, that means we are publishing shortly after the news that Brandon Nimmo and Mark Canha have both tested positive for COVID and will not be in today’s lineup. Word came out on Friday morning that the Mets were dealing with a COVID situation after a staffer tested positive, and Nimmo and Canha were notably absent from the lineup shortly after that news. They are both being placed on the COVID-19 IL, but that list does not require a minimum stay.
We’re going with a list for the rest of the top stories today because it has been a WEEK and I’m dealing with a sick kiddo at the moment.
- C.J. Abrams slugs first career home run Thursday
- Ronald Acuna Jr. could begin rehab assignment next week
- Manny Machado has five hits, two steals vs. Braves
- Shohei Ohtani allows six runs in loss to Rangers
- There’s a chance that Jonathan India (hamstring) plays Saturday
- Will Smith blasts three-run homer in win over Reds
- Javier Baez will not play Friday due to thumb soreness
Fun!
Not all fun stats are fun for the subjects of those stats.
Miguel Sanó off to an 0-for-19 start.
This is not a buy low tweet.
— Baseball Pods (@baseballpods) April 15, 2022
Studs and Duds
Here are some of the best and worst performances from yesterday.
Studs (Hitters)
- Manny Machado – 5-for-6, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB
- Jonah Heim – 3-for-4, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R
- Daniel Vogelbach – 4-for-6, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R
- Eric Hosmer – 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
- Through 7 games: .462 AVG, 1.154 OPS but 0 HR and just 3 RBI
- Bryan Reynolds – 2-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 R
- Will Smith – 2-for-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI
- Corey Seager – 2-for-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 BB
- Jarred Kelenic – 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB
- J.T. Realmuto – 4-for-4, 1 SB, 1 BB, 1 R
- Frank Scwhindel, Omar Narvaez, and Brandon Lowe all went 2-for-4 with a HR and 2 RBI
- Adalberto Mondesi – 0-for-3 BUT…1 BB, 1 R, and 2 SB
- Batting .143 through 6 games but has 3 SB
Studs (Pitchers)
- Joe Musgrove – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 6 K in win over Braves
- Luis Severino – 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K in win over Blue Jays
- Brandon Woodruff – 5 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, just 2 K in win over Cardinals
- Logan Gilbert – 5 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K in win over White Sox
- Kevin Gausman – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 9 K but lost to Yankees
- Sandy Alcantara – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K in win over Phillies
- Cole Irvin – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, just 2 K in win over Rays
Duds (Hitters)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 0-for-4 with 4 K #GoldenSombrero
- Josh Donaldson and Jose Abreu both went 0-for-4 with 3 K
The 0-for-4 with 2 K Club:
The 0-for-5 Club:
Duds (Pitchers)
- Shohei Ohtani – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 K in loss to Rangers
- Kyle Freeland – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 1 K in loss to Cubs
- Charlie Morton – 5 IP, 5 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 5 K in loss to Padres
- Adam Wainwright – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 7 K in loss to Brewers
- Kyle Gibson – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 6 K in loss to Marlins
From the News Desk
We have an incredible news desk at FantasyPros. Seriously, they crush it. If you don’t already, you should sync your teams with My Playbook and check out the Fantasy News and Scores app for updates about your players.
- Luis Castillo progresses to throwing to live hitters
- Jacob deGrom to get second MRI
- Mike Clevinger sharp in rehab outing
- Nimmo, Canha test positive for COVID, will not play Friday
- Javier Baez (right thumb) will miss Friday’s game with swollen thumb
- MacKenzie Gore to make MLB debut Friday
Minor Improvements
MacKenzie Gore makes his MLB debut today. Gore has been a highly-touted prospect for a few years now after being selected with the 3rd overall pick in the 2017 June Amateur Draft, but his journey through the various levels of the minor leagues has come with mixed results. However, he struck out 16 batters over 12 innings in spring training, and the Padres-who have been patient and conservative with his development in the past-appear to believe he is ready to make the jump to the Show.
Dingers
Here is every player who hit a home run yesterday:
Manny Machado
Jonah Heim
Daniel Vogelbach
Bryan Reynolds
Will Smith
Corey Seager
Jarred Kelenic
Frank Schwindel
Omar Narvaez
Brandon Lowe
Max Stassi
Mitch Haniger
Brandon Drury
Cal Raleigh
Garrett Cooper
Mike Trout
Tommy Edman
Aristides Aquino
Ozzie Albies
C.J. Abrams
Swipes
Here is every player who stole a base yesterday:
Manny Machado (x2)
Adalberto Mondesi (x2)
Jarred Kelenic
J.T. Realmuto
Kolten Wong
Cole Tucker
Austin Nola
Jose Trevino
Cody Bellinger
Jace Peterson
J.P. Crawford
Julio Rodriguez
Whit Merrifield
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Arm Barn Report
Here is every player who recorded a save yesterday:
Michael King
Dany Jimenez
Anthony Bender
Gregory Soto
Mychal Givens
Today’s Starting Lineup
- Obviously, we should all be watching MacKenzie Gore’s start today. I was very in on Gore and then very out on Gore over the last couple of years, so I’m intrigued to see how he looks. The Padres take on the Braves tonight at 9:40pm ET.
- No national games today, but we have Twins vs. Red Sox on ESPN+, and Rays vs. White Sox and Reds vs. Dodgers on Apple TV+.
- I’ll also be keeping an eye on Giants vs. Guardians tonight because 1. I love me some Zach Plesac, and 2. I want to see how Carlos Rodon follows up his impressive debut with the Giants.
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Mike Maher is an editor and content manager at FantasyPros and BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive, follow him on Twitter @MikeMaher, and visit his Philadelphia Eagles blog, The Birds Blitz.
