As we hit the one-fifth mark of the MLB season, the picture is starting to come into focus. Small sample sizes are no longer an excuse, and we're getting a clearer sense of which teams are true contenders. The National League is looking stronger than the American League overall, but even in the NL, some clubs are struggling mightily—the Mets and Phillies are off to historically bad starts.
In today's roundup, we cover Shohei Ohtani showing he's human after all, Nick Kurtz's incredible walk streak, and Phillies fans taking their frustration out on players at a hockey game. Let's dive in.
Cubs to Tigers: Kyle Hendricks Takes a Front Office Role
A familiar face for Cubs fans is heading to the American League. Kyle Hendricks, the longtime Chicago starter, is joining the Detroit Tigers front office as a special assistant. It's a new chapter for the veteran, who will now help shape the Tigers' pitching staff from the front office side.
Garrett Crochet Injury Adds to Red Sox Woes
Things keep getting worse in Boston. Just when you thought it couldn't get more difficult for the Red Sox, Garrett Crochet goes down with an injury. The young left-hander was a bright spot, and his absence is a tough blow for a team already struggling to find its footing.
Nick Kurtz's Walk Streak: A Quiet Superstar in the Making
Nick Kurtz is doing something special at the plate—he's taking walks at an insane rate. The Athletics prospect is drawing free passes like clockwork, and he's closing in on some impressive records. If you love plate discipline, this is your guy.
AL vs. NL: A Tale of Two Leagues
The gap between the American and National Leagues is widening. While the NL has several teams firing on all cylinders, the AL is lagging behind. The contrast in performance is striking, and it's a trend worth watching as the season progresses.
Mets' Woeful April: Weighing Down the NL Curve
The Mets are having a month to forget. Their April struggles have been so bad that they're dragging down the entire NL's numbers. It's a tough start for a team that had high hopes coming into the season.
Phillies Get Booed at a Hockey Game
Even a rain delay couldn't save the Phillies from fan frustration. Several players, including Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, and Jesus Luzardo, attended a local hockey game—only to be met with savage boos from the crowd. It's clear that Philadelphia fans are not happy with their team's performance.
Around the League
- Travis Sawchik proposes a new ballpark design to give White Sox fans a better experience.
- Maury Brown explores potential MLB expansion destinations, though it won't happen anytime soon.
- Jake Rill recaps a two-grand-slam day for the Baltimore Orioles.
- And meet Derek Klena, an actor whose love of baseball found the perfect outlet with the Savannah Bananas.
Stay tuned as the season heats up—and don't forget to gear up for game day with our latest collection of MLB-inspired apparel.