Crawfish Boil: Yordan’s Scorching Start, McCullers’ First Inning Woes, Injury Updates & More

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 25, 2026 **How ugly was it for Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Yankees Friday? Only 5 swings and misses.** Lance McCullers Jr. against the Yankees: 5+ IP, 6 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 92 pitches, 51 strikes, 31 swings, 5 whiffs, 95.4 mph average exit velocity. After five starts and 25.1 innings, McCullers' ERA is 6.75

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler\_Rome) April 25, 2026 **There’s always a cool down phase after a hot phase. Cam Smith is freezing.** Since his four-hit game on April 11, Cam Smith is 5-for-37.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 25, 2026 **None of these numbers are good:** Astros offense:

First 11 games (6-5): .288/.394/.494, 7.0 runs per game Last 16 games (4-12): .242/.313/.395, 4.0 runs per game

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 25, 2026 Astros are 4-14 in their last 18 games, averaging 4.5 runs per game and giving up 6.6 runs per game in that span.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 25, 2026 The Astros have posted two shutouts this year. In the next game, they gave up 12 runs each times.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 25, 2026 **Why do the Astros never have the roof open?** Why won’t the Astros open the roof at Daikin Park? The team wouldn’t make anyone available to discuss. Some players past and present prefer it open. Other teams with roofs — including one in Texas — try to open whenever possible. Story with @SamBlum3 –

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler\_Rome) April 24, 2026 **Jazz Chisholm should be embarrassed.** Jazz Chisholm challenging a pitch virtually middle-middle…in a 12-4 game.

And then being shocked it wasn't a ball. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/5yr69bVvnA

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 25, 2026 **It’s getting ugly in Philadelphia** The Phillies lose their 10th-consecutive game, their longest streak since 1999.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 25, 2026 **Paul Skenes is pretty good. You may have heard:** Paul Skenes with 7 shutout innings. He had a perfect game through 6 2/3 innings. His career ERA: 2.01 He has now had an MLB-record 23 scoreless starts in his first 63 starts, per @CodifyBaseball

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 25, 2026 **Has to be the current AL ROY Leader:** Murakami with his 11th HR tonight. He has homered in 6 of his last 7 games

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 25, 2026 MUNETAKA MURAKAMI WON’T STOP HOMERING. 🤯

(Via: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/AWyTaVDzYC

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 25, 2026 **It’s pretty hot on the North Side:** The Cubs have won 10 in a row.

The last time they had a longer winning streak, it was 2016.

— Alden González (@Alden\_Gonzalez) April 25, 2026 ALEX BREGMAN TIES THE GAME IN LA. 💥

(Via: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/hx7CQSEfD7

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 25, 2026 DANSBY SWANSON GIVES THE CUBS THE LEAD IN THE 9TH! 🐻

Chicago trailed 4-0 through six innings.

(Via: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/DhysEDcHNo

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 25, 2026 **Current AL Cy Young leader:** José Soriano's remarkable start continues with five more scoreless innings. Soriano by the numbers this season, with MLB ranks:

IP: 37.2 (1st) ERA: 0.24 (1st) Strikeouts: 43 (2nd) BA: .143 (2nd) OBP: .223 (5th) SLG: .175 (1st) Fastball velocity: 97.2 mph (8th)

Pure dominance.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 22, 2026 **The sudden outrage over the Shohei Rule:** Unpacking the ‘Shohei Ohtani Rule,’ and if it’s too much or unfair.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken\_Rosenthal) April 24, 2026 "This is not a Dodger thing. It's not an Ohtani thing. It is a bad rule."

Craig Counsell responds to questions about his comments on the "Ohtani Rule."

(Via: @FredoCervantes) pic.twitter.com/uHHTon8CIy

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 25, 2026 **Is it possible a trade for a star player could work out bad for both teams?** Interesting read from @extrabaggs: Rafael Devers isn’t hitting fastballs, but Buster Posey doesn’t regret the trade

— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) April 24, 2026 **Walk it off:** THE REDS WALK IT OFF! 🫨

(Via: @Reds) pic.twitter.com/pVsJAQouqN

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 25, 2026 **First career HR for the next great young SS:** KONNOR GRIFFIN HITS HIS FIRST CAREER HOME RUN! 👏

(Via: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/KqM51Uk6Tw

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 25, 2026 **Well, I am a fan of Dr. Pepper:** Before MLB cracked down on sticky stuff, pitchers would concoct Dr. Pepper with pine tar in the microwave, says @RossStripling. pic.twitter.com/2dYb0oAA1y

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 24, 2026 **Were the Red Sox destined to fail?** The Red Sox ask too much of their young players, says @Ken\_Rosenthal.

"I'd never liked where they were going into the season offensively." pic.twitter.com/TZpUdXINtb

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 24, 2026