FanGraphs Weekly Mailbag: March 28, 2026

We did it everybody! We made it by the lengthy offseason. Common season baseball is again, and it has already delivered the products. I attended Mets-Pirates at Citi Subject on Opening Day to witness the extremely anticipated pitching matchup between reigning NL Cy Younger winner Paul Skenes and new New York ace Freddy Peralta. Naturally, Skenes had the worst recreation of his profession to this point, failing to make it by the primary inning, and Peralta didn’t pitch effectively both. The 2 groups mixed for 18 runs within the 8 1/2 innings of play. I wrote in regards to the Skenes begin, the 2 defensive blunders by Oneil Cruz in middle discipline that contributed to Pittsburgh’s first-inning fiasco, and the lineup’s surprisingly robust displaying. You possibly can learn that right here.

As a result of I used to be protecting that contest, I didn’t get an opportunity to look at any of the opposite early video games and noticed solely a portion of the later ones. Which means I missed White Sox catcher Edgar Quero efficiently problem three ball calls within the first two innings earlier than lastly getting one unsuitable within the sixth inning. In that very same recreation, which the Brewers gained 14-2, Jacob Misiorowski struck out 11 Chicago batters. I additionally didn’t catch the pitcher’s duel between Orioles lefty Trevor Rogers and Twins righty Joe Ryan; Baltimore gained, 2-1, and Adley Rutschman, to not be confused with Badley, went 2-for-4, although Tyler O’Neill’s Opening Day house run streak was snapped at six. Within the later afternoon video games, the Cardinals scored eight runs within the backside of the sixth inning to safe a comeback win over the Rays, after permitting Tampa Bay to plate six runs within the prime of the body. JJ Wetherholt, who went 1-for-4 with a house run and two RBI in that recreation, was one in every of plenty of prospects who shined of their massive league debuts. Kevin McGonigle had 4 hits within the Tigers’ 8-2 win over the Padres, and Justin Crawford went 2-for-4 within the Phillies’ win over the Rangers. I truly obtained to see Mets proper fielder Carson Benge blast his first homer, this after a lifeless chook had fallen in entrance of him in proper discipline. It wasn’t technically his first main league recreation as a result of he debuted within the postseason final yr, however Cleveland’s Chase DeLauter bopped two house runs in a 6-4 win over the Mariners.

I ran by all these video games up prime as a result of that’s the final we’ll be protecting the Opening Day motion on this week’s mailbag. As a substitute, we’ll be answering your questions on Matt McLain’s robust spring, Aaron Decide’s low squared-up price, gamers who would possibly profit probably the most from ABS, and Tony Vitello. However first, I’d prefer to remind you that this mailbag is unique to FanGraphs Members. Should you aren’t but a Member and want to preserve studying, you’ll be able to join a Membership right here. It’s one of the simplest ways to each expertise the positioning and assist our employees, and it comes with a bunch of different nice advantages. Additionally, should you’d prefer to ask a query for an upcoming mailbag, ship me an electronic mail at mailbag@fangraphs.com.