Mariners Challenge Astros to Care Bear Staring Contest, Bring Meatball Cannon The Seattle Mariners delivered a dominant performance against the Houston Astros on May 13, 2026, securing a 10-2 victory that extended their nine-game winning streak against the Astros since September 2025. The game, played at Daikin Park, featured standout plays from multiple players, including a career grand slam from designated hitter Dominic Canzone and a resilient pitching effort from Bryan Woo. The contest began with tension as Astros starter Tatsuya Imai struggled to find his rhythm. In the fourth inning, after J.P. Crawford’s four-pitch walk loaded the bases with no outs, Imai faced a prolonged delay due to a mound visit by pitching coach Josh Miller. The delay, which included a back-and-forth exchange with home plate umpire Jim Wolf, ultimately proved inconsequential as Canzone capitalized on the chaos. Facing a 87-mph slider, Canzone launched a 105.5-mph grand slam into the right field seats, marking his first career home run. The blast gave the Mariners a 6-2 lead and shifted the momentum in their favor. Imai’s performance had been inconsistent prior to the game. His previous start against the Mariners on April 10 had been disastrous, as he retired only one batter and walked four before being pulled after 37 pitches. He later spent a month on the injured list due to arm fatigue, returning for this start. Despite the early struggles, Imai managed to limit damage before Canzone’s grand slam, allowing a two-run homer to Randy Arozarena. Arozarena had an impressive night himself, going 4-for-4 with a triple shy of the cycle and contributing to the rally by being hit by a pitch after a successful ABS challenge. Bryan Woo, the Mariners’ starting pitcher, provided critical support with six innings of work.#seattle_mariners #bryan_wo #houston_astro #dominic_canzone #josh_miller
Fantasy Baseball: Ideal First Two Picks for Every Draft Position Fantasy baseball managers worldwide are preparing for their drafts as the 2026 season approaches, aiming to secure the best talent for championship contention. With Opening Day fast approaching, the focus shifts to strategic drafting, particularly the first two picks for each draft position. Experts Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell have outlined their ideal selections for both points-based and rotisserie leagues, offering insights into maximizing fantasy value. In points-based leagues, Cockcroft recommends Shohei Ohtani as the first pick, citing his potential to dominate as a two-way player. Ohtani, recovering from elbow surgery, is projected to deliver 911 combined fantasy points, close to his 2022 output. His versatility as a pitcher and hitter makes him a top-tier asset, especially in ESPN leagues. For the second pick, Cockcroft suggests Bryan Woo or Kyle Schwarber, both formidable sluggers. Their selection hinges on confidence in Ohtani’s ability to meet his projected 28 starts. Karabell, focusing on rotisserie formats, also prioritizes Ohtani as the first pick, emphasizing his unparalleled value across categories. He highlights Junior Caminero as the second pick, noting the young hitter’s power and potential. Caminero’s 45 home runs and 110 RBIs in his age-21 season, despite playing in a minor-league park, underscore his upside. Karabell stresses that Caminero’s power should translate regardless of ballpark, making him a cornerstone for any roster. For the second round in points leagues, Cockcroft pairs Aaron Judge with Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Judge’s consistent performance over four seasons—totaling 2,176 points—positions him as a must-draft.#shohei_ohtani #tristan_h_cockcroft #eric_karabell #bryan_wo #kyle_schwarber
