White Sox get swept by Orioles in 3-game series, losing 5-3 The Baltimore Orioles secured a decisive 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, completing a three-game sweep of their rivals. The win marked the Orioles’ ninth consecutive triumph against the White Sox, extending their dominance in this matchup. The game, played at Comerica Park, saw the Orioles capitalize on key offensive plays and defensive lapses to secure the win, while the White Sox struggled to maintain momentum despite a late rally. Taylor Ward emerged as the standout performer for the Orioles, driving in two runs and scoring another to fuel Baltimore’s offensive surge. Ward’s four hits, including a two-run double in the third inning and an RBI double in the ninth, were instrumental in the Orioles’ success. His contributions helped the team overcome a 3-2 deficit in the fifth inning, as the White Sox managed to take the lead. However, the Orioles’ resilience was evident in the sixth inning, where Pete Alonso scored on a passed ball by catcher Reese McGuire after the bases were loaded. Dylan Beavers then extended Baltimore’s lead to 4-3 with a sacrifice fly against White Sox reliever Bryan Hudson. The White Sox’ fifth-inning rally was sparked by a combination of three walks and two errors from Orioles starter Kyle Bradish. With runners on first and second and one out, Bradish missed a throw back to the mound after issuing his third walk of the inning to Colson Montgomery. Bradish’s slow reaction to retrieve the ball allowed Chase Meidroth to race home, giving Chicago a 3-2 lead. However, Andrew Benintendi’s strikeout stranded both runners, preventing the White Sox from capitalizing further.#baltimore_orioles #chicago_white_sox #pete_alonso #comerica_park #taylor_ward
Orioles complete sweep over White Sox The Baltimore Orioles secured a 5-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday afternoon at Rate Field, completing a three-game sweep and ending a 3-3 road trip with a return to .500 in the American League. Despite lingering issues with offensive production, defensive lapses, and uncertainty surrounding their No. 5 starter role, the Orioles managed to overcome these challenges and position themselves for a potential turnaround ahead of their next series. The win came after a rough series in Pittsburgh, where the Orioles struggled to find consistency. Manager Craig Albernaz made adjustments to the lineup in the final game of the series, placing Gunnar Henderson at leadoff for the first time this season and moving Pete Alonso to cleanup. This change appeared to spark a positive shift, as Henderson, who had already hit two home runs in the first two games of the series, continued to dominate. Alonso, who had been held back in the batting order, also contributed significantly, with his power potential becoming a focal point for the team’s future offensive strategy. Offensively, the Orioles have yet to fully harness their power-hitting capabilities. Despite featuring stars like Henderson, Taylor Ward, Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, and Tyler O’Neill, the team has only combined for six home runs in 12 games. While Henderson’s four homers have been a bright spot, the lack of production from the other sluggers has raised concerns. Ward, however, has shown promise with his ability to hit for average, recording nine doubles in his past eight games and driving in Henderson twice with a pair of doubles in the finale.#baltimore_orioles #gunnar_henderson #craig_albernaz #chicago_white_sox #pete_alonso
Mets' Most Glaring Question at First Base Before Opening Day For the first time since 2018, Pete Alonso will not be the New York Mets starting first baseman on Opening Day. After declining to re-sign Alonso, who instead signed a five-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles, the Mets opted to pursue a different approach at first base. This decision was largely influenced by Alonso’s lack of defensive prowess at the position. With Opening Day just two days away and a new player occupying the first base spot, questions remain about whether the Mets made the right move by not bringing back Alonso. The Mets’ choice to move away from Alonso has sparked debate, particularly given his absence from the team. While Polanco has performed reasonably well in his nine Grapefruit League games at first base, his first error of the spring training season against the Houston Astros raised concerns. Polanco sought guidance from former Mets first baseman and captain Keith Hernandez on adjusting to the position, a step that could prove valuable in the long term. However, the error highlighted the challenges of transitioning to a new role. Beyond Polanco, the Mets have limited internal options to fill the first base position. When Polanco takes a break, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos are the primary alternatives. Baty, who had a standout 2025 season with the Mets, lacks significant experience at first base. Meanwhile, Vientos, despite his prior experience at the position, faces uncertainty due to his underwhelming 2025 performance and a lackluster spring training showing. Both players bring potential but also risk, leaving the Mets to balance between familiarity and fresh talent. This gamble represents a significant risk for the team.#new_york_mets #baltimore_orioles #pete_alonso #keith_hernandez #sandy_alderman
2026 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft, No. 5 Pick Analysis The 2026 MLB season is approaching, prompting fantasy baseball enthusiasts to prepare for their drafts. To help, a mock draft is being conducted using Yahoo’s Instant Mock Draft tool for a 12-team league, focusing on the No. 5 overall pick. The draft follows Yahoo’s default points league settings, emphasizing value and position-specific needs. The selected roster includes Kyle Teel as the catcher, Pete Alonso at first base, Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base, Corey Seager at shortstop, Colson Montgomery at third base, Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Riley Greene in the outfield, with Jo Adell, Dylan Crews, and Dylan Lile as utility players. The pitching staff features Kevin Gausman, Spencer Strider, Aroldis Chapman, Jeff Hoffman, Ryan Pepiot, Carlos Rodón, Bubba Chandler, Casey Mize, and a bench of Ryan Jeffers, Daylen Lile, Andrés Giménez, Jordan Beck, and Corbin Burnes. The analysis highlights key decisions. For the starting pitcher position, the author advises against selecting top-tier starters early, suggesting that mid-round options may offer better value. Acuña is prioritized as the highest-upside bat, despite concerns about his health. At 28, Acuña’s potential remains high, as evidenced by his 2023 NL MVP season. Yahoo analyst Fred Zinkie notes Acuña’s strong case for a top fantasy finish, though his injury history is a risk. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is selected third-round, despite his lower projections. The author acknowledges his Yankees affiliation but believes Chisholm’s power potential and prime lineup placement justify the pick. His 2025 performance, including 30 homers, supports his value. Colson Montgomery, a White Sox third baseman, is another high-ceiling pick.#yahoo #kyle_teel #pete_alonso #jazz_chisholm_jr #corey_seager
