The Chicago Cubs rallied from a four-run deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Friday night, securing their 10th consecutive victory despite mounting injury problems.

Craig Counsell’s side achieved the remarkable comeback in front of a sold-out Dodger Stadium against the two-time defending champions.

This latest triumph marks the longest winning run for the franchise since their historic World Series championship season in 2016.

Bullpen delivers despite injury crisis

The visitors entered the series opener severely depleted, having placed eight pitchers on the injured list this month.

Late-inning reliever Caleb Thielbar was the latest casualty, landing on the sidelines with a hamstring strain earlier in the day.

When starting pitcher Jameson Taillon exited after five innings with his team trailing 4-0, the manager had just three relievers available.

Unheralded prospect Ryan Rolison stepped up to the challenge, pitching three crucial scoreless innings despite not making an appearance for 10 days.

Swanson powers late offensive surge

Rolison’s stellar effort allowed the offense to fight back and tie the game at 4-4 heading into the final frame.

After Pete Crow-Armstrong sparked the ninth inning with a leadoff single, Dansby Swanson delivered the decisive blow with a dramatic two-run home run.

Corbin Martin then converted the save, locking down the victory for a pitching staff stretched to its absolute limits.

“It’s been so many different guys throughout this stretch here. We have a collective, great unit and a bunch of guys who want to compete and enjoy doing it together,” Swanson said.

Elite defense anchors winning run

Shorthanded as they may be, the Chicago outfit boasts the second-highest runs per game in the majors alongside an elite defensive unit.

That defensive prowess was on full display in California, frequently robbing the hosts of crucial momentum.

Seiya Suzuki made a spectacular catch against the right-field fence to deny former teammate Kyle Tucker, before combining with Nico Hoerner for a perfect relay throw to prevent an Andy Pages triple.

“When we’re playing well, it’s just such a fun brand of baseball to watch. We put the ball in play, we run the bases, we play defense, we throw strikes, and just a lot of the little things we do really well,” starting pitcher Taillon added.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is considering resting Shohei Ohtani as a designated hitter during his pitching starts to manage the two-way superstar’s workload.

The discussion follows Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat by the San Francisco Giants, where Ohtani pitched six scoreless innings but saw his career-best 53-game on-base streak end.

Balancing act for the Japanese international

Roberts has reiterated his commitment to keeping the 31-year-old fresh for both responsibilities throughout a demanding Major League Baseball campaign.

This cautious approach means the right-handed pitcher could occasionally take the mound without stepping into the batter’s box.

“I’ll always let the manager make that final decision and I’m always going to be prepared when I’m starting that I’m hitting,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.

“But if it makes sense as a team to occasionally put a guy in as a DH or hit later, that’s fine as well.”

Historic on-base run concludes

Operating in his customary leadoff spot against San Francisco, Ohtani went 0-for-4 at the plate.

This brought an end to a remarkable run that matched Shawn Green for the second-longest on-base streak in Dodgers history.

It was the longest sequence in the majors since Orlando Cabrera reached base in 63 consecutive games during the 2006 season.

“The season’s not over, and I could start another streak and that would be great,” the former American League MVP added.

Exploring designated hitter alternatives

While his batting average has dipped slightly to .258, Ohtani remains utterly dominant on the pitching mound.

He boasts a flawless 2-0 record and a staggering 0.38 ERA, having allowed just one earned run over 24 innings this year.

Roberts confirmed that resting his marquee signing at the plate is a scenario the coaching staff have actively flagged for future games.

“I think if you look at the overall numbers, it’s certainly something,” the Dodgers manager explained.

Rising prospect Dalton Rushing has emerged as a highly capable alternative, hitting .414 with seven home runs as a designated hitter.

The reigning World Series champions will be looking for a spark to reverse their current form, having lost four of their last five matches.

Star outfielder Juan Soto will return to the New York Mets lineup on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins after recovering from a right calf strain.

The high-profile hitter has been sidelined since April 3, when he sustained the injury during a commanding 10-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

That initial win sparked a four-game streak of victories for the franchise, but their fortunes have plummeted significantly in his absence.

Offensive struggles compound losing streak

Without their veteran slugger, the Mets have plunged into a dismal 11-game losing run, representing their longest barren spell since 2004.

The team has managed an MLB-worst 72 runs this season, scoring two or fewer runs in nine of the matches during their current slide.

During this 11-game period, the Queens-based outfit has been heavily outscored 62-19 and is batting a mere .145 with runners in scoring position.

“We haven’t hit,” manager Carlos Mendoza said last week.
“When you don’t hit, you can look stagnant. I don’t think we’re stagnant. I think we’re playing hard.”

A much-needed boost for New York

The returning star provides an immediate upgrade to a batting order currently ranking 29th in OPS and 28th in wRC+ across baseball.

Prior to his enforced break, the former San Diego Padres outfielder was batting an impressive .355 with one home run and five runs batted in across eight appearances.

He is currently in the second year of a landmark 15-year contract worth $765m.

Historical precedent offers a slight glimmer of hope for New York, as four teams have previously reached the postseason following a double-digit losing streak.

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has revealed that he and his family have received death threats ahead of his Fenway Park debut against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

The Massachusetts native grew up supporting Boston in Walpole, located just 40 miles away from the iconic stadium.

However, his association with the Bronx Bombers has made him a target for severe online abuse from his former fanbase.

Speaking to the New York Post, the American admitted he has not yet felt the need to involve the police despite the severity of the messages.

“Most normal fans could care less, right? It’s just those diehards that just have nothing else in their lives other than baseball or sports that really care about this, and the fact that I play for the Yankees makes it worse for them,” he explained.

Preparing for a hostile reception

The visiting player anticipates a highly aggressive atmosphere when he finally takes the mound.

He suggested that hostile supporters might attempt to throw objects or physically reach him near the bullpen.

“It’s gonna be bad, it’s gonna be bad. I’m not nervous about it, but it’s gonna be loud,” he added.

“That’s kind of what I expect. So I know the guys are excited for it and I’m excited for it.”

A bitter postseason history

This vitriol is firmly rooted in last season’s American League Wild Card Series, where the dominant hurler eliminated his boyhood club.

He delivered a spectacular performance in Game 3, throwing eight scoreless innings and striking out 12 batters to end Boston’s campaign.

The standout talent has carried that exceptional form into the current season, boasting a 2-1 record alongside a stellar 1.95 earned run average.

Following that pivotal playoff victory last year, the Yankees star described the triumph as personal due to earlier familial harassment.

“There’s a line and I think they crossed it a little bit. I’m a competitor, and I’m gonna go out there and make sure I shut them down,” he remarked at the time.

“You know Boston fans, that’s just how it is. We’re aggressive back home and we’re gonna try to get under people’s skin.”

Fuelling the rivalry

The highly-rated pitcher acknowledged to The Athletic that his previous post-match comments had only served to escalate the tension.

“[You’d] think after last time, how much they were talking before, that they might be trying to quiet it down a little bit,” he noted.

Despite the intense pressure and ongoing abuse, the resilient athlete remains entirely unapologetic about the situation.

“If you’re going to dish it out, you’re going to have to take it,” he concluded.

The San Diego Padres are on the verge of being sold to Chelsea co-owner Jose E Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones for a Major League Baseball record of $3.9bn (£3.1bn).

The proposed transaction will comfortably surpass the previous benchmark of $2.4bn set by Steve Cohen’s acquisition of the New York Mets in 2020.

Completion of the historic agreement requires formal approval from 75% of team owners across the league.

A decisive ratification vote is expected to take place at the next scheduled executive meetings in June.

Expanding a sports portfolio

Feliciano is the co-founder and managing partner of the Santa Monica-based private equity firm Clearlake Capital.

The 53-year-old already possesses significant experience in elite sports ownership following a prominent investment in the English Premier League.

Clearlake Capital previously partnered with Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly to lead a consortium that purchased Chelsea for $5.24bn (£4.25bn) in 2022.

Under the terms of this latest acquisition, the businessman will be officially designated as the controlling owner of the Californian baseball franchise.

Beating rival bidders

The successful proposal overcame strong competition from several prominent figures across the American sporting landscape.

Rival bidders reportedly included Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, Detroit Pistons chief Tom Gores and businessman Dan Friedkin.

The Major League Baseball club was initially made available on the market last November.

This organizational shift followed the passing of former chairman Peter Seidler, whose family ultimately initiated the comprehensive sale process.

Former Los Angeles Angels outfielder and 2002 World Series champion Garret Anderson has died at the age of 53, the Major League Baseball franchise has announced.

No cause of death has been disclosed for the three-time All-Star, who spent 15 of his 17 major league seasons with the California-based club.

The Angels confirmed they will honour their Hall of Fame inductee with a memorial jersey patch for the remainder of the current campaign.

A moment of silence and a video tribute are also planned prior to Friday’s home fixture.

A cornerstone of World Series success

Entering the majors in 1994, the prolific left-handed hitter quickly established himself as a vital component of the Angels’ lineup.

His crowning collective achievement came in 2002 when he helped guide the franchise to its first and only World Series title, while also finishing fourth in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.

The following year proved to be a pinnacle individually, as the California native claimed both the All-Star Game MVP award and the Home Run Derby crown.

Garret was a cornerstone of our organization throughout his 15 seasons and his stoic presence in the outfield and our clubhouse elevated the Angels into an era of continued success.

Arte Moreno, Los Angeles Angels owner

Record-breaking franchise legacy

The revered slugger departs holding numerous all-time records for the Angels organization.

Across his entire professional career, the former television analyst maintained a .293 batting average, hitting 287 home runs and driving in 1,365 runs.

Following his departure from Anaheim, he concluded his playing days with brief, single-season stints at the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Detroit Tigers have secured the long-term future of rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle by agreeing an eight-year contract extension worth $150m.

The lucrative new deal will commence next year and commits the 21-year-old to the franchise through the 2034 season.

Financial terms include performance-related escalators that could see the total value of the agreement rise to a staggering $160m.

Rapid rise to the major leagues

The highly-rated American has enjoyed a meteoric ascent since being selected in the first round of the 2023 draft.

Following an impressive spring training campaign, the organisation opted to promote him directly to the major leagues.

That bold decision allowed the infielder to bypass Triple-A entirely, having played just 46 games at the Double-A level last year.

Making history on Opening Day

McGonigle is widely regarded as one of baseball’s brightest talents and was recently ranked as a premium prospect by analysts.

He immediately justified his rapid promotion by becoming the youngest Detroit player to make an Opening Day roster since Omar Infante in 2003.

The dynamic youngster then etched his name into the record books during his debut appearance.

He became only the third-youngest player in the past century of major league action to register four or more hits on Opening Day.

Providing a crucial spark

The standout rookie has continued his scintillating form into the regular season.

He is currently boasting an impressive .311 batting average, alongside one home run and eight runs batted in.

His consistent offensive production will be vital for a Detroit side looking to improve upon an 8-9 record.

They face an important test in their upcoming clash with the Kansas City Royals.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Angels counterpart Mike Trout both hit two home runs before a wild pitch handed the hosts a dramatic 11-10 victory in the Bronx on Monday.

Trent Grisham also homered twice for the home side, including a vital tying shot in the ninth inning.

Jose Caballero then scored the winning run on Jordan Romano’s game-ending wild pitch to conclude a pulsating series opener.

The walk-off win importantly snapped a five-game losing streak for the American League East franchise.

Historic clash of former MVPs

The matchup marked the first time two three-time Most Valuable Players have hit multiple home runs in the same game for 70 years.

Brooklyn Dodgers legend Roy Campanella and St. Louis Cardinals great Stan Musial last achieved the rare feat at Ebbets Field in June 1956.

The 34-year-old Trout, who has battled persistent injuries over recent seasons, nearly hit a third but flied out to Cody Bellinger at the warning track with the bases loaded.

Record-breaking distance in the Bronx

The highly anticipated duel saw seven total home runs travel more than half a mile in combined distance.

Judge recorded the hardest-hit strike of the season with a 116.2 mph blast that travelled 456 feet into the left-field bleachers.

“He’s the greatest of all time,” Judge said of his illustrious opponent.
“It’s been fun to watch his whole career, coming up at such a young age and instantly just putting yourself at the top of the list.”

‘What fans want to see’

The visiting centre-fielder was equally appreciative of the historic contest that captivated the Yankee Stadium crowd.

“That’s baseball for you. It’s what fans want, and to be able to see something like that, pretty cool,” Trout remarked.

Four of baseball’s top active home run hitters featured in Monday’s heavyweight contest.

Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton currently leads all active players with 454 career home runs.

Trout trails in second place with 408, while Judge’s double moved him to 374, edging past teammate Paul Goldschmidt.