Friday typically brings us a loaded slate of MLB action, but this one is merely almost loaded. That's because the Reds and Cardinals have the night off as they get set for a two-game series in Monterrey, Mexico that starts Saturday. As well, the Tigers and Twins were rained out in Minneapolis, and they'll make up that game as part of split doubleheader on May 11.
In the early game, the Cubs continued their mostly successful homestand against the Mike Trout-less Angels. Evening action is highlighted by the start of a big Astros-Mariners series in Seattle, and in L.A. the Brewers and Dodgers get together for an NLCS rematch. Now let's jump in.
Select games can be streamed regionally via fuboTV (Try for free). For more on what channel each game is on, click here.
Baseball schedule/scores for Friday, April 12Hamels, Cubs getting back on track
Don't look now, but the Cubs are now 3-1 on their current homestand, and pitching -- such a problem during their 2-7 start -- has carried them. Here's more on why the Cubs are now and were always a contender despite that brutal start to 2019.
Highlight of the day: Jimenez is on the board
The White Sox acquired outfielder Eloy Jimenez as part of the July 2017 trade that sent lefty Jose Quintana to the crosstown Cubs. Jimenez in the minors should perhaps the best raw power of any prospect, and he's been a consensus top-10 overall prospect coming into each of the last two seasons.
After signing an extension with the White Sox, the club put him on the Opening Day roster -- as was deserved. However, coming into Friday night's game against the Yankees, the 22-year-old Jimenez was hitting just .279/.326/.302 in this, his rookie campaign. He'd also entered the night still looking for his first career home run. In the fifth inning, that changed:
That one, as you can see, put the White Sox up on the host Yankees. Jimenez's first career dinger left the bat at 108.6 mph (encouraging since he's had trouble making hard contact thus far in 2019) and traveled 425 feet.
The jury's still out on the White Sox's rebuilding process, but they badly need Jimenez and Yoan Moncada to realize their offensive potential. On that front, consider Jimenez's first career home run to be an encouraging sign.
Quick hits
