What’s Happening in Baseball Today

The First Pitch: May 22, 2026

Last season, the Guardians were 11 games behind the Tigers on September 4 and, just three-plus walks later, caught up and passed Detroit to win the AL Central. If the Tigers are to get even and pull off the same comeback sprint this year, they’re putting themselves in a perfect position to do it. At home against Cleveland, the Tigers drop a 3-1 decision, are swept in four games by the Guardians, and run their losing streak to six games—part of an extended slide in which they’ve won only two of their last 16. They’ve fallen into last place in the AL Central, 9.5 games back of the first-place Guardians—who, conversely, have won six straight contests.

Congrats, Your Box Score Line Was the Best (Hitters Edition)

3-2-3-2—Mike Yastrzemski, Boston                                   
The 35-year-old veteran outfielder and grandson of Carl Yastrzemski is slowly waking up after a forgettable start to 2026. In a 9-3 win at Miami, Lil’ Yaz singled, doubled and blasted his third home run of the year; he’s 9-for-22 since May 10, when his season batting average was stuck at .200.

Congrats, Your Box Score Line Was the Best (Pitchers Edition)

7-4-0-0-1-4—Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona                                   
To get to 100 wins, you got to win the 99th. The 33-year-old southpaw has had two shots at the latter, and failed—largely through no fault of his own. At Phoenix against the Rockies, Rodriguez was outstanding with seven shutout frames, leaving with a 1-0 lead; of course, it took less than an inning for the bullpen to blow that scant lead. The Diamdonbacks did end up winning the game, 2-1, on Corbin Carroll’s two-out, two-strike RBI single, but Rodriguez did not get credit for the victory—leaving him at 98.

It Was Whatever-Something Years Ago Today

1962: A year after Roger Maris hits 61 home runs without a single intentional walk—thanks primarily to the presence of Mickey Mantle, who always bats behind him in the Yankees lineup—Angels pitchers oblige him with an AL-record four free passes, as they would rather face Johnny Blanchard and (later) Hector Lopez as the next batter with Mantle unavailable due to injury. The Yankees will win at home in 12 innings, 2-1. For the year, Maris will set a career high with 11 intentional walks. 

1963: For the second time in his career, Mantle comes tantalizingly close to hitting a ball out of Yankee Stadium. He connects on a pitch from Kansas City’s Bill Fischer that, many say, is still rising when it makes contact just under the right field roof. Mantle claims the ball was the hardest he ever hit—so hard, he tells teammate Dale Long that his bat is actually bent from the blast. It is estimated that the home run, which gives the Yankees an 8-7 win in 11 innings, would have easily traveled over 600 feet had it completed its arc. Mantle hit a similar home run to the same spot in 1956. 

1990: The Reds want little to do with Cubs slugger Andre Dawson, so they intentionally walk him five times to establish a major league record. There is an asterisk to discuss; the game lasts 16 innings and Dawson receives three of his free passes after the ninth. The Reds finally run out of luck when, right after Dawson is given his fifth walk, Dave Clark singles home the winning run to win the game, 1-0.

You Say It’s Your Birthday

Happy birthday to:

Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (24) 

Corey Dickerson (37), 11-year outfielder of 1,028 hits; 2017 All-Star with Tampa Bay; 2018 Gold Glove for Pittsburgh 

Julian Tavarez (53), 17-year reliever who made 828 appearances for 11 different teams 

Jose Mesa (60), early starter converted into top closer; 321 career saves, including MLB-high 46 in 1995 All-Star season for Cleveland 

Tommy John (83), left-handed pitcher of 26 seasons and 288 wins; four-time All-Star, underwent trend-setting ligament replacement surgery in 1974 that now bears his name; top AL pitcher in 1979; TGG interview subject 

Born on this date:

Al Simmons (1902), Hall-of-Fame outfielder who amassed 2,927 hits over 20 seasons; six times collected over 200 hits, including 253 in 1925; two-time AL batting champ, topping out at .390 in 1931

Shameless Link of the Day

After a year off to recover from reconstructive elbow surgery, Gerrit Cole is ready to make his 2026 regular season debut tonight for the Yankees against Tampa Bay. Cole has been a three-time honoree as TGG’s top AL pitcher of the year; here’s our account of his final, terrific month of his first such honor.

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