The Mariners have been very lucky by most metrics, but a strong bullpen and a group of consistent hitters could carry them to sustained success.

Pirates reliever Richard Rodriguez doesn't have a huge fastball or explosive stuff, but he's striking hitters out at an extremely high clip.

It wasn't technically Juan Soto's debut, but his home run on the first pitch of his first MLB start echoed great moments from former players—stars and busts—in their introductions to the big leagues.

The Nine Innings crew also explains how Kris Bryant has gotten even better, Paul Goldschmidt's atrocious season and MLB's most confounding pitcher.

Despite all the rainouts, we've made it 25% of the way through the baseball season. So what lessons can we take from the beginning of the season?

The Orioles continue to lose in boring, depressing ways. At least Buck Showalter made us laugh by interrupting Xander Bogaerts's home run trot.

He's one of the best college pitchers, a first-round draft talent—and an admitted juvenile sex offender whose crime, if not for a legal glitch, may have stayed secret forever. Watching Luke Heimlich pitch stirs wonder and outrage—and questions about guilt, forgiveness and second chances.