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The Opener: Horton, Quintana, AL Central

By Nick Deeds | May 9, 2025 at 8:48am CDT

Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world this weekend:

1. Horton to debut:

The Cubs are calling up top pitching prospect Cade Horton this weekend. The 23-year-old was the club’s first-round pick in the 2022 draft and was a consensus top-30 prospect in the sport ahead of the 2024 campaign. He slid down prospect rankings a bit after an injury-marred season last year, but through six starts in 2025 he’s bounced back to peak performance levels. Horton has posted a sparkling 1.24 ERA in 29 innings of work across six starts at Triple-A, and he’s done so while striking out an impressive 30.6% of opponents. Now, he’ll get his first big league opportunity against the Mets and right-hander Tylor Megill (2.50 ERA in seven starts) on Saturday.

2. Quintana to reach milestone:

The Brewers are in Tampa this weekend for a series against the Rays, and tonight’s game will pit veteran southpaw Jose Quintana (2.83 ERA in five starts) against Rays righty Zack Littell (4.61 ERA in seven starts). Quintana, 36, is set to reach a major milestone during today’s start. With 1,998 1/3 innings pitched in his career, the southpaw will reach 2,000 career innings during the second frame of today’s game. The outing will make him just the sixth active player to reach that milestone after Chris Sale joined Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Charlie Morton during his last start with Atlanta. Quintana will be the 450th player in MLB history to reach that mark.

3. AL Central going streaking:

The AL Central sent three teams to the postseason last year (Cleveland, Detroit, and Kansas City), and the beginning of the 2025 season has already raised the possibility of a repeat. Not only have the Tigers emerged as the top club in the American League with a 25-13 start that ties them with the Dodgers for baseball’s best record, but the division once again has three teams in playoff position.

That’s been spurred on by a series of win streaks all around the AL Central. Detroit has won four straight, and the second-place Guardians have won two in a row (and seven of their past ten). Even more impressive are the ongoing streaks in Kansas City (six games) and Minnesota (five games). These hot stretches have allowed the Royals to grab the second-most wins in the AL behind Detroit, while Minnesota has managed to mostly dig itself out of a dreadful start to the season with an 18-20 record that puts them just two games back of a Wild Card spot.

Will any of these clubs be able to keep the good times rolling this weekend? All four are at home. The Tigers host a struggling Rangers club that just shook up its coaching staff. The Royals host a Red Sox series embroiled in drama regarding Rafael Devers’ position. The Twins and Guardians will each take on one of the NL’s top teams, hosting the Giants and Phillies, respectively.

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The Opener

Rafael Devers Unwilling To Play First Base
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Royals Notes: Outfield, Caglianone, Harvey
View Comments (59)
Post a Comment

59 Comments

  1. This one belongs to the Reds

    3 weeks ago

    Word is Horton heard a “Who?” from Cubs fans.

    4
    Reply
    • Acoss1331

      3 weeks ago

      He’ll hear a who in the fourth inning. I doubt Counsell and the Cubs are going to let him pitch too much.

      1
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        3 weeks ago

        How is a prospect considered ready for the big leagues when they can’t even average 5 innings a start?!! Are they planning to move him to the bull pen? Maybe he’s an opener?

        1
        Reply
  2. 17dizzy

    3 weeks ago

    Quintana has been one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball throughout his career.
    He was great with the Cardinals for the short term he was with them.

    1
    Reply
    • Unclemike1526

      3 weeks ago

      Dizzy-Quintana was below average when he left the Cubs and he still is if not worse. He’ll revert to the mean sooner or later. Just like Rea. I mean I love what they’re doing right now, But when it warms up and balls start flying a little more they’ll come back to Earth.

      Reply
      • ohyeadam

        3 weeks ago

        2021 – current, 503 innings of 3.74 ERA(3.89 FIP) gives him a 109 ERA+
        He’s underrated

        4
        Reply
      • CardsFan57

        3 weeks ago

        Quintana has had 3 below average years out of 14. He has a career 3.73 ERA after 14 years and 2000 innings. His mean is above average.

        4
        Reply
    • Chuck from Uniontown

      3 weeks ago

      Quintana is an excellent #3 starter, which makes him incredibly valuable but also makes him overlooked. He has had some nice seasons, but he’s pretty much a 3 WAR starter which improves just about every team in baseball.

      5
      Reply
    • Rsox

      3 weeks ago

      I don’t know about “underrated” but he’s a decent if unspectacular backend of the rotation option. He was awful with the Angels and Giants in ’21 in a mostly bullpen role but did rebound with a decent season with the Pirates and Cardinals the following year.

      Reply
      • Chuck from Uniontown

        3 weeks ago

        Idk man, the guy has made 31+ starts in 10 out of 13 full-seasons. And a career 110 ERA+ in almost 2000 IP is more than a backend guy and calling him that proves my point. He’s not an ace, but he’s underrated #3.

        1
        Reply
  3. Champs64

    3 weeks ago

    I like to see these three teams being successful as they are not high payroll teams and I am sure are still considered underdogs to clinch the big prize. Good for the game and exciting for the fans.

    13
    Reply
    • Your 2024 Champs

      3 weeks ago

      I agree! It’s more than just playing the White Sox, people.

      1
      Reply
  4. denistaylor

    3 weeks ago

    They all beat up on the White Sox. The Tigers also got freebee wins over the Rockies. They’ll lose again in the playoffs.

    Reply
    • For Love of the Game

      3 weeks ago

      Is that what you say to the NL West teams like the Dodgers who get to beat up on the Rockies 12 games a year?

      15
      Reply
    • Thesecondjamie

      3 weeks ago

      Each team had a playoff series win

      5
      Reply
    • cooperhill

      3 weeks ago

      True.can anyone name 3 players in their lineup?😂

      Reply
      • vikingbluejay67

        3 weeks ago

        Only the fans that actually follow baseball, not the ones that post snarky comments on baseball sites.

        10
        Reply
      • midknight316

        3 weeks ago

        Tigers: Green, Malloy, Torkelson.

        Guardians: Kwan, Ramirez, Naylor.

        Royals: India, Witt, Pasquantino, Perez, Massey, Isbel, Renfroe, Garcia, Canha, Fermin, Biggio.

        Ragans, Lugo, Wacha, Bubic, Lorenzen.

        Estevez, Ercig, Harvey, Cruz, Lynch.

        Any other dumb questions?

        7
        Reply
      • KC123

        3 weeks ago

        cooperhill, are you a casual too? How can you not name 3 players in a lineup from a Postseason team? Lol

        5
        Reply
      • Your 2024 Champs

        3 weeks ago

        cooperhill nice self own there bud. So you dont like the Tigers, which is fine but you also admitted you don’t follow the game that closely and you think the Tigers will make the playoffs. Good for you.

        4
        Reply
    • falconsball1993

      3 weeks ago

      But they have to play the other three central teams…

      Tigers strength of schedule has been very tough outside of the two series you chose to cherry pick.

      This is not the same team as last year, and I don’t foresee them selling at the deadline like last year.

      6
      Reply
      • Rsox

        3 weeks ago

        Last year’s deadline sale sparked their playoff run, which is unusual in itself. The Tigers are legit. They have a solid pitching staff. Casey Mize might be this year’s Tarik Skubal. Torkelson is producing when he was looking like the odd man out and Baez has resurrected his career moving to CF.

        The Red Sox next 6 games are in KC and Detroit and like Lou Merloni said in yesterday’s game, if they can go 3-3 on the trip take it as a win

        2
        Reply
        • For Love of the Game

          3 weeks ago

          They got Carpenter and Greene back from injury, and “lost” an ineffective Baez to season-ending surgery (subtracting a negative makes a positive). Plus the “pitching chaos” from having to bundle relievers to make up for a two-man rotation. What a season!

          3
          Reply
    • TheOrangeShuckle

      3 weeks ago

      denistaylor, do you realize that the Tigers are 56-26 in their last 82 games? This team is for real whether you like it or not. The Tigers did sweep the heavily favored Astros in October too, remember that? Stay salty!

      4
      Reply
    • KC123

      3 weeks ago

      I love casual and uninformed baseball fans like you, denistaylor. Keep it up!

      6
      Reply
    • Your 2024 Champs

      3 weeks ago

      Did the Tigers get freebies against NYY when they won 2 out of 3? How about SD when they won 2 out of 3? What about the Royals when they won 3 out of 4? What about…lol. So funny to see Tigers haters on here. The team was irrelevant for a decade and now they are a fun story imo.

      5
      Reply
  5. mrmackey

    3 weeks ago

    Yankees should have had a reunion with Q instead of signing Cookie.

    Reply
    • cooperhill

      3 weeks ago

      Orioles should have signed him instead of Morton, would have been a lot cheaper!

      Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      3 weeks ago

      No need for panic moves. Besides the Brewers are competing. The Yankees have one of the top offenses in the AL. Their win-loss record would look very different if Devin Williams didn’t single-handedly blow four games leading to losses. They also have Gil and a couple of bullpen arms ready to return. The focus should remain on acquiring a thirdbaseman.

      Reply
    • Rsox

      3 weeks ago

      How could they reunite with a player that never played for them?

      1
      Reply
  6. Atlanta Jack

    3 weeks ago

    The central division teams are all greatly benefiting because they play the white Sox 12 times each.

    1
    Reply
    • avenger65

      3 weeks ago

      Atlanta: That’s true. The most exciting games are when the top three, and even Minnesota, play each other.
      Also, the Rox better keep their hands off the White Sox’ record of 122 losses. That’s the only record we’ve got and will have until they break the all-time mark of 134.

      Reply
      • Alan53

        3 weeks ago

        Not that it really matters, but the Sox lost 121, not 122.

        Actually, it does matter a little, because 41-121 was a better winning percentage than that of the 40-120 Mets, while 40-122 would have been a worse percentage. The Sox kinda spoiled the narrative by winning 5 out of 6 in the last week.

        Reply
    • TroyVan

      3 weeks ago

      I disagree that there is a difference of more than a couple games. That’s because Chicago does win 1 out of 3 on most occasions. And, every team has a similar team in their division.

      Chicago isn’t even the worst team this year. I just watched the 3 game series Tigers at Rockies. Colorado play like they’re in a beer league. They embarrassed themselves. Chicago may have been close to that bad last year, but this Colorado team was the worst team I’ve seen in many years.

      3
      Reply
      • Melchez17

        3 weeks ago

        The Rockies are really bad… I mean, I have seen some bad teams in the past, but they are just crazy bad.

        1
        Reply
    • ohyeadam

      3 weeks ago

      Or maybe the white Sox look worse due to having 3-4 competitive teams in their division? If they played in the NLC, a weaker division, maybe they win more games

      5
      Reply
      • Alan53

        3 weeks ago

        Yes. And their hitters will look better against the Cubs’ depleted pitching next week than most expect. They are going to win that series.

        1
        Reply
        • Steinbrenner2728

          3 weeks ago

          Ok, Alan, we’ll see.

          Reply
    • Old Man D

      3 weeks ago

      A tired and trite take. The Tigers have played the Sox three times. Without those games they’d still be 22 – 13. Are the Mets and Phillies not legit because they play in a division with a far worse team?

      7
      Reply
    • Wrrrrr

      3 weeks ago

      Fun game. Now what’s the NL West’s records minus the Rockies?

      4
      Reply
      • mike127

        3 weeks ago

        Last year the AL Central had three playoff teams (Cle, KC, Det) and another that finished over .500 (Min) and still was able to come up with a cumulative record 35 games UNDER .500.

        Reply
        • Wrrrrr

          3 weeks ago

          Doesn’t answer my question. What’s the WL record for NL west teams without the rockies.

          Reply
    • Melchez17

      3 weeks ago

      Atlanta plays the Nationals and Marlins… LOL

      2
      Reply
    • burrwick

      3 weeks ago

      Lazy take.

      2
      Reply
    • stymeedone

      3 weeks ago

      The West gets to play the Angels or Rockies 12 times. The East gets to play the Orioles or Marlins 12 times. Not much of a difference.

      Reply
    • dsett75

      3 weeks ago

      How bout them Rockies. They don’t count against the NL West teams, apparently. Marlins, the A’s till they started coming on last year and the Angels now. The Orioles before their hitting got to the show. Pirates. Every division has a walkover, but the AL Central has 4 teams that will be in the hunt. So that more than offsets the White Sox.

      Reply
  7. cooperhill

    3 weeks ago

    Don’t forget to watch the manager firing for the Orioles!🤣

    1
    Reply
    • vikingbluejay67

      3 weeks ago

      ..and Jays?

      Reply
  8. Melchez17

    3 weeks ago

    The East is terrible this year. I always laughed at them for getting swept in the playoffs… AL east teams have been swept 6 times in the past 3 years… now they won’t even have that chance. The Yankees would be a 4th place team in the central. We should go with just one division. Let them play equally among themselves and take the top six in each league for the playoffs. This, letting teams like the Yankees that don’t deserve to enter the playoffs, can sit at home. They are beating up on the Orioles and the Blue Jays and the Rays and Red Sox… of course they will have a winning record in that division… someone has to have it. Sheesh

    2
    Reply
    • Ronk325

      3 weeks ago

      Congratulations, the award for most asinine comment of the day and possibly even week goes to you!

      Reply
      • stymeedone

        3 weeks ago

        He’s just repeating things said by East fans in the past, but it now applies to them. You seem to be taking it personally.

        1
        Reply
        • Ronk325

          3 weeks ago

          The AL East has frequently been the best division in the league. Declaring it a weak division on May 9th is moronic

          Reply
        • BobGibsonFan

          3 weeks ago

          Thanks Stymee, I thought that was obvious… I guess some Yankees fans are a little slow. It’s a shame we have to draw them pictures to understand. Game 5… 5th inning… 5 unearned runs. Dang, that is going to be remembered forever.

          Reply
  9. dano62

    3 weeks ago

    Twins rotation & the return of key veterans (Lewis, Castro, Correa) makes this a very compelling 4-way race. I’m still thinking Baldelli will screw it up but they’ve been a nice bounce-back candidate of late…

    2
    Reply
  10. dsett75

    3 weeks ago

    How bout them Tigers? Lol

    Reply
    • stymeedone

      3 weeks ago

      Yeah! And they are doing it without Vierling, Meadows, Rogers and Perez! Just wait until they return.

      Reply
      • dsett75

        3 weeks ago

        Yeah. It’ll be a good problem to have. Cobb too. Maybe they trade him unless he takes Maeda’s old long man role because he’s not breaking into the rotation unless Jobe hits a wall or something.

        Reply
  11. minoso9

    3 weeks ago

    Go White Sox

    Reply
    • NashvilleJeff

      3 weeks ago

      @minoso9: Atlanta fans used to say that about the Braves, Falcons. and Hawks for most of the 70’s and 80’s. “Go Braves—– and take the Falcons and Hawks w/you” was a popular catch phrase in those days.

      1
      Reply

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