Passan's first-month MLB takeaways: NL dominance, torpedo bat fallout and breakout stars

What stands out as the calendar turns to May? Let's break down the biggest early trends.

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Yankees hit three straight homers to start game against Orioles

Yankees hit three straight homers to start game against Orioles

about 8 hours ago

Stott scores on wild pitch to cap zany ninth inning as Phillies beat Nationals

Stott scores on wild pitch to cap zany ninth inning as Phillies beat Nationals

about 8 hours ago

Nimmo ties Mets record with nine RBIs in rout of Nationals

Nimmo ties Mets record with nine RBIs in rout of Nationals

MLB commissioner discussed Rose's status with Trump, will rule on reinstatement

MLB commissioner discussed Rose's status with Trump, will rule on reinstatement

Nationals' DeJong to undergo surgery for broken nose

Nationals' DeJong to undergo surgery for broken nose

Nationals complete wild comeback against Mets with walk-off throwing error

Nationals complete wild comeback against Mets with walk-off throwing error

Giants pay tribute to longtime shortstop on Brandon Crawford Celebration Day

Giants pay tribute to longtime shortstop on Brandon Crawford Celebration Day

Steven Kwan's 6th-inning single lifts Guardians over Red Sox 5-4 in doubleheader opener

Steven Kwan's 6th-inning single lifts Guardians over Red Sox 5-4 in doubleheader opener

Blue Jays-Yankees game called off due to rain, teams will play doubleheader on Sunday

Blue Jays-Yankees game called off due to rain, teams will play doubleheader on Sunday

Wood's single scores Abrams from first in ninth inning as Nationals beat Mets

Wood's single scores Abrams from first in ninth inning as Nationals beat Mets

Povich solid in start while Mullins, O'Hearn provide offense as Orioles top Nationals

Povich solid in start while Mullins, O'Hearn provide offense as Orioles top Nationals

Former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard makes pitch for Negro Leagues Baseball Museum expansion

Former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard makes pitch for Negro Leagues Baseball Museum expansion

Nationals activate All-Star shortstop C.J. Abrams from 10-day injured list by Nationals

Nationals activate All-Star shortstop C.J. Abrams from 10-day injured list by Nationals

Bob Costas wins Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award

Bob Costas wins Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award

Former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard makes pitch for Negro Leagues Baseball Museum expansion

Former Phillies slugger Ryan Howard makes pitch for Negro Leagues Baseball Museum expansion

Mets sweep Phillies, extend win streak to seven in game with play at plate, balk that wasn't

Mets sweep Phillies, extend win streak to seven in game with play at plate, balk that wasn't

Garcia hits tiebreaking sacrifice fly while Wood, Bell homer as Nationals edge Orioles

Garcia hits tiebreaking sacrifice fly while Wood, Bell homer as Nationals edge Orioles

Tigers, Pistons take baton in Detroit's pro sports renaissance

Tigers, Pistons take baton in Detroit's pro sports renaissance

Pirates' McCutchen says Nationals' Lopez didn't mean to throw at his head

Pirates' McCutchen says Nationals' Lopez didn't mean to throw at his head

Parker works nine innings of one-hit ball as Nationals rout Orioles

Parker works nine innings of one-hit ball as Nationals rout Orioles

Nationals' league-worst bullpen welcomes similarly struggling Orioles

Nationals' league-worst bullpen welcomes similarly struggling Orioles

MASN finally unveils streaming option for Nationals, Orioles games

MASN finally unveils streaming option for Nationals, Orioles games

Senzatela gets first win since 2022 as Rockies split double-header with Nationals

Senzatela gets first win since 2022 as Rockies split double-header with Nationals

Orioles' 24-2 defeat to Reds puts focus on Morton, ailing rotation

Orioles' 24-2 defeat to Reds puts focus on Morton, ailing rotation

Brewers shatter 33-year-old team record by stealing nine bases, six in first inning

Brewers shatter 33-year-old team record by stealing nine bases, six in first inning

Marte drives in 7 as Reds embarrass Orioles 24-2

Marte drives in 7 as Reds embarrass Orioles 24-2

Crews hits two of four homers by Nationals, who beat Rockies after nearly wasting 10-run lead

Crews hits two of four homers by Nationals, who beat Rockies after nearly wasting 10-run lead

A.J. Puk put on IL with elbow inflammation as Diamondbacks shuffle bullpen

A.J. Puk put on IL with elbow inflammation as Diamondbacks shuffle bullpen

Phillies hold on after Miami's 6-run 9th to beat Marlins

Phillies hold on after Miami's 6-run 9th to beat Marlins

Lindor hits 1st walk-off homer for Mets, 250th home run of career, in 5-4 win over Cardinals

Lindor hits 1st walk-off homer for Mets, 250th home run of career, in 5-4 win over Cardinals

Nationals-Rockies game postponed by weather, to be made up in Sunday split doubleheader

Nationals-Rockies game postponed by weather, to be made up in Sunday split doubleheader

Nationals' Lopez ejected after pitch narrowly misses McCutchen's head, benches clear

Nationals' Lopez ejected after pitch narrowly misses McCutchen's head, benches clear

Cruz slugs his first career grand slam as Pirates beat Nationals

Cruz slugs his first career grand slam as Pirates beat Nationals

Nationals' Lopez suspended 3 games for throwing at head of Pirates' McCutchen

Nationals' Lopez suspended 3 games for throwing at head of Pirates' McCutchen

O'Hearn's go-ahead, three-run homer lifts Orioles over Guardians for first series win this year

O'Hearn's go-ahead, three-run homer lifts Orioles over Guardians for first series win this year

Mascots stake claim as team staples: 'Players come and go, mascots remain'

Mascots stake claim as team staples: 'Players come and go, mascots remain'

Cruz homers for second consecutive game as Pirates blank Nationals

Cruz homers for second consecutive game as Pirates blank Nationals

$Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong placed on IL with fractured nose after being hit by pitch$

Nationals third baseman Paul DeJong placed on IL with fractured nose after being hit by pitch

Wood's leadoff home run, Irvin's seven scoreless innings lift Nationals over Pirates

Wood's leadoff home run, Irvin's seven scoreless innings lift Nationals over Pirates

Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson's legacy on 78th anniversary of breaking the color barrier

Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson's legacy on 78th anniversary of breaking the color barrier

Orioles GM says he doesn't see panic, but team has plenty of concerns amid slow start

Orioles GM says he doesn't see panic, but team has plenty of concerns amid slow start

A tale of two Nationals: Wood soars as Crews flounders

A tale of two Nationals: Wood soars as Crews flounders

Skenes, Davis make history as Pirates snap skid in win over Nationals

Skenes, Davis make history as Pirates snap skid in win over Nationals

Straw drives in go-ahead run in 10th inning, Blue Jays beat Orioles

Straw drives in go-ahead run in 10th inning, Blue Jays beat Orioles

Mervis hits a three-run homer as Marlins beat Nationals

Mervis hits a three-run homer as Marlins beat Nationals

Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman gets cortisone shot for inflamed left knee

Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman gets cortisone shot for inflamed left knee

Bronze statue of Joe Mauer unveiled by Minnesota Twins outside Target Field

Bronze statue of Joe Mauer unveiled by Minnesota Twins outside Target Field

Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. relishing chance to photograph Masters

Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. relishing chance to photograph Masters

Athletics remain on track for June groundbreaking for Las Vegas stadium

Athletics remain on track for June groundbreaking for Las Vegas stadium

Dominican roof collapse deaths hit home for former MLB stars

Dominican roof collapse deaths hit home for former MLB stars

After six-year hiatus, Mets prospect Allan is back on the mound chasing big league dreams

After six-year hiatus, Mets prospect Allan is back on the mound chasing big league dreams

Hernandez homers, drives in three as Dodgers defeat Nationals to avoid sweep

Hernandez homers, drives in three as Dodgers defeat Nationals to avoid sweep

Carroll homers, Pfaadt throws six scoreless to lead Diamondbacks past Orioles

Carroll homers, Pfaadt throws six scoreless to lead Diamondbacks past Orioles

Former major league reliever Dotel dies in Dominican Republic roof collapse

Former major league reliever Dotel dies in Dominican Republic roof collapse

MLB batting average drops again to .239, near record low in 1968's Year of the Pitcher

MLB batting average drops again to .239, near record low in 1968's Year of the Pitcher

Demand for 'torpedo' baseball bats sends a Pennsylvania factory into overdrive

Demand for 'torpedo' baseball bats sends a Pennsylvania factory into overdrive

Los Angeles Dodgers visit the White House to celebrate 2024 World Series win

Los Angeles Dodgers visit the White House to celebrate 2024 World Series win

Guerrero, Blue Jays agree to a $500 million, 14-year deal that starts in 2026, AP source says

Guerrero, Blue Jays agree to a $500 million, 14-year deal that starts in 2026, AP source says

Bob Costas will host a Brewers' pregame ceremony on Aug. 24 honoring the life of Bob Uecker

Bob Costas will host a Brewers' pregame ceremony on Aug. 24 honoring the life of Bob Uecker

Pirates to restore Clemente sign at PNC Park after Hall of Famer's family expresses anger

Pirates to restore Clemente sign at PNC Park after Hall of Famer's family expresses anger