The St. Louis Cardinals secured a commanding 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a day-night doubleheader, aided by a ninth-inning offensive explosion. The Cardinals' Masyn Winn opened the scoring with a solo home run off Cincinnati starter Brady Singer, who pitched six strong innings, allowing just one run. However, it was Reds' reliever Alexis Diaz who faced the brunt of the Cardinals' late-game firepower, giving up three consecutive home runs. Miles Mikolas pitched 5.1 innings for St. Louis, contributing to the Reds' struggles with only one hit and striking out four batters.

The game marked the end of Cincinnati's five-game winning streak as the Cardinals improved their record to 13-17 while the Reds fell to 16-14. Key performances included a stellar outing from Mikolas and impactful swings from Victor Scott II and Lars Nootbaar, who each homered in the top of the ninth. The Reds, despite a strong start from Singer, could not capitalize on their chances, with only one hit through the first eight innings. The loss prompted Reds manager Terry Francona to reflect on Diaz's performance, noting the critical moment when the game slipped away.

With spring training on the horizon, the Arizona Diamondbacks are showcasing their top minor-league prospects, igniting excitement for the upcoming season. Leading the pack is Jordan Lawlar, a dynamic shortstop whose potential is tempered by injury concerns. After struggling through a limited 2023, Lawlar's blend of speed, power, and defensive prowess positions him as a key player for Arizona's future.

Following him is Yilber Diaz, a right-handed pitcher known for his impressive fastball and breaking pitches. While command issues have plagued him, his potential to solidify a spot in the big-league rotation this season keeps him on the radar. Rounding out the top three is Ryan Waldschmidt, whose unconventional swing has raised eyebrows but also brought significant upside due to his ability to draw walks and steal bases.