Around the Majors: Guardians Take Down Dodgers, Royals Outslug Twins and April Starts to Heat Up

From statement series wins to high-scoring slugfests, Wednesday's MLB action had a little bit of everything as teams continue to find their footing in the early season.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:13am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic action of a baseball game, with the players' forms broken down into abstract geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors representing the teams involved.As the 2026 MLB season heats up, the early-April action showcases the diversity of narratives unfolding across the league, from statement series wins to high-scoring slugfests.Philadelphia Today

Wednesday's major league action featured a variety of storylines, including a statement series win for the Cleveland Guardians over the Los Angeles Dodgers, a high-scoring slugfest between the Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins, and several other teams beginning to find their rhythm as the 2026 season heats up in April.

Why it matters

The early weeks of the MLB season often set the tone for the rest of the year, as teams work to establish themselves and find their identity. Wednesday's games showcased the diversity of narratives unfolding across the league, from dominant pitching performances to offensive outbursts, highlighting the unpredictable nature of baseball in the season's opening month.

The details

The Guardians took down the Dodgers 4-1 in the rubber game of their series, winning on the road against one of the National League's powerhouses. The Atlanta Braves also turned in a controlled 5-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics, while the Baltimore Orioles' bats came alive in an 8-3 win over the Texas Rangers. There were also several close, extra-inning affairs, including the Philadelphia Phillies' 6-5 walkoff win over the Washington Nationals and the Colorado Rockies' 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in 10 innings.

  • Wednesday's major league action took place on April 3, 2026.
  • The Guardians' series win over the Dodgers occurred earlier this week.

The players

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians are a Major League Baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, who won a statement series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, who were defeated by the Guardians in a series this week.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri, who engaged in a high-scoring 13-9 slugfest against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins are a Major League Baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, who were involved in the offensive shootout against the Royals on Wednesday.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves are a Major League Baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia, who turned in a controlled 5-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

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What they’re saying

“Winning a series against the Dodgers is always a strong piece of business. Doing it on the road makes it even cleaner.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting

“The Braves did not need a mountain of offense. They just needed enough support behind crisp pitching, and that is exactly what they got.”

— Jeremy Giggy, Sports Director, White River Broadcasting

What’s next

As the 2026 MLB season continues, teams will look to build on their early-season momentum or find ways to turn things around. Fans can look forward to more exciting action and unexpected storylines emerging in the coming weeks and months.

The takeaway

The first few weeks of the MLB season often set the tone for the rest of the year, and Wednesday's games showcased the diversity of narratives unfolding across the league. From statement series wins to high-scoring slugfests, the early-season action is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the importance of teams finding their rhythm in the season's opening month.