Brewers' Aaron Ashby makes history, trusts that 'Christ loves us'

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby making history while trusting that ‘Christ loves us’

By Kevin Mercer May 18, 2026

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

As the calendar ticks toward summer and the first quarter of the 2026 MLB campaign draws to a close, a record-setting season may be brewing in Milwaukee.

Brewers relief pitcher Aaron Ashby has already notched eight wins (with no losses) this season in just 21 appearances, currently two more than any other pitcher in baseball, starter or reliever. Those eight wins are also already a career high for the 27-year-old in his fifth year at the MLB level.

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Ashby boasts an impressive 2.17 ERA so far in 2026, nearly matching his career-high 2.16 ERA during his breakthrough season a year ago. His hot start has been so hot, racking up so many wins, that he’s actually accomplished something that hasn’t been done in modern MLB history, which is saying something for the oldest major professional sports league in the United States. According to OptaSTATS, he is the first to collect two more relief wins than any other MLB pitcher had total wins at the end of any given day.

After Friday night, the @Brewers' Aaron Ashby now has 8 wins this year – all in relief. No one else in MLB has more than 6 wins.

It's the first time in the modern era a pitcher had at least 2 more relief wins than any other MLB pitcher had total wins at the end of any given day. pic.twitter.com/bBVianwJfU

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 16, 2026

The record for the most wins by a relief pitcher in MLB history is 18, set by Roy Face of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1959 (57 appearances). The number seems astronomical, but Ashby is nearly halfway there and it’s only May.

In order for a reliever like Ashby to get credited with a win, the score of a given game needs to flip in their favor at a very specific time. The Brewers would need to be tied or trailing when he was called in from the bullpen and leading when he was replaced.

It’s uncommon for this to occur with relief pitchers, because their appearances are often so short. For example, Ashby’s longest appearance this season was on May 1, when he pitched 2.2 innings against the Washington Nationals. It wasn’t even one of his eight wins.

Every ball knower is a fan of Aaron Ashby pic.twitter.com/YqkmpXInYR

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) May 10, 2026

Aaron Ashby Filth. 😷 pic.twitter.com/VCLRtkT0qk

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 10, 2026

Ashby’s expertise on the mound this season has helped Milwaukee to a 26-18 record, good for second in a competitive National League Central. But now, as his performance is drawing attention from every corner of the baseball world, the lefty originally from Kansas City will continue to be steadied by the steadfast love of Jesus.

“I recently became a father,” Ashby wrote in a devotional for the Spring 2026 edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine, “and it’s helped me gain a new glimpse into how much Christ loves us. … My wife and I look down on [our son] with this love we didn’t even know was possible — and that’s how God looks down on us.”

Before becoming parents, Ashby and his wife, Avery, struggled with fertility issues. It was a time that drove them to cling to God’s Word in Psalm 23.

“To go through that valley of darkness (v. 4) and then see it redeemed,” he wrote, “it feels like we’re now in a moment of green pastures (v. 2).”

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A post shared by Avery Ashby (@averykayashby)

“We never understand what God’s doing when we’re in the midst of a tough time. We don’t know the full picture like He does,” Ashby wrote of the darkness of infertility. “If you’re in a low moment and wondering what God is doing right now, let me encourage you to be prayerful and lean on someone around you.

“… You’ll soon look back on what you experienced and know God was with you through it all, giving you confidence that He actually never leaves your side.”

Ashby knows deeply that God gives and God takes away, even as He never leaves His children. And right now God is giving abundantly to Ashby, both in his job as a pro baseball player and personally as a father and husband.

Confident in God’s presence, Ashby will seek to continue his hot start and keep Milwaukee on its playoff trajectory. The Brewers begin a three-game series on the road against the division-leading Chicago Cubs (29-18) on Monday at 7:40 p.m. ET.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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Baseball What's Up Podcast

WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Zion Rose – Louisville Baseball Player

By Sports Spectrum May 18, 2026

(Photo courtesy of Zion Rose)

THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK

On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Zion Rose!

Zion shares about playing baseball growing up, this year’s Louisville team, and his faith in Christ.

“What’s Up” is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

Zion Rose, an outfield prospect from the University of Louisville, caught my attention heading into this year. Unfortunately, he suffered an injury just before the college season began, but since returning, he’s been absolutely on fire.

Season Stats (3 Games):

– .692 AVG… pic.twitter.com/vv8hjKndGf

— Aidan Gray (@AidanG_Baseball) March 14, 2026

PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING, SUBSCRIBING AND LEAVING A REVIEW

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Baseball

Leslee Holliday: Raising Kids in a World That Watches Everything

By Leslee Holliday May 10, 2026

From left: Leslee, Ethan and Matt Holliday. (Photo courtesy of the Hollidays)

Our kids are growing up in a world where everything can be seen, shared, praised, and criticized. Image is everything. When I was younger, I never could have imagined a world where life is on display like it is today. There used to be a quietness growing up, space to figure things out with a few close friends.

That way of life is gone.

Raising kids today often feels like an impossible task. They are growing up in a world where their every move, choice, or flaw can make them fodder for social media. Many moms I talk with feel a heavy burden to help their kids build an identity that can sustain attacks.

And as a parent, that responsibility can feel overwhelming.

Matt and I have been married for 25 years. We dealt with our own share of scrutiny and public opinion throughout his career in professional baseball. We grew together, rooted in our faith, and learned to navigate the often harsh world of sports commentary.

But now, our two oldest boys, Jackson and Ethan, are on those same fields, playing in those same stadiums. They have the eyes of the fans, and what feels like the world, on them constantly.

When they have a bad day, it feels like everybody has an opinion about their worth. Scrutiny comes with the territory, as my boys are professional athletes. But as moms, we aren’t called to make their lives easier; we’re called to prepare them for the difficult seasons.

Consider Mary’s example as a mother. Talk about raising a child who would be publicly watched, misunderstood, and criticized. From the very beginning, her story didn’t fit neatly into people’s expectations. And as Jesus grew, the tension only increased. People questioned Him. Misunderstood Him. Eventually, they rejected Him.

Mary couldn’t shield Jesus from public criticism. She couldn’t control how people responded to Him. She couldn’t stop the hard parts of His story. And Mary had a front-row seat to all of it. But she stayed rooted. She stayed present. She was joyful. She trusted God with the boy who became a man right before her eyes. And that feels familiar.

Because we don’t raise strong, grounded kids by removing pressure. We raise them by helping them learn how to stand in it.

And maybe, in a world that watches everything, the most powerful thing we can do as parents is this: Create a home where our kids know they are seen for who they are — not for how they perform. A place where they don’t have to earn love. Where they can bring both their wins and their struggles. Where they know that when the noise of the world gets loud, they still have a place that is steady.

Drawing from Scripture, Mary’s life and my own experience, I’d like to offer a few specific principles to help moms raise resilient, faithful kids in today’s world…

To read the full story, visit FoxNews.com…

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Baseball

Angels star Mike Trout enjoying bounceback season, says ‘I put everything in the Lord’s hands’

By Cole Claybourn May 7, 2026

Angels center fielder Mike Trout, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

He may be 34 years old, but Mike Trout is looking a lot like the old version of himself at the plate again — the one that’s an 11-time All-Star and three-time MVP.

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After years of dealing with nagging injuries, he’s finally enjoying a clean bill of health and putting up numbers that he and others are used to seeing next to his name. Through 37 games, he’s batting a respectable .260 with 11 home runs, 23 RBIs, a MLB-leading 36 walks, and an on-base percentage of .429. Perhaps the strongest indicator of his health, however, are his five stolen bases. He last reached double digits in steals when he had 11 in 2019, and since then his season high was six in 2024.

His former manager, Brad Ausmus, who is now on the New York Yankees staff, recently told ESPN that Trout “looks very much like he did when I was with the Angels [in 2019] … a dangerous hitter.”

Trout changed his workout program, hired a nutritionist and dropped his weight by about 10 pounds to 230. That, plus the mental reframing of being back in his familiar center field, has helped lead to this newfound success, ESPN reported. Continued production like he’s shown could very well earn him his first All-Star Game selection since 2023.

He says he’s leaned on the Lord through the trials. Trout opened up a bit when a young fan recently asked him how his faith has helped him overcome hard times in life.

“I put everything in the Lord’s hands,” Trout said in a video posted by Jesus Over Baseball. “I know He’s always got a plan. I know that He’s put me in this situation for a reason because I know at the end of the day, He’s in control. He’s gotten me through a lot of hard times, especially with all my injuries and everything. When the Lord’s got your hand, it’s unbelievable.”

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A post shared by JESUS OVER BASEBALL (@jesusoverbaseball)

Trout then commented on the post too.

“All glory to God always,” he wrote. “Thankful for every opportunity to share what He’s done in my life.”

Though not often vocal about his faith, Trout appears to be making more of an attempt to do so now. He has been seen often sporting an Angels-themed version of the “Jesus Won” t-shirt.

We see you @MikeTrout. 👀

That shirt is 🔥

Mike Trout is wearing a “Jesus Won” t-shirt during his pre-game interview on Apple TV. pic.twitter.com/I5wVb2gyzR

— AngelsWin.com (@AngelsWin) March 28, 2026

He has also referenced his faith in God on social media. “Being a dad is the greatest gift from God,” he wrote on Father’s Day in June 2025. “Grateful today for my own dad, my father-in-law, and the chance to be ‘Dad’ myself. Happy Father’s Day!”

When his first son, Beckham, was born in July 2020, Trout posted that the child was “our greatest gift from above.” He and his wife, Jessica, gave their son the middle name Aaron, in honor of Jessica’s younger brother and Mike’s best friend, who committed suicide in 2018.

Prior to Beckham’s birth, the Trouts announced a partnership with Tiny Turnip, an MLB and MLBPA licensed apparel brand, which designed clothes as part of a campaign called “Your Game Isn’t Over Yet” to bring awareness to the tragedy of suicide.

“We hope and pray this collaboration touches the lives of even just one precious soul,” Mike said on X.

When their second son, Jordy, was born in June 2024, Trout thanked God again.

“Little brother is here! Beckham’s sidekick has arrived,” he wrote. “You fill our hearts with so much joy, Jordy Michael! God is so good.”

Trout and the Angels return to action Friday to start a three-game series on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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Baseball

Pittsburgh Pirates host Faith Night, led by Isaac Mattson, Brandon Lowe: ‘We’re God’s children’

By Kevin Mercer May 5, 2026

Brandon Lowe (fourth from left), Tony Beasley (fifth from left) and other Pirates players and coaches at the team's annual Faith Night, May 2, 2026. (Photo via X/@TheBuccosFan)

God was glorified Saturday evening at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, and not because the Pirates scored a season-high in runs on their way to a 17-7 demolition of the Cincinnati Reds.

Following the offensive explosion, the Pirates hosted their annual Faith Night with many of their coaches and players present. Despite the cold, many fans attended the event to worship God through live music and prayer, and to hear from former and current players about all the ways God has been at work in their lives. The inspiring evening ended with a prayer asking for all those in attendance to be ambassadors for the glory of God.

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<

The Pirates held their first Faith Night in 2013, and the annual tradition has become a highly anticipated event on the season calendar.

#FaithNight at PNC Park following the @Pirates Game was one of the best that I ever attended. Thank you @theFortMcKenry, Tony Beasley, Isaac Mattson & Brandon Lowe for sharing about your faith in Jesus Christ. Kudos to @BucsJoe for being our host. It was very cold, but very good! pic.twitter.com/oAo3WYytEt

— Scott Chamberlain (@TheBuccosFan) May 3, 2026

Pittsburgh players who participated in this year’s event included Bubba Chandler, Billy Cook, Brandon Lowe, Konnor Griffin, Jake Mangum, Isaac Mattson and Ryan O’Hearn. Manager Don Kelly, coaches Matt Hague and Tony Beasley, and studio analyst Michael McKenry were also present.

Third-base coach Beasley and McKenry (a former Pirates player from 2011-13) both shared their powerful testimonies of how God drew them to Himself.

“For me, [baseball is] just a platform,” Beasley said. “This is a platform God has given me. All through my whole career in baseball, I’ve just committed myself to try to stay true to who I am and who God is and really means in my life. … My relationship with God is the most important thing in my life.”

After Beasley and McKenry spoke, two current players were interviewed by Pirates in-game host Joe Klimchak about their faith: relief pitcher Isaac Mattson and second baseman Brandon Lowe.

Mattson spoke first, revealing the unfathomable pain he endured at the loss of his mother by suicide in 2021.

“God’s big enough for those hard conversations, for those times when we are frustrated and going through the hardest seasons of our life,” he said. “God’s big enough for that, and to take our cares and our worries and our anxieties to Him in those moments, I was just constantly reminded of that throughout the course of that season of my life.”

Mattson also talked about rooting his identity in Someone much bigger than baseball.

“It’s kind of cliche to say that we’re not defined by the results on the field, but it is so true,” he said. “Regardless of how tough that day was, and sometimes even how successful that day was, it’s always important to remember that we’re not defined by who we are as baseball players. … We’re God’s children.”

Lowe, in his first season with the Pirates after eight with the Tampa Bay Rays, echoed his teammate’s sentiment.

“Baseball is what I do, it’s not who I am,” the two-time All-Star said. “I think that’s the biggest thing, and the one thing that stands out. We’re led by God.”

Stayed for our first Faith Night. Glad we were there in spite of the cold. @Pirates @theFortMcKenry pic.twitter.com/FHn2FhZkn6

— Lisa Lane (@lisa1_lane) May 3, 2026

“[God is] the greatest Father,” Lowe said. “… You go back and read the Bible, people go against what God’s telling them to do and He [says], ‘I’m gonna keep making you go the right way, whether or not you know it or not.’

“I’m just trying to be as Godly as I can.”

As many Pirates players seek to establish Godly rhythms early in a long baseball season, they find themselves four games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. Pittsburgh (19-16) begins a three-game road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (16-17) on Tuesday, with first pitch set for 9:40 p.m. ET.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby making history while trusting that ‘Christ loves us’

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WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Zion Rose – Louisville Baseball Player

THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK

PLEASE CONSIDER FOLLOWING, SUBSCRIBING AND LEAVING A REVIEW

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Leslee Holliday: Raising Kids in a World That Watches Everything

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Angels star Mike Trout enjoying bounceback season, says ‘I put everything in the Lord’s hands’

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Pittsburgh Pirates host Faith Night, led by Isaac Mattson, Brandon Lowe: ‘We’re God’s children’

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THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK