TOPSHOT - The sun shines through a saguaro cactus in Phoenix, Ariona, on June 7, 2024. Millions remain under heat alerts as Phoenix and Las Vegas break temperature records, with Phoenix reaching a sweltering 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius) on June 6, 20245, beating the previous daily record for this time of year of 111 degrees (43.8 Celsius) set in 2016. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
REDS
DIAMONDBACKS
Elly De La Cruz – SS
Lars Nootbaar – LF
Sal Stewart – 1B
Corbin Carroll – RF
JJ Bleday – LF
Gabriel Moreno – C
Tyler Stephenson – C
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Eugenio Suarez – DH
Nolan Arenado – DH
Matt McLain – 2B
Tim Tawa – 1B
Dane Myers – CF
Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Hector Rodriguez – RF
Jose Fernandez – 3B
Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3B
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Rhett Lowder – RHP
Michael Soroka – RHP
After all the drama of the past few days, last night’s simple, straightforward and entirely drama-free victory was a much-needed palate cleaners. Okay, the Reds are well below .500 and occupy last place in their division for a reason. But as we saw with the Rockies, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be easy. There was a thorough competence about almost every aspect of the victory. Eduardo Rodriguez giving us almost six innings of shutout ball. The bullpen retiring 11 of the 12 batters they faced. The offense being remarkably productive in the clutch, going 6-for-13 with RISP. The last time we hit .450 there? June 29 – when we went 2-for-4 against San Francisco.
Dare we hope for more of the same today? With Michael Soroka on the mound, you have to be somewhat optimistic about the possibility. He has allowed two earned runs over ten innings, since coming off the IL. And those were against better offenses than the Reds, in the shape of the Rockies and Braves. Cincinnati are, at the time of writing, dead last in the National League with an OPS+ of just 90. They currently have eighty-two fewer hits than anyone else, and have also struck out more often. Interestingly, the D-backs’ hitters are last in K’s on 940 – seventy-two fewer than the next-fewest in the NL, the Cardinals.
Mind you, Arizona’s pitchers are also strikeout-averse. They are ahead of just the Rockies for K’s – that’s only by two, and Colorado has one fewer game. On the other hand, they have also walked fewer people than any other NL side. I guess the Diamondbacks’ staff are doing their bit for brighter baseball, with the fewest plate appearances ending in one of the “three true outcomes”, and instead generating more balls in play than anyone else. Oh, and who on Opening Day would have bet on tonight’s starter, Michael Soroka having the highest K-rate of anyone in our rotation? At 8.6 K/9, he is more than two strikeouts per nine innings ahead of the next best, E-Rod at 6.4. #YouCantPredictBaseball
Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell (7) delivers in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers finish things off with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Blake Snell makes his third start since returning from the injured list, having pitched six strong innings in each of his first two times out.
Aug 18, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Kevin McGonigle (7) throws to first base for an out against Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Bryan Reynolds (not pictured) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (61-67) vs. Kansas City Royals (56-74)
Time/Place: 7:10 p.m., Kauffman Stadium SB Nation Site:Royals Review Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01 ERA) )vs. RHP Michael Wacha (6-8, 3.58 ERA)
Gabriel Hughes (43) pitches for the Rockies in the first inning as the San Francisco Giants played the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. (Photo by Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Rockies will look to break their seven-game losing streak at Coors Field when they host the Guardians tonight at Coors Field. Be prepared for lots of lightsaber and Death Star references as Star Wars night takes over 20th and Blake Street.
Gabriel Hughes will start for the Rockies (50-78) in search of his first MLB win and hoping it will come on his 25th birthday. Hughes is 0-4 with a 6.69 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts). Hughes struggled in his last outing, surrendering seven runs on eight hits, including one homer, with one walk and two strikeouts in four innings in San Francisco on Aug. 16.
Tanner Bibee (4-13, 4.01 ERA) will be on the mound for Cleveland (63-66). The 27-year-old RHP has lost both of his last two games, giving up five earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts in 6.1 innings on Aug. 11 vs. Detroit and putting up a quality start against San Diego on Aug. 16 when he gave up only three runs in seven innings.
Scattered rain and thunderstorms peppered the Denver Metro area on Saturday afternoon, which will be interesting to watch as the evening progresses.
First Pitch: 6:10 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 22: Fans receive their Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers "Starter Series" Bobblehead before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers try to pick up the pieces in the outfield without Andy Pages, trying for a fifth straight win on Saturday night.
On a mission: After Luis Castillo’s excellent home debut at Rate Field, he looks to shut the Mets down. | Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images
After a thrilling victory on Friday night, the White Sox (67-61) are back in action on the South Side against the Mets (58-71).
Trade deadline acquisition Luis Castillo, 33, will start on the mound for the South Siders. Castillo enters this game with a 4.99 ERA and a 4.52 FIP in 115 1/3 innings this season. It has not been the finest year for Castillo, who has only accumulated 0.8 fWAR in 2026. Since the White Sox acquired him, Castillo has had three starts, and Castillo’s numbers were not good in two of them. However, on August 12 against the Reds (61-68) Castillo was fantastic, only allowing one hit and striking out 10 in seven shutout innings. That masterful performance against Cincinnati was the only home game of the three, so perhaps Castillo really enjoys the home cooking on the South Side. Hopefully, Castillo manages to build on that excellent game.
The White Sox offense will be facing starter Christian Scott, 27, a right-handed pitcher. Scott enters this game with a 3.51 ERA and a 3.36 FIP in 84 2/3 innings, accumulating 1.9 fWAR on the season. This will be Scott’s first career appearance against the White Sox. The Mets drafted Scott in the fifth round in 2021, and he has been in the organization ever since.
Here are tonight’s starting lineups:
First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on CHSN, and ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM will have the radio coverage. We look forward to discussing this matchup with you.
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 21: Vinnie Pasquantino #9 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, August 21, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tanner Gatlin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Royals are already riding their longest winning streak of the season and look to make it even longer tonight. The team’s most consistent pitcher, Michael Wacha, will take the mound for the Royals. Wacha is tied for the AL lead in Quality Starts and is fourth overall. So he’s not just consistent, but he’s been pretty dang good.
Drew Anderson will start for the Tigers tonight. I have to be honest, I couldn’t remember ever seeing him pitch before, so I wondered if he was a rookie. It turns out, however, that he’s been pitching in the big leagues for nearly 10 years, since 2017, and is 32 years old. Whoops.
Anderson was a reliever for most of the year, but with the Tigers still dealing with myriad rotation injuries and then trading away their two best starters at the deadline, he was summoned to action. In three starts since rejoining the rotation, he hasn’t pitched deep into games, but he’s been effective with a 2.84 ERA. That comes with a measly 7.8% K-BB% and a 4.90 FIP. So Tigers fans probably don’t feel super comfortable with him on the mound, However, as the Royals have seen with Daniel Lynch IV and Randy Dobnak, those kinds of results can last a handful of starts, at least.
As you can see in the above graphic, Anderson is a five-pitch pitcher. He gets at least some chase or some whiff on every pitch; his changeup is regarded very favorably and has the results to match. That’s of particular interest to me because it comes in at only 5 average MPH slower than the four-seamer, and generally you want more difference in the two pitches. Wacha, in contrast, features 13 MPH in his average velocities – one of the reasons his changeup does so well.
Lineups
I’m not really sure why Tyler Tolbert is in there instead of John Rave, but at least some of us will be happy about it. Either way, it’s a lineup that goes at least six deep, even if at least one player is batting higher than he would in a competitive team’s lineup. Fingers crossed the Royals can get things done tonight.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 22: Kade Anderson #13 of the Seattle Mariners looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at T-Mobile Park on August 22, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This pitcher’s on fire, his heater enthralls,
The batters complain about his wicked curveball
But Kade he don’t care, you can talk to the wall, oh no no
Double-A was too easy for you, you found it a bore, oh no no
[DRUM FILL INTENSIFIES]
Taken third overall, a gift from above
They whiff at the slider, ground out on the curve
They miss the fastball despite the read on the gun
We found you in the rotation, we thought the season was done
KAAAAAAAAAAADE
KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADEEEE
Lineups:
You might have heard that Kade Anderson is making his debut tonight. In prime time on Fox. In front of an expected sell-out crowd. Against the Cubs, currently boasting the best lineup in the big leagues and the likely NL MVP. So like, no pressure, kid.
It’s 2010s weekend at the park, so I think the Cubs being sponsored by Motorola’s Razr is very on-theme. Just thinking about it gives me traumatic flashbacks to when you only got 300 text messages a month on a mobile plan and I was always afraid to open my T-Mobile bill at the end of the month. I guess that was more of a late 2000s thing but spiritually it is the 2010s to me.
News:
The Mariners officially called up LHP Kade Anderson to make his big-league debut. LHP Jhonathan Díaz was DFA’d to make room for Anderson on the 25-man roster.
With Kade Anderson officially called up today, nothing has been formalized regarding whether the Mariners will return to a six-man rotation, back to the piggyback, move a starter to the bullpen, or put a starter on the IL. It sounds like the team is waiting for the results of Woo’s bullpen tomorrow to determine which direction they’ll go in.
Additionally, Matt Brash threw a bullpen yesterday; he’s scheduled to throw to live hitters sometime this week.
Game information:
Game time: 4:15 PT
TV: FOX (exclusive) with Aaron Goldsmith and John Smoltz
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Blade Tidwell #46 of the San Francisco Giants pitches at Oracle Park on August 16, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s time for the meat between the baseball bread that is the sandwich series. Or something like that. In other words, it’s Game 2 of the three-game set between the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox.
Righty Blade Tidwell takes the mound for San Francisco, as he makes his 12th appearance and fourth start of the season. The 25-year old has yet to record a decision, and has a 4.33 ERA, a 3.79 FIP, and 20 strikeouts to 10 walks in 27 innings. After pitching wonderfully in his first two starts of the season, Tidwell got rocked his last time out, allowing six runs in 4.1 innings against the Colorado Rockies.
For the Red Sox, it’s 29-year old left-hander Patrick Sandoval (no relation). Sandoval has made seven starts this season, after returning in July from a nearly two-year absence due to Tommy John surgery. The southpaw is 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA, a 3.67 FIP, and 35 strikeouts to 16 walks in 34 innings. He got rocked in his last start, allowing seven runs in four innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani throws live batting practice before Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. (Luke Hales / Getty Images)
Shohei Ohtani took a significant step Saturday toward his return to two-way duties.
The Dodgers star, who hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3, pitched a live batting practice session, throwing 30 pitches to also-rehabbing catcher Will Smith. Ohtani had been throwing bullpen sessions up to this point.
“I didn’t have a check-in with Shohei, but everything from the coaches [is] really positive.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the second of three games against the Pittsburgh Pirates. “We’re getting there. So, today was a good day.”
Ohtani looked close to his normal self, even exchanging a few “gotcha” laughs with Smith, like when he induced an infield pop-up.
Ohtani likely will throw another live batting practice session before potentially returning to the rotation.
“I think if it were up to Shohei, he’d be in a game in a few days,” Roberts said. “But I would assume another live BP, but we’re gonna make sure we talk to him and get with the training staff as well.”
Roberts added that Ohtani’s knee issues, which were the primary reason for Ohtani’s break from pitching, are “behind us.” Roberts noted that Ohtani is rested and has adjusted his pitching mechanics.
“That’s more of the pitching department, but I do know that the land — and the land being closed versus opening up a little bit more — took a little bit of pressure off [Ohtani’s knee],” Roberts said. “That’s why this [is] live and the lives are good,” Roberts added, “because you’re actually facing hitters and you can kind of see if the mechanics — how they play.”
Andy Pages might have surgery
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages drops his bat after taking a pitch off his left hand during the third inning against the Pirates on Friday at Dodger Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages is leaning toward surgery to repair the fractured left hand he sustained after being hit by a 100-mph sinker from Pittsburgh pitcher Bubba Chandler on Friday.
Pages is expected to miss roughly four weeks regardless of whether or not he has surgery.
“I think they’re probably leaning towards some type of surgery,” Roberts said. “I don’t think it changes the timeline. I think it’s certainly gonna be four weeks as the floor for [Pages] to be back with us, but, like I told him in the X-ray room, the season is not over for him, and we expect him back [at] full health.”
Tyler Glasnow, who hasn’t pitched since May 6, is penciled in to start Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, without any limitations, Roberts said.
Justin Wrobleski, dealing with forearm inflammation, will be in the bullpen when he returns from the 15-day injured list.
“I see him slotting into relief and being a two-or-three-inning guy,” Roberts said.
Edwin Díaz will be used in less-stressful situations upon his return from neck inflammation before potentially resuming closing responsibilities.
“It’s more of getting him back healthy, and then putting him in some softer landing situations to get the confidence, to get the feel, and the trust of executing pitches [and] getting major league hitters out,” Roberts said.
And Smith continues to be on an upward trajectory after stacking reps with Ohtani.
“Getting Will in the batter’s box to take at-bats ... it’s just good to see the [competition] from both those guys,” Roberts said.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 11: Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros pitches during the game between the Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Bryan Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (65-64), who own a slim 1.0-game lead in the AL West over the Rangers, will play the middle game of their huge three-game weekend series against the A’s (49-80) tonight at Daikin Park.
RHP Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.67 ERA) will get the start tonight for the Astros opposite the A’s and LHP Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.22 ERA).
DIESEL POWER: RHP Hunter Brown will make his 14th start of the season and his 11th since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL with a right shoulder strain. The 2025 All-Star has started to round into form over his last five starts, going 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA (10ER/28.2IP) with 29 strikeouts, a .186 opponent average (19×102) and a 1.08 WHIP.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 45-33 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank first in slugging (.411), first in total bases (1779), third in home runs (170), third in runs scored (587), and third in OPS (.728). In the Majors, the Astros rank fourth in homers, trailing only the Nationals (183), Yankees (176) and White Sox (171).
PLAYERS’ WEEKEND: It’s MLB Players’ Weekend, which provides MLB players the opportunity to showcase the people, passions and causes that make them who they are on and off the field. After originally taking place from 2017-19 and then re-imagined in 2024, this sixth edition of Players’ Weekend brings personal stories and self-expression to life through custom bats and cleats, and a wide breadth of storytelling across MLB platforms.
THE DOG DAYS: The Astros will hold two Dog Days, tonight and tomorrow at Daikin Park. On both days, the first 500 dogs to enter the park will receive an exclusive Astros Dog Toy. There will also be fun activities for dogs to participate in and will be dog-related vendors in attendance in Hall of Fame Alley.
VS. THE A’S: This is the third of four series between the Astros and A’s this season, with Houston going 4-3 in their seven games. After this series, the two clubs will match up for a four-game series in Sacramento to end the regular season from Sept. 24-27.
MVP-CALIBER:Yordan Alvarez holds the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in average (.321), first in HR (36) and first in RBI (90). Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.052), OBP (.434), SLG (.618), and TB (283). In the AL, he ranks first in XBH (64), second in hits (147), walks (87), and runs (85), and tied for third in doubles (28)…
YOR-GONE!: DH Yordan Alvarez (36 HR) is just one homer shy of matching his career high in homers, which was 37, hit in 2022.
HIT PAREDES: 3B Isaac Paredes has gone 11 straight games without a strikeout, taking 45 plate appearances in those contests. He’s also hit safely in 10 of his last 13 games (since Aug. 7), while batting .375 (18×48) with five doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and a .986 OPS in that span.
AUGUST HEROES: 2B Jose Altuve is having a strong month, hitting .339 (20×59) with a .403 OBP and an .861 OPS in 17 games this month. Also, RF Cam Smith is hitting .296 (16×54) with four homers, 10 RBI and an .884 OPS in 17 games in August.
PEÑA SIDELINED: The Astros have been without SS Jeremy Peña the last two games due to a right hand contusion, suffered on a HBP on Wednesday. The Astros have been a different team with Peña in the lineup this season, going 43-33 in his 76 starts.
STREAK SNAPPED: 1B Christian Walker had his run of errorless games come to an end last night at an incredible 121 consecutive games. Prior to last night, he was the only qualified infielder in the Majors without an error on the season.
THE CLOSER: LHP Josh Hader has made 500 career appearances and is the 11th active pitcher to reach that milestone. Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in June, going 4-1 with a 0.87 ERA (3ER/31IP), 41 strikeouts, a .123 opponent average (13×106) and a 0.77 WHIP, while converting all 18 of his save chances in 32 appearances.
MY BOY BLU!: RHP A.J. Blubaugh has taken a commanding Major League lead in innings pitched as a reliever with 78.0, far ahead of second-place LHP Aaron Ashby (68.2IP). The Astros have not had a reliever lead the Majors in innings pitched since RHP Doug Jones (111.2IP) in 1992.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Several of the Astros minor league clubs are having success this season:
• Triple A Sugar Land: In the second half, the Space Cowboys (34-15) are in first in the PCL East Division.
• Class A Fayetteville: For the second half, the Woodpeckers are in first place in the South Atlantic League North Division with a 30-20 (.600) record.
• Rookie Level FCL Astros: The Astros won the Florida Complex League championship, finishing with a 42-11 (.792) record in the regular season.
• Rookie Level DSL Astros: The DSL Astros Orange finished with a 33-20 record and advanced to the DSL playoffs, going 1-1 so far in their current three-game series vs. the DSL Padres.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1988 – Rookie C Craig Biggio hits his first Major League homer, a go-ahead solo shot in the 10th inning, in the Astros 9-7 win in 10 innings at Wrigley Field. The homer comes off future HOFer RHP Goose Gossage in what was Biggio’s 33rd MLB game. The future HOFer Biggio would go on to hit 291 career HR, which ranks third in club history.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, August 21, 6:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; ESPN Radio (National); TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 19: Jackson Holliday #7 of the Baltimore Orioles steals home plate and scores in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 19, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles picked up some momentum last weekend with a series win over the first-place Rays. The good vibes evaporated when the Birds lost three straight to New York, but Baltimore can right the ship today with another series victory over Tampa Bay.
Brandon Young (9-3, 3.52 ERA) will take the mound for the Orioles. Young lasted only four innings in his last outing against Tampa. He’ll look to keep the ball in the park this evening after surrendering three homers last week.
The Rays will counter with left-handed starter Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.25 ERA). McLanahan failed to complete four innings last week against Baltimore, and the Orioles will look to build on that success tonight.
Jackson Holliday will bat leadoff and play second base. He’ll be followed by designated hitter Pete Alonso and first baseman Coby Mayo. Right fielder Tyler O’Neill will bat cleanup, and Gunnar Henderson will slide down to fifth against the lefty.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand will bat sixth and handle the hot corner. Left fielder Christian Franklin, center fielder Leody Taveras, and catcher Carlos Narváez will complete the lineup. Look for Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers to be available as pinch-hitters after McClanahan leaves the game.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Orioles need wins to keep up in the wild card chase. Tonight would mark another step in the right direction.
Apr 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Before he was designated for assignment in May, Thomas this season hit .181/.222/.340 with a 50 wRC+ in 28 games and 100 plate appearances for Arizona.
In 431 career games and 381 starts over five major league seasons, Thomas in center field has totaled 13 Outs Above Average and six Defensive Runs Saved.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Jared Jones #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates looks on during the game against the Boston Red Sox at PNC Park on August 15, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, August 22, 2026, 7:15 p.m. ET
The Pittsburgh Pirates are back on the national stage, the Pirates take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second match of a three-game set.
Getting the ball for the Pirates is Jared Jones, who is making his 15th start of the season. He pitched earlier this season against the Dodgers on June 10 at PNC Park, going four innings and giving up three hits and two earned runs as the Buccos won 9-8. He has struggled as of late, losing each of his last four starts, including his last appearance on August 15 against the Boston Red Sox. Jones pitched five innings, giving up four hits and one earned run in a 4-0 loss at home.
The Dodgers are handing the ball to Tarik Skubal for just the fourth time as a member of the team. He was acquired by the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers in a blockbuster deal ahead of the trade deadline earlier this month. Skubal has struggled since arriving in Los Angeles, losing two of his three starts, including his latest appearance against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 16. He went six innings, giving up seven hits and one earned run in a 6-2 loss against the best team in the National League.
Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, FOX
Pitching Matchup: Jared Jones (2-5, 4.78 ERA) vs. Tarik Skubal (7-7, 2.85 ERA)
BD community, this is your gameday thread for today’s game. Chime off in the comments section below.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics pitches during the top of the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Still looking for win #50. The A’s have another shot at it today after dropping the series opener to the Houston Astros last night.
Jacob Lopez is getting the ball to start today’s game. He’s done well in his second chance in the starting rotation so far. In six post-All Star Break starts he’s sporting a 2.48 ERA with a much stronger K?BB ratio. He went six full innings last time out, allowing just two runs on five hits against the Rangers.
As for Houston, they have right-hander Hunter Brown on the bump for them this evening. He’s taken a step back from his dominant performance last year but he’s still a tough pitcher to go up against. The A’s need to take advantage of every opportunity they have against him tonight.
