Slovene is youngest of riders to win five Tours de France and few would bet against him claiming sixth victory next year
The 2026 Tour de France served up an epic battle that lasted for day after day between two protagonists of the highest calibre with different skillsets, a tale of epic breakaways, intriguing team tactics and reversals of fortune, building to a spectacular climax on the race’s toughest stage. The contest for the green jersey of points winner between Mads Pedersen and Jasper Philipsen was a classic.
Those hoping for something similar in the race for the yellow jersey of overall winner were disappointed, and rapidly. Any suspense was eliminated with 42km of stage six remaining, high above the ski village of La Mongie, when Tadej Pogacar dislodged Jonas Vingegaard and the other putative race favourites on the Col du Tourmalet. It was a familiar stinging attack, and a familiar outcome, with the Slovene opening a lead that looked insurmountable, as indeed it was.
After years of fighting for a consistent NHL opportunity, Zac Jones finally delivered the type of season that made teams take notice — and earned himself a fresh chance with the Utah Mammoth.
The 25-year-old defenseman turned the 2025-26 season into a statement year, emerging as one of the most productive blue-liners in the American Hockey League and proving that his offensive upside was still very much intact. That performance ultimately led to Utah signing Jones to a two-year, two-way contract worth $875,000 annually at the NHL level.
Jones’ breakout campaign came with the Rochester Americans, where he became a driving force from the back end. In 60 games, he recorded 10 goals and 52 assists for 62 points, earning First Team AHL All-Star honors and representing the North Division at his first AHL All-Star Classic.
What stood out most was Jones’ ability to create offense. He led all AHL players in assists while also pacing the league in power-play assists with 36 and power-play points with 38. Among defensemen, he finished first in scoring and led all blueliners with 168 shots on goal, showcasing his willingness to attack and generate opportunities.
The season represented a major step forward for Jones, who had previously never reached those offensive heights at any level. His 10 goals were the most of his junior, collegiate, or professional career, while his 52 assists more than doubled his previous AHL single-season best of 26, set during the 2021-22 season.
Utah is also adding a player with valuable NHL experience. Jones spent parts of five seasons with the New York Rangers, appearing in 115 games and collecting four goals and 24 assists. He reached a career-high 46 NHL games in 2024-25, finishing seventh among Rangers defensemen in scoring with 11 points.
Before turning pro, Jones built a strong résumé at both the collegiate and international levels. He helped the University of Massachusetts win its first national championship in 2020-21, earning Second Team All-American honors while also being named to the Hockey East and NCAA All-Tournament Teams. He was also recognized as the USHL Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 after leading all league defensemen with 45 assists.
For the Mammoth, the signing represents a low-risk opportunity to add a skilled puck-moving defenseman who has already shown he can dominate at the AHL level. The next challenge for Jones will be turning that success into a permanent NHL role — something he has been chasing since the Rangers selected him 68th overall in 2019.
Scott Laughton did not start the 2025-26 season with the Los Angeles Kings; rather, he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs and played the majority of his games there last season. Then, on March 6th, on trade deadline day, the Kings traded for Laughton in exchange for a conditional third-round pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Before being traded to the Kings, Laughton had registered 8 goals, 4 assists for 12 points in 43 games.
Scott Laughton's Kings Season
After the trade deadline, Scott Laughton, in the regular season, would play in 21 games for the Kings, registering 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points. While the biggest move for the Kings was getting Panarin, Scott Laughton improved the Kings' depth and penalty kill. The Kings organization highly valued Laughton, and one of their primary goals was to ensure he could stay in Los Angeles. Laughton would sign a 3-year, $3.5 million AAV contract with the Kings.
So while the Kings were able to keep a player they valued, it also helped their center depth, which is one of the weakest points on their entire roster, especially after the retirement of Anze Kopitar. Scott Laughton's defensive ability helps the Kings both at even strength and on the penalty kill, as they trust that he can be a strong defender against some of the best offensive players in the NHL.
Overall, the Laughton trade was a positive for the Kings, as they did not have to give up much to acquire him, but his extension with Los Angeles allows them to continue focusing on adding more centermen to the roster. While Laughton is likely not going to play top-line minutes, he still shows his leadership and strong play with depth, and if the Kings can add more to the center depth, Laughton's value could get even higher for the Kings if he continues to play his strong game.
Andrew Mangiapane’s name has always carried a little irony. A player known for battling through everything on the ice is now dealing with some actual “pain” away from it.
The former Calgary Flames forward is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury, according to TSN, but the setback is not expected to threaten his availability for training camp with the Chicago Blackhawks.
The 30-year-old enters the final season of his contract looking to rediscover the form that once made him one of Calgary’s most trusted forwards — and prove there is still plenty left to give at the NHL level.
Selected in the sixth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, the Bolton, Ontario native went from long-shot prospect to a key piece of the Flames’ lineup. Over seven seasons in Calgary, he became one of the team’s most reliable competitors, earning a reputation as a player who could be counted on in difficult moments.
In 417 games with the Flames, Mangiapane recorded 109 goals and 106 assists for 215 points. He added another 12 points in 27 playoff games, including his breakout 2021-22 campaign when he exploded for a career-high 35 goals.
At that point, Mangiapane looked like a player who had firmly established himself as part of Calgary’s long-term plans.
But hockey careers rarely follow a straight line.
Since leaving the Flames, Mangiapane has bounced between three organizations while searching for the consistency that once defined his game. After being traded to the Washington Capitals, he posted 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points in 81 games during the 2024-25 season.
That production convinced the Edmonton Oilers to take a chance in free agency, signing him to a two-year, $7.2 million contract. The hope was that a change of scenery could help unlock the player Calgary fans knew so well.
Instead, the move quickly became a difficult chapter.
Mangiapane managed only 14 points in 52 games with Edmonton, recording seven goals and seven assists before the Oilers made a deadline decision to move on.
In March, Edmonton traded Mangiapane and a 2027 first-round pick to Chicago in exchange for forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach. However, his arrival with the Blackhawks did not immediately spark a turnaround, as he finished the season with just two points in 10 games — one goal and one assist.
Now, Chicago represents another opportunity.
The injury may be an unwanted obstacle, but Mangiapane has time to recover before training camp begins. Entering a contract year, the veteran forward has a chance to rewrite the recent narrative surrounding his career and remind teams why he was once viewed as one of Calgary’s most valuable forwards.
For a player who built his reputation on resilience, the next chapter could be the most important one yet.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Bryson Stott homered, doubled and drove in five runs, NL All-Star starter Cristopher Sánchez pitched six solid innings and the Philadelphia Phillies avoided a three-game sweep with an 11-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday night.
Alec Bohm hit a three-run double for the Phillies, who snapped a four-game skid and finished 3-6 on their homestand against the Mets, Dodgers and Yankees.
Ben Rice homered and doubled for New York.
Sánchez (13-4) gave up three runs and six hits. He struck out six and walked three.
Philadelphia jumped out to a 6-0 lead against Will Warren (7-5). Bohm’s bases-loaded double that ended a nine-pitch at-bat made it 5-0 in the third. It became a six-run advantage when Bohm scored on Stott’s single.
Stott hit a solo homer in the second after Kyle Schwarber had a sacrifice fly in the first.
After a throwing error on a pickoff attempt by Sánchez helped New York score three times in the fifth, Philadelphia added five runs in the sixth, highlighted by Stott’s three-run double off left-hander Ryan Yarbrough.
Before the game, the Yankees placed All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Max Schuemann started in place of Bellinger in left field, batting seventh, and went 0 for 2 with a walk.
Spencer Jones, called up from Triple-A to take Bellinger’s roster spot, pinch hit for Schuemann in the eighth and walked.
New York, also without injured slugger Aaron Judge, struck out 13 times.
The Phillies improved to 43-16 when Sánchez, Zack Wheeler or Jesús Luzardo starts on the mound. They are 14-33 in all other games.
Jul 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (28) celebrates his three RBI double during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott combined for nine RBI as the Philadelphia Phillies (57-49) staved off the sweep with an 11-4 rout of the New York Yankees (59-46) on Sunday Night Baseball.
Cristopher Sanchez was his dominant self most of the night, striking out six across six innings, but gave up all three of his earned runs in the top of the fifth, which contained three hits, a walk, a pick-off error and a wild pitch.
Sanchez’s 13th win ties his career high set last season, which came on September 10th.
The Phillies got on the board first against Yanks’ righty, Will Warren, thanks to a lead-off triple by Trea Turner in the first inning and a sacrifice fly by Kyle Schwarber.
With two outs in the bottom of the third, the Phils loaded the bases with a walk to Schwarber, a double by Bryce Harper and an intention walk to Brandon Marsh to set up the righty-righty matchup between Warren and Alec Bohm. Bohm worked a full count and nine-pitch at-bat before lacing a double to right-center to clear the bases. Stott worked another full count and singled home Bohm to blow open the six-run advantage.
Phils would tack on five more runs in the bottom of the sixth against Yanks’ lefty, Ryan Yarbrough, with four straight singles to begin the frame and a two-out RBI hit-by-pitch to Bohm and two-RBI double by Stott to close out the home scoring.
Tim Mayza surrendered a leadoff homer to Ben Rice on the first pitch of the seventh inning but combined with Chase Shugart, who went two scoreless, to preserve the victory.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 26: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with Bryce Harper #3 and Brandon Marsh #16 after scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was always going to be a difficult task to complete the sweep facing the Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez. However, it doesn’t matter who the opposing pitcher is when your own starter coughs up six runs in the first three innings. Will Warren was positively wretched from the start, and the half-dozen runs on his card means he has now given up 31 runs (27 earned) in his last 37.2 innings since the start of June. It’s the type of start that will send the team on the plane to Chicago with a bit of a sour taste despite having won the series in Philly, as they get rolled in the series finale, 11-4.
The slug was noticeably absent from the Phillies lineup in the first two games, but facing Will Warren brought it back starting with the first batter they sent to the plate. Trea Turner led off the bottom of the first with a triple that was aided by a Trent Grisham misread in center and scored the game’s opening run on a Kyle Schwarber sac fly. Already, it began to feel uneasy given the way both teams have struggled to score this series and the way Cristopher Sánchez was throwing the ball all season and especially through the opening innings tonight.
The damage continued in the second, Bryson Stott crushing a one out, center-cut 1-0 fastball on a line into the seats in right for a solo shot to make it 2-0, Phillies. It always felt like Warren was on the edge of disaster, and indeed his start imploded fully in the third. He walked Schwarber with two outs and then gave up a double to Bryce Harper to put runners on second and third. The Yankees opted to intentionally walk Brandon Marsh to load the bases and bring the struggling Alec Bohm to the plate. Warren got to 1-2 without much trouble, but then threw a pair of non-competitive pitches to force him back into the zone in a full count, and Bohm crushed a hanging sweeper to the wall in left-center to clear the bases, Stott then driving him home with a single to make it 6-0.
Much of Warren’s success early in the season came from the unique look of his up-shoot fastball thrown from a low arm slot combined with his conviction to throw the heater in the zone frequently and in any count. However, once the league read the book on his heater and figured out its deceptive movement, it became a mediocre offering at just 93 mph, one that he throws way too much for its below average raw characteristics and imprecise command. Five of the six hits as well as the sac fly came against either the four-seamer or sinker, yet Warren threw the pair of subpar pitches a combined 63 percent of the time. He departed after giving up a leadoff single in the fourth, his final line standing at six runs on six hits and two walks in three-plus innings.
To their credit, the offense did not throw in the towel despite Warren’s stinker and Sánchez’s early dominance. They loaded the bases in the fourth as Amed Rosario reached on a fielding error by Trea Turner, Anthony Volpe doubled, and Max Schuemann fought back from 1-2 to draw a two-out walk, only for José Caballero to bounce a chopper to strand all three ducks on the pond.
This was enough to crack the seal on Sánchez as he faced the order for the third time in the fifth. Ali Sánchez led off with a single, Paul Goldschmidt drew a walk, and Ben Rice hit a into a soft forceout to put runners on the corners. A Sánchez throwing error on a pickoff attempt scored Sánchez and advanced Rice to second, followed by a Rosario single that moved Rice up a base, Rosario advancing to second on the throw from the outfield. Jasson Domínguez grounded out weakly enough to bring Rice home, and Volpe roped a double to left to bring him home. Volpe had gone without an extra-base hit since June 26th, so it was nice to see him collect a pair of doubles in consecutive innings. A wild pitch allowed Volpe to advance to within 90 feet of scoring, but he was stranded at third by a Grisham grounder.
In the sixth, it was time for the Yankees defense to let them down. Bryan De La Cruz led off with a routine grounder to Volpe, but he rushed the throw and yanked it 15 feet wide of first allowing De La Cruz to advance to second. Justin Crawford laid a bunt down the third base line and Rosario spiked his throw to first into the dirt, and instead of two outs and no one on it was runners on the corners with no outs. A Turner single to left plated De La Cruz as the Phillies’ seventh run and a Schwarber single to center loaded the bases. Ryan Yarbrough struck out Harper and Marsh, but plunked Bohm to force home another run. That set up the death blow from Stott as he lined his team’s second bases-clearing double into the corner in right to push the Phillies into double digits, 11-3.
You have to look for the silver linings after that outburst put the final nail in the Yankees’ coffin. You can find one in the seventh, Rice perhaps putting a halt to his 1-for-20 skid with his 31st home run of the year, a solo shot into the bullpen in right-center off old friend Tim Mayza. He would also add a double in the ninth.
The offense managed to double their run output in the series by matching the four they scored in the first two games, but there was never a real chance to overcome the deficit created by Warren and deepened by Yarbrough. 11-4 is your final score, the Yankees falling to three games back of the Rays after Tampa completed the sweep of Cleveland.
The Yankees fly to Chicago for seven straight games — four against the White Sox followed by three at the Cubs. Max Fried gets the series opener against the Southsiders tomorrow night facing Noah Schultz. First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. EST with the broadcast returning to YES.
The festivities started off in a wholesome way when the first baseman's parents threw out the first pitch. His dad lobbed the ball to a catcher who was sitting just to the side of home plate and the ball sank and bounced. His mom, on the other hand, threw a perfect arc to a catcher squatting behind the base. The two posed for a photo with their son before Chicago's starting pitcher Erick Fedde took the mound.
Munetaka Murakami's parents threw out the first pitch today to celebrate his bobblehead day 🥹 pic.twitter.com/onxO9ea5vI
The Astros jumped to an early lead off a solo home run from Jeremy Peña. But then, batting second in the bottom of the first inning, Murakami blasted his own home run. He took a slider over the plate and sent the ball flying into left field, allowing Sam Antonacci to score as well and putting the White Sox up 2-1.
To show his versatility, Murakami swatted the ball to right field for his second home run of the game in the eighth inning. He took a high pitch, boosted the ball away and put two fingers in the air as he rounded the bases.
The Japanese-born player got another RBI in the third inning with a ground out that sent Drew Romo home and had a two-run single in the seventh inning.
"It feels amazing and really, super excited right now," Murakami said through an interpreter after the game before his teammates splashed him with a bucket of orange Gatorade.
Murakami was selected to the All-Star Game in his first season as a replacement for Minnesota Twins' outfielder Byron Buxton. He also participated in the Home Run Derby. Despite missing 35 games before the All-Star break due to a hamstring injury, the 26-year-old has impressed with 22 home runs, 48 RBI, .378 OBP and .921 OPS.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians at bat in the top of the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 25, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The competitive souls of the 2026 Cleveland Guardians were weighed in Tampa this weekend and found wanting. It’s time for the organization to adjust, accordingly.
We have been covering potential trade targets for the Guardians (two of whom are now injured, of course) and we will continue to do so, but it’s probably time for the Guardians to consider becoming sellers. How much did they ever intend to be buyers we may never know, but the Guardians simply don’t have an offense ready for prime time in the playoffs, even in a weak American League. The Guardians are 23rd in wRC+ at 94, last in hard hit rate at 31.5%, second to last in barrel rate at 6.2%, and second to last in ISO at .141. The Rays are right around Cleveland in all these metrics and yet absolutely destroyed the Guardians beating them 5 out of 6 times this year. The Guardians have a 108 wRC+ against AL Central rivals and teams under .500 and an 81 wRC+ against opponents outside their division who are over .500. They simply are not good enough to beat a good team in a seven-game series.
Will this change? Well, things changing relies on significant steps forward from Travis Bazzana, Chase DeLauter, and Angel Martinez, on Jose Ramirez regaining his usual form before too long as he recovers from hamate surgery, and on Kyle Manzardo pulling his head out of his you know what. Additionally, Ralphy Velazquez, or Angel Genao, or Cooper Ingle will need to find their way to a breakout that translates at the major league level. OR, the Guardians will have to find a way to trade for a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat who I just don’t see on the market.
Perhaps the new CBA will provide a way to inspire Paul Dolan and/or David Blitzer to spend on free agent hitters, but I would not hold my breath. More likely, the team needs to develop and produce their own major leauge hitters. Juneiker Caceres, Nolan Schubart, Aaron Walton, Jaison Chourio and Welbyn Francisca are showing excellent progress at various paces throughout the minor league system. Instead of trying to add major league talent, one could argue that the Guardians should look to find more bat darts to throw at the target of fixing this problem, as well as some pitching depth that is never sufficient.
What do the Guardians have to sell? Here are some possibilities: Steven Kwan – Kwan has finally found his way back to being a valuable hitter, with his wRC+ reaching 94 as of today. With his exceptional defense, I suspect there would be a contender willing to give some good value for Kwan. I am still not opposed to something like 6/$72 extension for Kwan, but, assuming that’s off the table, they should look to get the most out of his remaining value and not wait for an offseason that may be hugely affected by a coming lockout and potential lost games to do it. Hunter Gaddis, Collin Holderman, or Erik Sabrowski – For different reasons, each of these high leverage relievers may be worth dangling. Gaddis has put a lot of mileage on his arm, also, and doesn’t strikeout quite as many hitters as one would like. Holderman’s breakout is new and could be fleeting. Sabrowski has extensive injury issues and his elbow may be a ticking time bomb. In a market where everyone is looking for relief help, any of these three could net a prospect with real potential to be a good, everyday player and I’m not opposed to the idea. Kyle Manzardo – Manzardo has been terrible but he still has many encouragine metrics. I would not put it past a good hitting development group pushing to acquire Manzardo and fix him, willing to give up a prospect or two of interest. Austin Hedges – No one wants to hear this, I suppose, but Hedges as a good hitter is probably worth a lot to some contending team in need of a backup who seems capable of helping a little at the plate. And the Guardians seemingly already acquired Hedges’ replacement in Patrick Bailey. Bo Naylor – Someone, somewhere believes they can fix Bo Naylor and will offer a low-A prospect of lottery ticket value, I’m sure of it. Naylor doesn’t seem like he’ll be getting another shot in Cleveland, for whatever the reason.
To be clear, the team can cut Gabriel Arias, Rhys Hoskins, and/or David Fry and you’d hear no complaints from me. If there is a trade out there for any of the the three, go for it. Be my guest.
I would not look to trade any of Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams or Parker Messick. It’s doubtful a team will offer enough to make Joey Cantillo or Slade Cecconi good pieces to deal. The one name who should be considered as a remote possibility is Cade Smith. If someone wants to offer a franchise-altering return for Smith (multiple top 100 prospects+), I think it’s something I’d consider. Reliever value is volatile and Smith is 27 years old and set to put 220 innings on his arm in three years. Under control through 2029, there is no need to move him now… but it is a conversation worth having in case there is Mason Miller-to-the-Padres-type return out there, somewhere.
I know everyone is tired of hoping that prospects will pan out. But, the Guardians have given us little choice but to hope that the plan will finally begin to bear fruit in 2028 and beyond. Finding more potential options to give this plan a chance at succeeding by trading off pieces of value from a team that simply doesn’t have the juice probably makes sense. I will not complain if this is the route they take… nor will I complain if they try to add a veteran bat or two, or a veteran arm. I don’t know if that’s wisdom… or indifference. I would say, if pushed on the issue, I think it makes more sense to shop Kwan, Hedges and one of Gaddis/Sabrowski/Holderman and turn their attention to 2028 and beyond for a real run at a World Series… after they have hired some new hitting development folks from another organization, but that’s another article entirely.
Baseball Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander stands on the pitcher's mound at Yankee Stadium and watches pitcher Satchel Paige at work. Paige is a member of the New York Black Yankees.
The Colorado Rockies feel distant from baseball’s oldest legends because, frankly, they should. The club didn’t take the field until 1993. Honus Wagner debuted in 1897 and last played in 1917. Satchel Paige’s career stretches back into an era that Major League Baseball spent decades pretending did not fully exist. Mickey Mantle belongs to baseball cards, post-war Yankee dominance, and bad knees.
The Rockies belong to the Blake Street Bombers, purple pinstripes, altitude, and Rocktober. Baseball is most definitely organized into distinct eras, but it is ultimately interconnected by the people.
Careers overlap. Young players share clubhouses with old legends. A veteran who barely passed through Denver can become a bridge to a past that feels impossibly distant.
Welcome to Purple Row After Dark.
Here is the game: Start with someone who wore a Rockies uniform, then move backward through Baseball Reference roster pages one shared team at a time. For this exercise, each shared Baseball Reference season roster counts as one link. This is not meant to litigate exact active-roster overlap by date. That would strip away some of the mystique and romance of the exercise.
Player-to-manager or player-to-coach connections are allowed if they happened on the same major-league team, but teammate-to-teammate is the cleanest version. No broadcasters, family links, ownership links, front office-only links, or spring training loopholes. Shorter chains are better. Stranger chains are strongly encouraged.
Murphy played for the 1993 Rockies. He also played with Niekro on the 1976 Atlanta Braves, and Niekro played with Spahn on the 1964 Milwaukee Braves. Just like that, a player from the first Rockies roster connects to one of the greatest left-handed pitchers who ever lived.
That is the normal version. Clean names. Easy path.
But some paths are more scenic.
Take Daryl Boston, an outfielder on the inaugural 1993 Rockies. Boston can take us back to the Deadball Era through a museum walk of baseball names:
That is three links from the inaugural Rockies roster to Satchel Paige.
This is what makes roster wandering more than a trivia exercise. The Rockies are young, but they are woven into the same fabric as the old legends. The players who passed through Denver brought their own histories with them, connecting LoDo to different eras, clubhouses, and worlds.
So here is the challenge: find your own Rockies connection to a baseball legend.
Want a place to start? Try connecting Mickey Moniak to Mickey Mantle (Moniak already connected himself). Then see if you can keep going to Mickey Cochrane, the Hall of Fame catcher Mantle was named after.
Tonight, Purple Row After Dark is going back in time. Happy traveling.
Jul 26, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe (14) and pitcher Mitch Farris (70) celebrate defeating the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Swept, sure. Six times now. But to sweep? Nah, it just ain’t to be.
The San Francisco Giants are now 0-5 with the chance to sweep a 3+ game series after their 4-3 loss to the Angels. It’s not just their opponents or their own self-sabotage keeping the broom in the cupboard — the umpires are doing their part as well.
With the tying run at second in the 9th, home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt decided an inside fastball was close enough and called Heliot Ramos out on strikes to end the game.
Now, of course, in this brave new world of ABS and challenges, this wouldn’t be such a big deal. A light tap on the head and any pitch-calling injustice can be swiftly adjusted within seconds — if one of the team’s challenges remained. If one doesn’t, then you’re living in baseball’s stone ages, which these 2026 Giants might be.
Willy Adames had burned the team’s last challenge earlier in the 9th on a 3-0 sinker from reliever Sam Bachman. The pitch’s natural movement appeared to take the ball out of the zone. It entered the catcher’s glove wide of the corner. Bachman had heaved some big misses earlier in the AB and when he walked Jesus Rodriguez. Given the scenario — 9th inning, no outs, down by three, and another baserunner would bring the tying run to the plate — it wasn’t a bad challenge in terms of strategy. It was a bad challenge, a terrible one, in the sense that he was wrong. Upon review, a fiber of a seam scraped the inside corner. Wendelstedt reported — with the biggest sh*t-eating grin on his face, I’m sure — that the call was confirmed, San Francisco has no more challenges remaining, hehe. That first strike got Bachman back into the at-bat and he’d eventually get Adames to ground into a fielder’s choice forceout.
The no more challenges thing immediately became an issue in the next at-bat. Bachman got lost on his way to the plate again, and Wendelstedt went out of his way to reorient him. In a 3-0 count, a change-up that fell well below the zone was called a strike, and Cavanaugh, powerless to protest, could only tap his helmet quizzically.
Given a second life in the AB, Bachman worked the count full but ended up walking the rookie catcher anyway (Cavanaugh, 2-for-2 with 2 BB) bringing the Giants tying run to the plate.
Manager Kirk Suzuki swapped the errant Bachman with the inexperienced lefty, Mitch Farris, who, despite his surname, had never pitched in a save situation before (my thinking: Farris → Ferris → Save Ferris). Farris got pinch hitter Daniel Susac to lineout on his first pitch and then had his heart jump into his throat on his second pitch to Luis Arraez when his 352 drive teased a game-tying 3-run home run for 95% of its time in the air. Missing a friendly push from the wind, the ball kicked high off the brick wall in right for a 2-run double.
The Angels were on the ropes. They had lost a MLB-leading 8 games so far when leading after the 8th inning with an inexperienced arm on the hill without a split advantage. Ramos, who had been scuffling as of late, put up a fight too. He fouled off three pitches, then in a 1-2 count and fully in swing-mode, spat on a change-up in the dirt. He didn’t get baited by the subsequent fastball either. He read it out of the hands well — maybe low, definitely inside, and he kept his bat on his shoulder. Who knows what he would’ve done with it, but Ramos had earned another pitch.
He didn’t get one.
While Adames’s failed challenge drew the quickest criticism because it was the most recent, the reason that challenge was San Francisco’s last was thanks to a bad challenge by Grant McCray way back in the 5th inning.
Down 4-0, Angels’ starter José Soriano with runners on first and second and nobody out, McCray saw a 1-0 fastball as off the plate and away. When Wendelstedt called it as strike one, McCray challenged it immediately.
Besides the fact that he was wrong, there’s some problems with McCray’s thinking here.
First off, the difference between a 1-1 count and a 2-0 count doesn’t do much in terms of swinging the outcome of the at-bat. Reversing the call here doesn’t save McCray from being called out, nor does it directly guarantee he reaches first.
Secondly, McCray is hitting out of the 9-spot. Sunday was just his second start of the year, his eighth game, his seventh plate appearance, and he’s yet to record a hit. No offense, but the likelihood of his bat providing no offense is high. While I get why a manager might not want to restrict any player from challenging specific balls and strikes, an unproven, bench piece should probably be discouraged from making split-second decisions in the heat of the moment. Save those challenges for the powerhouse guys!
McCray got it wrong in the 5th, and the full consequences of that failed challenge wasn’t known until four innings later.
While Ramos got the bat, and challenge, taken out of his hands, that final strike-3 didn’t sink the Giants. They were swinging from behind, hanging on by their fingernails, living in the fairy land of conditional ifs because while they had no trouble creating opportunities (like in the 9th), they struggled to capitalize on them (like in the 9th).
Their lead-off batter reached base in 8 of the game’s 9 innings, but only once did the batter after him reach base. Their first hit with a runner in scoring position was Arraez’s 9th inning double.
Credit is due to Angels starter José Soriano and his bowling ball arsenal of sinker, splitter, knuckle curve, who allowed one run (unearned) over 5 innings pitched. He surrendered just three hits, one of those being a sun-double by Adames. While he walked three, he buckled down when it mattered with well-located offerings eliciting weak batted balls and unproductive outs.
A perfectly placed splitter in the 3rd got Bryce Eldridge swinging to end the inning and strand two runners. In the 5th, after the first two Giants reached base, he struck out McCray (again, thanks to a well-located sinker) then got Arraez to roll weakly to second for what should’ve been a double play if not for a throwing error by shortstop Zach Neto. Looking back on the quality of contact, it’s not surprising that the only run they managed against Soriano was thrown in rather than batted in.
Even though he got hung with the loss and gave up four runs, the recently called-up Carson Whisenhunt held his own for the most part. He struck out 7 over 5 innings, including five in a row at one point. He had already bagged 15 whiffs by the end of the 3rd, the majority of those flails came on his signature change-up. By the end of his outing, 65% of the swings on the offspeed came up empty.
As dominant as he was at times, Whisenhunt’s youth showed through at crucial points. In the 1st, after Mike Trout doubled, the veteran advanced to third when Whisenhunt sailed a fastball. The wild pitch allowed Trout to cross the plate on a groundout to short.
Then in the 4th, Jorge Soler socked the first pitch of the frame over the wall in center field. The knock rattled Whisenhunt. The old adage that solo homers won’t beat you remains true — but what will beat a pitcher is walking the next batter after a solo homer, then giving up another bomb. Whisenhunt struggled locating his slider and fastball against Nolan Schanuel. Uncomfortable with his secondary offerings, he predictably went back to his change-up after the walk, and Jo Adell launched one 446 feet.
Adrian Houser took over in 6th and did an excellent job working around some errors to keep the Angels’ lead at three, but three runs was all they needed.
Milwaukee, with the second best record in the National League, comes to town tomorrow.
Jun 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) reacts after tagging out Milwaukee Brewers shortstop David Hamilton (6) trying to steal second base in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to visit Old Friend Willy Adames and the San Francisco Giants this week to begin a six-game West Coast road trip that will also take them to visit the Angels.
Milwaukee, at 66-39, sits atop the NL Central after a solid 7-2 homestand featuring series wins over the Marlins, Mets, and Rockies. On the other side, the Giants, at 44-61, sit just ahead of the Rockies near the bottom of the NL West. They’re 4-6 since the break, with series losses against the Mariners and Royals but a recent series win over the Angels.
The Brewers’ injured list includes pitchers DL Hall (close to returning), Kyle Harrison (close to returning), Joel Kuhnel (close to returning), Rob Zastryzny (TBD), Brandon Woodruff (out for season), Brian Fitzpatrick (out for season), Quinn Priester (out for season), and Angel Zerpa (out for season). Outfielder Brandon Lockridge is also on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville, while fellow outfielder Sal Frelick’s return is TBD as he was recently shut down from baseball activities.
San Francisco is without pitchers Trevor McDonald (TBD), Joel Peguero (August), Matt Gage (August or September), José Buttó (September or out for season), Hayden Birdsong (out for season), Randy Rodríguez (out for season), and Rowan Wick (out for season). Third baseman Matt Chapman could be back for this series after missing the entire month of July, while outfielders Harrison Bader, Jonah Cox, and Victor Bericoto are all shelved. Jung Hoo Lee is also considered day-to-day with elbow soreness.
Jake Bauers leads the Brewer offense with 18 homers, while Brice Turang and William Contreras have both reached the 100-hit threshold with 103 hits apiece. Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, Cooper Pratt, Andrew Vaughn, and Joey Ortiz have also been key cogs in recent weeks, with Gary Sánchez, Christian Yelich, Luis Lara, David Hamilton, and Blake Perkins rounding things out. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .255/.337/.402 (.739 OPS ranks sixth), with 98 homers (tied for 29th), 535 runs (fifth), and 104 steals (tied for fourth).
Rafael Devers leads the Giants with 22 homers this season, with Casey Schmitt (21 homers) and Willy Adames (18 homers) right on his tail. Luis Arraez leads the Giants with 129 hits this year, as he’s slashing .327/.363/.451 and figures to be a trade chip at the deadline. Lee, Bryce Eldridge, Heliot Ramos, Drew Cavanaugh, and Drew Gilbert are also regulars offensively, with Daniel Susac, Jesus Rodriguez, Grant McCray, and Christian Koss serving as depth. As a team, the Giants are hitting .253/.308/.417 (.725 OPS ranks 15th), with 118 homers (tied for 19th), 436 runs (25th), and 40 steals (28th).
Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill lock things down at the backend of Milwaukee’s bullpen, with Aaron Ashby, Grant Anderson, and Chad Patrick also serving as valuable arms. Craig Yoho, Bryse Wilson, and Garrett Stallings round out the group as the “B” arms after Lance McCullers Jr. was DFA’d over the weekend. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.43 team ERA (second), including a 3.39 starter ERA (second) and a 3.47 bullpen ERA (fourth). They’ve struck out 1,027 batters (second) over 940 2/3 innings.
Caleb Kilian leads the Giants’ bullpen with 42 appearances and eight saves this year, though he’s blown three opportunities and has a 4.57 ERA. Erik Miller (2.97 ERA over 30 1/3 IP), JT Brubaker (2.74 ERA over 49 1/3 IP), Sam Hentges (2.66 ERA over 20 1/3 IP), and Keaton Winn (3.38 ERA over 34 2/3 IP) have been the best arms for San Francisco’s bullpen, with former Brewer Adrian Houser (4.86 ERA over 87 IP), Dylan Smith (2.81 ERA over 16 IP), and Jason Foley (6.00 ERA over 3 IP) rounding things out. As a staff, the Giants have a 4.38 team ERA (22nd), including a 4.40 starter ERA (17th) and a 4.38 bullpen ERA (21st). They’ve struck out 797 batters (28th) over 925 2/3 innings.
Sproat continues to be plagued by some command issues, as he issued four walks in his latest outing against the Mets. The potential is still there, though, as he’s flashed some promising signs at times this season. For the year, he’s 3-5 with a 5.09 ERA, 5.21 FIP, and 91 strikeouts over 86 2/3 innings across 19 appearances (17 starts). The former second-round pick has never faced the Giants in his career.
Mahle, 31, is a familiar opponent from his five-plus seasons with the Reds. On a one-year deal with the Giants, he’s struggled to a league-worst nine losses this year, with a 5.31 ERA, 4.52 FIP, and 77 strikeouts over 83 innings through 16 starts. The 10-year veteran took the loss in his last outing against the Royals, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out four over five-plus frames. Mahle has made nine career starts against Milwaukee (all while with the Reds), with a 1-3 record, 5.36 ERA, and 63 strikeouts over 45 1/3 innings.
Henderson has looked great in a pair of major league cameos over the last two seasons, with a 2.54 ERA and 2.99 FIP over his first 63 2/3 innings, striking out 80. He’s picked up four wins in his eight starts this year, striking out 47 across 38 1/3 innings. He went five innings against the Mets in his last appearance, earning the win as he allowed two runs on five hits and no walks, striking out nine on 80 pitches. This marks Henderson’s first career appearance against San Francisco.
Roupp, 27, is in his third MLB season, and while he has the worst ERA of his career at 3.93, he also has the best FIP of his career at 3.31. Through 20 starts, he’s 7-8 with 113 strikeouts across 110 innings. He went six frames against the Royals in a no-decision his last time out, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks, striking out seven. Roupp has made five career appearances (three starts) against the Brewers, with a 7.16 ERA and 14 strikeouts over 16 1/3 innings. That includes a rough appearance back on June 1, when he allowed eight runs in four innings of work in a loss.
Drohan has been a reliable arm in Milwaukee’s rotation since stepping into that role a couple of months ago, as he’s taken on a similar role to Tobias Myers in 2024 and Chad Patrick in 2025. The rookie has spanned 82 innings with a 3.51 ERA, 3.01 FIP, and 82 strikeouts. He’s coming off a bit of a rough start, though, as he went six innings but allowed five runs on six hits and a pair of walks, striking out six in a loss. Drohan pitched against the Giants back on June 1, going four innings with two runs allowed on four hits and two walks, striking out five in a no-decision.
Webb, 29, is already in his eighth major league season. After a great month of June that saw him win NL Pitcher of the Month (0.71 ERA, 0.605 WHIP, and 29 K over 38 IP), he’s had a bit of a rough July. Through four starts this month, he’s 0-2 with 19 runs allowed over 22 2/3 innings (7.54 ERA), striking out just 13. Webb has been dominant against Milwaukee for his career, with a 5-0 record, 1.79 ERA, and 54 strikeouts over 50 1/3 innings across eight starts. That includes seven one-hit innings back in June, when he struck out four en route to a win.
How to Watch & Listen
Monday, July 27: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, July 28: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, July 29: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
The Brewers once again are the superior team in this matchup, but Roupp and Webb are both tough pitchers. Still, give me the Brewers to eke out two of three.
NEW YORK (AP) — Freddy Peralta and the last-place New York Mets never thought they would reach the final week of July well out of playoff contention, with the front office preparing to sell off assets at the trade deadline.
An offseason makeover that went bust after last year’s second-half collapse has the Mets 18 games under .500 with eight days remaining before the Aug. 3 deadline, and Peralta is among those expected to get moved to a postseason contender.
With his future uncertain, the right-hander held the Los Angeles Dodgers to three runs (two earned) and six hits while throwing 93 pitches in four innings Sunday before New York rallied with three-run homers by Tyrone Taylor and Marcus Semien in an 8-3 victory.
It could end up being Peralta’s last start for the Mets.
“I can’t hide that,” Peralta said. “I know it probably is, but I have to focus and keep giving the best of myself and if it happens, it happens. I’m just thankful and grateful to be part of this organization. I know that so far I let them down. I haven’t (done) what I was supposed to do, but I’m grateful to be here.”
Peralta can become a free agent after the season. The two-time All-Star was acquired from Milwaukee in January for youngsters Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat as the Mets gave up a pair of players rated among the game’s top 100 prospects in the anticipation Peralta would be the frontline starter they needed.
Instead, he is 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts and has failed to complete five innings in four of his past five outings. He was 5-5 with a 3.90 ERA after beating Atlanta 8-1 on June 14 but is 0-4 with a 7.93 ERA in his last seven starts, including a June 20 dud when he allowed 10 runs and 10 hits over 2 2/3 innings at Philadelphia.
“I just come here and try my best every day to stay healthy and give my best every five days,” Peralta said. “I know it hasn’t been that way. We haven’t done what we expected to in general. I know that I can be way better than this. I still believe in myself. I am born to be a winner, not a loser, and I think that I have a lot in me, a lot to show. And I know that it can change because I still have time to make a change, to make it better.”
Before joining the Mets during an offseason when they also added Luis Robert Jr. and Semien in trades and signed Bo Bichette to a $126 million, three-year contract, Peralta went 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 33 starts last season. He led the National League in wins, finished fifth in Cy Young Award voting and helped the Brewers win their third straight NL Central crown
“I trust him because he is going to catch his rhythm and go dominate five or six innings, which is all you’re ever looking for from a starter in a postseason situation,” Mets interim manager Andy Green said. “So he’s a guy that has a track record, has the experience, has the stuff. It is going to continue to trend back towards what he’s always been historically.”
Taylor, who played with Peralta in Milwaukee before joining the Mets in a December 2023 trade, also can become a free agent this fall and could be making himself more attractive to contenders with his current hot streak.
Taylor’s homer was his fifth in 33 at-bats since returning from a strained right hip. Since being activated, the backup outfielder is hitting .382 with a 1.403 OPS, the highest in the big leagues since June 28 among players with at least 30 plate appearances.
“I’m just bracing for each moment here,” said Taylor, who is batting .237 overall with eight homers and 23 RBIs. “I’m trying to do my best to help the team win here. I’m not thinking anything (about) that at all besides just being present.”
Knoxville Smokies infielder Jefferson Rojas (2) scores a run during a Minor League baseball game between the Knoxville Smokies and Birmingham Barons at Covenant Health Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on June 2, 2026. | Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
After everyone lost yesteday, everyone won today! OK, the Pelicans actually split a doublheader.
Grant Kipp turned in a solid start, earning the win after allowing one run on four hits over five innings. Kipp walked three and struck out two.
DH Moisés Ballesteros hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning, his second with Iowa. Ballesteros went 1 for 5.
Center fielder Brett Bateman went 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Bateman also stole a base. He scored three times and had one RBI.
In the month of July, Bateman is hitting .397/.466/.628 over 19 games.
First baseman Jonathon Long doubled twice in a 2 for 5 game. He had two runs batted in.
Catcher Owen Ayers was 3 for 4 with a double and a walk. Ayers scored once and had one RBI.
Second baseman Owen Miller went 2 for 4 with a double and one run scored. He was also hit by a pitch.
Right fielder Kevin Alcántara was 0 for 3 with a walk and a sacrifice fly. The walk gives Alcántara a 36-game on-base streak for Iowa, which is a new team record. At least going back to 2005, the first year that full game data is available.
Starter Kevin Valdez went five innings and allowed two runs on just three hits. Both runs came on a fourth-inning home run. Valdez struck out four, walked one and hit two.
Luke Little retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth and got the win. Little struck out one.
Jacob Wallace came on to pitch the bottom of the tenth and allowed the automatic runner on second to score on no hits. Wallace walked one and struck out two to collect his first save in the Cubs organization.
Third baseman Jefferson Rojas hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the tenth that proved to be the winning blast. It was his 15th home run this year. Rojas was 2 for 5 with a double and the home run.
DH Ariel Armas hit a solo home run in the second inning, his second on the season. Armas went 1 for 3 with a walk and scored twice.
First baseman Edgar Alvarez hit an RBI double in the sixth inning. Alvarez went 2 for 4.
Right fielder Andy Garriola was 2 for 5 with a double and a run scored.
Pierce Coppola pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits. He walked one, hit one batter and struck out four.
JP Wheat relieved Coppola to start the sixth and promptly let three runs score to tie the game and had two runners on when Jackson Brockett entered the game. Brockett stranded the two runners and then went the rest of the way, earning the win. Brockett’s final line was no runs on two hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out six and walked on.
Catcher Justin Stransky connected for a two-run home run in the eighth inning. It was Stransky’s fifth home run this season. He went 2 for 4 with three total RBI.
Right fielder Josiah Hartshorn went 2 for 4 with an RBI double. He scored two runs.
Center fielder Kane Kepley was 2 for 4 with a triple and scored on Hartshorn’s double.
Shortstop Angel Cepeda went 2 for 4. Both singles drove in a run, giving him two on the day.
Second baseman Michael Halquist broke the 3-3 tie with a two-run double in the sixth. He went 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Riely Hunsaker gave the Birds five scoreless innings, giving up just two hits. Hunsaker struck out seven and walked one.
Anhuar Garcia handled the other two innings for the save. Garcia gave up one run on two hits. The one run was a leadoff home run in the seventh. Garcia walked one and struck out two.
Second baseman Fernando Cruz hit his first Pelicans home run with the bases empty in the seventh in game one. It was his 14th overall home run. Cruz went 1 for 3.
Two batters later, first baseman Edward Vargas cranked a two-run home run, his first of the year and his first since 2023 in the Dominican Summer League. Vargas went 1 for 3.
Third baseman Derniche Valdez doubled twice in a 2 for 3 game. He scored one run.
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) July 26, 2026
Jordan Henriquez started game two and was responisble for five of the six runs the Crawdads scored in the third inning. The final line on Henriquez was five runs on four hits over 2.1 innings Two of the five runs were unearned. He walked one, hit one and struck out one.
Left fielder Geuri Lubo homered with the bases empty in the top of the seventh. It was Lubo’s sixth home run for the Birds and seventh overall. Lubo went 1 for 3.
BOSTON (AP) — Toronto veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will celebrate his 42nd birthday with a start, coming off the injured list and starting Monday’s series opener at Washington, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
“I think just talking to him and understanding where he was physically and how he has recovered from the rehab outing in (Triple-A) Buffalo,” Schneider said. “Maybe a little bit limited in pitch count, but I think he kind of checked all the boxes.”
Scherzer (1-4 with a 10.23 ERA) was placed on the injured list in mid-June with back spasms, but has had various setbacks, including three cortisone shots in his thumb.
He threw 56 pitches in five innings, striking out seven in a rehab start on Wednesday.
He’s made only six starts this season for the Blue Jays, who have dropped seven of 10 since the All-Star break.
Last season, after being left off the ALDS roster because of late-season struggles, Scherzer was included on the ALCS and World Series roster for the Blue Jays. Toronto lost the series in seven games to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He is 222-121 with a 3.27 ERA in 489 games over 19 seasons and seven different teams. He has two World Series rings, one coming with the Nationals, where he’ll start on Monday, in 2019. The other with Texas in 2023.
