MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 21, 2026: Kade Snell #22 of the Chicago Cubs runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the San Diego Padres at Sloan Park on March 21, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
I don’t know why anyone wants the highlights of this one, but starter Jordan Wicks got the loss atter allowing five runs on six hits over five innings. However, only two of the runs Wicks allowed were earned. Wicks walked two and struck out one.
Iowa had six hits, all singles. Right fielder Greg Jones was 2 for 3.
Catcher Owen Ayers was 1 for 3 with a walk and he went two-for-two throwing out runners trying to steal.
The Smokies got a really good start from Brody McCullough, but he was a victim of non-support and got the loss. McCullough allowed just one run on two hits over five innings. The one run came on a home run in the fourth inning. McCullough walked one and struck out five.
Third baseman Jefferson Rojas went 2 for 4 with a double. He scored the only Smokies run in the eighth inning on a passed ball.
Catcher Miguel Useche was 2 for 3 with a walk and a stolen base.
Nazier Mulé pitched the first 3.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits. But Mulé did strike out a career-high eight while walking only one, although he did also hit a batter.
Brayden Spears did not pitch well, but he got the win anyways. Spears gave up three runs on three hits over three innings. Spears gave up two two-run home runs, with one of the runs being charged to Mulé. Spears walked two and struck out five.
Ethan Bell struck out the side in order in the ninth for the save.
Center fielder Kade Snell homered twice tonight by the third inning. The first came with the bases empty in the second and the second one was a two-run home run in the third. Snell went 2 for 5 and now has five home runs on the year.
Catcher Logan Poteet also went deep twice. The first one came back-to-back with Snell in the second inning. The second one was a solo shot in the eighth. Poteet now has 18 home runs this year and four with South Bend. Poteet went 2 for 4 with a walk.
Third baseman Matt Halbach hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, his seventh on the season. Halbach went 2 for 5 and drove in two.
First baseman Josiah Hartshorn didn’t homer, but he hit a two-run triple in the sixth inning and a two-run double in the seventh. Hartshorn went 2 for 5 with a walk and the four RBI. He scored one run.
Second baseman Ty Southisene, starting for the first time since he went on the injured list in late June, was 3 for 6 and scored once.
Left fielder Jose Escobar went 2 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He scored on Snell’s second home run.
DH Kane Kepley went 1 for 3 with three walks and a stolen base. Kepley scored two runs.
Right fielder Geri Lubo went 2 for 5 with a steal.
The Pelicans wasted a great start from Braylon Myers, who pitched five scoreless. Myers scattered five hits, all singles. He struck out eight and walked no one.
David Bracho threw a scoreless sixth inning, but then he got hammered for five runs in the seventh and took the loss. Three of those runs came on a home run. Bracho’s final line was five runs on three hits and two walks over two innings. Bracho walked two and struck out four.
Jordan Henriquez gave up a grand slam in the eighth to put this game out of reach.
Jose Silva homered with the bases empty in the second inning. It was Silva’s second Pelicans home run and fourth overall. Silva was a perfect 2 for 2 with two walks. He scored twice.
In his third game with the Birds, first baseman Jan Luis Reyes went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. Those were Reyes’ first two hits in Low-A. Reyes drove in two and scored one run.
In his first professional game, third baseman and 14th-round pick Corey Nunez was 2 for 3 with a walk. Nunez scored twice and drove in one.
Center fielder Ethan Conrad went 1 for 5 with a two-run double.
As the Mets look to their future, the starting rotation is the best place to begin.
By 6 p.m. Monday, the roster is likely going to look very different. A number of veterans are expected to be shipped out for prospects — the product of this disastrous season in Queens. Already, reliever A.J. Minter is on the move, headed to the Twins for a pair of prospects.
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But the young guys on the mound are going to be the same. Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zac Thornton — three bright spots in this bleak season — have given fans a reason to think that maybe tomorrow won’t be as dark as today.
McLean kept the good vibes of the trio going Thursday, registering his eighth straight start of at least six innings, and the rookie has held the opposition to two earned runs or less in seven of those starts.
“[McLean and Scott] are guys that are proving they can handle staring down the best pitchers in the National League East and compete with them, and going toe to toe with them,” interim manager Andy Green said of McLean, who allowed six hits and struck out six over 6 ¹/₃ innings of work. “Zac’s off to a great start, he’s doing some impressive things. I think it’s what you want from development, to see those guys show up here, handle it, believe they can win and go out and do it, really do it, and continue to repeat [those performances].”
Luis Robert Jr., one of many Mets who may be gone come Monday, drove in two runs with an eighth-inning single as the Mets won for the fourth time in five games, 4-2 over the Marlins in front of 25,774 at Citi Field.
McLean’s effort wasn’t enough to earn his eighth victory of the season — the late Mets rally made a winner out of Brooks Raley, who delivered 1 ²/₃ innings of scoreless relief — but it continued his upward trend. At this point, with the season well beyond saving, the youngsters producing is almost as important as wins, and they have each other to lean on.
Nolan McLean held the Marlins to two runs and pitched into the seventh inning of their 4-2 win over the Marlins on July 30, 2026 at Citi Field. Jason Szenes for New York Post
“It matters more inside the clubhouse than it does out there on the field, the way we’re hanging out,” McLean said of the trio. “We don’t even really talk about baseball. We’re kind of messing around with each other. That’s what makes it fun.”
The three youngsters have been the Mets’ best starters of late.
Thornton has pitched to a 2.43 ERA in five starts and has won consecutive decisions. Scott, coming off Tommy John surgery, has a 2.99 ERA in 15 outings and is eighth in baseball in strikeout percent at 28.8.
Francisco Lindor runs to first base on his RBI single during the sixth inning of the Mets’ 4-2 win over the Marlins on July 20, 2026 at Citi Field. Getty Images
Then there is McLean, so impressive after an August call-up a year ago. He began the year well, then hit a rough patch. He had a 6.10 ERA in May. He’s been a different pitcher over the last two months. His walks are down and his strikeouts are up.
“His numbers are really good, when you compare them against the best pitchers in baseball,” Green said.
McLean made only two mistakes Thursday, and was punished for both of them.
Luis Robert Jr. gestures to teammates after hitting a two-run single during the eighth inning of the Mets’ win over the Marlins. AP Photo/Frank Franklin IINolan McLean heads back to the mound after giving up a home run in the fourth inning of the Mets’ win over the Marlins. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
A flat changeup wound up in the seats down the right field line in the fourth, Kyle Stowers’ 15th homer of the season.
In the seventh, McLean grooved a 3-0 fastball, and Jakob Marsee pulled the Marlins even at 2-2.
“I thought he showed too much emotion after the first out in the seventh inning,” Green said. “He was fired up to be back out there for the seventh. Three straight balls and then he paid the price. I know that is going to leave the right kind of sour taste in his mouth going forward. But, really overall an impressive outing.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 30: Carson Benge #3 of the New York Mets slides into home to score on a single hit by Luis Robert Jr. #88 (not pictured) during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on July 30, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thursday night was the start of a four game series against the Marlins ahead of the trade deadline when the Mets were almost certain to lose a significant chunk of their current roster. Eury Pérez was getting the start for the Marlins, while Nolan McLean, in the midst of an incredible run of starts, was pitching for the Mets. The game was delayed by weather for a little over an hour, with passing showers coming through at the most inopportune moment.
It was a quiet start to the night for both sides. The Mets and Marlins traded zeroes, with both McLean and Pérez looking good. They both encountered a little bit of traffic, with McLean issuing two walks in the first inning and Pérez walking Francisco Alvarez in the third inning. But the first three innings were relatively quiet.
In the fourth inning, the first run was put on the board, courtesy of a line drive home run from Kyle Stowers to leadoff the inning. There was no one on so it was just the single run, but the Mets were behind, not uncommon for the 2026 Mets. McLean settled down after that, but it was still a hole the Mets needed to climb out of. It took until the bottom of the fifth for the Mets to even get a hit off of Pérez, thanks to a Marcus Semien single. He then stole second to put a runner in scoring position with two outs, but the Mets were unable to get another hit off of Perez in the inning and Semien was stranded.
The bottom of the sixth was when the Mets offense finally sprung to life. Alvarez led off with another walk, and he got a head start on an A.J. Ewing groundball to get to second before a potential double play could be turned. Alvarez was then driven in by a Francisco Lindor single to tie the game. A Bo Bichette single put runners on the corners with just one out. A Carson Benge pop fly for the second out made it look like Pérez might escape with just the one run, but Graham Pauley misplayed a ball hit by Luis Robert Jr. which allowed Lindor to score and put the Mets ahead. The Mets didn’t drive in any more runs but they had come back and taken the (small) lead.
They didn’t have the lead for long, though. After getting a strikeout to start the seventh, McLean gave up a solo home run to Jakob Marsee on a 3-0 count to tie the game. He gave up a single to Pauley to end his night, being pulled in favor of Brooks Raley. McLean went 6.1 innings, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six. Esteury Ruiz replaced Pauley as a pinch runner and got to second on a passed ball, but Joe Mack hit a line drive right to Bo Bichette who was able to double off Ruiz at second for an inning ending double play, with the game now tied at the seventh inning stretch.
It took until the bottom of the eighth for the stalemate to be broken. After two outs to start the inning, Bo Bichette doubled to give a sign of life for the Mets offense. Carson Benge singled to put runners on the corners, then Benge stole second to put two runners in scoring position, and Luis Robert Jr. cashed in on both, hitting a two-run double to put the Mets ahead. The Marlins escaped the inning with Robert still on second, but they were running out of time to come back.
Other than a belabored leadoff plate appearance in which Heriberto Hernández (eventually) drew a walk, Devin Williams got through the inning clean and collected the save. The Mets won the opening game of the four game set, and look forward to a mystery on the mound tomorrow. It’s Freddy Peralta’s turn in the rotation, but given the likelihood of his being traded before the trade deadline on Monday, there’s no definite decision on whether or not he’ll actually make that start. Janson Junk will start for the Marlins, that much is clear at least.
Big Mets winner: Luis Robert Jr., +44% WPA Big Mets loser: A.J. Ewing, -12% WPA Mets pitchers: +23% WPA Mets hitters: +27% WPA Teh aw3s0mest play: Luis Robert Jr.’s eighth inning two-run double, +32.8% WPA Teh sux0rest play: Jakob Marsee’s seventh inning home run, -20.8% WPA
Matt Rempe #73 of the New York Rangers looks on during practice for the Discover NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
The most important part of Matt Rempe’s offseason was getting his hand right.
After undergoing two surgeries to repair a broken thumb last season — and attempting to return to the ice too soon in between — Rempe spent the summer regaining the full function of his hand and strengthening it.
Though Rempe worked on his skating skills as well, the primary focus had to be on his hand following a tumultuous recovery that diminished Rempe’s game and sidelined him for a majority of last season.
Matt Rempe talks to the media when the Rangers held their end-of-season interviews on April 17, 2026 at Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, N.Y. Robert Sabo for NY Post
At a critical time in his development, the 6-foot-9 forward was put on pause in 2025-26.
Now, some of his former Wolf Pack teammates will be going toe-to-toe with him in training camp for a spot in the Rangers bottom six.
Nothing is guaranteed for Rempe going forward. He’s about to enter the last year of his contract.
As swiftly as his NHL notoriety came, his NHL chance could dissipate.
“Extremely motivated,” Rempe said Thursday before the Shoulder Check Showcase event at Martire Family Arena on Sacred Heart University’s campus. “I played nine games, and after that, I was shelved. I got a lot to prove. I got to showcase myself and come back a lot stronger. Most motivated you can be.”
Asked if his hand was feeling 100 percent, Rempe said there was “still a little work to be done.”
His timeline certainly was extended by a premature return to the lineup in December, when Rempe said he still was unable to grip his stick properly. Rempe admitted he has to be more honest about how his injuries are feeling, noting the whole process was a learning experience for him.
Matt Rempe looks on during practice for the Discover NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. NHLI via Getty Images
“Still some time until the season,” he said. “We’re in a really good spot.”
Since Rempe is no longer waiver-exempt, the Rangers may prioritize keeping the 24-year-old on the roster out of training camp to avoid losing him for nothing. If, say, Jaroslav Chmelar skates circles around him in preseason, however, it might be a risk the organization has to take.
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Rempe plays a niche role that proved to be empowering for the 2023-24 team that reached the Eastern Conference Final. Though it’s been some time since the Rangers worked with that true enforcer element, and it’s unclear how he can be maximized in head coach Mike Sullivan’s system.
Sullivan was impressed by Rempe early on, but the Calgary native’s time away from the ice has allowed for other prospects to emerge and capture the veteran coach’s attention.
The part of Rempe’s game that enticed Sullivan the most was his ability to create momentum.
It’s true, Rempe can influence the energy of a game with one hit or one punch. His physicality is something not only the team can feed off but the fans inside Madison Square Garden.
Matt Rempe skates during the Ranger’s loss to the Islanders on Dec. 27, 2025 at UBS Arena. Getty Images
Alas, Rempemania came at a time when Big No. 73 still was adjusting to the NHL game.
Players always say it’s a lot harder to stay in the NHL than it is to break in.
Last season’s thumb injury may have caused Rempe to fall behind, but coming to training camp with a more complete game could be the difference for him.
“I think we got to come back with vengeance,” he said of the Rangers as a whole. “Two tough seasons and knowing that’s not what we want to be like at all. We got to come back way stronger.”
Whether or not Rempe is part of that “we” is yet to be seen.
KARLSTAD, Sweden (AP) — A hockey team in the Swedish Elite League has terminated the contract of Cal Foote after objections from fans about it. Färjestad BK announced Thursday it was not going to honor the contract after conversations with stakeholders.
He was in the New Jersey Devils’ organization when the NHL suspended the players involved. The situation in 2018 happened before the players reached the NHL.
The Mets got six solid innings from Nolan McLean and, after being held to just one hit through five innings, got a two-RBI single from Luis Robert Jr. with two down in the eighth to grab a 4-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday night at Citi Field.
McLean had his fastball and curveball working, getting five whiffs on 12 swings on the heater. He was also his own best friend, fielding his position very well as he lowered his ERA to 3.29 on the season.
Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez retired the first eight Mets batters he faced before issuing a walk and didn’t allow a hit until there were two down in the fifth, but a two-run sixth did him in. A two-out rally with three straight hits off Michael Petersen in the eighth was the difference.
Here are the takeaways...
- McLean’s night got off on the wrong foot with a four-pitch walk, but he avoided damage despite issuing a second walk with a strikeout on a big 99 mph fastball. The righty added two more strikeouts, looking on a tight curveball and swinging on a heater, before erasing a check-swing single with his third pickoff of the season. After a two-out hit and an error on a pickoff attempt, McLean picked up his fourth strikeout of the night on another good curveball.
The righty got stung to start the fourth as Kyle Stowers got a hanging changeup and lined it into the seats in the right-field corner (112.8 mph off the bat, 368 feet).
McLean got the next nine of the next ten batters to get through six frames on 85 pitches, surrendering a two-out hit in the fifth.
But he couldn’t protect the lead and failed to get through seven. After adding his sixth strikeout, McLean fell behind 3-0 to Jakob Marsee and the Marlins outfielder cranked a letter-high 95 mph heater just over the wall in right to tie the game. After a Graham Pauley single to right, McLean gave way to Brooks Raley, who got around a passed ball with a 5-6 lineout inning-ending double-play.
McLean's final line: 6.1 innings, two runs on six hits with two walks and six strikeouts on 99 pitches (64 strikes).
- Francisco Alvarez was the Mets’ first base runner with two outs in the third, and walked on four pitches to leadoff the sixth. He got to second when he took off for second on a groundout to second. The catcher ended the night 0-for-1 with two walks.
- Francisco Lindor went down swinging at a slider in each of his first two at-bats against Pérez, but tied the game in the sixth with a single into right that scored Alvarez from second as he got a great jump. He finished 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
- Bo Bichette, hitless his first two times up, snapped an 0-for-10 stretch with a single up the middle with Lindor in motion to cover the corners. He grounded an 0-2 pitch down the first base line for a two-out double in the eighth. He finished 2-for-4.
- Robert put the Mets ahead when his slow roller to third skipped under the glove of Pauley with two down in the sixth. He put the Mets ahead for good in the eighth, driving a 1-2 pitch past a diving Pauley for a two-run single. He finished 1-for-4.
- Carson Benge, rung up on a half-swing at a changeup below the zone and caught looking at a 99 mph heater against Pérez, popped out with runners on the corners with one out in the sixth. He battled and drove a single to left with two down in the eighth to set up Robert's big swing to finish 1-for-4.
- Raley stayed on for the eighth and worked around a leadoff single for his longest outing of the year at 1.2 innings. Devin Williams issued a leadoff walk to bring the tying run to the plate, but got back-to-back strikeouts and a pop-up to second to close the door.
- Marcus Semien grabbed the Mets’ first hit of the night, turning on a 99 mph fastball through the left side of the infield. He swiped second but was stranded there. He finished 1-for-3.
- Brett Baty was 0-for-3 with a couple of popouts and a strikeout swinging with two men on to end the sixth. Tyrone Taylor struck out looking as a pinch-hitter for Baty to end the eighth.
- Jorge Polanco, 4-for-41 since coming off the IL, hit a solid shot to right his first time up, but was right at Griffin Conine. He went 0-for-3, including coming up short on the first chance with a runner in scoring position.
- A.J. Ewing finished hitless in four times up, going down swinging twice on heaters.
- The game began after a 66-minute delay due to inclement weather.
The four-game series continues with Friday night's 7:10 p.m. first pitch.
As things stand, Freddy Peralta (4.99 ERA, 1.478 WHIP in 113.2 innings) is set to start for the hometeam. Righty Jason Junk (4.89 ERA, 1.357 WHIP and 73.2 innings) will climb the hill for the visitors.
Napoleon at the Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815, First quarter of 19th cen. Private Collection. Creator: Anonymous. (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images via Getty Images) | Getty Images
Did Napoleon have a tiebreaker for Waterloo?
Just right now I notice that the Cleveland Guardians were once called the Cleveland Napoleons. I think I have a new personal most hated team. On the other hand, you can’t blame today’s team for the errors of the past. The reasoning of changing the team’s name from imperialism to native-american is maybe beyond my grisp of understanding and perhaps too American for me. But let’s not discuss that.
For every series there is good news and there is bad news. Shall we take a look?
The good news is that we won our previous series, against the Pirates. The bad news about that is that we now have a possible tiebreaker equation that not even Einstein is able to resolve. The good news about that is that on the AZSnakePit we have our contributor samath, who knows everything about tiebreakers. This is what he wrote before the final game of our series in Pittsburgh:
Thus far, the Pirates have gone 18-14 against their own division while the Diamondbacks have gone 21-11, each with 20 games left to play. Here’s the full breakdown of games left:
Pirates: 7 vs. MIL, 3 vs. CHC, 6 vs. STL, 4 vs. CIN (6 home, 14 away)
Dbacks: 3 vs. LAD, 7 vs. SDP, 4 vs. SFG, 6 vs. COL (10 home, 10 away)
So in that subset, with a clearly harder schedule, the Pirates would have to make up 3 games on the Diamondbacks. And for the tiebreaker to matter, the Diamondbacks would have to also make up at least 1 game in the 33 extradivision games each have left, where the Diamondbacks have a clearly harder schedule (I’ve sorted by current record and crossed out the common opponents for clarity):
Pirates: 3 vs. LAD, 3 vs. CWS, 3 vs. BOS, 3 vs. SDP, 3 vs. MIA, 6 vs. DET, 3 vs. NYM, 3 vs. SFG, 3 vs. KCR, 3 vs. LAA (18 home, 15 away)
Dbacks: 3 vs. ATL, 3 vs. NYY, 3 vs. CHC, 3 vs. PHI, 3 vs. BOS, 3 vs. TEX, 3 vs. CLE, 3 vs. MIA, 3 vs. HOU, 3 vs. CIN, 3 vs. KCR (18 home, 15 away)
These sort of surprising combinations of results can happen, of course — the Pirates bookended their first half by losing a series to the Mets and sweeping the Brewers, for instance — but they aren’t likely, which is why I have the Diamondbacks clearly favored in that tiebreaker.
Of course, all of this is entirely irrelevant if the Pirates win the head-to-head tiebreaker. And the Pirates are the main wildcard competitor for that third spot right now. Fangraphs puts the Diamondbacks’ current playoff odds at 38%, the seventh-highest in the NL, immediately behind the Pirates at 40%. Those numbers have each jumped by about 5% with each game this series, which is a lot for games in July.
All this to say, the next game is very, very important.
Here’s the real list:
Head-to-head
Intradivision record
Intraleague record
Post-ASG intraleague
Post-ASG + 1 game intraleague
Post-ASG + 2 games intraleague
etc.
This will always eventually resolve, because different teams play different number of interleague games at different times.
The good news (for thinking through this, not for the Diamondbacks) is that in the four years of this system so far, no ties have ever made it past head-to-head!
As a follow-up, I also asked ChatGPT to analyze all 11 ties in the divisional era (1969 onwards) that went to game 163’s before the modern tiebreaker rules were in effect. Out of all 11, 10 would have been resolved by head-to-head, while only the 1980 NL West tie between the Dodgers and Astros would have gone to the intradivisional record.
So yeah, this tiebreaker I analyzed extensively would only have mattered once in the last 50+ years…
Was there a tiebreaker for Napoleon in Waterloo? Of course there was not. Napoleon learned what we know in “soccer” since our early days as a European kid, like Gary Lineker once said: “…in the end the Germans always win”. We have Max Kepler on our team, so, in that regard, we had some extra good news.
The bad news: Pfaadt and Rodriguez pitched in Pittsburgh and Cleveland is fighting for the division or to get a Wild Card. We can prepare ourselves for a tough series in Ohio.
Odds are, we win this series.
Sticking to baseball matters and modern day, Cleveland had a quiet off-season. Their biggest move was probably the 7-year extension they handed out to their star third baseman Jose Ramirez. Veteran catcher Austin Hedges and reliever Kolby Allard were resigned. Only veteran reliever Jakob Junis was lost in free agency, to Texas, and to fill that gap Cleveland signed reliever Shawn Armstrong from that same team. With former Diamondback Steven Vogt at the helm for the third consecutive season, the Guardians were surely banking on another AL Central division win, with probably only the Detroit Tigers as a possible competitor. As things turned out, the Chicago White Sox put themselves in the conversation in what has been a really weird American League this year, and starting this series, the Guardians see themselves 1.5 games back in the AL Central with a 56-54 record, occupying the final spot in the Wild Card standings, 1 game ahead of the Houston Astros.
The Cleveland offence is ranked in the lower half of the MLB, fWAR wise. OPS+ puts them ahead of only the Mets, Phillies and Blue Jays in the MLB (themselves also somewhat surprisingly the weakest offences in the league). Biggest problem for Cleveland is getting runners on base, with their .230 batting average the second lowest in the MLB. Their base-on-ball numbers are pretty good, but with such a low batting average and their slugging the worst in the entire league, it is not a surprise that their RBI numbers are also the second lowest in the league. When one of your best batters is called “Austin Hedges”, 113 OPS+, you know you have a problem. Not even Jose Ramirez can escape from mediocrity this season (105 OPS+). No wonder that Cleveland is one of the teams that steals most bases: if you can hardly count on your buddies to move you over, you have got to do something to get closer to home base.
While Ingrid Bergman would always have “Paris”, according to Humphrey Bogart, so will Cleveland always have pitching. ERA, xERA, FIP, xFIP and fWAR all put Cleveland’s starting and relief pitching in the top 10 of the MLB, pretty solid.
However, that solid pitching hasn’t been able to push the needle to more wins. Cleveland has been able to shut their opponent out just 3 times this season. Compare that to Arizona’s 5 and you’ll understand how weird that is for such a solid pitching team. They are 18-17 in one-run games, while Arizona is 20-16.
Cleveland is 5-8 since the All Star break, snapping a 5-game losing streak with a series win against the Reds right before starting this series. They were shut down 3 times in those 13 games and in 3 more games they were held to just 1 run.
What I am trying to say is, we should certainly be able to win at least one in Cleveland and the odds are pretty good that we can leave with another series win in what will be the final encounters of our longest road trip.
Matchups.
Game #1 Fri 07/31 4:10 PM MST, Mitch Bratt (ARI) vs Tanner Bibee (CLE).
As expected, Bratt struggled against the powerful offence of the Nationals in his last outing, giving up 5 runs in 5.0 innings, but he did go 5 innings.
That same Washington offence put 7 runs on the board against Tanner Bibee 2 months ago, so I would say that the Diamondbacks have a chance in this first match of the series, if Bratt can go 5 innings against Cleveland and keep the score to, say 3-4 runs. As you can see, Bibee hasn’t gotten much run support during his games and at home he has allowed 14 homeruns of his season total of 20.
Last season Bibee, this year’s Opening Day starter for Cleveland, got a no-decision against the Diamondbacks, where Arizona got 7 hits and 4 runs off him on August 19, a game the Diamondbacks would go on to win 6-5.
Good chance that this first game will end up to be the tiebreaker in this series.
Game #2 Sat 08/01 4:15 AM MST, Kohl Drake (ARI) vs Parker Messick (CLE).
The Washington offence proved to be too much for Kohl Drake as well, in what was his second major league career start. He will have a chance to bounce back against a weaker MLB offence and the Diamondbacks will surely need it, because Parker Messick will be a tougher cookie to bite on than Bibee.
Last year Messick fired 6.2 innings against the Diamondbacks on August 20, keeping the Snakes limited to just 1 run despite 7 hits (Arizona woulld eventually win 3-2). What was even more impressive: it was Messick’s major league debut.
Messick pitched to a 153 ERA+ in what was left of the season and continued to solidify himself in Cleveland’s 2026 starting rotation and is de facto Cleveland’s ace right now, also earning his first All Star selection in 2026, pitching a scoreless second inning in Philadelphia.
Messick has a four-seamer, sinker and cutter, he deploys 61% of the time, reducing the importance of the relatively low velocity of his fastball. That allows him to mask his weaker curve, slider and change-up, he can then use to mix up the pitches and get batters off-balance. It works, with the chase and K-percentages all on the good side of the stats, but, most importantly, he is able to limit the hard hits.
If you think we don’t stand a chance here, well, at least take the moment to watch this young and talented pitcher.
Game #3 Sun 08/02 10:40 AM MST, Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs Gavin Williams (CLE).
Save the best for last, was what Vanessa Williams sang, and that sure seems to apply to this final matchup. Most likely this one will seal the fate of the series, my guess is that Merrill will tilt the balance towards the Diamondbacks, because he should be able to keep this weaker offence from scoring and go 6 innings, similar to what he did last year on August 24, when Kelly went 7 innings and kept Cleveland scoreless.
However, it isn’t a done deal considering the Diamondbacks will be facing Gavin Williams and his 97 mph fastball velo average. However, what makes batters tumble more is his sweeper, which currently has a .226 xwOBA and a 44.4% Whiff. Yikes. In his last 4 outings, Williams had 45 Ks in 27.0 innings, though Pittsburgh also scored 5 runs. His 11.34 K/9 is third in the entire league (behind Misiorowski and Dylan Cease, but ahead of Paul Skenes). However, like the game against Pittsburgh showed, Williams does have his games where he allows quite some runs: in 10 of his starts he gave up 3 or more runs, 5 of them with 5 or more runs. I will bank on that.
Sunday Night Baseball heads to Los Angeles this weekend, with the Dodgers set to host the resurgent Boston Red Sox in an interleague clash at 7p ET on NBC and Peacock.
Fans can look forward to Bob Costas and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw (who will serve as the game's Inside the Pitch analyst)on the pregame show, with Jason Benetti handling play-by-play duties alongside 1988 World Series MVP Orel Hershiser and former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni.
See below for how to watch Sunday night's action on NBC and Peacock.
How to watch the Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Red Sox head to Los Angeles amid a turnaround that few could have predicted months ago. Fueled by their historic 15-game winning streak and excellent pitching that ranks among baseball's best in team ERA (3.53, third), Boston has flipped the script on its season. The organization also shapes up as a buyer with Monday's trade deadline looming and is very much alive as a Wild Card contender.
Veteran catcher Willson Contreras has served as the team's primary offensive threat, leading Boston's offense in several categories including home runs (22), average (.284) and runs (54). Elsewhere, first-time All-Star Ceddanne Rafaela has continued his breakout season to the tune of a .280 average and 13 stolen bases.
Dave Roberts and the Dodgers sit comfortably atop the NL West as the calendar flips from July to August. Though Shohei Ohtani's health has required heightened management, the defending World Series champions into the new month and trade deadline with optimism.
They're nearly 30 games above .500 despite stars Kyle Tucker (.237 BA, 9 HR) and Mookie Betts (.229 BA, .692 OPS) performing well under their standards, while steady backstop Will Smith has missed almost two months. Andy Pages has enjoyed a career year thus far, where he has blossomed into one of the team's most consistent offensive contributors.
Once again, the Dodgers have relied on stellar pitching, which has produced MLB's fourth-best team ERA (3.59).
What other MLB games are on Peacock this Sunday?
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Angels at 3:00 PM ET on NBCSN and Peacock.
MLB Sunday Leadoff is a weekly Major League Baseball showcase featuring live Sunday daytime games. It highlights marquee matchups throughout the regular season and streams primarily on Peacock, with some games also airing across NBC Sports and NBC.
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Former San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda forward Colin White is officially departing the Bay Area, as he has signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Devils for the 2026-27 season.
White, 29, joined the Sharks organization ahead of the 2024-25 season and quickly became a key player for the Barracuda. He also appeared in three NHL games for the Sharks during his first season under contract with the organization.
Last season, White's offensive production took a major jump for the Barracuda as he scored 21 goals and 48 points in 46 games. He also scored a single goal in the playoffs.
While White signed an NHL contract, he's expected to report to the Devils' American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets, but of course, things can certainly change once training camp comes around.
White's new contract is worth $900k at the NHL level and $400k at the AHL level.
Over the San Jose Sharks' history, there have been just two players to ever wear the number 63, including one of the Sharks' young core players currently on the roster.
Zack Ostapchuk was originally drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. He then went on to make his professional debuts, both at the NHL and American Hockey League levels, during the 2023-24 season with the Senators and their affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
After two seasons splitting time between Ottawa and Belleville, Ostapchuk was included in a trade that saw Fabian Zetterlund heading to Canada's capital city in the middle of the 2024-25 campaign.
Ostapchuk finished out the season with the Sharks, appearing in 13 games for the team in teal. The following season though, he apparently didn't have a strong enough showing in training camp and was reassigned to the San Jose Barracuda to start the 2025-26 season. After 11 games in the AHL though, Ostapchuk was brought back up to the NHL and never looked back.
In 59 games, Ostapchuk's offensive production wasn't overly impressive, even for a fourth-line center, but his other attributes solidified him as the Sharks' 4C of the future. As a result, he earned a four-year contract extension this summer and will remain on the team for the foreseeable future.
The Raptors were going to send forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), two second-round picks (2030, 2033) and a 2027 first-round swap to Los Angeles.
Instead, both teams have put a halt to the trade, citing an ongoing investigation.
Leonard, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and Leonard's uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson are being investigated for their alleged involvement in a “no-show” agreement with a company, Aspiration, to funnel extra compensation to Leonard as part of a salary cap circumvention.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated on July 14 that he expects the investigation to be concluded before the start of the 2026-27 season. Silver and the NBA are not conducting the investigation and instead using a third-party law firm.
ESPN's Baxter Holmes reported earlier this week that the investigation into the Clippers and Leonard could carry on into 2027. If the investigation were to carry on into the upcoming season, Leonard could be back in a Clippers uniform.
“I can’t comment on the specifics of the investigation, but what I can say is we did not do what we are accused of doing,” Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, saud on June 23, a week before the trade was announced. “The investigation has had no impact on how we go about our business. We just continue to go about our business as normal.”
Do Raptors still want Kawhi Leonard?
The Raptors are not ready to officially welcome Leonard until a decision is reached regarding the investigation.
The organization released the following statement on July 9:
“Regarding our planned trade with the LA Clippers for Kawhi Leonard, the NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi.
In light of this, we will wait until the league's investigation is complete.
The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.”
Toronto doesn’t want to be stuck in a situation like the Miami Heat found themselves in with Terry Rozier.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne shared on the network’s show “NBA Today” that the Clippers would be fine with having Leonard back on the team next season.
The genesis of the trade happened because the Clippers were not willing to extend Leonard’s contract beyond the upcoming season, according to Shelburne.
Leonard is scheduled to make $50.3 million during the final year of his contract.
What’s Brandon Ingram thoughts on pending trade?
Ingram was named as an NBA All-Star for the second time in his career this past season. He played in 77 games in his first season with the Raptors, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 33.8 minutes per game.
Marc J. Spears stated that he spoke with Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports Group, about Ingram.
"It's a business,” Spears said while sharing Paul’s comments on the show. “Brandon knows it's a business. He's fine either way."
Ingram will make $40 million next season. He has a player option for the 2027-28 season.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani wasn’t in the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night because of lingering soreness in his left knee that is keeping him off the mound.
The two-way superstar wanted to play against the Seattle Mariners, manager Dave Roberts said, but it was the team’s decision to rest him. Ohtani told the training staff of renewed soreness after Wednesday night’s 4-2 win.
“I appreciate the communication,” Roberts said. “I can’t read minds, the training staff can’t read minds, so just for him to communicate that then allows for us to make a decision.”
Second baseman Tommy Edman was set to bat leadoff in Ohtani’s place in the series finale.
Ohtani has been dealing with knee soreness since June 11 and hasn’t pitched since July 3 while also dealing with a right biceps issue. He skipped the All-Star Game in Philadelphia to stay home and receive a lubricant injection in the knee.
He is still serving as the designated hitter. Ohtani was 5 for 7 combined in his last two games against the Mariners, with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored.
“The last couple days he’s been on base a lot more whereas the last part of the road trip he wasn’t, so there might have been a little something to that,” Roberts said, adding that nothing occurred in the game Wednesday to precipitate Ohtani sitting out the next day.
The Dodgers expect Ohtani to return to pitching this season, but they’re not rushing him back to the mound.
“If there was something structural, then we would be much more concerned,” Andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, said Wednesday. “The fact that there’s not and the fact that it does keep improving suggests that we’re on the right path.”
For now, the team doesn’t have any plans to shut down Ohtani entirely to give him time to recover from his ailments.
“We’re talking about this constantly,” Roberts said. “Nothing should be off the table and nothing is set in stone. So I think it’s more of how he feels. With this new information we’ve got to have new conversations.”
On Thursday, it was announced that Hershiser would be honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and would be presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Sports Entertainment.
EXCLUSIVE: Dodger Legend Orel Hershiser will be honored by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in the category of Sports Entertainment.
The ceremony will be held on August 13, at 11:30 am at 6755 Hollywood Boulevard. pic.twitter.com/yNRZdFQWif
Orel Hershiser to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
During his 18-year playing career, Hershiser spent his first 12 years in the league, wearing a Dodgers uniform.
In his rookie year, in 1984, Hershiser was given the nickname “The Bulldog” by legendary Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda because of his nature as a fearsome competitor.
In 1988, Hershiser was a CY Young Award winner for the Dodgers when he led the National League in wins [23], while pitching with a 2.26 ERA and striking out 178 batters.
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1988 was a year for the ages for the Dodgers as the team won their sixth World Series in franchise history, and it was also their second World Series within a seven-year timeframe.
Hershiser was crowned the 1988 World Series MVP after tossing two complete games, giving up only 7 hits and two runs, and striking out 17.
Hershiser’s career came to an end after having one last run, pitching in a Dodgers uniform in 2000. In 2023, he was inducted into the “Legends of Dodger Baseball.”
Orel Hershiser to be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. MLB Photos via Getty Images
When his baseball career came to an end, he began working as a broadcaster, having multiple stints at ESPN between 2000 and 2013. In 2013, Hershiser joined legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully in the booth in a color commentary role.
The two have gone on to cover some of the best years of Dodgers baseball as the team has constantly been a World Series contender, and have won three of them over the last 10 seasons.
Jul 4, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) reacts after striking out to end the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Major League Baseball’s trade deadline is just a few days away. On Monday, August 3rd at 4:00 PM MT, the Colorado Rockies will hopefully have had one of their most active deadlines in recent memory.
With a new front office helmed by president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and general manager Josh Byrnes, it has been indicated that the Rockies are open for business. Many players–especially veterans and those on expiring contracts–have been designated as available and are even reportedly drawing interest from teams throughout the league.
The Rockies made their first trade last week to signal the start of the trade season. Right-handed reliever Seth Halvorsen was sent in a surprising and rare trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for two prospects. Last season, the Rockies similarly made their first big move before the deadline. However, under former general manager Bill Schmidt they ended up making just three total trades. Let’s take a look back at those trades and see where the bar sits for this season’s deadline.
Third Baseman Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees
In the week preceding last year’s deadline, the Rockies signaled change might be coming when they dealt long-time third baseman and face of the franchise Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitching prospects Josh Grosz and Griffin Herring.
Grosz showed off his strikeout stuff in High-A Spokane to finish the 2025 season with 41 strikeouts in 38.1 innings. However, he struggled with his command and ended the season with a 5.87 ERA. The Rockies’ new front office then traded Grosz this off-season to the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Jake McCarthy. McCarthy has in turn become one of the Rockies’ most valuable contributors and is now potentially on the market t be traded again within the next few days.
Herring (no. 10 PuRP) dominated with the High-A Spokane Indians after being acquired by the Rockies. He quickly became one of the team’s more highly ranked prospects and held a 2.40 ERA over seven starts with 47 strikeouts in 30 innings. Unfortunately, his 2026 has been a difficult one. Herring has struggled with the move to Double-A Hartford. While still showcasing the ability to strike out loads of batters with 32 in 23.1 innings, he has also struggled with his command with 25 walks and has been hit hard. Herring has been sent on development stints with the Arizona Complex League several times this season.
Meanwhile, McMahon hasn’t necessarily taken to his change of scenery. Once an every day starter, he is now in a platoon situation with Amed Rosario–who was also obtained by the Yankees during last year’s deadline. While still a strong defensive third baseman, McMahon is hitting just .210/.270/.369 with nine home runs and a 30.8% strikeout rate.
Right-handed pitcher Tyler Kinley to the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves were one of the Rockies’ most common trade partners during the Bill Schmidt era, and the two teams once again made a deal last season when right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley was sent in exchange for right-handed pitcher Austin Smith.
Kinley was excellent for the Braves last season. In 24 appearances and 25 innings he posted a 0.72 ERA with 22 strikeouts and six walks. He gave up just two earned runs to finish the season, one of which came off a solo home run.
This season, Kinley has been much more down to earth. Although he missed time with an elbow injury, Kinley has made 44 relief appearances in Atlanta with a 4.23 ERA and 38 strikeouts over 38.1 innings.
Austin Smith spent the remainder of the 2025 season with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats an posted a 1.69 ERA over his final 15 relief appearances. He struggled during the 2025 Arizona Fall League with a 10.80 ERA in eight appearances and was re-assigned to Hartford for 2026.
As with the other pitching prospects the Rockies received during last year’s deadline, walks have been an issue for Austin Smith this season. He’s given up 31 free passes in 28 appearances and 35.2 innings. However, he has also struck out 38 batters and has a 3.53 ERA with only two home runs allowed.
Right-handed pitcher Jake Bird to the New York Yankees
The Rockies capped off the 2025 trade deadline by sending long time bullpen stalwart Jake Bird to the Bronx in exchange for two more prospects from the Yankees’ farm system.
Bird’s initial tenure with the Yankees was nothing short of a disaster. In three appearances he pitched just two total innings and gave up seven runs–six earned–with two home runs allowed before being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was left off the Yankees’ playoff roster.
His 2026 season has been less eye-wateringly bad, but Bird has continued to struggle for the Yankees. He’s bounced back and forth between Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the big league squad, being optioned three times so far this season. When with the Yankees, he has posted a 5.93 ERA in 36 appearances with 31 strikeouts in 30.1 innings.
The main prize the Rockies got in return for Bird was second base prospect Roc Riggio (no. 14 PuRP). Although he got off to a slow start with Double-A Hartford this season, Riggio is now hitting .257/.370/.496 with 21 doubles, two triples, and 14 home runs. He’s also stolen 16 bases and leads the Yard Goats with 50 walks.
The Rockies also received left-handed pitcher Ben Shields in the trade. Shields made five strong starts for the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats in 2025. Over five starts he posted a 2.33 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. Shields was sent to the Arizona Fall League, but made just one incredibly difficult appearance. He gave up five earned runs on four hits and a walk while recording just one out. Shields was then shut down with a left shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined for the entire 2026 season thus far.
Conclusion
Last season was one of the Rockies’ most active trade deadlines in recent memory, but even then they only dealt three players and received five prospects in return. With the team now dedicated to rebuilding and a new front office in power, expectations are much, much higher.
Do you consider last year’s deadline successful? What would it take for you to consider this year’s deadline successful? Let us know in the comments.
The San Francisco Giants will shut down outfielder Harrison Bader for the rest of the season following his left plantar fasciitis injury that has kept him out since May 29.
"The impact of that injury changed the nature of his evaluation, which had originally been to determine the severity of the initial injury/condition (left plantar fasciitis)," the Giants said in a team release.
He received an MRI on July 28 to "better understand the severity of the injuries sustained from the scooter accident," per the Giants.
On Thursday, July 30, Giants manager Tony Vitello told NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic that the team already determined that Bader would not return during the 2026 season. This determination allegedly was before the 32-year-old's scooter accident.
As far as the scooter accident, Vitello had no updates and said the front office was sorting it out. In the 2026 season, Bader finished with a .170 batting average, 14 RBIs and five home runs in 30 games.
Tony Vitello said Harrison Bader won’t return this season, but apparently that was the case because of the plantar fasciitis anyway. No new details on the new (scooter-related) injury. Vitello said the front office is sorting through that.
Bader joined San Francisco during the offseason after signing a two-year, $20.5 million contract on Jan. 30, 2026.
Bader was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut in 2017. He has since played 12 major league seasons, where he's batted .244 and hit 93 home runs with 336 RBIs. He won a Gold Glove Award with the Cardinals in 2021.
