CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 03: Pitcher Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 03, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles are in unprecedented territory, carrying a season-best five-game winning streak into today’s game. What do you say we make it six?
The Birds’ second-half opener last night wasn’t the most crisply played affair, with nine walks by the O’s pitching staff and a nearly non-existent offensive showing, but Taylor Ward’s dramatic, eighth-inning home run turned a sure defeat into a dramatic victory. The win leapfrogged the Orioles a half game ahead of the Astros in the crowded wild card race.
If the O’s hope to stay ahead, they’ll need to win at least one of their next two games in Houston. Preferably both! Today Trevor Rogers will make his first start of the second half, hoping to continue the roll he was on before the All-Star break. Since the start of June, the lefty has a 1.73 ERA in seven outings, going 4-1 with four quality starts. He’s shaved his once sky-high 6.96 ERA to a reasonable 4.48. If Rogers can hold Yordan Alvarez in check, he’s got a good chance to lower that mark even further.
The Orioles, against Astros righty Spencer Arrighetti, have eight of the same nine guys in the lineup as last night. The one exception is at third base, where newly recalled Christian Encarnacion-Strand makes his Orioles debut in place of Coby Mayo. This will be Encarnacion-Strand’s first MLB appearance in more than a year, since July 8, 2025 with the Reds. He’s never had much success at the major league level, batting just .233/.275/.404 in parts of three seasons with Cincinnati, but he was tearing up Triple-A Norfolk with 17 homers and a .555 SLG in 61 games. If he can play a decent defensive third base and hit a few dingers for however long he’s with the Orioles, I’ll take that.
At 17 letters, Encarnacion-Strand has the longest last name in Orioles history. So he’s got that going for him.
Orioles lineup:
DH Adley Rutschman SS Gunnar Henderson LF Taylor Ward 1B Pete Alonso C Samuel Basallo RF Dylan Beavers CF Colton Cowser 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand 2B Jackson Holliday
LHP Trevor Rogers
Astros lineup:
SS Jeremy Peña DH Yordan Alvarez 3B Isaac Paredes 2B Jose Altuve 1B Christian Walker C Yainer Diaz RF Cam Smith LF Zach Dezenzo CF Lucas Spence
LAKE HAVASU CITY, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 30: A general view of Tinnell Memorial Skate Plaza as competitors warm up prior to the Finals of the 2021 SLS Championship Tour: Lake Havasu at Rotary Park on October 30, 2021 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
CARDINALS
DIAMONDBACKS
JJ Wetherholt – 2B
Ketel Marte – 2B
Ivan Herrera – DH
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Alec Burleson – 1B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Jordan Walker – RF
Gabriel Moreno – DH
Lars Nootbaar – LF
Max Kepler – LF
Masyn Winn – SS
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Nathan Church – CF
Tim Tawa – 1B
Jose Fermin – 3B
James McCann – C
Pedro Pages – C
Ryan Waldschmidt – CF
Dustin May – RHP
Brandon Pfaadt – RHP
Roster moves (just before going to press!)
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: C Adrian Del Castillo
Placed on the 10-day injured list: OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (strained right adductor)
Selected to the Major League roster and optioned to Triple-A Reno: RHP Gerardo Carrillo
It’s rare that a Diamondbacks’ loss so thoroughly annoyed me as the one last night. It was bad enough dipping into the Gameday Thread during last night’s concert. But after we came home and I was watching the condensed version of the game to unwind… Well, it succeeded only in winding me up more. It felt, after sweeping the enemy in Dodger Stadium, that the D-backs had the chance to get on a roll, and I wondered if perhaps the All-Star break was coming at just the wrong time. For certainly, based on the evidence last night, this looked like an Arizona team which had forgotten entirely how to play the game over the four days off.
There was hardly an aspect of the Diamondbacks game which was even adequate. Sloppy defense. Poor approaches at the plate (and never mind the 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, they seemed especially poor with a runner on third and less than two outs). Issuing free passes in key situations. Even the ABS challenges were woeful, allowing home-plate umpire Bill Miller to get away with the single most skewed pitch-calling (click on “Favor (Home)” to sort by that) of the season so far. Indeed, there just only one worse game all of last year – when there were no ABS challenges available to mitigate this level of official incompetence.
Hopefully, things will go better today. Merrill Kelly’s start was actually one of the lesser problems. While he did the five and dive, two of the three runs he allowed came courtesy of Marte’s first-inning gaffe and were unearned. So his ERA dropped to 5.20, the lowest it has been since May. We’ll see if Brandon Pfaadt can join him on the recovery train. Since returning to the rotation, he’s 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and a FIP under three. Especially with the news about Zac Gallen, it looks like Pfaadt will be a key component of the rotation for the rest of the season. If he can pitch like it again today, we will be all the better for it.
No nifty orange color like Wednesday’s expected in Toronto today, but the roof is expected to be closed anyway. | AFP via Getty Images
Given how much the White Sox have crushed right handed starters recently, Sox fans seeing another righty on the schedule may well go, “Oh, yesss!!” Then when they see who it is, they may well go, “Oh, noooo!!!” And then, when they look at recent stats, they’ll be back to, “Oh, yesss!!” again.
That’s because the Blue Jays are starting Shane Bieber, whom Sox fans are bound to remember from his Cy Young and multiple-All Star years in Cleveland. But lately, Bieber has been more Justin than Shane, thanks to injuries.
Bieber was outstanding for two starts in 2024 before departing for Tommy John surgery. Then he was just so-so after coming back late last season. And then he had another elbow injury this spring which kept him out until June 23, since which he has been absolutely horrible — 26 hits, seven of them homers, in just 17 2/3 innings, to go along with ten walks, adding up to a 7.64 ERA and 2.04 WHIP.
The Sox counter with the righty who had been their star earlier, but Davis Martin has himself struggled some lately, raising his ERA a point in the past month, His last time out, Martin gave up five runs in four innings against the Red Sox — but maybe all he needed was a nice relaxing time between starts, provided thanks to the All-Star break.
With right handers on the mound, both teams have gone to lefty-heavy lineups, though the Blue Jays are limited from that side.
First pitch is scheduled for 2:07 Central (:07 must be a Canadian thing), with the Rogers Centre roof expected to be closed because of wildfire pollution. Usual broadcast suspects instead of the greed fest last night that put the game on Apple TV.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 17: Jim Jarvis #74 of the Atlanta Braves runs to second base in the fifth inning during the game against the Texas Rangers at Truist Park on July 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 17: Ty France of the San Diego Padres, left, is congratulated by Miguel Andujar #41 of the San Diego Padres after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium on July 17, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (48-49) at Kansas City Royals (39-59), July 18, 2026, 1:10 p.m. PST
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our thread
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 11: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 11, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are playing in a Saturday matinee matchup against the Cleveland Guardians in their first series back after the All-Star break.
Braxton Ashcraft is taking the mound in his first start in the second half. Ashcraft finished the first half of the season with a start on July 11 at home against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched five innings and gave up five hits and five earned runs, but the Pirates rallied late with four runs in the seventh inning to beat their NL Central rival 7-6.
Ashcraft has arguably been the best starter for the Pirates so far this season. He is 9-3 with a 3.49 ERA. Pittsburgh has won each of Ashcraft’s last five appearances, which sets him up well for today’s game against the Guardians.
Cleveland is handing the ball to a third-year pro, Joey Cantillo, who’s 8-4 with a 3.56 ERA. Cantillo won his last start back on Sunday against the Miami Marlins, pitching five innings, giving up six hits and one run, and earning a 5-2 victory on the road. The Guardians are keeping Cantillo on his normal rest for this start, opting to give other starters more time to recover from the first half of the season.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 11: Commissioner of Major League Baseball Robert D. Manfred Jr. announces Taj Marchand as the 33rd overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2026 MLB Draft presented by Nippon Express at Pennsylvania Convention Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Following an objectively well ranked haul for the Rays — who had the no. 2 overall pick — we asked for your take on a Rays 2026 MLB Draft that was quite young and full of pitchers.
Did you like the haul? Did you agree with the Rays youth strategy?
I’m pleased to see there were no trolling responses of D or F…
The second half is here, and for many betting their way through the season is part of the fun. If that’s you, check out our friends at FanDuel who sponsored this post.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 17: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves reacts with Brewer Hicklen #53 and Jim Jarvis #74 following his three-run home run during the fourth inning at Truist Park on July 17, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Join us and discuss tonight’s matchup of two intriguing pitchers in the comments below!
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 15: Sam Hoiberg #48 of the Phoenix Suns drives against Brice Williams #46 of the Detroit Pistons in the first half of the 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Summer Suns (3-1) vs. Summer Spurs (3-1)
When: 7:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Thomas & Mack Center — Las Vegas, Nevada
Watch: Arizona Family Sports, Prime Video
This will be the Summer League “consolation” finale for the Phoenix Suns after they missed out on the semifinals.
Phoenix saw what they wanted to see from their top prospects in Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koa Peat, as they will be sidelined for this one.
Phoenix has gone 3-1 through four contests, with these three leading the way:
Khaman Maluach: 4 games, 19.5 PPG, 12.8 RPG (2.3 offensive), 1.0 APG, 2.0 BPG, 1.3 SPG on .532/.400/.684 shooting splits, 2.5 TOV in 27.4 minutes per game
Koa Peat: 4 games, 16.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG on .510/.000/.625 shooting splits, 3.0 TOV in 27.2 minutes per game
Rasheer Fleming: 4 games, 12.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG on .474/.421/.500 shooting splits, 1.8 TOV in 26.7 minutes per game
That opens up more opportunities for Koby Brea to showcase his offensive repertoire and allows some of the other young bucks to get more looks with three of their top scorers sidelined.
Probable Starters
In the Summer League, you never know what the lineups might be, so the best we can do is guess, especially with the news of no Man Man, Peat, and Sheer. They’ll likely go with four guards/small wings and a big. Lots of small ball without those three in the mix.
Carter Bryant did not play in the Spurs’ win over the Utah Jazz earlier this week, so we can rule him out for the Spurs.
Suns
Darius Brown II
Koby Brea
Devin Askew
Javonte Cooke
Reed Bailey
Spurs
RJ Davis
Ja’Kobi Gillespie
Miles Kelly
Maliq Brown
Tarris Reed Jr.
Injury Report
Suns
Nothing Reported as of now outside of the “key 3” sitting out
Spurs
Nothing Reported as of now. No Carter Bryant expected on the Spurs end.
What to Watch For
The Koby Brea show?
It’s his time to shine. He has led the Summer Suns in minutes per game thus far, and has had little to show for it outside of drilling 6 threes against the Bucks.
There is some reason for concern if he doesn’t separate himself in this one. I don’t put a ton of stock into Summer League action, but an extended stretch of bad play is certainly not ideal from someone who should look advanced entering year two as a 23-year-old prospect.
Here’s a look at the Summer Suns’ numbers through the opening four games, sorted by minutes per game:
Who steps up?
With the top three scorers all sitting this one out, expect to see Javonte Cooke and Darius Brown Jr. to take on a larger role, along with Brea. Jameer Nelson Jr. and Corey Camper Jr. should also see an uptick in minutes.
They only have two other “bigs” on their roster who have hardly played to this point, so there should be plenty of small ball. Reed Bailey and Jake Stephens… now is your time to shine.
The Spurs will get the bulk of their offense from their dynamic backcourt of RJ Davis and Ja’Kobi Gillespie. We’ll see if 2026 1st round pick Tarris Reed Jr. suits up for the Spurs, though it seems unlikely. They acquired the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from Denver for three 2nd round picks.
Either way, it figures to be a relatively loose environment with nothing on the line and several key players out on each side. I’m here for a Koby Brea 30-piece.
Prediction
It’s like throwing darts blindfolded.
Let’s go with the Spurs by 10. The shorthanded Summer Suns go down.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 17: Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers is congratulated after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at American Family Field on July 17, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins are back at it on a Saturday afternoon, and the Crew has a chance to secure a series win right out of the All-Star break.
To do so, they’ll have to get through Max Meyer on the mound for Miami. The Brewers will counter with Shane Drohan. Meyer has been phenomenal this year, pitching to a 2.58 ERA in 19 starts so far, as he was named an NL All-Star. Drohan has a 3.09 ERA on the season and has been very good since re-entering the starting rotation.
The Brewers did make some roster moves prior to this game. Sal Frelick was placed on the IL with a shoulder injury after being removed early in last night’s game. Blake Perkins was recalled from Triple-A to take his roster spot.
Also, Brandon Woodruff made an announcement about his injury, stating that he will indeed have to undergo shoulder surgery for a second time in three years. His 2026 season is over. Woodruff had a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this season, proving he could still be effective, even with diminished stuff.
Late before the game, the Brewers announced that Brice Turang was scratched from the lineup with right foot soreness. Pat Murphy said pregame to “stay tuned” as the issue had flared up on him after fouling a pitch off his foot last night.
That takes one of the big bats out of the Brewers lineup as they face the right-handed Meyer. Jake Bauers moved up into the No. 3 spot in the order. With Frelick on the shelf, Luis Lara gets the start today in right field and batting sixth. Braden Shewmake was inserted into the lineup, playing second base and batting eighth, while Joey Ortiz will man the hot corner and bat ninth.
The Marlins shuffled around their lineup a little. Otto Lopez, Heriberto Hernández, and Kyle Stowers make up the top of the order today. Xavier Edwards, Javier Sanoja, and Liam Hicks form the middle of the order. Leo Jiménez, old friend Esteury Ruiz, and Joe Mack round out the bottom of the Marlins lineup.
First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
Lineup update: Braden Shewmake will bat 8th & play 2B in place of Brice Turang https://t.co/2l65oJS2tJ
The Buffalo Sabres snapped their 15-year postseason drought, winning the Atlantic Division and advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but after an offseason that saw Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch being dealt, the task of repeating as division champion or finishing in the top three of the Atlantic could be significantly more difficult.
This week, we will look at the seven other teams in the Atlantic to see where they stand in comparison to where they were at the end of last season and see where they potentially stack up as competition with the Sabres.
The Detroit Red Wings looked to be a lock for a playoff spot prior to the Olympic break, but an injury to team captain Dylan Larkin in March contributed to their 8-12-4 record in March and April, which saw them fall out of the postseason mix. The Wings slow rebuild under Steve Yzerman has resulted in Larkin asking to be traded, and last week the Wings legend stepping down as GM.
Peyton Krebs signs a four-year contract extension with the Sabres
Additions
Viktor Arvidsson - signed a two-year, $10 million deal after scoring 54 points with Boston.
Keegsn Kolesar - acquired from Vegas for two draft picks, has two years remaining at a $2.5 million AAV.
Daniil Tarasov - signed a one-year, $2 million deal to backup starter John Gibson.
Subtractions
Patrick Kane - scored 57 points (16 goals, 41 assists) in 67 games last season
James van Riemsdyk - 15 goals in 72 games
Outlook
The Wings have a young core group with Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson on defense (Edvinsson is currently an RFA), and Lucas Raymond up front, but does not have enough depth and weapons to surround them. The Yzerplan did result in adding youngsters like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Marco Kasper, Axel Sandin-Pellika, and Emmitt Finnie, but they have not succeeded (as the Sabres have) in bringing in building blocks to help Detroit get back to respectability.
As currently constructed, the Wings have a slight advantage in goal over Buffalo with John Gibson and Tarasov, but the 33-year-old has had a history on injury problems. Defensively, the Sabres were weakened by the departure of Byram, but are still deeper and more talented than Detroit, and offensively, Buffalo is significantly better overall.
Even if Larkin stays, the Wings have taken a step back and are likely to be near or at the bottom of the Atlantic Division next season.
TODAY’S GAME: The Astros will play their 100th game of the season today as they host the Orioles for the middle game of their three-game series at Daikin Park.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti (7-5) will get his first start of the second half today opposite the Orioles and starter LHP Trevor Rogers (6-7).
THE STOPPER: RHP Spencer Arrighetti is making his 16th start of the season today and his ninth following an Astros loss.
In his previous eighth starts after an Astros loss, Arrighetti has gone 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA (12ER/45.1IP).
THE SLOW TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 27-21 since May 21, which is the best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
GET ‘EM EARLY: The Astros rank first in the AL and second in MLB in 1st-inning runs (67).
Overall, the Astros rank fourth in the AL in runs (451) immediately ahead of the Orioles (450).
RACKING UP WINS: Manager Joe Espada has 222 managerial wins as the Astros skipper, which ranks 11th in franchise history.
With two more wins, he will match Terry Collins (224 wins) for 10th on the Astros all-time managerial wins list.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 98 different lineups in their 99 games, repeating a lineup just once on the season.
DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 86 times.
TODAY’S PROMOTIONS: At today’s game, the Astros will celebrate Christmas in July, presented by Macy’s.
Fans are encouraged to stop by the open- to-the-public festive area located in Union Station, featuring some incredible Light Up the Park displays.
Additionally, 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Yainer Diaz Catching Bobblehead, presented by Goya.
THIS WEEKEND’S TELECASTS: This entire series will be televised by Space City Home Network with Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum and Lauren Callender on the call.
Sideline reporter Julia Morales will rejoin the broadcast next week.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Astros dropped a close game last night by a score of 3-2 to the Orioles.
RHP Peter Lambert (1ER/6IP) was great in his start, fanning a career-high 10 hitters, while allowing just three hits in his start.
SS Jeremy Peña (2×3, 2BB), DH Yordan Alvarez (2×3, RBI, 2BB) and 3B Isaac Paredes (1×3, RBI, BB) reached base 10 times among the three of them at the top of the order.
RIDING THE LAMBO: Last night’s starter RHP Peter Lambert, who was a minor league free agent signing this offseason, leads the club in wins and among AL pitchers he ranks second in opponent average (.197) and seventh in ERA (3.03) (min. 90IP).
Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 starts.
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez is a strong MVP candidate, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.067), OBP (.431), SLG (.636), and total bases (224).
Additionally, he is the Triple Crown leader in the AL, ranking first in batting average (.321), HR (31), and RBI (71) entering play today.
Alvarez also ranks first in the AL in hits (113), first in XBH (49), tied for second in runs (65), and fourth in walks (65).
ALL-STAR ALVAREZ: DH Yordan Alvarez started and hit second for the AL in this week’s All-Star Game, going 1×2 with a single and a run scored.
This marked the fourth All-Star selection for Alvarez (2022-24, 2026) and the second time that he was voted as a starter (also in 2024)
WHAT A HALF!: DH Yordan Alvarez hit 31 homers prior to the break, which are the most in a first half in club history, topping OF Lance Berkman, who hit 29 homers in the first half of the 2002 season.
Alvarez is on pace to hit 50 homers on the season, which would represent a new franchise record, topping the 47 homers hit by 1B Jeff Bagwell in 2000.
Additionally, he ranks first in the AL in HR (31), first in RBI (70), first in XBH (48), tied for first in hits (111), second in batting average (.318), second in runs (65), and fourth in walks (63).
KEYSTONE FLIGHTS: 2B Jose Altuve has 246 career homers as a second baseman and per Elias that ties him with 2B Joe Gordon and 2B Ian Kinsler for eighth all-time in homers by a second baseman in MLB history.
On that all-time list, the trio immediately trails 2B Bret Boone (251), who happens to be the father-in-law of IF Nick Allen.
TAP FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 70 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (61%).
2B Jose Altuve has been successful on 15-of-21 challenges (71%), ranking second in the Majors in challenges won.
3B Isaac Paredes (11-for-12) has been the most efficient regular challenger for the team and was successful in his first 11 challenges on the season.
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 3-1 with 10 saves (in 10 chances), has a 1.17 ERA (2ER/15.1IP), 25 strikeouts in 15.1 innings, a .115 (6×52) opponent average, and a 0.91 WHIP in 17 appearances.
He has not allowed a hit in 13 of his 17 appearances.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Astros rank second in the AL in fielding pct. (.988) and their 42 errors are the second-fewest in the AL.
1B Christian Walker has led the way, as he has not committed an error in his 95 games played at 1B.
Dating back to last season, Walker has not made an error in his last 123 games at 1B (last error was Aug. 23, 2025 at BAL).
ON THE MEND: RHP Hayden Wesneski (right elbow surgery) pitched for Triple A Sugar Land last night at El Paso, tossing 4.0 innings and 64 pitches, while allowing three runs on six hits.
He’s now made four rehab appearances, posting a 2.87 ERA (5ER/15.2IP) with 14 strikeouts in those contests.
MINOR LEAGUE PROMOTIONS: The Astros promoted several prospects throughout the minor league system over the All-Star break, notably moving RHP Jackson Nezuh up to Triple A Sugar Land, OF Chase Call up to Double A Corpus Christi, and IF Xavier Neyens up to Class A Asheville.
Neyens, who was the Astros first-round pick last season and currently ranks among the top 100 prospects in baseball, made his Tourists debut last night, going 1×4 with a double.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 18, 3:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
During the past five seasons, the Kings have been eliminated in the first round. From these five seasons, this is how the teams rank from worst to best.
Number Five: 2026
Coming in last place is the Kings team from just this past season, who had an unproductive offense. Los Angeles tallied 2.68 goals per game, which was the fourth worst in the entire league.
Yet, the offense still wasn’t the biggest weakness for the Kings. The special teams were even worse. Los Angeles had 17% power-play, which was the fifth worst in the league. The Kings also recorded a 74.6% penalty kill, which was third worst.
A bottom-five offense along with a three penalty kill and a bottom five power play was a recipe for disaster. Especially going up against the Presidents Cup winner Colorado Avalanche in the first round.
It was clear that the Avalanche would make quick work of the Kings, as they proceeded to do in a four-game sweep. Throughout the entire season, it was a question about whether they would even make the playoffs. So it was no surprise the Kings couldn't even win a single playoff game.
Number Four: 2024
Unlike the 2026 team, the Kings were actually effective on special teams in 2024. Los Angeles held an 84.6% penalty kill, the second-best penalty kill in the league. The Kings also held a 22.6 power-play, the eleventh best in the NHL.
Despite the quality of special teams play, the Kings were far from looking like a contender. What really held this team back was the lack of offensive firepower to keep up with elite teams. The Kings had the sixteenth ranked offense with only 3.10 goals per game.
In the first round, this pedestrian offense would go up against the explosive Edmonton Oilers. Superstars Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were the backbone of the offense, as they both recorded over 105 points throughout the season.
Not only did the Oilers have two players in the 100 point category, they had Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman hit over 75 points. Edmonton had four players who recorded more than the highest point leader for the Kings. The Oilers had too much firepower and dismantled the Kings in five games.
The 2026 and 2024 Kings were heavily outmatched in the first round
The biggest anomaly from the past five seasons, was the 2023 Kings, since the style of playing was so different. The Kings identity is usually defense first, but this season the offense was actually better.
After acquiring Kevin Fiala from the Minnesota Wild, the Kings' scoring took another level. Los Angeles recorded 3.34 goals per game, which ranked in the top 10. It also ranked as the highest goal average of the Kings in the 2020s.
While the offense was at its best in 2023, the tradeoff was the goaltending and defense was worse. Los Angeles had the bottom five goaltending with a .892 save percentage and a mediocre defense. The Kings gave up 3.10 goals per game. This ranked outside the top 15 in goals allowed.
Lack of defense and goaltending would be put to the test against the Oilers, who held the best offense this season. Edmonton and Los Angeles went firepower for firepower and the Oilers had the better offense. The Kings were eliminated in six games in the first round once again by the Oilers.
Number Two: 2022
Finally making their first playoff appearance since 2018, the Kings had something together. Los Angeles racked up a top 10 defense that allowed 2.79 goals per game.
Come playoff time, this was actually the closest the Kings had gotten to making the second round these last five years. The Kings were up 3-2 in the first round against the Oilers and just one win away.
However, Edmonton stormed back to take games 6 and 7, to eliminate Los Angeles. While the Kings had good team defense, all their weaknesses were exploited against the Oilers.
Save percentage, goaltending, power-plays, and penalty kills were all categories that the Kings ranked outside the top 15. There were too many foundational flaws with the Kings to secure a spot in the second round.
If the Kings had beaten the Oilers, they would've likely made the Stanley Cup Finals in 2025
There was one team that had a real shot at making a deep run in the playoffs, and they completely blew it. The 2025 Kings were by far the most talented and complete team they had in this five-year stretch.
Defensively, the Kings were elite, allowing 2.48 goals per game, the second-fewest in the league. Darcy Kuemper was also rock solid with a .922 save percentage, the third highest amongst all goaltenders. Kuemper also allowed 2.02 goals per game, which was the second-fewest.
Los Angeles initially seemed equipped to make a playoff run as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead against the Oilers. As everything seemed to go the Kings way, coaching completely got in their way.
In Game 3, there was a controversial challenge for goalie interference. The challenge was unsuccessful. This allowed the Oilers to score on the power-play and shift momentum in the series. In game 4, the Kings gave up a goal to Evan Bouchard in the last 30 seconds, which led to an Oilers' victory in overtime.
Then the most interesting sequence was for the Kings to get outplayed on the forecheck. The Oilers pressured in their Ozone, while the Kings sat back on defense. This allowed the Oilers speed and offense to collect more shots on goal.
Edmonton went on to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals after defeating Los Angeles in six games. The Kings actually put up a closer series against the Oilers than both the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars. Both of those teams lost to the Oilers in five games. This means the Kings could’ve won the next two rounds and make the Stanley Cup Finals.
For what could’ve been a run to the Stanley Cup Finals instead ended up as a first-round exit for the Kings. The 2025 season was still the best Kings team during this stretch and a missed opportunity for a deep playoff run.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 25: Former Toronto Blue Jays player Joe Carter throws out the first pitch prior to game two of the 2025 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Rogers Center on October 25, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A win would be nice, or at least score a bunch of runs.
The Jays are honoring the players from our World Series wins today. And the Joe Carter statue is being unveiled.
Being honest, I don’t see us having enough pitching to go on a sort of run needed to make the playoff. They haven’t shown the offense either, but we seem to be blowout ever 3rd or 4th game.
