Big fifth inning propels White Sox to big division win

Miguel Vargas left the yard twice, powering the White Sox past the Tigers, 9-5. | (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)

For a team like the Chicago White Sox looking to wrap up their division over the remaining weeks, winning the few series left against divisional opponents is crucial. Last week, the White Sox took care of the Cleveland Guardians and this week, they have a big test on the road against the Detroit Tigers.

With just 2 ½ games separating the two teams coming into this series, anything less than a series win would put Chicago in a really tight spot. Although the series is far from over, the White Sox got off to a great start with a massive 9-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.

It was your normal intradivisional game, with both teams trading blows left and right, all night. The White Sox landed the first punch in the very first inning when Sam Antonacci was driven in by Braden Montgomery after the first two batters of the night were hit by pitches.

Sean Newcomb did his job as an opener, as he allowed just one base runner over his first five batters faced. Unfortunately the Tigers landed a few punches of their own shortly thereafter.

The “Gritty Tigs” awoke from slumber off of José Urquidy, with a two-out, two-strike homer in the second and a two-out double in the third inning that had the White Sox reeling. It wasn’t the finest work from Urquidy, but his role was to eat innings, and with 52 pitches with three runs of damage he could very well see long relief work into September.

Fortunately, as they have all season, the White Sox refused to wave the white flag, tagging Detroit for two runs in the first seven pitches of the fifth inning, as a Tristan Peters two-run homer evened it up. Chicago fattened its lead from there, thanks to a Munetaka Murakami homer

and a Braden Montgomery triple:

For as much as Braden has struggled during the season, batting just .238 on the year coming into this game, he’s played a major role in multiple big wins this year. It was his fourth game in his short stint in the South Side this year driving in three or more runs. If he keeps it up, he may be the most popular Montgomery on the team before too long.

It looked like the White Sox landed a knockout punch in the sixth inning when Miguel Vargas clubbed a two-run homer, but much like Tyson Fury against Deontay Wilder, the Tigers found a way to rise off the canvas and show a little life.

They say “Mets gonna Mets” but apparently that saying still has some legs on former players, too, as Huascar Brazobán had another tough night. Although he only gave up two runs to Urquidy’s three, Brazobán also only made it through just 1 ⅓ innings, allowing the Tigers to make it a three-run game before Grant Taylor found a way to work out of the jam Brazobán left him.

Fortunately, Vargas showed off his power bat one more time, and the four-run lead was too much for the Tigers to make up, no matter how “gritty” they may be. With the win, the White Sox now have a 3 1/2-game lead over the Tigers, four over the Twins and five on Cleveland. Just as important, the White Sox now hold the lead in the season series against the Tigers, four games to three. Should these teams finish the season tied atop the standings, that tiebreaker would loom large.

With tonight’s game being the fourth in 16 straight days of games, a win without using too much of the bullpen is a massive help. If they can keep these good vibes rolling and leave this tough stretch with any type of lead atop the division, the White Sox will have a huge advantage over the rest of the division.

MVP
Miguel Vargas: 4-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, two impressive pop-up catches

Runners-Up
Braden Montgomery: 3-for-5, 3 RBI
Tristan Peters: 3-for-5, 2 BBs, R

Cold Cat
José Urquidy: 3 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 K

Runners-Up
Colson Montgomery: 0-for-5, 2 K
Drew Romo: 0-for-4, BB
Huascar Brazobán: 1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER

Mets defeat Nationals in series opener

Aug 14, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Mets were held to one baserunner through five but they broke out late in their 4-1 win over the Nationals.

Francisco Lindor had another tough day in the field which helped Washington get on the board first, but he made up for it when he tied the game in the sixth with a solo home run. That was the team’s first hit of the day but they tacked on another run that inning with Carson Benge’s RBI single to drive in Bo Bichette who reached base after striking out on a wild pitch.

The Mets scored two more in the seventh when Jared Young hit a solo home run of his own. After another wild pitch moved Luis Torrens into scoring position, Bichette added a RBI single off old friend Max Kranick to make it 4-1 Metsies.

Robert Stock got the start for the Mets and was much better than his last start against Pittsburgh but he failed to make it through five. He was lifted after pitching 4.1 innings and allowing just one unearned run. Nate Lavender entered with runners on first and second and one out, but was able to finish off the inning without any damage.

The Mets bullpen as a whole is what allowed the offense to come back and take the lead. Lavender, Jonathan Pintaro, Daniel Duarte, and Kodai Senga were all very good in this revamped bullpen. Pinarto picked up his first major league win and Senga picked up his second save of the season although he did allow two baserunners in the ninth. The Mets have now won seven of their last ten ballgames as they look for positives during a lost season.

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Win Probability Added

What’s WPA?

Big Mets winner: Francisco Lindor, +16% WPA
Big Mets loser: AJ Ewing, -10% WPA
Mets pitchers: +34% WPA
Mets hitters: +16% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Francisco Lindor home run, +20.1% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Brady House RBI single, -7.8% WPA

Dodgers vs. Brewers game chat

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 01: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers  (73-49) look to bounce back and even the series against the Brewers after a stunning 5-4 collapse in the ninth inning during Thursday night’s opener. 

Yoshi Yamamoto (11-7, 2.65 ERA, 0.89 WHIP) takes the ball for the Dodgers.

Robert Gasser (3-4, 4.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) starts for Milwaukee.

Lineups


Friday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers vs. Brewers
  • Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
  • Start time: 7:10 p.m.
  • TV: SportsNet LA
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Braves get blanked by Diamondbacks in series opener

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: Atlanta Braves outfielder Mauricio Dubón(14) mislays a line drive to left field in the first inning of the MLB game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves on August 14, 2026, at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There couldn’t have been a worse start to a series after coming off a high from the last one.

…Well, I guess there could always be worse.

The Atlanta Braves fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2-0 shutout to open their series on Friday night.

The first run was kicked off by Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo on a Gabriel Moreno RBI at the top of the first inning. And the second was a homer hit by Tim Tawa in the top of the ninth to cap off the night.

Chris Sale pitched through his usual six innings, but gave up five hits and one earned run with a total of nine strikeouts. Besides the first run, Sale did a solid job at holding the rest of the offense off. Plus, it wasn’t his fault the Braves’ offense was quiet throughout the night.

It wasn’t until Tyler Kinley came in for Dylan Dodd that the next run would be scored beyond the fence.

Same story, different team. Not the best way to start, especially against a team that’s putting up similar results through the eye test.

But that’s why there’s always tomorrow.

Until then, rest well, Braves Country. We’ll return to gear up for tomorrow in hopes of turning things around.

Jays Beat Yankees 3-1

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 14: Alejandro Kirk #30 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits an RBI double in the sixth inning during a game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Gerrit Cole was a tough assignment, but the pitching staff was more than up for the challenge of winning the pitching duel and the offence took advantage of their opportunities and did just enough.

There was bad news, though. Vladimir Guerrero jr. left the game after being kicked in the side of the head sliding into third. We haven’t recieved an update on his condition yet, but he looked shaken in the dugout after the play and went into the tunnel for concussion tests. Hopefully it’s minor, but they may be without their star first baseman for a little while.


Shane Bieber was very good today. He wasn’t missing many bats, but he kept the Yankees’ hitters off him for the most part and worked efficiently. He also got some sold defence behind him and benefited from mistakes like George Lombard jr. inexplicably rounding second advancing on a line single straight to Nathan Lukes and getting caught in a rundown at third.

The Yankees got their first chance in the fourth, when Spencer Jones doubled to centre field and advanced on a fly out to put a man on third with one out. Bieber got a pop out and a fly out to escape, though. He cruised through the fifth, picking up a his third and fourth strikeouts. He finally slipped in the sixth, though, catching too much of the plate with a fastball that Trent Grisham chipped just over the fence into the Yankees’ bullpen in right. He retired the next three batters to get through the inning. It was an excellent start, and it was justice that the Jays were able to take him off the hook for the loss.

The Jays could do nothing with Gerrit Cole. They manufactured one chance in the second. Alejandro Kirk worked a walk and Andres Gimenez lined a double into the right field corner. Kirk was only able to make it to third, though, and Cole struck Kazuma Okamoto out and got a ground out from Jesus Sanchez to end the inning. Cole then set the next seven Jays in order before a one out Okamoto single in the fifth. That was stranded.

Finally, the offence woke up in the sixth with the help of a bizarrer play. Brett Bateman hit a ground ball single to open the bottom of the sixth. After Nathan Lukes grounded into a fielder’s choice, Vladimir Guerrero jr. hit a ground ball single to advance Lukes to second and give the Jays their first runner in scoring position since the second. George Springer grounded to third. Ryan McMahon stepped on the bag and threw over to first for what would have been a double play except that the throw was a bit off and popped the glove off Luis Garcia jr.‘s hand. Vlad went for third and Garcia made the ill advised decision to throw it back across the diamond. McMahon, running back to the bag to try to catch it, had to jump to try to avoid a sliding Vlad and ended up kicking him in the side of the head and sprawling. Vlad had the presence of mind to get up and go home, but looked shaken in the dugout after the play. That tied the game at one. One pitch later, Alejandro Kirk lined a ball to the left field wall for a double that plated Springer to put Toronto in front 2-1.

Vlad went into the tunnel for a concussion evaluation and was replaced by Charles McAdoo. Tyler Rogers relieved Bieber for the seventh. He allowed just a ground ball single. Paul Blackburn took over for the Yankees. He retired the first two batters before Ernie Clement and Bateman reached on back to back singles. A pop out prevented the runners from scoring.

Rogers returned to get the first out in the eighth before handing it over to Mason Fluharty, who got two soft fly outs. In the bottom half, Bradley Hanner made his MLB debut. It started well, as he struck out McAdoo and Springer, but the Alejandro Kirk welcomed him to the show with a home run to right, extending the Jays’ margin to two.

Louis Varland came in for the save. He must be tired with all the work he’s gotten in the last week, so he was in no mood to mess around. The Yankees were set down in order on four pitches.


Jays of the Day: Kirk (0.27), Bieber (0.17), Rogers (0.15)

Less so: Sanchez (-0.11)


We’ll be back tomorrow at 3:07pm ET. Cy Young frontrunner Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.21) will take the mound for the Yankees. The Jays haven’t announced a starter. This was to have been Jameson Taillon’s third turn with the club, but he’s on the IL with forearm tightness. That leaves Simeon Woods-Richardson (2-7, 6.23) as the logical next man up.

8/14 Gamethread: Giants vs. Rockies

Landen Roupp throwing a pitch.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Oracle Park on August 08, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s time for a new series and we’ve got two very bad teams pitted against each other: in the orange corner, the San Francisco Giants, and in the purple corner, the Colorado Rockies.

Righty Landen Roupp takes the mound for the Giants for the 24th time this year. The 27-year old is 7-11 on the season, with a 4.22 ERA, a 3.52 FIP, and 123 strikeouts to 57 walks in 123.2 innings. Roupp bounced back from a mini slump in his last start, giving up just one run in 5.1 innings against the Detroit Tigers, though he walked five batters. He has the most losses in the league, currently.

For the Rockies, it’s left-hander Kyle Freeland, who makes his 22nd start. The 33-year old is having a tough year, as he’s 3-10 with a 6.63 ERA, a 4.65 FIP, and 96 strikeouts to 26 walks in 112.2 innings. He lasted just 4.1 innings in his last start, but in the start before that he threw a complete game against the Kansas City Royals, with just one run allowe.

Enjoy the game, everyone!

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Lineups

Giants

  1. Jonah Cox — CF
  2. Rafael Devers — DH
  3. Bryce Eldridge — 1B
  4. Victor Bericoto — LF
  5. Jung Hoo Lee — RF
  6. Oslievis Basabe — 2B
  7. Buddy Kennedy — 3B
  8. Andrew Knizner — C
  9. Christian Koss — SS

RHP. Landen Roupp

Rockies

  1. Jake McCarthy — CF
  2. Mickey Moniak — LF
  3. Willi Castro — 3B
  4. TJ Rumfield — 1B
  5. Troy Johnston — DH
  6. Connor Norby — 2B
  7. Zac Veen — RF
  8. Ezequiel Tovar — SS
  9. Brett Sullivan — C

LHP. Kyle Freeland

Game #122

Who: San Francisco Giants (50-71) vs. Colorado Rockies (48-73)

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

When: 7:15 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

Defensive blunder dooms Yankees in 3-1 loss to Blue Jays

The Yankees had a late lead with Gerrit Cole dealing, but a defensive blunder allowed a two-run inning, as New York fell to the Blue Jays, 3-1, on Friday night in Toronto.

Up 1-0 in the sixth, the Jays had two runners on and one out. George Springer hit a groundball to Ryan McMahon. McMahon stepped on third for one out, but the throw to Luis Garcia Jr. at first took his glove off as he tried to scoop. Garcia tried to get Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at third base, but he threw it into left field, not noticing that no one was covering. Guerrero and George Lombard Jr. collided at third, as the ball went into the outfield, but Vlad was able to score. Alejandro Kirk followed with an RBI double to give the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead. McMahon and Garcia were given errors on the play.

It was enough for the Blue Jays as the Yankees' offense. New York left four runners on base and went 0-for-3 with RISP.

Here are the takeaways...

-Cole pitched on a tightrope early, as Toronto had runners on second and third with one out in the second inning. Cole struck out Kazuma Okamoto and got Jesus Sanchez to ground out to end the threat. 

After that defensive misplay pushed two runs across, Cole finished the inning, but that two-spot put a damper on the right-hander's night. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks through his six innings, while striking out five. 

-On the offensive side, the struggles continued. Lombard made a baserunning blunder, straying too far off second on a Trent Grisham single in the third, and the team wasted a leadoff double from Spencer Jones in the fourth. Jones was on third with one out before Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Heliot Ramos flew out to end the inning.

Grisham lined a home run (359 ft, 100.3 mph) over the right field wall for his 16th of the season. The blast put the Yankees up 1-0 in the sixth.

-The Yankees bullpen kept the Blue Jays off the board until the eighth. Bradley Hanner, making his major league debut, struck out the first two batters on the night, but Kirk launched his fifth home run of the season to give Toronto an insurance run.

-Shane Bieber held the Yankees at bay. Aside from allowing the Grisham homer, the former AL Cy Young winner allowed just four hits and one walk across six innings while striking out five.

-The Yankees had just five hits. Grisham had two with Jones, Chisholm and McMahon reaching base via the hit.  

Game MVP: Alejandro Kirk

The Blue Jays backstop drove in two of the team's three runs.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees and Blue Jays play the second game of their series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 3:07 p.m.

Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.21 ERA) will take the mound. Toronto has yet to announce a starter.

Francisco Lindor, Jared Young's home runs lift Mets to 4-1 win over Nationals

The Mets had just one hit through five innings, but woke up in the sixth inning and would go on to beat the Washington Nationals, 4-1, on Friday night.

New York has now won seven of their last 10 games.

Here are the takeaways...

-- Francisco Lindor's season-long defensive issues continued Friday night. The SS misplayed a ball up the middle in the top of the third inning, allowing CJ Abrams to score and give the Nationals an early 1-0 lead. It's Lindor's ninth error of the season in just his 65th game (he had 13 errors in 2025 over 158 games).

-- Although Lindor made up for the mistake later in the bottom of the sixth inning, crushing a breaking ball to left field for a solo home run that tied the game at 1-1. The homer off of LHP Andrew Alvarez was just his fourth from the right side of the plate this year and 12th home run overall.

New York then found a way to take the lead as Bo Bichette reached first on a strikeout-wild pitch, Luis Robert Jr. singled against Jake Bird, and Carson Benge drove in the run to go up 2-1.

-- Robert Stock took the mound for the first time since his rough start against the Pirates (eight earned runs in 3.0 IP) and put together a solid outing. He allowed one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts and three walks over 4.1 IP and a career-high 84 pitches.

The 36-year-old started strong, leaving two Nationals stranded in the first inning and tossing a quick 1-2-3 second inning. Washington got to him in the third, scoring an unearned run on Lindor's error, but he powered through to leave two runners stranded. Stock bounced back for a four-batter fourth inning and came back out for the fifth, but was pulled after a walk and hit-by-pitch. 

-- LHP Nate Lavender cleaned up in the fifth, recording two flyouts on three pitches to keep it a 1-0 game. Jonathan Pintaro pitched a scoreless sixth inning thanks to a 4-6-3 double play with two Nats on base, and kept it going with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

-- Jared Young gave the Mets an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh, blasting a hanging curveball 408 feet to right field to make it 3-1. The inning stayed alive after two walks and Bichette took advantage, tacking on another with an RBI single to push the lead to 4-1.

-- Pitching with a three-run lead, RHP Daniel Duarte breezed by the Nats in the eighth with a scoreless frame. Kodai Senga ran into some trouble in the ninth, allowing a single and hitting a batter, but was able to record his second career save by striking out Abimelec Ortiz on a ghost fork.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Nationals continue their series on Saturday at 4:10 p.m. on SNY.

LHP Sean Manaea (4-5, 4.13 ERA) takes the mound, while the Nats have yet to announce a starting pitcher.

Shohei Ohtani takes important step in his push to return to Dodgers' rotation

Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws in the outfield at Dodger Stadium before a game against the Kansas City Royals.
Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws in the outfield at Dodger Stadium before a game against the Kansas City Royals on Aug. 11. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani took the bullpen mound at Dodger Stadium, with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and pitching coach Mark Prior looking on, and began his first bullpen throwing session in more than three weeks.

Friday marked an important step in Ohtani’s throwing progression. He threw 34 pitches before the Dodgers’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers, appearing to mix in different pitch types.

Although Ohtani hasn’t landed on the injured list for lingering inflammation and soreness in his left knee, he hasn’t pitched in a game since July 3.

After Ohtani received a lubricating Orthovisc injection in his knee at the beginning of the All-Star break, the Dodgers hoped he would pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 22. But as they monitored his response, it became clear he wasn’t going to be ready.

Read more:Swanson: Dave Roberts and Dodgers need to stop using Edwin Díaz in high-leverage moments

Instead, Ohtani threw a 31-pitch bullpen. But his recovery regressed, and he was shut down from throwing.

“At the end of the day, he wants to be healthy,” manager Dave Roberts said earlier this week. “He wants to be there in the postseason. I think that did check him up. If you look at how we kind of paused things — we all want to be smart and careful. I’m happy that we’ve done that with him.”

Ohtani restarted catch play on Aug. 7. And after playing catch three more days this week, Ohtani and the Dodgers determined he was ready to throw off the mound again.

“Rather than rush the progression of this I would rather make sure we’re headed in the right direction,” Ohtani said last week. “Making sure we’re taking the right steps.”

Ohtani is expected to go through a bullpen progression and then advance to throwing live batting practice — although Roberts said earlier this week he didn’t know how many of each he’d need before returning.

Read more:Inside Lakers mega-deal: Mark Walter made a shocking decision. Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner jumped at the chance

Because the Dodgers want to keep Ohtani in the lineup, he’ll have to build up in games rather than going on a minor-league rehab assignment.

Ohtani did something similar last season, but then, he was returning to the mound for the first time since 2023 elbow surgery.

“Having kind of done that — an inning here, an inning there and then you sort of build up during the season, absolutely,” said Roberts when asked if 2025 could serve as a blueprint. “And I think he’s seen what that buildup can lead to and how it looks. I certainly feel that he’ll buy in.”

Injury updates

Catchers Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Rushing (elbow) each took steps in their hitting progressions. Both took batting practice before the game.

Smith has been out since early June. Rushing landed on the IL on Aug. 3.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Yankees’ Aaron Boone gets tossed for 50th career ejection — then gets fired up

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) talks with the home plate umpire against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre, Image 2 shows New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone argues with home plate umpire Vic Carapazza and is ejected in the sixth inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Aaron Boone

Aaron Boone didn’t get to see the end of Friday’s Yankees-Blue Jays game from the dugout.

The Yankees skipper was ejected from the top of the sixth inning of the Bombers’ 3-1 loss by home plate umpire Vic Carapazza over a disagreement about balls and strikes.

Luis Garcia Jr. was up with two outs in the sixth and took a breaking ball from Blue Jays starter that appeared to be well below the strike zone, but Carapazza called it a strike.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) talks with the home plate umpire against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre on Aug. 14, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Boone uttered something, and then Carapazza took off his mask and looked toward the first base dugout and said: “What’d you say? I didn’t hear you.”

“I think it was down,” Boone replied calmly.

New York Yankees Manager Aaron Boone argues with home plate umpire Vic Carapazza and is ejected in the sixth inning during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Getty Images

However, that was seemingly enough for Boone to get tossed for the fourth time this season and the 50th of his managerial career, tying him for 25th all-time.

Boone then came storming off the bench and got in the home plate umpire’s face before exiting for the clubhouse.

Jobe jittery as Sox’ bats boom in loss

Aug 14, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Detroit Tigers started another crucial series with a division rival, as the AL Central-leading (for now) Chicago White Sox came to town for the first of a three-gamer. The White Sox showed why they’re leading the league in runs scored as they pummelled the ball relentlessly on their way to a 9-5 win.

Jackson Jobe made his second start of the year for the Tigers, after spending time on the Injured List earlier this year recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery. He looked great in his first start, in San Francisco: five innings, one hit, one walk and four strikeouts. Having him in the rotation for the rest of the year, contributing the quality innings of which we know he’s capable, sure would help the Tigers chase down a playoff spot.

The White Sox decided to put on a little Pitching Chaos themselves and have Sean Newcomb open; he’s done this a few times over the past few years, so this wasn’t going to be his first rodeo. Besides, for both of 2017 and 2018 he was a full-time member of the Atlanta rotation, acquitting himself decently well before moving to a relief role in a few stops around the major leagues between then and now. Staying healthy has been Newcomb’s main problem over the years.

Jobe started the game in a pretty unusual way: by hitting two batters on the back foot with consecutive off-speed pitches. That’s not what you want to do against the American League’s top run-producing lineup, obviously — and with two outs a single to left put Chicago up 1-0 with runners on the corners. But Jobe got Colson Montgomery to swing and foul-tip a 98-mph fastball into Dillon Dingler’s mitt and the damage was thusly contained. He threw 25 pitches in the first inning; given that he’s still building up to full strength that meant his outing was probably going to be on the short side anyway, but in the second he only needed nine pitches to get those three outs.

Newcomb got the first out of the bottom of the second, and Old Friend™ José Urquidy came in for him. Remember Urquidy, very briefly, at the end of last season? Well, former teammate or not, Spencer Torkelson greeted him with a single, and after a strikeout Ben Malgeri connected on a low changeup for a two-run home run, putting the Tigers ahead 2-1.

The Tigers added to that lead in the bottom of the third: with two out, Kevin McGonigle singled and Eduardo Valencia followed with yet another extra-base hit, a double that scored McGonigle and put the home team up 3-1.

Alas, the White Sox then did what they do better than anyone else in the league: score a bunch of runs. A single to lead off the fourth was followed by a Tristan Peters two-run home run to even the game at 3-3. They took the lead 4-3 on a Munetaka Murakami solo home run two outs later, and Miguel Vargas followed with a double. A walk ensued, then a Braden Montgomery triple scored another pair of runs to make it 6-3 and end Jobe’s day. Jacob Waugespack was brought in to douse the flames and thankfully he did, coaxing a fly ball out of the other Montgomery for the final out.

Jobe’s final line was not pretty: 3 2/3 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 4 K and a pair of home runs. On the radio broadcast, Andy Dirks said it looked like Chicago’s hitters knew what was coming, and I can’t help but wonder if he was tipping his pitches a touch. Also, remember, he’s still coming back from Tommy John surgery, and history has shown it takes a while to really regain your sharpness.

After that, things settled down for a while, and Enmanuel De Jesus took over in the top of the sixth. With one out Murakami walked and Vargas blasted a long home run to left for an 8-3 lead, though.

Things got quiet again until the bottom of the seventh when Malgeri struck again for another home run to lead off the inning, narrowing the lead to 8-4. Max Clark followed with a sharp line drive to right-centre; Braden Montgomery dove for it and missed, and Clark motored around the bases for a triple.

A Gleyber Torres groundout scored Clark to make it 8-5. Huascar Brazobán, who’d taken over for Urquidy to start the sixth, departed in favour of Grant Taylor; it’s been a rough week with a heavy load for the White Sox, so burning as many of their good relievers as possible may just help the Tigers the rest of the weekend, if nothing else.

De Jesus got the first out of the top of the eighth and Ty Madden stepped in to promptly give up another Vargas home run for a 9-5 score.

In the bottom of the inning, Colt Keith hit a double the opposite way with one out to show the Tigers weren’t quite finished yet. He advanced to third on a Torkelson groundout, but a Zach McKinstry groundout stranded him there. They didn’t do much in the ninth either against lefty Bryan Hudson, and that was the game.

Final score: White Sox 9, Tigers 5

Notes and Controversies

  • As you might have seen, Thursday’s combined shutout victory against Cleveland was pretty unique, as it was the first time since 2014 that a team had shut out another without striking anybody out. Who was that previous team? You might know them as the Detroit Tigers; Rick Porcello went the distance, shutting out Oakland while throwing a Maddux.
  • Keider Montero started Thursday’s whiffless masterpiece. His strikeouts-per-nine-innings has actually gone down this year, from 7.1 last year to 6.0 this year so far.
  • You know what else has gone down by about one per nine innings this year for Montero, too? Walks. Last year, 3.1 (oooh); this year, 2.0 (aaah).
  • Since pitches have been routinely counted in 1988, Greg Maddux has the most Madduxes, as you might imagine. Know who has the second-most? I sure didn’t, and I never in a million years would have guessed Zane Smith, but hey, there you are.
  • On this day in 1901, Gustave Whitehead claimed to have flown an airplane in Connecticut. Did he beat the Wright Brothers by over two years? Not too many people seem to believe it. No photographic evidence of his machines being off the ground exist, nor did he keep detailed documentation about it.

Chris Paul joining Lakers would be ironic next chapter of his NBA life

chris paul bob iger split screen image
chris paul bob iger split screen image

Toward the end of his conversation with the California Post on Wednesday, soon-to-be Lakers co-owner Bob Iger had a clear message after he and business partner Josh Kushner agreed to purchase the franchise from Mark Walter for a historic valuation of $12.5 billion. 

“It’s just premature to speculate at all about what we plan to do,” Iger told the Post. “Because frankly, we haven’t made any plans yet.”

More than understandable considering the opportunity to buy the Lakers didn’t make itself available to Iger and Kushner until very recently. The agreement came together within three days, according to Iger.

But that hasn’t stopped speculation from happening anyway

Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, attends The Wallis Delivers: A Benefit Evening To Support Wildfire Recovery at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images

Immediate questions swirled about Jeanie Buss and whether she would remain the franchise’s governor after having an agreement with Walter to remain in the role for at least five years.

Iger told the Post he and Kushner intend to honor that agreement.

But an ESPN story fueled more speculation, with the outlet reporting Thursday multiple people around the league suggested that the recently retired NBA legend Chris Paul could have a role in the Lakers’ front office if there are changes. 

Iger, who was a longtime season-ticket holder for the Clippers, and Paul built a strong relationship while CP3 played for the Clippers from 2011-17, and have remained close since. 

It’s too early to tell whether Paul would be interested in a front office role with the Lakers. It also isn’t certain whether the Lakers would be interested in adding Paul to their front office.

But if Paul did join the Lakers in any capacity, it would be an ironic next chapter for his NBA life.

Chris Paul of the San Antonio Spurs looks on after Game Two of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images

Chris Paul ––– a Laker?

It’s almost been 15 years since Paul was nearly traded to the Lakers in December 2011.

At the time, the hope was that a then- 26-year-old Paul would help the Lakers contend for championships during the backend of Kobe Bryant’s prime, while also being the player they could build around in the 2010s.

But the trade was infamously nixed.

And Paul spent the next six years revitalizing the Clippers, the Lakers’ cross-town rival, while the Lakers slowly started to struggle until LeBron James joined the franchise in 2018. 

But if Paul is able to join the Lakers in any capacity, it could provide him with the opportunity to contribute to a franchise he could’ve been with – albeit in a significantly different way.

Only Paul can answer whether that’s a step he wants to take after retiring from a 21-year playing career this past February. 

But people around the league see the potential fit for Paul in a front office role.

A front office member on an Eastern Conference team told the Post they could see Paul, at least initially, best fitting in as a consultant as someone who people around the organization can pick the brain of the 12-time All-Star. 

Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade attend a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder during the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (NBAE) NBAE via Getty Images

“Just comes down to commitment and how much he listens,” the front office member told the Post of Paul’s fit as an executive. “Understanding [the] game at such a higher level goes such a long way.”

Another front office member for another team speculated going into coaching could be a better option for Paul, citing his playing career accolades.

“Such a student of the game, he’s used to leading on [the] floor and in a locker room,” they told the Post. “Could just see it translating well, in my opinion.”

They added: “But I could see either front office or coaching in his future.”

The next step for Paul – and the Lakers – aren’t known.

But Paul joining the Lakers could be a fascinating twist in a journey for the legendary point guard and franchise that have witnessed several of them.

Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (75-47) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (73-49)

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 10: Robert Gasser #54 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on from the dugout before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 10, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Brewers started their series against the Dodgers last night with a big comeback win. After being swept in San Diego, it was not looking good as they were down two in the ninth inning last night. However, a three-run inning capped a comeback for them as they took the series opener. The Brewers will try to build off that tonight in game two against the Dodgers.

Robert Gasser makes the start tonight for the Brewers. He’s coming off of a shorter start against the Twins, where he allowed three runs in 4 2/3 innings. This is Gasser’s second start this season against the Dodgers. In his first start against them, he allowed four runs on four hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings, striking out four. So far this season, he has a 4.57 ERA and 4.51 FIP. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a start since the All-Star Break, and has allowed three or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 starts.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers will turn to their top starter, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Over 21 starts this season, he has a 2.65 ERA, 3.43 FIP, and 127 strikeouts compared to 32 walks. Yamamoto is coming off of a shorter start, pitching just 5 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks. He did not allow any runs, but allowed three hits and three walks while striking out six. The Brewers faced him back in March, and scored just one run off of him in seven innings. He allowed seven hits and one walk in that start while striking out three.

There’s good news and bad news on the injury front tonight. The bad news is that the bullpen took another hit, with Abner Uribe being placed on the IL with a right forearm flexor strain. It’s not a serious injury, as the images on it came back clean. It will be a few days of rest for him before he returns to throwing. Grant Anderson was recalled to fill his roster spot.

Meanwhile, there are other positive injury updates. Brice Turang remains day-to-day and can hit, but tomorrow will be a critical day to decide if an IL stint is needed. Meanwhile, Sal Frelick is making progress on his rehab assignment and could return soon if play in the field goes well. Frelick is playing in right field for Nashville tonight and hit a home run in the game. Finally, Cooper Pratt is also recovering well and will only need a near minimum IL stint, but will need a rehab assignment.

Most of the same players are in the lineup, but it has been shifted around a bit. Garrett Mitchell is leading off with Jackson Chourio behind him. Jake Bauers is back at first base and batting first, while Andrew Vaughn remains at third base and bats fourth. Christian Yelich and William Contreras move up to fifth and sixth in the lineup, and Luis Lara is back in the lineup batting seventh. David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz fill out the lineup.

First pitch is at 9:10 p.m. It will be on Brewers.TV and the Brewers Radio Network.

Tyler Glasnow has 8 strikeouts in 3rd rehab start

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Tyler Glasnow #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on prior to the game against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on August 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tyler Glasnow made his third minor league rehab start on Friday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City, and this was his best yet. Glasnow struck out eight batters in 3 2/3 innings against the Albuquerque Isotopes, a Colorado Rockies affiliate.

Glasnow only allowed three balls in play among his 13 batters faced, and didn’t allow a ball hit into the outfield until a harmless flyout in the fourth inning. He walked two and ran a few other deep counts, getting him pulled at 67 pitches, one out shy of the planned four innings.

Isotopes hitters had trouble with Glasnow’s secondary pitches. He threw his slider, knuckle curve, and curveball a total of 23 times, and induced seven of his 11 total swinging strikes on those pitches.

Despite the relatively short outing, Glasnow tied an Oklahoma City season high with eight strikeouts, last done by Emmet Sheehan on Wednesday.

This was the third rehab start for Glasnow, who has been out since May 8 with back spasms. The right-hander pitched two scoreless innings on August 4 with Class-A Ontario, then went 2 2/3 innings last Sunday with Oklahoma City. Thus far Glasnow has allowed only a run on two hits and three walks, with three strikeouts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday at Dodger Stadium that Glasnow is expected to make one more minor league rehab start after this one, during which he will stretch out to roughly five innings and 75 pitches, before potentially returning to the Dodgers.

Much like when activating Blake Snell earlier this week, the Dodgers will need a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster, because Glasnow is on the 60-day injured list. But that return looks much more tangible now than it did two weeks ago.

Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants game discussion: Kyle Freeland vs. Landen Roupp

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland (21) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Reds led 4-1 after three innings. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

Colorado enters Friday night at 48-73, two games behind the 50-71 Giants for fourth place in the NL West. The Rockies went 1-2 in St. Louis, then took two of three from Arizona before Thursday’s off day, leaving them 3-3 through the first six games of the trip.

This is also the final series between Colorado and San Francisco in 2026. The season series is tied 5-5, and the Giants have outscored the Rockies by only four runs across those 10 games.

San Francisco spent June and July hovering around .500, going 24-27 with a minus-3 run differential. August has looked different. The Giants are 3-8 this month, their injured list is crowded and the roster has thinned since the trade deadline.

Rafael Devers provides the most obvious threat with 24 home runs. His .467 slugging percentage ranks among the top 40 hitters in baseball, so there is real thump in the bat, but it comes with a less imposing .788 OPS. Beyond Devers, there is not much power in the lineup.

But there is still enough competence to turn mistakes and free baserunners into runs, which makes Kyle Freeland’s command especially important tonight.

Freeland enters at 3-10 with a 6.63 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 96 strikeouts across 112.2 innings.

In his last start against St. Louis, he allowed three runs across 4.1 innings, but only one was earned after a two-out passed ball extended the bottom of the first inning and led to a two-run double. From there, the contact was mostly manageable — five hits, three hard-hit balls and an 83.7 mph average exit velocity on 16 balls in play — but he also walked three hitters.

Freeland’s command has generally remained one of his strengths. His 5.1% walk rate ranks among the best in baseball, while his cutter and sweeper have been the strongest parts of his six-pitch arsenal.

While it would be great for Freeland to continue avoiding the hard contact that has so often plagued him, he must return to keeping walks off the board against a potentially pesky Giants offense tonight.

Taking the ball opposite Freeland is 27-year-old righty Landen Roupp.

Roupp enters at 7-11 with a 4.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 123 strikeouts across 123.2 innings.

Roupp allowed only one earned run across 5.1 innings in his last start despite walking five and striking out only three. Even with all that traffic, hitters produced just two hard-hit balls on 15 balls in play with a 79.6 mph average exit velocity.

That is, in part, how Roupp has survived the walks.

Roupp can absolutely strike hitters out, but he is not an overpowering strikeout pitcher. His 23.6% strikeout rate is only a little above league average, while his 25.3% whiff rate is almost exactly league average. He has still recorded 123 strikeouts across 123.2 innings.

His real separator comes when hitters do make contact. Roupp has allowed an 86.1 mph average exit velocity with a 29.0% hard-hit rate and 4.2% barrel rate, all comfortably better than league average, while generating ground balls at a 51.8% clip.

He works from a low arm slot and relies on movement. His sinker has strong arm-side run and drop, and he pairs it heavily with a changeup against left-handed hitters. Against righties, the curveball becomes a bigger part of the plan. It has generated a 34.9% whiff rate this season and gives Roupp a legitimate put-away pitch. He is also comfortable repeating pitches rather than falling into an obvious hard-soft pattern.

Recently recalled Zac Veen starts in right field after going 1-for-3 with a strikeout in his return to the major league lineup on Wednesday. His lone hit was not a quiet one: Veen drove a 104.7 mph home run 407 feet to right-center field.

Connor Norby makes his third straight start at second base and is still looking for his first hit with the Rockies. He is 0-for-5 with two walks and two strikeouts through seven plate appearances, but the contact has been better than the line, including balls hit at 99.4 and 101.6 mph.

Jake McCarthy leads the Rockies on Fridays with a .328 average, .949 OPS and .597 slugging percentage through 18 Friday games. His seven doubles and five stolen bases also lead the team on Fridays.

In a late-night tilt at Oracle Park, tonight’s game may come down not to who creates the most chances, but to who makes the most of them.

The details…

First Pitch: 8:15 p.m. MDT

TV: Rockies.TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Giants SB Nation Site: McCovey Chronicles

Lineups:

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