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Go Rays!

After dropping last night’s contest, the pressure is back on the Nats. They were riding high after the series win against Arizona, but the bats did not show up last night. Now, they will need a bounceback performance to stay above .500. With the deadline looming and this club in a playoff race, every game matters so much.

The Nats are making a couple changes to the lineup. Jose Tena is out, with James Wood replacing him at DH. That means the outfield consists of Daylen Lile, Jacob Young and Dylan Crews, who is notably hitting third against a righty. Jorbit Vivas will stay in there at third, which indicates that he and Brady House will likely be a platoon. Cade Cavalli has been sharp of late, and is on the mound tonight.

today we have this lineup for you

→ https://t.co/iUBDqlACVspic.twitter.com/GbYfSUOBQQ

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 28, 2026

With a right handed starter, the Blue Jays are making some tweaks. We are seeing Yohendrick Pinango for the first time, and he is leading off. Andres Gimenez will also be in the lineup, playing shortstop. Jays breakout catcher Brandon Valenzuela will also make his first start of the series. A lot of eyes will be on Shane Bieber tonight, who is a trade candidate. He has been sharp his last couple of starts.

Let's win the series! #BlueJays50pic.twitter.com/uDbJeJoubQ

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 28, 2026

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 6:45 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Last night was about Max Scherzer’s return and the vibes were high. However, after losing that game, the focus is squarely on the playoff race again. The Nats did not lose any ground, so that is a positive. However, they need to keep winning to stay in the hunt. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

The Orioles are one victory away from having their winningest month of the season. So far in July, they are 13-7. With only three games left, including tonight, until the calendar flips, they have already guaranteed themselves their first month above .500 and their best winning percentage of any month. Another win will push them past the 13 wins they collected in both April and May. That would be pretty neat! Good timing too with the trade deadline less than a week away.

Based on run differential, the Orioles are the seventh-best team in the AL, which is three spots better than where they sit in the win-loss standings. They have been outscored by their opponents by 11 runs this year. That’s six runs better than the Cleveland Guardians, who currently occupy the final AL Wild Card spot with a 55-53 record. If they are going to inch any closer, they need to keep beating teams like these Tigers, who themselves are slipping closer and closer to selling.

Tonight’s task is a surprisingly tall one. Troy Melton is a 25-year-old, former fourth-round pick that has been very, very good this year. He has allowed more than two runs in a start just once this year, and it came back on June 9. He doesn’t usually go super deep into a game, failing to get out of the sixth inning in each of his last six starts. But the quality is undeniable. Each month has seen him post an ERA of 2.88 or better. So far in July he has a 1.21 ERA.

We will get to see the Orioles debut of Yohel Pozo behind the plate. He replaces Sam Huff on the team’s active roster after being claimed from the Cardinals a few days ago. He owns a .515 OPS this season and a .637 OPS for his career. The sooner one of Adley Rutschman or Samuel Basallo can get back behind the plate the better.

Orioles lineup

1. Dylan Beavers, DH
2. Pete Alonso, 1B
3. Gunnar Henderson, SS
4. Taylor Ward, LF
5. Leody Taveras, RF
6. Jackson Holliday, 2B
7. Coby Mayo, 3B
8. Colton Cowser, CF
9. Yohel Pozo, C

RHP Dean Kremer (1-3, 5.06 ERA)

Tigers lineup

1. Kevin McGonigle, SS
2. Gleyber Torres, 2B
3. Riley Greene, LF
4. Dillon Dingler, DH
5. Colt Keith, 3B
6. Spencer Torkelson, 1B
7. Zach McKinstry, RF
8. Eduardo Valencia, C
9. Javy Báez, CF

RHP Troy Melton (5-1, 1.95 ERA)

The Diamondbacks bullpen has reverted to regular form since the All-Star break – and that’s not a good thing. Over 45 innings in the second half, they have a 4.60 ERA, which ranks them 23rd in the majors. That compared to an ERA exactly at four before the break, good enough for 13th – there hasn’t been a better ERA by the D-backs bullpen since 2018. That number was more or less in line with the peripherals: FIP 3.92, xFIP 4.12 and xERA 3.96. None of them great, but compared to what we’ve seen in previous season, mere competence from the Arizona relief corps feels like a breath of fresh air.

But since then, the peripherals have all taken a turn for the worse. Home-run rate, only marginally – up from 0.96 to 1.00 per nine innings. But the walk-rate has increased from 3.01 to 3.40, and they haven’t been striking out nearly the number of batters they were. It wasn’t great before: a K-rate of 7.86 per nine innings is tied for 25th in the majors by a bullpen. But that has plummeted to just 6.40: the Nationals (6.33) are the only other team with a K-rate below seven since the break. Kevin Ginkel has faced 26 batters with just three K’s. Taylor Clarke has faced 27 and struck out two. And Ryan Thompson? 23 batters without a single strikeout in the second half.

This matters, because fewer strikeouts = more balls in play, which will almost inevitably lead to more hits. That’s why we have a FIP of 4.56, xFIP of 4.76 and xERA of 4.56 – all up by approaching two-thirds of a run in the second half. Now, we are still in the somewhat small sample size range, but I do have to wonder if the heavy work-load in the first half for Arizona’s A-bullpen is leading to fatigue. We have six relievers with more than forty appearances (including all three of the pitchers mentioned above): no other team has more than that in 2026, with only the Yankees, Cardinals and Blue Jays having more than four such arms.

Well, tomorrow’s going to be a busy one! The Braves and Mets played through a little bit of rain during Monday night’s debacle and even though tonight has already been declared a washout, there’s a chance that they may have to dodge some more raindrops tomorrow as well. The weather is looking really bleak either way, so hopefully they’ll be able to complete the doubleheader just so that won’t cost Atlanta another off day down the stretch.

For now, we’ve got a rain-induced off night so what are y’all getting into? If you’re planning on watching baseball (outside of the hate-watch down in Miami) then I’d suggest tuning in to see the Yankees and White Sox since that seems like an intriguing series going on at the moment.

If you aren’t going to watch baseball and you have Apple TV then I suggest that you actually put it to use for something other than watching the Atlanta Braves. I’ve really enjoyed the Cape Fear miniseries, even if it was a head-scratcher as to why we needed a remake (2026) of a remake (1991) of a movie that originally came out in 1962. Still, it’s been pretty fun and if you enjoy extremely-messed up stories then it’s worth a watch. The finale is in a few days so you’ll be getting in at the best part.

Also, here’s a Feed post to get into as well if you want to just hang out here on Battery Power with your ol’ internet pals. We’ve got a lot going on here. Anyways, the floor is now yours!

Knowing the Los Angeles Dodgers and their free-spending ways, it’s inevitable they’ll acquire pitcher Tarik Skubal or another high-priced player before the Aug. 3 trade deadline and maximize their chances to win a third straight World Series title.

Their willingness to pay top dollar for free agents is indisputable. Start with Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million, 10-year contract. Or the $240 million, four-year deal Kyle Tucker got before this season. Six other players on the roster signed deals worth more than $100 million.

But do the Dodgers go all out at the trade deadline?

Of the eight highest paid players on the current roster, none were acquired at the MLB trade deadline. In fact, their past two were awfully quiet: yet Los Angeles still won the World Series in 2024 and 2025.

2024: Edman ends up playoff hero

For the Dodgers in 2024, there was no obvious splash at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles added pitchers Jack Flaherty and Michael Kopech, along with utility player Tommy Edman and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier.

The Dodgers were 63-46 (.578) before the trade deadline and 35-18 (.660) after the deadline. Flaherty and Kopech strengthened the Dodgers’ pitching in the regular season, going a combined 10-2, with Kopech taking on a high-leverage role in relief.

But Edman wound up the postseason hero. He won the National League Championship Series MVP, batting .407 with 11 hits, one home run, 11 RBIs, and five runs in six games against the New York Mets and the Dodgers won the series four games to two.

In the World Series, the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games. Kopech made 12 postseason appearances and Flaherty started five games in the playoff run.

2025: Depth at the deadline

For the Dodgers in 2025, the club generated even less buzz at the trade deadline.

Los Angeles picked up three minor leaguers (pitcher Adam Serwinowski along with outfielders Zach Ehrhard and James Tibbs III), outfielder Alex Call, pitchers Paul Gervase and Brock Stewart and catcher Ben Rortvedt.

The Dodgers went 63-46 (.578) before the deadline and 30-23 (.566) after the deadline.

There was no Tommy Edman among this group. But the depth proved vital for the Dodgers with Rortvedt starting four playoff games as Smith dealt with injury, while Call made three starts in the outfield.

The Dodgers went on to win the World Series, prevailing over the Toronto Blue Jays with a heart-stopping fashion, extra-inning victory in Game 7.

How Dodgers do business

The Dodgers have made significant upgrades with the trade deadline over the past decade. The acquisitions included pitcher Yu Darvish in 2017, when he was a four-time All-Star; shortstop Manny Machado in 2018, when he was a four-time All-Star; pitcher Max Sherzer in 2021, when he a seven-time All-Star; and shortstop Trea Turner in 2021, who won the NL batting title that year.

But none of those additions led to World Series rings, and the Dodgers have assembled their most fruitful rosters through other methods.

The Dodgers used free agency to sign first baseman Freddie Freeman, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, pitcher Blake Snell, Ohtani (designated hitter/pitcher) and Tucker, the outfielder.

Though winter trades, the Dodgers acquired shortstop Mookie Betts and pitcher Tyler Glasnow.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers' World Series show splurging at MLB trade deadline isn't mandatory

The Cincinnati Reds dropped an up and down Game 1 of Tuesday’s doubleheader, a game rife with twists and turns that ultimately didn’t go their way. A grand slam off Chase Burns in the Top of the 1st (after an Edwin Arroyo error on a would-be inning-ending double play) set them back 4-0, but they roared back to take a 5-4 lead thanks the heroics of rookie Sal Stewart.

Not deterred, the Cleveland Guardians stole the lead right back thanks to future Hall of Famer Jose Ramirez, and Cincinnati’s bats simply couldn’t claw their way back again in an eventual 6-5 loss.

That sunk the Reds back to 7 games under .500 on a day that began with their hopes that they could climb as close to as just 4 games under. Such is life when you’re on the bubble in trade season and playing twice in the same day.

Caleb Ferguson will be the opener for the Reds in Game 2, which will start at 7:10 PM ET. Jose Franco was called up to be the 27th man on this doubleheader day, and the expectation is that he’ll end up getting the bulk of the work at some point mid-game.

Here’s how the Reds will line up for the second game of the day, with the bottom half of the lineup looking about as gross as it possibly could be:

Game 2 in a few.

Powered by @PNCBankpic.twitter.com/PxtAkHB2ey

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 28, 2026

Texas Rangers @ Tampa Bay Rays

Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 5:40 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

Tropicana Field

RHP Cal Quantrill vs. RHP Griffin Jax

Go Rangers!

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, July 28, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the second matchup of a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park.

The Pirates will have Bubba Chandler in the spotlight tonight as he makes his 21st start of the season for the team. His record is 3-8, but he is coming off a strong showing in his last appearance against the New York Yankees on the road. Chandler pitched 6.1 innings, giving up two hits and no earned runs. The Yanks scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning off of reliever Brandon Eisert, resulting in a 2-0 loss.

The Diamondbacks are handing the ball to Brandon Pfaadt, who has won each of his last five starts after going winless for his first 13 appearances of the season. In the second half of the season, Pfaadt has only made two starts, both of which were against the St. Louis Cardinals. In his last start on July 23, he pitched six innings, giving up seven hits and two runs in a 10-6 victory at Busch Stadium.

With the calendar slowly moving from July to August, the Pirates are moving into the final stretch of the season, so they need to make the most of each game, especially at home.

Location: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Pitching Matchup: Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.43 ERA) vs. Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.47 ERA)

BD community, chime off in the comments section below.

The San Diego Padres have won three games in a row and will look to make that four games with a win against the Colorado Rockies who have a 2-4 record coming into the two-game series at Petco Park.

As is the case seemingly every season, the Rockies players are essentially auditioning for other teams around the league. It is understandable that the Colorado roster wants to play well.

The Padres are stuck in limbo of will they or won’t they as the trade deadline approaches. The San Diego players have made no secret that they are aware of how important the next six games are to the team and the season. The Padres have built momentum despite a 5-5 road trip and will need a win today to keep the good vibes going.

Taking the mound

Michael King (SD) v. Michael Lorenzen (COL)

Michael King came into the season as a co-ace with Nick Pivetta. He quickly became the sole ace when Pivetta went down with injury. King has not had a dominant season, but he has looked better over the last couple of outings. He is he lone pitcher in the San Diego rotation that is a threat to throw a complete game and time out.

Michael Lorenzen has had a down year, but that does not automatically mean the San Diego offense will have success against the Colorado right-hander. Lorenzen sits at 3-9 on the year and carries a 6.53 ERA. The Padres will have to jump on Lorenzen early and often to give King a chance to pitch with a lead.

Batter up!

The San Diego offense has been clicking and there is no reason to make massive changes to the order. The top five had a productive road trip and despite an 0-for-5 from Fernando Tatis Jr. on Sunday, they keep collecting hits. As the saying goes, ride the hot hand. Bogaerts has fallen into one of those cold spells we have come to know in San Diego, but he did hit the ball hard out of the eighth spot in the lineup. He should remain in that spot to give the lineup some length and limit the number of opportunities he has to roll into a double play. Rengifo has been too good to sit and Sheets showed signs of getting back on track. Campy should start for his offense but his defensive blunder on Sunday could mean he sits in place of Freddy Fermin and is used later in the game as a pinch-hit threat off the bench.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
2. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Ty France, 1B
5. Jackson Merrill, CF
6. Luis Rengifo, LF
7. Gavin Sheets DH, 2B
8. Xander Bogaerts, SS
9. Luis Campusano, C

Cronenworth has been much better since returning from the IL and Sunday may have been his best game at the plate this season. If he can continue to set the table for Machado, France and Merrill he could help to extend the San Diego win streak with a win over the Rockies.

Relief corps

The San Diego bullpen has seen a lot of work this season and saw even more over their 10-game road trip. The Padres have reverted to an 11-man ‘pen, which means there are plenty of arms should Padres manager Craig Stammen need to go to that group early. The hope is that King can give the team some length in his outing, but if he is unable to do so, everyone should be available to cover the remaining innings after the off day on Monday.

Tuesday notes…

• MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS: This is the Cubs’ 27th series of at least four games at St. Louis since the National League’s Expansion Era began in 1962. With their win last night, they are 13-14 in first games but 6-4 in the last 10, since 2007. They are 5-4 in second games since then and 11-15 overall. They have won the first two games four times: 1976 (finished 2-2), 1992 (3-1), 2014 (2-2) and 2023 (3-1). The last of those is the only time they won the first three. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• STREAKING, PART 1: The Cubs have hit at least one home run in nine consecutive games, a season high. Their last nine-game streak was in 2024. They had streaks of 10 and 13 games in 2023, and in 2021 they homered in 16 straight, one short of their team-record 17 in 1998. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• STREAKING, PART 2: Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki both have 15-game on-base streaks. Nico Hoerner had a streak end at 15 earlier this year. Suzuki had one of 16; Michael Busch, 19 and 27; Pete Crow-Armstrong, 28; and Happ, 30. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Manny Trillo’s three-run homer in the 11th inning gives the Cubs a 5-2 win over the Phillies in Philadelphia. It happened 50 years ago today, Wednesday, July 28, 1976.

Cubs lineup:

Back for more baseball.

Watch the game live on @WatchMarquee. pic.twitter.com/0JHOqwT96J

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 28, 2026

Cardinals lineup:

🎼 On a long hot summer day pic.twitter.com/bNtEoDh3YR

— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 28, 2026

Colin Rea, RHP vs. Michael McGreevy, RHP

Colin Rea keeps plugging along, eating up five or six innings a start, allowing three or four runs.

That’s okay, but… the Cubs need better. He has not faced the Cardinals this year. Current Cardinals are batting .119 (7-for-59) against him with no home runs and 17 strikeouts.

Keep that up, Colin.

Michael McGreevy has been the Cardinals’ most consistent starter all year. He has allowed two or fewer runs in 13 of his 20 starts.

He doesn’t walk many or strike out many, so the Cubs should look to put the ball in play tonight.

Last year he made three starts against the Cubs and posted a 4.70 ERA in 15.1 innings, with three home runs allowed (one by Seiya Suzuki, two by Michael Busch). He’s allowed 15 home runs this year in 114.1 innings.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Busch Stadium.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. It’s also on TBS (outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories).

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.