Phillies on the Pharm: 7/31/2026

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 23: Caden Bogenpohl #88 bats during the 2026 Draft Combine at Chase Field on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Jill Weisleder/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

It was a busy day for the Phillies affiliates, with two doubleheaders thanks to Tuesday’s rainouts. And happily, most of those games ended up as wins for the good guys.

Buffalo 1, Lehigh Valley 0

The IronPigs pitchers allowed nine hits in the first game of their doubleheader, but just a single run. That run was scored in the first, giving the home team a full nine frames to catch up/ Unfortunately, they could not, as the Lehigh Valley batters were shut out. Dylan Moore had a pair of hits, making up half of his team’s total. The IronPigs also worked five walks, but to little avail. Starter Chuck King allowed the Bisons to scatter seven hits across his five innings of work, but walked only one batter. Kirby Snead pitched a pair of scoreless innings.

Lehigh Valley 5, Buffalo 3

The IronPig bats came alive in the second half of the doubleheader, though it took some time: they scored one run in the third, and four in the fifth. Felix Reyes and Christian Cairo had a pair of hits each. Kameron Misner reached base three times, with had a hit and a pair of walks, Otto Kemp did the same. Drake Fellows had a somewhat shaky performance, allowing five hits and three runs, along with five walks, in five innings. But he did enough to get the win; Michael Mercado got the save after two scoreless innings,

Reading 7, Binghamton 2

This one got off to a weird start, with the Rumble Ponies scoring on, of all things, a balk. But it ended in happier territory. Seven of the nine Fightin Phils starters had hits, with Wuilfredo Antunez leading the way on 2 for 3 batting. Reading scored three different ways in the sixth: by base hit, by wild pitch, and by bases loaded walk.

Luke Russo had the start, going 4 innings with two hits, one run, three walks and 4 Ks. Four Phils relievers would take the mound after him, allowing only one hit between them; Wen-Hui Pan got the win.

Jersey Shore 2, Hudson Valley 1

This was an abridged affair, as a rainout from this past Tuesday made a doubleheader last night. The BlueClaws thus ended up scoring the winning run in the eighth, which, here, was extra innings. Nathan Humphreys homered in the fifth, and Daunte Stuart drove in the winning run with a double. Starter Cody Bowker struck out 6 across 3.2 innings of work, though he allowed nearly as many hits; he walked none.


Jersey Shore 6, Hudson Valley 4

The finish to this one was even more dramatic than the one from the first half of the doubleheader. The Threshers came into the seventh, and final, inning down by two; they scored four. Devin Saltiban had two of the club’s six hits, and Luis Caicuto drove in two runs with a double. Griffin Burkholder had a rough night, striking out in all three of his at-bats, though he did work a walk as well. Cade Obermueller had the start and went three difficult innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits, with four walks to go along with his four strikeouts.

Jupiter 9, Clearwater 0

The Threshers took another shark-themed club; the Hammerheads got the better of them. But despite the lopsided score, there was reason to be happy: 2026 draftee Caden Bogenpohl made his debut and smacked a double in his first at-bat; an auspicious beginning. Only two other Threshers had hits, however. Four Threshers took to the mound, and all allowed runs, three allowing multiple. Yordanis Guerra (3.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 K) took the loss.

Panthers' Paul Maurice Lands Third Overall In NHL Coach Rankings

TheHockeyNews.com is running a series ranking each NHL coach, going in reverse order from No. 32 to No. 1. 

The criteria for these rankings include each coach’s accomplishments, short- and long-term history, expectations, and general reputation. Of course, these rankings are subjective. 

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice was unsurprisingly very high on this list, landing in the No. 3 spot, ahead of fellow NHL Stanley Cup champion coaches like Jared Bednar, Joel Quenneville and Mike Sullivan. 

Maurice has been everything the Panthers hoped for and more when they signed the now 59-year-old to be the head coach. He joined Florida and immediately changed the culture of the organization for the better.

In his first season, the Panthers snuck into the playoffs as the second wild-card team and pulled off arguably the biggest upset in NHL history. They fought their way to the Stanley Cup final but ultimately lost.

In his next two seasons, the Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cups, cementing themselves in NHL history, with Maurice guiding the franchise.

The 2025-26 season was a difficult campaign for the Panthers, as injuries kept piling up and the team couldn't claw their way into a playoff spot. But the team is healthy heading into the 2026-27 season, and after some major off-season moves, the pressure is now back on the Panthers to be contenders once again. 

Maurice could become the NHL's all-time leader in games coached if he continues his NHL career. Maurice has 2,012 regular-season games under his belt as a coach, only 129 behind Scotty Bowman for the most NHL games coached ever.

Throughout his coaching career, Maurice has been the bench boss of the Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets

NHL Coach Rankings: No. 3 Could Become All-Time Games Coached LeaderNHL Coach Rankings: No. 3 Could Become All-Time Games Coached LeaderPaul Maurice could break Scotty Bowman's record for most NHL games coached in about one-and-a-half seasons if he helps the Florida Panthers bounce back from a rough season.

"Maurice has earned the flowers he's received since Florida's back-to-back championships," said THN.com writer Adam Proteau. "He's been smart enough to have the trust of team ownership everywhere he's worked, and he's made the most of just about every opportunity he's received at the NHL level.

"If he never coached again, Maurice would be a no-brainer Hall of Famer. But he still has the competitive fire burning in him, and he now can add at least one more Cup to his phenomenal resume. The Panthers have the talent to be a playoff team in the Atlantic next season, and Maurice can add to his already-impressive legacy."

Maurice's impact on the Panthers cannot be understated, and if the Panthers hope to bounce back, Maurice will be a key factor in their success.


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MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Friday, July 31

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Full Slate Friday has arrived, which means the weekend is officially here.

I have put together my thoughts for every matchup on tonight's slate, so without further ado, here are my MLB moneyline predictions for every game on the board.

See what teams need to be on your MLB picks on Friday, July 31!

MLB moneyline picks for July 31

MatchupPick
YankeesYankees
vs
Cubs Cubs
Cubs
-144
PiratesPirates
vs
RedsReds
Reds
+117
PhilliesPhillies
vs
OriolesOrioles
Orioles
-111
CardinalsCardinals
vs
Blue JaysBlue Jays
Cardinals
+160
DiamondbacksDiamondbacks
vs
GuardiansGuardians
Guardians
-130
White SoxWhite Sox
vs
RaysRays
Rays
-135
MarlinsMarlins
vs
MetsMets
Marlins
+117
NationalsNationals
vs
BravesBraves
Nationals
+108
RangersRangers
vs
AstrosAstros
Rangers
+115
Royals Royals
vs
RockiesRockies
Royals
-104
BrewersBrewers
vs
AngelsAngels
Brewers
-156
TigersTigers
vs
AthleticsAthletics
Tigers
-133
GiantsGiants
vs
PadresPadres
Giants
+135
Red SoxRed Sox
vs
DodgersDodgers
Dodgers
-115
TwinsTwins
vs
MarinersMariners
Twins
+160

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of July 31.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for July 31

Yankees vs Cubs: Cubs (-144)

Cubs win probability: 59%

If you've been following these daily moneyline articles, first off, thank you. Second, you know I'm usually not a fan of laying juice on moneylines. That said, I want no part of the Yankees right now. The way they've played over the last few days has been flat-out pathetic, from the mental mistakes to the sloppy baseball.

Plus, Will Warren has a 7.50 ERA over his last five starts, and the offense has a 67 wRC+. 

Give me the Cubs.

Pirates vs Reds: Reds (+117)

Reds win probability: 46%

"But Paul Skenes is on the mound."

Okay...and when have the Pirates ever given that man run support? Why would I trust them to do it today? Over their last 12 games, Pittsburgh owns an 89 wRC+, .294 wOBA, and .136 ISO.

The Reds have not been much better offensively, but they have at least continued to generate plenty of hard contact, something Skenes has allowed this season. On the other hand, Hunter Greene's underlying metrics point to better results ahead, or, as the kids like to say, "positive regression."

Give me the dog.

Phillies vs Orioles: Orioles (-111)

Orioles win probability: 52%

The Phillies have been an ice-cold mess over the past week, posting just an 87 wRC+, .299 wOBA, and .672 OPS over their last six games. The Orioles have not been much better offensively during that stretch, but Brandon Young has quietly been pitching really well. Across his last three starts, he owns a 2.21 ERA, 2.91 xERA, and 1.03 WHIP.

In a matchup between two cold offenses, I'll gladly back the pitcher who has been throwing the ball better.

Give me the Birds.

Cardinals vs Blue Jays: Cardinals (+160)

Cardinals win probability: 38%

Keep in mind, these are strictly moneyline plays. Am I laying -163 to back Dylan Cease and an inconsistent Blue Jays offense? Absolutely not. I would also not want to risk the runline with this team either. 

Instead, I'll happily take +160 with Kyle Leahy, who has been lights out over his last five starts. Pair that with a Cardinals lineup that continues to generate plenty of hard contact and feels due for a breakout, and I'll take my chances with the underdog.

Diamondbacks vs Guardians: Guardians (-130)

Guardians win probability: 56%

With Mitch Bratt posting a 7.11 ERA, 2.13 WHIP, and a 14% walk rate over his last three starts, I want no part of backing the Diamondbacks tonight. On the other side, Tanner Bibee has started to turn things around, posting a 2.89 ERA across his last three outings.

The Guardians offense has been dormant, while Arizona has finally started to come back down to earth after its scorching two week stretch at the plate.

I'll simply side with the hotter arm in this one.

White Sox vs Rays: Rays (-135)

Rays win probability: 57%

It is hard for me to look at what Nick Martinez has done over his last three starts and want to fade him. During that stretch, he owns a 0.69 ERA, 1.64 xERA, and 0.85 WHIP.

The White Sox have also looked shaky this past week against the Yankees, and now they hand the ball to Eric Fedde, who owns a 5.40 ERA on the road this season.

Give me the Rays.

Marlins vs Mets: Marlins (+117)

Marlins win probability: 46%

The Fighting Fish are starting to heat back up. Over their last six games, they own a 114 wRC+, .332 wOBA, .748 OPS, and .173 ISO.

Janson Junk gets the ball tonight, and his underlying metrics point toward better results ahead. He is also coming off a strong outing on Sunday, giving me confidence he can build on that performance.

Freddy Peralta's underlying metrics are solid too, but I have zero trust in him at this price.

Nationals vs Braves: Nationals (+108)

Nationals win probability: 48%

We're getting plus money with one of the hottest offenses in baseball and one of its best arms on the mound. On the other side is Bryce Elder, who owns a 5.97 xERA and 1.64 WHIP over his last five starts.

The Braves offense has also cooled off considerably, posting just a 72 wRC+, .274 wOBA, and .610 OPS over its last six games.

I'll gladly take the hotter lineup at plus money.

Give me the most electrifying offense in baseball.

Rangers vs Astros: Rangers (+115)

Rangers win probability: 46%

Hunter Brown has looked better over his last three starts, but I think Nathan Eovaldi is in the better spot tonight. The Rangers offense has been on an absolute tear over its last 21 games. Sure, the strikeout rate is a bit elevated, but they're also carrying a 120 wRC+, .342 wOBA, and .782 OPS during that stretch.

The Astros have been swinging it well too, but I have more concerns with their bullpen, and I'm not convinced Brown has completely turned the corner.

Royals vs Rockies: Royals (-104)

Royals win probability: 50%

Real quick and easy here: Tomoyuki Sugano is on the mound for the Rockies, and their offense is completely frozen.

That's really all I need.

If you want a little more, Michael Wacha has been very solid in his recent starts, while the Royals offense has continued to generate plenty of hard contact. This feels like a great spot for Kansas City to do some damage at Coors.

Brewers vs Angels: Brewers (-156)

Brewers win probability: 61%

Pay the juice. The Brewers are worth it.

Shane Drohan's underlying metrics over his last five starts have been outstanding, posting a 3.00 xERA while walking just 4.84% of opposing hitters. He also draws a favorable matchup against an Angels lineup that owns just an 89 wRC+, .297 wOBA, and .651 OPS over its last 12 games.

On the other side, Ryan Johnson enters with a 7.34 ERA on the season, and this Brewers offense has been mashing all year. With the way Milwaukee has been swinging the bats, this feels like another spot where they put up runs.

Pay the juice.

Tigers vs Athletics: Tigers (-135)

Tigers win probability: 57%

The Tigers are not my favorite team to back because of their inconsistency, but this feels like a spot where I have to side with the Kitties. The Athletics have gone ice cold, and Jeffrey Springs has been getting shelled, posting an 8.86 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, and allowing a 10.67% barrel rate over his last five starts.

On the other side, Casey Mize has been nails, recording a 2.20 ERA, 2.66 xERA, and 0.84 WHIP across his last five outings.

It is Tigers or nothing for me in this one.

Giants vs Padres: Giants (+135)

Giants win probability: 42%

Death. Taxes. Fade Germán Márquez.

Márquez has been a disaster at home this season, posting a 7.36 ERA, 5.83 xERA, and 1.77 WHIP. Luckily for us, the Giants offense has started to find its groove, owning a 114 wRC+, .329 wOBA, and .741 OPS over its last 21 games.

There is simply no chance I'm laying juice against a lineup this hot with Germán Márquez on the mound.

Red Sox vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-115)

Dodgers win probability: 54%

I completely understand that Ranger Suárez and the Red Sox have been rolling and continue to find ways to win, but getting the Dodgers at just -115 is a price I am not passing up.

Especially with Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound.

What?!

Give me the Dodgers.

Twins vs Mariners: Twins (+160)

Twins win probability: 38%

Sure, the Twins are coming off a massive walk-off win yesterday, but nothing is going to convince me to lay -163 with this Mariners team.

I know Zebby Matthews has struggled on the road this season, sporting a 7.58 ERA away from home. But Bryce Miller has not been much better over his last three starts, and Seattle's offense has been ice cold for weeks.

At this price, I'll happily grab the heavy underdog.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Brewers 2026 Trade Deadline Tracker

DETROIT, MI - JULY 29: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers delivers his 1,000th strikeout pitch against Taylor Ward of the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Comerica Park on July 29, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hot stove season is well underway. Milwaukee has already made a few trades this year, acquiring pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon (though McCullers has already been released), infielder Braden Shewmake (also released), and reliever Joel Kuhnel.

And the Brewers certainly aren’t done yet. While they haven’t yet made the splashy move that’s been speculated over the last several weeks, there’s certainly the chance they do so this weekend.

Follow along below as rumors and news from around the league emerge.

7/31, 9:12 a.m.: Potential Brewer target Casey Mize, a right-hander on the Tigers, has been scratched from his start scheduled for Friday night. His next start is now scheduled for Tuesday, meaning he may have already pitched in his last game for Detroit.

7/31, 9:06 a.m.: Brewers reportedly among the teams showing strong interest in Mets reliever Luke Weaver.

Penguins extend Tommy Novak for three years

ELMONT, NY - MARCH 30: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Tommy Novak (18) controls the puck during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders on March 30, 2026, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Penguins announced a signing on Friday, tightening up Tommy Novak for three more years. Novak was set to be a free agent in 2027, his new deal will have him under contract through 2029-30.

From the team:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Tommy Novak to a three-year contract extension, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.

The contract, which begins in the 2027-28 season and runs through 2029-30, carries an average annual value of $4.65 million. Novak, 29, was due to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026-2027 season.

Novak has played parts of five seasons in the NHL with the Penguins and Nashville Predators. In 2025-26, Novak recorded 16 goals, 26 assists and 42 points in 82 games with Pittsburgh. His point total ranked seventh on the team, while his five power-play tallies ranked fifth. The forward added two assists in six playoff games last season. Novak was the only Penguin to play in all 82 regular-season games in ‘25-26.

In 285 career NHL games, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward has registered 65 goals, 94 assists and 159 points. His most productive season came in 2023-24 when he tallied career highs in goals (18), assists (27) and points (45) in 71 games with the Predators.

Prior to turning professional, the St. Paul, Minnesota native skated four seasons for the University of Minnesota from 2015-19, notching 88 points (18G-70A) in 129 games.

Novak represented Team USA at the 2026 World Championship, recording a team-high seven assists and eight points in eight games.

In a world where salaries are skyrocketing from an increased cap, the Pens get Novak at $4.65 million for a slight raise from the $3.5 million he will play on in 2026-27.

Novak, 29, provides versatility to the lineup, offering up the ability to play on the wing or at center and be moved around the lineup accordingly to fit where he’s needed. He had a great 2025-26 in Pittsburgh, his first year with the Pens where he played in all 82 games and recorded 42 points.

Under the hood, beyond the stat line there is another element of Novak’s game that enamors him to coaches for his puck handling ability and strong play in the neutral zone as a supporting player. From his season review:

Here’s a reason why Novak was a lineup staple even during his production cold streaks. Set aside counting stats like goals and assists and this look shows just what a master Novak is in the neutral zone. His ability to carry the puck with possession out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone are first rate. Once in the offensive end, he’s a wizard at setting up teammates. He doesn’t hit, isn’t particularly speedy or have a lot of goal-scoring touch but otherwise there’s an awful lot to like in the microstats. That doesn’t always translate to goals or points but is a huge factor in helping fuel a line.

A three-year contract has been a rarity for the Pens as of late, besides that term for standard entry level deals Pittsburgh has only given such term to Yegor Chinakhov and Blake Lizotte since 2023, while also inheriting the four years remaining on Kaeden Korczak’s contract in a trade.

Because of that, those three players plus now Novak (and the remainder of Ryan Graves’ long deal) are the only NHL contracts that Pittsburgh has on the books for the 2028-29 season. The whole team seems prime to undergo a quick turn into rebuilding or whatever comes next once the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang era ends in the coming year(s) and they move into the future with a largely clean sheet. For now, it looks like Novak will be a useful player a part of the future of the Penguins for a while yet to come.

Snake Bytes 7/31

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 29: Gabriel Moreno #14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on July 29, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Team News

Diamondbacks have more options to handle closer-by-committee than in the recent pasthttps://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/options-handle-closer-by-committee

How Diamondbacks’ 2025 trade deadline played out 1 year laterhttps://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/how-2025-trade-deadline-played-out


5 Rental Relievers for Diamondbacks to Target at the Trade Deadlinehttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/5-rental-relievers-diamondbacks-target-trade-deadline

5 Potential Rental Bat Targets for the Diamondbacks at Trade Deadlinehttps://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/onsi/5-realistic-rental-bat-targets-diamondbacks-trade-deadline

Other Baseball

Latest Chatter On Tarik Skubal
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/latest-chatter-on-tarik-skubal.html

Padres, Diamondbacks Scouting Freddy Peralta
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/07/padres-diamondbacks-scouting-freddy-peralta.html

2026 MLB trade deadline rumors, news, live updates: Tarik Skubal trade loom; Curtis Mead fractures wrist after trade to Red Sox

https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/live/2026-mlb-trade-deadline-rumors-news-live-updates-tarik-skubal-mason-miller-cj-abrams-joe-ryan-buyers-sellers-182640023.html


Twins’ Kody Clemens blasts walk-off grand slam vs. Royals https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/49491240/twins-kody-clemens-blasts-walk-grand-slam-vs-royals





Anything Goes


This day in history:

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-31

This day in baseball:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/July_31

The average bear will have 42 teeth.

Each adult bear will have a total of 42 teeth. This includes 4 prominent and curved canine teeth, 12 incisors, 16 premolars, and 10 molars. The claws on the bears’ feet are relatively shorter than their teeth.

s are born without kneecaps. 

Turns out, babies are as soft and delicate as they look. Babies may have more bones than the average fully-grown human, but they definitely won’t be doing any stunts anytime soon. Babies are born with a cartilaginous structure in their knees that will eventually develop into kneecaps by the time they are four years old. 

The most commonly used letter in the English alphabets is E.

The second most common letters are T, A, I, N, and O. The least used letter in the English alphabets is the letter Q. 


Astros Prospect Report: July 30th

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - JULY 22: Walker Janek #3 of the Corpus Christi Hooks looks on during the game between the Amarillo Sod Poodles and the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Photo by Vanessa Buentello/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (54-50) won 8-2 (BOX SCORE)

Sugar Land got on the board in the first inning on a Whitcomb RBI single. Alexander started for Sugar Land and went 4 innings allowing 1 run. Sugar Land took the lead in the 6th inning on an Alexander 2 run home run. They got 2 more runs in the 7th on a Delgado RBI groundout and Loperfido RBI single. In the 8th inning, Brooks added 3 runs on a 3 run home run to extend the lead. The pen was solid as they closed out the 8-2 win.

Note: Loperfido is hitting .284 in Triple-A.


AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (46-53) won 16-4 (BOX SCORE)

The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on an error. In the third inning, Janek connected on a solo home run. Gillis got the start and went 4 innings allowing 1 run with 4 strikeouts. The Hooks extended the lead in the 5th inning on a Schiavone RBI double and Encarnacion walk. They blew things open in the 6th scoring 7 runs on a Schiavone RBI single, Encarnacion 2 run single and Call grand slam. They continued to score runs in the 7th on a Janek 2 run home run and a run on an error. Janek capped off an incredible night with a 2 run double in the 8th. The pen allowed a couple of runs but the offense did more than enough as the Hooks won 16-4.

Note: Gillis has a 3.59 ERA this season.


A+: Asheville Tourists (33-65)

Game One – lost 16-12 (BOX SCORE)

Asheville got on the board on a Moss walk in the first. In the second inning they scored 4 runs on a Frey 2 run single, Huezo RBI double and Moss RBI double. They got 2 more in the third inning on a Nunez solo home run and Neyens solo home run. Cruz got the start and allowed 5 runs before being relieved by Carr who allowed another 6 runs. Wells pitched in relief and allowed 5 runs. The offense got a few runs back including a 2 run double from Huezo in the 7th but the comeback fell short as Asheville fell 16-12.

Note: Neyens has a .829 OPS in High-A.

Game Two – lost 6-1 (BOX SCORE)

Oakes got the start for Asheville but struggled allowing 6 runs, 3 earned, over 3 innings of work. The offense got on the board in the third inning on a Huezo RBI groundout. The bullpen tossed 4 scoreless innings but the offense was quiet the rest of the way as Asheville fell 6-1.

Note: Huezo has a .884 OPS in High-A.


A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (50-47) won 11-2 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got the offense going early scoring 5 runs in the first inning on a Flores walk, Sierra 2 run double and Newman 2 run single. They got another run in the 2nd inning on a Ramirez sac fly. Beck got the start and was solid allowing 2 runs over 5 innings of work. In the 6th, Ramirez added another sac fly. The offense scored 2 runs in the 7th on an error and Newman RBI double and in the 8th, Sierra connected on a 2 run home run. Shoemaker closed it out tossing 4 scoreless innings.

Note: Flores has a .821 OPS this season.


Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Ryan Weiss – 7:05 CT

CC: Nolan DeVos – 7:05 CT

AV: Andrew Taylor – 5:35 CT

FV: TBD – 6:05 CT

Yankees Birthday of the Day: Hank Bauer

NEW YORK - JULY 9: Hank Bauer laughs during the New York Yankees 59th annual old-timers' day before the start of the Yankees game against the Cleveland Indians on July 9, 2005 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Indians defeated the Yankees 8-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If you’re a baseball history buff, you probably recognize the name Hank Bauer. While he was never the team’s main star, he had a very good career on some very good Yankees teams, winning seven World Series titles. However, so much about him gets overlooked if you just know that about him. Hank Bauer had quite the life in baseball.

Henry Albert “Hank” Bauer
Born: July 31, 1922 (East St. Louis, IL)
Died: February 9, 2007 (Lenexa, KS)
Yankees Tenure: 1948-59

Bauer was born in 1922 to immigrants from Austria-Hungary. It’s theoretically possible that the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand had some sort of butterfly effect that led to Bauer eventually playing for the Yankees. Hank was the youngest of nine children and had a bit of a hard scrabble life growing up. His father lost a leg in an accident, requiring the children to help bring in some income.

As for baseball, Hank followed his older brother Herman into the sport. Herman was signed by the White Sox and was a well-rated prospect, who got Hank a minor league tryout. The Oshkosh Giants signed Bauer out of that tryout, and he had a brief run with them in 1941.

However, Bauer’s run with Oshkosh was cut short, for reasons you might be able to deduce from the date. The United States entered World War II in December 1941, and Bauer enlisted in the Marine Corps soon after. In his time in the military, Bauer suffered a shrapnel injury and also battled malaria while serving in the Pacific Theater. However, his brother Herman suffered an even worse fate, as he was killed in action during the Normandy Landing in 1944.

Due to his wounds and injuries, Bauer had assumed his baseball career was over, but Yankee scout Danny Menendez remembered Bauer from before the war, signed him and got him a tryout with the Quincy Gems. There in 1946, five years after his last minor league game, Bauer returned to pro baseball. From there, he quickly made his way through the Yankees’ minor league system. By the end of 1948, the Yankees called him up for a September cup of coffee. The next year, the Yankees had some injury problems in the outfield, leading new manager Casey Stengel to give some chances to young players, including Bauer. He made the most of his opportunity with a solid season, locking down a place in the Yankees’ lineup for years to come.

In 1949, Bauer became a reliable bat for a Yankees team that won five World Series titles in a row starting that season. Over those years, Bauer steadily got better, posting his best career hitting seasons in the final years of that five-peat: a 132 OPS+ in 1952, and a 131 in ‘53. He also emerged as a favorite of Stengel as well as a leader in the clubhouse.

Throughout all that, Bauer also had some big moments. In 1951, his three-run triple in the sixth inning of Game 6 gave the Yankees the lead for good, as they won that game to clinch the series. Later that game, he made a sliding catch for the final out of the series, as the Giants threatened a comeback.

Later in his career, Bauer recorded a hit in 17-straight World Series games over the course of the 1956-58 series. In the ‘58 Series, he put up a 1.032 OPS with four home runs in a seven-game victory over the Braves. Were it not for Bob Turley’s heroics on the mound, Bauer could’ve been named MVP of that series.

Bauer was also known as someone who didn’t take much crap. Whitey Ford described one incident where after he came in worse for wear after a night out, Bauer pinned him against the wall and said that Ford was “messing with (Bauer’s) money.” Bauer was also one of the notable participants of the “Copacabana Incident.” While the outfielder always said he played no part in the brawl that happened that night, one person sued him claiming that Bauer had punched him. The charges didn’t stick, and Bauer was later proven correct decades after the fact.

Despite his World Series hit streak, Bauer had begun to fall off by the end of the 1950s. In 1959, he rated as a below average hitter for the first time since his 1948 big league cameo. The Yankees decided to move on, and Bauer was included in a trade with the Kansas City Athletics that brought a certain Roger Maris to the Bronx.

Bauer spent two seasons as a player in KC. In the second of those, the, uh, “eccentric” Charlie Finley named Bauer the team’s manager partway through the season. He led the team through the 1962 season before being let go, but the A’s were a mess at that time, as the Maris trade was hardly the only one they made that massively benefitted the Yankees.

After his departure from the A’s, Bauer joined the Baltimore Orioles coaching staff. Following a disappointing 1963 season, Baltimore elevated Bauer to the manager. In his first two years, Bauer led the O’s to 90+ win seasons, but third place finishes in the AL. Following the addition of Frank Robinson in 1966, Baltimore won the pennant and then swept the Dodgers in the World Series.

Injuries hampered the Orioles over the next couple seasons and Bauer was eventually let go in favor of Earl Weaver in 1968. Bauer took up the helm of the A’s again next year — with the team now in Oakland — but Finley fired him after a late season slump. Although Bauer managed in the Mets’ minor league system after that, he eventually gave that up after no other big league team was willing to give him a shot.

Bauer eventually rejoined the Yankees as a scout, but otherwise left baseball and settled down back in Kansas. He occasionally returned for Old-Timers’ Days at Yankee Stadium and lived in The Sunflower State until he passed away from lung cancer in 2007.

While he was a very good player for a long time, Hank Bauer wasn’t on a Hall of Fame level. However, he still had quite the life in baseball regardless.


See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

Islanders' Ilya Sorokin Explains What Went Wrong For Maxim Shabanov During Rookie Season

In the summer of 2025, the New York Islanders signed highly-coveted Russian free agent forward Maxim Shabanov to a one-year deal.

Shabanov joined an Islanders' team flush with Russians, most notably star goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who made his own transition from the KHL to the NHL once upon a time.

Shabanov played 38 of the first 52 Islanders' games in the season, missing 12 games due to an early-season injury.

Shabanov had 4 goals and 11 points after those 38 games.

The Islanders and general manager Mathieu Darche acquired Ondrej Palat, and he lost his lineup place.

Shabanov played just six of the final 30 Islanders' games and never quite regained his footing within the organization. Ultimately, Darche did not qualify Shabanov, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Shabanov then signed with the Minnesota Wild.

Sorokin opened up about what went wrong for Shabanov in an interview with Russian outlet Sport Express.

"It seems to me, and this is just my opinion, that he should have realized sooner that the promises he might have made before the season weren't worth keeping in mind all year," Sorokin said. "He needed a little more positivity and patience. He shouldn't show any dissatisfaction, but simply work and wait for his chance."

It's a telling response from Sorokin, who points to Shabanov's potential frustration at signing for an opportunity to play big minutes for the Islanders, ultimately not happening the way he thought it might.

Sorokin gave more insight.

"I understand his position," Sorokin continued. "He came from a team where he spent 25 minutes on the ice, played on the power play, and got everything he wanted. That wasn't the case in the NHL. But that's the NHL. There are guys who are already trusted. They might even be weaker than you at a given moment, but you can't just take their place - you have to earn it. That can only be done through performance on the ice."

Shabanov, whether fair or not, did not earn a right to stay in New York's lineup after those first 38 games. Despite flashes of brilliance, he posted just 11 points in 38 games.

Brayden Schenn scored 6 goals and totaled 11 points in 19 games with the Islanders.

Shabanov showed immense skill at times but struggled with the defensive systems and did not have consistency.

Those two issues combined hurt his season, and most importantly, limited his ice time, something Sorokin noted. 

"Shabanov is a very talented guy," Sorokin said. "He had some really great games. He probably expected to start getting more playing time after them, but instead, his playing time was cut back a bit."

Sorokin summed up his thoughts on the entire situation, then bid Shabanov good luck in Minnesota.

"The coaching staff has its own vision, so there's no point in discussing it. So he needed to stay more positive, not get upset, but work hard and wait for his opportunity. I wish him luck in Minnesota. He's very talented, his technique, his hands."

Mets, Novig Ink 1st Prediction Market Deal for an MLB Team

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The New York Mets have become the first Major League Baseball club to partner with a prediction market operator.

Key Takeaways

  • The Mets named Novig their exclusive prediction market partner in the club's first deal of its kind.

  • The partnership includes in-stadium branding at Citi Field, broadcast integrations, and social media activations.

  • The agreement follows Novig's designation as an MLB authorized prediction market and reflects the growing presence of prediction markets in professional sports.

The Mets announced on Thursday a multi-year partnership with Novig, making the operator the club's exclusive official prediction market partner.

"Our mission is to build the home for sports trading," Jacob Fortinsky, CEO and cofounder of Novig, said. "Partnering with one of baseball's most iconic franchises allows us to bring that vision directly to fans in one of the greatest sports markets in the world.”

The partnership, which comes amid a Mets season of mixed results, will see Novig integrated across the ballclub’s home park in Flushing through Citi Field signage and branded in-game activations, as well as via the club’s broadcast and social media channels.

MLB previously made prediction market news thanks to a partnership with Polymarket announced back in March, following the National Hockey League and Major League Soccer’s similar deals within the prediction market space.

"We're proud to be the first Major League Baseball club to partner with a prediction market company, giving our fans a new and engaging way to connect with the game," said Lew Sherr, president of business operations for the Mets. "Innovation is a defining characteristic of our business, and this partnership is another example of our commitment to staying at the forefront of the evolving sports landscape. It reflects our broader goal of delivering unique experiences for our fans and continuing to attract industry-leading partners who want to grow alongside the Mets."

Teams embrace prediction markets

While the Mets have become the first ballclub to join in on the prediction market frenzy, they’re far from the first team across the major North American sports to form partnerships across a rapidly evolving landscape.

The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers previously announced partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket, respectively. The NBA, meanwhile, has strayed from entering the marketplace, though Miami Heat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo announced he would join Kalshi as a shareholder in February.

As for the Mets partnership, the news follows Novig's recent designation as an MLB authorized prediction market, per the release, thus establishing “participation in MLB's integrity program, which includes collaboration on comprehensive market monitoring, reporting protocols, and restricting markets that present an integrity risk to MLB.”

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The national attention around the Sixers has never been greater

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers handshake after the game on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Sixers are the talk of the NBA. Who would have thought that would have been the case just over two months ago when the euphoria of eliminating the Boston Celtics had been quickly erased at the hands of another rival in the New York Knicks? Well, here we are and almost half of the schedule for the Sixers next season will be seen by a national audience.

It’s really a 180 from a vibes standpoint. The Sixers haven’t even played a game next season, and won’t for about three more months, but basketball fans both inside and outside of Philadelphia are fascinated by what’s about to happen with the team. By now, we’ve all seen the concerns and doubts expressed about why it won’t work out for Philly in 2026-27. “There’s only one basketball! Look at those usage rates!” Maybe those concerns will be validated when the season starts.

There is probably some truth to the fact that the LeBron James experience is at its apex from the day he picks your team in free agency and after that things get chaotic and James becomes a de facto GM of his new team. But if there’s any fanbase that deserves to overlook those norms, it’s Sixers fans. Joel Embiid has had just about every injury imaginable in his career and some of them have just been bad luck at the wrong times in the playoffs. Philadelphia has had countless executives try over and over again to put the right players around Embiid to make a serious run at an NBA championship.

Now, it’s not just about surrounding Embiid with talent, but it’s about how good the Philadelphia 76ers are at basketball. The entire team is coming together in a way that is forcing pundits around the country to look at the organization in a different lens and that wouldn’t have necessarily happened with some of the other teams James was considering in free agency. Even without James, the mood around the Sixers had already shifted in a positive direction thanks to the Jaylen Brown trade. Getting off Paul George’s contract to bring in a player who’s significantly younger and significantly better than George was a massive shot in the arm for the fans.

Then factor in that a player who is widely-regarded as the second-best to ever play basketball and certainly the best player of the 21st century just chose to finish his career as a Sixer, and how can you be on cloud nine for the next couple months until the games start counting for real? Nothing counts right now and that’s why it’s the perfect time to bask in the spotlight for a few months because it’s a spotlight that no one saw coming.

Provided Philly can live up to the hype, it’s a spotlight that will stay on the franchise certainly for as long as James is a 76er. But what’s the best part of all of this? It’s that the Sixers should be able to sustain success well after James is done playing. They already have a promising backcourt with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe and we know that Maxey’s connection with James played a key role in James picking Philadelphia. Set to turn 26 at the start of the season, Maxey is only just entering his prime. If he was able to lure James to finish his career in Philadelphia, think about the positive ripple effect he could have on the franchise when it’s time to court the next big superstar towards the end of the decade.

Mike Gansey has really hit a grand slam in his first offseason as president. It’s now up to Nick Nurse and the players to make it all work on the court. But thanks to Gansey’s heavy lifting in the two months he’s been on the job, people all over the country are viewing the Sixers in a far more positive light than they ever have. That’s worth celebrating when you consider how often the Sixers are a national punchline.  

LaMelo Ball faces lawsuit alleging more than $181K in unpaid Charlotte rent

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball and his manager are facing a lawsuit alleging they skipped paying rent on a luxury apartment in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The lawsuit filed in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Superior Court and obtained by USA TODAY Sports adds to the allegation that Ball and his manager, Jermaine Jackson, owe Agape Property Management hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In May, Agape Property Management – a company tied to former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton's family – accused the two of owing $164,700 on a 3,000-square-foot apartment with a $15,000-per-month rent. In 2020, Ball and Agape Property Management Group secured a deal for the 2022 NBA All-Star to rent two luxurious apartments in a posh uptown Charlotte condominium complex.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball celebrates after scoring against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center.

Ball lived in one unit and Jackson lived in another apartment. Ball bought Jackson's condo for $2.47 million and continued to lease the apartment to Jackson, who allegedly failed to pay the rent.

The new lawsuit alleges that Ball is responsible for the rent that Jackson occupies and owes more than $181,500 in unpaid rent, plus $90,000 in homeowners association fines.

According to the lawsuit, Ball remained legally responsible for the lease after Jackson moved into the unit. The filing claims the pair owes more than $181,500 in unpaid rent, along with more than $90,000 in homeowners association fines.

"The Defendants' failure to pay rent while failing to leave the premises has caused the Plaintiff substantial and potentially long-lasting harm including HOA non-compliance fines, lost rental income, and other monetary damages," the lawsuit states.

The 24-year-old Ball spent six seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before he was traded earlier this month with Josh Green to Minnesota for forward Naz Reid, a 2033 first-round pick, three second-round picks, and three future first-round pick swaps. The four-team deal also included the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LaMelo Ball faces lawsuit alleging more than $181K in unpaid Charlotte rent

Elephant Rumblings: A’s Welcome Tigers To Town

DETROIT, MI - JULY 08: Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) waits for a play during a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Athletics and the Detroit Tigers on July 8, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We made it everyone. Happy Friday!

The club wrapped up its series with the Boston Red Sox last night with another close loss. It was a competitive series and if some things had gone a bit differently they could have been the ones to take three of four instead of being the ones losing three of four. The club now sits at 45-64 and are getting dangerously close to the Angels at the bottom of the division. If there should be one goal the rest of the year it should be to finish in fourth place.

Now that Boston’s left town the club will bring in an AL Central foe as the Detroit Tigers arrive in Sacramento for a three-game weekend series, the final one before the trade deadline. While Detroit started the year poorly they fought back and got into the playoff race briefly, thanks in part to sweeping our A’s right before the All-Star break. Alas, a tough week has dropped them to seven games under .500 and quashed any notion they had they could leapfrog half a dozen teams for a playoff spot, so they’ll enter Monday’s deadline as sellers.

With that development comes the addition of one of the best arms on the market in Tarik Skubal. The reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young winner is now officially on the table in trade talks with many in the business convinced that the left-hander is all but certain to be traded. He wasn’t lined up to pitch against the A’s either way during this series in Sacramento but monitoring the situation all weekend should cause some off-field drama in the other dugout. Skubal isn’t the only one likely to be traded but the entire baseball world is holding their breath to see where he ends up.

As for our weekend series, we have our starting pitching matchups all set. Tonight’s series opener features lefty Jeffrey Springs making possibly his last appearance for the A’s before Monday’s trade deadline. He’s had a tough season and his most recent start was cut short thanks to a tight hip but that seemed to be a precaution and he’s healthy enough for tonight’s start. Would a big outing make it more likely he finds himself on the move, or nothing will affect that equation now? Springs will be opposed by former #1 overall pick Casey Mize, who is himself having a fantastic year and will come into this one with a 2.70 ERA. Like Skubal he could find himself on the move over the next couple of days.

Saturday we’ll see a rematch from a couple weeks ago as rookie right-hander Jack Perkins goes up against the veteran Framber Valdez. Perkins made a “bulk” outing against the Tigers and it delivered mixed results. He’s gotten two traditional starts since then and looked much better so the hope is he can continue this mini roll he’s on right now. The A’s meanwhile will be looking for some revenge against Valdez after he quieted A’s bats for three hits and one run in a loss.

And then we wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon with Gage Jump getting the ball for the Athletics while the Tigers will send their own young arm to the bump in Keider Montero. Jump has had a solid start to his career overall but July has not been kind to the lefty. He seemingly righted the ship his last time out when he fired six shutout innings against the Red Sox on Monday and the A’s would gladly take more of the same. Montero meanwhile got a bit roughed up in his last start, allowing nine hits and four runs against the Orioles. This should be a good contest and a glimpse into the future for both clubs.

First pitch is at 6:40. Have a great weekend A’s fans.

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Mets biding time for trade deadline dominoes to fall, with plenty of pieces still left to deal

Unlike so many contenders, including the Miami Marlin team they beat Thursday night, the Mets had known the gist of their trade deadline plans for weeks. They had been sellers for as long as almost anyone, with plenty of time to evaluate exactly what they might want in exchange for the many players they made clear they'd be willing to trade.

But with less than 72 hours remaining until the deadline, they had not traded any of them -- in large part because no one else was trading anyone yet, either. A few minutes after A.J. Minter tossed his towel in the laundry bin and left the Mets’ clubhouse in street clothes late Thursday night, though, he became the first domino to tumble.

The Mets traded Minter to the Minnesota Twins for minor league infielders Billy Amick and Bruin Agbayani -- son of Benny -- in a ceremonious start to what should be a busy few days.

Despite knowing his team’s fate for weeks, and a stated willingness to make deals earlier, the market offered no reason for David Stearns to hurry. The only deals that preceded Minter’s were the Angels’ surprising trade of catcher Logan O’Hoppe and Chase Silseth to the Rangers and the Tigers’ less surprising trade of catcher Jake Rogers to the Orioles. 

The relief market, like the market at large, should start to move now.

Whether the Mets’ deadline pace accelerates will likely depend on how willing they are to budge on their early standards for returns: Multiple members of contending front offices said the Mets have established noticeably high asking prices for their pitchers, particularly Freddy Peralta.

Selling teams often set prices high early and move them to fit the market as the deadline nears. Buying teams accusing those sellers of asking for the world is effectively a trade deadline tradition -- so in some ways, everyone is running the usual plays.

As of Friday morning, members of the Mets and front offices in touch with them believed the Mets will eventually trade all their other players on expiring contracts -- Peralta, Clay Holmes, Brooks Raley, and Tyrone Taylor. Of their players still under contract beyond this year, Luke Weaver seemed the likeliest to go. No one asked expected a deal to include Francisco Lindor.

Scouts from the White Sox, Padres, and others spent Thursday evening at Citi Field. Those teams have starting pitching needs, though the man who started for the Mets Thursday night, Nolan McLean, is one of the few players they have said is not for sale. 

Peralta is scheduled to start here Friday night, and manager Andy Green said the Mets still plan for him to do so. While starting him could risk injury, or waste bullets he might prefer to save for his next team, a person familiar with the right-hander's thinking said he is preparing to pitch Friday, in accordance with the Mets’ plans.

But the chances of Peralta actually taking the mound for the Mets then are not exactly 100 percent: A trade could materialize before then, and if it doesn’t, the Mets could still decide to hold him out to avoid injury or out of respect for suitors who would rather he make as many starts for them as possible.

Holmes is in a similar situation, having navigated a successful rehab outing earlier this week that left the veteran feeling ready to make his next outing in the majors. He will throw a bullpen Friday afternoon, at which point Green said the Mets will have more clarity about if or when they use Holmes next.

Holmes would be on turn to return from the injured list and start for the Mets on Sunday if he is not traded by then, though because he will likely draw an even wider market and larger return than Peralta, the Mets have little incentive to risk injury by starting him before a deal materializes.

As for what the Mets are hunting in exchange, Stearns has said publicly that they must be open-minded to the best talent available, whatever that is. Agbayani and Amick have different offensive profiles. MLB Pipeline ranked both among the Twins’ top 30 prospects -- Amick 21st and Agbayani 29th.

“I don’t think it makes sense for us to zoom in on a particular skill set or a particular player profile and say, that’s the type of player we need to acquire,” Stearns said in his meeting with the media earlier this homestand. 

“We see all over the big leagues that there are players who can impact winning in very different ways, and we have to recognize that in our evaluation of whatever deals may or may not be in front of us. We see different types of prospects traded in different deadlines. It’s very difficult to predict exactly the type of player that’s going to be traded, the type of player that’s going to be available at a deadline.”

That Stearns pointed to “prospects” in that answer might offer more specific insight. Multiple Mets decision makers have suggested their focus will be on acquiring the best prospects they can in these deals -- as they tried to in the Minter deal -- rather than the kind of big-leaguer-for-big-leaguer deals that similarly situated teams sometimes make to get a head start on their offseason priorities. But they also alluded to the need to be “creative,” which might be a relative term in the context of Stearns’ reputation for dealmaking discipline. 

The Minter deal qualified as a classic deadline swap. The Mets should have plenty more of those to come.

Brewers 2026 Trade Deadline Discussion Thread

MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 02: Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold looks on prior to Game 2 of the Wild Card Series presented by T-Mobile 5G Home Internet between the New York Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

There’s been plenty of discourse around what the Brewers will do at the trade deadline over the last several weeks, so here’s a place to centralize that conversation.

Who would you like to see the Brewers add? Will Matt Arnold make a splash? What area of need should the Brewers address? Tarik Skubal? Casey Mize? CJ Abrams? Someone else? This space is open for all discussion on anything deadline!