The Dodgers (69-46) look to snap their six-game losing streak in the desert when they open a three-game series against the D-backs (61-55) Friday night.
Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.64 ERA, 1.30) makes his 20th start of the season for the Dodgers.
Merill Kelly (8-9, 5.04 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) toes the rubber for the D-backs.
Go Rays!
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Starting pitcher Blake Snell is expected to make his return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers next week.
The left-handed pitcher is expected to start for the Dodgers on Tuesday, Aug. 11, according to manager Dave Roberts.
The two-time Cy Young winner made his way back from an elbow injury and recently participated in a minor league rehab assignment for the organization's Triple-A affiliate. He pitched 3⅔ innings in the Aug. 4 game, striking out three in 73 pitches (41 strikes). But Snell also allowed five hits, two home runs and four walks during the outing.
Snell has pitched just three innings against the Atlanta Braves on May 9 and was credited with the loss in his only start this season. He struck out five runners but allowed six hits, five runs (four earned runs) and two walks this season.
The 33-year-old pitcher is in his 11th season in the majors. He began his big-league career with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 and played there for five seasons, winning the 2018 AL Cy Young Award.
He was traded to the San Diego Padres following the 2020 season, adding an NL Cy Young Award in 2023 in his final season with the team.
Snell then signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2024 season before the Los Angeles Dodgers signed him as a free agent on Nov. 30, 2024.
During his career, Snell has started 223 games and posted a win-loss record of 81-63 with a 3.17 ERA and 1,445 strikeouts. He holds the MLB career record with 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blake Snell injury update: Dodgers pitching ace to return after long layoff
When the Rookie Faceoff starts in just over a month, the San Jose Sharks will have an undrafted player joining their ranks.
Pavel Martinu, an 18-year-old forward out of the United States Hockey League's Sioux Falls Stampede, has been invited to the 2026 Rookie Faceoff by the Sharks per Paragon Sports Consulting:
Congratulations to Pavel Martinu on being invited to the 2026 @SanJoseSharks@NHL Rookie Faceoff. pic.twitter.com/C6KNX5r2Ok
— Paragon Sports Consulting (@ParagonAthlete) July 16, 2026
Martinu, who stands at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, played in 53 games at the USHL level last season. During that time, he recorded 17 points (eight goals and nine assists) along with 59 penalty minutes. Elite Prospects had him ranked as the 149th prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft, but he was not selected.
"Martinu motors through battles and confrontations, often finishing hits and running guys over," Elite Prospects wrote in their 2026 Draft Guide. "His defensive pace is high in all situations, working to both kill plays on the backcheck and seal against cycles. This will likely be his calling card at future levels, provided that his lateral skating and edges improve."
While there is some belief that Martinu could theoretically become a fourth-line center at the NHL level if his development goes perfectly, he's more likely to become a regular at the AHL level during his prime.
While Martinu is a raw talent, it'll be interesting to see how he's able to perform against some of the NHL's top prospects.
After yesterday’s shellacking at the hands of the deadline-selling Tigers during a series where they were outscored 4054 – 4, the Mariners limp into their 50th Anniversary Weekend to face the best team in the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays. We’re already brainstorming names for what we’ll nickname this potential debacle, in the grand tradition of Lollablueza, Deadgar Weekend, and the Big P.Unit Weekend. I favor Golden Poopilee, but I also have the taste level of a toddler, so I welcome your suggestions in the comments.
No lineup graphic from the Rays.
The Mariners announced that Cole Wilcox, who was injured pitching in yesterday’s blowout, has been placed on the 15-day IL with an oblique strain. RHP Nick Davila has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
Those of you hoping to see former Mariner Ben Williamson in this series will unfortunately be disappointed; the Rays placed him on the 10-day IL yesterday with a hamstring injury. INF Carson Williams has been recalled to take his place.
The Yankees have signed recently-released Mitch Garver to a minor-league deal as catching depth. We wish Mitch luck in pinstripes, and with the famously kind and patient Yankees fanbase.
Game time: 6:45 PT
TV: Apple TV, with Alex Faust and Ryan Spilborghs on the call and Tricia Whitaker serving as field reporter
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
Postgame, the Mariners will air their first-ever Alumni Home Run Derby on Mariners.TV (free to stream), called live on air by Aaron Goldsmith and Gary Hill Jr.
The derby participants will include Ichiro, Mike Cameron, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ryon Healy, Stefen Romero, Austin Nola, and Bucky Jacobsen. Julio Rodríguez will DJ the event as “DJ Pleno” and MLB Network studio host Greg Amsinger will host the event. Ken Griffey Jr. will serve as the event’s Commissioner, and the two team captains are Jay Buhner and Nelson Cruz.
We’re in for a major “old friend” alert Friday night as former World Series champion Braves pitcher Max Fried faces his former team for the first time as his second season with the Yankees nears the homestretch.
On the Braves side, Tyler Mahle, acquired from the Giants ahead of the trade deadline, will make his team debut.
Can the Braves make it nine straight wins in the Big Apple? Follow along with us here in the comments section!
So the weather in New York City is currently atrocious. There’s a nasty weather system rolling through the area at the moment and it’s gotten to the point where the tarp is on the field and the New York Yankees have already announced that their series-opener against our Atlanta Braves will have a delayed start.
We’ll have more information posted in here as it comes in but for now, just know that we’re going to have a later start than 7:15 ET tonight. Stay tuned!
[UPDATE (6:40 p.m. ET)]: Yeah, it’s pretty obvious why this game won’t be starting on time. The press box at Yankee Stadium has truly…………………………for the birds…………………
[UPDATE (8:20 p.m. ET)]: New York City is under a Flash Flood Warning until 9:00 p.m. ET. 9:00 is also, coincidentally, when first pitch is scheduled, so there you have it. See y’all at 9:00, folks!
[UPDATE (9:01 p.m. ET)]: First pitch has been thrown! We’re underway! Come join us in the game thread!
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TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Houston Astros (59-57) will begin the first game of a six-game road trip tonight at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres (59-56).
RHP Ronel Blanco (0-1, 7.36 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season for the Astros tonight opposite newly acquired LHP Robbie Ray (10-6, 3.08 ERA) and the Padres.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 39-26 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span. On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the AL in SLG (.416), and OPS (.738), while ranking second in runs scored (540), home runs (157), OBP (.322) and hits (955). In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (168) and Yankees (164).
BLANCO’S BACK!: RHP Ronel Blanco is making his fourth start of the season after missing the first few months while recovering from right elbow surgery. Blanco was a mainstay in the Astros rotation prior to his injury, making 45 starts over the 2023-25 seasons, going 18-11 with a 3.36 ERA (94ER/251.2IP) and a .200 opponent average in that span. In his last start on Saturday against the Rangers, he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros begin a six-game west coast road-trip with two three-game series against the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants. The Astros went 5-1 on their last road trip. Houston is also 22-13 (.629) on their last five road trips and are 28-19 (.596) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season. Houston is 29-28 overall on the road in 2026.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 114 different lineups in their 116 games, repeating a lineup just twice on the season, which includes using the same lineup on Monday and Tuesday. DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 103 times.
VS. THE PADRES: The Astros and Padres have faced off vs. each other 615 times with the Astros leading the series 321-294. The Astros last faced the Padres in a three-game series at Daikin Park from April 18-20 (Astros went 2-1). The last time the Astros were at Petco Park was from Sept. 16-18, 2024 at SD (Padres went 2-1).
WEDNESDAY’S GAME: The Astros were defeated by the Blue Jays, 5-4 on Wednesday at Daikin Park in 10 innings. RHP Hunter Brown (6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) spun his fifth quality start of the season. 2B Jose Altuve (2×5, HR, RBI), 1B Christian Walker (2×4, 2B, RBI) and LF LaMonte Wade Jr. (3×4, 2B, RBI) each recorded a multi-hit game.
ROSTER MOVES: OF Jake Meyers was recalled from Triple A Sugar Land today. Meyers takes the roster spot of IF/OF Zach Dezenzo, who was optioned to Triple A Sugar Land following Wednesday’s game.
PITCHER OF THE MONTH: RHP Bryce Mayer was named the Texas League Pitcher of the Month on Wednesday. He went 2-0 with a 0.47 ERA (1ER/19IP) in July with Double A Corpus Christi. He also recorded 29 strikeouts, six walks, a 0.79 WHIP and a .143 opponent batting average in four appearances, including three starts during the month. According to MLB.com, he’s rated as the Astros number five overall prospect and the top pitching prospect in the Astros system.
HEART & HUSTLE: OF Cam Smith has been the Houston Astros 2026 Heart and Hustle Award winner. This prestigious honor, which is awarded by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), is presented yearly to players who exemplify a passion for the game and who best embody the values, spirit, and traditions of the game.
NO. 500: RHP Bryan Abreu struck out two in 1.0 scoreless innings on Wednesday vs. Toronto. Struck out RF Nathan Lukes to begin his scoreless 8th inning, recording his 500th career strikeout. Became just the 4th reliever in franchise history to record 500 strikeouts with the club, joining LHP Billy Wagner (694), RHP Brad Lidge (557) and RHP Dave Smith (529).
TRADE DEADLINE: The Astros made one trade on Monday, acquiring OF Daulton Varsho and cash from the Blue Jays in exchange for RHP Spencer Arrighetti. Varsho, 30, was activated on Monday and started the first three games of this series for the Astros, batting cleanup in all three contests.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez leads the AL in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.329), HR (35), and RBI (85). Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.083), OBP (.442), SLG (.640), and TB (265). In the AL, he ranks first in hits (136), extra-base hits (59), and runs (78), and second in walks (81).
HEAVY TRAFFIC: DH Yordan Alvarez has reached base safely in 21 straight games (since July 10), batting .413 (31×75) with 16 runs, eight doubles, six home runs, 18 RBI, 22 walks, a .551 OBP and a 1.311 OPS during the streak. Alvarez also has on- base streaks of 25 games (May 22-June 19) and 22 games (April 4-28) this season.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: 2B Jose Altuve went 2×5 with a solo home run on Wednesday vs. Toronto. Marked his 247th career home run as a second baseman, surpassing Joe Gordon and Ian Kinsler for the 8th-most home runs by a second baseman in MLB history.
CHIPPING IN: A couple Astros are on mini hot streaks, including OF Taylor Trammell, who’s hit three homers with seven RBI and a .950 OPS in his last 10 games. RF Cam Smith has hit safely in six straight games, batting .385 (10×26) with two doubles, one triple, four RBI and a .945 OPS during his streak. 1B Christian Walker has a nine-game hitting streak, batting .324 (12×37) with four doubles, two homers, four RBI and a .985 OPS.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1998 – A week after his acquisition at the trade deadline, LHP Randy Johnson makes his Astros home debut with a 5-0, 5-hit, CG shutout over the Phillies in the Dome. Johnson allows just 1 walk with 8 punchouts. Jeff Bagwell has a big night going 3×5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 7, 8:40 p.m. CT
Location: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
TV: SCHN, SCHN 2
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
That appears to be the decision as to who will be replaced when Michael Soroka returns from the injured list. Seems he’ll take over Drake’s spot in the rotation on Tuesday against the Rockies at Chase. The stark difference in performances this week between him and Mitch Bratt were just too much to overlook. But the Arizona bullpen is not in too bad shape, thanks mostly to Philip Abner sucking it up and throwing over fifty pitches. I’m actually a bit surprised that he wasn’t also optioned down to Reno for another fresh arm, since after that outing, Abner might not be seen at all in this series.
This weekend will also decide the winner’s of the season series between Arizona and Los Angeles since, like the Padres season series, it’s currently tied at 5-5 with three to play. It’s been a while since the D-backs came out on top. Indeed, you have to go back all the way to 2018, to find the last time Arizona won, going 11-8 that season. At least the last couple of seasons, the Diamondbacks have made a fight out of it, going 6-7 [insert obvious meme here] both in 2024 and 2025. Could end up being that way again this season. That’s a heck of an improvement over nightmare years like 2021-22 when Arizona were a combined 8-30 against Los Angeles.
Last year, the Diamondbacks had a great chance. Like now, they went into the final series at Chase Field tied at 5-5. They won the opener coming from behind in the ninth to walk-off on a hit by Geraldo Perdomo. But it was their final win of the year. They lost in 11 innings the next night, then got hammered 8-0 in the finale, on their way to a five-game losing streak to end the year. Let’s hope for better this time. If Arizona does reach the post-season, there’s a significant chance they could end up facing Los Angeles in the wild-card round. Showing we can beat them in the regular season would be a good way to put a seed of doubt in their heads for the playoffs, especially after 2023.
Over the years, there have been a total of six players to wear the number 55 for the San Jose Sharks. Despite that, none of them have been able to make a major difference for the organization, as many just spent part of a single season in the Bay Area.
Among those players, the one with the most interesting history is likely Derrick Pouliot. The eighth overall selection in the 2012 NHL Draft, Pouliot was, at one point, expected to be a major part of the Pittsburgh Penguins' long-term success. The Penguins tried to set him up to succeed as well, giving him constant opportunities after he turned professional. While he thrived at the American Hockey League level, he struggled to produce the offense he was known for at the NHL level.
After Pouliot was unable to earn an NHL role on a regular basis, the Pittsburgh Penguins gave up on him following the 2017-18 season and traded him to the Vancouver Canucks, who hoped they could get him back on track while they worked on their own project defensive prospect, Olli Juolevi.
Pouliot did step up a bit during his time in Vancouver, as he spent his entire two season stint with the Canucks in the NHL. However, that would be his final extended stint in the NHL to date. Following the 2018-19 season, Pouliot hit the free agent market for the first time in his career and signed with the St. Louis Blues. He'd only play a pair of games at the NHL level for the Blues and then was on the move once again.
After his time in St. Louis, Pouliot ended up in the Philadelphia Flyers organization, namely their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. After a short 25 game stint in Lehigh Valley, Pouliot joined the Vegas Golden Knights before being waived, and subsequently claimed by the Seattle Kraken.
After nine games with the NHL's newest franchise, Pouliot made his way to the Bay Area ahead of the 2022-23 season. Given the state of the Sharks at the time, he did find his way into eight games for the team in teal, but spend the majority of the season with the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL.
After a single season in the Sharks organization, Pouliot went looking for another opportunity once again. Since leaving, he's had stints with the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and currently, the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite a number of opportunities at the AHL level, he hasn't appeared in an NHL game since the 2023-24 campaign, when he played five games for the Stars.
Houston Astros (59-57) at San Diego Padres (60-56), August 7, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
Watch: Padres.TV
Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.
Listen: 97.3 The Fan
Please remember our Game Day thread guidelines.
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Young Mets outfielder Carson Benge was pulled from Friday's game against the Pirates for what the team is calling left wrist soreness.
Benge had gone 2-for-2 with two RBI in his first two at-bats, but in the bottom of the third, Ronny Simon lofted a flyball toward the corner in left field. Benge travelled a long way and slid feet first toward the corner, reaching up with his glove and making a catch. However, Benge seemingly jammed his wrist against the wall and was hunched over for a few seconds before tossing the ball back to the infield.
Benge completed the half-inning, but was pulled from left field for Cristian Pache in the fourth inning.
This story is still developing...
Carson Benge makes the catch at the wall and gets the out! 😱 pic.twitter.com/gaS5jMgp2O
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 8, 2026
Mike Trout celebrated his 35th birthday on Friday, Aug. 7 with a home run for the Los Angeles Angels.
Trout's home run gave the Angels a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Miami Marlins pitcher Tyler Phillips.
It is the sixth home run Trout has hit on his birthday during his career. He is the first player in MLB history to hit a home run on his birthday in six different seasons (2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2026), according to the Angels.
Trout also ties Alex Rodriguez and Mark Reynolds for the most birthday home runs in MLB history.
🎉 YOU'RE INVITED TO THE BIRTHDAY BASH 🎉 pic.twitter.com/jdg67RcDSe
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 7, 2026
The New Jersey native entered play Friday with 83 hits, 18 home runs, 64 runs and 40 RBIs in 96 games played this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Trout homers on birthday again, tying MLB record
The Colorado Avalanche have built their identity around speed for years. Now, the NHL Edge data puts just how fast they are into perspective.
According to NHL.com Senior Director, Fantasy Pete Jensen, the Avalanche were in a class of their own when it came to high-end skating speed during the 2025-26 season. Colorado led the NHL with 2,643 speed bursts of at least 20 mph during the regular season — nearly 1,000 more than any other team — while also producing the league's highest total of 22-plus mph speed bursts during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
That kind of speed isn't simply something that looks good on the eye test. It is a defining element of how the Avalanche attack.
And perhaps the best way to understand Colorado's speed is to look at the three players who put it on display most often.
Nathan MacKinnon recorded 455 bursts of at least 20 mph last season, second-most in the NHL, while Martin Necas ranked sixth with 348. Necas was even more dominant in the 18-to-20 mph range, leading the entire league with 1,030 bursts.
MacKinnon also recorded the second-fastest maximum skating speed in the NHL during the regular season at 24.78 mph, trailing only Beck Malenstyn's 24.94 mph.
But the most impressive part of MacKinnon's season wasn't necessarily how fast he was skating. It was what he continued to produce once he got there.
MacKinnon is coming off his fourth consecutive 100-point season, joining an exclusive group that includes Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov and Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid. Kucherov has also reached the 100-point mark in each of his last four seasons, while McDavid has done it six straight times.
McDavid, however, raised the bar again this season, capturing his sixth Art Ross Trophy after finishing with 138 points.
MacKinnon wasn't far behind.
The Avalanche superstar finished the regular season with 53 goals and 74 assists for 127 points in 80 games, good enough for third in the NHL. He also captured the first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy of his career as the league's leading goal scorer.
For the first time in his career, MacKinnon also represented Canada at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games, adding another significant chapter to what was already an exceptional season.
Necas, meanwhile, is just getting introduced to the 100-point club.
After being acquired by Colorado, Necas put together the best offensive season of his career, finishing with exactly 100 points — 38 goals and 62 assists — in 78 games. It was his first time reaching the century mark, and he didn't slow down once the postseason began.
Necas produced at a point-per-game pace in the playoffs for the first time in his career, showing that his regular-season breakout wasn't simply a product of playing alongside one of the league's most dangerous offensive teams.
His skating helps explain why.
Necas can hit another gear almost instantly, and his ability to generate speed without needing much room makes him particularly dangerous when Colorado gets moving through the neutral zone. His 1,030 speed bursts between 18 and 20 mph were the most in the NHL, a remarkable number that helps illustrate just how frequently he operates at a high-end pace.
Then there is Cale Makar.
For Makar, the 2025-26 regular season could reasonably be described as an off year — at least by the absurd standards he has established for himself.
He finished with 79 points in 75 games, including 27 goals and 59 assists. For virtually any other defenseman, that would be an outstanding season.
For Makar, it was a step back.
When healthy, Makar has generally operated around the 89-point mark over a full season, which is almost difficult to comprehend for a defenseman. His ability to create offense isn't limited to his passing or his vision, either. His skating allows him to turn what looks like a routine defensive possession into an offensive opportunity in a matter of seconds.
The NHL Edge numbers reinforce that.
Makar led all NHL players with a maximum skating speed of 23.92 mph during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and finished second among defensemen in 20-plus mph speed bursts during the regular season with 223.
That combination of skating and skill is what makes Makar so difficult to defend. He doesn't need to wait for a play to develop. He can create one himself.
And if Colorado can get more from him on the power play next season, where the Avalanche struggled for stretches, the impact could extend well beyond the regular season.
Because that is ultimately what makes Colorado's speed so dangerous.
It isn't just that MacKinnon can fly. It isn't just that Necas can accelerate through a gap before a defender has time to close it. And it isn't just that Makar can join the rush with the speed of a forward.
It's that all three can do it at the same time.
When the Avalanche are at their best, there is very little time for an opponent to make a mistake. A missed assignment can become a MacKinnon breakaway. A loose puck can turn into a Necas rush. Makar can suddenly appear as the fourth attacker before the defense has even had a chance to reset.
That combination helped Colorado become the only team in the NHL with two 100-point scorers last season and one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league.
The Avalanche ultimately fell in the Western Conference Final, leaving plenty of questions about what needs to change before they can take the final step.
Speed isn't one of them.
The numbers now back up what opponents have experienced firsthand for years.
Colorado isn't merely one of the NHL's fastest teams.
It may be the fastest.
It’s Unofficial 1990s Throwback Night at Yankee Stadium on Friday, as the Atlanta Braves are in town to face the Yankees for a three-game set.
These showdowns always bring to mind fond—for us anyway—memories of the 1996 and 1999 Fall Classics, when the Yankees came back from down 0-2 to win their first championship in 18 years and then when they polished off a similarly potent Braves team in a four-game sweep durig the final year of the 20th century (securing a repeat to follow the act of the legendary 1998 club). Of course, it’s been many years since those rumbles, and from 2001 onward, the Yankees and Braves have the same number of titles: one apiece, in 2009 and 2021 respectively.
Tonight has a special sort of buzz about it, as erstwhile Braves ace Max Fried—who won the World Series clincher in Houston during that special 2021—will face his old team for the first time. The personnel has changed a bit since Fried departed after 2024 (including now-retired skipper Brian Snitker), but Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and plenty more are still around. Meanwhile, Atlanta will send out one of their Trade Deadline acquisitions, Tyler Mahle, who will make his Braves debut.
It’ll be a fun showdown … whenever they get to play it. The weather in the Bronx is crummy at the moment and even though first pitch is still an hour away, the Yankees have announced that the game will not begin at 7:05pm ET as expected. Whenever the Yanks and MLB offer updates, we’ll update our own article in turn. Stay dry and hang in there! The rain is supposed to subside, so we should get baseball tonight.
Well, it took awhile, but we finally got an update. We’ll see you in a little over 45 minutes for first pitch from Fried at 9pm ET.