Author: MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

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Astros at Orioles Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 21

Its Thursday, August 21 and the Astros (69-58) are in Baltimore to take on the Orioles (59-67). Jason Alexander is slated to take the mound for Houston against Brandon Young for Baltimore.

Baltimore and Houston just met August 15-17 and the Orioles won two out of three against the Astros. Baltimore met Boston since then and won both games, while Houston dropped three consecutive games to Detroit. The Astros have lost four straight games, while the Orioles have won the past three.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Astros at Orioles

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • City: Baltimore, MD
  • Network/Streaming: FOX

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Astros at the Orioles

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Astros (-109), Orioles (-110)
  • Spread:  Orioles 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Astros at Orioles

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Jason Alexander vs. Brandon Young
    • Astros: Jason Alexander, (3-1, 18.00 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Orioles: Brandon Young, (1-6, 5.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Astros and the Orioles

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Astros and the Orioles:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Astros at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Astros at Orioles

  • Baltimore is 2-1 versus Houston this season
  • Houston is 0-4 in the last 4 games
  • Houston is 2-6 in the last 8 games
  • Baltimore is 3-0 in the last 3 games
  • Baltimore is 6-1 in the last 7 games
  • The Astros have won 4 of their last 5 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Under has cashed in 10 of the Orioles' last 12 games with a rest advantage over their opponents
  • The Astros have failed to cover in their last 3 games against the Orioles

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Red Sox at Yankees Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Red Sox (68-59) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (69-57). Lucas Giolito is slated to take the mound for Boston against Luis Gil for New York.

After a sweep over the Rays and Cardinals, the Yankees have won five consecutive games and seven of the past eight. For the Red Sox, they are losers of three straight after getting swept by the Orioles. Boston owns the season edge, 5-1 over New York, so this should be a fun four-game set.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Red Sox at Yankees

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FOX

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Red Sox at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Red Sox (+116), Yankees (-137)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Lucas Giolito vs. Luis Gil
    • Red Sox: Lucas Giolito, (8-2, 3.63 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.42 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Yankees: Luis Gil, (1-1, 5.14 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.69 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Red Sox and the Yankees

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Red Sox and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Boston Red Sox at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Red Sox at Yankees

  • Boston is 5-1 versus New York this season
  • New York is 5-0 in the last 5 games
  • New York is 7-1 in the last 8 games
  • Boston is 0-3 in the last 3 games
  • Boston is 3-7 in the last 10 games
  • The Red Sox have won 5 straight games against the Yankees
  • The Over is 4-0-1 in the Yankees' last 5 divisional matchups
  • The Yankees have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 3.08 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Cardinals at Rays Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Cardinals (63-65) are in Tampa to take on the Rays (61-66). Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Joe Boyle for Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals lost its past outing 6-2 to the Marlins, but won the series to snap a five-game losing streak ahead of this matchup. The Rays are coming off being swept by the Yankees in two-games and a loss to the Giants for three consecutive losses.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Rays

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:35PM EST
  • Site: George M. Steinbrenner Field
  • City: Tampa, FL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, FDSNSUN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cardinals at the Rays

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (-121), Rays (+101)
  • Spread:  Cardinals -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Rays

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Joe Boyle
    • Cardinals: Sonny Gray, (11-6, 4.30 ERA)
      Last outing: 10.80 ERA, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Rays: Joe Boyle, (1-2, 4.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 18.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cardinals and the Rays

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Cardinals and the Rays:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Tampa Bay Rays at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cardinals at Rays

  • Tampa Bay is 0-3 in the last 3 games
  • Tampa Bay is 3-3 in the last 6 games
  • St. Louis is 2-6 over the past 9 games
  • St. Louis is 4-5 in the past 9 road games
  • At home this season the Rays have won 17 of 32 games following a defeat
  • The Rays' last 3 games have gone over the Total
  • It has been 3 games since the Rays last covered the Run Line

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Giants at Padres Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Giants (61-66) are in San Diego to take on the Padres (71-56). Justin Verlander is slated to take the mound for San Francisco against Dylan Cease for San Diego.

San Diego goes for the series win after a 8-1 victory on Wednesday to follow up a 5-1 win. The Padres' two wins snapped a four-game losing skid the team had going whereas the Giants are 2-9 over the last 11 games and 2-2 in the past four.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Giants at Padres

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 4:10PM EST
  • Site: Petco Park
  • City: San Diego, CA
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSBA, SDPA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Giants at the Padres

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Giants (+145), Padres (-173)
  • Spread:  Padres -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Padres

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Justin Verlander vs. Dylan Cease
    • Giants: Justin Verlander, (1-9, 4.23 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
    • Padres: Dylan Cease, (5-11, 4.61 ERA)
      Last outing: 8.10 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 6 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Giants and the Padres

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Giants and the Padres:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Diego Padres on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Francisco Giants at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Giants at Padres

  • San Diego is 9-3 versus San Francisco this season
  • The Giants are 2-9 in the last 11 games
  • The Padres are 2-4 in the last 6 games
  • The Padres have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 48-37-5 in the Padres' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Giants have failed to cover the Run Line in 4 of their last 5 road games against the Padres

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Mets at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Mets (67-59) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (51-75). Sean Manaea is slated to take the mound for New York against MacKenzie Gore for Washington.

The series is split after Washington took the second game, 5-4 to follow up an 8-1 loss. The loss snapped the Mets three-game winning streak that followed a rough patch (5-12 over the last 17 games).

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Nationals

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 4:05PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, MASN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (-140), Nationals (+118)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Sean Manaea vs. MacKenzie Gore
    • Mets: Sean Manaea, (1-1, 4.78 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.20 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Nationals: MacKenzie Gore, (5-12, 4.04 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Mets and the Nationals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Nationals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Nationals

  • New York is 3-1 in the last 4 games
  • New York is 5-12 over the last 17 games
  • Washington is 5-5 over the last 10 games
  • The Nationals have a losing record (10-20) in divisional matchups this season
  • It has been 3 games since the Mets last failed to cover the Run Line

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Dodgers at Rockies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Dodgers (72-55) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (37-90). Clayton Kershaw is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Chase Dollander for Colorado.

The Rockies earned their second win of the series over the Dodgers, this time 8-3 as Shohei Ohtani allowed nine hits and four earned runs over 4.0 innings in his first loss of the season.

The Rockies are now 5-1 over the last six games and have a chance to win four straight series, which would be a season-high. The Dodgers own the season series with a 7-2 record.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Rockies

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 3:10PM EST
  • Site: Coors Field
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: SNLA, COLR

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-278), Rockies (+225)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 12.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Rockies

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Clayton Kershaw vs. Chase Dollander
    • Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, (7-2, 3.01 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.50 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Rockies: Chase Dollander, (2-9, 6.43 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.71 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Rockies

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Dodgers and the Rockies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 12.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Dodgers at Rockies

  • Colorado is 7-1 in the last 8 games
  • Colorado is 5-1 in the last 6 games
  • The Dodgers are 7-2 versus the Rockies this season
  • The Dodgers have a winning record (10-6) on the road at divisional opponents this season
  • The Under is 51-33-3 in the Rockies' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Rockies have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 3.99 units

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Brewers at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Brewers (79-48) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (73-54). Quinn Priester is slated to take the mound for Milwaukee against Shota Imanaga for Chicago.

Milwaukee opened the series with a victory but since then, it's been all Chicago. The Cubs snuck in a 4-3 victory to take this series lead to 3-1 with one game remaining in this five-game set. The three losses also snapped a 14-game winning streak for the Brewers.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Brewers at Cubs

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 2:20PM EST
  • Site: Wrigley Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNWI, MARQ, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Brewers at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Brewers (+119), Cubs (-142)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Brewers at Cubs

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Quinn Priester vs. Shota Imanaga
    • Brewers: Quinn Priester, (11-2, 3.48 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.38 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Cubs: Shota Imanaga, (8-5, 3.06 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Brewers and the Cubs

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Brewers and the Cubs:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Brewers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Brewers at Cubs

  • Chicago is 6-4 since Imanaga returned from injury
  • Chicago is 7-5 versus Milwaukee this season
  • Milwaukee is 1-4 in the past 5 games
  • Chicago is 5-1 in the last 6 games
  • The Brewers have won 25 of 46 games following a defeat
  • The Over is 21-16-1 in the Brewers' matchups against NL Central teams this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Rangers at Royals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Rangers (63-65) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (65-62). Patrick Corbin is slated to take the mound for Texas against Michael Lorenzen for Kansas City.

The Rangers took the third game of the series, 6-3, to snap the Royals' five-game winning streak. Texas is 3-9 over the last 12 games and has failed to win a series in that span (four tries). Kansas City is 11-7 in the month of August and has a six-game road trip lined in hopes of staying above .500.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rangers at Royals

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 2:10PM EST
  • Site: Kauffman Stadium
  • City: Kansas City, MO
  • Network/Streaming: RSN, FDSNKC, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rangers at the Royals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Rangers (-105), Royals (-115)
  • Spread:  Royals 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rangers at Royals

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Patrick Corbin vs. Michael Lorenzen
    • Rangers: Patrick Corbin, (6-9, 4.45 ERA)
      Last outing: 27.00 ERA, 7 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Royals: Michael Lorenzen, (5-8, 4.43 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rangers and the Royals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Rangers and the Royals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Kansas City Royals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Texas Rangers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rangers at Royals

  • Texas is 3-10 in the last 13 games
  • Texas is 2-6 over the last 8 games
  • Kansas City is 5-1 over the past 6 games
  • Kansas City is 7-2 over the past 9 games
  • The Royals have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Royals' last 5 matchups against American League teams

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Iglesias returning to form, extends scoreless streak

In this week's Closer Report, Raisel Iglesias extends his scoreless streak to 13 games while locking down five saves in what was an impressive week on the mound for the veteran closer. That and more as we break down the last week in saves across the league.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1

Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers

Muñoz struck out one batter in a clean inning of work against the Mets on Friday for his 29th save of the season to go with a 1.31 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 61/23 K/BB ratio across 48 innings. On the other side of that matchup, Díaz gave up a run with two strikeouts over the final two innings against Seattle on Saturday for his 24th save. His two-inning save comes after Ryan Helsley blew late-inning leads on back-to-back days. Helsley then bounced back with a scoreless appearance on Sunday. And Megill joins this tier after picking up his 29th save against the Reds on Friday. He then pitched the tenth inning on Saturday, giving up an unearned run before falling in line for a win. The 31-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 53/16 K/BB ratio across 43 innings.

Tier 2

Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres

Chapman pitched a clean inning before falling in line for a win Friday against the Marlins, then recorded the final out of the game Saturday to earn a save. He then struck out the side in an inning of work against the Orioles on Tuesday. The 37-year-old veteran left-hander has converted 22 saves while posting an incredible 1.13 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and a 69/14 K/BB ratio across 48 innings.

Duran matches Chapman's 22 saves after converting two more this week. That makes six this month since joining the Phillies. The 27-year-old right-hander has recorded a 1.80 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 58/18 K/BB ratio across 55 innings.

No saves for the Padres this week. Suarez surrendered a solo homer against the Dodgers on Sunday to take the loss before pitching a scoreless ninth with a four-run lead against the Giants on Tuesday. Mason Miller made a pair of scoreless appearances behind Suarez.

Tier 3

Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs
David Bednar - New York Yankees
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Randy Rodríguez - San Francisco Giants
Bryan Abreu - Houston Astros
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Kyle Finnegan/Will Vest - Detroit Tigers
Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates

Palencia surrendered a solo homer against the Pirates on Friday to take the loss and was unavailable due to an illness for the next two days. Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge stepped in to pick up saves in his absence. Palencia returned to pick up a save with a scoreless inning against the Brewers on Tuesday, then gave up one run Wednesday before holding on for his 18th save.

Bednar locked down two saves for the Yankees this week with a pair of clean outings against the Cardinals before giving up two runs Wednesday in Tampa to blow the lead. Devin Williams stepped in to pitch the tenth with a three-run lead and allowed the runner on second to score before striking out the side for his 18th save. Bednar is still likely to get the next save chance and has had a great season overall, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 68/14 K/BB ratio across 47 1/3 innings.

Pagán was charged with a pair of blown saves this week. He gave up an unearned run against the Brewers on Saturday, then surrendered two runs on Sunday. Still, he's been one of the most valuable closers this season, converting 25 saves with a 3.10 ERA over 52 1/3 frames.

Fairbanks locked down a pair of saves against the Giants. He's up to 22 with a 2.53 ERA over 46 1/3 innings. In Anaheim, Jansen worked around two walks and a hit, striking out two in a scoreless inning against the Athletics on Sunday before falling in line for a win. He then took the loss Tuesday, giving up two runs to the Reds in the ninth.

Hoffman struck out the side in back-to-back outings last week against the Cubs and Rangers, picking up a save and falling in line for a win. He then pitched a clean inning with one strikeout against the Pirates on Tuesday. The 32-year-old right-hander has pitched better in the second half, posting a 1.52 ERA after posting a 5.03 mark in the first half.

Estévez made three perfect appearances this week, picking up two saves. The 32-year-old right-hander brings his total to 32 saves on the season while posting a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 46/20 K/BB ratio across 55 1/3 innings. With both Estévez and Lucas Erceg unavailable Tuesday after pitching three times in four days, John Schreiber stepped in for a save against the Rangers.

Rodríguez continues to operate at the Giants closer. He took a loss after giving up a run against the Rays on Friday, then bounced back with a scoreless inning against the Padres on Monday for his fourth save. Behind him, Ryan Walker has pitched much better in the second half, working his way back into a primary setup role and likely next in line for saves in the bullpen.

Abreu and the Astros didn't see a save chance this week. He made a pair of scoreless appearances, including a three-strikeout outing against the Orioles on Saturday. Josh Hader will likely remain out through the rest of the regular season, with hopes of returning during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Smith, another reliever who recently stepped into a closer role, notched two more saves with the Guardians before blowing an opportunity Wednesday, giving up a game-tying solo homer in the ninth against the Diamondbacks. Still, the 26-year-old right-hander has had an impressive season, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 77/19 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings.

Iglesias had a fantastic week on the mound, extending his scoreless streak to 13 games with five scoreless appearances, picking up five saves. The 35-year-old right-hander goes from 16 saves to 21 in the last week with a 3.86 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 58/10 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings.

Finnegan and Vest continue to work in a committee. Finnegan picked up a save against the Twins on Saturday with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning. Vest worked both the eighth and ninth against the Astros on Tuesday before falling in line for a win. And in Pittsburgh, Santana added two saves and a win to his record with three scoreless outings this week.

Tier 4

Jojo Romero/Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals
Phil Maton/Robert Garcia - Texas Rangers
Blake Treinen/Alex Vesia/Ben Casparius - Los Angeles Dodgers
Ronny Henriquez/Calvin Faucher - Miami Marlins
Jose Ferrer - Washington Nationals

We move on to mostly committees and unfavorable situations for saves, starting with the Cardinals. Romero took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday, then bounced back with two scoreless outings. But it was O'Brien who picked up a save Tuesday against the Marlins. In Texas, Maton's time with the Rangers hasn't gone so well. He surrendered a run to take the loss on Friday against the Blue Jays. Shawn Armstrong stepped in for a four-out save. And there continues to be no clear answer for the Dodgers in Tanner Scott's absence. Jack Dreyer recorded the team's only save this week, a three-pitch outing to record the final out against the Padres on Friday.

Tier 5

Keegan Akin/Yennier Cano - Baltimore Orioles
Justin Topa/Cole Sands - Minnesota Twins
Sean Newcomb/Tyler Ferguson - Athletics
Juan Morillo/Kyle Backhus - Arizona Diamondbacks
Grant Taylor/Steven Wilson - Chicago White Sox
Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies

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Dodgers' Ohtani roughed up by Rockies, leaves game after getting hit on right thigh by line drive

DENVER — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani had a forgettable outing in his first career pitching start against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Ohtani left Wednesday's game after giving up five earned runs and nine hits in four innings and getting hit in the leg by a comeback line drive.

With runners at second and third and one out in the fourth inning, Ohtani got hit by a 93-mph line drive off the bat of Colorado's Orlando Arciao on his right leg that caused him to limp and grimace in pain. The liner struck the reigning National League MVP on the knee and ricocheted toward the first base line. Ohtani gave chase and grabbed the ball on the line, spun to make a throw, but had no play as a runner scored.

After a mound visit from manager Dave Roberts and team medical personnel, Ohtani stayed in the game and got the last two outs of the inning, with the Dodgers trailing 5-0 at the time. The Dodgers lost to Colorado 8-3.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game that the line drive hit Ohtani on the thigh and managed to avoid his knee and any on-bone contact.

The earned runs that Ohtani allowed matched the most he had permitted since July 2022, and the nine hits allowed matched a career high.

Ohtani stayed in the game and drew a walk in his at-bat in the fifth inning, but did not bat in the eighth. He was replaced by Alex Call, who struck out.

Ohtani was making his 10th start of the season after not pitching in the 2024 season while recovering from elbow surgery.

He entered Wednesday without a decision and a 3.47 ERA. This season, he hasn’t thrown more than 4 ⅓ innings or 80 pitches. Against the MLB-worst Rockies, he threw 66 pitches, 49 for strikes.

Ohtani is batting .284 with 44 homers, one behind NL-leading Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies, with 83 RBIs.

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Mets Notes: Kodai Senga punished by mistakes; Luis Torrens avoids serious hand injury

It wasn't too long ago that quality starts were the norm for Kodai Senga, who undoubtedly served as the ace of the Mets' rotation during the first half of the season with a stellar 1.39 ERA. But who knows if that dependable version of him is coming back anytime soon.

At a time when length from Mets starters not named David Peterson seems to be rarer than a total solar eclipse, Senga couldn't eat enough innings in Wednesday's deflating 5-4 road loss to the division-rival Nationals. He gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four across five-plus frames.

While the right-hander retired the Nationals in order through two innings, his struggles arrived in the third. A leadoff walk to Dylan Crews and a catcher's interference error on Luis Torrens sparked a bases-loaded rally that produced two runs on an infield single and a sac fly.

In the fourth, the Nationals tacked on another two runs with a pair of doubles and a triple, and the last extra-base hit that Senga served up was a solo home run to Josh Bell in the fifth. By the sixth, the Mets had rallied for four runs to cut their deficit to one, and Senga went back out for another inning of work. But his leash was short, as a leadoff single ended his night.

"I think I was able to attack the zone well, but I just couldn't finish them off, and that's what led to those multi-run innings," Senga said through an interpreter. "There's things to improve on."

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza didn't seem too discouraged by Senga's performance either, but he left pitches in the middle of the zone that the Nationals punished. 

"Stuff-wise, he was good, like the velo. He just left a 0-2 to [Paul DeJong], a sweeper up in the zone, and then a couple of pitches like middle-middle," Mendoza said. "We've been asking him to compete in the strike zone, but then especially when he was ahead, today he left pitches down the middle and they made him pay... They were all over pitches in the strike zone."

Senga logged six-plus innings in six of his 14 starts before the All-Star break, and held opponents to a measly .199 average. Over his last six starts, the right-hander hasn't completed six innings even once, and his second-half ERA sits at a bloated 6.00. He just hasn't looked the same since returning from the injured list in mid-July.

His next start is scheduled to come on regular rest against the division-rival Phillies on Monday night at Citi Field.

Torrens avoids serious hand injury

As if Brandon Nimmo's second-inning exit from Wednesday's game due to neck stiffness wasn't troubling enough, Torrens gave the Mets a pretty good scare behind the plate shortly thereafter.

After the leadoff walk to Crews in the third, Torrens injured his glove hand on a swing from Drew Millas that resulted in catcher's interference. While there was a chance of rookie backup Hayden Senger entering as a replacement, Torrens didn't leave the field with the training staff. He went on to play the remainder of the game.

"Just a little sore, but it's nothing out of the ordinary," Torrens said. "It was like a shock, just because it hit me right on the finger. But it's part of the game. I was able to finish the game, so that's good."

Torrens also felt some soreness gripping his bat, but he doesn't believe any tests on his hand are warranted. He finished 0-for-4 with a double-play groundout that ended the game.

The Mets can ill afford to lose Torrens for any stretch of time, as the team just placed Francisco Alvarez on the injured list with a disconcerting right thumb sprain. Aside from Senger, they currently don't have another catcher on the 40-man roster.

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Giancarlo Stanton's pinch-hit homer lifts Yankees to 6-4 win over Rays in extra innings

Giancarlo Stanton saved the Yankees with his two-run blast in the 10th inning after David Bednar's blown save as the Yankees defeated the Rays, 6-4, on Wednesday night in Tampa.

Bednar had been great for the Yankees since his meltdown in Miami, but he struggled a bit in the ninth inning on Wednesday, allowing a one-hit walk and then a single to Junior Caminero. After a strikeout, Hunter Feduccia hit a high fastball that hit the top of the centerfield wall, driving in two and tying the game at 3-3.

In the 10th, Stanton came off the bench and hit a leadoff two-run shot. Austin Wells then followed with a solo shot to give the Yankees a 6-3 lead.

Devin Williams was tasked with the 10th inning, and after a leadoff single drove in a run, Williams would strike out three of the next four batters to earn the save.

The Yankees' winning streak is now at five games, and with the Mariners' loss earlier in the day and the Red Sox idle, New York is now 1.5 games ahead of Boston.

Here are the takeaways...

-After hitting nine homers on Tuesday, the Yankees picked up where they left off when Trent Grisham hit a leadoff shot off of Drew Rasmussen.

Rasmussen would settle down after throwing 20 pitches in the first inning but Wells, making the start behind the plate, launched a hanging 81 mph curveball down in the zone to deep right field. Wells' 409-foot blast was the catcher's first home run since July 25.

Grisham would add another homer to the counter in the eighth inning, putting the Yankees up 3-0. It's his third multi-homer game this season.

-Schlittler was on his A-game to start, getting the Rays in order across the first six innings, striking out six while tossing 66 pitches. However, Chandler Simpson singled up the middle to lead off the seventh to break up the perfect game. The young right-hander struck out Yandy Diaz to bounce back, but after a walk, Schlittler found himself in his first jam. 

The 24-year-old struck out Caminero but walked Josh Lowe on six pitches to load the bases. Schlittler was pulled for Luke Weaver, who struck out Feduccia to end the inning and put a bow on Schlittler's masterful game.

Schlittler had his best start as a major leaguer, tossing 95 pitches (67 strikes) across 6.2 shutout innings, allowing just one hit and walking two, while striking out a career high eight batters. 

-Weaver started the eighth and allowed a one-out solo shot to Bob Seymour on a high fastball that the young left-hander caught up to. The blast cut the Yankees' lead to 3-1. It's Seymour's first career homer, and the first blast Weaver has allowed since July 25.

Weaver bounced back to get the final two outs of the eighth with no issue, giving way to Bednar for the ninth. 

-Jose Caballero was ejected after arguing with the umpires after he was caught stealing in the 10th inning. This forced Stanton to play the outfield.

Game MVP: Giancarlo Stanton

Stanton completely shifted the momentum of this game with his pinch-hit homer.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees travel back home to host the Boston Red Sox for a crucial four-game series in the Bronx.

Luis Gil (1-1, 5.14 ERA) will take the mound for the Yankees while Lucas Giolito (8-2, 3.63 ERA) is on the bump for Boston.

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Mets' Brandon Nimmo considered day-to-day with neck stiffness

Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo exited Wednesday's game against the Nationals due to neck stiffness, but the issue doesn't appear to be serious.

Following the team's 5-4 loss at Nationals Park, manager Carlos Mendoza deemed Nimmo day-to-day, revealing that he woke up with stiffness on the left side of his neck and tried playing through discomfort that didn't subside.

"He didn't think much of it, but it just didn't get better," Mendoza said. "As he was ramping up to get ready for the game, it continued to get worse. He was like, 'I'm going to try it.' And then after the first at-bat and playing the outfield, it got to a point where he couldn't do it."

Nimmo validated Mendoza's postgame update moments later, explaining that he quickly felt like "a detriment on both ends" and couldn't contribute. He, too, believes it's a day-by-day recovery.

"Sometimes, depending on how serious it is, I can kind of tough it out and play through it, but this one was affecting the swing and me running," Nimmo said. "I wasn't able to do what I wanted on defense either. I wasn't able to look up... So we decided to go ahead and get out of there... When it pops up, it just takes a few days to get out."

After playing the field in the first inning, Nimmo took his at-bat and grounded into an inning-ending double play. He was pulled shortly thereafter in the second inning, and Starling Marte served as his replacement.

The neck trouble is a recurring ailment for the veteran outfielder, who was pulled from a late May game against the Dodgers for the same reason. After that game three months ago, Nimmo gave background on his neck history.

“It’s from 2019 when I ran into the wall and we’ve been really good with the training staff and myself about keeping it under control and at bay," Nimmo said at the time. "Sometimes with the travel and just everything, it pops its ugly head and it takes a few days to deal with it."

Mendoza isn't at all concerned by the details Nimmo provided, and no tests are currently scheduled.

"He's dealt with this before. It's usually 24-48 hours, we'll see what we've got tomorrow," Mendoza said. "But like I've said, he's day-to-day. I don't know if it's the same side, but he usually deals with this. He doesn't think to be too concerned."

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Kodai Senga struggles, Mets' rally falls short in 5-4 loss to Nationals

The Mets were unable to extend their winning streak to four games on Wednesday night, as a lack of rhythm and length from Kodai Senga proved costly in a 5-4 road loss to the division-rival Nationals.

Here are the takeaways...

-- Brandon Nimmo's first at-bat of the night was unfortunately his only one, as TV cameras caught him running gingerly out of the box on a double-play groundout in the first inning. While he came back out to play left field in the bottom half, he was ultimately pulled in the second inning with what the Mets called "neck stiffness" and replaced by Starling Marte. Call it a troubling development, as Nimmo has an established history of neck issues.

-- To make matters worse, the Mets suffered another scare in the third, when Luis Torrens injured his glove hand on a swing from Drew Millas that resulted in catcher's interference. The training staff checked out Torrens as backup, Hayden Senger started putting on his pads, but no substitution was made. Torrens flexed his hand a few times while being evaluated and then remained in the game. The Mets can ill afford to lose Torrens, as they just placed Francisco Alvarez on the injured list with a disconcerting right thumb sprain.

-- Senga looked comfortable through the first two innings, retiring the Nationals in order with two strikeouts on 19 pitches. But the Mets' starter labored in the third, as a leadoff walk to Dylan Crews and the interference error on Torrens sparked a bases-loaded rally that produced a pair of runs on an infield single and a sac fly. Senga's off-speed pitches were hit much harder in the fourth -- he gave up two doubles and a triple that pushed the Nationals' lead to 4-0.

-- The Mets cut their deficit to three in the fifth, when Brett Baty crushed a two-out fastball from Brad Lord to right-center that landed in the second deck for a mammoth 455-foot home run. But the Nationals' lead quickly went back up to four in the bottom frame, as Senga served up a solo shot to Josh Bell that also found the right-center field seats. Senga has now allowed 18 earned runs over his last six starts.

-- The Nationals tried to steal outs with Lord in the sixth, and the plan backfired. The inning began with back-to-back walks to Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, and then with one out, Pete Alonso ripped an RBI double to right that cut the score 5-2. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Jeff McNeil kept the rally going by slicing a two-run double down the left-field line that brought the Mets within one, 5-4. The Mets threatened to take the lead after Lord's exit with one out, but their bases-loaded opportunity against Cole Henry was squandered by a flyout and groundout.

-- Senga returned for a sixth inning of work, but his leash was extremely short. He gave up a leadoff single to Daylen Lile that prompted the Mets to yank him at 84 total pitches. Yet another underwhelming outing from Senga, who allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He also hasn't completed six innings in any of his seven starts since coming off the injured list in mid-July. His season ERA rose to 2.58. Tyler Rogers entered in relief of Senga and logged three outs by inducing a double-play and a comebacker.

-- The Nationals turned to relievers Shinnosuke Ogasawara and Clayton Beeter for the seventh and eighth innings, and the duo retired the Mets in order on a combined 19 pitches. The ninth inning belonged to lefty Jose Ferrer, and while he gave up a one-out infield single to Cedric Mullins that placed the tying run on first, he managed to induce a double-play groundout from Torrens that earned him the save. The Mets have yet to win a game in which they've trailed after eight innings this season.

Game MVP: Josh Bell

The lefty slugger's two-run homer to right-center in the fifth pushed the Nationals' run total to the magic number of five. 

Highlights

What's next

The Mets (67-59) will play a matinee rubber game against the Nationals on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

LHP Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.78) is slated to take the mound, opposite LHP MacKenzie Gore (5-12, 4.04 ERA).

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Mets' Luisangel Acuña exits game with Triple-A after collision at first base

Mets infielder Lusiangel Acuña exited Wednesday's game while playing with Triple-A Syracuse after a collision on the basepaths.

Acuña hit a chopper to Indianapolis third baseman Tsung-Che Cheng, who rushed the throw to first base to get the speedy youngster. But the throw over was high, and first baseman Nick Yorke, leaping to grab it, landed on Acuña. 

Acuña hit the floor after the collision and stayed there while trainers tended to him. 

Syracuse pulled Acuña from the game after the play, likely for precautionary reasons, but the broadcast speculated it could be Acuña's shoulder, as he walked off the field under his own power.

Acuña has been up and down with the Mets this season. In 79 games with the big league club, Acuña was slashing .239/.295/.283 with seven doubles and seven RBI to go along with 12 stolen bases. Acuña's last appearance with the Mets came on Sunday against the Mariners during the Little League Classic, where he was used as a defensive replacement. Acuña was the Mets' 27th man for the game.

With Syracuse, Acuña is slashing .281/.333/..360 with five doubles, one triple and five stolen bases across 23 games.