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

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Orioles at Phillies prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Orioles (51-61) are in Philadelphia to begin a series against the Phillies (63-48).

Cade Povich is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Jesús Luzardo for Philadelphia.

The Phillies took two of three over the weekend against the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers. Last night they won, 2-0, thanks in large part to Kyle Schwarber's 38th home run and eight innings of five-hit ball from Cristopher Sanchez.

Baltimore lost two of three over the weekend to the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Chicago won 5-3 Sunday afternoon. Justin Turner went yard in the bottom of the ninth against Keegan Akin to provide the difference.

Lets dive into tonight's 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 the how to catch tipoff, 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 Orioles at Phillies

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 6:45PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: MASN, NBCSP

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 Orioles at the Phillies

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (+176), Phillies (-210)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Phillies

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Cade Povich vs. Jesús Luzardo
    • Orioles: Cade Povich (2-5, 5.15 ERA)
      Last outing: June 15 vs. Angels - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Phillies: Jesús Luzardo (9-5, 4.31 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 at White Sox - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 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!

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

  • The Phillies have won 4 of their last 5 home games against the Orioles
  • In the Orioles' last 5 road games the Under is 4-0-1
  • The Orioles have covered in 4 of their last 5 on the road, profiting 1.57 units
  • Kyle Schwarber was 3-11 against Detroit over the weekend
  • Nick Castellanos has hit safely in 4 straight games (5-14)

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!

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

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 Monday's game between the Orioles and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Giants at Pirates Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Giants (56-56) are in Pittsburgh to begin a series against the Pirates (48-64).

Justin Verlander is slated to take the mound for San Francisco against Johan Oviedo for Pittsburgh.

The Giants picked up a much-needed series win over the weekend in New York against the Mets. Rafael Devers went 3-4 with a home run and drove in four runs to lead San Francisco to a 12-4 win Sunday. It was just their third win in their last ten games.

The Pirates won yesterday as well. Spencer Horwitz homered twice and drove in six runs as the Bucs won 9-5 over the Rockies. Colorado took two of three over the weekend to slow down a Pittsburgh team that had won eight of its previous nine games.

The Pirates and Giants met just a handful of days ago at the end of July in San Francisco with the Bucs sweeping the three-game series.

Lets 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 the how to catch tipoff, 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 Pirates

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: PNC Park
  • City: Pittsburgh, PA
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSBA, SNP

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 Pirates

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Giants (-132), Pirates (+112)
  • Spread:  Giants -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Pirates

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Justin Verlander vs. Johan Oviedo
    • Giants: Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.53 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 vs. Pittsburgh - 1.80 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Pirates: Johan Oviedo (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
      Last outing: Has not pitched in the majors since September 0f 2023

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!

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

  • The Pirates have won 4 of their last 5 home games against National League teams
  • 6 of the Pirates' last 7 home games stayed under the Total
  • The Pirates have covered the Run Line in 6 straight home games
  • Justin Verlander struck out 7 in his last start which happened to be against the Pirates
  • Justin Verlander has allowed one run over his last 2 starts (10 innings)

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!

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

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 Monday's game between the Giants and the Pirates:

  • 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 Pittsburgh Pirates 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Yankees at Rangers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

It's Monday, August 4 and the Yankees (60-52) are in Arlington to take on the Rangers (58-55). Max Fried is slated to take the mound for New York against Patrick Corbin for Texas.

The Yankees are coming off three straight losses to the Marlins where New York was outscored 22-14. Prior to that, New York won three consecutive games, so I'm unsure what version of the Yankees we'll get.

Texas is 1-3 in the last four games and 2-5 over the past seven, which follows up a dominant 8-1 stretch to start the second half of the year (now 10-6 in the second half).

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 Yankees at Rangers

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Globe Life Field
  • City: Arlington, TX
  • Network/Streaming: YES, RSN

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 Yankees at the Rangers

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Yankees (-161), Rangers (+135)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Yankees at Rangers

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Max Fried vs. Patrick Corbin
    • Yankees: Max Fried, (12-4, 2.62 ERA)
      Last outing: 2.70 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 9 Strikeouts
    • Rangers: Patrick Corbin, (6-7, 3.78 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.60 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 3 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 Yankees and the Rangers

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 Monday’s game between the Yankees and the Rangers:

  • 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 Texas Rangers 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 Yankees at Rangers

  • The Yankees have lost three straight
  • The Yankees are 1-5 in the last six road games
  • The Rangers are 2-5 in the last seven games
  • The Rangers have won 10 of their last 11 home games, while the Yankees have lost 5 in 6 on the road
  • The Yankees' last 3 versus the Rangers have stayed under the Total
  • The Yankees have failed to cover the Run Line in 4 straight road games

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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It's time for Mets to turn to Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean in rotation

Back in July, with top pitching prospectsBrandon Sproat and Nolan McLeanexcelling for Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets -- who were down multiple starting pitchers at the time -- opted to deploy a handful of bullpen games, which cost them in a big way.

The reasoning at the time, which was fair enough, was that they didn't want to use one of their most prized prospects for a spot-start.

Once the pitching staff became whole again, there were still question marks due to Clay Holmes' transition from relief to starting, Sean Manaea's elbow, and Frankie Montas' struggles.

But the Mets didn't add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.

President of baseball operations David Stearns explained that while they were engaged in the market, most of the impact pitchers who were rumored to be available were not dealt -- a group that included Sandy Alcantara, Dylan Cease, and Edward Cabrera.

So while the Mets certainly could've used a reinforcement for the staff, it's understandable why they didn't pounce -- especially given the fact that Sproat and McLean are so close to contributing.

And speaking in the hours after the deadline passed, Stearns said the team was prepared to turn to Sproat and McLean down the stretch if needed.

"They can help. It’s just a matter of their continued development and when the opportunity does arise, is it the right time," Stearns said. "Both guys have taken very nice steps forward in their development. We’re going to continue to challenge them. We’re going to continue to ask them to get better and work on things. They are doing a good job. If we need someone from Triple-A, we’ve got people down (there) and they are among them who can help us."

Following Montas' disastrous outing on Sunday against the Giants, the time is now to call on Sproat or McLean.

Against San Francisco, Montas was mostly non-competitive, allowing seven runs in 4.0 innings, including a back-breaking three-run homer to Rafael Devers in the third inning. With the game still within reach, Montas was touched up for three more runs in the fourth inning, effectively ending any chance the Mets had to come back.

Montas now has a 6.68 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through seven starts this season. And while there's a chance he turns it around if the Mets keep going to him, they really can't afford to take the risk with a pitcher who has allowed 11.2 hits per nine and whose FIP (5.07) suggests this isn't bad luck.

Aug 3, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field.
Aug 3, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

A look at Montas' advanced stats shows a pitcher who has done a good job getting batters to chase and who has been a bit above average when it comes to limiting hard contact. But they also show a pitcher whose stuff -- while tantalizing at times -- has graded out near the bottom of the league.

Montas is also among the worst in the league in xERA, xBA, and barrel percentage, and he's simply not missing enough bats -- his strikeout rate is just 7.8 per nine.

During a season where the Mets are scratching and clawing with the Phillies for the NL East title, and following a trade deadline where they were incredibly aggressive while trading for late-inning relievers Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto, decisive action is needed.

That action should be the immediate removal of Montas from the rotation, with the team sliding him to the bullpen to take the revolving door role that has been held by Rico Garcia and Austin Warren in recent days.

Speaking after Sunday's game, manager Carlos Mendoza didn't give a yes or no regarding Montas' future in the rotation.

"I mean we just got done with the game here," Mendoza said. "He's got to be better and he knows that."

The above kind of quote is usually code for a team that is prepared to remove a starter from the rotation or truly doesn't yet know which direction they'll turn.

If Montas' spot in the rotation was safe, Mendoza almost certainly would've said so.

Montas' next start would likely be on Saturday, Aug. 9 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Sproat, who has usually been pitching with five-days rest, would likely be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 6 or 7.

McLean, who has also ordinarily been pitching with five-days rest, would likely be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 5 or 6.

Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park.
Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol - Imagn Images

While the days don't line up perfectly, one thing the Mets could conceivably do is have Sproat or McLean start on Friday, Aug. 8 against the Brewers. That's because Mets off days on Thursday and next Monday mean they can tweak their rotation a bit, maybe doing something like this over the weekend:

Monday against the Guardians: Sean Manaea
Tuesday against the Guardians: Clay Holmes
Wednesday against the Guardians: David Peterson
Friday against the Brewers: Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean
Saturday against the Brewers: Kodai Senga (on six-days rest)
Sunday against the Brewers: Manaea (on five-days rest)

The Mets could also simply keep everyone else on their regular turn and give Sproat or McLean even more extra rest.

Either way, the time has come to turn to one of them.

Sproat, leaning heavily on a fastball that has reached 100 mph, has allowed just two runs over his last six starts -- a span of 33.0 innings. He has struck out 39 batters during that span.

McLean has been terrific all season and features a dastardly sweeper to go along with a mid-90s fastball. In 104.0 innings this season for Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse, McLean has a 2.94 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 113 strikeouts.

To be clear, the Mets would not be turning to either Sproat or McLean with the expectation that they'll be a savior.

Yes, both pitchers have the ability to eventually pitch near the top of a big league rotation. But that's not what the Mets can expect now. Nor is it what they even need.

What they need is someone who can take the ball every fifth day and give them a better chance to win than Montas is giving them. And it's fair to believe either Sproat or McLean is ready to do that.

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Reds at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

It's Monday, August 4 and the Reds (58-54) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (65-46). Nick Lodolo is slated to take the mound for Cincinnati against Michael Soroka for Chicago.

Chicago and Cincinnati meet for the third series of the season as the Cubs won two out of three both times. Lately, these NL Central squads are trending in different directions.

The Cubs have won three of the past four games, including a ninth inning walkoff in the last contest, while the Reds have dropped four of the last six. Cincinnati is coming off a nine-game home stand where they finished 5-4.

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 Reds at Cubs

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Wrigley Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNOH, MARQ

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 Reds at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Reds (+120), Cubs (-143)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Reds at Cubs

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Nick Lodolo vs. Michael Soroka
    • Reds: Nick Lodolo, (8-6, 3.09 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.38 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 11 Strikeouts
    • Cubs: Michael Soroka, (3-8, 4.87 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 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 Reds 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 Monday’s game between the Reds and the Cubs:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cincinnati Reds 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 Reds at Cubs

  • Chicago is 4-2 against Cincinnati this season
  • The Cubs have a 15-4 record in series openers at home this season
  • The Cubs' last 6 matchups against NL Central teams have gone over the Total
  • Chicago is 3-1 in the last four games
  • Cincinnati is 2-4 in the past six games

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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Islanders No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer To Throw Out First Pitch At Mets Game On Monday

New York Islanders No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer will be throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians. 

New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) on XNew York Islanders (@NYIslanders) on XTaking the mound in Queens! Matthew Schaefer is set to throw the first pitch at tonight’s @Mets game! ⚾️

Schaefer was supposed to receive this honor during development camp, but a rainout put an end to that possibility. 

Schaefer has his eyes set on making the Islanders roster out of training camp, and he'll be given that opportunity.

The Islanders community has embraced this kid from the get-go, as they should, and as many know, there are a ton of Islanders fans who are also Mets fans.

So this crossover event on the diamond will be a cool experience for them, and for Schaefer, who always seems to rise to the occasion. 

Just remember what happens if he throws it high...

Firt pitch is scheduled for 7:10 ET so you should be in your seats by 6:45 to be safe. 

PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Cardinals at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 4

It's Monday, August 4 and the Cardinals (56-57) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (65-47). Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Tyler Glasnow for Los Angeles.

The Cardinals continue their west coast road trip after losing two out of three to the Padres. St. Louis is 2-7 in the last nine games and 1-5 over the past six as they enter this matchup with the Dodgers.

St. Louis is 2-1 versus Los Angles this season, but the Dodgers are playing well recently. The Dodgers own a 4-2 record over the past six outings and a 7-5 record after dropping three straight to open the second half of the year.

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 Dodgers

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:10PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, SNLA

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 Dodgers

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (+156), Dodgers (-188)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Dodgers

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Tyler Glasnow
    • Cardinals: Sonny Gray, (10-5, 4.38 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow, (1-1, 3.38 ERA)
      Last outing: 9.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 5 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 Dodgers

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 Monday’s game between the Cardinals and the Dodgers:

  • 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 St. Louis Cardinals 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 Cardinals at Dodgers

  • St. Louis is 2-1 versus Los Angeles this season
  • Los Angeles is 4-2 in the last six games
  • St. Louis is 1-4 in the last five games
  • The Dodgers have a 22-15 record in series openers this season
  • Nine of the Dodgers' last 11 games (82%) have stayed under the Total
  • The Dodgers have failed to cover the Run Line in nine of their last 11 home games

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

Twins at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Twins (52-59) are in Detroit open a series against the Tigers (65-48).

Simeon Woods Richardson is slated to take the mound for Minnesota against Casey Mize for Detroit.

The Twins salvaged the final game of their three-game weekend series in Cleveland with a 5-4 win over the Guardians. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak. Trevor Larnach led the attack with a hit and a couple of runs batted in.

The Tigers return home following a weekend in Philadelphia that saw them lose two of three to the Phillies including 2-0 last night. Kyle Schwarber went yard for the 38th time this season and Cristopher Sanchez allowed just five hits over eight innings to earn his 10th win of the season.

Lets 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 the how to catch tipoff, 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 Twins at Tigers

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Comerica Park
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming: MNNT, FDSNDT

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 Twins at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Twins (+128), Tigers (-152)
  • Spread:  Tigers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Twins at Tigers

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Simeon Woods Richardson vs. Casey Mize
    • Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.24 ERA)
      Last outing: July 28 vs. Boston - 5.79 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Tigers: Casey Mize (9-4, 3.44 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 vs. Arizona - 5.40 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 3 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!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Twins at Tigers

  • The Tigers have won their last 5 games against divisional opponents
  • The Under is 17-9-1 in the Twins' games against AL Central teams this season
  • The Tigers are showing a profit of 5.25 units on the Run Line in their last 5 games at Comerica Park
  • Casey Mize struck out 14 opposing hitters in 15 innings in July but never more than 5 in any start
  • Riley Greene was 0-13 against the Phillies over the weekend

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Twins and the Tigers

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 Monday's game between the Twins and the Tigers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Twins 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Athletics star Nick Kurtz earns both AL Player and Rookie of the Month for July

Athletics star Nick Kurtz earns both AL Player and Rookie of the Month for July originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It is a Big Amish summer.

Athletics star first baseman Nick Kurtz earned both AL Player of the Month and AL Rookie of the Month for his electric contributions in July. It is his first career AL Player of the Month and second consecutive AL Rookie of the Month.

Over 23 games in July, Kurtz slashed .395/.480/.953 with a 1.433 OPS. He collected 34 hits and 27 RBI with 11 home runs. The 22-year-old led the AL in on-base percentage (.480), doubles (13), OPS, RBI, extra-base hits (25), total bases (82) and slugging (.953).

Kurtz stamped the stellar month with a six-for-six game in a 15-3 rout of the Houston Astros on July 25, in which he hit four home runs, collected six hits, drove in eight runs and totaled 19 bases at Daikin Park.

“I don’t really know how to describe that one,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay told reporters that night in Houston. “It’s arguably the best game I’ve ever watched from a single player.”

Kurtz, the A’s No. 4 overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft, is the 10th player ever to take home both awards in the same month. He joins Ryan Braun (July 2007), Buster Posey (July 2010), Mike Trout (July 2012), Yasiel Puig (June 2013), Jose Abreu (April and July 2014), Gary Sanchez (Aug. 2016), Aaron Judge (June and Sept. 2017), Aristides Aquino (Aug. 2019) and Wyatt Langford (Sept. 2024).

It seemed that Kurtz’s teammate, Jacob Wilson, was a lock for AL Rookie of the Year for much of the 2025 MLB season, especially after becoming the first fan-elected rookie ever to start an All-Star Game. 

Kurtz, though, might be the frontrunner after his ridiculous July. But the award truly could go to either of the A’s rookie sensations.

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Astros at Marlins prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Astros (62-50) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (55-55).

Jason Alexander is slated to take the mound for Houston against Sandy Alcantara for Miami.

The Astros arrive in South Beach reeling having been swept over the weekend in Boston by the Red Sox while the Marlins are riding high following their first-ever sweep of the Yankees in Miami.

Houston is 2-8 in their last 10 games and their lead in the American League West has been whittled down to 2.5 games over Seattle. Miami is playing as well as anyone in baseball. They have won five straight and are 30-14 since June 13 to pull to within six games of a Wild Card berth.

Lets 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 the how to catch tipoff, 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 Marlins

  • Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: loanDepot Park
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming:

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 Marlins

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Astros (-106), Marlins (-113)
  • Spread:  Marlins 1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Astros at Marlins

  • Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Jason Alexander vs. Sandy Alcantara
    • Astros: Jason Alexander (1-1, 18.00 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 vs. Washington - 3.86 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (6-9, 6.36 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 at St. Louis - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 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!

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

  • The Marlins have won their last 3 games with Sandy Alcantara on the mound
  • This season Sandy Alcantara has an ERA of 6.36 and a WHIP of 1.46
  • The Marlins have covered in 7 of their last 9 games with Sandy Alcantara on the mound
  • Carlos Correa is 3-12 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in 3 games since returning to Houston

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!

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

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 Monday's game between the Astros and the Marlins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Miami Marlins 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 8.0.

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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Fenway Park Workers Warn of Indefinite Strike Against Aramark

Concession workers at Fenway Park may go back on strike—potentially indefinitely—if food and beverage vendor Aramark doesn’t offer a new labor contract.

On Wednesday, ahead of the Boston Red Sox’s series finale against the Kansas City Royals, Unite Here Local 26 will give Aramark a formal notice of a potential strike. It comes over a week after the unionized concession workers walked off the job on July 25 for three days during the series against the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Aramark hired replacement workers for the series, some of whom were involved in a confrontation with picketing union members outside the stadium after Saturday’s game, according to NBC Boston.

The union employees returned to the job for this past weekend’s series against the Houston Astros without incident; the Red Sox host the Royals for three games starting Monday.

The two sides have been at odds since Dec. 31, 2024, when the previous contract expired. On June 15, while the Red Sox hosted the rival New York Yankees, Local 26 authorized a strike that could take place at any point during the regular season, with 95% of its members voting in favor. A few weeks later on July 23, the union gave Aramark 48 hours to offer a new contract before walking off the job; the company let the deadline pass, leading to the three-day strike.

Peter Dankens, a beer server who began working at the ballpark in 1976 as a 14-year-old porter, is the longest-tenured vendor at Fenway and a member of the union’s bargaining committee. In the last talks between the two sides prior to the July strike, Dankens said that he was taken aback by a comment from one of Aramark’s negotiators.

“I wasn’t that hyped up about the whole thing until I went to the bargaining meeting,” he said, “and the person who represented Aramark said, ‘Well, you people make enough money.’ I couldn’t believe someone said that. I make at the top very good money, sure, but my money doesn’t come from Aramark. My money comes from the fans.”

Dankens said he walked off the job in support of the people in the back of the house who deliver, stock and cook the food. “They’re unrecognized. I don’t think anybody in management, other than the floor supervisors, know their names individually. I don’t think it’s not the way they used to be. It really used to be family, and it’s not that way anymore.”

Last Thursday, the bargaining committee discussed next steps, thinking that negotiations towards a new deal could go into the 2026 MLB regular season. Neither side has spoken to one another since the strike during the Red Sox/Dodgers series, though the union continues to say that it’s up to Aramark to offer what it believes to be a fair proposal.

Another point of contention, according to Dankens, was about Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday in 2021. The committee said it asked Aramark to make that a paid holiday for its employees, but that request was denied.

“That’s a slap in the face to every person of color that works there, saying ‘we’ll discuss it with you in 2030,’” Dankens said. “Who discusses a national holiday in honor of people of color in 2030? It’s a national holiday.”

Aramark didn’t reply to a request for comment.

The negotiations could play out the same way as it did in Philadelphia when that city’s union chapter representing concession workers across the three venues of the stadium complex went on strike in late September 2024, long after its own contract expired. Some concession workers picketed as the Phillies played their final regular-season series before the playoffs. Though the strike lasted four days, Aramark and the union did not come to terms on a new contract until this past April.

While there has been little common ground at the negotiating table, there was a moment when both sides put their hostilities aside. One of the union members who worked at the ballpark passed away in June after a battle with esophageal cancer. At the funeral, Dankens said he saw two members of Aramark’s senior management team among the attendees.

“I think they thought I was going to say something about this strike,” he said. “And I said to them, you know, it meant a lot to see you coming to [the] funeral. And believe me, it was not unnoticed.

“I think they were kind of taken aback that I said that to them, but it did mean something to see them there. It was almost like we went back to the olden days.”

(This story has been updated in the first paragraph to accurately reflect the union’s intentions around the strike. This story has been corrected in the second paragraph to note the Red Sox will play the Royals on Wednesday, and in the fifth paragraph to clarify who is speaking.)

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Mets vs. Guardians: How to watch on SNY on Aug. 4, 2025

The Mets open a three-game series against the Guardians at Citi Field on Monday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • Francisco Lindor is hitting .310/.370/.524 with two home runs and three doubles in 46 plate appearances over his last 10 games
  • Edwin Diaz has allowed one earned run since April 21. For the season, Diaz has a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 65 strikeouts in 43.2 innings
  • Sean Manaea has been terrific since returning, with a 2.08 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 17.1 innings while striking out 22
GUARDIANS
METS
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

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Mets vs. Guardians: 5 things to watch and series predictions | Aug. 4-6

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Guardians play a three-game series at Citi Field starting on Monday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

5 things to watch

Can Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes provide length?

The Mets' starting rotation, aside from David Peterson, has been unable to pitch deep into games over the last month-plus.

Part of that has to do with pitchers like Manaea and Kodai Senga stretching back out following stints on the IL, and part of it has to do with Holmes understandably being managed with kid gloves as he soars past his innings total from last season during his first year after transitioning from reliever to starter.

But in order to avoid burning out the newly-bolstered bullpen, the Mets are going to have to get more length from their starters.

Manaea has tossed 5.0 innings in each of his last two starts, but high pitch counts have prevented him from going beyond that.

As far as Holmes, he lasted just 3.2 innings last Wednesday against the Padres and hasn't completed 6.0 innings since June 7.

Manaea gets the ball on Monday, with Holmes toeing the slab on Tuesday.

Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso are breaking out of it

Following prolonged slumps, Lindor and Alonso are starting to look like themselves at the plate again.

Lindor is hitting .310/.370/.524 with two home runs and three doubles in 46 plate appearances over his last 10 games.

That includes a leadoff homer on Sunday against the Giants -- a series where Lindor went 5-for-11 with five RBI and two walks.

Alonso smashed home runs on Friday and Saturday, giving him 250 for his career as he continues to chase the Mets' franchise record of 252 that is held by Darryl Strawberry.

Juan Soto is in a serious power drought

Soto hit safely in all three games against San Francisco, but he hasn't been hitting for much power lately.

Jul 18, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Citi Field
Jul 18, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on a solo home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Citi Field / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Soto has hit just one home run and one double since July 18.

Meanwhile, his OPS -- which was up to .916 entering play on July 5 -- has dropped to .859.

Soto has also gone five straight games without a walk, which is a rarity for him.

The Guardians are surging, but with a caveat

The Guardians are 16-7 since July 7, a run that has put them back in the mix for a Wild Card spot in the American League.

However, while Cleveland swept the Astros at the start of this streak, the rest of it has been done against very bad teams -- series wins over the White Sox, Athletics, Orioles, Rockies, and Twins (who just traded roughly one third of their active roster at the deadline).

The Guardians' run differential of -28 also suggests their record is better than it should be.

Still, the Mets will be facing a motivated club that is led by perennial MVP candidate Jose Ramirez, who is slashing .302/.377/.533 in 108 games this season.

Cleveland's rotation has been very good

The Mets will face Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, and Gavin Williams during this series.

Cecconi has gone 7.0 innings or more in three of his last four outings, and enters his start with a 3.77 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

Allen fired 7.0 innings of two-run ball against the Rockies in his last start, and has a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP this season.

Williams has been Cleveland's best starter this year, with a 3.33 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. But he has struggled with his command, walking a league-high 62 batters.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Juan Soto

He's been close to a non-factor power wise for too long to think it'll continue.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Sean Manaea

Manaea has been terrific since returning, with a 2.08 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 17.1 innings while striking out 22.

Which Guardians player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?

Jose Ramirez

Ramirez has been on fire, with nine hits in his last 20 at-bats, including home runs on Saturday and Sunday.

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💫 Celtic and Rangers learn Champions League fate

�� Celtic and Rangers learn Champions League fate
💫 Celtic and Rangers learn Champions League fate

Celtic and Rangers' paths to the Champions League league phase have been determined at a draw in in Nyon on Monday.

As reigning league winners, Celtic were placed in the champions path of the draw and will face just one play-off round.

There, they will face either Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan or Slovan Bratislava, who they defeated 5-1 in the league phase last season.

Should Rangers overcome Viktoria Plzen, they will take on either Salzburg or Club Brugge in the league path for a place in the revamped competition.

Both teams are set to play the first legs at home.

📸 FABRICE COFFRINI

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Where Giants stand on surging prospect Bryce Eldridge after trade deadline sale

Where Giants stand on surging prospect Bryce Eldridge after trade deadline sale originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants traded three of their five longest-tenured players at last week’s deadline, but they didn’t necessarily view it as fully raising the white flag. 

They remain on the fringes of the playoff race — FanGraphs gives them about an eight percent chance of making it — and they have two series left against a San Diego Padres team they’re trying to chase down. If they can keep playing the way they did over the weekend in New York, they can certainly remain in the mix. 

Another brief slip, though, would make the climb too steep and lead to real conversations about how best to handle September. And even if the Giants stay within range of the final Wild Card spot, at some point, they’ll have to take a different approach. 

“We’ll probably get some different looks at some different players over the next couple of months,” president of baseball operations Buster Posey said after dealing away Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval and Mike Yastrzemski last week.

There’s one name at the top of that list, and Posey knows he’ll be asked about Bryce Eldridge every time he speaks publicly until the end of the season. Eldridge, the organization’s top prospect, certainly is doing his part to force the issue. 

The 20-year-old homered twice on Saturday and again on Sunday, giving him seven in just 56 at-bats since returning from the IL. Overall, Eldridge is hitting .237 with a .802 OPS and nine homers in Triple-A, but he has a .999 OPS over his last 15 games. Since returning from a hamstring strain, he has a .338 on-base percentage and has raised his average to .268.

Asked about Eldridge and other young players right after the deadline, Posey said he would “probably downplay the Eldridge piece a little bit” because he missed time with injury. On Thursday’s “Giants Talk” podcast, he explained why the Giants will continue to be cautious. 

“I think he’s making progress,” Posey said. “Bryce, I think what’s exciting about him is he wants to not only be a great hitter — he wants to be a great defender, as well. He knows there’s work to do and he was hurt a little bit this year with the hamstring and missed some time. For him, it’s repetition, getting the reps, being in situations in games that can only be provided by being in that game.

“You can do as much as you want in your pregame work, which he is doing that. We’re in a good spot, I feel like with him. We’re really happy with the way he’s progressing, but we want him to keep getting reps.”

Giants officials who have been to Sacramento recently say Eldridge continues to make strides at first base. He remains susceptible down in the strike zone — he has a 30 percent strikeout rate — but is absolutely punishing mistakes, showing the kind of raw power that should be on display at Oracle Park for years to come. 

It has not been hard for the front office to preach patience, though, in part because there’s no great need at the big league level at the moment. Rafael Devers also is learning first base and Dominic Smith continues to contribute when he gets opportunities. 

Wilmer Flores had a rough July, but he is as respected as anyone in the clubhouse, and Posey held him at the deadline despite the fact that he’s coming up on free agency. The Giants will continue to get him opportunities while they view themselves as being in the race. 

If that changes in a few weeks, Eldridge will be a short drive away, and his promotion certainly would bring a jolt to a fan base that has packed Oracle Park this summer. Posey once was in that situation himself, although his initial cup of coffee wasn’t notable. 

The Giants called Posey up for the first time in September 2009, but he got just 17 at-bats, picking up a pair of singles. He doesn’t anticipate calling up Eldridge and adding him to the 40-man roster later this year if the playing time isn’t there. 

“I think if it’s a guy you see as part of the future, you want them to be able to play, too, and you want to feel good about (the fact that) they’re going to get some steady playing time,” Posey said on Giants Talk. “We’ll have these discussions, but again, I think it’s important for Bryce to keep growing, keep getting the reps. He’s still just 20 years old, so we’ve got time.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast