Aug 17, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) shakes hands with Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (11) after beating the Athletics at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The boyz are back, baby!!!! Jac, Vinnie, Maikel, Bob, everyone’s here—on offense, as it were. Yesterday, they scored a bunch of runs. It was delightful.
Today, they will need to score a bunch of runs. The Royals are inexplicably sticking Daniel Lynch IV in the rotation. Lynch’s career splits are super obvious: as a starter, he’s got a 5.31 ERA and a .349 wOBA against. As a reliever, he’s got a 2.47 ERA and a .278 wOBA against. This year is even more lopsided, albeit with only four innings as a starter. After Lynch, they’ll have more bullpen innings than normal, and we all know how well the bullpen has pitched this year.
But that just means we’re in for a high-scoring win, right?
Jul 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Cal Quantrill (44) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Boston, MA - April 25: A marker for a Boston Tea Party Participant is seen beside a grave in the Granary Burying Ground during a tour of the Freedom Trail. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
DIAMONDBACKS
RED SOX
Ildemaro Vargas – 2B
Nick Sogard – 2B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Ceddanne Rafaela – CF
Gabriel Moreno – DH
Wilyer Abreu – RF
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Willson Contreras – 1B
Tim Tawa – 1B
Adley Rutschman – C
Jordan Lawlar – CF
Caleb Durbin – 3B
James McCann – C
Jarren Duran – LF
Jose Fernandez – 3B
Andruw Monasterio – SS
Ryan Waldschmidt – LF
Mickey Gasper – DH
Merrill Kelly – RHP
Ranger Suarez – LHP
Well, at least we have a line-up at a reasonable time today. It appears everybody actually made it to the ballpark in good order this afternoon for the Diamondbacks, so we are clearly already ahead of yesterday. I suppose I should give you the latest updates on the Ketel Marte saga, from today’s pre-game media session. Though in terms of actual facts there is not a great deal more to report. According to Jody Jackson, manager Torey Lovullo has not talked to Ketel today. “He was asked if he was surprised at the lack of communication. “A little bit, yes“ given their close relationship.”
Marte is said to be on his way back to Arizona for an MRI on his knee, though John Gambadoro says he is “not back yet.” Steve Gilbert reports that Lovullo “thinks the reason Marte is getting MRI back in Phx instead of here was Ketel’s choice but not sure.” I think that’s just about all the information to come out today, and it all seems incredibly vague. I understand exactly why the team doesn’t want to say too much – and perhaps can’t, once you get into health. But the lack of reliable information is pouring gasoline on the fires of speculation. It’s also interesting that even long-term reporters with contacts in the organization have nothing publicly to offer on what’s happening.
Oh, well. In the ongoing absence of Marte, I’d expect it to be mostly Ildemaro Vargas, since he’s the only player apart from Ketel to have started at second-base for the D-backs this season. Tim Tawa has 3.2 innings there, and we saw Jordan Lawlar there in the ninth inning yesterday, when Vargas was on the mound. Not many other options on the 40-man roster with experience. Tommy Troy has played there for the Aces, but he’s still on the IL with a sprained right shoulder after crashing into a wall at Chavez Ravine. This evening’s infield of Tawa, Vargas, Geraldo Perdomo and Jose Fernandez is not exactly what we expected at the start of the season…
Minnesota Twins pitcher Zebby Matthews (52) throws against Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit in Tuesday, August 5, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
First Pitch: 6:40 PM CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN, WCCO 830, The Wolf 102.9 FM, Audacy App, LosTwins.com
SACRAMENTO, CA - AUGUST 12: Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
UPDATE: New starter tonight as lefty Brady Basso will get things started. One would assume this is merely going to be an opener assignment while Perkins handles the bulk this evening. The team will also swap Gelof and Muncy, with Gelof DH’ing while Muncy handles left field.
The A’s dropped their first game in Kansas City last night, losing 9-5 and dropping the club to 49-76, tied with the Angels for the worst record in the sport. If the club ever needed a win, tonight’s the night.
Before the game the A’s made a minor move for some extra bullpen depth, adding the recently-claimed Taylor Rashi to the active roster:
The right-hander has very minimal big league experience, with 10 games last year and three this season. The former Giants and Diamondbacks farmhand has generally put up good numbers in the minors, including a 2.56 ERA in 24 appearances this year. With the state of the bullpen Rashi is as good as any reliever to give a shot and see if the A’s can catch lightning in a bottle.
To make room on the roster right-hander Mason Barnett was optioned to Triple-A. He was in the rotation the past couple turns but he struggled in his chances and will now head back to the minors and continue to work on honing his craft. The A’s will need to make a move for a new starter sometime later this week.
It’ll be right-hander Jack Perkins getting the ball this evening for his 12th start this year. It hasn’t been an easy year for the rookie, who began in the bullpen before being asked to take on a starter’s role halfway through the year. The results have been unexpected as he’s struggled to an 8.17 ERA during his starting assignments so far. He’s not exactly trending in the right direction either as he’s gotten smacked for at least five runs in his past three starts. Hopefully he’ll be able to turn things around tonight in Kansas City against a fellow bottom-dweller in the Royals, though last night should warn everyone that they still got some big bats in that lineup of theirs.
Here’s how the A’s starting lineup shakes out tonight:
No Jacob Wilson again tonight. That shoulder injury has kept him out of recent games and it’s a real possibility that he’s done for the year. Manager Mark Kotsay spoke about his shortstop yesterday:
“He came up, tried to hit today and couldn’t really get full range of motion,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said after the game. “He’s day-to-day.”
Darell Hernaiz will handle shortstop duties today and could see more time there moving forward. The rest of the lineup is fairly standard. We’ll see Tommy White return to third base while Jeff McNeil handles the other corner.
Meanwhile, the Royals kept it close to the chest but have now announced that Daniel Lynch IV is getting the start for them tonight. Lynch was a solid reliever all year long for the Royals but with them out of the playoff hunt they’re going to try him as a starting pitcher the rest of the season. His first two starts weren’t great as he allowed three runs in each short outing. They’ll be looking for more length from him tonight and it’s the A’s job to get him out as fast as possible.
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 16: Cleveland Guardians left fielder Jo Adell (7) grounds out to second base during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians on August 16, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here’s the Giants’ lineup:
Giants 8/18
J. Cox CF R. Devers DH V. Bericoto RF B. Eldridge 1B O. Basabe 2B B. Kennedy 3B D. Gilbert LF A. Knizner C C. Koss SS
Aug 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Zach McKinstry (39) hits a double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (61-64) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (61-66)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., PNC Park SB Nation Site:Bucs Dugout Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (9-7, 3.22 ERA) vs. RHP Braxton Ashcraft (12-5, 3.88 ERA)
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros, who own a 2.0-game lead in the AL West, will open a three-game series with the Angels tonight at Daikin Park.
RHP Cristian Javier (1-3), who shut out the Angels in 5.0 innings of stellar relief last month, will get the start for the Astros tonight opposite Angels rookie RHP George Klassen (1 1).
EL REPTÍL: RHP Cristian Javier is making his seventh start of the season and his fourth since returning from the IL in early July…he’s split time between being a starter and reliever since his return, making four relief appearances and three starts.
Since returning from the IL, he has a 4.30 ERA (11ER/23IP) with 21 strikeouts in 23.0 IP.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 43-31 since May 22, which is the second-best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: Among American League teams, the Astros rank first in slugging (.413), first in total bases (1740), second in OPS (.732), second in home runs (168), and third in runs scored (576).
In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (180) and Yankees (171).
VS. THE ANGELS: The Astros are 6-4 against the Angels this season and need just one win this week to win their sixth consecutive season series against the Angels.
The Astros 144-92 (.610) all- time record against the Angels is their best against any single opponent in franchise history.
TONIGHT’S RADIO BROADCASTS: The Astros English radio broadcast can be heard on SportsTalk 790 featuring Robert Ford and Brian Bogusevic… the Spanish radio broadcast will feature Francisco Romero and Alex Treviño on TUDN 102.9 FM.
DOWN ON THE FARM: Several of the Astros minor league clubs are having second-half success this season, while the Astros FCL team dominated in their completed campaign:
Triple A Sugar Land: In second half action, the Space Cowboys are in first place in the PCL East Division with a 31-14 (.689) record.
Double A Corpus Christi: For the second half, the Hooks are in third place in the Texas League South Division with a 23-22 record (1.0 game out of first place).
Class A Fayetteville: For the second half, the Woodpeckers are in first place in the South Atlantic League North Division with a 26-20 (.565) record.
Rookie Level FCL Astros: The Astros won the Florida Complex League championship, finishing with a 42-11 (.792) record in the regular season.
SUNDAY NIGHT: The Astros and Mariners played a close ballgame on Sunday Night Baseball, with the Astros dropping the contest by a score of 3-2.
The Astros scored their two runs on solo shots hit by 2B Nick Allen (1×2) and SS Jeremy Peña (1×4).
RHP Hunter Brown (2ER/5IP) started for Houston and was handed the loss, as he worked around five walks and three hits allowed in his outing.
TAXI SQUAD ADDITION: RHP Ethan Pecko has been added the Astros Taxi Squad and will work out with the Major League team today at Daikin Park.
Pecko, 23, the Astros sixth-round pick in 2023, has combined to post a 4.57 ERA (42ER/82.2IP) with 86 strikeouts in 20 games (18 starts) in the minors this season, including 17 games at the Triple A level.
THE CLOSER: LHP Josh Hader, now in his 10th Major League season, has made 499 career appearances, needing just one more to become the 12th active Major Leaguer to reach 500 career appearances.
Hader has been stellar since returning from injury in early June, going 4-1 with a 0.90 ERA (3ER/30IP), 41 strikeouts, a .126 opponent average (13×103) and a 0.77 WHIP, while also converting all 17 of his save opportunities in 31 appearances.
THROWING STRIKES: LHP Steven Okert has not allowed a walk in 22 consecutive appearances (since June 28), which spans 22.0 innings pitched.
Some notes on his streak:
Okert is closing in on the club record for consecutive walkless apps. in a single season, which is 24 straight, posted by RHP Pat Neshek from April 8-June 2, 2015.
Only RHP Garrett Whitlock (27g) has had a longer streak of consecutive walkless apps. in MLB in 2026.
per Elias, Okert’s streak of 22.0 consecutive innings without a walk is the fifth-longest by a reliver in a single season in franchise history, and the longest since RHP Wilton Lopez had a streak of 22.1 consecutive walkless innings from April 8-May 17, 2012.
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez holds the lead in all AL Triple Crown categories, ranking first in average (.321), first in HR (36) and first in RBI (88).
Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.054), OBP (.435), SLG (.619), and TB (276)…in the AL, he ranks tied for first in hits (143) and XBH (61), second walks (86), and tied for second in runs (82).
YOR-GONE!: DH Yordan Alvarez has hit 36 home runs this season, which leads the AL.
He’s just one homer shy of matching his career high in homers (37 HR in 2022) and is 11 homers shy of matching the franchise record for a single season, set by 1B Jeff Bagwell in 2000 (47 HR).
OUCH!: 3B Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch for the 17th time of the season on Sunday night, which ranks fifth in the Majors.
Hit 17 HBP are the most by an Astro in a single season since 2B Craig Biggio also recorded 17 HBP in 2007.
WHAM BAM CAM: RF Cam Smith has a triple, three homers and seven RBI in his last eight games.
Smith is batting .346 (18×52) with two doubles, two triples, three home runs, nine RBI and a 1.005 OPS in his last 15 games since July 29.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, August 18, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
SACRAMENTO, CA - AUGUST 11: Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates in the dugout during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
TORONTO, ON - JULY 31: Kyle Leahy #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 31, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s game 3 of the St. Louis Cardinals vs the Cincinnati Reds as they’ll clash again Tuesday night. Kyle Leahy will make the start for the Cardinals while Andrew Abbott is the scheduled starter for the Reds. First pitch at Great American Ball Park is set for 5:40pm central time.
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 17: Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres looks on during the game between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Monday, August 17, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Mooney/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
San Diego Padres (67-59) at New York Mets (57-69), August 18, 2026, 4:10 p.m. PST
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 11: Carson Whisenhunt #88 of the San Francisco Giants pitches at Oracle Park on August 11, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants begin a three-game road series against the Cleveland Guardians this afternoon.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, who enters today’s game with a 6.11 ERA, 5.40 FIP, with 22 strikeouts to 18 walks in 28 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 4-1 win over the Houston Astros last Tuesday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts and three walks in five and two thirds innings.
He’ll be facing off against Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin, who enters today’s game with a 3.25 ERA, 4.23 FIP, with 125 strikeouts to 33 walks in 138.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Guardians’ 6-4 win over the Detroit Tigers last Wednesday, in which he allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk in five innings.
Aug 12, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets pitcher Zac Thornton (49) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – 3B Luis Robert – CF Carson Benge – RF Francisco Alvarez – DH Christopher Morel – 1B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – LF Luis Torrens – C
SP: Zac Thornton – LHP
Padres lineup
Fernando Tatis – RF Luis Rengifo – LF Manny Machado – 3B Ty France – 1B Jackson Merrill – CF Xander Bogaerts – SS Austin Hays – DH Freddy Fermin – C Jake Cronenworth – 2B
SP: Robbie Ray – LHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:10 PM ET TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - MAY 13: Pete Alonso #25 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a single in the second inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 13, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
So that was cool! The Orioles emerged from a grueling 10-game road trip with something like momentum, taking three of four from the AL-best Tampa Bay Rays on the road. The starting pitching was solid, the hitters clutch, and the defense frequently stepped up.
Now, they welcome the second-place Yankees to Camden Yards. The Yankees have a comfortable grip on a wild card spot, but they’re not without flaws. They’re really missing Aaron Judge, hovering around .500 since he fractured his rib in late May. They’re not hitting for average (.229 as a team), though they do hit for power. They didn’t do much to improve themselves at the trade deadline, making three main acquisitions, first baseman Luis Garcia Jr., outfielder Heliot Ramos, and calling up their #1 prospect George Lombard Jr. in place of the struggling Anthony Volpe at short. Lombard Jr. has been very good; the other two not so much.
Nonetheless, the Yankees’ pitching staff has been excellent, and that outlook could get even better with the return of Carlos Rodón (4-2, 3.30 ERA), fresh off the IL after missing July and most of August with elbow inflammation.
It’s been a stop-and-start year for Rodón, who missed Opening Day after getting bone spurs removed from his left elbow back in October 2025, and didn’t debut ‘til late April. He pitched well when he did pitch this season, going 4-2 in nine starts with a 3.30 ERA, and 52 strikeouts over 46⅓ innings. But the elbow flared up again, and the Yankees put him on the 15-day IL on July 3 (retroactive to June 30). Rodón didn’t end up needing surgery, settling for a PRP injection instead, but the recovery dragged, and he ended up missing 41 games.
This will be his first start since June 28, so we might expect that the lefty could be on a pitch count limit in this game. Gunnar Henderson and Tyler O’Neill have both had success against him. Carlos Narváez has only faced Rodón six times, but he’s got three hits, including a homer.
The Orioles are countering with Shane Baz, who is pitching well overall, but getting unlucky somehow: to wit, the righty has a 3.52 ERA in his last seven games, but is also 0-4 in that stretch. Baz doesn’t have a win since June 12, in fact. Blame the lack of run support, mainly. His last start, however, in Minnesota, was sloppy, as he allowed five runs on nine hits in just three innings. Hopefully that was just a blip.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 23: Carlos Rodon #55 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park on June 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a great start from a lefty in Sunday’s win, the Yankees will turn to another southpaw as they kick off a road trip with three games at Camden Yards. The Orioles may be three games under .500, but they’re sniffing around the final AL Wild Card slot, and Carlos Rodón will have to handle what is at least ostensibly a playoff-caliber lineup.
The Yankees decided to eschew a final rehab start for Rodón, returning from elbow inflammation and missing from the big-league rotation since June 28th. He has a 3.30 ERA albeit in just 49.1 innings this year, returning from injury twice. His biggest liability is a horrific 13.4 percent walk rate, and we know that command is usually the hardest thing to recover after an injury. Keeping the ball in the strike zone will be the key to his outing tonight, especially given he’ll likely only have 70-75 pitches to work with.
Opposing him will be Shane Baz, who feels like he’s been around longer than he has. The former Ray is still just 27 and has been bang-on league average by his top-level stats, but a tremendous ability to suppress power keeps his FIP at a strong 3.34, driving a three-win season at this point in the year.
This is Baz’s eighth career start against the Yankees and they’ve handled him fairly well, notching a 7.00 ERA and hitting 11 home runs in just 27.0 innings pitched, but I bet a lot of those starts came when there was more thump than the current New York lineup offers.
How to watch
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards — Baltimore, MD
First pitch: 6:35 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, MASN
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), 98 Rock 97.9FM (BAL)
