PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on July 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are finishing off their four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds, but they won’t have it easy in the final game before the MLB Trade Deadline tomorrow.
Mitch Keller gets the start for the Pirates, and he’s looking for his first win since June 28, when he last pitched against the Cincinnati Reds. He went six innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs in a 9-4 victory at PNC Park. The Bucks have won each of Keller’s last two starts in 10 innings, including his latest appearance on July 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he went 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs.
The Reds are giving the ball to their ace, Chase Burns, who is 12-1 so far this season. In his last start against the Pirates, he went six innings, giving up nine hits and five earned runs, but the Reds rallied late to win 9-7 at PNC Park. After that appearance, he won his next three starts but came away with a no-decision in his latest appearance on July 28 against the Cleveland Guardians. Burns went five innings, giving up five hits and one earned run, but the Reds lost 6-5.
Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets connects for his seventh inning solo home run against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on July 31, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – LF Francisco Lindor – SS Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Luis Robert – CF Jared Young – 1B Marcus Semien – 2B Jorge Polanco – DH Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Robert Stock – RHP
Marlins lineup
Liam Hicks – DH Kyle Stowers – 1B Otto Lopez – SS Xavier Edwards – 2B Griffin Conine – LF Owen Caissie – RF Jakob Marsee – CF Joe Mack – C Javier Sanoja – 3B
SP: Sandy Alcantara – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 1:40 PM ET TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
GETTING TO SIXTEEN: Today’s game will be the fourth time this season the Cubs have had a chance to move to 16 games above .500. They lost, 6-0, at Texas on May 9, then at St. Louis, 3-2, on Wednesday and at home against the Yankees, 2-0, on Friday. Last year, they had 16 more wins than losses for the first time on June 5, when they were 39-23 after a 7-1 win at Washington. They went to 16 above for good on Aug. 16, at 69-53, after beating the Pirates at home, 3-1. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
RUBBER GAMES: The Cubs are 4-4 in all third games of series vs. the Yankees. They won the first, in 2003; lost the next four, in 2005-22; then won the last three years. The wins in 2003, 2023 and 2025 were in rubber games, with the ones in 2003 and 2024 coming at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
COMING FROM BEHIND: Last night’s game was the 46th of the season in which the Cubs overcame a deficit. It was the 11th of those in which they did so in their next inning at bat after falling behind. They have done it in 43 different games, winning 30 and losing 13. They have won three in a row, five of six and 15 of 17 starting June 11, the day they began their 29-14 surge. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Ryne Sandberg’s two-run homer in the 10th gives the Cubs a 4-2 win over the Mets in New York. It happened 35 years ago today, Friday, Aug. 2, 1991.
Just when you think Colin Rea is past his sell-by date, he comes up with a solid performance, six one-run innings against the Cardinals last Tuesday. Of course, it helped that the Cubs gave him a 7-0 lead before the bottom of the second.
Rea hasn’t faced the Yankees since April 26, 2024 in Milwaukee, which is so long ago that Anthony Rizzo was batting cleanup for New York. (He went 0-for-5.) Rea threw six innings and allowed five runs that night.
The only current Yankee who has faced Rea more than a handful of times is Paul Goldschmidt (3-for-10). Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez have homered off him.
Rea has been much better at Wrigley Field (3.33 ERA in 54 innings) than on the road (5.93 ERA in 57.2 innings), so perhaps that will make the difference.
Gerrit Cole missed all of 2025 and the first third of this year recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Since his return he’s been good. Not “2023 Cy Young good,” but good enough. He still strikes out a lot of guys, doesn’t walk many and as you see below, his velocity is still up there. He was very good in his last start, last Tuesday against the White Sox. He threw six scoreless innings, striking out seven.
Cole last faced the Cubs Sept. 8, 2024 at Wrigley Field and threw six innings, allowing three hits and two unearned runs.
Dansby Swanson is 4-for-11 (.364) with two home runs. Michael Conforto has also homered off him. Alex Bregman, who was Cole’s teammate in Houston in 2018 and 2019, is 3-for-12 with two doubles.
Please visit our SB Nation Yankees site Pinstripe Alley. If you do go there to interact with Yankees fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 1: Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays is taken out of the game by manager John Schneider #14 in the sixth inning of their MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre on August 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We are about 31 hours short of the trade deadline and the Jays haven’t made a move yet. I’m expecting trades, but I will be sad to see guys leaving the team. I’ve been putting off hitting publish hoping something comes up.
The Jays have been too quiet, there aren’t any rumors or anything at the moment.
There was a big trade, the Dodgers got Tarik Skubal and really didn’t give up anyone that they won’t be able to live without.
The Tigers got:
Zyhir Hope a left-handed hitting outfielder, 21 years old. He’s hitting .293/.369/.530 with 23 home runs in 94 games at Double-A Tulsa. He strikes out a fair bit, but has good speed
River Ryan a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who has an ‘upper 90s’ fastball and a slider with good control. He’s missed a lot of time thru injuries, including Tommy John, but I’d imagine the Tigers will be calling him up as soon after he’s recovered from his hamstring injury. 27 is old for a ‘prospect’ but injury issues have slowed his climb.
Brady Smith a right-handed pitcher, 21 years old, who has been hit pretty hard in A ball this year, but has 113 strikeouts in 74.1 innings. He’s also been through Tommy John throws mid-90s with a very good changeup and a slider. I think he’ll end up in the bullpen, but you never know.
I don’t know that it is really enough for one of the best pitchers in baseball, but it does suggest the Jays won’t get as much for Kevin Gausman as we’d like to think. But they are three guys who were on Baseball America’s top 100 prospect list. I would be very happy getting one guy on the top 100 prospect list for Kevin.
It doesn’t look like Bo Bichette will be moving, I didn’t think it was likely. He’s making too much money for my liking. I did see someone say that the Jays should trade for him, but I can’t imagine it, as much as I’d like to continue watching him.
Bo Bichette, whose contract contains a no-trade clause, said the Mets haven’t come to him with any proposals. Says it’s highly unlikely he will be dealt.
Today’s lineup: Urias back in the leadoff spot. Springer playing outfield (I wonder if that is for teams scouting him?). We have seen a lot of lefty starters lately.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 28: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds walks back into the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on April 28, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kate Woolson/Cincinnati Reds/Cincinnati Reds)
The Cincinnati Reds dropped Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home in Great American Ball Park, but on Sunday they’ve got their ace on the mound with the series victory in the balance.
Chase Burns will toe the rubber for the good guys opposite Bucs starter Mitch Keller, with first pitch on the docket set for 1:40 PM ET.
Eugenio Suarez will begin this game on the bench, and with the trade deadline looming tomorrow afternoon that means he may well have made his final start in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. That’s sad, though not quite as sad as the fact that it means Ke’Bryan Hayes is going to be in the starting lineup at 3B more or less every day going forward (today included).
Here’s how both clubs will line up to begin Sunday’s series finale in GABP, one that may well be the final game the Reds play before ripping apart the roster:
TODAY’S GAME: The first-place Astros will try to complete a sweep of the Rangers today in the finale of this huge three-game weekend series between the top two teams in the AL West.
RHP Peter Lambert (8-5), who went 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in five July starts, will get the start for the Astros today vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (4-8) and the Rangers.
SILVER BOOT SECURED: The Astros are 8-4 against the Rangers this season, securing them the 2026 Silver Boot.
The Astros have now won the Silver Boot in 10 consecutive seasons (every year since 2017), during which the Astros have gone 101-55 vs. the Rangers.
SWEEPSTAKES: The Astros have swept two of their last three series and four series overall this season…the Astros last swept the Rangers from Sept. 15-17, 2025, a three-game set in Houston.
WINNING WAYS: The Astros have won 10 of their last 11 games, a span that includes two five-game winning streaks, which is their season-long.
The Astros are now two games over .500, their first time at that mark since being 6-4 following their 10th game of the season on April 5.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 37-24 since May 22, which ties as the 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.
Winning Percentage since May 22, AL T1. Astros 37-24 (.607) T1. Red Sox 37-24 (.607) 3. Tigers 33-27 (.550)
GOIN’ DEEP: The Astros rank third in the Majors in home runs (154), trailing only the Nationals (164) and Yankees (156).
Houston has done their dam- age in bunches, recording 22 three-homer games, the most by any team in the Majors.
TODAY’S BROADCASTS: Today’s game will be televised by Space City Home Network with Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum and Julia Morales on the call.
The Astros English radio broadcast on SportsTalk 790 will feature Robert Ford and Kevin Eschenfelder.
Francisco Romero and Alex Treviño will be on the call on the Astros Spanish radio broadcast on TUDN 102.9 FM.
SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL: The surging Astros won their fifth straight game, downing the Rangers 5-4 on Saturday night at Daikin Park.
The offense did their damage against RHP Jacob deGrom, tagging him for five runs on seven hits and five walks, including multi-hit efforts from SS Jeremy Peña (2×5) and 1B Christian Walker (2×4, RBI).
RHP Ronel Blanco (3ER/4.2IP) started for Houston, before giving way to a strong bullpen (1ER/4.1IP).
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez is a strong AL MVP candidate as he leads the league in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.324), HR (35), and RBI (82).
Additionally, he currently leads MLB in OPS (1.079), OBP (.438), SLG (.641) and TB (255), and in the AL, he ranks first in hits (129), extra-base hits (56), and runs (76), and third in walks (77)…AL
HOT IN JULY: DH Yordan Alvarez hit .360 (31×86) with nine home runs, 22 RBI, a .467 OBP, a .721 SLG, and a 1.188 OPS in 23 games in July.
In the month, Alvarez led the AL in home runs, RBI, OPS and SLG, while ranking second in walks (15), second in hits, and fourth in batting average and OBP.
GOOD INTENTIONS: DH Yordan Alvarez was walked twice intentionally last night, giving him a Major League-leading 22 intentional walks on the season.
Alvarez’s 22 intentional walks ties as the third-highest total in a single season by an Astros player in club history, along with Lance Berkman, who was walked intentionally 22 times in 2006.
STREAKING: SS Jeremy Peña has hit safely in 13 straight games at a .429 (24×56) clip with 17 runs, three doubles, one triple, six home runs, 12 RBI and a 1.271 OPS during the streak.
Peña’s streak is just one game shy of his career high, a 14-gamer from April 8-23, 2025, and ties as the longest by an Astro this season (also, DH Yordan Alvarez from April 14-28).
THE LAMBO: Today’s Astros starter RHP Peter Lambert leads the club in wins (8), starts (18), innings (103.0) and strikeouts (100).
Among AL pitchers with at least 100 IP, Lambert ranks fourth in opponent average (.207) and eighth in ERA…Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 starts.
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader, who is 15-for-15 in save opportunities with a 1.17 ERA, recorded his 77th career save as an Astro last night, moving him past RHP Fred Gladding (76) for fifth place in saves all-time among Astros relievers.
He now trails RHP Ryan Pressly (111) for fourth on that all-time list.
STALKING 500: RHP Bryan Abreu has 497 career strikeouts, needing just three strikeouts to reach 500 for his career.
He would become just the fourth reliever in franchise history to record 500 strikeouts with the club, joining LHP Billy Wagner (694), RHP Brad Lidge (557) and RHP Dave Smith (529).
DOWN ON THE FARM: The Triple A Sugar Land Space Cowboys picked up their second-straight a walkoff win last night over Salt Lake, with RF Joey Loperfido (4×4) scoring the winning run on a double by 2B Ronel Delgado (2×3).
At Double A Corpus Christi, RHP Bryce Mayer, the Astros top pitching prospect, tossed 6.0 shutout innings, fanning nine hitters, while allowing three hits and no walks in the Hooks 7-0 win over Frisco.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, August 1, 1:10 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)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 1: Ty France #25 douses Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres with Gatorade after a walk-off win over against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park on August 1, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres needed a two-out walk-off single from Jake Cronenworth to get a dramatic 6-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Fernando Tatis Jr. was intentionally walked to bring Cronenworth to the plate. The adorable little second baseman as Mud Grant likes to call him, won a seven-pitch at-bat and delivered the game-winning hit on a single to center field to score Xander Bogaerts from third base.
The Padres found themselves tied after Mason Miller was called on for a five-out save. He entered the game with the bases loaded in the top of the eighth and got the second out of the inning before the Giants scored two runs on a double by Osleivis Basabe. San Diego had been in control throughout much of the game and looked to be cruising to a 5-3 win before the game-tying hit. Miller closed out the eighth and worked a scoreless ninth to give the Padres a chance win it in the bottom half of the inning.
Taking the mound
Michael King (SD) v. Landen Roupp (SF)
Michael King had a strange outing the last time he took the mound against the Colorado Rockies. He pitched six innings and allowed four runs with six strikeouts and a walk. King was tagged for two home runs and got a no decision after the Padres got an 8-7 walk-off win. He has been solid in his last seven outings earning a 2-1 record with a 2.90 ERA. King will need to be sharp against a San Francisco lineup that has shown an ability to take advantage of mistakes.
Landen Roupp has performed well against the Padres but comes into the contest with a 7-9 record and a 4.12 ERA. Roupp had a rough outing his last time out. He faced the Milwaukee Brewers and allowed four runs with three walks and a strikeout in just 3.2 innings. San Diego will look to be patient to get their pitches from Roupp in an effort to get him out of the game early.
Batter up!
There is no telling what the lineup could look like after today, so the best bet is to think the Padres are going to put their top guys on the field in an effort to notch one more win before the Trade Deadline. Gavin Sheets has been slumping and has not played much but it is just a matter of time before he gets back on track.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, DH
Ty France, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Sung-Mun Song, 3B
Gavin Sheets, DH
Luis Campusano, C
It is understandable that the Padres want to put their best team on the field as they head into the final game before the Trade Deadline. They can do that with Machado at DH. Song has shown himself to be a competent fielder and has not played in some time. It would be a good day to get Machado off his feet considering the next four games come against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Campusano should get the start behind the plate in the day game after a night game.
Relief corps
The Padres used more bullpen than expected after Walker Buehler went just 4.1 innings. Wandy Peralta, Adrian Morejon, Jeremiah Estrada and Mason Miller were all used in the eventual win. With King on the mound, the hope is the ‘pen gets a rest day, but if he falters, Kyle Hart could be used to cover bulk innings as San Diego looks to close out the series with a win.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after his play for an out during a 2025 Major League Baseball season home opening game at Dodger Stadium on March 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Sunday made official their trade of Tarik Skubal, winner of the last two American League Cy Young Awards. For the start left-hander, the Dodgers sent outfielder Zyhir Hope plus pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith to the Detroit Tigers.
Ryan was the only one of those three players on the 40-man roster, so Skubal simply takes Ryan’s spot. The Dodgers already had an open slot after designating Cole Irvin for assignment on Saturday, but that spot wasn’t needed, yet. The trade deadline comes at 3 p.m. PT on Monday, so there’s still time for maneuvering.
Skubal missed six weeks this season after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, similar to the procedures Edwin Díaz and Blake Snell underwent this season, though with a quicker return to action. The left-hander in 16 starts this season has a 2.79 ERA with 116 strikeouts and 14 walks in 96 2/3 innings, and over his last six starts has a 1.95 ERA with 50 strikeouts against only six walks.
Because the Dodgers are both a multiple-repeat competitive balance tax payer and because they surpassed the fourth (and highest) CBT threshold, they will pay a 110-percent tax on any overage, which is another $10,787,097.
Presumably the Dodgers will activate Skubal at some point during their series against the Chicago Cubs, which begins Monday at Wrigley Field. Skubal last pitches Wednesday for the Tigers, throwing 92 pitches in 6 2/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He’d be on four days rest on Monday, something he’s done in five of his 16 starts this season, and would be on five days rest on Tuesday.
Jul 12, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The MLB 2026 trade deadline of Monday, August 3 at 4:00 p.m. MDT is fast approaching.
The Colorado Rockies (and, frankly, most teams) were disappointingly quiet on so far this week.
But last night while the Rockies were celebrating their 12-6 win over the Kansas City Royals, the Los Angeles Dodgers made the move:
Look for the trade market to get serious today.
As the day progresses, we’ll keep this tracker updated with the most pertinent rumors and the biggest deals that come to fruition.
The Rockies and Kansas City Royals will play this afternoon at 1:10.
Ernesto Martinez Jr. of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders is present before a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
It is a case of joining them after you beat them.
Ernesto Martinez Jr. played last season with the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. He appeared in nine games against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and although he only went 5-for-30, some of the hits he had led the Sounds to victory. On May 22, 2025, in a game during a series in Nashville, his single capped a five-run seventh inning that tied the game at 6. Nashville won in 11 innings, 7-6. Two days later, his home run finished off a 12-5 win for Nashville. Finally, on Aug. 2, 2025, at PNC Field, the Sounds trailed, 2-0, heading into the top of the ninth inning when they scored seven runs. Martinez’s two-run double put Nashville ahead, 3-2, on its way to a 7-5 win.
This season, the 27-year-old left-handed slugging first baseman and native of Cuba is with the RailRiders and producing some big hits for them. In 87 games, Martinez is batting .238 (72-for-302) with 10 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs and 53 RBI. His home-run total is a career-high, surpassing the 13 he hit in 2024 with the Biloxi Shuckers, Double-A affiliate of the Brewers in the Southern League. He is nine RBI away from tying his career-high of 62, also set during that 2024 campaign.
Two of his home runs have been grand slams: April 3rd in a 17-4 rout at Rochester in the second game of a doubleheader and July 7th at Buffalo that completed an eight-run ninth inning and an 18-3 romp.
On July 28th, in the series opener at the Iowa Cubs, his two-out, two-run triple to left-center field in the top of the eighth inning tied the game at three. He scored on the next pitch when Kenedy Corona laid down a perfect bunt that he beat out for a single. Martinez then tacked on some insurance with a two-run single in the top of the ninth that gave the RailRiders a 6-3 victory. It was Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s first game in Iowa since 1990 when they were the Red Barons and affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies. It was their first win in the Hawkeye State since July 27, 1989 — a span of 37 years and one day.
For the most part, Martinez is pleased with how his season is going.
“It’s had its ups and downs, been more positive than negative,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot, got better defensively, gotten better at putting the ball in the air. I feel like I’ve progressed a lot, regardless of the downs.”
He said a slight adjustment to his swing has helped him hit as many home runs as he has this season.
“Just working on taking some stuff from Judgie (Aaron Judge), Spencer (Jones),” Martinez said. “Some stuff that they’ve adapted to me and my particular hitting approach. It’s been a little bit inconsistent because it’s the first I’m doing it. But that’s pretty much what we’ve been doing.”
Born in Antilla, which is located in the Holguin Province of Cuba, Martinez was originally signed by the Brewers as a nondrafted free agent in May 2017. He worked his way up through the organization in eight seasons before electing to become a free agent last November. He signed with the Yankees in December. Several factors led to his decision.
“What was really attractive was what other people were saying about them. Plus the history of the Yankees. The callup percentage of guys who are signed free agents. But the commentary of the people outside the field and inside the field were great. I always wanted to put the jersey on. It wasn’t like a no-brainer, but it almost was.”
Martinez was a fan of the Yankees growing up in Cuba. He followed players like Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano.
“My dad used to bring me some tapes from outside the country and I would watch video of all those guys,” Martinez said.
His father, Ernesto Martinez Sr., has been and continues to be a big influence on Martinez’s career. Ernesto Sr. played 10 seasons as a catcher in the Cuban National Series and in 2002, he contributed a solo home run in Game 7 of the championship series to help give Cachorros de Holguin a 2-1 win and the team’s first title.
The elder Martinez then continued his professional career in France. At the 2017 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, father and son played on the same team for France. The younger Martinez was the youngest player at age 17.
“He was a hero of the city where I grew up. He won them their only championship,” Martinez said. “So I pretty much wanted to be like him when I grew up.”
Be patient. That is the best piece of advice Martinez’s father has given him.
“In baseball, there is always a day after the other,” Martinez said. “You’re always going to get a next day in baseball.”
Martinez is patiently waiting for his first callup to the major leagues. For that to happen, he feels he must be a little more consistent.
“I came here to get better,” he said. “We know what the goal looks like. We’ve just got to repeat it every day.”
After snapping their four game losing streak on Saturday, the Phillies will look to earn a series win on Sunday in the finale against the Baltimore Orioles.
Zack Wheeler gets the start for the Phillies. The righthander is coming off an alarmingly bad outing so it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back.
Let's get this Sunday off and running by cashing a few home run plays!
While you're at it, be sure to check out today's MLB player props and my favorite home run looks, headlined by Yordan Alvarez.
Here are my favorite MLB picks and home run props for August 2.
MLB home run props for today
Player to hit a HR
Odds
Alec Burleson
+358
Junior Caminero
+325
Yordan Alvarez
+238
💲Today's HR parlay
+6287
Home run prediction: Alec Burleson (+358)
The time has come once again to fade the old guy in Toronto, future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. We're backing St. Louis Cardinals slugger Alec Burleson to leave the yard this afternoon.
Burleson owns an elite Batters-Box rating in this matchup while covering 100% of Scherzer's pitch mix.
Since the All-Star break, Burleson has been swinging one of the hottest bats in the Cardinals lineup. Across his last 60 at bats against right-handed pitching, he has posted a .370 batting average, .877 OPS, 50% hard-hit rate, and 13.6% barrel rate.
Meanwhile, Scherzer has been vulnerable against left-handed hitters. Over the last 60 lefties he has faced, he has allowed a 12.8% barrel rate and a 68.1% elevation rate. Those hitters have produced a .344 xBA, .603 xSLG, and .393 xwOBA against him.
Burleson is one of my favorite home run looks on today's slate.
Time: 1:37 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CARD, Sportsnet
Home run prediction: Junior Caminero (+325)
Few hitters have been as dangerous against left handed pitching as Junior Caminero. Across his last 60 at bats versus southpaws, he has posted a .320 batting average, .580 SLG, .441 wOBA, and 1.013 OPS. During that stretch, he has also generated a nearly 50% hard-hit rate, 13.5% barrel rate, and an incredible 40% HR/FB rate.
The Tampa Bay Rays slugger draws Chicago White Sox left hander Anthony Kay, who has had major issues against right handed hitters. The last 60 righties he has faced have produced a staggering 20% barrel rate and 51.4% hard hit rate. They also own a .325 xBA, .532 xSLG, and .366 xwOBA against him.
Caminero enters Sunday with an elite Batters-Box rating, and he has homered in 23% of his 43 elite-rated matchups over the last three seasons. He also owns 61.3% arsenal coverage against Kay's pitch mix. Even against the two pitches he sees the least well, the changeup and sweeper, he owns an expected batting average of at least .308 against each.
I think he's in a fantastic spot to leave the yard this afternoon.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: CHSN, RAYS
Home run prediction: Yordan Alvarez (+238)
Yep, we're backing the big fella to leave the yard once again this afternoon.
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez enters Sunday with an elite Batters-Box rating while covering 100% of Kumar Rocker's pitch mix. In his 16 elite-rated games this season, Alvarez has homered 43.75% of the time.
The Texas Rangers starter has shown signs of improvement over his last few outings, but left-handed hitters continue to give him problems. The last 60 lefties he's faced have produced a .376 xBA, .657 xSLG, and .384 xwOBA against him, while he's generated just a 24.4% ground-ball rate.
Alvarez has been smoking the baseball against right handed pitching, producing nearly a 60% hard-hit rate and an 18% barrel rate over his last 60 plate appearances. I think he's in a great spot to go ya ya this afternoon.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCHN, RSN
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
HR picks: 90-328, +4.67 units
Best home run combo for August 2
Alec Burleson
Trade Now +6287
Junior Caminero
Yordan Alvarez
Want more baseball parlays? Check out our MLB parlay picks page!
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ATLANTA, GA - JULY 30: Mauricio Dubón #14 of the Atlanta Braves looks on before the game against the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on July 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The only thing better than breaking out the brooms for a sweep? Let’s mobilize! those! mops!
The Atlanta Braves are looking for their fifth straight win by taking the series finale of this four-game set versus Cade Cavalli and the Washington Nationals.
JR Ritchie has been newly recalled to start with the López/Pérez shuffle yesterday. The lineup for Walt Weiss looks largely similar to yesterday’s:
Drake Baldwin remains at leadoff and will catch for Ritchie despite being behind the dish in last night’s game. Ronald Acuña Jr. remains in the two-hole but as the desginated hitter. Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, and Ozzie Albies are still in their respective positions and places in the order. Mauricio Dubón returns after yesterday’s day off to hit sixth and patrol left field. Mike Yastrzemski moves up to seventh and will be in right field. Austin Riley drops down to eighth, and Jim Jarvis is hoping redeem himself after some questionable defense last night, especially since Ha-Seong Kim has been reinstated.
For the Nationals, they’ll roll with the following lineup:
No one is more aware of leadoff man James Wood’s first pitch home run than JR Ritchie, who has the ball somewhere in his house.
Outside of Wood batting first, shortshop CJ Abrams in the cleanup spot, and catcher Keibert Ruiz in ninth, the rest of the lineup is different than what we saw last night. Luis García Jr. jumps up to bat second, followed by today’s DH José Tena. Dylan Crews drops down a few spots to hit fifth and will be in center field, followed by Daylen Lile in left. Second baseman Nasim Nuñez moves up one spot, Jorbit Vivas gets the start at third base and will bat eighth.
The pitching this series has been excellent in keeping a potent Nationals lineup down – here’s hoping Ritchie and company can keep that going in today’s finale.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 30: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals reacts with third base coach Victor Estevez #7 as he rounds third base after hitting a solo homer in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the trade deadline just a day away, I wanted to make a few final predictions on what the Nats will do. I think this series pretty much sealed the Nats fate as sellers. However, I do still think they could look for some controllable bullpen help. Here is a look at what the Nats will do, as well as what they won’t do.
My first prediction is that the Nats will trade Luis Garcia Jr. to the Diamondbacks. There has been a lot of smoke around that fit for a while now. Bob Nightengale put out that the D-Backs would “love” to have Garcia. The fit just makes too much sense. Arizona badly needs a first baseman, and they have some solid prospects to offer.
• Dbacks “would love” to acquire Luis Gracia Jr. and Casey Mize • Astros had jumped into Tarik Skubal sweepstakes; more realistically would be pleased to get Robbie Ray • Red Sox expected to trade Jarren Duran this winter
In a Garcia to the D-Backs deal, I think the return will be pitching based. The two key pieces in my mock trade are Patrick Forbes and Brian Curley. Both are 2025 draft picks with big upside. Forbes was the 29th pick in the 2025 draft who possesses a big fastball/slider combination. He has prototypical size, and while he has spent much of this season injured, he is healthy now. Forbes has mid-rotation upside.
Curley is a unique pitching prospect thanks to his 5’10 size. Despite his short frame, Curley can run his heater into the upper 90’s and can even top out at 100. This season he has 102 strikeouts to just 23 walks in 84.2 innings. However, he has been shockingly hittable with a .292 average against. This is still an intriguing arm who could be an exciting bullpen piece or a back end starter.
My second prediction is that Foster Griffin will also be on the move to the Rays. In my mock trade, the package will be centered around Michael Forret and Andreimi Antunez. We talked about Forret the other day in our Griffin trade package piece. His deep mix and feel for pitching makes him a safe bet to be a number 4 starter.
Antunez is a young infielder who is more of a lottery ticket. The 19 year old had an .829 OPS with more walks than strikeouts in the FCL. He just got promoted to Low-A, and seems like a prospect with plenty of helium. Antunez is a well rounded profile who can do a bit of everything, which the Nats seem to like. Overall, I think this is a fair return for Griffin, who is a rental.
One player who I do not think is going anywhere is CJ Abrams. Toboni will listen to offers, but in the end, I do not think he will pull the trigger. Boston may come close, but in the end, it just will not happen. Abrams just means too much to this team and this city. Unless the offer is just too good to refuse, a trade is not happening. In the end, I do not think Toboni gets that godfather offer he is looking for.
A trade could happen in the offseason, but I hope the two sides have real dialogue on an extension. With changes to the CBA coming, there is a chance extensions could be easier for teams to pull off in the new baseball world. For that reason, and the fact the Nats are not years away, I think they hold off on an Abrams trade.
Despite the losing lately, I still think the Nats pull off one buying move for a reliever. I am not that confident in this prediction, but I think the Nats land Sam Bachman of the Angels for Luke Dickerson and Yeremy Cabrera.
Bachman has not put everything together yet, but he has shown flashes of being a late inning weapon. The former top 10 pick has a 99 MPH sinker, but throws his filthy slider even more. He finishes off his arsenal with a changeup that gets a lot of whiffs against left handed pitching.
IF the Padres go looking for bullpen help, Sam Bachman from the Angels would be an interesting add.
4.5 years of team control, 3.94 xFIP & 3.95 ERA this season.
He is not a finished product yet, but Bachman has the potential to be a high leverage arm, and he has 4.5 years of control. Dickerson and Cabrera are two prospects with plenty of upside, but are still far from the majors. Cabrera was a smaller piece in the MacKenzie Gore trade. While the 21 year old had a ton of success in Low-A, High-A has been more of a challenge for him. Dickerson has big time offensive upside, but has been moving slowly since getting a monster bonus in the second round.
Cabrera is also Rule 5 eligible this offseason. It is a package that should intrigue the Angels for a reliever with promise but inconsistencies. This is also not really a package the Nats would feel much. Maybe it is a little bit too rich, but I am not the highest on either of those two prospects.
This should be a fun deadline with plenty of action. With Skubal going to LA last night, the floodgates have really opened. We are in for a big finish to the trade season. Let me know what you think will happen in the final hours before the trade deadline in the comments below.
Chris Getz, please buy batteries! | (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Special Note: This article was written on the afternoon of August 1, hours before the White Sox received Luis Castillo in exchange for Seranthony Domínguez, Nolan Jones and Boston Smith. The White Sox clearly feel like they can turn around Castillo’s decline. I don’t see him as a meaningful upgrade over Erick Fedde and Anthony Kay, so the crux of this analysis remains unchanged.
It’s not often that the White Sox are buyers at the deadline — there’s an incident in the team’s recent history called “the White Flag trade,” and I think that sums everything up nicely. The last few trade deadlines have conjured the image of the White Sox as a shambled beggar, traveling door-to-door to offer smashed bric-a-brac for pocket change in a thinly disguised request for charity. “Please sir, may I have anything for this rusty Eloy Jiménez?”
The last time the White Sox got to buy at the deadline was back in 2021. That push netted the Sox a return of Craig Kimbrel, César Hernández and Ryan Tepera. They combined for a grand total of -0.1 bWAR to end that season, and the former two have Mr. Tapioca to thank for nearly breaking even.
The greatest trade in White Sox history, of course, is the Oct. 19, 1949 one-for-one swap between the Pale Hose and the Philadelphia Athletics: 21-year-old Nellie Fox straight up for backup catcher Joe Tipton. Nellie compiled 47.3 bWAR in 14 seasons for the White Sox and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Joe Tipton stacked up a paltry 2.7 bWAR in his three years with the Athletics, then got himself banned from baseball in 1959 for gambling. (This was back when people still cared about that sort of thing.)
Not every trade can be Fox-for-Tipton, but that doesn’t mean the club should settle for Tepera and the Pips. The first step toward a good deadline is to identify the obvious areas of need.
Let’s break them all down from least to most, starting with the infield:
I mean, you can’t really ask for much more here. Every starter has a bWAR of 2.0 or above and the “worst” one is a rangy shortstop who is on pace for 39 home runs a 92nd percentile Outs Above Average on Baseball Savant:
I am going on record as saying the infield is fine as is. A special congratulations to White Sox GM Chris Getz for finding a useful backup shortstop on his journey to find a starting center fielder.
Speaking of Getz’s luck, let’s take a look at a group of relievers who have managed to become all-around effective despite their $20 million closer being demoted to middle relief duty and then traded away:
Every single arm at Will Venable’ disposal has an ERA+ better than 100. The three-headed fireman is still thriving in high leverage, Jordan Hicks is suddenly awesome and Trevor Richards has been so good that nobody makes fun of him for stealing Sisqo’s hair. Maybe they fall apart in September, because bullpens are more temperamental than a souffle in an earthquake, but there’s nothing today that suggests it.
Up next is the outfield, which is an even bigger surprise than the bullpen:
Tristan Peters has swung a cold bat recently, but he’s still a terrific center fielder who has anchored the defense all season. Sam Antonacci has been culled into emergency left fielder duty thanks to the law Mayor Daley passed in 1994 that says the White Sox can only use converted infielders in that spot. Fortunately, it’s the easiest spot to outhit your glove, and Antonacci has done that and then some. Montgomery is the right fielder of the future, so there’s no sense in bouncing the switch-hitter out of this lineup. Everson Periera isn’t lighting the world on fire, but only a World Series favorite should be saying things like, “We really need to upgrade our fourth outfielder!”
The next group are technically outfielders, I guess, but in practice they’re designated hitters:
“OK David, you clearly want me to ask you who Randy Roo Bunichuk is.” You’re right, I do! He’s what you get when you combine Grichuk’s splits against left-handed pitchers and Benintendi’s right-handed splits. Will Venable has been so aggressive about pinch-hitting one for the other this season that Benichuk may as well be the real guy. Randy Roo Benichuk is also on pace for 37 doubles, 27 home runs and 103 runs batted in. I hope Venable gets even crazier with it. Before the end of this season, mark my words, there will be a game where Venable is going to pinch-hit one for the another before the fourth inning and I am going to go online and defend it.
We’re getting down to brass tacks now. I don’t want to quibble about the order of these two needs. You could convince me to flip-flop them if you gave me a beer and a compliment. I won’t argue about this, however; they are the two biggest deadline needs for the 2026 White Sox by leaps and bounds:
Catcher:
Poor Kyle Teel. This should have been his breakout season. Instead, it’s a coin toss whether he will recover in time for the playoffs. Even if he does return, could he be expected to carry the lion’s share of the catching duties?
What’s been in his stead has been, lets call it “not ideal.” Edgar Quero has regressed precipitously, the one glaring failure on the 26-man roster for an otherwise successful development year for the staff. Drew Romo hit a few home runs early but now hasn’t been a winning player in months.
It feels mean to say neither of them have done anything well, but I can’t think of a better way to phrase it. Besides the hitting, Quero and Romo have been outright reckless with their ABS challenges at times. Quero’s catching percentiles in Savant are bleaker to look at than Saturn Devouring his Son, and Romo spent the early part of his year jockeying for the league lead in passed balls. The White Sox can perhaps carry one mediocre player in their lineup, but they can ill afford a position that subtracts from winning.
(One) Starting Pitcher:
Before shining the most critical light on this group, I do want to pay them a compliment. Burke, Martin, Kay and Fedde have all exceeded expectations. Davis Martin has regressed recently, but there’s no denying his balanced six-pitch mix. After giving up four runs in the first inning of his last start against the Yankees, Martin bore down and broke the 100-pitch plateau, holding the Bronx Bombers to nothing else. His mental resilience is incredible. He’s a playoff starter.
Sean Burke has broken now more recently, but his numbers are no joke. Burke ranks fifth the American League in strikeouts (140) and fourth in bWAR, and he’s only getting stronger as the season rolls along. He’s a playoff starter.
Now it starts to get dicey: Both Erick Fedde and Anthony Kay have been league average overall, but it’s been up-and-down with both of them. When it’s good, it’s good. When it’s bad, batten down the hatches:
Both men are worth having, but neither is somebody you’d feel comfortable with in an elimination game. That goes double for Noah Schultz, who just doesn’t have it yet. It’s not his fault that a playoff window opened so early but its where we’re at. Schultz is the future, but any action he sees in October should be from the bullpen.
Our final list calls for a starting pitcher and a catcher. Hey Getz, please buy batteries!
Alec Burleson 
Junior Caminero
Yordan Alvarez
