Category: Baseball

The four major affiliates had their own version of an all-star break this week, so in lieu of a regular recap about the last few games, we’re going to take stock of the system, the names you should know ahead of the trade deadline, and the storylines as the season moves into the home stretch.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Record: 13-6 (50-43), 2 GB in the International League East after a 2-0 week against the Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox)

Run differential: +38 (+41)

Coming up: Home vs. Syracuse Mets (Mets)

Scranton won both games it played this weekend, with Saturday’s game rained out. They’re in a decent spot as we enter the fourth week of the second half in terms of the playoff race, but the harsh International League format will require them to be nearly perfect.

In terms of prospect billing, it starts with George Lombard Jr., who’s acclimating nicely to Triple-A pitching and hasn’t missed a beat since returning from a finger sprain. He’s the gem of this farm system and quickly become a consensus top-20 prospect in baseball. He’s MLB-ready when it comes to hitting left-handed pitching and his incredible defense, but the Yankees might need to see more consistent contact and hitting against righties to make the call to add him for the playoff push.

After Lombard on the hitting side, Spencer Jones is a big name, but his value is likely diminished after his first big league returns weren’t that positive. Add to the fact that he’s nearing his 25th birthday, and you wonder what teams think of his chances of figuring it out. There are some older guys out there too who are raking in Tyler Hardman and Garrett Martin (when healthy) who could be trade chips in smaller deals. If they do stay, they’d be intriguing Rule 5 decisions in the offseason.

The rotation only has one true trade candidate in Elmer Rodríguez, who is likely the best pitching prospect in the organization. Out of the team’s core group of prospects, he seems likeliest to be dealt, but he remains the next man up in a rotation depth chart that’s holding on by a thread due to injuries and recent performance. That factor might keep him in the organization.

Brendan Beck and Kyle Carr are the other two prospects starting in Triple-A, but neither has ever had their prospect stock approach their minor league performance due to stuff concerns. Beck has struggled in his big league cameos, while Carr is adjusting after solving Double-A last year. Minor league depth is important, and they’re both in that category.

The bullpen has some guys. Yovanny Cruz is a guy that the Yankees are high on, and many believe could contribute in the major league bullpen. They might’ve found something in recently selected Bradley Hanner, who’s had a terrific year. Eric Reyzelman’s Triple-A stats aren’t there yet, but he’s been ferocious this season with near triple-digit heat.

Players of Note:

George Lombard Jr.: .244/.388/.415, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 18 XBH, 8 SB, 116 wRC+
Spencer Jones: .276/.384/.568, 14 HR, 51 RBI, 10 SB, 30.3 K%, 143 wRC+
Tyler Hardman: .265/.364/.488, 9 HR, 26 RBI, 18 XBH, 120 wRC+
Brendan Beck: 7-2, 3.09 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 17.3 K-BB% (93 IP)
Elmer Rodríguez: 5-3, 2.85 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 1.30 WHIP, 11.9 K-BB% (66.1 IP)

Double-A Somerset Patriots

Record: 8-13 (45-45), 4 GB in the Eastern League Northeast after a 1-2 week against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox)

Run differential: -13 (+23)

Coming up: Away @ New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays)

Somerset’s struggles continued this weekend by losing two out of three to Portland, as their offense has just not been able to get back to the level they were at earlier in the season. It’s a place that’s currently full of guys on the prospect periphery with stocks that wax and wane with every hot and cold streak.

The big bat continues to be Jace Avina, a pull-side power outfielder with hit tool concerns. The former Brewers draft pick is another Rule 5 eligible guy, and he could see Triple-A soon, but his inability to make consistent contact dampens his profile. After him, there aren’t many prospects on any radars, but Coby Morales’ evolution into finding the power in his bat makes him someone to keep an eye on.

The rotation has name-brand value, but it’s a room full of guys with falling stocks. Chase Hampton is finally healthy, but is struggling mightily in his first year back from multiple elbow injuries; Ben Hess has spent much of the season building up from an undisclosed early-season ailment, Jack Cebert has endured growing pains, and Cade Smith has struggled to adjust to the level. Xavier Rivas has been a stud in recent weeks with some tremendous stuff and is a pitcher whose stock is rising.

Hayden Merda has been very good and will need to be considered in the Rule 5 discussions in the offseason, but the bullpen discussion centers around Ben Grable, a 2025 11th-round pick out of Indiana who is flying up the minor leagues. He has a truly alien fastball, and he was picked as a Futures Game replacement because of it. It would not be surprising if he found a way to debut this September.

Players of Note:

Jace Avina: .264/.349/.524, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 39 XBH, 27.5 K%, 134 wRC+
Jackson Castillo: .256/.347/.390, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 8 SB, 103 wRC+
Coby Morales: .274/.356/.494, 16 HR, 64 RBI, 13 SB, 127 wRC+
Xavier Rivas: 4-4, 4.20 ERA, 4.58 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 23.4 K-BB% (64.1 IP)
Ben Grable (A+/AA): 3-1, 2.48 ERA, 1.85 FIP, 0.77 WHIP, 33.6 K-BB% (32.2 IP)

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades

Record: 13-11 (44-45), 2 GB in the South Atlantic League North Second Half after a 2-1 week against the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets)

Run differential: +30 (+39)

Coming up: Away @ Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals)

The Renegades are trying to get back on track after some shoddy play of late, recently winning two of three against Brooklyn. Their prospect outlook is full of interesting guys with fallen stocks who are on the road to redemption, while some other recent draftees make first impressions.

The injury to Kaeden Kent, a contact-first son of a Hall of Famer, has hurt the lineup, but it’s been nicely supplemented by the solid hitting of 2025 fifth-rounder Core Jackson, who’s due for a promotion to Somerset soon. The emergence of Wilson Rodriguez of late has been encouraging, but has been overshadowed by the complete revival of former top prospect Roderick Arias, who looked dead in the water as a prospect as recently as early June before a startling turnaround that suddenly makes the 21-year-old a candidate to see Somerset soon.

Some names in the rotation pique interest. Luis Serna is someone whose stock fell apart due to injuries over the last two years, but has looked healthy and effective this year. Henry Lalane falls in that bucket too, suddenly looking like the hotshot prospect he was in the D.R. a few years ago. Allen Facundo has some big fans for his strikeout ability, but his command woes likely have him ticketed to the bullpen. 2024 draftee Bryce Cunningham is the highest-ranked guy here, but has not looked the same after missing the end of 2025 with injury.

Players of Note:

Kaeden Kent: .302/.359/.433, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 28 XBH, 20 SB, 107 wRC+ (injured)
Core Jackson: .250/.356/.452, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 27 SB, 112 wRC+
Roderick Arias: .270/.358/.446, 11 HR, 58 RBI, 27 SB, 110 wRC+
Luis Serna: 4-4, 4.06 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 18.5 K-BB% (82 IP)
Bryce Cunningham: 2-5, 4.10 ERA, 5.06 FIP, 1.33 WHIP, 9.2 K-BB% (52.2 IP)

Single-A Tampa Tarpons

Record: 18-6 (53-37), 5.5 GA in the Florida State League West after a 3-0 week against the Bradenton Marauders (Pirates)

Run differential: +42 (+65)

Coming up: Home vs. Bradenton Marauders (Pirates)

Tampa has been an absolute juggernaut. They’re destroying teams across the Florida State League, making an example out of Bradenton over the weekend with three big wins. They’re doing it with guys who, entering this season, weren’t on many radars, but they’re all pushing for promotions with the new crop of guys from the 2026 class likely to debut in August.

The heart and soul of the offense is Jackson Lovich, a 2025 16th-rounder who has utterly torched Single-A pitching with some light-tower power. Why hasn’t he been promoted with several months of sample? He has major, Spencer Jones-esque contact issues. I’d bet on a promotion soon to test him, but it’s something to watch.

The other hitters, Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek, Hans Montero, Willy Montero, and JoJo Jackson (who’s now out for the season), come from all walks of life and are contributing. There are a few FCL call-ups making names for themselves, with the most notable being Luis Escudero. He missed three weeks with injury, but when he’s been healthy, he’s got some Ruthian numbers in a small sample.

The pitching staff has lost Facundo and Lalane as the season has progressed, but still has a few interesting guys. Thatcher Hurd missed his first professional season but has returned with some great stuff, and Tyler Boudreau is turning heads as an undrafted free agent, putting up great numbers, but the rest is thinned out. Recent injuries to Brennan Stuprich and Mac Heuer have really thinned out the back.

Players of Note:

Jackson Lovich: .282/.351/.534, 18 HR, 60 RBI, 37 XBH, 21 SB, 128 wRC+
Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek: .258/.372/.408, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 31 SB, 111 wRC+
Hans Montero: .247/.374/.432, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 30 XBH, 30 SB, 118 wRC+
Tyler Boudreau: 5-2, 3.16 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 1.05 WHIP, 18.9 K-BB% (74 IP)
Thatcher Hurd: 1-3, 4.34 ERA, 5.10 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, 18.7 K-BB% (29 IP)

FCL Yankees

Record: 29-26, 7.5 GB in the FCL North after a 2-1 week.

Run differential: +14

There are only three games left in the FCL Yankees’ season. By the end of the day on Thursday, they’ll be all done. Wilberson De Pena has broken the FCL home run, RBIs, and total bases records in his terrific season, while Dexters Peralta is tapping into the game power that eluded him early in his career but still has major whiff concerns.

Why do the Yankees hold some of these prospects down longer than you’d expect? FCL to Tampa used to be a lot bigger of a jump, but the contraction of the minor leagues has congested the system and led to a lot of players stalling out in Single-A across baseball. I’m sure some of these guys, especially De Pena, will get a chance in Tampa down the stretch, but with how the minors are structured now, don’t be surprised if a lot of them are done for the year to make room for the 2026 draftees.

One note I want to make here is that 2025 first-round pick Dax Kilby has finally returned from a second hamstring ailment. He missed the first two months with a hamstring issue, re-injured it in late May in his first rehab game, and missed another two months before returning on Friday. We’ll see how much he pushes it in the next few weeks.

Players of Note:

Wilberson De Pena: .352/.409/.685, 16 HR, 65 RBI, 37 XBH, 22 SB, 153 wRC+
Jose Castro: .296/.468/.522, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 29 SB, 147 wRC+
Richard Matic: .286/.402/.443, 22 XBH, 28 RBI, 14 SB, 112 wRC+
Dexters Peralta: .220/.352/.492, 12 HR, 42 RBI, 20 XBH, 98 wRC+
Edinzo Marquez: 25.2 IP, 1.40 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 16.5 K-BB%

DSL Yankees & Bombers

DSL Yankees:
Record: 22-12, 1.5 GA in DSL East after a 3-2 week
Run differential: +110

DSL Bombers:
Record: 15-20, 7.5 GB in DSL Southeast after a 2-2 week
Run differential: -14

The DSL Yankees remain the best team at the level with the most outstanding offense. The DSL Bombers remain at the bottom. Isaias Castillo is the first DSL player to hit 10 home runs, but wasn’t selected as one of the team’s three all-stars at the DSL All-Star Game on Sunday.

The interesting part of the two DSL teams is that players can go back and forth between them. Emerging catcher Poly Ojeda is one who has moved from the Bombers to the Yankees, seemingly making it clear that the Yankees are the team with all the offensive talent.

Players of Note:

Isaias Castillo: .319/.430/.664, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 21 XBH, 11 SB, 145 wRC+
Juan Torres: .398/.463/.695, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 23 XBH, 13 SB, 163 wRC+
Stiven Marinez: .304/.435/.545, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 24 SB, 130 wRC+
Fredy Penuelas: 30.2 IP, 0.88 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.04 WHIP, 22.9 K-BB%
Yunior Jerez: 25.2 IP, 2.45 ERA, 3.78 FIP, 0.90 WHIP, 16.5 K-BB%

Prospect of the Week: George Lombard Jr.

Weekly Stats: 5-for-9, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2B, 2 K (FCL/AAA)
Season Stats (Triple-A): .244/.388/.415, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 18 XBH, 8 SB, 116 wRC+

Is this it?

George Lombard Jr. is very close to making his major league debut. All the elements are there. There’s a need with a struggling infield. He’s starting to hit the absolute cover off the ball, particularly against left-handed pitching. There’s enough runway if they think he can be a viable option come playoff time.

In my mind, we’ve reached a pivotal two weeks. How the Yankees address the infield at the deadline will decide if they view Lombard as ready to seize a starting role on a playoff team. If they aggressively get one or two guys, he’ll likely stay and work on his craft. If they don’t? He might be up in very early August.

In the brief week, he hit two home runs on rehab in the FCL before homering in his first at-bat back in Scranton. He had two hits on Sunday, including a double. It’s a matter of time for the Yankees’ top prospect; it just depends on what Brian Cashman and company do in the coming weeks.

Alex Anthopoulos has been very busy talking to the media ahead of the Trade Deadline on August 3. That makes a lot of sense considering it’s getting closer and closer with each passing day and the Braves have some pretty clear spots that need to be addressed ahead of the deadline.

We’ll talk more about it, ourselves, as we get closer to the deadline but I just had to discuss one of the weirdest things that I’ve heard AA talk about since becoming a general manager. DJourn posted it over on The Feed yesterday but I had to give my two cents on it because it was just absolutely wild to think about.

Back in 2021 when AA pulled off a series of under-the-radar moves that all ended up being crucial when it came to helping the Braves load up for what turned out to be an improbable and incredible run to a World Series title, apparently there was one big move that the Braves were close to pulling off but didn’t get over the finish line.

According to Alex Anthopoulos, current Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber nearly became a member of the Atlanta Braves. AA dropped the bomb on the Chuck and Chernoff Show over on 680 The Fan and Chernoff’s face matched mine when I heard him discuss it at around the 17:50 mark of the video.

Over at FanGraphs, they have a category of articles called “We Tried” where it’s simply a way to keep track of all the times when General Managers or other baseball personalities have revealed to the public that they nearly acquired some big name free agent or trade acquisition. I’m not going to say that this is the biggest “We Tried” in Braves history (Atlanta was linked to both Barry Bonds in the ‘90s and late-career Ken Griffey Jr.) but it’s still insane to think about a scenario where a guy who has a four-homer game to his name against the Braves potentially could’ve been swatting balls into the Chop House for fun as a member of the home team.

Of course, Schwarber could’ve ended up being a rental for the Braves just like he was a rental for the Red Sox and maybe his destination all along was going to be Philadelphia. Also, the Braves did end up winning the World Series in 2021 so this didn’t exactly turn out to be a situation where the Braves were lamenting Schwarber as potentially being “the missing piece” to the puzzle. It is just fun to think about it, though.

It’s also another sign that there’s a lot going on behind the scenes that we aren’t privy to — even a lot of the “insiders” are ultimately just chasing shadows at times. Anything can happen in the world of baseball trade rumors — even if it takes us five years to eventually learn the truth. We’ll see what happens at this year’s deadline.

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Sox fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Every once in a while, we’ve got to get a little uncomfortable in our surveys. And in this week’s case, we are imagining a world where one of the current rookies on the roster needs to be included in a trade for (presumably) veteran help at the trade deadline.

It would be too long a list to extend this beyond rookies (including, say, Kyle Teel and Colson Montgomery), so your choices are restricted to 2026 rookies making enough of an impact to have trade value.

You can make a case for each player being expendable, if you contort yourselves enough. Sam Antonacci’s primary position is middle infield, where the White Sox system is stocked deep. Braden Montgomery could be an answer to our endless right-field woes, but in the case of both he and now-left fielder Antonacci, some of the middle infield bats (hello, Caleb Bonemer) may need to trade in their mitts for bigger outfielder gloves, sewing up any holes created by a trade. Munetaka Murakami is an older rookie, and one who is a free agent in 2028, ready to command a potential nine-figure deal. Tristan Peters is found money, and “blocking” Braden in CF. And Noah Schultz is a fast-rising power left, but who who has been nicked by control and injury issues.

You’ll notice that the Reacts polls are now being run over there on the right rail of the site, making real-time results more accessible to you.

It’s a challenging choice ahead of you, but which rising Sox star do you shed to take a step forward and strike for a division title this season?

New York Yankees ace Max Fried is set to return next week after more than two months on the shelf, manager Aaron Boone told the "Talkin' Yanks" podcast.

Fried made a rehab start for the Yankees' Triple-A team on Friday, July 17, giving up two runs and five hits in three innings on 52 pitches. The left-hander is scheduled to throw about 60 pitches in his second rehab outing on Wednesday, July 22, Boone said.

The 32-year-old landed on the injured list on May 16 with a bone bruise in his pitching elbow.

Boone said Fried will make his big-league return during the team's series in Chicago, which begins on Monday, July 27.

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Be careful with all the rain on the slate today, as most of the incoming rain is the PPD kind rather than the delay type that can sometimes help sharp MLB player prop bettors.

Despite the slimmer pickings, I'm backing a 6-foot-10 southpaw in Texas today, fading a poor-command rookie making his MLB debut in Arizona, and looking for an innings bounce-back from Walker Buehler on the road. 

These are my favorite MLB picks for Tuesday, July 21.

Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today

Player	Pick	Odds
Noah Schultz	Over 4.5 strikeouts	+114
Kohl Drake	Under 3.5 strikeouts	+112
Walker Buehler	Over 14.5 outs	-105

Strikeout prop: Noah Schultz Over 4.5 strikeouts (+114)

The Rangers swing and miss vs. southpaws at a high rate, posting the MLB's fourth-worst K-rate vs. left-handed pitching.

Noah Schultz rolls into today's start with extra rest and projects for 85 pitches, but has a ceiling in the 90s. THE BAT has this fair price at around -110, and the projections at Covers are forecasting 4.71 punchouts on the road. 

Schultz is a 22-year-old giant as a 6-foot-10 left-hander who might see the leash grow in relation to the White Sox's division hopes. He can blow past his K total, with four of his 11 starts going for 6+ punchouts.

He missed all of June with a knee injury, so this extended rest should be very beneficial. Texas might have the No. 4 offense vs. LHP with a wRC+ of 109, but the 25% K rate is the same as the Rockies. 

• Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Rangers Sports Network, Chicago Sports Network.

Strikeout prop: Kohl Drake Under 3.5 strikeouts (+112)

Let's crap on a rookie making his MLB debut tonight in Arizona. With the litany of injuries in the Diamondbacks' rotation, Triple-A call-up Kohl Drake gets the ball. He brings a 7.00 ERA and 1.66 WHIP across his last two seasons at Triple-A.

He hasn't been a strikeout-per-inning arm during that stretch, and command could be a real issue at the next level after issuing 45 walks over his last 100 innings. He also gives up plenty of contact, allowing 122 hits — including 16 home runs — over those same 100 frames.

His fastball sits in the low 90s, and he mixes in a curveball, slider, and changeup, none of which grades above 50 on Baseball Savant.

THE BAT projects him for 78 pitches and just 3.7 strikeouts, making this a play down to even money. There is nothing like fading a young prospect in his MLB debut against a very good Athletics lineup.

I'm hoping the adrenaline gets pumping early and the command issues drive up the pitch count in a hurry.

• Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: DBACKS.TV, NBCSCA

Pitcher out prop: Walker Buehler Over 14.5 outs (-105)

Is Walker Buehler coming off his shortest start of the season before the break? Yes, he is. Has it been a great run over his last three starts for the San Diego right-hander? No, it hasn't.

But before this stretch of poor form, Buehler had gone five straight starts allowing just one run in each game and had cleared this number in nine of his previous 10 starts.

This isn't a big tax to pay for 15 outs with THE BAT projecting 86 pitches. He was even allowed to get to 15 outs two starts ago despite giving up seven runs and throwing 93 pitches, so the leash is there even when things aren't going well.

His spin rate and velocity haven't dropped during this rough stretch. The surface numbers are ugly, but his 4.71 xERA over his last four games compared to an 11.57 ERA shows there has been some bad luck involved.

Atlanta has also had stretches of stale offense over the last 30 days with a wRC+ below 100, and the winds are blowing in at Truist Park at 9 mph.

I would play this to -120.

• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: BravesVision, Padres.TV

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Monday evening, Royals fans rose to their feet in anticipation of Alex Lange recording the final out to seal a win over the Giants. Instead, Wily Adames deposited a sinker over the right field fence for a two-run home run to tie the game. The Royals rallied to win in the bottom of the inning, but it was the second time in a week Lange had been just one out away from victory only to cough up the lead (hey, he got the “win” Monday, reliever wins are awesome!)

In fairness to Lange, he wasn’t supposed to be the closer this year. The Kansas City native is returning from injury and was signed on a cheap deal hoping he could recapture the stuff that allowed him to rack up 26 saves for the Tigers in 2023. The closer was supposed to be Carlos Estévez, but it was clear after one awful game his arm and velocity down. He gave up six runs in his season debut, and was shut down and hasn’t been seen in a Royals uniform since. Lucas Erceg was supposed to be a solid setup man and potential closer-in-waiting, but he has hit a wall. He has given up 31 hits and 20 runs in his last 22 innings, with the second-worst strikeout-to-walk ratio in baseball over that time. The acquisition of 2024 All-Star reliever Matt Strahm was viewed as a shrewd move, but he has been extremely home run-prone, and his 7.24 ERA is second-worst among qualified relievers.

The Royals have gotten some solid performances by Daniel Lynch IV and John Schreiber, and some glimpses of solid pitching from Steven Cruz and Beck Way, but otherwise the bullpen has been quite terrible overall. Their 5.43 bullpen ERA is behind only the Athletics for worst in baseball, with the worst FIP (5.33), second-lowest strikeout rate (19 percent) and third-highest walk rate (11.5 percent). Only three teams in baseball have more blown saves than the 18 the Royals have, with Erceg tied for the league lead with six, and they have the fourth-highest inherited runners scored rate (36 percent).

In fact, this may be the worst bullpen in Royals history. So far, Royals relievers have an ERA of 5.43, fourth-worst in club history behind only the bullpens of the late 90s and early 2000s when offense was sky-high. 5.17

You could argue that perhaps this year’s bullpen is inflated a bit by Tyler Tolbert, the position player who has made five pitching appearances this year and has given up 13 runs. But even if you take him out, Royals relievers have a 5.17 ERA, still among the worst of the worst.

The problem isn’t that Picollo has ignored the bullpen. Quite the opposite. Few areas of the roster have received more attention. He has spent free-agent dollars, traded prospects, and repeatedly churned through veteran relievers in an effort to stabilize the back end of games. The issue is that, outside of a handful of successes, those investments have too often failed to produce lasting results.

In 2024 he spent $15 million to acquire Chris Stratton, Will Smith, and Nick Anderson, and they combined for a 5.45 ERA in 135.1 innings (he also acquired Schreiber, who had a solid 3.66 ERA that year). He pivoted mid-season to acquire Lucas Erceg – who as great! – and Hunter Harvey – who was injured! – to give the Royals a decent bullpen for the post-season.

Picollo invested in a two-year, $22 million deal for Estévez the next year, and he was an All-Star as the Royals finished with a 3.63 ERA from their relievers, seventh-best in baseball. Erceg was nails, Schreiber continued to be solid, and the Royals had promising performances from Lynch, Angel Zerpa, Steven Cruz, and Jonathan Bowlan.

But things fell apart this year. While injuries can hurt any club, the lack of organizational pitching depth has stuck out like a sore thumb. The Royals have cycled in 19 different relievers this year, and have been signing any veteran reliever that is available in an attempt to find a formula that works.

The repeated need to overhaul the bullpen raises a larger question. Why do organizations like Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Tampa Bay consistently build effective bullpens from inexpensive, internally developed arms, while the Royals keep returning to free agency and the trade market looking for answers? Bullpen performance is notoriously volatile from year to year, and even the best executives have free-agent signings or trade acquisitions that don’t pan out. But what separates the league’s best organizations is their ability to continually replenish their relief corps. When a reliever departs in free agency, gets hurt, or regresses, those clubs seem to have another hard-throwing right-hander or overlooked waiver claim ready to step into a high-leverage role.

The Royals have spent considerable resources to patch up the bullpen the last few years, with mixed results at best. Every dollar spent on veteran relievers is a dollar that can’t be spent addressing the lineup or rotation, and every prospect traded for bullpen help is one that can’t be used to acquire talent elsewhere. For a team operating with financial limitations, repeatedly investing significant resources into one of baseball’s most volatile assets is a risky strategy.

Whether that reflects shortcomings in scouting, player development, pitching infrastructure, or simple misfortune is open to debate. But after four years of cycling through free-agent signings, trade acquisitions, and bullpen overhauls, it is fair to ask whether bullpen construction has become J.J. Picollo’s biggest weakness as a general manager.

Tanner Gordon is settling into a new role in his third season with the Rockies.

A year ago, the right-hander was exclusively used as a starting pitcher getting the nod 15 times while finishing with a 6-8 record and a 6.33 ERA in 75.1 innings. His six victories were tops among all Colorado pitchers in 2025.

But the 2026 campaign has seen Gordon transition into being used more in long-relief situations out of the bullpen.

His most recent such outing came July 19 against the Cincinnati Reds when Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer called on Gordon to enter the game in the third inning after an ineffective start from Ryan Feltner left the Rockies trailing 8-1.

Gordon responded by hurling 5.2 innings of three-hit ball while allowing just one run as Colorado rallied in the late innings in the finale of a three-game series at Coors Field.

“It was good,” Gordon said in evaluating his performance against the Reds.

“I mean, obviously, the goal is to win the ballgame. So my job, at that time, was just to come in and kind of stop the bleeding, hold them where they were, and let our offense do some work.”

Despite a three-home run, five-RBI game from catcher Hunter Goodman and a solo round-tripper from Willi Castro, Colorado fell 9-6 while giving the Reds a scare before they left the Mile High City.

After the game, Schaeffer acknowledged the long-relief job done by Gordon, his third straight relief outing of four or more innings this season.

“I mean, TG’s great,” the manager said. “It’s great length out of the pen to take the ball in the middle of the third and go all the way through the eighth, especially with the huge layover after the All-Star break.

“He just pounds the zone. TG is fearless. He goes right after you….He was huge, huge today.”

Through the team’s first 101 games this season, Gordon has an 0-2 record and 5.75 ERA in 13 appearances, including eight relief appearances all of which have spanned at least three innings.

Whether he’s used in long relief or a spot start, Gordon said he just “kind of does what [he’s] told.” But he does have a role preference.

“Obviously, I like the routine as a starter,” he said. “Everyone would like their routine as a starter. But anything I can do to try to help our team win is what I’m going to do.”

Gordon, who was activated on June 30 after being on the 15-day injured list for right hip impingement, has had to alter his mindset as a long reliever as opposed to being in a starting role.

“Sometimes when I’m in the game, maybe the guy before me had a rough outing,” he said. “So sometimes the circumstances when I come into the game aren’t that great. But again, my job is to pick my guy (the starting pitcher) up, do my job and kind of stop the bleeding.”

 After his solid season as a starter in 2025 when he was considered a rookie in terms of service time, Gordon has applied what he has learned to continue to grow as a Major Leaguer.

“Honestly, I think the mind is way more powerful than I thought it could be,” he said.

“I know it sounds pretty cliché but, obviously, everyone here is physically talented. But I think where you separate yourself is between the ears. I think I have grown a lot in that sense. I think going into a game with confidence, knowing that you belong here (is important). This is my third year here and thinking that ‘Oh, this is cool that I’m here. I’m having fun and I’m here.’

“But I have to know that I have a job to do,” Gordon continued. “So I think just having that confidence and knowing my ability and trusting my teammates. I think that’s been the biggest thing.”

With that confidence, whether he is called on in long relief or as a spot starter, Gordon will be ready to answer the call.

“I enjoy any role I’m in on the team,” he said. “Obviously, I prefer starting but, like I said, just any way I can help the team. 

“It can be a little bit more nerve-wracking in the bullpen. The phone rings there, and I never know who’s going to go in. But, throughout the year, you kind of figure it out. You know the vibe of the game.”

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Season Record: 50-49

Week Record: 1-2

Series Record: 16–15, 1 split

GAME 97: 1-15 Loss @ Atlanta Braves

GAME 98: 7-6 Win @ Atlanta Braves

GAME 99: 5-8 Loss @ Atlanta Braves

The Rangers came back from the All-Star break and lost two games against the Atlanta Braves. So we’re going to talk about the lone win because it was a good one.

After two innings the Rangers were down 4-1 and after just losing 15-1 the night previous, it felt like this game could very well go the same way.

Going into their 6th inning, they were now down 5-3, slowly making up ground but shaky ground.

However, Ezequiel Duran hit a leadoff double to start the inning. Promising.

Next up? Evan Carter hits a two run homer to right field and the game is tied 5-5.

Texas goes on to score two more runs, with two outs.

Rangers lone All-Star, Jacob Latz closed out the game with a four out save.

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We're in for a pitching battle between Justin Wrobleski and Zack Wheeler this evening, with the books installing the Los Angeles Dodgers as +110 underdogs against the Philadelphia Phillies.

My Dodgers vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks for Tuesday, July 21, see Los Angeles pulling off the upset on the road.

Who will win Dodgers vs Phillies today: Dodgers (+110)

The Philadelphia Phillies put up a 10-spot on the Los Angeles Dodgers last night. I always look to fade the team that scored double-digit runs, as it is incredibly difficult to replicate that level of success at the plate in back-to-back games.

Zack Wheeler won't be easy to get past, but Justin Wrobleski has been stellar. The Dodgers' hurler ranks in the 97th percentile in Pitching Run Value, and his 5% walk rate will ensure there won't be many freebies to get guys on base.

Also, when will you be able to get the Dodgers at this price to win next?

Play this to +100.

 COVERS INTEL:Despite the Phillies' explosive Monday evening, they still own a 73 wRC+, 3.6% barrel rate, and .122 ISO over their last six games.

Dodgers vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (+109)

Despite last night being filled with a ton of runs, I think this one stays Under due to how well both pitchers have been performing over their last five games.

Wrobleski owns a 2.17 ERA, 2.99 xERA, and 0.90 WHIP, while Wheeler has posted a 2.37 ERA, 1.90 xERA, and 0.99 WHIP during that same stretch.

The offenses have not been that hot since coming back from the break either. Both teams have a wRC+ under 75, a wOBA under .280, and an ISO under .130 over their last six games.

I see a pitching duel brewing this evening in Philadelphia, and would play this to +105.

Play this to +100.

Dodgers vs Phillies weather

Possible chance of postponement with an 85% chance of rain and 11 mph winds blowing out.

Dodgers vs Phillies odds

• Moneyline: Dodgers +120 | Phillies -122
• Run line: Dodgers +1.5 (-170) | Phillies -1.5 (+167)
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-117) | Under 8.5 (+115)

Dodgers vs Phillies trend

The Philadelphia Phillies have hit the game total Under in 30 of their last 50 games (+10.35 Units / 19% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Phillies.

How to watch Dodgers vs Phillies and game info

Dodgers vs Phillies latest injuries

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The New York Yankees are home favorites against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but my projection makes this much closer than the market suggests.

Will Warren gives the Pirates enough of a scoring path, even with Bubba Chandler battling command concerns, to justify backing the underdog price. 

Here are my Pirates vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks for July 21.

Who will win Pirates vs Yankees today: Pirates moneyline (+134)

I’m backing the Pittsburgh Pirates because this price is too long for a game my projection makes close to a coin-flip. I’d play it to +110.

Bubba Chandler's command is uncomfortable, but his Top-30 percentile barrel rate allowed should matter against a homer-dependent New York Yankees lineup. The gap is not wide enough to justify this moneyline.

I have faded Will Warren plenty this season. He is not a bad pitcher, but the market keeps overvaluing him.

His xERA sits near 5.00, and his below-average barrel profile meets a Pirates lineup with the eighth-highest barrel rate in baseball.

COVERS INTEL: Bubba Chandler’s strikeout rate has dropped from 25% last season to 20.2% this year, making his elevated walk rate much harder to survive.

Pirates vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Over 9.5 (+101)

Pirates vs Yankees weather

There's a good chance this game gets postponed due to rain in the NYC area. If there is a game tonight, the teams will be dealing with 79F temps and humid conditions, with winds blowing right-to-left.

Pirates vs Yankees odds

• Moneyline: Pirates +140 | Yankees -150
• Run line: Pirates +1.5 | Yankees -1.5
• Over/Under: Over 9 | Under 9

Pirates vs Yankees trend

Over is 5-0 in the Pirates' last five games as a road underdog. Find more MLB betting trends for Pirates vs. Yankees.

How to watch Pirates vs Yankees and game info

Pirates vs Yankees latest injuries

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