The Mets (45-62) and the Braves (62-44) continue their three-game series tonight at Citi Field. New York ripped Atlanta in the opener last night, 14-3.
Atlanta struck first in the opening inning when Ronald Acuña Jr., playing his first game after missing 37 games with a strained hamstring, singled and eventually scored on an Ozzie Albies RBI infield hit. The Mets answered immediately when Francisco Lindor ripped an RBI triple off the wall in right field.
Lindor put New York ahead in the third inning with a two-run homer off Braves starter Martín Pérez, but Atlanta responded in the fourth. Albies launched a two-run homer to left-center field, his 18th of the season, tying the game at 3-3.
The game remained tied into the sixth inning before New York finally broke through against the Atlanta bullpen. Marcus Semien crushed a two-run homer off Connor Thomas to give the Mets a 5-3 lead. The floodgates then opened. In the seventh, Tyrone Taylor continued to swing a hot bat, blasting a three-run homer to extend the lead to 8-3. Bo Bichette later added a sacrifice fly, and the Mets sent the game completely out of reach with a five-run eighth inning. Lindor capped the outburst with his second homer of the night, a three-run shot that gave him six RBIs on the evening.
New York pounded out 19 hits, with Lindor, Semien, Taylor, Bichette, and rookie A.J. Ewing all enjoying three-hit games. Zac Thornton earned the victory after allowing three runs over 6⅓ innings, while Atlanta reliever Connor Thomas suffered one of the roughest outings of the season, surrendering 11 earned runs on 10 hits in just 2⅔ innings.
Tonight, Atlanta turns to its ace, Chris Sale (11-6, 2.19 ERA) with an eye on evening the series. Sale has once again been one of the National League's most dominant starters. Over his last eight starts, the veteran has allowed 12 earned runs in 44 innings.
The Mets counter with Christian Scott (3-2, 3.13 ERA), who has quietly put together a strong season. Since the start of May, the 27-year-old has pitched 62 innings and allowed just 21 earned runs.
Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.
Game Details and How to Watch: Braves vs. Mets
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 7:10PM EST
Site: Citi Field
City: Queens, NY
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, BravesVision, SNY
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Braves vs. Mets
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Atlanta Braves (-163), New York Mets (+135)
Spread: Braves -1.5 (+109), Mets +1.5 (-131)
Total: 7.5 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Braves vs. Mets for July 28
Braves: Chris Sale Season Totals: 111.0 IP, 11-6, 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 134K, 26 BB
Mets: Christian Scott Season Totals: 63.1 IP, 3-2, 3.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 78K, 29 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Braves vs. Mets
Marcus Semien is 6-18 (.333) with 3 HRs against Chris Sale
With 3 hits last night, Semien is 6-28 (.214) in July
Francisco Lindor is 16-41 (.390) with 2 HRs against Sale
Lindor went 3-5 last night to snap a 1-12 skid over his previous 3 games
Michael Harris II is 4-5 (.800) in his career against Christian Scott
Harris has hit in 5 straight games (7-21)
Drake Baldwin has hit in 6 straight games (8-23)
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Braves vs. Mets
The Braves are 56-50 on the Run Line this season
The Mets are 49-58 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 52 times in Atlanta’s 106 games this season (52-48-6)
The OVER has cashed 48 times in New York’s 107 games this season (48-50-9)
Expert picks & predictions: Braves vs. Mets
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Braves and the Mets:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Braves on the Run Line.
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But as the clock ticks down to the Aug. 3 deadline, teams are getting even more anxious to make deals that could potentially help them win a 2026 World Series ring.
First off, there are the most obvious trade candidates − players who are in the final year of their contracts and players who could benefit from a change of scenery.
Who will be dealt and who will stay put? We have six days to find out the answers.
When is the MLB trade deadline?
Teams must have their trade details finalized and submitted to the league office by the deadline in order for any acquired players to be eligible for the playoffs. After that, players on 40-man rosters can't be traded.
When: Monday, Aug. 3
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Yankees badly need outfield help
Cody Bellinger's hamstring injury is the latest in the New York Yankees' recent string of painful losses. They now have an entire outfield on the IL with Bellinger joining Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
GM Brian Cashman is desperately in search of depth at the position, but complicating matters is the fact that two of the team's best trade chips − Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez − are outfielders. And both are currently starting.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman suggests the Royals' Lane Thomas, the Reds' Spencer Steer, the Angels' Jo Adell and Jorge Soler, and the Blue Jays' George Springer could be possible trade targets.
Steer, however, is currently on the injured list with a partially torn tendon in his right wrist. And Springer, a longtime Yankee nemesis, would seem an unlikely match coming from an AL East rival.
The Yankees are also in search of catching help, which could take away resources they might otherwise need to acquire an outfielder.
What will Tigers do with ace Tarik Skubal?
Don't expect a final answer to this question until the last possible moment.
The Tigers have the talent to make the postseason. They've been playing much better since Skubal returned from elbow surgery in mid-June. But they're not quite in playoff position just yet ... and likely won't be by the deadline.
The question is how close do they need to be to keep the two-time defending Cy Young award winner. Or how far back do they need to be to sell. At 50-57, Detroit is currently four games out of the third AL wild-card spot.
On the heels of a three-game losing streak, USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes the Tigers now "have no choice but to trade Skubal." He also expects No. 2 starter Casey Mize to be dealt as well.
This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (48-53, 11.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers won 5 of 6 against the Salt Lake Bees on the road. At the plate, Gavin Cross went 12-for-27, with 5 homers, 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 10 runs batted in, and was named International League Player of the week. After a horrific start to the season at the plate, Cross is now up to .249 on the season, with 10 homers and 21 stolen bases. Kyle Isbel will probably be returned from his rehab assignment soon, but I’d like Cross to get some time with the Royals late this season. Elsewhere, John Rave went 11-for-22, with a homer and 3 doubles. Drew Waters was 9-for-22 with a homer as well.
On the mound, Aaron Bummer threw 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Matt Moore threw 2.2 scoreless innings striking out 5, and Justin Topa threw 3.2 scoreless innings, striking out 5. These are the veteran guys the Royals have been signing lately, with the deadline looming and trades possible, these three would be the first replacement call ups more than likely. Mitch Spence threw 5 innings of 1 run ball in his lone start of the week, striking out 6.
Gavin Cross is the 3rd Triple-A Omaha player since 2005 to homer in 5 straight games.
Cross is the 4th full-season @MiLB player to do so this year, but he's the first to do so in 5 consecutive *DAYS* ‼️ https://t.co/sNJj5mNUNc
The Storm Chasers return home this week to take on the St. Paul Saints. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (40-54, 20 games back)
The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Springfield Cardinals. On the mound, Hunter Patteson made 2 starts, totaling 10 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 11 hitters. Felix Arronde went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 5 in his lone start of the week. Oscar Rayo threw 5 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out 5 hitters.
At the plate, Luke Pelzer, who was just promoted from Quad Cities, went 10 for 24, scoring 3 runs as well. Daniel Vazquez went 7-for-21, with a double. Vazquez is a 22-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic. Sam Kulasingam went 6-for-23, with a homer.
— Northwest Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) July 26, 2026
The Naturals hit the road to take on the Tulsa Drillers, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (45-47, 11 games back)
The River Bandits lost 5 of 6 to the Beloit Sky Carp. At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 4 for 20, with 3 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases. Jose Cerice went 6 for 17. Cerice is a 21-year-old infielder from Cuba. Derlin Figueroa was 4 for 22 with a homer and a double.
On the mound, Kendry Chourio went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 4 in his lone start of the week. Tanner Jones threw 4 innings of scoreless ball, allowing 2 hits, striking out 3. Jones was the Royals 6th round draft pick in 2024 out of Texas A&M. Blake Wolters threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 1 hit and striking out 7.
Kendry Chourio allows 1 run or fewer in his 5th consecutive start for the @QCRiverBandits 💎
The River Bandits return home this week to take on the Dayton Dragons. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (50-46, 6.5 games back)
The Fireflies won 5 of 6 from the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. On the mound, Ryan McDonagh threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, striking out 6 batters. McDonagh threw a no-hitter for 5.2 innings. McDonagh is a 20-year-old right hander from Canada. Jose Gutierrez threw 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 3. Shane Van Dam threw 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 7 in his lone start of the week.
At the plate, Sean Gamble went 7-for-20, with a double and home run. Gamble has battled back from a brutal start to the season and has raised his average to .203. Josh Hammond went just 3-for-21, cooling him off from the great month of July he’s having. Yandel Ricardo went 8-for-17, with a double and a triple.
Sean Gamble hit this one really, really, really far.
Jonathan Cannon 6 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 K Mason Adams 5 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K Duncan Davitt 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K Shane Murphy 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K Shane Smith 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 3 K Peyton Pallette 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 K Tanner McDougal 2 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K Hagen Smith 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K
After a slow start to the second half, the Knights are trending in the right direction again. Since the All-Star break, the Knights have won six of nine, and that includes a 5-1 series against the Tides (36-64).
Infielder Andy Weber, 29, who primarily plays shortstop, has been terrific lately. Against Norfolk, Weber, whom the North Siders drafted in the fifth round in 2018, could not be stopped. Weber is still looking to make his MLB debut, but he went 8-for-19 with three homers, two doubles, a walk, eight RBIs, and a stolen base in his only attempt. The White Sox acquired Weber in February via free agency, and in 52 games since being promoted from Birmingham to Charlotte, Weber has slashed a solid .273/.316/.464.
2026 Charlotte Knights Players of the Week Korey Lee (March 27-April 5) Oliver Dunn (April 6-12) Shane Smith (April 13-19) Jarred Kelenic (April 20-26) Oliver Dunn (April 27-May 3) LaMonte Wade Jr.(May 4-10) Jacob Gonzalez(May 11-17) LaMonte Wade Jr.(May 18-24) Jacob Gonzalez(May 25-31) Braden Montgomery(June 1-7) Ryan Galanie(June 8-14) Kyle Teel(June 15-21) Korey Lee(June 22-28) Caden Connor(June 29-July 5) Nolan Jones(July 6-12) Andy Weber (July 13-26)
Barons Player of the Week Caleb Bonemer .353/.421/.824, 17 at-bats
Alec Briley .360/.385/.560, 25 at-bats Colby Shelton .409/.417/.682, 22 at-bats Anthony DePino .368/.429/.579, 19 at-bats Samuel Zavala .300/.364/.600, 20 at-bats Grant Magill .333/.385/.583, 12 at-bats Boston Smith .100/.379/.300, 20 at-bats
Dylan Cumming 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K Lucas Gordon 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K Jake Palisch 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K Carson Jacobs 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 6 K Jackson Kelley 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K
Since the All-Star break, the Barons’ performance has been OK, at least by 2026 Birmingham standards. After taking two of three against Rocket City (48-47), the Barons dropped four of six against Montgomery (48-47) in a full-length series.
Infielder Caleb Bonemer, 20, was very difficult to retire, and he displayed a lot of power against Montgomery. This is Bonemer’s fourth weekly award of the season and his first with the Barons. This week, Bonemer went 6-for-17 with two homers, two doubles, four RBIs, and a walk. More impressive is that Bonemer did all of his damage in just three games, as on Friday he was beaned in the head and was removed from action for the rest of the contest, as well as Saturday’s action. That resulted in a weekly OPS of 1.245, and after 29 games with the Barons, Bonemer is slashing .267/.374/.476. Birmingham has been a large hurdle for many White Sox prospects over the years, especially hitters. However, although it is early, the top White Sox prospect is not slowing down during his dash toward the majors.
Drew McDaniel 7 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 9 K Grant Umberger 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K Jake Curtis 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K Justin Sinibaldi 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K Tommy Vail 4 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K Max Banks 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K
The Dash have had a rough time since returning from the All-Star break, only winning three of nine games since then.
Outfielder Ely Brown, 22, who mainly plays center, was unstoppable during a 3-3 series against Greensboro (59-37). During that series, Brown went 8-for-16 with a triple, three doubles, seven RBIs, three walks, and a steal in his only attempt. That resulted in a series OPS of 1.392, as he reached base in more than half of his plate appearances. Brown has shown that he can reach base with ease at the lower levels of the minors. Brown posted a .417 OBP in 27 games with Kannapolis in 2025, and this year, he is slashing .268/.411/.353 in 84 games, all with the Dash.
2026 Winston-Salem Dash Players of the Week Caleb Bonemer (April 6-12) Colby Shelton (April 13-19) Colby Shelton (April 20-26) Caleb Bonemer(April 27-May 3) Colby Shelton(May 4-10) Boston Smith(May 11-17) George Wolkow (May 18-24) Morris Austin(May 25-31) Caleb Bonemer(June 1-7) James Taussig(June 8-14) Kyle Lodise(June 15-21) George Wolkow(June 22-28) Kaleb Freeman(June 29-July 5) Ryan Burrowes (July 6-12) Ely Brown (July 13-26)
Cannon Ballers Player of the Week Steven Lancia .583/.615/.583, 1-for-1 stolen bases, 12 at-bats
Jaden Fauske .318/.444/.364, 1-for-3 stolen bases, 22 at-bats Alexander Albertus .375/.474/.688, 16 at-bats Nick McLain .238/.238/.381, 21 at-bats Javier Mogollón .227/.227/.318, 22 at-bats Billy Carlson .211/.286/.263, 1-for-1 stolen bases, 19 at-bats
Gabe Tanner 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K Truman Pauley 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 1 K Carlton Perkins 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K Alexander Martinez 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 K Blaine Wynk 3 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K
The Cannon Ballers won four of nine since we last checked in, and they are now exactly .500 in the second half and overall this season. Kannapolis wrapped up a six-game series in Columbia against the Fireflies on Sunday. That series went poorly, with the Cannon Ballers only winning one game, and that was on Sunday, as Kannapolis narrowly avoided getting swept.
Catcher Steven Lancia, 23, was on fire all week against Columbia. Lancia only played in four of those games, but Lancia made his time on the field count. Lancia went 7-for-12 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a walk (that sole RBI came from a game-winning single in the 10th inning). Lancia, who played his first game of the season on June 22, is seeing the ball quite well since his return. Between a five-game rehab stint with the Complex Sox and 10 games with Kannapolis, Lancia is slashing .415/.490/.537 with a homer, a triple, and 10 RBIs.
2026 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Players of the Week Stiven Flores (April 6-12) Abraham Núñez (April 13-19) Javier Mogollón(April 20-26) Arxy Hernández(April 27-May 3) Javier Mogollón(May 4-10) Max Banks(May 11-17) Riley Eikhoff(May 18-24) James Taussig(May 25-31) James Taussig(June 1-7) Derek Cerda(June 8-14) Matthew Boughton(June 15-21) Ryan Schiefer(June 22-28) Christian Gonzalez(June 29-July 5) Jaden Fauske (July 6-12) Steven Lancia (July 13-26)
ACL White Sox Record 5-4 (last week), 19-41 (overall)
Complex Sox Player of the Week Frank Mieses .357/.471/.714, 14 at-bats
Justin Fuson 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 K Fidel Montero 4 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K Orlando Suarez 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K Dylan Carmouche 3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 K Jeremy Gonzalez 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 4 K
The rookie leagues did not have an All-Star break like the rest of the affiliates, and the ACL White Sox played nine games since we last checked in. Surprisingly, the Complex Sox finished their season strong, winning five of their last nine to salvage a win percentage above .300, at .317.
During the latter portion of the season, outfielder Frank Mieses, 18, was impressive. Overall, in 26 games in the Complex League, Mieses only slashed .172/.273/.293, but he ended the season on a high note to claim his first weekly award. Mieses went 5-for-14 with a homer, a double, and three walks, as he played a sizable role in the team’s strong finish this season.
2026 Complex Sox Players of the Week Alexander Albertus(May 4-10) Eduardo Herrera(May 11-17) Yordani Soto (May 18-24) José M. Mendoza(May 25-31) Yordani Soto(June 1-7) Landon Hodge(June 8-14) Tommy Vail(June 15-21) Yordani Soto(June 22-28) D’Angelo Tejada(June 29-July 5) Osniel Castillo (July 6-12) Frank Mieses (July 13-26)
DSL White Sox Record 3-5 (last week), 14-23 (overall)
DSL White Sox Player of the Week Nestor Pérez .500/.583/.800, 10 at-bats
Sebastian Romero .455/.600/.727, 11 at-bats Ronald Cardozo .400/.533/.500, 10 at-bats Fernando Graterol .273/.429/.273, 11 at-bats Hector Hernández .231/.412/.308, 13 at-bats
Yordany Marte 4 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K Franchel Crisostomo 3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 K Enmanuel Rodriguez 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K David Colmenares 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K José Taveras 2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K
Like the Complex Sox, the DSL White Sox did not have an All-Star break, and they fit eight games in since the most recent weekly recap. Unlike the Complex Sox, the DSL White Sox had a subpar week, and their season goes until August 18.
Nestor Pérez, 19, heated up quite a bit, finishing 5-for-10 with three doubles and two walks since we last checked in. Pérez has played first base more than any other position this season, but he also has experience at third base and left field. Overall, Pérez has an unremarkable slash line by Dominican Summer League standards (.258/.355/.364, 77 wRC+), but he has taken a step forward this month. In particular, on July 25, Pérez went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and that outstanding performance went a long way during the team’s 8-7 victory.
2026 DSL White Sox Players of the Week Carlos Vielma(June 1-7) Sebastian Romero(June 8-14) Sebastian Romero(June 15-21) Ronald Kelly(June 22-28) Orlando Patiño(June 29-July 5) Ronald Cardozo (July 6-12) Nestor Pérez(July 13-26)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 10: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 10, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam in the top of the sixth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees took home an exciting win on Monday to kick off a series on the south side of Chicago. Ben Rice had a clutch hit in the seventh to give them the lead, and Ali Sánchez’s three-run homer put the nail in the coffin against the White Sox. With the Rays off for the day, it was a free mini-jump for New York in the East to 2.5 games behind Tampa Bay.
Despite the shorter schedule, there was still plenty of action to take in around the American League, so let’s take a look at what went down to open up the week.
Boston Red Sox (54-50) 4, Toronto Blue Jays (48-58) 2
With the Rays off for the day, The Red Sox game out in Sacramento was likely of chief concern for the Yanks. Things were tight for much of the evening, before one big hit propelled Boston to victory over the Athletics.
The A’s jumped ahead early, when Tyler Soderstrom belted a solo shot in the bottom of the first. The lefty’s 17th homer of the season gave his crew the lead, one they held on to for some time. Starter Jack Perkins pitched well to begin the game, keeping the Red Sox out of the run column for the first five innings of the game.
In the sixth inning, still trailing 1-0, the Red Sox finally made their move. A double from Connor Wong and a two-out walk to Willson Contreras ended the day for Perkins, and suddenly had the A’s on the ropes. José Suarez came on in relief, but found himself in even more trouble by immediately walking Wilyer Abreu. In the next at-bat, Ceddanne Rafaela broke the game open with a towering wall-scraper of a grand slam into left-center field.
Suddenly trailing, the A’s began to answer back with a Jonah Heim solo shot in the bottom half of the inning. His 10th long ball of the season cut their deficit to two runs, but wasn’t enough to help get his squad back in front. After a quiet seventh and eighth innings, the A’s were tasked with taking on Aroldis Chapman in the ninth.
They certainly kept the game interesting, as a hit from Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz reaching on an error had the winning run at the plate for the Athletics. Chapman dialed it in under pressure, however, as the veteran flamethrower notched back-to-back strikeouts to bring this game to a close as a 4-2 Boston win. The Red Sox surge continues as they hold the second Wild Card berth in the American League with the win. There was some concern, however, as new acquisition Curtis Mead was forced to leave the game early after being hit by a pitch in the fifth. X-rays were at least negative. The team said that he is “day-to-day with a bruised wrist.”
Texas Rangers (53-52) 7, Seattle Mariners (52-55) 4: The Rangers did the bulk of their work early in a big divisional game against Seattle on Monday. They scored all seven of their runs in the first three innings, all of which came one homers, with Joc Pederson, Pederson again, Ezequiel Duran, and Jake Burger all going deep in the surge. Kumar Rocker allowed just a pair of runs while striking out seven in his outing, which was more than enough to get by for Texas. Four different Rangers tallied multiple hits, with Pederson’s pair of homers being the highlight. It was an important win for them over their division rival, as the Rangers’ lead grows to 2.5 games with the Astros also passing the M’s thanks to a ninth-inning rally in Anaheim.
Jul 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (left) is mobbed by teammates afterhitting a game winning RBI single to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the tenth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Brandon Lowe delivered the game-winning single, as the Diamondbacks have dropped three straight games to fellow National League Wild Card contenders on what many players called the most important road trip of the season. Lowe’s walk-off knock off Taylor Clarke ricocheted off the glove of first baseman Ildemaro Vargas.
The Diamondbacks had their chance in the top of the 10th, as a throwing error from Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales set up Arizona with runners on second and third with one out. Gabriel Moreno, the Diamondbacks’ hottest hitter, struck out looking on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. After an intentional walk to Ketel Marte, Max Kepler — who delivered three hits on Monday — hit a line drive to center field that hung up too long.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which had a rough afternoon in Washington the day before, coughed up a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. With two out, the Pirates got consecutive doubles from Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds to tie the game off reliever Jonathan Loaisiga.
Reynolds’ at-bat was interrupted by the ejection of Pirates manager Donnie Kelly, who was thrown out by third-base umpire Ben May after ostensibly complaining about check-swing calls that went against Reynolds.
Piecoro went on to reveal that the Diamondbacks had spoken to the Red Sox about this type of deal. He did not state whether it was Early, specifically, who was on Arizona’s radar, but it’s a good bet that was the case.
But the Red Sox weren’t interested, and it had to do with the players the D-backs were able to give up in exchange. Boston reportedly preferred to land a more major-league caliber player, as opposed to hitters who were closer to being prospects than everyday major league bats.
Many Diamondbacks fans grew worried there was a rift between Ketel Marte and Arizona when the star second baseman wiped his Instagram feed almost entirely over the weekend.
As of Monday morning, the Diamondbacks are not looking to trade Marte, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro said.
Marte, who was previously very active on Instagram, deleted all posts but one, including those related to the Diamondbacks and others that were not.
“First, I don’t even know what scrubbing is,” Lovullo told reporters, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. “I don’t get it. I mean, I’m a baseball manager. I’ve connected with Ketel just to find out how he’s doing. Everything is in a good spot. I know that everybody wants to make some drama that’s taking place here. It’s nothing like it seems.”
Max Scherzer’s second return from an IL stint this season went better than his first, enough so that he’s hopeful for what could still be ahead.
Scherzer labored through 2 2/3 innings on 75 pitches on his 42nd birthday, but he escaped by allowing only one run in his former home park in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 win over the Nationals in Monday night’s series opener.
It seems like, for much of the 2026 season, the top question in the National League — and Major League Baseball as a whole, really — has been: Who are the biggest threats to the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Atlanta and Milwaukee lead their respective divisions, while Chicago and Philadelphia hold the first and second wild-card spots, respectively. The Dodgers are cruising to another NL West title, with a 12-game edge over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks, meaning they will likely make their 14th consecutive postseason appearance in 2026, tying Atlanta’s record of 14 straight playoffs from 1991 to 2005.
The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals kicked off trade deadline season in earnest on Saturday night, when Boston sent left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Nats for corner infielder Curtis Mead.
Most consequential trades this time of year involve a contender swapping one or more prospects for an established big leaguer. Not so this one. At the time of the trade, the Red Sox and Nationals were in similar positions in the standings: The Sox were 53-50, seven and a half games out of the division lead, but half a game up in the AL Wild Card race. The Nats were 53-52, eight and a half games out of first place in the NL East, but only two games out of a Wild Card spot. Both teams are playing with house money: Boston on account of being 14 games under .500 less than five weeks ago, and Washington on account of… everything that’s happened since the start of the 2020 season.
Detmers and rotation mate José Soriano are both under arbitration control through the 2028 season. The former is playing on a $2.625MM salary, a little over $775K of which will be owed after the deadline.
The Angels could seek multiple top 100 prospects to part with two and a half years of very affordable control over an above-average starter. They’re in an odd spot with interim general manager John Mozeliak running their deadline, but recent reporting suggests they’re more open to conversations on their controllable players than they’d been in prior years. The aforementioned two starters and shortstop Zach Neto would be their top trade candidates and could rejuvenate a weak farm system if the Halos are truly open to a rebuild.
The Yankees (60-46) continue their four-game series at Rate Field tonight looking to build on last night’s come from behind 9-5 win over the White Sox (55-50). New York remains 2.5 games behind the Rays in the AL East and comfortably atop the Wild Card standings. Thanks to the Guardians’ loss last night, the Sox remain two games up in the AL Central.
Last night, the Sox jumped Max Fried early scoring three times in the first inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Colson Montgomery and Braden Montgomery. New York rallied in the fourth. The Yankees plated four runs. Ben Rice drove in a run with a groundout before Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered the biggest hit of the inning, a two-run double to tie the game. Spencer Jones closed the scoring that inning with an RBI groundout. Chicago tied it in the fifth before the Yankees blew it open with a run in the seventh and four more in the eighth. Backup catcher Alí Sánchez delivered the knockout blow with a three-run homer to left in that decisive eighth inning.
Chicago managed 10 hits, matching New York's total, but defensive miscues proved costly. The White Sox committed three errors which extended rallies and certainly did not help Chicago’s comeback efforts.
Tonight, the Yankees are expected to hand the ball to veteran ace Gerrit Cole (3-5, 3.92 ERA). Cole’s last outing was against the Pirates last Wednesday. He threw a season-best seven innings allowing four hits and three runs while striking out 11. Two of the four Bucs’ hits were home runs. Cole has now served up 11 home runs over his last 9 starts. Chicago is expected to counter with left-hander Anthony Kay (7-4, 4.21 ERA), who has been consistently good for much of the season. In July, Kay has given up seven runs in 18.1 innings of work. The issue has been stamina for the southpaw as Kay has not pitched more than 5.1 innings in any of his last 5 starts and has not reached the fifth in three of those five.
Lets dive further into tonight’s game and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Yankees vs. White Sox
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 7:40PM EST
Site: Rate Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, YES, CSN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Yankees vs. White Sox
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Yankees (-135), Chicago White Sox (+112)
Spread: Yankees -1.5 (+124), White Sox +1.5 (-149)
Total: 8.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Yankees vs. White Sox for July 28
White Sox: Anthony Kay Season Totals: 98.1 IP, 7-4, 4.21 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 80K, 40 BB
Trent Grisham is without a hit over his last 5 games (0-15) and is 1-28 over his last 8 games
Jazz Chisholm Jr. snapped a 1-12 streak with 2 hits in 4 ABs last night
Gerrit Cole has averaged 8 strikeouts over his last 4 starts
Andrew Benintendi is only 5-21 (.238) against Cole is his career but 2 of the hits have been HRs
Munetaka Murakami has hit in 4 straight (6-16) and 6 of his last 7 games (8-25)
Luisangel Acuna is 2-9 over his last 4 games
Acuna is hitting .370 (10-27) in July
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Yankees vs. White Sox
The White Sox are 61-44 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 52-54 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 60 times in Chicago’s 105 games this season (60-43-2)
The OVER has cashed 46 times in New York’s 106 games this season (46-56-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Yankees vs. White Sox
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the White Sox:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0
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Yankees vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Under 8 (-115)
Both teams rank Top 10 in runs, but I think this is a spot to zag.
Cole has been excellent of late, sporting a 2.56 xFIP, 2.42 SIERA, and 33.7% K rate over the last five starts. He walked just 2.1% of batters during that span.
He’s limiting quality contact effectively and issuing next to no free passes, which is a big plus facing a powerful White Sox offense.
Run line: Yankees -1.5 (+130) | White Sox +1.5 (-150)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)
Yankees vs White Sox trend
The Yankees have hit the moneyline in 20 of their last 30 away games (+9.15 units, 24% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. White Sox.
How to watch Yankees vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
YES, CHSN
Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (3-5, 3.92 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Anthony Kay (7-4, 4.21 ERA)
Yankees vs White Sox latest injuries
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.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 26: Luis Rengifo #21 of the San Diego Padres looks on against the Miami Marlins in the third inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 26, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres have six games before the trade deadline on Aug. 3 and that means that each game will be critical to determine whether the team will be a buyer or a seller. The first of those six games is tonight against the Colorado Rockies, and the cellar-dwelling NL West rival would love nothing more than to take down the Padres in two games before the San Francisco Giants come to town for a four-game set.
San Diego is coming off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins, which allowed them to catch and pass a team they are battling with for a National League Wild Card position. There is still more to do for the Padres and while the games against the Rockies will not allow them to knock off another team in front of them winning these games is still of utmost importance.
San Diego gained a half-game on the Arizona Diamondbacks without even taking the field on Monday. The hope is the momentum gained from the way the Padres finished their 5-5 road trip can continue and send them into a deadline decision with their best winning streak of the season under their belt. San Diego will have an opportunity to continue that potential streak tonight against the Rockies at Petco Park at 6:40 p.m.
The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, and there's no bigger ticket available than left-handed starter Tarik Skubal.
Skubal has been baseball's best pitcher over the last several seasons. The Detroit Tigers lefty has won back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards, and while he won't win a third in 2026, he is still making headlines.
With the 29-year-old set to hit free agency following the season, trade rumors are swirling ahead of the August 3 deadline.
Kalshi's market for Tarik Skubal next team odds unsurprisingly lists the Los Angeles Dodgers as the favorite, but there are several viable options, both on the trade front and in free agency, should the Tigers opt to keep him.
Tarik Skubal Next Team Odds
Key Takeaways
Hollywood ending: The Los Angeles Dodgers again feel like the favorite because, of course, they are. Every top star is inevitably linked to the bottomless pockets of the reigning World Series champs, and Tarik Skubal is no different.
Milwaukee brewing something special?: The Milwaukee Brewers are again atop the National League Central despite trading off former ace Freddy Peralta in the offseason. A pitcher of Skubal's caliber would be huge for the home stretch.
Home sweet home: He could (and some might say should) stay with the team that drafted him, the Detroit Tigers.
Yes, it may seem silly that "retires/no team" is a legitimate market here, but that's only because this will resolve on March 27, 2027, regardless of Skubal's contract status. The left-hander is scheduled to hit free agency at season's end, so if he doesn't get traded at the deadline and remains a free agent through March 27 of next year, then the "retires/no team" market will be graded as "Yes."
Los Angeles Dodgers | 'Yes' at 43¢
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the favorites in the World Series odds, and have been an active participant at the trade deadline and in free agency over the years. They have one of baseball's most robust farm systems, and the Tigers are reportedly eyeing young, controllable starting pitching to help fill Tarik Skubal's void if they do indeed trade them.
However, recent reports suggest a deadline deal sending Skubal to Hollywood is "unlikely." Now, that doesn't necessarily kill this market, as the Dodgers would be best positioned to sign the lefty in free agency come November and beyond, but L.A. is also expected to welcome Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell back to the fold from the injured list in the coming weeks. Obviously, a player like Skubal would push them over the top, but it might be a luxury the Dodgers can justify foregoing in the short term.
Milwaukee Brewers | 'Yes' at 12¢
Landing Skubal wouldn't be the first time the Milwaukee Brewers acquired a top-shelf left-hander at the deadline in a bid to bolster their rotation for the home stretch.
Back in 2008, the Brewers sent four players (including Michael Brantley) to Cleveland in exchange for future Hall of Famer CC Sabathia. His tenure was brief (he would sign with the New York Yankees the ensuing offseason) but memorable. In 17 starts with the Brewers, Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA while tossing seven complete games. Milwaukee flopped in the NLDS, falling to the Phillies in four games.
Still, this kind of deal would make sense. The Brewers probably won't be in the mix to sign Skubal, just as they weren't in Sabathia's market, but this is a very good team that would greatly benefit in the short term by pulling off such a blockbuster. Armed with a farm system that MLB Pipeline ranked No. 1 before the season, they have the pieces that may get a deal done, too.
Tampa Bay Rays | 'Yes' at 11¢
The Tampa Bay Rays, like the Brewers, would never be in the running to sign Skubal to a long-term contract once he hits free agency. But the Rays are in the thick of the AL pennant race and have the prospect capital needed to make a play. It's somewhat against character, but Skubal anchoring their staff would provide their best opportunity to win the first World Series in franchise history (something Milwaukee is also pursuing).
Detroit Tigers | 'Yes' at 9¢
This is complicated!
The Detroit Tigers appeared destined to trade Skubal when he was recovering from elbow surgery and even after his return. But Detroit surged in the standings to get back into the AL Central and Wild Card races, pouring cold water on the idea, at least a bit.
From a pure numbers standpoint, the Tigers probably should trade him to recoup something more than a compensatory draft pick they'd receive if he leaves after declining a qualifying offer (which he certainly would).
From an optics standpoint, trading their most popular player who has carried the team to the postseason in each of the last two seasons is less appealing.
The other question is whether or not the front office burned the bridge to Skubal entirely when they fought him in arbitration and signed left-hander Framber Valdez in a move that could be interpreted as "we found your replacement."
Valdez has not lived up to expectations so far, and Skubal will command a massive contract. It seems like a foregone conclusion that he will sign elsewhere if the team doesn't trade him at the deadline, but never say never.
Navigating binary prediction markets offers a nimble, data-driven alternative to static sportsbooks, letting you trade directly on roster mechanics and media narratives.
Account setup: Create and fund your Kalshi profile seamlessly via standard wire or bank transfer to ensure your trading capital is fully liquid ahead of breaking MLB news cycles.
Navigate: Head over to the main baseball section, select the "Next MLB Team" category, and open the active Tarik Skubal market. Alternatively, simply type "Tarik Skubal" into the search bar, and the market should appear.
Execute: Evaluate the board to determine if you want to buy cheap 'Yes' shares on an aggressive suitor or purchase 'No' contracts to fade a stale public consensus.
Monitor: Track your portfolio's value in real time as the news cycle updates, allowing you to sell your shares early to lock in profits or mitigate your downside risk.
Tarik Skubal Next Team Odds FAQs
How does Kalshi determine the winning outcome for this market?
The market officially resolves based on the specific MLB franchise Tarik Skubal plays for.
This could happen by the MLB trade deadline on August 3, 2026. If he isn't traded, the market will resolve no later than March 25, 2027. At this point, if Skubal has not yet signed a new deal with a new team and is still a free agent, the market will be graded as "Yes" for "Retires/No team."
Can I trade my shares before an official trade happens?
Yes, Kalshi provides a fully fluid trading environment where you can freely buy and sell your positions at any point before the market resolves.
If an insider report causes a sudden price spike for a team you hold shares in, you can instantly liquidate for a profit. You are never permanently locked into a position until the final official contract resolution occurs.
What happens to the market if Tarik Skubal stays in Detroit?
If the trade deadline passes and the Detroit Tigers do not elect to trade Skubal, the market remains open. He will be a free agent after the season. If he signs an extension, re-signs with the Tigers after the World Series, or miraculously accepts a qualifying offer, Detroit will be graded as the winning market.
DENVER, CO - JULY 21: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the first inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning! The Red Sox new middle infielder debuted last night… and immediately got hurt. After getting hit in the left wrist in the fourth inning, Curtis Mead played one more inning in the field before being removed after swelling increased. X-rays after the game were negative, so hopefully it’s not something that keeps him out too long — right Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony?
Anyway, the middle infield is once again unsettled. And while both Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer are expected to return at some point this season, with Story hoping to begin a rehab assignment imminently, Craig Breslow is reportedly still on the hunt for a shortstop, according to one of the game’s most prominent insiders:
The Red Sox have been searching for a shortstop, in a market notably thin in shortstops.
We’ve already seen reports about the Sox interest in Zach Neto, and there are also links between the Sox and CJ Abrams, whom the Nats are reportedly willing to consider trading, while not actively shopping. New Englander Jeremy Pena, meanwhile, seems to be off the table. All of this comes against the backdrop of Franklin Arias’ promotion to AAA, and the reality that a deal for either Neto or Abrams would likely require Arias to be shipped out the door. And while I don’t love the idea of trading Arias for Neto, Abrams is another story: Abrams is essentially who we hope Franklin Arias will end up being one day.
It’s a dizzying set of circumstances to consider, but it’s also fascinating because, honestly, I have absolutely no idea who is going to be the shortstop of this team in a couple of weeks. What would you like to see the Sox do at the 6 and what do you think they’ll do?
Talk about shortstop trade rumors and whatever else you want in this space and, as always, be good to one another.
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The mass confusion was supposed to be gone by now.
The decisions to sell, buy or stand pat should have been finalized with everyone having a clear direction.
And yet, with just six shopping days left before the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, we have less clarity now than at the All-Star break.
The Miami Marlins produced their greatest June (20-6) in franchise history, lost a franchise-record 12 games in a row, staged a dramatic comeback against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, and are smack-dab in the NL wild-card race.
The Boston Red Sox, who had the American League’s worst record (32-46) a month ago, are cruising now at 55-50, and could be the AL favorites to reach the World Series.
The Seattle Mariners, who looked they were on the verge of taking off and leaving everyone in the dust in the AL West, suddenly are watching reruns of a living nightmare in what could become the most exasperating season in franchise history.
And there are the Detroit Tigers, who have been putting everyone on hold for weeks, but now may be forced to pick up the phone and face reality.
There are still 24 teams who are either sitting in first place or within five games of a wild-card berth.
Even the teams that have full intentions to sell, like the Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays, realize they’re only a five-game winning streak away from believing once again.
This is what happens when there are seven National League teams who are no better than three games above .500, or no worse than six games below .500, and all in the race.
The are six teams in the American League who have losing records but are within five games of a playoff berth.
The Chicago White Sox have a losing record (10-11) this month, but have not lost any ground in the standings, and still lead the AL Central by two games.
Please, make it make sense.
While teams are telling one another they still have no idea what they’ll do, and promise to get back to them this weekend, here are the top nine questions entering the final days of the trade deadline:
1. Will the Detroit Tigers trade Tarik Skubal?
The Tigers really don’t want to trade him, knowing the anger and frustration it will create among their players and fanbase, but the decision really is becoming clear. The Tigers, who just dropped three games in a row to sub-.500 teams, and are now seven games below .500 themselves, have no choice but to trade Skubal.
They will try to sell the trade as building for the future, while still not giving up the present. After all, they did it a couple years ago when they dumped starter Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, and received shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney and catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo. The Tigers still made the postseason, and the Dodgers won the World Series.
Then again, it can backfire, too. Just ask the Milwaukee Brewers who traded All-Star closer Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres in 2022 for Taylor Rogers, Dinelson Lamet, Robert Gasser and Esteury Ruiz. It ripped the soul out of the Brewers clubhouse, and they never recovered, missing the postseason.
The decision: They trade him, and likely No. 2 starter Casey Mize, too, while trying to convince their fans it’s really the right thing to do.
2. Will the San Diego Padres trade All-Star closer Mason Miller?
The Padres are holding onto Miller one day, and trading him the next. They plan to trade starter Michael King one day and keep Miller, only to flip-flop the next. No one has any idea what A.J. Preller, president of baseball operations, will do.
The Padres, who bought Juan Soto one trade deadline, and dumped him 1½ years later, are in the same predicament. They’d love to keep Miller, who’s under control through 2029, but his value is closing out games for a championship contender. This is why the Athletics traded him originally, knowing that he’d be rotting in the bullpen if there were no leads to hold down. Now, the Padres have to face reality and ask themselves if they’re a legitimate playoff team.
The decision: They decide to keep Miller for now, but then trade him during the winter, creating a fierce bidding war. They instead trade setup man, Adrian Morejon, who’s a free agent after the season.
3. Will the Milwaukee Brewers go for it and land biggest fish, Tarik Skubal?
The ownership and front office would love to let their fans and clubhouse know that they’re all in. They certainly have the prospects, and the financial flexibility to get it done. They also realize that unless they get another prized starter to go along with stud Jacob Misiorowski, they have no real chance to knock off the Dodgers and get to their first World Series since 1982. It will be the same ol’ story, get into the playoffs, and bow our early. So will they finally step out of their comfort zone?
The decision: Nope. They simply don’t believe that Skubal will be the magic elixir for all of their needs. They still need a power bat. They could use another late-inning reliever. They could use someone to step up and be that solid No. 3 starter. Simply, there’s too much risk for the Brewers to take on Skubal when they know they’re going to be in the postseason, anyway.
4. Will teams act differently at the deadline with the uncertainty of 2027?
General managers will tell you that they’re not even thinking about the upcoming lockout, saying it’s completely out of their control. They want to win now, and will worry about the future later. But their bosses may have more of a desire to remain cautious than trade prospects. If there’s a salary cap one day, the young prospects making minimum salary will be more valuable than ever.
The decision: Teams may actually be more aggressive because owners are now telling them to prepare for the possibility of a prolonged work stoppage, even canceling all of next season. If there’s not going to a season, why not go for the gusto, knowing you can be the defending champions for two years without playing a game next season?
5. Will the Chicago White Sox go all-in?
Can the White Sox lose a record 121 games two years ago, and 102 last season, and really pull this off and be in the postseason?
Sure, the White Sox can do it. The division completely stinks. If no one wants to take it, why not the White Sox? But they desperately need a veteran starter or two to stick around until October.
Decision: They’d love to be in the playoffs, but no, they are not going to be aggressive. They are not going to trade away top prospects and find themselves in the same situation they were in when they had to start another rebuild in 2022.
If a pitcher with team control like Reid Detmers falls into their laps, sure. If teams are wary about Robbie Ray’s $25 million contract, they’ll put their chips in. But they are not going to mortgage the future. They’re quite content to ride it out, believing this team will be built for sustained success.
6. Will the Mets trade Francisco Lindor?
He makes a ton of money with half of his 10-year, $341 million contract still remaining.
He is having a lousy season, just like the rest of his New York Mets teammates.
When David Stearns, president of baseball operations, reeled off his untouchable players at the trade deadline, he did not include Lindor.
Certainly, he showed off his talent to the rest of the world Monday night with his two homers, triple and six RBIs.
So why not trade him now, clearing payroll and building for the future?
The decision: The Mets will ultimately trade him, believing it’s best for the organization, but just not now. Teams need to get creative with their finances, and besides, if there is a lengthy lockout, teams may be hesitant to take on his massive contract.
7. Will the Yankees be able to fill all of their needs at the deadline?
The New York Yankees have the second-best record in the American League, 60-46, and perhaps the fiercest rotation in the game, but they have holes everywhere.
They have $120 million worth of stars currently sidelined with outfielders Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger on the injured list.
They have the worst-producing catcher in baseball with Austin Wells slashing .165/.267/.277.
They don’t have any reliable late-inning relievers.
And, truthfully, they have no idea when or if Judge is even coming back.
The answer: Yankees don’t have enough prospects to fill all of their needs, but they will get a catcher and perhaps another outfielder, too. Yet, they won’t go too crazy, knowing that if Judge isn’t able to make it back in time, the season will be a lost cause, anyway.
8. Will the Dodgers really make a bold move for Tarik Skubal?
The Dodgers are making their big second-half moves in the next few days when they activate two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, All-Star closer Edwin Díaz and playoff hero Kiké Hernández.
So, they really don’t have to have Skubal.
They’ll still win 100 games and run away with the division and be well-rested for October.
The decision: The Dodgers are so loaded with prized minor-league outfielders they could hand them out for Halloween, and still be fine.
Yes, they may not need Skubal, they’d love just to keep him away from everyone else.
And once they have him, well, they might as well keep him.
9. Will Phillies boss Dave Dombrowski work his magic and come away with help?
The Phillies have been desperately looking for a right-handed bat. They badly need a veteran setup man. And they certainly could use another starter, going 5-21 in games not started by Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola.
Certainly, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski never has been shy trading away prospects to acquire stars. He did that with Miguel Cabrera when he was with the Tigers. He did that with Chris Sale when he was with the Boston Red Sox. And with age catching up to his stars, will he want to keep his prospects or go for the jugular?
The decision: Dombrowski will go all in and do what it takes no matter how many top prospects are needed. He badly wants another chance to return to the World Series.
Jul 27, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) fist bumps catcher Elias Díaz (35) as he is taken out of the game in the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Good morning.
Ryan Myers writes that Kumar Rocker followed a team loss with a win for a second consecutive outing after finding the right adjustments in yesterday’s finale victory.
Jeff Wilson writes that the Texas Rangers knew the stakes against Seattle and delivered a series win to wrest away a modest amount of control in the AL West.
Shawn McFarland writes that to earn the series win, the Rangers had to slay the George Kirby dragon which they emphatically accomplished.
Kennedi Landry writes that the Rangers smacked four home runs off of Kirby on their way to just a second ever win against the M’s hurler.
Evan Grant writes that, with the series win in otherwise convincing fashion, the Rangers made their best pitch to upgrade at the trade deadline.
Matt Snyder places the Rangers among the teams in the “likely buyers” tier with the trade deadline around a week away.
ESPN’s Buster Olney writes that, surprise, surprise, the Rangers are seeking some bullpen help at the deadline.
Alex Bregman has had a rough year, as we all know, but we have seen signs recently that he’s coming out of it.
That happened big time Monday night in St. Louis. Bregman had his first four-hit game as a Cub, including a home run and two doubles, helping lead the team to a 7-3 win over the Cardinals in the opener of a four-game series, a game delayed nearly two hours by storms. Nico Hoerner also had four hits, including his first home run since April 21, 81 games ago.
After the rain was over, the Cubs scored right away in the first inning, though it could have been more than one run. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off with a walk — but then got picked off [VIDEO].
That was really too bad, because both Seiya Suzuki and Alex Bregman followed with doubles. That would have scored a pair if not for the pickoff. Bregman’s double scored Suzuki [VIDEO].
A note on Suzuki’s hit from BCB’s JohnW53:
Seiya Suzuki’s first-inning double gave the Cubs the National League record for consecutive road games with a hit: 4,789.
The Pirates did it in 4,788 straight road games between May 14, 1955, and June 19, 2015.
The Cubs’ streak began Sept. 10, 1965, at San Francisco, the night after they were the victims of a perfect game by Sandy Koufax at Dodger Stadium.
The Yankees hold the MLB record, 5,367 games through Monday, since Sept. 20, 1958.
In the second, the Cubs kept it going against Matthew Liberatore. Nico Hoerner led off with a single. After Ian Happ struck out, Dansby Swanson singled Nico to second.
In the fifth, Bregman led off with a single, his third hit of the game — his first three-hit game in more than three months, since April 22. Carson Kelly followed with a single, advancing Bregman to second. Michael Busch’s ground out advanced both runners, and then a single by Nico scored both to make it 5-1 Cubs [VIDEO].
While all this was going on, David Peterson was throwing quite well, through five innings, at least. The only run he allowed in that time was Fermin’s homer.
He got in trouble in the sixth. Jordan Walker led off with a walk, and then Ivan Herrera struck out on a play I don’t think I’ve seen before. The umpires ruled that Herrera had called for a second timeout after Peterson’s 3-2 pitch and that’s a violation, ruled strike three. In case you’re wondering how that’s scored:
Peterson recorded the second out, a ground ball that allowed Walker to take second. Gavin Hollowell relieved Peterson and allowed an RBI single to Masyn Winn, threw a wild pitch, then gave up an automatic double that bounced into the seats. If not for the wild pitch, the third Cardinals run doesn’t score. So it wasn’t a really good day for Hollowell, but the Cubs still led by two after six.
And overall I thought Peterson threw well, recording nine of his 16 outs on ground balls. One of the runs charged to him scored after he left the game. Here’s more on Peterson’s evening [VIDEO].
Ryan Rolison entered to throw the seventh and issued a walk in between a pair of strikeouts. Trent Thornton was then summoned to face the right-handed hitting Jordan Walker. One pitch, one out, but it was a fly ball to very deep left-center caught by Ian Happ. Earlier in the broadcast it was mentioned that Busch Stadium is the toughest park this year for home runs, and maybe that hit shows why — it looked like it might have been gone off the bat, but just died, a 391-foot out.
In the bottom of the eighth, Thornton gave up another long hit leading off the inning to Ivan Herrera. That one fell in for a hit — but Happ turned it into an out [VIDEO].
That’s just an outstanding defensive play by Happ. I keep telling you — he’s going to win a fifth Gold Glove this year.
Back to Bregman — that was not only his first four-hit game as a Cub, it was his first since April 15, 2025 with the Red Sox. And his season OPS moved over .700 (at .705) for the first time since May 31. Good stuff, and for Nico, it was his second four-hit game since the All-Star break. The Cubs pounded out 14 hits on the evening and have had at least 11 hits in seven of their last nine games. More on the four-hit games by Bregman and Hoerner from John:
As noted by Al, this was Alex Bregman’s first game as a Cub with four hits. He had nine with the Astros and one, plus a five-hit game, with the Red Sox.
Bregman had had four three-hit games this season. The first three were April 7, 14 and 22; the fourth, July 12. He had a single, double and homer on April 22, in a 7-2 win over the Phillies — the only one of the earlier games at home.
Nico Hoerner had had one four-hit game this year before last night, on July 18 at home vs. the Twins. He had four in 2022-24.
Hoerner is tied with PCA for the team lead in games with three or more: eight. Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki both have six. The Cubs have had 46 such games, by 11 different batters.
Jacob Webb, warming up for a possible save opportunity, pitched instead with a four-run lead in the ninth. He allowed a two-out double but finished up with no runs scoring. Here’s the final out [VIDEO].
The Phillies lost to the Marlins Monday, so the Cubs’ lead for the first wild card spot increased to 3.5 games. And the Giants did the Cubs a solid by shutting out the Brewers 3-0, so the Cubs creep to within six games of first place in the NL Central.
The Cubs and Cardinals will meet again Tuesday evening in St. Louis. Colin Rea will start for the Cubs and Michael McGreevy goes for the Cardinals. Game time is 6:45 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network. The game’s also on TBS nationally (outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories).
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