It just keeps getting worse for Paul Skenes. Not only has he not won a game in nine starts, but on Wednesday, July 1, the Phillies made it sting. Philadelphia battered the Pirates' ace for a career-high seven earned runs, and eight total, in an outing that lasted just four innings.
Trea Turner put a three-run homer in the seats, Brandon Marsh tacked on a solo shot and the Phillies had an 8-4 lead before most fans had finished their first hot dog and beer.
Skenes hasn't picked up a win in a start since May 12 and Pittsburgh hasn't won a game he has started since then, either. That last win was against the Rockies and five days later, the Phillies started his spiral. They tagged him with five runs in five innings on May 17.
During this slide, Skenes has allowed 28 earned runs and seven homers in 47 innings, good for a 5.36 ERA. In his first two seasons, Skenes never finished with an ERA over 1.97.
It's a jarring stretch for a pitcher with Skenes' talent and resume.
He won the NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and then followed that up with a Cy Young Award in 2025. Lately, however, his numbers just haven't looked as dominant.
Jul 1, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) reacts after hitting a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves have been one of the best teams in the National League for the first half of the 2026 season, but the St. Louis Cardinals have shown they can compete and Tuesday night was no exception at Truist Park at least for the first 7 innings. Michael McGreevy kept the Cardinals close through the first half of the game. However, the Cardinals bats were deadly silent and the bullpen let the game escape in the late innings.
The St. Louis Cardinals grabbed an early lead starting in the top of the 1st inning. After JJ Wetherholt flied out to deep center, Iván Herrera turned a 95 mph four-seam fastball into a ground rule double. Two batters later, Jordan Walker hammered a sharp single to right scoring Herrera who made a great slide into home getting his hand over the base just before the tag making it 1-0 Cardinals. Spoiler Alert: St. Louis could just not spark any kind of real rally against Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez. Would you believe these would represent the only Cardinals hits of the game?
That lead would not last long unfortunately. The Atlanta Braves answered in the bottom of the 1st inning a single from Drake Baldwin who scored on a double by Ozzie Albies tying the game at 1-1.
The Braves took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning and it was Ozzie Albies fault again. He ripped a 92 mph four-seam fastball from Michael McGreevy into a 380 foot home run to right-center making it 2-1 Braves and that’s the way it would remain until the late innings.
Michael McGreevy overall had a solid outing as he gave the Cardinals 6 full innings allowing just 3 hits, 2 earned runs while striking out 3 and walking just 1. He simply had no run support from the Cardinals offense. Max Rajcic entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning. He walked Mauricio Dubon to lead off the Braves 7th, but was then able to get Smith to ground out and he struck out the slumping Austin Riley. Dubon advanced to third on a wild pitch by Max before Rajcic walked Mike Yastremski to give Atlanta runners on first and third. Fortunately, Mateo would pop out to Blaze Jordan at third to end the scoring threat and keep the Cardinals within a run.
José Fermín would ALMOST tie the game in the top of the 8th inning off of Braves reliever Dylan Lee as he came within an eyelash of homering to left field, but left fielder Dubon made a leaping grab against the wall to deny him. Dang.
Justin Bruihl entered the game in the bottom of the 8th inning with the sole purpose of keeping Atlanta from adding an insurance run. He would not be successful. The defense behind him was not supportive of his cause either. After Bruihl walked Drake Baldwin, Blaze Jordan botched what looked like an easy groundball from Ozzie Albies that could have been a potential double play starter. Instead it was E5 with Matt Olson at the plate with runners on first and second with nobody out. Olson flew out to deep right which allowed Baldwin to advance to third, but Albies did not advance to second even though Jordan Walker’s throw went to third instead of second. Michael Harris II made Bruihl (and the Cardinals) pay for that leadoff walk as he singled into left-center scoring Baldwin and giving the Braves a 3-1 lead. That would cause manager Oli Marmol to remove Bruihl and bring in Gordon Graceffo to stop the bleeding. He sadly couldn’t. Dubon executed a sacrifice squeeze that Alec Burleson made a great effort on, but his throw was too late to home as Albies slid home safely making it 4-1 Braves. It nearly got worse when Smith singled to right, but Jordan Walker threw a laser beam to home and Pedro Pages made a great tag for the second out. It wasn’t enough to stop the Braves from continuing to pile on. Austin Riley would single to left on the first pitch he saw scoring Dubon and giving Atlanta a commanding 5-1 lead. That would be the score going into the top of the 9th.
The St. Louis Cardinals 9th inning would feature the top of the order starting with JJ Wetherholt. He would end the game 0-3 with a weak groundout off of Braves reliever Iglesias. Iván Herrera then struck out and then Alec Burleson ended the game with a weak flyball to left field representing one of the Cardinals poorer offensive efforts of the season so far.
The St. Louis Cardinals will wrap up their visit to Atlanta with a Thursday night game against the Braves. Dustin May will make the start for the Cardinals. Atlanta has not yet named their starter for Thursday’s game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15pm central time with the game TV broadcast being handled by Cardinals.tv.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers dives into third base safe against the Athletics in the top of the seventh inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on June 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a bullpen game for the Dodgers, as they look to sweep the Athletics on Wednesday.
Updated lineup:
Ohtani DH Pages CF Freeman 1B Muncy 3B Tucker RF Edman LF Freeland 2B Rojas SS Robinson C Dreyer P https://t.co/UlBcs54qNP
Will Smith remains on the IL because of a neck injury. (Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)
The first half of the season will conclude with Will Smith in the same place he has been for the last month: the injured list.
The Dodgers’ three-time All-Star catcher has been on the IL since June 8 because of what the Dodgers list as neck inflammation. Smith said he had been diagnosed with an inflamed disk.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he “just can’t see any world” in which Smith would return before the All-Star break, which concludes July 16.
“It’s certainly longer, I know, than all of us expected,” Roberts said. “But I don’t think it’s anything real, kind of affecting-the-season type thing.”
Roberts said Smith has not been able to accelerate his rehabilitation to the point of doing baseball activities.
Dalton Rushing, who has taken over as the Dodgers’ primary catcher in Smith’s absence, is batting .213 with one home run and 19 strikeouts in 18 games while Smith has been on the injured list. The Dodgers gave Rushing the day off Wednesday.
The Dodgers were 14-6 with Smith on the IL entering play Wednesday.
Also Wednesday, the team scratched shortstop Mookie Betts from the starting lineup because of a sore right wrist.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero has become the youngest player since at least 1900 to homer in six straight games.
Caminero hit a 425-foot shot to left off Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo in the first inning on Wednesday night for his 24th homer of the season. The Rays star will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Sunday.
The youngest player before Caminero to homer in six straight games was Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr., who did it at the age of 23 in 1993.
The only other players since 1900 to homer in as many as five consecutive games before their 23rd birthday were San Francisco’s Jack Clark in 1978, Atlanta’s Brian McCann in 2006 and Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. in 2018.
Caminero becomes the first player to homer in six straight games since Rafael Devers did it for Boston in May 2024. Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber, Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson and the Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami had all homered in five straight games this season.
The only other Tampa Bay player ever to go deep in six straight games was Carlos Pena in June 2010, according to Sportradar.
Caminero has eight homers over his last six games. He began this stretch by going deep three times in a 13-2 victory over Kansas City on Thursday.
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 17: A general view of Chase Field during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants conclude this three-game road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Trevor McDonald, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.94 ERA, 4.01 FIP, with 45 strikeouts to 19 walks in 51 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday, in which he allowed three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
He’ll be facing off against Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen, who enters tonight’s game with a 6.15 ERA, 5.24 FIP, with 52 strikeouts to 27 walks in 86.1 innings pitched. His last start was in the Diamondbacks’ 6-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, in which he allowed five runs on four hits with two walks in six and two thirds innings.
Brandon Pfaadt gave the Snakes everything they could have asked for yesterday. Despite having a modest pitch count limit, Pfaadt spared the bullpen any undue stress. He completed five innings and allowed only one run. Additionally, Max Kepler finally showed up for a game, the first time since joining the Diamondbacks. Now, the Diamondbacks will look to remain perfect against the Giants in 2026, running their streak against the Bay Area team to nine games.
Will the real Zac Gallen please stand up? Sadly, there is a very good chance that we have been seeing the real Zac Gallen. Gallen’s last outing was a mixed bag. Had Torey Lovullo not sent Gallen back out for the seventh inning, he pitches a quality start. But, Gallen’s first inning was atrocious, matched and surpassed by just how bad his abbreviated seventh was. With the Giants reeling and the Diamondbacks enjoying some home cooking, this is the time for Zac Gallen to keep the good times rolling. A strong start from Gallen helps the Diamondbacks with their momentum. It will also keep the Diamondbacks above .500, an important bellwether mark for the upcoming trade deadline.
More than 50 years after leading the White Sox to the 1972 AL West title, Dick Allen continues to inspire a new generation of fans through the documentary series "My Father, Dick Allen." | (Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
Once upon a time, the Chicago White Sox endured a dreadful season, losing more than 100 games, finishing an appalling 42 games out of first place in the division, and drawing less than 500,000 fans all season. From the doldrums, the team ascended from Baseball Hell and re-established the White Sox as a competitive team, leading to a winning season and a reinvigorated fanbase. Sound familiar?
The parallels between the 1972 Chicago White Sox and the current team are many. Still, unlike the roster-wide juggernaut currently working its way into the All-Star Break with a winning record and sole possession of first place, the former team was carried on the back of a single prodigious player.
I had the honor of being invited to a special screening of “My Father, Dick Allen,” a five-part documentary series that chronicles Allen’s life, career, and overdue posthumous induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I wasn’t alive for Allen’s baseball career, so I called my dad, a lifelong White Sox fan, and asked what he remembered about him.
“Dick Allen was one of my favorite players!” he answered.
Naturally, I had Dad accompany me to the screening at The Chicago History Museum. After collecting our Cracker Jacks, we fangirled over resident South Side Queen Nancy Faust (as per usual) and sang along quietly to “Rosanna,” by Toto, a classic Nancy tune.
The night was emceed by five-time Emmy-winning broadcaster and living legend Kenny McReynolds, whose profound baseball wisdom was on display in real time. Also in attendance was Allen’s teammate (and seemingly his biggest fan besides McReynolds), Rich “Goose” Gossage. Ferguson Jenkins, who played with Dick in Little Rock for the Philadelphia Phillies’ minor league affiliate, The Travelers, was also on the post-screening panel. John Owens, who penned the book “Chili Dog MVP,” which tells the story of the 1972 White Sox and Allen’s impact on the team, and serves as the foundation for the documentary series, was also on the panel along with fellow writer David Fletcher.
The most special guest was Dick Allen Jr., also known as “Doobie,” a nickname affectionately given to him by his father. The story of his father and his life in baseball is told through his eyes, and shortly after the screening began, I learned that Dick Allen, the person, was even more important than Dick Allen, the player.
Yes, Dick Allen, the player, saved the White Sox in 1972, so he, too, is of great importance. His genuine nature, unwillingness to be anyone other than himself, and his pure strength of will are the stuff of legends, and that’s not even mentioning the man’s fabled forearms. As talented as Allen was, the real celebration lies in his lifetime of being himself through the trials and tribulations of a true baseball pioneer.
The screening covered two episodes of the docuseries: first, his early life and the beginning of his baseball career; then, a jump to episode five, covering Allen’s time on the South Side.
Dick and his family grew up in Wampum, Pennsylvania, and by high school, he and his five brothers were already making tracks in sports, both in baseball and basketball. Wampum was integrated, and Allen’s experience growing up hadn’t prepared him for the prejudice and intolerance he’d soon face in his career.
In 1963, Allen became the first African American player on the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. Although Jackie Robinson paved the way for Black players two decades before Allen was signed, he was still subject to unjust treatment.
Imagine being as talented as Allen and playing unyieldingly with your team, but not being allowed to stay at the same hotel or eat at the same restaurants as your teammates. Through death threats, intimidation, harassment, heckling, and worse, Allen shone. He was voted the International League’s Most Valuable Player.
Allen’s first full season in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies remains one of the most distinguished rookie seasons of all time for any player. He led the MLB in runs, triples, extra-base hits, and total bases, and also in errors, still being green at his new position as third baseman. Here was a man who could adapt to any spot they placed him — a truly elite athlete.
Despite his Rookie of the Year title, Allen still endured worsening adversity. During his time in Philadelphia, which spanned five seasons, he averaged 20 home runs and 90 RBIs per season. His impressive lines in Philly didn’t make his career a walk around the baseball diamond, however.
“When Dad began to speak out against the racism he experienced at the ballpark and in the city of Philadelphia, his situation became worse,” Allen Jr. wrote. “Our family was subjected to some pretty unfortunate things, too, like having trash thrown on our front lawn, or having to hear the nasty boos when we went to the ballpark to watch Dad play. Although he pleaded with the Phillies to trade him to another team, they refused because Dad was their best player. The longer he stayed with the Phillies, the more he spoke out against the racism he experienced.”
Allen had initially withstood verbal jeers and threats, but after speaking out about the racism he’d endured in Philadelphia, it grew worse instead of better. Phillies fans threw fruit, ice, trash, and even flashlight batteries at his head, but the physical abuse wasn’t enough to make him quit. He simply wore his batting helmet when taking his eventual position in left field, like an absolute boss, and challenged the racist abuse with an even louder voice, always trying to shine a light on the truth of his experience.
In 1969, Allen was finally traded to the St. Louis Cardinals and found some respite from the unjust harassment. After time on the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland A’s, he was eventually traded to the Chicago White Sox in December of 1971.
The myth of Allen being “difficult” to work with was perpetuated by the racism he’d had to endure since the start of his career. White Sox manager Chuck Tanner had a special relationship with Allen and nurtured his talent, permanently placing him at first base so he could focus on his offense, which paid off. That year, Allen led the American League in home runs, RBIs, walks, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS, winning him the AL MVP. That was also the year he single-handedly saved the Chicago White Sox.
The most memorable Allen game in 1972 was the fabled “Chili Dog Game”. During the second game of a doubleheader on June 4, 1972, Dick Allen was called up to the plate to pinch-hit. Tanner had given him the second game of the day to rest, as he’d played in every single game the entire season up to that point. Over 51,000 White Sox fans were in attendance, with standing room only, as fans illegally sat on stairways to catch a glimpse of greatness; more than 8,000 additional fans were unable to gain access to the ballpark. That game broke an 18-year attendance record, and most of the fans were there to witness a piece of Allen’s record-breaking season.
Tanner was saving Allen for late-inning heroics, much to the chagrin of White Sox owner John Allyn, who wanted to give fans of the beloved Allen a show.
It was the bottom of the ninth inning, and the White Sox were losing 4-2 to the despised New York Yankees. Tanner was waiting for a couple of runners to be aboard, and the time had come after Beltin’ Bill Melton walked, and Mike Andrews singled. He made the call for Allen.
But he wasn’t ready. Allen was eating a chili dog when he realized that Tanner had summoned him, and he wasn’t being careful, either.
“I had chili all over my shirt, so I put on a new one and a pair of pants with no underclothes,” Allen remembered in an interview.
Allen ambled out with his heavier-than-heavy bat. He took a strike, then a ball, and then proceeded to launch a 370-footer into the stands for the ninth walk-off dinger of his career, winning the game for the South Siders. The electric crowd remained in the stands long after the game was over. And thus, the Chili Dog Game became legend.
Unfortunately, some legends take a long time to be cemented into history. The important part of Allen Jr.’s story lies in his efforts to get his dad inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Regardless of how beloved Allen was by his teammates and those who had the privilege of watching him play, his achievements were muddied by the negative spin the press had put on his career. Despite being the highest-paid player who broke record after record, and despite the deep admiration from his teammates and players from around the league, Allen always had to fight to be seen. In 1994, writer Bill James wrote that Allen “did more to keep his teams from winning than anyone else who ever played Major League Baseball. And if that’s a Hall of Famer, I’m a lug nut.”
Well, Bill, you lugnut, thanks for your lousy non-contribution.
Allen was celebrated as a leader, a cornerstone, a genuine, funny, loving, caring guy who tried his hardest to be the best he could be. He wasn’t just a larger-than-life baseball star. He knew his worth and fought for himself, leaving an example for generations to look up to when they’re struggling with their own self-worth and feel an urge to make themselves smaller to avoid controversy. It wasn’t just his teammates who knew this about him, either. He cared for his family, his rivals, his friends, and his fans, and with profound humility. Yet, the uphill battle to get Allen the spot in the Hall of Fame that he deserved was anything but easy.
Over 50 years after his career ended, Dick Allen was inducted into the Hall of Fame, where he belongs. “My Father, Dick Allen” covers this journey in a reverent, real, and fascinating way. I hope you get the privilege to see it soon.
Dick Allen was always a Hall-of-Fame player, despite the long road to get there. There is so much more to this epic story that I couldn’t cover here, so if you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and pick up “Chili Dog MVP” by John Owens and Dr. David Fletcher. Note:I purchased this book and am not being incentivized to endorse it.
After learning about Allen from those who knew him best, it’s easy to see why he is a fan favorite to this day. In honor of him, and one of his best quotes, I will now accept the inherited mantle of hating the Phillies.
“I’ll play first, third, left. I’ll play anywhere — except Philadelphia.” — Dick Allen Source: The Sporting News (April 11, 1970)
Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli has apologized for his comment toward Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras on Tuesday that incited a benches-clearing scrum.
Cavalli shouted, “Sit down, boy,” at Contreras after striking him out looking in the fourth inning of the Nationals’ 8-1 win.
“I’m extremely torn up about the way things were perceived. Obviously, there was no ill intention behind that,” Cavalli told reporters Wednesday.
Cade Cavalli (front right) is held back as tempers flare during the fourth inning of the Nationals’ 8-1 win over the Red Sox on June 30, 2026 in Boston. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
Cavalli is referring to the racist connotations of the term “boy” in the United States. Contreras, who is Venezuelan, said Tuesday he would “let MLB handle that” when asked postgame if he felt there were racist undertones to Cavalli’s comment.
“There’s a history behind that word, and that’s just something that as a competitor, like in football or basketball, playing whiffle ball with my brother, you don’t understand it. And then it gets perceived in a way that was not my intention, and then you learn from that,” Cavalli said.
“It’ll never happen again.”
Cavalli said he was unaware of the controversy he’d stirred until he returned to the team hotel.
“I looked at my phone, and I saw what people were saying about me,” the right-hander said. “Saw how torn up my wife was. It hurt my heart … because I know that people know me, and they know my character, and that’s not me. So it was hard. I truly didn’t sleep last night.”
Boston first baseman Willson Contreras (40) gets into an altercation in the fourth inning of the Red Sox’s loss to the Nationals on June 30, 2026. Jaiden Tripi-Imagn Images
Contreras yelled back, “Are you talking to me?” after Cavalli’s comment as he was walking back to the dugout. Contreras then charged the mound after words were exchanged and tried to throw his helmet at Cavalli over a group of players stopping him before he got to the pitcher.
The incident was brief, but resulted in the ejections of Contreras, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy, Red Sox outfielder Nate Eaton and Nationals pitcher Miles Mikolas.
Cavalli said he hadn’t yet personally apologized to Contreras but hoped he would hear his message.
“I hope that he hears this and understands that was not what was intended at all. I think he knows that. But if I see him, I want to make sure that he knows that,” Cavalli added.
Jun 20, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Well, the A’s have one final chance to get a W against the reigning champion Dodgers after dropping the first two games of the series. Neither loss was especially close so now the A’s will have to do a complete 180 if they want to salvage a single game against our Southern California rivals. Hopefully they can end the series with a win and notch their 41st of the season.
Taking the ball today for the good guys will be right-handed J.T. Ginn. The righty comes into tonight’s contest with a solid 3.15 ERA on the year, good for 7th in the American League. He hasn’t been quite as dominant his last two trips to the mound but he posted solid enough starts against the Angels that he could have earned a pair of wins. Instead he split those contests. With the All-Star Game quickly approaching Ginn probably needs a couple more strong starts to really put himself into the middle of the debate when it comes to the pitching staff for the Junior Circuit in this year’s Midsummer Classic. Can Ginn conquer a mighty Dodgers lineup that has put up 18 runs in the first two games against our A’s?
Here’s how the A’s will lineup for tonight’s series finale:
Typical top of the order for the A’s right now; DH Shea leadoff, Kurtz behind him, followed by Colby Thomas and Jonah Heim (tonight’s catcher).
Infield prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer gets his first start at the hot corner tonight in place of Max Muncy, who heads to the bench. And he’ll also rise up the batting order to the fifth spot. Butler and Bolte are behind him, followed by the middle infield duo of Jeff McNeil and Alika Williams.
The A’s are getting a bit lucky tonight regarding the Dodgers’ starting pitcher plans. It was originally going to be superstar Shohei Ohtani on the bump for Los Angeles this evening, but with them cruising to the postseason they’ve decided to push his start back, giving him an extra breather during the course of a long season he has double duties. Instead it’ll be a bullpen game for the Dodgers, so hopefully A’s batters have done some homework on the LA relief corps. Lefty Jack Dreyer will start things off for LA, likely only for the first inning.
And the Dodgers’ starting nine this evening:
Updated lineup:
Ohtani DH Pages CF Freeman 1B Muncy 3B Tucker RF Edman LF Freeland 2B Rojas SS Robinson C Dreyer P https://t.co/UlBcs54qNP
Looks like the A’s are getting another break. After originally being penciled into tonight’s starting lineup Mookie Betts will instead head to the bench, giving veteran Miguel Rojas the start at shortstop in the series finale. Still plenty of dangerous hitters in the lineup but at least Ginn will have one less bat to worry about.
Getting desperate. Can we finally end the skid and get a big bounce back victory to wrap the series? Time to find out. Let’s go A’s!
WEST SACRAMENTO — Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was scratched from the team’s lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Athletics shortly before first pitch because of right wrist soreness, manager Dave Roberts said.
However, Roberts said the issue is believed to be minor, and that Betts should be back in the Dodgers’ lineup on Thursday.
Betts arrived at the ballpark Wednesday dealing with soreness and a lack of strength in his wrist, prompting the Dodgers to “err on the side of caution,” Roberts said, and remove him from the lineup.
Mookie Betts has been playing better lately and had a nice series against the Padres. AP
The setback came at an inopportune time for Betts, who was just starting to rediscover his swing after missing a month earlier this year with an oblique strain.
Entering Wednesday, Betts was hitting .373 over his last 16 games with five home runs, four doubles and 11 RBIs.
During that time, he had raised his season batting average from .181 to .244 and his OPS from .591 to .744.
He had also been playing standout shortstop, ranking second at the position with eight defensive runs saved.
Betts was removed from the starting lineup against the Athletics after experiencing wrist soreness. AP Photo/Matt Krohn
With Betts out Wednesday, Miguel Rojas was inserted into the lineup in his place.
That wasn’t the only discouraging injury news out of the Dodgers on Wednesday, with Roberts also saying that catcher Will Smith is unlikely to return before the All-Star break. Smith has been out since June 5 with a neck injury that was initially expected to be short term but is now set to sideline him for well over a month.
Roberts maintained the Dodgers’ belief that Smith’s issue — which the catcher described as an inflamed disk in his neck when he first went on the injured list — won’t be too long term but acknowledged surprise at what is already becoming an extended timeline to return.
“It’s certainly longer than I know was expected,” he said, “but I don’t think it’s an affecting-the-season type of thing.”
New York Yankees Aaron Judge in dugout when the New York Yankees played the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. (Robert Sabo for...
Still weeks away from even getting more imaging of his rib, Aaron Judge has had plenty of time to watch the Yankees from the dugout over the past month.
In the past week in particular, which Judge kindly described as “not great,” the captain was more pointed in his diagnosis of what has gone wrong during a losing streak that hit seven games on Wednesday afternoon.
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“Just a little lack of focus,” Judge said Wednesday morning before a 6-2 loss to the Tigers while speaking to reporters for the first time since the day he went on the injured list. “Just got to dial it in. Our ultimate goal is to win a World Series. I think guys just got to remember that every single day they show up here. We’re here to win a World Series. That’s your motivation every single day you step on that field, no matter what happens. No matter what happened the day before, I got a job to do.
“We have an important sign when you walk out on that field, it’s the last sign you see before you go out there. It says, ‘Do your job.’ Guys just got to do their job.”
Aside from his responsibilities as captain, it remains a major question as to when Judge will be able to do his job again. The back-to-back AL MVP declined to share even how he was feeling, deferring until he gets more tests on his right rib, which still appears to be weeks away from happening — and that is just to potentially clear him to start ramping up.
“I’ll give you a good update when we get some imaging and we’ll go from there,” Judge said. “There’s no need to talk about this now. I know it’s an important topic and a big issue, but I want to give you guys the full story, so why give you guys something now when we can get you everything here soon?”
Yankees Aaron Judge in dugout when the New York Yankees played the Detroit Tigers Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The Yankees need him back badly, though their problems go beyond just his absence. They have scored just 17 runs on 31 hits while committing 10 errors that have led to a total of 17 unearned runs. By just about every facet of the game, the Yankees have been bad.
A few days before the brutal stretch began, there was also Jazz Chisholm Jr. sucking on a Blow Pop while playing second base for an inning in Detroit, and then getting thrown out of Sunday’s game after arguing and spiking his helmet over a check-swing call he did not agree with.
Yankees pitcher Camilo Doval reacts after catcher Ali Sánchez makes a throwing error, allowing a run to score during the 11th inning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Judge indicated he has addressed the lack of focus “with a couple guys, but we’ll be talking here as a bigger group soon.” He declined to get specific when asked about how he was seeing it play out.
“I think you guys see it,” he said. “There’s a couple things. But we don’t need to get into that.”
Aaron Boone acknowledged again that it has been a “terrible week” but did not seem to agree that a lack of focus has been the root of the problems.
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“I think when we’re right, we’re a quality team in those areas where we’ve made some errors this week and let some unearned runs go,” Boone said. “I think moving forward, that should be the case. There’s a little bit of a product of us having some important guys [out] around Judgey that settle us especially defensively and some of the little things, so guys are moving around a little bit, so I think that’s factored in.
“But no, individually speaking, I feel like guys are in the right frame of mind.”
Judge said that being sidelined during this stretch in particular has been “the worst” because he can’t be going through it with his teammates on the field.
“I hate missing games, but I hate missing it in times where things aren’t going your way,” he said. “That’s when I want to be out there. I want to be grinding with the guys and be part of the solution to get us back where we need to be.”
Going up against the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Peralta lasted just four innings, allowing five runs in the Mets' 9-3 loss up in Toronto. The outing raised Peralta's ERA to 4.81 and WHIP to 1.416 and continued his disappointing season with the Mets.
The Mets traded for Peralta this past offseason, hoping he'd be the ace of the staff. What they got has been an inconsistent starter, and someone who has not pitched anywhere close to the 2.70 ERA, 1.075 WHIP ace the Brewers had a season ago.
For Wednesday's start, specifically, Peralta's fastball command was just not there. He walked three batters, the most he's allowed since the six-walk start against the Yankees on May 17, and when he did find the zone, the Jays were all over it.
"I know we all want him to go out there and dominate like we believe he can," interim manager Andy Green said after the game. "For us, it’s just a matter of getting the fastball where he knows he wins. He’s been winning there for a long time in the big leagues. And he knows how he’s good, why he’s good and we all know it. It’s just a matter of going out there and executing.”
“At some point, I can’t tell if I lose the command a little bit, but I think everything starts with the walk with the first hitter of the inning," Peralta said of his fastball command. "The plan was good. It just…it happens. I can’t control it, I just need to be better, execute better. Have to check and see what’s going on. I’ve been getting some work with people I need to work with. Just have to put everything together and wait for the best."
Peralta was visibly frustrated on the mound and in the dugout during the game. When he dialed up his fastball to 99 mph to get the final out in the first inning and limit the damage to just one run, Peralta could be seen talking to himself and clenching his fists.
He was asked after the game how he was feeling, and the right-hander was candid.
"Not good," Peralta said. "I don’t feel good, but just try to come back and make the adjustment."
Peralta was asked if he feels this is the roughest stretch of his career, and he answered: "probably, yes."
What's especially frustrating for Peralta is that his velocity, the movement of his pitches and his mechanics are right where it needs to be, but he can't explain what's happening to him.
"I understand the game, and all that. But sometimes what I do is my best every day. I prepare to have success, but sometimes," Peralta said before pausing. "It’s crazy is the word I can describe it right now."
Peralta is in the final year of his contract and could potentially be a trade piece if the Mets decide to become sellers at the Aug. 3 trade deadline. But if the Mets go down that route and hope to get a decent return, they need Peralta to become more consistent.
DENVER, CO - JUNE 24: Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field on June 24, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies have had a rough go so far in the series against the Miami Marlins. Pitching has been hit particularly hard, giving up 24 runs over the firsttwo games of the series. Entering game three, the Rockies will look to get back on track behind their veteran starting pitcher.
Kyle Freeland (1-7, 7.50 ERA) makes his 15th start of the season for the Rockies. Freeland gave up a lot of contact in his last start against the Boston Red Sox at Coors Field. Freeland grinded out six innings, giving up six runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts and one walk on 81 pitches. Boston was aggressive against Freeland and continued to string together hits and did damage with a pair of home runs. He gave up six runs in three of his five starts in June while working at least five innings each time. Since returning from his shoulder injury on April 28, he has given up six or more runs in a start seven times. He has historically done well against the Marlins, owning a 3.80 ERA over 10 appearances, but the Marlins this season are a contact-heavy team, which could prove troublesome for the veteran lefty.
The Marlins will send out right-handed starter Max Meyer (9-0, 2.60 ERA) for his 18th start of the year. Meyer has been excellent for the Marlins this season with his consistent dominance on the mound. He allowed just six runs in 30.1 innings over the course of five June starts. His last outing came in St. Louis, where he tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits. He will typically give up a couple of walks, but generally pounds the zone and will collect strikeouts. He has just one game this season where he struck out fewer than five batters. He has made three starts against the Rockies in his career, posting a 6.60 ERA over 15 innings. In his lone start at Coors Field, he allowed five runs over five innings.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 25: Tatsuya Imai #45 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the bottom of the first inning at Comerica Park on June 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (43-45) will play another rubber game tonight as they conclude their three game series with the visiting Minnesota Twins (41-46) at Daikin Park.
RHP Tatsuya Imai (5-3, 5.36 ERA), who’s won three straight decisions, will get the start for the Astros tonight opposite RHP Taj Bradley (6-3, 3.98 ERA) and the Twins.
ABOUT IMAI: RHP Tatsuya Imai joined the Astros this offseason as an international signing out of Japan. He’s made 11 MLB starts this year, in which the Astros have gone 7-4, around a month-long IL stint (April 13-May 10). He’s flashed brilliance at times, including his 10-strikeout performance his last time out at DET (6IP), and his 6.0 innings of no-hit ball on May 25 at TEX. Imai has won his last three straight decisions over his last four starts.
RECENT ‘STROS: The Astros have won six of eight, seven of 10, and are 10-4 in their last 14 games. The Astros 16-11 record in June tied as the best in the AL, along with their rival Rangers.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Astros have won five consecutive series dating back to June 12. The last time the Astros won five straight series was from June 20-July 6 of last season (went 12-3 in that stretch). They are looking for their first six-series winning streak since June 14-July 4, 2024.
ANOTHER ALVAREZ?!: Astros top prospect OF Kevin Alvarez has been selected to play in the 2026 All-Star Futures Game, which will be played on July 12 in Philadelphia. Alvarez, 18, who currently ranks as the 70th overall prospect in baseball per MLB.com, has played this season at Class A Fayetteville, hitting .266 (59×222) with 16 doubles, six homers and 30 RBI in 55 games.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVE: The Astros have nullified the optional assignment for RHP Kai-Wei Teng and have placed him on the Major League 15-day Injured List with a right knee sprain. His IL placement is effective Sunday, June 28.
JUNE BUGS: The Astros went 16-11 in June thanks to strong June performances by:
SALAMI SEASON: DH Yordan Alvarez hit the seventh grand slam of his career last night, which ties the club record also reached by 2B Jose Altuve, 3B Alex Bregman and LF Carlos Lee. Last night’s slam was Alvarez’s third of the season, which also ties the franchise record for grand slams in a single year, also reached by Bregman (2023), Altuve (2021) and OF George Springer (2016).
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 2-0 with eight saves (in eight chances) and a 0.69 ERA (1ER/13IP) in 13 appearances this season. He has 21 strikeouts in his 13.0 innings with a .049 (2×41) opponent average and a 0.54 WHIP. Hader has not allowed a hit in six consecutive appearances (6IP since June 21).
TAP FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 63 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (61%). 3B Isaac Paredes (9-for-9) has the most successful challenges in the Majors without losing one. 2B Jose Altuve has been successful on 15-of-21 challenges (71%), ranking second in the Majors in challenges won.
OUT ON ASSIGNMENT: The Astros have several players out on minor league rehab assignments:
• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) will start tonight for Double A Corpus Christi at NW Arkansas in what is his third minor league rehab start.
• RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) will make his second rehab start for Triple A Sugar Land tonight in their game at OKC.
• RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) began his minor league rehab assignment yesterday for the FCL Astros, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings on 25 pitches.
• IF Braden Shewmake (rt. adductor strain) will have his rehab assignment transferred to Triple A today.
• OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (rt. hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment at Triple A last night, going 1×3 with a walk in a start at first base.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Wednesday, July 1, 7:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: SCHN
Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
