Jul 17, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Victor Mederos (58) celebrates with catcher Joey Bart (16) after a victory over the Texas Rangers at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Braves opened up the second half of the 2026 season on a high note, defeating the Texas Rangers 15-1. Chris Sale got the start and was magnificent, going seven innings and allowing just two hits. He also recorded his 2,700th career strikeout.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Willson Contreras #40 of the Boston Red Sox reacts before competing during the semifinals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA — The MLB All-Star Game had not been as close to Boston as this season since Washington D.C. hosted in 2018, which was also known as a year to remember for Red Sox Nation.
Given the uncertainty of when Fenway Park will next host and the America 250 historical angle of this year’s Midsummer Classic, I decided to make the trip down I-95 to take in the festivities for the first time. Not at the game, but at FanFest and a watch party across from Citizens Bank Park.
Here are the Red Sox-related takeaways from the Philadelphia visit:n
1. JERSEY WATCH
There were plenty of Red Sox fans strolling around the South Philadelphia Sports Complex before Tuesday’s contest, which is understandable given the relatively close proximity between the two cities.
The best Red Sox spotted jerseys in the wild?
Red Nomar Garciaparra Jersey
Navy Dustin Pedroia Jersey
2008 All-Star Game (Old Yankee Stadium), believe it was David Ortiz?
2. ANDREW MILLER IS STILL REALLY TALL
Boston’s former reliever, most notably traded for Eduardo Rodriguez at the 2014 trade deadline, made the trip with the MLBPA, strolling around the block four hours before first pitch. You’ll always remember his extension in his delivery, but he certainly stuck out at six-foot-seven.
3. THE RED SOX RETURN TO HOME RUN DERBY
Willson Contreras knows how to work a crowd and perform while doing it. The Red Sox have seen it all year long in his first season with the team. A whole new audience got that during the Home Run Derby when he slugged 21 total homers, including a 490-foot titantic blast, that left him just short of a trip to the finals.
Given that the Red Sox hadn’t produced any derby participants since David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez in 2011, Boston’s return to the event came in refreshing fashion thanks to the team’s undisputed first-half MVP.
Oh, and he did all of that with a suspension to finish serving Friday.
4. LET CHAPMAN CLOSE!
Aroldis Chapman got the ball for the ninth inning to lock down the American League’s shutout win, though he did not get the final out. AL and Blue Jays manager John Schneider came to get Chapman with two outs in the ninth to get Rays reliever Bryan Baker into the game to give another pitcher a chance to participate as an All-Star.
I get the gesture and respect it, but just let Chapman finish it.
As Major League Baseball trade deadlines go, this might be the Jaguars-Cardinals Super Bowl of the genre.
With at least 21 teams in contention, the uncertainty of a looming lockout and a tepid pool of tentatively available players, the annual trade bonanza is more like celebrating America 250 with a pack of damp Sparklers.
Alas, the trade deadline industrial complex must be filled, even as the pool of available players will recede and fill with every three-game sweep, and every calamitous injury. With that, here are the top 25 potentially targetable talents, based on their possible impact, the likelihood of their availability and the fit of their contracts:
There he is, the perfect trade deadline candidate: A man on an expiring contract playing for a terrible team and enjoying a career year – what’s not to love? While Arraez noted he would not like to move off second base after doggedly improving to Gold Glove caliber this year, his tune might change once he realizes he has plenty of equity to take into the offseason. The three-time batting champ has, thanks to his viability at second, amassed 3.1 WAR and has a 136 adjusted OPS despite just four homers. Immediate lineup punch for a team in need.
2. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets
Since June 1, Weaver has given up two hits and zero earned runs across 14 appearances, with a 19-3 strikeout walk ratio. He served as Yankees closer all the way through the 2024 World Series and can fill any role in a club’s bullpen. At $8 million this year and $11 million in 2027, he’s a reasonable get. The only question is whether the Mets will want to hang on to him for their hoped-for 2027 renaissance.
3. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants
It’s been five years since Ray struck out 248 and won the AL Cy Young Award; now, he’s averaging just 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. But the man posted a 3.38 first-half ERA and had two starts of eight scoreless innings. And a 41-55 team went 12-7 in his starts. Perfect lefty starter rental.
4. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals
If not for his limited no-trade protection, Wacha might top this list, given the Royals’ 38-59 record and his All-Star season. Simply, no one’s getting deeper into games – and with a 1.19 WHIP – than Wacha, who is guaranteed a reasonable $15 million in 2027.
5. Mason Miller, RP, Padres
Volatile one, this. The Padres remain a sellout machine and are just 3½ games out of a wild card spot. And a pending sale of the club should be finalized soon. From an “optics” standpoint, not the best time to trade the most dominant closer in baseball. But AJ Preller usually has five or six next steps in mind when he does a deal, and Miller would still fetch a significant return – perhaps better than the Padres having to deal top prospect Leo DeVries to the A’s to get him.
6. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds
Definitely checks the "his team will be sellers" and "he’s a pending free agent" boxes. Ty Steve has just six homers and an 88 adjusted OPS this season but did smack 19 homers last year and would bring far more offensive upside than your typical catcher on the move at the deadline.
7. Foster Griffin, SP, Nationals
Another tricky one. Griffin has been the biggest coup for the new-look Nationals front office, unleashing his eight-pitch mix on hitters after three years in Japan and winning 10 games with a 2.77 ERA, earning a most unlikely All-Star nod. Even more surprising: The Nationals were near or above .500 most of the first half, generating some buzz that they might actually buy at the deadline. But they hit the break coming off a sweep at the hands of the Yankees, and reality might further intrude these next three weeks. Trading Griffin would allow the Nats to split the baby, in a sense: Getting back a potentially very good return for a difference-making lefty, while holding on to All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams and not further depressing a fan base that’s lived through six consecutive losing seasons.
8. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies
Dealing McCarthy would fulfill a successful first stage for the Paul DePodesta Regime: Collecting veterans, pumping their trade value and getting assets in return. Never mind Coors Field, McCarthy’s adjusted OPS is 23% above league average and offers significant value as a lefty bat who’s manned all three outfield spots this season.
9. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers
Here’s how the Tigers start the second half: At Angels, at Cubs, Royals, Orioles and then a trip to Yolo County to face the Athletics just before the deadline. A nice formula to jump right back in the race and thus decrease the likelihood Skubal gets dealt. It doesn’t hurt that the Tigers have a pair of races to attack – the AL Central (6½ out) and wild card (3½ out).
A few hurdles here: Arizona must further fade from contention. Rodriguez, fresh off an All-Star appearance, can block trades to 10 teams. And he’s had a good first half yet is still owed $19 million in 2027, and a $17 million 2028 option can vest after just 36 more innings pitched this year. A lot of what-ifs for a pitcher often wracked by injury, but Rodriguez is throwing the ball very well right now and could make a postseason difference for somebody, perhaps if Arizona kicks in a little cash for ‘27.
11. Dustin May, SP, Cardinals
A pretty low-risk add for a contender, May nearly no-hit the Padres, then had a pair of blow-up starts, but he’s essentially providing a quality start (4.55 ERA) out of his spot in St. Louis’ rotation. Not the flame-throwing prodigy once in the Dodgers’ system, but May is more reliable now and is owed only a $500,000 buyout after this season.
12. Devin Williams, RP, Mets
He hasn’t been great this year but performed serviceably of late, with six saves in his past eight chances and a 3.07 ERA. Not great, and then he’s owed $30 million the next two seasons. Yet just imagine how many clubs will be seeking competent bullpen help.
13. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies
The Rockies’ 1A outfield trade chip behind McCarthy, Moniak offers less defense but decent pop from the left side, with 15 homers in just 209 at-bats.
14. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals
Nootbaar wasn’t a part of the Cardinals’ surprise early season surge in this supposed rebuilding year, missing the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels. And he’s been fine in his return, OPS-ing .778 as he gets up to speed. But Nootbaar already doesn’t play against lefties, and as a free agent after 2027, he doesn’t necessarily fit the Cardinals’ timeline for earnest contention. He’d be a nice clubhouse and on-field addition for a club seeking a lefty-swinging outfielder, and the Cardinals could both open up plate appearances for younger players and still try to contend by dealing him.
15. Bo Bichette, INF, Mets
Let’s be up front about this: Bichette has a full no-trade clause, giving him control over basically every lever in the three-year, $142 million deal he signed with New York, a pact that includes opt-outs in 2027 and 2028. Yep, he’s in a great spot: Hit the market again next winter or collect $42 million after a season in which he’s produced an 88 adjusted OPS and a .300 OBP. So why would a team acquire him? Well, the dude can still rake and given a fresh start could go win someone a World Series. But so many what-ifs: Bichette green-lighting a deal, and a team willing to take on a potentially huge salary the following two seasons. The upside: Bichette’s still a really great hitter in a league with few of them.
16. Spencer Steer, 1B, Reds
After an uneven first half (he batted .159 with a .629 OPS in June), Steer has surged nicely to bump his home run total to 14 and OPS to .749. The Reds are one of just a few sellers and Steer’s multi-positional magic will be a nice selling point to contenders.
17. Peter Lambert, SP, Astros
A really nice find for the Astros after Lambert spent 2025 in Tokyo with the Yakult Swallows, he kept their rotation afloat the entire first half, with a 3.14 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 15 starts. For now, Houston is intent on adding but come Aug. 3, the Astros could be staring at too high a climb for either division or wild card. Lambert can help someone immediately.
18. Luis Garcia, 1B-2B-DH, Nationals
The above caveats with Griffin largely also apply to Garcia, though he has one more year before free agency, potentially enhancing his value. Garcia’s slow rise with the Nationals finally gave way to a career year, with 20 homers and an .871 OPS, justifying his move to first base. Would be a nice stealthy power bat for a contender to add, and a great sell-high scenario for Washington.
19. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals
He was a nice cog in the Brewers’ NLCS club last year and then got dealt to the Royals, where he’s been perfectly fine (five homers, .345 OBP, 103 adjusted OPS). Yeah, that’s kind of what you get with Collins, but a competent switch-hitting outfielder should have several teams (Phillies, anyone?) interested.
20. Jonathan Loaisiga, RP, Diamondbacks
The former Yankee late-inning guy has, after three injury-wracked seasons, found his groove again in the desert, posting a 0.99 WHIP even as his strikeouts per nine innings (6.3) is far off his 2021 peak (8.8) If the D-backs collapse, closer Paul Sewald should be available too, but his 4.34 FIP is far inferior to Loaisiga’s 2.78.
21. JJ Bleday, OF, Reds
Does Cincinnati buy Bleday’s breakout and view him as a key part of their future? He has two more seasons before free agency, and perhaps the Reds believe in his massive jump in OBP (.294 to .350) and slimmed-down strikeout rate (36.9% to 28%). Conversely, after Bleday hit 16 first-half homers, perhaps this is the ultimate sell-high scenario.
22. Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers
The usual qualifiers that apply to Skubal play here, too. Flaherty didn’t look like he’d have much trade value, his ERA at 5.81 through 12 starts, but he’s figured it out, with a 2.12 ERA and 34-10 strikeout-walk ratio in his past six outings.
23. JT Brubaker, RP, Giants
Hard to believe there’s anything redeemable from the rancid Giants bullpen, but Brubaker has a 2.87 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, though he doesn’t miss many bats. Club could silently score PR points with its base by dealing one of the No-Pride Four.
24. Michael Soroka, SP, Diamondbacks
He hasn’t made more than 17 starts since 2019, but perhaps Soroka’s major health issues are finally behind him. He was just fine through 15 starts in Arizona, posting a 1.09 WHIP. Making just $7.5 million on an expiring contract, so he’s far more easily tradeable than the All-Star Rodriguez.
25. Ty France, 1B, Padres
Signed just as free agency began, France has once again emerged as a handy right-handed bat, with 11 homers and an .815 OPS. He won’t play much else than first these days – he’s logged five innings at third base this season – but got a touch of World Series experience with Toronto last season.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 16: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A day off after having a game will never cease to bother me. Coming out of the All-Star break, you’d think MLB would want one of their top franchises on the broadcast as much as possible, but maybe that’s just me being sensical.
Can the Dodgers count on Smith returning this season? Or do they not know?
“We don’t know,” manager Dave Roberts said, “but we are certainly counting on it.”
They don’t know if Smith will be back, and they almost certainly won’t know by the Aug. 3 trade deadline, which is a little more than two weeks away.
Smith is borderline irreplaceable, as there aren’t many catchers with his offensive profile. His continued absence has placed the Dodgers in a difficult position, as they can’t go into the playoffs with Dalton Rushing as their only viable catcher.
But if president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman trades for a catcher the caliber of, say, Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman, what do they do if Smith returns as expected? Even if Smith doesn’t come back this season, or comes back in a diminished capacity, what would happen next year? Rutschman would still be under team control.
Ben Rortvedt could be a more practical option.
The same Ben Rortvedt who caught games for them in the postseason last year. The same Ben Rortvedt whom they designated for assignment before this season.
Rortvedt, 28, is playing for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse.
He’s familiar with the Dodgers’ pitchers. He wouldn’t cost much to acquire.
If Smith is unable to return soon, the Dodgers will need to acquire another proven catcher before the trade deadline. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
But Rortvedt is extremely limited offensively. He batted .190 for the Dodgers in 18 games last year and is hitting .210 for Syracuse. Kyle Tucker and Mookie Betts better keep hitting if Rortvedt ends up in the Dodgers’ lineup.
The Dodgers are hoping it doesn’t come to that — and for what it’s worth, they don’t think it will.
Roberts said shutting down Smith represented a change in the medical staff’s approach to treating him rather than a worsening of his condition.
“Early on, [we were] trying to get him ready, moving around, doing some baseball stuff,” Roberts said. “But he hasn’t been able to get over the hump.”
Because his physical activity was leading to flareups, the Dodgers wanted to see how he would respond to doing nothing for several days.
Roberts was encouraged by the early report he received from head trainer Thomas Albert.
“He said that Will doesn’t feel any pain,” Roberts said. “Now with that, I think we’re in a much better spot.”
Which doesn’t mean Smith is expected back anytime soon.
“It’s going to be a slow ramp-up,” Roberts said.
In other words, don’t expect Smith back until the end of next month, at the earliest.
“I don’t really know what that really looks like right now,” Roberts said. “So it’s hard to say.”
Just as it’s hard to say how much the Dodgers would be affected if Smith is unavailable in October.
Smith’s even temperament has served him well in critical moments, including in the postseason. His 11th-inning home run provided the Dodgers with the deciding run against the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series. Another one of his homers counted as the go-ahead run in the Dodgers’ Game 2 victory.
He has five career walk-off homers.
In the regular season, he has a career OPS of .928 when hitting in the seventh inning or later with the Dodgers tied, ahead by one run or behind with the tying run at least on deck.
His career OPS: .826.
Once again, the Dodgers are looking at Smith to come up big for them in an important situation. Only this time, their ask is modest. They just need him back on the field. But they can’t count on that at this point, and that makes it necessary for them to start making plans to play their most important games without him.
Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders:W, 7-6 vs. Worcester Red Sox
SS George Lombard Jr. 2-3, HR, BB, RBI, K, throwing error — Welcome back, George! Last played at Triple-A on June 16th, when he suffered the finger sprain LF Duke Ellis 0-0 C J.C. Escarra 1-4, SB CF Spencer Jones 1-4, 2B, RBI 2B Marco Luciano 2-4, 2B, K DH Yanquiel Fernández 1-4, 2 K LF-SS Oswaldo Cabrera 2-4, K, GIDP, picked off 3B Tyler Hardman 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K 1B Ernesto Martinez Jr. 1-4, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 K RF Kenedy Corona 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, K — big three-run bomb
Max Fried 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, HR, WP — rehab start, first appearance on the mound since May 13th in Baltimore (for more on Fried, including comments from the man himself, check out Scott’s article) Yerry De los Santos 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 1 K (Win) Kyle Carr 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, pickoff Kervin Castro 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K (save) — nice conclusion
Double-A Somerset Patriots:W, 7-2 at Portland Sea Dogs
LF Jackson Castillo 1-3, BB, RBI, K, HBP CF Jace Avina 2-5, 2 2B, RBI, SB RF DJ Gladney 0-4, 2 K, HBP 3B Coby Morales 0-3, 2 BB, K, SB DH Miguel Palma 1-4, BB, K 2B Connor McGinnis 2-5, HR, 3 RBI, K, GIDP, SB — drove in first three runs of the game, first with a two-run hit and then a solo shot C Manuel Palencia 1-5, K 1B Josh Moylan 1-4 SS Owen Cobb 1-2, 2 BB, 2 SB
High-A Hudson Valley Renegades: L, 0-4 at Brooklyn Cyclones — shut out on two hits
3B Roderick Arias 0-2, 2 BB, K, SB, fielding error SS Core Jackson 0-3, BB, K C Eric Genther 0-3, SB, HBP 1B Kyle West 0-4, K CF Wilson Rodriguez 0-3, BB, K 2B Enmanuel Tejeda 0-4 DH Josue Gonzalez 0-3, K RF Camden Troyer 0-3, 2 K LF Luis Durango 2-3, K, SB, CS — hey look, it’s the offense!
Bryce Cunningham 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 4 K (loss) Brady Kirtner 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K Tanner Bauman 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 2 K Jack Sokol 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
Low-A Tampa Tarpons:W, 8-5 vs. Bradenton Marauders
SS Jackson Lovich 1-5, HR, RBI, K — 432 feet and 111.2 mph off the bat 2B Hans Montero 2-3, 2B, 2 BB, RBI, 2 SB — put Tarpons ahead in fourth with RBI knock C Luis Puello 1-3, 2B, 2 BB, K, CS 3B Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek 1-4, 2 RBI, SF LF Willy Montero 3-4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, K — 10th homer, 406 feet; three-run shot in the first CF Brando Mayea 1-4, K 1B David McCann 0-3, RBI, 2 K, SF DH Engelth Urena 2-4, 2B, K RF Gabriel Lara 1-4, K, SB, outfield assist
Justin West 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R (5 ER), 2 BB, 3 K (win) Jose Martinez 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K — fanned five of six batters faced Jose M. Rodriguez 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K (save)
3B Richard Matic 0-1, K, HBP SS Dax Kilby 0-1, BB, K — first rehab game since May 28th, when the 2025 first-rounder suffered a setback 2B Diego Flores 0-0 LF Wilberson De Pena 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, K — just keeps raking C Queni Pineda 1-2, 3B, K CF Jose Castro 0-2, RBI, CS DH Francisco Vilorio 2-2, 2B 2B-SS Dexters Peralta 0-2, K RF Estivenzon Montero 1-2, 2B, RBI, K 1B Justin Capellan 0-2, K, fielding error
Chalniel Arias 0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 1 K, balk — season debut, hadn’t pitched since 2024 due to injury Mack Estrada 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 1 K, pickoff error Jorge Luna 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K Jerson Alejandro 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HBP
Dominican Summer League Yankees:L, 7-9 at DSL Bombers — Civil War!
CF Isaias Castillo 0-4, BB, 2 K, SB PH Emmanuel Orozco 0-1, K SS Stiven Marinez 2-4, BB, SB RF Yostin Pena 2-4, BB, RBI, picked off 2B Juan Torres 1-3, BB, throwing error C Juan Martinez 0-4, K, GIDP, throwing error PH Jose Peralta 0-1 DH Cesar Lopez 2-4 PH Eliezer Adames 0-1, K 1B Edgar Jimenez 4-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI — a valiant effort 3B Adrian Feliz 1-4, BB, RBI, SB LF Kendry Diaz 3-5, 2 RBI
The All-Star break is officially over, and we have 15 MLB games on Saturday's card to attack.
I've scoured the MLB odds and the data and have found a 15-game card with several plus-money underdogs and solid favorites to keep us busy throughout the day.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for July 18
Twins vs Cubs: Twins (+138)
Twins win probability: 42%
At +138, backing the Minnesota Twins is a strict price-first play. Over the last 14 days, Minnesota's bullpen (4.00 SIERA) matches up well against the overpriced Chicago Cubs, making the Twinkies moneyline the only viable way to look on a hot afternoon.
White Sox vs Blue Jays: White Sox (+108)
White Sox win probability: 48%
The Toronto Blue Jays offense has underachieved to a 73 wRC+ over the last 14 days. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox carry an elite, highly underrated bullpen (3.46 SIERA, 27.7% K% over the last two weeks) that provides a massive late-game edge.
Reds vs Rockies: Rockies (+108)
Rockies win probability: 48%
The Colorado Rockies have been the slightly better offense over the last 14 days (102 vs. 95 wRC+). With both bullpens' SIERAs virtually identical over the last two weeks, getting plus-money on the home underdog with the hotter bats against the Cincinnati Reds is the clear value play.
Mets vs Phillies: Mets (+144)
Mets win probability: 41%
The Philadelphia Phillies are heavily overvalued despite a weak 93 wRC+ over the last two weeks. The New York Mets actually possess the superior lineup over the last 14 days (107 wRC+). Grabbing this number on New York’s hotter bats is the way to go today.
Orioles vs Astros: Orioles (+113)
Orioles win probability: 47%
While the Houston Astros have the starting pitching edge with Spencer Arrighetti on the bump, the Baltimore Orioles bullpen (3.66 SIERA over the last 14 days) is a major weapon. Facing an Astros offense with a mediocre 105 wRC+ over the last two weeks, the Orioles are live dogs.
Pirates vs Guardians: Pirates (+100)
Pirates win probability: 50%
The Pittsburgh Pirates boast a significant offensive advantage over the Cleveland Guardians over the last 14 days (135 wRC+ vs. 95 wRC+). With Braxton Ashcraft starting and a massive gap in the team's recent hitting, getting even money on the far superior offense is the play.
Padres vs Royals: Padres (+100)
Padres win probability: 50%
The Kansas City Royals bullpen is a disaster, ranking dead last with a 4.94 SIERA over the last 14 days. The San Diego Padres offense (106 wRC+ over the last two weeks) should be able to exploit this late-game weakness. At even money, back the Padres.
Cardinals vs Diamondbacks: Diamondbacks (-122)
Diamondbacks win probability: 55%
The Arizona Diamondbacks hold a massive edge in relief, posting a league-best 2.93 SIERA over the last 14 days. The St. Louis Cardinals are highly vulnerable late with their anemic 82 wRC+ offense over the last two weeks, making Arizona the better side.
Rays vs Red Sox: Rays (+108)
Rays win probability: 48%
The Tampa Bay Rays bullpen has been elite over the last 14 days, posting a 2.80 SIERA and 28% K% compared to the Boston Red Sox' 3.80 SIERA is leaking oil. Getting plus-money on the Rays' superior bullpen over the last two weeks makes them a solid underdog choice.
Rangers vs Braves: Rangers (+133)
Rangers win probability: 43%
The Texas Rangers possess a top-5 offense over the last 14 days (118 wRC+), while the Atlanta Braves have fallen to an average 103 wRC+. Backing the better bats over the last two weeks at +133 is a textbook mathematical play.
Marlins vs Brewers: Marlins (+122)
Marlins win probability: 45%
The Miami Marlins boast the absolute best offense on the slate over the last 14 days (149 wRC+), making them a mandatory play. You cannot lay chalk on the Milwaukee Brewers and starter Shane Drohan against a lineup that has been this incredibly lethal over the last two weeks.
Giants vs Mariners: Giants (+117)
Giants win probability: 46%
The Seattle Mariners bullpen is a major regression candidate (4.83 SIERA over the last 14 days despite a 2.70 ERA), and their offense struck out 26.2% of the time over the last two weeks. The disciplined San Francisco Giants (108 wRC+) are the perfect underdog play.
Dodgers vs Yankees: Dodgers (-108)
Dodgers win probability: 52%
The New York Yankees offense has sunk to a bottom-five 89 wRC+ with a bloated 29.2% strikeout rate over the last 14 days. Backing the far more consistent and powerful Los Angeles Dodgers lineup over the last two weeks at near even-money is the logical play.
Nationals vs Athletics: Nationals (+100)
Nationals win probability: 50%
The Washington Nationals have a top-2 offense over the last 14 days (142 wRC+), while the Athletics' pitching is a disaster zone (4.22 bullpen SIERA, 2.03 HR/9 over the last two weeks). Getting even money on one of the league's hottest lineups is hard to let slide by.
Tigers vs Angels: Angels (+133)
Angels win probability: 43%
Even with Detroit Tigers ace Tariq Skubal pitching, the Los Angeles Angels own the best bullpen in baseball over the last 14 days (2.61 SIERA, 31.2% K%). At +133, backing the elite LAA relief core over the last two weeks at home is pure value.
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.
President Trump greets two-way star Shohei Ohtani last year during the Dodgers' visit to the White House in celebration of their 2024 World Series title. (Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images)
It is difficult to find words to express my disgust for the coming White House visit. Like the man they are going to see, the Dodgers are without honor.
Rico Gardiner San Diego
Sports do not transcend or evade association with politics, especially in the current period of America’s decline under President Trump. It’s disgraceful that the Dodgers would again honor a rank authoritarian, a brazenly corrupt kleptocrat, criminal, malignant narcissist and wrecker of our democracy and rule of law.
Trump is not honoring the Dodgers; he’s using their presence to honor him and give him a bit more gaslight glory. The organization has smeared itself with the dishonor, serving the PR agenda of our vainglorious tyrant. If they cared about the optics, their civic duty and the good of the country, they would decline.
T.R. Jahns Hemet
Dodgers, you are out. Out of our house. In normal times, a White House visit is a grand honor for a championship club. I get that. These are NOT normal times. For you to pretend they are and honor this man with your presence is unforgivable. Spineless. A statement that makes the wrong statement. We will not be watching or rooting for you this season. You are out at home. Our home.
William Lewis Burbank
Ever since the Dodgers accepted their World Series visit to the White House, they’ve been error-prone on the field, and losing most games. In the All-Star Game, the players were hitless and the pitcher served up the only home run. To add more insult, their former player received the MVP award! Most importantly, is the disappointment and loss of respect from the fans. Karma has a way to haunt.
Robert Torres Torrance
Your letters to the editor section regarding the Dodgers’ planned visit to the White House continues the left bias of the L.A. Times. Four letters were published praising the article and one was published critical of the article. I doubt that the 4-to-1 ratio reflects the opinions of the L.A. population, but it may reflect the opinions of readers that your left-leaning paper attracts. I read the paper only to see what the lefties are up to.
Larry Hart Tarzana
Turning blue
As a contrarian to the widely held view that the Dodgers’ Andrew Friedman is some sort of baseball savant, I offer some data that suggests otherwise. Four recent free-agent signings: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker have a total annual salary of $130 million not including signing bonuses. The payoff? Abysmal with the most compelling being the pitchers who have been injured almost their entire time on the team. I don’t see the genius here but rather an open checkbook with very dubious results.
David Bialis San Diego
The Dodgers don’t need Tarik Skubal to complete their pitching staff but they should get him to keep him away from playoff opponents. If he teams up with Jacob Misiorowski or Chris Sale in a five-game divisional round they could face three games against aces. In a year the Dodgers are going for a three-peat, they can’t afford to take that chance.
Russell Hosaka Torrance
Halo help
As an avid fan of the Angels going back 41 years to my arrival in Anaheim, I watched this year’s All-Star Game with great frustration. It was not from envy of teams like the Dodgers with their cast of superstars-for-hire, but from envy of the teams showcasing their budding young homegrown stars.
The lone Angel representative this year was aged superstar Mike Trout, five years past his prime. Watching the team this year is like watching a minor league game, with a mixture of mediocre young players, mediocre Band-Aid veterans, and Trout. Sadly, I don’t see that the recent change at the GM level is the answer either. Sell the team please.
John Knox Costa Mesa
Wouldn’t it be great if future Hall of Famer Mike Trout was traded to a team where he could participate in the World Series? The ball is in the Dodgers’ court. Trout would look great in Dodger blue.
Patrick Kelley Los Angeles
Let’s review
To VAR or not to VAR? That is the question. In the world of high stakes sporting events where everything and everyone hangs in the balance on outcome and fair play, video replay is essential to getting calls right. For everyone who extols the virtues of sports (and soccer in this case) as art, imagine a world where outcomes are decided incorrectly without technological advances such as VAR. FIFA should keep going and add more on-field referees like most competitive sports. One referee for a soccer pitch is not enough.
Andy Hui Los Angeles
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The Los Angeles Dodgers remain a strong contender to make another World Series run this season.
The Dodgers have won nine World Series, including back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025 with manager Dave Roberts and superstar Shohei Ohtani leading the way.
This MLB All-Star Weekend served as a break for teams, like the Dodgers, to reevaluate their rosters and communicate as needed with other teams to start piecing together trade possibilities.
The MLB trade deadline is set for Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. ET.
While the Dodgers have very few weaknesses, there’s always a need to bolster their pitching staff for the final months of the season.
Tarik Skubal is one of the best pitchers in the league and could be made available by the Detroit Tigers.
Skubal earned at least 13 wins in each of the prior two seasons, having started 31 games in both. He was named an All-Star during those seasons and won the American League Cy Young Award both years.
Despite missing over a month following surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow, Skubal has produced a 5-5 record in 13 starts this season with a 3.09 ERA in 75⅔ innings. He has struck out 89 and walked 11.
The Tigers had a slow start to the season but have produced a 23-14 record since the start of June, which has allowed them to get back into the American League wild-card race and within reach of the AL Central lead.
If the organization feels comfortable with their direction, the pitcher could still finish out the season in Detroit. But if the Tigers want to move him?...
What could Dodgers offer for Tarik Skubal?
The Dodgers would have plenty to offer if they were, in fact, interested in making a trade with the Tigers.
“The Dodgers have the sort of farm system Detroit would love to raid, and adding Skubal to a rotation that includes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell would make them damn near unassailable,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.
The Dodgers would not only be doing themselves a favor by adding his arm to the rotation, but potentially controlling their path to a three-peat.
“The opportunity to not only add Skubal to their rotation but prevent the chance of having to face him in a crucial game is tantalizing,” Passan wrote.
Back in June, ESPN proposed a series of trade offers from different teams, including the Dodgers, which was listed as “the one that gets it done.”
In the proposed trade, the Dodgers would send right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan, outfielder Zyhir Hope and shortstop Aidan West to Detroit in exchange for Skubal.
Sheehan is viewed as a high-upside pitcher with an explosive fastball. Hope is one of the top prospects in the Dodgers' system. West has also shown promise in the minors.
The Tigers may try to force the Dodgers' hand and ask for more. Several other prospects who may be considered include outfielders Josue De Paula and Eduardo Quintero. Right-hander River Ryan, left-hander Jackson Ferris or right-hander Christian Zazueta could also be considered.
The cloud of smoke streaming across the Great Lakes and east coast remained bad enough on Friday to postpone the first game of this series at Fifth Third Field. They’ll try to play two on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Et.
The SeaWolves got a solid effort from Kenny Serwa and the bullpen to take down the Squirrels and get this road set off to a good start.
With one out in the first inning, Peyton Graham singled and Josue Briceño drew a walk to get Graham in scoring position. Justice Bigbie followed with a single too sharply hit to score on, but Andrew Jenkins lifted a sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. That was all they’d get, but Serwa took that slender lead and fired five scoreless frames.
Nothing changed until the sixth when Graham was hit by a pitch and Briceño, in his first game off the injured list, singled him to third. Bigbie struck out on a wild pitch, but Graham scampered home to make it 2-0.
Dariel Fregio gave up a run in the bottom of the sixth, but E.J. Exposito smacked a solo shot in the top of the seventh to make it 3-1 SeaWolves. Yosber Sanchez then surrendered a run in the bottom half to make it 3-2.
E.J. Exposito with an oppo blast through the hazy Richmond skies to put the @erie_seawolves back up by 2. It’s his 15th home run of the season. pic.twitter.com/INoY4rskIB
Eric Silva and Trevin Michael shut the Squirrels down for an inning apiece, the latter earning the save.
In the top of the ninth, Garrett Pennington lined a one-out single. Max Burt struck out, but Exposito and Joe Campagna both walked to load the bases. Seth Stephenson paddled a two-run single back up the middle to reach the final score.
Seth Stephenson gives Erie two big insurance runs in the 9th with a 2-out single up the middle. pic.twitter.com/SAta2w6lDI
Coming Up Next: It’s a 7:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday.
West Michigan Whitecaps at Great Lakes Loons (postponed)
They got a little rain in their blanket of ash up in Midland, and decided to save this one for tomorrow. They will also play two, starting at 5:35 p.m. ET.
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels 9, Lakeland Flying Tigers 5 (box)
The Flying Tigers staff got hit up despite multiple attempts at a comeback from the offense. Reliever Burch Smith, Gleyber Torres, and Thayron Liranzo were on rehab assignment in this one, Liranzo for a cut on his finger that required stitches and cost him the week prior to All-Star week.
Smith allowed two in the first in his first rehab outing. In the top of the second inning, Beau Ankeney singled to center field, and Nick Dumesnil followed with a single of his own. They both advanced ona balk, and Edian Espinal singled in both runs to tie the game.
Cash Kuiper gave the Flying Tigers four innings, but he leaked a pair of runs in the fourth inning. Andrew Pogue gave up a run in the sixth, and so it was 5-2 Fort Myers in the top of the seventh. Kuiper also got some help from Jordan Yost.
Jordan Yost with a nice lunging grab at shortstop and a strong throw to first to double off the runner and end the inning. pic.twitter.com/lzsk6lTKrn
Gleyber Torres drew a one-out walk and was replaced by Jude Warwick as a pinch-runner. A wild pitch got Warwick to second and Hunter Dobbins walked, and then another wild pitch put runners on second and third. Ankeney struck out, but Dumesnil smoked an opposite field double to plate both runs.
Nick Dumesnil smokes a 2-run double to the wall in right to pull the Flying Tigers within one run. pic.twitter.com/kkRb7egUfJ
Unfortunately, Jan Carabello was then rocked for four runs, three earned in the bottom half to lose it.
Dumesnil: 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 2 K
Espinal: 3-4, 2 RBI, K
Torres: 0-3, BB, K
Liranzo: 0-1, 2 BB
Smith: 1.0 IP, 2 ER, H, BB
Kuiper: 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K
Coming Up Next: It’s a 6:05 p.m. ET start on Saturday as the Flying Tigers look to bounce back in this three-game set.
FCL Tigers 5, FCL Yankees 4 (suspended)
Lighting cut this one short in the top of the fifth. We’ll see if they conclude it tomorrow before their regularly scheduled game. Things are different in the Complex League.
One great sign was that right-hander Kelvis Salcedo, who possesses arguably the best stuff in the whole system, threw an inning, beginning a rehab assignment. We’d had no word on his injury, but fortunately it appears he’ll only miss the last few weeks. He threw a perfect inning, striking out the side in the first.
Joey Wimpelberg gave up two in a short outing, and Ryan Hall two more in the fourth, but he did strike out four in two innings of work.
Michael Oliveto and Santiago Pinto each had a double in this one so far, while Cristian Perez continued his FCL reign of terror with two more knocks.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 17: Manager, Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’d be one thing to lose to a good team like the Dodgers to begin the second half after the good feelings of the sweep to end the first and the relaxing All-Star break. But the way the Yankees lost on Friday night? Hooboy. Managerial blunders, questionable baserunning decisions, and most damning of all, another lifeless showing on offense really sucked the air out of Yankee Stadium. You have to walk a tightrope to win a pitchers’ duel (credit to Gerrit Cole for doing well until being left out for too long) and they were not up to the task. Turns out, it’s harder to score runs when you’re not facing the Senior Circuit’s most hapless bullpen. Bad bad bad.
Whatever. Please figure out Emmet Sheehan? Or don’t. It’s fine! It’s fine.
Today on the site, John will look at the Trade Deadline relief market and consider the Rockies’ resurgent Antonio Senzatela as a potential target, Sam will have the Rivalry Roundup, and Jeff will celebrate old friend Joe Torres’s 86th birthday (wow). Later, Scott will give the live report from Max Fried’s rehab start in Triple-A Scranton and George Lombard Jr.’s triumphant return from his own Rookie ball rehab.
Today’s Matchup:
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Time: 8:08 p.m. EST
TV: FOX
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Questions/Prompts:
1. Who was the biggest goat of yesterday’s loss: Aaron Boone, Gerrit Cole, Trent Grisham, Luis Rojas, or the Yankees’ offense as a whole?
2. Will you watch the France/England World Cup third-place match today, or is that only for True Sickos?*
*I say this with love. If there was a third-place game between the ALCS and NLCS losers, I would watch it.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: In case you missed it, we got a bit of an update on the Captain on Friday. While recent imaging has shown some healing in Aaron Judge’s ribs, he’s still not cleared to begin baseball activities as of yet, although they’re still waiting on another opinion before mapping out a gameplan for Judge’s return. For more, check out Estevão’s write-up for Pinstripe Alley.
Baseball Prospectus ($): With the season over halfway done, the draft in the books, and the trade deadline coming up, now as about the time of year you see outlets released a midseason updated prospect rankings. Baseball Prospectus put out their mid-year Top 50, and from a Yankees’ perspective, that’s headlined by George Lombard Jr. The shortstop came in at No. 24 with his potential power a big selling point. (He drove the point home by homering at Triple-A last night in his return from injury.)
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Down in Triple-A, Max Fried was on the mound, making his first rehab appearance. He threw three innings, allowing two runs on five hits, including a homer, while also striking out three. He’ll make at least one more rehab start on Wednesday before the Yankees decide if he’s ready for activation or needs a third.
MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: With Austin Wells falling off a cliff and the various backups not doing much more, catcher has become a position to look out for when it comes trade deadline time. Although there’s no red alerts for this year as of yet, in the past, the Yankees have shown an interest in the Rockies’ Hunter Goodman. With a 118 wRC+, Goodman has graded out as pretty solid both offensively and defensively so far in 2026. Now, is he available? He’s still pre-arbitration and currently wouldn’t hit the free agent market until just before 2030, so … we’ll see.
Of all the key Yankees currently on the injured list, Max Fried has a chance to be the first one back.
The left-hander took a significant step in making that happen Friday night when he started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — throwing 52 pitches across three innings while giving up two runs and no walks with three strikeouts — just over two months removed from landing on the IL with a left elbow bone bruise.
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If he recovers from Friday’s game without issue, Fried is expected to make at least one more rehab start Wednesday before the Yankees will discuss whether he is ready to rejoin the rotation, though he would not be fully built up at that point.
“Obviously, tonight’s another important step for him,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees fell to the Dodgers 2-1 to begin the season’s second half.
Fried presumably would get to around 60 pitches in his next start, making it possible he could return to the big leagues after that on a pitch count around 70 and finish off his buildup from there.
Max Fried, pitching her earlier in July, had a Triple-A rehab start on Friday. Robert Sabo for NY Post
In the meantime, the Yankees will need to fill his rotation spot Tuesday against the Pirates, though Boone said they had not yet decided whether they would do so by calling up a fifth starter (à la Elmer Rodríguez) or throwing a bullpen game, like they did against the Rays before the All-Star break.
The Yankees have already used three of Rodríguez’s five minor league options this season, so they need to be deliberate in when they use the final two the rest of the season.
“It could be similar to what we did in Tampa with having the extra reliever, but we got to see how these handful of games unfold and then we’ll make a call as to what we need that second game against the Pirates,” Boone said.
Fellow lefty Carlos Rodón (left elbow inflammation) threw about 10 pitches off the bullpen mound Friday as he continued his throwing progression after being shut down for about a week.
Max Fried makes his 1st rehab start tonight with Triple-A Scranton!!
The Minor league appearance marks his first since July 29th, 2023, with Triple-A Gwinnett
Clarke Schmidt is set to face hitters in a simulated inning Saturday for the first time in his rehab from Tommy John surgery.
“Itching, man,” Schmidt said Friday. “It’s been a little bit over a year now, just hit the year mark [July 11], so really excited to start somewhat getting close to competing.”
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Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain) has started his running progression outside, Boone said, but remains without a timetable for a return.
Boone said the Yankees were monitoring the air quality in The Bronx on Friday, due to the smoke from the Canadian wildfires, but it was clear for most of the game before getting slightly hazy in the late innings.
After a lovely vacation, many of us believe we will return to our jobs reinvigorated, with a fresh heart and a renewed passion for our professions.
Personally, I find the return to the office to be a definitive, draining reminder of how much I wish I never had to work another day in my life. How if I won the lottery or bought NVIDIA in my 401(k) account 6 years ago, I’d spend most of my days volunteering at an animal shelter (and DEFINITELY not adopt another animal) before going to watch the Mariners game at my local brewery.
(Well. Maybe not that last part.)
It seems like the Mariners would agree with me, as they returned from the All-Star Break looking limp and lifeless, losing listlessly to the Giants 7-0.
Off the bat, it seemed like the San Francisco Season of Humiliation was bound to continue, as the Giants blew through their two ABS challenges just four outs into the game on poorly-advised challenges from left fielder Kasey Schmidt and catcher Andrew Kavanaugh.
Bryce Miller also started hot, touching 97 in the first inning and recorded four straight strikeouts in the first/second innings. He showed some Nestorocity on his strikeout of Rafiel Dever with a little hesi in his windup.
There were a few great almost-hits in the early part of the game for Seattle. Cal nuked one that was loud enough that I woke up my cats, but fell just foul, and Luke Raley hit one right to the top of the wall in center field, but it took until the bottom of the fourth for the Mariners to earn the first of their two hits for the night off the bat of Josh Naylor.
My cats had the right idea, as the first four innings of this game were capital-S Sleepy. Unfortunately, the wake-up call for this snoozer did not come from the bats of the Mariners. Miller left a splitter too far up in the zone to Bruce Elderidge, and he was punished for the mistake to the tune of a 2-run homer.
The Mariners swiftly responded with some small-ball to manufacture some outs. After Raley hit a leadoff single, a poorly-executed sacrifice bunt by Robles saw him out at second. Robles soon followed suit, getting thrown out at second on a poorly-executed stolen base attempt.
Miller saw his chance at a quality start slip away after he plunked Drew Gibert with one on and two out in the fifth inning. Miller ended with a José Ferrer walked Andrew Kavanaugh before Louis Arroz did what Arroz does best – use annoying bat-to-ball skills to ruin pitcher’s lives.
A funky deflection off the glove of Ferrer saved the Mariners from another couple of runs, leaving the game at 3-0, but it didn’t take long for the Giants to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.
Nick Davila brought shame upon our name in the seventh inning, loading the bases and allowing William Adams to hit a coffin-nail grand slam that put the game out of reach.
One of the few bright spots from this game was Cole Wilcox coming in for mop-up duty and absolutely cleaning up, hitting 98.2 on the gun and earning himself a couple of strikeouts.
The Mariners put up almost no fight in this game whatsoever. At no point did it feel like the offense was on the verge of threatening the show signs of life. The defense had as many errors as the lineup had hits. The post-vacation sluggishness comes for us all, it seems.
SEATTLE — If a reset was what the Giants were looking for, they couldn’t have asked for more than the way they began the second half Friday against the Mariners.
Jung Hoo Lee led a parade of a dozen hits, Bryce Eldridge and Willy Adames provided the power and Landen Roupp mowed through seven shutout innings for a convincing 7-0 win.
“It looked like we’ve been playing the last four days,” quipped Eldridge, who opened the scoring with a two-run shot in the fifth. “In all seriousness, I think the break was good for us.”
For the sixth time this season, San Francisco won its third game in a row.
Now, for the real test of whether or not this is just a mirage: Can they extend it to four for the first time all year?
Willy Adames reacts after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning of the Giants’ 7-0 blowout win over the Mariners on July 17, 2026 in Seattle. Getty Images
It’s hard not to like their chances if they can repeat performances like Friday’s.
“We played really well tonight, but we only get one win for it,” manager Tony Vitello said. “Tomorrow is a new battle. … The challenge is on for the coaching staff, too, but for the players to bring the attitude they brought today, of a 66-game season, make it a fresh start.”
Logan Webb gets the ball Saturday, and Roupp gave him a good starting point with his second straight stellar showing.
He walked three and only struck out two but didn’t yield a hit until the fourth, surrendering only two all game. He traded swings and misses for a boatload of weak contact and some solid defense behind him.
After allowing only one run in eight innings in his last start before the break, Roupp lowered his ERA to 3.98 after it had climbed to a season-worst 4.55 two starts ago.
“I think if you look at his whole body of work, he’s been great for us all year long,” Vitello said. “It’s just been a couple outings where the pitch count gets high on him because he’s not in the zone. Ironically tonight, one more walk than strikeout … but the rest of the time was just pounding the zone.”
Now two innings shy of his previous career high (106 ⅔), the Giants skipped Roupp’s last turn through the rotation before the break. The 11-day layoff seems to have only helped.
“Yes and no,” Roupp said. “I felt a little sluggish today, just with so many days off in between. … I don’t really like to take breaks. It kind of just messes with my momentum.”
For once, it was the Giants who benefited from some sloppy play, with Seattle committing a pair of errors that led to Lee widening the Giants’ lead to 3-0 in the sixth.
Jung Hoo Lee signals his teammates after hitting a single in the second inning of the Giants’ win over the Mariners. Getty Images
Lee reached on a fielder’s choice after Heliot Ramos singled to lead off the inning, but made it to second when shortstop Colt Emerson threw into foul ground trying to turn two.
He then scored when second baseman Cole Young couldn’t handle a ground ball off the bat of Arraez.
Playing a key role in it all: Catcher Drew Cavanaugh, who reached base all three times he came to the plate and used his body to obstruct Young’s path to the grounder while going to second.
Lee (3-for-4), Cavanaugh (2-for-2), Ramos (2-for-5) and Casey Schmitt (2-for-5) all contributed multiple hits.
Maybe the most encouraging sign came from Adames, who blew the game wide open with San Francisco’s eighth grand slam of the year. The struggling shortstop had been 0-for-3 when he came up with the bases loaded in the seventh.
Bryce Eldridge is greeted in the dugout after hitting a two-run homer in the Giants’ win over the Mariners. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
He lined an 0-1 slider over the wall in right-center, going with the pitch, to widen the lead to 7-0.
“It can’t just be Willy and [Matt Chapman] and [Rafael] Devers,” Eldridge said. “But when those guys are at their best, we’ve shown what the offense is capable of. This team’s unstoppable. … I even thought during batting practice, [Adames] looked good, he looked fresh.”
The marine layer had kept a couple of deep drives in the ballpark, with Schmitt and Seattle’s Luke Raley sending fly ball outs to the center field wall, but Eldridge’s power was the first to prove impervious. Eldridge caught a splitter on the outside corner off the end of his bat but still gave it enough oomph to sneak it over the wall — and out of the reach of leaping center fielder Victor Robles.
Eldridge’s ninth home run of the season produced the first runs for either team, opening a 2-0 lead in favor of the Giants in the top of the fifth. That, it turned out, would have been enough.
What it means
It’s now been more than a week since the Giants’ last loss, the longest they have gone all season without the number in the loss column going up.
Who’s hot
Of all the Giants, Vitello believed few needed the All-Star break more than Lee.
It’s one reason why the skipper framed it as a positive when he had to break the news to the third-year outfielder that his breakout first half didn’t merit his first career All-Star selection.
Landen Roupp delivers a pitch during the first inning of the Giants’ blowout win over the Mariners. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Lee looked freshly rested while rattling off a pair of line drive singles in his first two at-bats. His only piece of contact that wasn’t hard-hit was a broken-bat single for his third hit of the night. He reached base for a fourth time when he was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Adames.
It was Lee’s 30th multihit effort of the season, trailing only Luis Arraez and Schmitt, but only his second since June 24. In 17 games before the break, Lee had been hitting .164 (10-for-61), with only one walk and three extra-base hits, resulting in a .404 OPS.
Who’s not
For a team looking for a fresh start in the second half, its biggest star didn’t get the message.
The only Giant kept off the bases in the 12-hit performance was Devers, who struck out three times while going 0-for-5. Devers went down swinging on three pitches in his first at-bat, then swung through another fastball at the letters for strike three his next time up.
Devers briefly raised his OPS over .800 for the first time all season in the Giants’ last series before the break, but the hitless performance sent it back down to .789.
Up next
Fresh off a restful few days representing the Giants at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia, Webb makes his first start of the second half against Seattle right-hander and Bay Area native Bryan Woo.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. PT, with Fox carrying the game nationally.
With 10 days since his last start, Webb will try to begin the second half on a better note than the way he went into the break, surrendering 12 runs over his final two starts.
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