Category: MLB

The calendar has turned to August. And the inventory for Major League Baseball’s top 25 potential trade candidates before the Monday, Aug. 3 deadline hasn’t even budged.

A few situations have changed since our last exercise – though probably not enough to ensure significant action before the deadline’s final moments.

Nonetheless, here’s a glance at our top 25 players on the trade market, based on their possible impact, the likelihood of their availability and the fit of their contracts:

1. Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants

Still No. 1 in our hearts, even if he doesn’t light up all the chyrons on your favorite network shoutfest or podcast. He just keeps hitting, leading the majors with a .328 average and highly respectable .810 OPS. That ability to move the baseball takes on significant value in the playoffs.

2. Tarik Skubal, SP, Tigers

It’s looking like a foregone conclusion he’ll be dealt. But we’re reserving just a tad of juice simply because the Tigers are likely to sweep the Athletics out in Yolo County this weekend, and perhaps draw as close as two games within a playoff spot. Probably not enough to convince technocratic GM Scott Harris to hold him, but possibly worth pondering.

3. Luke Weaver, RP, Mets

Simply, the kid is different, giving up one earned run in his last 29 games, with a 36-7 strikeout-walk ratio. He’s signed for next season, has “New York playoff closing experience,” if you give a damn about that, and solves all kind of bullpen problems.

4. Robbie Ray, SP, Giants

Proverbial big veteran innings-inning lefty, but with a dash of quality, too: Ray has given up three or fewer runs in 18 of his 21 starts. Perhaps not a Game 1 playoff starter, but a key stretch drive piece who can fold into the back of a playoff rotation.

5. Michael Wacha, SP, Royals

He has limited no-trade protection and makes a reasonable $15 million in 2027 and is a workhorse veteran of five previous postseason runs.

6. Zach Neto, SS, Angels

Is this the sort of offensive punch the Red Sox seek? Neto is on track for 30 home runs this season, though that comes with a massive strikeout total as well. And his minus-9 outs above average would not dovetail with Boston’s run prevention ethos. Still, a dynamic figure the Angels decide to let John Mozeliak mess around.

7. Foster Griffin, SP, Nationals

A big climber on our list, from seven to 21, in light of the Nationals’ three-game losing streak that threatens their potential playoff push. Yep, the deadline margins are that razor-thin. Griffin is right behind Skubal among most talented lefties possibly available. His club is now 55-56 and 2 1/2 back of a playoff spot. A pending free agent, an extension candidate, a potential Game 1 playoff starter with a seven-pitch mix, Griffin’s plight is fascinating.

8. Clay Holmes, SP, Mets

Yet another fast mover thanks to a solid rehab start and the possibility Holmes can help a contender almost immediately. He should be good for eight starts plus the playoffs. Barring any health hiccups, Holmes will likely opt out of a player option for 2027 that would otherwise add value to a transaction.

9. Casey Mize, SP, Tigers

Well, they scratched him from his last start, so they must be serious about dealing him, right? Mize has battled groin woes all season but at his best can be a solid No. 2 in any playoff rotation. A pending free agent, you wonder if the Tigers would be better served holding him for a qualifying offer and draft pick compensation.

10. Reid Detmers, SP, Angels

Detmers comes with two additional years of club control and has been on a two-month heater, with a 3.18 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 65 innings of his last 11 starts. His ranking is mildly depressed by the Angels’ potential to deal him and a profile that’s been inconsistent to date.

11. Jake McCarthy, OF, Rockies

Yep, there’s position players on this list, somewhere. McCarthy has found his groove in Colorado, with a career-best .816 OPS (111 adjusted) and playable defense in center field. He and the Astros have been a natural match for months (years?), and now the Astros are over .500 and, for now, in firstp lace.

12. Isaac Collins, OF, Royals

A switch-hitting outfielder with a .342 OBP, speed and a slightly above average adjusted OPS. He won’t “win you the trade deadline,” but he might help win you a championship.

13. Kevin Gausman, SP, Blue Jays

Gausman has limited no-trade powers, with a pair of potential contenders on his list, and isn’t having his finest season. Yet he can still churn out quality starts and, should he retire after this season, would appreciate another crack at a World Series.

14. Tyler Stephenson, C, Reds

Everybody needs a catcher, right? Stephenson is one of the few coming from a selling team who offers some offensive upside. Not the guy who hit 19 homers with a .782 OPS in 2024, but he’s healthy and a near league average hitter and, the Yankees will notice, bats right-handed.

15. Lars Nootbaar, OF, Cardinals

Speaking of the Yankees, Nootbaar wouldn’t be the splashiest add, particularly after he missed the first 60 games after offseason surgery on his heels. He’s been adequate in his return, with a .698 OPS that’s just below league average. He comes with an additional year of club control.

16. Devin Williams, RP, Mets

Williams posted a 10.29 ERA in his first nine outings as the Mets’ season fell apart early, and a 2.73 ERA in 22 games since. (Along with a 2.83 FIP, if you’re interested). Signed for two more years and $26 million, and whether that’s a plus or minus is in the eye of the beholder.

17. Jack Flaherty, SP, Tigers

The third of the Tigers’ pitching triplets should they burn the ships, Flaherty was traded in 2024 and then the Tigers staged a wild rally for a playoff berth. He went on to get a World Series ring with the Dodgers.

18. Shane Bieber, SP, Blue Jays

He was near the top of our list after two sterling starts indicated he was fully back from arm woes that delayed his 2026 debut – and then he walked six batters in the first inning of his next outing. Still, he’s a pending free agent who won Game 4 of the 2025 World Series, with a low odometer this season.

 19. Dustin May, SP, Cardinals

Sure, he’ll occasionally pitch you out of a game – he’s had five outings of at least five earned runs – but will also dominate on occasion. May might not crack the circle of playoff rotation trust but would be a useful arm down the stretch and on the back end of a playoff roster.

19. Jeff Hoffman, RP, Blue Jays

Stung in World Series Game 7 last year and bit by hard luck this year, Hoffman is beginning to round into form, posting scoreless innings in 18 of his last 19 outings. Hoffman wants to stay, but an acquiring team would control him for $12.6 million next season.

20. Mickey Moniak, OF, Rockies

Like McCarthy, Moniak is a serviceable lefty-swinging bat, though he doesn’t bring the defensive optionality McCarthy does. Moniak has 17 homers and a 126 adjusted OPS for the Rockies.

21. Mason Miller, RP, Padres

Just doing our due diligence, as every contending team is surely performing, as well. Yet the Padres are a game out of a playoff berth. Prying Miller away with top 100 prospects while scorching a Padres playoff run is probably a bridge too far for GM A.J. Preller.

22. George Springer, DH, Blue Jays

Who wouldn’t want to see another iteration of Playoff George? The man is magic in October, but also has full no-trade protection and loves it in Toronto. Still, this baby wil go right down to the wire as team and player consider their futures. One downside: He’s only played one game in the outfield this season.

23. Trevor Rogers, SP, Orioles

This remains unlikely, as the Orioles are again within sight of playoff position. Yet Rogers is a pending free agent who has been dominant (2.21 ERA, 51-14 strikeout-walk ratio in 10 starts) the past two months. Might make sense if Baltimore is in buy-and-sell mode.

24. Alec Burleson, INF, Cardinals

Tricky one here. Burleson is one of their best players, yet perhaps lacks the runway (two years team control after 2026) to be considered integral to the Cardinals’ true future. If they put him firmly on the block bump Burleson (15 homers, .803 OPS) up about 15  spots.

25. Freddy Peralta, SP, Mets

Not a good pitcher this year. But perhaps a team with strong ideas from its pitching department can put Freddy back together again.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade candidates: Top 25 deadline targets led by Skubal, Arraez

The Atlanta Braves have once again activated the DFA Cycle and the latest passenger is none other than Elieser Hernández. Following another one-appearance stint with Atlanta, Hernández has been designated for assignment and reliever James Karinchak will be taking his place on the roster for the time being.

The #Braves today recalled RHP James Karinchak to Atlanta and designated RHP Elieser Hernández for assignment.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 1, 2026

Hernández has actually come up pretty big for the Braves over the past couple of weekends. He tossed three crucial scoreless innings against the Orioles in a situation where Atlanta needed every last one of those outs in order to pull off a dramatic victory. This time, he pitched another three innings but it was clear that he was being used to give the bullpen regulars a spell after they were put into heavy use during the series-opening win over Washington. Either way, the three innings were productive (outside of a homer given up to Andrés Chaparro) and Hernández did his job while he was here.

James Karinchak will be returning to the big league fold for the first time since July 9, which is when he pitched a scoreless inning against the Pirates. Karinchak has pitched 9.2 innings so far and has a 1.86 ERA and a 4.34 FIP so far. I’d imagine that he’ll be in line to get some low-leverage innings on a short-term basis. Pour another one out for Elieser Hernández, though, who appears to be the strongest soldier given the fate of the DFA Cycle so far.

Mason McConnaughey started for the Crawdads, allowing two runs in an inning of work, striking out one, walking one and giving up one homer. Jormy Nivar struck out two and walked one in five shutout innings. Louis Marinaro struck out three and walked one in a shutout inning. Geury Rodriguez struck out three and walked one in two shutout innings.

2026 9th rounder Kaden Carpenter made his professional debut and went 2 for 5 with a walk, a double and a homer. Paulino Santana was 3 for 5 with a triple and a homer. Daniel Flames had a pair of doubles and a walk. Yolfran Castillo had a hit and a walk. Marco Argudin was 3 for 6. Pablo Guerrero had a pair of hits and a walk. Jormy Nivar had a pair of plate appearances despite being a pitcher due to Sebastian Baquera leaving the game after the top of the second, for reasons I’m not clear on, and Noah Franklin moving from DH to catcher. Nivar walked both times. Geury Rodriguez also had a plate appearance and walked.

Hickory box score

Hub City starter Caden Scarborough went four innings, allowing two runs, striking out five, walking two, hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch.

Paxton Kling returned from the injured list and was 1 for 4 with a stolen base. Maxton Martin was 2 for 4 with a double.

Hub City box score

Frisco starter Aidan Curry allowed three runs in 5.1 IP, striking out four and walking three. Bryan Magdaleno threw 1.2 shutout innings, striking out four.

Dylan Dreiling homered.

Frisco box score

Josh Stephan started for Round Rock, allowing four runs, striking out three, walking three, hitting a batter and giving up a pair of homers. Rehabbing Chris Martin struck out two in a scoreless inning. Ryan Lobus struck out one in a scoreless inning. Michel Otanez struck out two in a shutout inning. Wilian Bormie threw a scoreless inning and struck out one.

Jarred Kelenic was 2 for 4 with a triple and a stolen base. Cody Freeman doubled.

Round Rock box score

DSL Rangers Red box score

DSL Rangers Blue were rained out.

Former Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer blasted the Los Angeles Dodgers as “a bunch of snakes,” saying the club abandoned him after he was accused of sexual assault — allegations that never resulted in criminal charges.

“I wish I never played for them because I think the organization treated me like s–t and I am not very happy with that,” Bauer said during an interview with YouTube channel “La casa de los Dodgers.”

The Southern California native joined the Dodgers on a three-year, $102 million deal in 2021.

But his career began to unravel that May when a San Diego woman accused him of sexual assault during two encounters. Bauer denied the allegations.

He told “La casa de los Dodgers” that he was initially backed by the team.

Bauer, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020, claimed Dodgers manager Dave Roberts even hugged him and said, “‘Hey, we’re going to get through this together and we’re going to be a family.”

After a five-month review of the case that started with the Pasadena Police Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence.

Bauer was suspended by Major League Baseball for 194 games under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy before being released by the Dodgers in January 2023.

He has since wandered from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league to the Mexican League to the independent minor-league Long Island Ducks. He is now back in the Mexican League.

Bauer doesn’t envision a return to MLB because it “will never allow that to happen.”

A league spokesperson referred The Post to a comment from a statement MLB made in 2024: “Trevor Bauer served the entirety of his discipline and is an unrestricted free agent available to sign a contract with any team.”

The Dodgers did not return a request for comment.

“The front office people, I wish them nothing but the worst … I think they’re a bunch of snakes,” Bauer said.

He's a Major League Baseball star who could be in line to represent Team GB at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

And Jazz Chisholm Jr's New York Yankees team-mates tell him regularly just how good he is.

"Sometimes they've seen me dragging a little bit lately," he said in a post-match interview last month. "So they've been saying: 'Let's not forget who you are. You're the greatest in the world... you are Jazz Chisholm.'"

Chisholm exudes a self-confidence that has endeared him to Yankees fans well versed in big personalities and supportive of those who embrace their huge expectations.

Just this week he made headlines for a video in which he was asked to stay silent until he heard the name of a better player than himself.

He didn't say a word - even when the reporter mentioned team-mate Aaron Judge, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Yankees ever.

But behind the sometimes brash front, there is a humble side to Chisholm.

From the Bahamas...

Born in Nassau - the capital city of the Bahamas - Chisholm was raised mainly by his grandparents.

His maternal grandmother - Patricia Coakley - had been the star player of the nation's softball team. She began teaching her grandson how to hit a baseball from the age of two, and encouraged him to play with swagger and flair.

His paternal grandmother - Judy Chisholm - also played a vital role in keeping his baseball ambitions on track.

When Jazz was 12, he moved to Wichita in Kansas to attend boarding school - the best route to give himself a chance of becoming a professional athlete.

He soon became severely homesick and wanted to go home but Judy convinced him to tough it out.

After graduating and returning to the Bahamas, he was signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks through the international scouting process.

...to Team GB?

Bahamians are eligible to play for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic - an international competition that is the closest thing the sport has to a World Cup.

Chisholm was part of the squad for this year's tournament in March - just weeks before the MLB season - and did not disappoint, captaining the team and batting in three runs in an 8-1 defeat of Brazil.

He has made no secret of his desire to represent Britain at the Olympics, but there are several hurdles to overcome.

First, the team have to qualify.

Only one European nation can book their spot in LA when qualifying takes place next year. The competition is open, but GB would probably have to go further than Italy, who unexpectedly beat the USA in reaching the semi-finals of the World Baseball Classic.

Then there are the eligibility criteria. Only athletes who are legally British citizens can compete for Team GB at the Olympics, so Chisholm would have to apply for a British passport.

The final sticking point is the Olympics fall right in the middle of the MLB season, so an agreement still needs to be reached to release players.

An 11-day mid-season break is the latest proposal that may suit all sides as the MLB aims to minimise disruption to its season and the International Olympic Committee looks to ensure it is able to showcase the game's best players.

"I think when you see an Olympic competition, you expect to see best on best," IOC sports director Pierre Ducrey told the BBC.

"That's what we delivered, for example, in ice hockey in Milan-Cortina with the return of the National Hockey League, and we hope we can see that materialising in LA.

"Baseball is a sport proposed by LA28, so they are leading those conversations but we, of course, support as much as we can with the hope that come 2028, we're going to see the best of the best going at it in the Dodgers Stadium."

A shorter-term goal

For Chisholm, the Olympics can wait for now - because the immediate goal is to help the Yankees in their quest to secure a 28th World Series title.

The next step on that journey is a three-match series against the Chicago Cubs, with the final game live on the BBC from 19:10 BST on Sunday.

The Yankees haven't won the big prize since 2009, making this their longest run without the title since 1920.

They fell agonisingly short last season - losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the deciding game of the seven-game World Series - but are on course to reach the post-season again in 2026.

That gives Chisholm a route to living up to the tag he has been given to his team-mates - help the Yankees secure that long-awaited title.

• The night the Tartan Army took over iconic Fenway Park
• Ex-England bowler Plunkett makes pro baseball debut

Blake Snell struck out nine in four scoreless innings for Class-A Ontario in his third rehab start on Wednesday this week. On Friday Snell told reporters at Dodger Stadium he will make another rehab start before returning from the injured list, this time back with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday against Salt Lake.

From Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

“My shoulder pain completely went away. I really feel the chips were what was (causing it),” said Snell, who pitched with shoulder discomfort for two seasons. “I couldn’t feel these fingers (ring and pinkie on his left hand). They were kind of numb (for about a year and a half) but I don’t need them so I didn’t really care.

“Once they (the loose bodies) came out, I was like, ‘Wow, I can feel my fingers.’ … I was just, ‘It’s probably nerve damage from throwing. Whatever.’ And this (taps shoulder) was never getting better. We were doing everything. I was, ‘I don’t get this.’

Player of the day

With the trade deadline on Monday, prospect awareness is at a high point of the season. Zyhir Hope is a consensus top-100 prospect in the sport, and continued his fine season for Double-A Tulsa with two home runs in a three-hit game on Friday.

Zyhir Hope is making Santa’s nice list with ANOTHER HOME RUN🤯 pic.twitter.com/S3ny13iCpX

— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) August 1, 2026

Katie Woo and Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic on Friday morning wrote that Hope was “one name Los Angeles would be open to moving, according to multiple team sources.”

“Hope has big all-fields power and short levers. He’s going to swing over top of lots of changeups with his style of hitting, but he should still get to special power,” Eric Longenhagen at FanGraphs wrote in his overview of Dodgers prospects heading into the deadline this week. “He’s the hitter I’m most worried about overrating here.”

Friday capped the best month of Hope’s career, with 10 home runs and 28 RBI while hitting .372/.439/.745 with 24 runs scored and six steals in 23 games in July.

Triple-A Oklahoma City

Alek Thomas hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to lift the Comets over the Las Vegas Aviators (A’s).

ALEK THOMAS CRUSHES THIS BALL TO GIVE THE COMETS THE LEAD☄️ pic.twitter.com/rSfrtdb9Np

— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 1, 2026

James Tibbs III tripled, doubled, and singled in the win.

Ben Casparius in his third rehab game for the Comets threw only five of his 21 pitches for strikes in a wild sixth inning. He walked four batters and allowed a run. Nick Robertson relieved and stranded all three runners. Casparius thus far in his rehab assignment has walked eight of his 14 batters faced, with two strikeouts.

Double-A Tulsa

The Drillers scored seven runs early, then seven runs late to out-slug the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals) by seven runs on Friday.

In addition to Hope’s two homers, fellow top outfield prospects Josue De Paula — home run, double, single — and Mike Sirota — home run, single — shone on Friday, as did shortstop Elijah Hainline, who homered and doubled.

Zach Root’s first two innings were scoreless but walked three batters in a shaky third inning and couldn’t complete the frame, letting in four runs.

Myles Caba followed Root with seven outs and didn’t allow a run. Kelvin Ramirez struck out five in two scoreless innings of relief.

High-A Great Lakes

Jakob Wright allowed the tying run in the seventh and three runs in the eighth in the Loons’ loss to the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres). Wright allowed six hits and three walks while recording just four outs in the loss in relief

Great Lakes didn’t have a hit until the seventh inning, but actually held a led before that, albeit briefly. The Loons scored a pair of runs in the sixth inning thanks to three walks, a passed ball, and a sacrifice fly. Jaron Elkins had that first single, and also singled again with two outs in the ninth inning. Those with the only two hits for Great Lakes all night.

Brady Smith had a rough High-A debut last weekend, but on Friday he pitched into the sixth inning for just the third time as a pro. Smith struck out five in his 5 1/3 innings and allowed only one run, which scored on a double in the sixth inning, the first run scored by either team in this one.

Class-A Ontario

Four crooked-number innings spelled doom for the Tower Buzzers in a blowout loss to the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies).

Luis Carias allowed five runs without completing the first inning. He only allowed one single but walked four in an inning exacerbated by a throwing error at second base.

Ching-Hsien Ko singled home a pair in the fifth inning for Ontario’s only runs of the game. Fresno tacked on a dozen more runs over the final four innings, thanks in part to 13 walks by Ontario’s pitching staff.

Easton Marks got the final 12 outs in scoreless fashion for Fresno to earn a four-inning save.

Transactions

Triple-A: Veteran left-hander Cole Irvin was called up to eat innings for the Dodgers on Friday. Right-hander Chayce McDermott was designated for assignment to make 40-man roster room.

Friday scores

• Oklahoma City 7, Las Vegas 5
• Tulsa 14, Northwest Arkansas 7
• Fort Wayne 5, Great Lakes 2
• Fresno 17, Ontario 2

Saturday schedule

• 4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Sterling Patick) vs. Fort Wayne (Bryan Balzer)
• 5 p.m.: Tulsa (Christian Zazueta) vs. Northwest Arkansas (Hunter Patteson)
• 5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Jackson Ferris) vs. Las Vegas (Yunior Tur)
• 6:05 p.m.: Ontario (Jack O’Connor) vs. Fresno (Sandy Ozuna)

David Lesky performs an autopsy of the Thursday “ultimate grand slam” the Royals gave up to lose to the Twins.

This is the real moment that I believe the “anyone but him” answer is arguably the right one. I said it before. You can’t bring Strahm in to that spot. See if you can blow the doors of Clemens. He’s hitting .140 with a .193 SLG this year on pitches coming in at 96 MPH or harder. Putting in Strahm in this spot doesn’t teach the Royals anything, though the stats indicate it wasn’t a terrible move with Strahm entering the game having allowed a .235/.264/.353 line with just one home run. But if you’re using the rest of this season to learn what you have and don’t have for 2027, Pearson is the move and not Strahm.

So yeah, I think Quatraro got it wrong. I also don’t know if there’s a right answer. That’s kind of the story of the 2026 season.

Craig Brown breaks down another terrific Noah Cameron performance.

Cameron didn’t get a single called strike on the change, but did get five misses on 15 swings. He alternated with his cutter for the first pitch and got five strikes on six pitches. Add those first pitches (his change and cutter) together and you have 12 first-pitch strikes in 14 at bats.

Getting ahead in the count is key for any pitcher. Cameron is no different, but it’s something he really needs to do to have success. Coming into Thursday’s game, the lefty throttles opposing hitters when jumping ahead with the first strike, allowing a .201/.229/.333 line with an 84 OPS+ if he gets ahead. That means he’s 16 percent better than league average. Conversely, if Cameron throws a ball out of the zone with his first pitch, opposing batters hit .293/.399/.484 with a 117 OPS+. That’s a massive difference in outcomes. It made a difference on Thursday.

You won’t believe this, but a Royals player had a setback recovering from injury. Maikel Garcia has been pulled from his rehab assignment.

This coincides with Maikel Garcia seeing a hand specialist.#Royals MGM Matt Quatraro: “Maikel got his imaging today. He’s going to see a hand specialist early next week just to make sure we’re not missing anything.” https://t.co/aQdfivOPD4

— Jaylon T. Thompson (@jaylonthompson) July 31, 2026

Bobby Witt Jr. will return for the next homestand, reports Anne Rogers.

“He’s doing great,” said manager Matt Quatraro. “… We anticipate him playing when we get back home.”

The rationale behind having Witt — who is on the injured list for the first time in his career — get an extra few days of rest even though he was eligible to come off the IL on Friday, was caution.

Kennen Smith at Just Baseball looks at whether the Royals should trade Michael Wacha.

With only a handful of teams significantly out of the playoff race, Kansas City is positioned to be one of the very few true sellers at the deadline. That scarcity could increase demand for available starters and give the Royals an opportunity to command a stronger return for Wacha than they might receive in a more balanced market.

This barren starting pitching market and opportunity to sell high on him is only made more attractive by the reality that Wacha’s timeline may not line up with Kansas City’s any longer. 

Despite the Royals’ postseason appearance in 2024, the franchise still appears to be further away from sustained contention than that breakthrough season suggested.

Yirsandy Rodríguez at Royals Keep looks at why Luinder Avila has struggled lately.

But when Ávila falls behind, the entire structure changes. Plate appearances become longer, hitters become more patient, and instead of forcing decisions, Ávila is forced to react to them. The first sign appears in his Chase%. In 2025, he ranked in the 75th percentile. Hitters chased pitches outside the strike zone because his sequencing created enough pressure to make them uncomfortable. In 2026, that number has collapsed to the 19th percentile.

Opponents are no longer chasing. They are controlling the at-bat. That change naturally impacts his ability to miss bats. Ávila’s Whiff% has fallen from the 85th percentile to the 40th. With fewer swings and misses, he is reaching deeper counts and needing more precise execution to finish hitters. That has created the next problem: walks

Royals 2026 first-round pick Zion Rose makes his pro debut.

Zion Rose HR in his first professional AB. Not bad for the #Royals first rounder. @royals_kcsn 😎 pic.twitter.com/o1NuPp3TOY

— Jared Perkins (@JaredCP1) July 31, 2026

The Twins acquire starter Dean Kremer from the Orioles and reliever A.J. Minter from the Mets.

The Orioles sign reliever Yennier Cano to a two-year contract extension.

The Astros are interested in Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar.

The Red Sox are open to moving Jarren Duran.

The Giants suspend outfielder Harrison Bader without pay pending an investigation regarding a scooter accident.

The Yankees, Phillies, Rangers, and Guardians are interested in Orioles outfielder Taylor Ward.

The Brewers are willing to take on salary to land Tarik Skubal.

The White Sox are looking for starting pitching.

David Schoenfield of ESPN predicts where top trade candidates will land.

Which executives are under the most pressure at the trade deadline?

UEFA will boycott the World Cup and other tournaments over a proposal to sell a stake to outside investors.

Tony Romo goes on leave after a drunk driving arrest, with J.J. Watt replacing him.

A discarded SpaceX rocket is on a high-speed collision course with the moon.

New York sues Kalshi for being an illegal gambling operation.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day breaks a box office record, making $72 million in early access screenings.

Your song of the day is Jim Croce with I’ve Got a Name.

Hello everyone, and welcome to August.

The M’s suffered another gut-wrenching loss, this time to the Twins by a 5-3 final with the bullpen failing to hold a slim lead.

Anyway, here’s another random prompt for you: What is the MLB team you think about the least? For me it’s probably the Reds.

In Mariners news…

• The Mariners placed infielder J.P. Crawford on the injured list with wrist inflammation.
• Luke Raley missed yesterday’s game due to elbow soreness, which he’s been dealing with for over a month now.
• The M’s said that Brendan Donovan will return from the injured list on Tuesday.

Around the league…

• The Orioles have inked right-hander Yennier Canó to a two-year, $7.5M contract extension.
• The Twins have acquired right-hander Dean Kremer from the Orioles for teenage outfielder Jhomnardo Reyes.
• Baltimore outfielder Ryan Mountcastle is expected to miss multiple months with a “significant” oblique strain.
• Former Mariners reliever and current Tiger Will Vest is undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. He is also planning to get a hip procedure done while he’s out.
• Reds outfielder Blake Dunn is also out for the year after the team announced that he will require elbow surgery.
• The Giants are suspending payments to outfielder Harrison Bader after he got into a scooter accident during his rehab. The team apparently has “long-term concerns” about his foot.
• Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras left yesterday’s game after being clipped in the helmet by a pitch.
• Struggling right-hander Tatsuya Imai is being moved to the Astros bullpen for the foreseeable future.
• With the Rangers now favored to win the AL West, Ryan Blake at Fangraphs dug into what makes this Texas team so interesting.
• Players and owners have much to argue about during these CBA negotiations, but among those things is what constitutes “an even 50-50 split,” writes Evan Drellich at The Athletic. ($)
• Davy Andrews at Fangraphs released a snippet from the baseball journal he kept during paternity leave about watching the Astros’ May combined no-hitter on very little sleep.
• Everyone prepare yourselves for the big bomb this weekend…

Anders’ picks…

• Chris Thompson at Defector gave his thoughts on the Portland Trail Blazers’ nightmare situation with their new owner Tom Dundon who may move the team if he doesn’t get someone else to pay for his new arena.

(54-50) Gwinnett Stripers 3, (48-56) Durham Bulls 4

• Ha-Seong Kim, SS: 1-for-4, .228/.343/.316
• Brett Wisely, 2B: 1-for-2, RBI, SB, .280/.397/.431
• DaShawn Keirsey Jr., CF: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, .259/.311/.362
• Owen Murphy, SP: 4.2IP 9H 3ER 2BB 6K, 3.80 ERA

Box Score

The Stripers bats were held in check most of the night, in their narrow defeat to the Durham Bulls.

Owen Murphy got the start for the Stripers and put together a solid, but not spectacular start. He danced around a lot of work on the bases as he surrendered 9 hits in just 4.2 innings along with a pair of walks but he and the rest of the pitching staff were able to avoid any huge innings because the Stripers limited the Bulls to 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, making them strand 11 on base. Owen’s velocity held pretty solidly through the 84 pithes he threw, with his final pitch being a four-seam fastball at 92 MPH that still had 19” IVB on it. For the game Owen generated 13 whiffs so despite the contact, he still got the job done for the most part. Owen allowed a solo home run in the fourth, and a two run double in the fifth for all damage done to him. He was replaced by Hayden Harris (1.1IP 1H 0R 1BB 3K) who continued his recent run of success with a dominant appearance. The last pitcher of the game for the Stripers was Ian Hamilton (2IP 0H 1R 0ER 0BB 2K).

Offensively the Stripers struggled – collecting six total hits, with no extra-base hits. As a team they went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and stranded five on base. All of the damage came in the ninth inning when the Stripers tried to storm from behind to tie the game. The first run scored on a bases loaded walk to Brett Wisely who drove in Brewer Hicklen. After Kyle Farmer struck out to be the second out of the inning, DaShawn Keirsey kept the hope alive with a two run single to make the game 3-4 in favor of the Bulls but Jair Camargo would strike out to end the game.

DID SOMEONE SAY RALLY??

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. brings us within ONE! pic.twitter.com/E3G8B8UTk7

— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) August 1, 2026

(50-49) Rocket City Trash Pandas 6, (45-50) Columbus Clingstones 4

• Adam Żebrowski, C: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, .261/.338/.557
• Carson Taylor, 1B: 2-for-4, R, .462/.481/.846
• Luke Waddell, SS: 1-for-5, HR, R, RBI, .203/.296/.312
• Brett Sears, SP: 7IP 5H 0R 1BB 12K, 3.64 ERA

Box Score

After recording seven phenomenal innings out of Brett Sears the bullpen collapsed, allowing for a dramatic come from behind victory for the Trash Pandas.

Brett Sears got the start and was dominant, generating 21 whiffs across seven innings of work. Of those five hits he allowed just one extra-base hit, a double. His five pitch mix of four-seam, two-seam, cutter, slider, curveball kept the Trash Pandas bats pretty much silent as he weaved the pitches throughout the zone. For a player signed for $12,500 it’s been a very strong year, and professional career to be honest for Brett Sears who is in his second full season, but comes in at 26 years of age. Will be interesting to see how the Braves work with him moving forward because his arsenal last night was that of someone that could pitch in the majors. He replaced by Tyler LaPorte (1.2IP 1H 3ER 1BB 2K) who surrendered the first three runs of the game to the Trash Pandas. He was replaced by Blane Abeyta (1.1IP 2H 3R 2ER 1BB 2K) who pitched the 10th inning with the game tied 3-3, but gave up three runs.

The offense for the Clingstones was real spotty as they scored two runs in the second thanks to Adam Zebrowski who is clearly locked in. After a 3 100 MPH+ EV day, Zebrowski got the offense going for the Clingstones with his 10th home run of the season.

Dogs out here barking 🐕@ValeroEnergy | #ClingtoColumbuspic.twitter.com/aLjcOrYm6K

— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 31, 2026

The Clingstones would then add on another run the following inning when Luke Waddell connected on his seven home run of the season to put the Clingstones up 3-0. The offense was then held scoreless until the 10th inning when Keshan Ogans drove in Ambioris Tavarez with a sacrifice fly – but that was all that she wrote for the Clingstones as they were still down two at the time, and were unable to complete the comeback.

(49-48) Rome Emperors 5, (44-56) Hub City Spartanburgers 2

• John Gil, 2B: 1-for-4, RBI, .241/.345/.370
• Owen Carey, LF: 1-for-4, 2B, .276/.348/.487
• Colby Jones, 3B: 1-for-2, 2BB, R, .184/.357/.268
• Cam Caminiti, SP: 6.2IP 3H 1ER 1BB 14K, 3.89 ERA – 33 WHIFFS

Box Score

Cam Caminiti stole the show in absolutely dominant fashion, putting together one of the craziest lines I’ve ever seen in a minor league game as he registered an absurd THIRTY-THREE whiffs in just 6.2 innings of work. The Emperors offense did enough to make the pitching display hold up, in a big win for the Rome Emperors.

Cam Caminiti got the start and was absolutely dominant for the Rome Emperors. He masterfully moved his four-seam to the top of the zone consistently, while landing his sweepers at the edges. His cutters were thrown near the edges generating whiffs of their own in what was just an absolutely absurd start. Across the first three innings of the game, Cam struck out 7 of them. By every definition, this was just an absolutely fantastic start by a prospect who has done just great job adding 4 new pitches to his arsenal this season. There are not really many words to describe the display, so just enjoy the montage.

Another left-handed Braves pitcher with a nasty slider 👀

Atlanta's No. 1 prospect Cam Caminiti had a career-high 14 strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/ABPb3m6tRE

— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2026

He was relieved by Mathieu Curtis (2.1IP 2H 1ER 1BB 2K) who pitched the final 2.1 innings and preserved the win for the Emperors.

Offensively the Emperors got enough done on a day where the offense was a bit disjointed. As a team the Emperors went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, but stranded just three on base the entire game. They struck out 11 times, but also walked seven. Most of the damage came in the decisive fifth inning when the Emperors scored four runs. A bases loaded walk by Colin Burgess was the first run, then John Gil drove in a run with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Eric Hartman would then ground into a force out that drove in Colby Jones to make it 3-0 Rome, and the final run scored on an errant pick off throw to third. They would add another run in the eighth, and it was mainly due to the terror that is Eric Hartman on the bases. Eric would walk with one out, take second on a wild pitch, and then steal third before taking on another throwing error by a pitcher allowed Hartman to score for the Emperors final run of the game.

(51-49) Colombia Fireflies 7, (55-45) Augusta GreenJackets 8

• Conor Essenburg, CF: 2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI, R, .286/.427/.564
• Juan Mateo, 2B: 3-for-4, RBI, R, BB, .248/.324/.329
• Nick Montgomery, DH: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 R, .200/.346/.392
• Cooper McMurray, 1B: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, .249/.383/.409

Box Score

The GreenJackets survived a wild comeback as they scored all eight of their runs in the games final four innings. They survived a rough starting pitching display by Luis Arestigueta and were able to collect 15 hits and six walks in their dramatic win.

Luis Arestigueta (4.2IP 10H 6ER 2BB 0K) got the start for the GreenJackets and his 2026 struggles continued as he allowed 10 hits, four extra-base hits, across 4.2 innings. He did not strike out a single batter, while allowing 6 ER to score. After a promising 2024, it’s been a struggle for Luis, as he was even sent down to the FCL where he unfortunately struggled there as well. He was replaced by Logan Forsythe (2.1IP 3H 0R 0BB 3K) who responded well, giving the GreenJackets zeroes, while also giving them some length. The final pitcher of the game for the GreenJackets was Critobal Abreu (2IP 2H 1ER 4BB 2K) who struggled with his command, walking four, but picked up the win as he was able to do just enough while the GreenJackets offense took hold.

After finding themselves down 2-0, Junior Garcia got the GreenJackets on the board in the second inning as he drove in Nick Montgomery with a ground ball to first. Augusta would be held scoreless until the sixth inning when Cooper McMurray got things started with a two run single that lessened the gap to 6-3. Junior Garcia would follow that up with a sacrifice fly of his own to make it 6-4. The following inning it was none other than Conor Essenburg who hit an RBI triple, just missing a home run, to make it a one run game at 6-5.

Mama there goes that man again!

Conor Essenburg just can't stop! pic.twitter.com/soZvvf6FOf

— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) August 1, 2026

Two batters later it was Juan Mateo who would drive in Conor, with a single to tie the game at 6-6. After allowing a run to score in the top of the 8th, it was Conor Essenburg who tied it up again, this time with a sacrifice fly that drove in Junior Garcia. With the game tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs, Junior Garcia would hit it to center where CFer Sean Gamble dropped the ball allowing Juan Mateo to score, and giving them the walk off win.

After making the trip across Chicago, the Yankees opened their series on the North Side with a win over the Cubs on Friday afternoon. Led by a good outing from Will Warren, the Yankees got homers from Amed Rosario and Spencer Jones, and that proved to be enough for a victory.

Thanks to the win, the Yankees broke their little two-game losing streak, and had a chance to gain some ground back in their various playoff races. Did they, though? Let’s check in on what happened around the AL in today’s Rivalry Roundup.

Chicago White Sox (58-51) 6, Tampa Bay Rays (64-45) 1

While the White Sox took a pair of games off the Yankees earlier this week, they did give them a bit of a hand on Friday night. The Yankees were able pick up a full game in the AL East, as an early onslaught by the White Sox allowed them to pull away from and beat the Rays. Tampa Bay now leads by 2.5 games.

Chicago never trailed in this game, as they took a led in the top of the first on a Miguel Vargas home run. Andrew Benintendi added another in the second, while Munetaka Murakami hit his 24th of the year, a two-run shot in the third to really open up a lead.

Junior Caminero got Tampa Bay on the board with a home run of his own—one of the longest you’ll ever see at the Trop, sailing 453 feet hitting the “D” ring of the catwalk—but the Rays managed just five hits in total for the game, and Chicago ended up tacking another couple runs on later with Colson Montgomery obliterating one of his own. Erick Fedde scattered just the one run on four hits over five innings, and his bullpen blanked the Rays the rest of the way. His Pale Hose pace the AL Central by three games.

Other Games

• Boston Red Sox (58-51) 9, Los Angeles Dodgers (69-41) 4: While the Dodgers held a lead after putting up a three spot in the fifth on Ranger Suarez, the Red Sox stayed hot and stormed back to come away with the win. Ceddanne Rafaela homered to give Boston the lead back, and they tacked on another couple runs, putting up four in the seventh, giving them the lead for good. The Red Sox finished July at a staggering 21-4; one can only hope that August cools them down.

• Arizona Diamondbacks (58-52), Cleveland Guardians (56-55) 1: The White Sox did the Yankees a favor in helping them pick up a full game in the standings, and they were rewarded by picking up a full one themselves. The Guardians scored in the first inning and held the lead for most of this game, but Arizona put up a four-spot in the eighth to steal the advantage and the win. Cleveland was five outs away from a victory, but six straight D-backs hitters reached base, with a Gabriel Moreno two-run single giving them the lead for good.

• Houston Astros (56-55) 11, Texas Rangers (55-55) 2: Our long national nightmare has returned: the Astros are in first place in the AL West. They’re only a win over .500, but that’s all they need right now in a wretched AL West. Led by a Yordan Alvarez two-run single, Houston scored three runs in the second inning and continued to pour it on from there. On the mound, Hunter Brown did end up allowing a couple innings, but he struck out five in 5.2 innings and mostly kept Texas at bat as the Astros pulled away, slugging three home runs on the day.

• Minnesota Twins (56-55) 5, Seattle Mariners (53-58) 3: After the Mariners led for much of the game, a two-run seventh inning by the Twins flipped things in their favor. Seattle held 2-0 and 3-2 leads after the first and second innings respectively and got a solid enough outing by starter Bryce Miller. However, Minnesota jumped ahead for the first time with on a Luke Keaschall double in the seventh and held on from there. The M’s continue to fade as the season heats up while the buying Twins are actually tied with the Guardians for both second place in the AL Central and the final Wild Card spot, half a game up on Texas and 1.5 ahead of Baltimore.

Hi there!

As you know, Thomas Smith is away on vacation.

To keep this feature going, I’m going to post simply the WPA numbers and plays of the game, and a poll so you can vote on your choice for Player of the Game. Thomas will update the Rizzo Award standings when he returns.

Game 110, July 31: Yankees 2, Cubs 0 (62-48)

Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.

THREE HEROES:

• Superhero: Shōta Imanaga (.073). 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 K
• Hero: Antoine Kelly (.042). 1.1 IP, H, K
• Sidekick: Pedro Ramirez (.019), 2-4

THREE GOATS:

• Billy Goat: Michael Busch (-.160). 0-4
• Goat: Pete Crow-Armstrong (-.122). 0-4, K
• Kid: Michael Conforto (-.083). 0-3, 3 K

Ramirez was the only Cubs hitter with positive WPA in this game. The only other Cub with positive WPA was Tyler Ferguson (.013), who threw one scoreless inning.

WPA Play of the Game: Amed Rosario’s solo homer in the fourth (.136).

Cubs Play of the Game: Ramirez’s single with one out in the ninth (.060).

Just four other Cubs plays had positive WPA: Ian Happ’s single with Alex Bregman on first in the seventh (.036), Miguel Amaya’s double in the third (.025), Ramirez’s single in the first (.024) and Bregman’s single in the seventh (.022).

Up next: The Yankees will send left-hander Max Fried against Cubs left-hander David Peterson.

As Thomas would say: Keep stacking wins.

Two playoff contenders (one World Series level, one third wildcard in the AL level) made a trade of middle relievers and bench bats today as the Brewers traded right-handed reliever Craig Yoho and switch-hitting outfielder Blake Perkins to the Guardians for right-handed reliever Codi Heuer and catcher Bo Naylor.

First, for the Guardians: Yoho is a 26 year-old reliever with two options remaining. He has a 3.15 ERA and a 3.58 xERA (FIP and xFIP are in the mid 4’s). He has an 8.10/3.60 K/BB% but has given up a 14% home run/fly ball which will have to be corrected for him to become a useful middle reliever. He throws three different fastballs around 20% of the time each (four-seam, cutter, sinker) and a changeup the other 40% of the time. He has thrown a slider in the past (which has great Stuff+ metrics) but has abandoned it this year. He is 6’2 and his extension is in the 93rd percentile so you know Cleveland wanted him. The Brewers and Guardians are both great at pitching development so swapping Heuer and Yoho is an interesting challenge trade. I think Yoho is clearly the more interesting pitcher… which probably shows that Bo Naylor had a little bit of value.

Blake Perkins… he is a 29 year-old who switch-hits but I am not sure why. He cannot hit left-handed at all but has a career 95 wRC+ vs. LHP while hitting from the right side. He’s competent in the corner outfield spots and can play center on a limited basis. He has two options. I suppose if they wanted to give Angel some time to find himself in Columbus, having Perkins up in his spot would be fine… but I can’t pretend I really understand his inclusion here. He certainly cannot be considered the kind of right-handed bat the Guardians need at this deadline.

I always believed Bo Naylor would find himself as a hitter, but he did not reward that faith in Cleveland or Columbus this season. Now, we will truly get a test of Cleveland’s hitting development group because Milwaukee is great at hitter and catcher development. If Bo finds something there… it will clearly be time to fire everyone connected to hitting… probably from Mike Chernoff on down.

Yoho is a mildly interesting piece. I hope we don’t see much of Perkins. What else you got for us, Antonetti?

Columbus Clippers (56-49) – AAA

TOL 4 – COL 9

Box Score

The Columbus Clippers were victorious over the Toledo Mud Hens Friday night. Yorman Gómez earned his first win of the season, improving to 1-2. Gómez went 5.1 innings of one run ball. He gave up four hits and walked three, striking out four batters in his outing. Tanner Burns threw 1.2 innings of work, only walking two batters and striking out three. Jake Miller struggled in last night’s appearance. Miller came on in the eighth inning and gave up three earned runs on three singles and a walk without recording a single out. Two runs scored before Miller was pulled for Steven Pérez. Pérez got a double play to start his outing, which scored one inherited runner. Pérez retired the side and earned his third hold of the season. Carlos Hernández closed the game with two strikeouts in the ninth.

Toledo got on the board first with a run in the top of the first. The Clippers came back to immediately answer and take the lead, which they held onto for the remainder of the game. In the bottom of the first, Cooper Ingle drew a lead off walk. With two outs, Kahlil Watson hit a home run to center that left the bat at 103.6 mph.

10 points for Gryffindor#ClipShowpic.twitter.com/kTUsUGkd9K

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) July 31, 2026

In the bottom of the third, Alfonsin Rosario drew a walk and went from first to third on Cooper Ingle’s single to left field. Daniel Schneemann smacked a ball to right center for a 403 foot, 105.2 mph 3-run home run.

Schnee the Mann #ClipShowpic.twitter.com/SXl2lUEcEM

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) August 1, 2026

The next scoring opprotunity came in the bottom of the fifth. Daniel Schneemann singled to right to start the inning. A passed ball and a wild pitch allowed Schneemann to advance to third. Ralphy Velazquez his a sac fly to right, scoring Schnee. After the Mud Hens put up three runs in the eighth, Columbus came right back to answer with three runs of their own. Juan Brito singled to lead off. With one out, Kody Huff hit another hard hit home run to left, scoring two. Alfonsin got in on the action, going back-to-back with Huff for Alfonsin’s first AAA home run.

Adios! #ClipShowpic.twitter.com/xlG1Q9exgs

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) August 1, 2026

First Triple-A home run for Alfonsin Rosario! #ClipShowpic.twitter.com/Wgxegqff48

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) August 1, 2026

Akron RubberDucks (46-53) – AA

AKR 2 – ERI 3

Box Score

The Akron RubberDucks and Erie SeaWolves had a close match Friday night. Cam Walty took the mound for the Ducks, only going 3.0 innings in his first AA start after being promoted earlier in July. Walty allowed two runs on four hits and one walk and struck out five batters. Jack Jasiak pitched 3.0 innings of his own, all scoreless. Jasiak only allowed two hits and also struckout five batters. Izaak Martinez fell to 1-2 on the season, earning the loss in his two innings of work. He gave up the game winning run in the bottom of the eighth. Martinez struck out four batters of his own, bringing the Akron total to 14 batters struck out by their pitching staff. Braylon Doughty was scheduled to start for Akron last night, but was pushed back due to reported arm fatigue.

Braylon Doughty was pushed back from his scheduled start with Double-A Akron tonight due to some arm fatigue, source said. He's going to get checked out.

Ranked as Guardians' No. 4 prospect/No. 91 overall by MLB Pipeline.

— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) August 1, 2026

Both Akron runs scored in the top of the fifth. Alex Mooney drew a lead off walk and reach third on Aaron Walton’s double to left. Maick Collado hit a sac fly to score Mooney. Christian Knapczyk doubled to center to score Walton and tie the game.

And we are tied!!@Cknap1 ground rule double evens this one up!#QuAkronpic.twitter.com/KqyutLF5GW

— Akron RubberDucks (@AkronRubberDuck) July 31, 2026

Lake County Captains (53-43) – High A

SB 15 – LC 7

Box Score

The Lake County Captains had a rough Friday night. Jackson Humphries fell to 1-5 on the season after giving up six earned runs on four hits and four walks in only 1.1 innings of work. His start set the tone for the rest of the pitching staff with the South Bend Cubs putting up 15 runs on 14 hits and 14 walks but only nine strike outs. Jervis Alfaro allowed three runs on three hits, two of which were home runs, and was unable to record an out. Melkis Hernández was the only Captains pitcher to not allow a run to score. Hernández went 3.0 innings, allowing a hit and four walks, but striking out three batters. Jogly García went 1.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk. García struck out three. Michael Kennedy pitched the remaining three innings of the game, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks. Kennedy struck out three batters as well.

The Lake County offense did put up quite a few runs, but fell quite short of the Cubs. In the top of the second, South Bend put up nine runs, but the Caps tried to immediately to pick away at the insurmountable lead. Welbyn Francisca and Cannon Peebles drew back-to-back walks. Garrett Howe hit a double on a liner to right that hit high off the wall, scoring Francisca and putting runners on second and third.

On the board!

Garrett Howe drives in a run with an RBI double! pic.twitter.com/E93gXJMdwE

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) August 1, 2026

In the bottom of the third, Welbyn Francisca tacked on another run with a two-out solo shot to right center.

Welbyn Francisca with another bomb!

His third home run of the series brings him up to nine on the year! pic.twitter.com/atYpICIVSm

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) August 1, 2026

Down by ten runs, in the bottom of the sixth, Garrett Howe hit a lead off home run. His second homer of the season was a fly ball to right.

Garrett Howe goes deep!

Second of the year for Howe! pic.twitter.com/YIMPATgTli

— Lake County Captains (@LCCaptains) August 1, 2026

The Caps added on their final runs of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Jeffrey Mercedes singled on a line drive to right field. With one out, Welbyn Francisca, who went 2-for-4 with three runs and a walk on the night, hit a one-out single. Cannon Peebles singled to right, loading the bases and forcing a pitching change. Juan Benjamin reached on a fielding error by the Cubs shortstop, scoring Mercedes and keeping the bases loaded. Garrett Howe added two more RBI to his night with a single to center to score Francisca and Cannon. Kevin Rivas drew a walk to reload the bases. Juan Benjamin score on a sac fly hit by Esteban González for the second out of the inning.

Hill City Howlers (42-58) – Single A

HC 1 – FAY 10

Box Score

The Howlers were bested by the Woodpeckers last night. Ryan Prager fell to 2-3 on the season after allowing seven runs on three hits and four walks in only two outs. Evan Chrest went 2.1 innings of one run ball, allowing three hits and four walks. Chrest struck out two batters. Aaron Savary threw two innings of work, not giving up a run, but allowing a hit and walk. Savary struck out three batters. Keegan Zinn struck out four batters in his three innings of work. Zinn gave up two runs on two hits and three walks.

The Howlers avoided a shutout in the second inning. Already down by eight runs, Yeiferth Castillo reached on a fielding error to start the second. Jose Pirela grounded into a force out resulting in Castillo being out at second and Pirela reaching first. Jhorvic Abreus and Johan Rodriguez drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Yerlin Luis drew a walk for Hill City’s only run.

Astros 11, Rangers 2

• Well that was unpleasant. And ugly.
• Positives?
• Joc Pederson homered and walked twice.
• Corey Seager, just activated off the injured list, had a single and a double.
• The only reliever used was Luis Curvelo, who probably gets sent down now so Chris Martin can be activated, and Nicky Lopez, who is not a pitcher. That means everyone else in the pen is fully rested for the final two games of the weekend.
• That’s about it.
• Curvelo threw 54 pitches in all, having to wear it in a seventh inning that saw him retire the first two batters before allowing four runs to score. He was brought up for the purpose of handling some innings to save the rest of the bullpen, and he did that, I guess.
• The Rangers are back in second place, a half game back of the Astros, as a result of the loss. The Astros have also clinched the season series, which means Houston has the tiebreaker advantage if the teams end the season with the same record.
• And perhaps worst of all, the Rangers lost the Silver Boot.
• This is one of those games where I don’t really have much to say. The Rangers got kicked in the teeth, and will now have to bounce back.
• Nathan Eovaldi’s fastball topped out at 95.7 mph, averaging 93.6 mph. Luis Curvelo hit 97.3 mph with his fastball. Nicky Lopez’s fastball hit 83.4 mph, averaging 62.8 mph.
• Corey Seager had a 106.9 mph double. Joc Pederson had a 105.3 mph home run Wyatt Langford had a 103.0 mph fly out. Evan Carter had a 101.2 mph single.
• Four down, two to go.

Yeah, ummm…, the Giants didn’t win this one.

If you watched the whole game, I’m sorry, but the writing was on the wall pretty much from the National Anthem.

The Padres are the hot team. They’ve got something to play for in terms of the postseason. The Giants are a loosely affiliated gaggle of guys. They have Robbie Ray — for now, at least — and he pitched Thursday, so… someone else had to touch the baseball. The pitching corps drew straws, Carson Whisenhunt got the short one, and after the Giants went down swinging against San Diego’s opener, Bradgley Rodriguez, he threw one pitch to Fernando Tatis and knew how this game was gonna go. 

It wasn’t that Tatis punched it over the wall and Whisenhunt and the Giants were immediately down a run (that would come soon enough). Giving up a solo shot there maybe would’ve been better. If you’re a pitcher with some mental fortitude you can wipe the memory of that solo homer pretty quickly: first pitch, bad pitch, got lucky, back in the wind-up, lotta game left. Whisenhunt wasn’t so lucky. Tatis hung over his shoulder, sat in his peripheries, as a constant reminder and stressor that would last the entirety of his outing.

What was so dispiriting about Tatis’s double was how his bat didn’t just make contact with the ball — it swallowed it whole before spitting it into the right-center gap at 108 MPH. The fastball Whisenhunt threw too — it was like he knew it was coming, and the fact that it was off the plate away didn’t seem to concern him either. Whatever it was and wherever it was located, he was going to drive it. The relationship dynamics became abundantly clear: Whisenhunt may hold baseball, but Tatis, and the rest of the Padres hitters, were in control.  

Luis Rengifo dug into the box with a similarly aggressive game plan. Look for the fastball early in the count and pounce. Whisenhunt obliged, as if he was taking requests, serving up another first pitch heater that Rengifo had no problem dumping into the outfield for another single. 

Two pitches in, and the Padres had claimed the plate as their own. Whisenhunt became understandably anxious around the zone. Like a dog with a shock collar testing the border of their domain, the moment he released the baseball, he winced in pain.

San Diego scored two runs in the 1st — not a soul-crushing deficit, but tonally, the number on the scoreboard loomed large. Whisenhunt felt winged. He needed to adjust. He threw just one four-seam fastball in the 2nd. He started using the sinker and slider more, and working his signature change-up into at-bats quicker. That helped a little, but Padres batters kept turning into runners. Those stressors bent the game to their will. After a pair of singles, they scored their third run on an odd 3-6 double play in the 3rd that ended the inning, but because Rafael Devers fielded the grounder on top of first base, the play at second became a tag play, not a force, leaving the inning’s door open for Jackson Merrill to sneak through right before it closed. 

In the 4th, number 9 hitter Jase Bowen delivered the knock-out blow by annihilating a slider for the Padres’ fourth run. Whisenhunt wobbled on the mound for two more batters, but walked them both before Tony Vitello mercifully led him back to the dugout to watch Ty France add two more runs to his pitching line with a two-out single. Whisenhunt allowed 6 earned on 7 hits and 4 walks over 3.1 innings pitched.     

By the end of the 4th, a dozen Padres had reached base. As for the Giants? Just one. 

Christian Koss rolled a two-out single into left off southpaw Yuki Matsui. That proved to be half of San Francisco’s entire offensive output in the evening. Matsui responded by baffling the never baffled Luis Arraez with an elevated slider to end the 3rd. 

After the 4th, the contest, if it could be called one, was essentially laid to rest. Down 6 runs with just a single single to their name, the Giants line-up dutifully laid down in the hole that had been dug. The rest of the game was spent burying them.

Germán Márquez did most of the shoveling. The veteran pitcher previously of Colorado, who has boasted a 6+ ERA in each of his last two seasons, took over for Matsui and pitched five scoreless innings. He allowed just a single and a walk, earning a save in a game that the Padres had won in the 1st inning.