Texas Rangers @ Atlanta Braves
Saturday, July 18, 2026, 3:10 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)
Truist Park
LHP MacKenzie Gore vs. RHP Owen Murphy
Go Rangers!
Game 98 Game Day Thread – Texas Rangers @ Atlanta Braves
Rays Reacts Results: Grading the 2026 Draft
Following an objectively well ranked haul for the Rays — who had the no. 2 overall pick — we asked for your take on a Rays 2026 MLB Draft that was quite young and full of pitchers.
Did you like the haul? Did you agree with the Rays youth strategy?
Previously:Rays Post Draft Thoughts and How the 2026 Class Affects System Depth
Here’s what y’all thought:
I’m pleased to see there were no trolling responses of D or F…
The second half is here, and for many betting their way through the season is part of the fun. If that’s you, check out our friends at FanDuel who sponsored this post.
Go Rays!
Braves vs Rangers Game Thread: 7/18/2026
Join us and discuss tonight’s matchup of two intriguing pitchers in the comments below!
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 18, 4:10 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
TV: BravesVision
Streaming: MLB.tv
Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Los Bravos
Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (60-37) vs. Miami Marlins (52-46)
The Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins are back at it on a Saturday afternoon, and the Crew has a chance to secure a series win right out of the All-Star break.
To do so, they’ll have to get through Max Meyer on the mound for Miami. The Brewers will counter with Shane Drohan. Meyer has been phenomenal this year, pitching to a 2.58 ERA in 19 starts so far, as he was named an NL All-Star. Drohan has a 3.09 ERA on the season and has been very good since re-entering the starting rotation.
The Brewers did make some roster moves prior to this game. Sal Frelick was placed on the IL with a shoulder injury after being removed early in last night’s game. Blake Perkins was recalled from Triple-A to take his roster spot.
Also, Brandon Woodruff made an announcement about his injury, stating that he will indeed have to undergo shoulder surgery for a second time in three years. His 2026 season is over. Woodruff had a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this season, proving he could still be effective, even with diminished stuff.
Late before the game, the Brewers announced that Brice Turang was scratched from the lineup with right foot soreness. Pat Murphy said pregame to “stay tuned” as the issue had flared up on him after fouling a pitch off his foot last night.
That takes one of the big bats out of the Brewers lineup as they face the right-handed Meyer. Jake Bauers moved up into the No. 3 spot in the order. With Frelick on the shelf, Luis Lara gets the start today in right field and batting sixth. Braden Shewmake was inserted into the lineup, playing second base and batting eighth, while Joey Ortiz will man the hot corner and bat ninth.
The Marlins shuffled around their lineup a little. Otto Lopez, Heriberto Hernández, and Kyle Stowers make up the top of the order today. Xavier Edwards, Javier Sanoja, and Liam Hicks form the middle of the order. Leo Jiménez, old friend Esteury Ruiz, and Joe Mack round out the bottom of the Marlins lineup.
First pitch is set for 3:10 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network.
Astros vs. Orioles Game Discussion: 7/18/2026
TODAY’S GAME: The Astros will play their 100th game of the season today as they host the Orioles for the middle game of their three-game series at Daikin Park.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti (7-5) will get his first start of the second half today opposite the Orioles and starter LHP Trevor Rogers (6-7).
THE STOPPER: RHP Spencer Arrighetti is making his 16th start of the season today and his ninth following an Astros loss.
In his previous eighth starts after an Astros loss, Arrighetti has gone 5-0 with a 2.38 ERA (12ER/45.1IP).
THE SLOW TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 27-21 since May 21, which is the best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
GET ‘EM EARLY: The Astros rank first in the AL and second in MLB in 1st-inning runs (67).
Overall, the Astros rank fourth in the AL in runs (451) immediately ahead of the Orioles (450).
RACKING UP WINS: Manager Joe Espada has 222 managerial wins as the Astros skipper, which ranks 11th in franchise history.
With two more wins, he will match Terry Collins (224 wins) for 10th on the Astros all-time managerial wins list.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 98 different lineups in their 99 games, repeating a lineup just once on the season.
DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 86 times.
TODAY’S PROMOTIONS: At today’s game, the Astros will celebrate Christmas in July, presented by Macy’s.
Fans are encouraged to stop by the open- to-the-public festive area located in Union Station, featuring some incredible Light Up the Park displays.
Additionally, 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Yainer Diaz Catching Bobblehead, presented by Goya.
THIS WEEKEND’S TELECASTS: This entire series will be televised by Space City Home Network with Todd Kalas, Geoff Blum and Lauren Callender on the call.
Sideline reporter Julia Morales will rejoin the broadcast next week.
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Astros dropped a close game last night by a score of 3-2 to the Orioles.
RHP Peter Lambert (1ER/6IP) was great in his start, fanning a career-high 10 hitters, while allowing just three hits in his start.
SS Jeremy Peña (2×3, 2BB), DH Yordan Alvarez (2×3, RBI, 2BB) and 3B Isaac Paredes (1×3, RBI, BB) reached base 10 times among the three of them at the top of the order.
RIDING THE LAMBO: Last night’s starter RHP Peter Lambert, who was a minor league free agent signing this offseason, leads the club in wins and among AL pitchers he ranks second in opponent average (.197) and seventh in ERA (3.03) (min. 90IP).
Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 starts.
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez is a strong MVP candidate, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.067), OBP (.431), SLG (.636), and total bases (224).
Additionally, he is the Triple Crown leader in the AL, ranking first in batting average (.321), HR (31), and RBI (71) entering play today.
Alvarez also ranks first in the AL in hits (113), first in XBH (49), tied for second in runs (65), and fourth in walks (65).
ALL-STAR ALVAREZ: DH Yordan Alvarez started and hit second for the AL in this week’s All-Star Game, going 1×2 with a single and a run scored.
This marked the fourth All-Star selection for Alvarez (2022-24, 2026) and the second time that he was voted as a starter (also in 2024)
WHAT A HALF!: DH Yordan Alvarez hit 31 homers prior to the break, which are the most in a first half in club history, topping OF Lance Berkman, who hit 29 homers in the first half of the 2002 season.
Alvarez is on pace to hit 50 homers on the season, which would represent a new franchise record, topping the 47 homers hit by 1B Jeff Bagwell in 2000.
Additionally, he ranks first in the AL in HR (31), first in RBI (70), first in XBH (48), tied for first in hits (111), second in batting average (.318), second in runs (65), and fourth in walks (63).
KEYSTONE FLIGHTS: 2B Jose Altuve has 246 career homers as a second baseman and per Elias that ties him with 2B Joe Gordon and 2B Ian Kinsler for eighth all-time in homers by a second baseman in MLB history.
On that all-time list, the trio immediately trails 2B Bret Boone (251), who happens to be the father-in-law of IF Nick Allen.
TAP FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 70 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (61%).
2B Jose Altuve has been successful on 15-of-21 challenges (71%), ranking second in the Majors in challenges won.
3B Isaac Paredes (11-for-12) has been the most efficient regular challenger for the team and was successful in his first 11 challenges on the season.
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 3-1 with 10 saves (in 10 chances), has a 1.17 ERA (2ER/15.1IP), 25 strikeouts in 15.1 innings, a .115 (6×52) opponent average, and a 0.91 WHIP in 17 appearances.
He has not allowed a hit in 13 of his 17 appearances.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Astros rank second in the AL in fielding pct. (.988) and their 42 errors are the second-fewest in the AL.
1B Christian Walker has led the way, as he has not committed an error in his 95 games played at 1B.
Dating back to last season, Walker has not made an error in his last 123 games at 1B (last error was Aug. 23, 2025 at BAL).
ON THE MEND: RHP Hayden Wesneski (right elbow surgery) pitched for Triple A Sugar Land last night at El Paso, tossing 4.0 innings and 64 pitches, while allowing three runs on six hits.
He’s now made four rehab appearances, posting a 2.87 ERA (5ER/15.2IP) with 14 strikeouts in those contests.
MINOR LEAGUE PROMOTIONS: The Astros promoted several prospects throughout the minor league system over the All-Star break, notably moving RHP Jackson Nezuh up to Triple A Sugar Land, OF Chase Call up to Double A Corpus Christi, and IF Xavier Neyens up to Class A Asheville.
Neyens, who was the Astros first-round pick last season and currently ranks among the top 100 prospects in baseball, made his Tourists debut last night, going 1×4 with a double.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 18, 3:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
White Sox @ Jays Game Thread
A win would be nice, or at least score a bunch of runs.
The Jays are honoring the players from our World Series wins today. And the Joe Carter statue is being unveiled.
Being honest, I don’t see us having enough pitching to go on a sort of run needed to make the playoff. They haven’t shown the offense either, but we seem to be blowout ever 3rd or 4th game.
Lineups.
Go Jays Go.
Brandon Woodruff needs another surgery following latest injury
It’s not the end just yet for Brandon Woodruff. But his 2026 season is over.
Woodruff last pitched on the 4th of July, when he had to exit the game in the fourth inning due to renewed shoulder discomfort. He had missed six weeks earlier in the season with a shoulder issue that led to dead arm and diminished velocity. This time, though, the injury felt different. Woodruff got imaging done, which revealed a new injury to his anterior shoulder capsule. He then went to get a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister, who performed Woodruff’s first shoulder capsule surgery back in 2023.
The opinion from Dr. Meister confirmed the worst: Woodruff would need surgery again.
“Yesterday with the announcement, it seemed like I was having a funeral or I was announcing retirement or something, and that’s not it at all. I gotta have surgery. It’s unfortunate,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff fully intends to return to the mound and pitch again. It’ll be a long process before he can get there, however. While Woodruff did not reveal an exact timeline, based on his previous shoulder capsule surgery, he won’t return until likely the 2028 season, when he will be 35 years old.
When he has been on the mound this year, Woodruff has still been effective, pitching to a 2.98 ERA across his nine starts, and that’s a point of pride for him.
“I think that’s exciting. I may not have the 98 mph anymore, but I can still pitch at what it was this year, 90-93. There were some 88s and 89s in there, and I know those last couple of batters were like, it was 85-86. But it taught me how you can change speeds and move the ball around, and it’s more about location than stuff per se. So that’s the exciting thing for me… I’ve always prided myself on being a pitcher,” Woodruff said.
“You start thinking about your time with the Brewers and one of your favorite moments — it’s Woody out there throwing 92 like it’s 99. Hard to stomach for our team, what it means for the dugout, what it means for the clubhouse. Yeah, it’s a gut punch, not just from the competitive standpoint, of course, but from the person,” Pat Murphy said.
This injury leaves the Brewers with two of their top three starting pitchers out for the rest of the season. Quinn Priester underwent TOS surgery earlier this year, and now Woodruff, within the next month, will go under the knife as well. Relievers Brian Fitzpatrick and Angel Zerpa are also out for the year with Tommy John surgery.
Woodruff is a free agent at season’s end, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be brought back to rehab once again or if he will have to seek that opportunity elsewhere.
For his career, Brandon Woodruff has a 3.10 ERA, the lowest ERA of any pitcher in Brewers franchise history with a minimum of 500 IP. He has totaled 19.0 bWAR, a 55-30 record, and 151 appearances with 136 starts.
Woodruff is at or near the top of the Brewers franchise leaderboards in several categories, including: bWAR (3rd), Win-Loss % (2nd), ERA (1st), WHIP (1st), H/9 (3rd), BB/9 (7th), K/9 (3rd), Adjusted ERA+ (1st), and FIP (2nd).
Yankees fans don’t foresee a World Series return
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
During the All-Star break, we polled Yankees fans about how they thought the regular season would end for the ol’ Bronx Bombers. The majority didn’t think they would win the AL East, instead having to settle for a Wild Card—though 35 percent at least thought that they would be the home team in a first-round best-of-three.
The immediate follow-up question must be asked though: How would the 2026 Yankees fare in the playoffs? So we of course obliged with our SB Nation Reacts question this week. Would the Yanks win it all and capture No. 28? Would they at least win their second AL pennant in three seasons after missing out last year at the hands (or talons) of the Blue Jays?
Yeah, optimism isn’t terribly high in the Bronx right now, even after a sweep to end the first half — one largely enabled by the lousy Nationals bullpen. Only a quarter of Yankees fans think that they’ll win the World Series. Although it was the most common answer in this poll, 25 percent is hardly a ringing endorsement. I’m sure that I’ve made this comp before, but it’s most similar to the “Ask the Audience” results on classic “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” when contestants would use the lifeline on a high-level question where the vast majority was just guessing.
Perhaps more concerning is the fact that the combined 55 percent don’t envision even a return to the Fall Classic. It’s one thing to be extremely worried about the juggernaut Dodgers in a potential World Series matchup. It’s another to not be terribly confident that they’ll win the pennant in an American League that currently looks even more underwhelming than it was in 2024, when the Yankees only had to dispatch the Royals and Guardians—hardly the powerhouse Astros or Red Sox of yesteryear—to secure their first World Series trip since 2009.
Ninety-six percent of fans at least see the Yankees returning to the playoffs. It’s just a matter of where they’ll bow out, though again, a quarter are keeping the faith! I might run this poll again after the Trade Deadline, just to get another pulse check.
These survey results are sponsored by FanDuel.
Mets Notes: Plan to manage Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing down stretch, injury updates
Mets interim manager Andy Green hit on several topics ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game in Philadelphia against the Phillies.
Fire and rain impacting Clay Holmes, Luis Robert Jr.
The weather in New York has tossed a bit of a wrench into the plans for some rehab assignments.
Holmes was scheduled to pitch on Saturday night in Brooklyn, but with rain hammering the borough, Green said that, at the time he was speaking, with plans up in the air and “weather dependent,” the plan had now become for the right-hander to “throw a live BP to ensure he gets his pitches in today.”
“He’s completely fine; he’s geared up to throw around 45 pitches either in the game or live BP,” the interim skipper said. “Where we stand right now with where the weather is, it’s most likely going to be a live BP."
(The Cyclones later called off the game due to rain.)
As far as a timeline, speaking even before Holmes had thrown a single inning in his rehab, Green said that once he is built up to around a five-inning mark, the conversation can begin on when he will be set to re-join the big league outfit.
Robert, who had a double and two walks in five times up in his first game with Triple-A Syracuse after the All-Star break, came out of the game “really good,” Green said.
“He’s also in this weird weather world right now; I guess we’re trying to dodge fire and water right now,” the interim manager said. “I think it is just water up there in Syracuse, so for him we’re hoping he plays today, but not sure what that day is gonna be.
“If he doesn’t, we gotta determine if he plays tomorrow or when he does come back to us because he’s looking better and better.”
For a return, Green said that when the Mets head to Milwaukee for a three-game set on Monday, it is possible Robert could be activated. “Hope so, certainly hope he’s back in the mix by then,” he said.
Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing see more LHPs
Both of the Mets' highly-touted rookie left-handed batters were in the lineup against Phillies lefty Jesus Luzardo, which continues a trend of Benge and Ewing getting more chances left-on-left.
“I think they stay in and there’s no fear,” Green said when asked about why they’ve been successful against LHP. “I think you see it, especially with Carson, just whatever the pitch shape is just a comfort in the batter’s box. He’s not rattled by anything.
“A.J. has just such a short, compact swing that I think that plays incredibly well for him.”
Green added that they “both kinda do it a little bit differently,” but there is “reason to believe that they handle left-handed pitching.”
Through his first 95 plate appearances against lefties, Benge has a bit less power than against right-handers, but still posted an impressive .267/.337/.384 slash line for a .721 OPS.
Ewing has a bit less time against southpaws, with a slightly bigger drop in his average, but still a decent .231/.305/.442 slash for a .747 OPS in 60 plate appearances.
Crowded outfield
When Robert does return, what does that mean for all the above?
“All of them are going to play,” Green said. “That’s right for us from a matchup perspective; that’s right from a talent-level perspective. When it comes to the two kids that we feel strongly about, it’s their first full professional season; taking a day off a week as we get into kinda the dog days of July, August, and September isn’t going to hurt them; it will help them.
“We welcome really good baseball players back to the team and we’ll be excited to get [Robert’s] bat back into the lineup, and he’ll get some days off as well.”
Could Robert also get some time at DH? Well, that’s a bit more complicated with Jorge Polanco “getting a lot of those” and Juan Soto also getting some time as a hitter only.
“DH at-bats are tougher to come by than usual,” the skipper said. “But yes, that is a possibility as well.
That could also see Polanco get some time again at first base.
“I think so in time,” Green said when asked about that possibility. “Right now we got him back to get his bat back in the mix. So we’ve thought of him primarily as a DH in the short term. As we get into August, if he continues to feel good, I would expect us to start to explore that, get him so more ground balls, get him going again.
“That obviously was the intent when we signed him. Right now we just want his bat viable for us and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there in August.
AI in the dugout
Asked for his opinion on MLB changing what is allowed on iPads in the dugouts, the interim manager said he “cares about that as much as I care about game times changing an hour,” referencing the past two Mets games’ start time moving up one hour.
“I don’t care about it at all,” Green said. “Whatever the rules are, we remain fully compliant. And Major League Baseball makes those determinations. And we go out and play a game.”
After the news of MLB’s change was reported, former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino said the Mets were "the main team" that got cracked down on by MLB for using an AI program on iPads in the dugout that would help them "pick pitches.”
Asked if he or the organization had any reaction to Ottavino’s comments, the interim skipper said, “I certainly don’t.”
“I don’t think it does us any good to talk about what everybody says publicly,” he continued. “From my perspective, what I just said remains true: We remain compliant with everything MLB’s asked us to do, and we’ll continue to do that.”
Braves Minor League Recap: Luis Consoro tallies two XBH in DSL Braves’ win
It was a messy day down on the farm as multiple games were rained out in what was supposed to be a day full of action with nine total games slated for play. Still, there was plenty of action to go around, so let’s dive into it.
(46-45) Gwinnett Stripers, (44-48) Toledo Mud Hens (POSTPONED)
Mother Nature got in the way of this one, as the Stripers’ matchup against Toledo was postponed due to weather. Unfortunately, this means AJ Smith-Shawver did not make his anticipated start.
Gwinnett will be back in action on Saturday.
(40-42) Columbus Clingstones 3, (45-42) Chattanooga Lookouts 3 (SUSPENDED)
- Carson Taylor, 1B: 1-1, 2B, RBI, R
- Will Verdung, DH: 1-1, RBI
- Jordan Groshans, 3B: 0-1, RBI, Sacrifice Fly
- Julio Robaina, SP: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB
It’s a shame this one was suspended in the home half of the first inning due to rain, because through both team’s first trip to the plate, they combined for six runs on seven hits in what looked like it was going to be an offensive explosion.
Newly signed free agent Carson Taylor, Jordan Groshans and Will Verdung each tallied an RBI in the shortened outing, while Taylor also laced a double in the process as well.
The one person who was the happiest the game was rained out was Columbus starter Julio Robaina, who gave up three runs in just 0.2 innings of work before the contest was called.
The Clingstones will resume Friday’s game on Saturday as part of a doubleheader.
(42-43) Rome Emperors 0, (31-56) Asheville Tourists 4
- Tate Southisene, SS: 1-4, K
- Eric Hartman, DH: 0-4, 2 K
- John Gil, 2B: 0-4, 2 K
- Ethan Bagwell, SP: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K
While Rome’s game wasn’t rained out, they probably wish it would have been, as there was clearly some break hangover left as the Emperors were shutout in the 4-0 loss.
As the final score might suggest, Rome was limited at the plate to just four hits — all singles — as Tate Southisene, Colby Jones, Mason Guerra and Dallas Macias tallied the lone knocks for the Emperors.
Meanwhile starter Ethan Bagwell didn’t have his best stuff in his first start post-break, but was still somewhat solid for Rome. Across 4.2 innings, Bagwell held Asheville to two runs on six hits while only walking one and striking out three on the night.
The biggest detriment in his outing was the long ball, as Bagwell gave up a pair of homers in those 4.2 innings. The somewhat good news is that both of those home runs were only solo shots.
(48-40) Augusta GreenJackets 2, (43-43) Fayetteville Woodpeckers 3
- Michael Martinez, LF-RF: 1-4, R
- Cooper McMurray, 1B: 1-3, R
- Junior Garcia, RF-CF: 0-2, 2 BB
- Landon Beidelschies, SP: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
The GreenJackets found themselves in an early hole in this one and were unfortunately unable to climb their way out of it, losing a tight one by a 3-2 final.
On the one hand, Augusta was held to just two hits, a pair of singles courtesy of Michael Martinez and Cooper McMurray — who also happened to score both of the team’s only runs.
However, the GreenJackets did manage to work a solid seven walks on the night as well, but they also went a combined 0-5 with runners in scoring position on the night as well.
Landon Beidelschies got the start in this one and allowed two runs on three hits across 3.2 innings of work. The lefty also walked three and struck out three in the process.
(17-36) FCL Braves 6, (34-20) FCL Rays 5 (GAME ONE)
- Manuel Campos, SS: 2-3, 3 RBI, BB
- Caden Merritt, CF: 1-3, 3B, 2 R
- Elias Reyno, RF: 2-4, R
- Wuilinyer Tovar, SP: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB
While things didn’t exactly go according to plan for any of the teams in the upper minors on Friday, the FCL came away with at least one win in their doubleheader.
Wuilinyer Tovar got the start in game one for the Braves and tossed 4.2 innings of five-hit, three-run ball while walking a pair.
Offensively, things got off to a solid start as Manuel Campos singled home Caden Merritt in the top of the first to give the Braves an early 1-0 lead. However, the Rays managed to plate three runs of their own in the home half to put the Braves in a 3-1 deficit.
In the top of the fifth, Campos would once again come through, this time with a two-RBI single, to score Juan Espinal and Cardell Thibodeaux to tie things up at 3-3.
The Braves retook the lead in the top of the sixth as Elias Reyno scampered home on a wild pitch to make it a 4-3 game, while Johan Rodriguez singled home Espinal and Merritt later in the inning to tack on and extend the lead to 6-3.
Edward Cedano came on in relief of Tovar in the fifth inning, but proceeded to give up two runs in 2.1 innings of work as the Rays closed the gap in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 6-5. However, Cedano managed to stop the bleeding there and preserve the lead for the Braves.
(16-37) FCL Braves 3, (35-19) FCL Rays 7 (GAME TWO)
- Juan Espinal, RF: 1-3, HR, RBI, R
- Caden Merritt, DH: 2-4, 3B, R
- Yoelvis Betancourt, C: 2-3, 2 RBI
- Brody Fowler, SP: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, BB, 7 K
Game one might have went the Braves’ way, but game two was a much different story as the club ended up splitting their doubleheader following the 7-3 loss in this one.
At the plate, Merritt had yet another strong game by going 2-4 with a triple — his second of the day — and a run scored. Espinal also came through with a solo homer, while Yoelvis Betancourt drove in two of the team’s three runs in the game, going 2-3 in the process.
On the mound, 2025 17th rounder Brody Fowler, who joined the FCL club again after a brief stint at high-A Rome in which he tossed four innings of one-run ball, striking out nine batters in that span. Perhaps it’s just a tune-up for Fowler, as he doesn’t figure to spend much more time with the FCL squad.
On Friday, Fowler got roughed up a bit, allowing five runs (three earned) while also striking out seven in 4.1 innings of work.
(8-21) DSL Braves 7, (16-14) DSL Rays 6 (GAME ONE)
- Edelson Cabral, 3B: 2-3, RBI, R, BB
- Luis Consoro, LF: 2-3, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, R
- Ernesto Meza, SP: IP, H, ER, BB
- Charlis Medina, SP: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 K
In what was easily the most exciting game of the day down on the farm, the DSL Braves won game one of their doubleheader in dramatic fashion by beating the DSL Rays in extra innings.
Serving as the opener, Ernesto Meza tossed one inning, giving up one run. However, a bulk of the pitching workload came courtesy of reliever Charlis Medina, who spun 5.1 innings of scoreless ball, scattering four hits and striking out four in the process.
Medina’s performance is a huge reason why the Braves were able to remain in this game.
At the plate, the Braves jumped out to a dominant early lead, plating five runs in the top of the first.
Yassell Pena got things started with a two-RBI single to plate Edelson Cabral and Sherrintley Da Costa Gomez to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. Durban Arnedo later singled Pena home, before Luis Consoro tripled Arnedo and Osmar Torrealba home to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Rays took a 6-5 lead in the second inning, but the Braves tied things up in the top of the third, courtesy of Cabral RBI-single.
Both team’s respective offenses shut down from that point forward, sending the game into extras.
In the top of the eighth, Consoro came through once again with an extra base hit, this time an RBI-double to score Luis Fortunato to give the Braves a 7-6 lead.
In the home half, Yostin Pinales tossed a scoreless frame to put the Rays down and seal off the win for the Braves.
(9-21) DSL Braves , (16-13) DSL Rays (GAME TWO) (POSTPONED)
Once again, weather got in the way as the DSL squad’s second game of the day was called off due to rain.
Colorado Rockies vs. Cincinnati Reds game discussion: Rhett Lowder vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
Despite a hot start to July, the Colorado Rockies dropped under .500 on the month with a loss to the Cincinnati Reds last night. In the first game back after the All-Star festivities, the bats were cold and the Rockies started the back half of the season off on the wrong foot. The Rox managed just two runs on six hits alongside eight strikeouts, surrendering a taco special worth of runs in a 7-2 loss.
Gabriel Hughes looked solid and kept the Rockies in contention for most of the game, but Colorado’s offense couldn’t get things finished, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Hunter Goodman had a bit of an All-Star hangover, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. The bullpen let things get further out of reach with Jimmy Herget giving up two runs, Victor Vodnik another, and Jeff Criswell capping the night off allowing two more.
Looking to right the course, Colorado hopes the return of a key piece of the starting rotation could get them back in the win column. After a stint on the injured list, Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) is set to start for the Rockies. He brings an 8-4 record across 16 starts into the weekend matchup, tossing 48 strikeouts across 84.1 innings with a 4.80 ERA. Before his injury, Sugano had one of his roughest outings of the year in a 9-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits with two home runs and just two strikeouts.
For the Reds, Rhett Lowder is projected to take the mound. Lowder is also rejoining Cincinnati’s starting rotation. He shifted to the bullpen following Hunter Greene’s return from the IL, but a recent injury to Nick Lodolo warrants Lowder’s return. He carries a 3-6 record and a 4.91 ERA across 13 starts and 16 games played. In his last appearance, Lowder posted a clean two innings in relief, notching one strikeout and two walks with no hits at the end of an 8-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
The Saturday matinee presents two teams at the bottom of their respective divisions shuffling their rotations and battling it out in the hopes of stringing together some wins during the dog days of summer.
First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM and KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Reds SB Nation Site:Red Reporter
Lineups:
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Junis active, Corniell up
The Texas Rangers have activated relief pitcher Jakob Junis from the injured list, the team announced today. In addition, the Rangers have recalled righthanded pitcher Jose Corniell from AAA Round Rock. To make room for the pair on the active roster, the Rangers optioned relievers Emiliano Teodo and Gavin Collyer to AAA Round Rock.
The return of Junis is a big deal, as he and Jacob Latz have been, for much of the season, the only two really reliable relievers the Rangers have had. Junis will, I imagine, resume his role as the primary eighth inning guy now that he is back.
The other moves are just the rotation of guys in the bullpen to provide for fresh arms. Teodo came up because the Rangers needed an arm in the pen and he was available. He and Collyer both pitched yesterday in the 15-1 blowout. Neither was effective, and neither would be available for the weekend, most likely, so Corniell comes up to provide an arm in the pen for length.
Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks News
Diamondbacks Suffer Preventable Loss
The St. Louis Cardinals continue to have Arizona’s number.
Torey Lovullo and Ketel Marte Discuss the Odd Final Play of the Game
Situational awareness was lacking as the team returned from the extended break last night. This was abundantly apparent when Marte made a hash of things in the game-ending at-bat.
Ketel Marte’s Decision Stuns Fans
Just when it ooked like the team might get through the upcoming trade deadline without weeks of Ketel Marte rumblings, the pitchforks are out once again, calling for Marte to be moved, largely due to his decision to not use his challenge on the last pitch of the game.
Injury Update News
Zac Gallen will be making the worrisome trip to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday. Michael Soroka could be back in the first week of August. Tommy Troy just cannot catch a break and will likely be out until at least mid-August.
Lovullo Talks Lineup Plans
Torey Lovullo has a plan for the lineup in the second half.
Other Baseball News
MLB Restricts Use of AI on Dugout Tech
Oh no, managers aren’t able to quickly ask Claude what to do with a runner on second, no one out and the game tied in the 14th.
Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers and Other Trade Scenarios
The folks over at ESPN discuss some potential trade moves that make sense for the upcoming deadline.
Players Who Could Gain the Most from Deadline Trades
These players cold benefit from a change of scenery and some could see themselves in line for a better free agent contract this winter with the qualifying offer not being able to be applied.
Mets vs Phillies: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 7/18/26
Mets Lineup
- Francisco Lindor – SS
- Juan Soto – DH
- Bo Bichette – 3B
- Francisco Alvarez – C
- Carson Benge – RF
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Tyrone Taylor – LF
- A.J. Ewing – CF
- Eric Wagaman – 1B
Sean Manaea – LHP
Phillies Lineup
- Trea Turner – SS
- Kyle Schwarber – DH
- Bryce Harper – 1B
- Alec Bohm – 3B
- Edmundo Sosa – LF
- Brandon Marsh – RF
- J.T. Realmuto – C
- Derek Hill – CF
- Bryson Stott – 2B
Jesús Luzardo – LHP
Broadcast Info
First pitch: 3:05 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Game 99: Twins at Cubs
First Pitch: 1:20 pm CDT
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy
I can hardly believe it myself, but the 2026 Twins have reached a point of being so decent, their record actually reflects the notion that they might be okay. For the first time in nearly three months, Minnesota has a perfectly respectable .500 record at 49-49, has the chance to add another series win to their streak and claim a road series at Wrigley Field, and potentially set themselves up to leapfrog Cleveland in the standings next week.
Taj Bradley might be the most exciting member of Minnesota’s rotation, and he gets the ball for his first post-break start this afternoon. Coming off consecutive winning starts of 7 innings, Bradley has seen the team go 5-0 in his last five starts, as he pitches to a 2.32 ERA and a 38/10 K/BB ratio in 31 innings. Still just 25 years old, Bradley’s 2.6 bWAR would be far and away his highest career mark, and there’s still over 60 games left in the season.
For the Chicago Cubs, it’s a familiar name in lefty Matthew Boyd, who spent eight years in the division with Detroit, although I mostly remember him for putting up Blyleven-esque home run numbers (allowing a league-leading 39 homers despite a 3.8 bWAR in 2019, then somehow managing to allow a league-worst 15 homers and a league-leading 45 earned runs in the pandemic season.)
The Twins look to have a winning record in a matter of hours, as their quest to buy at the deadline continues.
GO TWINS GO!