MLB – Page 708 – Worldwide Sports News

June 26, 2025

Max Scherzer calls his return for the Blue Jays a good check mark

CLEVELAND — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer pitched five innings and gave up three runs in his first appearance for the Toronto Blue Jays since March.

“That’s a good check-mark sign,” Scherzer said. “Maybe something that you look for as you’re coming back and as you’re ramping back up. So good in that regard. In terms of actually pitching, a little rusty. I could execute better. I pitched good, I didn’t pitch great.”

Scherzer gave up six hits and three walks on 83 pitches with four strikeouts after recovering from an inflamed right thumb that caused him to go on the injured list. The Blue Jays wound up losing 5-4 in 10 innings to the Cleveland Guardians.

The next step will be determined based on how his thumb feels because thumb problems can lead to shoulder issues.

“It’s been frustrating as heck to be dealing with this for really the third straight year,” Scherzer said. “I finally get back out here get pitching again get that adrenaline boost. you just don’t get that in the minor leagues.”

The 40-year-old Scherzer threw his most pitches since last July 25, throwing 55 of 83 pitches for strikes. He gave up a two-out double in the fourth, and a pitch-clock violation led to one of his walks.

“I made a bad pitch, so I’m not going to blame that on the clock,” Scherzer said.

Scherzer finished with a scoreless fifth inning and a 4-3 lead.

He signed a one-year deal, $15.5 million with the Blue Jays in February. He left his Toronto debut against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle. The next day, Toronto put Scherzer on the injured list because of inflammation in his thumb.

The Blue Jays declared Scherzer ready to return after he threw 30-40 pitches in a bullpen session.

Scherzer gave up two runs, struck out four and walked none over 4 1/3 innings in the second of two rehab starts for Triple-A Buffalo and struck out eight in 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the Bisons in a home start against Worcester before that.

June 26, 2025

Dodgers at Rockies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Dodgers (50-31) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (18-62). Clayton Kershaw is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Austin Gomber for Colorado.

The Dodgers had another high-scoring game against the Rockies last night. They won 8-1 and have scored at least 8 runs in three straight games.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out six batters in 5.0 scoreless innings. Max Muncy had a massive night at the plate. He went 2-4 with a home run and six RBI.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Rockies

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 3:10PM EST
Site: Coors Field
City: Denver, CO
Network/Streaming: Rockies.TV, SportsNet LA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Thursday:

Moneyline: Dodgers (-288), Rockies (+230)
Spread: Dodgers -1.5
Total: 12.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Rockies

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Clayton Kershaw vs. Austin Gomber
- Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, (3-0, 3.31 ERA)
  Last outing (Washington Nationals, 6/20): 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
- Rockies: Austin Gomber, (0-1, 8.38 ERA)
  Last outing (Arizona Diamondbacks, 6/20): 4.2 Innings Pitched, 9 Earned Runs Allowed, 12 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 0 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries, and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions, and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Dodgers at Rockies

The Dodgers have won 5 of their last 6 road games, while the Rockies have lost 16 in 20 at home
4 of the Rockies' last 5 games have gone over the Total with Austin Gomber as the opener
The Rockies have failed to cover the Run Line in 7 of their last 9 home matchups against the Dodgers

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline, and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Rockies

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread, and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information, and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Dodgers and the Rockies:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 12.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence

Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco found guilty in sex abuse case, receives 2-year suspended sentence originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Wander Franco, the suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop charged in a sexual abuse case, was found guilty on Thursday but received a two-year suspended sentence.

Franco was arrested last year after being accused of having a four-month relationship with a girl who was 14 at the time, and of transferring thousands of dollars to her mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

Franco, now 24, also faced charges of sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking.

Judge Jakayra Veras García said Franco made a bad decision as she addressed him during the ruling.

“Look at us, Wander,” she said. “Do not approach minors for sexual purposes. If you don’t like people very close to your age, you have to wait your time.”

Prosecutors had requested a five-year prison sentence against Franco and a 10-year sentence against the girl’s mother, who was found guilty and will serve the full term.

“Apparently she was the one who thought she was handling the bat in the big leagues,” Veras said of the mother and her request that Franco pay for her daughter’s schooling and other expenses.

Before the three judges issued their unanimous ruling, Veras orally reviewed the copious amount of evidence that prosecutors presented during trial, including certain testimony from 31 witnesses.

“This is a somewhat complex process,” Veras said.

More than an hour into her presentation, Veras said: “The court has understood that this minor was manipulated.”

As the judge continued her review, Franco looked ahead expressionless, leaning forward at times.

Franco, who was once the team’s star shortstop, had signed a $182 million, 11-year contract through 2032 in November 2021 but saw his career abruptly halted in August 2023 after authorities in the Dominican Republic announced they were investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor. Franco was 22 at the time.

In January 2024, authorities arrested Franco in the Dominican Republic. Six months later, Tampa Bay placed him on the restricted list, which cut off the pay he had been receiving while on administrative leave.

He was placed on that list because he has not been able to report to the team and would need a new U.S. visa to do so.

While Franco awaited trial on conditional release, he was arrested again in November last year following what Dominican authorities called an altercation over a woman’s attention. He was charged with illegally carrying a semiautomatic Glock 19 that police said was registered to his uncle.

That case is still pending in court.

After the ruling, Major League Baseball issued a brief statement noting it had collectively bargained a joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy “that reflects our commitment to these issues.”

“We are aware of today’s verdict in the Wander Franco trial and will conclude our investigation at the appropriate time,” MLB said.

June 26, 2025

Assessing Mets with half of season over: The good, the imperfect, and what's to come

The Mets' win over the Braves on Wednesday at Citi Field marked the halfway point of the season, and New York remains in strong shape.

With a 47-34 record, the Mets are on pace to finish the year at 94-68.

They trail the Phillies by a half game for first place in the NL East and are holding the top Wild Card spot in the National League.

New York has never reached the postseason three times in a four-year span. That would change if they get to the playoffs this year following their run to the NLCS in 2024 and entry as a Wild Card in 2022.

Let's assess how things are going for the 2025 Mets and what's to come...

The good

On May 27, we dissected how things were going for the Mets at the one-third mark of the season. At that point, Juan Sotowas still finding his footing in his first year in Queens. Now, he's again a menace at the plate, looking like the absolute best version of himself.

Over his last 25 games and 109 plate appearances dating back to May 30, Soto is hitting .333/.486/.774 with 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 24 walks. Soto's OPS for the season is up to .899 and he is on pace to finish the season with 38 home runs.

Also catching fire has been Brandon Nimmo, whose OPS was a paltry .676 on May 27. Now, it's up to .770, and Nimmo is in the midst of a 28-game stretch where he's slashing .315/.378/.556 with seven homers and five doubles.

Along with Soto and Nimmo, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Jeff McNeilhave been huge bright spots for an offense that has very been top-heavy lately (more on that in a bit).

The starting rotation (more on that in a bit as well) is being largely held together right now by Clay Holmes (2.97 ERA) and David Peterson (2.98 ERA), and got a jolt from the returning Frankie Montas earlier this week.

Montas, who had struggled while rehabbing in the minors, fired 5.0 shutout innings against Atlanta, with a lively fastball that sat around 97 mph and topped out at 98.

Jun 24, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Citi Field. / Brad Penner - Imagn Images

As far as the bullpen, while there have been some hiccups -- due in part to the rotation not providing enough length -- it has remained largely strong.

Edwin Diaz(2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP) has been dominant, Jose Butto hasn't allowed an earned run since May 27, and Ryne Stanek has been solid since May 2 (3.86 ERA). Reed Garrett had a really rough outing on June 20 against the Phillies, and was twice victimized by the Braves recently when trying to clean up other relievers' messes, but the underlying numbers -- 2.32 ERA, 2.62 FIP, 11.3 strikeouts per nine -- remain very good.

New York's team defense has also been above league average, at 12 DRS (defensive runs saved). The biggest bright spots defensively? Lindor, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor, and Luis Torrens.

The imperfect

There's no way to ignore the 1-10 stretch the Mets just went on that exposed their three main issues.

The starting pitching is not going deep enough (and put the team in early holes a lot during their funk), the bullpen has been overworked because of it, and the bottom of the lineup has not done nearly enough.

The Mets were pacing at 99-63 at the one-third mark and are now on pace for 94 wins -- a drop that's notable but not the end of the world. By storming out of the gates, New York built a cushion big enough to withstand the kind of swoon they seem to be starting to come out of.

One of the main culprits behind the aforementioned swoon? A hamstring injury to Kodai Senga(who was leading the majors in ERA when he got hurt), an elbow injury to Tylor Megill, and the struggles of Paul Blackburn -- who has allowed 10 runs (seven earned) in 8.1 innings over two starts while filling in for Senga.

Max Kranick also went down with an elbow injury, further hampering an already-overworked relief corps.

Meanwhile, there has been regression from Huascar Brazoban, who allowed four runs against the Braves on June 19 and almost singlehandedly cost the Mets the game against Atlanta on June 24 when he walked the bases loaded while trying to protect a three-run lead in the sixth inning.

Then there's Francisco Alvarez, who was recently sent down to Triple-A Syracuse due to struggles on both sides of the ball.

The most glaring thing regarding Alvarez was what he was doing behind the plate. There were failures to block pitches in the dirt, game-calling issues, and one egregious situation where he didn't know which base to throw to during a rundown that ultimately cost the Mets a game.

Speaking earlier this week, president of baseball operations David Stearns said the improvements they want Alvarez to hit in the minors are "not statistical." If Alvarez -- who hit a 452-foot home run the day before he was demoted -- can iron things out, he could possibly make a big impact in the majors down the stretch.

What's to come

The Mets are about to get some serious reinforcements.

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) reacts after his solo home run during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field / Vincent Carchietta - Imagn Images

First to return will be Mark Vientos, who finished his rehab assignment on Wednesday and whose activation from the IL is imminent. Vientos' overall numbers aren't great, but he hit very well from April 17 until going down on June 2, with a .785 OPS to go along with six homers and four doubles over 36 games.

Vientos will help lengthen the lineup, and it will be further fortified when Jesse Winker is back. Winker is set to begin a rehab assignment this weekend.

Sean Manaea, whose rehab was paused for a few days due to a loose body in his elbow, is set to make his final rehab start next week and could possibly be activated when the Mets face the Yankees in early-July at Citi Field. As far as Senga, he is already throwing off the mound and a rehab assignment is on the horizon.

New York could also see the debut of Nolan McLean this summer, whether it comes in the starting rotation or in the bullpen. McLean has been terrific this season in Double-A and Triple-A. And out of all of the Mets' top pitching prospects, McLean seems to be the one most ready to make an impact at the big league level.

As far as Jonah Tong, who is awaiting what seems at this point to be an overdue promotion to Triple-A, it would be a bit of a surprise if he debuted this season. But if he keeps toying with hitters once he reaches Syracuse, all bets should be off.

It's the trade deadline, though, that could bring the Mets the fortifying pieces they need in advance of a playoff run.

The most obvious targets would be a center fielder (Cedric Mullins?) or a third baseman (Eugenio Suarez?). The Mets should also be seeking back-end bullpen help. And if they determine the rotation has a missing piece, that should be a hole they fill as well.

The Mets have the high-end prospects to strike a blockbuster deal if they so choose, but they also have the kind of prospect depth that should help them pull off a handful of medium-impact trades without having to deal any of their best minor leaguers.

No matter what, the Mets are set up well as they attempt to take the next step (or two) after their magical run to the NLCS last season.

June 26, 2025

Mariners at Twins prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26

Its Thursday, June 26 and the Mariners (41-38) are in Minneapolis to wrap up their four-game series with the Twins (38-42).

Emerson Hancock is slated to take the mound for Seattle against Simeon WoodsRichardson for Minnesota.

The Twins snapped a 4-game losing streak last night with a 2-0 win over the Mariners. Joe Ryan and three relievers limited Seattle to three hits. Kody Clemens' home run in the seventh inning was one of only four hits for the Twins, but it was enough to propel Minnesota to the win.

Lets dive into the series finale and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mariners at Twins

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 1:10PM EST
Site: Target Field
City: Minneapolis, MN
Network/Streaming: RSNW, MNNT, MLBN

Odds for the Mariners at the Twins

The latest odds as of Thursday:

Moneyline: Mariners (+101), Twins (-121)
Spread: Twins -1.5
Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mariners at Twins

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Emerson Hancock vs. Simeon Woods Richardson
- Mariners: Emerson Hancock (3-3, 5.43 ERA)
  Last outing: 6/21 at Cubs - 4IP, 9ER, 6H, 3BB, 5Ks
- Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson (2-4, 5.06 ERA)
  Last outing: 6/21 vs. Milwaukee - 6IP, 3ER, 4H, 3BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mariners at Twins

The Twins snapped a 4-game losing streak last night
The Over is 22-16-2 in the Mariners' road games this season
Simeon Woods Richardson has not struck out more than 4 opposing hitters since April 26.
Cal Raleigh saw his 7-game hitting streak snapped last night (0-4)
Julio Rodriguez is 3-11 (.273) in this series

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Mariners and the Twins

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Mariners and the Twins:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Seattle Mariners at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Mets vs. Braves: How to watch on SNY on June 26, 2025

The Mets wrap up a four-game series with the Braves at Citi Field on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

Juan Soto is hitting .333/.486/.774 with 11 home runs, four doubles, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 24 walks in 109 plate appearances over his last 25 games. His OPS for the season is up to .899 and he is on pace to finish the year with 38 home runs
Brandon Nimmo is hitting .315/.378/.556 with seven home runs, five doubles, 15 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 119 plate appearances over his last 28 games
Jose Butto hasn't allowed an earned run since May 27, tossing 13.1 innings over 10 appearances during that span

BRAVES	METS
-	Francisco Lindor, SS
-	Brandon Nimmo, DH
-	Juan Soto, RF
-	Pete Alonso, 1B
-	Jeff McNeil, LF
-	Tyrone Taylor, CF
-	Brett Baty, 3B
-	Luis Torrens, C
-	Ronny Mauricio, 3B

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone.

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB?

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps:

Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account.

Select the SNY Mets game you wish to view from the Multimedia Center.

How can I watch the game on the MLB App?

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.

Download the free MLB App.

Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices.

Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”

To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

June 26, 2025

Jacob deGrom flirts with a perfect game, then a no-hitter with the Rangers

BALTIMORE — When Jacob deGrom is at his best, the Texas Rangers believe he’s the best pitcher on the planet.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner certainly is looking like his old self.

DeGrom flirted with a perfect game through six innings and a no-hitter through seven Wednesday night in another dominating performance in his return from Tommy John surgery in June 2023.

He threw 89 pitches, getting pulled after giving up his only hit to Colton Cowser leading off the eighth. The Rangers finished off a 7-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles as deGrom tied his career-best streak of 13 straight starts giving up two or fewer earned runs.

“When you miss that much time, you miss this a lot,” deGrom said. “You got time to really think about what you’ve done in your career. The goal is to try to come back and be as good as I was before the surgery, so constantly trying to work on that and still working on things in between.”

He walked Jackson Holliday starting the seventh. Then he struck out Jordan Westburg and got Gunnar Henderson to fly out. DeGrom walked Ryan O’Hearn, putting two on and causing a mound visit, then got Gary Sánchez to ground into an inning-ending forceout.

Texas removed deGrom after he faced 24 batters. He had thrown 59 of 89 pitches for strikes.

Manager Bruce Bochy said deGrom was throwing well and he planned to give him a chance to finish a no-hit bid. The Rangers have been limiting deGrom to around 80 pitches per game.

“First guy that got a hit that was far enough,” Bochy said. “We had a nice lead, and he’s so fun to watch. He really is. I’ve said this. I’m a fan when he’s pitching.”

Rangers catcher Jonah Heim said deGrom was throwing all four pitches for strikes, and all he had to do was call the pitches.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen him since he came over here,” Heim said. “So really encouraging to see really proud of him for all the work he’s put in to get here.”

The Rangers certainly are getting the best of deGrom in his third season in Texas since of a $185 millionm five-year deal. He’s off to an 8-2 start and has started 16 games after being limited to three in 2024 and six in 2023.

Yes, deGrom wanted to finish off a no-hitter until a fastball wound up in the wrong spot for the only hit he allowed.

“It was just fun to be out there,” deGrom said.

June 26, 2025

Why Athletics standout rookie Jacob Wilson credits video games for MLB success

Why Athletics standout rookie Jacob Wilson credits video games for MLB success originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

If you want to dominate on the baseball diamond, you first must master the sticks.

At least that’s the case for Athletics standout rookie Jacob Wilson.

The 23-year-old shortstop, who is batting .347/.388/.487 with nine home runs, 40 RBI and five stolen bases in 76 games, recently spoke with ESPN’s Jeff Passan about his rookie-season success and shared what he believes to be the secret key to his breakout at the plate.

“Kids are going to love this one. Parents are going to hate me,” Wilson told Passan. “I am a big believer in video games. It’s fast decision-making strategy. I think that gets me ready for the game, because when you’re in the box, you have to process a lot. So there’s some days where I’ll wake up and I’ll play video games and then I’ll go to the field, and I’ll have a good day. Some days I won’t play and don’t see the ball well. I think it really helps me train kind of the decision-making that I have to make six, seven hours later at the baseball field.”

Wilson shared with Passan that he frequently plays “Fortnite,” the third-person battle royale shooter game that exploded in popularity in 2018 and has maintained a steady player base since.

Fellow A’s rookie Max Muncy, who plays “Fortnite” with Wilson, knows first-hand how good his teammate is.

“If we play a game with me and him and guys we know and you kill him once, you’re like, ‘That’s a good day,’ ” Muncy told Passan. “You could play 50 rounds. Just once is good.”

Wilson’s father, Jack, a former MLB shortstop, seemingly supports his son’s hypothesis.

“I do believe in the hand-eye coordination that video games give — as long as you do your homework,” Jack told Passan. “Kids, if you’re reading, do your homework.”

Well put.

However, once the homework is done, it’s time to drop Tilted.

Then, for Wilson, the 2025 MLB All-Star Game on July 15 in Atlanta.

June 26, 2025

Rays at Royals prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Rays (45-35) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (38-42). Shane Baz is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Michael Lorenzen for Kansas City.

Tampa Bay took game two of the series, 3-0, after winning 5-1 on Tuesday. The Rays are 4-1 in the last five games and looking to either tie or win their fifth-straight series as they're rocking a 9-3 mark in the last 12 games.

Kansas City has lost four consecutive games and is 4-4 in the last eight outings, but 4-10 in the previous 14. The Royals are in a bad stretch as the offense has mustered four total runs in the last four games.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rays at Royals

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 2:10PM EST
Site: Kauffman Stadium
City: Kansas City, MO
Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, FDSNKC

Odds for the Rays at the Royals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

Moneyline: Rays (-124), Royals (+104)
Spread: Rays -1.5
Total: 10.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Royals

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Shane Baz vs. Michael Lorenzen
- Rays: Shane Baz, (7-3, 4.79 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
- Royals: Michael Lorenzen, (4-7, 4.81 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rays and the Royals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Rays and the Royals:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Tampa Bay Rays on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Kansas City Royals at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 10.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rays at Royals

The Rays have won 6 of their last 8 on the road, while the Royals have lost 9 straight home games
5 of the Royals' last 6 home games stayed under the Total
The Rays have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 2.83 units
Tampa Bay is 9-3 in the last 12 games
Kansas City is 0-4 in the past four games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Athletics at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 26

Its Thursday, June 26 and the Athletics (33-49) are in Detroit to take on the Tigers (50-31).

Jeffrey Springs is slated to take the mound for the Athletics against Dietrich Enns for Detroit. Enns has not pitched in the majors since 2021.

Jacob Lopez was exceptional last night for the Athletics throwing seven innings of three-hit, shutout ball as the A's blanked the Tigers, 3-0. Nick Kurtz went 3-3 and drove in all three runs for the Athletics who evened the series at one game apiece.

Lets dive into the series finale and find a sweat or two.

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Game details & how to watch Athletics at Tigers

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 1:10PM EST
Site: Comerica Park
City: Detroit, MI
Network/Streaming: NBCSCA, FDSNDT

Odds for the Athletics at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

Moneyline: Athletics (+134), Tigers (-158)
Spread: Tigers -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Athletics at Tigers

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Jeffrey Springs vs. Dietrich Enns
- Athletics: Jeffrey Springs (6-5, 4.24 ERA)
  Last outing: 6/20 vs. Cleveland - 7.1IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 6Ks
- Tigers: Dietrich Enns
  Last outing: 9/24/2021

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Athletics at Tigers

The Tigers have won 4 of their last 6 home games against teams with losing records
5 of the Tigers' last 8 games against the Athletics have gone over the Total
The Athletics have covered in 5 of their last 6 road games
Nick Kurtz now has 6 home runs in June and 11 on the season
Tyler Soderstrom is riding a 5-game hitting streak (8-18)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Athletics and the Tigers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Athletics and the Tigers:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Oakland Athletics at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Phillies at Astros Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Phillies (47-33) are in Houston to take on the Astros (47-33). Cristopher Sánchez is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Hunter Brown for Houston.

The Astros extended their winning streak to three consecutive games after beating the Phillies, 2-0, earning their second straight shutout victory over Philadelphia.

The Phillies are 1-3 over the last four games, which followed up a 10-3 stretch over 13 contests. Philadelphia has scored four or fewer runs in six of the past eight games, while Houston has in five of the previous six.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game details & how to watch Phillies at Astros

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 2:10PM EST
Site: Minute Maid Park
City: Houston, TX
Network/Streaming: NBCSP, SCHN

Odds for the Phillies at the Astros

The latest odds as of Thursday:

Moneyline: Phillies (+122), Astros (-145)
Spread: Astros -1.5
Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Astros

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Cristopher Sánchez vs. Hunter Brown
- Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez, (6-2, 2.88 ERA)
  Last outing: 8.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
- Astros: Hunter Brown, (8-3, 1.88 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Astros

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Phillies and the Astros:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Philadelphia Phillies at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Astros

This season the Astros are 47-33 (.588) and 11-4 (.733) with Hunter Brown as the opener
With Hunter Brown as starting pitcher 7 of the Astros' last 8 home games have gone under the Total
With Hunter Brown toeing the rubber betting the Astros on the Run Line would have returned a 3.33-unit profit in 2025
Philadelphia is 12-3 when Cristopher Sanchez pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Cubs at Cardinals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 26

It's Thursday, June 26 and the Cubs (47-33) are in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals (44-37). Shota Imanaga is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Andre Pallante for St. Louis.

Chicago took the third game of the series in dominant fashion, winning 8-0, after losing the first two games 8-2 and 8-7. The Cubs look to tie up the series today as Imanaga returns from an injury that cost him nearly two months.

The Cardinals are 7-2 over the last nine games and won its past two series as it attempts to make it three consecutive. The Cubbies are 2-5 in the past seven games and dropped the last two series.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game details & how to watch Cubs at Cardinals

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 2:15PM EST
Site: Busch Stadium
City: St. Louis, MO
Network/Streaming: MARQ, FDSNMW

Odds for the Cubs at the Cardinals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

Moneyline: Cubs (-136), Cardinals (+114)
Spread: Cubs -1.5
Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Cardinals

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Shota Imanaga vs. Andre Pallante
- Cubs: Shota Imanaga, (3-2, 2.82 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts
- Cardinals: Andre Pallante, (5-3, 4.48 ERA)
  Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Cardinals

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Cubs and the Cardinals:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the St. Louis Cardinals at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Cardinals

At home this season the Cardinals have won 9 of 16 games following a defeat
The Over is 23-17-2 in the Cardinals' home games this season
The Cardinals are 7-3 in the last 10 games
The Cubs are 5-5 in the last 10 games
Chicago is 5-3 this season when Shota Imanaga pitches
St. Louis is 9-6 this season when Andre Pallante pitches

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Blue Jays at Guardians Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends and stats for June 26

Its Thursday, June 26 and the Blue Jays (42-37) are in Cleveland to take on the Guardians (40-38) this afternoon.

Kevin Gausman is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Tanner Bibee for Cleveland.

These teams have split the first two games of the series with Cleveland winning last night, 5-4 in ten innings. Nic Enright pitched a scoreless tenth for the Guardians and Jose Ramirez drove in the winning run for Cleveland's 40th win of the season.

Lets dive into the series finale and find a sweat or two.

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Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at Guardians

Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 1:10PM EST
Site: Progressive Field
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, CLEG

Odds for the Blue Jays at the Guardians

The latest odds as of Thursday:

Moneyline: Blue Jays (-110), Guardians (-110)
Spread: Guardians -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Guardians

Pitching matchup for June 26, 2025: Kevin Gausman vs. Tanner Bibee
- Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (5-6, 4.61 ERA)
  Last outing: 6/19 vs. Arizona - 4.1IP, 7ER, 7H, 3BB, 4Ks
- Guardians: Tanner Bibee (4-7, 3.86 ERA)
  Last outing: 6/20 at Athletics - 8IP, 4ER, 11H, 0BB, 10Ks

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at Guardians

The Blue Jays have won 4 of their last 6 on the road against American League teams
Each of the last 4 games between the Guardians and the Blue Jays have gone over the Total
The Guardians have failed to cover the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 games against the Blue Jays
Tanner Bibee has struck out 25 opposing hitters in 25.2 innings in June
Jose Ramirez has hit safely in 6 of his last 7 games (9-29)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Blue Jays and the Guardians

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Blue Jays and the Guardians:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Toronto Blue Jays on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cleveland Guardians at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

June 26, 2025

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Aroldis Chapman is dominating in 16th season

In this week's Closer Report, Aroldis Chapman has been dominant in Boston as the 16-year veteran is turning in one of his best seasons yet. Dylan Lee has worked his way into a share of the save chances in Atlanta. And there's a pair of relievers to keep an eye on in the NL West. That and more as we run down the last week in saves.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1: At the Top

Josh Hader - Houston Astros

Hader took the mound five times in the last week. He surrendered a solo homer to take the loss against the Athletics last Thursday, then picked up a win and three saves. The 31-year-old left-hander has converted 21 saves with a 1.73 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and a 56/7 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings. Hader is in the midst of one of his best seasons yet.

Tier 2: The Elite

Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres
Jhoan Duran - Minnesota Twins
Emmanuel Clase - Cleveland Guardians
Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox

Muñoz made only his second appearance in two weeks on Tuesday as save chances just haven't come for Seattle. He tossed a clean eighth inning with two strikeouts in a tie game before falling in line for a win. Matt Brash pitched the ninth for his first save of the season. Brash has yet to allow a run over 14 1/3 innings.

No save chances for Díaz this week. He tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts against the Braves on Monday in his only appearance. The 31-year-old right-hander has recorded a 2.08 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 45/12 K/BB ratio across 30 1/3 innings.

Suarez surrendered a run against the Dodgers on Thursday, then tossed a pair of scoreless frames against the Royals and Nationals, picking up a win and a save. He's serving a two-game suspension starting Wednesday for hitting Shohei Ohtani during last week's heated contest against Los Angeles. Adrian Morejon stepped in for a save on Wednesday in Suarez's absence.

Three of Duran's seven runs he's allowed this season have come over his last six outings. He gave up one run on a walk and a hit on Tuesday to take the loss against the Mariners, then bounced back with a clean save with one strikeout Wednesday. Meanwhile, Clase picked up two saves against the Athletics with a pair of scoreless outings.

Chapman is probably overdue in joining the elite tier with his performance this season. The 37-year-old veteran left-hander struck out two in a clean inning against the Giants for a save on Friday, then struck out the side against the Angels in a tie game Tuesday. Chapman is 14-for-15 in save chances with a 1.36 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and a 48/10 K/BB ratio across 33 innings.

Tier 3: The Solid Options

Tanner Scott - Los Angeles Dodgers
Mason Miller - Athletics
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers
Félix Bautista - Baltimore Orioles
Devin Williams/Luke Weaver - New York Yankees
Camilo Doval - San Francisco Giants
Will Vest - Detroit Tigers
David Bednar - Pittsburgh Pirates
Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Ryan Helsley - St. Louis Cardinals
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Kyle Finnegan - Washington Nationals

Scott gave up a solo homer against the Nationals on Friday before holding on for the save. He then converted a four-out save in Colorado against the Rockies on Tuesday. The 30-year-old left-hander is up to 16 saves with a 3.65 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 40/4 K/BB ratio across 37 innings.

Miller, the top closer to start the season, falls into this tier after taking his third blown save against the Astros on Thursday. It's been an odd season for the 26-year-old right-hander. It's hard to blame the venue in Sacramento when he has a worse ERA on the road. Miller is still throwing 101 mph and generating an elite 19.9% swinging-strike rate, both in line with last season. The issue has been a bloated walk rate and more hits allowed. But with his velocity and whiff rate intact, he can still right the ship and return to form over the second half. He had a better outing Wednesday, striking out two in a perfect inning for his 15th save against the Tigers.

Megill continues to pitch well. He secured three saves this week. The 31-year-old right-hander is up to 18 saves with a 2.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 33/14 K/BB ratio across 27 2/3 innings. Abner Uribe has been stellar behind Megill in a setup role, he leads the majors with 21 holds while posting a 2.11 ERA over 38 1/3 innings.

Bautista struck out two batters in each of his three appearances this week, giving up just one hit over three innings of work while converting two saves. The 30-year-old right-hander has converted 16 saves with a 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 38/17 K/BB ratio across 27 2/3 innings.

Williams locked down a save against the Orioles on Sunday. He's up to 10 saves and has made seven consecutive scoreless appearances. Weaver made his return from the injured list after missing three weeks with a hamstring strain. He gave up two runs in his first outing, then struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning on Tuesday. Manager Aaron Boone has stated both Williams and Weaver will split save chances. Though Weaver may need to work his way back into those opportunities while Williams hasn't done much to warrant a step back.

Doval worked a clean inning for a save against the Guardians last Thursday, then gave up two runs before holding on for his 12th save against the Red Sox on Saturday. Pitching in a tie game Wednesday in the tenth inning, he surrendered four runs, three earned, on two hits and two walks. It's not always easy for the 27-year-old right-hander, but he's generally done a good job with a 2.78 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 33/17 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings.

Vest returned to the mound following his exit with a finger issue on June 15. He struck out the side against the Pirates in his only appearance of the week. Vest has taken hold of the primary closer role with seven of the last nine saves for the Tigers.

Bednar recorded the final five outs against the Tigers last Thursday and fell in line for the win. He then tossed a pair of scoreless innings against the Rangers and Brewers, recording his 11th save on Monday in Milwaukee. The 30-year-old right-hander has been outstanding after a rough start. He's posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 39/8 K/BB ratio across 27 2/3 innings.

Palencia made one appearance this week, giving up one run in a non-save situation against the Mariners on Saturday. Porter Hodge was activated from the injured list after missing over a month with a hip injury. Palencia should continue to work as the team's closer as long as he's effective.

Pagán blew a save chance trying to convert a four-out save on Saturday against the Cardinals, giving up a solo homer. He bounced back on Sunday with a clean inning for his 18th save of the season. Meanwhile, after giving up runs in four consecutive outings, Helsley recovered with three scoreless appearances, converting two saves.

Estévez tossed a clean inning for a save against the Rangers last Thursday, then gave up a run before holding on for his 22nd save against the Padres on Friday. The underlying metrics don't exactly support his 2.14 ERA, but Estévez continues to get the job done for the Ryals.

Hoffman tossed a scoreless inning in a non-save situation against the White Sox on Friday, then was charged with a blown save with one unearned run allowed against Chicago on Sunday. And in Tampa, Fairbanks made his only appearance of the week on Wednesday, pitching a clean inning against the Royals for his 14th save.

Finnegan made two scoreless appearances this week but saw no save chances. With the trade deadline a month away and the Nationals falling further out of contention, the 33-year-old right-hander may finally see himself on the move this summer.

Tier 4: Here for the Saves

Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Shelby Miller - Arizona Diamondbacks
Dylan Lee/Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Matt Strahm/Orion Kerkering/Jordan Romano - Philadelphia Phillies
Robert Garcia/Luke Jackson - Texas Rangers

Jansen was removed from Monday's contest against the Red Sox with cramping in his right pectoral but was good to go Tuesday as he returned to toss a scoreless inning in a tie game. With Jansen getting the day off Wednesday, Ryan Zeferjahn converted a two-inning save against Boston.

Miller picked up two more saves this week as he operates as Arizona's primary closer. A.J. Puk underwent Tommy John surgery last week, joining Justin Martinez as both relievers will be sidelined into 2026. Expect Miller to continue to get most of the Diamondbacks' save chances.

Lee is emerging as a trusted option in Atlanta. He converted a clean four-out save with two strikeouts against the Mets on Monday. With Lee off on Tuesday, Iglesias stepped in for the final two outs against New York for his ninth save. Lee could be splitting save chances with Iglesias going forward and should be added in deeper leagues for teams looking to supplement some saves. The 30-year-old left-hander is having an excellent season, posting a 1.77 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and a 37/8 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings.

The committee continues in Philadelphia. Kerkering converted the team's last save on Thursday. The 24-year-old right-hander has been outstanding since the start of May, allowing just one earned run over his last 19 1/3 innings.

With Garcia off for the day, Chris Martin converted a save for the Rangers on Saturday. Garcia stepped back in for a save against the Orioles on Tuesday for his sixth of the season.

Tier 5: Bottom of the Barrel

Calvin Faucher - Miami Marlins
Seth Halvorsen - Colorado Rockies
Brandon Eisert/Steven Wilson - Chicago White Sox

Relievers On The Rise/Stash Candidates

Juan Morillo could be a name to watch in Arizona. Anyone who can regularly hit 100 miles per hour should be on our radar. The 26-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks this season and has settled in nicely after giving up ten runs over 15 1/3 innings through May. Morillo has made nine consecutive scoreless appearances. While Shelby Miller works as the primary closer, Morillo has a chance to climb the bullpen hierarchy behind him. Elsewhere in the NL West, Michael Kopech has tossed six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in his return to the Dodgers after missing the first two months with a shoulder injury. With Blake Treinen and Evan Phillips on the injured list and Kirby Yates producing inconsistent results, Kopech could vault himself into the late-inning mix with a lack of right-handed options in Los Angeles.

June 26, 2025

Max Muncy gets help from the rain, then hits a grand slam to lead Dodgers past hapless Rockies

Los Angeles Dodgers' Max Muncy circles the bases after hitting a grand slam off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley in the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) — Max Muncy circles the bases after hitting a grand slam in the seventh inning. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)

The rain came out of nowhere. So too, it seemed, did Max Muncy’s infield pop-up.

In the top of the sixth inning at Coors Field on Tuesday night, Muncy was at the plate with two out and two runners aboard when a sudden rainstorm opened up from overcast skies. Within moments, sheets of rain were pouring down. But as fans scattered for cover, umpires let the at-bat roll on.

“My glasses were pretty full of water at that point,” Muncy said. “Was just kind of praying to put the ball in play.”

In a full count, Muncy did, launching a sky-high pop-up down the first base line.

In clear conditions, it would have been a routine catch to end the inning.

But this time, neither Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia nor second baseman Thairo Estrada could locate the blur of leather as it came hurtling back to earth.

“When rain is falling that thick,” Muncy said, “it’s really hard to look up and find a baseball.”

Indeed, as Muncy pulled into first base, and teammates Shohei Ohtani and Dalton Rushing came trotting across the plate, Toglia looked toward Estrada, who initially appeared to be calling for the ball. But then, Estrada looked back at Toglia in confusion, neither appearing certain exactly where the pop-up went. At the last second, both instead ducked for cover, turtling with their arms around their heads. The ball landed between them, seemingly startling Toglia after dropping a few feet to his right.

In the scorebook, the play went down as a two-run single, representing the first runs in a game the Dodgers went on to win 8-1 — with the help of a victory-sealing grand slam from Muncy in the top of the seventh.

But in reality, it was another example of the Rockies’ helplessness in this historically hapless season — and a comical stroke of luck the Dodgers were more than happy to take.

“At first, I was just happy I made contact,” Muncy said. “Then you’re upset you pop it up. Then you see them kind of scrambling around and you start getting a little excited. Then it drops and obviously you’re happy about it.”

Entering this week’s trip to Colorado, manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of stacking wins against a Rockies team on pace to set an MLB record for losses in a season. He noted how it was part of a softer overall stretch in the team’s schedule, with the Dodgers (50-31) in a run of 12 straight games against teams with losing records.

“You need to beat the teams you’re supposed to beat,” Roberts said. “That’s just the way it is.”

In both games in Denver this week, the Rockies (18-62) have aided in that cause. On Monday, Toglia misplayed three balls in a six-run fourth-inning rally for the Dodgers that catapulted them to a series-opening win.

Tuesday’s blunder, however, was even more of an egregious eyesore; even if Roberts and Muncy both described it as a tricky play.

“I give Max a lot of credit for just staying in the at-bat, fighting to put the ball in play, to allow for something like that to happen,” Roberts said. “It certainly changed the momentum … With no runs [right there], it might have been a different ballgame.”

The next time Muncy came to the plate, he added to his RBI total in a more traditional way.

With the bases loaded and two out in the seventh, the scorching hot slugger turned on a hanging 0-and-2 slider and launched his second grand slam in the last three games way out to right field.

It gave Muncy six RBIs on the night, and a staggering 42 runs driven in over his last 37 games.

“Not everyone is swinging the bat well,” Roberts said, a group that most notably includes Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who went a combined 0-for-nine. “So to have that production from Max in the middle of the lineup has been paramount.”

“He’s got a lot of confidence right now,” Roberts added.

The offensive output — which continued with a towering home run from Michael Conforto in the eighth — marked one of the few times this year the Dodgers provided Yoshinobu Yamamoto with ample run support. On Wednesday alone, they matched the eight total runs they had scored in his previous four starts this month.

It proved to be plenty on a night the right-hander spun a much-needed gem, bouncing back from the 5.23 ERA he had in June entering the night with five scoreless innings that included one hit, one walk and six strikeouts.

Even at mile-high altitude, his ability to locate curveballs and splitters was particularly sharp, helping him rack up 39 strikes out of 56 pitches.

“I started feeling good last week, and going into today's game,” Yamamoto said. “And then today I was attacking with first-pitch strikes pretty good. I think that was [the biggest difference]."

The only thing that stopped Yamamoto was the rain, forcing him to make an early exit after a one-hour, 27-minute delay that began immediately after Muncy’s pop-up. But by that point, the sudden showers had already done enough, helping the Dodgers take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish on a routine pop-up the Rockies’ infield lost sight of.

Said Muncy, with a laugh: “Hit it to the right spot, I guess.”

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.