The trade deadline is rapidly approaching and with it are the expectations of moves. We’ve already seen the opening salvo of deadline season last weekend with the Nationals and Red Sox swinging a swap of former Phillies prospect and noted “guy traded for Cristopher Sánchez” Curtis Mead heading to Boston in exchange for Connolly Early. The moves should start to come fast and furious as continue through this week and into the weekend leading up to Monday’s deadline.
Despite what their recent performance may have you thinking, the Phillies will likely be active. They currently occupy a postseason spot and should be expected to at least make it into the tournament. There is no scenario in which they sell, but the degree to which they buy will be the major question. They’ve been connected to a handful of targets at least tangentially, so they are set up to be at least medium tier players in the market. However, we also know that they likely have more holes than resources in which to fill them, and that’s before even taking into account the extremely light market for hitters at this year’s deadline.
There’s been some discussion of where the Phillies should focus their efforts. Should they go out and just get a fifth starter, or should they take advantage of a deeper starter market and get someone who could start a playoff game? Should they get a legit bullpen set-up man or a couple of options that allow Don Mattingly to play the matchup game? Should they get one of the “better” hitters on the market or should they search for bargains? That’s just a few of the opportunity costs the team will have to keep in mind as they search for upgrades.
So, how aggressive should the Phillies be at the trade deadline? Should they pursue one big upgrade while sacrificing others? Or should they go for a more spread-out approach and try for multiple patches? Or should they simply try to acquire the best players in their price range regardless of if they play a major position of need?
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 29: Cam Cauley #27 of the Texas Rangers fields the ball during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Rays 3, Rangers 0
Well, that was a weird one.
MacKenzie Gore gave up a double and a pair of homers in the first inning. The Rangers were down 3-0 with one out in the first, and it seemed like we’d be seeing Marco Gonzales, and maybe Ezequiel Duran, pitching in this game.
Then Gore didn’t allow another hit, ultimately going seven full innings. The only batter he allowed to reach after the second homer, reached on an HBP.
Ben Peoples also didn’t allow a hit in an inning of work. So the Rangers have seven straight no hit innings going by their pitchers.
The Rangers, meanwhile, had four hits. All four hits were doubles.
Per B-R, its the 21st time that a team has had four hits in a game, with all four hits being doubles.
However, the last time it happened was just five days previous. On July 24, the Royals had four hits, all doubles, in a 2-1 loss to Detroit.
Remember how, after the last game, I marveled that the Rangers won with a .129 xBA?
The Rays won this game with a .128 xBA. They did the Rangers 1 better. Or .001 worse, I guess.
Per Statcast, Gore allowed just three hard hit balls in the game. Those were the three hits that the Rays had in the first inning.
It does illustrate that Gore was really, really good after that bad beginning.
Baseball is strange, sometimes.
MacKenzie Gore touched 96.3 mph with his fastball. Ben Peoples reached 97.7 mph with his fastball.
Jake Burger had a 110.2 mph double and a 100.7 mph fly out. Brandon Nimmo had a 100.3 mph double.
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 29: A general view of Tropicana Field as fans sing during the seventh inning stretch of the game between the Texas Rangers and the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Well, that was a horrible way to lose a baseball game. You just can’t lose when your ace has a four-run lead late. You just can’t lose when you twice survive five-man infield plays with a runner on third in extras. You just can’t lose when you’re an out away from a win and your third baseman and catcher (or perhaps a coach) is too focused on getting cute with the runner at third than getting the actual batter out at the plate. But that’s what happened last night in Chicago. It was extremely stupid, and it cost the Yankees a game in the standings, too.
Here’s what else was going on around the American League’s best yesterday.
Tampa Bay Rays (63-44) 3, Texas Rangers (55-53) 0
The Rays hit two homers and scored three times in the bottom of the first, and that was pretty much the ballgame. That’s a testament to both how good Tampa Bay pitching was against Texas and how nicely MacKenzie Gore rebounded after that rocky beginning. The Rays now lead the AL East by 2.5 games thanks to the Yankees’ idiocy last night.
Three of the first four Rays batter reached base with a hit, with Yandy Díaz belting a leadoff homer, Jonathan Aranda doubling, and Ryan Vilade boosting the lead over Gore to 3-0 with an impressive 420-foot shot off the C-ring of the catwalk. Tampa Bay was then held hitless for the next 7.2 innings as Gore fanned nine on the night, walking none. But it was to no avail.
I’m not going to act like what the Rays did was exciting or particularly compelling baseball. They were just quite efficient. Casey Legumina retired five of the six batters he faced as the opener, Ian Seymour did his Ian Seymour thing as the “bulk guy” and threw up zeroes until departing with one down in the sixth, allowing just two hits and a walk. Garrett Cleavinger, Kevin Kelly, and Bryan Baker were nearly perfect in recording the final eight outs, with Kelly striking out the side. Despite four doubles, the Rangers never seemed very close to making this a game.
Of note: The Rangers made a trade to bolster their roster after the game ended, trading a 19-year-old infielder in A-ball named Angel Arredondo to the Angels (duh) for bullpen righty Chase Silseth and disappointing catcher Logan O’Hoppe. For as “whatever” as Texas looks, they do lead the AL West over Houston and Seattle, so might as well supplement, right?
Other Games
Boston Red Sox (56-51) 4, The Athletics (45-63) 2: Boston gained a game on the Yankees as well, closing to within 4.5 games of the top Wild Card spot. This is the problem with giving away games when the biggest rivals rarely lose, especially on the same day. Solo shots by Jonah Heim and Lawrence Butler kept this one close, and the A’s had a golden chance to win it when Butler doubled off Aroldis Chapman in the bottom of the ninth with the score at 2-2. He was bunted to third, only to be stranded there when both Tyler Wilson and Jeff McNeil struck out. Boston’s Andruw Monasterio promptly hit a two-run homer against José Suarez to begin the 10th, and Greg Weissert pitched a perfect 10th for the save.
Imagine winning a road game in extras! Couldn’t possibly be the Yanks.
Seattle Mariners (53-56) 2, Los Angeles Dodgers (68-40) 4: We may be nearing the end of our coverage of the defending AL West champs in the Rivalry Roundup, at least for now. The Astros beat the Angels handily and are a game and a half up on the third-place M’s, who got blanked over six innings of one-hit ball by … Eric Lauer. LA built a 4-0 lead on a homer by Andy Pages, a couple RBI infield hits, and a booming double from Shohei Ohtani in the sixth to plate Dalton Rushing. In his first game back after a long IL stay, Edwin Díaz allowed his old Mariner friends to score and bring the tying run to the plate with two down in the ninth, but he got pinch-hitter Luke Raley to line out to save it.
Cleveland Guardians (56-54) 6, Cincinnati Reds (50-57) 1: The Ohio Cup goes to Cleveland this year, as they won their fourth of six games against Cincinnati this year. Joey Cantillo needed 89 pitches to get through four scoreless for the Guardians, so Stephen Vogt needed six of his relievers to combine for the final five. Fortunately, the shaky Reds defense and poor control from Brady Singer led to four Cleveland runs in the fifth, two on bases-loaded walks after an RBI single by Travis Bazzana. Kyle Manzardo at least went yard off Chase Petty in the seventh for another more conventional run.
Who will win Mariners vs Dodgers tonight: Dodgers moneyline (-144)
It's been a rough campaign for Los Angeles Dodgers righty Roki Sasaki, but he is finding his best lately. The Japanese phenom has posted a 2.64 FIP over his last two appearances, allowing just 0.71 HR/9 during that span.
Sasaki has limited opponents to a 36.9% hard-hit rate, and he hasn't allowed a single barrel between those two starts. The Seattle Mariners aren't exactly thriving offensively either, sitting around the league average over the last week.
As for Bryce Miller, he's been hit around lately. The right-hander sports a 6.38 FIP over his last 11 frames, allowing 2.45 HR/9.
Sasaki gives Los Angeles a better path than the full-season numbers suggest, and the Dodgers’ recent offensive form gives them a strong chance to add to Miller’s struggles.
I'll play this pick up to -160. The run line is also a secondary option.
COVERS INTEL: The Dodgers are swinging it well, posting a 118 wRC+ in their previous five contests.
Mariners vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-108)
This total sits at 8.5, and the Over still has a reasonable path despite Seattle’s bullpen being in strong form. Despite their shortcomings, the Mariners have been respectable offensively, posting a 103 wRC+ over their last six games, and they get a late-game boost against a Dodgers bullpen that owns a 6.54 FIP over the last week.
Seattle’s relief corps has been excellent with a 1.86 FIP during that same span, but the Dodgers’ lineup has the better early-game path against Miller.
If Los Angeles does damage before the Mariners’ bullpen becomes a major factor, Seattle only needs to chip in against L.A.’s shaky relief group.
With enough vulnerability on the Dodgers’ side late, I lean Over 8.5.
I'll play this pick up to -130.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 37-50, -17.66 units
Over/Under bets: 47-38, +2.56 units
Mariners vs Dodgers weather
Weather looks ideal at Dodger Stadium tonight, with clear skies and temperatures falling from around 80°F into the low 70s.
Winds should be light to moderate early before settling down later, and there is no rain concern. Conditions should have minimal impact, though the warm early air could slightly help carry.
Mariners vs Dodgers odds
Moneyline: Mariners +138 | Dodgers -144
Run line: Mariners +1.5 (-144) | Dodgers -1.5 (+138)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-108) | Under 8.5 (+104)
Mariners vs Dodgers trend
Seattle has hit the game total Over in 15 of its last 25 games (+7.25 Units / 26% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Dodgers.
How to watch Mariners vs Dodgers and game info
Location
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Thursday, July 30, 2026
First pitch
10:10 p.m. ET
TV
Mariners.TV, SportsNet LA
Mariners starting pitcher
Bryce Miller (4-5, 2.75 ERA)
Dodgers starting pitcher
Roki Sasaki (4-5, 4.71 ERA)
Mariners vs Dodgers latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jul 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Santa poses for a photo with Mr. Met after throwing out the first pitch before the game between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Meet the Mets
The Mets split a doubleheader with the Braves and look to win the series overall after a win on Monday. In the first game Carson Benge drove in the go-ahead run and Sean Manaea was solid in the victory. In game two Christian Scott was great but the offense couldn’t figure out Chris Sale so they lost by a final score of 1-0.
A.J. Smith-Shawver returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John but he was optioned back to Triple-A after his start in game one of the doubleheader.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with Edwin Diaz #3 after the win against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
T-minus four days until the trade deadline, and of course all of the conversation is revolving around who Tarik Skubal would be traded to, if he is, and will it be the Dodgers. The conversation has ramped up with Shohei Ohtani revealing that he is dealing with a biceps issue.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic says that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers “bully their way” into getting Skubal, as they often do with big name players.
Is it really bullying if you simply have a better package to send to the team that is offering up their player to be traded or is it just sour grapes, as usual? As he also likens the Kyle Tucker to just another “flavor of the month”, it leads one to assume that it is the latter.
Of course, the Dodgers are one of the very few teams who could weather an injury to a superstar like Ohtani and still be in World Series contention. And they also have the luxury of being able to keep their intentions close to the vest before the trade deadline, and after.
Max Ralph on Dodgers.com covers thoughts of how the current state of Ohtani’s body impacts the team now and in the foreseeable future.
“The knee is getting better and the goal is to get to the 100% mark,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “But I do have to focus on the hitting side, the position-player side of things. … It is still July, so I think the conversation [about pitching] will be a little different if we’re in August or September.”
One of the biggest additions to the team would be the return of Will Smith to the backstop and lineup. There was good news on Tuesday, when manager Dave Roberts announced that Smith was finally pain free and resuming some baseball activities.
Joaquin Ruiz covers that and other injury updates here.
Edwin Diaz, one of the other flavors of the month the Dodgers acquired in the off season, made his return to the team on Wednesday evening, which also coincided with his bobblehead night.
“I want to help this team to win,” Díaz said. “I’ve been on the sideline for a long time. Just can’t wait to get back.”
Diaz made seven appearances with the team before his injury, posting a not so great 10.50 ERA. It was not the start that neither he nor the team envisioned.
“There were some games I felt great, and there were some games I was trying to battle with the soreness and everything,” Díaz said. “At some point, I understood I needed to get everything done and check my arm, check my body, and if I have something, go and remove it.”
Diaz returns to help a bullpen that has struggled a bit as of late. Jack Harris of the California Post covers more details of Diaz’s return and the recent bullpen woes here.
The Atlanta Braves return to Truist Park tonight as a -138 moneyline favorite for their series opener against the Washington Nationals.
However, my Nationals vs. Braves predictions see value in the visitors due to their impressive offense.
Read more in my MLB picks for Thursday, July 30, with first pitch set for 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Who will win Nationals vs Braves today: Nationals moneyline (+129)
Jake Irvin returns to the hill tonight after missing over two months with a shoulder injury. He'll be on a short leash, which means the Washington Nationals bullpen will likely be called upon earlier. That's not a bad thing, either.
Washington's relief corps owns a 3.45 xERA across the last week while allowing just 0.31 HR/9. They're also up against an Atlanta Braves offense carrying a 77 wRC+ across their last seven contests.
As for Atlanta starter Grant Holmes, he has posted a 6.16 xERA over his previous two appearances, allowing a 40% hard-hit rate during that span. The Nats are raking right now, collecting a 143 wRC+ in the last two weeks.
The Nats’ pen holds down a cold Braves lineup, and Washington’s bats capitalize against Holmes early.
I'll play this down to +100.
COVERS INTEL: Holmes has been worse at home this season, posting a 5.05 FIP, giving the Nats a clear path to generate runs.
Nationals vs Braves Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (+105)
With a relatively high total of 9.5, the Under still has appeal. Washington has the better offensive path, but this doesn’t need to turn into a full-blown shootout for the Nationals to cash as an underdog.
The Braves are around league average offensively at home, and their current form makes it difficult to project them for a huge performance at the plate. Atlanta should still have chances, but this total requires both lineups to contribute consistently.
The concern is Atlanta’s bullpen, which has struggled with a 6.03 FIP over its last 26 2/3 frames while allowing 2.03 HR/9. Still, if most of the scoring comes from Washington, this can stay Under 9.5.
Play to -110.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 37-50, -17.66 units
Over/Under bets: 47-38, +2.56 units
Nationals vs Braves weather
Weather should be favorable at Truist Park tonight, with clear skies and temperatures falling from the upper 80s to the upper 70s. Winds look light, and there is no rain concern.
The warm early conditions could slightly help carry, but overall weather should not be a major factor.
Nationals vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Nationals +129 | Braves -138
Run line: Nationals +1.5 (-150) | Braves -1.5 (+144)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-113) | Under 9.5 (+105)
Nationals vs Braves trend
Washington has hit the moneyline in 31 of its last 50 road games (+21.65 Units / 42% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Nationals vs. Braves.
How to watch Nationals vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Date
Thursday, July 30, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Nationals starting pitcher
Jake Irvin (2-4, 5.23 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Grant Holmes (6-4, 3.79 ERA)
Nationals vs Braves latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 29: Kyle Manzardo #9 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 29, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Cincinnati 6-1. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Ohio Cup is officially Cleveland’s for the 2026 season. Yippee.
Cleveland has regained possession of the coveted Ohio Cup. Ontario Street will soon be flooded w/ fans reveling in the euphoria that only this feat can create.
Kyle Manzardo was named Ohio Cup MOP.
The Reds were using the cup to hold toothbrushes in their bathroom, by the way.
The Cleveland Guardians beat the Cincinnati Reds in last night’s series finale 6-1 behind a four-run fifth. Joey Cantillo was scoreless, but had a high pitch count and only threw four innings. Erik Sabrowski, having not pitched in nearly a week, earned the win. The team has a much needed off day before they start a two series homestand. Cleveland will host the Arizona Diamondbacks this weekend and the New York Mets to start the post trade deadline portion of the baseball season.
Tom Hamilton said, on last night’s broadcast, that the team is “actively trying to improve” at the trade deadline but could not elaborate further.
AL Central Update
The time to scoreboard watch is now. As the Guardians were defeating the Reds, the New York Yankees gave up a four run lead late in the game against the Chicago White Sox, tying the game at 4-4 going into the ninth. The White Sox ultimately walked it off in the twelfth inning.
The Detroit Tigers were humiliated by the Baltimore Orioles. Behind Tarik Skubal, who threw his 1000th strikeout yesterday, the Tigers gave up a seven run lead to lose 10-9 in extras.
Kansas City did Cleveland a solid. The Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 4-0. Minnesota remains 1.5 games back from Cleveland for that last Wild Card slot. Yesterday’s loss came on the heels of Byron Buxton being sent to the IL again.
Trade Updates
The trade deadline is days away, and there are some moves starting to trickle in. At the time of writing, it was announced by Jeff Passan that the Rangers are acquiring RHP Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O’Hoppe from the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers are reported to be optioning O’Hoppe to Triple-A Round Rock Express.
Right handed starter Dustin May is on hug watch as he was seen hugging several of his Cardinals teammates after his start last night.
Jon Morosi reports that the Dodgers are eyeing Tarik Skubal, because of course they are.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 09: An exterior view of the ball park before the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park on September 09, 2020 in San Francisco, California. Smoke from various wildfires burning across Northern California blanketed the city in an orange glow. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
Just when we thought that the San Francisco Giants’ 2026 season couldn’t get any worse, a slew of injuries have been taking players out left and right over the last week. Casey Schmitt and Trevor McDonald are done for the year. And Harrison Bader decided to scoot through it, and made his injury worse. So who knows when we’ll see him again now.
We’re really going to need to start wrapping them in bubble wrap, and telling them to stay the heck away from Jeremy Affeldt so they don’t get any more creative ideas for how to get injured in their off time. (I kid, of course. No one can match Affeldt on that front.)
Honestly though, at this point, we should really just be preparing ourselves for the worst news possible at any given moment when it comes to this team. Natural disasters, civil unrest, dive-bombing squadrons of seagulls, the four horsemen of the apocalypse, the bullpen…yeah, it’s all happening.
What do you think the next bad news to plague the Giants will be?
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants head down south to begin a four-game series against the San Diego Padres tonight at 6:40 p.m. PT.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 29: Randy Dobnak #62 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field on July 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Randy Dobnak threw 7 scoreless innings, and Salvador Perez tripled for the first time since 2022, in Royals 4-0 win.
And in the fourth, Royals captain Salvador Perez hit a leadoff triple — his first since the 2022 campaign. Perez chugged around the bases before belly-flopping into third base with his trademark smile. “Somebody told me it was four years ago,” Perez said. “So yeah, I saw the center fielder and kind of the ball got away from him. And I was touching second base. You know, I was thinking I can make it. So I go for it.”
Here are the key stakeholders involved in the Royals new stadium project
Vinnie Pasquantino was placed on the Injured List yesterday with a sore wrist
Almost three weeks after Vinnie Pasquantino returned following surgery on a right hamate fracture, the Royals first baseman is on the injured list again as he deals with right wrist soreness.
Kansas City on Wednesday placed Pasquantino on the 10-day IL, calling up outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Pasquantino exited Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss to the Twins in the ninth inning with right hand soreness after it had progressed throughout the game. He had felt some discomfort on a diving play at first base in Detroit over the weekend, and that discomfort hadn’t subsided.
Maikel Garcia felt pain in first rehab start and has gone back to KC for further evaluation
Maikel Garcia (left hand muscle strain) faced a setback in his rehab assignment, and is headed back to Kansas City for further evaluation.
Garcia went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and played five innings at third base on Tuesday night in his first rehab game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas. During his last at-bat, Garcia felt similar discomfort in his hand that had initially caused his injured list stint a month ago.
Some actual positive injury news, Kyle Isbel, who is rehabbing is on track to return in early August
Royals center fielder Kyle Isbel continued his Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday as he nears his return to the Major League club after being sidelined by plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Isbel, who has been on the injured list since June 10, has played in seven rehab games so far with Omaha and is ramping up his workload, especially in center field as he gets ready for a return that could come as soon as the first week of August when the Royals return home after their road trip.
David Lesky posted his top 25 prospects in the Royals organization
Caleb Moody of Kings of Kauffman had some thoughts on what the Royals should do at the trade deadline
Angels trade catcher Logan O’Hoppe to Rangers, along with reliever Chase Silseth
Tarik Skubal notched his 1,000th career strikeout in potentially final start for Tigers, as they also blew a huge lead and lost to Baltimore
Chris Sale remains unbelievably talented for someone his age.
Here is your song of the day, Take it Easy by the Eagles
The first two games of the four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals have been a dream of near-perfection for the Cubs. (I hope I’m not jinxing the team when I write this Tuesday afternoon)
Alex Bregman, Nico Hoerner and Seiya Suzuki had two games where they were playing out of their collective minds. Yes, it’s just two games, and yes, we don’t know how long Dansby Swanson will let Bregman use his bat (my guess is as long as Bregman wants).
Bregman was the table-setter for the team, going 7-10 with five runs scored and two RBI, including a home run and three doubles. He was a triple short of a cycle on Monday. The disclosure of Bregman using Swanson’s bat is a little funny, but as superstitious as baseball players are, he might be sleeping with the bat right now (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
Hoerner cleared off the table, going 5-for-10 with three runs scored, six RBI and a HR. As an example of Hoerner settling in, of his four hits Monday, the first two were up the middle on each side of second base. After a solid single to left field, his home run was in the left field seats. He’s still showing the occasional signs of his natural tendencies of not depending on pulling the ball. Hope he keeps building on that.
Suzuki was 5-for-10 with three runs scored, two RBI and a pair of doubles.
Carson Kelly DH’d one game, so he contributed in both games, going 3-for-9 with two runs scored and two RBI.
On Monday, Miguel Amaya went 2-for-4 with an RBI. On Tuesday, Ian Happ went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI on two doubles. Also, Pedro Ramirez, went 3-for-5 Tuesday with a run scored, an RBI and a double.
Colin Rea and David Peterson, enjoying the offensive support, posted solid performances. Monday night, Peterson went 5.2 innings allowing just three hits and a pair of walks while striking out three. He allowed two runs, one on a solo homer for his only mistake.
Tuesday, Rea went six innings of four-hit ball, allowing two walks and one run scored while picking up a pair of strikeouts.
There are still two games left in this key series. Hoping the hitting/pitching combo keeps chugging on.
I’m not ignoring the trade deadline. You all know the needs, and there are plenty of opinions below to pique your interests. A lot of the usual names, plus a couple of “yeah, right” names, but that keeps things interesting. My hopes? If they swing big, Detmers or Holmes for starting pitching, maybe with Gausman. For relievers, continue with the Mets by trying to pair Weaver with Raley or Minter. Adrian Morejon has entered the chat and is quite intriguing if the Cubs choose a non-Met route. This will clean out most of the top of the minors for the Cubs, though.
I tend to be pessimistic about the trade deadline, but where there’s smoke, there’s at least a bunch of sizzling embers. And the names above are just dreams, not predictions or expectations. And compared to usual years, my expectations are on a medium setting. The above fun thoughts won’t happen, so it will be more like one SP and one RP, then continue to scour the wire for RPs after the deadline.
I thought I’d add this on — I’m sure many feel discussion about Sandy Alcántara after this length of time is exhausting. But this line in one of the stories had me thinking: “He may not yet have returned to his elite form from a few years back, but the big right-hander is still a workhorse – and can be controlled through 2027 via a team option.”
A WORKHORSE! As nice as it would be to get an ace, a guy that you can (hope to) carry you deep into a game every fifth day would be a major gain. Alcantara has averaged seven innings and 102 pitches in his last five games. It would be nice to have one pitcher who when he starts the fourth inning, you don’t have to start wondering how fast the bullpen can warm up. In my fun game above, I’d put him in as a Gausman-like addition. But as a stand-alone option, gambling on him instead of Detmers would not be the most horrendous thing, especially if it opens options on other deals, like Holmes and a couple of Mets relievers. Just another out-there thought is all.
Let the dealing began!
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Brock Beauchamp (North Side Baseball): Four Popular Cubs Trade Targets, According To Fans. “We asked our community which trade candidates were drawing their attention. Here are the top four players on the list.”
Aldo Soto (Sports Mockery): Trade Rumors: New York Mets Scouts Checking Out Cubs’ Double-A Team. “The New York Mets are one of the few teams in MLB that are clearly sellers at this year’s MLB trade deadline, and despite their disaster of a season, they have plenty of intriguing pitching targets that the Chicago Cubs would love to acquire.”
Carson Wolf (Just Baseball): 3 Mock Trades That Would Make for a Perfect Cubs Deadline. “Jed Hoyer has a chance to capitalize on one of the best teams he’s assembled in Chicago, and an aggressive deadline could be the move that defines the Cubs’.”
Spotted pitcher Ben Brown in Cubs camp in Arizona on Monday. He appeared to be throwing well during his session and had a lot of pace on the ball. #Cubspic.twitter.com/eUQ3KkWuiI
Jake Misener (Cubbies Crib): Former Cubs first-round pick’s injury saga was even more heartbreaking than believed. “It’s easy to simply put Ed Howard in the ‘draft pick bust’ basket and move on, but there is a lot more to the story of this Chicago Cubs infield prospect. The local prep product hasn’t given up on his big-league dreams just yet.”
Ron Luce (OnTapSportsNet): David Peterson Has Been an Unsung Hero for Cubs. “One lousy game against the Cardinals aside, David Peterson has been an unsung hero for the Cubs in their starting rotation.”
(It doesn’t fail — no matter how many times I listen to SRV, the song I’m listening to is his best and my favorite. Until the next song.)
Through the early 1980s Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble played the Texas club circuit, becoming one of the most popular bands in the area. In 1982 the band played the Montreux Jazz Festival and their performance caught the attention of David Bowie and Jackson Browne. After Double Trouble’s performance, Bowie asked Vaughan to play on his forthcoming album, Let’s Dance, which, with Stevie’s lead guitar on six of the eight songs, became Bowie’s best selling record to date. After an after-hours jam in the artists’ bar Jackson Browne offered the group free recording time at his Downtown Studio in Los Angeles. Shortly afterward, legendary producer John Hammond landed Vaughan and Double Trouble a record contract with Epic, and the band recorded its debut album in two days over the Thanksgiving weekend at Downtown Studios.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees in action against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 04, 2026 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Guardians 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s trade deadline season, and though this has been a tame deadline period so far, the continuous swirl of rumors and (eventually) actual transactions will be the focus of much of the baseball world in the coming days. Yesterday, we discussed which players the Yankees were most likely to move, and today, we ask: what weakness do the Yankees most need to address, and which one are they most likely to address?
The answer to this question has been fluid throughout the year. Early on, it seemed obvious to most that the Yankees would need to make big additions to their bullpen, yet here we are at the end of July, and the Yankee relief corps has the second-best ERA in the majors. Paul Blackburn has proven to be the second coming of Luke Weaver, Brent Headrick almost never allows runs, David Bednar has been the top-tier closer the team envisioned, and Matt Blake’s latest reclamation project, Angel Chivilli, has looked dynamite since his most recent call-up. Add in the fact that players like Will Warren and Ryan Weathers (and perhaps Carlos Lagrange?) could get shifted to the bullpen if they’re not traded, and the unit looks like an area of strength, not weakness.
At other times, the matter of the infield appeared to be most pressing. Ryan McMahon and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each got off to nightmarish starts, and the shortstop duo of Anthony Volpe and José Caballero has had its ups and downs. But even on the dirt, things don’t look nearly as shaky as they did two or three months ago. Since seeing his OPS bottom out at .498 on April 22nd, Chisholm has played exactly as expected, with a .239/.309/.463 slash line and 16 homers plus 21 steals. McMahon has run a roughly .750 OPS over the last two months while bringing his usual quality defense at third base. And despite his penchant for high-profile miscues, Volpe’s combination of high-OBP and good range at short has made him a valuable contributor.
Then, there’s the most obvious need now, at catcher, with Yankee backstops having combined to “hit” .181/.261/.284. But even adding a catcher comes with major complications, as most teams are loath to make significant changes to their caching room midseason. For as awful as Austin Wells and Co. have been with the bat this year, a catcher’s primary job is to catch, to field his position, to manage his pitching staff. The Yankee backstops have done that portion of their job with aplomb this year (it’s probably not a coincidence that the Yankees prioritize defense at catcher and have the best team ERA in baseball), and it’s not trivial to just add a plus bat to that room without shaking things up on the run-prevention front.
Add it all up, and it leaves the Yankee roster in a weird spot heading into a crucial deadline. The roster has been slammed by injuries and has some seemingly clear places to upgrade, but actually making those upgrades is less straightforward than it might appear. What do you think? Where are the Yankees most likely to make moves in the next four days?
On the site today, Josh analyzes Matt Chapman as a possible hot-corner target, and Jeff writes up the great Casey Stengel as part of our Yankee Birthday series. Also, Andrew provides the day’s Rivalry Roundup, Matt delivers the All-July Team, and Peter provides his Sequence of the Week, which features great work from David Bednar.
ESPN | Jorge Castillo: The two New York teams are expected to have wildly different trade deadlines, with the Yankees presumed to be buyers and the Mets perhaps the biggest sellers. While there’s a couple possible deals to be had between the two clubs — hello, Luke Weaver? — the largest possible splashes for the Yankees look like they could come from the West Coast. The San Diego Padres offer two relievers that could reinforce the bullpen, and the Angels feature both Zack Neto and Reid Detmers as alluring trade targets.
FanGraphs | Jay Jaffe: With Cody Bellinger out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring strain, the Yankee lineup and outfield are starting to look pretty bald. The team is already suffering significantly without Aaron Judge in the lineup, and while they still have a chance to win the AL East, they need someone to step up and start hitting, or they have an increased need to bring in an impact bat before the Trade Deadline.
Front Office Sports | Eric Fisher: As a longtime lover of MLB.tv, I get to benefit from what might be sports’ best livestreaming experience. From what I’ve heard from New York locals, the Gotham Sports App has not been a very good livestreaming experience. The platform has repeatedly had playback, UI, and general quality issues over the past two seasons, and it seems it is being sunsetted by the YES and MSG networks. Streaming service DAZN is being tapped as the replacement for Gotham Sports, and I’ll keep using MLB.tv.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: The Yankees announced who will be coming back to the Bronx on August 8th for the 78th edition of Old-Timers’ Day. Hall of Famers Joe Torre and Mariano Rivera lead the way, and they’ll be joined by Monument Park honorees Ron Guidry, Willie Randolph, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Paul O’Neill, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. The first-time Old-Timers are Dellin Betances (born in 1988, gulp), Todd Frazier, David Weathers, and Adam Ottavino (who just pitched last year). Check out the full list!
TSN: If you know me, you know I’m a born hater. I want Shohei Ohtani to grow old and die warm in a bed surrounded by loved ones and I hope he has a rock in his shoe every single time he steps on a baseball field. Yesterday was a win for the haters, as Alek Manoah was released by the Angels. One imagines Gerrit Cole opened a particularly special bottle of wine last night’s game with the White Sox.
Chicago starter Sean Burke’s 83rd-percentile extension (6.8 feet) allows his 94.9 mph heater to play like 96+ mph, lowering hard contact (35.0% Hard-Hit rate), which should slow a longball-reliant Yankees lineup.
Conversely, Yankees starter Ryan Weathers' shorter extension (5.8 feet) leaves his four-seamer sitting in the zone, exposing him and his .441 xSLG to Chicago's .168 ISO against lefties.
I am fading Weathers' poor fastball optics and backing the White Sox moneyline, playable to -125.
COVERS INTEL: New York's bullpen has surrendered a 13.0% walk rate over the last 14 days. Facing a White Sox order slugging .407 with RISP, unearned traffic makes Chicago a solid choice.
Yankees vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 Runs (-116)
The White Sox and Yankees present strong value on the Over 7.5.
Weather's short extension robs his fastball of late deception, and Chicago's lefties are recognizing it early, exposing his 1.42 HR/9 to their .168 ISO against southpaws.
Burke isn't airtight either: a 3.81 home xFIP and 1.11 HR/9 should allow the Yankees bats to do their share of the scoring today.
Both bullpens raise the floor even further; Yankees relievers are walking 13.0% of hitters over the last 14 days, while Chicago's pen carries a 4.09 ERA.
I am taking the Over to 8.5 runs.
Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 9-13 -2.01 units
Over/Under bets: 10-10 -1.55 units
Yankees vs White Sox weather
It will be a warm and humid day with light winds blowing in from centerfield.
Yankees vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Yankees -104 | White Sox -100
Run line: Yankees -1.5 (+156) | White Sox +1.5 (-178)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+104) | Under 8.5 (-117)
Yankees vs White Sox trend
White Sox are 5-0 in their last 5 during game 4 of a series. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. White Sox.
How to watch Yankees vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Thursday, July 30, 2026
First pitch
2:15 p.m. ET
TV
YES, CHSN
Yankees starting pitcher
Ryan Weathers (4-7, 4.25 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Sean Burke (7-5, 3.19 ERA)
Yankees vs White Sox latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
COVERS INTEL: The Dodgers are swinging it well, 
