Category: MLB

There’s rain in the forecast this afternoon so here’s the local radar for you to keep handy:

Saturday notes…

• SCORING IN THE SIXTH: The Cubs’ only three runs yesterday came in the sixth inning. They have scored 93 runs in the sixth this season, 17 more than their second-most 76 in the seventh. They are +31 in runs scored/allowed in the sixth, +32 in the seventh and +47 in all other innings combined. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• A WIN WITH ONLY THREE: The Cubs’ win yesterday was their 10th in which they have scored no more than three runs. They have lost 38 such games. With at least four runs, they are 62-13. They are 11-26 with no more than the six hits they made yesterday; 61-25 with at least seven. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• SCORING FIRST: The Cubs are 42-15 when they have scored first, as they did yesterday, including 20-5 at home. Last year, they were 66-18 when scoring first at all sites and 33-8 at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Matt Murton’s home run ties the game with the Astros in Houston in the top of the ninth and then the teams play eight scoreless innings before Murton’s two-run single in the 18th wins the game 8-6. It happened 20 years ago today, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006.

Cubs lineup:

Cardinals lineup:

Matthew Boyd, LHP vs. Michael McGreevy, RHP

I’ll just keep posting these numbers because they sound ace-like: Since his return from his knee injury, in nine starts Matthew Boyd has posted a 2.43 ERA and 1.186 WHIP and the Cubs have won eight of those nine games.

One of the games was against the Cardinals July 29 in St. Louis. Boyd threw seven shutout innings and allowed four hits and two walks. Something like that again today would work.

The last time the Cubs faced Michael McGreevy was July 28 in St. Louis. He did not last two innings, and the Cubs scored seven runs off him, without the benefit of a home run.

I’d take another one like that. In two starts since then McGreevy has a 4.50 ERA and allowed two home runs in 10 innings.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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The New York Mets will look to get deep into the Washington Nationals bullpen as these teams square off at Citi Field on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams should find offense, but I'm backing New York to get the better of the Washington pitching staff in my Nationals vs. Mets predictions.

Read on to get my free MLB picks for Saturday, Aug. 15.

Who will win Nationals vs Mets today: Mets moneyline (-137)

Brad Lord (5-2, 3.79 ERA) serves more as an opener when he starts, never having made it through the third inning this year. That puts the game in the hands of the struggling Washington Nationals bullpen, which has a 4.91 ERA this season.

Sean Manaea (4-5, 4.13 ERA) has gone 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA over his last four starts for the New York Mets. Manaea has gotten batters to chase 31.8% of the time this season, which will play well against a Nationals lineup with a 30.8% chase rate. 

I'm taking the Mets to win at -140 or better.

COVERS INTEL:The Nationals have a weak 17.4% air pull rate against fastballs and sweepers from left-handed pitchers, two pitches that make up 69% of Manaea's arsenal.

Nationals vs Mets Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-116)

The Nationals bullpen is going to need to throw six or seven innings this afternoon, and this Mets lineup has feasted on weak pitching even while struggling overall.

New York has the third-best hard-hit rate in the majors (41.4%), and will find spots to string hits together today.

On the other side, Washington will make solid contact against the soft-tossing Manaea, who throws his average fastball at just 90.8 mph. The Nats average an MLB-best 5.35 runs per game and won't be completely shut down by New York. 

I love the Over at 8.5 or less.

Nationals vs Mets home run prediction: Bo Bichette (+880)

Bo Bichette has hit better for the Mets as the season has worn on, but his lack of power remains a massive concern for New York. However, Bichette is hitting .313 with a .500 slugging percentage in 12 games in August, including hitting a couple of homers.

Bichette is squaring up balls at a 27.2% rate, has positive launch angle metrics, and yet has gone through extended power outages. Still, his underlying metrics suggest there's still pop in the bat, which has shown in his 12 homers this season.

I'm taking Bichette to homer today at +800 or better.

Nationals vs Mets weather

Warm temperatures and light winds mean the weather should have minimal impact on today's matchup.

Nationals vs Mets odds

• Moneyline: Nationals +127 | Mets -133
• Run line: Nationals +1.5 (-170) | Mets -1.5 (+156)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-113) | Under 7.5 (+108)

Nationals vs Mets trend

The Over is 5-0-1 in the Mets' last six games vs. a right-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Nationals vs. Mets.

How to watch Nationals vs Mets and game info

Nationals vs Mets latest injuries

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The Cleveland Guardians sit at a -113 moneyline favorite tonight as they welcome the San Diego Padres to Progressive Field, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

However, my Padres vs. Guardians predictions are backing San Diego's hot offense to jump on Joey Cantillo, who's been prone to hard contact lately. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Saturday, Aug. 15. 

Who will win Padres vs Guardians today: Padres moneyline (+105)

Randy Vasquez takes the ball for the San Diego Padres, and he continues to be reliable. The right-hander has posted a 2.44 xERA across his last six outings while allowing just 0.41 HR/9.

He is also consistently inducing weak contact, with a 50.4% ground-ball rate during that span.

The Cleveland Guardians send Joey Cantillo to the hill, and he's had real issues lately, posting a 5.75 FIP over his previous two appearanceswhile giving up 3.00 HR/9.

The Padres are raking with a 139 wRC+ and .230 ISO over the last week, while Cantillo owns a 53.4% hard-hit rate and 12.1% barrel rate in the last month.

San Diego’s offense has the edge. Play this pick down to +100.

COVERS INTEL: The Padres' bullpen has been lights out lately, sporting a 2.25 FIP over its last 23 frames, compared to their season mark of 3.69.  

Padres vs Guardians Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-103)

This total sits at 8.5, and I’m liking the Over. San Diego’s bullpen is in excellent form behind Vasquez, which keeps this from being a slam-dunk angle, but the Padres’ offense has enough upside to carry most of the scoring.

Cantillo is shaky right now, and he’ll face a lineup that's flourishing. Cleveland’s pen isn’t in great shape either, posting a 5.15 xERA over the last two weeks while allowing 1.19 HR/9.

Even if the Padres' pitching holds up, the Guardians should contribute some offense with a 111 wRC+ over their previous 12 games.

The Padres may need to do most of the heavy lifting, but the matchup points Over.

I’ll play this pick up to -130.

Padres vs Guardians home run prediction: Jackson Merrill (+596)

Jackson Merrill has been a big reason behind the Padres’ recent power surge. The youngster has smacked three home runs in his last six games while carrying a .500 ISO.

His .950 xSLG and 26.3% barrel rate only strengthen the case, and he's also put 52.6% of his contact in the air over the last week. That is notable against Cantillo, who's seen 22.2% of his fly balls leave the yard across his last two starts.

With the Guardians’ relief corps also showing some vulnerability to the long ball, Merrill has multiple paths to another bomb here.

Play this pick down to +500.

Padres vs Guardians weather

Weather at Progressive Field looks warm and humid tonight, with temperatures falling from 82°F at first pitch to 76°F by 10 p.m. ET. Winds are light around 3-5 mph, so there's not much carry impact. Rain chances rise later, topping out around 35%, so a delay risk is possible but not overwhelming.

Padres vs Guardians odds

• Moneyline: Padres +108 | Guardians -113
• Run line: Padres -1.5 (+178) | Guardians +1.5 (-186)
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-100) | Under 8.5 (-104)

Padres vs Guardians trend

The Padres have hit the moneyline in 12 of their last 16 games (+7.00 Units / 35% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Guardians.

How to watch Padres vs Guardians and game info

Padres vs Guardians latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have been around since 1884, and in their nearly century and a half as a franchise Reggie Smith is one of the best hitters they’ve ever had. The switch-hitter will be honored on the field on Saturday afternoon at Dodger Stadium as the newest inductee into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, an honor that’s been a long time coming.

Among every hitter with at least 1,500 plate appearances for the Dodgers, Smith ranks seventh in OPS (.915), seventh in slugging percentage (.528), and fifth in adjusted OPS+ (152).

Smith was already a four-time All-Star when the Dodgers acquired him from the St. Louis Cardinals in June 1976 for catcher Joe Ferguson, outfielder Bob Detherage, and minor league infielder/outfielder Freddie Tisdale. Smith was the middle trade in a 14-month span during which the Dodgers added stud outfielders Dusty Baker, Smith, and Rick Monday to their already-established Infield. In each of the first two seasons with the three new outfielders the Dodgers made it to the World Series, snapping a decade-long drought.

Those Dodgers teams were insanely talented and, at times, contentious. Like when All-Star pitcher and future Hall of Famer Don Sutton told Thomas Boswell in the Washington Post in 1978, “All you hear about on our team is Steve Garvey, the All-American boy. Well, the best player on the team the last two years — and we all know it — is Reggie Smith. As Reggie goes, so goes us.”

There was intended venom in Sutton’s rant, but there was also substance behind it. Smith in 1977-78 hit .302/.406/.568 with 54 doubles and 61 home runs, and led the majors with a 165 wRC+. Smith finished fourth in National League MVP voting in both seasons.

Smith played six of his 17 major league seasons with the Dodgers, and 1976-81 was extra special for Smith, who went to Centennial High School in Compton and idolized Jackie Robinson.

“I was humbled, almost to the point of being a little emotional, to receive that kind of recognition, knowing all of the — let alone great players, but great men who have worn that Dodger uniform,” Smith told David Vassegh on AM 570 in February upon receiving news of joining the Legends of Dodger Baseball. “To be selected, it’s quite a humbling experience, and I’m sure it will be on August 15. Having grown up in the Los Angeles area here, it’s special. It’s a special feeling.”

Smith played in four World Series — 1967 with the Boston Red Sox, then 1977, 1978, and 1981 with the Dodgers — and hit .247/.321/.521 with six home runs in 21 Fall Classic games.

In his 17 major league seasons, Smith had a 137 OPS+ and his 314 home runs are ninth-most in major league history by a switch-hitter.

After his playing days, Smith coached in the Dodgers organization from 1989-98, first as the minor league coordinator when he worked with Mike Piazza, Eric Karros, Raúl Mondesi, and many others. He also was on the Dodgers major league staff as hitting coach and first base coach from 1994-98.

After the O’Malley family sold the Dodgers to Fox in 1998, there was quite a purge in the organization, with Piazza traded, general manager Fred Claire and manager Bill Russell fired, and Smith was among the coaches let go. Smith declined an offer to manage the Dodgers’ Triple-A team in Albuquerque at the time.

In the nearly three decades since, Smith has grown his Reggie Smith Baseball Academy in Encino, where he continues to teach.

“Being off the field actually means more to me there, my accomplishments, than what I accomplished on the field,” Smith told Vassegh in February. “Because to give individuals hope and instill confidence in the things in them that they need to hopefully lead a productive life — whether it’s through the things they attain in education or having baseball as a vehicle to be able to attain those things — I feel that that has been my purpose and my goal in life, is to help others, especially in baseball, to play this little boys’ game, and have fun doing it.”

Smith has been more of a presence around Dodger Stadium in recent years, helped in recent years by manager Dave Roberts, who has called Smith a friend and mentor.

“We have a group of friends who we call The Outlaws and we take a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming every MLK weekend,” Roberts said of Smith on Friday. “He’s a part of that, and he’s the elder statesman.”

An olive branch was extended to Smith in 2021, when Roberts added Smith to his National League All-Star coaching staff for the game at Coors Field in Denver.

“I lean on him for just counsel and thoughts. Not a weekly thing, and I adore him. One of the things I was really proud of was getting him back,” Roberts said. “Selfishly I wanted to get him back to loving the Dodgers, and getting that sour taste, from Major League Baseball, getting him back to invested in the Dodgers. I think we’re on our way. Tomorrow’s going to be a special day for him, and for Rose, his wife.

“Going to the All-Star Game. He had the opportunity to speak to the All-Stars that year in Colorado, I think that meant a lot to him. With people like Reggie, they just wanted to be seen, appreciated for what they did. For me it was important to me to make that happen. Not that he needed it, but I felt like he needed it. I think the organization has done a great job in inviting him to games and welcoming him back to Dodger Stadium. It’s fantastic.”

The timing is also important. The Legends of Dodger Baseball started in 2019 as a way to permanently honor Dodgers who weren’t Hall of Famers. And five of the 10 inductees — Garvey in 2019, Manny Mota in 2023, Baker in 2024, Ron Cey in 2025, and now Smith — were integral to the team that won three pennants from 1976-81, culminating in winning the World Series in 1981. Smith completes the quartet of all four hitters who hit 30 home runs in 1977, the first time four teammates did so in the same season, all now Legends of Dodger Baseball.

If you want to honor players from those teams, the sooner the better. Smith is 81 years old, and it’s great that he will receive his accolades while he’s still alive.

Dave Roberts has walked this tightrope before.

Managing big-name closers at the back end of his bullpen. Watching them struggle with performances far below expectations. Having to figure out how much leash he is willing to extend, and when the time for a change is ultimately needed.

“Every year, when somebody’s struggling, [people are] always like, ‘You gotta take them out. You gotta move the role,’” Roberts said in an interview with The California Post on Friday. “But, no matter what, I have to be the person that doesn’t overreact. I have to wait longer than everyone wants to. I have to.”

That, indeed, is the position in which Roberts finds himself once again this season, trying to manage $69 million offseason signing Edwin Díaz through what has become a prolonged 2026 slump.

On Thursday, the veteran closer who was hand-picked this offseason by the club to address its ninth-inning problems instead delivered nothing but further late-game headaches.

He squandered a two-run lead in the Dodgers’ 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. He blew his third save opportunity since returning from a three-month absence following a late April elbow procedure. He saw his ERA rise over 11.00 and calls for his demotion from the closer role grow deafening.

On Friday night, Díaz returned to the mound and converted a save in the Dodgers’ 3-1 win, but not before loading the bases on a hit-batter and two walks and needing clutch defensive plays behind him from Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández to escape.

“It wasn’t pretty. I watched the inning too,” Roberts said afterward. “But he found a way to make a pitch when he needed to.”

Thus, his tenure as Dodgers closer will live to see another day.

Really, Díaz’s spot in the ninth was not under imminent threat, at least not yet.

In the wake of Thursday’s loss, Roberts made that much clear with a defiant answer when asked about a possible switch.

While the skipper cited Díaz’s track record for the decision –– the 32-year-old is a three-time All-Star and Reliever of the Year Award winner –– he also made a rhetorical comment that enflamed an already frustrated fan base.

“Give me another option,” Roberts snapped when asked about potentially removing Díaz from the closer role. “I have to have other options. And to be quite honest, none of those [other] guys really are throwing the baseball great. So that’s just kind of the way it is.”

Statistically, of course, pretty much everyone in the Dodgers’ bullpen has been more productive than Díaz this year.

That’s been especially true of their top two left-handers: Tanner Scott, a fellow big-money signing two winters ago who lost the closer’s role during a disastrous 2025 campaign, but has bounced back this year by posting a 2.20 ERA with 16 saves (most of which he accumulated during Díaz’s stint on the injured list); and Alex Vesia, who has a 2.79 ERA across a team-high 54 appearances this season.

“The body of work for Tanner, Vesia … I get it, I see it,” Roberts said Friday, softening his tone during his pregame interview with the California Post.

However, Roberts noted there were other factors at play.

Reiterating his point from Thursday, he noted that the rest of the bullpen hasn’t been sharp recently, with Vesia’s walk rate spiking and Scott missing fewer bats and giving up more hard contact (including a near-home run to Christian Yelich in the eighth inning on Thursday).

More than that, Roberts added after a day of reflection, he simply wasn’t ready to pull the plug on Díaz closing games yet, either.

“I’m willing to, at some point,” Roberts conceded. “I just don’t want to do it now. Because there’s a part of it where, I need to show him that I believe in him [and] what he signed up for –– until I can’t.”

Roberts had to make similar calculations with Scott last year, and Craig Kimbrel back in 2022.

Both of them had been brought in via blockbuster deals to fill voids at closer. Both eventually lost their ninth-inning jobs by the end of the season.

With Díaz, however, the Dodgers are still confident in reaching a different outcome, hopeful they’ve found something in his delivery to rectify his inconsistent season.

Díaz’s arm angle has dropped considerably this year, from 19 degrees a season ago (and 23 degrees during his peak years with the Mets) down to 15 degrees in the 14 outings he had made entering Friday.

Because of that, the right-hander’s pitches had lost their usual shape. His slider was too flat, lacking enough late downward bite to keep hitters from squaring it up. His fastball wasn’t riding up in the zone either, lacking its typically deceptive rising movement and too often staying in the heart of the plate.

“I’m too east-to-west, instead of north-south,” Díaz told the California Post of his pitch shapes.

Dodgers coaches addressed the problem with Díaz before Friday’s game, reveiwing film of his mechanics from past seasons and identifying a posture tweak to get his arm back in the right place.

“My upper body is sometimes leaning too much to third base,” Díaz told the California Post. “So I’m trying to stay up [with my upper body] when I throw the ball.”

Assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness then filmed each throw Díaz made during afternoon catch play in the outfield, coming away encouraged that progress was already being made.

“When I’m north-south, I can see the hitters don’t have a chance,” Díaz said. “Today I made a lot of good pitches north to south. Even the ones I was missing, I was throwing my slider down.”

For now, that will have to count as a step forward for Díaz –– who overcame his shaky command to end the game on a well-executed 98 mph fastball that jammed Joey Ortiz on the inside corner.

“I wanted to see him try to fight through it and get through it,” Roberts said, “so I was happy that he finished what he started.”

In the coming days, the Dodgers’ goal will be to further refine his mechanics and get his delivery back where it used to be.

In the coming weeks, they’re banking on it being enough to help him turn the page on his season, and cement what remains a currently tenuous hold on the team’s all-important ninth-inning duties.

“Hopefully with a couple days off to work through [his delivery changes],” Roberts said, “we’ll see a better version [of him] going forward.”

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Roderick Arias’ path as a minor leaguer since getting a $4 million signing bonus from the New York Yankees in January of 2022 has been anything but smooth. Wrist and thumb injuries virtually ruined his first two pro seasons, and he was wildly inconsistent at the plate, too, but if you could look past the low batting averages and the high strikeout totals, there were some loud tools.

You could say Arias’ prospect status hit rock bottom in 2025. He slashed .208/.325/.315 with a 28.8 percent strikeout rate and an 88 wRC+ The 34 stolen bases were nice, but just 7 homers in 465 plate appearances were quite disappointing for the switch-hitting infielder. Arias entered 2025 as one of the organization’s top prospects and he fell precipitously in the aftermath.

The 2026 campaign, however, has brought some tangible growth. Before Friday’s game, Arias hit .274/.357/.447 with 13 home runs, 32 thefts, and a 110 wRC+ between High-A and Double-A. He had a .271/.357/.441 line with a
108 wRC+ with the Renegades and is at .306/.359/.500 with a 130 wRC+ in nine games with the Patriots, albeit with a 30.8 percent strikeout rate.

Yes, there are still plenty of red flags. Yes, he still has a lot to prove. However, perhaps it’s time we start paying closer attention to the kid.

Arias’ 2026 started much like his entire 2025: filled with all-around mediocrity. He was hitting .191/.297/.268 with a 57 wRC+ and a 29.7 percent strikeout rate from the start of the season through the end of May, in 44 games and 182 plate appearances.

You won’t believe how good he has been since the start of June, though: a .333/.401/.575 line, a .976 OPS, a 149 wRC+, 16 doubles, and 11 home runs in 252 plate appearances and 58 games: 49 in High-A and nine in Double-A. Basically, his excellent run of form in Hudson Valley is carrying over to Somerset.

Perhaps the most significant development is that he appears to have figured out that right-handed swing against lefties. Here are Arias’ year-to-year OPS splits against southpaws and righties in the minors:

2022: .295 vs. lefties, .898 vs. righties
2023: .432 vs. lefties, .985 vs. righties
2024: .544 vs. lefties, .776 vs. righties
2025: .547 vs. lefties, .663 vs. righties
2026: .852 vs. lefties, .793 vs. righties

Now, Arias is a dangerous hitter from both sides of the plate, which significantly raises his ceiling and increases his chances of making the majors at some point. To be completely honest, he did look like a bust after his rough 2025, but prospect development is not linear and allows us to enjoy stories like Arias’.

There are a few things to consider before crowning him the next best middle infield prospect on the Yankees. Renowned publication Baseball America didn’t include Arias on their Top 30 organizational midseason list, and he is not on MLB Pipeline’s either, despite some prospects the Yankees traded away not being in the picture anymore. There’s a reason why scouts and evaluators remain skeptical: Arias’ contact rates and consistency are definitely not MLB-ready yet. In the words of former Pinstripe Alley writer Smith Brickner, “It’s Spencer Jones-like whiff without Spencer Jones-like batted ball damage.”

Additionally, he has made a lot of errors on defense this year: 17 as a third baseman (his primary position this year, at least in High-A) and five as a shortstop. Reports from when he was a top prospect praised his quickness, instincts, smooth actions, and, above all things, his plus-plus arm, but he has become error-prone, and it’s not just this year. He is still capable of doing this, though:

Despite the red flags and the inconsistency, Arias’ overall outlook has definitely improved this year after his rough opening months. He is back on the map, which tells us he is a fighter and won’t go down easily in the quest to fulfill his dream. He’ll be 22 in September, so he still has youth on his side.

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The Boston Red Sox (-130) have stumbled over the last week but are rightfully favored against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who own a poor 29-39 record against teams over .500.

My Red Sox vs. Pirates predictions and MLB picks see Boston rebounding tonight on the back of quality start from Sonny Gray.

Who will win Red Sox vs Pirates today: Boston Red Sox (-130)

Sonny Gray ranks in the 81st percentile in Pitcher Run Value, and has a nice matchup to build on that against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Their projected lineup has seven hitters with xwOBAs of .330 or lower – and six with ISOs below .125 – against right-handed pitching the last 20 games.

Jared Jones has allowed a .321 average and 14 runs over his past three starts, and will have a tough time slowing down the Boston Red Sox.

I’d back the Red Sox on the moneyline up to -140.

COVERS INTEL: Gray ranks second in hard hit percentage allowed on the road among today's 20 qualified starters, setting him up to limit Pittsburgh's power.

Red Sox vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Under 8.0 (-120)

Gray is a unique arm in that he throws three pitches more frequently than the fastball. That should set him up for success against the Pirates, who own a .286 average and 11.9% barrel rate against fastballs.

They haven’t enjoyed nearly as much success against Gray’s primaries. They've posted a 3.9% barrel rate vs. the sinker, and have hit .235 or worse against sliders and cutters. Not good.

Boston does not hit for much power against the fastball, and Jones’ 95th percentile average fastball velocity will help him neutralize it.

Bet to -130.

Red Sox vs Pirates home run prediction: Wilder Abreu (+400)

Wilyer Abreu was built in a lab to hit Jones.

Jones throws a ton of fastballs and sliders, and Abreu owns ISOs of .227 and .484 against those pitches when facing righties.

Abreu is also in fantastic form, ranking in the 99th percentile in ISO vs. right-handed pitching the past 20 games.

Abreu has left the yard in 28.6% of away games against pitchers in the 50th percentile or worse in HR/9 vs. LHH. I’d play this to +360.

Red Sox vs Pirates weather

The forecast calls for temperatures hovering around 80 with slight winds blowing inwards. Neutral impact.

Red Sox vs Pirates odds

• Moneyline: Boston -130 | Pittsburgh +110
• Run line: Boston -1.5 (+135) | Pittsburgh +1.5 (-155)
• Over/Under: Over 8.0 (+100) | Under 8.0 (-120)

Red Sox vs Pirates trend

Boston has hit the moneyline in 29 of their last 45 games (+12.25 units, 23% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Red Sox vs. Pirates.

How to watch Red Sox vs Pirates and game info

Red Sox vs Pirates latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

1919
The ill-fated Chicago Nine had a solid, four-game lead in the delayed-start season, boasting a 62-39 record. And a 6-5 walk-off win in 11 innings vs. the Red Sox kicked off a 10-game winning streak to pad that pennant lead. Shano Collins was ploinked by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Swede Risberg made the death blow swift for the Carmines after pushing a triple down the right-field line. The true hero of the game for the White Sox might well have been ace Eddie Cicotte, who threw 1 ⅔ innings of relief to earn the win after getting shelled in his start the previous day and just five days after throwing 12 innings at Washington.

The 10-game winning streak was further kick-started with another walk-off win over Boston the next day, this time won in regulation on a Ray Schalk squeeze bunt with the sacks packed.

1922
In front of 2,500 at Fenway Park, the Soxes White and Red set an AL record with 35 singles in a 19-11 Chicago win. The White Sox had 21 of the one-baggers, Boston 14. The two clubs had 43 hits total (25 Chicago, 18 Boston) and were a combined 23-of-39 with runners in scoring position.

Eddie Mulligan and Earl Sheely led the White Sox with three singles apiece (Sheely added a double), with Boston’s Joe Harris and Mike Minosky matching the one-bagging feat for the Red Sox.

The White Sox actually trailed this one, 10-8, after Boston put up a seven-run sixth. But the South Siders scored 11 in the final three frames, including their own seven-spot in the ninth, to make it a laffer. Ted Blankenship wound up getting the win in relief, with Red Faber picking up the save.

The 19-run output remains tied for 12th all-time in White Sox history.

1925
After enduring a rainout at Yankee Stadium on August 13 and a travel day by train back home to Chicago on August 14, Ray Schalk finally was able to set the all-time games caught record (1,613 games) during a 12-5 win over Detroit.

Schalk went 1-for-2 in the game with a walk, and also threw out the only base-stealer attempting against him. He also was reunited with Dickey Kerr, who made his White Sox comeback four years after being put on baseball’s restricted list for refusing a Charles Comiskey salary cut after the 1922 season. Kerr relieved Red Faber, who was knocked out of the box after just two innings.

Schalk held the MLB games caught record until 1939, and remained the AL record-holder until 1945.

1960
The dreams of a repeat White Sox pennant were getting fainter into the dog days of August, and indeed with a 4-1 loss to Detroit, the White Sox fell out of first place, never to return in 1960.

The 1960 White Sox would spend a total of 31 days in first place, mostly for a big chunk of May. However, after falling back as far as fifth in mid-June, the club scratched back into first in July and on-and-off into August. But by season’s end, the White Sox had fallen to third place at 87-67, 10 games back of the Yankees.

1973
White Sox GM Roland Hemond acquired starting pitcher Jim Kaat on waivers from Minnesota. All “Kitty” did was become a two-time 20-game winner for the White Sox in 1974 and 1975. Those two seasons ended up being the best of the future Hall-of-Famer’s career. In 1975, he made the All-Star team and finished fourth in AL Cy Young race, compiling a career-best 7.7 WAR.

In 92 career appearances and 87 starts over two-plus years in Chicago, Kaat won 45 games and had 15.3 WAR.

1986
GM Ken Harrelson’s stabs at signing longtime veterans to the roster continued. Just three days after inking legendary Steve Carlton to finish the year out in the White Sox rotation, Harrelson grabbed slugger George Foster. Foster had been released by the New York Mets after a poor 1986, but was just one year removed from a .792 OPS and 121 OPS+.

Foster made a splash with his new team, homering in the second at-bat of his debut, part of a 2-for-4 night during a loss to the Brewers at Comiskey Park, 4-3.

However, Foster’s career was coming to an end, as he was released just three weeks later, playing in just 15 games with the White Sox. That homer in his debut proved to be his very last in the majors.

1996
White Sox first-rounder Bobby Seay was declared a free agent because the team failed to offer a formal contract within 15 days of the draft. He was reportedly asking for a $2 million signing bonus, which would have been a record for the time, and refused to negotiate with GM Ron Schueler when he flew down to see him in Florida — directing him to talk with his agent, Scott Boras. 

The southpaw became the first player in the 32 years of the draft to become a free agent in the same summer he was selected. Seay signed with Tampa Bay in October for $3 million, made his MLB debut six years later, and would end up with 3.0 WAR in his career.

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The Houston Astros are -125 favorites to best an ice cold Seattle Mariners team that has dropped eight of its past 10 games.

With Houston playing its best ball of the season, my Mariners vs. Astros predictions and MLB picks are happy to back the home team at a very reasonable price.

Who will win Mariners vs Astros today: Houston Astros (-125)

Emerson Hancock is somewhat of a home merchant. He owns a 3.26 xFIP in Seattle compared to a 4.71 xFIP on the road.

He’ll have his hands full against a Houston Astros side sitting eighth in wOBA vs. righties over the past month – in a more favorable hitting environment, at that.

The Seattle Marinersslot 28th in wOBA against righties over the same period, and rank tied for last in runs scored.

They’ll make life a little easier on Hayden Wesneski, giving the Astros a strong chance of getting a win.

Back Houston to -135.

COVERS INTEL:Hancock's 24th percentile ranking in hard hit percentage is likely to lead to trouble against an Astros attack sitting fifth in SLG vs. RHP the past three weeks.

Mariners vs Astros Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-110)

Hancock has not only benefited from plenty of starts in Seattle, but a relatively soft schedule. 

Just four of 16 appearances have come against Top-10 offenses in ISO vs. righties. He didn’t hold up in those games, posting a 5.32 ERA. That includes a game where he conceded three runs to the Astros over five innings of work.

Wesneski ranks in the 16th percentile in xSLG and 12th percentile in xwOBA. Those are alarming numbers considering he has only faced the Angels, Blue Jays, and Giants – three bad offenses.

Bet the Over to -125.

Mariners vs Astros home run prediction: Taylor Trammell (+625)

Taylor Trammell is hammering the baseball. He leads the Astros in ISO and SLG while barreling the ball at an astronomical 40% clip over the last 20 games.

He is striking out a ton while chasing power, but it’s hard to argue with a sky-high barrel rate and average distance of 340 feet over that period of time.

Of the four pitches Trammell has seen at least 7% of the time, the two he owns the highest ISO against are Hancock’s two most frequent pitches vs. LHH: the fastball and sinker.

Bet to +600.

Mariners vs Astros weather

This game will be played in a dome.

Mariners vs Astros odds

• Moneyline: Seattle +105 | Houston -125
• Run line: Seattle +1.5 (-190) | Houston -1.5 (+160)
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-115) | Under 8.5 (-105)

Mariners vs Astros trend

Houston has won 16 of its last 22 games (+7.45 units, 26% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mariners vs. Astros.

How to watch Mariners vs Astros and game info

Mariners vs Astros latest injuries

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Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (62-55) won 1-0 (BOX SCORE)

Burrows made a rehab start and was solid tossing 4.1 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts. The offense got on the board in the 7th inning on a Loperfido sacrifice fly. Nezuh tossed 4 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts as he closed out the 1-0 win for Sugar Land.

Note: Nezuh has 105 strikeouts over 88 innings this season.

• Ray Delgado, 2B: 1-for-4, R, 2B
• Joey Loperfido, RF: 0-for-3, RBI
• CJ Alexander, 1B: 1-for-3

• Mike Burrows, RHP: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
• Trey McLoughlin, RHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
• Jackson Nezuh, RHP: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (WIN)

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (52-60) lost 1-0 (BOX SCORE)

Tredwell started for the Hooks and allowed one run over 3.2 innings while striking out three batters. Marrero got the final out for the 4th and then was relieved by DeVos who was dominant. DeVos tossed 4 scoreless innings with 8 strikeouts to keep it a 1-0 game. The offense struggled all night collecting just four hits as they fell 1-0.

Note: DeVos has a 1.93 ERA in Double-A.

• Trevor Austin, LF: 2-for-4, 2B
• Walker Janek, C: 1-for-4

• Alonzo Tredwell, RHP: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
• Andrew Marrero, RHP: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Nolan DeVos, RHP: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

A+: Asheville Tourists (38-72) won 6-5 (BOX SCORE)

Asheville got on the board in the first inning on a Moss RBI single. They got 2 more runs in the 3rd scoring 2 on a wild pitch and an error. Oakes started for Asheville and allowed 5 runs, 4 earned, over 4.2 innings. In the 5th, Powell tied the game on a 2 run home run. Walker gave Asheville the lead with a solo home run in the 6th. The pen was solid tossing 4.1 scoreless as they closed out the 6-5 win.

Note: Moss is hitting .358 in Asheville.

• Justin Thomas, CF: 1-for-2, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 SB
• Xavier Neyens, 3B: 0-for-1, R, 2 BB
• Caden Powell, RF: 2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
• Jack Moss, 1B: 2-for-4, RBI
• Kyle Walker, 2B: 1-for-3, R, HR, RBI, BB
• John Garcia, C: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 SB
• Hector Salas, 3B: 1-for-3, R, BB, SB

• Kellan Oakes, RHP: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K
• Jackson Wells, RHP: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (WIN)
• Colby Langford, LHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (SAVE)

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (57-52) won 13-11 (BOX SCORE)

Beck got the start for the Woodpeckers and allowed 2 runs, both in the first inning, over 5 innings while striking out 6 batters. The Woodpeckers got on the board in the third inning scoring 2 runs on Tryon and Cauro RBI singles. In the 4th inning, the offense scored 3 runs on a Hughes 2 run double and Alvarez RBI single. Piasecki added a sac fly in the 5th. Forcucci came on for the 6th inning but struggled allowing 6 runs while walking 4 and retiring just two batters. The offense rallied in the bottom of the 6th scoring 4 runs on a sac fly, two on an error and a wild pitch. The Nationals rallied in the 8th scoring 2 runs to tie it at 10. The offense would respond again getting an Alvarez RBI double and Tryon 2 run single to take the lead. The pen was taxed but Nigh was able to get the final out in the 13-11 win.

Note: Hughes is hitting .333 through four games.

• Kam Durnin, SS: 2-for-4, 3 R, 2 BB, SB
• Logan Hughes, DH: 1-for-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 SB
• Kevin Alvarez, CF: 3-for-6, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI
• Ben Tryon, RF: 4-for-5, R, 2 RBI, BB
• Carlos Cauro, 1B: 1-for-6, RBI
• Owen Nowak, LF: 1-for-3, 2 R, BB
• Arturo Flores, C: 3-for-3, R, 3 BB
• Aaron Piasecki, 2B: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI
• Brandon Nigh, 3B: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB

• Jagger Beck, RHP: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
• Ryan Forcucci, RHP: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 0 K
• Leomar Rosario, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Mick Uebelhor, RHP: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Taz Butler, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (WIN)
• Brandon Nigh, RHP: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Bryce Mayer – 7:05 CT

CC: Andrew Taylor – 6:05 CT

AV: Parker Smith – 5:05 CT

FV: TBD – 6:05 CT

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country.

Earlier this week I asked you a Cubs-related question in the SB Nation Reacts survey, but we’re going to start this one with the national question asked of everyone, not just BCB readers:

So it looks like Pete Crow-Armstrong has the attention not only of all Cubs fans, but of baseball fans nationwide. This is a significant result — Shohei Ohtani has won the last two NL MVP awards and four MVP’s overall in his career, but it appears that voters in this survey discounted Ohtani’s 2026 season for a couple of reasons.

First, obviously, is the fact that he’s not pitching at this time (although this article indicates he might return before the regular season is over). While Ohtani pitched very well in the 14 starts he did make — 1.79 ERA, 0.946 WHIP, 3.0 bWAR — that doesn’t appear enough for folks voting in this survey. Also, while Ohtani is having a good offensive season, batting .290/.390/.540 with 27 home runs in 113 games, it’s not quite as great as the two previous years, when he topped 50 home runs in both seasons. Ohtani isn’t stealing bases anymore either, with just seven this year.

Meanwhile, PCA enters Saturday’s action batting .279/.378/.534, pretty close to Ohtani’s slash line, and also has 27 home runs. He’s also recorded 30 steals and seems likely to have his second straight 30/30 season. Then there’s the defense, and as noted in this post in The Feed, is at the top of SABR rankings in fielding for the year to date. Overall PCA has 7.3 bWAR, leading all MLB players, and is also atop all MLB players in fWAR with 7.8.

PCA is in a bit of a hitting funk right now, 0-for-8 in his last two games, but we have seen him come out of these dry spells with good offensive stretches many times. Hopefully that starts today.

Now, here’s the question I asked you here at BCB earlier this week:

With the caveat that it’s still six weeks till the postseason begins, I think this is the correct answer. Matthew Boyd has been remarkably good since he returned from that freak knee injury. Over that span of nine starts: 2.43 ERA, 1.186 WHIP, and the Cubs won eight of the nine games. Overall this year the Cubs are 11-3 in the 14 games Boyd has started.

Maybe the Cubs don’t have an official “ace,” but that is certainly ace-type pitching.

Boyd takes the mound Saturday afternoon against the Cardinals. Let’s hope that continues.

This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.

The forecast was optimistic.

Provided that Shohei Ohtani doesn’t experience any setbacks from his 34-pitch mound session on Friday, he will throw another bullpen session or two, after which will face hitters a couple of times in simulated games.

“Then,” manager Dave Roberts said, “I would see him in a major league game.”

Ohtani’s potential return to pitching has to be a welcome development for the Dodgers, who are being reminded what it’s like to not have the two-way player in their rotation.

Ohtani last pitched in a game on July 3, but that’s only part of the problem.

His absence from the mound has forced the Dodgers to reduce the number of relievers on their active roster from eight to seven, which in turn has contributed to their firemen resembling arsonists in many of their recent games.

“Essentially,” Roberts said, “all of our relievers are overworked right now.”

The predicament in which the Dodgers now find themselves explains why they are as supportive as they are of Ohtani’s efforts to pitch again.

Because of Major League Baseball’s roster rules, when Ohtani is pitching, the Dodgers have an edge over other teams that can be, well, Ohtani-sized. 

Ohtani is expected to spend the remainder of the regular season gradually building up his arm strength, and that will limit the degree to which the Dodgers will be able to benefit from the Ohtani Rule. However, his status as a pitcher could provide them with a massive advantage in future seasons, which is why they need him to remain a two-way player for as long as he can.

Ohtani playing both ways will influence not only how the Dodgers construct their rosters but also how their players perform.

As was the case this year.

Here’s why: From opening day to Aug. 31, teams must have 26 players on their active roster. Of them, as many as 13 of them can be pitchers.(Rosters expand to 28 players on Sept. 1, with the maximum number of pitchers increasing to 14.)

Since Ohtani is classified as a two-way player, he doesn’t count against his team’s total number of pitchers. The Dodgers can therefore have 13 pitchers other than Ohtani.

For most of the season, that meant the Dodgers could have a roster that included a six-man starting rotation and eight-man bullpen, which led to Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell calling the Ohtani Rule “a bad rule.”

Dodgers starters pitched once every six or seven days instead of the customary five or six. The extra day between their starts helped them pitch deeper into games, and that limited the bullpen’s workload.

Everything changed when Ohtani went down with a sore knee.

The Dodgers were suddenly forced to choose between carrying a sixth starter or eighth reliever.  They couldn’t have both.

“We’ve missed that,” Roberts said.

Initially, the Dodgers went with five starters. When Blake Snell returned from the injured list, they returned to a six-man rotation.

“The six-man rotation is something we are kind of beholden to,” Roberts said.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is only three seasons removed from pitching in the Japanese league, and Roki Sasaki two. Yamamoto and Sasaki generally pitched once a week in their home country.

Roberts acknowledged the Dodgers could use an extra reliever, particularly now when they are near the end of a 13-day stretch in which they will play 13 games.

“It’s tough to navigate,” Roberts said. “We have a seven-man pen in the middle of 13 in a row.”

In the postseason, active rosters will consist of 26 players, including 13 pitchers – and that’s why the Dodgers will take whatever Ohtani can give them from the mound.

When Ohtani resumes pitching, he will be deployed as an opener. He will pitch an inning in his first start or two, two innings after that, and so forth. The Dodgers plan to bring him along at a deliberate pace, which could limit how stretched out he will be for the playoffs.

But even if Ohtani can pitch only an inning or two per game as an opener, that’s still an inning or two they won’t have to be covered by any of the team’s eight relievers. 

And by pitching this year, Ohtani will be positioning himself to pitch again next season. If he’s pitching, Yamamoto and Sasaki could stay on schedules in which they pitch once every six or seven days. But if Ohtani isn’t pitching, Yamamoto and Sasaki could have to pitch with less time between starts.

On the surface, that might not seem like much. It’s just a day a week, after all. But as the Dodgers’ recent troubles have shown, little things can add up to make a big difference.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was evaluated for a concussion after a knee-to-the-head collision with New York shortstop George Lombard Jr. on Aug. 14. The incident forced Guerrero Jr. to leave the game early under protocol during the Blue Jays’ 3-1 victory over the Yankees.

The play unfolded when George Springer hit a sharp bouncer to third base. Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon fielded the ball and forced out Nathan Lukes at third before firing a quick throw to first.

McMahon’s throw to first was mishandled by Luis García Jr., who lost his glove in the scramble. Seizing the opportunity, Guerrero Jr. dashed toward third base, leaped in an attempt to beat the throw, and was inadvertently kneed in the head mid-air by Lombard Jr. as he slid in safely.

Guerrero’s helmet flew off, but he managed to scramble home to score. Following the hectic play, Guerrero Jr. admitted to having a slight headache and was immediately removed from the game as a precaution.

Guerrero Jr., who had only recently returned to the lineup after recovering from a hamstring injury, is now listed as day-to-day while undergoing concussion protocol. The Blue Jays have not yet provided an update on his status ahead of their Aug. 15 afternoon game against the Yankees.