Category: MLB

ESPN’s 30 for 30 will launch the first two of six podcast episodes July 28 examining the gambling scandal that resulted in Shohei Ohtani‘s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara going to prison for stealing nearly $17 million from the baseball superstar and gambling it away.

The podcast, titled “The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani” is told by Tisha Thompson, the ESPN investigative reporter who led the outlet’s groundbreaking coverage in March 2024.

Ohtani, who signed a record 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023 after playing six years with the Angels, apparently trusted Mizuhara implicitly. He said he was unaware that the interpreter regularly ransacked his bank account for more than two years.

The podcast will recount Mizuhara’s life before he began working for Ohtani in 2013 when both were with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. When Ohtani moved to the United States to play for the Angels in 2018, Mizuhara came with him.

Thompson interviews childhood friends and colleagues of Mizuhara, but the interview that will generate the greatest interest is a 90-minute phone call she had with him 16 hours before she published the story. Thompson got permission from Mizuhara to tape the call and it remains the only interview he has given.

Mizuhara told her that Ohtani had helped him pay off his gambling debts, a story he recanted a day later. The Dodgers fired him the same day they opened the 2024 season with a game against the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

IRS special agent Chris Seymour gave Thompson the first interview of his career, and what he and prosecutors say about Mizuhara’s motive goes beyond the narrative that he had a gambling addiction, according to ESPN.

Another interview by Thompson is with bookmaker Mathew Bowyer, who explains on tape that his relationship with Mizuhara began during a hotel poker game with Angels players. Bowyer pleaded guilty last year to running an illegal gambling business, money laundering and filing a false tax return. He was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison and ordered to pay $1.6 million in restitution to the IRS.

Episodes one and two — “The Letter O” and “The Interview” — will debut July 28, followed by episodes dropping every Tuesday and Thursday through Aug. 11.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The Milwaukee Brewers are -145 favorites to win their fifth consecutive game tonight at American Family Field.

Taking on an inexperienced arm with strong regression signals, my Mets vs. Brewers predictions and MLB picks back Milwaukee to extend their streak to six on July 21.

Who will win Mets vs Brewers today: Brewers (-145)

Zac Thornton is a talented young lefty, but we’ve seen real red flags during his cup of coffee in the big leagues.

Topping the list is an almost shocking 6.4% soft contact rate, which is lowest among all of today’s starting pitchers.

The Milwaukee Brewers are a hit-for-contact lineup, and Thornton’s inability to limit hard-hit balls is likely to be exploited.

Brandon Sproat has issues of his own, but will benefit from a Top 5 bullpen in ERA, FIP, and xFIP backing him up.

Bet Milwaukee to -155.

COVERS INTEL:Thornton's xERA (3.97) is well above his actual ERA (2.60), a sign he's not pitching as well as the results suggest. 

Mets vs Brewers Over/Under pick: Under 9.0 (-120)

I don’t see the path to fireworks in this game.

Milwaukee has not hit for power against lefties at all, sitting 26th in SLG and 28th in ISO this season. Thornton’s poor contact profile should prop them up, but this isn’t about to turn into a home run derby.

Sproat has held his own against poor offenses, posting a 3.43 ERA over eight starts when facing Bottom-10 teams in OPS vs. righties.

If he can survive five innings and get to the bullpen, it’ll be tough for the New York Mets to score.

Play the Under to -130.

Mets vs Brewers weather

Mets vs Brewers odds

• Moneyline: Mets +125 | Brewers -145
• Run line: Mets +1.5 (-155) | Brewers -1.5 (+135)
• Over/Under: Over 9.0 (+100) | Under 9.0 (-120)

Mets vs Brewers trend

Milwaukee has hit the moneyline in 27 of their last 40 home games (+8.25 units, 14% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Brewers.

How to watch Mets vs Brewers and game info

Mets vs Brewers 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.

The Boston Red Sox refuse to die, which is bad news for me!

Boston did that thing again in its series opening matchup with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, securing yet another come-from-behind victory and pushing its winning streak to 14 games while further solidifying itself as one of the likely wild card teams in the American League in 2026 — which few of us saw coming even a few weeks ago.

I definitely didn’t anyway…

I’ve spent that last several weeks tempering the expectations of my co-hosts on NESN’s Boston’s Entered the Chat, using logic and reasoning to explain why this run wasn’t sustainable and that the season was over. But their eternal optimism was enough to rage bait me into making a regrettable statement during one of our segments on July 16.

YIKES!

It’s looking like that might come back to bite me.

I’ve always been a man of my word, which is why the preparations have begun for what looks like an inevitability after the organization that we all know and love clearly started practicing witchcraft. NESN is going to let people throw stuff at me once this team makes the playoffs, and has tasked me with asking my favorite group of readers (you guys) what we should do; pie face, water balloons, hammers, ice bucket challenge, something that isn’t all that bad but actually kind of sweet?

I’ll be monitoring the comment section, but if you guys have any revolutionary ideas you can also send them to me @KeaganStiefel on X.

I’ll be rooting for you guys/against myself.

Go Sox.

There’s an insanely short list of players who have hit 60 or more home runs in a single Major League Baseball season.

You may have heard of some of them – Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Maris, Aaron Judge. You may have also noticed that catcher – catcher! – Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners achieved that feat just last year.

Raleigh in 2026 has admittedly been a shell of his 2025 self. Like Eugenio Suarez of the Cincinnati Reds, Raleigh has been dealing with an oblique strain that cost him a month of the season already, and it’s the kind of injury that messes with strength and timing within a swing even on the days when there’s no lingering pain. Still, we’re talking about a guy who didn’t just hit 60 homers last season but also a guy who averaged 30 dingers a year over the three seasons before that while picking up MVP votes all along the way.

That’s not exactly the recipe for the kind of player you’d think to go out of your way to pitch to with a game on the line. It’s certainly not the type of player you’d think you’d go out of your way to pitch to with your season on the line.

On Monday night in Seattle, though, some inverted cosmos prompted Reds manager Terry Francona to go galaxy brain and do precisely that.

Andrew Abbott had pitched brilliantly while Seattle starter George Kirby had blanked the lifeless Reds offense, and only a pair of questionable defensive plays from Cincinnati’s middle infield had allowed a lone run on Seattle’s ledger in a 1-0 game. Pierce Johnson had labored while taking over in the Bottom of the 7th, and Francona summoned lefty Caleb Ferguson from the bullpen to try to navigate through the packed bases as the heart of the Mariners lineup was due up.

With the lefty on the mound, Tito prompted Ferguson to walk Dominic Canzone to load the bases and set up a potential double play that would end the inning. Canzone, of course, hits left handed. Walking Canzone to load the bases brought up the switch-hitting Raleigh, who turned to his right side to welcome the lefty Ferguson’s offerings.

The first pitch? It couldn’t have been more of a meatball.

Raleigh destroyed a hanging breaker right over the heart of the plate into the LF bleachers for a grand slam that broke the game wide open, and in the process seemed to sink every single thing remaining from this debacle of a Reds season with it to the bottom of Puget Sound.

It always seemed as if this Reds club was specifically constructed to be a half-run short and a dollar late. That, of course, is how you save money at the margins. The presumptive hope from the front office, it has always seemed, was that hiring a manager with Francona’s reputation would simply be enough to make up for playing with a hand constantly tied behind their backs.

That simply hasn’t worked. It sure as hell didn’t work last night.

You can certainly make the claim that if the pitchers in the bullpen who were given free agent contracts to come pitch for a team who was constantly going to be in tight games (since they can’t ever seem to blow anyone out) should have simply done their jobs better. That’s true, and has been the case all season long. But at this juncture, with grasping at every single last straw there is in an attempt to save the crap season, Tito played a hand that he had zero business playing and his bluff got called in the biggest, baddest of ways.

That’s it for the Reds. That, right there, is the nail in their coffin.

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There are some games to avoid on Dinger Tuesday as a big patch of rain is heading to the Northeast today, but despite the storm clouds, there are still some great home run and MLB player prop spots on the board today.

I have three starting pitchers circled. The ball could be flying in Colorado with one of the worst starting pitching matchups of the second half, the Marlins might be able to send Tatsuya Imai to the Houston bullpen with another bad outing, and Kohl Drake is not ready for the bright lights of the big show.

Jacob Wilson at +1140 highlights my favorite home run props for Tuesday, July 21.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HR	Odds
Curtis Mead	+420
Liam Hicks	+710
Jacob Wilson	+1140
💲Today's HR parlay	+48737

Home run pick: Curtis Mead (+420)

The Nationals' lineup is loaded with power, and over the last 30 days, it isn't James Wood or CJ Abrams leading the team in slugging; it is Luis Garcia — but Curtis Mead is right there behind him in second.

He is 8-for-16 after the break with four extra-base hits, and this should have a fair price of +350 at Coors Field vs. Michael Lorenzen.

The Colorado starter has allowed just one dinger over his last four starts, but he has the worst BlastCont% among all MLB starters today (last 30 days), and the homers could be on their way tonight.

Looking back over the last two seasons, only two other starters today have a worse HR/9 than Lorenzen. Ball Park Pal has this as the second-best HR setting on the board today.

• Time: 8:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Rockies.TV, Nationals.TV

Home run pick: Liam Hicks (+710)

Let's hit value town in Houston, where Liam Hicks finds himself batting cleanup after launching his 14th homer off Houston's starter last night.

Hicks is crushing right-handed pitching with an .884 OPS, and 93% of his home runs this season have come against righties. Outside of the Nationals, the Marlins might have the best home run matchup on the board against Tatsuya Imai and his shaky numbers.

The right-hander ranks among the Bottom 25 qualified starters in HR/9 this season, and those numbers have only gotten worse over the last 30 days. There is plenty of strikeout upside with the first-year starter, but his MLB numbers haven't come close to matching what he posted in Japan's NPB.

This could be his final turn in the rotation, and the Nationals already got a look at him in his last outing, so the familiarity edge belongs to the hitters.

• Time: 8:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Space City Home Network, Marlins.TV

Home run pick: Jacob Wilson (+1140)

Arizona's rotation injuries are opening the door for Triple-A arm Kohl Drake to make his MLB debut today, but this does not look like a pitcher ready for the big leagues.

He owns a 6.92 ERA at Triple-A, has issued 42 walks over his last 100 innings, and allows more than a hit per inning. Right-handed hitters have accounted for 15 of the 16 homers he's allowed, but even lefties have found success, batting .351 against him.

Jacob Wilson has already gone deep twice since the All-Star break, including last night in Arizona. He's riding an eight-game hitting streak with six multi-hit performances during that stretch. 

He is absolutely raking right now and gets a matchup against a pitcher who could struggle with the bright lights and command in his MLB debut.

This is the biggest home run price I've backed all year, but the entire Athletics lineup is live in this matchup.
I'm playing Wilson down to +750.

• Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBCSCA, DBacks.TV

Today’s HR parlay

Curtis Mead	Bet Now +48737
Liam Hicks
Jacob Wilson

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The red-hot Atlanta Braves will be looking to keep it rolling tonight against the San Diego Padres as -137 home favorites. 

My Padres vs Braves predictions expect Atlanta to take advantage of the struggling Walker Buehler.

Read more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, July 21. 

Who will win Padres vs Braves today: Braves (-137)

The Atlanta Braves send Reynaldo Lopez to the mound tonight, and he's in great form. The righty has posted a 3.34 FIP across his last five appearances while allowing just 0.86 HR/9.

As for the San Diego Padres, they counter with Walker Buehler, who has hit a tough spell. The veteran owns a 9.10 FIP in his last five outings while surrendering 3.86 HR/9. 

Those are dangerous numbers against a Braves offense carrying a .298 ISO and 171 wRC+ in their last four games. 

Expect them to stay hot against Buehler.

I'll play this pick to -150. 

COVERS INTEL: The Braves have a 43.4% hard-hit rate as a team over the last week, and Buehler has allowed a 41.7% hard-hit rate across the last month. 

Padres vs Braves Over/Under pick: Over 9.5 runs (+114)

While I do expect Lopez to throw the ball well, he’s also up against a scorching-hot Padres offense. San Diego has posted a 147 wRC+ over its last four games to go along with a .259 ISO.

Both teams are swinging it well, and while each bullpen has been respectable lately, it’s hard to overlook the offensive consistency and power output. The Padres’ hard-hit rate is also just below 50% during that span.

Atlanta gives this Over another clear path, especially against Buehler, who has struggled to limit hard contact.

I’ll play this pick to -120.

Padres vs Braves weather

Padres vs Braves odds

• Moneyline: Padres +127 | Braves -133
• Run line: Padres +1.5 (-156) | Braves -1.5 (+150)
• Over/Under: Over 9.5 (+117) | Under 9.5 (-122)

Padres vs Braves trend

The Atlanta Braves have hit the team total Over in 11 of their last 14 home games (+7.50 Units / 45% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Braves.

How to watch Padres vs Braves and game info

Padres vs Braves 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.

This has been the road trip of Andres Chaparro’s life. The hulking Nats first baseman has been on an absolute heater this week, rewarding the team’s faith in him. Most Nats fans were perplexed as to why the team kept giving Chaparro chance after chance. Well, he showed us why this week.

The man they call Chappy has been absolutely punishing baseballs since the Nats came back from the All-Star Break. He has not just been hitting home runs, he has been crushing majestic no doubt shots. That home run he hit in Sacramento was the longest Nats home run in years. The husky righty hit the ball over everything.

It is no secret that Andres Chaparro has big time power. Honestly, all you need to do is look at the guy. He is your prototypical burly first baseman who can send balls into orbit. Chaparro has been doing that in the minors for a long time. The 27 year old has 121 career minor league home runs, including five straight years with at least 15 homers. 

However, that minor league power did not translate to the big leagues, at least not until this week. Chaparro looked the part of a slugger, but was unable to put it together in his brief big league stints. He showed some flashes at the end of 2024, but was unable to build on that the following season.

It looked like more of the same this year. He was 9 for 54 prior to the All-Star Break, and had a lot of heat on him. Fans did not like it when Chaparro would pinch hit for Luis Garcia Jr. against left handed pitching. When a guy hitting .150 is pinch hitting for the hottest bat in baseball, the optics are not great. 

Honestly, I was getting tired of it myself. I either wanted Garcia to get a chance to play every day, or for Yohandy Morales to replace Chaparro as the platoon option. Morales was the younger, more exciting option. However, the front office saw something in Chapparro, and now he is rewarding their faith.

Whenever I checked Chaparro’s Baseball Savant page, even before his hot run, it was much better than you would expect for a guy hitting .150. He was taking his walks, hitting the ball harder than he had in the past and swinging faster. However, the results were not coming. We should have paid more attention to those under the hood numbers, because he is really turning around now.

Right now, Chaparro’s xwOBA is a stellar .390, much higher than his .350 wOBA. His hard hit rate, barrel rate, bat speed and exit velocities are also way up. When it comes to hitting, it really seems like everything this front office touches turns to gold. Even a journeyman like Chaparro is having his moment in the sun.

It is difficult to overstate just how good he has been lately. The Nats have faced a lot of left handed pitching lately, which means Chappy has gotten opportunities. In his 11 at bats since the break, he is 5 for 11 with 3 homers and 11 RBI. Even with Garcia and Wood slumping a little out of the break, the offense is still clicking, and Chaparro is a big reason for that.

The offense right now is being driven by Chaparro, CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead. It seems like there is a different trio leading the way every few weeks. Lately, it has been those three. Wood and Garcia are bound to get going soon as well.

The latest Chaparro lightning bolt came last night in the 1st inning when he hit another titanic blast. He sent one way out of Coors Field to give the Nats a 3-0 lead three batters into the game. When Chaparro gets a hold of one, you can tell instantly that it is gone. The big slugger does not get cheated.

Blake Butera and Paul Toboni are putting Chaparro in a very specific role that plays to his strengths. Throughout his minor league career and in his brief big league looks, he has mashed left handed pitching. In the first half, he was not doing that as much, but the front office trusted the track record.

One thing this front office will do is stick to their guns. Sometimes it does not work out, like with Mitchell Parker. However, they prove us right a lot, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They do a great job maximizing offensive talent and putting them in advantageous situations. Andres Chaparro is only the most recent example of this.

Chaparro is showing us that he can be a capable big leaguer as a platoon bat. He will need to build on this success, but he has taken off this week. As the title suggests, Andres Chaparro has been on a generational run lately, and long may it continue.

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The St. Louis Cardinals are -115 favorites to snap their three-game losing streak, but I don't believe that should be the case.

My Cardinals vs. Angels predictions and MLB picks see value in backing the -105 home underdogs on July 21.

Who will win Cardinals vs Angels today: Angels (-105)

To say the Los Angeles Angels have a starting pitching advantage in this game would be an understatement.

Walbert Urena has posted a sub-3.75 xERA in eight consecutive starts, and has only given up more than three runs once since April 25.

He is giving the Angels quality starts in bulk, and should be headed for another against a St. Louis Cardinals team that sits 27th in wOBA vs. righties over the past month.

The Angels own a .268 BA against lefties in July, and Matthew Liberatore bleeds hits — ranking in the 11th percentile in xBA.

Bet L.A. to -115.

COVERS INTEL:Urena ranks in the 92nd percentile with a .197 xBA this season.

Cardinals vs Angels Over/Under pick: Under 9.0 (-105)

I don't get this total.

Urena is sporting a 2.83 ERA and has allowed 0.63 homers per nine innings over five matchups with Bottom-10 teams in OPS vs. righties. The Cardinals not only fit the criteria but have also hit only .218 against right-handed pitching over the past 30 days.

While the Angels have strung together hits against southpaws, they sit 22nd in OPS and 29th in FB% in July.

It’ll be tough to generate homers, and I don’t see 10+ runs being scored without plenty of aid from power.

I like the Under to -125.

Cardinals vs Angels weather

Cardinals vs Angels odds

• Moneyline: Cardinals -115 | Angels -105
• Run line: Cardinals -1.5 (+145) | Angels +1.5 (-170)
• Over/Under: Over 9.0 (-115) | Under 9.0 (-105)

Cardinals vs Angels trend

Los Angeles has cashed the game total Under in 21 of its last 35 games (+6.95 units, 18% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Angels.

How to watch Cardinals vs Angels and game info

Cardinals vs Angels 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.

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Monday, in case you missed it...

• Freddy Peralta's return to Milwaukee did not go well as he allowed seven runs in 5.1 innings in the Mets' 8-3 defeat
• Peralta was left searching for answers as his struggles continue: "I don’t understand it"
• Carlos Beltran discussed Mets manager job following Carlos Mendoza firing: "I didn’t feel it was the right thing"
• The MLB Trade Deadline buzz started heating up with a report that Clay Holmes is drawing interest from the White Sox
• Luis Robert Jr. was activated from the IL and spoke about his "frustrating" extended absence
• The Dodgers are not ruling out Edwin Diaz making his IL return for the weekend set at Citi Field
• WATCH: How is Francisco Lindor handling the trade rumors? | Baseball Night in NY
• WATCH: Interim manager Andy Green and  Peralta discuss another poor start 

When 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball officially drops on July 22, collectors across the hobby will be chasing a white whale that could shatter secondary market records.

Officially listed on the checklist as the “Back to Back Dual Gold Logoman Autograph Relics,” the flagship chase set highlights an elite tier of superstars who accomplished one of the hardest feats in modern sports: winning major awards in back-to-back seasons. The 1-of-1 redemption cards feature Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Tarik Skubal.

While all three will drive massive heat, it’s the 1/1 Shohei Ohtani that stands to become the single most coveted modern trading card on the planet.

The Power of the Kanji Ink

What elevates this specific Ohtani piece into ultra-grail territory comes down to the ink. Ohtani signed his name twice on the card: a standard English signature across the top, paired with his rare, highly coveted Kanji signature across the bottom.

Ohtani’s Kanji autographs are notoriously scarce, rarely appearing on official releases and consistently fetching astronomical premiums when they hit auction blocks. Combined with two game-worn Gold MLB Logoman patches, one from his 2024 MVP campaign and one from his 2025 repeat, the card represents the absolute apex of modern sports memorabilia.

The secondary market precedent is already staggering:

• December 2025: Ohtani’s 2025 Topps Chrome Baseball Gold MLB Logoman Autograph 1/1 sold for $3 million via Fanatics Collect.

• March 2026: A 2025 Topps Chrome Dual MLB Gold Logoman Autograph 1/1 featuring both Ohtani and Aaron Judge commanded $2.16 million.

With dual game-worn patches and dual English/Kanji signatures, this 2026 masterpiece has all the ingredients to blow past those benchmarks. Experts I spoke with believe this card this card will be Ohtani’s most expensive card ever, when, or if, it ever hits the market.

A New Level of Iconic

For Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan, creating multi-year, game-worn relics is about shifting the hobby’s paradigm to capture a player’s absolute peak.

“If you look at the trading card industry for most of the last 75 years, it’s primarily been about rookie cards,” Mahan explained. “But we saw an opportunity to get more closely aligned with established stars, particularly in their biggest moments. When you have a back-to-back MVP or a back-to-back Cy Young, those achievements are extraordinary. How do we celebrate that with a card that’s even more extraordinary? We’re just trying to really meet the moment.”

Unlike rookie cards, which rely on a player’s future potential to build long-term value, Mahan noted that these back-to-back relics carry immediate, undeniable historical weight.

“With a rookie card, you’re hoping it becomes legendary over time based on how that player performs,” Mahan said. “But with the Dual Gold Logoman, those pieces are already cemented in history. Are you still hoping that Shohei goes off and does great things? Yes, but even if he never played another inning, you’re talking about a surefire Hall of Famer and an iconic baseball card.”

What Else to Expect in 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball

While the Back to Back Dual Gold Logoman Relics headline the high-end hunt, the full 2026 Topps Chrome Baseball release delivers a stacked line-up for collectors at every level:

• Cover Athlete: New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge graces the box cover for the 2026 product.

• The Return of the MVP Buyback: Participating local hobby shops will once again offer collectors store credit in exchange for 2026 Topps Chrome cards featuring the eventual 2026 AL and NL MVPs.

• Diamond Moments: A brand-new insert set celebrating the 75 greatest moments across the 75-year history of Topps Baseball.

• Star-Studded Inserts: Highly anticipated chases including Minions (featuring Paul Skenes, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Anthony Volpe), Ultraviolet, and Chrome Rookie Autos.

• Deep Checklist Hits: Look out for returning and new inserts including Numbers Live Forever, Cooperstown Calls, Helix, At Night, Radiating Rookies, Shadow Etch, and Future Stars.

What part of Topps Chrome are you most excited for? Let us know on Mantel.

This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”

Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (43-52, 13.5 games back)

The Storm Chasers swept their three game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. At the plate, Kameron Misner went 5 for 12 with a double, triple and homer, driving in three runs. Andrew Velazquez was 4 for 10 with a double and two runs batted in. Matthew Lugo was 3 for 12 with a double and a triple.

On the mound, Stephen Kolek went 2.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, striking out 3 before leaving with a right flexor strain. Mason Black went 5.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, striking out 7 in his lone start of the weekend. Justin Topa threw 2 more scoreless innings in relief as well.

The Storm Chasers, winners of 4 straight, hit the road this week, taking on the Salt Lake Bees. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (38-50, 19 games back)

The Naturals took two of three from the Midland RockHounds this weekend. On the mound, Drew Beam did it again, going 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 4. Beam is on track to push for a promotion by the end of the year at this rate. And if you aren’t sure, look at who the Royals have in AAA. Dennis Colleran threw two scoreless innings in relief, Chase Jessee threw 3 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Jessee is a 27-year-old lefty who the Royals signed to a minor league deal last November from the Mexican Pacific League.

At the plate, Omar Hernandez went 5 for 10, with a double and homer, with that homer being a walk-off. Hernandez is a 24-year-old catcher from Cuba. Carson Roccaforte went 4 for 14 with a walk off hit, and two homers.

The Naturals stay home to take on the Springfield Cardinals; the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Quad Cities River Bandits (44-42, 7 games back)

The River Bandits swept the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and are now winners of 11 of their last 13. On Sunday, they threw a combined no-hitter! Kendry Chourio went 5 innings, allowing 2 walks, but struck out 10 hitters. Emmanuel Reyes threw the last 4 innings, striking out 3. Congrats to those two! A lot of the excitement in Quad Cities currently goes to Chourio and David Shields and rightfully so, but Reyes is having a good season as well. The 22-year-old right hander from the Dominican Republic has pitched 82.2 innings, 16 starts, (Sunday was his first non-start of the season), with a 3.70 ERA and 69 strikeouts. Shields in his start on Saturday went 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 4.

At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 5 for 10, with two doubles and a homer. Derlin Figueroa went 4 for 13, with a triple and homer. Luke Pelzer went 5 for 13, with a double and triple.

The River Bandits stay on the road to take on the Beloit Sky Carp, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Columbia Fireflies (45-45, 7.5 games back)

The Fireflies took two of three from the Charleston RiverDogs. At the plate, Josh Hammond put together a solid series, going 10 for 14, with a 5 for 5 game as well. Of those 10 hits, Hammond had 4 doubles. Yandel Ricardo went 7 for 11, with a triple and homer. Sean Gamble went 4 for 10.

On the mound, Henson Leal threw two scoreless innings in relief, striking out a pair. Leal is a 22-year-old right hander from Venezuela. Darwin Rodriguez went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, striking out 5. Shane Van Dam threw 4 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out 4. Van Dam is a 22-year-old right hander out of North Carolina State. The Royals took him in the 9th round of the 2025 draft.

The Fireflies return home to take on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers; the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.

Game Recaps

Diamondbacks disappoint by following historic comeback with loss to struggling Athletics by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered Monday coming off an exhilarating seven-run comeback to snatch a series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, but that energy and excitement did not carry over into a matchup with the Athletics.

The Diamondbacks scored two total runs off a starter with a 6.08 ERA (Jeffrey Springs) and a bullpen with the highest ERA in MLB (5.51), and a rare lapse from Kevin Ginkel made the difference in a 5-2 Arizona loss.

A challenge of Monday’s game was going to be bridging the gap between starter Mitch Bratt’s outing and the later innings, considering Bratt is on a pitch count and Arizona’s bullpen had a lot of work to do over the weekend. With their injuries, the Diamondbacks have had to piece together a couple spots in the rotation with rookies.

Overturned call dampens Arenado’s milestone in Diamondbacks’ loss to A’s by Nick Piecoro and José M. Romero [AZ Central]

An overturned out call at first base loaded the bases with two outs against Ginkel, and A’s pinch hitter Jeff McNeil delivered a shallow single to center field to score two runs and break a 2-2 tie. The A’s added a third run on a Ginkel wild pitch.

Those were the first earned runs Ginkel (3-3) has allowed since July 5, a span of six consecutive outings.

Earlier, the Diamondbacks (51-49) fought back from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game at 2 on Ketel Marte’s two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth. Jorge Barrosa led off with a double, and Marte launched his 18th home run of the season down the left field line.

Diamondbacks News

Nolan Arenado Strengthens Hall Of Fame Case with Milestone Hit by Alex D’Agostino [SI]

Arenado became the 297th player in major league history to reach that milestone threshold, spending the majority of his career with the Rockies and Cardinals.

He’s also only the sixth active MLB player to do so. He joins Padres third baseman Manny Machado, Yankees and former D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman — elite company, without a doubt.

He’s also the third Diamondbacks hitter to reach that marker while with Arizona, joining a pair of World Series-winning outfielders in Luis Gonzalez and Steve Finley.

Diamondbacks sign top MLB draft picks Ryder Helfrick, Blake Bryant by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]

Arizona went into the draft with a bonus pool of $13,603,100, and each pick in the first 10 rounds comes with an assigned slot value. By saving money in the top 10 rounds, teams can spend more on players they select later, such as high schoolers deciding whether to go pro or to college.

Arizona took three players right out of high school, including infielder Cody Boshell in the 11th round, who signed a $750,000 deal, according to AZCentral.com’s Nick Piecoro.

The lone draftee the Diamondbacks have not announced the signing of is 17th-rounder Rylan Alaniz, an infielder out of Trinity High School (Texas). 

Has Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt turned a corner? by Wendy Lopez [Burn City Sports]

Pfaadt is attacking hitters early and working to keep the ball in the ballpark, something he struggled to do at the start of the season. Improved fastball command and a better mix of his secondary pitches have helped keep opponents from stringing together big innings, giving Arizona another reliable option every fifth day.

The sample size remains relatively small, and it’s still too early to say the turnaround is permanent. Before returning to the major leagues, the 27-year-old was enduring one of the toughest stretches of his career, posting a 5.94 ERA in his first three starts and a 5.91 ERA after moving to the bullpen.

However, if Pfaadt can prove he can consistently give the D-Backs quality starts, it could signal that the pitcher once expected to become a stabilizing force in the franchise’s rotation is back on track. His contributions since being recalled have helped Arizona remain in the playoff conversation while several key arms have been sidelined.

How Michael Soroka is Staying Patient With His ‘Frustrating’ Injury by Jack Sommers [SI]

Michael Soroka was relaxing in the clubhouse practicing his putting stroke on the putt return ramp that has been in the starting pitchers’ corner of the clubhouse for years. One after another, he dialed in until he figured out the slope that was causing putts to move right. Once he got it, he sank several in a row, then one after another. 

He is exercising the same level of precision and patience as he works his way back from a left glute strain that put him on the injured list back on June 20. Soroka is no stranger to the injured list. This is the tenth time in his career he has had to take time down to heal. He acknowledged some frustration.

Around the League

Sox inch closer to history with 14th straight win thanks to Durbin’s blast by Ian Browne [MLB]

Boston’s latest victory — played in front of a revved-up, packed house of 37,659 — snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Orioles.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this was the fifth time in the Expansion Era (since 1961) that two teams faced off while each sported at least a seven-game winning streak.

Why there is only one Latino player in MLBPA player leadership – and why it matters by Jorge Castillo [ESPN]

 THERE ARE TIMES, on calls with the Major League Baseball Players Association, when Pablo López doesn’t understand what’s being said.

When that happens, the Minnesota Twins right-hander will jot down the word or phrase he didn’t fully grasp. Sometimes he’ll translate it to Spanish later, or he’ll wait until the MLBPA releases a Spanish-language press release.

López, who was born and raised in Venezuela, is fluent in English, able to communicate with teammates with ease. He conducts interviews without the slightest hiccup. But he knows his crucial duty as the Twins’ MLBPA player representative during labor negotiations is to not only absorb the information he collects from union officials, but to correctly communicate a detailed summary to his teammates. And the language used in those meetings, technical and full of legal jargon, can admittedly prove challenging.

“I didn’t know what the word ‘accrued’ was,” López said. “I’m like, ‘Accrued? What is that?'”

The Replacement-Level Killers: Designated Hitter by Jay Jaffe [FanGraphs]

Diamondbacks

After he raked at a 147 wRC+ clip in 87 plate appearances in late 2024, Adrian Del Castillo placed 30th on our preseason Top 100 Prospects list in ’25 as a 50-FV catcher, with Eric Longenhagen describing him as “a lefty-hitting Ryan Jeffers” capable of providing enough offense to offset concerns about his defense and to justify additional playing time at DH. Yet Castillo hit for just an 87 wRC+ in 131 plate appearances last year, and struggled to an even greater degree through the first two months of this season while serving as a third catcher and platoon DH against righties. Instead of getting sent to Triple-A Reno to regroup, he took just 33 plate appearances in June and early July before finally being optioned, then returned 12 days later. Overall, he’s hit just .195/.256/.325 (59 wRC+), including a 62 wRC+ in 98 plate appearances at DH. For as bad as that is, only two of the five other Diamondbacks with more than 16 plate appearances at DH have topped that wRC+, namely lineup regulars Gabriel Moreno and Ketel Marte. Of the other three, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who contributed to the team’s making my left fielders list, just landed on the injured list due to an adductor strain, while Jose Fernandez and Pavin Smith are both at Reno. Fernandez hit just .255/.289/.352 (75 wRC+) in a utility role, while Smith was outrighted off the 40-man roster after hitting an anemic .141/.236/.192 (23 wRC+).

This is a team that could use a real DH. The Reds’ JJ Bleday, the Rockies’ Mickey Moniak, and the Orioles’ Taylor Ward — if Baltimore is selling — are among those who could help while additionally contributing in left field. The Giants’ Luis Arraez has played his way back to respectability as a second baseman, but with Marte a staple at the keystone, Arraez could contribute at DH or first base — another position of need for Arizona, who also landed on my Killers list there. 

Report: Giants Have Not Discussed Extension With Luis Arraez by Darragh McDonald [MLB Trade Rumors]

Infielder Luis Arraez is a logical trade candidate but recently expressed an openness to staying in San Francisco with an extension instead. There hasn’t been any indication the Giants are looking to extend Arraez and Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News reports that there have been no formal extension talks between Arraez and the club.

A trade has always seemed the most likely outcome and this report adds to that framing. Arraez is an impending free agent, as he was signed to a one-year deal with a $12MM guarantee. He’s having arguably the best campaign of his life. His batting average has returned to a very strong .326 mark this year. He had dipped to .292 last year, still a strong figure but low for him personally.

Thanks to two important home runs from Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Yankees opened up a new week and a new series with a win. While Ryan Weathers didn’t have a great start on the mound, the Yankees offense did enough to pick up an 8-5 win over the Pirates on Monday night.

The Yankees held firm with the win, but did they manage to gain any ground in the standings? Let’s check in on last night’s action in the Rivalry Roundup.

Tampa Bay Rays (57-42) 7, Toronto Blue Jays (46-54) 1

No longer facing the random Red Sox buzzsaw, the Rays got back to winning ways on Monday night, downing the Blue Jays.

Tampa Bay was facing off against Toronto ace and AL All-Star starter (annoyingly) Dylan Cease. They picked up a couple runs off Cease (including some unearned ones), but their effort in this game was a gradual build up before they eventually pulled away.

Including a Victor Mesa Jr. home run, the Rays scored a run each in the second and third innings, before the Blue Jays answered back in the fourth. However, Tampa Bay added three more runs over the fifth and sixth, with Cedric Mullins adding a homer of his own. In the end, Cease allowed five runs — only three earned — over his six innings.

Meanwhile, Nick Martinez was very good opposite Cease. The Rays’ starter allowed just one run in his six innings, as he scattered six hits and a walk. The Rays’ offense tacked on a couple more runs for the road, while their bullpen kept Toronto quiet.

Other Games

• Cleveland Guardians (53-48) 13, Minnesota Twins (49-52) 4: The Guardians jumped all over Twins’ ace Joe Ryan, hitting him to the tune of eight runs in four innings on route to a dominant win. Chase DeLauter led the way for Cleveland, going 4-for-5 with three RBI, while Rhys Hoskins and Petey Halpin each had two home run days. The only Minnesota pitcher to not allow a run on the day was Alex Jackson…who is a catcher by trade.

• Boston Red Sox (51-48) 6, Baltimore Orioles (49-52) 5: Our long national nightmare continued on Monday, as the Red Sox rallied past the Orioles to extend their win streak to 14. While Boston held a 3-1 lead early, Baltimore struck back and took a 5-4 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. However, the Red Sox tied the game in the seventh and took the lead for good on a Caleb Durbin homer in the eighth.

• Chicago White Sox (53-46) 10, Texas Rangers (50-50) 3: While the Rangers scored the first two runs of this one, it was all White Sox after that, as they cracked doubled digits in Arlington. Chicago got on the board in the third and then broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning. Andrew Benintendi’s bases loaded, bases clearing double gave the White Sox a lead they kept and then added onto late to seal the win.

• Seattle Mariners (51-50) 8, Cincinnati Reds (45-54) 0: George Kirby was absolutely dominant, as he threw six shutout innings to lead the Mariners to a win over the Reds. Kirby allowed just three hits and a walk over his six frames, as he struck out six batters. Seattle’s offense wasn’t half bad themselves, either. Cal Raleigh showed signs of life as he drove in five runs, including a grand slam in the seventh inning. In less good news for the M’s, Julio Rodríguez left the game after getting hit on the leg by a throw as he was running out a grounder.

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The Detroit Tigers will look to build on the recent success of Framber Valdez when they face the Chicago Cubs tonight as +101 underdogs.

My Tigers vs Cubs predictions are targeting Detroit to win this contest as the struggling David Peterson counters for the hosts. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Tuesday, July 21. 

Who will win Tigers vs Cubs today: Tigers (+101)

Framber Valdez has been reliable lately for the Detroit Tigers. The left-hander owns a 3.27 FIP across his last four appearances while holding opponents to a 5.3% barrel rate during that span.

Valdez’s primary offering, the sinker, could also give the Chicago Cubs problems. More than half of the Cubs’ starters have a Run Value of one or lower against the pitch, limiting their matchup appeal against his top weapon.

David Peterson, meanwhile, has collected an alarming 7.99 xERA over his previous three starts. He's also allowed a 46.9% hard-hit rate in those outings.

Valdez keeps Chicago at bay, and Detroit’s improving offense does enough damage off the vulnerable Peterson.

I'll play this pick up to -120.

COVERS INTEL: Valdez has pitched noticeably better on the road, compiling a 3.78 FIP compared to a 4.46 mark at home. 

Tigers vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 runs (-126)

While the series opener was high-scoring, I don't expect that to be the case again. Valdez is pitching well, and the Tigers bullpen has a solid 3.11 xERA over the last two weeks.

Peterson is clearly struggling, but one horrendous outing has inflated his numbers. Plus, the Cubs relief corps is also in respectable form, posting a 3.34 xERA over the last four games.

Both offenses are producing lately, but neither lineup is showing overwhelming power. Chicago has a .183 ISO in the last week, and the Tigers sit at .195 in the last two weeks. 

With Valdez in strong form and both bullpens looking steady, the Under has value. 

I'll play this pick up to -130.

Tigers vs Cubs weather

Tigers vs Cubs odds

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

Tigers vs Cubs trend

The Detroit Tigers have hit the game total Under in 20 of their last 30 games (+8.85 Units / 27% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Cubs.

How to watch Tigers vs Cubs and game info

Tigers vs Cubs latest injuries

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