Category: MLB

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Kansas City Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Earlier this week, we asked how you felt about Jim Bowden’s proposed Michael Wacha trade.

80% of you would give the trade a passing grade. I find that result fascinating given the comments I saw on both the poll and the article, suggesting people are very over both Matt Shaw and Kevin Alcántara as prospects. I’m divided in my own mind, believing the deal should be either an A if you believe in both of those guys or a C if you think they’re a bit overrated. But the plurality of you split the difference, with 33% voting that such a trade would result in a B from you.

Now I find myself wishing I’d asked instead which prospect you’d be more excited about if the Royals made such a deal. I think that could have interesting results because it seems clear to me that Alcántara has the higher upside, but Shaw has the higher floor. Let me know in the comments below: which do you prioritize?

I also find it amusing that fully 40% of people graded this a C or lower, even knowing that Jim Bowden would consider this a pretty hefty overpay by the Cubs. That’s something Baseball Trade Values agrees with, calling it a $20 million value overpay by the Cubs. Also of note to me is that both of these players are still being tied to the Royals for a starting pitcher one year after they and Owen Caissie were being suggested as potential trade candidates for Seth Lugo. Caissie, of course, ended up going to the Cubs as one piece in the deal to acquire Edward Cabrera. Looked at a certain way, Alcántara and Shaw for Wacha makes sense in that context. Wacha was much better than Cabrera last year, and both players are under club control through the end of 2028. Maybe it’s not so far-fetched after all?

These survey results are sponsored by FanDuel.

This is the second in an occasional series about starting pitchers the Cubs might want to target in a trade.

I didn’t expect to write this one, but from the same Ken Rosenthal/Will Sammon article in The Athletic that mentioned Reid Detmers, who I profiled yesterday, they also mention Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock:

In their search for a right-handed hitter, the Mariners are telling teams they also are open to moving righty Emerson Hancock, according to people briefed on their discussions.

Well. Emerson Hancock is the same age as Detmers (turned 27 in May), and he has something that would likely be very attractive to the Cubs front office: four years of team control after this year! Yes, that’s right, the Cubs could possibly get Hancock for four and a half seasons, if they could put together the right deal. In addition, Hancock isn’t even arb-eligible (based on the current CBA) until 2028.

Hancock was the Mariners’ No. 1 pick (sixth overall) in the 2020 Draft out of Georgia. He was in the major leagues three years later and was an occasional starter over the last two seasons.

He’s had a breakout year in 2026 — 19 starts with a 3.16 ERA, 1.006 WHIP and good walk, strikeout and home run rates. All that is good for 2.4 bWAR (1.7 fWAR).

Here’s Hancock’s pitch selection chart:

The article mentions the Mariners looking for a right-handed hitter.

Matt Shaw would be the obvious choice here, but Shaw’s on the IL and as of Friday, here’s his status (Bluesky link):

So it doesn’t seem likely he could be traded, unless the Mariners would like to take a chance he’ll be ready sometime shortly after the deadline, which is nine days from now.

Many of the Mariners are having down years, and it’s entirely possible they miss the postseason altogether, after being in the ALCS last year and one game from their first World Series. Could they be re-tooling for 2027 and beyond?

Or would you be willing to send Moisés Ballesteros to Seattle for Hancock? Yes, I know. They’re looking for a right-handed hitter. What about Ballesteros and Kevin Alcántara?

Remember, you’re getting a starter who is good now, is 27, and is under team control through 2030.

What would you do?

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The New York Yankees are short road favorites against the Philadelphia Phillies, and I’m laying the small moneyline price.

Philadelphia is undecided who will start tonight's ballgame, while Ryan Weathers brings enough home-run risk to keep the total pointed Over.

Here are my Yankees vs Phillies predictions and MLB picks for July 25.

Who will win Yankees vs Phillies today: Yankees moneyline (-126)

The road to the majors for 32-year-old Brian Keller is admirable, but I’m fading the spot. It is unclear whether Keller will open or work as the bulk reliever, but either way, this is his first MLB appearance against a New York Yankees lineup built around power.

New York enters with an MLB-best 135 home runs, giving it a clear edge against an unproven, fastball-heavy arm likely to cover real innings. Ryan Weathers is not easy to trust, but the Yankees get the better look against an uncertain Philadelphia Phillies pitching plan.

Play this to -140.

COVERS INTEL: Ryan Weathers’ four-seamer has allowed a .678 xSLG and 55.6% hard-hit rate this season, giving Philadelphia a clear fastball damage path.

Yankees vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-131) 

I'd play the Over 8.5 to -150. Both pitching setups have obvious stress points. Keller’s minor league numbers are strong, but a debuting pitcher or bullpen-bulk plan against the Yankees is still a difficult ask.

The Philadelphia Phillies have their own scoring path against Weathers, whose history against this lineup is ugly. He owns a 9.53 ERA in three career appearances against Philadelphia, and it's easy to see why. 

His barrel and hard-hit rate have always been an issue, and this year is no different, with his barrel rate sitting in the bottom 9% of baseball. That's always going to be an issue against a lineup with the likes of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. 

                                                                               Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record

Yankees vs Phillies weather

Sunny skies and slight winds blowing in toward left-centerfield tonight. 

Yankees vs Phillies odds

• Moneyline: Yankees -121 | Phillies +109
• Run line: Yankees -1.5 | Phillies +1.5
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5

Yankees vs Phillies trend

The New York Yankees have covered the Run Line in 9 of their last 11 games (+7.10 Units / 49% ROI).  Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Phillies.

How to watch Yankees vs Phillies and game info

Yankees vs Phillies latest injuries

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Each week, The California Post will power rank MLB’s 30 teams and check in on one intriguing awards race.Records as ofSaturday morning.

1) Dodgers (66-38)

This time last year, the Dodgers were mired in an incomprehensible slump. This year? They’ve recovered from a temporary blip (getting swept going into the All-Star break) by winning back-to-back series against the Yankees and Phillies. (Last week: 1st)

2) Brewers (64-39)

Brandon Woodruff is done for the year. But Jacob Misiorowski returned quickly from some pre-All-Star-break arm fatigue. Keeping him healthy the rest of the year has become more important than ever. (Last week: 2nd)

3) Rays (60-43)

Tampa Bay continues to pace a mediocre American League and could be on track for a No. 1 playoff seed for the first time since 2021. (Last week: 3rd)

4) Braves (61-42)

After slumping through most of June and early July, the Braves have steadied themselves, winning six of eight coming out of the All-Star break. They’re also close to finally getting Ronald Acuña Jr. back. Now if they can add some pitching at the deadline … (Last week: 7th)

5) Cubs (58-45)

Two months ago, Pete Crow-Armstrong was batting in the .220s with an OPS below .700. Now? He’s the MLB leader in wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs, more valuable than even Shohei Ohtani in his two-way role. (Last week: 6th)

6) Yankees (58-45)

We always knew the Yankees were Aaron Judge-dependent. But in his continued absence, the offense struggling this badly — they have scored more than three runs just once since the All-Star break and more than five just twice in the last month — has nonetheless been a surprise. (Last week: 5th)

7) Phillies (56-48)

The Phillies’ sustained midseason turnaround has finally hit a little bit of a snag, after post-All-Star-break series losses to the Mets and Dodgers. Of all the league’s true contenders (basically, the first seven teams in these rankings), they might have the most to do at the deadline still. (Last week: 4th)

8) Red Sox (53-49)

What a couple weeks it’s been in Boston, where a Red Sox team that once seemed left for dead has suddenly regained October-contending life with its 15-game winning streak. This was already shaping up as one of the strangest seasons in club history. Now, it has come with one of the more joyous plot twists, too. (Last week: 17th)

9) Diamondbacks (55-49)

They haven’t done quite the same thing as the Red Sox, but the Dbacks are in the midst of their own late-July surge (wins in 8 of 10) that could have massive ramifications. Without it, the team might have had a quiet trade deadline. Now, their front office could attempt to make them more of an actual playoff threat. (Last week: 18th)

10) White Sox (54-48)

The White Sox’s feel-good season keeps on rolling, but it would feel better if Munetaka Murakami hadn’t started so slowly since returning from injury: 6-for-34 with no home runs. (Last week: 10th)

11) Guardians (54-51)

José Ramírez is back. Rookies Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter continue to have productive campaigns. And Steven Kwan has finally started to break out of his first-half slump. Don’t be surprised to see the Guardians back in first in the AL Central before long. (Last week: 11th)

12) Pirates (53-51)

Things you may not have known: The Pirates rank second in scoring this year (behind only the Nationals) and third in team batting average (trailing only the Dodgers and Rays). If their Paul Skenes-led pitching staff can get hot, maybe they can be a dark horse in the NL. (Last week: 14th)

13) Cardinals (52-51)

A critical couple weeks lie ahead for the Cardinals, who have started to slip in the standings (now 2 ½ games back of a wild-card spot) and find themselves firmly on the fence of buying and selling at the deadline. (Last week: 9th)

14) Rangers (52-51)

On MLB’s official standings page, there is a stat for each team’s “expected record” based on its run differential. The Rangers, by that metric, should be seven games under .500. Instead, they remain in first place in the AL West, despite having given up 29 more runs than they’ve scored. (Last week: 12th)

15) Mariners (51-53)

It’s difficult to overstate just how drastic Cal Raleigh’s regression has been from last year’s 60-homer season, with the catcher having hit just 10 home runs this term with an MLB-worst .165 average (Last week: 13th)

16) Astros (51-54)

Slowly but surely, the Astros continue to claw their way back up the standings, having pulled within two games of first place in the AL West behind Yordan Alvarez’s MVP-caliber campaign. (Last week: 16th)

17) Padres (51-53)

Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado are finally playing more consistently. Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta are making progress in returns from injuries. Will that be enough to convince general manager A.J. Preller he can be a buyer? (Last week: 19th)

18) Tigers (50-54)

Speaking of teams trying to figure out a deadline approach, the Tigers are chipping away bit by bit at their wild-card deficit, back within 3 ½ games thanks to a 15-5 surge. A key reason: the return of Tarik Skubal, who is 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA and 44 strikeouts in his last five starts. Whether he stays or goes will be the biggest story in baseball over the next week. (Last week: 20th)

19) Nationals (52-52)

Attn Nationals ownership: Instead of letting CJ Abrams’ name continue to linger in trade rumors, either commit to locking him up long term or getting competitive before he becomes a free agent after 2028. Otherwise, what a waste of a potentially exciting young core this would be in DC. (Last week: 15th)

20) Marlins (52-52)

We should’ve known better than to get Fish Fever. Stunningly, the Marlins have followed up their sudden resurgence in June and early July with a 10-game losing streak that has dropped them immediately back to .500 and (for now) derailed what was shaping up to be an intriguing playoff push. (Last week: 8th)

21) Orioles (50-54)

Another team that has needed just a couple decent weeks to get back in the playoff picture, the Orioles continue to hang around — though still don’t feel like a serious threat in a crowded wild-card race. (Last week: 23rd)

22) Twins (51-54)

The Twins are finally starting to drop down the standings as long expected — just in time to begin selling pieces off at the deadline, as has also been long expected. (Last week: 22nd)

23) Reds (48-54)

After an eight-run clunker in his long-awaited return from injury, Hunter Greene has looked more like himself (including seven shutout innings with 12 strikeouts against the Cubs a couple weeks ago). But it’s almost certainly too late to save the Reds’ lost season. (Last week: 25th)

24) Blue Jays (47-57)

This Blue Jays’ season has been equal parts disappointing and disheartening, turning the good vibes from last year’s World Series run into foreboding dread that a large reset might be in order, starting with a likely sell-off of popular players this coming week. (Last week: 21st)

25) Athletics (44-59)

In a year the Athletics were once looking to take a step forward, they instead have the worst run differential in the majors. (Last week: 24th)

26) Giants (43-60)

It took Tony Vitello seven years at the University of Tennessee before he lost 100 total games. In an abject Year 1 with the Giants, he can only hope he doesn’t reach that mark by the end of this season. (Last week: 28th)

27) Royals (43-62)

There’s been little to laugh about in Kansas City this year. So shoutout to the fan who jumped in the Kauffman Stadium fountains to retrieve Salvador Perez’s home run ball — then had Perez making public pleas to have his arrest for trespassing undone. (Last week: 27th)

28) Mets (43-61)

One silver lining ahead of what will be the Mets’ biggest deadline sell-off since 2023: The season after that disappointing campaign, they made a surprise run to the 2024 NLCS. Then again, they never maintained the momentum from that October, either, winding up right back where they started now. (Last week: 26th)

29) Rockies (42-63)

For a Rockies team trying to identify pieces for the future, it wouldn’t make much sense to trade an obvious one in catcher Hunter Goodman, who has been the subject of deadline rumors. Keep him in Denver and see if he can be a core piece moving forward. (Last week: 29th)

30) Angels (41-63)

Unlike the Rockies, the Angels will need to tear things down to build up again. Thus, maybe now is the time to deal someone like Zach Neto. With or without him, the Angels are not going anywhere anytime soon. (Last week: 30th)

Award Tracker: National League MVP

1) Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (.286 average, 22 home runs, 61 RBIs as hitter; 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA as pitcher)

Ohtani’s knee-injury-induced break from pitching has added the slightest bit of intrigue to the MVP race, allowing Pete Crow-Armstrong to jump him in WAR. Still, for now, it’s hard to imagine Ohtani not winding up with his fifth career MVP this season, especially because his pitching absence appears to be shorter term.

2) Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (.285 average, 22 home runs, 56 RBIs)

As noted in the Cubs’ blurb above, Crow-Armstrong’s turnaround has been critical to his team’s playoff push this season. If he can keep this MVP race even somewhat close, prepare to hear plenty of hot takes about how he has been more “valuable” (aka, irreplaceable) to his club than any other player.

3) James Wood, Nationals (.270 average, 28 home runs, 69 RBIs)

A tip of the cap to the Nationals’ youngster, who has validated the substantial hype that has surrounded him since he (and Abrams) were the centerpiece prospects in the Juan Soto trade. The 23-year-old is second in the NL in OPS, third in home runs and third in WAR. 

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Worcester: W, 6-5 (BOX SCORE)

The WooSox now have 45 hits in their last three games. Although this game was close and the Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins AAA) were resilient, tagging every relief pitcher for runs in a bullpen game after Tyler Uberstine opened things up with a scoreless first, the WooSox simply just stayed one step ahead of them. Kristian Campbell continued his hot streak with his fourth home run of the season in the sixth amidst a raucous stage of the game where teams were trading runs for three consecutive innings, and the WooSox also enjoyed a three-hit night out of Mickey Gasper. And don’t count out Tyler McDonough batting out of the nine spot, as his bat continues to stay hot following his promotion. Friday, it was the patience at the plate that made a difference, as he waited out three walks and really extended those innings despite not actually crossing home plate.

Portland: W, 8-1 (BOX SCORE)

No Arias, no problem. Well, not exactly, as the Sea Dogs struggled to put a solid offense inning together against the RumblePonies (Mets AA) but Brooks Brannon, the home run machine, is still on the roster, and he essentially called game in the sixth with his 17th home run of 2026.

No one was getting past this impenetrable wall on the mound. Dalton Rogers, Jesse Wu-Yelland and Max Carlson were all extremely solid in their three innings a piece. Rogers walked six but allowed just one hit. Binghamton would have just one baserunner after the fourth and they’d fall to strikes fifteen times against this Portland pitching staff. I also want to be realistic: while it’s easy for many in the “trade everything who’s not bolted down or named Franklin Arias” camp to look at these performances and say “yay, more trade fuel to buy next week!” the reality is that these are guys who all had a great night against a demonstratively rough season and are unlikely to capture much value. I’d also warn folks that one or two “trade everything” phases put us in the position we’re arguably in now, where we look at these minor lines and lament about how our starters organization-wide are getting thrashed on a weekly basis and how no one outside of about five guys can hit. Unless these guys somehow reach a stage of their development where they truly shine in 2027 and then they’re ours anyway!

Greenville, Game 1: L, 4-10 (BOX SCORE)

Marcus Phillips and Griffin Killander did not have it against Spartanburg (Astros High-A) yesterday afternoon; the most graceful thing about Game 1 was that it was only 7 innings, as Greenville allowed ten runs and only got some relief from getting shelled by Enddy Azocar’s 9th home run and Stanley Tucker’s 2-RBI double. Aside from that, it was all Hub City.

Greenville, Game 2: W, 2-1 (BOX SCORE)

Night and day from game 1. Greenville was patient, drawing seven walks and though they stranded ten runners, some of those walks came back to bite Spartanburg with two separate Ronny Hernandez RBI knocks. Pitching wise, Greenville had nothing to worry about, as Devin Futrell had one of his better nights on the mound. He was one out from capturing a perfect game in the abbreviated contest and struck out nine. Steven Brooks came in when Futrell ran into a bit of trouble in the seventh and slammed the door. All in a day’s work.

Salem: W, 5-3 (BOX SCORE)

We have reached the first player I can recall seeing who was born in 2008. Fresh off the Gulf Coast league, Sadbiel Delzine made his first start in A-ball. At 18, his fastball is at 94 miles per hour and he has a four-pitch repertoire. This was Salem’s first look at him, and although he didn’t go far into the game and got taken yard, he struck six out and overall looked promisingm. Brady Tygart took this the rest of the way and struck five additional Green Jackets (Braves A) out. Catchers had their day on the farm Friday, and Adonys Guzman was no exception, as his fifth-inning shot turned a 3-2 game into a 5-2 game, shifted the tone, and made it possible for Tygart to shove through fifteen outs, as did Skylar King’s three knock night.

Good news: the Yankees acquired a future Cy Young Award winner as the Player To Be Named Later in a deal in 1984 that sent their 31-year-old veteran first baseman to the Chicago White Sox.

Bad news: the Yankees traded said Cy Young winner away long before he won the greatest accolade of his career.

Today’s birthday honoree, Doug Drabek, was drafted twice and then traded before ever making his MLB debut. His tenure in the Bronx was brief, but he went on to have a long and successful career and the Yankees almost brought him back when he hit free agency in the early 1990s. It all goes down as a miss for the Yanks.

Douglas Dean Drabek
Born: July 25, 1962 (Victoria, TX)
Yankees Tenure: 1986

A Texas native, Drabek attended St. Joseph High School in Victoria where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, playing football and baseball. The right-handed hurler caught the eyes of major league scouts, and in the 1980 MLB Draft Cleveland drafted the teenager in the fourth round.

Drabek, however, opted to head to school and hone his craft there rather than toil in the minor leagues. So off he went to the University of Houston, where he was nothing short of spectacular. Drabek set a Cougars record with 27 wins in 268 career innings (including six shutouts). Twelve of those wins came in 1983, and one was a no-hitter. Drabek is a Southwest Conference Hall of Famer and a member of the Houston Athletics Hall of Honor; his No. 16 is now retired.

Three years after choosing the University of Houston over Cleveland, Drabek’s name was again called during the Amateur Draft. This time, the Chicago White Sox chose Drabek in the 11th round of the 1983 edition, and he signed.

Drabek reported to the Niagara Falls Sox of the New York-Pennsylvania League, the White Sox’s Low-A affiliate. The 20-year-old made 16 appearances for Niagara, primarily pitching out of the rotation, with sporadic relief appearances. The following season, he began at A-Ball but after only one start Chicago promoted him to Double-A, where he pitched for Glens Falls in the Eastern League. Before long, however, he found himself on the move again, this time to a new organization. On July 18th, the Yankees sent first baseman Roy Smalley to Chicago for two players to be named later. On August 14th, those two PTBNLs were made public: southpaw Kevin Hickey and Drabek were headed to the Bronx.

New York’s brass immediately assigned Drabek to Nashville, the club’s Double-A affiliate. Drabek pitched the remainder of the 1984 and ‘85 seasons at Double-A, though he was evidently promoted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers for the International League playoffs.

Unfortunately, Drabek was on the losing end of the ‘85 International League Championship. The Tidewater Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the crosstown rival Mets, beat Columbus three games to one. The fourth and final game was scoreless into the sixth inning until Drabek walked a batter, then surrendered hits to future major leaguers Dave Magadan and Kevin Mitchell, the latter of whom went on to win the 1989 NL MVP Award.

Heading into 1986, Drabek was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 5 Yankees prospect. New York skipper Lou Piniella signaled that Drabek would get a serious look in spring training to see if the young hurler, who’d excelled the past two seasons in the minors, could force his way into the big league rotation. Alas. Drabek was sent back to Triple-A to start the ‘86 campaign, where he struggled mightily.

Despite his struggles, New York called Drabek up to The Show, where he debuted on on May 3rd in Oakland. Entering the game in relief, Drabek hurled 4.1 frames of one-run ball in his initial taste of the big leagues. Two weeks later, he made his first start in Baltimore where he authored four shutout innings. All told, Drabek pitched well for the ‘86 Yanks, who went on to win 90 games, finishing 5.5 games back of eventual AL pennant winner Boston. Maybe he pitched too well.

That offseason, veteran pitcher Rick Rhoden expressed his desire to get out of Pittsburgh. Rhoden was coming off a career season in the Steel City and to get him, the Yankees evidently had to include Drabek in the trade package. The full damage: Drabek, Logan Easley, and Brian Fisher to the Steel City in exchange for Rhoden, Pat Clements, and Cecilio Guante. Rhoden pitched well for New York in ‘87, though he never came close to his lofty 1986 season. He pitched one more year in the Bronx before finishing his career in Houston in 1989.

Drabek, meanwhile, went directly into the Pirates’ rotation in 1987 and began an eight-year streak with an ERA+ above 100. The following year, he won 15 games and kicked off a six-year stretch of throwing at least 219 innings each season.

1990 was the height of Drabek’s career from a personal standpoint. The righty won 22 games en route to an eighth place finish in NL MVP voting and his first and only NL Cy Young Award. That year also started a three-year stretch of Drabek and the Pirates reaching the NLCS only to go down in defeat each time.

After the 1992 season when the Pirates bowed out to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS, Drabek reached free agency. The Yankees, where he’d gotten his professional start, were among the interested suitors. But after making an offer to Drabek, along with David Cone and Jose Guzman, general manager Gene Michael pulled all the offers from consideration and started looking elsewhere for starting pitching.

“I tried to get answers quickly from the three,” Michael told the New York Times. “I didn’t want them to take a week and then shop it around to get other clubs to meet it or top it.”

Whether Drabek ever seriously considered the Yankees or not, the path back to the Bronx was gone. Ultimately, he ended up signing with the Houston Astros on a four-year deal. His first two seasons in Houston were up to par, though through some hard luck he led the Senior Circuit in losses in 1993 with 18. Drabek’s 1994 was more conventionally effective, as he went 12-6 with a 2.84 ERA and 140 ERA+, making the NL All-Star team and finishing fourth in Cy Young voting during the strike-shortened campaign.

But Drabek’s final two Houston campaigns were disasters. He departed in free agency and pitched two more seasons—1997 with the White Sox and 1998 with the Orioles—before retiring. Now 64 years old, Drabek is currently the pitching coach for the Reno Aces, Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

NEW YORK — Roki Sasaki isn’t only pitching better. 

By his own estimation, he’s also more handsome.

Asked about the larger glove he started wearing after the All-Star break to address his pitch-tipping problems, Sasaki played dumb by describing it as an optical illusion.

“My face became smaller,” he said in Japanese, “so it just looks [bigger].”

In Japan, a kogao, or small face, is considered attractive.

Sasaki joked that he received treatment on his face over the All-Star break.

Which is a good sign for the Dodgers. 

A great sign, actually.

His demeanor makes him particularly easy to read, and he has transformed over the first four months of the season from broken to cautiously optimistic to now self-assured.

The side of Sasaki’s personality that emerged in the wake of his most recent start was the same side that surfaced last October, when he caught lightning in a bottle to become the Dodgers’ closer. Back then, Sasaki joked that he wasn’t bothered by the taunts he received on the road because he didn’t understand enough English to know what opposing fans were screaming at him.

As was the case on that World Series run, Sasaki seems to think he’s figured out something. 

There is risk involved in trusting the judgment of a relatively inexperienced and emotionally volatile pitcher with a 4.71 ERA, but Sasaki’s improved form reinforces a case I made last month: The Dodgers don’t have to acquire Tarik Skubal.

To be clear, they can acquire Skubal.

They can in the unlikely case the trade market for him implodes and the Tigers let him go at a minimal cost.

But they don’t have to.

Sasaki holding the two New York teams to a single earned run over a combined 12 ⅔ innings in his two most recent starts doesn’t qualify him to be a substitute for Skubal.

Except the Dodgers don’t need Sasaki to be that. By the start of the postseason, they are expecting to have Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow back in the rotation along with Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

What they need is insurance — and in Sasaki and Justin Wrobleski, the Dodgers have premium policies. 

If one of the Big Four can’t pitch in October, maybe Sasaki or Wrobleski steps in and starts. Or maybe they combine to take down the majority of innings in a bullpen game.

Either way, they provide the Dodgers with adequate cover — enough that the team shouldn’t feel as if it has to trade its most prized prospects for Skubal.

A 26-year-old left-hander, Wrobleski is an All-Star with an 11-2 record and 2.62 ERA. Wrobleski has struck out 27 batters in 20 ⅓ innings over his last three starts, addressing concerns about his inability to miss bats. 

Sasaki has also started addressing his shortcomings — in particular, his control problems.

Sasaki’s fastball was down a smidge from his previous start in the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Mets on Friday night, but it didn’t matter.

The only run he allowed was on a high fastball in the second inning to Luis Robert Jr., who banged it over the left field wall. He pitched seven innings, allowing three hits and two walks.

“Outside of that,” manager Dave Roberts said, “I thought [innings] four through seven, that split was really unhittable.”

Sasaki pitched. He really pitched.

He averaged 98.6 mph with his fastball, but he threw it only 32% of the time. He threw it less frequently in only one of his previous 13 starts.

In his first time through the order, he controlled the Mets with his slider. He then let his splitter take over.

The splitter was thrown at a similar trajectory as his fastball — only for it to bottom out as it approached the plate. His new glove, or smaller face, presumably kept the Mets from figuring out beforehand what pitch he was about to throw. 

Sasaki struck out nine batters and generated 21 swings-and-misses, his most in the majors. He was efficient, throwing only 94 pitches.

“My splitter has been good lately, and it’s one of the reasons I’m able to throw comfortably throughout the game,” Sasaki said. “Of course, there are days in which the pitches feel different coming off my fingertips. But fundamentally, if my delivery is right, I think the forkball becomes easier to throw.”

And from the Dodgers’ perspective, this development makes it easier for them to dream.

About the pitcher Sasaki could become.

About how trading for Skubal would be more of a luxury than a necessity.

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

In this week’s Reacts survey, we asked fans which of the team’s top prospects (non-Jesús Made category) they’d be least willing to trade at the deadline. The results may be somewhat surprising:

The Brewers, who sit at 64-39 atop the NL Central, tend to be very cautious when it comes to dealing prospects at the trade deadline. Since the 2008 blockbuster deal for CC Sabathia (which sent team No. 2 prospect Matt LaPorta the other way, as well as player to be named later Michael Brantley, who ended up being the prize of the deal), the Brewers haven’t made a super splashy move.

If they opt to change the status quo, though, it seems likely they’d need to part with at least one of their top prospects. With Luis Lara and Cooper Pratt locked up, and Jesús Made seemingly untouchable, that leaves four position player prospects up for discussion — Luis Peña, Jett Williams, Josh Adamczewski, and Andrew Fischer.

The results of our poll saw Fischer finish as the player fans would LEAST like to see traded. It’s a surprise in terms of prospect ranking, as Fischer is the only one of those players not in MLB’s top 100 prospects, but it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when you look at Fischer’s stats.

The 22-year-old third baseman was the team’s first-round pick in 2025 (No. 20 overall) out of Tennessee. In his first full season in the minors, he’s appeared in 83 games (between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi), and he’s raked his way to a whopping 30 homers, slashing .283/.424/.662. The biggest concern with Fischer comes on his strikeout rate — he’s struck out 123 times in 370 plate appearances. The good news? He’s also walked 66 times.

I’ll quickly give you the 2026 stats on the other three options, too:

Luis Peña (High-A Wisconsin): 38 G, 161 PA, .301/.404/.436, 8 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 33 R, 22 SB (5 CS)

Jett Williams (Triple-A Nashville): 80 G, 358 PA, .234/.341/.385, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 60 R, 21 SB (4 CS)

Josh Adamczewski (High-A Wisconsin + Double-A Biloxi): 78 G, 333 PA, .319/.435/.549, 20 2B, 2 3B, 13 HR, 57 RBI, 57 R, 13 SB (1 CS)

Looking at that, it makes sense why Williams finished with just 2% of the vote despite being at the highest level in the minors.

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The San Francisco Giants returned home battered and broken after a 1-5 road trip in which they suffered five straight losses, including a sweep to the lowly — but well-matched — Kansas City Royals. The offense couldn’t score more than three runs. The pitching, starters and relievers alike, struggled to preserve leads. Crucial defensive mistakes proved the difference in tight, one-run games. The trip felt like a series of humiliations. The team looked like a play-thing for the rest of the league, a new ball of yarn for the Mariners and Royals to paw around at their leisure.

Earlier on in the season, one might graciously refer to these failures as tests, challenges to overcome in order to burnish their spirit in preparation for a climactic confrontation. But it’s July — really late July. Perhaps its overly generous to compare this 2026 season to the ancient epic, but if this was The Odyssey, we’re at the point in which all pretense is gone. Odysseus and his men are no longer victors returning from Troy. Hope and hubris has been wrung out of them by the gods. Logan Webb as Matt Damon as Odysseus tied himself to the mound’s mast and wept as the Sirens tortured him with their unattainable song. After months that have felt like years, Tony Vitello has assembled a raft of driftwood and shoved off into the open water, finally accepting his fate and submitting to the capricious nature of the seas. There is no more wit or cunning or courage to fall back on — it is the only the schedule that floats them back to their harbor.

In this sense, the wins now feel less like triumphs and more like dodges, delays, not-losses. Facing off against another lowly franchise in the Los Angeles Angels, the Giants 7-6 victory in 10 innings revealed more similarities than differences between the two clubs. Logan Webb struggled again, giving up another 3-run frame, jeopardizing an early 4-run lead. Reliever Jason Foley served as the day’s bullpen punching bag when Vaughan Grissom rocked a 2-run homer in the 8th to tie the game. Though they emphatically broke through with 5 runs off starter Grayson Rodriguez, the Angels relievers cooled the offense considerably after the 4th inning. So the mobbing of Rafael Devers after his game-winning single felt more than a bit contrived. They won because they had the last swing. Home field advantage — just like Odysseus in Ithaca. 

The punishment of a fan following a losing season is not the losses, but that you aren’t allowed to celebrate the wins. Is this fair? We shouldn’t be purposefully myopic or naive, rejoicing after each storm we survive without the sober and appropriate recognition that the situation has not changed: We are floating on a raft in the middle of the ocean. We are still not in charge. 

You can’t disregard the wider context. And in my very important role as a sports blogger, it feels like my job at times to belabor the point: A millennial Homer, reminding everyone after anything that everything still sucks.

The over-lapping, layered structure of The Odyssey is designed to hold the whole story all at once. Odysseus retells his story to the Phaeacians which give his memories an awareness of what is to come. Within the past, nests the future. A baseball season can be like this — dense and intricately woven. But just like the ancient epic, there are episodes. Games that work as standalone adventures that can be, and should be, savored and enjoyed. Odysseus and his men escaping the giant-cyclops-shepherd Polyphemus’s cave by blinding him and hiding among his sheep is a heck of a story on its own. I like to think Odysseus himself relished the re-telling in King Alcinous’s court, allowing himself a moment to smirk at his wit when he told the cyclops his name was Nobody, despite the consequences of that interaction that would soon follow.

So let’s free ourselves from context, the burden of the “epic,” and enjoy the little episodes, the minor tales of how the Giants jumped out ahead of the Angels by stubbornly refusing to let starter Grayson Rodriguez record the third out in the early innings. In the 1st, with two outs and nobody on, already down a run, Bryce Eldridge forced Rodriguez to throw 8 pitches, eventually working a walk. Next up, Devers lined his 21st homer over the cars in left. 

In the same situation in the 3rd, Eldridge, once again spoiled a clean inning for Rodriguez with a 2-out double. Falling behind 2-0 to Devers, the right-hander elected to send him to first to face the same-side bat of Casey Schmitt. Perhaps fueled by the intentional walk, Schmitt annihilated an inside fastball for a 3-run shot — also his 21st — giving the Giants what felt like a commanding 5-1 lead at the time.

But a good story always has set-backs. The heroes should never just cruise. The Angels provided that necessary adversity, closing the gap with a three run 5th inning off Logan Webb.

Webb gave up a walk and four hits in the frame, with a devastating 2-run triple delivered by number-9 hitter Tyler Heineman. It was Webb’s second triple surrendered in the game, and only back-up backstop Heineman’s fourth extra base hit of the year.  

Jo Adell’s 7-pitch at-bat, which ended in a lead-off single, set the tone and table in that inning. Webb had him down early in the count, but his fourth and fifth pitches were throwaways, big misses that couldn’t even entice the free-swinging slugger to chase off the plate. Webb then fell behind 2-0 to number-8 hitter Denezer Guzman. With count leverage, Denezer got a fastball over the plate that scooted through a hole into left for another single. A lack of sharpness had Webb on his heels and he probably succumbed to some tunnel vision facing Heineman. He doubled down on change-ups at the bottom of the zone and Heineman didn’t miss the second one. 

The whole game the Angels had their heads bowed facing Webb. Not out of deference, but on the hunt for his signature off-speed at the bottom of the zone. Both triples came off genuflecting swings (the pitch to Neto came in shin high) that deposited the baseball in the furthest ranges of Triple’s Alley. Adell’s lead-off single was on a low-and-away change. Mike Trout’s thoroughly-smoked sac fly to score Heine was on another.

Another outing in which Webb allowed three runs in an inning, but, unlike in Seattle, he finished the inning with the lead, albeit a slim one, was still in-tact. It’d last for a couple more innings. The Giants even extended it with some effective small-ball tactics in the 7th when pinch-runner Grant McCray (taking over for Drew Gilbert after his walk) stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Daniel Susac. McCray emerged as the late-game hero, doing the dirty work in preparation for Devers’s walk-off. His base-running in that sixth run allowed them to weather Vaughan Grissom’s game-tying shot, and his outfield assist cut down the potential go-ahead runner in Oswald Peraza for an inning-ending double play which heavily tipped the scales in favor of the home team.

Now all they had to do was score…

It wasn’t perfectly executed, there were some dice-y moments, but they got it done.

For a moment it looked like Jesus Rodriguez, as the 10th inning Manfred Man, wouldn’t advance to third on Luis Arraez’s knuckling single. After initially freezing on the line-drive, then retreating for a moment as shortstop Zachary Neto made a play on the slow-moving grounder, Rodriguez had to make a mad dash for third when the ball squeaked through to the outfield. With a chance to end the game, Heliot Ramos rolled a comebacker right into the pitcher’s glove — a first out that ratcheted up the pressure for Bryce Eldridge. Instead of walking Eldridge to load the bases and set-up a booby-trapped infield with a myriad of double play or force-out possibilities, reliever Chase Silseth went after the rookie with the hope that his youth and inexperience would cause him to chase. As he did in the 1st, Eldridge stood firm. In an 8-pitch at-bat he navigated four two-strike offerings. He chased only one — a well-located inside sweeper that he fouled off — before working the walk and loading the bases for Devers to play hero and send everyone home.

Much like the Doomsday clock Disney/Marvel has put in place to count down to the new IP they want to put on screen, the clock is counting down to the trade deadline for MLB. Once the All-Star festivities completed and the season started back up, teams turned their attention back to making deals to put their teams into position for the stretch run and, hopefully, beyond. What the Phillies actually need to acquire and how it should be prioritized is a matter of opinion. The focus has been on bats that can get on base and/or relievers to add to the bullpen, but this weekend also showed us how much they might need someone to create a sense of calm in the fifth starter’s position if they even want to get into the postseason at all.

In order to facilitate those trades, the Phillies will have to surrender something in return, no easy task. Baseball America recently ranked the farm system the team has as the 29th best in the game, something that might make it difficult to make a deal to give them the impact bat/relief arm many would prefer they get. Yet trades will happen and the Phillies will be involved in some capacity, so let’s take a stab at ranking some of their prospects in terms of their trade value and what they might be able to command on the open market. This isn’t necessarily a ranking of what their farm system is as it stands. Rather, it’s look at prospects and how they might rank if we’re talking about those most likely to be dealt.

Note: any scouting reports used here will come from Matt Winkelman’s outstanding work covering the system unless otherwise noted. All stats through Wednesday’s games.

7. Alirio Ferrebus, C, Clearwater

Ferrebus has been one of the few breakouts the Phillies’ system has had this year. Fangraphs had him ranked 20th on the Phillies list coming into the season and all he has done is hit. A .328/.379/.511 line on the year with 11 home runs and 56 RBI is going to get the attention of people, as will the striking out less than 14% of the time he is at the plate. Yet it’s also the way he’s hitting that is going to be enticing. He’s maxed out with a 111.7 mph exit velocity, so the power is there and showing up in game.

He’s making good swing decisions, basically doing all the things the team wants him to do. His staying as a catcher is still something of a question mark, but the way he is swinging the bat, he simply needs to get to something a tic below average to have a lot of value. This might be a little low of a ranking, but with catchers, development isn’t really linear. Some might be hesitant to give up a lot for him if he can’t stay as a catcher, which adds to the wild card-ness of his profile.

What would be able to bring the Phillies: Ferrebus likely wouldn’t be enough to be the lead of any significant deal, but he’s a solid second piece in a trade.

6. Bryan Rincon, SS, Jersey Shore

Another breakout for the Phillies, Rincon is healthy and producing. He had 13 home runs and 23 stolen bases, showing more power than he has in the past and regaining the speed that made him an intriguing up the middle prospect. The question is – is there more development left for him, or is this pretty much what he is? If that’s the case, the consideration must be made that his trade value is somewhat small, which brings us to…

What would be able to bring the Phillies: For now, he seems to be very much in the boat of “third piece in a deal” if they were looking to acquire someone fairly significant, as reports seem to be. However, Rincon also has that whiff about him of a player that would be a fine return for a team looking at a one-for-one deal for a bullpen addition. His value might vacillate quite a bit.

5. Marty Gair, RHP, Clearwater

Does 102 do it for you?

Teams love bringing back wild card arms in trades and Gair is one that would qualify. He has had a solid season down in Clearwater, clearly demonstrating the ability to throw the baseball past hitters at that level. Does it play as he moves up the minor league ladder? Well, looking at at least one game to see his metrics on the fastball, there is something here that teams would be interested in working with. Seeing as how he has an induced vertical break on the fastball of 19 inches with some cut to it, that’s a major league fastball. Maybe it needs some refinement, which he clearly does with that and his secondary stuff, but this is a definite player teams would have interest in.

What would be able to bring the Phillies: Let’s also be realistic here. Gair is a reliever. Teams aren’t going to make a pitcher like that a priority in a deal unless it is similar to Rincon, a one-for-one move for a bullpen arm. Yet this is something that is tantalizing, a piece that could bring some teams something maybe they don’t have in their current system, an arm that can rush it up to the plate with pitch characteristics that play in higher levels

4. Brad Pacheco, RHP, Clearwater

The Phillies seem to be able to develop right handed pitching rather well in their minor league system and it’s beginning to look like Pacheco is going to be another. He had thrown strikes this year and done so with a fastball that reaches into the high nineties, all complemented by a changeup that grades out as plus.

These are the stepping stones teams that can develop pitchers well seek out when looking at prospects to acquire in a deal. Pachecho may have developed into that.

What would be able to bring the Phillies: As all the scouting reports you read about him talk about, being six feet tall has his profile at risk of being a reliever. He’s been developed by the Phillies as a starter and he has shown success, so teams would likely continue that path with him. Does he lead a trade package? Probably not, but he’s a darn good second piece.

3. Aroon Escobar, 2B, Reading

Players in the minors go through down parts of their development as we all know that that development is rarely linear. Escobar is one that is in the down part. He has not had a good season this year as he’s hitting for significantly less power than he did just a year ago. There are some bright spots to see as he’s walking a bit more and striking out a bit less, but even then, there is bit of a line of demarcation with his season. As Winkelman quotes:

Escobar has struggled at Reading, with an overly aggressive approach leading to poor contact quality. He has swung the other way towards passivity in June, and he needs to find a balance between the two approaches.

To me, that screams a player that needs a new voice in his development and perhaps an outside organization will see what he did last year and think they have the solutions to get him back on track.

What would be able to bring the Phillies: It’s probably a lock that Escobar is someone who is dealt at the deadline. What he commands in a deal will probably be the biggest delta of them all. If a team thinks they can fix his issues, he might be someone that is targeted in a deal. They’ll probably try to buy low on him based on his season though.

2. Juan Villavicencio, SS, Jersey Shore

This is where we get into the part of the list where, in my opinion, things are going to start to get interesting. Villavicencio has had a great season so far in Jersey Shore, hitting for some unexpected power and showing that he can stay up the middle long term. If this is the first time you’re hearing about him as a prospect, you’re not alone.

Matt Winkelman, as noted above, is the foremost authority on the team’s prospect system. Here is what he wrote about Villavicencio last year:

Villavicencio received an intriguing amount of time at the top of the FCL lineup after Aroon Escobar’s injury, indicating the Phillies like him. He has some positional flexibility, but he also has struck out a decent rate at each stop and doesn’t really have starting punch in his bat.

And here is what he wrote about him most recently:

Villavicencio has piqued the interest of some evaluators over the years thanks to intriguing raw power and the ability to stay up the middle defensively. However, he barely played and stayed healthy the last two seasons, with much of his time spent on the complex team. This year, he has been healthy, and very productive. He has average raw power, good zone contact rates, and a solid approach. 

This kind of jump in what his profile looks like is what gets other teams to notice, something that is starting to happen more often.

What would be able to bring the Phillies: Ever see those trades where a guy looks like a throw-in at the end of a deal and turns out to be something more? That looks like where Villavicencio is headed. If he is someone that looks like he will continue on his current path and teams think he will do so, teams are going to target him in a deal, maybe for something significant.

1. Ramon Marquez, RHP, Jersey Shore

Marquez has had a breakout season for the Phillies to this point and is probably the best prospect the team would move this trade season. His changeup has led to his getting some solid swing and miss, a pitch that has jumped a grade in this season.

What’s interesting is that with Marquez, there are some scouts that spoke with Matt Gelb in an article about the farm system that said he has gotten to, or maybe passed, the level that Gage Wood is at, perhaps the top prospect in the team’s current farm system. If that is true, there might be some belief that the team should hold on to him, but if his profile is this high and they can find a match in a trade, out the door he goes.

What would be able to bring the Phillies: If Wood is completely off the table, Marquez is probably the lead player in any deal of significance the Phillies make.

Honorable mention: Gage Wood, RHP, Reading

Why isn’t Wood amongst the names we have included here? It’s highly unlikely that the team will actually deal him, but we simply cannot rule it out completely.

Let’s consider the Phillies’ many needs, all of which we have covered here. A lot of the names we have seen churning on the rumor mill are names that aren’t exactly that perfect combination of difference maker and having notable team control still in their future. Were that player to exist and the Phillies make a play on him, putting Wood on that table would and should be something they considered.

Notable absences: Aidan Miller, Francisco Renteria

It’s pretty obvious why Miller isn’t included here. Trading him now would be trading him at the lowest his trade value would be. He projects to be an impact player so long as he is healthy enough to scratch that ceiling. However, that health is the X-factor at play. Most teams will likely not want anything to do with him, those that might have interest not wanting to risk giving something of value for him. For now, it only makes sense that the Phillies hang on to him and continue rehabbing his injury.

With Renteria, the upside he has been showing in game situations, one might make the argument that he is the team’s top prospect right now regardless of age or level of competition he’s faced. The team is likely loathe to trade him, preferring that their investment in him pay dividends in their own organization as opposed to another.

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

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (50-48) won 6-2 (BOX SCORE)

Wesneski started for Sugar Land and turned in another good outing allowing one unearned run over 4.1 innings while striking out 7. The offense got on the board in the 3rd inning on RBI singles from Loperfido and Whitcomb. In the 6th, the offense blew it open scoring 4 runs on a Biggio sac fly, Meyers RBI single, and Whitcomb 2 run double. The pen was solid with Carlson allowing the only run in the 9th as he held on for the 6-2 Sugar Land win.

Note: Wesneski has a 2.77 ERA in Triple-A.

• Jake Meyers, CF: 3-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB
• Joey Loperfido, RF: 2-for-5, RBI
• Shay Whitcomb, 1B: 3-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI
• Trenton Brooks, LF: 1-for-3, 2B, BB
• Garret Guillemette, C: 1-for-4, R
• Tommy Sacco, SS: 0-for-3, R, BB
• Edwin Diaz, DH: 1-for-3, 2 R

• Hayden Wesneski, RHP: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
• Trey McLoughlin, RHP: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (WIN)
• Christian Roa, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• J.P. France, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• Sam Carlson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (44-50)

Game One – lost 4-3 (BOX SCORE)

Gillis got the start for the Hooks and pitched really well tossing 6 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. The Hooks got on the board in the 4th inning on a Janek RBI single. Mancini came on for the 7th but allowed 4 runs as the Sod Poodles took the lead. In the bottom of the 7th, Gomez connected on a 2 run single but that was it as the Hooks fell 4-3.

Note: Gillis has a 3.66 ERA this season.

• Yamal Encarnacion, 2B: 1-for-4, SB
• Jason Schiavone, C: 0-for-2, R, BB
• Walker Janek, DH: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI
• Tyler Whitaker, RF: 0-for-2, R, BB
• Kenni Gomez, CF: 1-for-3, 2 RBI

• Brett Gillis, RHP: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
• Joey Mancini, RHP: 1.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Game Two – won 2-0 (BOX SCORE)

DeVos started game two for the Hooks and pitched really well striking out 5 over 5.1 scoreless innings. The Hooks got on the board in the bottom of the 5th scoring 2 runs on a Gomez 2 run triple. Guedez closed out the 6th and Chirinos tossed a scoreless 7th inning as he closed out the 2-0 win.

Note: Chirinos has a 3.38 ERA this season.

• Will Bush, C: 1-for-3, 2B
• Tyler Whitaker, RF: 0-for-1, R, BB
• Max Holy, SS: 0-for-1, R, BB
• Kenni Gomez, CF: 1-for-2, 3B, 2 RBI

• Nolan DeVos, RHP: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (WIN)
• Jose Guedez, RHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Amilcar Chirinos, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (SAVE)

A+: Asheville Tourists (32-61) lost 3-2 (BOX SCORE)

Taylor started for Asheville and he pitched really well allowing one unearned run over 4.1 innings while striking out 4 batters. Asheville got on the board in the 5th inning on a Thomas RBI double. In the 7th, Neyens gave Asheville the lead with an RBI single. The pen allowed a couple of runs as the Hot Rods tied it in the 7th and took the lead in the 8th. Asheville put a few on in the 9th but failed to scores as they fell 3-2.

Note: Taylor has a 2.93 ERA in High-A this season.

• Justin Thomas, LF: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 SB
• Xavier Neyens, 3B: 2-for-4, RBI, BB, SB
• John Garcia, C: 2-for-4, 2 R, 2B

• Andrew Taylor, RHP: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
• Michael Cuevas, RHP: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Colby Langford, LHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (46-46) lost 4-1 (BOX SCORE)

Potter got the start for the Woodpeckers and went 4.1 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 6 batters. The offense got on the board in the 6th inning on a Cauro solo home run. Gonzalez went the final 3 innings allowing 2 runs as the Nationals extended their lead. The Woodpeckers offense was quiet the rest of the way as they fell 4-1.

Note: Cauro is hitting .280 this season.

• Waner Luciano, 3B: 1-for-3, BB, SB
• Carlos Cauro, 1B: 3-for-4, R, HR, RBI
• DJ Newman, LF: 0-for-2, BB, 2 SB

• Nick Potter, RHP: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
• Ryan Mathiesen, RHP: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Rafael Gonzalez, RHP: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Jackson Nezuh – 5:05 CT

CC: Bryce Mayer – 5:05 CT

AV: Parker Smith – 6:35 CT

FV: TBD – 5:35 CT

Sometimes the toughest conversations are the ones worth having.

As much as Astros fans would rather focus on another postseason run, the reality is that Dana Brown and the front office have to think beyond this season. Every decision they make isn’t just about winning in 2026, it’s about positioning the organization to remain a contender for years to come.

That brings us to an uncomfortable question.

Is Jeremy Peña the player the Astros should be shopping?

Before you dismiss the idea, consider where this roster currently stands.

Throughout the first half of the season, one of the biggest discussions surrounding the Astros was their infield logjam. Houston simply had more capable infielders than available positions. The injury to Carlos Correa temporarily solved that problem by opening a spot and allowing Dana Brown to postpone a difficult decision.

But that decision hasn’t gone away.

When everyone is healthy, the Astros will once again have to determine how the pieces fit together—not only for this season, but for the future.

That’s where Peña enters the conversation.

He’s approaching free agency, and his representative is Scott Boras.

That fact alone should get the attention of every Astros fan.

We already know how Jim Crane operates.

Throughout his ownership, Crane has consistently shown he’s reluctant to hand out massive, long-term contracts to players nearing free agency. Gerrit Cole walked. George Springer left. Carlos Correa departed. More recently, Kyle Tucker was traded before reaching the open market because the Astros understood the type of contract he would eventually command.

Whether fans liked those decisions or not, they’ve become part of the organization’s philosophy.

So why should anyone assume Peña will be treated differently?

In fact, the circumstances suggest the opposite.

There were reports that Peña and the Astros had the framework of a contract extension before he changed representation. Once Scott Boras entered the picture, those discussions disappeared.

That’s significant.

It suggests Houston may eventually face the same difficult financial decision it has encountered with several other franchise cornerstones.

The difference is timing.

Right now, Jeremy Peña’s value may never be higher.

He’s in the middle of another outstanding season, once again proving himself to be one of the better all-around shortstops in baseball. He’s producing offensively, playing Gold Glove-caliber defense, and still has team control.

That combination would make him one of the most valuable trade chips available if the Astros decided to explore the market.

The return could be enormous.

And here’s where the baseball argument becomes even more interesting.

If Carlos Correa returns healthy next season, Houston already has an accomplished shortstop capable of stepping right back into the position. The Astros wouldn’t be replacing Peña with an unproven rookie, they’d be replacing him with a player who has already excelled at the position in Houston.

That roster flexibility gives Dana Brown options that many general managers simply don’t have. Brown however is also in a contract year, so that could be a factor worth keeping an eye on. He may be in win now mode, regardless of what the right thing to do may be.

None of this means the Astros should become sellers.

Quite the opposite.

Houston can still be aggressive at this year’s trade deadline while simultaneously planning for the future. Contending for another championship and maximizing the long-term value of one of your best players are not mutually exclusive ideas.

The emotional reaction is obvious.

No Astros fan wants to see Jeremy Peña leave. He’s become one of the faces of the franchise and has delivered in some of the biggest moments since arriving in Houston.

But front offices can’t afford to make emotional decisions.

They have to make baseball decisions.

If Dana Brown believes Peña is unlikely to sign a long-term extension—and if Jim Crane remains committed to the financial philosophy he’s followed for years—the smartest move may be to maximize Peña’s value before he reaches free agency.

It won’t be a popular decision.

Neither was trading Kyle Tucker.

But popularity and practicality are rarely the same thing.

The Astros have shown they’re willing to make difficult choices if they believe those moves position the organization for sustained success.

The question now is whether Jeremy Peña is next.

It may not happen before this year’s trade deadline.

But between now and Opening Day next season, don’t be surprised if Dana Brown quietly begins searching for the right deal.

It may be the toughest conversation Astros fans have to face, but it could also be the smartest baseball decision the organization makes.

Good morning, LSB.

The Rangers beat the Mariners 5-4 last night to take the first in a huge series.

Kennedi Landry writes about a big night from Jake Burger.

Evan Grant says a little small ball helped the Rangers increase their lead in the AL West

Shawn McFarland touches on a very strong game for the Rangers bullpen.

Ryan Myers credits MacKenzie Gore for battling vs. Seattle.

Elsewhere the Rangers had a nice Make A Wish moment before the game last night.

Jeff Wilson offers a Corey Seager update as he continues to progress.

After saying otherwise last week week the Rangers now think an IL stint is possible for Josh Jung.

And our old pal TR “Texas Ranger” Sullivan is the latest guest on Evan Grant’s podcast.

That’s all for this morning Have .a great weekend!

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The Los Angeles Dodgers (-150) go for their fourth win in as many games as they face the New York Mets at Citi Field on Saturday.

My offerings take special interest in the vaunted starting pitching matchup between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Nolan McLean.

That leads to a low-scoring game according to my Dodgers vs. Mets predictions and MLB picks on Saturday, July 25.

Who will win Dodgers vs Mets today: Dodgers (-155)

Yoshinobu Yamamoto can lead with his potent splitter (.178 wOBA) against a New York Mets lineup that has the lowest runs above average (-5.4) per 100 pitches against the offering this month. 

The World Series hero has dominated on the road (2.24 ERA) and has been in excellent form overall (0.79 WHIP since May 18).

He puts his team at a sizable advantage against a Mets lineup likely without Juan Soto, who is set to receive an MRI on his ailing calf. 

New York's bullpen is utterly untrustworthy (6.37 FIP this month), so the Los Angeles Dodgers have a great chance at picking up win number four in a row.

Play to -160.

COVERS INTEL: Yamamoto masterfully avoids issuing free passes (5.5% walk rate), and he'll likely gain more punchouts than usual against a Mets lineup that has struck out 25.7% of the time against right-handed pitchers in the last 10 days.

Dodgers vs Mets Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-112)

Baseball fans are treated to a delight in which both starting pitchers have some of the nastiest stuff in the game. 

Nolan McLean (108 Stuff+) has been at the top of his game, posting a 2.08 ERA since May 31. 

The Mets have played to the Under in eight of their last nine games, and it's tough to see them snapping that streak against Yamamoto (111 Pitching+). 

The wind will be blowing in toward third base at 5-9 mph, aiding these A-list pitchers in their continued run of excellence. 

Dodgers vs Mets weather

It will be a perfect night for baseball, with temps in the 70's. 

Dodgers vs Mets odds

• Moneyline: Dodgers -150 | Mets +144
• Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (+113) | Mets + 1.5 (-117)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+108) | Under (-113)

Dodgers vs Mets trend

The Mets have cashed the Under in eight of their last nine games. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Mets.

How to watch Dodgers vs Mets and game info

Dodgers vs Mets latest injuries

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