Category: Baseball

Baseball News

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Carson Whisenhunt returns as Giants pitching staff faces slew of injuries

Carson Whisenhunt returns as Giants pitching staff faces slew of injuries originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN DIEGO — The description that Giants manager Bob Melvin gave Thursday morning was about the last one you want to hear during a season.

“We’ve got a full MRI tube,” he said. 

Landen Roupp is headed back to San Francisco to get an MRI on his left knee, but he won’t be alone. Right-handed prospect Blade Tidwell will also get an MRI on Thursday afternoon after he felt shoulder discomfort. The Giants are hopeful on both, but also realistic. There’s a good chance that both young right-handers have thrown their final pitch of the 2025 season. 

Tidwell’s injury was horribly timed, as he appeared next in line to join the rotation. Acquired at the deadline in the Tyler Rogers deal, Tidwell struck out 23 in his first 16 innings with the Sacramento River Cats and posted a 1.69 ERA over three starts. 

Fellow prospect Carson Whisenhunt joined the Giants in San Diego on Thursday and he’ll start Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing the staff to give Logan Webb (Saturday) and Robbie Ray (Sunday) an extra day of rest. After that, the Giants will recalibrate. 

Kai-Wei Teng had been in the rotation but he was optioned back to Triple-A on Thursday. The Giants also optioned outfielder Grant McCray and called up hard-throwing right-handed reliever Joel Peguero, who was the talk of camp but struggled early in the Triple-A season.

Peguero at least provided some smiles on Thursday. The 28-year-old is thrilled to be on the verge of his MLB debut and said his wife and family members all cried when told the news. A few relatives plan to join him in Milwaukee this weekend. 

“We’ve waited for this moment,” Peguero said. “They were so happy.”

Luis Matos also returned and went right into the starting lineup. The staff is going to try to give him some additional starts against right-handed pitching to see if he can get going. 

Another Setback

Lefty Erik Miller is another pitcher who is running out of time given how late in the season it is. Miller’s rehab assignment was halted last week because he felt something in his elbow, but an MRI came back clean from a structural standpoint. 

Still, Miller will be shut down for at least two weeks because of lingering inflammation in the elbow. He went on the 60-day IL on Thursday. 

Miller went on the IL on July 3 and at this point there seems little reason for the Giants to get him back on a big league mound this season. They need a healthy Miller next season, not just to give them a go-to lefty, but also another hard-throwing option in the late innings. Had his rehab gone smoothly, Miller would have joined Randy Rodriguez and Ryan Walker in the late-game mix. 

Some Good News, For Once

Matt Chapman has been fielding grounders and taking swings at Petco Park and all signs point toward the third baseman returning on Saturday in Milwaukee. Chapman got a cortisone injection in his aching right hand last week and said it worked wonders. 

When Chapman returns, Casey Schmitt will slide back to second base, which now looks like his long-term home. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Phillies minor league report: Prospects heating up in August

Phillies minor league report: Prospects heating up in August originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies went for quality over quantity at the Trade Deadline.

In landing Jhoan Duran, they dealt away two of their top five prospects — both ranked on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 — catcher Eduardo Tait and right-hander Mick Abel. A separate swap with Minnesota brought in Harrison Bader at the cost of organizational top-20 outfielder Hendry Mendez and Geremy Viloria.

With September approaching and MLB Pipeline updating its rankings, here’s a look at a handful of Phillies prospects who have caught fire this month:

Aidan Miller, SS, Double-A Reading — No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 48)

The Phillies’ top pick from 2023 got off to a slow start in his third pro season, hitting just .222/.343/.354 through July. But as the weather heated up, so did his bat.

In August, the 21-year-old is hitting .338 with 12 extra-base hits and a .999 OPS. Miller has also been a terror on the bases, going 47-for-55 in steals. He’s one of just two Double-A players this year with 30+ extra-base hits and 40+ steals.

Justin Crawford, OF, Triple-A Lehigh Valley — No. 3 prospect (MLB No. 68)

A hitting machine at every stop, Crawford has piled up 39 multi-hit games this season and has reached base in 26 of his last 29 contests.

This month, the 2022 first-rounder is batting .352/.403/.479 with eight multi-hit efforts. His K/BB ratio in August (18/6) is wider than usual, but it’s led to more hard contact — and more chances to showcase his speed. Crawford has already swiped 41 bases, his third straight 40+ steal season.

Caleb Ricketts, C, Double-A Reading — No. 22 prospect

At 6-foot-3 with left-handed pop, Ricketts has been one of Reading’s most consistent bats in August.

After missing nearly two months earlier this season with an injury, the 2022 seventh-rounder has hit .351/.383/.526 this month, recording hits in 12 of his last 13 games. He’s particularly thrived against righties, slugging .485 with 20 extra-base knocks in 160 AB’s.

Mavis Graves, LHP, High-A Jersey Shore — No. 25 prospect

Graves’ strikeout stuff has always been loud, but command issues plagued him early. In his first 13 starts, he carried a 6.70 ERA with a 65/32 K/BB ratio, and opponents crushed him for an .887 OPS.

The 21-year-old has flipped the script over his last six outings, posting a 0.67 ERA in 27 innings with 30 strikeouts. The difference? Fewer walks, more soft contact. Opponents had a .386 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) early on, but just .220 since his turnaround.

Griff McGarry, RHP, Double-A Reading — Not ranked

At 26, McGarry isn’t typically considered a prospect, but he’s been dominant lately.

He was named Eastern League Player of the Week after firing six shutout innings with 12 strikeouts on Aug 13. Across his last three starts, McGarry has allowed just three runs in 15 innings while piling up 27 K’s. The key has been keeping the ball in the park — he’s given up only three homers in 56 1/3 innings this year.

September callups are just around the corner, with rosters expanding to 28 (max of 14 pitchers). After adding Robertson and Duran, plus José Alvarado’s return from suspension, it’s unclear how much room the Phillies will have for reinforcements.

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Mets at Nationals: How to watch on SNY on Aug. 21, 2025

The Mets conclude a three-game series against the Nationals in Washington, D.C. on Thursday at 4:05 p.m. on SNY.

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

Mets Notes

  • Francisco Lindorhas 15 hits in his last 33 at-bats
  • Juan Soto has reached base safely in all 17 games this month
  • Brett Baty has an eight-game on-base streak and has homered each of the last two nights
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NATIONALS
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What channel is SNY?

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

How can I stream the game?

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

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

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

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

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

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

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

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

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Importance of ‘different types of leadership' inside Phillies clubhouse

Importance of ‘different types of leadership' inside Phillies clubhouse originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

There are many obstacles the Phillies and Rob Thomson have had to navigate this season, from injuries and suspension to health scares and unsettled lineups. Some come expected, as injuries occur every season no matter the sport and slumps and hot streaks are normalized. But unique to baseball is the 162 games of it all. “Those things happen during a 162-game season.”

And inevitably, a time of tribulation in a season usually presents the question of leadership. But what really is leadership and how important is it?

I once asked a player what kind of leader he saw himself being, because his head coach had just labeled him one because he was one of the older players on a very youthful team. “I’m not a leader,” said the journeyman veteran. “I’m just trying to keep my (butt) in the league.”

Another time I asked a player about the presumed leader on the team. His response, not in a controversial way, was “if he’s the leader, does that make me a follower? Because I’m not a follower.”

Both made good points. One was anointed to be a leader but didn’t perceive himself to be. The other believed that where he was in his professional life, playing at the highest level of the sport that there is, he didn’t need to follow a leader.

It’s an interesting conversation when discussing the importance of it in sports. And while Thomson’s Phillies may still be dealing with a platooning outfield, a shuffled starting rotation and the normal ebbs and flows of a season, they do seem to have an abundance of leadership to help them through.

And they know that this is a time of need for it as their ace pitcher, Zack Wheeler, deals with a blood clot near his right shoulder that puts the game of baseball and its importance into perspective.

But the game has to go on. Wheeler’s spot in the rotation needs to be replaced. There is a division lead that needs to be held, playoff series expectations to be met. All with a team that has largely remained the same over the past couple of seasons.

“We have a lot of leadership because we have a veteran group,” said Thomson. “So, they’ve been through the ringer, they know what it’s like to play 162 games year after year after year. They know that, especially our guys, what I talk about all the time is the ebbs and flows of the season and how to maintain that. Their leadership is about not only reminding each other of that, but by teaching the young players what that’s like. Coming in with energy every day and having a short memory.”

Maybe that doesn’t seem as important as Kyle Schwarber banging home runs at the pace he’s doing this year, or Trea Turner being the ultimate leadoff man, or Bryce Harper being Bryce Harper, and so on and so forth. But with so many trying times this season – none more than the recent news of Wheeler – it is a great resolve to fall back on.

“I think quality leadership is important,” said veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos. “Not just in sports, just like in anything period. I think that we have a lot of players that have been around. We also have a lot of players around that the only thing they really have left to do in their career is win. So, when you have that, a lot of the shenanigans kind of fall by the wayside. And then because you have people with large resumes doing things correctly, that kind of sets the tone for everybody else.

“There’s a lot of different types of leadership. Character of a team is important. A lot of times when people say ‘leader,’ people are assuming there’s one guy that is rallying up the troops. I don’t really think that’s the case here. I think you have a good group of men that go about their business the right way. The game has rewarded them with contracts and this and that, and now they’re in a space where all they want is to win.”

Yes, the slumps that have plagued the team in the playoffs the past couple of years cannot happen again if they are to reach the ultimate goal of World Series champions. And the bullpen certainly needs to be less rocky come October. Perhaps the lack of change in key personnel will be questioned whenever this season comes to an end.

Or maybe president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, a future Hall of Famer, and Thomson see more in this team than just the need to add another outfielder (Harrison Bader) and a lights-out closer (Jhoan Duran) last month at the trading deadline.

Maybe it’s about leadership.

“There’s a lot of service time on this team, a lot of experience and I think there’s a lot of guys to learn from,” said Weston Wilson. “I think it’s incredibly important. It’s what kind of controls the clubhouse, brings everybody together. But a lot of that can be unsaid because of just the presence of people in the clubhouse and how they go about their business and setting examples for younger guys. Just leading by example and verbally I think is very important.

“There’s a lot of people that stand up in different ways. A lot of it has to do with personality, whether you’re a verbal guy, non-verbal guy. I think you’ve got some guys in the bullpen; you’ve got some guys in the starting pitching. You have hitters, defensive guys, all that stuff. Everybody is putting in their portion.”

No barrier this season – from reliever José Alvarado getting suspended for 80 games to Aaron Nola being shelved by injury for more than three months – may deter the Phillies more than the recent news of Wheeler. If recent results from starters like Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo become the norm, Wheeler’s absence may be somewhat replaced on the field. Off it though, learning how to deal with news such as that, requires more.

“Rob addressed the team and he kind of told us all officially,” Castellanos said. “We kind of all started hearing whispers of it the day before. And then first thing first, life comes first. So, we all know that we need him to be okay. How’s Dominique doing (his wife), just make sure his household is good. And then after that, the starting pitchers, again, we don’t have a bunch of kids in our rotation, we have grown men in our rotation. They all know what they have to do. They know that Zack’s going to need some time so each individual person kind of needs to tighten it up a little bit, step up a little bit, collectively. But again, a lot of that goes unsaid. It’s not like we need a teacher to tell us what to do.

“Baseball doesn’t lie. There’s a lot of things you have to do correctly for baseball to reward you. Winning just doesn’t happen by accident.”

No. And leaders make sure it doesn’t. We will see in the next few months if that’s enough for these Phillies.

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ICYMI in Mets Land: Key injury updates; top prospect buzz

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

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Astros at Orioles Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 21

Its Thursday, August 21 and the Astros (69-58) are in Baltimore to take on the Orioles (59-67). Jason Alexander is slated to take the mound for Houston against Brandon Young for Baltimore.

Baltimore and Houston just met August 15-17 and the Orioles won two out of three against the Astros. Baltimore met Boston since then and won both games, while Houston dropped three consecutive games to Detroit. The Astros have lost four straight games, while the Orioles have won the past three.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Astros at Orioles

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • City: Baltimore, MD
  • Network/Streaming: FOX

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

Odds for the Astros at the Orioles

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Astros (-109), Orioles (-110)
  • Spread:  Orioles 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Astros at Orioles

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Jason Alexander vs. Brandon Young
    • Astros: Jason Alexander, (3-1, 18.00 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Orioles: Brandon Young, (1-6, 5.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Astros at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

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

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

  • Baltimore is 2-1 versus Houston this season
  • Houston is 0-4 in the last 4 games
  • Houston is 2-6 in the last 8 games
  • Baltimore is 3-0 in the last 3 games
  • Baltimore is 6-1 in the last 7 games
  • The Astros have won 4 of their last 5 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Under has cashed in 10 of the Orioles' last 12 games with a rest advantage over their opponents
  • The Astros have failed to cover in their last 3 games against the Orioles

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Red Sox at Yankees Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Red Sox (68-59) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (69-57). Lucas Giolito is slated to take the mound for Boston against Luis Gil for New York.

After a sweep over the Rays and Cardinals, the Yankees have won five consecutive games and seven of the past eight. For the Red Sox, they are losers of three straight after getting swept by the Orioles. Boston owns the season edge, 5-1 over New York, so this should be a fun four-game set.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Red Sox at Yankees

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FOX

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

Odds for the Red Sox at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Red Sox (+116), Yankees (-137)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Lucas Giolito vs. Luis Gil
    • Red Sox: Lucas Giolito, (8-2, 3.63 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.42 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Yankees: Luis Gil, (1-1, 5.14 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.69 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Red Sox and the Yankees

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday’s game between the Red Sox and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Boston Red Sox at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Red Sox at Yankees

  • Boston is 5-1 versus New York this season
  • New York is 5-0 in the last 5 games
  • New York is 7-1 in the last 8 games
  • Boston is 0-3 in the last 3 games
  • Boston is 3-7 in the last 10 games
  • The Red Sox have won 5 straight games against the Yankees
  • The Over is 4-0-1 in the Yankees' last 5 divisional matchups
  • The Yankees have covered in 4 of their last 5 games for a profit of 3.08 units

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Cardinals at Rays Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Cardinals (63-65) are in Tampa to take on the Rays (61-66). Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Joe Boyle for Tampa Bay.

The Cardinals lost its past outing 6-2 to the Marlins, but won the series to snap a five-game losing streak ahead of this matchup. The Rays are coming off being swept by the Yankees in two-games and a loss to the Giants for three consecutive losses.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Rays

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:35PM EST
  • Site: George M. Steinbrenner Field
  • City: Tampa, FL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, FDSNSUN

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

Odds for the Cardinals at the Rays

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (-121), Rays (+101)
  • Spread:  Cardinals -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Rays

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Joe Boyle
    • Cardinals: Sonny Gray, (11-6, 4.30 ERA)
      Last outing: 10.80 ERA, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Rays: Joe Boyle, (1-2, 4.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 18.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Tampa Bay Rays at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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

  • Tampa Bay is 0-3 in the last 3 games
  • Tampa Bay is 3-3 in the last 6 games
  • St. Louis is 2-6 over the past 9 games
  • St. Louis is 4-5 in the past 9 road games
  • At home this season the Rays have won 17 of 32 games following a defeat
  • The Rays' last 3 games have gone over the Total
  • It has been 3 games since the Rays last covered the Run Line

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Giants at Padres Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Giants (61-66) are in San Diego to take on the Padres (71-56). Justin Verlander is slated to take the mound for San Francisco against Dylan Cease for San Diego.

San Diego goes for the series win after a 8-1 victory on Wednesday to follow up a 5-1 win. The Padres' two wins snapped a four-game losing skid the team had going whereas the Giants are 2-9 over the last 11 games and 2-2 in the past four.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Giants at Padres

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 4:10PM EST
  • Site: Petco Park
  • City: San Diego, CA
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSBA, SDPA

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

Odds for the Giants at the Padres

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Giants (+145), Padres (-173)
  • Spread:  Padres -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Padres

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Justin Verlander vs. Dylan Cease
    • Giants: Justin Verlander, (1-9, 4.23 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
    • Padres: Dylan Cease, (5-11, 4.61 ERA)
      Last outing: 8.10 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 6 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Giants and the Padres

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Diego Padres on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Francisco Giants at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Giants at Padres

  • San Diego is 9-3 versus San Francisco this season
  • The Giants are 2-9 in the last 11 games
  • The Padres are 2-4 in the last 6 games
  • The Padres have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 48-37-5 in the Padres' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Giants have failed to cover the Run Line in 4 of their last 5 road games against the Padres

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Mets at Nationals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Mets (67-59) are in Washington to take on the Nationals (51-75). Sean Manaea is slated to take the mound for New York against MacKenzie Gore for Washington.

The series is split after Washington took the second game, 5-4 to follow up an 8-1 loss. The loss snapped the Mets three-game winning streak that followed a rough patch (5-12 over the last 17 games).

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

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

Game details & how to watch Mets at Nationals

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 4:05PM EST
  • Site: Nationals Park
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, MASN

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

Odds for the Mets at the Nationals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (-140), Nationals (+118)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Nationals

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Sean Manaea vs. MacKenzie Gore
    • Mets: Sean Manaea, (1-1, 4.78 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.20 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Nationals: MacKenzie Gore, (5-12, 4.04 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Nationals

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Nationals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Nationals

  • New York is 3-1 in the last 4 games
  • New York is 5-12 over the last 17 games
  • Washington is 5-5 over the last 10 games
  • The Nationals have a losing record (10-20) in divisional matchups this season
  • It has been 3 games since the Mets last failed to cover the Run Line

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Dodgers at Rockies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Dodgers (72-55) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (37-90). Clayton Kershaw is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Chase Dollander for Colorado.

The Rockies earned their second win of the series over the Dodgers, this time 8-3 as Shohei Ohtani allowed nine hits and four earned runs over 4.0 innings in his first loss of the season.

The Rockies are now 5-1 over the last six games and have a chance to win four straight series, which would be a season-high. The Dodgers own the season series with a 7-2 record.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Rockies

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 3:10PM EST
  • Site: Coors Field
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: SNLA, COLR

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

Odds for the Dodgers at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-278), Rockies (+225)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 12.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Rockies

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Clayton Kershaw vs. Chase Dollander
    • Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw, (7-2, 3.01 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.50 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Rockies: Chase Dollander, (2-9, 6.43 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.71 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Colorado is 7-1 in the last 8 games
  • Colorado is 5-1 in the last 6 games
  • The Dodgers are 7-2 versus the Rockies this season
  • The Dodgers have a winning record (10-6) on the road at divisional opponents this season
  • The Under is 51-33-3 in the Rockies' matchups against National League teams this season
  • The Rockies have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 3.99 units

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Brewers at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Brewers (79-48) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (73-54). Quinn Priester is slated to take the mound for Milwaukee against Shota Imanaga for Chicago.

Milwaukee opened the series with a victory but since then, it's been all Chicago. The Cubs snuck in a 4-3 victory to take this series lead to 3-1 with one game remaining in this five-game set. The three losses also snapped a 14-game winning streak for the Brewers.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Brewers at Cubs

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 2:20PM EST
  • Site: Wrigley Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNWI, MARQ, MLBN

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

Odds for the Brewers at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Brewers (+119), Cubs (-142)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Brewers at Cubs

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Quinn Priester vs. Shota Imanaga
    • Brewers: Quinn Priester, (11-2, 3.48 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.38 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Cubs: Shota Imanaga, (8-5, 3.06 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Brewers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

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

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

  • Chicago is 6-4 since Imanaga returned from injury
  • Chicago is 7-5 versus Milwaukee this season
  • Milwaukee is 1-4 in the past 5 games
  • Chicago is 5-1 in the last 6 games
  • The Brewers have won 25 of 46 games following a defeat
  • The Over is 21-16-1 in the Brewers' matchups against NL Central teams this season

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Rangers at Royals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 21

It's Thursday, August 21 and the Rangers (63-65) are in Kansas City to take on the Royals (65-62). Patrick Corbin is slated to take the mound for Texas against Michael Lorenzen for Kansas City.

The Rangers took the third game of the series, 6-3, to snap the Royals' five-game winning streak. Texas is 3-9 over the last 12 games and has failed to win a series in that span (four tries). Kansas City is 11-7 in the month of August and has a six-game road trip lined in hopes of staying above .500.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Rangers at Royals

  • Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
  • Time: 2:10PM EST
  • Site: Kauffman Stadium
  • City: Kansas City, MO
  • Network/Streaming: RSN, FDSNKC, MLBN

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

Odds for the Rangers at the Royals

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Rangers (-105), Royals (-115)
  • Spread:  Royals 1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rangers at Royals

  • Pitching matchup for August 21, 2025: Patrick Corbin vs. Michael Lorenzen
    • Rangers: Patrick Corbin, (6-9, 4.45 ERA)
      Last outing: 27.00 ERA, 7 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Royals: Michael Lorenzen, (5-8, 4.43 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Kansas City Royals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Texas Rangers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

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

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

  • Texas is 3-10 in the last 13 games
  • Texas is 2-6 over the last 8 games
  • Kansas City is 5-1 over the past 6 games
  • Kansas City is 7-2 over the past 9 games
  • The Royals have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Royals' last 5 matchups against American League teams

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Iglesias returning to form, extends scoreless streak

In this week's Closer Report, Raisel Iglesias extends his scoreless streak to 13 games while locking down five saves in what was an impressive week on the mound for the veteran closer. That and more as we break down the last week in saves across the league.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings

Tier 1

Andrés Muñoz - Seattle Mariners
Edwin Díaz - New York Mets
Trevor Megill - Milwaukee Brewers

Muñoz struck out one batter in a clean inning of work against the Mets on Friday for his 29th save of the season to go with a 1.31 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 61/23 K/BB ratio across 48 innings. On the other side of that matchup, Díaz gave up a run with two strikeouts over the final two innings against Seattle on Saturday for his 24th save. His two-inning save comes after Ryan Helsley blew late-inning leads on back-to-back days. Helsley then bounced back with a scoreless appearance on Sunday. And Megill joins this tier after picking up his 29th save against the Reds on Friday. He then pitched the tenth inning on Saturday, giving up an unearned run before falling in line for a win. The 31-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 53/16 K/BB ratio across 43 innings.

Tier 2

Aroldis Chapman - Boston Red Sox
Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies
Robert Suarez - San Diego Padres

Chapman pitched a clean inning before falling in line for a win Friday against the Marlins, then recorded the final out of the game Saturday to earn a save. He then struck out the side in an inning of work against the Orioles on Tuesday. The 37-year-old veteran left-hander has converted 22 saves while posting an incredible 1.13 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and a 69/14 K/BB ratio across 48 innings.

Duran matches Chapman's 22 saves after converting two more this week. That makes six this month since joining the Phillies. The 27-year-old right-hander has recorded a 1.80 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 58/18 K/BB ratio across 55 innings.

No saves for the Padres this week. Suarez surrendered a solo homer against the Dodgers on Sunday to take the loss before pitching a scoreless ninth with a four-run lead against the Giants on Tuesday. Mason Miller made a pair of scoreless appearances behind Suarez.

Tier 3

Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs
David Bednar - New York Yankees
Emilio Pagán - Cincinnati Reds
Pete Fairbanks - Tampa Bay Rays
Kenley Jansen - Los Angeles Angels
Jeff Hoffman - Toronto Blue Jays
Carlos Estévez - Kansas City Royals
Randy Rodríguez - San Francisco Giants
Bryan Abreu - Houston Astros
Cade Smith - Cleveland Guardians
Raisel Iglesias - Atlanta Braves
Kyle Finnegan/Will Vest - Detroit Tigers
Dennis Santana - Pittsburgh Pirates

Palencia surrendered a solo homer against the Pirates on Friday to take the loss and was unavailable due to an illness for the next two days. Brad Keller and Andrew Kittredge stepped in to pick up saves in his absence. Palencia returned to pick up a save with a scoreless inning against the Brewers on Tuesday, then gave up one run Wednesday before holding on for his 18th save.

Bednar locked down two saves for the Yankees this week with a pair of clean outings against the Cardinals before giving up two runs Wednesday in Tampa to blow the lead. Devin Williams stepped in to pitch the tenth with a three-run lead and allowed the runner on second to score before striking out the side for his 18th save. Bednar is still likely to get the next save chance and has had a great season overall, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 68/14 K/BB ratio across 47 1/3 innings.

Pagán was charged with a pair of blown saves this week. He gave up an unearned run against the Brewers on Saturday, then surrendered two runs on Sunday. Still, he's been one of the most valuable closers this season, converting 25 saves with a 3.10 ERA over 52 1/3 frames.

Fairbanks locked down a pair of saves against the Giants. He's up to 22 with a 2.53 ERA over 46 1/3 innings. In Anaheim, Jansen worked around two walks and a hit, striking out two in a scoreless inning against the Athletics on Sunday before falling in line for a win. He then took the loss Tuesday, giving up two runs to the Reds in the ninth.

Hoffman struck out the side in back-to-back outings last week against the Cubs and Rangers, picking up a save and falling in line for a win. He then pitched a clean inning with one strikeout against the Pirates on Tuesday. The 32-year-old right-hander has pitched better in the second half, posting a 1.52 ERA after posting a 5.03 mark in the first half.

Estévez made three perfect appearances this week, picking up two saves. The 32-year-old right-hander brings his total to 32 saves on the season while posting a 2.77 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 46/20 K/BB ratio across 55 1/3 innings. With both Estévez and Lucas Erceg unavailable Tuesday after pitching three times in four days, John Schreiber stepped in for a save against the Rangers.

Rodríguez continues to operate at the Giants closer. He took a loss after giving up a run against the Rays on Friday, then bounced back with a scoreless inning against the Padres on Monday for his fourth save. Behind him, Ryan Walker has pitched much better in the second half, working his way back into a primary setup role and likely next in line for saves in the bullpen.

Abreu and the Astros didn't see a save chance this week. He made a pair of scoreless appearances, including a three-strikeout outing against the Orioles on Saturday. Josh Hader will likely remain out through the rest of the regular season, with hopes of returning during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Smith, another reliever who recently stepped into a closer role, notched two more saves with the Guardians before blowing an opportunity Wednesday, giving up a game-tying solo homer in the ninth against the Diamondbacks. Still, the 26-year-old right-hander has had an impressive season, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 77/19 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings.

Iglesias had a fantastic week on the mound, extending his scoreless streak to 13 games with five scoreless appearances, picking up five saves. The 35-year-old right-hander goes from 16 saves to 21 in the last week with a 3.86 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 58/10 K/BB ratio across 53 2/3 innings.

Finnegan and Vest continue to work in a committee. Finnegan picked up a save against the Twins on Saturday with two strikeouts in a scoreless inning. Vest worked both the eighth and ninth against the Astros on Tuesday before falling in line for a win. And in Pittsburgh, Santana added two saves and a win to his record with three scoreless outings this week.

Tier 4

Jojo Romero/Riley O'Brien - St. Louis Cardinals
Phil Maton/Robert Garcia - Texas Rangers
Blake Treinen/Alex Vesia/Ben Casparius - Los Angeles Dodgers
Ronny Henriquez/Calvin Faucher - Miami Marlins
Jose Ferrer - Washington Nationals

We move on to mostly committees and unfavorable situations for saves, starting with the Cardinals. Romero took the loss against the Yankees on Sunday, then bounced back with two scoreless outings. But it was O'Brien who picked up a save Tuesday against the Marlins. In Texas, Maton's time with the Rangers hasn't gone so well. He surrendered a run to take the loss on Friday against the Blue Jays. Shawn Armstrong stepped in for a four-out save. And there continues to be no clear answer for the Dodgers in Tanner Scott's absence. Jack Dreyer recorded the team's only save this week, a three-pitch outing to record the final out against the Padres on Friday.

Tier 5

Keegan Akin/Yennier Cano - Baltimore Orioles
Justin Topa/Cole Sands - Minnesota Twins
Sean Newcomb/Tyler Ferguson - Athletics
Juan Morillo/Kyle Backhus - Arizona Diamondbacks
Grant Taylor/Steven Wilson - Chicago White Sox
Victor Vodnik - Colorado Rockies

Posted on

Mets Notes: Kodai Senga punished by mistakes; Luis Torrens avoids serious hand injury

It wasn't too long ago that quality starts were the norm for Kodai Senga, who undoubtedly served as the ace of the Mets' rotation during the first half of the season with a stellar 1.39 ERA. But who knows if that dependable version of him is coming back anytime soon.

At a time when length from Mets starters not named David Peterson seems to be rarer than a total solar eclipse, Senga couldn't eat enough innings in Wednesday's deflating 5-4 road loss to the division-rival Nationals. He gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four across five-plus frames.

While the right-hander retired the Nationals in order through two innings, his struggles arrived in the third. A leadoff walk to Dylan Crews and a catcher's interference error on Luis Torrens sparked a bases-loaded rally that produced two runs on an infield single and a sac fly.

In the fourth, the Nationals tacked on another two runs with a pair of doubles and a triple, and the last extra-base hit that Senga served up was a solo home run to Josh Bell in the fifth. By the sixth, the Mets had rallied for four runs to cut their deficit to one, and Senga went back out for another inning of work. But his leash was short, as a leadoff single ended his night.

"I think I was able to attack the zone well, but I just couldn't finish them off, and that's what led to those multi-run innings," Senga said through an interpreter. "There's things to improve on."

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza didn't seem too discouraged by Senga's performance either, but he left pitches in the middle of the zone that the Nationals punished. 

"Stuff-wise, he was good, like the velo. He just left a 0-2 to [Paul DeJong], a sweeper up in the zone, and then a couple of pitches like middle-middle," Mendoza said. "We've been asking him to compete in the strike zone, but then especially when he was ahead, today he left pitches down the middle and they made him pay... They were all over pitches in the strike zone."

Senga logged six-plus innings in six of his 14 starts before the All-Star break, and held opponents to a measly .199 average. Over his last six starts, the right-hander hasn't completed six innings even once, and his second-half ERA sits at a bloated 6.00. He just hasn't looked the same since returning from the injured list in mid-July.

His next start is scheduled to come on regular rest against the division-rival Phillies on Monday night at Citi Field.

Torrens avoids serious hand injury

As if Brandon Nimmo's second-inning exit from Wednesday's game due to neck stiffness wasn't troubling enough, Torrens gave the Mets a pretty good scare behind the plate shortly thereafter.

After the leadoff walk to Crews in the third, Torrens injured his glove hand on a swing from Drew Millas that resulted in catcher's interference. While there was a chance of rookie backup Hayden Senger entering as a replacement, Torrens didn't leave the field with the training staff. He went on to play the remainder of the game.

"Just a little sore, but it's nothing out of the ordinary," Torrens said. "It was like a shock, just because it hit me right on the finger. But it's part of the game. I was able to finish the game, so that's good."

Torrens also felt some soreness gripping his bat, but he doesn't believe any tests on his hand are warranted. He finished 0-for-4 with a double-play groundout that ended the game.

The Mets can ill afford to lose Torrens for any stretch of time, as the team just placed Francisco Alvarez on the injured list with a disconcerting right thumb sprain. Aside from Senger, they currently don't have another catcher on the 40-man roster.