Category: Baseball

FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS

Ryan Mountcastle (1B Orioles): Rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues

Bringing the left field wall back in some at Camden Yards this year was supposed to help Mountcastle most of all, but the results just weren’t any good early on and then Mountcastle suffered a hamstring strain on May 30 that’s cost him more than two months. He’s finally set to return this weekend after going 12-for-31 with three homers and four doubles in nine rehab games at Triple-A Norfolk.

Since homers to left were very tough to come by in Baltimore for a couple of years, Mountcastle retooled his approach at the plate, resulting in him spraying more balls to the opposite field and hitting additional grounders. This year, he figured it made sense to try to resume hitting like he did when he first came up and produced a 33-homer season in his first full year in the majors in 2021. Before getting hurt, he succeeded in getting his pull rate back up to where it was in his debut. However, he was still hitting too many grounders. It also seemed like he was fairly unlucky; Mountcastle hit .246/.280/.348 with two homers through 52 games, but he had 16 barrels and a 46.5% hard-hit rate. Statcast gave him an xBA of .270 and an xSLG of .441.

Mountcastle might have returned from injury as a part-time player had the Orioles gotten back into contention before the deadline, but that’s obviously not how things worked out. Barring a Samuel Basallo callup, he and Coby Mayo can both receive all of the playing time they can handle while splitting time between first base and DH, and while Baltimore’s pitching is obviously rough at the moment, the top half of the lineup remains pretty good at generating RBI opportunities. Mountcastle should be solid enough in terms of average and the power categories to help.

Phil Maton (RP Rangers): Rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues

The Rangers seemed primed to add a true closer at the deadline, but the big names went elsewhere. In the end, they settled for Maton and lefty Danny Coulombe and instead made a bigger addition to their rotation in Merrill Kelly. Still, Maton, who has never had the chance to close since debuting with the Padres in 2017, seems like the team’s best option in the ninth.

Maton’s stock faded last year, though he posted a decent enough 3.66 ERA for the Rays and Mets. That his velocity eroded was the primary culprit; his fastball dipped from 90.9 mph in 2022 to 89.0 mph in 2023 and 88.7 mph last year, and his strikeout rate followed suit. This year, though, Maton is back up to 90.6 mph, and he’s throwing his curveball harder than he has since 2021. His current 30.4% K rate is a big improvement over his 2024 mark of 22.6% and his career rate of 25.9%.

Maton probably won’t get every save chance the Rangers generate. Robert Garcia still might factor in when lefties are due up in the ninth, and Chris Martin could emerge as a factor after returning from a strained calf next month. Still, Maton seems like a perfectly fine bet at this point. This is about as well as he’s thrown at any point of his career, and there’s nothing in his peripherals to suggest things are about to change.

Bubba Chandler (SP Pirates): Rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues

Here’s my second go this year at including Chandler in a Waiver Wire column. It’s surely been done hundreds of times over dozens of websites by now, but maybe one more will make a difference. Or maybe, more likely, it’ll be the arrival of Aug. 15, the date on which prospects can be called up for the first time, spend the rest of the year on the roster and retain rookie eligibility for 2026. There are still at-bat and innings thresholds to think about there, but that’s more of an issue for the hitters; Chandler will not be topping 50 innings over the final quarter of the season.

The pressure was initially on the Pirates to promote Chandler in May, as he opened up with a 2.03 ERA and a 69/21 K/BB over 48 2/3 innings in his first 11 starts. When it never happened, Chandler went into a summer swoon, often struggling with walks. One can’t simply chalk up all of his struggles to boredom, but it has to be playing a role; if the Pirates were trying to win, he would have been up by June 1 at the latest.

Given the troubles with walks and his very limited win potential while pitching for a bad team and having his workload monitored, it’s probably best not to be overly excited for Chandler’s arrival, at least not for fantasy purposes. Still, he’ll definitely get strikeouts, and he could offer some value while certainly being more motivated than he has been of late.

Waiver Wire Quick Hits

- Baltimore’s Dylan Beavers is another guy who could prove ready for the majors on Aug. 15. Too bad he’s not right now, with the Orioles sporting a Chad Allen-Dylan Carlson-Ryan Noda outfield. Beavers, hitting .309/.423/.438 with 18 homers and 22 steals in Triple-A, will be very much worth adding if he gets the call.

- I thought I might be recommending Cristian Javier here after his first Triple-A rehab start following Tommy John saw him average 93.6 mph with his fastball. However, he was down to 92.5 mph last time out, and he’s walked 10 in 9 2/3 innings over his three turns. Something encouraging needs to happen soon for him to warrant a pickup or even a place in Houston’s rotation.

Hello and welcome to the 19th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.

Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

Once again, we’ll get no two-start week from the Dodgers this week as they’re continuing to roll with a six-man starting rotation and they only play six games on the week. Even with one start though, most of their options are worth using on a weekly basis.

Taijuan Walker is technically lined up for two starts for the Phillies next week (@ Reds, @ Nationals), but Aaron Nola is nearing his return from the injured list and could slot into the Phillies’ rotation for that second start against the Nationals on Saturday. We’ll keep an eye on this situation through the weekend.

We aren’t sure yet what the Cubs are going to do for the upcoming week. They moved Shota Imanaga up to Sunday and have an off-day on Monday. It sounds like Ben Brown could make another start (or bulk relief appearance on Tuesday – in which case he would get the two-start week (@ Braves, vs. Pirates). It’s also possible they skip that spot entirely, keeping Cade Horton on regular rest and giving him the two-start week. Either way, fantasy managers should have interest. We’ll monitor this one through the weekend and let you know if anything changes.

The expectation is that Shinnosuke Ogasawara will make two starts for the Nationals next week (@ Royals, vs. Phillies), though it has yet to be confirmed. Even if he does though, there isn’t much to like here from a fantasy perspective. Even in 15-team leagues, there are better options. We’ll update this situation if we get more clarity in the coming days.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of August 11.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of August 8, and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Garrett Crochet, Red Sox, LHP (@ Astros, vs. Marlins)

The Red Sox’ ace has been a dominant force on the mound this season, going 13-4 with a minuscule 2.24 ERA, 1.07 WHIP while recording a league-leading 183 strikeouts over 148 1/3 innings of work. The first matchup against the Astros in Houston isn’t a cake walk and the Marlins have been playing very good baseball of late, but there’s zero reason that any fantasy manager should ever consider benching Crochet, especially in a two-start week. He's one of the top overall options on the board.

Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers, RHP (vs. Diamondbacks, @ Blue Jays)

Eovaldi has been an absolute monster for fantasy purposes this season, registering a scintillating 1.38 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and a 111/20 K/BB ratio over 111 innings while picking up 10 victories. He’s going to lead many fantasy managers to titles this season with his epic production. Look for that to continue this week with matchups at home against the Diamondbacks and against the Jays in Toronto. He should be an automatic start in 100 percent of all leagues at this point.

George Kirby, Mariners, RHP (@ Orioles, @ Mets)

After struggling a bit to find consistency in his return from the injured list, Kirby has now settled back into being that upper-echelon fantasy contributor that we have all come to know and love over the years. He holds a 4.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an 83/20 K/BB ratio over 78 frames on the season and those ratios are only going to get better from there. That’ll start this week with road starts against the Orioles and Mets. Expect strong ratios, around 12 strikeouts and for Kirby to notch his eighth victory of the season. Enjoy the production.

Jeffrey Springs, Athletics, LHP (vs. Rays, vs. Angels)

As the season has gone on and Springs has shaken off the rust, he has looked more and more like the reliable fantasy asset that managers came to expect when he was with the Rays. He now sports a solid 3.89 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 107/40 K/BB ratio across 132 innings on the season while notching 10 victories. He has allowed four runs total over his last three starts and rolls into quality matchups against the Rays and Angels at home this week. Springs should be started with confidence in all leagues this coming week.

Jack Flaherty, Tigers, RHP (@ White Sox, @ Twins)

Flaherty had looked like he had turned things around with a pair of very strong starts before getting hit hard in a loss against the Twins his last time out. The strikeouts have been there in bunches this season, with 147 punchouts over 120 1/3 innings. On paper the matchups look terrific this week, though there has been no rhyme or reason to the starts in which Flaherty has struggled this season. Fantasy managers have to keep the faith and make sure to roll with him for this strong two-start week.

Ryan Pepiot, Rays, RHP (@ Athletics, @ Giants)

Pepiot is quietly turning in another very strong season in the Rays’ rotation. Through his first 24 starts he holds a strong 3.77 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a 134/47 K/BB ratio across 136 innings while notching seven victories. There’s a good chance he picks up his eighth this week with a battle against the A’s to kick things off before finishing the week with a showdown against the Giants in San Francisco. He should be an every-week starter in most formats already, so he’s definitely someone that should be started for this two-start week.

Decent Plays

Chris Paddack, Tigers, RHP (@ White Sox, @ Twins)

Poor outing against the Twins his last time out non-withstanding, Paddack sees a major bump to his fantasy value pitching for one of the strongest teams in the American League. He has actually done a nice job overall this season, with a couple of complete disasters bringing down his overall line. Matchups on the road against the White Sox and the aforementioned Twins are unlikely to sink you this week while Paddack has a terrific shot at picking up a victory or two with plenty of strikeouts. He makes for a nice play in all league sizes this week.

José Berríos, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Cubs, vs. Rangers)

While not delivering elite production, Berríos has been as solid as ever for the Jays and for fantasy managers this season – registering a 3.89 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 116/45 K/BB ratio over 126 2/3 innings of work through his 24 starts. The matchups aren’t the best this week, but both of them will be at home and with the way that the Blue Jays have been playing he’s a threat to earn a victory every time that he takes the hill. There’s no reason that fantasy managers should be trying to sit him for this two-start week, make sure he’s active.

Logan Allen, Guardians, LHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Braves)

Allen has performed about as expected this season, providing a decent ERA, an elevated WHIP and a below-average strikeout rate while picking up the occasional victory. This makes him a viable streaming option in two-start weeks when the matchups are in his favor. That looks to be the case this week as he draws two starts at home against the Marlins and Braves. It wouldn’t be shocking at all to see Allen notch a victory this week and punch out eight batters over his two starts. He makes for an attractive streaming option in leagues where he’s available.

Bailey Falter, Royals, LHP (vs. Nationals, vs. White Sox)

It had looked as though Ryan Bergert would draw the two-start week for the Royals, but they decided to flip he and Falter in their rotation so now Bergert will pitch on Sunday instead, leaving the two-start week to Falter. He was crushed his in Royals’ debut this past week, but that’s no reason to shy away from him this time around. The matchups couldn’t be much better – getting to take on the bottom-feeding Nationals and White Sox, both at home. Falter has done a nice job overall this season and actually makes for a very strong streaming option. I’d be actively looking to acquire him in any leagues where he may still be available.

Jose Soriano, Angels, RHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Athletics)

Soriano has been a bit of an enigma this season, alternating brilliant performances with clunkers with little indication on when those blowups are coming. He had surrendered six runs total over 25 innings over four consecutive starts heading into last week’s matchup against the Rays and then gave up seven runs in a brutal loss there. The matchups are tough this week, having to battle the Dodgers at home before taking on the A’s at Sutter Health Park, and Soriano is likely to hurt your WHIP even if he does manage to limit the run scoring. He’s fine if you’re looking for strikeouts and are trying to score a victory, just understand that he could inflict further ratio damage.

Zebby Matthews, Twins, RHP (@ Yankees, vs. Tigers)

Matthews hasn’t quite lived up to the hype through his first eight starts this season, but he has shown flashes of brilliance. He has allowed one earned run or fewer in two of his last three starts, though he has also been shelled for five runs each in two of his last four outings. The matchups aren’t ideal – having to battle the Yankees in New York before taking on the Tigers in Minneapolis, though he just tamed the Tigers in a strong performance his last time out. If you feel like gambling, at least there’s talent here. Just understand that one of these starts could go the wrong way quickly, leaving your ratios exposed.

Will Warren, Yankees, RHP (vs. Twins, @ Cardinals)

While his overall numbers on the season have been inconsistent, Warren has been dialed in over his last three starts – allowing just three runs over 16 2/3 innings while striking out 16 batters. He also gets the benefit of a pair of favorable matchups, taking on the struggling Twins and Cardinals. He’s in a terrific spot to secure a victory this week and it would be surprising if he didn’t eclipse double digit strikeouts over his two starts. Fire him up in all formats.

At Your Own Risk

Dean Kremer, Orioles, RHP (vs. Mariners, @ Astros)

Once again, Kremer always seems to be the type of player that is available in most leagues to stream for his two-start week if you’re daring enough to try it. The matchups aren’t great, having to battle the hard-hitting Mariners at home before finishing the week with a matchup against the Astros in Houston. My worry is that he’s coming in off of a tough stretch, allowing 12 runs over 17 innings in his last three starts. He should be able to approach double digit strikeouts over the week, but he’ll probably be an underdog to earn a victory in both starts and his ratios could land anywhere between helpful and very damaging. This one all depends on your risk tolerance.

Jonathan Cannon, White Sox, RHP (vs. Tigers, @ Royals)

To say that Cannon’s 2025 season has been a struggled would be a major understatement. The 25-year-old hurler holds a disappointing 4-9 record with a horrendous 5.34 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and a 76/35 K/BB ratio over 96 innings. The White Sox’ offense isn’t going to provide much support, so wins are going to be hard to come by and without the strikeouts, where’s the appeal for fantasy purposes? If you absolutely need volume and don’t care about your ratios in deeper leagues, you could try it. I just fail to see any upside in this one.

Jason Alexander, Astros, RHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Orioles)

Has Jason Aleander pitched well this season? No, he holds a 5.97 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and a 26/15 K/BB ratio across 31 2/3 innings of work. Is there any reason to expect that he’ll pitch well this week? Maybe. He had a decent start against the Nationals two weeks ago and then was brilliant his last time out in a victory over the Marlins in Miami where he struck out six batters over six shutout innings. The matchups are decent enough and they’re both at home, which could give some viability to deeper league managers scouring the bottom of the barrel for streaming options. I may consider rolling the dice here.

Pierson Ohl, Twins, RHP (@ Yankees, vs. Tigers)

Ohl has been knocked around to the tune of a 9.35 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and a 9/2 K/BB ratio over 8 2/3 innings in his first three appearances (two starts) with the Twins. Now they’re asking him to potentially take on the Yankees in New York before battling a Tigers’ team that hit him hard during his last start. I can’t find any legitimate reason that fantasy managers would want to look here this week. He’s an easy avoid for me.

National League

Strong Plays

Freddy Peralta, Brewers, RHP (vs. Pirates, @ Reds)

Peralta has been an absolute stud atop the Brewers’ rotation this season, going 13-5 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 141/49 K/BB ratio over 130 2/3 innings through his first 24 starts. He’s a threat to earn a victory every time he takes the hill and a matchup against the Pirates to start the week looks ripe for the picking. He should be locked into fantasy lineups each and every week and has established himself as one of the upper-echelon options in the fantasy game.

Logan Webb, Giants, RHP (vs. Padres, vs. Rays)

Webb continues to give the Giants a tremendous one-two punch with Robbie Ray at the top of their rotation. The 28-year-old hurler has gone 10-8 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and a 165/34 K/BB ratio across 147 1/3 innings through his first 24 starts. He now gets the added benefit of a two-start week with both matchups coming at home, though the showdown against the Padres is tougher than we’re usually looking for. He has earned the right to be an every week starter in all formats, so fantasy managers are surely using him for this juicy two-step.

Andrew Abbott, Reds, LHP (vs. Phillies, vs. Braves)

The 26-year-old southpaw has been exceptional through his first 20 starts on the season, compiling a 2.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 99/35 K/BB ratio across his 115 1/3 innings of work. He should be a fixture in fantasy lineups every week regardless of matchups, and this coming two-start week is no exception. The Phillies are a tough draw, but Abbott pitching from the left side at least somewhat neutralizes the power threats of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Continue rolling with him and enjoy the added volume of the extra start this week.

Ranger Suarez, Phillies, LHP (@ Reds, @ Nationals)

When healthy this season, Suarez has continued to deliver strong fantasy production across the board. There's no reason to expect that to change during this upcoming two-start week. Pitching against the Reds in Cincinnatti isn't an ideal draw, but the matchup is evened out by a strong draw against the Nationals to finish out the week. Suarez should be able to earn a victory in one of those starts while delivering plenty of strikeouts and quality ratios. He should be used in all leagues.

Ryne Nelson, Diamondbacks, RHP (@ Rangers, @ Rockies)

Nelson has been a stabilizing force in the Diamondbacks’ rotation this season and has delivered quality production for fantasy managers – posting a 3.20 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and an 89/30 K/BB ratio through his first 101 1/3 innings. Expect the strong results to continue this week with a pair of road starts. We aren’t shying away from the matchup at Coors Field, as he’ll be a favorite to win in that game. Nelson represents a strong option and should be started in all leagues for the upcoming week.

Spencer Strider, Braves, RHP (@ Mets, @ Guardians)

Sure, it seems like Strider has been a massive disappointment this season – especially relative to his massive expectations – but he still holds a respectable 4.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 98/33 K/BB ratio over 82 1/3 innings and had been on a roll before getting knocked around by the Brewers his last time out. The matchups aren’t perfect this week, but there’s no way that fantasy managers should be sitting the prized right-hander for a two-start week. Even when he has struggled, the strikeouts have been there this season and will continue to be this week. He should be started in all leagues.

Clay Holmes, Mets, RHP (vs. Braves, vs. Mariners)

We’re getting to the point of the season where the Mets – and fantasy managers – should start to worry about Holmes’ workload during his full-time transition back to the starting rotation as he has already logged 122 1/3 innings over his first 23 starts after pitching just 63 innings last season. The Mets have been careful to curtail his innings when possible, so don’t expect him to work deeper than five innings in either of these starts. That being said, the production has still been there and especially in a two-start week he should be able to come through once again. He’s an easy start in all leagues for me.

Decent Plays

Anthony DeSclafani, Diamondbacks, RHP (@ Rangers, @ Rockies)

The 35-year-old right-hander has pitched well during his time with the Diamondbacks, posting a 4.20 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 28/9 K/BB ratio across 30 frames over 10 appearances (three starts). He went 4 1/3 innings and threw 71 pitches his last time out so he should be able to work at least five innings against the Rangers and should be in a strong position to score a victory against the Rockies over the weekend. He can probably be scooped up on waivers for little to no cost and makes for a decent streaming option for his two-start week.

Janson Junk, Marlins, RHP (@ Guardians, @ Red Sox)

Junk has quietly done a very nice job for the Marlins this season, going 6-2 with a 3.97 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and a 50/8 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings in 14 appearances (nine starts). His ratios have taken a bit of a hit over the past three weeks – though he had to run through the gauntlet of the Brewers, Yankees and Astros during that stretch. Fantasy managers should keep the faith and roll with him for what looks to be a much softer two-start week this time around. I’d be comfortable using him in both 15 and 12-team formats.

Yu Darvish, Padres, RHP (vs. Giants, @ Dodgers)

The Padres are hopeful that they can get Darvish back on track before the postseason begins, but it has been a major struggle for him through his first six starts this season. We did see glimpses of greatness two starts ago though as he shut out the Mets for seven innings while striking out seven batters. He also defeated the Diamondbacks his last time out. I’d like to trust the track record and what we have seen recently, but that matchup against the Dodgers in Los Angeles to finish the week is terrifying. I’d probably roll with him in 15-teamers and try to find a better option if I could in 12’s.

At Your Own Risk

Andrew Heaney, Pirates, LHP (@ Brewers, @ Cubs)

Heaney has really started to see his season crumble since mid-June, registering a 7.85 ERA over 36 2/3 innings in his last nine starts. Yikes. He has given up seven or more earned runs three times during that stretch and has made it through five innings just twice. Now he gets to take on two of the top offenses in the National League, both on the road in hitter’s parks. Good luck. I wouldn’t go anywhere near this two-start week and any fantasy manager that does is simply clinging to the strong numbers that he posted through the first couple of months of the season. That Andrew Heaney is gone.

Kyle Freeland, Rockies, LHP (@ Cardinals, vs. Diamondbacks)

Never Rockies. Don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Freeland hasn’t shown us anything to think that he can keep your ratios in line over a two-start week, even with one of those starts coming on the road against the Cardinals. You’re asking for trouble if you decide to play with fire here. You have been warned.

Anthony Molina, Rockies, RHP (@ Cardinals, vs. Diamondbacks)

If we’re not even considering Kyle Freeland, then Anthony Molina should be considered among the worst overall options on the week. He’s not even guaranteed to start here, and if he does make that first start he isn’t assured of getting a second one. Just say no.

Miles Mikolas, Cardinals, RHP (vs. Rockies, vs. Yankees)

Every time Mikolas has a good start or two, some unassuming fantasy manager takes a shot on using him and it winds up in disaster. Overall he holds a 5.11 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and a 76/24 K/BB ratio over 111 innings through his first 22 starts. If you think that he can dance through the rain drops against the Yankees to finish the week, there’s some appeal to that single start at home against the Rockies. It’s certainly not one for the risk-averse manager though.

Mitchell Parker Nationals, LHP (@ Royals, vs. Phillies)

Parker has sprinkled in some good starts over the course of the season, but it’s been mostly bad to terrible outings. Overall he holds an uninspiring 5.43 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and an 81/46 K/BB ratio over 122 2/3 innings of work. It’s not like he’s even delivering strong strikeout totals, which could have been a reason for those with poor ratios to consider streaming him. I’d simply stay away.

It's Friday, August 8 and the Nationals (45-69) are in San Francisco to take on the Giants (58-57). Jake Irvin is slated to take the mound for Washington against Kai-Wei Teng for San Francisco.

The Giants have a slight rest advantage after having a day off Thursday, while the Nationals finished its series with the Athletics. Washington dropped its previous game 6-0 and have lost three straight series for a 1-8 record in that span.

San Francisco is 3-1 in the past four games and won the last two one the Pirates. However, the Giants are 0-6 in the last six home 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 the 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 Nationals at Giants

• Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
• Time: 10:15PM EST
• Site: Oracle Park
• City: San Francisco, CA
• Network/Streaming: MASN2, NBCSBA

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 Nationals at the Giants

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Moneyline: Nationals (+135), Giants (-161)
• Spread:  Giants -1.5
• Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Nationals at Giants

• Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Jake Irvin vs. Kai-Wei Teng
  
  • Nationals: Jake Irvin, (8-6, 4.89 ERA)
    Last outing: 11.25 ERA, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
  • Giants: Kai-Wei Teng, (0-1, 13.50 ERA)
    Last outing: 13.50 ERA, 5 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 Nationals and the Giants

Rotoworld Best Bet

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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 Friday’s game between the Nationals and the Giants:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Francisco Giants 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 Nationals at Giants

• Washington is 1-7 in the past 8 games
• Washington is 3-3 in the past 6 games
• The Giants are 0-6 in the last 6 home games
• San Francisco is 4-2 in the last 6 games and 4-8 in the past 12
• The Nationals have lost 7 of their last 10 games
• Each of the last 3 matchups between the Giants and the Nationals have stayed under the Total
• The Giants have failed to cover the Run Line in 17 of their last 20 home games

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)

It's Friday, August 8 and the Rays (57-59) are in Seattle to take on the Mariners (63-53). Drew Rasmussen is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Luis Castillo for Seattle.

The Mariners are warming up with four consecutive wins and six in the last seven games, while the Rays have won the past two. On a larger scale, Tampa Bay is 7-12 in the last 19 games and struggled in the second half.

On a positive note, the Rays do have a rest advantage here with a day off after the Mariners finished its series versus the White Sox yesterday. Seattle swept Chicago and took the finale 4-3 in extras after winning the previous two meetings by three-plus runs each.

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 Rays at Mariners

• Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
• Time: 9:40PM EST
• Site: T-Mobile Park
• City: Seattle, WA
• Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, RSNW

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 Rays at the Mariners

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Moneyline: Rays (+110), Mariners (-131)
• Spread:  Mariners -1.5
• Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Mariners

• Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Drew Rasmussen vs. Luis Castillo
  
  • Rays: Drew Rasmussen, (9-5, 2.81 ERA)
    Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
  • Mariners: Luis Castillo, (8-6, 3.22 ERA)
    Last outing: 4.15 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 1 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 Rays and the Mariners

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 Friday’s game between the Rays and the Mariners:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Seattle Mariners 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 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 Rays at Mariners

• Seattle is 4-0 in the last 4 and 6-1 in the past 7
• Tampa Bay is 7-12 since the All-Star break and 2-0 in the last 2
• Tampa Bay is 3-7 in 10 road games since the All-Star break
• With Luis Castillo toeing the rubber betting the Mariners on the Money Line is showing a profit of 1.45 units
• The Mariners pitcher Luis Castillo has an ERA of 3.23 this season
• Against the Run Line this season the Rays are 3-0 when they hold rest advantage over their opponents

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)

Its Friday, August 8 and the Rockies (30-84) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (54-61). Austin Gomber is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Zac Gallen for Arizona.

Colorado was dismantled by Toronto in the previous series, losing all three games and being outscored 45-6. The Blue Jays put up 10, 15, and 20 runs in the three games at Colorado.

Arizona had its three-game winning streak snapped with two consecutive losses to the Padres over the past series. The DBacks are 4-2 versus the Rockies this season and have outscored Colorado 41-29 in those six outings.

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 Rockies at Diamondbacks

• Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
• Time: 9:40PM EST
• Site: Chase Field
• City: Phoenix, AZ
• Network/Streaming: COLR, ARID

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 Rockies at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Moneyline: Rockies (+195), Diamondbacks (-239)
• Spread:  Diamondbacks -1.5
• Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Diamondbacks

• Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Austin Gomber vs. Zac Gallen
  
  • Rockies: Austin Gomber, (0-5, 6.18 ERA)
    Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
  • Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen, (8-12, 5.48 ERA)
    Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 0 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 Rockies and the Diamondbacks

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 Friday’s game between the Rockies and the Diamondbacks:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks 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 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 Rockies at Diamondbacks

• Colorado is 0-4 in the last 4 games
• The Over is 6-0 in Colorado's last 6 games
• Colorado has given up 75 runs in the last 6 games
• Arizona is 4-2 against the Rockies this season
• Betting the Diamondbacks on the Money Line is up 1.01 units this season when Zac Gallen has started on the mound against NL West teams
• In the Diamondbacks' home games last season with Zac Gallen on the mound the Over was 9-6 (60%)
• With Zac Gallen as the starter the Diamondbacks have covered in 3 straight NL West matchups

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)

It's Friday, August 8 and the Red Sox (64-52) are in San Diego to take on the Padres (64-51). Walker Buehler is slated to take the mound for Boston against Nick Pivetta for San Diego.

Two of the hottest teams in the MLB meet when Boston and San Diego take the field for a three-game series. The Padres are 9-2 in the past 11 games, while Boston is 7-1 over the past eight. This is the first and only series of the season between the two teams.

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 Padres

• Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
• Time: 9:40PM EST
• Site: Petco Park
• City: San Diego, CA
• Network/Streaming: NESN, 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 Red Sox at the Padres

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Moneyline: Red Sox (+158), Padres (-190)
• Spread:  Padres -1.5
• Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Padres

• Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Walker Buehler vs. Nick Pivetta
  
  • Red Sox: Walker Buehler, (6-6, 5.75 ERA)
    Last outing: 6.23 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 0 Strikeouts
  • Padres: Nick Pivetta, (11-3, 2.73 ERA)
    Last outing: 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 5 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 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 Friday’s game between the Red Sox and the Padres:

• 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 Padres

• The Padres are 9-2 in the last 11 games
• The Red Sox are 7-1 in the last 8 games
• The Red Sox have a winning record (21-15) in matchups against National League teams this season
• The Over is 4-1 in the Red Sox's last 5 games
• The Red Sox have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 3.33 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)

It's Friday, August 8 and the Cubs (66-48) are in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals (58-58). Matthew Boyd is slated to take the mound for Chicago against Michael McGreevy for St. Louis.

The Cardinals are coming off a series victory against the Dodgers where they took two out of three compared to the Cubs who dropped two of three to the Reds. The Cubs own the season series 4-3 over the Cardinals and are coming in with a better second-half 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 the 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 Cubs at Cardinals

• Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
• Time: 8:15PM EST
• Site: Busch Stadium
• City: St. Louis, MO
• Network/Streaming: MARQ, FDSNMW, 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 Cubs at the Cardinals

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Moneyline: Cubs (-153), Cardinals (+128)
• Spread:  Cubs -1.5
• Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Cardinals

• Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Matthew Boyd vs. Michael McGreevy
  
  • Cubs: Matthew Boyd, (11-4, 2.34 ERA)
    Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
  • Cardinals: Michael McGreevy, (3-2, 5.08 ERA)
    Last outing: 6.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 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 Cubs and the Cardinals

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 Friday’s game between the Cubs and the Cardinals:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the St. Louis Cardinals 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 Cubs at Cardinals

• St. Louis is 7-12 since the All-Star break
• Chicago is 9-9 since the All-Star break
• Chicago is 4-3 versus St. Louis this season
• The Cubs have won five of their last seven road matchups against teams with worse records
• Five of the Cubs' last six road games have gone over the total
• The Cardinals have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five home games

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)

It's Friday, August 8 and the Mets (63-52) are in Milwaukee to take on the Brewers (70-44). Kodai Senga is slated to take the mound for New York against Brandon Woodruff for Milwaukee.

The Brewers are one of the hottest teams in the MLB with six consecutive wins and are 9-1 in the last 10 contests.

Milwaukee swept Atlanta and Washington in the last two series, while New York was swept by Cleveland last. The Mets are 1-8 in the last nine games and have dropped four straight as they enter this three-game series.

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 the 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 Brewers

• Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
• Time: 8:10PM EST
• Site: American Family Field
• City: Milwaukee, WI
• Network/Streaming: SNY, FDSNWI

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 Brewers

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Moneyline: Mets (+106), Brewers (-126)
• Spread:  Brewers -1.5
• Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Brewers

• Pitching matchup for August 8, 2025: Kodai Senga vs. Brandon Woodruff
  
  • Mets: Kodai Senga, (7-3, 2.31 ERA)
    Last outing: 9.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
  • Brewers: Brandon Woodruff, (3-0, 2.22 ERA)
    Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 8 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 Brewers

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 Friday’s game between the Mets and the Brewers:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Milwaukee Brewers on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets 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 Mets at Brewers

• Milwaukee is 6-0 in the last 6 games and 9-1 in the past 10
• New York is 0-4 in the last 4 games and 1-8 in the last 9
• The Brewers have won 4 of their last 5 games at home with Brandon Woodruff starting
• In his last 5 starts on the mound the Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff has an ERA of 1.74
• It has been 6 games since the Brewers 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)

WASHINGTON — Athletics rookie pitcher Jacob Lopez tries to stick to a decidedly uncomplicated plan when his turn in the rotation comes up.

“I tell myself ‘Don’t be an idiot, just try to throw strikes early,’” Lopez said.

The blueprint was almost flawless Thursday as Lopez set career highs in strikeouts (10) and innings (7 2/3) against the Washington Nationals in a 6-0 victory.

Lopez (5-6) has not allowed a run in his last three outings, reducing his ERA from 4.60 to 3.59 in that span. The left-hander allowed only three hits and didn’t permit a runner past second base.

“That’s the best Jacob has been all year, and the reason I say that is because he didn’t have any walks and he pounded the strike zone,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “He’s deceptive. He’s got life on the heat, and he used his changeup to lefties today, which I thought was a great mix.”

It was evident early that Lopez was comfortable. He breezed through the first inning in eight pitches and needed only 11 more in the second. And after allowing two hits in the third, he set down 15 of the last 16 batters he faced and the final 11 in a row.

He piled up the strikeouts late, collecting six against his last nine batters.

“For righties, the ball is coming kind of in at a weird angle for you,” catcher Willie MacIver said. “Lefties, his slider is coming from behind the lefties. Lefties don’t see a ton of that, so when we saw their lineup had six lefties in it, we’re like ‘All right, we can have a good day today.’ We wouldn’t have had a good day if he didn’t execute, but he did.”

The A’s haven’t thrown a complete game all season. Kotsay said he saw his former player and current Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt allow Gavin Williams to throw 126 pitches Wednesday while coming within two outs of a no-hitter against the New York Mets and figured Lopez could go just as deep when he got through seven innings with 90 pitches.

That plan was foiled when Washington’s Nathaniel Lowe had 11 foul balls during a 17-pitch plate appearance before Lopez got a called third strike on a sinker. Lopez then struck out Daylen Lile and departed after throwing 114 pitches.

“I was back there and was like ‘When is this guy just going to put it in play already, dude,’” MacIver said. “I think it’s a testament to Lopez’s mentality out there. I’ve been part of it, and a lot of guys will be (at) like 10 pitches and throw one out of the zone. Lopez keeps coming after him, keeps coming after him, no matter how many foul balls, no matter what pitch. It was impressive.”

Lopez hadn’t pitched more than five innings since June 25, but did throw a combined 9 1/3 scoreless innings in his last two outings. This was an even more efficient showing for the rookie acquired from Tampa Bay in December.

“I think I’ve had a lot of different outings,” Lopez said. “Early on I was throwing a lot of balls, so I had to learn how to get out of those jams. The past couple outings, I’ve gone back into the groove of throwing strikes. A lot of different ways of pitching. You just have to stay focused and grind out at bats.”

NEW YORK — Jen Pawol was in her hotel room in Nashville, Tennessee, when she got the call she had awaited for a decade.

She was going to make her major league debut this weekend, becoming the first female umpire in a century and a half of big league baseball.

“I was overcome with emotion,” Pawol recalled Thursday, two days before she breaks a gender barrier when she works the bases during Miami’s doubleheader at Atlanta. “It was super emotional to finally be living that phone call that I’d been hoping for and working towards for quite a while, and I just felt super full — I feel like a fully charged battery ready to go.”

Her voice quavering with emotion, Pawol talked about getting the news during a Wednesday conference call with director of umpire development Rich Rieker and vice president of umpire operations Matt McKendry.

Pawol thought back to her long road. In the early 1990s at West Milford High School in New Jersey, she had a summer conversation with Lauren Rissmeyer, the third baseman on the school’s softball team.

“‘Do you want to come umpire with me?’” Pawol remembered being asked. “I didn’t think twice about it. Lauren’s doing it, so I’m going to do it.”

Pawol’s pay was $15 per game.

“She took a field and I took a field,” Pawol said. “It was a one-umpire system. I had no idea what I was doing, but I got to put gear on and call balls and strikes, so I was in.”

A 1995 graduate at West Milford, which inducted her into its Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022, Pawol became a three-time all-conference softball selection pick at Hofstra.

After umpiring NCAA softball from 2010-16, she was approached by then-big league ump Ted Barrett at an umpire camp in Binghamton, New York, in early 2015.

“Moreso than any female that I’d seen, she looked like she could handle the rigors of the job physically,” Barrett said Thursday. “But what impressed me was her willingness to learn. She seemed like a sponge, everything that we were teaching her. I’m proud that I made her aware of the opportunity.”

Barrett invited Pawol to attend a clinic in Atlanta and then a MLB tryout camp at Cincinnati that Aug. 15. He invited her to dinner in Atlanta with fellow big league umps Paul Nauert and Marvin Hudson and their wives.

“I warned her: `Look, this is what you’re up against. It’s going to be 10 years in the minor leagues before you sniff a big big field,’” Barrett said.

Pawol was among 38 hopefuls invited to the Umpire Training Academy at Vero Beach, Florida, and started her pro umpiring career in the Gulf Coast League on June 24, 2016, working the plate when the GCL Tigers West played at the GCL Blue Jays.

She moved up to the New York/Penn League in 2017, the Midwest League after the first two weeks of the 2018 season, then worked the South Atlantic League in 2019, the High-A Midwest League in 2021, the Double-A Eastern League and the Triple-A International and Pacific Coast Leagues in 2023. She was called in for big league spring training in 2024 and ’25.

“This has been over 1,200 minor league games, countless hours of video review trying to get better, and underneath it all has just been this passion and this love for the game of baseball,” she said. “This started in my playing days as a catcher and transformed over into an umpire, and I think it’s gotten even stronger as an umpire. Umpiring is for me, it’s in my DNA. It’s been a long, hard journey.”

Among eight female umpires currently in the minors, she will join Chris Guccione’s crew in Atlanta, where she expects about 30 family and friends. She is to work the bases during Saturday’s doubleheader and call balls and strikes on Sunday.

Pawol was at third base on Wednesday night as Jacksonville beat Nashville in the International League when Sounds third baseman Oliver Dunn congratulated her.

“If I make it to the big leagues,” he told her, “we will have both worked all the levels together.”

Pawol repeatedly thanked her minor league umpiring predecessors, mentioning several who exchanged calls or texts, including Christine Wren, Pam Postema and Ria Cortesio. Just after her promotion to Triple-A, Pawol met with Postema in Las Vegas.

“The last thing she said to me when I saw her was: Get it done!” Powal explained. “So I texted her yesterday and said, `I’m getting it done!’”

Barrett will be watching from Oregon, where he is attending Northwest League games this weekend.

“The hopes of this are that it inspires,” he said. ”Who knows, there’ll be a young lady watching the game on TV and says, `Hey, I’d like to try that.’”