Depleted Braves acquire pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Yankees for cash considerations

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees traded veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the depleted Atlanta Braves on Monday for cash considerations.

The Braves acquired Carrasco a day after losing Grant Holmes to right elbow inflammation on Sunday. Holmes was originally placed on the 15-day injured list but moved to the 60-day IL after Erick Fedde was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals.

With the news involving Holmes, all five of Atlanta’s opening day rotation are on the 60-day injured list. Atlanta lost at Texas 8-1 Sunday, has dropped five in a row and is 12 games behind in the NL wild-card race.

Carrasco was 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA in eight games for the Yankees, who started him six times before designating him for assignment on May 6.

Carrasco was in spring training on a minor league deal and could have opted out but he was re-signed after posting a 1.69 ERA in five spring training outings, including four starts. After accepting his assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, the 38-year-old right-hander was 4-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) and was 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in five July starts.

Originally acquired by the Cleveland Guardians from the Phillies for Cliff Lee in July 2009, Carrasco is 112-105 with a 4.18 ERA in 332 games (283) starts for Cleveland, the New York Mets and Yankees.

He led the American League in wins in 2017 when he was 18-6 with Cleveland and also was named the 2019 AL Comeback Player of the Year following a return from leukemia.

The Yankees made their third trade since Friday after acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Rockies and Amed Rosario from the Nationals.

Harper not thrilled with loose lips from the clubhouse

Harper not thrilled with loose lips from the clubhouse originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

CHICAGO – If it was up to Bryce Harper, any words spoken, noses touched or expletives delivered in the clubhouse when it comes to discussions about the potential of a salary cap being put in place by Major League Baseball should stay there.

Well, it seems not all in the Phillies clubhouse have the same beliefs as their leader.

In a story by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, it was revealed from his sources that Harper got nose-to-nose with commissioner Rob Manfred and at one point told him to “get the f— out of our clubhouse.” Passan reports that he talked with sources who were inside the meeting and went on to quote Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos about what went on.

Passan wrote that sources told him Manfred replied to Harper that he wasn’t going to leave because there was important MLB business to discuss. Sources told Passan that Harper and Manfred shook hands following the meeting.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1, 2026. According to Passan, multiple owners want a salary cap implemented while the Player’s Association is strongly opposed. 

“Those are good meetings to have,” said Harper before the Phillies took on the Chicago White Sox Monday. “I understand players, owners and major league baseball are good meetings to have. I don’t want to get into any details or anything else. You guys saw what was in the article. But I won’t be getting into the details of what happened or how I felt or anything else like that. I don’t think it does any good for anybody to have that happen. For me, I’m just trying to worry about baseball, trying to worry about everything in here. I think right now that’s where I’m at as a player. Everybody saw the words and everything that happened. I don’t want to say anything more than that. I want to focus on my teammates and our union as a whole and just worry about winning baseball.”

In the story, Castellanos is quoted on the confrontation between Harper and Manfred, though he never says specifically what Harper said. “It was pretty intense, definitely passionate,” Castellanos to Passan. “Both of ’em. The commissioner giving it back to Bryce and Bryce giving it back to the commissioner. That’s Harp. He’s been doing this since he was 15 years old. It’s just another day. I wasn’t surprised.”

Castellanos is quoted more in the story, but he was giving his feelings on why a salary cap shouldn’t be a part of baseball, not more about the meeting.

Harper doubled down on not wanting to talk to anyone, outside of the people involved, about his thoughts on a cap and any other subjects.

“I’ve talked labor and I’ve done it in a way that I don’t think I need to talk to the media about it,” he said. “I don’t need it out there. It has nothing to do with media or anybody else. It’s what we can as players and owners and everybody else to come together to try to make this game great. I’ve always been very vocal, just not in a way that people can see. I’ve always been outspoken within these limits of the clubhouse doors and anywhere else. But I don’t think, necessarily, anything should be relayed to media or what happens or what I’m talking about or how everything is going.” 

Though he wasn’t in the meeting with Manfred last week, that reportedly lasted about an hour, manager Rob Thomson is on the same thought path as Harper.

“I can’t really comment on it because I wasn’t in the room,” Thomson said. “You hear bits and pieces. Even if I was in the room I think everybody in here understands my stance on clubhouse meetings, is that whatever is said in there stays in there. I wouldn’t give anything to anyone.” 

This is the type of situation that could cause some problems due to lack of clubhouse trust or a clear-the-air type thing that could bring a team closer together. We will see if anything more comes of it in the coming days. 

Bristol Motor Speedway game tops 85,000 in ticket sales, will break MLB attendance record

BRISTOL, Tenn. — The Speedway Classic will break Major League Baseball’s single-game, regular-season attendance record.

The game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves, which will be played Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway, already has sold more than 85,000 tickets. The first American or National League game ever played in Tennessee will eclipse the previous paid attendance record of 84,587, set on Sept. 12, 1954, when Cleveland Stadium hosted the New York Yankees.

The Speedway Classic will feature pregame pageantry from the U.S. Navy and a ceremonial first pitch between two Hall of Famers: Chipper Jones (Braves) to Johnny Bench (Reds).

The game also will include a full day of musical performances, with Tim McGraw, Pitbull and Jake Owen taking the stage for their concerts.

Report: Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred confronted by Bryce Harper during meeting

CHICAGO — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper had a spirited exchange during a question-and-answer session between the commissioner and the team, according to a person with direct knowledge of the conversation.

The person spoke to the AP on Monday on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos previously confirmed some details from the meeting in interviews with The Bandwagon and ESPN.

Manfred met with the Phillies and Red Sox during their series last week in Philadelphia. The session with the Phillies lasted for more than an hour.

Manfred spoke with the NL team about the media landscape and working together to grow the sport, according to the person with knowledge of the conversation. At some point, Harper told Manfred if he was there to talk about a salary cap, he could “get the (expletive) out” of the clubhouse.

Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, 2026, and some players are concerned about a possible management push for a salary cap. Harper is a two-time NL MVP and one of the game’s marquee names, making his confrontation with Manfred more noteworthy.

Manfred and some owners have cited payroll disparity as one of baseball’s biggest problems, while at the same time MLB is working to address a revenue decline from regional sports networks. Unlike the NFL, NBA and NHL, baseball has never had a salary cap because its players staunchly oppose one.

MLB Power Rankings: Blue Jays soar to the top, streaking Mets gain momentum as trade deadline looms

Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, the Blue Jays keep on rising, Aaron Judge is hurting, the Tigers are slipping, the Mariners make the first big move before the trade deadline, Emmanuel Clase is probably not on the trade block anymore, rookie slugger Nick Kurtz has perhaps the best game by a hitter in MLB history, and much more:

(Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook)

Let’s get started!

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Baltimore Orioles
Eric Samulski discuss some players to stash ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline

Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, July 28.

1) Toronto Blue Jays ⬆️

Last week: 3

Another week, another new No. 1 team. Is this season fun or what? Even with a loss on Sunday, the Blue Jays made a huge statement by taking three out of four from the Tigers. Max Scherzer made one mistake to take the loss Sunday, but he mostly looked dominant while striking out 11 batters on his 41st birthday. Some good news even in a rare loss for the Jays.

2) Chicago Cubs ⬆️

Last week: 4

With Shota Imanaga coming off his roughest start of the season, the Cubs’ need for an impact starting pitcher becomes more clear. The big question is who? Edward Cabrera? Sandy Alcantara? Merrill Kelly? Zac Gallen? MacKenzie Gore? The clock is ticking.

3) New York Mets ⬆️

Last week: 8

Seven straight wins for the Mets to climb back into first place in the NL East. The best sign in recent days has been how good Francisco Alvarez has looked following his return from Triple-A.

4) Milwaukee Brewers ⬇️

Last week: 1

The Brewers walked off the Marlins on Sunday to avoid a sweep, but up next is a three-game first place showdown against the Cubs in Milwaukee. That’s as important as it gets in late July.

By the way, the best thing I saw this weekend was this. So cool to see Prince Fielder hitting bombs.

5) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬆️

Last week: 6

The Dodgers have had a patchwork rotation for much of the year, but with Blake Snell nearing his return, it suddenly looks like the club could have a surplus. Would the club actually consider parting with Dustin May to improve in other areas?

6) Detroit Tigers ⬇️

Last week: 2

The Tigers scored 10 runs on Sunday to snap their six-game losing streak. Kerry Carpenter went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his return from the injured list, but getting him back is a big deal for this lineup moving forward.

7) Philadelphia Phillies

Last week: 7

Kyle Schwarber reached 1,000 career hits on Friday, and of course he did it with a homer.

Nobody has hit more homers (319) within their first 1,000 hits than Schwarber.

8) Houston Astros ⬇️

Last week: 5

The battered and bruised Astros continue to stumble. After getting swept by the A’s, they’ve now lost 11 out of their last 16 games. Look for the club to prioritize a position player via trade this week.

9) San Diego Padres

Last week: 9

When there are trades happening, you can expect A.J. Preller to be involved in some way. He has a way of keeping us on our toes, so nothing can be ruled out, including potentially moving closer Robert Suarez or Dylan Cease to upgrade other parts of the roster. Watch this situation closely.

10) New York Yankees

Last week: 10

Yes, it sounds like things could have been much worse in regard to Aaron Judge’s elbow, but missing him for any length of time is a brutal blow in a tight AL playoff situation.

11) Boston Red Sox

Last week: 11

Garrett Crochet outdueled Clayton Kershaw on Saturday and Alex Bregman hit a go-ahead homer on Sunday as the Red Sox took two out of three from the Dodgers. The big question for the Red Sox to start the week is if Aroldis Chapman’s back injury is a long-term concern.

12) Seattle Mariners

Last week: 12

Lots of things to discuss with the Mariners. Cal Raleigh is now the AL MVP frontrunner with Aaron Judge sidelined and Seattle’s lineup is looking more fearsome with the acquisition of Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks.

I couldn’t write about the Mariners here without mentioning Ichiro’s wonderful speech at his Hall of Fame induction on Sunday. There’s simply nobody better than this man.

13) Texas Rangers ⬆️

Last week: 17

After sweeping the Braves, the Rangers have now won six straight games and find themselves very much in the mix for a playoff spot.

14) Cincinnati Reds

Last week: 14

The Reds and Braves will square off in the first-ever “Speedway Classic” this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. MLB says they’ve sold over 85,000 tickets to Saturday’s game, which will set a new regular-season MLB attendance record.

15) San Francisco Giants

Last week: 15

It took long enough (17 starts), but Justin Verlander finally picked up his first win of the season last Wednesday against the Braves. He’s now sitting on 263 wins for his career, so getting to 300 is looking unlikely for the 42-year-old.

16) St. Louis Cardinals ⬇️

Last week: 13

Does the developing situation with Emmanuel Clase make it more likely that the Cardinals trade closer Ryan Helsley? The impending free agent told Katie Woo of The Athletic last week that he sees the odds as, “90 percent I go, 10 percent I stay.” It’s a weird spot for the Cardinals, as they are one game over .500 and 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race to begin the week.

17) Tampa Bay Rays ⬇️

Last week: 16

The Rays are 6-15 this month and look more and more like a seller going into this week’s trade deadline. The question is whether we’ll see some smaller deals or bigger moves involving the likes of Yandy Diaz or Brandon Lowe.

18) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️

Last week: 20

The topsy-turvy Guardians have been playing better recently, but should they keep the band together? One player we know won’t be traded is Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase, who has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of MLB’s sports-betting investigation.

19) Kansas City Royals ⬆️

Last week: 21

While we wait to see what path the Guardians will take, it’s clear that the Royals are still in it to win it. In addition to acquiring Randal Grichuk in recent days, they have agreed to an extension with right-hander Seth Lugo. Still, it will be challenging to chase down a Wild Card spot while missing both Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic from their starting rotation.

20) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬇️

Last week: 18

Let the deals begin! The Diamondbacks have already traded Josh Naylor (Mariners) and Randal Grichuk (Royals) over the past few days and we should see Eugenio Suarez, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen follow them out the door before Thursday’s deadline. Suarez has slugged his way into being the most-coveted name on the trade block, with the Yankees, Reds, Cubs, Tigers, and Phillies among the potential landing spots.

21) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️

Last week: 19

Mike Trout reached the 1,000 career RBI mark in majestic fashion on Sunday, as he launched a 443-foot homer to center field. The future Hall of Famer is now just three homers away from 400 for his career.

22) Minnesota Twins

Last week: 22

The Twins are a key team to watch leading into the trade deadline. There’s the obvious route to go with impending free agents like Harrison Bader,Willi Castro, and Danny Coulombe, but they could make things interesting if Griffin Jax and Jhoan Duran are made available.

23) Miami Marlins

Last week: 23

Sandy Alcantara picked a good time for a throwback performance. The former Cy Young Award went a season-high seven innings while allowing just an unearned run against the Padres last Wednesday. The Marlins have other likely trade candidates, but Alcantara’s situation is the most interesting to follow this week.

24) Baltimore Orioles

Last week: 24

There’s been some talk in recent weeks about the Orioles potentially trading Felíx Bautista, but that’s increasingly unlikely after he landed on the injured list last week with right shoulder discomfort. Gregory Soto was shipped to the Mets over the weekend and we should hear plenty of buzz about names like Ryan O’Hearn, Ramón Laureano, and Charlie Morton, among others.

25) Athletics ⬆️

Last week: 26

The A’s just pulled off their first-ever sweep of the Astros in Houston, highlighted by rookie slugger Nick Kurtz having perhaps the best game by a hitter in MLB history.

In addition to being the youngest player ever to pull off a four-homer game, Kurtz’s 19 total bases tied the MLB record set by Shawn Green on May 23, 2002. He's something special.

26) Atlanta Braves

Last week: 25

The Braves can’t wait for 2026 to come along. Grant Holmes hit the IL due to right elbow inflammation on Sunday, joining rotation mates Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Reynaldo Lopez, and AJ Smith-Shawver on the sidelines. The Braves acquired the recently-DFA’d Erick Fedde from the Cardinals as well as Carlos Carrasco from the Yankees just to have some warm bodies who can throw some innings.

27) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬆️

Last week: 28

With another dominant outing Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Paul Skenes has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Of course, that’s not his fault. Skenes holds a ridiculous 1.83 ERA and 146/32 K/BB ratio over 133 innings (matching his innings total from last year) and should be considered the frontrunner for NL Cy Young Award honors.

28) Washington Nationals ⬇️

Last week: 27

Nationals outfielder Jacob Young pulled off one of the best catches of the season last Wednesday.

29) Chicago White Sox

Last week: 29

White Sox fans are getting a tantalizing glimpse at the future, with shortstop Colson Montgomery recently homering in three straight games.

30) Colorado Rockies

Last week: 30

Well, hey, look at that. The Rockies have won consecutive series for the first time this season and might be able to avoid the White Sox record for futility.

Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died at 65, the team announces

Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died at 65, the team announces originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has passed away at the age of 65, the team announced Monday night.

Sandberg had been battling metastatic prostate cancer since January 2024. After a brief remission, he was dealt a setback in December when he announced that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs, leaving him to face more intense treatment.

He did throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Wrigley Field in early April, but his health had not improved, and the team announced he had passed away Monday.

In a press release following Sandberg’s death, the team announced they would wear a special jersey patch for the remainder of the season in his memory.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” said Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts on behalf of his family and the Cubs organization. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father, and grandfather.”

Sandberg had released a statement on social media earlier this month:

“To all my Fans and extended baseball Family – I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” the statement said. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis. 

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends. 

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half and to see Wrigley rocking like 1984! 

“Thank you for all the messages of support. Go Cubs!”

Sandberg was drafted by the Phillies in the 1978 MLB Draft. He appeared in 13 games for the Phillies during the 1981 season, then was traded to the Cubs in 1982, along with Larry Bowa in exchange for Ivan de Jesus.

Sandberg then played nearly his entire MLB career with the Cubs, winning National League MVP honors in 1984 while collecting nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards. He was a 10-time All-Star and won the 1990 Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field.

In all, Sandberg hammered 282 home runs and drove in 1,061 RBI’s in his big league career, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

He would later serve as a manager at various levels of the Cubs’ organization before being hired by the Phillies in 2013. He would manage 278 games, with a record of 119-159 before resigning during the 2015 campaign.

Yankees trade Carlos Carrasco to Braves

The Yankees have moved on from veteran Carlos Carrasco.

The team announced that they have traded Carrasco to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.

Carrasco, 38, joined the Yankees on a minor league deal this offseason but ended up being a part of the rotation in April as a result of injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil.

Carrasco was DFA’d in early May and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was later called back up for one day in June, but was then waived before ending up back in Triple-A.

Overall, Carrasco pitched in eight games (six starts) with the Yankees, posting a 5.91 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 10 walks in 32.0 innings. He had much more success with the RailRiders, pitching to a 3.27 ERA in 11 games (10 starts).

Carrasco, who was once traded to the Mets in the deal that brought Francisco Lindor to Queens, will pitch for his fourth major league team (two stints in Cleveland, Mets, Yankees), assuming he appears in a game with the Braves.

General manager Brian Cashman continues to be active in the days ahead of the July 31 deadline, as the Yankees have now completed three trades in the last few days, including bringing in Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario.

Orel Hershiser puts a bounty on his Topps one-of-one signed chrome card

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Tanner Scott and Evan Phillips onstage with Orel Hershiser at DodgerFest 2025 at Dodger Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cassidy Sparrow/Getty Images)
Pitchers Tanner Scott and Evan Phillips onstage with broadcaster and former pitching great Orel Hershiser, right, at DodgerFest 2025 in February. (Cassidy Sparrow / Getty Images)

Orel Hershiser was one of a kind as a pitcher, tossing two complete-game victories to lead the Dodgers to the 1988 World Series championship after going 23-8 during a regular season that included a record streak of 59 consecutive scoreless innings.

Now in his 10th season as a color commentator and analyst for the team on SportsNet LA, Hershiser enjoys a side hustle running a collectibles store in Claremont called Legends' Attic.

Long an avid card collector, the pitcher nicknamed the Bulldog by former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda is exhibiting tenacity and persistence in pursuit of a one-of-one baseball card of himself. Hershiser signed the Topps Chrome card on March 12 during spring training, and he wants it for himself.

What lengths will the Bulldog go to get the card? He's put out what serious card collectors call a bounty.

Read more:Plaschke: Forever the Bulldog, Orel Hershiser should never be forgotten for his heroics in 1988

Hershiser even made a video pleading for the card.

"If you pull the Orel Hershiser one-of-one card, I really want that card," he said in the video. "I know that in this industry there is a lot of trading and I've already seen that there's been some bounties out there. Maybe I should create a bounty."

Hershiser has no idea who owns the card or how far away from Los Angeles they live, but he nevertheless listed what he's willing to trade: Two round-trip airline tickets, a stay at the "luxurious" DoubleTree hotel next door to Legends' Attic, tickets to a Dodgers game, a visit to the broadcasting booth where Hershiser and Joe Davis operate, and an autographed Hershiser jersey.

Presumably the offer also includes the obligatory DoubleTree chocolate chip cookies upon check-in.

Read more:Kid makes family more than $1 million after Freddie Freeman grand slam ball he caught sells

One would think a collector as savvy as Hershiser wouldn't open negotiations by placing all his cards on the table, but, hey, he's the Bulldog and only one card in return will do.

"I want to pull my card and I want you to find me and I want that card pristine," he all but demanded on the video. "I need it for my collection. Please!"

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Mets discussing Mark Vientos in trade talks

The Mets have been discussing Mark Vientos in trade talks this week, and rival executives believe that the team is willing to move him, league sources say.

Teams have asked about Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio. The Mets are not actively trying to rid themselves of any of those young infielders -- but given Baty’s recent production and newfound versatility, rival execs have come away with the sense that Vientos is more available than the others.

Vientos, 25, is a highly talented slugger and already accomplished at the major league level. Last season, he hit 27 home runs, posted an .837 OPS, and starred in the postseason. This is why teams see value in acquiring him.

The view from here is that Vientos has the rare ability to carry a team while hot, and that trading him would carry significant risk of later regret.

But Vientos has struggled on both sides of the ball this season, which has led to his availability on the trade market.

The Mets are seeking relievers, possibly a starting pitcher like Arizona’s Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly, and a center fielder.

Guardians' Emmanuel Clase placed on paid leave as part of MLB sports betting investigation

Cleveland Guardians All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave as part of a Major League Baseball investigation into sports betting.

Clase becomes the second Guardians pitcher to be placed on leave in connection with a sports gambling probe. Right-hander Luis Ortiz is on non-disciplinary leave through Aug. 31.

The Guardians said in a statement that they “have been informed that no additional players or club personnel are expected to be impacted.”

Giants DFA right-hander Carson Ragsdale to make room for Carson Whisenhunt

Giants DFA right-hander Carson Ragsdale to make room for Carson Whisenhunt originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As one Giants pitching prospect arrives, another departs.

Right-hander Carson Ragsdale, the Giants’ No. 25 prospect per MLB.com, was designated for assignment on Monday. The move opens up a 40-man roster spot for left-hander Carson Whisenhunt, who is scheduled to make his MLB debut in Monday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park.

The 27-year old Ragsdale originally was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 4th round of the 2020 MLB Draft. San Francisco acquired the University of South Florida product in a 2021 trade, sending reliever Sam Coonrod to Philadelphia.

Ragsdale pitched at five different levels in the Giants organization in the years following the trade, but never cracked the big leagues. This season with Triple-A Sacramento, he posted a 5-5 record with a 5.37 ERA in 18 appearances. Ragsdale also surrendered 16 home runs in just 65 1/3 innings pitched. He owns a career 4.32 ERA across 81 minor league games.

Whisenhunt’s promotion comes as the Giants deal with injuries and inconsistency in their starting rotation. Right-hander Landen Roupp recently landed on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation, while fellow righty Hayden Birdsong battled control issues and was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to recapture his early-season form.

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Red Sox at Twins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 28

It's Monday, July 28 and the Red Sox (57-50) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (50-55). Richard Fitts is slated to take the mound for Boston against Simeon Woods Richardson for Minnesota.

Boston is 4-5 since the break and won the last two games coming against the Dodgers to take that series. For Minnesota, the Twins re 1-3 in the past four games and 3-6 out of the All-Star break.

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 Red Sox at Twins

  • Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: NESN, MNNT

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 Twins

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Red Sox (+103), Twins (-123)
  • Spread:  Twins -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for July 28, 2025: Richard Fitts vs. Simeon Woods Richardson
    • Red Sox: Richard Fitts, (1-4, 4.87 ERA)
      Last outing: 10.80 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson, (5-4, 4.15 ERA)
      Last outing: 9.00 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 5 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 Red Sox and the Twins

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 Monday’s game between the Red Sox and the Twins:

  • 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 leaning towards 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 Red Sox at Twins

  • Boston is 3-1 in the last four games
  • Minnesota is 1-3 in the last four games
  • The Red Sox have won their last 4 matchups against American League teams
  • The Under has cashed in the Red Sox's last 3 games
  • It has been 3 games since the Twins 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)

Dodgers at Reds Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 28

It's Monday, July 28 and the Dodgers (61-45) are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds (56-50). Yoshinobu Yamamoto is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Chase Burns for Cincinnati.

The Dodgers are 3-6 since the All-Star break and dropped the past two games to the Red Sox. On the other hand, the Reds are on a four-game winning streak and 6-3 since the break.

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 Reds

  • Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Great American Ball Park
  • City: Cincinnati, OH
  • Network/Streaming: SNLA, FDSNOH

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 Reds

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-172), Reds (+144)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Reds

  • Pitching matchup for July 28, 2025: Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Chase Burns
    • Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, (8-7, 2.55 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.80 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts
    • Reds: Chase Burns, (0-2, 6.65 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.94 ERA, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 10 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 Reds

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 Monday’s game between the Dodgers and the Reds:

  • 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 Cincinnati Reds at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under 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 Dodgers at Reds

  • The Reds have won 5 straight home games
  • The Reds are on a four-game winning streak
  • 4 of the Reds' last 5 matchups with the Dodgers have stayed under the Total
  • The Dodgers have failed to cover the Run Line in 4 straight matchups against the Reds
  • The Dodgers are 3-6 in the last nine 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)

Rays at Yankees Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 28

It's Monday, July 28 and the Rays (53-53) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (57-48). Drew Rasmussen is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against Cam Schlittler for New York.

The Yankees and Rays line up for a four-game series as both teams attempt to right the ship. Tampa Bay has lost four consecutive games and six of the past seven, while New York is 1-3 over the last four and 4-5 since the All-Star break. To make matters worse for the Yankees — Aaron Judge is out for the next 10 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 Rays at Yankees

  • Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, YES

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 Yankees

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Moneyline: Rays (-103), Yankees (-117)
  • Spread:  Yankees 1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for July 28, 2025: Drew Rasmussen vs. Cam Schlittler
    • Rays: Drew Rasmussen, (7-5, 2.93 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.50 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Yankees: Cam Schlittler, (1-0, 4.36 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.60 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 3 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 Rays 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 Monday’s game between the Rays and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Tampa Bay Rays 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 Rays at Yankees

  • The Yankees have a losing record (11-18) in divisional matchups this season
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Rays' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
  • Tampa Bay is 1-6 in the last seven games
  • New York is 4-5 since the All-Star break
  • The Yankees are 4-3 versus the Rays 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)

Red Sox no longer considering Jarren Duran trade: Report

Red Sox no longer considering Jarren Duran trade: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox reportedly plan to hold on to their biggest trade chip through this week’s deadline.

Jarren Duran has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, but it appears he won’t be moved after all. WEEI’s Rob Bradford reports that the Red Sox are “no longer entertaining” potential deals involving their All-Star outfielder.

“Multiple major league sources have said that the Red Sox are no longer entertaining the idea of trading Jarren Duran, which is an obvious step in the right direction in the eyes of this current clubhouse,” Bradford wrote.

Duran was widely expected to be the odd man out if the Red Sox decided to move a piece from their crowded outfield. With No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony in left field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Wilyer Abreu in right, it made sense to capitalize on Duran’s value and trade him for starting pitching ahead of the deadline.

However, infielder Marcelo Mayer’s wrist injury has thrown a wrench into those plans. Rafaela since has replaced Mayer at second base, with Duran taking over in center field. Trading Duran now would leave Boston shorthanded — either in the outfield or at second base — depending on where Rafaela would play.

The San Diego Padres had been rumored to be the most aggressive suitors for Duran. There were also murmurs about a potential deal for Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan, but with Duran reportedly off the trade block, the chances of such a move have become even slimmer.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported last week that the Red Sox are “not inclined to engage in any large-scale deadline moves.” While that indicates Duran won’t be dealt, it also likely means Boston won’t make any moves for frontline starting pitching, which chief baseball officer Craig Breslow had stated was his trade deadline priority.

The Red Sox could still look to acquire affordable rotation depth. In addition to starting pitching, they could also use upgrades to the bullpen, first base, and backup catcher.

Boston will travel to Minnesota for its last three games before the July 31 trade deadline.