Category: Baseball

Once again, storms could hit the Chicago area Saturday, so here’s the local radar to keep handy.

Saturday notes…

• IT’S LIKE NIGHT AND DAY: The Cubs are 30-20 in night games this year vs. 19-19 in day games. At home, they are 12-8 in night games and 14-10 in day games. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• HITS AND STRIKEOUTS: In their loss yesterday, the Cubs made seven hits and struck out six times. They are 31-7 when they have finished with more hits than strikeouts, 4-3 with an equal number and 14-19 when they have had more strikeouts than hits. With at least seven hits, the Cubs are 41-21; with six or fewer, 8-18. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• WALKING THE WALK: Only one Cub walked yesterday. They are 2-3 in games with a lone walk. Both previous losses also were to the Cardinals, by 7-5 on May 29 and 5-1 on May 31. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Michael Busch homered three times and the team set a franchise record with eight home runs (a mark tied this past Wednesday!). The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 11-3. It happened one year ago today, Friday, July 4, 2025.

The Cubs lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Cubs lineup.

Cardinals lineup:

Leahy on the mound as the Cardinals look for a series win! pic.twitter.com/ZsabTSqbFd

— Dealin' the Cards (@DealinTheCards) July 4, 2026

Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Kyle Leahy, RHP

After a rough patch in late May and early June, Shōta Imanaga has been better over his last four starts: 2.82 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, just three home runs in 22.1 innings.

One of those rough outings was May 29 in St. Louis, when Imanaga was tagged for five hits, three of them homers, in 5.1 innings. Overall, he has done pretty well vs Cardinals hitters: .228 (13-for-54), though with four home runs.

Kyle Leahy faced the Cubs May 30 in St. Louis and allowed one run on six hits in 4.1 innings.

Since then: five starts, 3.76 ERA, 1.291 WHIP, just one home run allowed in 26.1 innings in June.

Current Cubs are a small sample size 4-for-18 against Leahy.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.

Today’s game is on Fox-TV (regional — coverage map). A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game even if it’s not on the Fox affiliate in your market. Announcers: Joe Davis, John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

One of the things that wears on you in stretches like this is the recaps actually start to annoy you. Look, I get it, I’m a silly little baseball blogger, I’m not an ER nurse working a double shift or a teacher paying for their own Elmer’s glue while kids can no longer sound out unfamiliar words. My work here is reasonably low stakes. But my oh my are these games absolute drags to try and analyze. The Yankees lost again, badly, because the starter got set on fire and Camilo Doval cannot pitch at the major league level.

11-4 is your holiday final from the Bronx.

For Brendan Beck, it was a hang with ‘em kind of day. Called up to make a spot start with Carlos Rodón moved to the IL yesterday, and it looked like Beck was never comfortable out there. He walked the first man he saw before Byron Buxton put the Twins on the board with a double, only for Kody Clemens to take Beck deep and before an out was recorded, the Yankees were down 3-0.

Minnesota added two more home runs in the second, including Alex Jackson’s first of the year, after the top three in the Yankee order went down smoothly to start their own day. Beck managed to get through the third without further damage, but the team was down 5-0 early. I’ll be honest in that my analysis is somewhat weak today as I was watching Canada put on a masterclass of a first half before fading in the second. Beck’s secondary offerings seem promising but his fastball seems awful flat for an MLB pitcher.

Jasson Domínguez gave us the first offensive sparks of the day, getting the Yankees’ first hit, then second hit and first run a couple innings later:

The Twins are a good offensive team; their weakness is their pitching. As long as the Yankee bullpen could stop the bleeding, the offense was going to get chances to come back. Tim Hill allowed a solo shot of his own, but a big fifth inning put New York back in this one:

The Yankees had to pick between Max Schuemann and Spencer Jones to be the corresponding move for Beck’s recall, and ended up going with Max because of his versatility. For one day, the plan worked perfectly.

And we finally had an appearance by Cody Bellinger:

Belli has been a ghost the last ten days or so, and it shouldn’t be a surprise then that the lineup has also looked rather sleepy. Getting him going, especially as there’s no return of Aaron Judge in sight, is absolutely critical heading into this week’s series with the Rays.

The next threat came in the sixth, as the Yankees were able to load the bases for leadoff hitter Trent Grisham. With a lefty on the hill, Aaron Boone elected to go to Paul Goldschmidt, who has hit southpaws well this year but was also 0-20 at the time. The gamble didn’t pay off with Goldy going down swinging, and Josh Bell tacking on a run with a solo shot immediately following in the top of the seventh.

I wanted to get mad at Camilo Doval but the first run he allowed in the eighth was unearned, the 24th such in the last 14 games. Jazz Chisholm Jr. misplayed the first ball of the frame, allowing Luke Keaschall to reach. Keaschall would come home a couple batters later thanks to Buxton’s sac fly. and Minnesota led 8-4. Fortunately for the true hater I am, Doval can always be relied upon to give up more runs, and Clemens brought in the Twins’ ninth run of the game on an RBI single, and then a second Josh Bell home run gave them 11. I dislike you Camilo Doval and I would like you to no longer be on the New York Yankees’ 26-man MLB roster.

You can’t give up six home runs and expect to win. I’m done talking about this team for 24 hours, it is a beautiful day in one of the world’s most beautiful cities and I am going outside. The Yankees can still win this series behind Ryan Weathers, but I’m not going to be super confident about it with Joe Ryan on the bump for Minnesota. Peacock gets the game tomorrow, with a 1:35pm first pitch.

Box Score

On a scorching July 4 in the Bronx, the Yankees fell 11-4 to the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees didn't lead at any point in the game, and the team's pitching staff allowed six home runs in the loss.

Here are the takeaways…

-- For the 250th Fourth of July in American history, both the Yankees and the Twins wore special caps and jersey numbers which featured an American flag design. The holiday has a storied past for the Yankees, as it also marks the birthdays of two dearly departed Yankees legends, longtime owner George M. Steinbrenner III (1930) and play-by-play commentator John Sterling (1938). Additionally, on July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig gave his iconic farewell speech in front of a teary-eyed Yankee Stadium.

-- The Yankees starting pitcher today was 27-year-old righty Brenden Beck, whom New York called up to make his first-ever MLB start in place of the injured Carlos Rodón. Beck, a second-round pick in 2021 by the Yankees, had a game to forget in his big-league debut. He allowed five earned runs on five hits through 3.2 innings, striking out three batters and walking two across 87 pitches. The Twins led 3-0 before Beck recorded a single out, thanks to a Byron Buxton RBI double and a Kody Clemens two-run tater. The following inning, Beck surrendered two more homers, back-to-back solo shots off the bats of Luke Keaschall and Alex Jackson.

-- Beck was relieved by Yankees left-handed reliever Tim Hill, who was taken deep to right field by the first batter he faced, Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach, who padded the Minnesota lead to 6-0 with another solo homer.

-- Twins right-handed starter Zebby Matthews didn't allow his first hit until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Yankees right fielder Jasson Dominguez clobbered a home run with nobody on base. The Yankees' offense was able to find some life and chase Matthews from the game the next inning, tagging the pitcher with three more earned runs thanks to a Max Schuemann two-run blast and a Cody Bellinger RBI double. Twins reliever Travis Adams got Dominguez to ground out to end the fifth inning, stranding Ben Rice at third base and Bellinger at second base.

-- Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a surprising move with the bases loaded and two men out in the bottom of the sixth inning, calling on righty Paul Goldschmidt to pinch-hit for lefty outfielder Trent Grisham with Minnesota's southpaw reliever Taylor Rogers on the mound. Goldschmidt extended his slump with a limp pop fly to left field to leave all three men on base and end the inning, extending his hitless streak to 21 straight at-bats.

-- The struggles continued for the Yankees bullpen and defense in today's game. The scoreboard read 8-4 in favor of Minnesota after Ryan Yarbrough gave up a solo home-run to switch-hitting Twins cleanup hitter Josh Bell in the seventh inning, and after a Jazz Chisholm Jr. fielding error allowed Luke Keaschall to get on base in the eighth inning, Byron Buxton eventually hit a sacrifice fly off of Camilo Doval to drive home the unearned run. In the first 74 games of this season, the Yankees allowed 22 unearned runs. Compare that ratio to the last 14 games, in which the Yanks have allowed 24 unearned runs.

-- Doval did eventually allow earned runs in the form of a Kody Clemens RBI single immediately followed by Josh Bell's second home run of the game. He was finally able to end the eighth inning by striking out Royce Lewis with the Yankees trailing 11-4. 

-- Brent Headrick was forced to pitch in the ninth inning, and given the fact that the lefty reliever has been one of the few bright spots in the team's bullpen this season, the Yankees not being able to have Headrick fully fresh for the series-deciding third game tomorrow could be a problem. With two outs, Ryan McMahon made a throwing error attempting to throw out Keaschall after he grounded to third base, but Headrick shut the door one batter later.

Game MVP

Twins designated hitter Josh Bell recorded his 13th career multi-homer game, racking up 775 feet worth of long balls and three RBI in today's game.

Highlights

Max Schuemann with a two-run blast pic.twitter.com/j0EKijTVHi

— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 4, 2026

Next Up

The Yankees conclude their three-game home series against the Twins with the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m.

Yankees left-handed pitcher Ryan Weathers (3-6, 4.08 ERA) is set to face Twins ace Joe Ryan (5-5, 3.61 ERA) in tomorrow's starting pitching matchup.

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

Since I was out of range this week – I will be leaving a one-star review on Yellowstone’s TripAdvisor page, due to the lack of wifi – there was no specifically D-backs related question this week. So let’s just discuss the national poll, sent out to those on the list (and if you aren’t on it, the link above has you covered). There were three questions. The first was in regard to which executive was on the hottest seat. You probably won’t be surprised to discover that the Mets’ David Stearns was the clear winner there, at 62%. However, the Giants’ Buster Posey (20%) while the Red Sox – and former D-back – Craig Breslow (18%) also got significant support.

These are all examples of teams with large payrolls, in excess of $210 million cash value per Spotrac, putting them comfortably in the top half of MLB spending this year. But they are also all struggling: the Red Sox, at 38-48, have the best record. We’re still not even at the All-Star break, and they only have a fifteen percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs – and that feels generous to me. The Mets and Giants might as well pack it up and go home. New York and Boston have already fired their managers, and one wonders how long San Francisco will stick with Tony Vitello, the first man to go straight from a college job to MLB management.

Related: another question was “Who won the Rafael Devers trade?” and a resounding victory there was “No one” at 69%. However, the Red Sox did beat the Giants in the remainder, by a 22-9 percent margin. That seems fair. Boston did get to dump a massive contract for a player who was increasingly toxic there. However, the players they got back have either fizzled, or been traded on. For example, Kyle Harrison was yesterday’s starter for the Brewes against the D-backs, and despite his struggles there, is 8-1 with an excellent 2.82 ERA. Meanwhile, Devers has been worth just 3.2 bWAR over a year and a half. He’s on the SF books for seven more seasons and $225 million. Yep. Happy not to be them.

Brought to you by FanDuel

However, I want to focus on, and ask you here about, the result above. Almost half of respondents think it’s time to revamp the MLB draft, which will be coming up in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I do not have any data on exactly how things should be changed. Are we talking about timings? Draft order? An international draft? [Something which was part of the owner’s proposals during the current CBA negotiations] So, basically: what are your thoughts? If you had unfettered power to re-arrange and re-organize the draft to your liking, what would you do? That would be what the comments section is for…

Brewers have a chance to win their second series in a row and their first of July this evening in Arizona as they get set to take the season series against the Diamondbacks.

After a late night yesterday with over eight innings thrown by the Brewers bullpen, they’ll lean on Brandon Woodruff to provide them with rest. Woodruff will be making his third start on the mound since returning from the injured list and his ninth overall on the season. Since returning, Woodruff has thrown 11 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits, no runs, and has struck out 16. That brings his season total to a 2.59 ERA with 41 strikeouts.

Tonight’s start will be Woodruff’s ninth against the Diamondbacks in his career. Most recently, he was sent to the injured list after he completed 1 1/3 innings at the end of April. Overall, he has been up-and-down throughout the course of his career against the Diamondbacks, posting a 4.65 ERA with 51 strikeouts.

Pressure on getting long outings from the starting pitching was just increased as right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder injury, retroactive to July 3. Craig Yoho was recalled from Nashville. In five games this season with the Brewers, Yoho has a 6.00 ERA in six innings pitched with eight strikeouts.

Today’s transactions pic.twitter.com/TbVdBvBJAm

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 4, 2026

For the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly will be handed the ball to make his 15th start of the season. He’s been in the midst of his worst season up to this point in his career as he enters tonight with a 5.84 ERA, having allowed 18 home runs, 33 walks, and only striking out 33. He finished the month of June with a 7.31 ERA, as in his last start, he allowed five runs to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lifetime against the Brewers, Kelly has been successful, posting a 3.41 ERA in 11 games. However, in his last outing against the Brewers in April, he gave up five runs on six hits and five walks.

Both of these lineups have faced both teams’ starting pitcher. For the Brewers, Sal Frelick and Brice Turang have witnessed the most success against Kelly, as they hope to replicate what they did in Milwaukee back in April tonight.

You’ll be able to listen to tonight’s game on the Brewers Radio Network on WTMJ 620 while being able to watch it on Brewers.TV. First pitch will be another late one as it’s slated for 8:40 p.m.

Win a series on Independence Day 🇺🇸

📺: https://t.co/eycfmE2vgm
📻: WTMJ#ThisIsMyCrew  x @NicoletLawpic.twitter.com/5Ngu55RXZb

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 4, 2026

Saturday in the ballpark, I think it was the Fourth of July. pic.twitter.com/BFFOU2l654

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 4, 2026

The Cincinnati Reds have been beseiged at Helm’s Deep for four days running. They sit at just 40-47 on the season, mired in last place in the National League Central and 7 full games back of the final NL Wild Card spot. That’s closer to the team in last place in the NL Wild Card standings (the Colorado Rockies at 12 games back) than they are to the St. Louis Cardinals, who occupy that final playoff position.

Today, though, is dawn on the fifth day. At least, that’s what the team must hope lest they barrel into trade season needing to blow this whole operation up and begin once again.

Reds ace Hunter Greene was activated on Saturday ahead of the team’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, their two-time All Star finally ready to make his 2026 debut after his March surgery to clean up debris in his prized right elbow. His minor league rehab starts have been basically perfect, his touted velocity once again there, and the Reds will now turn to Greene to help miraculously turn around their fortunes before it’s all too late.

He’ll start opposite Orioles starter Brandon Young, who pitched to an impressive 2.76 ERA across 29.1 IP (5 GS) during the month of June. That backed up an equally impressive May where he pitched to a 2.86 ERA in 28.1 IP (5 GS) as he has settled in as a force within the O’s rotation.

First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET this 4th of July, with a massive fireworks display scheduled for after the game at Great American Ball Park.

With Ha-Seong Kim hitting the IL, Jorge Mateo gets the start at shortstop over Jim Jarvis, facing the lefty Manaea. Elsewhere, Joey Bart starts at catcher, with Baldwin DHing and batting second. Austin Riley bats fifth, ahead of Michael Harris for reasons that are clearly more about mixing lefties and righties than recent production. They have a clear pitching advantage on paper and can hopefully continue their offensive momentum they showed, hitting four homers on Friday night. If they can, it should be a fun national TV game for Braves fans on this country’s 250th birthday.

America’s game on America’s 250th birthday 🇺🇸#BravesCountrypic.twitter.com/6MY05GMbPt

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 4, 2026

UPDATE: The Mets’ lineup is now available below

🇺🇸⚾️ #LGMpic.twitter.com/2PEAJ8ltxG

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 4, 2026

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 8:08 p.m. ET

Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

TV: FOX

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan

After the game, I was playing catch with my dad, thinking about what to write. The performance on the field by the Washington Nationals was pretty unremarkable. They lost 7-1, falling behind early and then looking sluggish in the heat. However, some of the pre-game ceremonies and the occasion itself were remarkable. Those moments captured me on the 250th birthday of this nation.

Between Artemis astronauts throwing out the first pitch, to all of the ceremonies, it was a special day at the yard. In America’s 250 year history, baseball has played a key role in much of it. The National Pastime has become central to American culture, as well as our image both internally and around the world.

4 … 3 … 2 … 1 …

FOUR first pitches from the Artemis II crew!@NASA | #natitudepic.twitter.com/4Gx35v3582

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 4, 2026

In so many ways, baseball has been a cultural zeitgeist for this nation. Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier is an iconic moment in history, and in some ways kicked off the Civil Rights movement. It took a long time for integration to happen, and race relations in the US are far from perfect even today. However, Jackie paved the way for so many both on and off the field.

This country likes to think it is based on a true meritocracy. However, that is not really the case despite the great imagery of the American Dream. In baseball though, it is more of a meritocracy. That is a big reason why Jackie got a shot in the MLB long before the Civil Rights Act. Baseball is a game where differences can be put to the side in the name of winning and competing.

The game can also be a great unifier. After 9/11, baseball played a key role in the country’s healing process. That Mets game just 10 days after the horrific tragedy was a truly iconic moment, and ended in storybook fashion. George Bush throwing out the first pitch in New York during the World Series was a similarly emotional moment.

In so many of America’s biggest moments, you can easily find a connection to baseball. During World War II, many of baseball’s biggest stars such as Ted Williams and Joe Dimaggio served our country. They fought for our freedom in years that would have been the prime of their career.

That is why baseball is such a big part of the July 4th holiday. It is a quintessentially American game and has been part of so many American moments. Even if the game did not go the Nats way today, there is always something special about playing baseball in DC on the 4th of July.

It is a big stage for these players. We saw James Wood homer today, and Nats stars have come to life on the 4th in the past. Mr. National Ryan Zimmerman had a great track record on Independence Day. He hit .361 with 4 homers in 11 July 4th games. 

To play America’s game in America’s capital is a great honor. Even though they lost, it really did seem like the players appreciated that. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we cannot tell the story of this country without talking about baseball. This game is so special, and it is always a treat to watch those 11:05 games at Nationals Park.

Today, the Houston Astros announced a series of moves affecting their outfield:

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/mcXgAOpRiF

— Houston Astros (@astros) July 4, 2026

Wade Jr., 32, was signed by Houston on June 4 to a 1 year, $1M contract. He made an immediate impact, going 4×12 in 4 games with 2 doubles, a HR, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored before a hamstring injury landed him on the IL.

Wade had gone only 1×10 on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land, but batted .250 with a .420 OBP and .861 OPS for Triple-A Charlotte Knights, part of the Chicago White Sox system, this season before requesting his release and being signed by the Astros. His patience and plate discipline were reasons cited by Astros GM Dana Brown for why the team signed him, and why the team had interest in him in the offseason.

Dezenzo, 27, was hitting .264 with a .417 OBP and .780 OPS at Sugar Land this season. He has demonstrated better plate discipline this season, with a 22/25 BB/K ratio in 115 PA at Triple-A. The Astros are looking for better plate discipline and less strikeouts out of their outfield.

Dezenzo has played small parts of 3 seasons in Houston with the Astros, never really getting a consistent opportunity and not being successful in the small opportunities he’s had to date. This season with the big league club, Dezenzo was batting .191 with 4 doubles, 1 HR and 2 RBI in 47 AB across 21 games. He also struck out 19 times.

Meyers, 30, has followed up a career-best .292 average last season with what would be a career-worst .206 average so far this season. Meyers missed 2 months of last season with a calf injury. He was batting .308 when he went on the IL after play July 6, and returned September 6. He batted just .204 in the month of September last year, finishing the year at .292.

This season so far has been more of September 2025 for Meyers, who hit just .183 in June.

In 2024, Meyers finished with 13 Outs Above Average per Statcast, and was a finalist for al AL Gold Glove in CF. Despite missing two months last season, he finished with 9 Outs Above Average in 2025. Meyers has only 2 Outs Above Average this season, partly due to missing 38 games due to injury and partly due to poor offensive performance.

Loperfido, 27, got off to a decent start this season, albeit without any power. He was batting .276 with a .348 OBP on April 17 when he went on the IL with a right quad strain. He returned June 9, but struggled badly, batting just .122 in 41 AB in June. He did have 2 heroic moments, a 3-run HR in extras to beat Toronto June 23, then tripled late in a tie game the next day and scored on a throwing error as the pitcher tried to pick him off. He was just unable to capitalize on those moments or gain momentum, going 1×15 since.

Detroit Tigers (38-50) vs. Texas Rangers (45-43)

Time/Place: 4:05 p.m., Globe Life Field
SB Nation Site:Lone Star Ball
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Jack Flaherty (1-8, 4.97 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (2-6, 3.83 ERA)

Player	G	IP	K%	BB%	GB%	FIP	fWAR
Flaherty	16	70.2	26.7	11.3	29.5	3.90	1.3
Rocker	16	80.0	20.3	9.0	47.5	3.89	1.3

Wishing you a safe and happy Fourth of July! 🎇 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vTddugTmOJ

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) July 4, 2026

The Mariners have scored one run, on a bases-loaded walk, in their last 20 innings of baseball.

Logan Gilbert takes on the Blue Jays today approaching a career milestone – he’s nine strikeouts away from his 1,000th career K. That’s a heavy lift for a day’s work, but it would be so special if he could hit that milestone in front of the fans at home, especially since there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Mariners fans lately.

Lineups:

News:

While today was originally scheduled to be a Gilbert/Hancock piggyback, instead the Mariners are going back to a six-man rotation until the All-Star Break in order to get the starters some extra rest. Hancock will pitch tomorrow, and the rest of the rotation will continue to slot in as normal.

Injury updates:

Julio Rodríguez was at the park today and did some light jogging on the treadmill but is still experiencing concussion symptoms (headache, nausea, lightheadedness).

Brendan Donovan was also at the park working on baserunning and fielding drills. He’ll go out on a rehab assignment when the Mariners are out of town next week; unfortunately, the Rainiers and AquaSox are both out of town as well, so Donovan will head to Arizona to get in some work at the complex. Thoughts and prayers to the 18 year old complex kids getting to pitch to Brendan Donovan.

Today’s game information:

Game time: 1:10 PT

TV: Mariners TV with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryan Rowland-Smith

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.; ESPN radio with Roxy Bernstein and Madison Shipman

How quickly does one get hit in the face with a reality check? Why don’t we ask the San Diego Padres, a team that, when it faced the Dodgers for the first time this season, trailed in the race for the NL West by just half a game? And no, this series didn’t occur so early in the year as to make this point irrelevant—it happened on May 18th, well short of two months ago. Now, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets ready for a second straight matchup against the Friars, the Dodgers possess a 14-game lead, one that sounds like a lot, but it’s even bigger when you put it into a certain context.

If the Dodgers were to beat the Padres tonight, their lead over the Padres—who are currently tied with the Diamondbacks for the second spot in the NL West—would represent the second largest lead any team has against any opponent in their own division. As things currently stand, the Padres are much closer to the Rockies and the worst team in baseball (Royals) than they are to the Dodgers—the numbers show that, even if reality often brings much closer games such as Friday’s night one-run win thanks to a Teoscar Hernández grand slam.

Addressing tonight’s specific matchup, Yamamoto is still working on fixing what was initially a rather poor track record against the Padres. Despite allowing just three runs in the 15 innings he has pitched against San Diego this season, Yamamoto only has a 4.60 ERA versus the Friars, his second-worst mark against any National League team.

Saturday’s game info

• Teams: Dodgers vs. Padres
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
• Start time: 7:10 p.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Game number 89…..the season is flying by. Winnning a second game in a row would be nice.

George Springer is still away, moved to the Family Medical Emergency list, but there is no emergency, just letting George have more time with his son.

Unfortunately, it looks like Canada’s time in the World Cup is over. They did great. I would have been good with a couple more wins, but they played well.

Lineups:

Detroit Tigers @ Texas Rangers

Friday, July 04, 2026, 3:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

The Shed

RHP Jack Flaherty vs. RHP Cal Quantrill

Go Rangers!

The Braves are exiting a June that was absolutely miserable, but they finally hit a handful of homers on Friday night, hosting the Mets. They’ve got another favorable matchup here, with Chris Sale on the mound and facing the imminently hittable Sean Manaea for New York. We’ve got a national TV matchup on the 250th anniversary of this great country’s founding. The Braves have lived up to expectations, despite their horrid June, but FOX will be a bit disappointed in the Mets, relative to what they expected before the season when this matchup was scheduled.

Chris Sale has been brilliant of late, and really all year, but the struggles of Atlanta’s offense have prevented the team from capitalizing on that in the form of wins since May. One would think that this would be a game that the Braves could put some runs up against Manaea at home, perhaps building on the power they showed Friday, but this is the type of game they have frequently been losing lately. Sale may figure out a way to score a run off the pitching mound out of pure fury if he doesn’t get any run support today.

Manaea has been ever so slightly above average in most things other than ERA this year, getting the opener treatment frequently and starting only 4 games. His elite extension props up a pretty uninspiring arsenal of primarily a four-seamer, sinker, and sweeper, with a cutter and changeup sprinkled in. His four-seamer and sinker have a lot of arm-side run, while the rest of his pitches have quite average movement with well-below-average velocity. He’s perhaps been getting some HR/FB rate luck this season, so hopefully he gets some regression in favor of Atlanta’s bats.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 8:08 p.m. ET

Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

TV: FOX

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan