WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 23: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the 2026 Little League Classic presented by New York Life between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
There’s whiplash-inducing, and then there’s whatever the Braves have done in August. The month started with five wins in a row, the bulk of an eight-game winning streak. Then there was a stretch where the Braves won just one of five series, including suffering a sweep at the hands of the Twins. But, they’re reeling off another winning streak as August draws to a close, having won six in a row. They swept the Dodgers at home (first time sweeping the Dodgers since 2013!) and can pull off another sweep if they win today. Another odd thing: the Braves haven’t had a win by a differential of three or more runs since August 12; their last seven wins have all been either one-run or two-run affairs in the end.
To help keep the winning streak going, the Braves will rely on Trade Deadline pickup Tyler Mahle. The journeyman right-hander has a 109/101/94 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-) for the season as a whole. As a Brave, that line has been a much healthier 37/73/80, though it’s only been four starts. The Braves have split those four games, but not for any real fault of Mahle’s, who’s been great in three of them, only struggling against the Twins. The Braves have reworked Mahle’s arsenal a bit, having him throw more splitters and less of his other non-four seam offerings; the result has been a bunch more whiffs, including in the zone.
This will be Mahle’s third outing against the Rockies this season, as he faced them in back-to-back starts in July. He acquitted himself pretty well (though he lasted only 4 1/3 at Coors Field) with a combined 9/3 K/BB ratio in 11 1/3 innings across those two starts.
Starting opposite Mahle for Colorado will be Mason Adams, a 26-year-old right-hander acquired from the White Sox in the Brenton Doyle trade. Adams was a 2022 senior sign that has nonetheless progressed towards the majors on the back of an extreme pitchability profile that’s given him a fair bit of minor league success amid a progression of serious injuries, including Tommy John Surgery last spring. He made his MLB debut last week against the Nationals, and put together a 5/3 K/BB ratio in four frames, with Daylen Lile tagging him for a homer. Adams threw a diversified four-pitch mix (four-seamer, sinker, sweeper, curve) in that start; the Braves should be prepared for a fairly straightforward fastballs-in-zone, breakers-out-of-it profile.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 29: Walker Buehler #10 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Diego Padres were able to build a 6-3 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays thanks to a three-run top of the seventh inning. The Rays responded with a four-run bottom of the seventh inning, which handed the Padres a 7-6 loss at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburgh on Saturday. The loss is critical to San Diego’s push for the postseason, but even worse was the loss of Luis Rengifo who was injured and carted off the field in bottom of the seventh.
Bradgley Rodriguez started the seventh inning on the mound for the Padres with a 6-3 lead. San Diego appeared to have the recipe for a win in place. Rodriguez would work the seventh and pass the ball to Adrian Morejon in the eighth and eventually Mason Miller in the ninth if it was still a three-run game to secure a win. Rodriguez immediately got into trouble with a walk and back-to-back singles to load the bases. Yandy Diaz then lined a ball over the head of Jackson Merrill in centerfield that one-hopped the wall. Merrill threw the ball back to the infield where Rengifo took the ball at second base.
Tampa Bay had a runner caught between second and third and Rengifo ran toward him. At the same time, the runner on third base sprinted toward home and when Rengifo planted to stop his momentum and throw to the plate, he suffered what manager Craig Stammen said after the game was a knee sprain. The throw from Rengifo sailed past home plate and allowed the tying runs to score to tie the game at 6-6.
After a long injury delay and Rengifo being driven off the field while lying on his back on the cart, Stammen replaced Rodriguez with Adrian Morejon since there were no outs in the inning and the winning run on third base. Morejon induced a groundout for the first out of the inning and then allowed an intentional walk to setup the double play possibility. Morejon struck out Ryan Vilade for the second out of the inning but then allowed a single to Chandler Simpson which put the Rays ahead of the Padres, 7-6. The inning ended on a strikeout one batter later.
San Diego appeared deflated after the injury to Rengifo and surrendering the lead and went down in order in the top of the eighth. Manny Machado drew a one-out walk in the top of the ninth, but Ty France followed with a strikeout and Merrill grounded out to end the game.
The Padres will have an opportunity to salvage the series today at 10:40 a.m. before they depart for a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds to finish the road trip.
Laars Nootbaar helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the first game of a doubleheader with the San Francisco Giants with a pinch-hit grand slam. The Giants bounced back to win Game 2.
The Mets placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on waivers, giving other teams 48 hours to claim him, meaning they would take on the remaining $3 million on his contract for the remainder of the season
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 29: Cal Quantrill #44 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field on August 29, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, folks..
The Texas Rangers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday by a score of 5-3.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets singles against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Citi Field on August 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Another gem by Nolan McLean buoyed the Mets to a 6-2 victory over the Astros yesterday afternoon. Juan Soto knocked in a run in his return from the injured list, A.J. Ewing a spectacular catch, and Jared Young had a big day at the plate, notching three hits and three RBIs.
There was a bit of a scare with Soto when he fouled a ball off his leg in yesterday’s game, but he was okay and will continue to see time at DH before making a return to the field with copious off days baked in.
Which leads one to ask: why have Soto return at all in a lost season? Why not just shut him down? “He has pushed himself in a way that, frankly, you don’t see a lot of veterans push themselves when your team is in this type of situation that we’re in,” manager Andy Green said. “That speaks volumes to his desire to be on the field.” This “warrior mentality,” as Sean Manaea put it, sets the tone for next year’s clubhouse as well and keeps the Mets’ best hitter sharp.
Speaking of injured Mets hoping to return before season’s end, Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) played catch yesterday—the start of his throwing progression.
With August trades a thing of the past, the Mets placed Luis Robert Jr.—who they tried unsuccessfully to trade at the deadline due to his extended stint on the injured list—on outright waivers yesterday. If another team claims him, they will assume all of his remaining salary for this season.
Jonah Tong came within one out of a seven-inning no-hitter in a doubleheader yesterday for Triple-A Syracuse. He could be an option for the Mets as the calendar turns to September and rosters expand.
Not playing well made it hard for Bo Bichette to settle into the clubhouse, but he did have an impact on young rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. And since then, as his play has improved, he has settled in as he weighs what to do in the offseason, given the opt out in his contract.
Around the National League East
Dylan Crews dealt the decisive blow with an RBI knock in the tenth, as the Nationals walked off the Marlins 5-4. But Cade Cavalli’s day ended early when he was hit in the leg by a comebacker in the fourth, having yet to surrender a hit. Luckily for the Nationals, X-rays on Cavalli’s leg were negative.
The Marlins yesterday recalled Wikelman González, who they had claimed off waivers from the White Sox.
The Phillies also won extras, defeating the Angels 4-2 in ten innings, despite a sloppy night on the base paths. Cristopher Sánchez pitched seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts in the victory.
The Phillies are likely to call up Rafael Marchán—who is currently on rehab assignment—when rosters expand on Tuesday to serve as a third catcher.
The Braves kept pace, beating the Rockies 2-1 thanks to a go-ahead two-run double by Michael Harris II in the eighth. It is the Braves’ sixth straight win. The Phillies remain five games back of Atlanta for the NL East division lead, but with a four-game cushion in the Wild Card, as they currently hold the second NL spot.
Around Major League Baseball
Jarred Kelenic, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday, signed with the Yankees on a minor league contract yesterday.
“If any pitcher was feeling like this, we wouldn’t run him out there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Shohei Ohtani, who will not make his start tomorrow. But the Dodgers have not ruled out Ohtani pitching again this season.
As that news broke about the winner of the last two National League MVP trophies, Pete Crow-Armstrong continued to make his case for that title with a three home run performance in the Cubs’ 17-5 win over the Reds.
The Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-2, setting up a rubber game today that will determine the season series and the tiebreaker between the two clubs, who currently sit only three games apart in the standings, with the Yankees occupying the top AL Wild Card slot and Boston in the second. The bad news for the Yankees is that young shortstop George Lombard Jr. left the game early with a knee injury, but the Yankees are hopeful he can avoid the injured list.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Linus Lawrence wrote about Carson Benge’s secret sixth tool: his prowess at ABS challenges. He is the best on the team at getting calls overturned in his favor.
This Date in Mets History
Six at-bats, six runs, six hits: that was the batting line for Edgardo Alfonzo on this date in 1999 in the Mets’ 17-1 victory against…the Astros. Perhaps that portends well for today’s series finale.
Peoria Chiefs pitcher Cooper Hjerpe throws against Dayton on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
After matching his shortest start of the season, Kyle Leahy is nearing the end of his first season as a starter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite early struggles that caused some fans to laughably demand his removal from the rotation, Leahy had the lowest ERA among starters since the All-Star Break with the lightened workload. Had he thrown enough innings to qualify, the righty would sit in the top 20 in all of baseball in ERA.
Even though Leahy (and myself) are bummed out by the truncated appearances, the strategy makes sense as the 29-year-old looks to be a mainstay in the rotation next season. This season has been similar to that of Andre Pallante’s last season, as the newly formed starter saw his innings jump up after a full-time move from the bullpen. It worked for Pallante, who threw 162.2 innings last season after throwing 121.1 the year before. In his second full year as a starter, Pallante trimmed almost two full points off of his ERA and doubled his win total from 2025.
The 2027 rotation has an early make up of Pallante, Leahy, Quinn Mathews, Michael McGreevy, and then…? Who fills those final one (or two) spots could vary greatly over the next six months. Hunter Dobbins looked to be penciled in but he awaits an update on a forearm issue that landed him on the IL. Matthew Liberatore has a few more starts to work himself back into the conversation, and then there is the rehabbing Richard Fitts to factor in alongside additional prospects or free agent signings.
With that list of possibilities looking uninspiring, the 2027 season could be another year we see a Wainwright/Liberatore/Pallante/Leahy move with one of the Cardinals’ current bullpen options.
Cooper Hjerpe, Gordon Graceffo, others could see a role shift for the Cardinals
In a way to save money as well as work with currently rostered players, the Cardinals have dipped into their reliever talent pool in the hopes of finding a usable major league starter. I know there are other and probably more successful reliever-turned-starter stories than the four I listed above, so feel free to add those to the comments and share your memories. (Braden Looper and sort of Carlos Martinez came to mind immediately after).
As the last month of the 2026 season arrives, the rosters expand and give teams like the Cardinals an opportunity to try out some of their prospects in a lower stress major league environment. The tapering of Leahy’s outings gave me the thought of utilizing Cooper Hjerpe in a mini-Leahy role to close this year before shifting to the bullpen next season. Hjerpe is also having his innings capped after rehabbing most of this season, but he is on the 40-man roster and pitching extremely well in his own short starts in the minors.
Giving Hjerpe his first taste of the bigs in a September of little consequence would be nothing new for the Cardinals. They did the same with Masyn Winn and Jimmy Crooks, who then used their struggles during their brief major league stay to adjust in their second full seasons. For Hjerpe, though, I would see him going back to what we saw Leahy do last year before then making the jump into the rotation.
Hjerpe is at 38 innings (14 starts) after missing time in 2024 and all of the 2025 season and has yet to throw more than five frames in any appearance. However, his workload has trended the opposite direction of Leahy as Hjerpe has been working deeper into games as the season winds down. In September, I would like to see Leahy continue to stick with his five-day routine but have Hjerpe cover the middle innings to get through the games.
Then, in 2027, expecting Hjerpe to go 150 innings would be unrealistic, so I would entertain him being a phenomenal lefty bullpen option that takes a firefighter role like Leahy did in 2025. In that season, Leahy threw 88 innings, giving him a solid starting point for his first season in the rotation. This, to me, would be another way to keep Hjerpe on a pitch count and schedule his usage in his hopeful first full season since becoming a pro. As the Cardinals then return to the World Series in 2028, Hjerpe would be ready for a starter’s workload.
While the lefty Hjerpe works out the bullpen in 2027, the Cardinals still need someone to fill the end of their rotation. After Gordon Graceffo’s stellar three-inning start earlier in the week, there could be some potential for him to enter himself into the rotation conversation coming into Spring Training. Graceffo would be 27-years-old and was a starter until the 2025 season. Out of the bullpen this year, Graceffo has worked 66.1 innings with a sub-3.00 ERA that definitely outpaces what the analytics say.
Leahy had more of the strikeout stuff and high leverage under his belt, but Graceffo’s familiarity with the rotation and deeper arsenal could give him tools to tinker with later in his outings. After Dobbins went to the IL along with Pallante, Graceffo could get another time or two as an opener for a bullpen day while continuing to work in relief during more consistent schedules. The righty averaged nearly a strikeout per inning during his first few years of pro ball as a starter, but has seen that trickle way down to 5.70 K/9 and a tough 4.07 BB/9. Potentially, a more consistent role for Graceffo could get him more comfortable with his pitch mix and we could see both of those numbers trend back towards his career norms.
Alongside those two, the Cardinals could turn to recently promoted Cade Winquest as an internal option. The now-reliever threw over 100 innings as a starter last season but shifted to the bullpen this year, resulting in just 39.2 innings pitched. Winquest made his major league debut in yesterday’s loss against the Pirates and he covered two scoreless innings. He may end up being another long, middle reliever guy Marmol uses to get through the rest of the season. Like Winquest, Brycen Mautz has been a starter and reliever and could work in bulk during September.
Drop in the comments to let me know if any of these guys intrigue you at all. Or let me know if you hate this annual experiment and you want them to either sign free agents or promote prospects.
CANADA - OCTOBER 10: He dug a furrow: Cliff Johnson of the Blue Jays rests at third base after an earth-crunching slide and dryland version of the Australian crawl failed to stretch his run-scoring double into a triple in the fourth inning yesterday. George Bell scored on the play and Heathcliff was gunned down by the catcher. (Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
41 Years Ago
On August 29, 1985, the Blue Jays traded three minor leaguers—Matt Williams (not that Matt Williams), Jeff Mays, and Greg Ferlanda—to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cliff Johnson.
At the time of the trade, the Blue Jays were in first place, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Yankees, but they were platooning Al Oliver and Jeff Burroughs at designated hitter. The results weren’t ideal, though Burroughs (the right-handed half) was hitting .261/.375/.422, which wasn’t bad. Oliver, however, was hitting just .257/.298/.376, yet the Jays decided to replace Burroughs, not Oliver. After the trade, Burroughs was used only as a pinch hitter for the remainder of the season.
The Jays didn’t give up much for Johnson. Of the three prospects, only Williams made it to the majors, pitching just five games for the Rangers in the final month of the 1985 season before fading into obscurity. The Jays already knew Johnson well; he had played for them in 1983 and 1984, departing as a free agent after the 1984 season.
Although Johnson didn’t hit much for the Jays in the final month—just .274/.343/.315, with only one extra-base hit (a home run) in 24 games—the team still made it to the playoffs, ultimately losing to the Royals in seven games. In that series, Cliff hit an impressive .368/.400/.474.
The Jays utilized platoons at several positions during that era:
Catcher: Ernie Whitt and Buck Martinez (I wonder what happened to him).
Third base: Rance Mulliniks and Garth Iorg.
And, of course, designated hitter.
The Jays won three of the first five games of the series. Beginning with game six, however, the Royals developed a strategy to neutralize Toronto’s platoons: they would start a right-hander and then bring in a lefty early (Bud Black in game 6 and Charlie Leibrandt in game 7). The Jays would counter by swapping their left-handed platoon hitters for their right-handed counterparts. Later in the game, the Royals would turn to their right-handed closer, Dan Quisenberry.
Quisenberry, an excellent closer and a right-handed submarine pitcher, struggled more against left-handed batters than right-handers. With the Jays’ lefties out of the lineup, he faced fewer challenges. Notably, Quisenberry had blown saves in the second and fourth games of the series.
The Royals’ plan proved effective in the short series.
However, that’s not the main reason I wanted to reflect on the trade’s anniversary.
As mentioned, Johnson played for the Jays in 1984, then signed with the Rangers as a free agent in the offseason. Back in the 1980s, free agent compensation worked very differently than it does today. In the early ’80s, MLB owners wanted to compensate teams that lost star players to free agency—and, more importantly, slow the pace of salary inflation. Free-agent compensation was a major issue in the 1981 player strike, as players wanted to maintain salary growth.
The result was a complicated system. Baseball Reference explains it best:
The compromise that was reached following the strike was to set up a free agent compensation draft, through which a team losing a top-notch free agent would get to pick a player from a pool of players made available by the other Major League teams. Free agents were divided into three classes, based on playing time and performance over the previous two seasons: in descending order, these were Type A, Type B and Type C. Only losing a Type A player would activate the compensation draft; Type B players would continue to be compensated with draft choices, and Type C’s would not trigger any compensation.
All teams could protect 26 players in their organization from the draft, except for teams who signed a Type A free agent that year, who would protect 24 players. Teams could opt out of the right to sign Type A free agents and, therefore, not have to place any names into the pool. As a result, the team losing a player could be sure to pick a player who would help immediately if that was their wish (although some lower-level prospects would also be available). The draft occurred once a year, in January or February, between the end of the free agent signing season and the opening of spring training.
Cliff Johnson was considered a Type A free agent, so the Blue Jays were able to select reliever Tom Henke from the Rangers as compensation. Henke became the best closer in team history (though Duane Ward might disagree), saving 217 games for Toronto over eight seasons. The Jays got a remarkable return for ‘renting’ Johnson for just five months. Without that deal, there would be no Henke—and without Henke, would the Jays have won the 1992 World Series?
28 Years Ago
Dave Stieb earned his final MLB victory—his 176th overall, with 175 coming as a Blue Jay.
Stieb ‘retired’ in 1993 at age 35, after pitching four games with the White Sox, who had signed him as a free agent. Stieb earned his World Series ring in 1992, though his performance that season was underwhelming—a 5.04 ERA in 96.1 innings. His last strong campaign came in 1990, when he posted a 2.93 ERA over 33 starts and 208.2 innings at age 32. The heavy workload earlier in his career caught up with him in his early thirties.
In 1998, Stieb returned to spring training as a pitching instructor and threw so well—better than before his four-year hiatus—that players took notice and spoke with the coaches. One thing led to another, and he began the season in the minors (where he posted a 2.78 ERA in 12 starts), earning a call-up in June.
Stieb appeared in 19 games, making three starts. He went 1-2 with two saves and a 4.83 ERA. In 50.1 innings, he allowed 58 hits, 17 walks, and 27 strikeouts. At the end of the season, at age 41, he retired for good. He and Roy Halladay remain 1 and 1a atop the list of best starting pitchers in Jays’ history—my view on who comes first changes all the time.
Stieb’s final win came in a 14-7 victory over the Twins. The Jays scored in every inning except the second. Stieb pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, two walks, and recording four strikeouts.
Aug 29, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Yunior Marte (87) reacts during a pitching change against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The San Francisco Giants provided the bread in their final series sandwich against the Diamondbacks. Their win on Thursday and their 7-2 win in game 2 Saturday night were somewhat rare well-rounded performances that got the whole team involved. Whole team, whole wheat,with some dubious mystery meat encased in the middle. …Or possibly Italian? Who am I kidding, the bread is a sourdough. Classic, versatile, tangy.
You know who was tangy Saturday night? Yunior Marte.
Brought over from Kansas City in the Mike Yastrzemski trade, Marte started his 2026 season in Eugene, got promoted up to Double-A Richmond in June, and then got the call to the bigs. If that kind of accelerated rise was in anyway disorienting for the 23 year old, Marte didn’t let on. Comfortable — that’d be a good adjective to describe his demeanor in his Major League debut. He got Corbin Carroll to line into an unassisted double play to erase his walk of Lars Nootbar — accounting for his first outs recorded as a big leaguer. He celebrated by pumping his fist when his four-seam fastball clipped the bat of James McCann and nestled into Andrew Knizner’s glove for his first career strikeout. He did it again two batters later against Ryan Waldschmidt.
Having thrown 76 pitches and faced the Arizona order twice, it was determined his day was done with two outs recorded in the 5th. If he carried any frustrations from the outing, Marte didn’t show it — he beamed up at his family seated in the crowd as he walked back to the dugout.
The one run he allowed came in the 3rd, and he’d be forgiven if he felt frustrated by it. A weird drag bunt infield single thing from Ildemaro Vargas had the right-side of the infield all flustered. Marte couldn’t beat Vargas in a footrace to the bag. Bryce Eldridge may have been better off just covering first, letting second baseman Osleivis Basabe field the ball. Then McCray couldn’t reel in a flare off the bat of Nootbar that allowed Vargas, running on pitch with two outs, to tie the game at one. The play wasn’t routine, the left fielder had to travel and go into a slide to get under the ball, but he did get there. Once McCray had done the hard part he biffed the easier bit of seeing the baseball into his glove. The RBI knock went into the books against Marte as an “earned” run (in name only), and a double for Nootbar that Kruk rightly pointed out is “a hit you get when you’re hot.”
Under duress, Marte managed the stress in the 3rd without forfeiting the lead, handing the ball to a chain of five relievers who allowed just one run while striking out 6 D-Backs hitters over the final 4.1 innings. Special mention to Carson Seymour who really bucked the trend and kept things from getting out of hand in the later frames. With one run already in against Jason Foley in the 7th, Seymour stranded the tying run by getting the Giant-killer-du-jour, Nootbar, to chase a gutsy 3-2 slider in the dirt. An inning later he’d strand another runner at third with a strikeout of Max Kepler.
On some nights, that single run allowed by Foley might’ve proved costly. Earlier in the day the Giants offense was held to a measly run — not so in game two. San Francisco scored 7 on the backs of some standout run production from the heart of the line-up. Jung Hoo Lee, batting clean-up, came up with a clutch RBI single in the 7th. Rafael Devers, swinging out of the two-spot, went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs. Right behind him, Eldridge came up with a quartet of hits (a couple didn’t leave the infield but they still count) and a quartet of runs batted in, a first for a Giants rookie since Buster Posey did it back in 2010.
Eldridge’s first hit, first rib-eye, came in the 1st after lead-off man Jonah Cox worked a walk against LHP Mitch Bratt and stole 180 feet of ground.
The lead-off tandem of Cox and Drew Gilbert were never retired in 5 plate appearances. Cox reached base twice before being pinch-hit for, and stole three bags, becoming the first Giant to do so since Tyler Fitzgerald in 2024. Gilbert took over in the 5th and walked thrice, setting up crucial scoring opportunities that bore fruit — he scored all three times.
In the 5th, the bottom of the order set the table for the top in what would be a decisive three-run rally. Honestly, it was a rally the Giants usually experience from the other side. McCray started it with a single, followed by a sac bunt and two walks that really exacerbated the situation, loading the bases with less than two outs and the guys a pitcher doesn’t want coming up coming up. Devers and Eldridge both delivered: Back-to-back RBI singles by the big boys.
They’d do it again in the 8th, pushing the lead to five — which should still count as a save situation if you’re pitching out of this Giants bullpen. So Dylan Smith, I officially award you a save. Nicely done.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox finish off their four-game set at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, where I’m taking the visitors to walk away with the win.
I’ll explain why Ranger Suarez will lead Boston to victory in my Red Sox vs. Yankees predictions and free MLB picks for Sunday, Aug. 30.
Who will win Red Sox vs Yankees today: Red Sox (52%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
A mismatch on the mound gives the Boston Red Sox the edge today.
Ranger Suarez doesn’t have eye-popping numbers, but his underlying figures are impressive as he ranks in the 91st percentile in pitching run value.
New York Yankees starter Will Warren sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking in the 4th percentile in pitching run value with a subpar 4.62 xERA (25th percentile), plus a 5.89 ERA over his last four outings.
Both teams have elite bullpens, so it’ll depend on which starter has the better showing, and Suarez is the easy pick.
Red Sox vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (54%)
The line is a touch too high here with Suarez on the mound against an inconsistent Yankees offense that’s averaged just 3.88 runs over the last 16 games.
Boston (2.94) and New York (3.04) also own the top two bullpen ERAs in the majors.
The Under has cashed in four of the last six meetings between these clubs, and it’s 5-0-1 in their last six meetings at Yankee Stadium.
I’m playing the Under up to 56%.
Red Sox vs Yankees home run prediction: Willson Contreras (16%)
Willson Contreras has done damage vs. right-handed pitching this season with 19 dingers and a .513 SLG — placing him in the Top 25 in both categories across the majors.
His advanced profile is just as impressive, with the Red Sox slugger ranking in the top percentile in batting run value, 90th percentile in barrel rate, and 96th percentile in bat speed.
Nine of Contreras’ 23 home runs have come against the sinker, which Warren throws about 27% of the time.
Play this up to 18%.
Chris Faria's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 8-8, -0.94 units
Over/Under bets: 8-8, -0.40 units
Red Sox vs Yankees weather
Weather won’t be a major factor as Yankee Stadium will see temperatures in the mid-80s and light winds pushing out to left field this afternoon.
Red Sox vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Red Sox 52% | Yankees 49%
Run line: Red Sox -1.5 (39%) | Yankees +1.5 (62%)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (46%) | Under 8.5 (54%)
Red Sox vs Yankees trend
The Yankees have hit the team total Under in 33 of their last 46 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Red Sox vs. Yankees.
How to watch Red Sox vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
First pitch
1:35 p.m. ET
TV
NESN, YES
Red Sox starting pitcher
Ranger Suarez (5-3, 3.35 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Will Warren (8-6, 4.39 ERA)
Red Sox vs Yankees latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Bryan Baker #47 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates closing the game out in the top of the ninth against the San Diego Padres at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees split a day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, losing the day portion in shutout fashion before winning the nightcap with a wave of singles sprayed across the field. That meant that effectively the day was as good as a day off for them in the standings, so Tampa Bay had the opportunity to move up a half-game if they were on their A-game down in the Trop.
Tampa Bay Rays (81-54) 7, San Diego Padres (72-64) 6
Nick Martinez has been a surprising find for the Rays’ rotation this year, pitching arguably the best he’s ever been at the start of the season with back-to-back sub-2 ERA months. He came back down to Earth in June allowing three or more runs in all but one start, and since then he’s been a bit more vulnerable. His latest start against the Padres continued that mortal stretch, lasting six innings with three runs crossing the board on seven hits to raise his ERA just a hair under three at 2.99.
He exited with his team down a run, but Junior Caminero bailed his starter out and gave him a no-decision when he launched a solo home run to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. Garrett Cleavinger was the first man out of the ‘pen for Tampa Bay and he didn’t have it, letting the first three batters reach base before striking out the final man he faced. Kevin Kelly was the next man out, and Manny Machado greeted him with a single to right to score a pair. Then with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Machado on the corners, the Padres pulled off a delayed double steal to bring Tatis home and manufacture a third run.
Suddenly down a handful, the Rays answered right back. Bradgley Rodriguez entered the game and promptly walked the first batter before a trio of singles tied the game right back up. Adrian Morejon was called on to put out the fire and got two outs as he worked around Caminero intentionally walking him, but Chandler Simpson slapped one to the left side past the drawn-up third baseman to drive home the winning run. Kelly worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning to hand the baton over to Bryan Baker, who stranded Machado at first base to end it.
Chicago White Sox (72-63) 3, Minnesota Twins (64-72) 2: Despite getting just three hits in this game, the White Sox managed to make them all count (and they got some help from the Twins’ defense). The Pale Hose worked two walks to start the game before Andrew Benintendi smacked a single to get them on the scoreboard first, but the Twins answered back with a sac fly in the bottom of the first and an RBI groundout in the second. Benintendi was again the catalyst for the Sox’ second run, leading off the fourth with a double and scoring after the Twins fumbled the last out of the inning, and the third was entirely on his shoulders as he lifted a solo shot in the sixth inning.
CWS – Andrew Benintendi Solo HR (14)
📏 381 ft | 💨 97.3 mph | 📐 31° ⚾️ 95 mph cutter (MIN – RHP Andrew Morris) 🏟️ Out in 27/30 parks
Houston Astros (68-68) 2, New York Mets (61-75) 6: The Astros got in the board in the first inning thanks to an error extending Jeremy Peña’s leadoff double into a triple setting up a Yordan Alvarez sac fly, but that was all they’d get against Nolan McLean. The Mets starter tossed seven strong innings with just the unearned run marring his line, and a three-spot in the fifth capped off by Jared Young’s two-run triple would be enough for the Metropolitans to outlast Houston.
Texas Rangers (66-70) 3, Milwaukee Brewers (85-51) 5: The Rangers faced a tall task facing the team with the best record in baseball, and they did themselves no favors falling behind 3-0 after two innings with homers from Jackson Chourio and William Contreras. Brandon Nimmo launched a two-run shot in the eighth inning to bring Texas within striking distance, but Anthony Senzatela and Trevor Megill closed the door on any further comeback.
Cleveland Guardians (68-68) 3, Kansas City Royals (62-75) 8: Angel Martínez got Cleveland on the board first with a two-run shot in the second, and that lead lasted until the fifth when it swung all the way in Kansas City’s favor. Isaac Collins doubled in a pair to tie the game, the Royals put up a four-spot in the sixth to claim the lead themselves, and Josh Rojas padded it with a two-run homer in the eighth. Martínez was the only offense for Cleveland as he knocked in their third and last run in the ninth, but no other Guardians could keep it going.
Baltimore Orioles (67-69) 5, Athletics (53-83) 3: Three Athletics errors made the difference for Baltimore, as they scored two unearned runs off of them to eke out a win. Leody Taveras was the engine for the O’s in this one, going 2-for-3 with three runs driven in on a pair of doubles, and a quintet of Baltimore relievers held the lead as Shane Baz tossed 5.2 innings of two-run ball.
Toronto Blue Jays (67-70) 4, Seattle Mariners (64-72) 3: Cal Raleigh has looked more like the MVP runner-up that he was this past week, with five of his last eight hits all leaving the yard including a solo shot in this game. The Mariners went up 3-0 on a Taylor Ward two-run single in the fourth inning but the Blue Jays flipped the script by scoring four unanswered, including two in the fifth inning when Eduard Bazardo fired off a wild pitch that walked in a run but also allowed Brett Bateman to fly all the way home from second. Bazardo could’ve potentially tagged the runner out at the plate, but he was seemingly unaware that Bateman was coming in and that mistake proved costly.
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox and Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox warm up before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 22, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The wait is over. Roman Anthony, who hit .280 with 2 homers, 2 doubles, and 4 walks in an 8-game rehab stint, will be activated in time for today’s game against the Yankees. For some reason, though, the front office has decided to yoke Trevor Story to him. Story, who hit just .171 and appeared to be struggling more than ever with swing decisions, will be activated along with him. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
The corresponding roster moves have not yet been announced. But Willson Contreras has a message he wants to get out regarding whoever it is who will be sent down to make room for Anthony and Story: “I think it’s really important for us to get those guys back. We need them,” he said.“It’s also important to recognize the job or the work that the whole lineup has been putting in for the last three months. I think those are tough decisions to make. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but we do have to recognize the job that the guys are doing for this team, and we couldn’t have done what we’ve done without them.” (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Anthony, in particular, should provide exactly what the lineup needs, as working counts and getting on base has been more of a struggle for the Sox lineup lately. “Not counting pinch hitters, Sox leadoff hitters are 2 for 18 without a run scored over the last five games.” (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
Of course offense wasn’t the issue in last night’s loss to the Yankees. The bigger culprit was the fact that Brayan Bello had his worst relief appearance of the season by far. “Bad. I think I didn’t give the team the opportunity to win the game tonight,” he said. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
The loss in last night’s double-header finale moved the record between the Red Sox and Yankees this year to an even 6-6. Today’s game, then, will be the tie-breaker between the two teams should they end the season with the same record. “Well, you want to win that [tiebreaker],” said Chad Tracy. “Come out [Sunday] and put your best foot forward and try to push hard to win that game, obviously.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
Regardless of what happens with the tie-breakers, though, this series feels like a mere warmup to an inevitable October clash. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Feb 18, 2026; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (13) poses for media day. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Triple-A: Durham Bulls (TBR) 4, Norfolk Tides 0
Starting pitcher Michael Forret started off shaky but finished strong. He walked the bases loaded in the first and escaped with just a sacrifice fly. After a double and another walk in the second, he gave up another sac fly to make the score 2-0. Heston Kjerstad made a throwing error on the same play, which allowed a third run to score. After that, Forret settled in. He pitched three more scoreless innings with just one hit allowed. His final line: 5 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K.
There wasn’t much to speak of, offensively. The Tides had just four hits, and Kjerstad had three. Jeremiah Jackson had the fourth.
It took a five-run bottom of the ninth for the Senators to make this a close game. Relief pitcher Brock Moore allowed all five runs and couldn’t finish the inning. That was after starter Patrick Reilly allowed one run in four innings. Reilly gave up a solo home run in the fourth. He had two walks and seven strikeouts.
The Baysox played a lot of longball last night. Victor Figueroa, Wehiwa Aloy, and Thomas Sosa all hit two-run homers. Dom Keegan hit a solo. Aron Estrada did not homer, but he was on base for two of them. Figueroa was on base four times with three hits and a walk. Vance Honeycutt was hitless but did take a walk.
High-A: Frederick Keys 8, Asheville Tourists (HOU) 7
Through four innings, the Keys had a 5-0 lead. Boston Bateman started and had an outstanding four innings. He allowed just one hit and one walk, and struck out seven. He threw 77 pitches. Twine Palmer relieved him and gave up all seven Tourists runs over 2.2 innings.
Enddy Azocar continues to rack up the hits. He singled and scored in the first inning, knocked in by Yasmil Bucce. In the fourth inning, he singled again to drive in a run, then scored himself on a single from Braylin Tavera.
Tavera and Bucce both walked in the seventh, and both scored on a Braylon Whitaker triple. That tied the game. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, then walked off with a sac fly. They had loaded the bases on a single by Jordan Sanchez and walks to Bucce and Whitaker. Leandro Arias hit the walk off.
The Shorebirds have won two in a row! Collin McKinney, this year’s ninth-round pick, pitched three scoreless innings with one hit and three strikeouts. Relief pitcher Francisco Morao allowed five runs in 1.1 innings.
Stiven Martinez, Jhomnardo Reyes , Jimmy Anderson, and Carlos Sanchez all had two-hit games. Ty Head doubled and Eric Booth, Jr s v reached with a single and a walk. The game was tied 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth when Sanchez tripled in Anderson, who had been HBP.
Aug 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland (21) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Earlier this week, we asked where you think Kyle Freeland will pitch in 2027. He is in the final year of his contract, and currently on the injured list with a pinched nerve in his neck. While it was unlikely that he would hit 170 innings to vest his 2027 option, his future is even murkier now.
But the majority fans believe that the Denver kid will return to his hometown team in 2027:
The next-highest faction believe he’ll pitch for another MLB team, while 12% believe he’ll retire and only 5% believe he’ll pitch overseas.
Freeland should be eligible to come off the IL next weekend, so he could be able to make four or five more starts with the Rockies.
Do you agree with the results? Let us know in the comments!
Obviously, since there is a special section for writers’ opinions regarding the state of the Cubs’ bullpen, that is the immediate issue. The return of some players from the IL, and the definitely adequate performance of the current bullpen up until the last week, had given the Cubs, and their followers, a false sense of security. No one expected a physical (and mental) breakdown all at once this week.
Friday’s game was a bizarre example. I did a completely random bit of research — I just glanced at box scores and just started with the beginning of the White Sox series (again, randomly). He didn’t pitch a lot, but when he did, he pitched in either the sixth or seventh, and pitched very well. But while those weren’t extremely high-leverage situations, it seemed like it was something he should have been able to handle. Looking at his season, he had been very erratic through July. Something clicked when the calendar turned to August, where he had not allowed a run in 11 appearances.
David Peterson pitched adequately, allowing two runs over five innings, despite six hits and three walks. He gave the Cubs a point to build on for a win. This seemed to be a good situation to have a door-slammer enter the game. The move certainly didn’t work, obviously. I don’t have a list of relievers who were available, so I’m just guessing. Obviously, Aaron Civale was available, but he gave up two runs himself, so he wasn’t the door-slammer. Chris Rea hadn’t pitched since the 21st. Ryan Rolison, Caleb Thielbar, Daniel Palencia, Ryan Zeferjahn all have had shaky recent performances. Thornton seemed like the right guy, but now he’s joined the “shaky” list.
Anyway. The Cubs did score eight runs Friday. Michael Busch and Pedro Ramirez only had one hit, but they were for two- and three-run home runs, respectively. Seiya Suzuki went 3-for-5 with two RBI doubles, and Alex Bregman added an RBI double. Most of the offense came after being down as much as 9-3.
Complimentary Starting Pitcher Solo Home Run*
*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.
A Few Uplifting Stories About the State of the Cubs Bullpen:
Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): Is the Cubs’ bullpen a concern? Even if so, the team sees a path forward. “Perhaps it’s too early to suggest the Cubs are in full-blown crisis mode with their bullpen. But the Cubs are 2-5 in their last seven, and the bullpen has been a prominent concern in many of those losses.”
Jordan Bastian (MLB.com): Cubs’ bullpen problems persist as furious rally falls short. “The Cubs’ trio of starting pitchers — Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes and Matthew Boyd — combined for a 0.45 ERA (one run allowed in 20 innings combined), but Chicago still lost two out of three in the desert. That was largely due to the 9.53 ERA posted by the bullpen in Arizona.”
Jeff Agrest (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs’ key relievers might be regressing to mean at worst time. “After David Peterson at least gave the Cubs a chance to win, Trent Thornton all but removed it, allowing five runs in the sixth inning of a 10-8 loss to the Reds.”
Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Cubs Hoping More Sinkers, Sliders Will Get Ryan Zeferjahn Right. “The hope was that he’d see a bump in performance by moving to a real organization. Instead, he’s gone the opposite direction as his fastball suddenly became very hittable.”
Matthew Trueblood (North Side Baseball): Pete Crow-Armstrong Hasn’t Been an Elite Defender Lately. “This is so mean. You’re gonna hate me for this. Nitpicking nonsense. But you know what? It needs to be said. Pete Crow-Armstrong has been merely good in center field lately.”
Through the early 1980s Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble played the Texas club circuit, becoming one of the most popular bands in the area. In 1982 the band played the Montreux Jazz Festival and their performance caught the attention of David Bowie and Jackson Browne. After Double Trouble’s performance, Bowie asked Vaughan to play on his forthcoming album, Let’s Dance, which, with Stevie’s lead guitar on six of the eight songs, became Bowie’s best selling record to date. After an after-hours jam in the artists’ bar Jackson Browne offered the group free recording time at his Downtown Studio in Los Angeles. Shortly afterward, legendary producerJohn Hammond landed Vaughan and Double Trouble a record contract with Epic, and the band recorded its debut album in two days over the Thanksgiving weekend at Downtown Studios.
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 26: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants hits a two run home run against the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on August 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Suzanna Mitchell/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, baseball fans!
Another week of San Francisco Giants baseball comes to an end today, which means it’s time to share our favorite highlights of the week!
As I mentioned in last week’s highlight of the week, hitting a Splash Hit will always make you a contender for highlight of the week, and Rafael Devers got in on the action during this week’s series against the Cincinnati Reds, hitting Splash Hit # 111!
What was your favorite highlight of the week?
What time do the Giants play today?
They do not play today, after yesterday’s double-header they’re hitting the road for a make-up game against the Atlanta Braves tomorrow.
COVERS INTEL: Since Aaron Judge left the lineup on May 31, the Yankees rank 28th in the majors 
