MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JULY 26: Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of the game at Target Field on July 26, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The club welcomes a new club to town as the Detroit Tigers arrive to Sacramento for a three-game weekend series that’ll surely be overshadowed by the Tarik Skubal trade rumors. Both clubs are out of contention at this point so it makes sense but hell, we still got some baseball to play folks.
Our A’s will send left-hander Jeffrey Springs to the mound for what could be (and some say should be) his final start in the Green & Gold. If tonight truly is the end of his tenure with the Athletics it’ll be a disappointing end as there were some decent expectations for him when the A’s acquired him last year. Unfortunately things haven’t worked out but he could still benefit the A’s with a strong start this evening, possibly piquing the interest of one pitching-needy contender.
Here’s how manager Mark Kotsay will line up his squad for the first game of the series:
Same top five of the lineup tonight, but Tyler Soderstrom and Jonah Heim swap places. Henry Bolte is back in center field with Butler moving over to right.
As for the Tigers, they were originally going to be sending their co-ace to the mound tonight in Casey Mize. It seems like the Tigers are preparing to move him however as he’s instead had his start pushed back past the trade deadline. It’ll be a bullpen game for Detroit instead. The A’s would do well to take advantage of that tonight.
And Detroit’s starting nine:
Odyssey this Odyssey that You Odyssey Max Clark’s MLB debut
Big night for the Tigers as former 3rd overall pick Max Clark will make his big league debut in center tonight. A’s fans should be happy with Wilson, who went three picks later.
Can the A’s snap this two-game losing streak and get back in the win column? Win #45 awaits. Let’s go A’s!
DENVER, CO - JUNE 6: A general view of the stadium signage and lights in the fourth inning of a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field on June 6, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies have announced that tonight’s game Between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies will start in a delay rather than at the 6:40 pm start time.
Follow Purple Row for updates.
UPDATE: 7:06 pm
Current state of Coors Field:
UPDATE: 6:50 pm
UPDATE: 6:51 pm
It appears the grounds crew is beginning To assess the situation as fans return to their seats.
Meanwhile “Purple Rain” echoes across Coors Field.
UPDATE: 6:45 pm
Still raining, but things are slowing down, and the sun is trying to come out.
But allow me to share the press box about five minutes ago:
UPDATE: 6:39 pm
Absolutely pouring now.
UPDATE: 6:36 pm
Chris Bianca reports the delay will be brief.
Rockies delay should be brief, storm moving in now should be done by 6:50-7p#COwx
DETROIT, MI - JULY 25: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) pitches during a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Kansas City Royals and the Detroit Tigers on July 25, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Kansas City Royals hit the Mile High city, after two disappointing walk-off losses in the Twin Cities. Two improbable losses cost the Royals a road sweep. As they wrap up their longest road trip of the season, they look to do it in winning fashion against the Colorado Rockies.
All-Star Michael Wacha takes the ball in tonight’s game. In his last outing, Wacha went 7 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 3 against the Tigers. Sparse run support has cost Wacha a lot of wins this season, in fact, his last win was June 22nd in Tampa Bay, in a 2-1 Royals win.
Here are the 46-64 Royals lineup behind Wacha tonight
The Colorado Rockies come into this game at 42-67, they are tied for the worse record in baseball, with the Angels. However, they are 24-29 at home this season.
Right hander Tomoyuki Sugano starts for Colorado tonight. Sugano is having a good first season in Denver, posting a 4.69 ERA and 10-4 record. The 36-year-old Japanese born pitcher is a trade candidate as well. In his last outing, Sugano went 5.1 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 5, against the Brewers.
Here are the Rockies starting lineup behind Sugano.
It’s been a rather solid road trip so far for the Royals, can they start hot in the Mile High City tonight? First pitch is set for 7:40 p.m. CT. The game can be watched on Royals.TV.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Earlier this week in the SB Nation Reacts survey, I asked you how many trades you thought Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer would make before the MLB Trade Deadline happens. Incidentally, the official deadline is 5 p.m. CT Monday, Aug. 3, though if history is a guide, we’ll probably hear of some trades reported for an hour or two after that.
Here are the survey results:
This seems pretty reasonable. The Cubs need a starting pitcher — obviously — and I’m nearly 100 percent certain that Hoyer will trade for someone fitting that description. Earlier this week I posted a number of articles about potential starting pitcher trade targets for Hoyer.
Hoyer has a close, longstanding relationship with his Detroit counterpart, Scott Harris, who earned a 2016 World Series ring while launching his career at Wrigley Field, and now runs the Tigers with a similarly systematic approach.
Another connection worth noting: Skubal has deep roots in Arizona, which would make spring training at the Cubs’ Mesa complex an appealing and convenient feature once he weighs his options as a free agent. Acquiring Skubal, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, would give the Cubs a head start on that recruiting presentation, though it would likely require a financial commitment to a pitcher that is unprecedented in franchise history.
So, who knows? The package the Cubs would have to send to the Tigers is probably a high cost, even for a two-month rental.
Feel free to discuss that possibility, plus any others, in this thread throughout the weekend.
The Cubs might also be in the market for a reliever, though they do have multiple good relievers likely to return to the bullpen sometime in August. Maybe that would be as good as trading for someone.
Here’s the result of the national survey question asked of SB Nation Reacts members:
In my view this is just silly. The Tigers are absolutely, positively going to trade Skubal. I’m certain of it. Now, could I be wrong? Sure. but if they don’t, then he walks with no compensation other than a draft pick. Skubal isn’t returning to Detroit as a free agent, so the Tigers should be motivated to get something for him while they can.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Manager Craig Stammen takes JP Sears #38 of the San Diego Padres out of the game during the fourth inning at Petco Park on July 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres dropped their series opener to the San Francisco Giants and it was Daniel Susac who knocked in three of the four runs for the Giants. The Padres were bit by their “Pitching Chaos” approach after JP Sears allowed three runs over 3.2 innings. The San Diego offense did not help much, scoring just one run in the 4-1 loss. Both sides will need to play better tonight if the Padres are going to even the series.
Taking the mound
Bradgley Rodriguez (SD) v. Carson Whisenhunt (COL)
Rodriguez is getting the start for San Diego. It would be hard to imagine him pitching more than an inning, so he is assuming a more traditional opener role. The right-handed rookie has appeared in 44 games this season and holds a 2.33 ERA. He was sent down for some time to give him a break from pitching to ensure he would make it through the season. Rodriguez has had some ups and downs in recent outings, but he should be able to have a solid start to set the tone for the Padres.
The Giants are sending left-hander Whisenhunt to the mound for just the fourth time this season. He has a 2-1 record with a 4.60 ERA. Whisenhunt has only pitched 15.2 innings but has recorded 13 strikeouts over that span. The right-handers in the Padres lineup should be able to take advantage of a young pitcher, but as has been the case in the past, if Whisenhunt is allowed to settle in, it could be a long night for the San Diego lineup.
Batter up!
Manny Machado went 0-for-4 in the series opener against the Giants so it should come as no surprise that the Padres lost the game. Machado has been on a hot streak and the saying it the team goes as Manny goes. If that is the case, he needs to have a couple hits tonight. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill did their parts, but the other big bat in the lineup, Ty France, also went 0-for-3.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Luis Rengifo, LF
Manny Machado, 3B
Ty France, DH
Jackson Merrill, CF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Gavin Sheets, 1B
Luis Campusano, C
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Relief corps
Randy Vasquez to the rescue! The right-handed former starter pitched the final 4.2 innings of the game on Thursday, which saved multiple bullpen arms. He only allowed three hits over that span and did not allow a run. JP Sears started the game and lasted 3.2 innings and Wandy Peralta pitched 0.2 innings in relief. Thanks to Vasquez the majority of the Padres’ ‘pen should be available, minus Rodriguez who is making the start.
Jul 24, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (11) waits for a pitching change in the sixth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Colorado Rockies (42-67) return to Coors Field tonight to open a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals (46-64).
Colorado has not won since beating the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday. The Rockies lost the final two games of that series, had Monday off, were swept in a two-game set against the San Diego Padres and were off again yesterday.
They remain stuck on 42 victories.
One more win would match the Rockies’ entire 2025 total before the calendar turns to August. Last year’s club did not reach win No. 43 until September 21.
Kansas City arrives in Denver following a painful walk-off loss to the Minnesota Twins. The Royals have disappointed this season and enter the series 18 games below .500 despite carrying higher expectations into the year.
Tomoyuki Sugano (菅野 智之) will take the ball for Colorado in what could be his final start with the Rockies before the trade deadline.
Sugano enters at 10-4 with a 4.69 ERA as his results continue to outpace his expected metrics.
He has accomplished that through mixing and locating a deep arsenal. In his last start, Sugano pitched into the sixth inning and allowed two earned runs while striking out five and walking only one.
Both runs came on solo home runs.
That was typical of Sugano’s season. He has allowed his share of home runs, but he has often limited the damage by avoiding traffic in front of them. A solo homer hurts. A three-run homer can end an outing.
Sugano threw seven different pitch types against Milwaukee and relied on sequencing and varying speeds to quiet a pesky Brewers lineup. His splitter was the most effective offering, while his four-seamer and cutter were more vulnerable, making the order and location of his pitches especially important.
Sugano will look to follow the same formula tonight against a fellow veteran right-hander who also relies on sequencing and location more than raw power.
Michael Wacha enters at 5-7 with a 3.60 ERA and 104 strikeouts across 132.1 innings. His 4.26 xERA is less flattering, but this is not a new disagreement. Wacha has posted a lower ERA than xERA in six consecutive seasons.
Wacha does not overwhelm hitters. His four-seamer averages 93.1 mph, while his strikeout and whiff rates sit below league average. He instead limits walks, avoids barrels and receives excellent results from his offspeed pitches.
Like Sugano, Wacha works with a broad arsenal. His four-seamer and changeup lead a six-pitch mix that also includes a cutter, sinker, curveball and slider.
How he distributes those pitches may be more important than any individual offering.
During his last start on July 25, Wacha did not throw consecutive pitches of the same type to any hitter the first time through the order. He did not repeat a pitch type until the third batter of the fourth inning, after the lineup had already turned over once.
Only five hitters during the entire outing saw the same pitch type thrown back-to-back.
Wacha rarely allows a hitter to eliminate possibilities or use the previous offering as a comfortable reference point for the next one, much like Sugano.
He finished that outing with seven innings of two-run baseball despite recording only three strikeouts.
Tonight at Coors Field, it is a battle between two wily veterans who rely on location, variety and sequencing more than raw power.
For Sugano, it could be one final opportunity to work his way through a lineup in purple.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 17: The Silver Boot Trophy on display before a game between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on September 17, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 29: Chase DeLauter #24 of the Cleveland Guardians bats during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 29, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland defeated Cincinnati 6-1. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 29: A close-up view of the glove of New York Mets infielder Jared Young (29) is seen during the bottom of the first inning of an MLB game between the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays on June 29, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
I’m getting this together ahead of time in case I’m not back for game time.
Vlad is back in the lineup, as is Jesus Sanchez who is back along with Braydon Fisher. Lips and Macko are back in Buffalo
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The game starts at (around) 7:00 p.m. Friday, it’s nearly 90 degrees and Truist Park is the place to be as the Braves are taking on the Nationals once more. Will the Braves take the 2-0 lead and at least ensure a split with a win tonight? Will Washington’s bats make Bryce Elder their latest victim? We’re about to find out!
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 30: Luis García Jr. #2 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a double in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After losing three of their last four, the stakes are raised for the Nats tonight. They really need a win to stay in the hunt and avoid falling out of the race. The clutch hitting just has not been there for this group lately. Hopefully that will change tonight.
Blake Butera is making a few adjustments. Jose Tena will be in the lineup as the second baseman, giving Nasim Nunez a day off. Jacob Young is in center, moving Dylan Crews to right and James Wood to DH. Brady House is in there at third, while Harry Ford does the catching. Foster Griffin takes the ball in what could be his last start with the Nats.
The Braves only have a couple changes. Long time Brave Austin Riley is in the lineup at third base. That moves Mauricio Dubon to left field. Joey Bart will do the catching while Drake Baldwin shifts to DH. Bryce Elder has had an up and down season, with more downs lately. However, his last two starts have been better. He is on the mound tonight.
With Foster Griffin on the mound, this is a massive game that could determine what team the lefty is making his next start for. The Nats are 17-4 in Griffin starts, a trend they will look to continue. To do that, they will need to hit with RISP. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 22: St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy (62) pitches in the first innings during a game between the Miami Marlins and the St Louis Cardinals on April 22, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals will get out their passports and visit Canada to take on the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend. The Cardinals will send Kyle Leahy to the mound while the Blue Jays will start All-Star Dylan Cease. First pitch is scheduled for 6:07pm central time and the game TV broadcast will be available on Cardinals.tv.
Erick Fedde will have a tall task ahead of him, going toe-to-toe with Tampa’s Nick Martinez tonight. | (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
After getting out of the gates after the All-Star break with a strong road trip that saw four wins in six games, the White Sox started to falter. Losing four of five to the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, it looked as if the South Siders were starting to wilt under the pressure. Out of nowhere, the White Sox pulled two miraculous wins in extra innings out of their hat, and found a way to split the series with the Yankees.
Those two wins were absolutely critical and may turn out to be the difference in a tight AL Central that Chicago currently leads by two games. Unfortunately, their work is far from over as they now face off against the best team in the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Just like they have for most of the past decade, the Rays have been one of the more underrated and underappreciated teams in the majors and will pose a real test for the White Sox. While the Rays don’t have an especially potent offense or pitching staff, they do have a 40-16 record at home — by far, the best in baseball. They will look to improve upon this year’s success at Tropicana Field when they throw out Nick Martinez to start tonight’s game.
Much like the Rays, Nick Martinez has flown under the radar this year and there should be much more noise surrounding his Cy Young candidacy. Martinez comes into Friday’s game with a 10-2 record and 2.45 ERA, good for second in the American League and fifth in all of baseball. With just three starts in which he’s allowed more than two earned runs, and never allowing more than three all year, the best way to attack Martinez in his current form is to find a way to elevate his pitch count and get him out of the game as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, that’s incredibly hard to do when Martinez is in the upper echelon of pitchers when it comes to allowing walks, with just 20 in 20 starts this year. He also limits hard-hit balls and is methodical as a pitcher. The one saving grace for the White Sox is that Martinez struggles to strike batters out, totaling just 67 in more than 117 innings of work.
As for the White Sox, it’s another “Fedde Friday”, as Erick Fedde takes the hill. While he hasn’t been great this season, he’s been exactly what you’d expect from a pitcher at the tail end of the rotation. Even his 5-6 record and 4.25 ERA don’t tell the whole story, as Fedde sports a 3-1 record and an ERA of 3.73 over his last seven starts.
To be quite honest, Fedde’s stuff isn’t anything to write home about. He’s been more than serviceable as a fifth starter, but it’s clear the Rays have the edge on the mound tonight. With that in mind, all Fedde needs to do is keep Chicago in the ball game and hope they can find the same late success as they have in their last two games. Although Chicago’s bullpen isn’t exactly the best, either, a battle between the bullpens is their best bet at taking the first game of this series.
Here are the starting lineup for the Chicago White Sox:
Here are the starting lineup for the Tampa Bay Rays:
First pitch is 6:10 p.m. CST. You can watch on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000. Let us know your thoughts and predictions below!
Jul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) throws a pitch during the first inning against the New York Mets at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
In this week’s Reacts survey, we asked fans how they’d like to see the Brewers handle Jacob Misiorowski’s workload down the stretch.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, nearly half of fans (47%) said the Brewers should be setting strict pitch counts and limits, while 38% said the team should spread his starts out more. The final 15% voted for the team to continue pitching him every fifth day as normal.
Misiorowski has already tossed 120 innings across 20 starts this season, putting him very close to his previous career-high of 141 1/3 innings reached last year (between Triple-A and MLB). The team has already started to pull back a bit on Misiorowski, as he’s been spaced out a bit between starts and had his pitch counts limited, with just 83 pitches on Sunday and 65 pitches in his previous start.
With the trade deadline on tap, it seems likely the Brewers will look to add another starter, and adding one would solve two problems at once — give some relief to Misiorowski, and add general depth to the rotation with two-plus months to go. Who would you like to see the team go after to help out?
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Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Senga hasn’t started a game in over a month, and has exactly one (1) appearance with no earned runs either as a starter or reliever. His 8.85 ERA is a far cry from his stellar 2023 campaign or the start of 2025 before an errant throw landed him on the Injured List. With the expected departure of Peralta, Senga will likely get a few more opportunities to show that he’s got something left in the tank before he enters the fifth year of his contract next season.
Senga will be squaring off against Janson Junk for Miami tonight at Citi Field.
There is still no news regarding Peralta’s landing spot, but there are reportedly many teams involved, including the White Sox, Braves, and Phillies.
Ahead of the game, Cionel Pérez was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to July 30, with a left forearm strain. To replace both he and the traded A.J. Minter on the active roster, the Mets have recalled right-handed pitchers Jonathan Pintaro and Xzavion Curry from Triple-A Syracuse.
