They spent all winter training for this grueling race, and now that they’ve reached the first true milestone marker of the season at Memorial Day Weekend, we’re about to find out who has the endurance to keep going and who plans to stop and call an Uber.
Mathematically, everyone is still alive with these expanded playoffs.
Realistically, a handful of teams already are dead, with vultures hovering above looking to snatch up pieces at the trade deadline.
It’s too early to call the playoff picture, with a reminder that a year ago at this time, the New York Mets were cruising along with the best record in baseball.
But at the one-third marker, let’s take a look at the report card for all 30 teams, with just nine weeks remaining before the Aug. 3 trade deadline:
They’re making everyone look stupid with their pre-season predictions once again.
Just when you think they can’t possibly win the NL Central again after trading away ace Freddy Peralta and rookie star third baseman Caleb Durbin, with the oddsmakers forecasting an 83-win season after winning an MLB-leading 97 a year ago – look who has the third-best record in baseball.
Yep, those lovable Brewers, who are off to the best start in franchise history, winning 15 of their last 19 games.
The Brewers are doing it the ol’ fashioned way. They’ve hit the fewest homers in MLB with just 34. They have the fewest extra-base hits in MLB with 86. Yet, they are hitting an MLB-leading .279, averaging 5.04 runs a game, ranking fourth in MLB. They also have a filthy rotation that can terrify anyone in the postseason with a terrifying 1-2 punch of Jacob Misiorowski and Kyle Harrison.
Look out, these Brewers are coming to an October ballpark near you.
Tampa Bay Rays: A+
This was supposed to be a season they just re-tooled, building for 2027, or perhaps even 2028.
They traded away starter Shane Baz to the Baltimore Orioles and second baseman Brandon Lowe to the Pirates for prospects, with Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander fully acknowledging the trades were for the future.
Well, here they are, with the best record in baseball, 34-15, and winners of 29 of their last 37 games, scoring an MLB-leading 5.21 runs a game this month. They have Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Diaz providing the power, Chandler Simpson with the speed, and Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen and Nick Martinez with the pitching.
They don’t hit many homers (41, 4th-lowest), but they put the ball in play with an 86% contact rate that’s best in MLB, and an 18.7% strikeout rate that’s the lowest in baseball.
“They’re the cream of the crop right now in the American League,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone says, “and all of Major League Baseball.”
If this is the present with an $107 million payroll, can you imagine their future?
Atlanta: A
They lost three of their projected opening day starters, their starting catcher, their starting shortstop and their starting left fielder in spring training.
And they are running away with the NL East in May.
Alex Anthopolous, president of baseball operations, never cried, never whined, and simply relied on the deep roster he created.
First baseman Matt Olson is an MVP candidate. Chris Sale could win another Cy Young. Michael Harris is having a comeback year. Catcher Drake Baldwin is a star. Relievers Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias have been lights out. And infielder Mauricio Dubon and DH Dom Smith, cheap offseason pickups, are unsung heroes.
See y'all in October.
Cleveland Guardians: A
The Guardians spent a grand total of $11.5 million during the winter, did nothing to improve their meager offense that hit a franchise-worst .226 last season, and went into the season with a $76 million payroll and forecasts of 75 to 80 victories in the air.
The Guardians sat back, leaned on their pitching staff_led by lefties Parker Messick and Joey Cantillo, along with Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee – called up prized rookies Chase DeLauter and Travis Bazzana, implored their offense to be more patient at the plate, and voila!
They’re running away with the AL Central.
The rookies have played like stars, the Guardians’ 11.6% walk rate is the third-highest in MLB, and they have the third-best record in the American League.
“We know the division runs through Cleveland," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch conceded, “as much as we want to say otherwise.”
St. Louis Cardinals: A
These guys waved the white flag with a massive teardown before they reported to Jupiter for spring training.
They obliterated their payroll.
They traded their ace, Sonny Gray, and first baseman Willson Contreras to Boston. Their dumped 10-time Gold Glove winner and likely Hall of Fame third baseman Nolan Arenado to Arizona. They traded infielder Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners for more prospects.
And they have a handful of other players they’d love to trade at the deadline to complete their firesale.
But, oh, a funny thing is happening.
Right fielder Jordan Walker is turning into a star with 13 homers, second baseman J.J. Wetherholt is a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, Michael McGreevy has become a top-tiered starter, and closer Riley O’Brien has been sensational.
They’re certainly not going to be buyers at the deadline, but if they remain in the hunt, may have no choice but to stay pat, knowing their future could be a lot sooner than anyone anticipated.
What, the Dodgers haven’t won 100 games yet? They haven’t sprayed each other with champagne clinching the NL West?
The reality is that they’ve been a .500 team since opening the season with a 15-4 record, but even with starters Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow back on the injured list once again, $69 million closer Edwin Diaz out until the All-Star break, and $60 million-a-year outfielder Kyle Tucker performing like a $600,000 player, the Dodgers are sitting in first place.
They once again are in cruise control with no plans to step on that accelerator until October.
So, keep that champagne on ice, the Dodgers will be gulping it down soon enough.
Oh, if they only had the checkbook like the Rays.
Who would ever have imagined that the Yankees would not only be looking up at the Rays in the standings, but hoping to stay in Tampa Bay's rear-view mirror?
The Yankees have Aaron Judge and Ben Rice doing their version of the "M&M Boys" of the Mickey Mantle-Roger Maris days, combining for 32 homers, but they have gaping holes in their offense, patiently waiting for second baseman Jazz Chisholm, third baseman Ryan McMahon and center fielder Trent Grisham to start hitting.
They trust closer David Bednar, but would prefer not to hold their breath every time he takes the mound, and want another late-inning reliever as a safety net.
Their starting rotation has them dreaming of a World Series, with ace Gerrit Cole returning Friday and looking like the Cy Young candidate of old after 569 days, and Carlos Rodon making his 2026 debut earlier in the week.
Considering how weak the American League is this year, this could be the Yankees’ easiest path in decades to capture their first World Series title since 2009.
OK, so maybe you don’t celebrate the fact you’re not going to lose 100 games for the first time since 2022.
Maybe you don’t become delusional believing you can win the AL Centra this year, no matter that it’s the weakest division in North America. Yet, for the first time since 2021, when they won the AL Central only to start a rebuild two years later, there now is legitimate hope, and optimism.
Munetaka Murakami (17 homers, 36 RBIs), Colson Montgomery (13 homers, 31 RBIs) and Miguel Vargas (11 homers, 29 RBI)s are on pace to become only the fourth trio of Whtie Sox sluggers to hit at least 30 homers in a season in franchise history. Their offense is averaging 5.16 runs a game, second-most in MLB, and Davis Martin (7-1, 2.04 ERA) has been a legitimate ace. And they have learned to win close games, going 10-6 (.625 winning percentage) in one-run games this season after going 47-95 (.331) the previous three years.
The White Sox aren’t quite ready to be considered a serious contender, hovering just above .500, but it’s certainly cool to be excited on the Southside, especially after losing 324 games the past three horrific seasons.
The Padres (30-20) should be nothing more than a .500 team considering they have outscored their opposition by just seven runs.
Their offense stinks, hitting a woeful .222 with a .666 OPS.
Fernando Tatis Jr. has as many home runs as the team batboys: 0.
Manny Machado is hitting .179, the lowest batting average in the National League. All-Star center fielder Jackson Merrill is hitting .203 with a .595 OPS.
But they have Michael King (4-2, 2.31 ERA) and Randy Vasquez (5-2, 2.96 ERA) pitching like All-Stars atop the rotation. They have the nastiest bullpen in baseball led by Mason Miller, who has been perfect in 15 save opportunities. And they have plenty of fire with 15 comeback victories this year.
Can you imagine if this team had Tarik Skubal atop the rotation?
Athletics: B
OK, if no one else wants the AL West, the Athletics will take it.
The A’s still are woefully short in pitching, but, oh, that offense.
Nick Kurtz (.281, 8 homers, 37 RBIs and .932 OPS) and Shea Langeliers (.314, 12 homers, 27 RBIs, .951 OPS) already are stars, and the team is waiting for Brent Rooker, Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler to heat up.
Realistically, the A’s are still one year away from being a potential power, but who knew that a .500 record could make you a legitimate threat to win a division title?
They are expected to be major players in free agency this winter, and plan to heavily recruit pitchers with the sales pitch that they’ll be in the minor-league bandbox in Sacramento just one more year, and then it’s off to the beautiful confines on the Vegas Strip with no state taxes.
This is a team that’s becoming awfully scary.
Chicago Cubs: B
Just two weeks ago, this team was a runaway train that had World Series dreams dancing in their heads, with a 27-12 record, and threatening to run away with the NL Central.
Then, the White Sox came along and knocked the aura out of them. The Brewers came to town and methodically drained their confidence with a three-game sweep at Wrigley Field.
Just like that, a team that produced two 10-game winning streaks in a 24-day stretch, has lost six games in a row, 10 of 12 games, and plummeted to third place.
The Cubs still are in fine position for the postseason, but if they’re going to make any kind of run, they badly need to acquire another impact starter. Tarik Skubal may be too rich for their blood, but Sandy Alcantara, Robbie Ray and Freddy Peralta will be on their bucket list.
Washington Nationals: B-
The Nationals, who traded ace Mackenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers for five prospects in January, along with closer Josse Ferrer to the Seattle Marins for catching prospect Harry Ford, were open for business all winter. They shopped shortstop C.J. Abrams, too, only to never get the offer they desired.
They entered the season still in the sale mode, simply hoping to show some improvement for a team that has averaged 96 defeats a season since 2021.
While no one is calling the Nationals a contender, they’re no longer an embarrassment.
They are hovering around .500, the latest they’ve been at this juncture since 2021. And for the first time since they won the World Series in 2019, may actually win more than 71 games.
Abrams is hitting .299 with 11 homers, 45 RBIs and a .947 OPS and James Wood is establishing himself as one of the game’s premier power hitters.
The future is bright, and they could be a contender much earlier than anyone expected.
Pittsburgh Pirates: B-
The Pirates finally decided to do something about their offense, acquiring Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe, and bringing up rookie Konnor Griffin, for instant respectability.
They have a nasty trio of starters in Paul Skenes. Braxton Ashcraft and Mitch Keller, and could soon be adding Jared Jones.
Yet, with the NL Central being much stronger than expected, they’re going to need even more offensive help if they’re going to be hanging in the playoff race by July.
Realistically, they’re still a year away.
Philadelphia Phillies: C+
The Phillies certainly should be better than a .500 team, but it sure beats where they were headed in the early-going with their 9-19 start. They dumped manager Rob Thomson, and became the fifth team in the last century to go from at least 10 games under .500 to one game over within the first 47 games of a season.
Their resurgence kicked in when Zack Wheeler was activated from his thoracic outlet surgery, giving them a fearsome trio with Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo. There may be no pitcher in baseball than Sanchez, who has pitched 37 ⅔ scoreless inning streak, the longest in franchise history since 1911. Their offense also has awoken with Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh, with Trea Turner, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm recovering from dreadful starts.
There’s no reason they won’t be back playing in October, but they could sure use a right-handed bat to assure they get there.
Arizona Diamondbacks: C+
The Diamondbacks are playing their best baseball of the season, but then again, they’re also playing the weakest part of their schedule. They just ripped off a 6-2 stretch against the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants, to climb back into the playoff race.
Their pitching, led by Eduardo Rodriguez, has drastically improved of late. Infielders Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo are returning to normal after dreadful starts. Third baseman Nolan Arenado is playing like an All-Star again. And journeyman Ildemaro Vargas is having the greatest season of his life.
Their bullpen still is unstable, and if they’re going to have a shot at the playoffs, they’ll need to add veteran relievers at the deadline. If they fade, they’ll be a top seller’s destination for pitchers at the deadline, highlighted by Rodriguez, Michael Soroka, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.
Cincinnati Reds: C
They reel you in one minute, believing this team is legitimate after opening the season with a 16-9 record, and then break your heart, going 10-15, making you wonder if they’re nothing but mediocre.
They are in the middle of the pack offensively in runs scored despite the exploits of rookie sensation Sal Stewart, Elly De La Cruz, and JJ Bleday but the rest of the offense is mired in a quagmire.
The pitching is talented, led by Cy Young candidate Chase Burns, but with injuries to starters Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo and Rhett Lowder, along with closer Emilio Pagan, they have the third-worst ERA (4.71) in the National League. Their bullpen has collapsed in Pagan’s absence, yielding an MLB-worst 7.41 ERA in the last 25 games.
They should stay in contention all season, but they need help at the deadline if they’re going to make a serious push.
Texas Rangers: C-
They moved on from future Hall of Fame manager Bruce Bochy last season and hired Skip Schumaker, believing they were underachieving. Yet, here they are, mired in mediocrity.
They have a fabulous rotation with Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, but all have been inconsistent.
The lineup has simply been consistently bad with Corey Seager and Evan Carter grossly underachieving, Wyatt Langford back on the IL, and Joc Pederson a $37 million bust.
If the Rangers were in another division, they’d be dead and buried, but with the AL West being so dreadful, there’s no reason why they can’t hang around and be in the mix for the division title in September.
Miami Marlins: C-
They are slowly improving, but for them to go where they really want to go, they need Sandy Alcantara to pitch better to move him for prized prospects at the trade deadline.
Their pitching needs help, but their middle infielder of Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez have been tremendous, and outfielder Kyle Stowers, who opened the year on the IL, is starting to resemble his All-Star form of a year ago.
Really, their key to the future is Alcantara, and getting the parts they need to return to contention.
Minnesota Twins: C-
They made a shrewd deal landing starter Taj Bradley, and starters Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober have been solid, but outside of center fielder Byron Buxton’s season, little else has gone right.
They are expected to shop Ryan and demand a heavy price tag at the trade deadline, but catcher Ryan Jeffers, who they also planned to move, is now out for two months with a broken left hamate bone.
The center of attention will once again be on Buxton, who will be asked for the millionth time at the All-Star Game if he is willing to waive his no-trade clause. And for the millionth time, is expected to say he’s perfectly in Minnesota and wants to stay.
They certainly don’t look a team that will return to the World Series, but then again, they also don’t have a team that can stay on the field.
They’ve been hammered with injuries from catcher Alejandro Kirk to outfielders Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes to DH George Springer, as well as pitchers Trey Yesavage, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber.
The injuries have decimated the offense with the Blue Jays ranking 26th in slugging percentage (. 370) and on-base percentage (.306) and 22nd in home runs (45).
Yet, they’ve hung in there, and with ace Dylan Cease has lived up to expectations with his $210 million deal, and they sure look fortunate that outfielder Kyle Tucker didn’t accept their 10-year, $350 million offer.
The Blue Jays should be fine in time, and rivals expect them to be aggressive at the trade deadline.
Seattle Mariners: D
This team was supposed to run away and hide in the AL West after coming within one game of their first World Series a year ago.
Then again, who would have thought that MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh would disappear, starting shortstop J.P. Crawford would be offering to switch positions just to stay on the team, and their big acquisition, Brendan Donovan, would be spending most of the season on the IL.
That vaunted starting rotation also has been wildly erratic behind George Kirby and Emerson Hancock, with Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo looking nothing like themselves at times, and Luis Castillo barely hanging onto his job.
The Mariners have no choice but to get help at the deadline to prevent this season from being a disaster.
Colorado Rockies: D-
Yes, the Rockies stink once again, with the worst record in baseball. But while they are losing at a record pace, they at least are staying in games now, and looking good losing.
They found a tremendous reclamation project in Mickey Moniak, catcher Hunter Goodman is a star, Chase Dollander is a future ace, and reliever Antonio Senzatela is a fabulous trade piece.
It still will take time, but there are at least encouraging signs that things will finally turn around.
Houston Astros: F+
Yes, they’ve had their injuries, with 15 players going on the IL already this season.
They’ve had 13 pitchers start for them through the first 50 games, with four of their opening-day starters going on the IL, including ace Hunter Brown. They had a 6.08 ERA in April, and now that they’ve improved in May, can’t hit, averaging just 2.7 runs a game, the second-lowest in MLB, with stars Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa on the IL.
The Astros’ offense has collapsed since Correa suffered a ruptured peroneus brevis tendon on May 5 that sidelined him for the year. They have scored two or fewer runs in 10 of 15 games since, and more than four runs just once.
The only suspense left in their season may be how long manager Joe Espada and GM Dana Brown stay employed if they are sitting home in October a second consecutive season.
Kansas City Royals: F
The Royals were supposed to be all-in this year, believing they’d bounce right back after missing out on the postseason with an 82-80 record in 2025.
It has turned into a disaster, with the Royals sitting at 20-31 entering Saturday, with only the Angels winning fewer games in MLB.
All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt has been great as usual, leading MLB in WAR, but that’s about it. Vinnie Pasquantino, Salvador Perez, Maikel Garcia and Jac Caglianone have all badly struggled.
The season has badly unraveled, and unless their fate dramatically changes, they could have no choice but to trade starters Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo at the deadline. And rebuild. Once again.
Los Angeles Angels: F
Yes, it’s been ugly once again in Anaheim, with the biggest bright spot being Mike Trout.
He is healthy.
Finally.
He will never again be the same player that won three MVP awards, but he’s having an All-Star caliber season (.239, 12 homers, 25 RBIs, .888 OPS), resurrecting those age-old questions.
No, Trout will not be traded. He has zero interest in waiving his no-trade clause. The reality is that with about $160 million remaining on his contract through 2030, no team would even touch him unless the Angels ate nearly three-quarters of the contract. And that’s not happening.
Their most pleasant surprise has been José Soriano, who is pitching like an All-Star, 6-3, 2.44 ERA, and is under team control through 2029.
San Francisco Giants: F
This is the only team in the last dozen years that stopped the Dodgers from winning the NL West, winning 107 games in 2021. It’s true. Look it up.
These days, despite a $200 million payroll littered with stars, they’ve been a dysfunctional disaster, en route to one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
The Giants are 20-31 with a -57 run differential, which had happened only once in franchise history since 1902.
And never in franchise history have they ever been more than four games under .500 at any juncture of a season and still reached the postseason.
Their stars are underperforming, their young players are underachieving, and their offense has been a mess.
They soon will be entertaining offers for veteran starter Robbie Ray, and perhaps homegrown star Logan Webb, too, with all of their high-prized stars available to anyone and everyone.
Boston Red Sox: F
Advice to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow: Do not trade with the Brewers.
The Red Sox, who gave the Brewers starter Quinn Priester a year ago, this time doubled down and watched another trade with the Brewers blow up in their face.
They panicked when they lost third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency, and turned to the Brewers, acquiring young third baseman Caleb Durbin. They gave up starter Kyle Harrison, left-hander Shane Drohan and third baseman David Hamilton.
Well, while Durbin is sitting on the bench with his .166 batting average, Harrison is 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA and has become one of the most feared lefties in the game. Drohan has been invaluable out of the Brewers’ pen and Hamilton has provided infield depth.
Their woes just got worse when shortstop Trevor Story went on the IL with a sports hernia surgery that will sideline him two months. The Red Sox should sell at the deadline, offering outfielder Jarren Duran and closer Aroldis Chapman, and start over this winter.
Baltimore Orioles: F
The Orioles, after their painful rebuild in which they lost 115, 108 and 110 games in three consecutive full seasons, appeared to be ready to launch a dynasty when they won 101 games in 2023, and made the postseason again in 2024 with 91 victories.
They have since collapsed, proving that last year’s last-place finish wasn’t a fluke. They are sitting in last again, with the heat now on Mike Elias, president of baseball operations, for failing to land a marquee starter. They instead decided to trade for Shane Baz and sign free agents Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin. It has been a disastrous result with last year’s ace, Trevor Rogers, now looking like a fifth starter.
Oh, they can rave about four players being listed among Baseball America’s top 100 prospects, but there’s not a parade in sight.
Most terrifying, their window to contend is starting to close unless they quickly get some help.
Remember when the Tigers couldn’t wait to get two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal back on the mound to keep their World Series aspirations alive?
The question no longer is when will he return (likely in June), but how long will he stay?
The Tigers have lost 14 of 16 games since Skubal’s arthroscopic elbow surgery, and have dropped out of sight in the AL Central race. Their offense has been putrid, scoring three or fewer runs in seven consecutive games, and more than four runs once since May 3.
There have been only three teams in the 30-year history of the wild-card era who have made the postseason with 20 or fewer victories in their first 50 games.
The Tigers, who have the third-worst record in MLB the past 81 games – trailing only the Rockies and Angels – probably won’t be one of them.
New York Mets: F-
They were pieced together like a mad lab scientist, putting players out of position, acquiring players with injury histories, and watching them melt down before everyone’s eyes with a 22-29 record.
The acquisitions of Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert, have been disastrous, and with Bichette finally starting to hit, all that means is that he’ll definitely be exercising his opt-out, leaving the Mets paying him $47 million for one year.
They’ve already turned to an all-rookie outfield with Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing and Nick Morabito in this lost season. They’ll have no choice but to wave the white flag at the deadline, and unload starter Freddy Peralta, and perhaps infielders Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, too.
Around the basepaths
– Now that it’s becoming inevitable that the free-falling Detroit Tigers may have no choice but to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal at the deadline, rival executives believe the bidding will come down to four finalists that not only can afford the remainder of his $32 million contract, but will also be willing to give up prized prospects:
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres.
– The San Francisco Giants are making no secret that they have targeted UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky as their No. 1 choice in the July amateur draft.
Buster Posey, Giants president of baseballl operations, not only met privately with Cholowsky, but the Giants also had former Giants shortstop great Brandon Crawford meet with Cholowsky. Cholowsky idolized Crawford growing up, and actually sought his advice before attending UCLA.
The Giants have the No. 4 pick, and would have no qualms exceeding the slot value if Cholowsky’s signing bonus demands scare off the White Sox, Rays and Twins, who pick ahead of them.
– The San Diego Padres are looking for more bullpen help and have their eyes on Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox and Antonio Senzatela of the Colorado Rockies.
– While cities like Portland and Sacramento are preparing their bids for potential MLB expansion sites in 2031 or later, they might be wasting their time.
If MLB indeed expands, Salt Lake City and Nashville are the heavy favorits.
– While the Los Angeles Angels have been criticized for not trading Shohei Ohtani at the trade deadline in 2023, remember they still wanted to re-sign him as a free agent, knowing that if they moved him, he wouldn’t come back.
Ohtani stayed, and those close to him insist he badly wanted to return.
The Angels were given the opportunity to match the $700 million offer with $680 million deferred, and Ohtani would have returned if the Angels agreed. Yet, owner Arte Moreno passed, with Ohtani’s price tag exceeding expectations.
– Veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel’s bid for the Hall of Fame likely ended when he was dumped by the New York Mets, his 10th different team, after yielding a 6.00 ERA and 1.467 WHIP. Unless another team picks him up, his career saves total stalls at 440 with a 22.5 WAR, short of Cooperstown standards.
Former Mets great John Franco had a 23.4 WAR, and 424 saves while pitching 409 more innings than Kimbrel, but was off the Hall of Fame ballot after only one year, receiving 4.7% of the vote in 2011.
– Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, who won the Home Run Derby with the Nationals when Washington hosted the All-Star Game in 2018 and hasn’t appeared since, says he likely will enter this year’s Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia – provided he makes the team.
“I won’t do [the Derby] if I’m not an All-Star," Harper told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I just want to be an All-Star, first and foremost. And I want to be healthy. I’m going to take health into consideration, big time, because I feel great right now and I don’t want to screw that up. So, we’ll see.”
It would be quite the hometown show with Harper and teammate Kyle Schwarber in the derby.
_Cool moment over the weekend when Boston Red Sox great Roger Clemens threw the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Minnesota Twins outfielder Kody Clemens for the first time, before his bobblehead night at Fenway Park.
The entire Clemens family was in attendance.
– Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis is the latest No. 1 overall draft pick to struggle in the major leagues, just like Mickey Moniak, the No. 1 pick in 2016, before rejuvenating his career with the Colorado Rockies.
Lewis, selected with the first pick ahead of Hunter Greene in the 2017 draft, looked like a star in his first 70 career games, hitting .307 with 17 home runs, 57 RBI and a .913 OPS, including four grand slams.
Since 2023, he is hitting .225 with 191 strikeouts in 219 games.
– Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, their longest-tenured players wants to remain in Seattle so badly that he informed the front office that he’s willing to move to third base to accommodate top 20-year-old top prospect Colt Emerson.
“I want to be a Mariner for life,” Crawford told reporters, “and I think that’s the best way to do it.”
– Excuse me, has anyone seen Fernando Tatis Jr.?
He has now gone 215 plate appearances this season without a home run, and has come close only twice. The dude last homered Sept. 27, 2025.
And of his past 74 plate appearances, 42 of his outs have resulted in a groundout or strikeout.
– Quote of the week: Baltimore Orioles color commentator Ben McDonald, their former No. 1 pick, on the over-reliance on analytics across MLB:
“We can talk about analytics and what could happen and what should happen if you hit the ball hard. But I don’t care if you hit the ball hard. I don’t care if you hit it hard and you hit it to somebody. You’re out. I don’t care how hard you throw ball four. I don’t care what your spin rate was on your breaking ball if you bounce it three feet in front of home plate. I don’t care.
“What I care about is, do you make plays? Do you make pitches? Do you get hits when it matters? And that’s what the Orioles are struggling to do right now. They are struggling to have all phases of the game …So, all this nonsense is eyewash to me about this analytical stuff. You either do or you don’t. And right now, the Orioles don’t.’’
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB 2026 grades for all 30 teams: Which teams get an F in standings?
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