Game 122: Orioles at Twins

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 10: Zebby Matthews #52 of the Minnesota Twins looks on with the Budweiser Clydesdales against the Los Angeles Angels on July 10, 2026 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

FIRST PITCH: 1240p Central
TELEVISION: Twins.TV, presented by Progressive
RADIO: WCCO 830 AM, KMNB 102.9 FM, Dan Gladden Radio Network, Audacy App
KNOW THE FOE:Camden Chat

The Minnesota Twins walk into yet another rubber match as they look to take the series from the visiting Baltimore Orioles this afternoon. Winning this series will mean a sixth series victory in a row for the home nine as well as gaining a game against the Orioles as they are also in the hunt for the American League Wild Card race.

Shane Baz will take the mound for Baltimore. He faced Minnesota in the opening series of the season and went 5.1 innings en route to an 8-6 win for them. He gave up seven hits and four earned runs while striking out four and did not earn a decision in the game. The rest of his campaign has been good so far this year in a strong Baltimore rotation; he owns a 3.76 ERA/3.35 FIP over 23 starts, but his strikeout numbers are down compared to last year.

Minnesota will call upon Zebby Matthews to start today. He continues to stretch himself out from a season perspective has he’s already eclipsed his total number of innings pitched from last season. The Twins have won the last two games behind Zebby – both five-inning outings, both allowing three earned runs, both allowing two walks, and one game where he notched 10 Ks against the Seattle Mariners. He’s been dealing with a blister on one of his feet, so that is something on which to keep an eye. (That does not allow you to open the door to Twinkie Town After Dark!)


GO TWIMS GO



Today’s Lineups:

ORIOLESTWINS
Gunnar Henderson – SSTrevor Larnach – LF
Pete Alonso – 1BRoyce Lewis – 1B
Jackson Holliday – 2BJosh Bell – DH
Tyler O’Neill – DHKody Clemens – 2B
Dylan Beavers – LFBrooks Lee – 3B
Sister Christian – 3BLuke Keaschall – CF
Leody Taveras – RFVictor Caratini – C
Christian Franklin – CFAlan Roden – RF
Carlos Narvaez – CRyan Kreidler – SS
Shane Baz – RHPZebby Matthews – RHP

Mets vs Braves Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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After last night's win, the Atlanta Braves (-175 moneyline favorites) look to secure the series win over New York Mets.

My Mets vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks for Wednesday, Aug. 12, see Atlanta pull off the win at home.

Who will win Mets vs Braves today: Braves moneyline (-175)

Not the sexiest price tag for the Atlanta Braves to come out on top, but I really like this spot.

Tyler Mahle has been lights out over his last five starts, posting a 2.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while doing a great job limiting hard contact and barrels.

On the other side, New York Mets southpaw Zac Thornton has some underlying metrics pointing toward regression. He owns a 2.52 ERA on the year, but his xERA sits at 4.11, according to HandiGraphs.

The Mets’ lineup has been seeing the ball very well over the last week, but with how well Mahle has been pitching, I think he can hold them down.

Plus, the Braves own a 114 wRC+, .333 wOBA and .762 OPS over their last 12 games.

I think this is a great spot for the Bravos.

Covers COVERS INTEL: Five Braves hitters own an OPS above .956 over their last 30 plate appearances against left-handed pitching.

Mets vs Braves Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (+101)

I am expecting a pitching duel this evening in Atlanta between Mr. Thornton and Mr. Mahle, as both pitchers have done an excellent job limiting hard-hit balls and, especially, barrels. Across both pitchers’ last five starts, their opponents have stayed under an 8.5% barrel rate.

Even with my concerns about Thornton’s expected numbers this season, he has done a spectacular job of not allowing opposing hitters to generate much hard contact against him.

Both offenses have been outstanding over their last 12 games, but if these pitchers are hitting their spots this evening, I expect runs to be at a premium.

Mets vs Braves home run prediction: Matt Olson (+325)

Another game with slim pickings for long-ball looks, but we’ll go with a bat that has been barreling up lefties a ton over his last 30 plate appearances against them.

That would be Braves slugger Matt Olson, who owns a 26.35% barrel rate, .714 SLG and .464 ISO during that stretch.

Despite the lefty-on-lefty matchup, Thornton has been allowing left-handed bats to produce a ton of hard-hit balls and barrel up his offerings at a 12.5% clip over his last 30 faced. During that stretch, those bats have a .296 xBA, .495 xSLG and .522 wOBA.

“But he homered yesterday.”

Okay? Junior Caminero went back-to-back days with a home run over the last two days. It means nothing!

If you’re looking for a Met, I’m leaning Francisco Alvarez. His barrel rate has been through the roof lately.

Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
  • Season Record: 387-752, -17.4 Units
  • Home Run Record: 97-346, +8.7 Units

Mets vs Braves weather

First pitch temperatures should be in the upper 80s, with a slight wind blowing out to left.

Mets vs Braves odds

  • Moneyline: New York +158 | Atlanta -175
  • Run line: New York +1.5 (-142) | Atlanta -1.5 (+124)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-112) | Under 8.5 (+101)

Mets vs Braves trend

The Atlanta Braves have covered the Run Line in 9 of their last 11 games (+9.75 Units / 78% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Braves.

How to watch Mets vs Braves and game info

LocationTruist Park, Cumberland, GA
DateWednesday, August 12, 2026
First pitch7:15 p.m. ET
TVSNY, BravesVision
Mets starting pitcherZac Thornton
(3-2, 2.52 ERA)
Braves starting pitcherTyler Mahle
(3-9, 4.83 ERA)

Mets vs Braves latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Dodgers vs Royals Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for August 12

Max Muncy walked off the Royals (49-72) in a 5-4 comeback win for the Dodgers (72-49) on Tuesday night. Los Angeles has a chance to sweep the Royals before preparing for a four-game series versus Milwaukee.

The Dodgers have won two-straight and three of the past four following its season-long seven-game losing streak. In August, Los Angeles ranks 26th in ERA (4.95) and the offense has not cooked with 36 runs over 10 games (T-23rd) and a .251 batting average (12th).

Kansas City has now lost three consecutive games and five of the previous six. In August, the Royals own the second-worst ERA (5.67) with 57 runs allowed over 10 games and the second-worst WHIP (1.53), and fourth-worst OBA (.274). The Royals have allowed at least five runs in three-straight games and four of the past five.

Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Royals at Dodgers

  • Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
  • Time: 10:10 PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium 
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV 

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Royals at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-207), Kansas City Royals (+192)
  • Spread: Royals +1.5 (-117), Dodgers -1.5 (-103)
  • Total: 9.0

Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Dodgers 

  • Wednesday's pitching matchup (August 12): Eric Lauer vs Daniel Lynch IV  
  • Royals: Daniel Lynch IV  

2026 stats: 47.2 IP, 4-3, 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 37 K, 14 BB

  • Dodgers: Eric Lauer  

2026 Stats: 92.0 IP, 6-6, 4.89 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 57 K, 29 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • Freddie Freeman has recorded a hit in 17 of his last 20 games
  • Shohei Ohtani is batting .282 to start August (11/39)
  • Mookie Betts is hitting .257 in August (9/35)
  • Isaac Collins is hitting .154 in August (4/26)
  • Jac Caglianone is hitting .425 in August (17/40) with four home runs

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Royals at Dodgers

  • Los Angeles is 49-71 ATS, ranking third-worst
  • Kansas City is 56-65 ATS, ranking fifth-worst
  • Los Angeles is 63-56-1 to the Under
  • Kansas City is 62-56-3 to the Under
  • Los Angeles is 20-38 ATS at home, ranking second-worst
  • Kansas City is 28-34 ATS on the road, ranking fifth-worst

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Royals

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Dodgers and the Royals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.0

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Are Pirates signaling a Paul Skenes shutdown? Or a more actively managed workload?

It feels cliche to ponder the possibility of the Pittsburgh Pirates shutting Paul Skenes down, even in what increasingly looks like another lost season for him and his team.

His overall numbers are far from bad relative to the rest of baseball. His 3.88 ERA is fine. His 2.99 FIP, which measures a pitcher’s effectiveness independent of the defense behind him, is very good. So is his 1.12 WHIP, which measures walks and hits per innings pitched. 

Yes, his velocity is down, noticeably. Skenes topped out at 96.5 mph on Aug. 11, and his season average is at 96.8 mph on his four-seam vs a 98.2 mph average in 2025. No, he doesn’t look like the dominant Cy Young-caliber ace he was his first two seasons. And yes, that reality raises existential questions about the club’s future, specifically his future with it. He also hasn’t fully turned into a proverbial pumpkin the way the narrative around this team would sometimes have one think. 

It nevertheless became a lot harder to ignore the signs that Skenes may not complete the season Aug. 11 in Miami. Manager Don Kelly pulled Skenes after just five innings and 65 pitches against the Marlins, though he said after the game that the decision wasn’t injury related. 

The underlying stat line was deceptive. He allowed just one earned run while scattering five hits and a walk, but he needed Bryan Reynolds to rob Griffin Conine on his final pitch of the evening to avoid a two-run homer that would have given the night a very different feel. 

Before the game, Kelly made one of his frankest acknowledgements yet that something is wrong without pointing specifically to the physical element. 

“The league is adjusting back,” he told reporters. “Paul’s gonna have to fight to make the adjustment back to the league and find a way to adjust himself. Yes, the [velocity]’s down. I think command has been a bigger thing, at least for me. That could come from multiple things. From trying too hard to trying to be too perfect. Maybe trying to get that [velocity] back. You can’t just go get it. How does Paul make the adjustment back?” 

Much has been made locally about Skenes’ workload, which this year included the early ramp up to the World Baseball Classic coming off a career-high at all levels of 187 innings during his Cy Young campaign in 2025. 

He’d have to average more than seven innings per start the rest of the way to hit that number again, assuming he finishes at or near his total of 32 games started last year. 

Through that lens, Kelly’s decision could be seen as a further attempt to manage the number downward. Continuing to allow Skenes the space to work through the necessary adjustments without overexposing him in increasingly meaningless games. 

The Pirates didn’t score a single run of support Tuesday night, after all. The bullpen pitched four scoreless innings the rest of the way, so Skenes’ early departure made no practical impact on the outcome.

Perhaps we should expect more of that the rest of the way, as opposed to an outright shut down. Especially as the race for the final wild-card spot in the National League becomes increasingly bleak. 

The Pirates are now six games back of the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies, who are tied for wild card spots. The Marlins, Cardinals, Nationals and Reds all remain in front of them. And playoff odds via Fangraphs have almost halved again since Aug. 10. They now sit at 4.4%. 

For his part, Skenes seemed to feel afterward that he’d made progress while demurring on the question of being pulled early. 

“I thought it was better in terms of attacking guys,” he told reporters. “Kind of making pitches earlier in the count. 

“If I were the manager, I’d probably do it, too. [Kelly] walked me through everything and it all made sense. Yeah, wish I could have gone more, but it kind of is what it is.” 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are Pirates signaling a Paul Skenes shutdown? Or a more actively managed workload?

MLB Strikeout Props & Pitcher Best Bets for Today, Aug. 12

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It's a getaway day for some, and that's a perfect day to find some MLB player props and dig into what's not priced into the pitcher prop markets.

Drew Rasmussen and Eric Lauer will face offenses looking forward to a day off tomorrow, and their Overs are projecting well, while Zack Wheeler was pushed heavily in his last start and should lose some efficiency and leash today.

These are my favorite pitcher strikeout, pitcher props & MLB picks for Wednesday, August 12.

Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today

Player PickOdds
Rays Drew RasmussenOver 5.5 strikeouts+120
Dodgers Eric LauerOver 4.5 strikeouts+130
Phillies Zack WheelerUnder 17.5 outs+140

Strikeout prop: Drew Rasmussen Over 5.5 strikeouts (+120)

Drew Rasmussen might not go 100 pitches every start, but even with that 90-95-pitch leash, he can rack em up, and he's done so of late. Over his last three starts vs. teams with a big array of K%, the Tampa Bay Rays starter has 27 Ks over his last 20 innings. He has gotten to 5+ Ks in all but two of his last 11 starts since the start of June.

Tampa got a complete game with Nick Martinez last night, as the Athletics lineup has been one of the worst over the last two weeks and a bottom-10 team in K% over that stretch. THE BAT will never like Rasmussen's Overs because of that leash, but his range of outcomes and ability to smash his Overs separates him from other starters.

This price is tough to ignore for a K/inning guy who can get to six frames on a team that hates its bullpen and is looking to win a division.

The All-Star break was perfect for the right-hander as he has allowed just two runs over his last 25 innings and hasn't allowed a run in three straight games. He also gets an Athletics team that might be looking ahead to a day off on Thursday.

  • Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSCA, Rays.TV

Strikeout prop: Eric Lauer Over 4.5 strikeouts (+130)

Let's take a swing at another heavy plus-money Over K prop against a Kansas City Royals lineup that got carved up by another lefty last night in Blake Snell, who easily topped his 7.5 K prop with a 10-strikeout outing.

Eric Lauer is not Snell, but the Royals are a light-hitting lineup, and they're looking ahead to a day off tomorrow in California before heading to Anaheim.

THE BAT is projecting Lauer to go Over this number on 87 pitches with a fair price of +125, but the Dodgers should give him a six-inning leash with a pitch count that can reach the upper 90s. There’s a good chance he tops that projected pitch count today.

Lauer is also coming off a bad start at Wrigley, his worst as a Dodger, giving him some motivation on his side. The Los Angeles Dodgers could also be without three relievers today, including two lefties, which makes getting length from Lauer even more important.

I'm taking the Over and looking for Lauer to get through six innings with enough volume to cash this plus-money prop.

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SportsNetLA, Royals.TV

Pitcher outs prop: Zack Wheeler Under 17.5 outs (+141)

Sticking with the plus-money on these, this is my favorite fade of the day. Zack Wheeler is coming off an 116-pitch outing against the Blue Jays, which was the most he has thrown in over five seasons. Making that even heavier is that he threw just 110 combined pitches in his two previous outings.

His form has also fallen off that Cy Young pace, as he owns a 5.71 ERA since the break and has gone Over this number just once.

Looking at the Philadelphia Philliesbullpen, there could be a quicker hook than usual, as all but one arm is available and the high-leverage guys need some work.

There are also some lefties in that St. Louis Cardinals lineup who could end Wheeler's day, with JJ Wetherholt and Alec Burleson in the mix. There should be five lefties in the Cardinals' lineup today.

I love fading pitchers coming off massive workloads, and the distraction about Wheeler not touching the rubber is just another thing that works in this Under's favor. This isn't a coin flip, but 45%-47% looks like the outcome.

  • Time: 2:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Cardinals.TV, NBCSP
Josh Inglis' 2026 Transparency Record
  • Prop picks: 10-13, -2.8 units

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.

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Athletics' Nick Kurtz could miss the rest of the season with a thumb injury

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz may be in danger of missing the rest of the season because of his injured right thumb.

Manager Mark Kotsay told reporters before his team’s game against Tampa Bay that Kurtz needs to be in a brace for four weeks following a platelet-rich plasma injection on Aug. 4. Kotsay alluded to the fact that four weeks without mobility for Kurtz could make a return before the end of September difficult to envision.

Kurtz, 23, went on the injured list with a sprained right thumb on July 11 and returned two weeks later. He struggled at the plate following his return, going 1 for 18 in seven games. Kurtz was expected to see a hand specialist in Los Angeles.

The reigning AL rookie of the year is batting .256 with 21 home runs and 69 RBIs in his second season in the majors. Kurtz, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was selected as an All-Star but unable to participate in Philadelphia because of the injury.

Wednesday Open Thread

TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 10: Charles McAdoo #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays gets doused with a sports drink during their post-game interview after their MLB game against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre on August 10, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I got a few things going on today, and I’m kind wanting a day off, so lets do an open thread.

I saw a tweet for a post saying “How could the Jays pull it off?“ and I was thinking win a lot of games? That’s it right? Cause blowing up the other teams’ ballparks, with the teams in them, seems a bit over the top.

Of course, having two starting pitchers go on the IL in the past couple of weeks makes it all that much harder.

2.5 games back now but they have to leap over five teams to get there, which is the tough part. If one of those teams goes on a run, it becomes that much harder.

Anyway, use the thread to talk about anything you’d like. If nothing else give me something I can watch on streaming, because I’m watching ‘Heros’ and, as I remembered it, the first season was fairly compelling, but the second season is just a mess.

Sources: Mark Walter has no plans to sell Dodgers after unloading Lakers

Mark Walter, chairman and controlling owner of the Dodgers, acknowledges a fan before a game in Chicago on Aug. 4.
Mark Walter, chairman and controlling owner of the Dodgers, acknowledges a fan before a game in Chicago on Aug. 4. (Melissa Tamez / Associated Press)

If Mark Walter is selling one of the crown jewels of Los Angeles sports, is he about to sell the other?

No, according to people familiar with the matter not authorized to discuss it publicly. Walter announced the sale of his controlling interest in the Lakers on Wednesday, but he is not looking to sell the Dodgers.

The decision to sell the Lakers is specific to the Lakers and is not a sign Walter is interested in dismantling a sports empire that includes the Dodgers, the Sparks, Chelsea of the English Premier League, the Professional Women’s Hockey League and various tennis and motor sports entities.

In 2012, Walter and his partners bought the Dodgers for $2.15 billion, then a record for a Major League Baseball team.

Read more:Bob Iger, Joshua Kushner to buy Lakers from Mark Walter's ownership group for $12.5 billion

Under his ownership, the Dodgers have won three of the last six World Series championships and invested record revenues in player contracts so generous that league owners are now pursuing a salary cap, in part to help teams other than the Dodgers win the Wold Series and in part to lift the value of all of its franchises.

Sportico now values the Dodgers at $9 billion.

Walter last year closed his purchase of the Lakers at a valuation of $10 billion and agreed to sell Tuesday at a valuation of $12.5 billion. The buyers: former Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger and Joshua Kushner, whose Thrive Eternal venture capital firm invests in sports and owns a share of the San Francisco Giants.

Kushner is the younger brother of Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law.

That Walter never put the Lakers up for bid echoes how he bought the Dodgers: An auction had been scheduled among three finalists for the Dodgers, including Walter and his partners. Walter put a take-it-or-leave-it bid on the table so high — hundreds of millions above where the other bidders had been in the process — that former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt called off the auction and congratulated Walter.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Carlos Rodon slated for 2nd rehab start, Cody Bellinger 'getting close’ for Yankees

NEW YORK — Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón is scheduled to make his second minor league rehabilitation start for Double-A Somerset.

Rodón has been on the 15-day injured list since July 3 because of left elbow inflammation. He received multiple shots, including platelet-rich plasma injections, and threw 29 of 48 pitches for strikes in his first rehab outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The left-hander allowed three runs and three hits over 2 2/3 innings against Rochester, with four strikeouts and two walks.

New York manager Aaron Boone has said Rodón could return to the team in a piggyback situation with another starter at first, similar to Max Fried’s return from a bruised left elbow on July 22.

When he gets back, Rodón will rejoin a strong Yankees rotation that also includes Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, Will Warren and Ryan Weathers.

As for the injury-depleted lineup, Boone said All-Star left fielder Cody Bellinger is “getting close” to returning from a left hamstring strain that has sidelined him since July 26. Bellinger, who has been hitting and working in the outfield, was expected to miss four to six weeks.

“He’s running really well. He’s probably at I think over 90% of his normal top speed and feeling good doing that,” Boone said before the opener of a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners.

“I know he still feels a little bit of tightness getting into certain positions. So it’s just getting though that last wave, which hopefully he works through this week as that intensity ramps up of doing these things every day. But I don’t think he’s too far off.”

New York designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, out since April 25 with a right calf strain, ran the bases at Yankee Stadium.

“It does feel like he’s getting closer. He has stacked a lot of good days here. So, when that time comes, obviously it will be very good to get him back,” Boone said.

Aaron Judge was cleared to begin light workout activity. The three-time AL MVP hasn’t played since May 31 because of a broken right rib but said he will return this season.

Boone said Bellinger probably will come off the injured list first, followed by Stanton and then Judge.

New York began the day leading the American League wild-card standings and six games behind first-place Tampa Bay in the AL East.

“I think we still have a chance to be at our very best hopefully when it matters the most,” Boone said.

In other news, the Yankees placed reliever Kervin Castro on the 15-day injured list with right elbow neuritis and called up fellow right-hander Bradley Hanner from Triple-A.

Castro has a 1.42 ERA in five outings for New York this season, with eight strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3 innings.

The 27-year-old Hanner was 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA and four saves in 40 relief appearances at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, compiling 61 strikeouts over 51 1/3 innings with only two home runs allowed. He was looking to make his major league debut.

In the fourth season of a six-year, $162 million, contract, Rodón is 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA in nine starts after missing the first month recovering from offseason elbow surgery. He returned in early May and struggled with command in his first three starts. He was 4-0 with a 2.97 ERA in his last six outings before going on the IL.

Rodón had surgery Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur. Then he had a setback in late March when he felt tightness in his right hamstring while throwing at the Yankees’ complex in Florida.

Rodón was 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA last season and is 41-28 with a 3.93 ERA in 88 starts since joining the Yankees.

Mark Walter’s status as Dodgers owner revealed after $12.5 billion Lakers sale

New Los Angeles Dodgers owners Stan Kasten, Earvin
New Los Angeles Dodgers owners Stan Kasten, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Mark Walter laugh during a news conference to announce the new ownership of the Major League Baseball team at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. (LUCY NICHOLSON)

Mark Walter stunned the sports world on Wednesday by selling his ownership stake in the Lakers at a $12.5 billion valuation to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner.

It is the largest sale of an American sports franchise in history.

However, the billionaire businessman’s ownership of the Dodgers is not expected to change, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed, with Walter planning to retain control of the franchise under his Guggenheim Baseball Management group and continue in his role as chairman of the club.

Unlike the Lakers –– whom Walter acquired through another one of his conglomerates, TWG Global, only a little more than a year ago –– the Dodgers have long been the crown jewel in his sprawling sports portfolio.

He spearheaded Guggenheim’s $2.15 billion purchase of the then-bankrupt franchise from Frank McCourt in 2012.

New Los Angeles Dodgers owners Stan Kasten, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Mark Walter laugh during a news conference to announce the new ownership of the Major League Baseball team at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. (LUCY NICHOLSON) REUTERS

He has overseen a historic turnaround in which the Dodgers have become MLB’s preeminent organization, winning three World Series titles while smashing league spending records to compile a roster full of superstar talent in recent years.

He has also watched the club transform into a revenue-generating machine, becoming the first baseball team to eclipse $1 billion in annual revenue in the wake of Shohei Ohtani’s signing three years ago (on a contract, notably, the two-way star could opt out of if Walter ever reliquinshed ownership of the team).

Even though his day-to-day involvement is almost entirely hands-off –– “They make all the decisions,” Walter quipped after last year’s World Series, when asked how much he trusts his “baseball people” to run the franchise, “[and] I just tell them yes” –– his influence has nonetheless been profound.

In recent weeks, however, newfound speculation surrounding his business empire has started to sprout.

First came reports of a federal investigation into potential financial improprieties at insurance companies he owned.

Then, news emerged that the 66-year-old had suffered a stroke during the 2024 World Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers chairman Mark Walter attends a press conference announcing a new partnership between the Los Angeles Dodgers and UNIQLO at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The partnership renames the Dodger Stadium playing field to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. (MediaNews Group RM) MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Now, his sale of the Lakers, which was first reported by ESPN, serves as perhaps the biggest shock –– especially considering how recently he had bought the team, and how deep its ties with the Dodgers had already become.

Under Walter’s Lakers ownership, the NBA franchise hired Dodgers chief marketing officer Lon Rosen to become its president of business operations (while also allowing him to remain involved with the Dodgers).

Baseball operations executives Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi were also enlisted to serve in advisory roles for the Lakers’ front office, consulting with Lakers president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka in an effort to revamp the organization’s behind-the-scenes infrastructure.

The teams had even started attracting overlapping sponsorships, most notably with Japanese retailer Daiso (a pre-existing Dodgers sponsor that was announced as a Lakers global partner this summer).

Those moves, at least seemingly, portended a lasting era of partnership and collaboration for Los Angeles’ two most premier sports teams, all under the shared ownership of Walter and his vast resources.

Alas, with the Lakers now being sold, the Dodgers are back to being the foremost franchise in his control.

And for now, at least, there is no sign of that changing any time soon.

Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 22: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is caught stealing second base by Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at American Family Field on May 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers are staying out West through the weekend, as they’ll head to Los Angeles to visit the Dodgers for four games beginning Thursday night. Milwaukee has had a rough go of it out West this year, as they’re now 4-7 in California and Las Vegas entering Wednesday’s series finale against the Padres. Outside of California and Las Vegas? Milwaukee is 70-39, a 104-win pace.

On the other side, the Dodgers had a rough stretch around the trade deadline earlier this month, losing seven straight and eight of nine against the Red Sox, Cubs, and D-backs before winning the first two games of their three-game set with the Royals this week. At 72-48, the Dodgers are two games behind Milwaukee for the best record in baseball and tied with the Braves for the No. 2 seed in the NL, which comes with a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Brewers have dealt with a series of injuries to their infield, as Cooper Pratt is on the IL with a hamstring strain, Joey Ortiz has been considered day-to-day with neck tightness, and prospect Jett Williams was also removed from a game over the weekend with another hand injury in his first at-bat back from the IL. Jackson Chourio (not Brice Turang, as previously reported) is also dealing with a thumb injury, though the severity is unknown. The only other position player on the IL is outfielder Sal Frelick, who is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville. On the pitching side, JoJo Romero is close to a rehab assignment after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in July, Joel Kuhnel is currently on a rehab assignment, and Rob Zastryzny has been listed as TBD after being taken off his rehab assignment in early July. Brandon Woodruff, Brian Fitzpatrick, Quinn Priester, and Angel Zerpa are all out for the season.

The Dodgers are without catchers Will Smith (September return) and Dalton Rushing (out for season), as well as a long list of pitchers. Shohei Ohtani, who has continued to DH, hasn’t pitched since early July as he deals with knee and biceps injuries. Will Klein (out for season), Brock Stewart (close to returning), Blake Treinen (September), Tyler Glasnow (on rehab assignment), Kris Bubic (September), Gavin Stone (September), Bobby Miller (September), Ben Casparius (on rehab assignment), Brusdar Graterol (TBD), and former Brewer Jake Cousins (out for season) are also on the IL.

Jake Bauers continues to set the pace for the Crew with 21 homers, followed by Jackson Chourio at 17 and Turang at 16. William Contreras, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich, Andrew Vaughn, David Hamilton, Ortiz, and Luis Lara are also regulars at this point, with Brandon Lockridge, Jihwan Bae, and Gary Sánchez serving as depth. As a team, Milwaukee is hitting .252/.336/.396 (.732 OPS ranks tied for seventh), with 110 homers (last), 589 runs (fifth), and 118 steals (fifth).

Ohtani leads Los Angeles with 26 homers this season, with Max Muncy (22 homers), and Andy Pages (19 homers) just behind him. Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Teoscar Hernández are still regulars for the Dodgers, and the team also added Kyle Tucker in the offseason. Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia are splitting catching duties, and Tommy Edman, Miguel Rojas, Enrique Hernández, and Alex Call round things out. As a team, the Dodgers are hitting .261/.338/.428 (.766 OPS ranks second), with 152 homers (seventh), 602 runs (tied for third), and 46 steals (28th).

Aaron Ashby continues to lead Milwaukee’s bullpen with 55 appearances, pitching to a 3.56 ERA, 94 strikeouts, and team-high 13 wins over 65 2/3 innings. Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill have both been great, and Chad Patrick and DL Hall also sit in high-leverage roles. With a six-man rotation, Milwaukee’s bullpen is rounded out by Antonio Senzatela and on-again, off-again reliever Bryse Wilson, who the team re-signed this week after designating him for assignment just a few days earlier. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.54 team ERA (fourth), including a 3.56 starter ERA (fifth) and a 3.51 bullpen ERA (fourth). They’ve struck out 1,169 batters (second) over 1,071 2/3 innings.

The Dodger bullpen is led by Alex Vesia (2.81 ERA over 41 2/3 innings), Tanner Scott (2.27 ERA over 47 2/3 innings), Edgardo Henriquez (3.02 ERA over 47 2/3 innings), and Jack Dreyer (3.14 ERA over 48 2/3 innings). Closer Edwin Díaz has had a rough season, pitching to a 9.82 ERA and three blown saves in just 11 innings, while former Brewer Eric Lauer has made 10 appearances (nine starts) with a 3.72 ERA over 55 2/3 innings, though he may be exiting the rotation and joining the bullpen with the return of Blake Snell. The usually reliable Evan Phillips has also struggled with a 5.73 ERA over 11 innings, and the newest addition is former Rockie Seth Halvorsen, who picked up the win with a scoreless inning in his team debut on Tuesday after returning from the IL. As a staff, the Dodgers have a 3.72 team ERA (seventh), including a 3.54 starter ERA (fourth) and a 4.02 bullpen ERA (16th). They’ve struck out 1,073 batters (tied for seventh) over 1,059 2/3 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Thursday, August 13 @ 9:10 p.m.: LHP Shane Drohan (6-4, 3.87 ERA, 3.34 FIP) vs. RHP Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.54 ERA, 4.95 FIP)

Drohan, who has been fairly consistent this season with a respectable 3.87 ERA, 3.34 FIP, and 93 strikeouts over 93 innings, is coming off one of his worst starts, as he allowed six runs on nine hits and four walks, striking out four across five innings in an 8-6 loss to the Twins. Drohan made two relief appearances against the Dodgers back in May, totaling 4 1/3 innings with three runs allowed (two earned) on three hits and two walks, striking out seven.

Sasaki, 24, is in year No. 2 with Los Angeles, and things have still not quite panned out for the right-hander. He’s made 20 starts this year, with a 4.54 ERA, 4.95 FIP, and 106 strikeouts across 105 innings. Despite those disappointing season numbers, he’s been solid in his last five starts, totaling 30 innings with nine runs allowed (eight earned) for a 2.40 ERA, striking out 31. Sasaki, who faced Milwaukee in relief last postseason, made his lone start against the Crew back in May of this year, earning the win as he allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks, striking out four over five frames.

Friday, August 14 @ 9:10 p.m.: LHP Robert Gasser (3-4, 4.57 ERA, 4.51 FIP) vs. RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.65 ERA, 3.43 FIP)

Gasser, in his third season with Milwaukee, just surpassed 100 career innings in his last outing against the Twins. For his career, the left-hander now has a 3.93 ERA, 4.33 FIP, and 82 strikeouts over 100 2/3 innings through 20 starts. He struggled a bit with his command last weekend, but the bullpen and offense picked him up enough to leave him with a no-decision. Across 4 2/3 innings in that one, he allowed three runs on seven hits, two walks, and two hit batters while striking out three. Gasser’s lone appearance against the Dodgers came back in May, when he went 4 1/3 innings with four runs allowed on four hits and four walks, striking out four in a loss.

Yamamoto, 28 next week, is firmly in the NL Cy Young race for the second consecutive season. Across 21 starts this year, he’s 11-7 with a 2.65 ERA, 3.43 FIP, and 127 strikeouts over 139 1/3 innings. He went 5 2/3 scoreless innings against the D-backs in his last outing, allowing three hits, three walks, and a hit batter while striking out six. Yamamoto, who dominated Milwaukee in last year’s NLCS, has made two regular-season starts against the Brewers with very different results. After allowing five runs (three earned) and recording just two outs in a loss last July, he went seven strong against them back in May, allowing one run on seven hits, a walk, and a hit batter, striking out three.

Saturday, August 15 @ 6:15 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (11-5, 1.76 ERA, 2.16 FIP) vs. LHP Justin Wrobleski (11-4, 3.44 ERA, 4.13 FIP)

Misiorowski, who surpassed the 200-strikeout mark on Sunday against the Twins, is set to make his 23rd start of the season as he looks to solidify his Cy Young candidacy. The young right-hander is 11-5 with a 1.76 ERA, 2.16 FIP, and 204 strikeouts over 133 innings this year. He went six innings against Minnesota, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk, striking out nine. Misiorowski faced the Dodgers last July, earning the win as he allowed one run on four hits and a walk, striking out 12 over six innings.

Wrobleski, 26, has made 20 appearances (19 starts) this year, with a 3.44 ERA, 4.13 FIP, and 94 strikeouts across 120 1/3 innings. The left-hander is coming off a stretch of rough starts the last couple of weeks, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) over 13 2/3 innings (9.88 ERA, 11.13 FIP) in losses against the Mariners, Cubs, and D-backs. He’s made two starts against Milwaukee, one in July 2024 and one back in May. He took the loss both times, as he’s allowed nine runs over 10 innings, striking out eight.

Sunday, August 16 @ 3:10 p.m.: RHP Logan Henderson (6-2, 2.88 ERA, 3.35 FIP) vs. LHP Tarik Skubal (7-6, 2.93 ERA, 2.79 FIP)

Henderson has quickly become one of the best pitchers on Milwaukee’s staff, as he has a 2.88 ERA, 3.35 FIP, and 69 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings through 11 starts this season. He allowed three runs for just the second time in his career on Monday night in San Diego, though the last two of those runs came in that fateful seventh inning as he went 6 1/3 frames, allowing five hits (two homers) and a walk while striking out seven. Henderson picked up a win against the Dodgers back in May, going five innings with no runs allowed on two hits and three walks, striking out seven.

Skubal, 29, was, as we all know, the prize of this year’s trade deadline. He’ll go head-to-head with Henderson, who was reportedly the main target of the Tigers in initial trade discussions for Skubal (the Brewers reportedly refused to include Henderson in any package). Alas, here he is set to face Milwaukee again. While he has a sub-3.00 ERA and FIP for the season, he hasn’t been great in two starts with the Dodgers, totaling 11 innings with five earned runs (4.09 ERA), striking out 12. The left-hander has made one start against Milwaukee in each of the last three seasons, totaling 19 2/3 innings with a 2.29 ERA and 24 strikeouts.

How to Watch & Listen

Thursday, August 13: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Friday, August 14: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Saturday, August 15: Nationally televised on Fox/Fox One; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Sunday, August 16: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)

Prediction

Milwaukee has really struggled on the West Coast this season, and things won’t get any easier against the Dodgers, who are deploying arguably their four best starters. I still think Milwaukee gets a series split to keep pace with L.A.

MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Wednesday, Aug. 12

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We have a big ole slate in front of us on Wednesday, and I have thoughts on every single game on the board.

Here are my MLB moneyline predictions for tonight's slate, and make sure to check out all of our MLB picks for Aug. 12!

MLB moneyline picks for Aug. 12

MatchupPick
Orioles Orioles
vs
Twins Twins
Orioles
+102
Phillies Phillies
vs
Cardinals Cardinals
Phillies
-150
Rays Rays
vs
Athletics Athletics
Rays
-203
Rockies Rockies
vs
Diamondbacks Diamondbacks
Rockies
+163
Astros Astros
vs
Giants Giants
Giants
+133
Brewers Brewers
vs
Padres Padres
Padres
+108
Guardians Guardians
vs
Tigers Tigers
Tigers
-120
Pirates Pirates
vs
Marlins Marlins
Marlins
-106
Cubs Cubs
vs
Nationals Nationals
Cubs
-153
Mariners Mariners
vs
Yankees Yankees
Yankees
-120
Red Sox Red Sox
vs
Blue Jays Blue Jays
Red Sox
-117
Mets Mets
vs
Braves Braves
Braves
-150
Reds Reds
vs
White Sox White Sox
Reds
+130
Royals Royals
vs
Dodgers Dodgers
Dodgers
-199
Rangers Rangers
vs
Angels Angels
Rangers
-127

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of Aug. 12.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for Aug. 12

Orioles vs Twins: Orioles (+102)

Orioles win probability: 50%

I am extremely perplexed as to why the Baltimore Orioles are dogs in this spot.

Their lineup has the privilege of taking on one of the Minnesota Twins’ worst arms in Zebby Matthews, who owns a 7.20 ERA and 1.76 WHIP over his last five outings.

Meanwhile, the Birds have the Milk Man, Shane Baz, on the rubber this evening, sporting a 2.15 ERA, 2.65 xERA and 1.13 WHIP over that same span.

The Orioles’ offense has started to heat up over the last week, and going up against Matthews should only add more fuel to the flame.

Phillies vs Cardinals: Phillies (-150)

Phillies win probability: 60%

The St. Louis Cardinals’ offense has been outstanding as of late, but the Philadelphia Phillies’ bats have been even hotter over their last 12 games.

Plus, Zack Wheeler takes the mound after a few rough outings, but his underlying metrics are still strong. I think this is a great spot for the Phillies to bounce back and come out on top.

On the other side, Kyle Leahy’s expected numbers point toward some regression, as he owns a 4.58 xERA over his last three starts.

Rays vs Athletics: Rays (-203)

Rays win probability: 67%

Strictly looking at the moneyline price, take the dog.

But the Tampa Bay Rays win.

Drew Rasmussen has been outstanding over his last few outings, while the Rays’ offense has been on an absolute tear. Meanwhile, the Athletics have been ice cold and do not seem to have any light at the end of the tunnel.

I would NEVER pay -203 for a team to win a game, but the Rays are in a great spot to come out on top in this one.

Rockies vs Diamondbacks: Rockies (+163)

Rockies win probability: 38%

This was a tough call. I want no part of paying over $1.60 for Merrill Kelly to hold down any team, but the Arizona Diamondbacks have looked outstanding over the last couple of weeks.

On top of that, Ryan Feltner has done a great job limiting hard-hit balls while owning a 3.69 xERA over his last three starts.

For just the moneyline price, I want the dog against Kelly.

Astros vs Giants: Giants (+133)

Giants win probability: 43%

I am quite baffled that we are getting the San Francisco Giants at such a great price this evening.

Sure, they are not the most talented team in baseball, but Ronel Blanco could make them look pretty talented tonight. The Houston Astros right-hander owns a 6.98 ERA and 1.34 WHIP while allowing an 11.54% barrel rate to opposing hitters this season.

Adrian Houser has been nails over his last five starts, doing a great job limiting hard-hit balls and barrels.

Neither offense has been performing at a high level, as both have wRC+ marks below 75 and are struggling to generate hard contact.

I like the dog here, especially with how poorly Blanco has been pitching.

Brewers vs Padres: Padres (+108)

Padres win probability: 48%

The San Diego Padres at plus money when they are hotter than the sun feels like a gift.

Over their last 21 games, San Diego has been on a complete tear, posting a 130 wRC+, .352 wOBA and .796 OPS. On the other side, the Milwaukee Brewers have started to cool down, posting just a 94 wRC+, .678 OPS and .134 ISO over their last 12 games.

Dustin May and tight-pants Robbie Ray have both been outstanding as of late. However, May’s underlying metrics point toward some regression, as he owns a 4.46 xERA over his last five starts while allowing over a 41% hard-hit rate to opposing hitters.

Ray has struggled with walks lately, but he has done a great job limiting hard contact.

I love the Padres at plus money.  

Guardians vs Tigers: Tigers (-120)

Tigers win probability: 55%

As a Foster Griffin fan, this one hurts to say, but he has been absolutely horrible over his last five starts, and somehow even worse over his last three.

On the other side, Framber Valdez has been a lot better, posting a 1.89 ERA across his last three starts.

The Tigers’ offense should be able to keep those hot bats rolling against the struggling southpaw this evening. Cleveland’s bats have come alive over the last week, but they have been far too inconsistent for me to trust.

Give me the Tigers.

Pirates vs Marlins: Marlins (-106)

Marlins win probability: 52%

After watching Griffin Conine miss two home runs by roughly a combined three feet, I think this team is due to boom against Carmen Mlodzinski.

The Pirates right-hander owns a sub-6.00 ERA over his last five starts, while struggling against left-handed hitters. With five guys batting from the left side this evening, I think the Fighting Fish have a fighting chance.

On the other end, Jason Junk has been holding it down, owning a mouthwatering 2.13 ERA over his last three starts. I like his chances against this ice-cold Pirates offense.

Give me the Fighting Fish.

Cubs vs Nationals: Cubs (-153)

Cubs win probability: 60%

I do not think I want to get in front of the Chicago Cubs at the moment.

Their offense owns a 118 wRC+, .778 OPS and .342 wOBA across their last 12 games. The Nationals’ offense has been great too, but I really like the way David Peterson has been pitching over his last five starts. The southpaw owns a 1.57 ERA, 3.97 xERA and 1.05 WHIP during that stretch.

-153 is juicy, but the Cubs are absolutely on a tear right now.

Mariners vs Yankees: Yankees (-120)

Yankees win probability: 55%

Name a more lost offense in baseball than the Seattle Mariners at this point in time. Over their last 21 games, they have posted just a 90 wRC+, .296 wOBA and .663 OPS. Over the last week, it gets even uglier, with a 59 wRC+, .252 wOBA, .558 OPS and .119 ISO.

Sure, Bryce Miller has some underlying metrics pointing toward improvement, but who exactly is getting on base and driving in runs?

I’ll happily take Will Warren and the Yankees at home. Warren has been far better in the Bronx, sporting a 3.88 xERA and 1.28 WHIP.

The Yankees’ lineup has underperformed lately, but they are still generating a ton of hard-hit balls. They will come around.

Red Sox vs Blue Jays: Red Sox (-117)

Red Sox win probability: 54%

Despite Ranger Suárez’s last few outings not being the greatest, he has performed much better away from Boston this season, posting a 2.83 ERA and 1.15 WHIP while limiting opponents to under 30% hard-hit and under 3% barrel rates.

Jose Soriano has been great since coming over from the Angels, but who in that Blue Jays lineup is worth trusting right now? Over the team’s last 30 at-bats against a left-handed pitcher, the highest barrel rate on the team is just 5%, while six hitters have zero barrels during that stretch.

Aside from their slight fall from grace, the Red Sox are easily the better team in this spot, and we only have to pay $1.17 juice.

I like the Red Sox here.  

Mets vs Braves: Braves (-150)

Braves win probability: 60%

The Mets’ offense has started to heat up over the last few games, but with how dominant Tyler Mahle has been, owning a 2.73 ERA over his last five starts, I think the Braves are the side to back.

On the other side, the Mets send out Zac Thornton, who has posted a 4.58 xERA, 15% strikeout rate and 9.09% walk rate over his last three outings.

The Atlanta offense has also been generating a ton of hard-hit balls and barrels over the last 12 games. I think this is a great spot for the Braves to come out on top.

Reds vs White Sox: Reds (+130)

Reds win probability: 44%

Luis Castillo day for the Chicago White Sox, and I personally have zero faith in the former Mariners starter.

The veteran right-hander owns a 6.33 ERA over his last five outings, and more recently, a 7.31 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and just a 14% strikeout rate over his last three.

With Castillo relying so heavily on his fastball, I think the Reds will be teeing off on him all evening.

Plus, right-hander Rhett Lowder has been great across his last few starts. Getting +130 for a team that draws Castillo is a side I want to back.

Royals vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-199)

Dodgers win probability: 66%

It’s kind of hard for me to run the Royals back for a third straight day, especially with their offense posting an 84 wRC+, .290 wOBA and .651 OPS.

Not to mention, starting pitcher Mason Block owns a 7.72 xERA over his last five starts, while allowing a 52% hard-hit rate and 12% barrel rate to opposing hitters.

The Royals’ bullpen isn’t going to stop anyone either, sporting a 4.69 xERA, 5.14 FIP and 11.21% walk rate on the year.

Give me LA.

Rangers vs Angels: Rangers (-127)

Rangers win probability: 56%

Angels right-hander George Klassen has been brutal through his first three starts this season, posting an 8.31 ERA and 3.00 WHIP.

He may be due for some positive regression, but Cal Quantrill has shockingly been very impressive over his last five outings, posting a 3.58 xERA.

Neither offense has been particularly impressive over the last week, but I think if Quantrill can hold down the Angels, the Rangers’ bats can do the rest and secure a win on the road this evening.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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MLB-worst Angels fire pitching coach Mike Maddux, 2 assistants in staff shake-up

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels fired pitching coach Mike Maddux and two of his assistants after interim general manager John Mozeliak determined the team wasn’t making sufficient use of the technology and analytics available to its pitchers.

Mozeliak also fired bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott in a shake-up of first-year manager Kurt Suzuki’s staff with just 43 games remaining for the Angels, who have the majors’ worst record at 45-74.

While Mozeliak said that “no one thing just stood out” in his decision to fire Maddux, he prominently cited his desire for the Angels to “use all the different tools that you see a lot of pitchers use today.”

“I think there was becoming some level of frustration with the inconsistency of that, and so ultimately that’s when we started thinking about, ‘Do we need to make a change?’” Mozeliak said. ”I do feel like we have a lot of great resources that we could be taking (greater) advantage of.”

The dismissals were the latest shake-up in a tumultuous year for the Angels, who fired general manager Perry Minasian in late June. Los Angeles is headed toward its 11th consecutive losing season and 12th straight non-playoff season, both the longest active droughts in the majors, under much-criticized owner Arte Moreno.

Mozeliak, the longtime St. Louis Cardinals general manager, agreed to take over baseball operations for Moreno on a temporary basis after Minasian’s firing, and he has endeavored to modernize the Halos’ long-struggling organization.

Mozeliak said the Angels have technology and information on par with the rest of the majors, and he’s confident it is being used properly by Suzuki’s offensive staff — but the pitching operation needed an urgent overhaul.

“There’s so many more resources out there that really every team in baseball is utilizing, so (we’re) just making sure that the Angels are up to speed with that and leveraging this,” Mozeliak said. “I know our research and development team upstairs, they’re providing a lot of useful things that I think we can be taking advantage of. And then moving forward ... what can we do to make this a state-of-the-art place for player growth? What you don’t want to do is have players outsourcing those types of things. You want it to be the internal model, and hopefully we can accomplish that.”

Maddux, who turns 65 later in August, didn’t last one full season with the Angels after leaving the Texas Rangers last winter. The former major leaguer is widely respected in the game after 24 seasons as a pitching coach, and he played a significant role in the Rangers’ success during their 2023 World Series title.

But in Anaheim, Maddux presided over a staff that has posted the majors’ seventh-worst ERA at 4.51 and an MLB-high 508 walks.

Angels left-hander Reid Detmers, whose 1.10 WHIP is the 14th-best in the majors, said “everybody is surprised” by the firings.

“I mean, if we have it, might as well use it, right?,” said Detmers, who evaluates his biomechanics in every bullpen session and consults with his personal coaches during the season. “I’m not saying we didn’t use it all the time, but there’s definitely times where we could have used it. In my eyes, it’s only going to make you better.”

Tim Leveque was appointed Los Angeles’ interim pitching coach, and Michael Wuertz will be the club’s interim bullpen coach. Leveque was the pitching coach at the Angels’ Double-A Rocket City affiliate after working in the Cardinals organization during Mozeliak’s tenure.

“He’s a smart guy who really understands where the game is at, and I think he’ll be a good resource for (Suzuki),” Mozeliak said of Leveque.

Suzuki is on a one-year contract in his first major league managerial job. Mozeliak said he won’t make any additional changes before the end of the season in seven weeks.

“I appreciated everything that they did,” Suzuki said of the fired coaches. “They worked hard. They prepared. At the end of the day, Mo and I felt like the path moving forward in these last 43 games ... we felt like this was the best way.”

Chiti was in his first season as the bullpen coach after rejoining the Angels organization in late 2023. Scott also was in his first season with the Angels after several years with the Colorado Rockies.

Yankees Birthday of the Day: Dave Pavlas

26 Feb 1999: Pitcher Dave Pavlas #60 of the New York Yankees poses for the camera on Photo Day during Spring Training at Legends Field in Tampa, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport | Getty Images

Dave Pavlas is a name many Yankees fans might have to double-take at and search deep into their brain folds to remember. Despite only being a footnote in the grand scheme of the illustrious Yankees history, the six-foot-seven righty made some headlines during his time with the club.

David Lee Pavlas
Born: August 12, 1962 (Frankfurt, Germany)
Yankees Tenure: 1995-96 

Pavlas was born in Frankfurt when its country was known as West Germany, but he was effectively raised in Texas. He graduated from Shiner High School and then went on to play baseball at Rice University in Houston. Upon leaving Rice, Pavlas went undrafted but was signed as an amateur free agent by the Chicago Cubs in December of 1984.

After being signed, Pavlas started working his way through the Cubs’ farm system. Pavlas had made it to Double-A in 1987 when he was traded to the Texas Rangers for Mike Mason. Pavlas kept grinding his way through the minors and would reach Triple-A for the Rangers. In January of 1990, the Cubs purchased Pavlas back from the Rangers.

The 1990 season would be Pavlas’ first taste of the majors as a September call-up. In 13 games, Pavlas recorded 21.1 innings, going 2-0 and posting a 2.11 ERA. Despite this relative success, Pavlas only appeared in one game for the Cubs in 1991, instead spending most of the 1991 and 1992 seasons playing for Triple-A Iowa.

Pavlas was out of the majors for the 1993 and 1994 seasons, instead playing in the Chinese Professional Baseball League for the Brother Elephants among other international teams and leagues. His return stateside was not without controversy, as the Yankees signed Pavlas as a replacement player during the 1994-95 Major League Baseball strike, on February 8, 1995.

Pavlas stuck with the organization once the big-league team returned, accepting an assignment to Triple-A Columbus. In July, the Yankees called up the former replacement player. After the harsh and bitter strike, the move was not received well by the players on the roster. Captain Don Mattingly told reporters that he would always see Pavlas as a scab. He largely ignored Pavlas in the clubhouse and would not interact with him outside of the lines of the field. Despite the drama, Pavlas did his job when called on out of the ’pen by Buck Showalter. In 1995, he had a 3.18 ERA over 5.2 innings in four appearances. He was not on the playoff roster but traveled with them to their heartbreaking ALDS loss to Seattle.

For most of the 1996 season, Pavlas was back in Columbus. However, the Yankees needed some innings and called him up in August for the last two months of the season. Pavlas appeared in 16 games, went 23 innings, and posted a solid 2.35 ERA.

The Yankees picked David Weathers over Pavlas on their playoff roster, and the move worked out with Weathers spinning a 0.82 ERA over 11 postseason innings during the 1996 championship run.

The players on the team voted not to give Pavlas a share of the postseason bonus. This infuriated owner George Steinbrenner, who paid Pavlas and two other players directly from the team and gave them World Series rings anyway. The vote was said to make Steinbrenner so mad that he traded* Jim Leyritz, who was allegedly the ringleader encouraging the vote against awarding the fringe contributors rings and a share.

*The presence on the wider 40-man roster of an up-and-coming backstop named Jorge Posada—a third-stringer in ’96—was more likely the primary motivator.

Following his last game with the Yankees in 1996, Pavlas would not appear in another big-league game (though he was at the ring ceremony in 1997). Chasing the dream, however, did not end, as Pavlas would play professionally internationally back in China and in Japan, including a short run playing with Hideki Matsui on the Yomiuri Giants prior to “Godzilla” becoming a Yankees legend. Then in 1999 he made another stop with the Yankees back in Triple-A Columbus, before spending a few more years pitching for the Pirates’ Triple-A club. 

In 2001, Pavlas officially retired from baseball. When it was all said and done Pavlas played professionally in seven countries and spent time in seven major league systems. His final line with the Yankees was a 0-0 record, a 2.51 ERA over 28.2 innings, and 21 strikeouts. If there were hard feelings over his involvement with the 1996 team, they at least somewhat subsided by 2016, as he was greeted warmly upon returning to the Bronx for the 20th anniversary celebration of the 1996 champions at Old-Timers’ Day.

Happy birthday, Dave!


See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

The best MLB free agents this offseason, and how lockout could change it all

Usually, there is no reason to focus on MLB free agency in August. It's three months away and there's playoffs to worry about.

Except this year, baseball's traditionally drawn-out free agency period is expected to be a frenzy, condensed into the three weeks between the end of the World Series and the end of the collective bargaining agreement.

The market opens five days after the World Series ends. The labor deal expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1, and a lockout is widely expected the moment it does. The last one ran 99 days and froze every signing and trade in the sport. This one could be worse, because the owners want a salary cap and the union has spent decades saying that's not even in the conversation.

So, the players about to hit the market are looking at a narrow chance in November where deals can actually get done under the current CBA before the expected lockout.

These last two months will matter more than they normally would. Almost every name in this free agent class just changed teams at the deadline. Tarik Skubal is a Dodger. Freddy Peralta is a Ray. Luis Arraez is a Phillie. Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes are Cubs.

They're all auditioning somewhere new, right now, for a market that might slam shut before anyone gets their money.

Here's the top free agents heading into 2027 ... or 2028:

Why Tarik Skubal is the only sure thing on the market

He is the class of the class and it isn't close. Two Cy Youngs, 29 years old, chasing the biggest contract ever handed to a starting pitcher. He had a bone chip taken out of his elbow earlier this year, which is the only question about an otherwise simple market.

His agent, Scott Boras, doesn't mind a slow winter − he's managed them before. He has the ace of the class and the wallets will open up for him whenever the business of baseball returns to wins and losses.

Top MLB free agent pitchers for 2027

The class has pitching depth, but most of it comes with questions attached. These aren't guys sailing into November on career years, they are trying to prove something in these last six weeks.

Freddy Peralta, 30, went 17-6 last year with a 2.70 ERA and finished fifth in the Cy Young voting. He's 5-9 with a 5.33 ERA this year and struggles to miss bats. He has the last few weeks with the Tampa Bay Rays and their magic pitching factory to resurrect his free agent value.

Kevin Gausman is 35 − he'll 36 by Opening Day − and he's been a middle-of-the-rotation arm this season. But he's made 31 starts every year since 2022, and somebody always pays for innings. He's continuing his case with the Cubs after Toronto dealt him.

Behind them are Shane Bieber, 30; Brandon Woodruff, 33; Robbie Ray, 34; and Luis Severino, 32.

The best position players in the 2027 free agent class

There aren't many bats available in this class.

Luis Arraez, 29, is a three-time batting champ who just landed in the Phillies lineup, which is about the best setup he can get two months before he hits the market. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 28, and Randy Arozarena, 31, come after him. Ian Happ, 31, Brandon Lowe, 32, Seiya Suzuki, 31, J.P. Crawford, 31, Trent Grisham, 29 and Taylor Ward, 32, are also in this thin group.

Gleyber Torres, 29, is worth watching too. He is only one of three second baseman in this class who hasn't turned 30 yet.

Which MLB players will opt out after the 2026 season?

Injuries took care of a lot of these decisions.

Corbin Burnes, 31, can walk away from four years and $140 million in Arizona. He had Tommy John surgery in June 2025 and has yet to return, so he's probably not going anywhere. Jose Berrios, 32, had Tommy John in May and won't pitch again until the middle of 2027. It will certainly be with Toronto.

Michael King has been here before. The 31-year-old hit the market last winter and came right back to San Diego for three years and $75 million. The deal lets him leave after this season with a $5 million buyout instead of collecting $53 million over the next two years. If he's healthy, he's probably taking the buyout.

Clay Holmes, 33 is an interesting case. He closed for the Yankees, made two All-Star teams doing it, then turned into a legitimate starter with the Mets. He suffered a broken fibula in May and just made his first start back and after being dealt to the Cubs. He has a $12 million option and if he has a strong August, September and October, he will decline.

Bo Bichette, 28, is the genuinely interesting one. He signed for three years and $126 million with the Mets, including opt-outs every season. Walking after his first miserable season in Queens is over means giving up $84 million after hitting .236. Still, many in the business believe he will leave.

Why the pending MLB lockout makes November a deadline

Every player here knows what's coming. Take the November deal and there is the security of knowing exactly what you have, or wait it out and find out what the new rules look like − with nobody able to tell you when the waiting ends.

The unofficial deadline for losing regular season games is early-to-mid-March. That's a long time to sit unemployed.

The guys with the least leverage will try to sign in November. Teams know that and will take advantage of it.

Skubal, on the other hand, can wait as long as he likes. The money will be there.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The best MLB free agents this offseason, and how lockout could change it all