Category: Baseball

Texas Rangers @ Atlanta Braves

Sunday, July 19, 2026, 12:35 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

Truist Park

RHP Nathan Eovaldi vs. RHP Grant Holmes

Go Rangers!

I’ve been with you the first three games of this weekend, let’s finish it out, shall we?

⚾️ First Pitch: 1:35pm — Fenway Park, Boston MA

📺 TV: NESN

📻 Radio: WEEI

Mets lineup

A.J. Ewing – CF
Juan Soto – DH
Bo Bichette – 3B
Francisco Lindor – SS
Carson Benge – LF
Jared Young – 1B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Brett Baty – RF
Luis Torrens – C

SP: Nolan McLean – RHP

Phillies lineup

Trea Turner – SS
Kyle Schwarber – DH
Bryce Harper – 1B
Brandon Marsh – LF
Alec Bohm – 3B
Bryson Stott – 2B
J.T. Realmuto – C
Gabriel Rincones – RF
Justin Crawford – CF

SP: Alan Rangel – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:35 PM EDT
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

Sunday notes…

• SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE: This is the 15th of the Cubs’ 32 series in which they have split the first two games. They are 7-7 in third games, including 5-4 after losing, then winning. But they lost the only two such previous games at Wrigley Field, to the Nationals on March 29 and to the Giants on June 7. They won the two rubber games at home after having won, then lost, vs. the Angels on April 1 and the Rockies on June 17. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• SERIES NOTE: The Cubs are 15-14-2 in series before this one. They have won the last two and are 7-1-1 in the last nine. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• THE LONG BALL: The Cubs won yesterday despite giving up two homers and hitting one. They are 15-25 when they have hit fewer homers than their opponent, 20-12 with the same number and 20-6 with more. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
• TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Four Cubs home runs (Shawon Dunston, Gary Matthews, Dave Martinez and Ryne Sandberg), three of them off former Cub Mike Krukow, led the team to an 11-6 win over the Giants at Wrigley Field. It happened 40 years ago today, Saturday, July 19, 1986.

Cubs lineup:

Twins lineup:

Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Zebby Matthews, RHP

As I wrote in the mid-season grades article, Shōta Imanaga’s year can be split into three parts:

First nine starts: 2.32 ERA, 0.902 WHIP, 59 strikeouts and only five HR allowed in 54.1 innings
Next four starts: 10.80 ERA, 1.524 WHIP, 12 (!) home runs allowed in 21.2 innings
Next six starts: 2.81 ERA, 1.219 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and five HR allowed in 32 innings

Now you tell me which one is the real Shōta. He’s been pretty good apart from that four-start interregnum. Hopefully he can continue the good pitching he’s had over the last six.

Last year against the Twins, July 8, 2025 at Target Field, Imanaga held them to five hits and two runs in six innings. That’d work today, I think.

Fun fact: Zebby Matthews’ full name is Daniel Zebulon Matthews.

This is Matthews’ first full year in the Twins’ rotation. He has had his moments of success this year, but over his last two starts he’s allowed eight runs in 10.2 innings, with six walks and three home runs allowed. Warm up your bats, Cubs hitters!

Matthews has never faced the Cubs or anyone on their active roster. So it should be an interesting afternoon.

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

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

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

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

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

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

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

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

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

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

Discuss amongst yourselves.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are slight road favorites against the New York Yankees, and I’m staying with the better offense.

Cam Schlittler is Cam Schlittler, but this is a brutal test against a Dodgers lineup built to punish his main flaw. I’m also taking the Under with two starters capable of limiting free traffic.

Here are my Dodgers vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks for July 19.

Who will win Dodgers vs Yankees tonight: Dodgers moneyline (-115)

Cam Schlittler has shown few weaknesses, but barrel damage is one that has started to appear. For strikeout-heavy aces, there is always a tradeoff for all of the high velocity stuff you've shown and that's usually hard-hit balls.

Schlittler has allowed an 8.3% barrel rate (bottom 40 percentile), and that issue has surfaced in two of his last three starts: eight earned runs and six homers against the Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers, two top-five barrel-rate offenses.

You don't need me to tell you that this could be a big issue against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto counters with a 6.5% barrel rate and low hard-hit rate against New York’s homer reliant offense. I'd play this to -140.

COVERS INTEL: Cam Schlittler’s walk rate sits at just 5.3%, a key reason I prefer the full-game Under.

Dodgers vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Under 9 (-110)

I like the Under. Schlittler’s 29% strikeout rate and low walk rate gives the New York Yankees a way to manage traffic, even against baseball’s most complete offense.

Yamamoto is the bigger reason I like the number. He has allowed a .280 xwOBA with a 6.5% barrel rate, and his pitch mix makes it tough for hitters to sit on one shape.

The Yankees can hit mistakes (they are the Yankees after all), but sustained rallies are less likely if Yamamoto keeps them guessing. Good to -120.

Dodgers vs Yankees weather

Dodgers vs Yankees odds

• Moneyline: Los Angeles -115 | New York +100
• Run line: Los Angeles +1.5 | New York -1.5
• Over/Under: Over 9 | Under 9

Dodgers vs Yankees trend

The New York Yankees have hit the Team Total Under in 18 of their last 25 games (+10.20 Units / 33% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Yankees.

How to watch Dodgers vs Yankees and game info

Dodgers vs Yankees latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Two games on the docket on Sunday. First game of the split doubleheader has Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound, with a bullpen game coming for the nightcap.

Get ready for Orel Hershiser on your television calling Dodgers games on two different networks today.

Saturday game info

• Teams: Dodgers at Yankees
• Game 1 of split doubleheader
• Ballpark: Yankee Stadium, New York
• Start time: 9:35 a.m. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA
• Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Luis Robert Jr. enjoyed himself in a second straight strong game with Triple-A Syracuse, reaching base twice including a two-run homer in Saturday’s win over Buffalo. 

Mets interim manager Andy Green is waiting to see how he came out of that game feeling, but the team still anticipates Robert Jr. will rejoin them for the three-game set with the Brewers. 

Robert has been sidelined since late-April due to a back injury.

When he is ready to return, Green said on Saturday that the team will work all of their outfielders into the mix down the stretch of the regular season.

Robert, of course, could also be moved to a contender if he proves that he is back fully healthy before the Aug. 3 trade deadline hits.

What’s next for Holmes

Rain delayed Clay Holmes’ return to game action with High-A Brooklyn on Saturday night, but the right-hander was still able to successfully complete a 45-pitch bullpen session.

Green said that Holmes came through the session feeling good and strong.

The hope is that he woke up this morning feeling the same way, and if he did, he’ll throw a side and then attempt to pitch in a game again on his normal turn in the rotation.

Green indicated on Saturday that Holmes would need to work up to the five-inning mark before they can begin the conversation on when he’ll be set to return to the majors. 

The 33-year-old has been sidelined since May 15 with a fractured fibula. 

Like Robert, he could potentially be used as an assert ahead of the deadline, but SNY’s Chelsea Janes recently indicated that there’s mutual interest on an extension. 

Talks between the two sides are expected to pick up this week.

Austin Warren on the mend

Warren has begun throwing after his forearm tightness scare. 

Green said that the righty remains without a timeline for a potential return, but the team is still expecting his absence won’t be too terribly long. 

Warren was officially placed on the 15-day IL just over a week ago. 

Though there was some initial concern, testing revealed that there was no structural damage, which should allow him to avoid another long-term surgery. 

While he struggled in his last two outings before landing on the sidelines, getting Warren back would be a nice boost for a Mets bullpen set to lose key pieces ahead of the deadline. 

The Dodgers don’t know when Shohei Ohtani will take the mound next.

He was tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday against the Phillies, after promising initial reports on his recovery from an injection in his left knee. But after seeing his knee’s response to playing catch, the team decided to give him more time.

“We just want to continue to give it the best chance to kind of get into a good spot,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And as he said, as we feel, it’s the pitching and the torque of landing on that leg that kind of gets it upset.”

It was clear enough from catch play that Ohtani’s start would have to be pushed back and that Ohtani did not feel the need to test it by throwing off a mound, Roberts said.

Read more:Shaikin: Shohei Ohtani's knee troubles creating a major pitching dilemma for Dodgers

“Where we’re at right now, how we’re proceeding, I would say that it’s going to be some time,” Roberts said. “It’s not going to be a day-to-day thing.”

That left a wide range of timeline possibilities, from days to weeks. Roberts did, however, rule out shutting Ohtani down from pitching for the rest of the season.

“I guess anything is possible, but I just don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said.

To fill Ohtani’s spot in the rotation this week, the Dodgers moved right-hander Emmet Sheehan’s start to Monday. Before the rainout bumped the second game of the series against the New York Yankees, Sheehan was scheduled to start Saturday.

Read more:Shaikin: With Will Smith out indefinitely, Dodgers need to trade for a catcher

For Sunday’s doubleheader, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will take the mound in the first game. The bullpen, and potentially multiple innings from the 27th man, will cover the nightcap.

“Honestly, a lot of it is where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot,” Roberts said of the MLB-leading Dodgers. “Could [Ohtani] probably do it? Sure. But right now, the benefits just don’t seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season. So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch.”

Ohtani, who went hitless in four at-bats as the designated hitter in Friday’s 2-1 win, was set to DH and hit leadoff in Sunday’s first game.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

What’s better than one game between the Yankees and Dodgers? Two Yankees-Dodgers games, of course. That’s what we’re set for today thanks to last night’s storm, which postponed what was set to be an interesting matchup between Ryan Weathers and Emmett Sheehan. Ironically, Weathers was prevented from pitching because—you know what, no. Forget that one.

Anyway, because of the postponement, what was set to be a national TV matchup in the evening between two superstar pitchers is now going to be the afternoon docket! Rather unfortunate for the folks who have tickets for the nightcap, but such is life. Cam Schlittler will make his first start of the second half opposite reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

There isn’t really much that needs to be said about either pitcher here. Both were named All-Stars this season, though neither participated in the actual Midsummer Classic. Both have been remarkably consistent from start to start, though Yamamoto’s final appearance of the first half saw him run out of steam in the sixth inning against the Diamondbacks.

Schlittler’s last start at Yankee Stadium was on June 30th; three turns in the rotation plus the All-Star Break ago. That game was the second of his two blowup starts this season: both at home and both against AL Central foes. There will be no stouter test than the Dodgers, the league’s best offense by wRC+ (114). Cam’s already earned a reputation as a big-game pitcher. Let’s see how he fares today.

This afternoon’s starting nine is slightly adjusted from the lineup which was slated for last night’s game against Emmet Sheehan. Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Jasson Domínguez will still be at the top, with Cody Bellinger hitting cleanup. Midseason MVP Max Schuemann will play right field and bat fifth ahead of Jazz Chisholm Jr. Anthony Volpe draws back into the lineup, with Ryan McMahon at the hot corner. Ali Sánchez will handle the catching for the front half of this twin bill.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY

First pitch: 12:35 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, SportsNet LA

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, Dodgers Radio AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Online stream: MLB.tv

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Who would’ve thunk last fall watching Trey Yeasavage mow through AL hitters that just a few long months later, we’d be saying things like “Yeah he’s good, but Sean Burke might wind up getting some Cy Young votes, has the advantage.”

Obviously I’m being rather liberal with the royal “we” there, because I might really be the only one saying it, but I think it’s true. Burke is making his first start of the second half after catching fire going into the All-Star break, and if he can maintain anything like his season-long pace of a 3.41 ERA with more than a strikeout per inning, he’ll almost certainly garner some down-ballot votes.

It’s hard to understate how red-hot Burke is. After spinning seven stellar innings against the Athletics just before the break, his totals from his last six starts work out to six earned runs over 32 innings, looking every bit a starter who might not need an opener any longer. He touched 99 mph last week. 99! From Sean Burke! You just can’t fake that stuff, and if he can keep up anything like that while maintaining a good feel for his breaking balls, the Sox are going to be in very very good shape.

It seems in fact we may be in for a replay of last summer, when Shane Smith grabbed our attention while Burke quietly became the most consistent pitcher on the staff from late May-on. I strongly suspect Davis Martin will continue to make it a conversation, but if the Sox wind up playing in October this year, I also suspect Burke will be the one starting Game 1.

I also just noticed that this is happening over on the AL rookie leaderboard, sorted by WRC+.

There’s really a non-zero chance that this team winds up with two Top 3 Cy Young finishers and all but sweeping the top of the Rookie of the Year voting. There’s also a non-zero chance they do that and still wind up missing the playoffs, because the White Sox are still the White Sox. Still, it becomes harder to argue almost every day that this isn’t simply a talented ball club, and if their lineup can find some middle ground between Friday’s slugfest and yesterday’s neutering, they’ll be pretty well set for the series. That would also put them back to a season-high six games above breakeven heading into a tough series down in Arlington, Texas.

Here’s what Toronto manager John Schneider is using to match up against Burke this morning:

There is one more piece of reporting to report heading into today’s game. Clay Holmes may not be the ace we’re hoping for, but he won’t be expensive, and a veteran arm to solidify the staff just to get them to the playoffs might be the best move they can make, given the state of the trade market.

If you’re wondering why we’re up this early on a Sunday, I’d because today’s game is unfortunately only accessible via Peacock, though Len and DJ will be on the AM 1000 radio call as always. First pitch is at 11:15 a.m. CT, and we’ll see you there!

The Phillies’ first series of the second half wraps up with an afternoon contest against the New York Mets. It will be a battle of rookie pitchers, with the Phillies giving the ball to Alan Rangel. The righthander is 0-2 with a 4.19 ERA.

The Mets will go with Nolan McLean. In his first full season, the righty is 6-6 with a 3.52 ERA.

Game time is 1:35 PM and will be televised locally by NBCSP.

We have an early game. Maybe it will be finished before the start of the World Cup game.

Let’s score more than one run today.

Yesterday I mentioned the 1-0 games are very rare. That was our first 1-0 game, win or loss, of the season, and they didn’t have a 1-0 game all of last year. We had two 1-0 losses in 2024. Our last 1-0 win was August 18th, 2024 and that was out only 1-0 win that year.

Go Jays Go.

And Rest In Peace Duane Ward.

Texas Rangers lineup for July 19, 2026 against the Atlanta Braves: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and Grant Holmes for the Braves.

The Rangers come to the end of their brief three game road trip this afternoon, and will try to take the series against the Braves.

The lineup:

Pederson — DH

Langford — LF

Jung — 3B

Nimmo — RF

Burger — 1B

Duran — SS

Carter — CF

Lopez — 2B

Higashioka — C

12:35 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -121 favorites.

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Let's end the weekend on a high note!

These are my top looks to leave the yard this Sunday afternoon, featuring Yordan Alvarez showing value in the MLB player props. 

Here are my favorite MLB picks & home run props for July 19.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HR	Odds
Heriberto Hernandez	+335
Yordan Alvarez	+209
Pete Crow-Armstrong	+375
💲Today's HR parlay	+6504

Home run pick: Heriberto Hernandez (+335)

Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez finds himself in a great spot to leave the yard against Milwaukee Brewers southpaw Robert Gasser.

Hernandez enters Sunday with an elite Batters-Box rating, along with over 75% arsenal coverage against Gasser. The Marlins slugger has been crushing left handed pitching, posting a .759 SLG, 1.126 OPS, and .444 ISO, while producing a 51.2% hard hit rate and 16.3% barrel rate.

At home, Gasser has struggled against right handed hitters, allowing a 68.3% elevation rate and a 35.7% hard hit rate. Over his last 60 batters faced, opponents have elevated the baseball 74.5% of the time while posting a .355 xBA, .544 xSLG, and .343 xwOBA.

With how well Hernandez has been seeing the baseball, I'm fully expecting extra bases this afternoon, with a strong chance one leaves the yard.

• Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: BREW, MIAM

Home run pick: Yordan Alvarez (+209)

Give me the big fella, the highest rated hitter on the slate over at Batters-Box. He also owns 100% arsenal coverage against Brandon Young.

Yep, it's Yordan Alvarez day.

When Alvarez has earned an elite rating this season, he has left the yard 35% of the time across a 25 game sample. The Houston Astros slugger hasn't slowed down one bit, batting .385 with a .923 SLG, 1.390 OPS, and .538 ISO, while producing a 63.6% hard hit rate and 22.7% barrel rate over his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching.

Meanwhile, the last 30 left-handed hitters Young has faced have generated a 57.1% hard hit rate, 9.5% barrel rate, and 76.2% elevation rate. They also own a .497 xBA, 1.127 xSLG, and .371 xwOBA.

Yeah...give me Yordan Alvarez to leave the yard this afternoon.

• Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: SCHN, MASN

Home run pick: Pete Crow-Armstrong (+375)

First of all...what is a Zebby? Somebody let me know.

Anywho, Pete Crow-Armstrong finds himself in a fantastic spot against Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews this afternoon. He enters Sunday with an elite rating and 100% arsenal coverage against Matthews.

Over his last 30 at-bats against right-handed pitching, Crow-Armstrong owns a .667 SLG, 1.117 OPS, and .355 ISO, while producing nearly a 40% hard-hit rate and a 14.3% barrel rate.

Matthews has struggled against left-handed hitters in recent outings. Across the last 30 lefties he has faced, opponents have generated a 50% hard-hit rate, 16.7% barrel rate, and a 28% line drive rate. They also own an .852 xSLG and .390 xwOBA against him.

While his recent elevation rate has been a bit low, the quality of contact he's allowing suggests hitters are due to cash in with a long ball.

• Time: 1:20 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: MARQ, MNNT

Today’s HR parlay

Heriberto Hernandez	Bet Now +6504
Yordan Alvarez
Pete Crow-Armstrong

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.