Jun 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez (33) throws against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Martín Pérez has had some pretty rotten luck when it comebackers lately and now it appears that one was enough to take him out of a game. Back on June 24, Pérez took a comebacker to the leg and hadn’t really looked completely right since taking that hit.
Now, he’s unfortunately taken a comebacker to the forearm during the fifth inning of his start against the Mets and this one was rough enough (and in a key spot) to force an exit from the game.
Martin Perez exits after his left forearm was hit by this Soto liner to begin the fifth. Ended up retiring the last nine batters he faced. Retired just two of the first 11 he faced. pic.twitter.com/Sn4xeZSKu6
It’s a shame because as MLB.com beat writer Mark Bowman mentioned in his post, Pérez had actually found his groove and had settled in after getting hit hard by the Mets to the tune of five runs allowed (four earned) across 4.1 innings pitched. It’s an even bigger shame since Pérez had mentioned earlier this season that this is the first time that he’s felt fully healthy since the 2023 season, so he’s had to travel a long road to get to this bounce back season so far.
Instead, there could be a detour on this road if there’s bad injury news ahead for Pérez. Let’s all hope for the best as this would be a terrible blow both for Pérez and an Atlanta Braves rotation that can ill-afford any more bad injury luck coming their way. We’ll see what happens.
[UPDATE 5:46 p.m. ET]: We don’t have an official diagnosis yet but it’s likely not to be a good one as Walt Weiss informed the media following Sunday’s loss that Pérez is more than likely headed to the IL.
Weiss says he doesn’t believe Martin Perez’s forearm is fractured, but more imaging is likely needed. He will go on the IL.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JUNE 8: Bryan Baker #47 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates a win against the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field on June 8, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Right-handed pitcher Bryan Baker, infielder Junior Caminero, designated hitter Yandy Díaz, and right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen have been named American League (AL) All-Stars and will represent the Tampa Bay Rays at the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14.
This marks the fifth time the Rays have had four players or more selected as All-Stars, joining 2025 (four), 2023 (four), 2010 (four), and 2009 (five). It is also the fifth season in which multiple Rays pitchers have been named to the Midsummer Classic along with 2015 (Chris Archer and Brad Boxberger), 2012 (David Price and Fernando Rodney), 2011 (Price and James Shields), and 2010 (Price and Rafael Soriano). Between Baker (31), Díaz (34), and Rasmussen (30), three Rays have received All-Star selections at age 30 or older for the second time, joining 2021 (right-handed pitcher Andrew Kittredge, 31; infielder Joey Wendle, 31; and catcher Mike Zunino, 30).
Caminero, Díaz, and Rasmussen all earned their second career All-Star bids, joining Price (four), outfielder Carl Crawford (four), infielder Evan Longoria (three), Archer (two), left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan (two), infielder Brandon Lowe (two), right-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir (two), infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist (two) as the only players to receive multiple All-Star selections with the Rays.
Baker, 31, earned his first career All-Star selection, becoming the ninth relief pitcher in Rays history to be named an All-Star and the second over the last 10 seasons (2017-26) along with Kittredge in 2021. The Fort Walton Beach, Fla. product is the sixth Florida-born player and third Florida-born pitcher to earn an All-Star nod with Tampa Bay, joining Zunino in 2021 (Cape Coral), left-handed pitcher Matt Moore in 2013 (Fort Walton Beach), outfielder Matt Joyce in 2011 (Tampa), right-handed pitcher Lance Carter in 2003 (Bradenton), and infielder Fred McGriff in 2000 (Tampa).
Entering tonight’s game, the right-hander has gone 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA (34.1 IP, 7 ER) and 23 saves, two holds, a 0.82 WHIP, 37 strikeouts, and 11 walks over his first 36 appearances. The 23 saves are second most in the majors behind Cleveland’s Cade Smith (26). Among AL relievers with 30.0 innings pitched or more, Baker ranks second in opponent on-base percentage (.220) and third in WHIP, opponent batting average (.143), and opponent OPS (.463). He was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on July 10, 2025 for a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick (No. 37 overall) in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft.
Caminero, 22, was announced as the AL’s starting third baseman for the second consecutive season and is slated to become the first player in franchise history to start multiple Midsummer Classics. Longoria was voted as the AL’s starting third baseman in both 2010 and 2009, but he did not participate in the latter contest due to an infection on his right ring finger. Caminero is set to become the first third baseman and 14th player in the modern era (since 1900) to start back-to-back All-Star Games in age-22-or-younger seasons (age as of June 30). Since the All-Star Game’s inception in 1933, he is the second primary third baseman to receive multiple All-Star nods in age 22-or-younger seasons, joining Manny Machado (two), the 11th infielder, and the 34th player overall.
The 22-year-old will also represent the Rays during the 2026 T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday, July 13. In last year’s Derby, Caminero finished runner-up to Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and launched 44 home runs across three rounds. He was defeated, 18-15, in the final round, falling four home runs shy of becoming the youngest champion in the event’s history. Caminero is set to become the first Ray to participate in the Derby multiple times and is already one of four players to represent Tampa Bay in the competition, joining Randy Arozarena (2023), Carlos Peña (2009), and Longoria (2008).
Entering play tonight, Caminero has batted .288/.376/.557 (93-for-323) with 12 doubles, 25 home runs, 55 RBI, 47 walks, 55 runs scored, and a .934 OPS through 85 games. The AL Player of the Month for June has the second-most total bases in the AL (180), is tied for second in homers, ranks third in OPS, is fourth in slugging percentage, and is tied for fifth in hits and extra-base hits (37). The 25 home runs are second most by a Rays batter before the All-Star break, trailing only José Canseco’s 31 blasts in 1999. He was acquired from Cleveland on Nov. 19, 2021 in exchange for right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers.
Díaz joins Corey Dickerson (2017 starter) as the only primary designated hitters in team history to be named to the Midsummer Classic. Díaz (34), Greg Vaughn (2001, 35), McGriff (36, 2000), and Canseco (1999, 34) are the only Rays position players to be named All-Stars in an age-34-or-older season.
The current AL batting leader, Díaz has slashed .325/.408/.495 (101-for-311) with 15 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 37 walks, 46 runs scored, one stolen base, and a .904 OPS over 82 games entering play tonight. The Sagua la Grande, Cuba native is tied for the AL lead in hits, ranks third in on-base percentage, and is sixth in OPS. He was acquired from Cleveland along with right-handed pitcher Cole Sulser in a three-team trade with the Seattle Mariners on Dec. 13, 2018.
The reigning AL Pitcher of the Month, Rasmussen earned his second straight All-Star nod, joining McClanahan (2022-23) and Price (2010-12) as the only Rays pitchers to be selected in consecutive seasons. Rasmussen, Price, McClanahan, Archer, and Kazmir are the only Rays pitchers to earn multiple All-Star selections in their careers, with Rasmussen and Archer representing the only two right-handers in that group.
Entering his outing tonight, Rasmussen has gone 10-5 with a 2.45 ERA (92.0 IP, 25 ER) a 0.87 WHIP, 94 strikeouts, and 16 walks over 16 starts, 10 of which were quality. The right-hander paces the AL in WHIP, opponent average (.191), opponent on-base percentage (.236), and opponent OPS (.532) while ranking second in ERA and opponent slugging percentage (.296). He recorded a 0.61 WHIP over five starts in June, lowest in a single June by any pitcher with 30.0 innings pitched or more during the month in the modern era (since 1900). The right-hander was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers on May 21, 2021 along with right-handed pitcher J.P. Feyereisen in exchange for infielder Willy Adames and right-handed pitcher Trevor Richards on May 21, 2021
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ 40-man roster is at 40.
Recalled from Triple-A Reno: INF/OF Tim Tawa
Optioned to Triple-A Reno following last night’s game: INF LuJames Groover
And right into the line-up goes Tawa… at third-base? A position where he has made one previous start in his 107 major-league appearances. All told, only 266 professional innings at the hot corner for Tim, with 85 or so over the last couple of seasons. So let’s hope this works out.
Yesterday was Paul Sewald’s 20th save of the season. He’s the first Arizona pitcher to reach that mark before the All-Star break since Brad Boxberger in 2018, who had 24 saves in the first half. With eight games still left to play, another couple could quite possibly be in Paul’s wheelhouse. If he does record two more saves, it will leave Sewald behind only Boxberger and Jose Valverde (26 in 2007). It has been a while since we have had a “reliable” closer (and I’ll get to those quotes in a bit). In this decade so far, never mind twenty saves, the only D-backs with more than ten saves before the break were Mark Melancon in 2022, and Sewald in 2024, his previous time here – both men had 13.
However, there’s no doubt that Sewald has been lucky. He has allowed runs in eight of his 35 appearances, but has saved 20 of his 21 opportunities. Last night was a case in point, allowing a solo home-run. Indeed, he has conceded four runs over his last three save situations and innings. Fortunately, the lead he was handed in each was exactly large enough to allow him to exit with an eventual one-run win and save. Had he entered in them with a one-run lead to start with, he’d have blown three consecutive chances. We would then likely be having a very different conversation about Sewald, leading up to the All-Star break.
Paul currently sits sixth in the majors for saves. But at 4.50, he is the only man in the top ten with an ERA even at four. The average across the other nine closers is just 2.05, less than half of Sewald’s figure. His FIP and xFIP are also the highest in the group, so that doesn’t make the picture any brighter. xERA, a stat based on quality of contact, does improve Paul’s number by more than a run, dropping him to 3.39. That’s better than MLB saves leader Cade Smith of Cleveland, who has 26 saves and an xERA of 3.62. We’d better hope Sewald can stay away from barrels, and continue doing such a masterful job of pitching to the scoreboard.
Public service announcement: today’s game is on Peacock.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 29: Tyler Mahle #54 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Monday, June 29, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Zach Gardner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s series finale time, with the San Francisco Giants concluding their six-game road trip by finishing business with the Colorado Rockies. If you’re sad to see the Rockies go, well, don’t worry … they’ll be in San Francisco on Thursday!
Taking the mound for the finale is right-hander Tyler Mahle, who makes his 14th start of the year. The veteran is 1-8 on the season, with a 5.67 ERA, a 4.83 FIP, and 64 strikeouts to 29 walks in 66.2 innings. He gave up four runs in 4.1 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last start.
For the Rockies, it’s righty Tanner Gordon, who makes his 11th appearance and fourth start of the year. The 28-year old is 0-2 with a 6.69 ERA, a 4.18 FIP, and 39 strikeouts to eight walks in 40.1 innings. He gave up five runs in as many innings against the Miami Marlins in his last game.
Jul 4, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Detroit Tigers left fielder Riley Greene (31) points to the dugout after hitting a single against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (39-50) vs. Texas Rangers (45-44)
Time/Place: 3:30 p.m., Globe Life Field SB Nation Site:Lone Star Ball Media: Peacock, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (3-5, 2.63 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (2-6, 3.83 ERA)
According to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale, seven MLB umpires have informed the league they will be accepting a buyout offer and retiring after the 2026 season. Among them are CB Bucknor and Laz Diaz, alongside Brian O’Nora, Lance Barksdale, Marvin Hudson, Tony Randazzo and Andy Fletcher.
It will cap off a 30-year career for Bucknor, who started by working in the National League in 1996 and has worked both the AL and NL since 2000. Diaz has been umpiring since 1999 when he stared in the American League and has worked both leagues since 2000.
The latter had a fun moment with ABS earlier in the year, when Royals catcher Salvador Perez successfully challenged two calls in a row and Diaz good-naturedly stared him down following the next ball call, which well outside the zone.
As noted by Nightengale, this small exodus of umpires may open the door for Jen Pawol as the first woman to be a full-time MLB umpire. Pawol has previously umpired games at the pro level.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Griffin Canning #17 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres have been unable to buy a win. Despite starter Griffin Canning surrendering just one run, the Friars couldn’t get anything on the board against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace went seven scoreless innings before the bullpen pitched two more to complete the shutout. San Diego managed just four hits in the game, struggling to make headway against L.A.
They’re now one game away from back-to-back sweeps. The Padres just hit eight games straight in their current losing streak. It’s the longest streak the Friars have had since their 2013 season. San Diego must find a way to win today’s game, otherwise the season may be over at the halfway point.
Taking the mound
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) v. JP Sears (SD)
Sheehan hasn’t been the most inspiring pitcher for Los Angeles. He owns a 5.08 ERA on the season and has racked up just 81 strikeouts. That said, he pitched well against San Diego last week. Sheehan twirled five one-run innings against the Friars.
He’s struggled with command, surrendering 22 walks for a 1.27 WHIP through 72 2/3 innings. San Diego will need to take advantage of any mistakes Sheehan makes in order to stave off the sweep versus the rival Dodgers. If not, the Padres will have a tough time putting runs on the board.
It’s Sears’ third start in a Padres uniform this season. He’s been inconsistent but has undeniably good stuff. Sears pitched well in Petco Park against the Atlanta Braves but struggled in Wrigley Field versus the Chicago Cubs. That’s likely due to Sears being a fly-ball pitcher. He induces a lot of hard contact, and the wind at Wrigley resulted in Sears surrendering six runs to the Cubs.
Tonight, he’ll need to perform much better to bring San Diego a win. Dodger Stadium has traditionally been known as a pitcher-friendly ballpark, which should help Sears to induce fly outs. That said, Los Angeles could take advantage and launch some home runs out of the yard. Hopefully, the former turns out to be the case.
Batter up!
The Friars don’t have a ton of historical success against Sheehan. That said, the right-hander has struggled this season. If San Diego is going to put a stop to their losing streak, now is the time. The lineup was looking solid until last night. That’s somewhat admissible since they were facing Yamamoto, but getting shut out didn’t help matters.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, 3B
Gavin Sheets, DH
Ty France, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jackson Merrill, CF
Samad Taylor, LF
Luis Campusano, C
Tatis was the only solid hitter in last night’s game. He went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot and was the only batter not to strike out against the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Tatis has been one of the few consistent hitters for San Diego despite a slow start. Hopefully, that production can continue.
Relief corps
The Friars’ bullpen has looked more rested lately, but that hasn’t helped the Padres get a win. Wandy Peralta opened the game for Canning before Kyle Hart and Mason Miller took over. Miller only pitched because he hasn’t since Monday night against Chicago. He surrendered a run, raising his ERA to 1.01 on the season.
That leaves Alek Jacob, Ron Marinaccio, Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon and Bradgley Rodriguez for the Padres to turn to. Miller will also be available if San Diego has a lead in the ninth. He threw just 13 pitches to get through the bottom of the eighth inning last night.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 20: Sal Stewart #43 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with teammate Chase Burns #26 during a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on September 20, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s not uncommon for the Cincinnati Reds to have a pair of representatives in Major League Baseball’s annual All Star Game in July. Frankly, it’s become both common and expected for them to do just that, particularly with a fireballing starting pitcher drafted 2nd overall with high expectations and with a position player lauded for his unmatched skill.
We aren’t talking about Hunter Greene and Elly De La Cruz on this occasion, though. After both missed significant time during the first half of the 2026 season, neither will be making a return trip to the ASG this time around (barring Elly being called upon as a late injury replacement). Instead, the Reds will be sending a pair of outstanding younger players to the game in their stead.
Each of Chase Burns and Sal Stewart have been selected to represent the Reds in the game a week from Tuesday in Philadelphia, the two making their debuts in such an affair. They mark two of the 26 first-timers selected to the respective rosters of the American League and National Leagues, and each is very deserving in their own right.
Sal Stewart and Chase Burns are the third set of teammates in Reds history to each earn an All-Star selection at age 23 or younger in the same season🌟 pic.twitter.com/lmuyxfuBOH
Stewart entered play on Sunday with 60 ribbies to his credit, which is tied for 7th most in all of Major League Baseball. He’s also smashed 17 homers,swiped 11 bags, played each of 1B, 3B, and 2B, and owns an impressive .348 wOBA and 114 OPS+. The former 1st round draftee and top prospect has flashed his excellent eye at the plate with above-average marks in terms of walk-rate (11.7%) and K-rate (21.7%), and has seemed immediately as-advertised since the moment he became a big leaguer.
Burns, on the other hand, has emerged as simply one of the most unstoppable forces on the mound on the planet so far this season. He entered Sunday with 4.3 bWAR, which was second only to Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sanchez in the game, and owns a 2.40 ERA, 1.08 wHIP, and impressive 10.7 K/9 through 97.2 IP so far as Cincinnati’s resident ace so far in 2026.
Congrats to both, and here’s to this being the first of many appearances for them!
BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 02: Guillermo Zuniga #66 of Team Colombia poses for a photo during the Team Colombia photo day at Pirate City on Monday, March 2, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Harrison Barden/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Earlier today, the Mets called up right-handed reliever Guillermo Zuñiga to join the bullpen. Zuñiga will wear number 46 for New York. To make room on the roster, the team sent Joey Gerber back to Triple-A.
The Mets signed Zuñiga to a minor league deal back in May. The right-hander last pitched at the major league level for the Angels in 2024, where he posted a 5.09 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. He also pitched for the Cardinals in 2023, where he allowed one earned run on two hits over two innings. He pitched for Colombia in the WBC this year and allowed four earned runs on five hits over one inning of work in two outings. He owns a 6.23 ERA in 4 1/3 innings for Syracuse and a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings for Binghamton prior to that.
Gerber started the eighth inning of last night’s 14-3 loss and allowed a three-run home run to Austin Riley. In 8 1/3 innings for New York across three different stints with the club, he has a 4.32 ERA and a 4.19 FIP, with eight strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings. Prior to last night’s effort, he had allowed just one earned run across his previous six appearances for the Mets.
Jun 30, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tanner Gordon (29) pitches in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
In a rare, nationally televised game for the Colorado Rockies, the goal is a series win over the San Francisco Giants in the final game at Coors Field before the All-Star break. The series kicked off with an absolute drubbing of the Giants on Friday before the bats fell relatively silent last night in a loss.
The final home game of the first half comes as the Rockies are in the middle of 17 consecutive games without an off-day with another seven–including a three game set against the Los Angeles Dodgers–to go after today before All-Star Game festivities begin.
Right-handed pitcher Tanner Gordon will be making his 11th appearance and fourth start of the season for the Rockies this afternoon. The 28-year-old currently has a 6.69 ERa with 39 strikeouts in 40.1 innings of work so far.
His last time out, Gordon took the loss in a five inning start against the Miami Marlins in which he allowed five earned runs on nine hits–including a home run–while striking out four batters and issuing no walks. It was his first game back after a stint on the injured list for a hip injury.
On the bump for Los Gigantes is the right-handed Tyler Mahle. The 31-year-old journeyman has posted a 5.67 ERA through 13 starts with the Giants and has 64 strikeouts over 66.2 innings of work during his first season in the Bay Area. In his last start he went 4.1 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks while giving up four earned runs on four hits and three walks.
Mahle has made six career starts against the Rockies previously with a 5.08 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and two home runs given up over 33.2 total innings. This season he is working with a five pitch mix anchored by a four-seam fastball that averages 92.4 MPH. He also uses a split finger, a cutter, a slider, and the occasional sinker.
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 14: Ryan Vilade #26 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 14, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | Getty Images
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits a two run home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Daikin Park on July 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (44-47) will conclude their six-game homestand today with another rubber game, this time opposite the top team in the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays (52-44).
RHP Peter Lambert (6-5, 3.51 ERA) will get the start for Houston as he looks to secure the series win opposite the Rays, who will start an opener in RHP Mason Englert (0-1, 3.96 ERA).
RIDING THE LAMBO: Today’s starter RHP Peter Lambert, who was a minor league free agent signing this offseason, has posted a 4-1 record in his last seven starts dating back to May 24, which ties him for fourth in the AL in wins in that span.
Lambert pitched last year for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in the NPB, posting a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP) with 111 strikeouts in 23 appearances in Japan.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: With a win today, the Astros would win the series, which would secure them six series victories in their last seven chances. Prior to the Astros losing two of three to the Twins earlier this week, the club had won five straight series from June 12-28, their longest streak in 2026.
WINNING THE CLOSE CALLS: The Astros are 9-5 in one-run games and 20-11 in two-run games. Each of the Astros last eight wins and 13 of their last 14 victories have come by two-or-fewer runs.
GET ‘EM EARLY: The Astros lead the AL in 1st inning runs with 63 runs scored in their 91 games. Overall, the Astros rank fifth in the American League in runs scored (411), while the Rays check in ranking seventh in the AL with 396 runs scored.
LAST NIGHT’S W: Trailing 6-2 early, the Astros rallied back for a 10-8 win over the Rays which ended on a walkoff homer by DH Yordan Alvarez (3×4, 2HR, 6RBI) in the 9th. 2B Jose Altuve (2×3, 3R) and C Yainer Diaz (1×4, HR, 2RBI) chipped in on the offensive side. LHP Josh Hader (0ER/1IP) pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd win of the season.
WALK-OFF FIREWORKS: DH Yordan Alvarez hit his second career regular season walk-off homer last night, with the other also coming on the Fourth of July in 2022 vs. KC. He is the first player in MLB history with two career walk-off homers on July 4.
FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH: The Astros have won on the Fourth of July for nine consecutive seasons (since 2016), which is the longest active streak in the Majors. Per Elias, only three other teams in Major League history have won nine consecutive game on July 4th, the Indians (13 straight, 1916-1923), the White Sox (14 straight, 1934-1941) and the Pirates (9 straight, 1901-1905).
TODAY’S TELECAST: Peacock and the NBC network will televise every game across Major League Baseball today, including the Astros-Rays game from Houston. Todd Kalas, Doug Waechter, and Julia Morales will be on the call for Peacock today.
ALL-STAR ALVAREZ: Major League Baseball announced yesterday that DH Yordan Alvarez was voted by the fans as the starting designated hitter for the American League All-Star team. This marks the fourth All-Star selection for Alvarez (2022-24, 2026) and the second time that he has been voted as a starter (also in 2024).
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez has had a torrid first half to his season, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.078), OBP (.433), SLG (.645), RBI (67), and total bases (207). Additionally, he ranks first in the AL in extra-base hits (45), first in homers (29), first in hits (104), first in runs (62), second in batting average (.324), and fourth in walks (59).
THE LONG BALL LIST: DH Yordan Alvarez has hit 199 career home runs, needing just one homer to become the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 200-homer plateau.
All-time Homers in Astros History
1. Jeff Bagwell: 449
2. Lance Berkman: 326
3. Craig Biggio: 291
4. Jose Altuve: 263
5. Jimmy Wynn: 223
6. Yordan Alvarez: 199
PEN PALS: Since May 15 the Astros are 27-19 thanks in part to their bullpen, which has posted the lowest ERA in the AL in that span at 2.63 (51ER/174.1P). Since that date, that group has been led by LHP Josh Hader (0.64 ERA), LHP Bryan King (0.89 ERA), LHP Steven Okert (1.57 ERA) and RHP AJ Blubaugh (1.78 ERA).
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 3-0 with eight saves (in eight chances) and a 0.64 ERA (1ER/14IP) in 14 appearances. He has 22 strikeouts in his 14.0 innings with a .045 (2×44) opponent average and a 0.57 WHIP. Hader has not allowed a hit in seven consecutive appearances (7IP since June 21).
OUT ON ASSIGNMENT: The Astros have three starters on minor league rehab assignments:
• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) last started on Wednesday for Double A Corpus Christi at NW Arkansas (2ER/4.1IP), tossing 60 pitches (45 strikes). He is expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday.
• RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) last started on Wednesday for Triple A Sugar Land at OKC (1ER/4IP), tossing 60 pitches (41 strikes). He is expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday.
• RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) began a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday for the FCL Astros (0ER/3IP), tossing 25 pitches. He is expected to start today for Corpus Christi.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1985 – In a 4-2 win over Montreal, OF José Cruz drives in two runs to set what was then a franchise record for career RBI with 783. He would finish his Astros career with 942 RBI, which currently ranks fourth in club history, behind 1B Jeff Bagwell (1529), 2B Craig Biggio (1175) and 1B Lance Berkman (1090). 2B Jose Altuve ranks fifth all time on that list with 911 RBI.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, July 5, 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Peacock
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 28: Luinder Avila #58 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field on June 28, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals have lost 4 in a row and 8 of their last 9, they are the worst team in all of the Major Leagues. If you told me that on March 25th, I thought you were crazy. Yes, they have a lot of key players hurt currently, but they weren’t that good when they were fully healthy.
JJ Picollo seems to be blaming this disastrous season on injuries, and no changes seem like they are going to be made now or in the offseason. Again, to a certain extent, he is right, but we saw what the fully healthy team looked like most of April.
Luinder Avila will try and stop the bleeding today. He has been up and down as a starter, with him being downright bad at home. His home stats are as follows: 6 appearances, 2 starts. 12.2 innings pitched, 24 hits allowed, 18 runs, 11 walks, 11 strikeouts. A 12.79 ERA in 12.2 innings. Personally, I think Avila should be getting closer reps for next season, but I’ll have an article out on that for a deeper dive soon.
Here are the Royals starters behind Avila for this afternoon’s contest. And yes, Josh Rojas is still on the team! I almost forgot he was. Oh, and Salvador Perez is back in there.
The Phillies got off to a horrendous start and fired their manager and now they are 11 games over .500. (Hm, interesting!) The back-to-back NL East champs are employing almost a carbon copy of last night’s winning lineup. Only the starting catcher is the difference.
Righty Aaron Nola will start for Philly. Nola has been bad this season, with a 6.04 ERA in 85 innings over 17 starts. He has been better on the road, but that doesn’t say a whole lot, with his road ERA still being at 5.40.
Here is the starting lineup for Philly behind Nola.
First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on Peacock, as part of a special MLB thing.
For the first time ever, a single network is bringing you EVERY SINGLE Major League Baseball game live nationally. Welcome to #StarSpangledSunday on Peacock TV!
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 04: A general view of the ballpark is shown during the playing of the U.S. national anthem prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on July 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Nick Kurtz's rise to major league stardom will now include a starting spot for the American League in the All-Star Game.
The Athletics first baseman assumed the starting position shortly after All-Star rosters were announced, when Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opted out of the game, telling reporters he needs to prioritize overcoming a lower back issue.
That means Kurtz, who grew up about 90 minutes from Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park and earned the nickname "Big Amish," will get the start in what may be the first of several All-Star appearances in his career.
Kurtz, 23, was an instant smash after making his debut April 23, 2025, though his dominance of major league pitching came too late for him to earn an All-Star nod in his Rookie of the Year season. This year, he's hit 20 home runs and posted a .939 OPS for the Athletics, who are in their second of three seasons playing in West Sacramento's Yolo County before moving to Las Vegas.
Guerrero, who has yet to hit a home run at Rogers Centre this season, didn't exactly have the numbers to justify the position, yet the defending AL champions received such massive support at the ballot box that he held off Kurtz for the start. Nonetheless, he did not want to disappoint those who supported him.
"One of the hardest parts of not going," he told reporters. "It's very difficult for me. But I really have to take care of myself and I’ve got to put my team first for the second half."
