Cole Carrigg, one of the National League's top rookies this season, will miss at least the Colorado Rockies' Sunday, Aug. 30 game at Atlanta for making an inappropriate gesture toward Braves fans in the Rockies' loss Saturday.
Carrigg, 24, made a diving effort on a Michael Harris II fly ball in the seventh inning Saturday but came up just short of a dazzling catch as it deflected off the top of his glove. Two runs scored on the play, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead that held up for the victory.
As Braves fans cheered in the aftermath of the crucial sequence, Carrigg, with his back turned toward fans in center field, flipped the bird in their direction. The morning after, manager Warren Schaeffer announced Carrigg would be benched for Sunday's series finale, and perhaps the start of their home series against Baltimore.
"Cole made a mistake – he knows that is an embarrassment to the organization and that we don’t stand for that," Schaeffar said Sunday, per MLB.com. "Listen, everybody makes mistakes. It’s just one that he has to learn from. It’s just that we will not put up with that here.
"So he is going to sit a couple days, because he’s a guy that wants to play every day. That’s the repercussions of this.”
Carrigg, who made his major league debut June 9, is a hard-nosed player who earlier this season had a brief altercation with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing after scoring a go-ahead 10th-inning run.
"First, I apologize to my teammates and the organization – that’s not how I want to represent us,” Carrigg told reporters in Atlanta. "That’s inexcusable on my part.
"With that being said, I’m somebody who’s going to play at 110% every game and give my all to this team and to the game to try to win ballgames. That was a play that I felt could or could not have won the game, so I’m very passionate about that.
"Braves fans are pretty passionate themselves. Kudos to them. But that can’t happen."
Carrigg eventually pinch-hit Sunday, striking out in place of Troy Johnston, and remained in the game in center field.
Carrigg is capable of playing both shortstop and center field, and this season, he's posted a .345 on-base percentage and .789 OPS - 106 adjusted - for Colorado. He has six homers and eight steals in 11 attempts, completing a three-year rise after the Rockies drafted him in the second round in 2023.
Carrigg was high school teammates with Athletics slugger Tyler Soderstrom, and as he rose the ranks in amateur and pro ball, expected he'd arrive in the majors.
"You get to college and do it. You get to the minors and do it," he told USA TODAY Sports last week. "Each step prepares you and if you look at it with the right state of mind, you can tell yourself, ‘I’ve done it with these guys before, I’ve seen these guys in college. Why not me?’"
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 24: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 24, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After two close wins, the Phillies will go for the sweep on Sunday in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels.
Zack Wheeler gets the start for the Phillies, and will draw a lot of attention after a string of disappointing starts.
The Angels will start Yusei Kikuchi. The Japanese lefthander has endured a poor season, with a 6.25 ERA in eight starts.
Game time is 4:07 PM Eastern and will be televised locally by NBCSP.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits an RBI triple in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (68-68) and New York Mets (61-75) will play the rubber match of this series this afternoon at Citi Field.
Rookie RHP Ethan Pecko (0-0, 7.88 ERA) will make his 3rd start of the season as he takes on Mets LHP Zac Thornton (3-4, 2.88 ERA).
ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 14-4 vs. the Mets, with a 5-2 mark here at Citi Field. They took 2 of 3 from NYM in their last visit to Citi Field, June 28-30, 2024.
Common Bond: The Astros and Mets both entered the Major Leagues in 1962, with both clubs competing in the NL at that time (HOU moved to the AL in 2013). Both clubs have won two World Series Championships and five pennants. The Astros hold the edge in the all-time regular season series with a 323-264-1 record, while the Mets were victorious in the one postseason series between the two clubs, taking the 1986 NLCS in what was a thrilling, 6-game series.
NY STATE OF MIND: Today is the finale of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (3-2 thus far), with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. Prior to the current series vs. NYM, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues-Thur).
Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road trip in NYC, June 23-29 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.
YOUNG ETHAN: Tonight will be the 3rd ML start/ app. for 24-year-old rookie RHP Ethan Pecko, and his 2nd start on the current road trip. He also started the 1st game of the trip, which was Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, which was also his 24th birthday. He ended that start with no decision. Pecko was the Astros 6th-round pick in 2023 out of Towson University (MD).
YESTERDAY’S RECAP: The Astros were defeated by the Mets yesterday afternoon, 6-2. RHP Cristian Javier (1-5) took the loss in relief (4.1 IP, 3 ER). LHP Bennett Sousa served as the opener (0.2 IP, 1 ER). Yordan Alvarez drove in both of the Astros runs on the day, going 2×3 with a solo HR and a sacrifice fly. The Astros offense was held to just 4 hits.
MATCHING HIS BEST: Yesterday’s HR by Yordan Alvarez was his AL-leading 37th of the season, matching his career high, set 2022. His career-high in RBI is 104, set in 2021 (currently has an AL-best 93 RBI).
ROAD WARRIORS: Today is the finale of the Astros 6-game road trip (3-2 thus far). Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 34-24 (.586) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 18-12 (.600) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip). Overall for the season, HOU is 35-33 on the road.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in TB (1,870), 2nd in SLG (.409), T-2nd in HR (180), T-3rd in runs scored (618) and 4th in OPS (.725).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters today leading the AL in batting avg. (.320), HR (37) and RBI (93). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.049), SLG (.613), OBP (.435) and is 2nd in TB (295).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are 2nd in the AL in successful ABS challenges with 85. Their 54% success rate in challenges is T-1st in the AL. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are also T-1st in the AL.
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 25-14 (.641) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1). HOU is 9-4 vs. TEX, who are in 2nd place in the AL West.
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 48-37 (.565) in their last 85 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (52-35).
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters today’s game needing just 8 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 2,492 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,582.
IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.
HADERADE: With Friday night’s scoreless 9th inning, LHP Josh Hader extended his scoreless innings streak to 18.0 innings (17 app.). His is the longest streak by an Astros hurler this season and the 3rd-longest current streak in the Majors. Opponents are just 4×58 (.069) during the streak. Hader is also now 20-for-20 in save opportunities in 2026. Hader in August: 1-0, 12 G, 0.00 ERA, 13.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 15 SO.
ONE OF THE BEST: Double A Corpus Christi C/1B Jason Schiavone, who has 5 HR and 9 RBI in his last 5 games, has been one of the top players in minor league baseball in 2026. In his combined 107 games at Single A Asheville and Corpus, he leads the Astros system in HR (30) and RBI (80) while slashing .260/.398/.551 with a .949 OPS. Schiavone, who is 23, was selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft.
HOMEWARD BOUND: After today’s game, the Astros will return home to Houston for a 7-game homestand, during which they will face the White Sox (4g) and Diamondbacks (3g), respectively. The Astros are 2-1 thus far vs. CWS, and will be facing ARI for the 1st time in 2026.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY:1970 – In the Dome, the Astros touch up opposing starter Nolan Ryan for 3 HR en route to a 9-5 win over the visiting Mets. Jimmy Wynn leads with way, going 4-for5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI, with both HR coming off the future Hall of Famer. SS Denis Menke also has a big day with 2 HR and 3 RBI.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2:10 p.m. CT
Location: Citi Field, Queens, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 21: Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on ahead of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest SB Nation Reacts polling had to do with a broader thought with meaningful implications for the San Francisco Giants.
Earlier in the week, Major League Baseball put out a new set of proposals (free to read) that were mainly designed with a salary cap in mind. Michael Baumann went over the pros and cons of the proposals over at FanGraphs (free), while Marc Normandin discussed for Baseball Prospectus (sub required) how none of the proposals actually require a salary cap. So, the owners are sticking firm to there being a salary cap. The players don’t intend to budge on the matter; and, as much as we fans are “caught in the middle,” it’s worth it to me to point out that too many fans want a salary cap without bothering to learn anything about what it would mean for Major League Baseball to have one.
But that blissful ignorance is a topic for another day. I suspect we’ll have plenty of time to pick over everybody’s opinions and public statements during this inevitable lockout — and it will be a lockout, not a strike — and that’ll be in addition to my personal fretting about the missed development time for a lot of the players.
In case you hadn’t heard or had forgotten, players on the 40-man roster would be impacted by a lockout. Not the minor league clubs. So, not every Giants prospect would miss out on games during a lockout period — again, the minor league schedule will carry on as usual during a lockout of the MLB level — but some would. Notably:
Bryce Eldridge
Randy Rodriguez
Yunior Marte
Blade Tidwell
Drew Cavanaugh
Jesus Rodriguez
Andrew Susac
Nate Furman
Marcelo Mayer
Victor Bericoto
Jonah Cox
They won’t be able to have contact with their big league clubs during the lockout period, which means coaching and training check ins and instruction are off the table.
The majority of Giants fans polled by SB Nation think that there will be fewer than 162 games played in the regular season, which would mean a substantial lockout. Indeed, 76% think games will be missed, ranging from “some” to “all,” and that’s probably a very exciting prospect for owners. Having the fans on their side to crush the players really does give them leverage the longer a lockout lasts beyond December (the current one expires on December 1st). Respondents might also simply be keeping up with the news and understand that this craven cadre of owners has dug in on a potentially sport-damaging issue that is merely reflective of the destructive nature of the billionaires of our time. Total value extraction at any cost.
While I don’t think a delay in the start of the season will meaningfully impact Bryce Eldridge — who’s still quite young — or Randy Rodriguez — who’ll still be recovering from Tommy John surgery — if games wind up being played in 2027, I wonder how much of a setback their careers might experience if an entire season is missed.
For most of the other players, they seem like they’re in a tough situation where missed time could really set them back. To what extent does offseason contact with the team matter? Well, I suspect we’ll find out if a lot of games are missed and then we look at the development of players like Jonah Cox, Victor Bericoto, and Blade Tidwell. With a lot of these injured players, we can already see how simply missing game action for an extended period of time hurts them. Sure, they could be receiving coaching and physical therapy during this time period (again, two things they’d miss in a lockout), but it’s tough to replicate game speed when trying to get back to playing shape.
Then there’s what a layoff might do for the actual coaching staff. It’s not like Tony Vitello and crew won’t be able to access the organization. So, a full offseason of scouting and preparation is still on the table. Plus, a longer layoff might do well in helping him close the knowledge and rhythm gap since he didn’t really have one prior to this disastrous season. He and his coaches will be able to interact with all of the minor leaguers not on the 40-man roster, too, but on the downside, it’ll be a long winter of him once again being separated from the major league level. It’s the drag coefficient on his career right now, to the point that major league umpires are giving him the business. No stretch to imagine how much of a gap there is between he and his players. But, a lockout has the chance to help TV out quite a bit. It might also provide him cover for an exit back to the college ranks… if he wants to go that way.
Another article for another time is how it does feel like Buster Posey is being graded on a curve here. There’s no evidence that the team will be better in 2027 anyway, so maybe my comments in this post amount to nothing more than some concern trolling when it comes to developing players and future outcomes. Nobody should anticipate the San Francisco Giants being a good baseball team any time soon. Easy knowledge to take with you to FanDuel. For a couple of years now, I’ve been saying that this is a lost decade and that 2030 is a nice target year for expecting the franchise to have turned things around. Now, obviously, being good in a specific season requires improvement in areas in the preceding years, but 2030 is still four seasons out. They don’t really need to start looking better or getting better for a couple more, and so a lockout of any duration isn’t going to meaningful improve or hinder what the Giants are trying to do in the near-term. Maybe that’s why respondents voted the way they did. Makes sense.
Aug 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) hits an RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (63-72) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (81-55)
Time/Place: 1:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:True Blue LA Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (8-9, 4.35 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 3.02 ERA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Pitcher Zac Thornton #49 of the New York Mets pitches to the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Citi Field on August 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Benjamin B. Braun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS Juan Soto – DH Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Jared Young – 1B Luis Robert – LF A.J. Ewing – CF Marcus Semien – 2B Luis Torrens – C
SP: Zac Thornton – LHP
Astros lineup
Jeremy Pena – SS Yordan Alvarez – LF Isaac Paredes – DH Jose Altuve – 2B Daulton Varsho – CF Christian Walker – 1B Yainer Diaz – C Cam Smith – RF Nick Allen – 3B
SP: Ethan Pecko – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 3:10 PM EDT TV: NBC/Peacock Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Los Angeles, CA - August 14:Dodgers Will Smith throws before the start of the game against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, August 14, 2026. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Dodgers August has been abysmal, so it’s probably a blessing they don’t play on Monday, the final day of the month. When they boys in blue resume play, they will be back home at Dodger Stadium to host the St. Louis Cardinals for three games beginning on Tuesday night.
September 1 is the first day active roster limits expand to 28 players and 14 pitchers. The Dodgers are expected to get catcher Will Smith back after a week of rehabbing in Triple-A.
Eric Lauer starts on the mound for the Dodgers on Tuesday. St. Louis hasn’t yet named a starting pitcher for the opener, but the identity of the opposing pitcher hasn’t mattered much anyway given how mediocre the Dodgers offense has been lately.
The right-hander has faced some speed bumps against left-handed hitters as of late. The last 30 he's faced have produced a 57% hard-hit rate, 19% barrel rate, and 66.7% elevation rate. Not only that, but those left-handed hitters have a .298 xBA, .656 xSLG, and .423 wOBA.
With Crow-Armstrong owning a .762 SLG, .476 ISO, and 14% barrel rate, he should be worthy of our trust after a monster performance on Saturday.
If the home run scares you, take the bases.
Sal Stewart Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-130)
Reds rookie sensation Sal Stewart is easily one of the best bats to back this evening to go over his 1.5 hits + runs + RBI prop.
The price is a bit juicy, but he has surpassed this prop in 66.67% of his 18 elite ratings on the road this season, per Batters-Box. In 45 elite ratings this season, the Reds slugger has gone Over this prop 55.56% of the time.
Across his last 10 games, the young fella has maintained a .634 SLG and .293 ISO while barreling the ball at a 12.5% clip.
Stewart draws Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, who has a 14.3% ground-ball rate over the last 30 righties faced.During that time, those right-handed hitters own a mouthwatering .453 xBA, .627 xSLG, and .248 ISO.
Stewart has seen left-handed pitchers very well this season and at $1.30 it is worth paying the juice here. Do not take this prop much higher. Alt to Over 1.5 bases.
Chase Burns Under 6.5 strikeouts (-165)
It is no news to true baseball die-hards that Burns is a strikeout machine, but tonight against the Cubs, the Under is the play. Yes, at a juicy price, but the Cubs have maintained a strikeout rate under 20% for weeks now. In their last six games, they have posted just a 14% strikeout rate.
This is a number the Reds starter rarely stays Under, but the Cubs have been on a complete tear, and I see them making a ton of contact this evening. Chicago ranks third in contact rate over its last six games while also ranking second-lowest in swinging-strike rate.
Trust the hot bats. Alt this down to 5.5 if you want plus money, but do not pay more for this prop.
How to watch Reds vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
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.
ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 31: Matthew Liberatore #32 of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Ali Overstreet/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up their homestand before a long west coast swing as they’ll host the Pirates again on Sunday. Matthew Liberatore will give it a go for the Cardinals while the Pirates will start Braxton Ashcraft. First pitch is set for 1:15pm at Busch Stadium and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 14: Robert Garcia #62 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Athletics in the bottom of the six inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on April 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Carter Baumler will begin a rehab assignment with Round Rock today, the team has announced. In addition, per Evan Grant, Robert Garcia will also be starting a rehab assignment with Round Rock later this coming week.
Baumler and Garcia were both members of the Opening Day bullpen, both went on the injured list in April, and both are guys who I figured we wouldn’t see again this season. However, it appears both will be pitching in minor league game action in the very near future, and both could end up back in the major league bullpen before too long.
Baumler, a Rule 5 pick of the Rangers, appeared in four games before going on the injured list on April 5 with an intercostal strain. He appeared in three games for Round Rock on a rehab assignment before being pulled off due to a setback. If he isn’t on the major league roster for at least 90 days this year, his Rule 5 restrictions will carry over to the following year until he reaches that 90 day mark, so if he could come back in September, that would help reduce the number of days he’d have to be on the active roster next year.
Garcia threw eight innings over nine appearances before going on the injured list in late April with a shoulder strain. He was expected to be a key part of the Rangers’ late inning mix, and his being on the shelf for four-plus months has been a big blow to the pen.
Both players are on the 60 day injured list, but there are currently two open spots on the 40 man roster, so no move would need to be made there to clear a spot for them, once they are ready.
Umpire reminding White Sox and Twins what the goal is. | Getty Images
The White Sox will be going for a series sweep and fifth straight victory this afternoon against a Twins team that has lost four in a row and has been very generous in the first two games.
Jordan Hicks will be playing the role of opener for the Sox for only the second time, his first having been a clean inning against the Rays on August 1. Will Venable has been treating who follows as a state secret, but in the normal rotation course it would be José Urquidy, who in three games since being acquired from the Pirates and brought up from Charlotte has sandwiched a brilliant outing against the Cubs between two horrible ones versus the Tigers and Rangers.
The Twins counter with Zebby Matthews, a righty with a 4.86 ERA that would seem to indicate that someone on the Sox besides Andrew Benintendi should get a hit. Matthews is coming off two good starts, though, giving up just two runs to the A’s and Braves in 12 2/3 innings. He faces a Chicago lineup that has only scored thanks to Benintendi or Twins incompetence since the first inning on Friday.
Hicks et al. take on a Twins lineup that didn’t score after the first two innings in either of the first two games of the series and is a pathetic 1-for-18 with runners in scoring position even including those innings. And, to the White Sox benefit, Sox killer Byron Buxton remains on the bench with a hip injury sustained on Tuesday.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Central with the temp around 80° and wind 10 mph right to left. Usual broadcast suspects.
The Dodgers' game against the Tigers on Sunday has been delayed because of rain in the Detroit area. (Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ game against the Tigers on Sunday at Comerica Park began in a rain delay.
First pitch was at 11:35 a.m. PDT following a 55-minute delay.
Dodger manager Dave Roberts was anticipating a potential delay a couple hours before the original game time.
“Then it’s supposed to kind of be isolated around 5:30 [2:30 p.m. PDT,]” Roberts said of the storm forecast. “So there is that window 2-5 p.m. [11 a.m.-2 p.m. PDT], that looks promising.”
Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow took the mound opposite Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 22: Luis Robert Jr. #88 of the New York Mets celebrates hitting a two-run home run during the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on August 22, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Astros inability to address their poor offensive outfield production for the past 2 seasons continues to dog them as they come down the stretch, fighting for their playoff lives, clinging to a very narrow 2-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West with the Seattle Mariners lurking 4 games back.
There are 2 days remaining to get a player in your organization to make them playoff eligible on your roster. It’s time the Astros strike.
Luis Robert Jr. is not a player I would want to see the Astros sign for a full season. He is oft injured and has underperformed for 3 straight years. Now 29 years old, the odds of his suddenly being fully healthy and returning to his All-Star form are very low.
However, that isn’t the case here. The Astros don’t need him for a whole year. They need him for (hopefully) two months.
That short time period is exactly why the Astros should put in a waiver claim for him, as it has been reported Robert Jr. has been placed on waivers by the New York Mets.
Robert Jr.’s numbers this season are underwhelming. .228 AVG .308 OBP .716 OPS. Still, 10 HR in 189 AB is a very strong HR rate. 51 K in 189 AB is worrisome.
But at this point in the season, it’s not about what his season looks like. It’s about trying to catch lightning in a bottle. You want someone who can be hot and hot now.
In the month of August, Robert Jr. has put up very strong offensive numbers. .282 AVG, .338 OBP, .887 OPS with 6 HR and 11 RBI in 71 AB. He is 20×71 and has walked 7x. The 20K are still ugly, but that is still a production level the Astros have nothing close to in their outfield this season.
Is it possible he could find some rejuvenation being on a team with playoff aspirations? Certainly.
Is it possible he could maintain that level of production through September and October? It’s certainly possible, and there is only one way to know. That’s to place a bet on Robert Jr. for the last month (and hopefully an extra month of postseason) and call. There’s literally nothing to lose.
Back in July, I looked back at some 1926 Washington Senators 100-years-to-the-day history that happened to match up with a present-day Minnesota Twins afternoon at Wrigley Field. I didn’t expect it to happen again, what with the ‘26 Nats being a rather mediocre bunch.
But as famed poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once scribed: “I shot an arrow into the air—it fell to earth I knew not where”.
Believe it or not, on this day in 1926, the Senators were also tangling with the Chicago White Sox (this contest being at old Comiskey Park) and the adventures of Firpo Marberry & Goose Goslin continued!
With both clubs hovering around .500 and decidedly out of any AL pennant consideration, the ChiSox sent Hollis Thurston to the bump to battle Washington’s Stan Covelski.
The Nats started the scoring in the top of the fourth inning when Buddy Myer singled & Joe Judge walked. An Ossie Bluege knock brought home Myer, and a grounder from Muddy Ruel produced an error from CHI SS Bill Hunnefield, plating Judge. 2-0 WAS.
The Sox got one back in B6 when an Eddie Collins single off Covelski brought in Johnny Mostil. 2-1 WAS.
But in B8, Myer again singled and this time trotted home on a Goose Goslin round-tripper! 4-1 WAS.
Sure, the Sox would scratch two more across on Covelski with RBI from Bibb Falk & Bill Barrett, but the FME (Firpo Marberry Experience) sauntered in and whiffed Willie Kamm to extinguish the threat. 4-3 WAS.
But when Firpo came back out for B9, he was immediately greeted by a Johnny Grabowksi triple—then a Thurston (yes, the opposing SP swinging for himself in the ninth!) single to tie the game. Three batters later with the sacks full of Sox, Collins knocked in Thurston and the South Siders celebrated.
Your final: Chicago White Sox 5, Washington Senators 4.
Our current Twins edition may not have a Goose—but they did at one point have a Roden(t)! Let’s hope they don’t Firpo this series away like 100 years ago.
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 04: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics bats during the game between the Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Once upon a time, a team ahead of the curve in analytics noticed how undervalued a skill it was “not to make outs”. They made a movie based on the 2002 Athletics and 24 years later the same organization has produced hitters who would be great a cyber crime because they are elite hackers.
The A’s resistance to being more discerning, more attentive to OBP, more committed to “grinding out at bats” is shown in many different ways and has several implications. More broadly, it helps to explain why even when healthy the A’s lineup sputtered in the middle of the pack offensively despite a lineup that looked far more potent on paper.
Opposing Pitchers
Recently we have seen numerous games in which the A’s allowed opposing starting pitchers to throw around 12 pitches/inning and the impact of that is seen in some less direct and obvious ways. The earlier you knock out a SP the more you bat against the “soft underbelly” of a team’s bullpen.
By hacking early and often, the A’s have too often allowed SPs to get through 6-7 innings which in turn enables managers to lean only on their best relievers to get a game to the house. It also means fewer “high stress” innings for SPs, boosting their effectiveness throughout a start.
Walks
Walks are the stat that most directly show levels of patience, discernment, and OBP. On the surface the A’s are just around average with regard to drawing walks, but a look under the hood shows that their ranking of 17th out of 30 teams is deceiving.
Much of their “ok” BB rate comes from one batter, Nick Kurtz, whose 434 PAs produced an 18.2% BB rate. Around 8% is league average and yet here are some BB rates A’s hitters have amassed:
Jacob Wilson: 3.6%
Alika Williams: 3.6%
Colby Thomas: 3.3%
Tommy White: 2.7%
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer 1.6% (1 BB in 62 PA and it was issued by a position player)
Outs
A lack of walks is not the only casualty of a hacktastic approach to hitting. There is also how the at bat becomes so much easier for the opposing pitcher.
In the case of Wilson, it’s not just the few walks that dragged down his 2026 performance. Wilson’s “chase rate” ranked in the 4th percentile leading to far more incidences of “getting himself out”.
In 2025 Fidgety Guy’s chase rate was 22nd percentile and he batted .311/.355/.444, 116 wRC+. Hacking at the 4th percentile level the numbers plummeted to .266/.298/.388, 83 wRC+.
Max Muncy has actually maintained a passable 7.5% BB rate in 2026. Trouble is he swings at so many bad balls that when he’s not walking he’s often striking out, something he has done at a 32.6% clip this season. A good case in point was the bottom of the 5th last night when Muncy saw 5 pitches, all of them out of the strike zone, swung at 4 at them and struck out.
Tommy White is another master at “getting himself out,” with a chase rate also at the bottom of the league. He may have two 4 hit games, but by putting so many “bad balls” in play he has not been able to tap into much power as his average exit velocities are also among the worst in the league. His slash line of .261/.279/.331, 61 wRC+ tells the tale of a batter lacking in discipline or discernment leading to mostly soft singles and a lot of outs.
Pedagogy
Whether A’s coaches and instructors aren’t preaching patience and discernment or the hitters aren’t listening is an open question. However, one answer is found in the basic philosophical shift of the organization. “Moneyball” informed us that one internal rule was a hitter was expected to show a 10.0% or better BB rate before earning a promotion.
Thomas was promoted from A+ after posting a 4.6% BB rate, then from AA after showing a 6.5% BB rate.
Wilson had a 2.2% BB rate at AA, apparently enough to warrant a promotion to AAA, where his BB rate was 7.8%.
Tommy White was called up from AAA where he was walking all of 4.8% of the time. His BB rates prior ranged from 6.2% to 8.5%.
Kuroda-Grauer’s BB rate across AA and AAA this season was 5.8%. JKG is an interesting one in that he came up and took the league by storm so you could argue what he is doing is working for him. Wilson’s 2025 and 2026 seasons, however, tell the cautionary tale of how things can shift if you don’t. My personal prediction is that either Kuroda-Grauer will show more plate discipline in 2027 or his stats will take a dive like Wilson’s did.
No doubt injuries have impacted the A’s offense, more so as the season has progressed. But they were having trouble scoring away from SHP from the git go and if you’re wondering why a good starting point would be to look at the A’s swing decisions.
Exhibit A is the much beleaguered Lawrence Butler, who has put together some of the A’s very best PAs since the All-Star break. His willingness to work deep counts and take close pitches off the plate have led to a .288/.379/.508, 141 wRC+ line in the 2nd half. And it comes with a 13.0% BB rate.
“Swing hard, early and often” is not a winning strategy no matter who you are. It’s one thing to chase a slider down and away because you didn’t pick up the spin. It’s another to approach every at bat with a “swing first, ask questions later” mindset. There are many reasons the A’s offense isn’t meeting its on paper potential, but an excellent starting point would be to address the lack of commitment, across so many hitters, to “hunting hittable strikes” — and spitting on the rest.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 0.5 home runs 
Sal Stewart Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI
