Apr 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) and New York Mets center fielder Luis Robert Jr. (88) celebrate after the score against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – RF Juan Soto – LF Bo Bichette – 3B Francisco Lindor – SS Jorge Polanco – DH Jared Young – 1B Luis Robert – CF Brett Baty – 2B Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Freddy Peralta – RHP
Brewers lineup
Christian Yelich – DH Jackson Chourio – LF Brice Turang – 2B William Contreras – C Garrett Mitchell – CF Andrew Vaughn – 1B Jake Bauers – RF Cooper Pratt – SS Joey Ortiz – 3B
SP: Jacob Misiorowski – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:40 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Here’s the good news: noted ‘professional hitter’ Gleyber Torres is back. His rehab from his second oblique injury of 2026 has progressed to minor league games, and he recently cracked a home run in his second Single-A game on Saturday. That was enough apparently, but more to the point, the Tigers are running out of time. The veteran second baseman was returned to the active roster today in exchange for part-time catcher Eduardo Valencia. The 26-year-old depth catcher and sometime first baseman filled in admirably while Dillon Dingler was recovering from a hand injury but ultimately doesn’t have the defensive chops to work behind the plate regularly.
Here’s the bad news: the MLB Trade Deadline is on August 3rd, only 14 days away, and the Tigers’ playoff odds are still hovering around 30%. Detroit will only have two weeks with their lineup at full strength before the deadline. We learned in an article a few weeks back that the Tigers are 23-20 with Torres in the lineup (.539 winning percentage) and 23-33 without him (.411). Over the course of a full season, that’s the difference between 87 and 66 wins, but only one or two over a 13 game sprint to the deadline. That doesn’t leave a lot of time for Scott Harris to evaluate how the team works with Torres back in the lineup, nor does it leave the team a lot of time to capitalize on Torres’ return with a prolonged hot streak.
That said, we know Torres will help. His season stats are a bit imbalanced, but a .280/.395/.395 slashline, 128 wRC+ and average 2B defense add up to 1.0 fWAR in only 43 games. This is a veteran, baton-passing, top of the lineup tablesetter that Detroit has missed for more than half of their season. He’s also clearly the second-best right handed hitter on the roster after Dingler’s breakout, and a competent righty bat would help balance a lineup that hasn’t punished left handed pitching the way they need to. Ideally, Torres coming back sparks a winning streak into the deadline and forces Harris to add some help at the back of the bullpen.
By optioning Valencia, the team keeps both 2B/3B Hao-Yu Lee and OF Ben Malgeri on the active roster. That makes sense as Lee is the ideal platoon candidate for Colt Keith. His wRC+ against lefties is 105, which doesn’t really stand out, but it’s a much more threatening 197 during his second stint in the majors. This is a much more under control version of Lee, and while he won’t run a .476 BABIP against lefties forever, he’s making a lot of good line drive contact across the field. Now that he isn’t forced into fulltime second base duties, AJ Hinch can use Lee in a more aggressive platoon capacity without sacrificing too much defense later in games. I’d expect Lee to basically fulfill Jahmai Jones’ role from 2025 as the Tigers chase every edge they can get.
Malgeri is also fairly important to balancing out this lineup. He’s a more patient hitter than Lee and adds much-needed outfield stability while Matt Vierling and Kerry Carpenter struggle. It’s a walk-and-contact heavy profile with limited power, but when paired with good enough corner defense, it plays well at the bottom of the lineup. He’s fairly platoon-neutral, however, which can make getting him into a game a bit tricky. He’ll never be a bad option, but he won’t be the best one, either. His role should be a bit more limited moving forward as Hinch funnels Lee more platoon at-bats, but there’s still room for him in a reserve capacity or to shield either James Outman or Carpenter from left handed starters and provide a defensive upgrade when the Tigers hold a lead in the late innings.
As noted previously, the roster casualty is Valencia, who hit well, but needs a lot more work as a catcher or a first baseman to hold down a long term roster spot in the majors. He went 1 of 6 cutting down baserunners on stolen base attempts and posted a 0:4 BB/K ratio in his limited MLB stint. His two home runs in only 6 games showed the upside, but for now, he’ll head back to Toledo and try to make himself a more well-rounded asset. Getting more comfortable at first base is going to be mandatory, but the Tigers continue to give the majority of reps to Jace Jung, even thought they won’t use him either, rather than trying to develop Valencia instead.
With Torres back, the lineup lengthens to a solid top 7; Spencer Torkelson and Carpenter haven’t been great so far, but I’d much rather they get at-bats than, say, Zack Short or Gage Workman. If the Tigers are going to earn the right to buy at the deadline, they’ll need this group to take care of business over the next two weeks. Torres churning out long at-bats, walks, and clutch knocks, with Lee turning into a matchup-based threat, is the best chance they have of making a playoff push. There’s no more hitting help coming off the IL soon, so this will have to be enough.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 05: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, July 5, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Mooney/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Tonight is the hundredth game of the Yankees’ season. Appropriately for a team exiting the All-Star Break, they will continue their homestand by facing their third consecutive National League team. The Dodgers took two of three against the Yankees, as is their habit against, well, most teams, to be frank. Now New York prepares for a three-game set with a team which is no World Series favorite, but is no slouch either: the Pittsburgh Pirates.
These Pirates aren’t the same walkovers of the past few seasons; it appears they’re finally starting to put things together under first-year manager Don Kelly. The Bucs are tied with the Cardinals for third place in the NL Central, sitting four games over .500. I was told the small market teams simply can’t compete, but here’s one of them making noise in the NL playoff hunt. They’ve got a bit of a top-heavy lineup, but it’s packed with a good combo of contact and power; youth and experience.
Ryan Weathers will be the man to face these Allegheny County upstarts, after his scheduled start against the Dodgers was rained out on Saturday. Weathers has navigated his own struggles while also dealing with poor infield defense behind him and routinely bad run support. Both were obstacles he nonetheless navigated well in a 5.1-inning effort against Washington to close out the first half. Additionally, as Jeff Middleton pointed out in our series preview, the Pirates represent a potentially advantageous matchup for him: they’ve struggled to a 71 wRC+ against left-handed pitching away from PNC Park.
Paul Skenes is the obvious star of their pitching staff (the Yankees won’t see him this series), but he’s not devoid of help in the rotation this year. Braxton Ashcraft has been his most capable co-star, pitching to a 3.49 ERA across 19 starts. Ashcraft replaced Skenes in the All-Star Game but also didn’t pitch—this will be his first work since the break. He features high-90s heat and two excellent breaking balls: a curve that batters whiff on 40 percent of the time as well as a slider that averages low-90s velocity and bends away from righties.
By the way, just wanted to show this off. Baseball Savant recently released a new player comparison tool, and I think it’s pretty neat! Here’s a look at one of those comparisons with tonight’s starters. Note Ashcraft’s scary 96th-percentile chase rate; maintaining discipline against this righty will be a daunting task.
I know this is not going to be a popular sentence, but the Yankees’ lineup tonight is probably the best they can muster with their current roster—yes, even with Austin Wells catching. He’s batting eighth ahead of José Caballero, who will serve as sort of a double-leadoff hitter. As an occasional double-leadoff hitter for my rec league softball team, I know how valuable that can be.
Anyway, the actual leadoff hitter is Trent Grisham, who has continued to be this team’s heartbeat at the dish. Ben Rice hits second and gets the DH spot, with Paul Goldschmidt hitting third. Cody Bellinger will hit cleanup, as he looks to finally end a power outage which has lasted over a month. Late-night hero Jazz Chisholm Jr. bats fifth, while Jasson Domínguez bats sixth and plays right field. Ryan McMahon will play third and bat seventh ahead of Wells and Caballero.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280; Sports Radio 93.7 KDKA The Fan (PIT)
CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 19: Cleveland Guardians center fielder Petey Halpin (0) singles to left during the third inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Guardians on July 19, 2026, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Luis Robert Jr. didn’t expect to miss much time when he first landed on the IL.
The oft-injured slugger had been progressing well in his recovery, but his neck didn’t respond to treatment how the Mets had hoped, leading to an extended absence.
Robert, sidelined since late-April, landed on the 60-day IL.
“The process, it’s no secret it was a long one,” he said through a translator. “It was difficult and frustrating -- but now I feel good thank God, and I’m just here and ready to go play my game.”
Before being sidelined, Robert stood alone as the Mets’ everyday centerfielder.
Top prospect A.J. Ewing filled in admirably in his absence, though, sliding right in as a regular atop New York’s lineup and in the middle of their defense.
Now with Robert back, it’ll be interesting to see how the playing time shakes out.
Interim manager Andy Green said pregame that the initial plan is for the 28-year-old to play two-out-of-three days for now, and then they’ll reevaluate things in a few weeks.
Robert is expected to spend most of his time in center, pushing Ewing over to a corner spot.
That’s how things shake out Monday, as he slides between Ewing (RF) and Juan Soto (LF) while Carson Benge sits against Brewers ace righty Jacob Misiorowski.
Green will mix-and-match as he sees fit, but this plan could also change in the next two weeks if the Mets are able to find someone willing to take on Robert ahead of the trade deadline.
May 23, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) reacts against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
A day after a dramatic walk-off sweep of the Marlins, the Brewers welcome another National League East opponent to Milwaukee today — and they’ll see a familiar face on the mound, as Freddy Peralta returns to the mound at American Family Field for the first time in a different uniform. Peralta isn’t the only story on the mound today, though: Jacob Misiorowski, after an extended break, is back for the Brewers for his first outing in 13 days.
It’s been tough sledding for Peralta since the trade that sent him to the Mets (who, in return, gave the Brewers tomorrow’s starting pitcher, Brandon Sproat, and current Triple-A infielder/outfielder Jett Williams). Coming off a career year in his last season in Milwaukee, Peralta is having what is, by most measures, his worst season since becoming a regular member of Milwaukee’s rotation in 2021; through 20 starts, Peralta is 5-8 with a 4.66 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 1.438 WHIP, a career-low 9.0 K/9, and 3.8 BB/9, his highest mark since he was a reliever in 2019. Given the Mets’ struggles and Peralta’s status as an impending free agent, he is likely to be traded before next month’s trade deadline, and the Brewers are even frequently cited as a possible suitor.
In stark contrast, Misiorowski gets to start the stretch run of his Cy Young campaign. At this point, the only thing that could limit his case is innings pitched — after skipping his last start and moving this one back to the second series, Miz is at 111 innings pitched through 18 starts, tied for 23rd in the league. That’s plenty to make him eligible for the Cy Young, but we’ll see how the Brewers manage his workload between now and the end of the season — if Pat Murphy’s comments today are any indication, they’ll be cautious.
With Jacob Misiorowski pitching tonight for the first time in 13 days after an All-Star break reset, here’s how Pat Murphy described a possible workload: “I think we have to build him back up and make sure we do it in a mindful way.”
Milwaukee’s lineup today doesn’t feature any major surprises, unless you count Andrew Vaughn getting the start against a right-handed pitcher (which shouldn’t be a surprise with Jake Bauers in the outfield more often with Sal Frelick on the injured list). Bauers is joined in the outfield by Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell, while Joey Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, and Brice Turang are alongside Vaughn in the infield. William Contreras, coming off of his walk-off blast, is behind the plate, while Christian Yelich continues to DH and lead off.
Notably, back in the lineup for the Mets tonight is Luis Robert Jr. Robert is more of a big name than anything at this point, and he struggled early in the season before hitting the IL in late April. This will be his first game back.
First pitch tonight is at 6:40 p.m. on Brewers TV and the Brewers Radio Network. Should be a fun one!
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 19: Jase Bowen #4 of the San Diego Padres hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on July 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (49-50) at Atlanta Braves (57-41), July 20, 2026, 4:15 p.m. PST
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Jul 19, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) in the dug out during the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Another Monday, another new series starts. Four games against the Rays.
The pitching matchups:
Monday: Nick Martinez (8-2, 2.65) vs. Dylan Cease (6-4, 2.56)
Tuesday: Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 3.26) vs. Kevin Gausman (4-8, 4.33)
Wednesday: Griffin Jax (5-7, 4.08) vs. well, Spencer Myles either as starter or bulk guy.
Thurday: Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79) vs. Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70)
Max Scherzer starts for the Bisons Wednesday, they are saying he’ll have another rehab start after that. If he could have a great start for the Jays after that and get traded off the next day, that would be the best of all worlds, I think.
Yimi Garcia will start a rehab assignment this week. Likely 2-3 appearances before they decide if they can call him up (barring another setback). Jesus Sanchez ran the bases today and likely will again tomorrow, and then a rehab assignment. If they can get him up to the majors, maybe he can build a little trade value.
John says “We gotta start winning.” No Farrelling kidding. But, even if the bats could magically start working, I don’t think there is enough starting pitching to get us the long win streak we need:
"We gotta start winning. That's just the bottom line."
John Schneider on the Blue Jays' sense of urgency with the season getting shorter. pic.twitter.com/YT4gzlgho5
Right now I’m more interested in Kevin Gausman having a good start or two to build a little bit of trade value, he looks to be the guy with the most obvious trade value. In spite of what I said above, Scherzer will not have any trade value. Bieber, if he can have a couple of good starts in a row, might have some value.
After that, bullpen arms? Tyler Rogers would be a guy I’d be asking about if I ran a playoff team, but he has 2 (or 3) years left on his contract, so you’d have to offer a lot.
Maybe Springer?
Unless the Jays sweep the Rays, I’m thinking we’ll find out who has trade value at the deadline (you may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you will join us).
Tonight’s lineups. Straw in against a right-hander.
Jul 7, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle (70) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Peyton Tolle takes the mound tonight against the Orioles in a matchup of teams that have won a combined 20 games in a row. That’s pretty nuts! I will not be saying the Red Sox’s actual number of consecutive victories as a hedge against jinxing it. I truly do have that power. They say it’s impossible but I’m here to tell you it ain’t. But I’m not going to exercise it, so we have a chance.
Shane Baz is on the mound for the O’s, if that does anything for ya:
The less said here the better. We know what’s at stake. Let’s get this bread. Again.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 13: Braxton Ashcraft #35 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a photo during the 2026 All-Star player photoshoot at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are continuing their road trip as they travel to the Big Apple to take on the New York Yankees for the first matchup of a three-game set in the Bronx.
Braxton Ashcroft is making his first start of the second half for the Pirates. He finished the first half off in style, winning each of his last five starts and picking up four wins in that stretch. He did not factor in the decision. During his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers on July 11, he pitched five innings, gave up five hits and five earned runs, and struck out six. The Pirates are 13-6 in games where Ashcroft pitches this season, which is a good sign for today’s matchup.
The Yankees are countering with Ryan Weathers, who struggled a bit in the first half of the season. Weathers went 3-7 with a 4.15 ERA. Weathers was a no-decision in his last start of the first half against the Washington Nationals on July 11. Weathers pitched 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and one earned run, as the Yanks beat the Gnats 5-3, thanks to three runs scored in the top of the ninth inning.
Location: Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, NY
Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh
Pitching Matchup: Braxton Ashcraft (9-3, 3.49 ERA) vs. Ryan Weathers (3-7, 4.15 ERA)
BD community, this is your gameday thread for today. Chime off in the comments section below.
For decades, stadium giveaways have served as a chance for marketers to push boundaries, releasing quirky collaborations and keepsakes that have sent fans clamoring to get into stadiums hours before the game, if they even cared about the game at all. On July 26th, the MLB’s Chicago White Sox will officially take home the crown for the most absurd giveaway of the season.
This Sunday when the White Sox host the Houston Astros, the first 15,000 fans to enter Rate Field will receive a limited-edition Munetaka Murakami First Major League Home Run bobblehead. The presenting sponsor? TOTO, the Japanese company best known for making the WASHLET, the heated, self-cleaning, bidet-equipped toilet that has become a cult favorite in the U.S. over the past decade.
The team that’s bringing you Pope Hat Night comes a chance to commemorate the Cyclospora outbreak of 2026!
How a Clubhouse Toilet Turned Into a Sponsorship
When Murakami, one of the most decorated hitters of the past decade in Japan, signed with the White Sox this year, he brought a piece of his pregame routine with him: he asked the team to install a TOTO WASHLET in the clubhouse. Naturally, his teammates got curious, tried it, and fell in love with the wonder toilet. An official sponsorship followed.
When it Comes to Collectibles, the Ceiling Is the Roof
LA Dodgers x ONE PIECE card: one graded copy sold for $14,999.99
BVB x ONE PIECE card: up to $6,000 on the secondary market
Seattle Mariners x New Balance “When It Rains, It Dumps” Cal Raleigh snapback: $400
Mac Miller Pittsburgh Pirates bobblehead: this one drew lines stretching outside PNC Park onto the bridge
Milwaukee Brewers x Bob Uecker Magic 8-Ball: a legitimate cult classic
The through line between culture and sports isn’t hard to see, but the White Sox x TOTO promo might have produced the most literal cross-audience collectible yet: baseball fans and people who care a lot about their bathrooms.
What to Expect on July 26
Given the hype around the South Side Samurai, this one is going to go fast. The bobblehead commemorates Murakami’s first MLB home run, and the rising star slugger is currently tied for 19th when it comes to hitting dingers this season. With the success of Japanese imports like Shohei Ohtani, the 26-year-old’s bright future has driven strong demand for his rookie card, and it’s fairly safe to say that this toilet-sponsored collectible will knock it out of the park on eBay.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Hobby is always up to something.
STACKING WINS: The Cubs have won three consecutive series, matching their longest such streak of the year. They won three in a row three times before: April 13-23 at Philadelphia, then at home vs. the Mets and Phillies; April 27-May 7, at San Diego, then at home vs. the Diamondbacks and Reds; and June 22-July 1, at New York vs. the Mets and at Milwaukee, then at home vs. the Padres. They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 series and 16-14-2 in all series. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
RISPy BUSINESS: After going 7 for 13 with runners in scoring position yesterday, the Cubs’ batting average with RISP for the season is .239, matching their highest after their last 52 games, since it was .241 after they went 2 for 9 in an 8-3 loss to the White Sox on May 16. It also was .239 after their 23-3 demolition of the Padres on July 1. Their average was down to .217 on June 16, when they went 0 for 8 in a 5-2 loss at Colorado. In 25 games since then, it is .299. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The Cubs’ run differential stands at +60, 502-442. It was +44 after a 3-0 loss to the Cardinals on the Fourth of July. In 10 games since then, they have outscored their opponents, 53-37 while going 7-3. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: The Cubs score six runs in the ninth inning at St. Louis, overcoming a 6-1 Cardinals lead and winning 7-6, their biggest ninth-inning comeback in 42 years. The runs scored on two bases-loaded walks, a two-run single by Javier Báez and a two-run double by Ian Happ. It happened five years ago today, Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Jameson Taillon’s start before his hamstring injury was actually pretty good, June 2 vs. the A’s at Wrigley Field, where he allowed six hits and two runs in six innings, with “only” one home run, and I say that because Jamo has given up an ungodly number of home runs this year.
Hopefully that changes tonight. Overall Jamo has been better at home (4.19 ERA in seven starts) than on the road (6.21 ERA in six starts), so maybe that will mean a better outing tonight.
Current Tigers are 7-for-44 (.159) against him with two home runs (Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene).
Jack Flaherty is not the pitcher he was when he was having solid seasons for the Cardinals in the late 2010s. He is still only 30 and a pending free agent, so I suppose the Tigers might look around for a trade partner.
Over his last seven starts he has posted a 2.55 ERA and allowed only one home run in 35.1 innings, which is pretty good.
Dansby Swanson is 6-for-16 (.375) with three doubles and a home run off Flaherty, and Michael Conforto is 4-for-8 with a home run.
Please visit our SB Nation Tigers site Bless You Boys. If you do go there to interact with Tigers 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.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Joe Ryan #41 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch during the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kyle Cooper/Colorado Rockies/Getty Images)
FIRST PITCH: 540p Central TELEVISION: Twins.TV, presented by Progressive RADIO:Washburn Crosby COmpany 830 AM, K–MiNnesota-Buzzin’ 102.9 “The Wolf”, Treasure Island Baseball Network, Audacy App KNOW YOUR FOE:Covering the Corner
After a wildly disappointing couple of losses to the Chicago Cubs in the Friendly Confines (how many times was that said on the telly or radio this weekend…), the Minnesota Twins truck on over to the Buckeye State for an important four-game set against the Cleveland Guardians. Nothing much has changed since these foes met a little over a week ago before the All Star Break. The Twins are three games back from the Spiders, so a sweep in Cleveland can sling-shot Minnesota into second place in the American League Central. (Just let me dream, alright?)
It’s a prime pitching matchup to kick things off, and a re-match for the starting pitchers from early May. The Spiders call upon Tanner Bibee while Joe Ryan answers the bell for the Twins. The game in early May was the one where Byron Buxton homered off of Bibee on the third pitch of the contest. Kyle Manzardo had an RBI single off of Ryan to tie it up in the bottom of the fourth. Then it was goose eggs until Buxton doubled in the top of the 11th to bring in Matt Wallner (remember him?) and Luis Garcia (remember him, too?) shut things down for once.
Good news: Buxton has been activated off of the injured list and is in the lineup tonight. The corresponding move was optioning Tristan Gray to St Paul, so we won’t have to see him flop around like a fish at shortstop… for the time being.
Jul 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) during the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers looks on before the 2026 96th MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier this month Justin Verlander announced his plans to retire at the end of the season. The veteran right-hander has had about as storied a MLB career as is possible. He will leave the game as a former MVP, pitching triple-crown winner, three-time Cy Young winner, two-time World Series champion, and Rookie of the Year, among a long list of other accomplishments. In his prime he was not only the best pitcher in baseball but arguably the best player in the game.
Verlander will retire as the active wins leader in MLB with 266 wins over his 21-year career. Which means despite all of his accomplishments he will fall 25-30 wins short of one of the all-time immortal MLB pitching marks. While it’s basically an arbitrary number, reaching 300 wins for a pitcher means something. Only 24 players have ever reached that mark. Behind Verlander, the next highest active mark is his old teammate Max Scherzer with 222 wins. Scherzer has totaled all of eight wins over his last two-plus seasons, making it basically impossible to reach 300. After that there isn’t a single pitcher with even 100 wins under the age of 32.
It is a very real possibility that there will never again be a 300 game winner in MLB. The active pitchers right now that appear to have the best shot at getting there are José Berríos, Freddy Peralta, Logan Webb, and Tarik Skubal.
Because of the elite levels Verlander reached even without getting to 300 wins, there is no question about his eventual home in Cooperstown. Verlander is a no-doubt Hall of Fame player, the only question is when. As with everything in baseball, the speed at reaching the Hall of Fame is something of a competition in its own right. Voters will decide if Verlander gets the accolade of being a First Ballot HOF player or just a regular-old every day Hall of Famer.
Cast your vote now and be on the lookout for results of the voting later this week. Make sure you never miss any Reacts surveys or results by signing up for the weekly newsletter!
