Category: Baseball

On Sunday, the Detroit Tigers promoted left-handed hitting outfielder Brett Callahan from Triple-A to the major league club. To open a spot on the active roster as well as on the 40-man roster, outfielder Trei Cruz has been designated for assignment.

The 24-year-old Callahan has been a really nice success story even to get to this point. He was the Tigers 13th rounder out of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia back in the 2023 draft. He signed for $197,500 and made his pro debut for Low-A Lakeland late in the 2023 season. Callahan was banged up quite a bit in 2024 and again in 2025, but once he finally got beyond the injury bug, he made rapid progress in the second half of the 2025 season at High-A West Michigan.

Callahan had no helium coming out of a small college as a late round selection, but we identified the natural loft in his swing and pull-hitter tendencies early on, along with solid plate discipline and a good all-around toolkit, and ranked him 36th in the system heading into 2025. After a strong second half last year in West Michigan, he made a little noise in major league camp back in the spring, hitting a pair of pretty majestic home runs. We ranked him 26th in the farm system back in January, and Callahan then proceeded to tear through the Eastern League with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. He hit .268/.374/.504 with 12 home runs, 20 stolen bases, and a 133 wRC+ in 265 plate appearances there, with a strikeout rate of 20.8 percent against a walk rate of 12.8 percent. As a result he’s been one of the biggest risers on national prospect lists this year.

Callahan was promoted to Triple-A Toledo along with John Peck in late June. He is an aggressive swinger who, like Hao-Yu Lee, rarely gets cheated at the plate. Callahan will take his walks, but he will still chase out of the zone too much, posting a 34.6 O-swing rate in Toledo. His strikeout rate has spiked up to 25.8 percent with the Mud Hens, and while that wasn’t a surprise, the chase rate will have to improve for Callahan to hang and ultimately thrive in the major leagues. Improving his approach at the Triple-A level was the final key to reaching the Show but he hasn’t had enough time there to work on it yet. Even so, he manages to do damage on mistake pitches even when he’s not running hot, and the Tigers might catch a bit of fire with him in a short first look at the major leagues.

Typically playing right field, but good in either corner, Callahan has enough speed and experience to handle center field, but his plus arm plays more effectively from the corners. He’s capable of stealing some bases as well. Overall it’s a pretty well-rounded profile, but he’ll likely struggle to adapt to the type of sequencing major league hitters can deal out to an aggressive young hitter. There’s still a ceiling here in which Callahan hits like Kerry Carpenter while playing better defense, but he’ll have to adapt to better pitching and put together a more disciplined approach at the plate to get enough pitches he can drive for damage.

This is the first season where Callahan has cleared 300 plate appearances, and those injuries stunted his progress for a while in pro ball. Despite his age, he really hasn’t had a long stretch of uninterrupted reps until this season, and since he’s been healthy he’s moved quickly through the system. We like him, but this is coming really quickly after his promotion to Triple-A Toledo, and he is going to have some struggles adapting to the major league level. That may be somewhat balanced out by the fact that he has a pretty well rounded game and will do some things to help his team win in the field and on the basepaths as well. Either way, the Tigers need some temporary corner outfield help, and Callahan has more to offer at this point than Cruz.

As for Trei Cruz, injuries in his mid-20’s, including Tommy John surgery in 2024, interrupted his development in some crucial years. He bounced back with a really good 2025 campaign that got him added to the 40-man, but wasn’t able to show much in his major league debut. He has really struggled at the Triple-A level after dealing with another injury early in the season. Now 28 years old, there just wasn’t a big breakout coming, but Cruz did become the third generation of his family to reach the major leagues and may eventually find his way to some work as a utilityman somewhere.

It can take years for players to firmly establish themselves in St. Louis Cardinals lore, given their 145-year history.

Joshua Báez did so in one game.

By hitting three home runs in his first three major league at-bats, Báez, 21, provided an unprecedented and unforgettable debut. Though fervent Cardinals fans and prospect hounds certainly anticipated Báez's arrival from Class AAA Memphis, he nonetheless was the club's No. 3 prospect and ranked a consensus top 50 prospect in all the game.

Just where did Báez come from and how did he announce his arrival so definitively? Let's explore:

Who is Joshua Báez?

Wrigley Field was filled with a significant Báez cheering section - an international cadre of supporters - for his Saturday, Aug. 16 debut. Báez was born in Boston, yet his family moved to the Dominican Republic when he was just months old. They eventually returned to the Boston area.

Báez eventually filled out his frame - he's listed at a linebacker-esque 6-3, 220 pounds - and put his raw power and overall athleticism on display as an amateur. Perfect Game ranked him the No. 1 prospect in Massachusetts, the No. 2 outfielder in the USA and No. 7 overall in 2021

He was also a two-way star, topping out at 96 mph on the mound. But it was clear hitting was his future, and he secured a college commitment to Vanderbilt.

How did the Cardinals acquire Josh Báez?

But Báez never made it to Nashville. The Cardinals chose him with the 54th overall pick in the draft, right behind Cincinnati Reds All-Star pitcher Andrew Abbott and eight picks before the San Diego Padres chose eventual two-time All-Star slugger James Wood.

He was signed to a $2.25 million bonus, more than sufficient to buy him out of his Vanderbilt commitment.

Joshua Báez minor league statistics

His first full pro season in 2022 was limited to 32 games, though Báez, then 19, managed to hit four homers and post an .870 OPS in that small sample. He repeated low A in 2023 and finally graduated to high Class A Peoria (Ill.) in 2024, but struck out 114 times in 86 games across the two levels.

Then came the breakout.

Báez needed just 38 games to leave A ball behind in 2025, earning a promotion to Class AA for the final 79 games of the year. And he made the leap deftly, posting his first 20-homer season with a combined .884 OPS. That earned him a ticket to Class AAA to begin his season - and Báez's story picked up steam.

Joshua Báez's tribute to his father

If Báez was surely on the scouting community's radar by now - he was ranked 54th overall by Baseball America, 87th by MLB Pipeline entering this season - his narrative became far widely known thanks to one night in June. Báez's father, passed away on June 16, 2023.

Two months ago, on the third anniversary of his father's death, Báez showed his flair for the dramatic: He hit a career-best four home runs for Class AAA Memphis, a night that brought his mother to tears.

"Today was just really emotional," Báez said, per MILB.com. "I was just trying to push through, and it's just insane I was able to hit four home runs in one night."

LOS ANGELES — Reggie Smith got his moment in the sun on Saturday at Dodger Stadium, as he was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball ahead of the Dodgers game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Smith was surrounded by many of his former teammates from his six seasons with the Dodgers, which included pennants in 1977, 1978, and 1981, and a championship in that final trip to the Fall Classic.

“Those are pretty good ball clubs right there,” Smith said in a group interview before the ceremony. “It’s teammates like that that help to push you and inspire you do good things as we did for one another.”

Catcher Steve Yeager was in attendance, and said in a video, “Reggie Smith is a complete winner in any way, shape, or form.”

“There’s nothing he couldn’t do on a baseball field,” said Dusty Baker, who was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball in 2024. “He had a shotgun arm, he had power, he was a great baserunner, a tremendous defensive player. And above all, probably one of the smartest baseball players that I’ve never been around.”

Eric Karros, who was rising through the Dodgers’ system when Smith was the organization’s minor league coordinator called Smith, “Probably outside of my father, and Tommy [Lasorda], probably the most impactful person for me in my career.”

The 81-year-old Smith was also surrounded by family, and was particularly happy that his 93-year-old brother and 95-year-old sister were in attendance as well.

Before the ceremony recounted his friendship with Dave Roberts, which goes back nearly three decades and includes annual trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It began when Smith was the hitting coach for Team USA in the Pan American Games in 1999, and Roberts was a player.

“We connected then and maintained that connection,” Smith said Saturday. “Dave is a good friend, and he’s like a son to me, but he’s also one of our group, we call ourselves The Outlaws.”

Among the highlights of the ceremony was speaker Rick Monday citing examples of Smith being someone the players listened to, and joked that Smith didn’t like being told he hit better left-handed than right-handed.

(Editor’s note: In Smith’s career, the switch-hitter hit .287/.369/.503 batting left-handed, and .288/.359/.455 right-handed. Monday was correct.)

In Smith’s first two full seasons with the Dodgers (1977-78), he finished fourth in National League MVP voting in both years.

“I don’t feel I was overlooked. I had a job to do,” Smith explained Saturday. “It was about trying to bring a world championship to Los Angeles, and played with a great bunch of guys.”

Among that great bunch of guys on hand for Saturday’s ceremony were Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Baker, and Manny Mota, all Legends of Dodger Baseball. Also there were fellow former teammates Yeager, Bill Russell, Ken Landreaux, Jerry Reuss, Charlie Hough, Derrel Thomas, Lee Lacy, Jerry Rotster.

Before the ceremony, Smith stumped for Davey Lopes — who passed away in April — and Russell to also be inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, so that all four members of the Dodgers famed infield that played together for eight and a half seasons would be together permanently at Dodger Stadium. Smith also ended his speech on the field calling for Lopes and Russell’s induction as well.

The Atlanta Braves have selected left-handed reliever Ray Kerr to the the big league roster and designated fellow lefty Danny Young for assignment.

For Kerr, this would be his first big league action since 2024 when he underwent “Tommy John” surgery on his pitching elbow. Kerr has been making steady progress in Atlanta’s minor league system as the 31-year-old, who will turn 32 next month, has been working for another opportunity with the major league club.

Kerr has pitched in nine games across four levels this season. Although he’s tossed only 11.2 innings he has struck out 16 batters. He made 10 appearances for the Braves in 2024 – including two starts, oddly enough, prior to falling to injury.

As for Young, this was not a surprising outcome given the lack of success he had in his returns engagement with Atlanta this season. He previously pitched for the Braves in 2022 and 2023. Young, 32, saw action in 16 games this season but has ghastly 8.03 ERA after allowing runs in each of his last four outings including a two-run appearance and two three-run stints, including last night.

Kerr will essentially replace Young as the last lefty in the bullpen. His spot on the roster could be short given AJ Smith-Shawver’s expected recall in the next few days.

An injury in college turned out to be a good break for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders righty relief pitcher Chris Kean.

The 24-year-old from Harlingen, Texas, was a catcher at the University of Louisiana-Monroe in 2023 when he suffered a broken foot that sidelined him for the first six weeks of the Warhawks season. It was during that time when one of his coaches suggested he become a full-time pitcher.

“He sat me down and said, ‘Look at some of these numbers you’ve got on the mound. They’re pretty good. You should really give this a chance,’” Kean said.

In high school and at Ranger College, a Texas JuCo where Kean played before Louisiana-Monroe, he did some pitching. In fact, a coach at Ranger also had suggested Kean switch to pitching.

“I was kind of on board and then I had a couple rough outings and I was like, No, I want to catch. I want to play every day. I want to hit,” Kean said. “So I guess there was a little (resistance) earlier in my amateur career. But I just want to play baseball every day. I just want to go out and play the sport as long as possible and be a big kid for as long as possible.”

So this time, Kean took the suggestion seriously. It seems to have worked out for him.

He was promoted from Double-A Somerset to the Triple-A RailRiders on July 7. He is a combined 2-2 with six holds, two saves and a 4.34 earned-run average in 37 games this season. He has struck out 57 in 47.2 innings and walked only nine.

When Kean switched to pitching at Louisiana-Monroe, he appeared in four games in 2023 and was 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Then, he suffered an arm injury that cost him the final five weeks of the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery.

Those two injuries caused his draft stock to diminish. But the Yankees signed him as an undrafted free agent in July 2023.

“I just had TJ and the Yankees really took a chance on me and gave me an opportunity. I’m very thankful,” Kean said.

“It was a dream come true. It gives me chills just thinking about it. It makes every moment a little more special. Sometimes you can get overlooked and maybe not on the top prospect list, whatever it may be. You just keep your head down, keep on grinding and try to do your best every day.”

Healthy for the 2024 campaign, he appeared in 25 games with the Florida Complex League Yankees and Low-A Tampa Tarpons and was a combined 2-1 with one hold, three saves, a 1.08 ERA, and 44 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. He spent all of 2025 with High-A Hudson Valley and made 33 relief appearances, going 6-2 with five holds, a 3.48 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 41.1 innings.

This season, Kean made 26 appearances out of the bullpen for Somerset and was 1-2 with five holds, two saves, a 3.34 ERA, and 43 strikeouts in 35 innings before being promoted.

There were a lot of adjustments Kean had to make in becoming a pitcher. Being a catcher helped a little bit.

“As a catcher, you’re in the mind of the pitcher a little bit,” he said. “You get on the same page as him and work together.”

Perhaps the biggest change was not playing every day, yet having to be ready when the bullpen phone rings and your number is called.

“As a relief pitcher, I just want to be valuable,” Kean said. “Do the things you need to do to prepare yourself to be there every day and the rest is just modalities that might make you one percent better, but it’s not an absolute needed thing. You never know when you’re going to go in, you never know the situation you’re going into. It’s just making sure you’re prepared on a moment’s notice. Be a minuteman.”

Also, there is the waiting if you have a poor outing.

“As a hitter, you go 0-for-4, you get four ABs the next day. As a pitcher, you might not pitch for three days,” Kean said. “You learn to be patient and learn the hill you’re willing to die on. I want to get beat by my strengths, my pitches and try to limit as many free passes as possible. If I’m doing that, I can live with the outcome.”

Going from Double-A to Triple-A has brought adjustments as well. There is the use of the ABS System and a different ball. The one in Double-A has higher seams, while the Triple-A ball is manufactured to MLB standards with lower seams.

“It’s baseball at the end of the day,” Kean said. “No matter the circumstances, you have to go out there and compete. Try your best no matter what and it is what it is.”

Upon joining the RailRiders, Kean did not allow a run in his first four games. He gave up 10 runs in his next five appearances, but has not yielded a run in his last two outings.

“I’m very blessed to be here,” Kean said. “I’m just trying to take in every moment and learn from each guy. There’s a lot of experience in the clubhouse. I just want to learn from every experience and every opportunity I get.”

Kean wasn’t the only one in his family who made a change. Although he hails from Texas, his father Jeff is originally from Boston and a big Boston sports fan — Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots (à la Cam Schlittler).

When his son signed with the Yankees, however, Jeff Kean had to switch allegiances.

“I still have family who are Red Sox fans,” Chris Kean said. “They try to give me a hard time. They still put on the (Red Sox) jersey.

“He was very happy, very proud. He made a joke: The Yankees took my son, too. Now obviously he’s a Yankee. He’s all in. I got him all the gear, he wears all the gear. He’s bought in now. I’m glad to change him.”

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Let's end the weekend with some NUKES!

Here are my favorite MLB home run props and predictions for today's schedule, featuring Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, and Munetaka Murakami.

I'll explain why Ohtani is an appealing pick against the Brewers in Los Angeles with my MLB picks for Sunday, Aug. 16.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HR	Odds
Kyle Schwarber	+307
Munetaka Murakami	+388
Shohei Ohtani	+262
💲Today's HR parlay	+3279

Home run pick: Kyle Schwarber (+307)

Just an outstanding price for one of baseball's most feared hitters.

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber finds himself in a great spot against Minnesota Twins starter Dean Kremer, who has been struggling against left-handed hitters as of late. The last 60 lefties he has faced own a .335 xBA, .595 xSLG, and .363 xwOBA, all while generating a 65.9% elevation rate.

Schwarber has been turning it on over his last 10 games, owning a .658 SLG and .369 ISO while producing a 54.2% hard-hit rate and 25% barrel rate.

The Phillies' big fella owns the second-highest matchup rating on the day over at Batters-Box's current-season dataset, where he also covers more than 80% of Kremer's pitch mix.

If you can get this price above +300, back Schwarber to go deep.

• Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: MNNT, NBCSP

Home run pick: Munetaka Murakami (+388)

The South Side slugger finds himself in a spot that is too hard to pass up, as he draws Detroit Tigers right-hander Drew Anderson.

Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami enters Sunday with an elite rating on Batters-Box, where he covers nearly 100% of Anderson's pitch mix. On top of that, through 50 elite ratings this season, the big fella leaves the yard 32% of the time.

Anderson has struggled against left-handed hitters in his most recent outings, allowing the last 30 he has faced to generate a 13.6% barrel rate and 18.2% elevation rate. During that stretch, those lefties own a .376 xBA, .548 xSLG, and .438 xwOBA.

Murakami, over his last 10 games, sports a .343 ISO, along with a 25% HR/FB, 57.1% hard-hit, and 19.1% barrel rate.

At +388, we are getting a ton of value backing the White Sox All-Star. Take this down to +350.

• Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: CHSN, DSN

Home run pick: Shohei Ohtani (+262)

The second-highest rated hitter on Batters-Box’s default ratings today happens to be Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, who records a home run nearly 30% of the time he is rated elite. That is a sample of nearly 340 games dating back over the last three seasons.

Ohtani has posted a .575 SLG, .325 ISO, 62.9% elevation rate, and 14.8% barrel rate over his last 10 games. He draws Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson, who has been struggling against left-handed hitters in his recent outings.

Over the last 60 left-handed hitters he has faced, they own a .308 xBA, .670 xSLG, and .439 xwOBA. Henderson is also allowing a 48.6% hard-hit rate, 11.4% barrel rate, and just a 31.4% ground-ball rate to lefties during that stretch.

With Ohtani covering 100% of Henderson’s pitch mix and generating this much hard contact, a long ball is on the horizon. Take this down to +250.

• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: SNLA, BREW

Today’s HR combo

Kyle Schwarber	Trade Now +3279
Munetaka Murakami
Shohei Ohtani

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It’s a been a fun weekend of Orioles baseball. Back-to-back wins over the AL-leading Rays, paired with some helpful outcomes elsewhere in the league, have inched the O’s to within half a game of the final wild card spot in the American League. Another victory today could push them into sole possession of that place.

Here are the other games worth watching today:

• Yankees at Blue Jays, 1:37 p.m.
• Padres at Guardians, 1:40 p.m.
• White Sox at Tigers, 1:40 p.m.
• Phillies at Twins, 2:10 p.m.
• Rangers at Athletics, 4:05 p.m.

Thanks to an extra early start for the O’s today, you should be able to take in most of those other matchups in the afternoon if you so choose. That is the beauty of the “NBC Sunday Leadoff” game. It’s something I’m a fan of, though it does interrupt the typical flow of a baseball Sunday.

Craig Albernaz is deploying yet another different lineup in this one. Jackson Holliday will lead off for the first time this season. His bat has gone a bit cold (.533 OPS in August) recently after a dominant July (.921), but he has still been taking good at bats. Pete Alonso will play, but only DHs the day after suffering cramps in his calf on Saturday night. Gunnar Henderson is up to third in the order after collecting five hits and reaching base six times in the first two games of this series.

Trevor Rogers will hope to bounce back from a tough start in Minnesota, where he gave up two runs on four hits, two walks, and four strikeouts over just four innings last week. Going deep in this one, a day game after an extra innings night game, would be a big boost.

Orioles lineup

1. Jackson Holliday (L), 2B
2. Pete Alonso (R), DH
3. Gunnar Henderson (L), SS
4. Christian Encarnacion-Strand (R), 3B
5. Dylan Beavers (L), LF
6. Leody Taveras (S), RF
7. Colton Cowser (L), CF
8. Coby Mayo (R), 1B
9. Yohel Pozo (R), C

LHP Trevor Rogers (7-8, 4.21 ERA)

Rays lineup

1. Yandy Díaz (R), DH
2. Jonathan Aranda (L), 1B
3. Junior Caminero (R) 3B
4. Ryan Vilade (R), RF
5. Chandler Simpson (L), LF
6. Jonny DeLuca (R), CF
7. Jorge Mateo (R), 2B
8. Nick Fortes (R), C
9. Taylor Walls (S), SS

RHP Freddy Peralta (5-9, 5.33 ERA)

Seeking a spark in the lineup after managing just three runs and nine hits in the first two games of their home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Atlanta Braves are switching a few things up in the batting order for Sunday’s 1:35 p.m. ET series finale.

Most notably, the Braves moved Mike Yastrzemski up to fifth in the batting order — as high as he’s been since mid-April — against right-hander Arizona starter Michael Soroka (8-3, 2.92 ERA). Additionally, Dominic Smith will DH and hit seventh and Jim Jarvis (hitting ninth) is back at shortstop after Mauricio Dubón held down the spot on Saturday night.

This will be Soroka’s third career start against the Braves — two of which have come this season. No one has faced him more than eight times (Smith) and no one has more than two hits against him. Dubón and Michael Harris II are each 2-for-3 against Soroka, and Drake Baldwin has the only Braves homer and two of their three RBIs against him.

Overall, current Braves are 10-for-37 (.270) against Soroka with six strikeouts and four walks.

The Diamondbacks also shuffled a few things, with Gabriel Moreno hitting third but getting a DH day with James McCann (eighth) behind the dish. Max Kepler makes his second straight start in left field due to another right-handed opposing starter in Bryce Elder, and Jorge Barrosa will make his first start of the series, hitting ninth and playing center field.

Elder (8-7, 4.03 ERA) has a good track record against the current Diamondbacks roster. Nolan Arenado (3-for-14, .214) is the only Arizona hitter with more than two hits against him.

Overall, the active Diamondbacks are 12-for-60 (.200) against Elder with two doubles, a triple, six RBIs, 14 strikeouts and five walks.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers (-170) aim to even a four-game series as they host the Milwaukee Brewers (+163) on Sunday. 

Logan Henderson vs. Tarik Skubal represents a fascinating starting pitching matchup for this potential playoff lookahead.

See why my Brewers vs. Dodgers predictions and MLB picks for Sunday, Aug. 16 are backing Skubal and the Boys in Blue.

Who will win Brewers vs Dodgers today: Dodgers -1.5 (+124)

The best roster in baseball, arguably the best starting pitcher in the sport, and plus money available on the run line? I'm game. 

Tarik Skubal (2.80 FIP) should dominate against a Milwaukee Brewers lineup that struggles against lefties (93 wRC+) and has been in poor form all month (76 wRC+). The bullpen is in a great spot for run suppression after using a single reliever in Saturday's contest.

Logan Henderson's numbers are terrific (2.69 xERA, 109 Pitching+), but that's making him overvalued in the market after such a small sample size (56 1/3 IP), and his flyball tendencies are an issue given the weather.

I'd play the Los Angeles Dodgers down to +115 on the run line.

COVERS INTEL: Henderson runs a fifth percentile ground-ball rate. That's a concern given the weather (low 80s, winds up to nine mph blowing out to center field), especially with his 8.9% barrel rate.

Brewers vs Dodgers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-126)

Both starting pitchers have certifiably elite metrics. Skubal (121 Pitching+) has superb numbers against this Milwaukee lineup (.483 OPS), and although Henderson is live to give up a long ball, his 26.9% K-BB% is no joke. 

For two playoff contenders, neither team is hitting like you'd expect. Both rank in the Bottom 10 in wRC+ this month, so a crooked number against great pitching would come as a surprise. 

Both teams like where they're at in the bullpen for this contest. Milwaukee has been lights-out in relief this month (1.97 ERA, 2.65 FIP), while all of L.A.'s best arms are available after being rested a day ago.

Brewers vs Dodgers home run prediction: Shohei Ohtani (+262)

Nine of the 12 home runs Logan Henderson has allowed in his career have been to left-handed hitters, who tag him for an 11.2% barrel rate. 

The 24-year-old throws either his fastball or his changeup 82% of the time to lefties, and that could be a recipe for disaster against Shohei Ohtani.

The four-time MVP's 8.6 runs above average against changeups is a full run higher than the next-closest hitter, and he has a career 173 wRC+ against heaters.

Brewers vs Dodgers weather

It's warm, and the wind is blowing out to center, which could help home-run hitters.

Brewers vs Dodgers odds

• Moneyline: Brewers +163 | Dodgers -170
• Run line: Brewers +1.5 (-133) | Dodgers -1.5 (+127)
• Over/Under: Over 7.5 (+117) | Under 7.5 (-122)

Brewers vs Dodgers trend

The Brewers are 3-8 O/U when Logan Henderson starts. Find more MLB betting trends for Brewers vs. Dodgers.

How to watch Brewers vs Dodgers and game info

Brewers vs Dodgers latest injuries

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It's Dylan Cease bump day, which means I'm all over Toronto as part of my Blue Jays vs. Yankees predictions.

The Toronto Blue Jays come into today in a Wild Card spot, and are looking to sweep the New York Yankees as -125 favorites at BET99.

Let’s dive into my MLB picks for Sunday, Aug. 16 and cash a same-game parlay, shall we?

Yankees vs Blue Jays predictions

Yankees vs Blue Jays best bet: Blue Jays moneyline (-125)

If the New York Yankees want to steal a game in Toronto, they're in for a tough time against AL Cy Young odds candidate Dylan Cease, who's allowed just four earned runs across his last 27 innings pitched.

Cease has the highest strikeout percentage of his career (36%), and is going up against Ryan Weathers, a lefty the Blue Jays have owned (13-for-37, four homers) over the last couple of seasons. Let's back them to do just that this afternoon.

I'd bet this up to -135.

COVERS INTEL:George Springer has the hot hand against Weathers, going 3-for-5 with two home runs while rocking a .403 xBA. If the Jays win today, he'll be at the center of it.

Yankees vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)

Brett Bateman might be the most consistent hitter on the Blue Jays, and I won't stand by and watch him cash this bet once more without me being in on it (he's cashed this wager in three of his last four games).

Elsewhere, I'm expecting Cease to be good in one of the biggest games of the season. Don't overthink this one.

Yankees vs Blue Jays SGP

• Blue Jays moneyline
• Brett Bateman 2+ H/R/RBI
• Dylan Cease Under 1.5 earned runs

Yankees vs Blue Jays home run pick: George Springer (+525)

If you're looking for one player to go yard today, look no further than Springer.

He's hit two home runs in just five at-bats against Weathers in his career and is rocking an astronomical 1.118 xSLG. Sometimes the numbers don't lie.

He hasn't hit a bomb in nearly a month, but today feels like the day.

Yankees vs Blue Jays odds

• Moneyline: New York (+125) | Toronto (-120)
• Run line: New York +1.5 (-215) | Toronto -1.5 (+175)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-120) | Under 6.5 (+100)

Yankees vs Blue Jays trend

The Under is 8-2 in the Blue Jays' last 10 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Blue Jays.

How to watch Yankees vs Blue Jays and game info

Yankees vs Blue Jays latest injuries

Yankees vs Blue Jays weather

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Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (63-55) won 3-1 (BOX SCORE)

Sugar Land got on the board in the 2nd inning scoring a run on a Brooks solo home run. Mayer got the start for the Space Cowboys and pitched well allowing one run over 6 innings. Sugar Land got a run in the 7th on a wild pitch and another in the 8th inning on an Alexander RBI double. The pen tossed 3 scoreless innings as they closed out the 3-1 win.

Note: Mayer has a 3.12 ERA overall this season.

• Ray Delgado, 3B: 1-for-3, R, 2B, BB
• CJ Alexander, RF: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI, BB
• Trenton Brooks, 1B: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, RBI

• Bryce Mayer, RHP: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (WIN)
• Michael Knorr, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
• Logan VanWey, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (SAVE)

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (53-60) won 10-6 (BOX SCORE)

The Hooks got on the board in the 2nd inning on a Hernandez 2 run home run. Taylor started for the Hooks and pitched well allowing 2 runs over 5 innings while striking out 5 batters. The offense rallied for 6 runs in the 6th inning on a Schiavone RBI single, wild pitch, Hernandez RBI single, Austin walk and Janek 2 run single. The offense added 2 more runs in the 8th on an Austin RBI single and Janek groundout. Mancini allowed a few runs in relief but Chirinos was able to close the door as the Hooks won 10-6.

Note: Taylor has a 2.05 ERA since returning from the IL.

• Alejandro Nunez, 2B: 0-for-4, R, BB
• Trevor Austin, LF: 1-for-4, R, RBI, BB
• Walker Janek, C: 3-for-5, R, 3B, 2 RBI, SB
• Will Bush, 1B: 1-for-3, R, 2 BB
• Jason Schiavone, DH: 1-for-5, R, RBI
• Max Holy, SS: 0-for-4, R, BB, SB
• Chase Call, RF: 1-for-4, BB, SB
• Alberto Hernandez, 3B: 2-for-4, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI
• Kenni Gomez, CF: 1-for-4, 2 R, 2B

• Andrew Taylor, RHP: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (WIN)
• Railin Perez, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
• Ramsey David, RHP: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• Joey Mancini, RHP: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Amilcar Chirinos, RHP: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (SAVE)

A+: Asheville Tourists (38-73) lost 19-6 (BOX SCORE)

Smith started for Asheville and struggled allowing 9 runs over 4 innings of work. The offense got a run in the first inning on a Moss RBI single. The pen for Asheville struggled big time allowing another 10 runs. Asheville did get 3 runs in the 7th inning on a Garcia RBI double, Newman RBI single and Powell RBI double. In the 8th, the offense scored 2 runs on a Daudet RBI single and Newman groundout but that was it from the offense as they fell 19-6.

Note: Moss is hitting .364 in Asheville.

• Justin Thomas, CF: 0-for-3, R, 2 BB
• Caden Powell, DH: 3-for-5, 2B, RBI
• Jack Moss, 1B: 3-for-5, RBI
• Anthony Huezo, RF: 0-for-4, R, BB, SB
• Nick Monistere, SS: 0-for-4, R, BB
• Zach Daudet, 3B: 1-for-4, RBI, BB
• Kyle Walker, 2B: 1-for-4, R
• John Garcia, C: 1-for-3, R, BB
• DJ Newman, LF: 2-for-4, R, 2 RBI

• Parker Smith, RHP: 4.0 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
• Jose Varela, RHP: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
• Joan Ogando, RHP: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K
• Yosweld Vasquez, RHP: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (57-52) won 13-11 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on a Luciano RBI single. They scored 2 more runs in the third inning on a Hughes RBI single and a run on a wild pitch. Ardines got the start and was pitching well but then allowed 4 runs in the 4th inning. The offense responded with 3 runs on a Cauro RBI double, a wild pitch and a Hughes RBI double. The Woodpeckers put the game out of reach scoring 5 runs in the 8th inning on a Piasecki 2 run double and Durnin 3 run home run. The pen was solid getting 1.1 scoreless from Estridge and 4 scoreless from Carrera as he closed out the 11-4 win.

Note: Hughes is hitting .389 through four games.

• Kam Durnin, SS: 2-for-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB, SB
• Logan Hughes, DH: 2-for-3, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBI, 3 SB
• Waner Luciano, 3B: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, SB
• Owen Nowak, CF: 0-for-3, R, BB
• Luis De Leon, C: 1-for-4, R
• Jadyn Fielder, LF: 0-for-3, R, BB
• Carlos Cauro, 1B: 1-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB
• Aaron Piasecki, 2B: 2-for-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI

• Adrian Ardines, RHP: 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
• Carson Estridge, RHP: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (WIN)
• Jesus Carrera, RHP: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K (SAVE)

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Ethan Pecko – 1:05 CT

CC: James Hicks – 1:05 CT

AV: Dylan Howard – 12:05 CT

FV: TBD – 4:05 CT

We asked a question about the Phillies promoting Alex McFarlane and here were the results.

Crazy enough, the Phillies promoted McFarlane that exact day the poll went live, so maybe the fans know what they are talking about.

The idea of keeping McFarlane down as long as they did was probably married to needing a long reliever in the bullpen. Starters weren’t going long in starts and someone had to lock up a few innings here and there, meaning it couldn’t be a bullpen full of one inning guys. Alan Rangel came up when needed and gave the team a few innings, after which McFarlane was summoned.

However, there were several games in which McFarlane was a better option than, say, Chase Shugart or Kyle Backhus during this season. The stuff is clearly better, yet the team continued to prefer he hone his craft in the minor leagues. That craft is likely due to shoddy command, as evidenced by his rolling out walk rates consistently over 11% in the minors. By this point, the team seems to just rather his electric stuff be used in the major leagues, living with the occasional walk if needed, but working with the major league pitching staff to maybe help with that particular issue.

This post brought to you by FanDuel.

Meet the Mets

The Mets came from behind to walk off the Nationals in a thrilling 5-4 victory. Sean Manaea provided desperately needed length, the bullpen held firm, and the Mets mounted a ninth inning rally that culminated in a Francisco Alvarez game-tying double and a Francisco Lindor walk-off knock to win it.

Choose your recap: Amazin’ Avenue, MLB.com, Newsday, New York Daily News, New York Post

Given the disaster the Dodgers are dealing with right now, it is increasingly looking like the Mets made the right decision when it comes to Edwin Díaz.

The Mets are evaluating their infield options for 2027, writes Will Sammon of The Athletic.

In rock bottom, perhaps the 2026 Mets have found some fun, writes Laura Albanese of Newsday.

Around the National League East

The Marlins put together a four-run eighth inning to help notch a come from behind victory over the Reds 8-4.

A seven-run fifth inning powered the Phillies’ 9-1 rout of the Twins.

The Phillies signed right-hander Casey Lawrence to a minor league contract.

It was a rough night at the office for Grant Holmes, as the Braves fell to the Diamondbacks 10-3.

Around Major League Baseball

Yesterday, Cardinals prospect Joshua Báez became the first player in baseball history to homer in his first three big league at-bats.

Mike Trout received the 2026 Heart and Hustle Award.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been placed on the 7-day concussion IL after an awkward play at third base on Friday night when George Lombard Jr. of the Yankees was reaching for a wild throw when his knee collided with the left side of Guerrero’s head. Guerrero was able to scamper home and score, but was immediately removed from the game after that.

Aaron Judge played catch yesterday, as he continues to rehab from a fractured right rib.

Shohei Ohtani, who is hitting but has not pitched since July 3, threw a bullpen on Friday as he progresses closer to a return to the mound.

Jared Greenspan of MLB.com spoke to some of the pitchers with the lowest arm angles in the game about how their unconventional motion began and how they’ve been successful with it.

Brent Maguire of MLB.com wondered if one or more notably struggling stars could turn things around and help lift his team during the stretch run.

The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Jonathan Ornelas from the Athletics yesterday for cash considerations.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1987, the Mets scored 23 runs against the Cubs with Darryl Strawberry having a huge day at the plate with 11 total bases.

Today, on August 16th, it feels like the Yankees’ offense is in such a hole that the prospect of a deep postseason run—this team’s ultimate goal—is as unlikely a proposition as one could hope for. Ultimately, though, no matter how real these issues are, we know that there is an element of a local low in a 162-game season that won’t last. In the meantime, these struggles could easily snowball into problems for the few healthy standouts in the Yankees lineup this season. Specifically speaking, Ben Rice and George Lombard Jr.

Carrying on the success of last season’s breakout campaign, Rice is now indisputably one of the more powerful hitters in the American League in 2026. Early in the year, with a fully healthy lineup, Rice was legitimately producing like one of the MVP candidates, but that has changed since the start of June. As much as we could dive into those struggles, assuming we’re confident of his long-term abilities, the focus here is on addressing a change in expectations and need.

Inadvertently suffering from the absence of Aaron Judge and the way pitchers can attack him because of it—from a psychological standpoint—Rice, for the first time in his career, is dealing with the pressure of anchoring a lineup. He is the one, in the current situation, the only one, in this lineup that opposing teams single out to create a plan of attack.

While the worst performers in this lineup seem to test the limits of this theory, frustration may only come from a place of expectation. Having seen what Rice can do at his best, a 4-for-40 run with which he starts August all of a sudden is under a microscope that it otherwise wouldn’t have been had the team not been slumping this badly, offensively.

Sure, Rice is the type of hitter that could go on a tear at any moment; in fact, we saw that right around the All-Star Break, but his production shined the most when inserted into a context completely different from the one he is currently in. A potential failure to raise his game even further in this moment should not be held against him, especially when you address that on paper, this lineup, even in its current construction, should not be struggling this much. Asking Helliot Ramos to mash lefties, Trent Grisham to get on base often, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to do something are all far more reasonable requests than having Rice carry the lineup on his back. Yes, fairness is often brushed to the side in the cruel reality of high-level sports, but the healthiest course of action for this team’s success moving forward lies in acknowledging all of this.

Moving further down the lineup, another hitter who is in a separate but comparable place to Rice is George Lombard Jr. The new darling of this team, Lombard almost instantaneously made his way into the hearts of Yankees fans everywhere not only for all that he does on both sides of the ball but also in comparison with his predecessors. Already, a couple of weeks into his MLB career, Lombard probably deals with a level of expectation that’s ridiculously high even for a prospect of his caliber. As the games get more and more important, there is a balance to strike between capitalizing on what you’re receiving from this youngster and not overexposing him—not leaving the shortstop more vulnerable to the ups and downs that are natural with a rookie.

Saturday’s loss against the Jays is a good example of this, as Lombard had a fine game, reaching safely multiple times, but that didn’t generate all the action it could due to the struggles of the hitters behind him—number eight and nine in the order. There’s only so much one player, a rookie no less, can do.

Lombard will slump at points as he adjusts to major league life, and as top-flight pitchers adjust to him. Rice has more of a track record, but even he shouldn’t be expected to carry an elite offense all on his own. But the current state of the Yankee offense has shifted expectations, and it’s important to not let that blur our evaluations of two players who look like cornerstones for the Yankees.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas says he’s thinking about changing his mind on retiring, and that it’s possible he’ll stick around for another year before he plans to enter into a hybrid coaching/front office role.

“I want to help young players," Rojas told USA TOAY Sports' Bob Nightengale, “any way I can. And one day I want to manage. I believe I can do it."

Rojas, 37, played hero for the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series with a game-tying home run in the ninth inning, forcing the game to extras. Los Angeles won it in the 10th inning, the team's second consecutive championship.

“No one expected Miguel Rojas to hit that home run," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says. “No one."

Said third baseman Max Muncy: “(Rojas) is one of the best teammates I ever had, and just one of the best people in baseball."

Nightengale's Notebook: Latest MLB rumors