Category: Baseball

The rain came out of nowhere. So too, it seemed, did Max Muncy’s infield pop-up.

In the top of the sixth inning at Coors Field on Tuesday night, Muncy was at the plate with two out and two runners aboard when a sudden rainstorm opened up from overcast skies. Within moments, sheets of rain were pouring down. But as fans scattered for cover, umpires let the at-bat roll on.

“My glasses were pretty full of water at that point,” Muncy said. “Was just kind of praying to put the ball in play.”

In a full count, Muncy did, launching a sky-high pop-up down the first base line.

In clear conditions, it would have been a routine catch to end the inning.

But this time, neither Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia nor second baseman Thairo Estrada could locate the blur of leather as it came hurtling back to earth.

“When rain is falling that thick,” Muncy said, “it’s really hard to look up and find a baseball.”

Indeed, as Muncy pulled into first base, and teammates Shohei Ohtani and Dalton Rushing came trotting across the plate, Toglia looked toward Estrada, who initially appeared to be calling for the ball. But then, Estrada looked back at Toglia in confusion, neither appearing certain exactly where the pop-up went. At the last second, both instead ducked for cover, turtling with their arms around their heads. The ball landed between them, seemingly startling Toglia after dropping a few feet to his right.

In the scorebook, the play went down as a two-run single, representing the first runs in a game the Dodgers went on to win 8-1 — with the help of a victory-sealing grand slam from Muncy in the top of the seventh.

But in reality, it was another example of the Rockies’ helplessness in this historically hapless season — and a comical stroke of luck the Dodgers were more than happy to take.

“At first, I was just happy I made contact,” Muncy said. “Then you’re upset you pop it up. Then you see them kind of scrambling around and you start getting a little excited. Then it drops and obviously you’re happy about it.”

Read more:Barabak: You can't separate sports from politics. Just ask the L.A. Dodgers

Entering this week’s trip to Colorado, manager Dave Roberts emphasized the importance of stacking wins against a Rockies team on pace to set an MLB record for losses in a season. He noted how it was part of a softer overall stretch in the team’s schedule, with the Dodgers (50-31) in a run of 12 straight games against teams with losing records.

“You need to beat the teams you’re supposed to beat,” Roberts said. “That’s just the way it is.”

In both games in Denver this week, the Rockies (18-62) have aided in that cause. On Monday, Toglia misplayed three balls in a six-run fourth-inning rally for the Dodgers that catapulted them to a series-opening win.

Tuesday’s blunder, however, was even more of an egregious eyesore; even if Roberts and Muncy both described it as a tricky play. 

“I give Max a lot of credit for just staying in the at-bat, fighting to put the ball in play, to allow for something like that to happen,” Roberts said. “It certainly changed the momentum … With no runs [right there], it might have been a different ballgame.”

The next time Muncy came to the plate, he added to his RBI total in a more traditional way.

With the bases loaded and two out in the seventh, the scorching hot slugger turned on a hanging 0-and-2 slider and launched his second grand slam in the last three games way out to right field.

It gave Muncy six RBIs on the night, and a staggering 42 runs driven in over his last 37 games.

“Not everyone is swinging the bat well,” Roberts said, a group that most notably includes Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who went a combined 0-for-nine. “So to have that production from Max in the middle of the lineup has been paramount.”

“He’s got a lot of confidence right now,” Roberts added.

Read more:Shaikin: Walker Buehler struggling to rediscover his Dodgers World Series magic with Red Sox

The offensive output — which continued with a towering home run from Michael Conforto in the eighth — marked one of the few times this year the Dodgers provided Yoshinobu Yamamoto with ample run support. On Wednesday alone, they matched the eight total runs they had scored in his previous four starts this month.

It proved to be plenty on a night the right-hander spun a much-needed gem, bouncing back from the 5.23 ERA he had in June entering the night with five scoreless innings that included one hit, one walk and six strikeouts.

Even at mile-high altitude, his ability to locate curveballs and splitters was particularly sharp, helping him rack up 39 strikes out of 56 pitches.

“I started feeling good last week, and going into today's game,” Yamamoto said. “And then today I was attacking with first-pitch strikes pretty good. I think that was [the biggest difference]."

The only thing that stopped Yamamoto was the rain, forcing him to make an early exit after a one-hour, 27-minute delay that began immediately after Muncy’s pop-up. But by that point, the sudden showers had already done enough, helping the Dodgers take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish on a routine pop-up the Rockies’ infield lost sight of.

Said Muncy, with a laugh: “Hit it to the right spot, I guess.”

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Mets continue to shuffle their lineup and roster as they look for stability during this recent rough stretch.

Entering Wednesday's game against the Braves, the Mets were 1-9 in their last 10 games, and their offense has been inconsistent to say the least. That has led to the team optioning Francisco Alvarez and Luisangel Acuña back down to Triple-A, and with the imminent return of Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio may be next. But the young infielder had himself a day against Atlanta in the Mets' 7-3 win. Mauricio, starting at second base, went 3-for-4 and smashed his third home run of the season.

Among those hits was a single from the right side, something the switch-hitter hasn't done all year. It was an encouraging day for the 24-year-old, who had his best offensive day this season, and for Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza.

"You saw balance there with the way he was finishing," Mendoza said of Mauricio after the win. "He laid off some pitches low, down in the zone. And then when he got pitches, he got himself in really good hitter's count. He was short to the ball, used the whole field, good to see him from the right side. Overall, better swing decisions and I think he was more under control with balance."

Across 17 games since he was called up back on June 3, Mauricio has yet to find consistency at the plate. He entered Wednesday slashing .185/.241/.320 as he split time with the other young Mets infielders. Mauricio's first three-hit performance this year saw his slashline jump to .224/.274/.414, but is it enough to prevent him from being optioned?

It's unlikely, as Vientos, who shined in his potentially final rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse earlier in the day, and with Brett Baty's defense and relatively more consistent bat, it likely means Mauricio will be returning to Syracuse, at least for the time being.

But Mendoza was asked about what he's seen from Mauricio this season as he re-acclimates to the majors after missing the entire 2024 season with a knee injury.

"Just watching with how he’s dealing with some adversity at the big league level, especially after what he went through last year, it’s not easy to do," Mendoza said. "He’s a young player who is going through it not just individually but as a group having a hard putting a rally together and we’re not winning games. And for him to continue to come in every day, ask for extra work, extra hitting, that’s what you want to see from everyone, but especially from your younger players." 

Juan Soto's two home runs in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Atlanta Braves made MLB and Mets history.

It was Soto's 27th career multi-homer game, breaking a tie with 1951 Baseball Hall of Fame selection Jimmie Foxx (26) for the most in MLB history by a player before turning 27 years old.

Soto also joined former eight-time All-Star Darryl Strawberry (May 1987) as the second Met with 10-plus home runs and 20-plus walks in a calendar month.

"Just watching him go about his business, day in and day out -- how steady he is with his personality, he same guy that we saw early in the year when it seemed like the world was coming to an end because Juan Soto wasn't hitting is the same guy that we're seeing right now," Carlos Mendoza said. "Back then, he didn't get too low. Right now, he's not too high.

"That, for me and for all of us, is pretty impressive to see that type of consistency and through a stretch where we're not winning games and it's hard for us. That's what's pretty incredible -- his routine, his personality, the way he's interacting with the players, with the coaches, with support staff. That's what, for me, makes him who he is."

In his past 25 games, dating back to May 30, Soto is slashing .333/.486/.774 with 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 24 walks and 24 runs.

"I think it's starting to happen," he said. "My swing, everything is going the right way. That's only personal because, at the end of the day, we're trying to win games.

"It doesn't matter if I hit two, three, 10 homers. What I care is about winning games. It hasn't been that good at all, so we've just got to try and keep going."

As the Mets look to turn a corner, Soto is rounding into form.

"I think just how consistent his ABs are," Jeff McNeil said of what stands out. "Every time he gets to the plate, I feel like he's at worst going to be on first right now. He's taking great at-bats. He's getting good pitches to hit. He's not missing."

The Yankees avoided a series sweep with Wednesday's 7-1 win at the Cincinnati Reds, where ace left-hander Max Fried's seven-inning gem salvaged the three-game set.

Takeaways

1. After his latest stopper outing, Fried (10-2, 1.92 ERA) is MLB's first 10-game winner. He yielded one run (unearned) on four hits while striking out seven, keeping the Reds (42-39) scoreless if not for third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s throwing error with two outs in the fourth inning that allowed Spencer Steer to score Elly De La Cruz. New York (46-34) has won 13 of Fried's 17 starts this season. Where would the Gerrit Cole-less Yankees be without Fried?
2. Trent Grisham's season-high four hits, which started with a leadoff double and included a second-inning RBI single off Brady Singer (7-6, 4.31 ERA) that put the Yankees on the board, fueled New York's 13-knock night and gave Fried more than enough run support. Grisham is slashing .251/.351/.481 with 15 home runs and 32 RBI through 69 games this season.
3. Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed Tuesday's 2-for-4 evening with a two-run home run in the third inning, his 11th long ball this season, to pad Fried's cushion and further the Yankees' control. New York tacked on insurance runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth innings, but Chisholm's blast was all that Fried needed.
4. Giancarlo Stanton was among the Yankees' RBI contributors, taking a positive step in his eighth game back this season. He earned his second RBI of the year's small sample size as he returns from elbow injuries by scoring Grisham on a groundball to shortstop with two runners in scoring position and one out.

Who's the MVP?

Fried, who made sure that New York came away with the win in a tone-setting 106-pitch (65-strike) outing.

Highlights

Trent Grisham brings home the Yankees' first run! pic.twitter.com/UC3Hlh2uyE

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 25, 2025

Max Fried makes the play 💪 pic.twitter.com/CuSky5NXqv

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 25, 2025

WE'VE GOT THE JAZZ.

JAZZ CHISHOLM JR. LAUNCHES A TWO-RUN HOMER! pic.twitter.com/3JUSiBJmuK

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 25, 2025

Aaron Judge with an RBI double 💪 pic.twitter.com/cDPccUDkcf

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 26, 2025

What's next

The Yankees have Thursday off before they return to Yankee Stadium for their three-game series against the Athletics (33-49), which starts with Friday's 7:05 p.m. opener. Right-hander Will Warren (4-4, 4.66 ERA) is New York's projected starting pitcher.

Juan Soto launched two homers and made MLB history along the way as the Mets beat the Braves, 7-3, on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

The Mets picked up 13 hits and were 3-for-6 with runners in scoring position. The victory ended the Mets' three-game losing streak and are now 28-12 at home this season.

Here are the takeaways...

-With Mark Vientos on the verge of returning to the Mets lineup, Ronny Mauricio's spot on the roster is in jeopardy. So the infielder, of course, got the Mets on the board with a solo shot in the third inning, the third longball this season. Mauricio sent a 96 mph fastball from Didier Fuentes, making his second career start, 378 feet over the right field wall.

Mauricio's blast was the first of an awakening for the Mets' offense. The team scored five runs on six hits, with Soto starting the hit parade with his 18th blast of the season. Sac flies from Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor, and RBI singles from Brett Baty and Brandon Nimmo accounted for the scoring. Ten Mets came to the plate.

Soto would launch his second homer of the night in the seventh to put the Mets up 7-1. It's Soto's 27th multi-homer game of Soto's career, the most by any player before they turn 27, passing Jimmie Foxx. Soto now has 10 home runs in June.

-Clay Holmes is coming off a start where he walked a career-high six batters, walked two in the first two innings, but kept the damage limited. He allowed a solo shot to Drake Baldwin in the fourth and worked out of a second-and-third jam with two outs to complete his start. The right-hander threw 96 pitches (60 strikes), allowing the one run on three hits, four walks and two strikeouts.

-The Mets bullpen bounced back in a big way. The combination of Brandon Waddell, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek allowed just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts in three scoreless innings. The debuting Jonathan Pintaro started the ninth but allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in 0.2 innings, forcing Carlos Mendoza to bring in Edwin Diaz. Diaz got the final out to end the Mets' losing streak.

-Four Mets had a multi-hit game, including Soto, Baty and Mauricio and Jeff McNeil. Mauricio went 3-for-4 and picked up his first hit from the right side as he tries to make a case to stay with the club.

Game MVP: Juan Soto

With the offense needing a spark, Soto got the Mets on the board first and put the game away with his two blasts.

Highlights

Jeff McNeil robs Marcell Ozuna of a 2-run homer! 🐿️ pic.twitter.com/rbRfH9nzkx

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 25, 2025

Juan Soto gives the Mets the lead right back! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1zyhH3gQZ1

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025

Starling Marte sac fly makes it 3-1 Mets! pic.twitter.com/S8oOHXVFwb

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025

Brett Baty RBI single! pic.twitter.com/XFzD3PrWeY

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025

Five run fourth inning!

Brandon Nimmo's RBI single brings home Ronny Mauricio 👏 pic.twitter.com/zZcM8bJtyE

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025

SECOND HOME RUN OF THE NIGHT FOR JUAN SOTO! pic.twitter.com/d86rRE8yjY

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 26, 2025

What's next

The Mets and Braves complete their four-game series on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.

Griffin Canning (7-3, 3.91 ERA) will take the mound looking to split the series, while the Braves will send Grant Holmes (4-6, 3.71 ERA) to the bump.

Giants frustrated by inside pitches as they await news on Casey Schmitt's wrist originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — For the past 10 days, Casey Schmitt’s left ankle has been a gnarly mix of black and blue. He twice fouled pitches off the foot at Dodger Stadium, turning his ankle on one of the swings, and it might take months before the bruise fully goes away. 

Schmitt now has another wound to worry about, and it’s much more concerning. 

The third baseman was drilled on the wrist by a 95 mph sinker in the ninth inning Wednesday, and while he went out for defense in the top of the 10th, he wasn’t going to be able to swing a bat in the bottom of the inning. An X-ray at Oracle Park was negative, but Schmitt has dealt with enough injuries over his career to know that it’s often about how you feel the next morning. He said there’s a decent chance he goes for additional tests on Thursday. 

Casey Schmitt and the Oracle Park crowd weren't happy after this hit by pitch 😡 pic.twitter.com/vIvGT1Vfbh

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 26, 2025

The hit-by-pitch certainly wasn’t intentional — Miami Marlins closer Calvin Faucher hit two batters with a two-run lead and ended up blowing the save. But after an 8-5 loss, the Giants weren’t really in the mood to try and figure out if they’re getting hit on purpose. The point is they’re getting hit a lot, period. 

Overall, the Giants have been hit 32 times, which ranks 14th in MLB. But eight of those have come in the last nine games. Logan Webb, who was long gone by the time Schmitt and Dominic Smith got hit, said this stretch is “starting to get frustrating.”

“The game finds a way to even itself out,” he said. “And it will.”

The main target has been Heliot Ramos, who is among the league leaders with 10 hit-by-pitches. He said it has been “annoying” and “frustrating” and said over and over again that “nobody wants to get hit.” He also referenced the game’s unwritten rules, and the way these things generally get taken care of. 

For Schmitt, this is a bit more personal. He dealt with injuries in the minors after getting drilled, and this potential injury comes at a time when he’s swinging the bat so well that he seems headed for the starting second base job when Matt Chapman returns. 

“It’s obviously kind of annoying but it’s just kind of how the game goes,” Schmitt said. “It doesn’t seem like it’s intentional. I don’t think it’s intentional at all, but it’s definitely not a fun thing to have to go through, especially when you’ve gone through it before. I’ve gotten hit in the face, I fractured my wrist — I’ve had these injuries up there so it’s annoying and frustrating to get these things.”

The Giants are hopeful that Schmitt is OK after a night of rest and treatment. They’ll wait and see how Thursday’s game plays out from a drama standpoint, but already, this has been a wildly disappointing series. 

The Marlins are one of the league’s worst teams, but it took that hit-by-pitch-fueled rally just to get to extra innings. When Camilo Doval gave up four runs in the 10th, the Giants had a series loss, and a losing homestand. 

As frustrating as the inside pitches have been, there are bigger problems. The lineup is 8-for-59 with runners in scoring position on this homestand. Bob Melvin shook off a question about situational woes by saying the Giants aren’t getting enough runners on base, period, which is, well, also a huge problem. 

They also have gotten runners thrown out at the plate in key spots in back-to-back nights, but Melvin again said he doesn’t have a problem with third base coach Matt Williams’ aggression.

“We’re trying to win a game,” he said of Jung Hoo Lee being thrown out from left in the bottom of the ninth. 

"We're trying to win a game there."

Bob Melvin defends the decision to send Jung Hoo Lee home in the ninth inning pic.twitter.com/c0dEYWxlkp

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 26, 2025

They desperately need to get one on Thursday. This has been an offensive stretch that has been frustrating, and not just because they keep getting hit by inside pitches. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Phillies shut out again, waste another strong pitching performance originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

HOUSTON — The Phillies wasted a gem by Ranger Suarez on Tuesday night, a nearly spotless start from Zack Wheeler on Wednesday night, and after being shut out just once over a two-month span from late April through late June, they’ve been blanked in back-to-back games by the Astros.

It’s the Phils’ longest scoreless streak as an offense since August 2022. Their only extra-base hit in 18 innings of the series was an Edmundo Sosa double in the opener. They lost 2-0 to Colton Gordon after falling 1-0 to Framber Valdez on Tuesday.

The hits were scattered and opportunities scarce through seven innings until the Phillies loaded the bases on lefty reliever Bryan King with one out in the bottom of the eighth for Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos. Bohm struck out, Castellanos grounded out and that was basically game over with how lights-out closer Josh Hader has been this season. Hader went 1-2-3 for his 21st save.

“Yesterday was one of those days where you have a really good pitcher who was on,” Kyle Schwarber said. “You hate getting shut out but today felt a little bit different.

“I think early on off the starter, some hard contact, things didn’t fall right. At the end of the day, we had some guys on base, just didn’t execute. Those are things that we pride ourselves on.”

The Phillies (47-33) lost ground to the Mets, who they lead by a half-game in the NL East. The official midpoint of the season is Thursday.

The good news for the Phils is that their best hitter, Bryce Harper, might be back this weekend in Atlanta. Out since June 7 with right wrist inflammation, Harper went through a full pregame routine Wednesday for the second straight day and will swing again in the batting cage Thursday.

The Phillies have gone 10-7 without Harper, averaging 4.3 runs. They’ve averaged 4.8 runs in the games he’s played.

They hit the ball harder than the Astros did on Wednesday but that’s little solace after consecutive shutouts. Bryson Stott crushed a pitch 395 feet to deep right-center in the seventh inning and it was run down by Jake Meyers. The ball would have been a game-tying homer in 10 parks.

“I feel like we’ve been putting ourselves in situations to do good things and be able to score runs. We’ve showed glimpses of it,” Schwarber said. “There’s a lot of really good pitching in the big leagues and you’ve got to be able to lock in on those days. You have to find a way every single day. Our group is very resilient. We got shut out tonight but we were in a position to win the game.

“We had this happen early on, too, everyone was kinda making statements about the offense not scoring runs. We were putting ourselves in position, it’s just the execution part isn’t there right now. You hate that it’s part of the game because you want to win the game so much, especially when you get performances like that from (Suarez and Wheeler).”

The Astros scored once off Wheeler in six innings with a leadoff double by Jeremy Pena and RBI single from two-hole hitter Isaac Paredes. Wheeler uncharacteristically threw 47 pitches before rebounding with 11, 12 and 13 the next three.

Even the Paredes RBI single probably won’t be by the weekend. It was a relatively routine groundball to Trea Turner’s left that the shortstop seemed to simply take his eye off as it went just beneath his glove to score Pena. Whether it is ultimately left a hit or changed to an error matters only in relation to Wheeler’s Cy Young candidacy. He is 7-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 99 innings with 126 strikeouts.

Wheeler has walked three batters in each of his last two starts. He’s kept all six from scoring but it’s driven up his pitch count.

“The last two starts have kinda been frustrating because I like to go seven at least but it’s not my call so not much I can do about it,” he said. “Can pitch a little better early on pitch count-wise.

“Just one of those nights where you’re trying to figure out as you go. Not quite as bad as last time, a little better.”

Matt Strahm, who has a 5.09 ERA in his last 25 appearances, allowed a solo home run in the eighth to Victor Caratini, doubling the Astros’ lead for Hader. All five pitchers the Astros used — Gordon, Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa, King and Hader — were lefties.

The Phils turn to one of their own Thursday in Cristopher Sanchez, looking to salvage a game of the series and avoid a sweep before they head to Atlanta.

“They’re a good team, they’re right there with us,” Wheeler said. “They’ve just gotten the better of us the past two nights. I’m sure we’ll come ready tomorrow.”

What we learned as Giants' comeback not enough in extra-innings loss to Marlins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — This is the start of the easiest two-week stretch on the schedule. So far, the Giants are 0-2. 

With an 8-5 loss to the Miami Marlins, the Giants are 3-5 on the homestand, and it’s not hard to figure out why. The lineup went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position Wednesday and dropped to 8-for-59 on the homestand. 

The Giants trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Marlins closer Calvin Faucher hit Dominic Smith and Casey Schmitt and then sprayed it around while walking Jung Hoo Lee. Willy Adames missed a grand slam by a couple of feet, but all three runners easily advanced on the deep fly ball to left. Patrick Bailey followed with a single to left that tied the game, but Matt Williams aggressively sent a runner for a second straight game and Lee — the winning run — was thrown out at the plate.

Patrick Bailey's single ties it, but potential winning run Jung Hoo Lee is thrown out at home 🫨 pic.twitter.com/b7MAF0hBII

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 26, 2025

The momentum didn’t last long, as the Marlins scored four runs off Camilo Doval in the top of the 10th. 

HIMMYBERTO IS UNCONSCIOUS pic.twitter.com/jsdiqUF19R

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 26, 2025

The Giants scored exactly two runs in four of the previous seven games on this homestand, and that’s where they sat in the bottom of the sixth, with a golden chance to put Logan Webb in line for the win. They got the first two runners on, but Smith and Schmitt flew out and Lee struck out, continuing his recent slump. 

Letting the Marlins hang around proved costly in the eighth. Tyler Rogers gave up an infield single that died on the grass in front of third base, and then a 72 mph double that snuck under Smith’s glove. He got two quick outs, but Heriberto Hernandez poked a single just past Adames’ glove, bringing two runs in and briefly putting Miami on top. They were the first runs allowed by Rogers in five weeks, but an inning later, he was off the hook.

Same Old Story

It wasn’t Webb’s sharpest night, but he allowed just two runs in six innings. Both came on a double by Otto Lopez in the fourth, an inning that included three of the six hits off Webb. He struck out six and walked three while getting through at least six innings for the sixth consecutive start, but in three of those starts he has taken a no-decision. 

With the latest long outing, Webb passed Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and moved into first in the NL in innings pitched. His 2.52 ERA is second to Skenes (2.12) and he ranks third in strikeouts and first in fWAR. Skenes had a rough start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, but he’s still the frontrunner to start the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Webb, however, is right behind him, and he should have three more starts before the break to strengthen his case. 

Getting It Started

Edward Cabrera’s third pitch of the game was a low 97 mph fastball that Mike Yastrzemski yanked out to right to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. The leadoff homer was the sixth of Yastrzemski’s career and first since last Sept. 18 against the Baltimore Orioles.

Yaz juuuuust keeps it fair for a leadoff homer 🤩 pic.twitter.com/c989jNzFRk

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 26, 2025

Yastrzemski was a savior earlier this season, taking over the leadoff spot after LaMonte Wade Jr. got off to a slow start. He slumped earlier this month and manager Bob Melvin gave him some time off — while admitting he probably ran his right fielder into the ground — but it looks like Yastrzemski is feeling like himself again. He has a hit in 11 of his last 14 games and has two homers and two doubles on the homestand.

Home Cooking

Randy Rodriguez has been dominant everywhere, but he has been just about perfect at home. With a scoreless seventh, Rodriguez got to 20 shutout innings at Oracle Park this season. He also lowered his ERA to 0.77, the lowest among all MLB relievers. 

At Oracle Park, Rodriguez has allowed just 10 hits and walked three while striking out 30. He gave up a leadoff single Wednesday, but followed it with two strikeouts and a grounder to short. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Red Sox midseason superlatives: MVP, biggest disappointment, and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have eclipsed the halfway point in their 2025 MLB season, and not much has changed since this time last year.

In fact, the Red Sox owned a better record through 82 games last year (43-39) than this season (40-42). After winning four consecutive series in June, Boston dropped two out of three to the San Francisco Giants and was swept by the Los Angeles Angels to finish their West Coast road trip.

It’s shaping up to be another disappointing Red Sox season, but there were still some bright spots for the club in the first half of the campaign. We’ll spotlight those — and some of the negatives — with our Red Sox midseason superlatives below…

MVP: Carlos Narvaez

The Red Sox acquired Narvaez in an under-the-radar offseason trade with the New York Yankees. That deal may go down as one of chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s best when all is said and done.

Narvaez has overtaken the struggling Connor Wong as Boston’s starting catcher and emerged as one of the club’s most important contributors. The 26-year-old rookie entered Wednesday tied with Alex Bregman for the highest fWAR (2.4) on the team among position players.

RED SOX #WALKOFF

Carlos Narváez wearing green goes off The Green Monster! pic.twitter.com/6mz2U43jki

— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2025

If the season were to end today, Narvaez would likely be the American League Rookie of the Year runner-up behind Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson.

It’s scary to think about where this Red Sox team would be without Narvaez behind the plate. He has been a huge upgrade in every facet of the game, and that makes him Boston’s MVP through the first 82 games.

LVP: Connor Wong

Wong is in the midst of a nightmare season, especially at the plate. The 29-year-old backstop is slashing .157/.259/.157 with no homers, and he just earned his first RBI of the season on Monday.

Aside from those who have been sidelined due to injuries, Wong has unquestionably been Boston’s least valuable player so far in 2025.

Best pitcher: Garrett Crochet

This one doesn’t take much thought. Crochet has lived up to the hype as a true ace since joining Boston via an offseason trade with the Chicago White Sox.

Through 17 starts, Crochet owns a 2.06 ERA with a 1.015 WHIP and an MLB-leading 135 strikeouts. He has been the one starter the Red Sox have been able to count on in an otherwise inconsistent rotation.

99 GAS 🔥

Garrett Crochet strikes out Aaron Judge for a THIRD time tonight! pic.twitter.com/B8NYTl9FIQ

— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2025

As of Wednesday, Crochet is a frontrunner for the American League Cy Young Award. The left-hander is a shoo-in for his second consecutive All-Star Game appearance.

Best reliever: Aroldis Chapman

Chapman has been lights-out as the Red Sox’ closer after signing a one-year deal in the offseason. The 37-year-old veteran has posted a 1.36 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 48 strikeouts in 36 appearances (33 innings). Most importantly, he has lowered his walk rate from 5.7 to 2.7 walks per nine innings.

103.8 MPH

Aroldis Chapman threw the fastest pitch by a @RedSox pitcher in the pitch tracking era (since 2008) and the fastest pitch in the Majors this season 😳 pic.twitter.com/28T641gjnH

— MLB (@MLB) May 8, 2025

Chapman has been everything Boston hoped he’d be for its bullpen, and more, Like Crochet, he should be a no-brainer for the 2025 All-Star Game.

Rookie of the Year: Carlos Narvaez

Kristian Campbell was red-hot in April, but he cooled off considerably over the last two months while Narvaez continued giving the Red Sox consistent production in the lineup and behind the plate.

Marcelo Mayer or Roman Anthony may be Boston’s “Rookie of the Year” when we revisit the team superlatives in October, but Narvaez has a significant lead thus far.

Most improved: Ceddanne Rafaela

Rafaela showed promise as a rookie with his versatility and sensational glove in center field, but his inconsistent bat raised concerns. So far in Year 2, he has maintained his reputation as a Platinum Glove candidate while making significant strides at the plate.

Ceddanne Rafaela's dead-center shot gives the @RedSox the lead 😤 pic.twitter.com/XregovoT3a

— MLB (@MLB) June 21, 2025

Rafaela is on pace to improve in every major offensive statistic this season. The 24-year-old has come through time and time again for the Red Sox in clutch situations.

To put Rafaela’s impact in perspective, he entered Wednesday tied with former Sox slugger Rafael Devers for the fourth-best fWAR on the team (2.1). He finished the 2024 campaign with a 0.9 fWAR.

Biggest disappointment: Tanner Houck

There are several candidates for this one, but none more deserving than Houck. It has been all downhill for the 28-year-old righty since making the 2024 All-Star squad.

Houck posted an 8.04 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 17 walks in nine starts before being placed on the injured list, and he hasn’t appeared in a big-league game since. He recorded just five outs in his rehab start Tuesday, allowing four earned runs on three hits, two walks, and a hit batter.

The Red Sox needed Houck to step up as a No. 2 or 3 starter this season. Instead, he has been unplayable.

Biggest surprise: The Rafael Devers trade

On June 15, the Red Sox made the stunning decision to trade longtime slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for lefty Kyle Harrison, righty Jordan Hicks, and two minor leaguers. Devers and the club had been at odds for several months over him being asked to switch positions, but a trade — especially at this point in the season — was unexpected.

Frankly, it’s still jarring to see Devers in a Giants uniform. That’ll take some getting used to.

Best offseason addition: Garrett Crochet

Narvaez was an incredible find, and Bregman was an MVP candidate when healthy, but Crochet has stepped up as the ace the Red Sox desperately needed. He also signed a six-year extension with the club, making him the obvious pick for Boston’s best offseason addition.

Worst offseason addition: Walker Buehler

After a standout postseason performance during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series run, there was hope Buehler could become a No. 2 or 3 starter in Boston. Instead, he’s flirting with losing his spot in the rotation.

Buehler has a 6.29 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 56 strikeouts and 29 walks in 13 starts. That won’t cut it.

It was a pretty strong offseason for Breslow and Co., but the Buehler addition simply hasn’t panned out. If his woes continue, it may not be long before the club cuts its losses.

Best moment: The “Big Three” arrives

At last, the Red Sox’ prized prospect trio of Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony joined forces on the big-league roster. The trifecta was completed when Anthony — the No. 1 prospect in the sport — made his much-anticipated debut on June 9 and received a standing ovation from the Fenway Faithful before his first at-bat.

The Roman Empire has arrived at Fenway! pic.twitter.com/ide9k8gCLN

— MLB (@MLB) June 9, 2025

Worst moment: Triston Casas’ injury

On May 2, Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee that ended his season. Casas was struggling mightily at the time, but the injury still put Boston in a terrible spot with its glaring lack of depth at the first base position.

Triston Casas was just taken off the field after seemingly injuring his left knee while running out a grounder in the second inning
pic.twitter.com/s0smIz7Sd4

— WEEI (@WEEI) May 2, 2025

Casas’ injury led to the Red Sox asking Devers to play first base, much to the veteran slugger’s chagrin. Devers’ unwillingness to play the position, and his discontent with the front office, ultimately resulted in him being traded to San Francisco.