Category: Baseball

PHOENIX — With Heliot Ramos’ return, the Giants’ roster is more or less back to where it was when the season began. As in: More square pegs for circular holes.

Make no mistake: the homegrown 2024 All-Star is a welcome addition to a lineup that, despite showing signs of life, still averaged only three runs per game over its latest home stand.

“It’s just good to have him in the locker room and the dugout because he’s full of energy,” manager Tony Vitello said of Ramos’ return after missing 37 games with a quad strain.

And yet, his presence only makes the rookie manager’s job more complicated.

When Ramos landed on the injured list in the middle of May, there were already positional logjams being sorted through. In a way, it acted as a blessing in disguise of sorts.

Casey Schmitt took up left field, giving Vitello an easy way to get their most productive bat into the lineup everyday. Same deal with Bryce Eldridge, who hasn’t had to sit much while splitting duties between first base and designated hitter with Rafael Devers.

And consider Jung Hoo Lee and Luis Arraez, who not only keep hitting — both among the top three hitters in the NL by batting average — but also look increasingly comfortable in the field.

Inserting Ramos into the picture could amount to adding oil to water — it won’t mix.

Vitello said it himself while gaming out the likeliest scenario to incorporate the power-hitting but defensively challenged 26-year-old outfielder, whose 102 wRC+ and .731 OPS trailed only Schmitt and Arraez among San Francisco’s roster at the time of his injury.

“I don’t think that would be our first choice defensively,” the manager said. “But on any given day, I could see it being our first overall best choice.”

Vitello got one gimme in Ramos’ first game back Sunday, opting to sit Eldridge, a rookie left-handed hitter, against one of the game’s fiercest southpaws in Chris Sale.

That opened up the DH slot for Ramos, who didn’t play many nine inning games in the field on his rehab assignment. Because of that, Vitello said the Giants hope to “ease” him back in.

But once Ramos is fully ramped up, the positional alignment to which the manager alluded wouldn’t only not be anyone’s first choice. It should be a last resort.

The “most likely” option, according to Vitello, would keep Schmitt in left, a position he has played capably but still has only 30 games of experience. That would move Ramos, one of the worst defenders in the majors last season, to the other corner, despite the prowess Lee has shown prowling right.

Lee would be required to cover center, where he rated about as poorly as Ramos last season, prompting the move to right field, which has largely been a success.

In other words: Vitello’s proposed solution would stick an infielder in left field, a right fielder in center and, realistically, a designated hitter in right. Then again, despite Lee’s improvement, the Giants’ outfield already ranks as the second-worst defensive group in the majors.

In fairness, some within the team have suggested Ramos would fare better in right field anyway because of Oracle Park’s dimensions, which makes for less ground to cover than in left.

What if we told you there is an easier, almost inevitable solution?

Because the real sticking point isn’t in the outfield grass; it’s on the infield dirt.

And it will almost certainly sort itself out by Aug. 3, which so happens to be the MLB trade deadline and more likely than not the last day Arraez is on the Giants’ roster.

The signing of Arraez to a one-year, $12 million deal just before spring training may go down as one of president of baseball operations Buster Posey’s most successful moves to date.

But it was superfluous at the time and even more so now given the emergence of Schmitt, who is better suited to be the club’s second baseman of the future than a newcomer to the outfield.

The roster imbalances don’t stop there: As it stands, Arraez is one of just five infielders — counting Schmitt — on the 26-man roster, two of whom can only play first base.

They’ve instead decided to carry six outfielders — again, including Schmitt — leaving sparse playing time to go around between Jonah Cox, Drew Gilbert and Victor Bericoto.

If the Giants could trade Arraez now, rather than wait another month, they should. All the more so in regards to any of their other infielders on bloated, longer-term contracts, who are also standing in the way of Schmitt playing his natural position or Ramos taking over DH duties.

The problem is it takes two to tango and teams generally don’t make their best and final offers until closer to the deadline. The Giants, for their part, spent last week finalizing their big board for the amateur draft that predates the deadline by a few weeks. This week, they turn their focus to the deadline with a conference of all their pro scouts.

In the meantime, the task of constructing the lineup everyday only gets tougher for Vitello.

“It’s impossible to have too many good players,” the manager said. “Certain guys will get a little hot or a little cold at the plate, so there will always be puzzles to solve. But the more weapons we have the better off we are.”

San Diego Padres (43-39) at Chicago Cubs (46-38), June 29, 2026, 5:05 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Wrigley Field – Chicago, Ill.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Monday at Wrigley. pic.twitter.com/TpcHOBRThP

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 29, 2026

Sho Time is back at Wrigley Field 👏 pic.twitter.com/lSt1hAI4tm

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) June 29, 2026

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Detroit Tigers (35-49) vs. New York Yankees (48-35)

Time/Place: 7:05 p.m., Yankee Stadium
SB Nation Site: Pinstripe Alley
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Casey Mize (2-5, 2.95 ERA) vs. LHP Ryan Weathers (3-5, 3.95 ERA)

Player	G	IP	K%	BB%	GB%	FIP	fWAR
Mize	11	58.0	25.1	6.1	34.4	2.78	1.8
Weathers	15	86.2	26.9	6.8	41.4	4.18	1.1

1/3 in New York

⚾️ 7:05 PM ET
📺 @WatchDSN
📻 @971theticketxyt
🏟️ Yankee Stadium pic.twitter.com/lg83OnSqxM

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 29, 2026

Here’s the Rangers’ lineup:

Lining up tonight on @espn. #AllForTXpic.twitter.com/EgV2hLTQxH

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 29, 2026

Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:

Guardians 6/29

T. Bazzana 2B
B. Rocchio SS
C. DeLauter DH
R. Hoskins 1B
K. Watson RF
D. Fry LF
S. Kwan CF
G. Arias 3B
A. Hedges C

P. Messick SP

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) June 29, 2026

Let’s go, Guardians!

Bo returns to Rogers Centre.

It will be weird watching him wearing a different jersey. As much as I wish the best for him, I’d be ok with an 0 for 12 series for him.

There are a bunch of tweets about Bo tearing up before the game, I’m curious to see him when they play the video.

After getting back on track in Baltimore, the Nats continue their road trip against another AL East foe. They head up to Boston to face a Red Sox team who just completed a 4 game sweep over the Yankees. However, for most of this season, the Red Sox have been inconsistent at best.

With a lefty on the mound, Blake Butera elected to make a few changes. However, he decided to keep his hottest hitter Luis Garcia Jr. in the lineup. Garcia usually sits against lefties, but he is too hot for that right now. Andres Chaparro will be in there as the DH. Daylen Lile will get a day off, meaning James Wood is in left, Jacob Young is in center and Dylan Crews is in right. Miles Mikolas will be on the mound with no opener in front of him.

thinking about ben affleck and matt damon WHICH COULD MEAN NOTHING

→ https://t.co/iUBDqlACVspic.twitter.com/Inc0xwq401

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 29, 2026

This Red Sox lineup has underperformed for most of the season, but they have been better in June. Newcomer Willson Contreras has been their best hitter. Caleb Durbin has also been hot in June. The Nats very briefly rostered Tsung-Che Cheng, before DFA’ing him two days later. Now he is with the Red Sox, and starting at shortstop. Big money signing Ranger Suarez will be on the mound.

Monday with Mr. Rager! pic.twitter.com/CGkHaCqG9k

— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 29, 2026

Game Info:

Stadium: Fenway Park

Time: 7:10 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

This should be a fun week with Paul Toboni returning to Boston. There are plenty of storylines to chew on in this series. However, the Nats need to take care of business here. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

Readers, I begin this humble game thread with a question: is it better to head right back to work after a four-game sweep at the hands of your archrivals, to get an opportunity to flush it and leave it in the past? Or would an off-day at this juncture give you a much-needed chance to reset in the grind of a long season?

It’s a false choice, of course. The Yankees have no alternative but to return to the Bronx tonight and welcome the Tigers to town, after that aforementioned four-game mop at the Red Sox’ hands. The Tigers, if you recall, were the Bombers’ previous opponent before that ill-fated weekend in the Molasses City; they beat New York in a dud of an opener before the Yanks squeaked out a pair of close victories to take the set. You can bone up on the familiar matchup if you haven’t already by checking out Estevão’s series preview here.

Ryan Weathers was victorious in one of those games at Comerica Park, logging his second straight quality start with six innings of one-run ball. He was aided in his quest by excellent Yankee defense, including a pair of nifty grabs in center field by Max Schuemann. (Schuemann, it should be noted, is not in the lineup.) Overall, Weathers has had a bumpy beginning in pinstripes but remains a solid back-rotation option for New York. His penchant for the home run ball (his 16 homers allowed is 4th in the AL so far) has been a major culprit for his uneven season.

Casey Mize took the loss in the other game the Tigers dropped to the Yankees last week. His start wasn’t unlike the last few Gerrit Cole starts: good stuff shown, but too many misses in bad spots and an opportunistic lineup which was ready to punish mistakes. Mize allowed four runs on eight hits, striking out six Bombers and surrendering a go-ahead home run to Jazz Chisholm Jr.; a bright spot in what has been a very bipolar month for Jazz.

Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger will start the lineup with a rare double-lefty setup. Four of the first five batters against Mize will be left-handed, with Jazz and Jasson Domínguez on the other side of Paul Goldschmidt, hitting third. Anthony Volpe takes short, Spencer Jones patrols center field, Austin Wells dons the tools of ignorance, and José Caballero mans the hot corner tonight in the Bronx.

How to watch

Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY

First pitch: 7:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: YES, Detroit SportsNet

Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | WXYT 97.1 FM (DET)

Streaming: Gotham Sports App, MLB.TV (out-of-market only)

For updates, follow us on BlueSky, Twitter, and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Back in the BX. #RepBXpic.twitter.com/RRawSuntnS

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) June 29, 2026

1/3 in New York

⚾️ 7:05 PM ET
📺 @WatchDSN
📻 @971theticketxyt
🏟️ Yankee Stadium pic.twitter.com/lg83OnSqxM

— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 29, 2026

There’s one more off day until the Atlanta Braves are back in action on this side of the country. Hopefully the change in scenery will result in a change in fortune for the Braves, who have been on a very dire run as of late. As I mentioned with the title of a series recap from awhile back, the only way out is through, so hopefully the Braves can break through against the Cardinals and Mets this week.

For now, there’s no Braves action tonight so it’s time to get into the “big” question:

What am I watching tonight?

You may be shocked to hear this but there’s a World Cup game starting at 9:00 p.m. ET tonight and I plan on watching it. All of the matches from here on out are of the single elimination variety so the tension and drama has ratcheted up another level. Tonight’s match will be between the Netherlands and Morocco and I’m hoping it’ll be exciting.

If that’s not your cup of tea then ESPN is running a national game tonight with the Guardians facing the Rangers. Is that a sexy matchup? Not particularly but it’s baseball and it’s (likely) hot outside so you may as well just plant yourself on the couch and put on the game.

I’m not going to suggest a hate-watch since those haven’t been going pretty well for us Braves fans lately (as far as the Phillies are concerned) but if you just can’t help yourself, Braxton Ashcraft is getting a shot at the Phillies as Pittsburgh goes to Citizens Bank Park. You can also watch the Mets and Blue Jays lock horns in the battle of teams who are performing well below expectations. The Braves are currently performing below expectations at the moment so the vibes should be pretty similar.

What will you be watching? Any baseball? The World Cup? Anything else to get your mind off of sports? Let’s hear it. The floor is now yours.

The Athletics have not played well over this past week or two, most recently dropping three-game series against the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels. This extended downturn, which has led to them falling from first to fourth place in their division, could partially be attributed to the team playing shorthanded. Several A’s position players and pitchers are on the team’s injured list with various maladies.

Tonight, the A’s begin a three-game home series against the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who are full steam ahead in pursuit of the three-peat. The A’s would have liked to match up against the champs on full-strength. However, that will not happen, as the team announced several roster moves this afternoon.

We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/mvqVSe4Jbm

— Athletics (@Athletics) June 29, 2026

Pitchers

The lone move involving the pitching staff concerns left-hander José Suarez, who was placed on the paternity list and will miss a few games as he welcomes a new addition to his family.

Right-hander Kade Morris, who made his first MLB start earlier this month before being optioned back to Triple-A soon after, takes Suarez’s place on the active roster. Morris will look to make a stronger impression and earn a longer stay during his second stint in the majors this season. Lastly, the A’s designated right-handed reliever Michael Kelly for assignment.

Hitters

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson had not played since re-aggravating his left shoulder injury last week. Wilson was rehabbing in hopes of avoiding another stint on the injured list, but he did not make enough progress. The A’s ultimately placed him on the injured list with right thumb inflammation, retroactive to June 26. Left fielder Tyler Soderstrom joins him out of commission with left hip impingement, an injury he suffered Saturday night against the Angels.

The team recalled infielders Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and Darell Hernaiz to fill the roster spots. While Hernaiz has appeared in 47 games with the A’s this season, Kuroda-Grauer will make his MLB debut this evening.

The A’s drafted Kuroda-Grauer in the third round of the 2024 MLB draft out of Rutgers University. The versatile infielder, who can play third base, shortstop and second base, added muscle during the offseason in hopes of improving his offensive production.

The changes appear to have paid off, as he is slashing .323/.367/.478 this season, earning his first big-league promotion. Kuroda-Grauer’s profile is similar to Wilson’s, as both infielders are strong defenders who bring a contact-heavy approach to the plate, making them difficult to strike out.

What do you make of these transactions A’s fans? Will JKG make an instant impact or will the A’s struggle to overcome the loss of Wilson and Soderstrom against the Dodgers?

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Guardians

Monday, June 29, 2026, 6:10 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / ESPN)

Progressive Field

LHP Tyler Alexander into RHP Chris Paddack? vs. LHP Parker Messick

Go Rangers!

It’s been almost four full years that I’ve been an Over The Monster staff writer, and true story: I’ve never written a pre-game thread. That is, until Bryan Joiner called to the bullpen late, and I “accepted the trade for a player to be named later” or “cash considerations.” Two different metaphors, I know. But, starting one metaphor after another may be something of a symbolic gesture with these Red Sox. But, to quote some Bostonians, “I never had to knock on wood, but I know someone who has.” That’s to say, this team isn’t good. I don’t subscribe to the “we’re four and a half games out of the wild card spot” or the success of this weekend being any sort of start to a rally catapulting this team into contending conversations. But I wouldn’t blame anyone who gets a bit hopeful after watching the last four games. Unless this series goes well.

Fortunately, they’ll have a guy who’s found his stride on the mound. Ranger Suarez (3-3, 2.83) . He has not had a decision win at home yet this season. He took a no-hit bid into the seventh in Seattle, and had a little more turbulent outing in hitter-friendly Colorado but still emerged from six innings having given up just three runs, and only one of those earned (sadly, the Sox would implode that game). His ERA in 4 starts (24.0 IP) in June is 1.50.

Monday with Mr. Rager! pic.twitter.com/CGkHaCqG9k

— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 29, 2026

As Mike Carlucci diplomatically put it in this series’ preview article, the Nationals also suck are having their own challenges keeping things balanced this year, having inverse problems that the Red Sox face. Their offense is awesome, the biggest of those worries being Luis Garcia, the reigning NL Player of the week who’s hit six home runs in as many games, including two just yesterday in Baltimore. They rank at the very top of the league in runs scored and are tied for fourth in home runs, which would usually find you at the top of many standings, unless your pitching is horrible having some trouble keeping runs off the board, to the tune of being the third-worst in baseball. Miles Nikolas (2-6, 5.24 ERA) is tonight’s starter for Washington. At one time he was a very serviceable pitcher. At 37, those days may be behind him, as he’s experienced some stark declines in the ability to strike guys out as well as to generate swings and misses in general, ranking in the lowest three percentile via Baseball Savant this season.

thinking about ben affleck and matt damon WHICH COULD MEAN NOTHING

→ https://t.co/iUBDqlACVspic.twitter.com/Inc0xwq401

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) June 29, 2026

See you back here after.

Mets lineup

Carson Benge – RF
Juan Soto – LF
Bo Bichette – 3B
Francisco Lindor – SS
Jared Young – 1B
A.J. Ewing – CF
Mark Vientos – DH
Brett Baty – 2B
Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Sean Manaea – LHP

Blue Jays lineup

George Springer – DH
Nathan Lukes – RF
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Ernie Clement – SS
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Luis Urias – 2B
Yohendrick Pinango – LF
Myles Straw – CF

SP: Trey Yesavage – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 7:07 PM ET
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

When the whole NHL world was finding out about the trade that sent Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings, Liam Greentree, who was dealt to the New York Rangers as part of the deal, was sitting in the back of a bus, playing video games. 

“I was on my way to North Bay, midway through the season last year, and I was actually playing Chell (NHL video game) at the back of the bus, and couple of my buddies were just asking if I got traded,” Greentree said recounting when he found out he was traded from the Rangers to the Kings.

“My buddies were asking about me, and then I obviously called my agent. That's how it went.”

Greentree, who was the centerpiece of the return for Artemi Panarin, hit the ice in Rangers gear for the first time on Monday for the team’s development camp.

The 20-year-old forward spoke about his emotions since being traded in February and his excitement to join a franchise like the Rangers. 

“It's been awesome. New York is such a historic franchise; it’s an original six franchise,” Greentree said about being traded to the Rangers. “It's just really cool to be a part of it. This is the first time I've worn the jersey, so it's a pretty cool experience.”

Selected by the Kings in the first round with the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Greentree flashed off his potential during the 2024-25 season as the captain of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, as he recorded 49 goals, 70 assists, and 119 points in 64 games. 

Despite his numbers decreasing during the 2025-26 campaign, Greentree still posted a more than respectable 38 goals, 36 assists, and 74 points in 52 games. 

Some would say Greentree has big shoes to fill, given that he was essentially traded straight up for Panarin, a player many consider to be the Rangers' greatest free agent signing in NHL history. 

However, Greetree does not view it that way.

“It’s the business of it,” Greentree said. “I’m going through the process of it, and trying to make my career a good one. I want to play my game, and I just want to be a Ranger one day.”

Greentree is expected to make the jump to the professional hockey level this upcoming season, whether that means playing in the American Hockey League or for the Rangers. 

After spending four total seasons in the OHL, Greentree emphasised that he feels prepared to take the professional leap and begin a new chapter of his hockey career. 

“I feel good, I feel ready, and I feel strong,” Greentree said. “I'm here to get better and to learn a lot, and try to see what it takes to actually make it to the next level.”

Once again the Orioles are at risk of spiraling completely out of contention. Next up on the schedule is a three-game set with a surprisingly solid White Sox squad. Fortunately for the Orioles, these games are at Camden Yards. The Orioles actually having a winning record (23-21) at home, while the White Sox have been quite poor on the road (15-25). Sooo maybe they actually have a chance?

Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off for the Orioles despite being in the midst of a 1-for-18 stretch that has included zero walks and three strikeouts. Why? Nothing more than Craig Albernaz’s intuition, it would seem. It’s not like the Orioles offense has been firing on all cylinders anyway, so whatever.

Perhaps more important is Shane Baz on the mound for the Birds. He’s coming off of a poor showing against the Angels, where he allowed five runs over five innings. The 27-year-old has shown flashes this season, but has looked more like an innings eater than the potential frontline starter we were promised. A start of six innings or more would push Baz over 100 innings on the season. That is valuable even if the ERA isn’t quite as low as the Orioles front office probably hoped it would be.

Orioles lineup

1. Gunnar Henderson, SS
2. Taylor Ward, LF
3. Adley Rutschman, C
4. Pete Alonso, 1B
5. Samuel Basallo, DH
6. Dylan Beavers, RF
7. Colton Cowser, CF
8. Blaze Alexander, 3B
9. Jackson Holliday, 2B

RHP Shane Baz (4-8, 4.31 ERA)

White Sox lineup

1. Sam Antonacci, LF
2. Miguel Vargas, 3B
3. Colson Montgomery, SS
4. Kyle Teel, C
5. Randal Grichuk, DH
6. Branden Montgomery, RF
7. Tristan Peters, CF
8. Chase Meidroth, 2B
9. Jacob Gonzalez, 1B

RHP Sean Burke (5-4, 3.71 ERA)