Category: Baseball

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

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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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

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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

During the first half of the season, Justin Wrobleski was one of the most reliable pitchers in the Dodgers rotation, earning him the first All-Star selection of his career. Since the beginning of the second half of the regular season, Wrobleski has not been able to carry over the same success he had in the first half.

Over his last four starts, Wrobleski has allowed 19 earned runs over 19 2/3 innings and his ERA has shot up from 2.62 to 3.56 over that span. After allowing just eight home runs over his first 16 starts, the southpaw has allowed 11 home runs since July 28, including two consecutive starts of allowing four home runs against both the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs.

Although Wrobleski allowed another two home runs in Saturday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, he was able to go a full six innings while walking just one hitter and striking out six. Despite the loss, both Wrobleski and Dave Roberts noted that the left-hander had a decent outing outside of the home run pitch to Joey Ortiz, per Joaquin Ruiz of the Los Angeles Times.

“I even told him … it was one bad pitch for me, the Ortiz pitch,” Roberts said. “I thought he did a really nice job.”

Tyler Glasnow is reaching the last legs of his rehab assignment after tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings with Oklahoma City on Friday, and the right-hander will need just one more rehab start before he’s set to rejoin the big league squad, reports Dylan Hernandez of the California Post.

“It was a good one yesterday,” Roberts said. “I think our thought is going to do another one, five (innings) and 75 (pitches), and then he’ll join us.”

Tarik Skubal is set to make his second start at home with his new team on Sunday, and he will be facing right-hander Logan Henderson. Those same two pitchers found themselves in trade talks for each other just weeks ago, as both Sonja Chen and Adam McCalvy of MLB.com discuss the trade conversations between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Detroit Tigers that ultimately fell by the wayside.

“It’s funny how that works out,” Henderson said.

The brotherhood of Major League Baseball also lost one of its own this week. Former big league outfielder Robert Leon “Butch” Huskey passed away from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 54.

If you don’t remember the name Butch Huskey, I can’t say I blame you. The seventh round pick out of Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Oklahoma was mostly known for his five seasons with the New York Mets. In 1999 he played for the Seattle Mariners before being traded to the playoff-bound Boston Red Sox. In 2000 he played the first half of the season with the Minnesota Twins.

Butch Huskey only played 45 games in a Colorado Rockies uniform, and it was the last Major League playing time of his career.

The Rockies—fighting for a playoff spot in a season full of incredible performances—wanted a bench bat and extra outfielder. They sent minor league first baseman Todd Sears to the Twins in exchange for infielder Todd Walker and Huskey himself.

Although the Rockies missed the playoffs, Huskey delivered at the plate. In 111 plate appearances he hit .348/.432/.565 with eight doubles, four home runs, and 18 RBIs. He also drew more walks with 16 than he struck out with 14. 

Huskey became a free agent after the season and ended up signing a minor league contract with Cleveland. After not making the Opening Day roster for the 2001 season he returned to Colorado and spent the final year of his baseball career with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. 

Over parts of seven seasons Huskey finished his career with a .267/.318/.442 line and 86 home runs. It was quietly a solid career that could have lasted much longer. He was just 29-years-old. 

Huskey is also remembered as one of the final MLB players to wear the number 42 before it was universally retired by Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson. 

“I told myself if I ever got a chance to play professional baseball, I would wear his number,” he once told the Daily News. “I think about it quite often.”

But this isn’t about the number on the uniform or on the stat sheet. This is about a young Rockies fan’s affection for a player most Rockies fans might not even remember. 

They say to never underestimate the feelings a kid has for a random ballplayer. It’s something I’ve grown somewhat famous for throughout my life (Please ask me about my Garrett Hampson collection). I was nine when Huskey was traded to the Rockies and I immediately latched on. 

I thought his name was cool and I loved watching him hit. I went out of my way to make sure he was in a Rockies uniform when I played Triple Play 2000 on my dad’s computer. I was incredibly sad when he wasn’t a member of the 2001 Rockies roster. 

26 years later, I still remember Butch Huskey with immense fondness. When I heard of his passing, I mourned a part of my childhood.

Following his death, I’ve started to learn more about the man himself. From an outpouring of statements from those that knew him or from fans like me, I have seen only positivity and fondness. Huskey also worked with the Player’s Alliance and promoted youth baseball in his Native Oklahoma.

Huskey’s passing is another reminder that our childhood heroes are with us here forever. However, they exist forever so long as they are remembered with fondness and joy. I feel like this is especially important when it comes to the rank and file members of Major League Baseball. For every superstar making $400 million with their faces everywhere, there are dozens of everyday players that will escape the memories of most fans. 

I think what I’m trying to say is how important I think it is to remember those players that made your childhood special even if they weren’t the face of the franchise or the national superstar. Support those players of today on and off the field. Remember and support the Butch Huskeys of the game.

To Read: Rockpiles

• Monday: How Rockies TV set up Jordan Romano’s closer entrance | Renee Dechert
• Tuesday: Nick Frasso reflects on his MLB debut | Sam Bradfield
• Wednesday: Jake McCarthy has stabilized the Rockies’ leadoff spot | Skyler Timmins
• Thursday: Reasons to watch the end of another Rockies losing season | Cory Cohen
• Friday: Lessons in organic chemistry: Meet Rockies performance dietitian Sam Hawkins | Joelle Milholm
• Saturday: Connor Norby could raise the bar at second base | James Riggenbach

To Read: PuRPs

Full Stream | Jeff Aberle

• Single-Ballot Players
• 2-5 Ballot Players
• Nos. 43-36
• Honorable Mentions
• Nos. 30-26

To Read: News

• Prospect News: Zac Veen named PCL Player of the Week | Evan Lang
• Rockies News: Jake McCarthy named NL Player of the Week | Skyler Timmins
• Rockies Roster: Colorado Rockies recall Connor Norby, place Tyler Freeman on the IL | Renee Dechert & Sam Bradfield
• Weekly Pebble Report: Starting Lanes: Jake Brooks on learning to pitch in Albuquerque | Eli Whitney
• Rockies Roster: According to reports, Rockies recall Zac Veen, DFA Edouard Julien | Renee Dechert
• Prospect News: Veen feels “really blessed” to be back with the Rockies | Renee Dechert
• Rockies Roster: Kyle Karros placed on concussion injured list, Adael Amador recalled | Evan Lang
• Staff Feature: My personal Field of Dreams | Skyler Timmins
• Prospect News: Francis Rivera is pitching his way through the Rockies minor league system | Renee Dechert

Weekly Discussion Topics

Who was a baseball player who made your childhood special? Who was your first favorite Rockie? Let us know in the comments!

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Triple-A: Gwinnett Stripers (Braves) 9, Norfolk Tides 6 — 10 inn.

The Tides went to extra innings in a 6-6 tie, but a three-run top of the 10th for Gwinnett spelled defeat. The rarely scored-upon lefty Andrew Magno gave up all three runs to raise his ERA to 1.26. Before that, erstwhile Orioles Dietrich Enns and Anthony Nunez each worked two scoreless innings. Starter Cade Povich was unimpressive in his first start since his demotion from the Orioles. He gave up six runs (four earned) and eight hits in five innings.

Norfolk looked good offensively. The Tides had 12 hits and went 6-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Leadoff man Enrique Bradfield Jr. set the table by reaching base all five times, with four hits and a walk, and also stole two bases. Now that’s the type of performance that can get EBJ in the conversation for a call-up. His OPS is up to .693. Creed Willems also had two hits.

Now here’s the bad news: the Tides’ defense was absolutely atrocious. They committed five (5!) errors in this game. At least it wasn’t any legitimate prospects making the misplays. Catcher Sam Huff had two throwing errors, and three of the four infielders — Ryan Noda, Luis Vázquez, and José Barrero — were charged with a miscue apiece.

Box score

Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 9, Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) 3

It’s Aron Estrada’s world, and we’re all just living in it. The Orioles’ infield prospect had the game of his life for the Baysox, going 5-for-5 and crushing two home runs to lead Chesapeake to a blowout win. Batting leadoff, Estrada set the tone for the night by smashing the first pitch of the game for a dinger, and followed with a two-run blast in the third. A double and two singles completed his superb performance. He boosted his OPS by 33 points to .823.

Estrada’s double-play partner Wehiwa Aloy also had a fine night at the plate with three hits, and Victor Figueroa and Dom Keegan both homered. Eight different batters had at least one hit as part of Chesapeake’s 15-hit outburst.

The Baysox needed just two pitchers in this game. Starter JT Quinn worked the first four innings, giving up one run and striking out six, and Trace Bright was excellent in long relief, throwing five frames and fanning seven. The only two runs Bright gave up were unearned.

Box score

High-A: Frederick Keys 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) 3

It was a productive night at the plate for the Keys, who scored all eight of their runs on a quartet of homers. Newcomer Enddy Azocar (acquired in the Adley Rutschman trade) continued to rake, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. Azocar has eight extra-base hits and a 1.037 OPS in nine games since joining the O’s organization. Braylin Tavera and RJ Austin each hit a two-run homer, and Vance Honeycutt added a solo shot. Rough day for shortstop DJ Layton, who was 0-for-4 and committed two errors.

Starter Twine Palmer went two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in his return from a three-week IL stint. Bulk reliever Carson Dorsey handled the next five innings, and Braeden Sloan worked two perfect frames for the save.

Box score

Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Salem RidgeYaks (Red Sox) 3

Just like the Baysox and Keys, the Shorebirds put together a solid game on both sides of the ball. Dare I say that Esteban Mejia showed signs of progress? Limited to three innings in this game, Mejia gave up three hits but impressively didn’t walk anybody. It was the first of his 19 starts this year without a free pass, a big step for a guy who’s been averaging more than 12 walks per nine innings.

The Shorebirds offense had a singles party, as all 11 of their hits in this game were one-basers. Jhomnardo Reyes, the Dean Kremer trade return, had two hits and an RBI, as did second baseman Elvin Garcia. Bulk reliever Brayan Orrantia notched the win with five innings of two-run ball.

Box score

Sunday’s scheduled games:

• Norfolk: vs. Gwinnett, 1:05 PM. Starter: Michael Forret (1-2, 4.78)
• Chesapeake: at Reading, 5:15 PM. Starter: Caden Hunter (1-2, 4.50)
• Frederick: vs. Bowling Green, 3:00 PM. Starter: Boston Bateman (4-3, 3.93)
• Delmarva: vs. Salem, 5:05 PM. Starter: Francisco Morao (0-0, 5.06)

When the Brewers needed him most, he vanished.

Well, actually, he struggled.

A lot.

Some may argue he never showed up.

In February 2024, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Cy Young winner, and ace of their pitching rotation, Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in return for Joey Ortiz, DL Hall, and future considerations.

At the time, it felt like the O’s fleeced the Brewers, and for the large part they did. It was the final year of Burnes rookie contract, and it was also the final year he was 100% healthy. Burnes went on and was nominated for his fourth career all-star game appearance, and led the O’s rotation with a 3.39 ERA, as they went on to win 91 games and a runner up finish in the American League East.

Fans were no doubt left unsatisfied about the return for Burnes. Yes, it was for one season, but for as high caliber of a player Burnes was at the time, it felt like something that should’ve yielded more of a return. At the time, the O’s had infielder Coby Mayo, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday, and Gunnar Henderson listed in their top 25 prospect list. Understandably, the O’s didn’t want to part ways with any of what would be their core for years to come, but for Brewers fans, getting one of those infielders would’ve felt justfied for a man who finished in the top 10 in Cy Young Award voting for the previous five years.

As Ortiz joined the Brewers, he had 15 Major League Baseball games under his belt, which had given him 33 at-bats, where he produced seven hits, one double, and four RBIs. But, in his first three months with the Crew, he was off to a blazing hot start as he batted .281, and it looked like the Brewers found their staple at the hot corner.

Then the drop off happened.

Ortiz got hurt, so he missed the first half of July and never got back to the first half version of himself, as he batted .200. He didn’t have much power in his bat while he was hot, but he certainly didn’t after his injury.

That was his first season.

Last year, which, believe it or not, was the second full season of Ortiz. The one thing he was consistent at, was staying healthy and consistently being in the lineup despite not producing. He also was one of the better defenders in the infield.

The first two months of the season were forgettable to say the least as he batted below .200 for the most of that time. Then June hit and it felt like he was starting to find his stride, until he couldn’t carry it over into July. Then it happened again in August, as statisically he was one of the better hitters during the month until an injury sidelined him for the final week of the month. He once again, couldn’t quite get back to where he was at.

Possibly one of the most frustrating aspects of Ortiz’s game, was the scenario he gound himself in time and time again, and that was hitting with bases loaded. Ortiz set a franchise record for single-season plate appearances in that specific scenario. He even led the National League with 31 total plate appearances. Although finding yourself in that specific situation is luck, he had none of that when it came to hitting in those situations. Ortiz got a hit just five times with one double, and one grand slam, driving in a total of 16 RBIs.

Fast forward to 2026, and Ortiz found himself with the Brewers first bases loaded opportunity of the season, this time it looked a little different as he singled to drive in the team’s first run of the season.

Entering this year, it felt like the leesh was going to be quite short for Ortiz. He’s reliable on defense, and is speedy, but that has been the extent of his production. With fans already looking ahead to the deadline, hoping they could find their next Willy Adames, Ortiz made the move to third base and everything changed.

Throughout April and May, Ortiz was the starting shortstop with Luis Rengifo and David Hamilton splitting the time at third base. Ortiz when batting, was one of the worst shortstops in the league, hitting .165 with one home run and 11-RBIs.

Once the calendar flipped to June, change was in the air for the left side of the infield. June 15 hit, and that mean’t any free agents signed over the offseason were now eligible to either be traded or released. Rengifo was then designated for assignment, making way for a young, fresh face, in Cooper Pratt. Once Pratt arrived, that left Ortiz and Hamilton to man third base, and Ortiz took over as that man quickly.

Maybe it was the change to third base for comfortability, or the handful of hairstyle changes we saw, but since June 15, Ortiz has batted .297 with 35 hits, five home runs, 19 RBIs, and 14 runs scored in 41 games played. While the team fared quite well without the production of Ortiz at the plate through the first half of the season, the team is staying afloat through their roughest stretch of the season because of Ortiz.

Oddly enough, of all teams for anyone to struggle against, you’d think it be the Los Angeles Dodgers, but not for Ortiz. Last night, Ortiz hit a two-run home run which put the Brewers on top against the Dodgers. Through the first three games of the series, Ortiz has four hits, one double, on home run, and four RBIs. Quietly becoming “The Dodger Whisperer.”

SIDE NOTE: For those who grind out Diamond Dynasty of MLB The Show 26, Ortiz’s efforts in the month of July earned him a July Player of the Month card, becoming one of the highest rated cards for the Brewers.

While it appeared half of the fanbase wanted Ortiz gone back in June, it has gotten to a point where the Brewers can’t afford a game without him in the lineup. With the lineup aiming to be fully healthy by the end of the month, and the bats looking like they’re turning a corner, Ortiz’s production mixed with defensive stability is quickly turning this lineup into a force to be reckoned with come October.