Major League Baseball’s team owners unanimously have approved the sale of the San Diego Padres to an investor group led by private equity billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones.
The league announced the approval after a vote. Feliciano and Jones reached an agreement in May to buy the Padres from the family of late owner Peter Seidler at an MLB-record valuation of $3.9 billion. The deal is still contingent on the official closing of the transaction in the coming weeks.
“José and Kwanza understand the unique place the Padres hold in San Diego and the powerful bond between the club and its fans,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “We look forward to their leadership of the Padres and to working with them to build on the club’s strong foundation in a market that is so important to Major League Baseball.”
Seidler’s family announced its intention to explore a sale of the Padres last November, two years after Peter Seidler’s death. The 53-year-old Feliciano, a co-founder of Santa Monica-based private equity firm Clearlake Capital, emerged from the competition as the Seidler family’s top choice.
Padres CEO Erik Greupner and general manager A.J. Preller will remain in charge of day-to-day operations, according to MLB’s announcement.
“We are a family first, and becoming owners of the San Diego Padres means joining an even larger one,” Jones and Feliciano said in a statement. “We are grateful to the Seidler family, and especially to Peter, for raising the expectations of what this franchise can achieve. ... Our ambition is clear: to bring a World Series championship to San Diego and build an enduring organization capable of competing for championships year after year. We intend to be engaged owners, bringing our energy, experience and perspective while working alongside the talented team already in place and investing ambitiously and thoughtfully in the Padres’ future.
“We are all in and committed to winning.”
Peter Seidler assumed majority control of the Padres in 2020 after first joining their ownership group in 2012, but he became beloved in San Diego for his aggressive financial pursuit of winning and his eagerness to engage with the team’s fan base. He died at 63 in November 2023.
The Padres dramatically increased their payroll under Seidler, allowing Preller to build the foundation for the current team, which has made four playoff appearances in the past six years and won at least 89 games in three of the last four seasons during the most successful stretch in franchise history. San Diego currently is in the playoff race again, winning 17 of its last 24 games to surge into an NL wild-card position at 67-58.
Manfred thanked the Seidler family, including John Seidler, who became the Padres’ chairman after his brother’s death.
“Continuing the legacy established by the late Peter Seidler, the Padres reached the postseason four times in the last six years, energized one of baseball’s most passionate fanbases and strengthened the club’s role as a cornerstone of the San Diego community,” Manfred said.
When Feliciano and Jones reached their agreement to purchase the Padres earlier this year, they praised the team as “a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection and belonging.” They’ve since been spotted at Padres games in San Diego and in Mexico City.
The Padres never have won a World Series, but they were a valuable commodity for potential owners as the only team in the four biggest North American sports leagues in a metropolitan area with roughly 3.3 million people. Downtown Petco Park has become one of the liveliest ballparks in the sport, and the Padres ranked second in the majors in attendance last season.
Feliciano, who was born in Puerto Rico, becomes the second Latino principal owner in baseball, along with the Los Angeles Angels’ Arte Moreno. Latino and Hispanic players comprise roughly 30% of major league rosters.
Feliciano and Jones will hold an introductory news conference at Petco Park on Monday, Aug. 24.
The New York Mets will look to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the San Diego Padres tonight at Citi Field.
Nolan McLean gives the Mets an edge on the mound, and that has me picking New York in my Padres vs. Mets predictions.
Keep reading to see my full MLB picks for Monday, Aug. 17.
Who will win Padres vs Mets today: Mets (-121)
The New York Mets are coming off a home sweep over the Washington Nationals, and now send their best starter to the mound against the San Diego Padres.
Nolan McLean rates in the 98th percentile in fastball run value and strikes out 28% of the batters he faces.
The Mets should find success against Walker Buehler, who lets opponents hit the ball hard.
Buehler has allowed an average exit velocity of 89.4 mph, while New York ranks third in MLB in hard-hit percentage (41.5%).
I'm betting on the Mets tonight at -130 or shorter.
While both teams have bad offensive reputations, they have improved a bit as the season has worn on. While both rank below average in run scoring, they've gotten well out of the basement: The Padres are 21st (4.28 runs per game) and the Mets 22nd (4.18).
These offenses are being undervalued against decent but far from overwhelming pitching tonight.
I'm betting the Over at -125 or better.
Padres vs Mets home run prediction: Carson Benge (+820)
Carson Benge has shown solid power for the Mets in his rookie season, hitting 14 homers in 492 plate appearances. That includes three homers in August, with one coming over the weekend against the Nationals.
After an awful start through April, Benge has shown massive improvement — slugging .560 in August — by far his best month yet.
Buehler has allowed 14 homers in 114 1/3 innings of work this year, and has allowed 1.13 homers per nine innings for his career.
I like Benge as a home run pick tonight at +800 or better.
Ed Scimia's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 14-23, -10.11 units
Over/Under bets: 14-21, -8.09 units
Padres vs Mets weather
Clear and warm with a slight wind in from center, the weather should have little impact on tonight's game.
Padres vs Mets odds
Moneyline: Padres +113 | Mets -117
Run line: Padres +1.5 (-186) | Mets -1.5 (+178)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-117) | Under 7.5 (+113)
Padres vs Mets trend
The Mets are 9-3 straight up in their last 12 games overall. Find more MLB betting trends for Padres vs. Mets.
How to watch Padres vs Mets and game info
Location
Citi Field, Queens, NY
Date
Monday, August 17, 2026
First pitch
7:10 p.m. ET
TV
Padres.TV, SNY
Padres starting pitcher
Walker Buehler (7-5, 4.88 ERA)
Mets starting pitcher
Nolan McLean (8-8, 3.42 ERA)
Padres vs Mets latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 16: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Sunday, August 16, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Colton Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ryan Weathers carried on his improved form this weekend by dominating the Blue Jays lineup in what turned out to be a Yankees win in extras. Weathers has found superior results by adjusting his arsenal to minimize the damage he allows and maximize his potential. And those changes are so meaningful that they warrant multiple focal points of discussion.
Earlier in the month, fellow Pinstripe Alley writer Andrés Chávez came here to talk about the root behind these changes; Weathers’ fastball was getting tattooed regularly, and he needed to do something about it. Long story short, he started throwing it less and less, a decision that has been paying dividends, with the rest of his arsenal carrying the load.
Weathers wasn’t the first and won’t be the last pitcher to deal with problems from a fastball that, despite having good velocity, doesn’t possess any outstanding characteristics to consistently perform well. What has allowed Weathers to more appropriately handle this challenge has been his ability to quickly transition into relying increasingly on the sinker, which was already a pretty important part of his arsenal.
No matter how appealing his offspeed stuff is, any starting pitcher needs at least one fastball they can somewhat consistently go to in order to thrive in that role. For Weathers, that has been the sinker, and it was more evident than ever in Sunday’s win over the Blue Jays. Notice the very few red dots down below.
After the first two starts of the 2026 campaign, Weathers had been consistent about not overexposing any of his pitches. Before his latest appearance, the most Weathers had thrown any of his pitches was a 36 percent four-seam fastball usage in late April against the Astros. Well, against the Blue Jays, he set a season high, featuring the sinker 41 percent of the time as the four-seamer was nowhere to be found apart from a rare surprise look above the strike zone.
With such an adjustment, you can forget about the high strikeout rates of early in the season, but the hard contact will also be limited in a more efficient manner. In this particular game against the Blue Jays, for instance, Weathers didn’t record a single whiff on 11 swings against his sinkers — he made a living out of earning called strikes to get ahead, and when contact was made, only singles were given up. The two extra-base hits the Jays had against Weathers both came on poorly located changeups.
For Weathers, ditching the four-seamer doesn’t directly correlate to just hammering sinkers regardless of feel for his other pitches. If that were the case, his sinker would be dominant enough that all of these adjustments wouldn’t even be needed in the first place. There will be games such as the July 20th win over the Pirates in which the changeup is the go-to offering for Weathers. What matters is that the existence of the sinker as a reliable hard offering allows Weathers to take this approach in the first place.
Although it has been present for a few starts already, it’ll be important to see how the opposition reacts to these adjustments and if we start seeing a different approach against the Yankees lefty. For now, the consistency he has found rounds out this Yankees rotation quite nicely.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 17: Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics strikes out on a foul tip in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park on July 17, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Athletics had three consecutive 90+ loss seasons, but appeared to be improving with a 76-win season last year built on a core of solid hitters like Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler, and Jacob Wilson. They got off to a good start and were at .500 in mid-June before injuries hit their lineup and their pitching fell apart. They have lost 37 of their last 48 games, costing GM David Forst his job.
Athletics (49-75) vs. Kansas City Royals (51-74) at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Zack Gelof is hitting .318/.375/.568 with eight home runs in his last 35 games.
Jac Caglianone is second among all hitters with a 259 wRC+ in August, hitting .407/.429/.759 this month.
Who’s not:
Jacob Wilson has drawn just one walk in his last 19 games and is hitting .178/.211/.260 over that time.
John Rave is hitting just .189/.231/.324 in 15 games since being recalled.
Interesting splits:
Lawrence Butler got off to a dreadful start this season, but is hitting .242/.307/.506 since the All-Star break.
Michael Massey is hitting .316/.342/.526 against lefties this year.
Former Royals prospect Mason Barnett has given up six home runs in his last two games. Jeff McNeil is 4-for-9 (.444) with a double in his matchups against Michael Wacha. Jack Perkins gave up 12 hits against the Rays in his last start, the third-most hits any pitcher has given up this year. Gage Jump struck out a career-high 11 hitters against the Red Sox on August 8, but struck out just one in his last start against the Rangers. J.T. Ginn has a 45 percent groundball rate, 14th-highest among qualified pitchers.
The A’s have the worst pitching staff in baseball with a 5.48 ERA, with a 5.70 bullpen ERA. Their 24 blown saves are the third-most in baseball. Luis Medina has not allowed a run in five games in August, with eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Hogan Harris has 12 saves, but 5 blown saves.
The A’s have the second-worst record in baseball, behind only the Angels, who the Royals just defeated in a series. They took two of three from the Royals earlier this year, but their pitching is in shambles and they are missing four of their best hitters – Rooker, Kurtz, Soderstrom, and Langeliers. The Royals have a chance to get their homestand off to a good start and score some runs off the worst pitching staff in baseball.
Bailey is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, but his lack of offensive production left some fans frustrated while younger players like Jesus Rodriguez and Daniel Susac waited in the wings.
Other fans weren't sold on the trade though, believing Bailey's defensive prowess and clutch factor made him a valuable asset. To only get one prospect and a draft pick in return seemed too little.
Well this week, fans should get to see part of what they got for Bailey.
On Monday, Aug. 17, the Giants called up left-handed pitcher Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson, the prospect they acquired in the trade, from the minors. Ironically, it's just in time for the Giants to face the Guardians in a three-game series between Tuesday, Aug. 18 and Thursday, Aug. 20.
Here's what to know about the latest member of the team.
Matt Wilkinson is a former 10th-round draft pick out of Central Arizona College. The 23-year-old starter dominated Double-A this year between his time with the Giants and Guardians' affiliates, totaling 43.1 innings with a 1.87 ERA all while striking out 10.2 hitters per nine innings.
He struggled to maintain that level of success with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento, though. The southpaw pitched 43.2 innings in Triple-A, recording a 5.15 ERA and striking out just 8.9 hitters per nine innings. He also surrendered seven home runs in those 43.2 innings, compared to just two in his prior 43.1 innings of work at Double-A.
Wilkinson does not boast overpowering stuff. His fastball has averaged 89.9 mph during his time in Triple-A, and he mostly relies on a three-pitch mix of his fastball, slider and changeup, though he also has a cutter in his arsenal that he rarely uses.
The pitch he's most well-known for is his "Invisi-ball." Wilkinson describes the pitch as his fastball, just with "really low release and really good extension." It makes his 90-91 mph fastball come up on hitters quicker than they expect, which has helped him tremendously throughout his minor league career.
How he earned the nickname 'Tugboat'
At a very young age, Wilkinson's dad's best friend gave him the moniker after watching him run the bases. The friend described the pace of Wilkinson's running as "similar to that of a boat designed to tow larger ships."
The nickname stuck.
Wilkinson's stint in the WBC
Wilkinson pitched 2.2 innings for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic in March this year, allowing zero hits, two walks and four strikeouts during his two appearances for the team.
How has Patrick Bailey done for Cleveland?
Though not an everyday player for the Guardians, Bailey has performed at a level to be expected of the Gold Glove-winning catcher. His defense has been very good in the 54 appearances he's made, but he remains a well-below average hitter and sports a .208/.260/.357 triple-slash for the Guardians, amounting to an OPS+ of 70.
That said, he has flashed decent power for the Guardians, with five home runs for the club in just 171 plate appearances, much greater than the rate he collected for the Giants in any of his three seasons prior.
When do the Giants play the Guardians?
The Giants and Guardians embark on a three-game series in Cleveland beginning tomorrow, Aug. 18, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
The series ends with the final game on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 1:10 p.m. ET.
The Orioles (61-63) have the brooms out and will be looking to sweep a four-game set from the AL-East-leading Rays (74-49) tonight at Tropicana Field. While taking the first three games does not put any real fear into Tampa, the O’s have taken over the third and final Wild Card spot as a result.
Baltimore took Friday's opener 6-5, edged Tampa Bay 4-3 on Saturday, and made it three in a row with a convincing 10-2 victory yesterday on Peacock. Batting in the leadoff spot, Jackson Holliday delivered picking up a couple hits, scoring a couple runs, and driving in three. Holliday is 4-13 in the series and 10-33 over his last eight games. Colton Cowser went yard for the eleventh time this season in support of the cause for Baltimore. Trevor Rogers continued his strong August, allowing two runs over six innings to earn his eighth win of the season. Freddy Peralta lasted just 4.2 innings and took the loss for the Rays.
Tonight's pitching matchup features Brandon Young (9-3, 3.33) taking on Shane McClanahan (9-6, 3.09). Young's most recent outing came against the Twins last Tuesday. He allowed one earned run on six hits across six innings while helping Baltimore secure a victory. The 27-year-old has been remarkably consistent this year, recording 10 quality starts and lasting at least five innings in 17 of his 20 starts. McClanahan's recent workload has been somewhat unusual. His most recent appearance came on July 30 against the Rangers, when he pitched three hitless innings while allowing one earned run. Overall, the left-hander has held opponents to a .207 batting average this season and has posted seven scoreless outings in 20 starts.
Lets dive further into tonight’s game and find a sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Orioles vs. Rays
Date: Monday, August 17, 2026
Time: 6:05PM EST
Site: Tropicana Field
City: St. Petersburg, FL
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, MASN, Rays.TV
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Orioles vs. Rays
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Baltimore Orioles (+147), Tampa Bay Rays (-158)
Spread: Orioles +1.5 (-158), Rays -1.5 (+131)
Total: 7.5 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Orioles vs. Rays for August 17
Orioles: Brandon Young Season Totals: 113.2 IP, 9-3, 3.33 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 93K, 41 BB
Shane McClanahan has allowed one or fewer runs in 4 of 5 starts in July (has been on the IL for all of August)
Yandy Diaz has hit in 7 straight games (14-33)
Chandler Simpson has hit in 7 straight games (15-31)
Cedric Mullins is 4-12 in this series
Gunnar Henderson is 5-11 in this series
Pete Alonso has hit safely in 8 straight games (16-29) including 4 HRs and 9 RBIs
Carlos Narvaez is 3-29 (.103) since being traded to Tampa from Boston
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Orioles vs. Rays
The O’s are 65-59 on the Run Line this season
The Rays are 71-52 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 63 times in Baltimore’s 124 games this season (63-57-4)
The OVER has cashed 55 times in Tampa’s 123 games this season (55-63-5)
Expert picks & predictions: Orioles vs. Rays
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Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Orioles and the Rays:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Rays on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 7.5
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Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the San Diego Padres' new ownership group in a Monday, Aug. 17 conference call, shifting control of the franchise to primary owner José E. Feliciano and his wife and business partner, Kwanza Jones.
The Padres set an MLB valuation record by selling for $3.9 billion, a testament to the investment that Peter Seidler, the late former owner of the club, made in the roster and in making Petco Park a destination after the NFL Chargers' departure made San Diego a one-team major sports town.
The Padres agreed to nine-figure contracts with six members of the current team - infielders Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, outfielders Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill and pitchers Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish - with a total valuation of $1.788 billion.
San Diego, despite toiling in the 30th-largest TV market in the country, is set to make the playoffs for the fifth time in the past seven years.
"On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank John Seidler and the entire Seidler family for their stewardship of the San Diego Padres. Continuing the legacy established by the late Peter Seidler, the Padres reached the postseason four times in the last six years, energized one of baseball’s most passionate fanbases, and strengthened the club’s role as a cornerstone of the San Diego community," commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, lauding them for the sort of aggressive maneuvering he says is impossible for smaller markets, a cornerstone of MLB's strategy in ongoing labor talks.
"We appreciate the Seidler family’s longstanding commitment to our national pastime and their many contributions to the game. It is my pleasure to welcome José E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones as the new majority owners of the Padres following today’s vote. José and Kwanza understand the unique place the Padres hold in San Diego and the powerful bond between the club and its fans. We look forward to their leadership of the Padres and to working with them to build on the club’s strong foundation in a market that is so important to Major League Baseball.”
Feliciano continues the trend toward major league ownership's roots stemming from private equity. He is co-founder and managing partner of investment firm Clearlake Capital and has a net worth Forbes recently estimated at $3.9 billion.
He's also an investor in the Chelsea football club, owned by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly. Dodgers owner Mark Walter is on the club's board of directors alongside Feliciano.
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 14: Heliot Ramos #34 of the New York Yankees bats during a game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country.
There are quite a few factors the Yankees need to address to keep their AL campaign on track.
It’s impossible to ignore the hole that Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton left in the offense since they landed on the IL. Barely dodging the sweep last weekend, the Yankees recorded 15 hits, six runs, and 26 strikeouts in the three-game series against the Blue Jays.
New acquisitions Luis García Jr. and Heliot Ramos still have a lot to prove, especially after their questionable performance against Toronto. García Jr. committed an egregious double fielding error that brought in Vladmir Guerrero Jr. for the game-tying run in the series opener and has a .664 OPS since joining the Pinstripes. Ramos recorded a double in the extra-inning win on Sunday night, but he is maintaining a 26.2 strikeout percentage since arriving in the Bronx.
The Yankees remain 6.5 games back from the Rays as they head to Camden Park for a three-game series against the Orioles. If you had to choose, what would you argue is the biggest setback keeping the Yankees from securing the American League?
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 25: The Arizona Diamondbacks mascot carries an Arizona Diamondbacks flag before the MLB baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 25, 2024 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Red Sox have now lost three straight series. They went 2-5 on the road trip. The starters struggled. The offense struggled. Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten hit the IL (although Aroldis Chapman and Erik Miller looked good). Now it’s time for the Arizona Diamondbacks to come to Boston. The DBacks had been in second place in the AL West behind the Dodgers but a hot Padres team has surpassed them recently. They’re also out of a Wild Card right now, sitting a game behind the Padres and Phillies. This series is big for them.
Mitch Bratt is a a southpaw in his rookie year. He’s made seven starts on the season and over 33.2 innings has allowed 28 hits, 5 homers, 19 walks, 14 runs, and has compiled 25 strikeouts. His FIP might paint a better picture as both righties (.214/.353/.369) and lefties (.263/.300/.553) have had some success reaching base or slugging against him. Brayan Bello and Alex Gamboa will both be available for game 1 after an opener. The plan, per Alex Speier of the Globe, is to give Jake Bennett extra rest with the bullpen start Monday and the off day on Thursday.
Merrill Kelly returned to Arizona after half a season on the Texas Rangers in 2025. Back where he belongs. Although things haven’t been great after the reunion. He’s put up an ERA north of 5.00 across 22 starts. One of those was, of course, a complete game. Last time out he allowed 6 runs in 5.0 innings. Skip a start back it was 5 runs in 5.0. He’s gone about 5.0 innings in each of his last five starts and in the other three appearances he allowed a combined 4 runs. Which Kelly shows up on Tuesday is anyone’s guess. With 82 Ks and 53 BBs across 125 innings he hasn’t helped himself much. Kelly will face Ranger Suarez. The Sox big free agent acquisition had an OK outing last time out against the Jays, showing progress in recovery from injury. He made it through 5 innings, allowed 1 run, but watched his team fall 6-4 as the bullpen took on a few innings. His last start of more than 5.0 innings was June 29th. Hopefully he’s turning the corner after his injury in July. Unlike a lot of the rotation he’s in fine shape regarding his innings as he’s in his 9th major league season. He’s been good overall but hasn’t always gone deep and has battled injuries.
Brandon Pfaadt is somewhere in between Bratt and Kelly: this is his fourth major league season. And it’s been something off a breakout. He doesn’t strike out many guys, just 61 in 92.2 innings. But he also only has allowed 24 walks, a much better rate than the Ks. A righty, he’s allowed a .697 OPS to lefty bats but just .581 to same-handed hitters. He’s opposed by the number two to Sonny Gray’s number one in the rotation: Payton Tolle. Tolle saved the series against the Jays and the bullpen last time out. Tossing 8.0 shutout innings after his 14 K start the time before what more can you possibly say about this guy? He’s dragging the Red Sox to the finish line.
Ketel Marte is hitting .251/.315/.448 with 21 homers.
Corbin Carroll had a tough July (.611 OPS) but has rallied in August (.976).
Their other big slugger, Nolan Arenado, is headed for an MRI. Take a few games off, buddy.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Monday, August 17: Mitch Bratt (3.74 ERA /5.31 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
Tuesday, August 18: Merrill Kelly (5.11 ERA / 5.72 FIP) vs. Ranger Suarez (3.25 ERA / 2.71 FIP)
Wednesday, August 19: Brandon Pfaadt (3.11 ERA / 3.80 FIP) vs. Payton Tolle (2.97 ERA / 3.21 FIP)
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 8: The Colorado Rockies celebrate after beating the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 8, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockies fans and fans across the country.
As we enter the waning weeks of the 2026 season, one of the biggest questions remaining is if the Rockies will avoid 100 losses for the fourth straight year. There are 38 games left and the Rockies are 50-74, but they play the following teams:
Los Angeles Dodgers (74-51, 3 games)
Cleveland Guardians (60-65, 3 games)
Washington Nationals (60-66, 4 games)
Atlanta Braves (74-50, 3 games)
Baltimore Orioles (61-63, 3 games)
St. Louis Cardinals (63-61, 3 games)
New York Yankees (69-55, 3 games)
Detroit Tigers (60-64, 3 games)
San Diego Padres (67-58, 4 games)
Seattle Mariners (59-66, 3 games)
Arizona Diamondbacks (66-59, 3 games)
Chicago White Sox (65-58, 3 games)
With that remaining schedule, what do you think? Can the Rockies pick up 13 more wins? Let us know!
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 26: A general view of a rainbow and a lightning strike during a rain delay in the second inning between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves on August 26, 2024 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’m writing this from Kiawah Island, SC, where the heat index is an absurd triple-digit number like 113 or something. The Braves finished up a heat dome-esque homestand at 3-3 on Sunday, and now they’ll head to the relatively tolerable temperatures of the North Star state to kick off a wild four-city road trip that involves a makeup game on Chicago’s South Side, and a Sunday visit to Williamsport, PA.
But, before all that, it’s three with the Twins. As the Phillies played the Minnesota crew over the weekend, I found myself thinking, “Hey, have the Braves played the Twins yet?” Turns out the answer is, “No, they’re playing them next.” How are the Twins doing? It’s been another uneven season so far, with continuing tension amid the preferred paths forward of the Front Office and ownership. The Twins last made the playoffs in 2023; they won 82 games in 2024 and 70 last year. This year, they’re 60-65, but that means they’re just 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot because the AL vis-a-vis the current playoff system is a farce. The Twins went on a heater with a 15-9 July, actually crawling above .500 on the month’s final day… before smashing right back to earth with a 4-10 August that was already problematic before the Phillies swept ‘em over the weekend.
Still, the Twins are in it. They’re actually a top-ten team by wRC+, though that’s the result of a top-ten xwOBA overperformance (they’re bottom ten by xwOBA). Where they’ve had issues is run prevention, as both their defense and pitching rank pretty poorly. Some guys (Joe Ryan, Andrew Morris) are having nice pitching seasons, but there’s not too much to talk about otherwise, so this will be a bit of a test on whether the Braves can actually outshoot the Twins.
For the opener, the Braves will throw out Martin Perez, who spent a season in the Twin Cities back in 2019. Also, insert my lamentation about how I cover nearly every Perez start and little else here. I’m shaking my fist at the universe, you just can’t see it. On the season, Perez’ line is 71/102/100 (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-). The Braves have gotten what they paid for and much more, even if the end result is more generic than exciting. Perhaps emblematic of his season, Perez is riding a three-start scoreless streak, even though his line during the streak is 0/69/94 with an 11/6 K/BB ratio in 16 innings. His most recent start against the Mets was one of his most Houdini-esque, with a 2/3 K/BB ratio but zero runs charged. Once aspect of his scoreless streak that deviates from his earlier performance is a sky-high grounder rate. Two of his top four starts by grounder rate have come in these most recent three outings.
The Twins will counter with Bailey Ober, who has a very consistent, below league average-y line through 18 starts and 99 innings so far: 111/115/118, with an xERA right in that range as well. Like most of his teammates, Ober pitched considerably better in July, but has hit the skids in August. He was blasted by the Orioles in his most recent outing, and had a bizarre six-inning outing with zero walks or strikeouts the turn before that. He has a 137/125/133 line over his last four outings. Ober was an above-average starter until his velocity seriously dipped in 2025, and it’s collapsed further this year. If the Braves are going to stay frosty offensively, he’s a good guy to start the road trip against.
HOOVER, AL - MAY 23: Outfielder Hayden Yost #16 of the Florida Gators hits a single during the SEC Baseball Tournament Semifinal game between Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gators on May 23, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Tacoma Rainiers
The Rainiers have been rolling as of late, taking five of six against Reno this week in what was one of their best series all season. This offense has been firing on all cylinders and finally looks like it’s capable of carrying a team. It’s unfortunately too late for the Rainiers to have any realistic hope of a playoff run, but a strong end to the season would give the fans some good baseball they’ve been deprived of for much of the year.
Lazaro Montes is on another planet right now. The 21 year old slugger launched three more homers on the week (including one of the inside-the-park variety) and raised his season total to 35 on the season, breaking his career high of 32 from last season. In the month of August, Montes is slashing .340/.417/.792 with seven homers; he’s got a great chance of getting to the 40 homer mark on the year, putting him amongst the most formidable power hitters in all of minor league baseball. Laz’s extreme offensive approach makes him a bit of a polarizing prospect, but at some point, the results have to speak for themselves; given his track record of dominance, Montes is a strong candidate to contribute to the major league roster at some point next season.
Arkansas Travelers
It was a major let down for the Travs this week, taking just one of the six games against the always tough Tulsa Drillers. This was a real test between two of the best Double-A teams in the minors, and unfortunately for the Travs, they didn’t have any answers to this Drillers roster. Once in the thick of the playoff hunt, a postseason berth is now looking like more of a pipedream than a possibility, as they now sit seven games out of position.
Ryan Sloan was awesome tonight. Final line: 5.2IP, 5H, 1R, 1BB, 9K, 11 whiffs, 7 groundouts, 72 pitches, 49 strikes. pic.twitter.com/qcpVdZ84Xq
Despite the disappointing results from the series, both Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan did their part in taking down the Drillers. Anderson (5.2 IP, 2H, 0R, 1BB, 7K) dazzled under the Friday night lights and tormented opposing batters all game, and Sloan (5.2 IP, 5H, 1R, 1BB, 9K), who’s had a magical year himself, shut down one of the best lineups in MiLB as a 20 year old. How the M’s choose to navigate the development of these two arms will likely play a large part in how they go about constructing the roster for next season, but from a performance perspective, they’ve certainly held up their end of the bargain. Hopefully the M’s can clear a pathway to the majors for the pair of hurlers and let them show off their lights out stuff against big league competition.
Everett AquaSox
The AquaSox took the series this week by a score of four to two, taking down a Spokane squad that’s struggled to get things going in the second half. The Frogs remain in the playoff race, standing just 2.5 games out of first place; Eugene, who won the first half title, is leading the second half standings as well, so as long as Everett can catch Vancouver and finish second behind the Emeralds, they’d get the chance at taking the title.
Korbyn Dickerson has adjusted well to High-A and looks more than comfortable at the plate right now. The speedy outfielder raised his OPS up to .876 this week, and his 31 stolen bases on the year puts him near the top of the system on the basepaths. Dickerson’s blend of speed and power make him a very fun prospect that should be on people’s radar as a breakout candidate next season. If he can find a bit more consistency with the bat-to-ball skills, he’s going to be a really special talent.
Inland Empire 66ers
IE managed a split this week, unfortunately unable to make up ground in the standings against Lake Elsinore. The 66ers have had the best run differential of any team in the California League this second half, and given their strong upward trajectory since the recent additions from the draft, it feels like a good bet that we’ll see the 66ers in the postseason. This team rakes.
Congrats to Ace Reese on his first professional HR! 3-hit game for the Mariners first round pick. pic.twitter.com/cenOeK4Sgm
First rounder Ace Reese has made mincemeat of the Cal League in his first go at professional baseball. The former Mississippi State slugger is rocking a .522 batting average across his first seven games, and his 1.272 OPS underscores just how dominant he’s been at the plate. A-ball is probably a step down from where Reese was in the SEC this past season, so to see him utterly dominate in his first handful of games is a great sight to see and puts him on the shortlist for players to monitor through the end of this 2026 season.
My goodness. Hayden Yost goes 470ft for his 2nd HR & 4th hit today. 4-5, 2HR, 2B, 3R, 5RBI. pic.twitter.com/UPQ9lyfJaY
Not to be outdone by SEC rival Reese, fifth rounder Hayden Yost has provided a jolt atop this IE lineup and looks like an absolute steal through his first three weeks of pro ball. Yost, an outfielder out of Florida, was one of the hottest hitters in college baseball to close out the season, and he’s carried that level of production into the California League. Slashing .368/.405/.737 so far, look for Yost to finish this season strong; he’s absolutely crushing the baseball right now and has shown few, if any, holes in his game thus far.
DSL Mariners
For all the attention that Gregory Pio and Juan Rijo have (deservedly) received this season, Jarvis Gomez might just be the best hitter of the three. Now up to a .996 OPS on the year with more walks than strikeouts, Gomez has tacked on 15 stolen bases and looks like a rather complete player at the plate. Getting to see him compete stateside next year is going to be a ton of fun.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - JULY 04: David Davalillo #20 of the Frisco RoughRiders pitches during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Friday, July 4, 2025 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Texas Rangers righthanded pitcher David Davalillo has been named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 11-16, it was announced today.
In addition, the Rangers are reportedly promoting two-way players Josh Owens and Seong-Jun Kim from the Arizona Complex League to low-A Hickory.
Davalillo was added to the 40 man roster this past winter after a breakout 2025 campaign. He started the year at AA Frisco and did okay, allowing a 3.86 ERA in 23.1 innings over five starts, with 36 Ks against eight walks. Things went south for him in AAA, however, as he allowed a 7.59 ERA in 21.1 IP over six appearances. Most alarmingly, given Davalillo’s history of being a control artist, he allowed 21 walks and hit 6 batters during that time.
Davalillo went to Arizona for a few weeks to work on things, after which he made a start for the ACL Rangers, a start for high-A Hub City, another start for the ACL Rangers, and then went back to Frisco. After two starts for the Roughriders, in which he struck out 8 and walked three in nine innings, he returned to Round Rock, making a solid three inning relief appearance and a not-so-great 4.1 inning start in the first two weeks of August.
On Friday, August 14, Davalillo had what was easily his best outing of the season, facing the minimum over six innings and allowing just one baserunner, on a single, while striking out seven and throwing 52 of his 76 pitches for strikes. This effort is what earned him the PCL Pitcher of the Week nod, and it was definitely deserved.
Owens, a 19 year old who hits lefty and throws righty, was the Rangers’ third round pick in 2025 out of Johnson City, Tennessee. He has been utilized as a two-way player in the complex league this year, hitting .255/.345/.469 in 168 plate appearances with 62 Ks against 16 walks, and putting up a 3.48 ERA in 20.2 innings over 12 appearances with 24 Ks against 7 walks. When Owens has not been pitching, he’s split his time between DH, shortstop and second base.
Kim, a 19 year old signed out of South Korea in May, 2025, throws and hits righthanded. In 160 plate appearances he slashed .303/.419/.546 in the complex league, with 51 Ks against 24 walks. He put up a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings over five appearances, with 10 Ks against 5 walks. He played shortstop and DH when he wasn’t pitching.
With ACL play completed, Owens and Kim will get a taste of full season ball to finish out the 2026 season, and likely will start the 2027 season with Hickory. Owens is ranked #3 on the latest Baseball America top 30 prospect list for the Rangers, while Kim is #20.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Joey Ortiz #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers bats during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Brewers, in possession of the best record in baseball at 77-48, are set to return home and host the Seattle Mariners for three games this week. The Brewers are coming off a 3-4 West Coast road trip, as they bounced back from a sweep at the hands of the Padres to take three of four against the mighty Dodgers. On the other side, the Mariners sit at 59-66 but are just 2.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot in what has been a very week American League overall. Seattle is coming off a series win over the Astros in Houston, their first series win since the trade deadline.
The Brewers injured list currently features outfielder Sal Frelick (on rehab assignment), shortstop Cooper Pratt (late August return), and second baseman Brice Turang (day to day but hoping to return on Tuesday). Injured pitchers include reliever Abner Uribe (late August), JoJo Romero (close to a rehab assignment), Joel Kuhnel (August), Rob Zastryzny (TBD), Brandon Woodruff (out for season), Quinn Priester (out for season), Brian Fitzpatrick (out for season), and Angel Zerpa (out for season).
Seattle is without outfielders Victor Robles and Taylor Ward (both considered day to day), shortstop Colt Emerson (TBD), shortstop/third baseman J.P. Crawford (late August), and outfielder Luke Raley (out for season). Pitchers Logan Evans (out for season), Cooper Criswell (late August or early September), Cole Wilcox (TBD), Carlos Vargas (on rehab assignment), and Matt Brash (late August or early September) are also out.
Milwaukee’s offense is led by Jake Bauers, who is having a career year as he’s hitting .275/.384/.500 with a team-leading 21 homers. Jackson Chourio has 17 homers, and Brice Turang has added 16 homers. William Contreras had hits on both Saturday and Sunday to (hopefully) break out of his months-long slump, and Christian Yelich appears to be the victim of bad luck, as he’s hitting just .226/.307/.364. Joey Ortiz has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the last month and a half, and Andrew Vaughn is still hitting .300 through 80 games. Garrett Mitchell, Luis Lara, Gary Sánchez, David Hamilton, Brandon Lockridge, and newest addition Jonathan Ornelas round out the squad. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .250/.335/.392 (.727 OPS ranks tied for 11th), with 113 homers (last), 608 runs (fifth), and 122 steals (fifth).
Dominic Canzone is enjoying a breakout season with Seattle, slugging 19 homers to tie for the team lead with Julio Rodríguez, who also has 16 steals. Randy Arozarena has 17 homers and 20 steals, while surprisingly nimble Josh Naylor leads the team with 24 steals. Cole Young has been solid at second base, and Cal Raleigh has had a truly dismal season, hitting just .158/.268/.300 over 91 games. Trade deadline acquisition Taylor Ward has also struggled, with just five hits in 32 at-bats. Former Cardinal Brendan Donovan mans the hot corner, with Leo Rivas at second to round out the regulars. Robles, Weston Wilson, Brock Rodden, and Jhonny Pereda round things out. As a team, the Mariners are hitting .230/.309/.378 (.687 OPS ranks 27th), with 145 homers (16th), 489 runs (last), and 88 steals (13th).
In the absence of Uribe, the Brewer bullpen is led by closer Trevor Megill and set-up arms in Aaron Ashby, Chad Patrick, and DL Hall. Grant Anderson, Bryse Wilson, and Antonio Senzatela round the group out as Milwaukee continues to roll with a six-man rotation. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.50 team ERA (second), including a 3.51 starter ERA (fifth) and a 3.48 bullpen ERA (third). They’ve struck out 1,211 batters (second) over 1,117 1/3 innings.
Eduard Bazardo leads Seattle’s bullpen with 59 appearances, turning in a 3.05 ERA across 56 innings. José A. Ferrer has a 3.71 ERA over 51 innings, Gabe Speier has a 2.78 ERA over 32 1/3 innings, and Andrés Muñoz leads the team with 22 saves, though he’s blown seven opportunities and has a 4.37 ERA over 45 1/3 innings. Seranthony Domínguez is another deadline acquisition, and he’s been roughed up to the tune of a 9.64 ERA over 4 2/3 innings. Michael Rucker (4.91 ERA over 25 2/3 IP), Nick Davila (4.01 ERA over 24 2/3 IP), and Josh Simpson (4.05 ERA over 6 2/3 IP) round things out. As a staff, the Mariners have a 3.85 team ERA (ninth), including a 3.78 starter ERA (eighth) and a 3.97 bullpen ERA (14th). They’ve struck out 1,060 batters (12th) over 1,104 innings.
Probable Pitchers
Tuesday, August 18 @ 6:40 p.m.: LHP Kyle Harrison (9-3, 3.47 ERA, 3.35 FIP) vs. RHP Bryce Miller (4-6, 3.39 ERA, 3.85 FIP)
Harrison has shown flashes of being a star (5 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 10 K on August 5 vs. Pirates) but he’s also had a few really rough outings (4 2/3 IP, 8 R, 10 H, 3 BB, 3 K on August 11 @ Padres). Overall, it’s balanced out as he has a 3.47 ERA, 3.35 FIP, and 114 strikeouts across 93 1/3 innings in what has easily been his best season has a pro. Of note: Harrison has been really good at home, with a 6-1 record, 1.38 ERA, and 70 strikeouts in 52 innings over 10 starts. This will mark Harrison’s first career appearance against Seattle.
Miller, 27, is in his fourth season with the Mariners. After a rough 2025 campaign where he had a 5.68 ERA and 5.17 FIP over 90 1/3 innings, he’s bounced back nicely this year, with a 3.39 ERA, 3.85 FIP, and 84 strikeouts over 85 innings. Miller hasn’t been great over the last month, though, as he has a 6.12 ERA, 5.65 FIP, and 22 strikeouts over his last 32 1/3 innings, spanning six starts, all of which the Mariners lost. Millers’ only start against the Brewers was a good one, as he went seven scoreless frames with seven strikeouts to pick up the win in Milwaukee back in 2024.
Wednesday, August 19 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Dustin May (6-7, 4.13 ERA, 3.30 FIP) vs. RHP Logan Gilbert (9-7, 3.28 ERA, 3.47 FIP)
May has gotten off to a solid start in a Brewer uniform. In a pair of starts (against the Pirates and Padres), May has totaled 13 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out 11. For the season, he has a 4.13 ERA, 3.30 FIP, and 117 strikeouts over 122 innings. The right-hander has faced the Mariners once in his career, back in 2021 while with the Dodgers. He took the loss in that game, allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out eight over five frames.
Gilbert, 29, is in year No. 6 and has been a reliable presence in Seattle’s rotation, with an ERA between 3.20 and 3.75 each of the last five years. This season is no different, with a 3.28 ERA, 3.47 FIP, and 152 strikeouts across 145 1/3 innings thus far. He went six scoreless innings in his last outing against the Yankees, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out seven to pick up his ninth win of the season. Gilbert has started against Milwaukee each of the last three seasons, totaling 18 innings with a 4.00 ERA and 25 strikeouts. The Brewers have won two of those three games, with their only loss coming in a 1-0 game last year.
Thursday, August 20 @ 1:10 p.m.: LHP Robert Gasser (3-5, 4.54 ERA, 4.59 FIP) vs. RHP George Kirby (8-9, 3.89 ERA, 3.78 FIP)
Gasser has been solid in his last several appearances, allowing no more than three runs in an outing since getting roughed up for seven runs in his last start before the All-Star break. Since then, he’s made five starts, totaling 27 innings with 10 runs allowed (3.33 ERA) and 25 strikeouts, as the Brewers have gone 4-1 in those appearances (his last time out against the Dodgers was a 3-1 loss). This marks Gasser’s first career appearance against Seattle.
Kirby, 28, is in his fifth season with the Mariners, and after a somewhat rough 2025 (4.21 ERA, though a still solid 3.37 FIP), he’s bounced back for a 3.89 ERA, 3.78 FIP, and 114 strikeouts this season. He’s allowed an AL-worst 148 hits over 136 2/3 innings, and he was the worst in the league in that stat in 2024 allowing 181 hits over 191 innings. He went 4 2/3 innings his last time out, allowing five runs on eight hits and three walks, striking out two in an extra-innings loss to the Astros. Kirby’s only start against Milwaukee came last year, when he took the loss after allowing four runs and striking out three across six innings.
How to Watch & Listen
Tuesday, August 18: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, August 19: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Thursday, August 20: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Prediction
This is a matchup featuring a pair of teams who finished one step away from the World Series a year ago; one team has had a lot more success than the other in 2026, though. Give me the Crew to take two of three.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country.
Edward Cabrera’s start against the Cardinals Sunday was, in a word, awful.
This, you know. You also know that Cabrera said he had another blister issue during the game and that’s what led to his loss of command and three walks in the Cardinals’ six-run fourth.
After the game, manager Craig Counsell said they’d have to “talk about” whether Cabrera would make his next scheduled start, which likely would come up Saturday in Seattle.
I think you’re probably in agreement with me that Cabrera should not make that start.
And honestly, if it were me? I’d put Cabrera in the bullpen instead of David Peterson, who the Cubs announced was heading to the pen to make room for Cabrera in the rotation. If Cabrera has blister issues, wouldn’t they be lessened by throwing only one inning at a time? He might make a very good leverage reliever with that velocity and changeup (when they’re working).
So that’s what I’m asking you in this week’s SB Nation Reacts survey. Who should take that Saturday start? Or should it just be skipped, given that there’s an off day for the team Thursday (and another off day a week from Thursday)?
Vote in the survey below and we’ll have the final results later in the week.
COVERS INTEL:
