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Guardians at Astros prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Guardians (42-48) are in Houston to take on the Astros (55-37).

Slade Cecconi is slated to take the mound for Cleveland against Brandon Walter for Houston.

Walter and the Astros will be looking to avoid the sweep as Cleveland has taken the first two games of the series. Last night, Houston rallied from a 6-1 deficit after just four innings but lost in ten innings, 10-6. All-Star Hunter Brown was bad early (6ER in 6IP) and fellow All-Star Josh Hader was bad late (3ER in 1.2IP). Angel Martinez' grand slam in the tenth was the difference in the game.

Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Guardians at Astros

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 8:10PM EST
  • Site: Minute Maid Park
  • City: Houston, TX
  • Network/Streaming: CLEG, SCHN

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.

Odds for the Guardians at the Astros

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Guardians (+119), Astros (-142)
  • Spread:  Astros -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Guardians at Astros

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Slade Cecconi vs. Brandon Walter
    • Guardians: Slade Cecconi (3-4, 3.56 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/4 vs. Detroit - 6IP, 2ER, 6H, 2BB, 5Ks
    • Astros: Brandon Walter (1-1, 4.15 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 at Colorado - 5IP, 5ER, 8H, 0BB, 3Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Guardians at Astros

  • The Guardians have won 2 straight after losing their previous 10 games
  • 4 of the Guardians' last 5 games in Houston have gone over the Total
  • The Guardians have covered in their last 3 games against the Astros
  • With 2 hits last night, Jose Altuve has 12 hits in his last 27ABs
  • Jose Ramirez has hit safely in 4 of his last 5 games (6-18)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Guardians and the Astros

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Guardians and the Astros:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cleveland Guardians at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Nationals at Cardinals Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

It's Wednesday, July 9 and the Nationals (37-54) are in St. Louis to take on the Cardinals (49-43). MacKenzie Gore is slated to take the mound for Washington against Andre Pallante for St. Louis.

St. Louis won game 1 of the series, 4-2 after being shutout 11-0 on Monday against the Cubs. The Cardinals are looking to avoid three straight series losses as they are 2-5 in the past seven games.

Washington fired their manager and got out to an early 2-0 lead over St. Louis before allowing four unanswered runs. After the All-Star break, the Nationals could see that new management boost and see the second-half of the season as a new lease on a potentially lost year.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Nationals at Cardinals

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:45PM EST
  • Site: Busch Stadium
  • City: St. Louis, MO
  • Network/Streaming: MASN, FDSNMW

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.

Odds for the Nationals at the Cardinals

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Nationals (-103), Cardinals (-117)
  • Spread:  Cardinals 1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Nationals at Cardinals

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: MacKenzie Gore vs. Andre Pallante
    • Nationals: MacKenzie Gore, (3-8, 3.11 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.1 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts
    • Cardinals: Andre Pallante, (5-4, 4.10 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Nationals and the Cardinals

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) thinks the Nationals at plus-money will be a good bet the second-half of the season:

"Washington goes to Milwaukee after facing St. Louis, so that will be a tough series where one win will be an achievement considering how hot the Brewers have been.

However, to start the second half of the year, the Nationals host the Padres, Reds, then goes to Minnesota to face the Twins. You will likely be getting +150 or better on the ML in a lot of those games and -110 to -130 odds on the run line of +1.5.

This Nats squad will likely use new management as a boost and the All-Star break as a second lease on the season. While I don't expect them to make a splash or dominate, they could surprise for the first 10-20 games of the second half."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Nationals and the Cardinals:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the St. Louis Cardinals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Nationals at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Nationals at Cardinals

  • Washington is 7-11 in Gore's 18 starts this year and are 1-4 in the last five
  • The Cardinals have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against NL East teams
  • The Cardinals' last 3 versus the Nationals have stayed under the Total
  • The Cardinals have covered the Run Line in 4 straight matchups against the Nationals

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Mariners at Yankees prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Mariners (48-43) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (50-41).

Logan Evans is slated to take the mound for Seattle against Cam Schlittler for New York.

The Yankees took the series opener last night, 10-3. Cal Raleigh homered for Seattle, but his blast was more than offset by home runs from Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Austin Wells. Will Warren pitched 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his sixth win of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mariners at Yankees

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: RSNW, AmazonPV

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.

Odds for the Mariners at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Mariners (+121), Yankees (-142)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mariners at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Logan Evans vs. Cam Schlittler
    • Mariners: Logan Evans (3-2, 2.96 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 vs. Kansas City - 5.2IP, 0ER, 3H, 1BB, 3Ks
    • Yankees: Cam Schlittler - This is the Major League debut for Schlittler

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mariners at Yankees

  • The Yankees have won 3 straight home games against the Mariners
  • The Yankees' last 9 games have gone over the Total
  • The Yankees are up 3.13 units on the Run Line in their last 5 at home
  • Paul Goldschmidt has collected 2 or more hits in 4 of his last 5 games (9-23)
  • Cody Bellinger is riding a 13-game hitting streak (22-56)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mariners and the Yankees

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Mariners and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Seattle Mariners at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Phillies try to shake Oracle Park curse after wild loss to Giants

Phillies try to shake Oracle Park curse after wild loss to Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

SAN FRANCISCO – The stunned looks were nowhere to be found, nor drooping heads or sulking attitudes. The Phillies entered the clubhouse at Oracle Park Wednesday morning merely 12 hours after one of the most unbelievable losses in recent memory and were doing what you have to do in baseball – move onto the next game.

Jordan Romano, who gave up the three-run, inside-the-park home run to Patrick Bailey that gave the Giants an improbable 4-3 seemed to be his jovial self as he moved about the locker, though he admitted post game on Tuesday that he’s frustrated But these things happen and all the players and manager can do is turn the page.

In one of the wackiest plays you’ll see, Bailey’s ball hit off the top of the fence in right field and shot like a bullet towards center, past Brandon Marsh and kind of into no man’s land. By the time the ball was retrieved and thrown back into the infield, Bailey was crossing home plate before getting mobbed by teammates in front of the Phillies dugout. 

“It hit something on that wall,” said manager Rob Thomson. “There was nothing that you could do about it.”

Earlier in the game, with the Phillies again struggling to hit with runners in scoring position, slugger Kyle Schwarber stole second base in the sixth with Alec Bohm at bat. Then, with the count 3-0 on Bohm, Schwarber went again in an attempt to steal third. Only this time, Bailey threw a strike to Matt Chapman to get Schwarber. Bohm walked on the pitch and the Phillies got a single from Nick Castellanos and a double from Otto Kemp to score their first run of the game and break an 0-for-26 skid with runners in scoring position.

Had Schwarber just stayed at second …

“I would have probably done that nine out of 10 times and probably going to be safe,” Schwarber reasoned after the game. Asked about it Wednesday, Thomson had a little bit different take: “He better be safe in that situation. I mean, really. I know he’s trying and he thought he could get it. But you’ve got to be safe in that situation. ” 

What’s the update on Orion Kerkering?

Reliever Orion Kerkering had a tough outing on Monday night when he hit Willy Adames, gave up a single to Matt Chapman, hit Wilmer Flores to load the bases then gave up two runs on a pair of fielder’s choices. After 25 pitches, Kerkering was pulled in what became a 3-1 Phillies loss. After the game, Thomson explained that he pulled Kerkering in order to have him available for Tuesday, when Taijuan Walker was starting. But Kerkering was unavailable Tuesday but should be one of the few bullpen arms available Wednesday.

“He was sore when he came in Tuesday, Thomson explained. “I thought he would be. He came in cranky, so we shut him down. I don’t know whether it was dampness, but the ball was slick to him. It wasn’t for anybody else it didn’t seem like, but to him it was. He couldn’t get the feel of his slider on the ball. That’s why you saw a couple of hit batsmen.”

More pitching updates

Thomson said that Aaron Nola had a 30-pitch session down in Clearwater and that “it went very well. Saturday is the next one.” As for suspended reliever Jose Alvarado, who is serving his 80 game punishment for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy, Thomson said he is working out and throwing and should be ready to go when he eligible in the middle of August. As part of his punishment, Alvarado will not be able to participate in the postseason.

Phillies’ history

The unimaginable loss on Tuesday against the Giants put the Phillies record at 3-18 since the 2019 season. No real rhyme or reason as players, managers and circumstances change, but there just seems to be something about this place for the Phillies.

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What we learned as Giants shut out by Phillies, keeping Justin Verlander winless

What we learned as Giants shut out by Phillies, keeping Justin Verlander winless originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Box score

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants responded to their worst stretch of the year by winning six of seven over the past week, but they came up well short Wednesday in a bid to sweep the first-place Philadelphia Phillies. 

Justin Verlander fell behind early and the offense gave him the customary lack of support while he was on the mound. Once he headed back to the clubhouse, this one turned into a blowout. The Phillies scored seven runs in the eighth and ran away with a 13-0 win in a game that ended with Mike Yastrzemski on the mound for the Giants. 

Verlander fell to 0-7 on the year, but this performance was more about the lack of offensive punch. The Giants did end up taking the series, but their full-strength lineup didn’t do much. They won 3-1 on Monday night and had just one run until Patrick Bailey’s wild walk-off in the ninth on Tuesday. In the finale, they had just three hits off lefty Jesus Luzardo, who became the latest southpaw to dominate the Giants this season. 

On It Goes

Verlander had good stuff early, hitting 96.9 mph in the first inning and striking out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. That fastball was his firmest since April. He struck out seven over six innings, but was charged with four runs — two earned — and left with little hope of even getting a no-decision.

Verlander already was the first Giants pitcher to go 14 starts to begin a year without picking up a win. His previous high as a big leaguer was seven consecutive starts at any point without a win, and he now has more than doubled that to begin his Giants career. 

Verlander is the first MLB pitcher since 2023 to start his season with 15 winless starts. Kansas City’s Jordan Lyles got to 15 that season and Colorado’s Chase Anderson got to 16. Verlander’s next shot to get a win — and avoid tying Anderson — should come after the break against either Toronto or Atlanta on the road. 

Move Over, Logan

The bullpen has blown a lead six times in a Verlander start, but on Wednesday, that was never in play. Another problem was, though.

Verlander has received just 26 runs of support in 15 starts, the second-worst run support in baseball. Only Chase Dollander of the historically bad Colorado Rockies has gotten less support from his lineup. The Giants scored five runs behind Verlander in Chicago on May 6, but in every other start, he has received three runs or fewer of support. Even Matt Cain and Logan Webb would think that’s hard to swallow. 

On It Goes, Part II

At the start of the Diamondbacks series last week, the Giants thought they were seeing better swings from Jung Hoo Lee. When he came through with a three-hit game later in the week, it seemed his lengthy slump might be over. That turned out to be too optimistic. 

Lee struck out with two on in the first and finished 0-for-2 with a walk. After batting .143 in June, Lee is still searching for his old consistency. He is 5-for-22 with no extra-base hits since the big game at Chase Field, and his OPS is in danger of slipping under .700 for the first time since the first series of the year. 

The Giants have given Lee a few days off recently, but he’s likely to get three starts this weekend. Right-handers Dustin May, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the big weekend series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Cubs at Twins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Cubs (54-37) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (44-47).

Cade Horton is slated to take the mound for Chicago against David Festa for Minnesota.

These teams have split the first two games of the series as Minnesota won 8-1. Ryan Jeffers went 3-4 and drove in three runs. Simeon Woods Richardson threw five scoreless innings to earn his fifth win of the season.

Lets dive into today's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cubs at Twins

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: MARQ, MNNT

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.

Odds for the Cubs at the Twins

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Cubs (-114), Twins (-106)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Cade Horton vs. David Festa
    • Cubs: Cade Horton (3-2, 4.15 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 vs. Cleveland - 7IP, 0ER, 5H, 2BB, 5Ks
    • Twins: David Festa (2-3, 5.48 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 at Miami - 6IP, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 7Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Twins

  • The Cubs have won 27 of 37 games following a defeat
  • The Under is 7-3 in the Twins' last 10 games
  • The Cubs have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight games at Minnesota
  • David Festa is averaging a little more than 1K per inning pitched this season - 45Ks in 42.2IP
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is 2-13 over his last 3 games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Twins

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Cubs and the Twins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Twins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Marlins at Reds Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

It's Wednesday, July 9 and the Marlins (42-48) are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds (46-46). Sandy Alcantara is slated to take the mound for Miami against Andrew Abbott for Cincinnati.

Miami took game 2 of this four-game series, 12-2, yesterday to extend their dominance to 17 runs scored to the Reds' two through two games. The Marlins are now 12-3 over the past 15 games, while the Reds have lost four straight and could drop below .500 with another loss.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Marlins at Reds

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Great American Ball Park
  • City: Cincinnati, OH
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNFL, FDSNOH

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.

Odds for the Marlins at the Reds

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Marlins (+119), Reds (-141)
  • Spread:  Reds -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Reds

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Sandy Alcantara vs. Andrew Abbott
    • Marlins: Sandy Alcantara, (4-8, 7.01 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Reds: Andrew Abbott, (7-1, 2.15 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.1 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Marlins and the Reds

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Marlins and the Reds:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cincinnati Reds on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Marlins at Reds

  • Miami is 7-10 in Alcantara's 17 starts this year
  • Cincinnati is 11-4 in Abbott's 15 starts this year
  • The Reds have won 4 of their last 5 home series
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Marlins' last 5 road games
  • The Marlins have covered the Run Line in 3 straight games at the Reds

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Posted on

Rockies at Red Sox Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

It's Wednesday, July 9 and the Rockies (21-71) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (48-45). Antonio Senzatela is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Lucas Giolito for Boston.

Brayan Bello went a complete 9.0 innings with 10 strikeouts, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, and 1 walk in Boston's 10-2 win on Tuesday. The Red Sox have scored 19 runs to the Rockies' five in this series.

Boston's won five-straight games and scored at least six runs in all five, while Colorado is 1-4 over the past five and on a two-game losing streak.

Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Rockies at Red Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Fenway Park
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: COLR, NESN

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.

Odds for the Rockies at the Red Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Rockies (+243), Red Sox (-305)
  • Spread:  Red Sox -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Red Sox

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Antonio Senzatela vs. Lucas Giolito
    • Rockies: Antonio Senzatela, (3-12, 6.57 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Red Sox: Lucas Giolito, (5-1, 3.66 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Run Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Rockies and the Red Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday’s game between the Rockies and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Boston Red Sox on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rockies at Red Sox

  • Boston is 6-1 in Giolito's last seven starts
  • Colorado is 5-13 in Senzatela's 18 starts this year
  • The Red Sox have won 5 of their last 7 home games, while the Rockies have lost 6 in 8
  • The Red Sox's last 3 games versus the Rockies have gone over the Total
  • The Rockies have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight road games against the Red Sox

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Blue Jays at White Sox prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Blue Jays (54-38) are in Chicago looking to sweep their three-game series against the White Sox (30-62).

Eric Lauer is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Adrian Houser for Chicago.

Last night the Jays won their tenth in a row. In a game shortened due to rain, Chris Bassitt went six innings allowing just one run and four hits to pick up his ninth win of the season, 6-1 over the ChiSox. Toronto's offense pounded three Chicago pitchers for 12 hits over the course of 6.2 innings before the game was halted due to the weather.

Lets dive into today's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at White Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 2:10PM EST
  • Site: Rate Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, CHSN, MLBN

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.

Odds for the Blue Jays at the White Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays (-149), White Sox (+124)
  • Spread:  Blue Jays -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at White Sox

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Eric Lauer vs. Adrian Houser
    • Blue Jays: Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.65 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/4 vs. Angels - 6IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 6Ks
    • White Sox: Adrian Houser (4-2, 1.60 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/4 at Colorado - 8IP, 0ER, 4H, 2BB, 6Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at White Sox

  • The Blue Jays have won 3 straight road games
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Blue Jays' last 5 games against American League teams
  • The Blue Jays have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games, profiting 1.90 units
  • Vlad Guerrero Jr. collected 2 hits last night and is now 6-15 over his last 4 games
  • Mike Tauchman is enjoying a 6-game hitting streak (12-25)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Blue Jays and the White Sox

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Blue Jays and the White Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Toronto Blue Jays on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Toronto Blue Jays at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Pirates’ Oneil Cruz will bring his record-breaking power to the Home Run Derby

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz, known more for delivering hard-hit homers than producing them in quantity, was added to the Home Run Derby in Atlanta.

He is the fifth player named as a participant in the event at Truist Park, which hosts the All-Star Game a night later. Also competing are Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.

“I’m really, really happy just because that’s what I do,” Cruz said in Kansas City. “I like to hit balls far. I think I’m going to enjoy it a lot.”

During the fourth inning against the Royals, he hit his 16th homer, a 458-foot blast with an exit velocity of 115.6 mph.

The 26-year-old Cruz hit a career-best 21 homers last season.

“They’ve been trying to get me in the Home Run Derby for the last couple years, but last year, I was coming back from an ankle injury and was not feeling that good at that time,” Cruz said. “But I’m in a good spot right now.”

When the 6-foot-7 Cruz hits a homer, he often hits it hard. On May 25 against visiting Milwaukee, he hit a ball measured at 122.9 mph into the Allegheny River, the highest exit velocity on a home run since Statcast began tracking in 2015.

“Oh, man, I can’t wait to see him hit down there,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s going to make Atlanta look small after seeing him hit (batting practice) down there last year and the year before. Just really excited for him and the opportunity he’s got to go be a part of that.”

Cruz also showed off his arm with a 105.2 mph throw to nail Seattle’s J.P. Crawford at the plate. That was the second-hardest thrown ball to produce an outfield assist recorded by Statcast.

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MLB mock draft roundup: Red Sox linked to Tennessee infielder at No. 15

MLB mock draft roundup: Red Sox linked to Tennessee infielder at No. 15 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox entered 2025 with one of the best farm systems in Major League Baseball. They’ll add to their talented pipeline when the MLB Draft begins this Sunday.

Boston owns the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s anyone’s guess who will be available — and what type of prospect chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has in mind — but one name continues to be connected to the Red Sox in the first round: Gavin Kilen.

Kilen is a left-handed-hitting middle infielder who starred this past season for the Tennessee Volunteers. The 21-year-old slashed .357/.441/.671 with 15 homers and 46 RBI in 53 games.

The Red Sox selected Kilen out of high school in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, but the Wisconsin native honored his commitment with Louisville. After a rough freshman season with the Cardinals, he took his game to another level as a sophomore before transferring to Tennessee.

Kilen showed more pop at the plate with the Volunteers, but his impressive bat-to-ball skills are what turned him into a potential first-rounder. He’s a solid defensive shortstop, though he will likely find a permanent home at second base in the pros.

The 2025 MLB Draft begins Sunday at 6 p.m. ET in Atlanta. ​Below is a roundup of expert predictions for Boston’s first-round pick that include Kilen and a handful of other names to monitor:

Keith Law, The Athletic:Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Law: “The Red Sox were all college last year, with just one high schooler in their top 10 picks and only two high school picks in their entire draft. Given their de-emphasis on in-person scouting that seems likely to continue. Kilen scores particularly well by batted-ball data and swing decisions, two things the Red Sox value now. I could also see them on Charles Davalan for the same reason. If they were to go the high school route, Gavin Fien would be a fit. I haven’t heard them on pitching in the first round, although Kyson Witherspoon and Tyler Bremner might be options if either fell here.”

Tyler Jennings and Connor Dorney, Just Baseball: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Jennings and Dorney: “The likelihood that Kilen drops out of the top fifteen is very low at this stage. His new approach boosted his draft stock massively, plus he’s shown the ability to play shortstop at the next level.

“It’s a step away from their recent trends, as Boston tends to go for toolsy preps, which makes Xavier Neyens a popular suggestion here.”

Carlos Collazo, Baseball America: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Tim Kelly, Bleacher Report: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Matt Rooney, Bleacher Nation: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Prep Baseball:Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Prep Baseball: “Potentially the infield version of Roman Anthony? The Red Sox continue to stockpile position player talent with another prep left-handed-hitting slugger.”

Kiley McDaniel, ESPN: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (CA)

McDaniel: “I was down to (Gage) Wood and Fien as top options after I took (Steele) Hall for the Rays, so holding my breath and not trading up ended up working here. I’m the high guy on Fien in predraft rankings, and the Red Sox are rumored to be the high team on him in real life, so this is a pretty likely outcome. He was a top-10 prospect coming out of the summer before he had a mediocre spring. But he still has the same tools and had a strong showing at the draft combine, affirming the upside is still there. This is the part of the draft I referred to as the “mush” of similar, 45 FV grade college players, and Fien is one of a couple of prep prospects who fit in there.

Mike Axisa, CBS Sports: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M

Axisa: “LaViolette was the favorite to go No. 1 overall entering 2025, though a down spring likely bumped him into the middle of the first round. The Red Sox have not used a first-round pick on a pitcher since Tanner Houck in 2017 and getting LaViolette here would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago. He fits Boston’s archetype as a big-time power threat, though his approach is not as refined as some of their more recent first rounders (Braden Montgomery, Kyle Teel, etc.)”

Jim Callis, MLB.com: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)

Callis: “The Red Sox could go in several directions here. Hall gives off some Trea Turner vibes and could really take off with the organization’s bat speed and strength program. They drafted Kilen in high school, while (Marek) Houston and (Brendan) Summerhill are two more college position players who could interest them. So might Witherspoon, Bremner or Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood from the college pitching ranks. Boston is linked repeatedly to Fien and may be able to float him to No. 33 with its $12.4 million bonus pool.”

Dan Treacy, Sporting News: Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn

Treacy: “College hitters develop quickly enough that position is worth considering, and whether the Red Sox believe they are set at catcher long-term with Carlos Narvaez remains to be seen. Boston did, however, have big plans for 2023 first-rounder Kyle Teel before he was sent to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, and Irish could be one way to fill the void.

“The Auburn slugger hit .364 with 19 home runs and a 1.179 OPS this season, showcasing improved power. While he could be an outfielder long-term, Irish’s bat should make him an option in this range of the first round.”

Taylor Blake Ward, The Sporting Tribune: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC-Santa Barbara

Ward: “It’s hard to move past the noise on (Gavin) Fien, but also hard to ignore what Boston did last year in the draft with pitching and aversion to preps. I still think Fien is very much in play, as would be (Kayson) Cunningham or Hall. With Boston running so much of their development through philosophy and overhauling their pitching philosophy, it’s not surprising to hear names like Witherspoon, Bremner and Wood come up here. A handful of college bats also get mentioned in the likes of Irish, Kilen and Summerhill.”

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Mets at Orioles prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Mets (53-39) are in Baltimore to take on the Orioles (40-50).

David Peterson is slated to take the mound for New York against Tomoyuki Sugano for Baltimore.

Just when you think the Orioles are getting on a roll their bullpen implodes and the Mets rally for four in the eighth to tie the game at six before winning it in the tenth, 7-6. The Top 4 in the Mets' batting order - Nimmo,Lindor, Soto, Alonso - went a combined 8-19 and drove in six runs. Edwin Diaz Worked a perfect ninth to improve to 4-0 on the season for New York.

Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Orioles

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • City: Baltimore, MD
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

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.

Odds for the Mets at the Orioles

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (-153), Orioles (+128)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Orioles

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: David Peterson vs. Tomoyuki Sugano
    • Mets: David Peterson (6-4, 3.18 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 vs. Milwaukee - 6.2IP, 1ER, 5H, 3BB, 4Ks
    • Orioles: Tomoyuki Sugano (6-5, 4.44 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/2 at Texas - 4.2IP, 6ER, 10H, 1BB, 5Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Orioles

  • The Mets' record in their last 5 games stands at 4-1
  • The Mets' last 4 road games have gone over the Total
  • The Orioles have covered in 4 of their last 5 games showing a profit of 1.69 units
  • Tomoyuki Sugano has not last beyond the 5th inning since June 3
  • Brandon Nimmo collected 2 hits last night and is 8-24 (.333) over his last 6 games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Orioles

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Mets and the Orioles:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Francisco Lindor reacts to Juan Soto's All-Star Game snub: 'Hope he gets the recognition he deserves'

A few days after Mets right fielder Juan Sotowas egregiously left off the National League All-Star team, the reaction was still coming in.

That included responses from Francisco Lindorand Carlos Mendoza on Tuesday.

"He’s an All-Star for us," Mendoza said. "Frustrating, obviously, but I’m hoping in the next couple of days they say something and he makes it. He’s an All-Star." 

Lindor, who will be going to the All-Star Game as the starting shortstop for the NL (along with Pete Alonso as a reserve andEdwin Diaz in the bullpen) also weighed in.

"I hope he ends up making it. Hope he gets the recognition he deserves," Lindor said. "He had one of the best June's and numbers in the league. He’s one of the best players in the league for a reason. He’s an All-Star. He deserves to be in the All-Star Game. Hopefully, there’s an opportunity to be in it. So the four of us can go out there and get booed.

"If I had a slow start like him, I'll take that any year. I mean, with a .900 OPS and 20 home runs, 50-something RBI, I’ll take it. To his standard, he didn’t get to the start that he wanted, but he’s still elite. He’s still putting up elite numbers throughout the month of April and May. I’m just happy and amazed with how he went about it in the beginning. He never was someone else, he’s always been the same person. For a young player like him, he’s very mature."

As far as what Soto thinks?

"It’s part of baseball. It’s going to happen," he said. "There’s a lot of players out there with great numbers that deserve to be there. It’s a roster they have to fill and there’s only 25 guys. It just happens."

"Everyone thinks they should make it. … Every player that makes it to the big leagues is an All-Star. For me, I would love to be there, but it’s just one of those years."

If a position player drops out, there's a chance Soto will be chosen as a replacement. But his initial omission defies logic, especially with someone like Fernando Tatis Jr. being selected.

Soto, who was the NL Player of the Month for June, is hitting .269/.399/.509 with 21 home runs, a 908 OPS, and 162 OPS+.

He is leading the NL in OBP and is second in offensive WAR, behind only James Wood and Shohei Ohtani.

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MLB will use automated ball-strike challenge system for 2025 All-Star Game

MLB will use automated ball-strike challenge system for 2025 All-Star Game originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The future could be on display at the MLB All-Star Game next week.

MLB officials confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday that the automated ball-strike challenge system will be used for the July 15 contest in Atlanta.

The ABS system, which has been used in spring training and minor leagues, could be a permanent part of the major league as early as next year, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

Here’s how the ABS system works:

  • Each team gets two challenges with the ability to retain them, if successful.
  • Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can signal for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch is thrown and the umpire makes the call.
  • The player can tap his helmet to ask for a challenge, and the pitch is immediately reviewed and called correctly as a ball or a strike within seconds.
  • When the review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it.
  • ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology to track pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone.

The MLB competition committee will meet later this summer to determine the future of the ABS system. While this way wouldn’t ensure that every pitch is called correctly, it would maintain the human element of an umpire behind the plate with the ability to fix blatantly incorrect calls — especially in critical moments.

The 2025 All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park, home of the Braves, next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Posted on

MLB will use automated ball-strike challenge system for 2025 All-Star Game

MLB will use automated ball-strike challenge system for 2025 All-Star Game originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The future could be on display at the MLB All-Star Game next week.

MLB officials confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday that the automated ball-strike challenge system will be used for the July 15 contest in Atlanta.

The ABS system, which has been used in spring training and minor leagues, could be a permanent part of the major league as early as next year, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

Here’s how the ABS system works:

  • Each team gets two challenges with the ability to retain them, if successful.
  • Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can signal for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch is thrown and the umpire makes the call.
  • The player can tap his helmet to ask for a challenge, and the pitch is immediately reviewed and called correctly as a ball or a strike within seconds.
  • When the review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it.
  • ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology to track pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone.

The MLB competition committee will meet later this summer to determine the future of the ABS system. While this way wouldn’t ensure that every pitch is called correctly, it would maintain the human element of an umpire behind the plate with the ability to fix blatantly incorrect calls — especially in critical moments.

The 2025 All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park, home of the Braves, next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.