Category: Sports News

Among the 122 major league outfielders with at least 200 plate appearances entering Friday, Teoscar Hernández (.250/.313/.401, 97 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR) and Kyle Tucker (.232/.327/.368, 95 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR) ranked 87thand 94th, respectively in FanGraphs WAR.

With the Dodgers getting such little production offensively and defensively from the corner outfield this season, calling up one of their many productive minor league outfielders seems more and more appealing by the day.

Dustin Nosler at Dodgers Digest this week argued for calling up 21-year-old Josue De Paula, the club’s top prospect, directly from Double-A Tulsa.

Geoff Pontes on Hot Sheet podcast at Baseball America acknowledged the rawness of De Paula but suggested that because De Paula will be added to the 40-man roster this November to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, calling him up now would not fundamentally alter his long-term timeline.

Keith Law at The Athletic is not as high as De Paula, ranking another Dodgers outfielder Eduardo Quintero higher, and said Mike Sirota is a better athlete with a better long-term ceiling. Law was a guest of Jeff Speigel on the Dodger Heads podcast this week and talked De Paula among others, and suggested James Tibbs III as the more feasible Dodgers outfield call-up if they so choose this season.

Links

• Jay Jaffe at FanGraphs expertly chronicled the life of Tommy John, who died last weekend at age 83.
• Former Dodger Talk co-host and now longtime Albuquerque Isotopes play-by-play broadcaster Josh Suchon dug into the history of Tommy John surgery after John’s initial procedure. For instance, the second TJ surgery was on Brent Strom in 1978, three and a half years after John.
• The fine folks at FanGraphs introduced a new feature this week: the count progression tool. “This tool isn’t meant to completely explain shifts in walk and strikeout rates,” wrote Ben Clemens, “but I think it’s a great way to help investigate the ways the game is changing.”

Today’s Reflections

So, the White Sox have in Jose Urquidy the equivalent of the Cubs’ Javier Assad. For example:

August 19th, Urquidy, planned reliever in the third inning for an opener: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K.

June 6th, Assad, emergency reliever in the second inning for a Jameson Taillon implosion: 6.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K.

Not taking anything away from Urquidy; just thought it was an interesting comparison.

The Cubs’ couldn’t solve Urquidy Wednesday, or the other two White Sox relievers, as they were held to two hits and were victims of 10 strikeouts. That was the game.

The Cubs won the series, so we can look back on these interesting tidbits and very mildly chuckle, because in recent weeks, a stymied offense has been a rarity. But with all the big bats in the Cubs’ line-up and bench? Tyrone Taylor was the dominating Cubs hitter of the game after beating out stunning infield single, followed by a screeching double to left field!

Clay Holmes did well, holding the White Sox to a run, six hits and two walks over 5.1 innings pitched. The bullpen did get a good combined performance by Caleb Thielbar, Trent Thorton and Aaron Civale, pitching scoreless ball over three innings, allowing just one hit, but did walk four. It was the second breakdown in three games by Ryan Rolison that makes me wonder if he has passed his run of peak performance. He surrendered two runs by allowing consecutively a walk, a double and a two-RBI double in 0.2 IP.

And I’d be remiss in failing to mention the solid infield defense by the Cubs. Twelve of Holmes’ 14 balls in play were ground balls. Alex Bregman and Nico Hoerner had notable plays among several other good ones from the team.

The Cubs received their second day off in 11 days Thursday as they traveled to Seattle.

*means autoplay on, (directions to remove for Firefox and Chrome). {$} means paywall. {$} means limited views. Italics are often used on this page as sarcasm font. The powers that be have enabled real sarcasm font in the comments.

Wednesday Game Stories:

• Meghan Montemurro (Chicago Tribune {$}): City Series: 3 takeaways from the Cubs’ series win, including Clay Holmes’ value — and walk-off magic. “The Cubs (74-54) failed to homer Wednesday for only the third time in their last 19 games.”

• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): White Sox hold Cubs to two hits, avoid sweep with shutout win in Crosstown series finale. “Sox pitching, led by six scoreless relief innings from Jose Urquidy, kept baseball’s second highest scoring offense off the scoreboard to prevent a sweep at Wrigley Field.”

Hitters’ Stories:

• Max Ralph (MLB.com): Red-hot Hoerner’s luck is turning, adding another year to his robot-like consistency. “Since becoming an everyday player in 2022, his .294 batting average with runners in scoring position ranks 21st among MLB players with at least 500 chances.”
• Patrick Warren (Los Angeles Dodgers On SI): Rival Players Overwhelmingly Agree Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Does Not Deserve MVP Over PCA. “PCA is leading the charge in the National League MVP race.”
• Carson Wolf (Just Baseball): How Alex Bregman Turned His First Cubs Season Around. “After a rough first half, Alex Bregman made key adjustments at the plate and turned his season around. Here’s what changed.”
• Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): Michael Busch is Slumping Again, But This Time, It’s Different. “Michael Busch’s numbers may not be as ugly as they were during his disastrous April, but his current slump comes with a couple of troubling developments.”

Pitchers’ Stories (Starters’ Version):

• Sam Caulder (North Side Baseball): Comparing Cubs’ Improved Rotation Against Other National League Contenders. “The Cubs made starting pitching a priority at the trade deadline, but how does their new-look rotation stack up against the National League’s best?”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Cubs quickly undo puzzling David Peterson decision that never made sense. “He’s back where he deserves to be.”
• Brandon Glick (Cubbies Crib): Cubs must solve Shota Imanaga conundrum before it’s too late. “He’s still flawed, but is it fatal?”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): How are Cubs liking trade-deadline acquisitions Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes? ‘They’re going to help us a lot’. “After three starts apiece since the trade deadline, Gausman and Holmes have, mostly, looked the part of top-of-the-rotation additions, with the Cubs seeing them as big contributors for a planned October run.”

Pitchers’ Stories (Relievers’ Version):

• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Palencia Activated, Arias Added, Assad Optioned, Miller Designated. “The Cubs made a flurry of roster moves ahead of Friday night’s game in Seattle.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs want to get Daniel Palencia back to postseason form: ‘I just want to be The Gasolina, throwing heat’. “Palencia returned from a two-month stay on the injured list to find his closer’s job taken. But he’s open to whatever the Cubs have in mind to get him back to the big-time weapon he was last year, one they can deploy in a postseason series.”
• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Jacob Webb is proof why it’s too early to worry about one Cubs trade deadline addition. “No need to panic yet.”
• Zachary Draves (ClutchPoints): Edward Cabrera set for new role once he returns from injury. “The Cubs will assign pitcher Edward Cabrera a new role as he is expected to make a return from a finger injury.”
• Evan Altman (Cubs Insider): Shelby Miller’s Incredible Comeback Gains Steam, Jaxon Wiggins Strengthens Case for Bullpen Role. “Back in 2021, Shelby Miller was little more than a punchline about former Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart saying he was a $200 million player because he’d been traded for Jason Heyward.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing about the Cubs pitching as more arms start to get healthy. “One pitcher who may best exemplify this group’s versatility and willingness to do whatever is asked is Javier Assad.”
• Andrew Wright (Yardbarker): Javier Assad’s role versatility has been invaluable for the Cubs. “The surplus of (starting pitching) depth has led to frequent roster moves and role changes that have often affected no one player more than right-hander Javier Assad.”

Prospect Stories:

• Michael Cerami (Bleacher Nation): You Gotta Be Kidding Me: Cubs Will Face the Top Pitching Prospect in Baseball This Weekend. “Cool. Thanks, Mariners. First you drop two of three to the Brewers, and then you call up the top pitching prospect in MLB, Kade Anderson, to face the Cubs immediately thereafter.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cade Townsend is Cubs pitching’s far future, but what’s near future look like when starters hit free agency? “The team’s first-round draft pick this summer is far from the major leagues, but there’s pitching turnover on a much nearer horizon, with the entire at-this-moment starting rotation possibly departing via free agency after this season.”
• Sahadev Sharma (The Athletic {$}): What Cubs first-rounder Cade Townsend lacks in size, he makes up for in confidence. “A 6-foot-1 top pitching prospect for the Cubs, Townsend has the edge to be a potential starter for Chicago.”
• Jared Bloom (Sporting News): Cubs could spark offense with red-hot Triple-A catcher promotion. “Even with a stacked backstop, the Cubs could still give the No. 2 prospect looks.”
• Brett Taylor (Bleacher Nation): Cubs Prospect Jaxon Wiggins is Currently Pitching Very Well in Relief, You Say? “An elbow injury got him early in the year, kept him out for months, and when he finally returned, he was not finding success. The Iowa Cubs moved Wiggins into the bullpen a few appearances ago, and he has thrown three strong single-inning outings since.”

Assorted Stories:

• Jordan Campbell (Cubbies Crib): Former Cubs free agency flop retires as old Jed Hoyer flaw has become a strength. “We’ve come a long way.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Cubs showed off playoff potential with Crosstown series win over postseason-caliber White Sox team. “Though they were blanked in the finale Wednesday, the Cubs won another series against a playoff-caliber team, showing what they’re capable of come October.”
• Zoe Grossman (Chicago Cubs On SI): How the Cubs Can Still Catch the Brewers in the NL Central Race. “Over the last two months, the Chicago Cubs have been playing arguably their best baseball all season.”
• Vinnie Duber (Chicago Sun-Times): Dansby Swanson’s presence will be part of Cubs’ efforts to weather his absence: ‘He turns into another coach’. “Swanson will miss the next four weeks while recovering from a strained oblique, but he’s not expected to stop contributing, with teammates describing him as a coach-type presence.”

Food For Thought:

Vel Omarr is a celebrated soul singer whose voice has captivated audiences across the world. Born and raised on a small farm in the Mississippi Delta, his earliest musical experiences were steeped in Southern gospel traditions—sounds that would shape the emotional depth and expressive power of his artistry. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Sam Cooke, Vel developed a signature vocal style marked by its warmth, clarity, and unmistakable soul.

Vel Omarr’s rise reflects a journey of perseverance and musical devotion. He has performed on stages from the Delta to Chicago and ultimately Los Angeles, the entertainment capital where his career flourished. Along the way, he has shared the stage with iconic artists including James Brown, Etta James, Little Richard, and others. Experience an artist who continues to carry forward the rich legacy of soul and blues with authenticity and heart.

Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.

The Colorado Rockies need pitching. That is obvious in 2026, and the picture does not get much clearer looking toward 2027.

Colorado’s lack of starting depth has already been exposed. Chase Dollander is recovering from elbow surgery. Tomoyuki Sugano and José Quintana are headed for free agency, while Kyle Freeland’s 2027 option is unlikely to vest. Michael Lorenzen has already been designated for assignment.

There is no wave of top pitching prospects waiting to fill the void, either. And the need goes beyond the rotation.

The Rockies have already had 27 different players make at least one relief appearance this season. Colorado does not just need another starter or two. It needs more and better pitching almost everywhere.

How the Rockies fill those holes is almost impossible to predict. Some additions will come through free agency, others through trades, the draft or from within the organization.

But finding pitchers is only part of the problem.

The larger question is what the Rockies are actually trying to build once those pitchers get here.

Colorado has been fairly direct about that. After the trade deadline, Paul DePodesta said the organization was not necessarily looking for one “cookie cutter” pitcher, but instead for “different looks, different angles, different velocities, different pitch mixes.”

That echoed what Tanner Gordon described during spring training, when pitchers were experimenting with new pitches and shapes while pitching coach Alon Leichman emphasized filling up the strike zone and staying on the attack.

Five months later, the staff is beginning to resemble that description.

The staff is changing how it pitches

Across the staff as a whole, one of the clearest changes has been how much less dependent Colorado has become on the four-seam fastball.

Four-seamers accounted for 41.4% of all Rockies pitches in 2025. In 2026, that figure has fallen to 28.9%.

The four-seamer itself was not necessarily the problem.

The monopoly was.

Slider and changeup usage is almost unchanged from last season. Instead, cutter usage has climbed from 3.9% to 12.2%, sinkers have nearly doubled from 7.6% to 14.4% and splitters have also become a larger part of the mix.

The four-seamer has not disappeared. It simply accounts for far less of the staff’s overall pitch mix.

At the team level, that is what DePodesta’s “different looks” and “different pitch mixes” can look like in practice.

Look at the individual parts

Freeland offers a useful baseline. His results have often been uneven, but over more than 1,300 major-league innings, all with Colorado, he has generally remained on the positive side of the WAR ledger, averaging 2.5 bWAR per 162 games.

In 2026, he is throwing six pitches with no offering accounting for much more than a quarter of his usage:

Freeland is not an ideal to build around, but his longevity suggests strike throwing, sequencing and changing looks can make ordinary raw stuff viable in this environment.

The rest of the rotation shows how differently that idea can be applied.

Tomoyuki Sugano may be the clearest example of a true mix-and-match approach. He is using seven pitches in 2026, with his splitter, four-seamer and sinker each accounting for roughly 20% of his usage, while his arsenal stretches from a mid-90s fastball down to a curveball around 80 mph.

Ryan Feltner also works with six pitches, but with a more balanced hierarchy. His four-seamer and slider lead the mix, while his changeup has been his most effective pitch by run value. The fastball has not produced especially good results on its own, but the broader mix gives him multiple velocity bands to work through.

Gabriel Hughes takes a different route. He still throws his four-seamer more than half the time, but complements it with five secondary pitches and nearly seven feet of extension. His repertoire is deep even if the usage is not especially balanced.

Chase Dollander was another variation before undergoing elbow surgery. His nearly 99 mph four-seamer remained the centerpiece and produced strong results, while Colorado continued building around it, including a sweeper added to his arsenal this season.

Quintana fit the experiment as well. His five-pitch mix did not feature one offering above 30% usage, relying more on changing speeds and shapes than overpowering hitters.

Lorenzen might be the clearest reminder that none of this guarantees success. He threw seven different pitches, but could never get enough of them working together consistently and Colorado eventually moved on.

The commonality is not that every Rockies starter pitches the same way. It is almost the opposite. Colorado has assembled a group with broad arsenals that can create different looks in very different ways.

Zach Agnos offers a developing version out of the bullpen.

Agnos has carried the largest relief workload on the staff at 63.2 innings while expanding from essentially four pitches in 2025 to six in 2026. His four-seamer has been hit hard, while the sweeper, slider and splitter have generated considerably more swing-and-miss.

On May 21 at Arizona, Agnos threw five scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with the cutter, sweeper and splitter carrying much of the workload. Five days later, the Dodgers could focus more heavily on the hard stuff when his secondary pitches stopped consistently threatening the zone.

Throwing strikes is not the same as commanding pitches.

When enough of Agnos’ repertoire is competitive around the zone, hitters have to account for several different problems. When they can eliminate parts of it, six pitches become three very quickly.

Adding is only half the job

Having more options does not mean every option has to stay.

Tanner Gordon is a clean example because the experimentation was explicit from the beginning. In spring training, he talked about working on a new one-seam/two-seam fastball, refining his slider and cutter and experimenting with a second changeup shape.

The new fastball shape did not stick.

Gordon has not thrown a sinker since May 25. The curveball remained, the slider became a major piece and Gordon is currently back in the rotation.

A deeper arsenal only helps if the added pitches give hitters something different to account for.

Antonio Senzatela shows the upside of that process.

His four-seam usage fell substantially in 2026, while the cutter and sinker became much larger pieces and his velocity increased. Before being traded at the deadline, Senzatela had a 3.61 ERA in 52.1 innings after posting a 6.65 ERA over 130.0 innings in 2025.

That does not prove the arsenal changes caused the better results. But Senzatela returned looking like a substantially different pitcher, produced better results and ultimately brought back an arm and a flyer at the deadline.

A deeper arsenal is not the whole story

Nick Frasso makes that clear.

He has more than seven feet of extension, a fastball averaging better than 96 mph and a changeup nearly 13 mph slower. Hitters have to account for both the velocity and an unusually deep release point.

The player Colorado traded to acquire Frasso makes the bet even more interesting.

Seth Halvorsen gave the Rockies elite velocity, averaging nearly 99 mph with his four-seamer, plus a swing-and-miss slider. Colorado sent him to Los Angeles for Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek.

Frasso does not throw quite as hard, but he brings exceptional extension and a changeup that gives hitters a much different speed and shape to account for alongside the fastball.

Command remains a problem, but the acquisition is still revealing. The Rockies were not simply looking for the hardest fastball available.

Juan Mejía provides another version. In 2025, he was essentially a two-pitch reliever, throwing a premium-velocity four-seamer and sweeper almost exclusively. Those two pitches still dominate his arsenal in 2026, but Colorado has begun experimenting around them with a sinker, changeup and slider in smaller doses.

Mejía does not get much extension, which may make those additional shapes especially useful around a fastball that still averages about 97 mph. They remain occasional pitches, but the experimentation fits the larger pattern.

An exceptional trait can still be the foundation. The emerging question is what else can be built around it.

What are they actually building?

Colorado needs too many pitchers for every future addition to fit the same pattern.

But enough pitchers have arrived, changed or been moved on from for some common threads to become visible.

There does not appear to be one trait, pitch type or statistical profile Colorado is building toward. What keeps showing up instead is something worth building around, paired with enough credible options to keep hitters from simplifying the at-bat.

Sometimes that starts with velocity. Sometimes it is extension, command, pitch interaction or the shape of the arsenal itself.

So after all of that, has the pitching actually gotten better?

Yes.

Colorado’s staff ERA has fallen from 5.99 in 2025 to 5.51 this season, while its FIP has improved from 5.24 to 4.84. The Rockies are also allowing fewer home runs.

That is meaningful progress.

It is still a bad pitching staff.

There is a huge difference between improving a pitching staff and building a good one.

The question is no longer whether the Rockies have an idea of what they want to build on the mound.

It is whether they can find enough good pitchers to build it with.

On the farm

Triple-A:Las Vegas Aviators 6, Albuquerque Isotopes 4

The Isotopes had plenty of chances to put this one away before a four-run ninth inning sent them to a 6-4 loss against Las Vegas.

Albuquerque collected 12 hits and five walks but went just 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position, stranded 12 and struck out 14 times. Adael Amador went 2-for-5 with his 20th double, while Tyler Freeman, Chad Stevens, Nic Kent and Bryant Betancourt also had two hits. Charlie Condon reached three times with a single and two walks.

Jake Brooks gave Albuquerque six solid innings and left with a 3-2 lead, allowing two runs on eight hits while throwing 55 of 80 pitches for strikes. Patrick Weigel added 1.2 scoreless innings. TJ Shook recorded the final out of the eighth before Las Vegas opened the ninth with four straight singles. Joey Meneses put the Aviators ahead with a sacrifice fly, and a Shook throwing error helped two more runs score.

Albuquerque pushed across one run in the ninth before falling to 61-63. Shook took the loss.

Double-A:Doubleheader:

Game 1 – Hartford Yard Goats 8, Somerset Patriots 1, (7 innings)

Hartford opened the doubleheader with a convincing 8-1 win behind a big night from Cole Messina, who went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer, a two-run single and a sacrifice fly to drive in five. GJ Hill added his 16th homer, while Jared Thomas went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Bryson Hammer earned the win with five innings of one-run ball before Davison Palermo closed it out with two scoreless frames.

Game 2 – Somerset Patriots 6, Hartford Yard Goats 0 (7 innings)

Hartford was held to just one hit in the second seven-inning game, with Jimmy Obertop’s fifth-inning double accounting for the Yard Goats’ only knock. Hartford went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and struck out nine times.

Cade Denton allowed four runs over four innings, though he struck out five and surrendered just three hits. The loss dropped Hartford to 57-60.

High-A:Spokane Indians 6, Hillsboro Hops 1

Spokane got contributions throughout the lineup and another strong night from the pitching staff in a 6-1 win over Hillsboro.

Roldy Brito went 2-for-4, scored a run and stole two bases to reach 19 on the season, while Robert Calaz finished 2-for-4 with his 14th double. Lorenzo Carrier drove in three runs, including a two-run single during Spokane’s three-run eighth inning that put the game away.

Jordy Vargas worked 4.2 innings, allowing one run on five hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. Justin Loer followed with 2.2 scoreless innings and five strikeouts to earn the win, while Seth Clausen retired all five batters he faced and struck out two for the save.

Spokane improved to 54-63.

Single-A:Stockton Ports 9, Fresno Grizzlies 4

Fresno jumped ahead early, but Stockton kept applying pressure throughout the night and pulled away for a 9-4 win.

Daniel Jackson gave the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first, but the Ports answered in the second and then built a 6-1 advantage behind home runs from Drew Burress and Gavin Turley. Fresno made its best push in the sixth when Jack Natili launched a three-run homer to cut the deficit to 6-4.

Stockton answered right back with a run in each of the final three innings to put the game away. Ronny Ugarte finished 2-for-4 with a double, while Landyn Vidourek walked three times.

The loss dropped Fresno to 63-55 and left the Grizzlies two games behind Stockton in the Cal League North second-half playoff race.

Tovar’s heart for helping displayed through children’s work | MLB.com

Thomas Harding highlights Ezequiel Tovar’s work supporting pediatric healthcare in Colorado and Venezuela. Tovar is donating $1,000 for every double this season while also spending time directly with children and their families.

How Willi Castro Has Emerged as Colorado Rockies’ Swiss Army Knife | SI.com

Wesley Dixon looks at Willi Castro’s strong first season in Colorado and the value of his defensive versatility. Castro has already set a career high with 14 homers while appearing at six different positions.

One potential prospect callup for each team | MLB.com

MLB Pipeline names Charlie Condon as the Rockies prospect it would most like to see called up before season’s end. Condon has 22 homers and a .904 OPS in Triple-A.

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

It’s as though Kyle Tucker accidentally became important at work and it ruined his life.

He just so happened to be the best available right fielder on the free agent market at the moment in time that the Dodgers were craving an uptick in right field and another functional bat to further fortify their lineup.

Basically, they wanted just another cog in the machine to help clear a path to a third consecutive World Series championship.

And because money is no object — to the objection of the rest of baseball — instead of offering Tucker a long-term deal with annual pay more in line with his talents, the Dodgers slapped a four-year, $240-million deal on the table.

Said, essentially: Hey, guy, how would you like a Major League Baseball record for average annual value — about $57.1 million per year — not to be the man, but to be a guy?

Not to outshine Shohei Ohtani and his starry pals, not to move merch off the field or do huge numbers on it. Just to quietly do what he did the previous season as a Chicago Cub, when he slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 136 games.

It must have felt like winning the lottery. All the introverted Tucker had to do was be his normal self with the understanding that no one expected him to live up to that Ohtani-type contract, that Juan Soto-esque dough, that Aaron Judge-level cheddar.

It wasn’t that too much was expected of Tucker, it was that only so much was.

That was a weird place to start. And it obviously didn’t help him find his footing as a Dodger, because he still hasn’t gained traction.

“I mean, it’s been a struggle in the sense that I’d like to help our team win and perform better for the guys in the clubhouse and the fans that come to the games,” Tucker said Friday. “In that aspect, I wish I would’ve done better this year. But like I said, we’ve still got a month and a half left and the playoffs coming up, so it’s not over yet.”

Read more:Kyle Tucker finally breaks hitless streak in Dodgers' win, searches for light in dark season

We can’t, of course, say “poor Kyle Tucker” as he strains — less stoically now — to figure it out with the postseason closing in.

But we can wonder if it was a poor decision by the Dodgers, with all of their top-flight minor league outfield prospects, to splurge so steeply?

We can ask whether they should have taken into account the mental makeup of a man who they were asking to carry the weight of a contract so unwieldy he should be embarrassed by it — which is how Tucker looks when he does his inhibited version of the hip-lock, arm wiggle-and-wave dance moves all the Dodgers do when they reach base.

Tucker just hasn’t looked like a true blue Dodger yet; he hasn’t been able to cut loose — especially not here in L.A.

After going 0-for-4 in Friday’s 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tucker is hitting .186 with a .552 OPS at Dodger Stadium. He went 0-for-19 in the Dodgers’ last homestand, when even a game off did nothing to unscramble his mind.

Overall, he’s had it rough in the outfield too, where Statcast’s Fielding Run Value (FRV) measuring a player’s overall defensive value has him rated 96th of 97 right fielders this season.

At present, it doesn’t help that Tucker is one of two high-profile Dodger free-agent busts-so-far.

All-Star closer Edwin Díaz has blown four saves while saving just seven games this season in between stints on the injured list — Tucker and Díaz, insult to injury. For the high-high price of a combined $309 million.

Still, the Dodgers are 78-51. They have the second-best record in baseball, with two fewer wins than the Milwaukee Brewers.

Read more:Shaikin: Why Dodgers aren't panicking over their $60-million bet on Kyle Tucker

And on the road, Tucker has given the Dodgers more of their money’s worth, hitting.272 with a .820 OPS.

So after Wednesday’s two-hit game to close out a sweep in Colorado on Wednesday, Tucker came home and tried the slump-busting tactic of taking batting practice outside on the field Friday for the first as a Dodger.

“Just trying to put up good swings tonight, good at-bats,” he said. “Just trying to move guys over, get guys in, do my part to try to win.”

The crowd participated too Friday, giving Tucker ovations more befitting a hitter on a heater than one on ice each time he stepped to the plate, where he put up a fight all night.

He saw 31 pitches, walked and hit into a 10th-inning fielder’s choice that moved Kiké Hernández to third base before he scored on Tommy Edman’s walk-off single.

Read more:Why the vitriol for the Dodgers' Kyle Tucker was so thick at Wrigley Field

Moral victories for $240 million, Alex? That’s not what the Dodgers bargained for.

But they’ll take it.

“I loved his at-bats,” said Roberts after Friday’s victory, picking up where the Dodgers’ crowd left off. “That’s one of the things I’m going to make sure I do, is encourage him.”

Because one magic moment in October will make it all worth it.

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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Good morning, baseball fans!

Another week of San Francisco Giants baseball comes to a close this weekend, so it’s time to make our picks for Player of the Week!

This week, I’m going with a player who made their MLB debut and did pretty well, all things considered. My pick this week is pitcher Matt Wilkinson, who made his debut in the Giants’ 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Wilkinson allowed just one hit in his two inning start. Is it a small sample size? Absolutely. But two innings of scoreless baseball in your debut is nothing to sneeze at.

Good job, rook!

Who is your pick for this week’s Player of the Week?

What time do the Giants play today?

The Giants continue this three-game series against the Boston Red Sox this afternoon at 4:15 p.m. PT.

Good morning Birdland,

The Orioles four-game skid came to an end on Friday night as they beat the Rays 5-3. Pete Alonso stole the show with his 30th home run of the season and a snazzy diving put out to lead the O’s to the win. But Trevor Rogers also made a difference, delivering seven innings and allowing just three runs on six hits, one walk, and six strikeouts.

The losing streak did cost the Orioles in the standings. They are now two games back of the final AL wild card spot rather than controlling their own destiny like they were a few days ago. But I’m willing to go out on a limb and say that if they go undefeated from here on out they will make the playoffs anyway. So just do that? Seems simple!

More seriously, the win on Friday was a blueprint for how the Orioles have wanted to play all season. They got a good start from Rogers and limited exposure of the bullpen. They also hit two home runs. The 157 home runs that the Orioles have hit rank ninth in MLB this season, which is good, but they probably expected to be even higher.

Dylan Beavers launched a solo shot in the third inning, his third home run in as many days. He is one of several Orioles that the team has needed more out of. His recent hot streak has improved his overall numbers to the point that he now owns a league average 100 wRC+ on the year.

Coby Mayo (98 wRC+) and Jackson Holliday (96 wRC+) are two other names that have seen their numbers improve post-all star break. A continued upward trend from this young trio is needed in order for the Orioles to make an honest run at a playoff spot. And don’t forget Gunnar Henderson (99 wRC+), who may have to finally find his “MVP” form as September nears.

Another matchup with the Rays awaits tonight. That has been good news for the Orioles recently. First pitch is set for 7:05.

Links

Holliday’s Players’ Weekend bat features … his dog Coconut! | MLB.com
Many of the players will be rocking custom bats, cleats, and other gear this weekend. Jackson Holliday is featuring his dog, Coconut. Samuel Basallo reps the Dominican Republic. Beavers has…well, a beaver. It’s good stuff!

O’s closer Bautista (shoulder surgery) to begin rehab assignment Sunday | MLB.com
This is exciting! The version of Félix Bautista we saw in 2025 was not as dominant as the 2023 iteration. That was after elbow surgery. Could we see another dip in form following a shoulder procedure? Maybe. But even that feels like a vital upgrade to a bullpen that desperately needs a late-inning arm. Whatever he can provide in 2026 feels like a bonus to what he can do in 2027 and beyond.

Orioles Designate Albert Suárez For Assignment | MLB Trade Rumors
Yet again, Suárez has drawn the short straw for the Orioles. This move was all about getting a fresh arm in the bullpen. The 36-year-old threw 36 pitches on Thursday, and the team needed reinforcements. This is the fourth time the Orioles have DFA’ed him this year alone. Odds are he ends up sticking with the Orioles, but he will need to go through waivers first. A team in need of some bullpen depth might snag him.

Orioles’ Christian Franklin has shown a knack for getting on base. His unique approach helps. | The Baltimore Banner
There is some consternation around Franklin’s presence amongst the Birdland faithful. Why him over Enrique Bradfield Jr.? Well, Franklin has played better at Triple-A this year, and he’s right-handed. The fit for what the Orioles need right now was just better. He’s probably never going to be an everyday player, but could work in the mold of Ryan McKenna from a few seasons ago. There is value there. Just don’t drop any can-o-corn pop ups, in Boston, Christian!

This, that and the other | Roch Kubatko
The question of who gets promoted when the rosters expand on September 1 is bandied about here. Blaze Alexander feels like a no-brainer, and the timing could be just about right. Maybe he is up a couple of days sooner even. Bautista feels less likely, simply because I expect the Orioles to take things slow there. Luis De León is also mentioned. The Orioles didn’t move him to the bullpen so suddenly for no reason. They seem keen to give him a big league audition.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Chayce McDermott turns 28 today. Acquired from the Astros as a prospect in the Trey Mancini trade, McDermott emerged in the big leagues with Baltimore in 2024. He would end up pitching in just five total games through 2025 before he was dealt to the Dodgers earlier this year.
• Randy Wolf is 50 years old. The lefty came to Baltimore near the end of his 16-season MLB career. During the magical 2012 season in Baltimore, Wolf was signed at the end of August and appeared in five games for the squad.
• Steve Kline turns 54. The southpaw spent the 2005 season working out of the Orioles bullpen, where he had a 4.28 ERA over 61 total innings. The O’s traded him to the Giants after the season in exchange for fellow reliever LaTroy Hawkins.
• The late Angelo Dagres (b. 1934, d. 2017) was born on this day. He played in eight MLB games, all of which came with the 1955 Orioles.

This day in O’s history

1966 – Frank Robinson nearly drowns after falling into a pool at a private party, but he is saved by Andy Etchebarren, who dives in to rescue him.

1998 – Cal Ripken Jr. scores his 1,500th career run as part of Baltimore’s 6-3 win over Cleveland.

2007 – The Orioles are torched by the Rangers, 30-3. The game sets several records, all of them embarrassing for the Orioles. What’s worse, that was the first game of a double-header. The Orioles lose the nightcap too, though with a more respectable 9-7 scoreline.

We assume that being on the IL is only about physical recovery. The hard work of physical recovery is arduous and some days, a return to health feels entirely out of reach. It’s also not necessarily a linear progression, but very much a two-steps-forward-one-step-back scenario.

There’s a huge mental piece too.

I’m no ballplayer, of course, and not a star, either—but I understand the simmering anxiety of the injured superstar. I’ve been where they are and have been on the IL myself since May 2025. Since my initial ailment, I went down with another and underwent surgery that completely stalled my initial rehab. I’m the Triston Casas of Northeast Seattle.

Though my version of the IL obviously looks a lot different from Trevor Story’s or Triston’s, I’m sure that the most foundational, human parts of it are the same: physical pain of course, persistence, anger, surprises (both good and bad), sadness, victory, and more.

Trevor Story Battles Back

Since Story recently began a rehab assignment in Worcester, let’s look at his situation first. I’m positive he’s been worried about his job; I know this because I worried (and still do) about mine. I went on official medical leave for a while; I’ve had to ask for favors and some grace. My boss has been wonderful but that hasn’t stopped me from being concerned that I was overlooking something. I don’t want people to think I’ve checked out. Sometimes I try to do more so people don’t think I’m doing less. On top of that, several coworkers told me they hadn’t even realized I was gone when I was on medical leave, which felt…awful.

There’s a lot at play here.

Put yourself in Trevor Story’s shoes, under the magnifying glass of a big-market team in a playoff hunt. You’re at home recovering, or more recently, sitting on a bench in Triple-A Worcester watching guys like Nick Sogard an Mickey Gasper hit home runs in the big leagues in your place. Imagine the existential, psychological panic. How do you not think of Wally Pipp?

Who Was Wally Pipp?

Pipp led the American League in home runs twice, and won three consecutive American League pennants and a World Series with the Yankees. In June 1925, he was benched for sub-par performance, then permanently lost his starting job to Lou Gehrig, who took the field instead and notched the second game in what would become a streak of 2,130 consecutive games played.

Legend has it that the manager overheard Pipp request two aspirin for a headache and told him to sit it out and feel better. Enter Gehrig and the rest was history. Not true (see The Luckiest Man by Jonathan Eig, one of the best baseball books there is). Pipp himself helped create that legend because he preferred to shake his head over the (imaginary) power of two little aspirin and a lot of bad luck; maybe he found this easier to swallow than admitting his poor play had forced the manager’s hand. Maybe he wanted to go out on his own terms, as the butt of his own aw-shucks joke, becoming part of the Lou Gehrig story, rather than being erased.

Imagine that terrifying realization—that your team might be more fun, more cohesive, or simply better without you. That is definitely the case with the Red Sox without Story. He will never have the 15-win streak, the records, even the trauma-bonding that preceded the highs of this impossible summer. It all happened without him.

Is it any wonder that Story has been publicly pushing to come back, possibly as soon as this weekend?

Injured players aren’t just fighting their own bodies as they try to mold them back into form through PT, macronutrients, and sheer will; they are fighting real demons. It can get pretty dark on this big, beautiful journey [sarcasm font] back to health.

Self-Imposed Pressures

Because the replacement players have so completely raised the bar, the pressure Story has put on himself to perform immediately is probably so thick he could choke on it. And of course, we’re all watching. And waiting. And ready to talk about what he does (or doesn’t) do.

While Story is freaking about potentially being Wally Pipped by any one of Andruw Monasterio, Nick Sogard, or even Anthony Seigler (if we throw Story’s experience at second base into the mix), he’ll be back. His contract practically guarantees it. Trevor Story knows thatmodern front offices do not care about a feel-good story (no pun intended, though I’m a sucker for a brilliant New York Post-style headline). Craig Breslow is looking at numbers: data, production, salary. In Story’s case, the data (namely the salary) favors the return of the injured star, not the continued journey of the underdog. The front office doesn’t want him (and his big paycheck) to sit on the bench if they can help it.

But think of Tanner Houck.

I strongly identified with Houck when we both went on the IL at more or less the same time. But then we went on our respective journeys and it’s fitting that Dan Secatore just this week called Tanner Houck the “former Red Sox All-Star who has become something of a forgotten man.” That’s what happens when you’re on the shelf for an extended period.

Think of Triston Casas, who is too young and hasn’t played nearly long enough to be where Wally Pipp once was. After his latest setback, you have to wonder if Casas has maybe started to entertain the idea of a career in commercial real estate or something instead of baseball. I don’t say that to be unkind, but that’s the sort of thing that goes through your mind when it feels like you’re watching the world go by. I know a little about this.

I have talked extensively with my therapist about all of this, and I’m absolutely certain any pro athlete on the IL has talked with the team’s sports psychologist. About the frustrations—those pile up. The fear of missing out. About watching everyone else have fun, being carefree, pain-free, med-free. The victories, as tiny as they are sometimes.

There’s certainly no Lou Gehrig waiting in the wings to take Story’s job…simply some lesser-known players who have stepped up in a big way, filled in while he and others were gone, and succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. That must be giving Trevor fits, and I feel for the guy.

We’ll see how this continues to unfold.

You could have fooled me that this was Player’s Weekend until I started seeing different bats and cleats showing up on my timeline. I miss the days when they had different uniforms for the weekend. At least it was something different.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• Bryson Stott and his approach at the plate has fueled the offense that has been on fire since the All-Star break ($).
• Luis Arraez is one of the best pure hitters in the game today. Having batting practice in his hotel room helps with that ($).

MLB news:

• The Padres were considered a small market team. Then they started spending and winning. Now, they’re a $3.9 billion monster in the sport ($).
• The Ketel Marte saga continues as he meets with the front office and team, then goes on the injured list with a knee issue.
• If teams were looking to add a prospect to their roster in these final weeks from their farm system, here is a candidate for each team.

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Our Saturday MLB moneyline predictions have a nice mix of short favorites and solid underdogs in terrific individual and team matchups, including the San Diego Padres as -156 home favorites when they host the Minnesota Twins. 

Read on for my MLB moneyline predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, Aug. 22.

MLB moneyline picks for August 22

Matchup	Pick
Blue Jays vs Yankees	-117
Braves vs Brewers	-127
Nationals vs Marlins	-170
Cardinals vs Phillies	-127
Rays vs Orioles	-122
Angels vs Rangers	-144
Athletics vs Astros	+213
Mets vs White Sox	-108
Giants vs Red Sox	+178
Tigers vs Royals	-113
Cubs vs Mariners	-108
Pirates vs Dodgers	+233
Guardians vs Rockies	-122
Reds vs Diamondbacks	-138
Twins vs Padres	-156

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 8-22.

Expert MLB moneyline picks for Aug. 22

Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from the previous two weeks.

Blue Jays vs Yankees: Yankees (-117)

Yankees win probability: 53.9%

New York holds a massive bullpen advantage with a 2.94 SIERA compared to Toronto’s league-worst 5.30 SIERA. While Toronto posted a higher BABIP (.319 vs. .290) and wOBA (.321 vs. .295), the Yankees' late-inning relief dominance provides the decisive edge to lock down the victory in the late frames.

Braves vs Brewers: Brewers (-127)

Brewers win probability: 55.9%

Milwaukee’s bullpen boasts an elite 3.43 SIERA, easily outclassing Atlanta’s 3.64 mark. Over the last two weeks, the Brewers’ offense has been far superior, posting a .325 wOBA and .330 BABIP against Atlanta’s ice-cold lineup (.264 wOBA, .258 BABIP). Milwaukee holds clear command across the entire plate-discipline and run-prevention profile.

Nationals vs Marlins: Marlins (-170)

Marlins win probability: 63%

Miami holds offensive leverage over Washington during the last two weeks, generating a .329 wOBA and .319 BABIP compared to the Nationals’ .306 wOBA and .299 BABIP. While Washington’s bullpen holds a slight SIERA edge (3.44 vs. 3.77), Miami’s superior efficiency and run creation at the dish should deliver the home victory.

Cardinals vs Phillies: Phillies (-127)

Phillies win probability: 55.9%

Philadelphia matches up cleanly against St. Louis with a superior bullpen SIERA of 3.91 versus the Cardinals' 4.53 mark. The Phillies' lineup also holds a distinct offensive edge, posting a higher wOBA (.332 to .329) and BABIP (.297 to .288) to control the scoreboard in this home matchup.

Rays vs Orioles: Rays (-122)

Rays win probability: 55%

Angels vs Rangers: Rangers (-144)

Rangers win probability: 59%

Texas gets home-field positioning despite the Angels boasting a slate-best 2.92 bullpen SIERA over Texas’s 4.40 mark. While Los Angeles produced a slightly higher wOBA (.285 vs. .267) and BABIP (.299 vs. .264) recently, the Rangers’ overall lineup and starting pitching edge should carry them through.

Athletics vs Astros: Athletics (+213)

Athletics win probability: 31.9%

The Athletics hold significant offensive leverage over ice-cold Houston, outproducing the Astros in wOBA (.319 vs. .269) and BABIP (.273 vs. .226). While Houston maintains a bullpen edge (3.52 vs. 4.36 SIERA), laying -223 chalk on a sub-.270 wOBA lineup is unwise, making the A’s a live dog.

Mets vs White Sox: White Sox (-108)

White Sox win probability: 51.9%

The White Sox offense has been scorching, posting a slate-best .341 wOBA alongside a .291 BABIP to outpace the Mets (.321 wOBA, .285 BABIP). With Chicago’s bullpen also holding a clear SIERA advantage (4.00 vs. 4.35), the White Sox are primed to take this near coin-flip contest.

Giants vs Red Sox: Giants (+178)

Giants win probability: 36%

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

The Detroit Tigers opened up the second half of their six-game road trip on Friday night with a 5-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals, extending the latter’s winning streak to seven games. Troy Melton came close to throwing a quality start, but the bullpen did as it has been wont to this season and the offense sputtered, resulting in the defeat.

Making his fifth start of the season for the Tigers is right-hander Drew Anderson, who had done well as an extended opener over two outings before his last one, posting a 1.17 ERA but a suspicious 4.91 FIP before getting tagged in his most recent appearance. Against the Chicago White Sox in Detroit, he surrendered three runs on four hits (one home run) and two walks in what ultimately resulted in a 7-5 loss.

Anderson’s relief efforts against the Royals this season have been… less than optimal, to say the least. On April 16, he coughed up three runs in 1/3 inning of work; on May 10, he surrendered three runs in two innings; on July 23, he gave up a run in one inning of work. It is hard to trust him much on Saturday with that track record.

Against Anderson for Kansas City is Michael Wacha, who has struggled over his last two starts after a mostly strong showing this season. Stretching across his last 11 2/3 innings of work, the 35-year-old has posted a 5.40 ERA and 6.17 FIP, surrendering 13 hits (four home runs) but nary a walk while striking out eight, earning a win in the process.

However, in his two outings against the Tigers this season, Wacha has been solid, throwing a pair of quality starts. On May 9, he threw seven scoreless frames on two hits and two walks while striking out six; on July 25, he tossed another seven innings of two-run ball on six hits (one home run) and two walks and three strikeouts — both for team wins.

Here’s how the two match up on paper for the second of the three-game series. But first, a look at how bad the Tigers’ bullpen has been in high-leverage situations before Friday night. 

Detroit Tigers (61-67) vs. Kansas City Royals (56-74)

Time (ET): 7:15 p.m.
Place: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
SB Nation Site:Royals Review
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network

Game 129: RHP Drew Anderson (4-4, 4.01 ERA) vs. RHP Michael Wacha (6-8, 3.58 ERA)

ANDERSON

WACHA