Matt Arnold, Milwaukee Brewers president of baseball operations and general manager, listens as principal owner Mark Attanasio speaks with reporters Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Brewers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
We’re back with another Reacts Survey, and we’re asking fans if they’d like to see the Brewers make a splashy move or continue their “take bites of the apple” approach at this year’s trade deadline.
The Brewers’ last truly “splashy” move came way back in 2008, when the team traded four prospects to Cleveland to get CC Sabathia. Sabathia then made 17 starts in less than three months, going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, 2.44 FIP, and 128 strikeouts over 130 2/3 innings, including seven complete games to help the Brewers sneak into the playoffs as the Wild Card.
Since then, the Brewers have made several smaller moves at just about every deadline, including the following moves in recent seasons under David Stearns/Matt Arnold:
2018: Acquired Mike Moustakas from the Royals, Joakim Soria from the White Sox, and Jonathan Schoop from the Orioles
2019: Acquired Jordan Lyles from the Pirates and Drew Pomeranz and Ray Black from the Giants; traded Jesús Aguilar to the Rays for Jake Faria
2020 (COVID-shortened season): Acquired David Phelps from the Phillies
2021: Acquired John Curtiss from the Marlins, Daniel Norris from the Tigers, and Eduardo Escobar from the D-backs
2022: Acquired Trevor Rosenthal from the Giants and Matt Bush from the Rangers; traded Josh Hader to the Padres for Taylor Rogers, Robert Gasser, Esteury Ruiz, and Dinelson Lamet
2023: Acquired Andrew Chafin from the D-backs, Mark Canha from the Mets, and Carlos Santana from the Pirates; traded Luis Urías to the Red Sox for Bradley Blalock
2024: Acquired Frankie Montas from the Reds, Nick Mears from the Rockies, Tyler Jay from the Mets, and Aaron Civale from the Rays
2025: Acquired Shelby Miller and Jordan Montgomery from the D-backs and Danny Jansen from the Rays; traded Nestor Cortes to the Padres for Brandon Lockridge
As you can see from that list, there are no mega-deals. The closest thing would be trading Josh Hader, which was big for the other team (the Padres) and more so seemed to just upset fans and even the clubhouse. With big trade candidates like Tarik Skubal, Luis Arraez, Casey Mize, Sonny Gray, Joe Ryan, and Aroldis Chapman (to only name a few) potentially available at the deadline, would you like to see the Brewers make a big move? Or would you rather they continue their “bites of the apple” approach?
Weigh in below and stay tuned for results later this week!
The Atlanta Braves own a strong 22-14 record vs. left-handed starters this season, and are -150 favorites to add to the win total today against the St. Louis Cardinals.
My Cardinals vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks see value in backing them to do just that on June 30.
Who will win Cardinals vs Braves today: Braves (-150)
The Braves are powerful but rank only 23rd in OBP against lefties. There may not be enough traffic to score the necessary amount to push this game Over the total.
I’d play the Under to -110.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 46-35, +1.50 units
Over/Under bets: 43-34-4, +4.79 units
Cardinals vs Braves weather
Temperatures could reach the 90s, with a small amount of wind blowing out. Boost to the bats.
Cardinals vs Braves odds
Moneyline: Cardinals +130 | Braves -150
Run line: Cardinals +1.5 (-150) | Braves -1.5 (+130)
Over/Under: Over 9.0 (-120) | Under 9.0 (+100)
Cardinals vs Braves trend
St. Louis has hit the game total Under in 27 of its last 45 games (+9.40 units, 19% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Braves.
How to watch Cardinals vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Cumberland, GA
Date
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
Cardinals.TV, BravesVision
Cardinals starting pitcher
Matthew Liberatore (3-5, 5.56 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Martin Perez (6-4, 3.00 ERA)
Cardinals vs Braves latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 15: John Collins #20 of the LA Clippers stands for the National Anthem before the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 15, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA Draft is over. Mike Gansey and the new-look Sixers’ front office did well in selecting Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. 22nd overall.
There isn’t much rest for the weary as teams can begin speaking to free agents this week. On Monday, the team picked up their options on Dominick Barlow and Dalen Terry, while not picking up Trendon Watford’s. While the Sixers filled a hole on their roster by getting a backup lead ball-handler in Philon, the team has plenty of others.
“You look at our roster, we need help at every position, one through five,” Gansey said following the first round of the draft. “Obviously, we have the Big 4, but we need guys outside of them.”
As we all saw, the Sixers’ top-heavy roster was a big part of their undoing in the postseason. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George and Joel Embiid expended so much energy in the 3-1 comeback against the Celtics, they had nothing left — and got little help — when they got swept by the eventual champion Knicks.
One of the most obvious places they could look to upgrade is the four position. With how well George handled his wing assignments during the playoffs and the landscape of the position in free agency, it might make more sense to target a starting-caliber four than a wing. While Barlow gave the Sixers good minutes at the position last season, they could use an upgrade.
Over the last week or so, Tony Jones of The Athletic has continually brought up an interesting name: John Collins. Would that be possible? How would it look? Is it worth it? Let’s dive in.
Collins is entering his 10th NBA season, yet he’s still just 28 years old. He’s never been an All-Star, but he’s played in 541 games, starting 466 of them. He also took the floor for 29 playoff games with the Hawks (you might remember a few of those). After six years in Atlanta, he was traded to Utah in a cost-cutting move in 2023. He spent two seasons with the Jazz before going to the Clippers in the deal that sent Norman Powell to the Heat.
For his career, Collins has averaged 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 28.9 minutes per game on 54.6/36.9/78.9 shooting splits. At a minimum, he’s proven to be a starting-caliber four for almost a decade. His skillset is ideal in many ways for the Sixers. Collins will bring athleticism, rebounding, shooting and weakside rim protection.
He’s a highlight-reel dunk waiting to happen and would be an excellent pick-and-roll partner for Maxey, Edgecombe and Philon. He’s long been one of the better play finishers in the NBA and looked plenty spry this past season in Los Angeles. He’s a good cutter and has plenty of experience alongside high-usage players. Collins will also run the floor, which should make for exciting transition opportunities with the Sixers’ young guards.
His ability on the offensive glass (2.7 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes) and to sneak out to the corners for threes makes him an ideal option next to Joel Embiid. We all know of the issues Embiid has had with rebounding the last few seasons. Collins will help on the defensive glass as well (7.0 per 36 minutes), a sore spot for the Sixers, especially in the postseason. Other than one down season in Atlanta, Collins has typically been an above-average shooter from deep. He’s hit 39.1% of his triples over the last three seasons on decent volume (4.3 attempts per game).
At 6-foot-9 with a near 7-foot wingspan, Collins could even give Nick Nurse some minutes at the five depending on the matchup. It’s not a look you’d want to go to every night, but Collins’ physical profile does give Nurse a little more optionality with his lineups.
The on-court fit makes sense, but what about the financials?
It’s hard to know how Collins’ market will shake out. The deal he was previously signed to under the old CBA is unlikely to be available to him this time around. With the Sixers’ current cap sheet, they could theoretically sign Collins using the whole non-taxpayer mid-level exception ($15 million). Because the team is so top-heavy, they wouldn’t have space to do much else — which could mean Oubre and Quentin Grimes will be moving on. They’d also potentially have access to the bi-annual exception ($5.5 million), which could net them one player above the minimum. The rest of the roster would have to be filled out by vet minimums.
So, you’re looking at a starting five of Maxey, Edgecombe, George, Collins and Embiid. On paper, that’s one of the better starting groups in the NBA. On paper. The health of Embiid and George will determine how good that starting unit actually is.
The bench would be flawed but interesting.
As far as high-profile names go, the free agency market isn’t very ripe at center and the wing, but there are a few intriguing names the team could look to fill in the last few roster spots. Maybe you can throw the bi-annual exception at someone like Kenrich Williams and give a big like Nick Richards or Marvin Bagley III a minimum. Or flip that scenario and use the BAE on a big (someone like Jock Landale) and take a flyer on a minimum wing.
Hell, it’s not inconceivable for the Sixers to make the aforementioned moves while still having a little room to re-sign Oubre. He’d be coming back on a discount, and it would put the team right up against the first apron, but it would make for a fairly competitive roster in the East. Looking at all the reports this offseason, Grimes’ name has come up on more than one occasion, but there hasn’t been much regarding Oubre’s market.
So, would Collins be worth it? I’d vote yes — if the Sixers have the ability to follow a similar blueprint to what I laid out. If you can line up Collins’ contract to expire by the time Embiid and George are gone, all the better (for what it’s worth, the longest deal he can sign is four years at the NTMLE). Even if Collins gets a three- or four-year deal, it would be pretty easy to move a $15-million expiring contract when that time comes.
With this plan, you’re giving it a shot with this current group, while not using any premium future assets. It’s the best of both worlds and perhaps the best you can do while operating on two timelines.
The New York Yankees are -135 favorites to snap their five-game losing skid on Tuesday night.
With Cam Schlittler set to take on a struggling Detroit offense, my Tigers vs. Yankees predictions and MLB picks are backing New York to get back in the win column on Tuesday, June 30
Who will win Tigers vs Yankees today: Yankees moneyline (-135)
It’s not going to get any easier against Cam Schlittler. He's faced nine opponents who rank Bottom-10 in OPS vs. right-handed pitching this season, and owns a 1.34 ERA in those games. He's allowed more than a single run just once in that sample.
Conversely, Tarik Skubal has allowed multiple runs in five straight, including a couple of four-spots. The New York Yankees are missing key bats, but still have juice vs. lefties.
Playing Overs with a pair of elite pitchers on the mound is a scary proposition, but the circumstances call for it.
Temperatures are expected to approach the 90s in this game, making for perfect conditions for the ball to carry in an already hitter-friendly ballpark.
Neither offense has garnered great results of late, but the Tigers lead the majors in fly-ball rate this month, while the Yankees come in at eighth.
If the ball is consistently being put in the air in excellent hitter conditions, the runs should follow.
I’d play Over 7 to -130.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 46-35, +1.50 units
Over/Under bets: 43-34-4, +4.79 units
Tigers vs Yankees weather
With temperatures in the high 80s, the ball should carry well in what is already a very hitter-friendly environment. Clear boost to the bats.
Tigers vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Tigers +115 | Yankees -135
Run line: Tigers +1.5 (-190) | Yankees -1.5 (+160)
Over/Under: Over 7 (-115) | Under 7 (-105)
Tigers vs Yankees trend
Detroit has only hit the moneyline in 17 of its last 50 away games (-18.20 units, -33% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Tigers vs. Yankees.
How to watch Tigers vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
First pitch
7:05 p.m. ET
TV
TBS
Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal (3-4, 3.32 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Cam Schlittler (8-4, 1.62 ERA)
Tigers vs Yankees latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PHOENIX — It wasn’t the first time a Giants starter learned of Tony Vitello’s plan when the first-year manager began to implement it or let it be known to the press.
Tyler Mahle first and foremost blamed himself for not realizing that his workload would be limited in his second start back from the injured list, or where his pitch count stood when the fifth inning began in Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.
But these are things that shouldn’t require a pitcher to wonder, or even be especially alert.
The Giants, and Vitello, have a pitching coach, an assistant pitching coach and a director of pitching.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle being removed from the game. Getty Images
But neither Justin Meccage, nor Christian Wonders, nor Frank Anderson, in addition to Vitello, apparently felt it was necessary to relay to their starting pitcher that he would only have 85 pitches to work with before he took the mound, or that he was 18 away from reaching that limit when the fifth inning began.
“I didn’t know the pitch count, or else I probably would have went about that [last] at-bat differently,” Mahle said. “I thought it was just going to be normal. But I guess I should’ve realized. It was my second start back. It’s not like I was going to throw 100 today.”
Mahle, however, was left to guess. And with that logic, he determined the best plan of attack against Ketel Marte with two runners already on base and one out in the fifth was to pitch around Arizona’s best hitter.
Marte had nine hits in 16 previous at-bats against Mahle, including three doubles and his third homer against him leading off the game. He added a second walk to his ledger on Mahle’s final five pitches, then came around to score on the bases-clearing double from Geraldo Perdomo that followed off Sam Hentges.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tyler Mahle throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Phoenix. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
The three-RBI knock put the Giants in a 5-1 hole and they never recovered.
“I didn’t realize I was on a pitch limit of like 85 or whatever, so Ketel was up there and he’s done well against me, so I’m like, I’m not gonna give him anything to hit, and then walked him,” Mahle said. “And then I got taken out.”
For whatever surprise came over Mahle when he saw Vitello emerge from the dugout, it would have paled in comparison to the reaction from Logan Webb if his no-hit bid in Milwaukee had stayed intact much longer. Vitello said he planned to pull his ace, also in his second game back from the injured list, despite Webb’s (light-hearted) insistence that he would have gone all the way to 200 to finish the job.
Wires got crossed in Webb’s next start, resulting in him coming out after 99 pitches and Keaton Winn blowing a save and injuring his elbow in the process, pitching in his third straight game.
Now more than halfway into the first season of his unprecedented endeavor as the first college coach to take over a big-league club, Vitello has been asked a few times lately about lessons he’s learned.
A common theme in his answers has been how rare it is to get the entire team together in one room.
“Everybody’s on a different schedule,” he said the other day. “Getting the team on the same page is one of our responsibilities. I don’t want to say it’s tricky, but it’s definitely different than what it was from my prior experience.”
The issues go both ways: When a group of Giants pitchers decided they were going to protest the team’s Pride Night, Vitello said he had “no idea” that they were planning to write Bible verses on their caps, in violation of MLB’s uniform code, stirring a national controversy that has become a three-week distraction.
And it’s not like Mahle was the only player who didn’t have his head in the game Monday night. Victor Bericoto forgot the count and got caught meandering between first and second base, though there’s not much first base coach Shane Robinson could do about that one.
Does that communication sound “inadequate” or “not clear”?
After all, those were adjectives straight from Rob Manfred that the commissioner used to describe the Giants’ organization under Vitello and their equally green president of baseball operations who hired him straight from the college ranks, Buster Posey.
Remember the qualities Posey said he was looking for in Bob Melvin’s replacement? He wanted a manager who was “obsessive about the details.” Does this look like that?
You don’t even have to look that far into the past to find another example of a player expressing surprise at the manager’s decision to pull him from a ballgame.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello watches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Chase Field. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
At least Mahle had the grace to put the blame on himself.
“Looking back, it was probably obvious that I wasn’t going to throw more than 15 pitches more than my last start after not starting for a few weeks,” Mahle said. “I didn’t even really think about it. It’s pretty normal to progress by 10, 15 pitches, so I should’ve realized that. And I didn’t realize where my pitch count was in that inning. I guess I did throw a lot in that inning.”
Mahle didn’t exactly do himself any favors when he walked the leadoff batter and gave No. 9 hitter Tommy Troy a two-strike fastball that was hittable enough for him to lift it into right field.
Before the fifth, he had been cruising since allowing a leadoff home run to Marte.
The pocket of the order starting with Perdomo was predetermined to be a target for Hentges, Vitello said, especially given Mahle’s pitch count. They were only expecting five innings from him in his last start against the Braves but needed only 70 pitches to make it through 5 ⅔.
“We were gonna go to 85 pitches with him, and I think he landed literally right there on the dot,” Vitello said. “That was the spot we were going to Sam, regardless. If [Mahle] would’ve rolled 1-2-3, he would’ve just started the [next] inning. It didn’t work out. He didn’t throw the ball as well as he did against the Braves.”
Whether or not that feedback was communicated to Mahle, however, was not clear.
And, as he learned, it’s not same to assume on this team.
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VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers are bringing back Carl Grundstrom on a one-year, $1 million contract, according to a report Tuesday by TSN’s Darren Dreger.
Grundstrom was set to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The 28-year-old forward gave the Flyers a solid lift in a bottom-six role after starting last season with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. He was somewhat of an afterthought when he came to the Flyers in the October trade that sent Ryan Ellis’ contract to the Sharks.
But Grundstrom ended up playing 47 games for the Flyers. He recorded nine goals, four assists and a plus-7 rating in 11:51 minutes per game. He opened eyes with a heater in December, when he scored seven goals over an 11-game stretch.
The Flyers liked his speed and pace on the fourth line. He even played a little bit of center when needed. He added an assist in three playoff games.
With the Flyers’ trade of Garnet Hathaway last week, some opportunity opened for Grundstrom to return. He’ll give the Flyers a veteran depth option come training camp and some good competition for their young wingers.
Grundstrom was set to become an unrestricted free agent Wednesday. The 28-year-old forward gave the Flyers a solid lift in a bottom-six role after starting last season with AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. He was somewhat of an afterthought when he came to the Flyers in the October trade that sent Ryan Ellis’ contract to the Sharks.
But Grundstrom ended up playing 47 games for the Flyers. He recorded nine goals, four assists and a plus-7 rating in 11:51 minutes per game. He opened eyes with a heater in December, when he scored seven goals over an 11-game stretch.
The Flyers liked his speed and pace on the fourth line. He even played a little bit of center when needed. He added an assist in three playoff games.
With the Flyers’ trade of Garnet Hathaway last week, some opportunity opened for Grundstrom to return. He’ll give the Flyers a veteran depth option come training camp and some good competition for their young wingers.
At this point, the Philadelphia Flyers aren't expected to do a whole lot with the weak NHL free agent market when it opens on Wednesday, though they could always try to swoop back in for a former top KHL free agent they coveted this time last year.
On Monday, ahead of the 5 p.m. deadline, the New York Islanders did not tender a qualifying offer to pending restricted free agent Maxim Shabanov, making him an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any of the other 31 NHL teams, starting on Wednesday, July 1.
Now, while the Islanders could always sign the former KHL starlet to a more team-friendly deal worth less than what is qualifying offer would have been, Shabanov has the opportunity to re-evaluate his playing career in the NHL if he chooses.
Of course, the Flyers were one of the teams heavily in pursuit of Shabanov, 25, until the very end, when he chose Patrick Roy and the Islanders as his NHL destination.
The formerly undrafted Russian wasn't terribly unproductive for a cheap free agent signing when he did play; 18 points in 44 games is not far off from a 40-point pace and 0.5 points per game.
But, at 5-foot-9 and with limited experience on North American ice, Shabanov was not able to earn the trust of head coaches Roy and Pete DeBoer in time to establish a foothold on a spot in the lineup that would best take advantage of his skillset.
Now, the Flyers don't exactly need another small winger, but their situation as it relates to the NHL roster is more or less unchanged from last year, when they were in pursuit of him.
Rodrigo Abols, Nick Deslauriers, and Garnet Hathaway have seen their roster spots taken by rookies Denver Barkey, Alex Bump, and Porter Martone, so the straight swap of three and three could still leave the Flyers room for Shabanov if their plan for him, if they still have one, remains the same.
Again, on paper, it's hard to imagine a fit without mental gymnastics, but the Flyers have a propensity for bringing in players they like when the time and opportunity are right.
Now that Shabanov is temporarily unshackled from the Islanders, now could be that time.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards reacts on the sideline during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on April 9, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s June 30. It’s my birthday (I’m getting old).
But I know when it’s my birthday, it’s time to chat about NBA FREE AGENCY! Teams can start negotiating today!
Jun 29, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics outfielder Colby Thomas (32) jogs toward home plate after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Morning all and welcome to Tuesday!
The club got their teeth knocked in last night in the series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They lost 9-4 in what was probably the worst start to date from rookie Gage Jump. These things happen and Jump was always bound to have a bad start sooner or later. The important thing for him and the A’s is to not let him dwell on a tough outing. The Dodgers’ lineup is chock full of star hitters and worse pitchers have gotten hit harder than Jump last night. How will he respond next time out after experiencing some headwinds?
The series continues tonight and the A’s are desperate for a win. They’re riding a three-game losing streak and at 40-45 are now fourth in the AL West, three games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers, who are themselves hovering around .500 at 43-42. And with two other teams ahead of the A’s in the division the squad can’t afford to fall too far back in the race for the West. They’re still just 2 1/2 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot but again, with multiple teams ahead of them. It’s going to be a challenge to jump everyone if the A’s don’t start getting back to winning.
That’s easier said than done against the reigning World Series champions. The club will try to do just that tonight however. They’ll be hoping that veteran Jeffrey Springs can put together back-to-back quality starts and provide the A’s with a chance to get a victory. He’s had a rough June with an ERA nearing 10 but he’s coming off a solid outing last time out against the Angels. How he fares against the other Los Angeles’ team’s lineup will determine if the A’s can secure win #41 tonight.
The A’s bats will also need to show up more than they did last night. The club is missing four key pieces of the lineup in Tyler Soderstrom, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, and Zack Gelof. They’re going to be out for a bit longer so the A’s will need to get better performances from some of the young guys who have been waiting for just this opportunity. Perhaps no one has a better chance to carve out a role than Colby Thomas, who blasted a home run in last night’s loss. Or maybe Joshua Kuroda-Grauer can help stabilize the infield after his great 3-hit debut performance.
First pitch is at 6:40. Have a great day everyone.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer recorded his first MLB hit and was congratulated by Freddie Freeman, MLB's active hits leader, at first base! pic.twitter.com/Dh5r7uJio3
Jun 29, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (68) celebrates a victory against the Los Angeles Angels with second baseman Cole Young (2, right) during the ninth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Good morning! The Mariners returned home with a 6-2 win last night over the Los Angeles Angels. Furious George pitched a full eight innings with seven strikeouts, one walk, and just two earned runs, while his run support came in the form of two towering home runs by Cole Young and one from Dominic Canzone.
Bryan Woo takes the mound tonight at 6:40 PM against Angels RHP José Soriano.
SPRINGDALE, AR - JULY 09: Spencer Nivens #19 of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals batting during the game between the Midland RockHounds and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at Arvest Ballpark on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 in Springdale, Arkansas. (Photo by Ada Pipkins/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (36-44, 13.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers split their 6-game series against the Columbus Clippers. At the plate, Abraham Toro went 7 for 24 with a pair of doubles and homers, driving in 5. Gavin Cross, who has struggled this season, went 7 for 19, with a homer and a double. Rudy Martin Jr., who just got promoted from Double-A, went 4 for 13 with a homer. And finally, Brett Squires was 9 for 19, with a double, triple and a homer.
On the mound, Kris Bubic made a pair of rehab appearances, throwing twice. In those two outings, he threw 3 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit and striking out a batter. Ryan Ramsey returned from the injured list and threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 4 hits and striking out 2. I’d like to see Ramsey get a shot with Kansas City this year, I mean can it be any worse than what Mitch Spence has done so far? Randy Dobnak made another start, going 6.1 innings, allowing 8 hits, 3 runs, striking out 5. Ben Sears threw 4 scoreless innings of relief over two appearances, allowing 2 hits and striking out 2 batters. Sears is a 26-year-old right hander. The Royals drafted him in the 14th round of the 2022 draft out of Houston.
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) June 29, 2026
The Storm Chasers remain at home this week, taking on the Indianapolis Indians, the series runs from Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (30-43, 18 games back)
The Naturals lost 5 of 6 to the Springfield Cardinals. On the mound, Felix Arronde made a pair of starts, totaling 11 innings, allowing 8 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, walking 1 and striking out 12. Arronde is a profile to keep an eye on, he is only 23 years old. Hunter Patteson went 5.2 innings in his one start of the week, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, walking 4 and striking out 5. Dennis Colleran and Brandon Johnson both had scoreless outings this week as well.
At the plate, outfielder Spencer Nivens went 8 for 22, with 3 doubles and 2 homers, driving in 4. Nivens spent time on the injured list but is slashing .288/.388/.494 this season in 156 at bats. The Royals took him in the 5th round in 2023 out of Missouri State. Carson Roccaforte was 5 for 22 with 3 doubles and a homer.
— Northwest Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) June 27, 2026
The Naturals return home this week to take on the Corpus Christi Hooks, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (32-39, 12 games back)
The River Bandits lost 4 of 6 to the South Bend Cubs, one of the best teams in High-A. At the plate, outfielder Luke Pelzer had a great week, going 7 for 18. Pelzer was drafted in the 17th round last season out of Illinois-Chicago. He is slashing .344/.408/.498 this season with 22 stolen bases. The 23-year-old could see a promotion soon. Elsewhere, Blake Mitchell was 5 for 21 with a homer and 3 runs driven in.
On the mound, Kendry Chourio made his second start in High-A, going 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, walking 2 and striking out 4. Through two starts in High-A, against two of the best teams, Chourio has gone 10.2 innings, allowing 9 hits, 8 runs, 6 earned, walking 2 and striking out 14. 23-year-old righty Tanner Jones made 2 starts, totaling 10 innings, allowing 8 hits, 3 runs, walking 3 and striking out 10. Jones is a 6th round draft pick in 2024 out of Texas A&M. David Shields went 6 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 3 hits, walking 1 and striking out 7 in his only start of the week. Shields has struck out 27 batters in his last 16.2 innings.
— Quad Cities River Bandits (@QCRiverBandits) June 26, 2026
The River Bandits return home this week to take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels; the series runs from Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (38-37, 5 games back)
The Fireflies won 4 of 6 against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. At the plate, catcher Jhosmmel Zue went 6 for 18, with a homer and a double, driving in 6 runs. Zue is 22 years old and from Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. Sean Gamble went 5 for 25 with a triple. Gamble has had a good month of June at the dish, slashing .260/.389/.384. Josh Hammond went 9 for 25, including a 4 for 4 game. Hammond also smashed a double and homer. Hammond has been consistently good at the dish this season, with a .293 average for the season, but is hitting .309 in June.
On the mound, Jose Gutierrez had another quality start, going 6.1 innings, allowing 4 hits, no runs, walking 1 and striking out 6. Gutierrez could see a promotion soon as well. Darwin Rodriguez went 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, no runs, walking 1 and striking out 6 in one of his starts during the week. Rodriguez is a 22-year-old lefty from Naguanagua, Venezuela.
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 29: Geraldo Perdomo #2 of the Arizona Diamondbacks doubles in the fifth inning during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Monday, June 29, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Brendon Baranov/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Arizona started early, with Ketel Marte taking Giants starter Tyler Mahle yard to lead-off the first inning. Marte moved into a tie for second in Diamondbacks history with 1,182 hits (Paul Goldschmidt).
The big knock came via Geraldo Perdomo, a clutch hitter throughout his career who has not enjoyed the same success with runners aboard this year. He entered Monday hitting .167 with runners in scoring position after he hit .333 in 2025.
Perdomo worked a 3-1 count and came up with a hit the D-backs have been looking for since Wednesday in St. Louis. He roped a double to left field to clear the bases and give Arizona breathing room up 4-1.
Nolan Arenado, a career Giants killer, smoked his first home run since June 1. It was his 36th career home run against the Giants. He reached base three times.
Arizona has not lost a game yet to the Giants this season, and their dominance over their rival club this season is a franchise record. Over two series and the first game of their third set, the Diamondbacks are 7-0 against San Francisco; that is the first time they have ever done so against an opponent to begin a season.
This also means they have also won the season series over their rivals, who are not exactly a team in position to fight for a playoff spot at 35-49. Arizona is dead even at 42-42.
And, once again, the win would not have been possible without a strong effort by Eduardo Rodriguez.
Gallen built his career on exceptional pitch tunneling, using tight differences in movement and spin to make every offering look identical until the final moments. Small reductions in spin rate and movement have made his breaking pitches easier to identify, particularly his knuckle curve, which no longer generates the swing-and-miss numbers it once did. Hitters aren’t chasing. They’re waiting for favorable counts and punishing mistakes. That creates a dangerous cycle. As hitters become more selective, Gallen is forced into predictable situations, making his chess-match approach less effective than it once was.
The solution isn’t necessarily finding more velocity; it’s reinvention. Many successful veterans have redesigned their arsenals during the second half of their careers by simplifying their approach, altering pitch shapes, and prioritizing execution over perfect sequencing. Arizona’s coaching staff may need to guide Gallen through that same transition before the problem becomes irreversible. Pitchers often decline in their mid-to-late 30s. What’s alarming is that Gallen’s transformation from Cy Young candidate to replacement-level production has happened before turning 31. If the Diamondbacks hope to remain contenders, fixing these issues must be a priority for them going forward.
It’s been a topic of discussion for some time, but it’s gone well beyond a slump at this point in the season. The Diamondbacks simply cannot hit situationally, and are almost entirely incapable of hitting with runners in scoring position.
Over three games against the Rays, Arizona scored just four total runs. They collected one single hit with runners in scoring position, hitting 1-for-15 (.067) in that situation.
At this point, it’s already been broken down, spoken about at length and bemoaned. But it’s not getting any better. In fact, it’s getting worse. The Rays have a solid lineup of starting pitchers, but the Diamondbacks squandered chances to put up crooked numbers time and time again, and that has been the case for over a month’s worth of games by now.
Something has to change soon if they want to get back into a rhythm of consistent winning.
“What I want to do and what I’m gonna do may not work in concert with each other,” Hazen said. “I want this team to make a deep run in the pennant race and into the playoffs, and we’re going to need to add players to do that. I say this every year, I don’t really feel like I’m going to make that decision. I feel like that decision is going to get handed to me one way or another from the guys down there [in the clubhouse].”
Max Muncy was batting seventh and playing third base for the Athletics on Monday night. Meanwhile, on the other side of the diamond, Max Muncy was batting seventh and playing third base for the Dodgers.
No, that’s not a mistake. For the first time in the big leagues, we have reached Maximum Muncy.
The most common answer, by far, was some version of “I don’t know.” Which is fair enough; these are 18-to-21-year-olds who are trying not to say anything that’ll negatively impact their draft stock. But a few players had given the matter some thought and had something to say.
“I’m pretty lucky that I don’t really have to make that decision. Good luck to whoever does,” said Jackson Flora, a right-handed pitcher out of UC Santa Barbara who’ll probably be the first college arm off the board. He explained that his younger brother, a catching prospect who’s committed to UCSB and is probably headed to school, will have to choose for himself in the next few weeks.
“Maybe I have some bias, because I had such a fun experience at college,” Flora said, “but I told him there’s no amount of money I would’ve taken out of high school, looking back at it, after the college experience I’ve had, to go pro instead of going to college.”
FORMER DIAMONDBACKS TRANSACTIONS (yes, these all happened yesterday)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 29: Tyler Rogers #71 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws to first base as Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets grounds out in the eighth inning during a game at Rogers Centre on June 29, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees offense keeps finding new lows to achieve. They’ve managed one or fewer hits through seven innings in back-to-back games, have lost five straight, and mustered just 12 hits across their last four games, which is the fewest hits over a four-game span in franchise history. Yes, three of their best hitters are out injured, but this is a lineup that has not looked MLB-caliber for alarmingly frequent stretches of late.
The division-leading Rays had the day off, so New York only sinks a half game in the standings, but there was other action around the AL to recap.
Toronto Blue Jays (40-45) 2, New York Mets (35-50) 1
George Springer is second all-time behind Rickey Henderson on the career leadoff home run leaderboard, but I reckon today was the first time in his professional career that he hit a leadoff Little League home run. Leading off the bottom of the first, Springer looked like he lined a run of the mill single to left field. However, Juan Soto completely whiffed the ball on a half-hearted attempt to field it, allowing the ball to roll all the way to the wall, where A.J. Ewing subsequently booted it and Soto didn’t even bother to throw it into the infield as Springer completed his mad dash around the bases to open the scoring.
They would double their lead in the fifth, Luis Urías leading off with a double, advancing to third on a grounder, and scoring on a Myles Straw sac fly. That was all they would manage against Sean Manaea, who logged one of his better starts of the season – 5.2 innings allowing two runs on three hits and two walks. However, that wasn’t enough to outshine Trey Yesavage and his 6.2 innings of one-run ball on just three hits and no walks. That lone run came courtesy of a Francisco Lindor solo shot to lead off the seventh. The Mets had their chances late, but stranded a pair in each of the final two innings to allow Toronto to snap their six-game losing streak, the Mets joining the Rockies as the only two NL clubs with 50 losses.
The Rangers opted for a bullpen game, opener Tyler Alexander and bulk man Chris Paddack combining for five innings of two run ball to get the better of Parker Messick, Cleveland’s standout rookie pitcher suffering a rare stumble allowing four runs on eight hits in 6.2 innings. Josh Jung opened the scoring after leading off the fourth with a double and advancing a base each on a pair of ground outs. Cleveland responded with a pair in the fifth, Gabriel Arias demolishing a leadoff home run before Austin Hedges reached with a single and scored on a Chase DeLauter double.
Cleveland’s final run came courtesy of a wild pitch in the seventh that allowed Brayan Rocchio to score from third, but their pitchers were helpless to stop a five-run onslaught from the Rangers in the final four innings. Jake Burger provided the first with an RBI single in the sixth following singles by Evan Carter and Jung. Two more came in the sixth, Cameron Cauley tripling with one out to set the table for an RBI single from Nicky Lopez and an RBI double from Justin Foscue. Foscue would provide the killer blow in the ninth, his two-run double plating a pair after Alejandro Osuna singled, Cauley walked, and Carter singled, though he was only credited with one RBI thanks to a misplay by Steven Kwan in left.
Seattle Mariners (43-43) 6, Los Angeles Angels (36-50) 2
Cole Young had himself a day, the Mariners’ second year second baseman going 3-for-3 with three RBI and collecting the first multi-homer game of his young career. The first came to lead off the third and the second was a mammoth two-run shot in the sixth to put the final nail in the Angels’ coffin.
Los Angeles actually jumped out to a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Zach Neto leadoff double and Denzer Guzman RBI single in the first and a two-out solo shot from Neto in the third. However, George Kirby locked the door from there and would finish the game with eight strong innings allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk against seven strikeouts.
It was all Seattle from that point forward, Young’s first home run cutting the deficit in half. They grabbed their first lead an inning later, Randy Arozarena getting plunked and Josh Naylor reaching on an error by Guzman at third that allowed both runners to advance into scoring position to set up a two-run single from Cal Raleigh. It was still a 3-2 game at that point until the sixth inning rolled around, a Dominic Canzone lead off blast followed by a Naylor walk and Young’s second home run providing more than enough insurance to secure the win.
COVERS INTEL:
