Category: Sports News

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (53-55) and Los Angeles Angels (42-65) will play the 2nd game of this 3-game set at Angel Stadium tonight.

RHP Peter Lambert (8-5) will make the start for the Astros as he takes on Angels LHP Reid Detmers (3-7).

Rematch: Lambert and Detmers went toe-to-toe against each other on June 10 at LAA in what ended up as a pitcher’s duel. Lambert allowed 2 R in 6.1 IP while Detmers allowed 1 R in 7.0 IP in an eventual 3-2 Angels win in 10 innings.

THE LAMMA: RHP Peter Lambert has been one of the top starters in the Majors this season, entering tonight’s game with an 8-5 record and a 3.03 ERA in his 17 starts. He has allowed just 72 hits in his 98.0 IP for a .201 opp. avg.

On the Road: Lambert is 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA (10ER/32.1IP) in his 6 road starts with 35 K’s in 32.1 IP.

Since May 24, Lambert is 6-1 in 11 starts with a 2,73 ERA, ranking 2nd in the AL in wins in that span.

RECENT STROS: The Astros have won 6 of their last 7 games. Their recent 5-game win streak (7/20-25) matched their longest win streak of the season (other was 3/28-4/1).

ROAD WARRIORS: Tonight is the 5th game (3-1 thus far) of a 6-game road trip for the Astros. HOU was 2-1 over the weekend at CWS on the first stop of the trip. The Astros are 20-13 (.606) on their last five road trips combined and are 26-19 (.578) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season.

ROAD SLUGGING: Among AL clubs, the Astros are 1st in runs scored on the road (265), T-1st in road HR (77) and are 2nd in road OPS (.739) and road SLG (.415).

VS. THE HALOS: The Astros are 4-4 vs. LAA thus far in 2026. Over the years, the Astros have had success vs. the Angels. They are 142-92 all-time against the Halos, including a 68-48 record at Angel Stadium.

Note: The Astros were 2-0 vs. LAA in a 2-game, regular season series in Mexico, May 4-5 of 2019.

MEASURING UP: The Astros are 27-22 vs. teams currently at .500 or better. Additionally, HOU is a combined 20-11 vs. the 6 AL clubs currently holding playoff spots, with a 10-6 record vs. the 3 AL division leaders (2-1 vs. TB, 6-4 vs. TEX, 2-1 vs. CWS) and a 10-5 record vs. the 3 current AL Wild Card teams (5-1 vs. BOS, 4-2 vs. CLE, 1-2 vs. NYY).

9TH-INNING ROAD COMEBACKS: Last night was the 1st time that the Astros won a game in the 9th inning on the road after trailing by 2 or more entering the 9th since a 7-6 win on Aug. 8, 2023 at BAL (trailed 6-3). Earlier this season on June 23, HOU defeated TOR, 9-7, in 11.0 innings after trailing 6-4 entering the 9th. Source: Elias.

WHAT A RELIEF: RHP Cristian Javier’s 5.0 IP in relief last night were a career high for him and the most by an Astros reliever since Sept. 28, 2025 when LHP Colton Gordon also hurled 5.0 IP at LAA.

SLOW BUT STEADY CLIMB: After a 20-31 start to the season, the Astros are 33-24 (.579) since May 22, which is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, just 1/2 game behind BOS.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK!: Jeremy Peña was named AL Player of the Week yesterday. Peña posted incredible numbers last week, hitting .500 (13×26) in 6 games with 5 HR, 8 RBI and 10 R while posting
a 1.577. This is Peña’s 1st POTW Award.

PEÑA POWER: Jeremy Peña has hit safely in 9 straight games at a sizzling .472 (17×36) clip with 5 HR, 8 RBI and 14 R. He has raised his avg. from .287 to .316. in those 9 games.

MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez is a strong AL MVP candidate as he enters tonight leading the league in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking 1st in batting average (.323), HR (34), and RBI (78). Additionally, he currently leads all of baseball in OPS (1.074), OBP (.433), SLG (.631) and TB (246), and in the AL, he also ranks 1st in hits (123) and runs (73) and 4th in walks (71).

CLOSE CALLS: The Astros are 32-20 in games decided by 2 runs or less. 23-12 in 2-run games, 9-8 in 1-run games.

TAPPING FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 73 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (58%). Jose Altuve’s 15 successful challenges are T-3rd best among hitters. Isaac Paredes has been successful in 11 of 13 challenges (85%).

BRYAN’S BACK: RHP Bryan Abreu has a 1.59 ERA (2ER/11.1IP) in his last 11 apps. with just 7 hits allowed and 13 K’s in that span. Additionally, since May 1, he has a 2.39 ERA (7ER/26.1IP) in 27 apps., and is 5-for-5 in save opp. in that span. Prior to May 1, Abreu had a 12.54 ERA in his 1st 11 apps. of the season.

ON THE DEFENSIVE: The Astros lead the AL in fielding pct. (.988) and have the fewest errors in the AL (44). 1B Christian Walker has led the way, as he has not committed an error in his 100 games played at 1B. Dating back to last season, Walker has not made an error in his last 129 games at 1B (last error was Aug. 23, 2025 at BAL).

TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2006 – Luke Scott becomes the 7th different player in Astros history to hit for the cycle in an 8-7, 11-inning loss to Arizona at Daikin Park. Scott ends up going 4×6 with five RBI on the night. His fourth and final hit was a single in the 11th and final inning. Currently, 9 different Astros players have hit for the cycle 10 times, with César Cedeño doing it twice.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Tuesday, July 27, 8:38 p.m. CT

Location: Angel Stadium, Anaheim, CA

TV: SCHN

Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

Back at it.

⚾️: 8:38 PM CT
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 & 740 AM | Spanish: 102.9 HD2#ChaseTheFight x @reliantenergypic.twitter.com/ltHN0OyIyM

— Houston Astros (@astros) July 28, 2026

Surf's up 🏄

📺: @WatchABTV
📻: @AngelsRadioKLAA | AM830 App & KWKW 1330 [Spanish] #RepTheHalo x @FBMSupplypic.twitter.com/A7KgDt7VZW

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 29, 2026

The city of Sacramento recently announced it would be offering free e-bike and scooter safety classes, and it may be wise for the Triple-A baseball team, the Sacramento River Cats, to sign their mascot, Dinger, up for them. 

A video went viral on Tuesday of the mascot riding a scooter on the field in between innings and accidentally running into Oklahoma City Comets outfielder Alek Thomas as he was exiting the dugout during a game on Saturday. 

The Sacramento River Cats mascot collided with Alek Thomas on Saturday.

(Via: AddisonM81/Reddit) pic.twitter.com/oDTLS4cVAB

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 28, 2026

Saturday was Christmas in July Day at Sutter Health Park, which also serves as the temporary home of Major League Baseball’s Athletics, and Dinger was wearing a Santa hat and coat while riding on the scooter along the first base side of the field. 

As neared the dugout, Thomas, a prospect for the Dodgers, started to jog out to the outfield and the two collided, hitting one another square in the center mass and sending both to the ground. 

A stadium worker and someone from the Comets dugout could be seen running to check on them before the clip cuts off. 

Thomas did not appear to come out of the game at any point on Saturday following the collision, and he was in the lineup on Tuesday when the Comets faced the Las Vegas Aviators.

The video was first posted to Reddit before it was posted on X and Instagram, where it quickly went viral.

Have you ever gotten a Christmas present that was already broken when you opened the package? Well, this is the baseball equivalent of that.

Despite the Red Sox claiming they “dodged a bullet” last night after Curtis Mead was hit in the wrist by a pitch in just his second plate appearance in a Boston uniform, the actual diagnosis is much worse. Mead has a broken wrist and might need surgery.

The real signs of trouble started late this afternoon when Tommy Cassell noted Nick Sogard wasn’t in Worcester. That’s because he was flying to California to join the Red Sox and take Mead’s place on the roster.

Nick Sogard is being called up to join the Boston Red Sox in Sacramento, according to a source.

Believe it has to do with the Curtis Mead injury being worse than initially thought. Sogard was originally scheduled to play second and hit second for the WooSox in Norfolk today.

— Tommy Cassell (@tommycassell44) July 28, 2026

Shortly after that, Alex Speier confirmed the disastrous news:

Everything about this sucks! The Sox lose the hitter they just acquired, possibly for the year. They no longer have Connelly Early to use in another deal that will now be needed to replace Mead’s production. Oh, and even if Mead returns this year, there’s a decent chance he doesn’t have nearly as much when he comes back. Why? Because wrist injuries suck! (Just ask Roman Anthony.)

Speaking Roman Anthony and the way the Red Sox have handled his injury, remember when he stayed in the game back in May, and then was initially listed as day-to-day with right wrist discomfort? Well, last night, Mead stayed in the game, and then was initially diagnosed with a right wrist contusion with negative x-rays. Given Anthony is still not swinging a bat three months later, I’m having nightmarish flashbacks!

Mikewichter over on Twitter also noted some other concerning factors with the Red Sox inability to diagnose the severity of the injury quickly:

To recap
Checked him out on the field
Cleared him to play
He dove back into 1st twice with injured wrist
Said it was a contusion. Tracy said "we dodged a bullet"
Announce he has a broken wrist https://t.co/vohfwOHLFw

— Mikewichter (@mikewichter) July 29, 2026

So yeah, this totally sucks, and the Red Sox now have six days to do something about it before the deadline. Either way, the options aren’t great. Did I mention this sucks?

Colorado Rockies (42-65) at San Diego Padres (53-53), July 28, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Petco Park – San Diego, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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Feels good to be home 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZD07dMmwO0

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 28, 2026

We have a change to our lineup:

McCarthy RF
Moniak LF
Goodman C
Rumfield 1B
Carrigg CF
Johnston DH
Castro 3B
Julien 2B
Tovar SS
Lorenzen SP

Kyle Karros has been scratched due to left biceps inflammation. https://t.co/GWzpovA8PA

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 28, 2026

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It’s been a weird week of travel for the Colorado Rockies. They had a Thursday off in the first week of the second half, played a three game set in The Good Land against the Brew Crew, and after having yesterday off it’s time for a bizarre two-game series against the San Diego Padres.

The Rockies are visiting the Swingin’ Friars in an awkward spot. The Rockies are right where they were expected to be: comfortably in the basement of the National League West but instrumentally improved compared to last season. the Padres, however, are under-performing against expectations. Sitting at .500 coming into this evening, San Diego would not be in the playoffs should the season suddenly end. They’re a full 14 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division.

Tonight’s pitching matchup is a battle of the Michaels. On the mound for the Rockies is Michael Lorenzen, who’s name has recently popped up in trade speculation. After a very disappointing start to the season, the right-handed journeyman pitcher has leveled out over the last few weeks. Lorenzen has gone at least five innings and given up two or fewer earned runs in six of his last eight starts. However, his last time out was a rough one. Against the high-powered bats of the Washington Nationals, Lorenzen lasted just 3.2 innings and gave up six earned runs on seven hits—two of which were home runs—despite striking out five batters. He has tallied at least five strikeouts in ten of his 22 starts this season.

On the bump for the Dads is right-handed veteran Michael King. Now in his third season with the Padres, King is enjoying a very successful season so far. His ERA sits at just 3.24 and he’s worth 3.1 wins above replacement per Baseball Reference over 21 starts with 103 strikeouts. In his last four starts, King has thrown three quality starts and has given up more than one earned run just once.

King has surprisingly little experience against the Rockies. He’s made four appearances—three of which were starts—and pitched 20 innings against them during his career. In those appearances he has a 5.40 ERA with 24 strikeouts and three home runs allowed.

His primary pitch combo is a low-90s sinker paired with a changeup that he uses to induce whiffs. King also throws a sweeper, a slider, and a four-seam fastball.

First Pitch: 7:40 pm MDT

TV: Rockies TV

Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)

Padres SB Nation site:Gaslamp Ball

Lineups:

We have a change to our lineup:

McCarthy RF
Moniak LF
Goodman C
Rumfield 1B
Carrigg CF
Johnston DH
Castro 3B
Julien 2B
Tovar SS
Lorenzen SP

Kyle Karros has been scratched due to left biceps inflammation. https://t.co/GWzpovA8PA

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 28, 2026

Feels good to be home 💛 pic.twitter.com/ZD07dMmwO0

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 28, 2026

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A day after dropping a close series opener to Boston, the A’s get another bite at the apple as they look for the win against the Red Sox here on a warm Tuesday night in Sacramento.

The club has left-hander Gage Jump set for the start, his third of the second half already. His first went quite well but his most recent outing was arguably his worst as a big leaguer as he got tagged for a career-high six earned runs against the Diamondbacks last Wednesday. He’ll look to turn things around and get back on track against a Red Sox lineup that has gotten on a roll in recent weeks.

Here’s the Athletics’ lineup this evening:

Jump day 🤝 pic.twitter.com/CBgWuxNpfl

— Athletics (@Athletics) July 28, 2026

The lineup will welcome back first baseman Nick Kurtz after his scheduled off day yesterday. Much needed reinforcements for the squad. He slots into the second spot in the lineup sandwiched between leadoff man Jacob Wilson and Jonah Heim, who is DH’ing tonight. Tyler Soderstrom is batting cleanup and back in his customary left field after a half day yesterday.

Again, the bottom half of the lineup is full of rookies and A’s fans should get used to seeing that the rest of the way. Tommy White is at the hot corner again as he proves his metal in the field. Colby Thomas slides across the outfield to right taking Lawrence Butler’s place. Henry Bolte is in center field again as Mark Kotsay is letting the struggling rookie outfielder work through his struggles with consistent playing time. Alika Williams is Wilson’s double play partner at the keystone and the club welcomes back veteran catcher Brian Serven to the starting lineup.

Boston meanwhile has their own young lefty in Jake Bennett getting the ball for them tonight. A seemingly minor offseason pickup for the Red Sox, Bennett has been a gem for them as the rookie has a 2.58 ERA in his first 10 career starts. He did get touched up for three runs last time out so the hope is that the A’s bats can do some damage against the rookie.

And Boston’s starting nine:

Jake at night. pic.twitter.com/StoQJOI16s

— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 28, 2026

Can we avoid a four-game losing streak? Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Athletics – Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast

Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández is back, activated off the injured list on Tuesday as expected before the start of a series against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Alex Freeland was the odd man out, optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Hernández’s season now includes two long stints on the injured list. He missed the first 53 games of the season after elbow surgery last November, and has missed the last 51 games with a left oblique strain. In between, he’s working on a perfect season, with four hits in his four at-bats thus far, including a home run and two doubles.

In seven games on a rehab assignment with Oklahoma City, Hernández hit .333/.320/.542 with two doubles and a home run. He split his time with three games each at third base and in left field, plus once at first base.

Freeland has played sparingly of late, with his last start coming on July 7. In the Dodgers’ 13 games since he’s only played in five of them, totaling five plate appearances, going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

On the season, Freeland hit .231/.309/.313 with a 76 wRC+, seven doubles, and three home runs in 72 games. The switch-hitter has performed better from the left side, hitting .249/.330/339 with an 89 wRC+, while collecting only four hits in 30 at-bats while batting right-handed.

Freeland started 59 games at second base, with four Defensive Runs Saved and three Outs Above Average, the latter in the 85th percentile in MLB.

Clay Holmes got back on the mound, this time with St. Lucie, on Tuesday evening in his second and potentially final rehab start.

The Mets right-hander got through four innings in relatively easy fashion.

Holmes' first inning started with a three-pitch strikeout, punching out Blaine Bullard (Blue Jays' No. 8 prospect) on a changeup before stranding a runner. His second inning saw more of the same, stranding a runner in a scoreless second inning, punctuating it with a strikeout of Owen Carapellotti on five pitches, getting the left-hander swinging on a changeup out of the zone. 

The Blue Jays got to Holmes a bit in the third inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Dean West, making his Jays debut, but erased him when he picked him off. Holmes allowed a two-out walk, but got the final out to get through three innings. 

In Holmes' final inning, the right-hander pitched a 1-2-3 inning on just nine pitches.

Holmes allowed just two hits and two walks in four innings while striking out three batters. He tossed 59 pitches (37 strikes), eight more than his first rehab start, that time with Syracuse, as Holmes tossed 2.1 innings on 51 pitches. 

If this is Holmes' final rehab start, his next appearance could be with the Mets this weekend. But with his name in trade rumors, the converted closer could be pitching for a different team by the time the Aug. 3 trade deadline arrives. 

Clay Holmes gets a strikeout and two ground balls to finish off his rehab outing for St. Lucie

Final line: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 59 pitches (37 strikes) pic.twitter.com/kTT1dnCyuJ

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 29, 2026

San Francisco Giants will be without Casey Schmitt after the infielder experienced knee pain during a 3-0 win against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park on Monday, July 27.

The team announced Tuesday, July 28 that Schmitt was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left meniscus tear. He underwent an MRI exam Tuesday and imaging results determined the injury.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury early in Monday night's game against the Brewers. Schmitt led off the bottom second inning with a fly ball single to right field. He rounded first base in an attempt to stride for second, but hit the brakes and turned around as the Brewers put the ball back infield. When Schmitt slowed down to reverse back to first base, he seemingly tweaked his knee as he hobbled to the bag.

Curtis Mead's Boston Red Sox tenure lasted two plate appearances before he was lost to the injured list − and, likely, for most of the remaining season with a broken left wrist.

Mead was placed on the injured list Tuesday, July 28, one day after he was struck by a pitch from the Athletics' Jack Perkins. Initial X-rays performed at the Athletics' Class AAA ballpark in West Sacramento indicated there was no break, Mead told reporters Monday evening.

But further imaging revealed what X-ray technology at the A's Yolo County ballpark didn't: Mead hit the IL before their game Tuesday and infielder Nick Sogard was recalled from Class AAA Worcester.

The severity of Mead's injury was first reported by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Curtis Mead left the game in his Red Sox debut after being hit by a pitch on the hand

Mead was acquired from the Nationals on July 25th pic.twitter.com/DXhS6aEY6b

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 28, 2026

Mead was acquired from the Washington Nationals late Saturday evening, intended to beef up a lagging lineup that's been carried by the Red Sox's pitching staff. The cost was left-hander Connelly Early, who will have five years of club control with Washington and, the Nationals hope, will pitch near the top of their rotation.

Now, Mead's injury will only add to the Red Sox's urgency to add more offense before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Mead hit 17 home runs and had an .852 OPS in Washington, where he played both corner infield positions. He was also expected to get playing time at second base in Boston.

The Red Sox will likely be shorthanded for their game Tuesday, with Sogard needing to travel from Norfolk, Virginia, to West Sacramento.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Curtis Mead injury update: Red Sox lose new addition to broken wrist

The St. Louis Cardinals will see what they can accomplish against the Chicago Cubs again Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. The Chicago Cubs have announced Colin Rea as their starter while the Cardinals have announced Michael McGreevy will make the start for them. First pitch scheduled for 6:45pm central time with the TV broadcast available through Cardinals.tv.