WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Xavier Neyens #9 of the Houston Astros scores on a single hit by Chase Call during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Check out some prospects who have been hot in the system!
HITTERS:
Xavier Neyens – Neyens, the Astros first round pick last year, has put together a strong season so far. This week the 19-year-old hit .400 with 3 home runs and 9 walks in just 5 games. Overall this season, Neyens has a .900 OPS with 12 home runs for the Woodpeckers.
Albert Fermin – Fermin got the biggest international bonus the Astros issued out this year and is off to a really strong start in the Dominican Summer League. This week the 17-year-old hit .333 with a double, 2 home runs, 8 runs batted in and 3 stolen bases. He is hitting .368 this season.
Lucas Spence – Spence, who got off to a slow start, has really turned it on and earned a promotion to Triple-A. This week the outfielder hit .421 with 3 doubles, a home run, 7 runs batted in and a stolen bases. He’s hitting .370 over 22 games in the month of June.
Arturo Flores – Flores is a young catcher down in Fayetteville but has been doing some damage with the bat this year. After earning a spot on the list last week, he repeats here with another big week. The 20-year-old hit .438 with 2 home runs and 5 runs batted in. He has 11 home runs and a .851 OPS overall.
PITCHERS:
Ethan Pecko – After a slower start to the year, Pecko has been one of the best pitchers in minor league baseball in the month of June. This week the right-hander tossed 6 innings allowing 1 run while striking out 4. In June he has a 0.75 ERA allowing just 2 runs on 13 hits over 24 innings for Sugar Land.
Brett Gillis – Gillis has had some strong starts this season and after having his best start last week, he bested that outing this week. In his start for the Hooks, the right-hander tossed 7 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits while striking out 7. He has a 3.45 ERA this season in Double-A.
Bryce Mayer – Mayer has been solid this year and this week he turned in his longest outing of the season tossing 5.2 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts in his start for the Hooks. Mayer has a 3.89 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 44 innings this season in Double-A.
Jackson Nezuh– Nezuh has done well racking up the strikeouts this season, though the ERA has been a little higher. This week he was great allowing just 1 hit and 1 run over 5 innings while striking out 9. Overall this season, the right-hander has 64 strikeouts over 53.1 innings.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: Griffin Canning #17 of the San Diego Padres looks on during the third inning against the New York Mets at Petco Park on June 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Griffin Canning returned to the mound for the San Diego Padres in their series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Monday night and there is no doubt that most of the Friar Faithful, if not all, were wondering how long he would last and how many runs he would allow before being removed from the game. To his credit, Canning lasted 4.1 innings and allowed two runs, which was enough to put the Padres in position to win, but the offense failed to produce, and the end result was a 3-2 walk-off win for the Cubs.
Canning has struggled throughout his time in San Diego and holds a 1-5 record with an atrocious 7.09 ERA. That is definitely not what any team wants to see from a member of its starting rotation. The fact that he remains in the rotation and continues to get starts is evidence of just how bad the Padres rotation is at this time. Walker Buehler has been arguably the most reliable starter of the group with Michael King lacking consistency and Randy Vasquez floundering with his recent performances. Lucas Giolito, German Marquez and Matt Waldron all joined Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove on the injured list and Yu Darvish was lost for the season before it ever began.
The hope is that Pivetta and Musgrove can return some time after the All-Star break, but how long after is unknown. Whether it is their returns or a trade deadline acquisition, Canning is squarely on the chopping block based on his numbers this season. His best start came on May 25 against the Philadelphia Phillies when he threw 6.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits with two of those hits being home runs. Canning followed that performance with three consecutive five-inning outings but has not gone longer than 4.1 innings in the three outings since.
According to the results of this week’s Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball, the Friar Faithful who participated in the poll have seen enough from Canning and are ready to let him go. Giolito’s recent addition to the injured list may have spared him for now, but if the Padres get any rotation help, Canning will be the first to pack his bags if the fans get their way.
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They’ll face back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal on Tuesday, and the Detroit Tigers are heating up at the dish with the sixth-ranked wOBA and xwOBA for the month of June.
I’m anticipating Skubal to cruise tonight, too.
His 2.59 xFIP is below his 2.74 mark across the past two years, and I’m anticipating statistical correction coming to his .287 BABIP and 74.3% strand rate because they’re worse than his .273 and 80.3% marks during his Cy Young campaigns.
Early is also eyeing statistical correction with his 3.59 ERA well below his 4.72 FIP, in addition to his unsustainably high 85.7% strand rate.
The Boston offense doesn’t move the needle with a 27th-ranked xwOBA in June and the sixth-lowest barrel percentage for the season, either.
Still, I expect Early to pitch well enough to contribute to this total going Under the number, and Nationals righty Cade Cavalli has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his past seven starts with a solid 3.57 xFIP.
This SGP is in play down to +315.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NESN, NATS
Padres vs Cubs SGP: Chicago wins fourth straight
San Diego Padres lefty JP Sears posted an underwhelming 4.87 xFIP and a 12.9% strikeout-to-walk ratio across 58 2/3 innings entering 2026, so I’m anticipating him struggling against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
The North Siders have won nine of 11 while averaging 7.3 runs per game and ranking seventh in wOBA, and they also rank third in wOBA against left-handed pitchers for the season.
Still, this is another inflated total at Wrigley Field, and the teams combined for just five runs in similarly favorable hitting conditions Monday.
Chicago lefty Matthew Boyd is also set up for success in his second start back from knee and shoulder injuries. The Padres are 29th in wOBA against southpaws, and they’re 24th in xwOBA across the past 30 days.
I price the breakeven point of this SGP at +300.
Time: 8:05 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MARQ, SDPA
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
SGP picks: 9-27, +4.85 units
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: (L-R) Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox, Willson Contreras #40, and Wilyer Abreu #52 score off a three-run home run hit by Contreras in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on June 29, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Life comes at you fast. The Red Sox, in the midst of a five-game win streak, remain deep under .500. And in a world in which the owners hadn’t spent the last 20 years devaluing the regular season in a blatant attempt to increase postseason revenue and justify slashing payroll, a team in the Red Sox’ position wouldn’t have any playoff hopes today. But this is 2026, and it’s legitimately possible that the American League’s third Wild Card could be swiped by a team that doesn’t even reach the .500 mark. (Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)
Thus, the Red Sox, who looked dead and buried one week ago today, are now being called potential buyers at the trade deadline. Their biggest need is obvious: middle infield help. (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)
Right now the middle infield help is coming in the form of Anthony Seigler, who has started at second base for 10 games in a row. Seigler has bounced back and forth between AAA and the big leagues throughout his young career. What helped him get back to the majors this time was resuming something he’d quit before: switch hitting. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
We know where they certainly don’t need help: the starting rotation. Red Sox starters have now thrown 12 straight quality starts, two shy of the club record set in 1988. “They’ve been phenomenal,” said Chad Tracy. “It’s very similar to my initial time here when we weren’t playing that well, but the starting pitching was so good that you always felt like you were going to look up in the sixth inning and think, ‘We’ve got a chance to win this game.’ I don’t think there’s too many managers who wouldn’t sign up for that.” (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
All the starters have contributed, but Payton Tolle in particular has been a big part of the streak. In fact, he now has teammates publicly lobbying to get him to the All-Star Game. “Just being in that conversation is amazing, but that’s kind of far out of mind for me,” he said. “I guess it doesn’t mean anything until it actually happens.” (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Unfortunately, Garrett Crochet won’t be getting a second straight All-Star nod, and he continues to be frustrated by the mysteriously slow rehab process for what was initially thought to be a minor injury. While everyone involved still says there are no structural issues, they are now looking to last year to explain the injury. “I was still kind of experiencing that hangover from last year, and once I started throwing again, maybe my mechanics just weren’t in a great spot,” said Crochet. “And then as the buildup occurred, that just continued to get further from the norm.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
But the Sox could be getting back another couple of lefty pitchers soon. Jovani Moran will make another rehab appearance tomorrow and then potentially rejoin the big league bullpen. Patrick Sandoval has one more rehab start scheduled and will be reassessed by July 4, when his 30-day rehab clock expires. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
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.
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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
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