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Dodgers at Reds Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 29

It's Tuesday, July 29 and the Dodgers (62-45) are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds (56-51). Tyler Glasnow is slated to take the mound for Los Angeles against Nick Lodolo for Cincinnati.

Los Angels won the series opener, 5-2, to break a short two-game losing streak. The Dodgers are 4-6 over the last 10 games since the All-Star break and won one of three series. The loss for the Reds snapped a four-game winning streak and 6-4 after the break.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Reds

  • Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Great American Ball Park
  • City: Cincinnati, OH
  • Network/Streaming: SNLA, FDSNOH

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Reds

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Dodgers (-152), Reds (+127)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Reds

  • Pitching matchup for July 29, 2025: Tyler Glasnow vs. Nick Lodolo
    • Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow, (1-1, 2.75 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 12 Strikeouts
    • Reds: Nick Lodolo, (8-6, 3.08 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

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

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cincinnati Reds at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 9.0.

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

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

  • The Reds are 7-3 in their last 10 home games
  • 5 of the Dodgers' last 6 matchups with the Reds have stayed under the Total
  • The Dodgers are 4-6 since the All-Star break

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Diamondbacks at Tigers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, stats for July 29

It's Tuesday, July 29 and the Diamondbacks (51-56) are in Detroit to take on the Tigers (62-46). Brandon Pfaadt is slated to take the mound for Arizona against Casey Mize for Detroit.

The Tigers took the series opener over the DBacks, 5-1. Detorit has now won two straight, which is great news since they are 3-8 since the All-Star break.

Detroit ended the first half of the year with the best record and was the first team to reach 60 wins, but it's been all downhill since then. Arizona is in a funk as they have dropped three straight games and six of the past seven.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Diamondbacks at Tigers

  • Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Comerica Park
  • City: Detroit, MI
  • Network/Streaming: ARID, FDSNDT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Diamondbacks at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Diamondbacks (+121), Tigers (-145)
  • Spread:  Tigers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Diamondbacks at Tigers

  • Pitching matchup for July 29, 2025: Brandon Pfaadt vs. Casey Mize
    • Diamondbacks: Brandon Pfaadt, (10-6, 4.76 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.38 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Tigers: Casey Mize, (9-4, 3.40 ERA)
      Last outing: 9.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 10 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

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

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Tigers

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Tigers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Arizona Diamondbacks at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Diamondbacks at Tigers

  • Detroit is 3-8 since the All-Star break
  • The Tigers have lost 12 of their last 20 games
  • The Diamondbacks' last 5 road games have stayed under the Total
  • It has been 7 games since the Diamondbacks last covered the Run Line

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Rockies at Guardians Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 29

It's Tuesday, July 29 and the Rockies (28-78) are in Cleveland to take on the Guardians (52-54). Tanner Gordon is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Logan Allen for Cleveland.

The Rockies took the series opener, 8-6, rallying in the top of the 9th inning scoring four runs to take the game after the Guardians scored five in the 7th. Cleveland is now 1-4 over the last five games, while Colorado is heating up with six wins over the previous 10 games.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Rockies at Guardians

  • Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: Progressive Field
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming: COLR, CLEG

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Rockies at the Guardians

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Rockies (+192), Guardians (-235)
  • Spread:  Guardians -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Guardians

  • Pitching matchup for July 29, 2025: Tanner Gordon vs. Logan Allen
    • Rockies: Tanner Gordon, (2-2, 3.13 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Guardians: Logan Allen, (6-9, 4.16 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.68 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Guardians to reach 80 wins:

“In the first 24 games of the 67 one second-half of the schedule are the Athletics, Orioles, Royals, Rockies, Twins, Mets, White Sox, and Marlins -- beautiful!

The Guardians have the second remaining easiest strength of schedule remaining in the MLB (.481) and need a 34-33 record over the second half to secure 80-plus wins (6-4 already), which I believe is more than possible.”

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday’s game between the Rockies and the Guardians:

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

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

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

  • Cleveland is 1-4 in the last five games
  • Colorado is 6-4 since the All-Star break
  • The Guardians have won 7 of their last 10 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Over is 13-7 in the Guardians' last 10 home games and the Rockies' last 10 on the road combined
  • The Guardians have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight home games

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Blue Jays at Orioles Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 29

It's Tuesday, July 29 and the Blue Jays (63-44) are in Baltimore to take on the Orioles (48-58). Charlie Morton takes the mound for Baltimore, while Toronto has not announced its starter yet.

The Orioles took the series opener 11-4 to extend its twinning streak to three games. Baltimore has scored 34 runs in the past three games, while Toronto has dropped two straight giving up 21 runs. The Blue Jays were 8-1 before the two-game losing skid.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at Orioles

  • Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
  • Time: 12:35PM EST
  • Site: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
  • City: Baltimore, MD
  • Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, MASN, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Blue Jays at the Orioles

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays (+116), Orioles (-136)
  • Spread:  Orioles -1.5
  • Total: 10.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Orioles

  • Pitching matchup for July 29, 2025: TBA vs. Charlie Morton
    • Blue Jays: TBA
    • Orioles: Charlie Morton, (6-8, 5.48 ERA)
      Last outing: 4.05 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts

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

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Orioles:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Toronto Blue Jays at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 10.0.

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

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

  • Baltimore leads the season series 4-3
  • Baltimore has outscored the Blue Jays 46-33 this year
  • Baltimore is 8-2 over the last 10 Morton starts
  • Toronto is 8-3 since the All-Star break
  • Toronto has scored four-plus runs in 11 straight games

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

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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Warriors ‘f–ked' if Jonathan Kuminga accepts qualifying offer, per NBA exec

Warriors ‘f–ked' if Jonathan Kuminga accepts qualifying offer, per NBA exec originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As the Jonathan Kuminga standstill continues, there is one outcome the Warriors might want to avoid.

While the young forward is in no rush to accept any of Golden State’s contract offers, which reportedly have been in the two-year, $40-million range, there is one offer that, if Kuminga accepts, could hinder the Warriors long-term, as one anonymous NBA executive explained to The Athletic’s Fred Katz.

“If he takes the qualifying offer, the Warriors are f–ked from a team-building standpoint, because they need to get him on a deal where they can trade him,” the executive told Katz. “That’s the key for them.”

The Warriors offered Kuminga, a restricted free agent, the one-year, $7.9 million qualifying offer on June 28, and although the 22-year-old is seeking a deal that pays him much more annually and long-term, accepting the qualifying offer would allow Kuminga to play out the 2025-26 NBA season with the Warriors before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, when his market could be much more robust.

If the Warriors were to sign Kuminga this offseason, it benefits them to lock up the young forward to a deal worth much more than the $7.9-million qualifying offer figure so they are able to match contracts in a potential trade for an impact player next season, if they choose to include him in a package.

However, for Kuminga, taking the modest one-year deal this summer might end up being a viable option as his already limited market does not appear to be shaping up how he, or the Warriors, had hoped.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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AFL great Nicky Winmar accused of two assaults and intentionally choking a person

Former St Kilda star remains on bail after facing court charged with three offences allegedly committed in July

AFL great Nicky Winmar has been accused of two assaults and of intentionally choking a person, court documents reveal.

The former St Kilda star, 59, had been listed for an application to revoke bail at Melbourne magistrates court on Tuesday, which could have seen him jailed.

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What Warriors reportedly have offered Jonathan Kuminga in restricted free agency

What Warriors reportedly have offered Jonathan Kuminga in restricted free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors are not ready to let restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga leave for cheap.

While Kuminga’s camp is seeking sign-and-trade opportunities for the 22-year-old, Golden State is looking for a first-round draft pick in any potential trade, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported Monday.

“Kuminga’s camp has continued to seek out sign-and-trade opportunities, with Sacramento and Phoenix still regarded as the most determined suitors, but Golden State is said to want a first-round pick in any sign-and-trade deal,” Stein wrote in his latest Substack. “The Suns do not have an available first-round pick to offer.”

Additionally, the Warriors have continued to try to negotiate with Kuminga and his camp on a new contract, per Stein.

“Word is that the Warriors’ best offers to Kuminga have topped out in the two-year, $40 million range,” Stein wrote.

Kuminga is coming off a 2024-25 NBA season where he averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game in 47 contests played. An ankle injury kept the forward out from early January until the middle of March.

Kuminga also struggled for consistent playing time once he returned to the lineup and even was a DNP in the team’s final regular-season game. He also was a DNP in two of the team’s first-round NBA playoff games against the Houston Rockets.

The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft found the court consistently in the team’s second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as injuries to other stars opened minutes up for him.

Kuminga finished that series averaging 20.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in 27.4 minutes per game.

Where this saga will turn next, nobody knows, but it seems Golden State will only let Kuminga go for the right price.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Rocky road ahead for Brailsford and Ineos as questions remain amid Tour doping investigation | Jeremy Whittle

Dave Brailsford was hailed as a ‘not-so-secret-weapon’ on his return to the Tour de France but an investigation into a staff member has overshadowed the team’s modest successes

As Tadej Pojacar stood on the Champs-Élysées podium, celebrating his fourth victory in the Tour de France, the man who led British cyclists to multiple yellow jerseys and numerous Olympic gold medals had already flown home to Monaco.

Not that long ago, a Dave Brailsford-led success in the Tour de France was almost routine. From 2012 to 2019 when riders from Team Sky, and later Ineos, won seven titles in eight years, Brailsford was at the heart of it all.

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Mets' Mark Vientos on clutch grand slam vs. Padres, feeling 'better at the plate'

It's no secret that Mets 3B/DH Mark Vientos has been having a tough second full season in the majors, but the young slugger reminded people of his abilities during Monday night's loss to the San Diego Padres.

After blasting what would have been a two-run homer, but got robbed at the wall by RF Fernando Tatis Jr., Vientos took advantage of the second chance the following inning. The 25-year-old crushed his first career grand slam in the regular season over the head of Tatis into the stands, putting the Mets up 5-1 in the top of the fifth inning.

New York wound up blowing the four-run lead and losing on a walk-off in the ninth inning, but that shouldn't entirely take away from Vientos' big hit. He told reporters after the 7-6 loss that he's been feeling much better at the plate and is sticking with his approach. Over the last seven games, Vientos is batting .333 with eight hits and seven RBI.

"Felt good at the plate today, felt good at the plate," Vientos said. "Got two pitches to hit in the location I was looking for and put a good swing on it. Felt better at the plate for sure."

He added: "I said it last time, just doubling down on my approach and what I want at the plate and I'm staying convicted to it."

When asked about the near-HR that Tatis robbed, Vientos couldn't help but tip his cap to the three-time All-Star.

"I thought I had it, I put a good swing on it," Vientos said. "Obviously, he caught it and made a heck of a play. I was like, 'Damn, nice play.' Yeah, it was an amazing play."

What may have been the secret to his revenge home run was that San Diego starter Dylan Cease intentionally walked Jeff McNeil to load the bases and face Vientos. New York fans will remember a similar situation when the Los Angeles Dodgers intentionally walked Francisco Lindor during the Game 2 of the 2024 NLCS and Vientos made them pay, becoming the youngest player to hit a grand slam in a LCS.

"I'm happy I get put in those situations," Vientos said. "I like those situations because I tend to lock in more, I don't know why. I'm happy to be in that situation and just come through for the team."

Vientos added that it was simply "good timing" on his grand slam and called the "back and forth" game a battle.

"I thought it was a great game, both teams battled," Vientos said. "You're talking about two playoff teams. I thought it was a great game, it was a pretty long game too, think we were going back and forth. They just came out on top today."

His big homer comes at an interesting time with the MLB trade deadline fast approaching on July 31, and earlier Monday, SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino reported that the Mets are discussing Vientos in trade talks. Vientos then spoke to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo prior to the game about the trade rumors and said he can't view it as a negative.

"I see it as it’s a good thing,” Vientos said. “It’s a good thing that I’m being talked about. You can see it as like, ‘Damn, it’s bad.’ But I see it as, ‘Man, I’m that important in the league that I’m being talked about in trade rumors.’

"Obviously, it sucks because I don’t want to get traded. But this is a business, at the end of the day. I feel like it is what it is. What can I do?"

He added: "I feel like I’m swinging a lot better and I’m playing a lot less now. It is what it is. What can I do? The only thing I can control is keep getting better, and whenever I get the opportunity, try to help the team.”

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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza defends ejection after Juan Soto's questionable strikeout

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected in the third inning of Monday's game vs. the San Diego Padres after arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Emil Jimenez.

Jimenez called Juan Soto out looking on a curve that got the outside part of the plate, and Soto immediately expressed his frustration with the call after his second strikeout of the day.

Mendoza then came out to defend Soto and was tossed. After the game, Mendoza made it clear that it's his responsibility to stand up for the players and he'll always do that for them.

"I got to be the one getting thrown out," Mendoza said. "I can't afford to [have players ejected], whether it's Soto or any of our players. I knew from the very beginning after a couple of calls early in the game that I needed to be on top of it.

"Whether it's Soto or anybody on our roster, I've got to go out there and protect them."

It's the third time Mendoza has been ejected from a game this season. Bench coach John Gibbons took over in his place for the rest of the game.

The pitch chart showed the second strike on Soto (fourth pitch of at-bat) was a bit outside, but the third strike did hit the outside edge of the zone. Later in the seventh inning, Soto struck out again on a high slider that was called a strike and stared back at Jimenez for a couple of seconds. Gibbons came out to say a few things to Jimenez, but there were no more ejections.

When asked about his thoughts on Jimenez behind the plate, Mendoza was to the point.

"He had a rough night, there's no way to sugarcoat it there," Mendoza said. "Especially when you're talking about a couple of at-bats there from Soto, some key at-bats. You're taking about one of the best hitters in the game, you're taking the bat away from him.

"I felt like that first at-bat, [Brandon] Nimmo struck out on three pitches that, you know, they weren't close. He just had a bad night."

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Mets waste four-run lead, snap seven-game winning streak with 7-6 loss to Padres

The Mets snapped their seven-game winning streak, losing a back-and-forth battle to the San Diego Padres, 7-6.

New York let up five runs in the fifth inning, blowing a 5-1 lead, and look lost until Ronny Mauricio homered with one out in the ninth inning to tie the game at 6-6. However, new Met Gregory Soto struggled in the bottom of the ninth, including a throwing error to extend the frame, and let up a walk-off single to Elias Díaz.

The Mets (61-44) remain 1.5 games ahead of the Phillies for first place in the NL East after Philadelphia lost to the Chicago White Sox.

Here are the takeaways...

-- New York got on the board in the second inning thanks to some heads-up baserunning by Jeff McNeil. He walked and then went from first to third on Mark Vientos' single, keeping an eye on CF Jackson Merrill fielding the ball while continuing to run. Brett Baty then delivered with a sacrifice fly to left field, putting the Mets up 1-0.

-- There was a scary moment in the top of the third inning as Francisco Lindor hit a hard ground ball that bounced and hit pitcher Dylan Cease in the back of the head. The ball ricocheted into foul territory around third base, allowing Lindor to advance to second. Cease stayed in the game and struck out Juan Soto after some questionable calls by home plate umpire Emil Jimenez.

Soto then got visibly upset with the strike three call, but Carlos Mendozacame out to defend him and was soon ejected.

-- Vientos nearly had a home run in the top of the fourth inning, but Fernando Tatis Jr. leaped at the wall and made the catch to rob the big hit. Tatis did drop the ball out of his glove after landing, but the call on the field remained. Vientos made the most of his redemption opportunity in fifth inning after Cease intentionally walked McNeil to get to him -- launching his first career grand slam over the head of Tatis into the right field stands to put the Mets up 5-1.

-- Frankie Montas tossed a quick first inning with a inning-ending 6-4-3 double play, and avoided damage from a bases-loaded jam in the second by striking out Díaz. After a hit-by-pitch and walk in the third inning, Montas let up a RBI-single to Xander Bogaerts that tied the game up at 1-1. Montas then bounced back to retire the next four batters to get through the fourth inning.

Montas let up a leadoff double to Tatis that was deflected by Baty and then a rare HR to Luis Arraez, making it a 5-3 game. Montas then gave up a single to Manny Machado and a double to Bogaerts, ending his night after 4.1 IP. He wound up allowing five earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

-- Despite a great play by Pete Alonso at first base with runners on second and third, Jake Cronenworth beat out Huascar Brazobán to the bag, allowing the run to score. Brazobán's two-out mistake to not cover the base in time caused a complete meltdown -- he let up a game-tying RBI-single to Bryce Johnson and go-ahead RBI-single to Díaz as the Mets all of a sudden trailed, 6-5. The nightmare continued with a wild pitch and walk to Tatis, loading the bases. Francisco Alvarez thankfully saved a bouncing ball from getting by and Brazobán got Arraez to fly out.

-- Rico Garcia kept it a one-run game by tossing two scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit and one walk with four strikeouts. Ryne Stanek followed up with a scoreless eighth inning.

-- After Vientos' grand slam in the fifth inning, Baty lined out to end the inning and the next 10 Mets were retired through the ninth before Mauricio's game-tying home run.

Game MVP: Elias Díaz

Díaz was a thorn in all of the Mets' pitchers' sides on Monday night, hitting the walk-off and going 2-for-5 with two RBI.

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The Mets and Padres continue their three-game series on Tuesday at 9:40 p.m. on SNY.

Sean Manaea (1-1, 2.19 ERA) makes his third start since returning from injury, while San Diego has yet to decide on a starting pitcher.

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With Dodgers battling more injuries, prospect Alex Freeland called up for MLB debut

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28, 2025: Alex Freeland #76 of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Dodgers prospect Alex Freeland plays during a spring training game against the Angels at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix on Feb. 28. (Chris Bernacchi / Diamond Images via Getty Images)

The Dodgers are dealing with more injuries to their lineup.

As a result, one of their top prospects will get his first big-league opportunity this week.

Alex Freeland, the top-ranked infielder in the Dodgers’ farm system, was called up on Tuesday after Hyeseong Kim was placed on the injured list with left shoulder bursitis.

Freeland’s arrival also comes after Tommy Edman had his lingering ankle injury flare up on him Sunday while rounding the bases. 

On Monday night, manager Dave Roberts confirmed Freeland was scheduled to join the Dodgers in Cincinnati while they decided which, if either, of Kim or Edman would go on the IL.

Read more:Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers a pitching master class in Dodgers' win over Reds

“He's going to come and we'll see what direction we go, with who,” Roberts said after the Dodgers’ series-opening win against the Cincinnati Reds. “We're just kind of trying to figure out ... if we do need to make a move for one of those guys."

The official news came down on Tuesday afternoon. Kim was placed on the IL. Edman, while remaining on the active roster, went through pregame drills on the field with a Dodgers trainer.

Freeland, a third-round pick in 2022 out of the University of Central Florida, is the team’s No. 3 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline and the 35th-ranked prospect in baseball.

The 23-year-old switch-hitter has spent all season with triple-A Oklahoma City, where he has batted .253 with 12 home runs, 71 RBIs and .799 OPS in 94 games.

Now, he’ll get his first crack at the big-league roster, trying to help alleviate the Dodgers’ latest injury headache.

In the short term, Kim’s shoulder injury was the more pressing issue.

The South Korean rookie has struggled mightily at the plate lately, with an 0-for-3 performance Monday leaving him just three for 24 since July 19.

“You can just see offensively with the bat, he's just not himself right now,” Roberts said.

Dodgers shortstop Hyeseong Kim reacts during a game against the Giants.
Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, has struggled at the plate in recent games. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

Edman, however, represents another long-term concern for the Dodgers to manage, with his ankle injury lingering since early May.

“It’s something that’s kind of always there,” Edman said. “But I would say it’s been pretty normal.”

At least it was until Sunday, when Edman said he “had a little tweak of it” while running the bases at Fenway Park.

While Edman was not available for Monday’s game, he maintained optimism he could avoid what would be a second injured list this season and be back in the lineup Tuesday.

“I don’t feel like this is that big a deal,” he said. “I was just at a point where I didn’t feel like I could run full speed today. I got some good treatment today so hopefully I’ll be back available tomorrow.”

Still, the Dodgers could decide that an extended break for the utilityman is warranted — especially since he has been unable to play outfield while trying to manage his injury.

“Obviously, if I couldn't hit him tonight, for him to not to be able to play three innings of defense, isn't a great feeling,” Roberts said.

Freeland’s arrival will at least give the Dodgers a different look for the time being.

Read more:As Dodgers look to upgrade outfield, Harrison Bader could be a trade deadline fit

A native of Louisville, Ken., he made a major jump up the Dodgers’ farm system last year, when he progressed from high A to triple A while batting .260 across three minor-league levels.

A disciplined hitter with 228 career walks in 345 career minor-league games, Freeland has received high marks for his defense at shortstop and third base. He also has 81 steals over his four minor-league seasons.

In addition to Kim and Edman, the Dodgers have spent the last month without Max Muncy (who is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment in his recovery from a knee injury this week) and Kiké Hernández (who remains shut down from baseball activity after recently having a couple non-surgical “little procedures,” as Roberts called them, on an elbow injury that has bothered him since late May).

How have the Dodgers toed the line between managing injuries and trying to keep their best players on the field?

“That’s the thing that, it is a blurred line,” Roberts said. “The players obviously feel that they’re not hurt, where they can play and post, which is great. But the line of, are you still hurting the team, hurting yourself, that’s the thing that the organization, the training staff, we’ve got to make that decision.”

On Tuesday, they did, shelving Kim and calling up Freeland as they try to navigate another injury-plagued chapter of their season.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.