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Yankees demote trade deadline acquisition Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Jake Bird, acquired by the Yankees in a trade deadline deal with the Colorado Rockies, has been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Sending Bird down clears the way for fellow reliever Mark Leiter Jr. to be reinstated off the IL, a move expected to happen at some point on Tuesday. Leiter was placed on the IL in early July with a stress fracture in his left leg, an injury that he attempted to pitch through for a couple of weeks before being sidelined.

Bird, 29, was acquired in a deal that sent prospects Roc Riggio and Ben Shields to Colorado, but the early returns for the Yanks have not been good. In three appearances, Bird has allowed six earned runs (seven runs overall) on four hits, including a pair of home runs, over 2.0 innings of work.

Bird’s struggles coincide with the Yankees’ overall troubles as a team, as they’ve dropped four straight games and are now 5.5 games out of first place in the AL East, behind both the red-hot Boston Red Sox and the first place Toronto Blue Jays.

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US sports lobby Home Office for travel exemption after golf caddie refused UK entry

  • Criminal conviction meant Eric Larson was barred

  • NFL teams play in UK and have been alerted to situation

Sports organisations in the US will press the Home Office to apply exemptions to new travel rules for American citizens entering the UK, after Harris English’s caddie missed out on around £130,000 by being denied access for the Scottish Open and the Open Championship.

The case of Eric Larson has alerted sport governing bodies such as the NFL and NBA, which stage games in London, that sportspeople or staff can be prohibited from entering the UK under electronic travel authorisation (ETA) rules if they have a criminal conviction. Larson was sentenced to 13 years in prison in 1995 for involvement in drug dealing and rebuilt his career as a caddie for several leading PGA Tour players after serving 10 years.

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Orioles at Phillies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 5

Its Tuesday, August 5 and the Orioles (51-62) are in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (64-48).

Dean Kremer is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Taijuan Walker for Philadelphia.

The Phils pounded the O's, 13-3, last night. Who else but Kyle Schwarber led the assault on Baltimore with a pair of home runs and six RBIs. Jesus Luzardo and a couple of relievers combined to strike out 13 Orioles and limit them to five hits.

Lets 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 the how to catch the 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 Orioles at Phillies

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 6:45PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: MASN, NBCSP

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 Orioles at the Phillies

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (+122), Phillies (-147)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Phillies

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Dean Kremer vs. Taijuan Walker
    • Orioles: Dean Kremer (8-7, 4.27 ERA)
      Last outing: July 30 vs. Toronto - 5.40 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Phillies: Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.82 ERA)
      Last outing: July 30 at White Sox - 3.60 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 0 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!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Orioles at Phillies

  • Taijuan Walker has won 4 of his last 5 games against the Orioles
  • The Over has cashed in the Phillies' last 3 games with Taijuan Walker on the bump
  • Kyle Schwarber is making a run at the NL MVP with 6 hits in 16 ABs in August including 3 HRs (40 for the season) and 8 RBIs (94 for the season)
  • Trea Turner is 1-21 over his last 5 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!

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

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 Orioles and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Mets had serious interest in acquiring Mason Miller, Byron Buxton ahead of MLB trade deadline

The Mets were one of the big winners ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, revamping the back end of their bullpen and adding Cedric Mullins in the outfield, but the club reportedly took some even bigger swings that didn’t end up panning out.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Mets had “substantial” trade talks with the Athletics about closer Mason Miller, who was ultimately dealt to the San Diego Padres, while Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports that the Mets were one of six teams that contacted Byron Buxton’s agent about the outfielder potentially waving his no-trade clause. 

Per Hayes, the Mets and Braves “showed the most interest” in a Buxton deal.

The cost for Miller, the 26-year-old flamethrower, was incredibly steep, as the Padres dealt four top-20 prospects, including shortstop Leo De Vries, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball, as well as RHP Braden Nett, who was the Padres No. 3 prospect.

Per Rosenthal, the A’s identified the Mets, Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies as the three teams most likely to meet their asking price ahead of the deadline, but none of those three clubs were willing to pay that price that Padres general manager A.J. Preller ultimately did. 

The Mets then pivoted, bringing in Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto while holding on to prized prospects like Jett Williams, Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, and others.

As for Buxton, the two-time All-Star and his representation told all interested teams that he was not willing to waive his no-trade clause, expressing his desire to stay in Minnesota. Buxton, who currently has a .905 OPS and 23 home runs, is signed through the 2028 season.

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NHL Rumor Roundup: Recent Canadiens And Oilers Speculation

The Montreal Canadiens' acquisition of Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders in June was one of the biggest moves in this year's NHL trade market. However, they have a bit of a logjam on the blueline. 

During an appearance last week on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, Sportsnet's Eric Engels suggested the Canadiens could end up moving a defenseman at some point this season to make room for promising David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom. 

Engels singled out Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble, and Arber Xhekaj, suggesting one of them might not be with the Canadiens between now and this time next year. 

Matheson seems the most likely trade candidate. The 31-year-old is the oldest member of their defense corps and eligible for UFA status next July. However, Canadiens management could be reluctant to move Matheson, having praised his experience, leadership, and all-around abilities. 

Struble recently signed a two-year contract, but his improved performance and affordable $1.412 million cap hit could make the 23-year-old an enticing trade chip. Xhekaj's size and physical style make him a fan favorite in Montreal, but he was a healthy scratch for several games down the stretch last season. 

Mike Matheson (Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images)

Speaking of possible trade candidates. Allan Mitchell of The Athletic recently looked at several Edmonton Oilers players who could be on the move this season. 

One of them is Stuart Skinner. The 26-year-old goaltender carries an affordable $2.6 million cap hit this season and is UFA-eligible next July. 

Skinner's inconsistent play is an area of concern for Oilers management, who acknowledged they would seek ways to upgrade their goaltending. It was assumed they'd like to find someone with starter experience to split the duties and push Skinner to elevate his game. 

Mitchell pointed out that Skinner has 50 playoff games and two Stanley Cup Finals under his belt. Any significant improvement in his performance this season could silence his critics and reduce the need to add another netminder. However, Mitchell also thinks he could be a key piece in any move for a goalie upgrade.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Astros at Marlins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 5

Its Tuesday, August 5 and the Astros (63-50) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (55-56).

Houston is undecided in terms of today's starting pitcher. Spencer Arrighetti is rumored to be available after a multi-month stint on the disabled list (thumb). Miami is expected to start Cal Quantrill.

The Astros got things righted somewhat last night snapping a three-game losing streak with an 8-2 win to open this series. Cam Smith and Jeremy Pena each picked up a couple of hits and drove in a run apiece to lead an offense that churned out 11 hits. Jason Alexander pitched six shutout innings to earn his second win in three decisions this season.

Lets 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 the how to catch the 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 Astros at Marlins

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: loanDepot Park
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: SCHN, FDSNFL

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 Astros at the Marlins

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Astros (-110), Marlins (-108)
  • Spread:  Astros -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Astros at Marlins

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: TBD vs. Cal Quantrill
    • Astros: TBD
    • Marlins: Cal Quantrill (4-8, 4.79 ERA)
      Last outing: July 30 at St. Louis - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 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!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Astros at Marlins

  • The Astros have won 4 of their last 5 games against NL East teams
  • 6 of the Marlins' last 8 games with the Astros have gone over the Total
  • The Marlins are showing a profit of 2.67 units on the Run Line in their last 5 games at loanDepot Park
  • Jose Altuve is riding a modest 3-game hitting streak (3-14)
  • After hitting just .214 in July and starting August 0-8, Cam Smith picked up 2 hits last night

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Astros and the Marlins

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 Astros and the Marlins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Astros on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Florida tan: Panthers name engraved onto Prince of Wales Trophy for third straight season

One of the National Hockey League’s oldest trophies has received a bit of a Florida makeover.

The Prince of Wales Trophy is given annually to the winner of the Eastern Conference Final.

It’s been around for over 100 years, and it was the first major trophy ever won by the Florida Panthers.

That was back when Florida when they shocked the hockey world and advanced to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final in just their third season of existence.

More recently, the Panthers have claimed one of the few trophies with more history and significance, having their names engraved into the Stanley Cup not once, but twice over the past two seasons.

In order to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup, you must first march through the Eastern Conference and claim the Prince of Wales Trophy.

Over the past several seasons, when looking on one side of trophy, you could say it’s developed a bit of a Florida tan.

That’s because the plaque that recognizes Florida’s three straight Final appearances also displays the two that came before the Cats. They both happen to be the Panthers’ cross-state rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In fact, just like Florida, the Lightning won two of their three straight trips to the Final.

A photo posted by Phil Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Keeper of the Cup, shows the Florida-themed side of the Prince of Wales Trophy as it was being engraved with the Panthers name for their latest conference title.

Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) on XPhilip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) on XEastern Division Champs, 3 times in 3 years. Pretty amazing! The #StanleyCup Champion @FlaPanthers have their name on the Prince of Wales Trophy again. Congratulations! @NHL @HockeyHallFame

Based off how Florida General Manager Bill Zito has built up the team, it would seem a safe bet to think the Panthers will see their name back on the trophy again in the not-too-distant future.

Florida’s roster is full of high-end players on team-friendly term deals that will see the team remain intact through the end of the decade.

Additionally, with the salary cap continuing to rise, Zito will have the possibility to add to Florida’s already deep and impressive roster.

Just don’t expect the Cats to put their paws on the trophy if they do bring it home again.

Back in 2023, after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes to advance to the Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, not only did the Panthers touch the Prince of Wales Trophy, they carried that thing around all night like it was the Stanley Cup.

Then they lost to Vegas in five games.

Needless to say, when Florida beat the New York Rangers the following year to punch their return ticket to the Final, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice grabbed captain Sasha Barkov on the bench and told him not to touch it this time.

You better believe they didn’t touch it after beating Carolina again this past June.

Odds are, if they go back, they’ll keep playing the hits until they stop winning Stanley Cups.

Drink it in, folks.

It’s a good time to be a Panthers fan.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

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Would Panthers' Aleksander Barkov Need to Reach 100 Points To Receive Hart Trophy Consideration?

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Pair Of Former Panthers Defenseman Invited To Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp

Team Canada invites 5 Florida Panthers players to Olympic orientation camp

Photo caption: Photo of the Florida Panthers name being engraved onto the Prince of Wales Trophy posted on social media by Phil Pritchard, the Keeper of the Cup. (Source: @keeperofthecup on X)

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Royals at Red Sox prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 5

Its Tuesday, August 5 and the Royals (56-57) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (63-51).

Ryan Bergert is slated to take the mound for Kansas City against Garrett Crochet for Boston.

The Red Sox continued their run of good play winning their sixth straight with an 8-5 win last night to open the series. Jarren Duran ripped his twelfth home run of the season and drove in three to pace the attack. Brayan Bello pitched six innings and allowed just one unearned run on the way to his eighth win of the season.

Lets dive into Game 2 of the series 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 the how to catch the 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 Royals at Red Sox

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Fenway Park
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNKC, NESN

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 Royals at the Red Sox

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Royals (+194), Red Sox (-239)
  • Spread:  Red Sox -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Royals at Red Sox

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Ryan Bergert vs. Garrett Crochet
    • Royals: Ryan Bergert (1-0, 2.78 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 vs. Mets - 2.25 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Red Sox: Garrett Crochet (12-4, 2.23 ERA)
      Last outing: July 26 vs. Dodgers - 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 10 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!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Royals at Red Sox

  • The Red Sox have won 6 straight home games
  • The Under is 30-26-1 in the Royals' road games this season
  • The Red Sox have covered in their last 3 games against the Royals
  • Garrett Crochet has struck out 9 or more hitters in 4 of his last 6 starts
  • Trevor Story has hit safely in 6 straight games (10-21)

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Royals and the Red Sox

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 Royals and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Boston Red Sox on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Kansas City Royals 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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England 2-2 India: player ratings for the Test series

Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj were the stars in an exceptional series

By the 99.94 Cricket Blog

Ben Stokes: 304 runs at 43.4; 17 wickets at 25.2
It is no exaggeration to say that a magnificent series like this is the product of how Baz McCullum and Ben Stokes have reinvented English Test cricket, a change comparable to Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque’s revolution of European art a century ago.

Continue reading...
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Guardians at Mets Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 5

Its Tuesday, August 5 and the Guardians (57-55) are in Queens to take on the Mets (63-50).

Logan Allen is slated to take the mound for Cleveland against Clay Holmes for New York.

The Guardians took Game 1 in ten innings, 7-6. Pete Alonso went 4-4 and drove in four runs for the Mets but it was not enough to offset a Cleveland attack that scored seven runs on nine hits including Gabriel Arias' eighth home run of the season.

Lets dive into Game 2 of the series 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 the 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 Guardians at Mets

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: CLEG, SNY

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 Guardians at the Mets

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Guardians (+163), Mets (-197)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Guardians at Mets

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Logan Allen vs. Clay Holmes
    • Guardians: Logan Allen (7-9, 4.06 ERA)
      Last outing: July 29 vs. Colorado - 2.57 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts
    • Mets: Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.45 ERA)
      Last outing: July 30 at San Diego - 4.91 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 3 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!

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

  • The Guardians have won 4 of their last 5 at NL East teams
  • Clay Holmes has struck out no more than 3 hitters in any of his last 4 starts and just twice in his last 7 starts
  • The Guardians have covered the Run Line in 5 of their last 6 road games against the Mets
  • After closing July on an 0-15 run, Pete Alonso has opened August 7-16 with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs

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!

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

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 Guardians and the Mets:

  • 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 Cleveland Guardians 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

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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David Stearns explains why Mets aren't ready to call Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean up

AfterFrankie Montas was touched up for seven runs on seven hits in just 4.0 innings on Sunday during the Mets' blowout loss to the Giants, manager Carlos Mendoza was non-committal when asked about whether Montas would make his next scheduled start.

"I mean we just got done with the game here," Mendoza said. "He's got to be better and he knows that."

That kind of answer is ordinarily code for a team not being ready to commit to a pitcher's role.

By Monday afternoon, the Mets had committed to Montas' immediate role (sort of), with Mendoza saying he would pitch on Saturday against the Brewers. But there was a caveat.

"So, maybe an opener in front of him, but as of right now, on Saturday, he’s going to play a part in that game," Mendoza explained. "Depending on how we get through on Friday, we’ll see. But like I said, on Saturday he’s pitching."

It's unclear what the Mets hope to gain by using an opener in front of Montas, who has a 6.68 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 33.2 innings over seven starts this season, and has allowed 11.2 hits per nine innings.

Perhaps the plan is for Montas to enter after an inning or two and go through the Brewers' lineup just once before being removed.

Either way, with Montas getting the ball in some fashion on Saturday against a red-hot Milwaukee lineup, the elephants in the room are pitching prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean.

New York Mets starter Brandon Sproat (91) pitches against the Houston Astros at Clover Park.
New York Mets starter Brandon Sproat (91) pitches against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Speaking right after the trade deadline, when the Mets opted to not acquire a starting pitcher, president of baseball operations David Stearnssaid the team was prepared to turn to Sproat and/or McLean down the stretch if needed.

But as of Monday night, they weren't ready to do so.

"I think it's always a combination of when developmentally those guys are ready, and also when there's the need and how to fit it on the roster," Stearns said. "And so, we may get to the point where we decide that it's the best thing to do to bring one or both of them here, but we're not at that point quite yet."

Stearns added:

"I think they're getting close. I think they've both had really good months, and they're making progress."

Sproat has been on fire for Syracuse, allowing just two runs over his last 33.0 innings -- a span of six starts.

As far as McLean, he has been terrific this season in 104.0 innings spit between Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse, posting a 2.60 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while striking out 113 batters.

It's possible the Mets still want Sproat (who struggled earlier this season) and/or McLean (who needs to be more effective against left-handers) to hit more benchmarks before being deemed ready for the majors. But if Montas struggles again on Saturday, it's hard to imagine New York waiting much longer to turn to one of them.

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Yankees at Rangers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 5

It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Yankees (60-53) are in Arlington to take on the Rangers (59-55). Will Warren is slated to take the mound for New York against Nathan Eovaldi for Texas.

The storyline ahead of this game was not the epic loss for the Yankees to extend its losing streak to four games on Monday night, but the return of Aaron Judge.

Judge has not played since July 25 and was on the 10-day IL. New York has gone 4-6 in the 10 games without Judge and scored for or fewer runs in six of those 10 contests. After starting 8-1 in the second half of the season, Texas is 3-5 since.

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 the how to catch tipoff, 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 Yankees at Rangers

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Globe Life Field
  • City: Arlington, TX
  • Network/Streaming: YES, RSN

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 Yankees at the Rangers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Yankees (+115), Rangers (-136)
  • Spread:  Rangers -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Yankees at Rangers

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Will Warren vs. Nathan Eovaldi
    • Yankees: Will Warren, (6-5, 4.64 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.50 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Rangers: Nathan Eovaldi, (9-3, 1.49 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 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 Yankees and the Rangers

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 Yankees and the Rangers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Texas Rangers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Yankees 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 Yankees at Rangers

  • New York is 0-4 in the last 4 games
  • Texas is 3-5 in the past 8 games
  • The Rangers have won their last 5 games with Nathan Eovaldi as starting pitcher
  • The Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has an ERA of 1.49 and a WHIP of 0.76 when starting on the mound this season
  • The Rangers have covered in 8 straight games with Nathan Eovaldi starting

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)
Posted on

Rays at Angels Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 5

It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Rays (55-59) are in Anaheim to take on the Angels (55-58). Ryan Pepiot is slated to take the mound for Tampa Bay against José Soriano for Los Angeles.

The Angels won the series opener, 5-1, taking the lead in the second inning and never looking back. The Rays' slide continues as they are 1-6 over the past seven games and 5-12 in the second half of the season.

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 the 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 Rays at Angels

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 9:38PM EST
  • Site: Angel Stadium
  • City: Anaheim, CA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNSUN, FDSNW

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 Rays at the Angels

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Rays (+106), Angels (-125)
  • Spread:  Angels -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rays at Angels

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Ryan Pepiot vs. José Soriano
    • Rays: Ryan Pepiot, (6-9, 3.80 ERA)
      Last outing: 15.75 ERA, 7 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Angels: José Soriano, (7-8, 3.65 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.29 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 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 Rays and the Angels

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 Rays and the Angels:

  • 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 Tampa Bay Rays 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 Rays at Angels

  • Tampa Bay is 1-6 in the past 7 games
  • Los Angeles is 2-0 in the past 2 games but 2-3 in the last 5
  • The Rays have won 4 of their last 5 road series against the Angels
  • The Under has cashed in the Rays' last 4 games
  • The Rays have failed to cover the Run Line in 8 straight matchups against the Angels

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)