Category: Sports News

Since Will Smith last played on June 5, Dalton Rushing has started 30 of the Dodgers last 42 games behind the plate, by far the busiest stretch of catching of his career, as he moved around often in the minors as a bat-first prospect, playing some designated hitter, some first base, and even left field, though those positions are now occupied on the major league team.

On the season, Rushing is hitting .246/.333/.463 with a 119 wRC+, and the Dodgers seem pleased with his progress on defense after getting thrust into a more regular role with Smith still expected out a long while. From Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

“He’s proven that he certainly can play here on an every-day basis,” Roberts said. “When you’re an every-day catcher, you don’t get to cherry-pick when you play. I can’t cherry-pick matchups for him. So he’s playing against really good pitchers. He’s catching different pitchers. So he’s growing.

“I think he’s also understanding that to play more you’ve got to manage your emotions more. It’s just hard to be hot and cold when you’re playing five days a week. It’s all a part of his growth, which has been fun for me to watch.”

In that same article, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the Dodgers aren’t looking for a frontline catcher at the trade deadline — one week from Monday — but that adding catching depth would be “helpful.”

Speaking of the trade deadline, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports that acquiring two-time Cy Young Award-winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers is unlikely, that “the Dodgers don’t appear to be moving toward a trade for Skubal.”

José Mota was in the English-language radio booth this weekend in New York with Stephen Nelson, as Rick Monday was in Cooperstown as part of induction weekend at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Monday was honored on Saturday during the 50th anniversary season of his stopping the burning of an American flag on the field at Dodger Stadium in 1976.

The Braves decided to keep the drama high over the weekend. They were fortunate enough to win two of three in Baltimore, as each game was decided by one run. Sunday’s win may have been the most dramatic of all, as the Braves tried multiple times to give the game away. But in the end, Atlanta continues to thrives since the All-Star Break, as they are now 7-3 over their last ten games.

Braves News

Andruw Jones officially joined the Hall of Fame with the 2026 class on Sunday.

The mid-season/post draft Battery Power Top 30 prospects will be revealed this week, including the honorable mentions.

The return of Ronald Acuna Jr. could be imminent with the Braves heading to New York to face the Mets.

MLB News

The Trade Rumors are picking up across baseball.

Shea Langeliers is likely out for the season with a torn meniscus.

Worcester: W, 4-3 (BOX SCORE)

Franklin Arias is still looking for his first AAA hit, but Kristian Campbell is finding plenty of ways to get on base. He had two doubles, while Braiden Ward had the only other hits on a day when the rest of the team struggled to produce. It wasn’t a pretty win, to say the least, but two members of the lineup were on their game. I wouldn’t worry too much about two games of Arias adjusting to AAA; he’s still the youngest player at his level, two of the the pitchers he faced (Zach Pop and Zack Brzykcy) have had a mentionable amount of Major League pitching time, and he reached on a fielding error that scored Ward, which would end up being the game-winning run. All in all, could have been worse!

Portland: L, 4-8 (BOX SCORE)

Gage Ziehl, who may have read my article stating he may be leveraged in a trade, picked a bad time to have a rough outing. He avoided being taken out of the house, but needed 75 pitches to get nine outs. From there, the bullpen didn’t help matters, and despite the Sea Dogs going blow for blow, giving up six total runs in the first four innings to the Rumble Ponies (Mets AA) left the Sea Dogs in dire straits they couldn’t even surmount with another Jack Winnay home run and Mason White’s first since being promoted to Double-A.

Greenville: W, 7-6 (BOX SCORE)

It’s always good when you can make the other team pay for committing three defensive errors, it’s even nicer when it results in a walk-off the way Greenville’s Sunday afternoon game against Spartanburg (Astros High-A) did. The Drive came into the bottom of the ninth down by one with just a 20% chance of winning the game, but, fortunately for the Drive, Justyn Gonzales is a prospect to watch. He hit his fourteenth home run of 2026 directly after yet another Enddy Azocar knock to start the inning, and the rally was very anti-climactic.

Salem: L, 3-13 (BOX SCORE)

The Green Jackets (Braves A) got to Williams Montero extremely early in his first A-level start, and the RidgeYaks turned to Leighton Finley to take the bulk of this game. Finley allowed eleven hits and seven runs, but someone was going to have to wear it against a Green Jackets lineup who was ready to mash. Andruw Mussett and Justin Barry each got a ball over the fence with zero outs, but not much of a fighting chance could have possibly been recouped when down 10-2 after six.

Good morning.

• There was the first big trade of the Deadline happened over the weekend as the Nationals sent third baseman Curtis Mead to the Red Sox for left-hander Connelly Early.
• The decision by Boston to trade Early was so shocking that his former Red Sox teammate Payton Tolle thought it was an AI hoax.
• Jack Baer explains the deal.
• Patrick Stevens explains why the Nats agreed to trade Mead.
• Bradford Doolittle grades the deal. He’s likes the Nats end of the deal better.
• Mike Axisa also grades the trade. He also likes what the Nats got more, but he’s more positive on the Red Sox return.
• Chad Jennings and Tim Britton offer separate grades for the deal. (The Athletic sub. req.) Jennings thinks Boston will win the trade and Britton likes Washington’s end better.
• Mike Axisa explains why Nats left-hander Foster Griffn could be one of the hottest names at the deadline, just one year after returning from Japan. Axisa has the case for and against trading Griffin.
• Thomas Harrington asks if the Nationals are willing to pull the trigger and trade shortstop CJ Abrams?
• Aiden Stephansky looks at the Deadline plans of the Pirates and why they’re more likely to be buyers than sellers.
• Ryan Phillips argues that the Padres must trade closer Mason Miller.
• Scott Merkin asks if the White Sox could go all-in to acquire Miller.
• Michael Baumann calls rookie Bradgley Rodriguez the next great Padres reliever.
• Thomas Harrington has eight trade candidates who could be better than their numbers indicate.
• Keith Law offers his own Top 70 prospects (The Athletic sub. req.) for those wondering who has stuff to trade. Josiah Hartshorn and Jefferson Rojas are the Cubs prospects that made his list.
• The Marlins just lost their 12th-straight game.
• Johnny Flores Jr. asks if the Marlins current losing streak will turn them into sellers at the Deadline. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Will the Marlins trade Sandy Alcantara now?
• Less than two weeks after trading for him, the Brewers have designated Lance McCullers Jr. for assignment.
• One player considered to be in big demand at the deadline was Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers. That’s probably over as Langeliers has a torn meniscus and is out for the year. Jeff Passan reports.
• Dan Szymborski wonders when the A’s will be a contender again.
• Mets outfielder Juan Soto will miss “considerable” time with a calf strain. Jorge Castillo reports.
• Castillo also reports that an emotional Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta said he “let them [the Mets] down” after what is probably his final start with the team.
• Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger landed on the IL with a hamstring strain.
• On Sunday in Cooperstown, the Hall of Fame held ceremonies for the inductions of Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent.
• Bradford Doolittle examines what the inductions of Beltrán, Jones and Kent means to the Hall.
• Ben Lindbergh thinks several of the “clean” players from the “Steroid Era” that got passed over for Cooperstown should get another chance at the ballot. In particular, he’s talking about Kenny Lofton.
• Jake Mintz looks at Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler, who is having the best season of his career.
• And finally, Bob Nightengale profiles former two-time World Series champion Scott Spiezio, who says he’s a “changed man” by getting clean after nearly losing everything after years of substance abuse.

It’s been just over six weeks since Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) made his Major League debut. He has played in 39 games, and the “Cole Carrigg Effect” is in full swing. Carrigg has been known to play “with his hair on fire” and hasn’t shown many signs of slowing down in the big leagues — both on and off the field. But how much has Carrigg truly brought to the Colorado Rockies since June 9?

Cole Carrigg himself

Since his debut on June 9, Carrigg has played in 39 of the Rockies’ 41 games and started 34 of them. He is slashing .287/.360/.519 in 129 at-bats with nine doubles, three triples, five homers, 26 RBI, 15 walks and three stolen bases in five attempts.

He immediately made his presence known, smacking a triple for his first MLB hit — only the second Rockie to accomplish the feat.

He also hit his first homer two games later against the Chicago Cubs on July 11, and hit two more over the next four games. Three of Carrigg’s five home runs have been three-run homers, and the other two were solo shots.

Carrigg has also made some outstanding defensive plays in center field. There was this 8-5 double play in Chicago:

And this diving catch at home against the Pirates:

And this impressive play in San Francisco to get Luis Arraez trying to steal second:

Prior to his call-up, Carrigg was a madman in Albuquerque. In 57 games with the Triple-A Isotopes, he slashed .338/.414/.529 with 15 doubles, five triples and six homers. He had 42 RBI, 27 walks, and 30 stolen bases in 37 attempts — including a steal of home on April 4.

The Rockies with Cole Carrigg

As mentioned above, the Rockies have played 41 games since Carrigg’s debut. During that span, they have gone 18-23. In the two games Carrigg didn’t play at all — June 23 and July 19 — the Rockies lost both contests. And in the five games he didn’t start, they went 3-2.

• On June 27 against the Minnesota Twins on the road, Carrigg entered in the sixth inning as a pinch hitter for Troy Johnston. He went 0-for-1 with a walk and a looking strikeout. The Rockies won 8-5.
• On July 1 against the Miami Marlins at home, Carrigg entered in the eighth inning as a defensive substitution for Troy Johnston. He did not have an at-bat, and the Rockies won 6-3.
• On July 5 against the San Francisco Giants at home, Carrigg entered in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter for Mickey Moniak. He went 0-for-1 with a swinging strikeout. The Rockies won 7-6.
• On July 11 against the Giants on the road, Carrigg entered in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter for Ezequiel Tovar. He went 0-for-1 with a looking strikeout. The Rockies lost 4-2.
• On July 17 against the Cincinnati Reds at home, Carrigg entered in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter for Mickey Moniak. He went 1-for-1 with a single. The Rockies lost 7-2.

Carrigg also had a mini slump, where he went 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in the final five games before the All-Star break. The Rockies went 1-4 in those games.

That came on the heels of a brush up he had with Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing on July 6 after hitting a game-tying double and then scoring the go-ahead run in the 10th inning (the Rockies ultimately lost the game 8-7 in 11 innings).

While this wasn’t the first incident of Carrigg getting fired up over a play, it was the one that seems to have brought attention to him, especially with the mini slump that happened after.

Balancing the emotions

On the field, Carrigg has adjusted well to playing at the major-league level, and the numbers make that clear. However, in spring training, Carrigg pointed to the emotional part of his game as a work in progress:

“Probably handling failure like a professional,” Carrigg said of his next step, “getting rid of that immaturity and just letting them know that. If I do come up to the big leagues, I’m sure it’s not always going to be great – hopefully it’s awesome and I do well, but there’s going to be tough times. And being able to handle that like a pro and not bring the club down in any sense, and having any bad attitude or whatever and just being a good locker room guy… I felt like I did a really good job this spring. Granted, it went well so it’s a lot easier to be happy when things are going well. But just handling more of that type of thing like a professional.”

He doubled down on it after the Dodgers game, telling Thomas Harding:

“The edge to win and to play for me, I will never lose – it will never leave. Being able to manage some of that on tough days is something I’ve worked on even through the Minors. But that’s just how I’m wired. I’ve gotten better at it and will continue to, but that won’t cause me to lose any type of edge.”

Recently, a consistent part of his game involves throwing his bat and/or helmet after he records an out while loudly yelling an expletive that rhymes with “fire truck.”

While this fire can help fuel Carrigg in big moment, it can also hold him back. Balancing these parts of his personality and his game is an ongoing project, one that he will need to adjust carefully as he lays the foundation for a long and successful major league career.

The Rockies broadcast crew on Tuesday provided their own insight during the eighth inning of the Rockies-Nationals game while Carrigg flew out to right on four pitches:

Drew Goodman: “I love everything about this kid, but you know what, as he grows, I think he’s going to control his emotions more because every pitch is… he’s living and dying.”

Ryan Spilborghs: “We see this from [Cubs’ center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong]. He’s very emotional. We see it from Cole. You probably heard something snap in the background.”

Jeff Huson: “Ah, it’s just a helmet.”

Spilborghs: “The game is not that easy where… you can’t expect to get a hit every single time, even late in the game.”

Goodman: “You love how competitive he is, but — I mean, you guys went through it for a long period of time in the big leagues. At some point you’re going to wear yourself down if you’re that emotional every at-bat.”

Huson: “Can’t do it every at-bat, no way.”

Spilborghs: “But we’ve also said this: You don’t want to take away that fire that’s in there.”

Goodman: “No, but temper it, right?”

Spilborghs: “Whatever that in-between is that you can just smooth some things out. I just don’t want to take any of that away from him. Like, you remember that conversation we had a few years ago with Justin Turner when he was with the Cubs and we were asking about PCA and he was like ‘Hey, he can be great if he learns to settle down. He’ll just be good if he stays on this path.”

Goodman: “And look at PCA the last two months. He’s handling his emotions — or maybe because he’s not making any outs, he’s not getting that emotional. I don’t know which it is.”

Huson: “Could be a combination of both!”

Huson’s and Spilborghs’ concerns, as well as those of his coaches before them, about Carrigg wearing out are a cautionary note that should not be taken lightly. Carrigg has shown the tools to be an elite baseball player with the versatility and toolsy approach the Rockies value. One part of his game to watch going forward, however, will be how that emotional part of his game evolves.

When Carrigg good, he’s on fire. When he’s struggling, he lets everybody know. And this is a pattern he needs to refocus on if he’s going to have a long and successful major league career.

If Ted Lasso can get through to Jamie Tartt, I’m confident Warren Schaeffer can help guide Cole Carrigg.

McCarthy’s 2026 breakout continues to fuel Trade Deadline speculation | MLB.com

Jake McCarthy has had an outstanding season since the Rockies traded for him in January. Thomas Harding spoke with McCarthy and Warren Schaeffer about what he brings to the team, and whether or not he’ll be part of the Rockies’ long-term vision or be dealt to another team ahead of next Monday’s trade deadline.

Rockies’ Jordan Romano, Matt Buschmann reunited with aim to regain All-Star form | Denver Gazette ($)

Jordan Romano has been a nice pick-up for a Rockies team in desperate need of pitching, especially out of the bullpen in late innings. But his Colorado connection goes back to his days in Toronto, when he was coached by Matt Buschmann as a member of the Blue Jays. Romano made back-to-back All-Star games during that stretch, and is hoping to regain form. Kevin Henry caught up with both of them as they’ve reconnected in Colorado.

On the Farm

Triple-A:Round Rock Express 9, Albuquerque Isotopes 2

It was a back-and-forth affair between the Isotopes and the Express (Rangers). There was some traffic in three of Keegan Thompson’s four innings, but he didn’t allow a single run to score despite giving up three hits. He also walked two and struck out three. Then the bullpen came in, and the four relievers — Evan Shawver, Ryan Miller, Parker Mushinski and TJ Shook — all gave up at least one run (though Shook’s was unearned, as was one of Shawver’s).

On the offensive side, the Topes recorded six hits to the Express’ 12. Vimael Machín went 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and a run scored. Recently-promoted Bryant Betancourt also went 2-for-3, while Jordan Beck and Chad Stevens had the other two hits. Betancourt knocked in the second run, but it wasn’t an RBI because left fielder Aaron Zavala committed an error that allowed Stevens to cross the plate.

Double-A:Richmond Flying Squirrels 5, Hartford Yard Goats 2

This game didn’t start until the sixth inning, but unfortunately, all of the Flying Squirrels’ (Giants) runs were scored in the seventh. The Goats kicked things off in the sixth with an Aidan Longwell sac fly to score Dyan Jorge and put them up 1-0. Then, in the seventh, Jorge singled to drive in Mike Antico. But then it all fell apart.

Carlos Torres started the inning by getting Charlie Szykowny to fly out to center. But then Jancel Villarroel reached on catcher interference and Maui Ahuna walked. Jean Carlos Sio struck out, but then Ty Hanchey singled to score Villarroel. Diego Velasquez walked to load the bases, and then Trevor Cohen singled to score two more runs and give the Squirrels the lead. Cohen advanced to second on defensive indifference, but then scored alongside Velasquez when Gavin Kilen singled to center. Finally, Dakota Johnson grounded out to first base, but the damage was done.

The Goats recorded four hits (Jorge 2, Antico 2, McCabe 1) while Torres was saddled with the loss and the blown save after giving up the five runs (three earned) in his single inning of work. But Michael Prosecky (No. 25 PuRP) and Cade Denton looked sharp, combining for six innings (Prosecky 2.2, Denton 3.1) of work in which they allowed just three hits, one walk and seven combined strikeouts.

High-A:Spokane Indians 12, Tri-City Dust Devils 6

It was a fairly back-and-forth affair between the Indians and the Dust Devils (Angels), but an eight-run seventh put the Indians way ahead and they never looked back.

Spokane got things started when Tommy Hopfe was hit by a pitch and was eventually scored on a single by Alan Espinal. They gave one back in the second, but took one back in the third when Hopfe was hit by a pitch again, but then was replaced by Roldy Brito on a force out at second. Brito eventuall scored on a double by Espinal. Tri-City scored twice again in the fifth to put themselves up 3-2, but then Tevin Tucker was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the frame and was scored on a Hopfe double to re-tie the game.

The seventh inning is where things got weird. Francis Rivera got two quick outs, but then David Mershon doubled and Harold Coll walked. Kevin Bruggeman then hit a three-run homer to double Tri-City’s lead. But the Indians said “hold my beer” in the bottom of the frame. They started things off with three-straight singles and a walk, and then Tanner Thach was hit by a pitch to score Brito. Tri City’s reliever Ssam Tookoian was chased from the game between the Hernandez single and the Espinal walk. Kelvin Hidalgo then singled to tie the game… and there still wasn’t an out yet! Jacob Hinderleider was the next batter and the first out, but then Caleb Hobson walked to score Espinal. Tucker was hit by a pitch again to score Thach, and then Hopfe singled to score Hidalgo and Hobson. Tookoian was then replaced by Nicolo Pinazzi, who immediately gave up a single to Brito to score Tucker. That would be the end of the scoring in that inning, as two of the next three batters struck out (the third walked). In total, five Indians were hit by pitches and four walked, and nobody did both. The final run was scored in the ninth when Tucker doubled to score Hinderleider, who singled two batters before.

Low-A:Fresno Grizzlies 19, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 6

Not to be outdone by the Indians, the Grizzlies went on an offensive tirade against the Quakes (Angels). They managed 19 runs on 16 hits, but committed three errors. The Quakes, on the other hand, scored six runs on nine hits with two errors. Fresno scored in every inning except the third, fifth, and eighth and every batter recorded at least one hit except PH/LF Yeiker Reyes, 3B Carlos Renzullo and OF Landyn Vidourek.

The Grizzlies scored one each in the first and second, but it was the fourth inning where they blew things open. It started with a lead-off walk by Cruzmel Arias, which came around to haunt three batters later. Cam Hassert singled, but then Ashly Andujar reached on an error and Cam Nelson walked to score Arias. Jeremy Ciriaco then singled to score Hassert, and then Derek Bernard singled to score Andujar. Quakes’ pitcher Jaren Warwick was lifted in place of Alton Davis II, who immediately gave up a single to Wilder Dalis that scored Nelson. Kyle Fossum grounded out to record the first out, and then Vidourek struck out swinging. Arias came up to bat again, this time singling to score Bernard. Then back-to-back-to-back walks to Hassert, Andujar and Nelson scored Arias. Then there was another pitching change to Will Gervase, who threw a wild pitch to score Hassert. Ciriaco grounded out to Gervase to end the inning, but the Grizzlies were up 11-1.

The second big inning happened in the sixth, It started with another lead-off walk to Hassert, which came around to haunt again. A wild pitch by Gervase moved Hassert to second, and then Andujar grounded out to first but moved Hassert to third. Three-straight walks again scored Hassert, and then Dalis singled to score Nelson. Fossum had the biggest hit of the game, though, smacking a grand slam to run up the score 17-4. Vidourek struck out again, but then Arias reached on another error. Hassert singled and Andujar doubled to score Arias. 18-4, Grizzlies.

Dalis got the last laugh, homering in the seventh to make the final Grizzlies’ run total 19. They also ended up walking more times (12) than striking out (8).

Arizona Complex League:ACL Rockies 9, ACL Reds 8

The ACL Rockies began the ACL World Series tonight against the ACL Reds, and took Game 1 with a final score of 9-8 in the Arizona heat. The Reds got out to an early 2-1 lead, but a five-run fourth was enough for the Rockies to eke out a win after some late-inning drama.

The fourth inning started with a lead-off walk to Ben Wilmes, followed by a single by Kamuel Villar. Eriel Dihigo hit a sacrifice bunt to move the rummers, and then Matt Klein walked to load the bases. Parker Coddou singled to score Wilmes and tie the ballgame, and after a pitching change, Sebastian Blanco walked to give the Rockies the lead. Jared Thomas grounded out to score Klein, and then Christian Arguelles singled to score Coddou and Blanco. But then Arguelles was caught trying to stretch the single into a double, ending the inning.

The Reds tacked on another run in each of the fifth and sixth innings, but the Rockies scored three more times in the eighth. It started off (again) with a lead-off walk to Klein, who was replaced by pinch runner Gabriel Lopez. Coddou and Blanco hit back-to-back bunt singles, and then a throwing error helped score Lopez. Dariel Garcia then replaced Thomas as a pinch hitter, and two batters later Arguelles reached on catcher interference. Ronny Ugarte then drew a bases-loaded walk, and then Wilmes singled to run up the score 9-4.

The Reds made things a little interesting in the ninth inning, though. Marcos Pimentel came in and got Juan Brown to line out. But then two singles and a walk later set up Jirvin Morillo, who hit a grand slam to make the score 9-8. Pimentel was then replaced by Wilmis Paulino, who walked Eli Pitts to start. But then Naibel Mariano flied out to right, and Hansel Jimenez grounded into a force out at second to end the game.

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Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 7, Norfolk Tides 4

The Tides fell to Charlotte on Sunday, as starter Trace Bright and a stable of relievers—Dietrich Enns, Cameron Weston and Enoli Paredes—allowed a combined seven runs on ten hits, three of them home runs (one by Knights’ outfielder and former Oriole Austin Hays). Bright’s four runs allowed in 4.1 innings put him at a regrettable 0-8 record with a 7.39 ERA in 18 starts this year.

But there was good news, too. Heston Kjerstad, hitting in the three-spot, bashed two home runs, one an Earl Weaver Special, to give him four RBIs on the day—all of his team’s runs. Kjerstad is hitting .299 and OPS’ing .796 right now. Creed Willems had two hits. Jud Fabian singled.

Box score

Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 6, Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) 2

The Baysox never trailed in this one. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead off the bat of Griff O’Ferrall, who hit a two-run second inning home run. In the sixth, Adam Retzbach hit a two-run double to put the Baysox up 4-1. Two more home runs—solo shots each by Tavian Josenberger and Patrick Lee made it 6-2. Not to be forgotten is Aron Estrada’s three-for-three day. O’Ferrall homered and singled. Brandon Butterworth singled and walked.

Chesapeake starter Luis de León pitched a gem, throwing 6 1/3 innings with just one run allowed and nine strikeouts. He’s now 5-6 with a 4.33 ERA. Richard Guasch pitched 1 2/3 innings and struck out three. Micah Ashman allowed one run on a solo home run.

Box score

High-A: Rome Emperors (Braves) 6, Frederick Keys 2

Two bad innings bookended the Keys’ Sunday loss. In the first inning, Boston Bateman left early with right hip flexor discomfort, after just eight pitches. Five pitchers combined to allow five runs in 7 2/3 innings, Cohen Achen, Ben Vespi, Cameron Foster, Ryan Cabarcas and Todd Kniebbe.

Despite posting eight hits, an Ike Irish-less Keys lineup still struggled to score runs. One run came home on a Victor Figueroa single. The hard-hitting first baseman went 3-for-4 and is OPS’ing .914. The Keys’ second and final run was on a home run by Yasmil Bucce. Wehiwa Aloy finished 0-for-3. The rehabbing Reed Trimble and Payton Eeles finished a combined 1-for-9.

Box score

Low-A: Hill City Howlers (Guardians) 10, Delmarva Shorebirds 6

It’s tough to climb out of a 6-0 hole after two innings. But starter Brayan Orrantia, a fourteenth-rounder in 2025 out of Mexico, had a terrible day, allowing six runs in 1.2 innings. Relievers Teddy Sharkey, Jack Crowder, Zac Lampton, Kenny Leiner, and Luis Beltrán threw 6 1/3 innings allowing four combined runs between them.

Several Delmarva hitters had a good day. First baseman Miguel Rodriguez went 3-for-4. DH Andrés Nolaya finished 4-for-5. And Elvin García had two hits and walked twice. Jaiden Lo Re singled.

Box score

Monday’s scheduled games:

There are no scheduled games today.

Though the offense has been on a monthlong slump, I think it is fair to say that the bullpen is the clear weakness of the team. For what is largely considered a rebuild season, I actually think this is more of a positive than a negative. I am not worried about the bullpen long-term. The bullpen is a perpetual short-term concern. Who is good today may not be good tomorrow.

And they also can be found anywhere. Riley O’Brien and George Soriano are arguably the two best relievers on the team. O’Brien was purchased because the Seattle Mariners didn’t have room on the 40 man for him. Soriano was DFA’d and claimed a few times before the Cardinals decided for him using Andre Granillo, an okay relief prospect who is already on his second team after being DFA’d himself. JoJo Romero was traded for a (very good) bench player.

And on top of that, the Cardinals are littered with pitching prospects who we want to see start, but may have to go to the bullpen, which will probably be to the bullpen’s benefit. If the Cardinals solely wanted to build a good bullpen, we may have even seen some of them already: Liam Doyle certainly, Tanner Franklin, a healthier Brandon Clarke and Cooper Hjerpe fit this too. Not all of these guys will start. So I am certainly not worried about the bullpen.

But because they have a bad bullpen, I’d expect to have some changeover by Opening Day of next season. And I wanted to see if I could guess what it might look like. And I wanted to do it before the trading deadline, because this will also function as sort of a prediction from myself on what I expect to happen some of to the relievers

Riley O’Brien

Here Opening Day 2027? Yes

For me, this would have been an interesting debate when you could truly claim you were selling high on O’Brien. I’m just not seeing this great return available. It’s not that I’m not open to trading him, I just look at his numbers and if I’m an opposing team, I don’t know why I would give up that much for him. I could be wrong, which I will put the necessary disclaimer that if a team will give you some fantastic return, sure trade him.

The other aspect of this, and really the only reason anyone is considering trading O’Brien, is that he’s 31 and had injury problems in the past. So I do get it. But to me, the return I imagine O’Brien getting back, it’s a worthwhile risk to just keep him. I would just be surprised if I feel immense regret at the loss of the prospects he’d bring back. I almost think he’d need to be paired with a catcher or something, which is something the Cardinals may do!

But by himself? Injury is the biggest risk. But if he’s pitching the exact same for the next year (and his advanced stats are pretty similar to last season’s), he will not get a worse return. Years of control for a 31-year-old reliever do not matter like they do for a 25-year-old SS. It does matter that he has multiple years of control, but I don’t think the difference between 4 years and 2 months and 3 years and 2 months is going to meaningfully change the return. I really don’t. You’ll be trading for the rest of that particular year and maybe two years in both instances. Anything beyond that, you probably aren’t counting on.

George Soriano

Here Opening Day? Yes

Not to disparage George Soriano, but he probably looks like a better pitcher than he is because of the bullpen he’s in. His numbers are okay honestly. An okay strikeout rate, an okay walk rate, a normal groundball rate. He was essentially a waiver claim at the beginning of this year. Nobody is giving you a haul for this dude. And if you take offense to what I’m saying, that you think he’s a really good pitcher, that’s even more reason not to trade him. Because it hasn’t shown up in the numbers yet. You think his numbers will improve? Why would you trade him now before he’s about to take the next step into being a high leverage reliever?

There is one argument to trade him, and that’s if you view Soriano as found money, that you think he’s essentially a fringe MLB reliever and you want to capitalize on a first half that he won’t repeat. But I don’t think many think of Soriano like that. In order to trade Soriano, I would need a team to view him as a much better pitcher than his numbers say he is, and I would be surprised if that happens.

Ryne Stanek

Here Opening Day 2027? God no

He’s been a bad reliever for like four straight years, I’m good. I don’t even know if he’s good enough to trade.

Gordon Graceffo

Here Opening Day 2027? No

Heavy, heavy disclaimer here: the year is not up, and Graceffo has recently rediscovered his strikeout stuff. So this is a July 27th, I’m looking at his situation and I’m not bringing him back. If his numbers significantly improve by the end of the year, different answer. But Graceffo is going to be out of options, and currently has a 15.5 K%, 11.7 BB%, 4.65 FIP, 5.17 xFIP, 5.03 SIERA, and 5.47 xERA. Yes, I am leaving out ERA. Literally the only stat that has him as a good reliever. He won’t have a good ERA if all the other stats stay the same, which we’ve seen a little recently.

Objectively speaking, there is no good argument to bring back Graceffo with the current stats he has. Again, he has two months to change this. He has 6 strikeouts in his last two appearances. If the strikeouts are truly back, okay we’ll see it in these next two months.

Justin Bruhl

Here Opening Day 2027? No

Similar to Graceffo, he could change things by the end of the year. We all know how he began the year, and he’s already turned his season around. Still, I picked out a few dates to see how much better of a pitcher he has been in the last two months, and I tried different dates to see if the stats changed enough, and I kind of shrug my shoulders. He still doesn’t strike people out, he just stopped walking them. I have to think the Cardinals were hoping for a better pitcher than this when they claimed him.

It was a good claim, we gave it a good shot, he’s just not a guy who I want to HAVE to carry on a roster all year. I know I keep hammering the options, but why keep a mediocre or bad reliever who you can’t send them down? Once again, I am emphasizing if the season ended today, this is where I stand. Both Bruhl and Graceffo have a chance to change minds, but their current stats are not worth keeping next year.

Luis Gastelum

Here Opening Day 2027? Yes

Good minor league pedigree, all three options remaining – possibly two by the end of the year – and if the Cardinals’ usage of him is any indication, they clearly view him as the future. I don’t actually know if he will literally be on the Opening Day roster, he will be on the 40 man however.

Matt Svanson

Here Opening Day 2027? Yes

Me including Svanson and not Graceffo or Bruhl for performance reasons will probably confuse fans who don’t know how this works. Svanson has an option and therefore he can be sent to AAA next season. The other two can’t. It’s that simple. Svanson also was straight up elite last year and the other two weren’t and because of that I may even had brought Svanson back if he had no options. With one more option remaining, it’s a no brainer.

JoJo Romero

Here Opening Day 2027? No

Sorry, he’s getting traded in a week, and I don’t think the Cardinals are going to sign him to free agent prices.

Ryan Fernandez

Here Opening Day 2027? Yes

But probably not on the actual roster. Would it surprise me if the Cardinals moved on? Absolutely not. Their actions speak loudly. In terms of how Fernandez has actually pitched this year, I don’t see why you wouldn’t bring him back. He’s pitched very well in the majors, despite limited opportunities, striking out 33% of hitters with a 2.70 ERA. His numbers in AAA are not terrible, and trust me that’s sometimes as good as you can ask for in Memphis.

All that said, he’s got two months to screw it up. Which is kind of why I want to see Fernandez in the majors. Cause I would like more than 13 innings in the MLB to base my decision. He’s pitched well enough in the majors to keep getting chances, and if you’re not a fan of Fernandez, don’t worry, if he’s as bad as you think, it’ll be reflected in the numbers after two months. And if he still looks like a capable MLB reliever after two months, okay he’s worth bringing back.

It’s just bizarre that they refused to send him down for as long as they did last year, and now he’s the literal last option they go to, and only when they’re truly desperate. And I must point out: Ryan Fernandez has one more MLB option.

Those are established 40 man relievers right now. And by my count, I have five relievers coming back, one of whom is very likely to start in Memphis (at least). I need to figure out the other four relievers on Opening Day. My hot take is that I think the Cardinals are going to keep trying Matthew Liberatore at starting, so that’s why he’s not mentioned. His numbers are extremely similar to Andre Pallante last year, who they stuck with.

Brycen Mautz

No brainer choice here. They recently moved him to the bullpen, he’ll probably get some MLB time after the deadline. He’ll definitely still be in the organization, it’s just a matter of if he’ll be in Memphis or St. Louis.

Cade Winquest

Winquest has been hit hard by the homer bug in Memphis, but otherwise looks like a future MLB reliever pretty easily. He has a 29.5 K%, 6.3 BB%, and 46.4 GB%, leading to a 3.49 xFIP. I would actually be surprised if the Cardinals don’t promote him at any point this year, because he needs to be added to the 40 man roster in November anyway. And we can be pretty sure he’d be selected in the Rule 5, because the Yankees literally just did and they only had 8 starts in AA to base their decision. A fantastic K/BB ratio in AAA surely would interest at least one team.

Tekoah Roby

No, I am not permanently moving Tekoah Roby to the bullpen. I am however recognizing that he will throw zero innings in 2026. He threw 78 innings in 2025. He threw 38 innings in 2024. He will, hopefully, be completely healthy at the start of 2027. I do not see a situation where you aren’t forced to heavily manage his innings and guess what, easy way to limit someone’s innings is to put him in the bullpen.

On top of that, he does have the issue of coming into next season with just one option. You retain that option when he spends 60 or so innings in the MLB bullpen, and then hopefully he pitches well enough that you want to move him to starter or at least try starting, and then you have the ability for him to be in Memphis when you’re not sure if he can start. Ideally, you don’t have to send him to Memphis.

But the main reason is just that if you only want him to throw 60 innings, it feels like a waste for that to be in Memphis and not St. Louis, where he can also learn how to get MLB hitters out. Again, I don’t know how the Cardinals plan to manage his workload, maybe they’ll just say “we’ll see if he can start 30 times” but looking at his innings history, I would be surprised if that were the case. If they have a low innings goal for him, and that may be a big if, MLB bullpen would be my choice.

And that’s all I got. They’re probably going to sign an MLB reliever or put in a few waiver claims or something. I’m not seeing it with Hancel Rincon, I’ll be honest. Maybe he’ll be a guy, I don’t think I use a 40 man spot on him. Might be worth calling him up this year to see how he plays at the MLB level to better inform a decision. He’ll certainly be eligible for minor league free agency, so it’s probably 40 or not in the organization. I wanted to say Sem Robberse, and if he looks good the rest of the year, he’s certainly in play, but that requires a bit more optimism than I was aiming for. Maybe it’ll be Peter Strzelecki, but I’ll certainly need MLB success this year for him to be on this list.

Interestingly, even though I have Roby on this list, it’s about a year early before the big guns might need to be moved to the bullpen. I don’t think they’ll give up on Cooper Hjerpe at starting by Opening Day next year, but maybe by the following year. So they might scrap heap the bullpen waiting to see who needs to move to the bullpen next year.

Good morning, baseball fans!

A new week of San Francisco Giants baseball is upon us. I’m starting to interpret that sentence as a threat, but I guess there’s not really much we can do about that part.

This week, the Giants continue their homestand by welcoming the Milwaukee Brewers to Oracle Park tonight to begin a three-game series. After that, they head south to begin a four-game series against the San Diego Padres starting on Thursday.

Personally, I’m never going to pick a Padres series as the series I’m most interested in. No offense to the Padres, they’re a more compelling team than the one we’re following. But we also see them approximately seven thousand times throughout the year (or it feels like it anyway). So I’m going to pick the Brewers series.

Which series are you most interested in this week?

What time do the Giants play today?

The Giants begin this three-game series against the Brewers tonight at 6:45 p.m. PT.

Michael Massey had the big home run late to win it for the Royals on Sunday, writes Jaylon Thompson.

“Being down one and to give us the lead there, you know, felt really good,” Massey said. “Obviously, I don’t get a ton of ABs (off left-handed pitchers), but trying to stay ready. Trying to prepare as best I can in the cage with the machine on the left side. The hitting coaches are always doing a great job working those drills in there for me so I can stay sharp.”

The Royals celebrated the new franchise home run king, Salvador Perez.

“It’s incredible seeing him do that in that situation, too,” Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino said after the game. “I thought it was really cool that the Tigers gave him a second to (celebrate). So yeah, that was pretty special. Home plate umpire (Erich Bacchus) did a great job of just kind of letting the moment breathe. Yeah, (Perez) is just fantastic, right.”

Anne Rogers got George Brett’s reaction to Salvy breaking his club home run record.

“I don’t want any of my records to be broken, to be honest with you,” Brett said recently in an interview with MLB.com. “But he’s a home run hitter — that record is going to be broken, there’s no doubt in my mind. It just means that he’s been here for a long time, he’s been a very productive player, and if anybody was going to break it, I’m glad it’s him.

“I thought Alex Gordon might have a chance when he came up here. Mike Sweeney if he had played 15 years here. But I’m happy for Salvy. I really am.”

Thompson writes that Noah Cameron called his own pitches in an outing on Saturday, to great success.

And the big reason? Well, Cameron called his own pitches after consultation with the Royals pitching coaches and veteran catcher Salvador Perez.

“It has nothing to do with obviously the pitch calling from the catchers because they have been amazing all year,” Cameron said. “Just a little bit of yeah, I guess my idea, a little stubbornness from me. And yeah, it obviously, you know, worked.” Cameron said he began calling his pitches in a recent bullpen. It allowed him to pitch with more conviction — as evident by his start on Friday night.

“It was good, and I felt comfortable,” Cameron said. “I felt like I could work a little faster and just kind of go at guys and have full confidence in the pitch that was thrown.”

Rogers writes that Isaac Collins is settling in.

“I feel like the first few months of the year, I was trying to do way too much,” Collins said.

Now? Collins is looking much more settled in, and he’s producing like the hitter the Royals believed they were acquiring.

“I really just honed in on what I’m trying to do each time I get to the plate,” Collins said. “Looking where I need to look and getting my pitch. Just staying on my approach and just being really convicted. That’s kind of been the big theme for me lately, is just being convicted in who I am as a hitter and who I am as a player.

“There were some good games in the first few months of the year, but then it would just feel like I would take a step back two or three games later. But lately, it’s just been building, keep climbing the mountain.”

Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Kent are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Nationals trade third baseman Curtis Mead to the Red Sox for pitcher Connelly Early.

Jacob Misiorowski sets a Brewers record by striking out the first seven hitters of the game.

Cody Bellinger lands on the Injured List, which may increase the Yankees’ need for a trade.

The Brewers designate pitcher Lance McCullers for assignment.

The Marlins lose a club record 12th game in a row.

Matt Shaw won’t be activated from the Injured List before the trade deadline.

The Dodgers will get closer Edwin Diaz back this week.

A’s catcher Shea Langeliers has a torn meniscus and may miss the rest of the year.

The Diamondbacks are interested in a contract extension for catcher Gabriel Moreno.

When will the Athletics truly be competitive again?

The Nationals are the latest in a trend of teams calling pitches from the dugout. [$]

Joe Buck is honored with the Ford Frick Award.

Why did LeBron James choose Philly over the Heat or Cavs?

MLS is targeted a $400-500 million TV deal.

Fighters go head-to-head in the medieval combat championships.

The best fictional football coaches in film history.

Millennials are trying to make minivans cool again.

Your song of the day is Elvis Costello with Veronica.

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The New York Yankees are short road favorites against the Chicago White Sox at -137, and I’m laying the moneyline.

New York is in a quick turnaround spot after Sunday Night Baseball, so I’m not eager to push the run line. Still, Noah Schultz’s contact profile is a tough fit against the Yankees’ power, while Max Fried gives New York the stronger run-prevention base.

Here are my Yankees vs White Sox predictions and MLB picks for Monday, July 27.

Who will win Yankees vs White Sox today: Yankees moneyline (-137)

I’m backing the New York Yankees and would play them up to -150.

Chicago White Sox left-hander Noah Schultz’s profile is a poor fit against this lineup. He owns a 6.07 xERA, a near-11% barrel rate, and a Bottom-15th percentile walk rate. That is a bad mix against a Yankees offense built to punish free traffic and loud contact.

Even without Aaron Judge, New York remains in the AL East race because of strong pitching and impact contact, ranking first in barrel rate and third in hard-hit rate.

This is the right matchup for the Yankees to do damage.

COVERS INTEL:Schultz has allowed an 87.7% zone-contact rate, well above the MLB average of 82.6%.

Yankees vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-105)

I’m playing the Over because Schultz gives New York too many ways to build offense. The Yankees do not need a perfect travel spot if they are getting free traffic and airborne contact from a pitcher allowing a 63.3% fly-ball rate.

Chicago can contribute enough on the other side, too. The White Sox are not a pure power offense, but their .324 OBP and 381 walks give them a path to pressure Max Fried into traffic.

Fried is Fried, but you get the sense that the White Sox offense won't have to do much here.

I'd play this to 9.

Yankees vs White Sox weather

Sunny, with 10-14 mph winds blowing to right field. Conditions are enhanced for both home runs and overall scoring today at Rate Field, per BallparkPal.

Yankees vs White Sox odds

• Moneyline: Yankees -137 | White Sox +119
• Run line: Yankees -1.5 | White Sox +1.5
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 | Under 8.5

Yankees vs White Sox trend

The New York Yankees are 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a left-handed starter. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. White Sox.

How to watch Yankees vs White Sox and game info

Yankees vs White Sox latest injuries

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