SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 16: Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics throws to first base for the out during the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners continued to prove the doubters correct yesterday by losing an incredibly winnable game and securing a series loss in Toronto. Logan Gilbert will go against Max Scherzer at 10:37 PST to try to find some momentum to take to Boston.
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson will be getting surgery to repair his persistent shoulder injury in a couple weeks. Wilson has only played eighty games this season and has been unable to match his All-Star rookie season when he’s been on the field. It is currently unclear if Wilson will miss any of the 2027 season.
Padres infielder Luis Rengifo had to be carted off the field with a sprained knee after he planted awkwardly to make a throw home. Rengifo will undergo a full evaluation back in San Diego as soon as possible.
The New York Mets placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on waivers yesterday. Robert is owed slightly under $5 million for the rest of the season.
On Friday, it was reported by Mark Feinsand that the Cubs had DFA’d relief pitcher Hoby Milner. It turned out that the Cubs hadn’t DFA’d Milner but had instead placed him waivers, an error that Feinsand quickly corrected about three hours later. Then, about 25 hours after that correction, the Cubs announced they had DFA’d Hoby Milner. Truly hilarious series of events.
Former Mariners pitcher Justin Topa was DFA’d by the Yankees after the first game of their doubleheader yesterday to make room for the return of Max Fried.
Former Mariner Cade Marlowe signed a minor league contract with the Angels yesterday, rejoining the franchise after being released by them on Friday following Marlowe exercising his opt-out.
The flyover before a rugby match in Cape Town cut it extremely close, with one of the pilots bringing the plane within twelve meters of the roof of the stadium!
Two planes were involved in a very close call doing a flyover before South Africa faced New Zealand in Cape Town ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Ylggc9LyR6
We’ll start with a Heroes and Goats Note for those of you who follow the minutia. Trent Thornton’s disaster Friday ended up landing as the fifth-worst WPA game score of the season by a Cub pitcher, leaving Webb with the top four spots. Going backward through history, Daniel Palencia had two of the top four last year. Hector Neris had two of the three worst scores in 2024. I could not immediately eyeball the closer in 2023. In 2022, David Robertson won the Rizzo Award. In 2021, Craig Kimbrel finished fourth. We don’t talk about the 2020 season. In 2019, Kimbrel had the two worst WPA game scores. In 2018 Pedro Strop won the Rizzo. In 2017, Wade Davis finished fourth for the Rizzo and also had the worst WPA game score of the year. So there is a quick and dirty tour of relievers and Heroes and Goats. They do get a lot of opportunity to accumulate WPA. The best ones do anyway. 100 H&G points, the first ever issued to all of you who can eyeball the closers in those boring Cub years where I didn’t immediately identify them (without going to any source).
Now back to the regularly scheduled action. Today was a flashback to an era gone by for me. Not because so many Cubs greats were in attendance at the game. I just thought my favorite TV show was showing a rerun today. It was the one where the good guys kicked butt start to finish. Not really a classic Hollywood script. Oh, there was a little fake inserted drama there towards the end of the first act. Where it seemed like this would be another tired episode where the bad guys had all of the fun. But really, just an old school romp for the good guys. At least when your favorite show is in reruns, they show a classic. I’m always here for it when the superstar hits three homers.
If you didn’t watch the Marquee broadcast with sound, you missed the line of the day. Greg Maddux was interviewed early and confirmed that he does still watch a fair bit of baseball. But then he said without missing a beat that he turns the sound off and just watches the game. I think Boog nearly choked on that one. He definitely didn’t miss it and asked a clarifying question to which Maddux quickly added that he does listen when John Smoltz is calling the game. I could also clearly picture his straight face when talking about PitchCom and that back in the day they got a LITTLE latitude off the plate. I think whole rivers ran between batters and the corners of the plate at times when those 90’s Braves teams were pitching. As if they weren’t lethal enough.
Listening to Maddux, Anthony Rizzo and Jon Lester all visit was fun. It was an entertaining broadcast. All joking aside, it ended up being one of the more entertaining games of the year. While this script has played out in SO many games this year, obviously it never gets old. I don’t know that there is much value to running the score up. I don’t imagine Seiya Suzuki is going to reminisce about the day he teed off on a position player. But the game goes on and I can’t see not trying to succeed regardless of what the guys on the other side are doing. The Cubs have split their last six games, getting shut out once. Also, they’ve scored 55 runs over that time. So unbelievable. This team has an immense ability to pile it on.
I’m pretty sure the drama has left the room. Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to be the MVP. We’ve seen all of the experts change lanes over the last few weeks. Pete has so many impressive statistics. I see where Shohei Ohtani is going to maybe start pitching some innings down the stretch. I’m not sure it matters. People are using Pete to dump on WAR as a stat (including Anthony Rizzo). But he’s also right with the league leaders on WPA and he just has so many metrics pointing his way. He seems very likely now to reach 40/40. At some point, the defense and baserunning offsets Ohtani’s pitching numbers enough for him to win.
While I’m ranting on statistics and awards, let me say something about Sal Stewart. First, a disclaimer, I don’t watch nearly enough other baseball to have a hands on opinion regarding NL Rookie of the Year. Sal Stewart’s case is heating up because he leads the majors in runs batted in. Let’s flip Alex Bregman and Sal Stewart for a second. Stewart is a rookie on the Cubs, batting third and he bats with more traffic than any player in the major leagues. I don’t recall if Bregman is still there, but I know he was. But, in that spot, Stewart’s RBI would largely be context driven because he’s just batting with traffic all of the time. But they aren’t flipped. Stewart plays for the Reds. He might see the most traffic of any player on the Reds. The Reds are fourth from the bottom in on-base percentage. They have fewer men on base than all but two NL teams. And Stewart leads the league in RBI. Yes, RBI need context. The context is holy cow. If there are other reasons for Stewart not being RoY, that’s fine. But do not discount than man’s RBI. It’s impressive. (That stat by the way, Bregman has batted with 419 runners on base. Sal Stewart has batted with 365 runners on base, which is just nominally over an average number of runners – 357).
THREE POSITIVES:
I miss having something on PCA every day. He tailed a little for a while there. Such are the problems when you unlock god-mode in a game, right? He was back in the zone today though. Four hits, three homers, six runs driven in four runs scored. Now fourth in the majors in homers, none of the top 10 have even 20 steals. OPS is second. I understand the value of pitching. But Ohtani would have to be throwing a ton of innings. Pete has the Jordan argument. He is the best offensive player in the National League. Also he is arguably the best defensive player in the National League. Also, we’ve moved away from this definition a fair bit, but the Dodgers are one of the best teams in baseball if Ohtani misses the entire season injured. The Cubs are ordinary without Pete. Their pitching manages what it does (which isn’t great anyway) in large part because balls go to die in center.
Carson Kelly, double, homer, walk, four runs driven in, three scored.
Alex Bregman, single, double, homer, hit by pitch, three runs driven in, run scored.
I could list a half dozen other players easily, but I just HAVE to hat tip Tyrone Taylor for a four-hit game with three runs scored and Ryan Zeferjahn, four up and four down while the game was still competitive.
Game 136, August 29: Cubs 17, Reds 5 (77-59)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.238). 4-6, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R
Hero: Alex Bregman (.156). 3-5, HR, 2B, HBP, 3 RBI, R
Sidekick: Pedro Ramirez (.113). 2-3, 2 BB, 3 R
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Kevin Gausman (-.138). 5 IP, 23 BF, 6 H, 2 BB, 5 R, 7 K (W 3-1)
Goat: Michael Busch (-.053). 0-6
Kid: Nico Hoerner (-.041). 1-5, RBI
WPA Play of the Game: Eugenio Suarez’s two-run homer in the second. Yeah, that’s never happened before. Cut the Cub lead to one. (.141)
Cubs Play of the Game: Alex Bregman’s two-run homer in the first. Extended the Cub lead to three. (.135)
Note: 88 WPA events were recorded in this game. 19 of them registered .000. Nico Hoerner’s RBI single was the last event that registered any WPA.
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 135 Winner: Seiya Suzuki received 24 of 38 votes.
Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 5/Bottom 5)
The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.
Pete Crow-Armstrong +29
Alex Bregman +22
Ben Brown +13.5
Javier Assad +12
Shōta Imanaga +11
Edward Cabrera -12.5
Jameson Taillon -13
Nico Hoerner -15
Dansby Swanson -17
Caleb Thielbar -18.5
Scoreboard Watching: Brewers win (up eight on Cubs ). Phillies win (one back of Cubs). Diamondbacks split a double header (five behind Cubs). Dodgers lost (four ahead of Cubs). Padres lost (five back). Braves won (four up).
Up Next: 1-1 to start this 13 game stretch. The Cubs can win the series Sunday night. Shōta Imanaga (8-9, 3.78) was flipped with Gausman and given extra rest after a rough start in Seattle that the Cubs ended up winning by 17 after he left. He’s still 3-1 with a 2.65 over his last seven. He definitely has shown signs of wearing down, allowing eight earned runs in 12.2 innings over his last three starts. It would be great to get him back on track. Hopefully the wind is a little more tame after two big offensive days in a row.
23-year-old righty Chase Burns (14-3, 2.77) goes for the Reds. He’s tailing a bit (3-2, 3.41 over seven) and allowed five runs in 3.2 innings last time against the lowly Giants. Kudos to the Giants, I can’t remember too many times in my years where I’ve looked for a negative adjective for them. Chase has missed the Cubs so far this year. They saw him briefly last year in September in relief. He allowed three hits and a run in 1.1 innings. Nico Hoerner was the only current Cub who had a hit against him (an RBI single). Looking through his numbers, the Angels got him for five runs in 5.1 innings in April, the Pirates got him for five runs in six innings in June, the Guardians got him for five runs (one earned) in five innings in July, and the Nationals got him for five runs in 5.1 early August. He’s been roughed up in three of his last six starts and two of those were on the road. He’s 6-2 with a 3.53 on the road. He’s 9-3 with a 2.81 at night.
With this pitching matchup, Fangraphs still has the Cubs at 53.3 percent to win this game. That may even be tweaked upwards after a lopsided win in the series. I think the Cubs can win this one. But Imanaga has got to limit the damage and the Cubs have to work the pitch count.
BIRMINGHAM, AL - AUGUST 15: Eric Hartman #12 of the Columbus Clingstones takes a lead during the game between the Columbus Clingstones and the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field on Saturday, August 15, 2026 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Hannah Bachman/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Saturday’s action in the Atlanta Braves system was headlined by another dominant outing from Daniel Brooks for Rome. The other big story is the fact that Eric Hartman crossed the 50 stolen base mark, and kept going. Same story for Luis Guanipa, though it was the 40-steal mark for him. We also got homers from Dixon Williams, Manuel Campos, Carter Beck, and Juan Mateo. On the pitching side Luis Arestigueta followed up his strong two start run with another, and Luis Vargas had a lights out relief appearance.
Cedric De Grandpre was the starter, and didn’t quite seem to have his best command in this one. Through five innings Cedric allowed four runs, though only one was earned, on seven hits and three walks. He also struck out five with nine whiffs, but earned his first Triple-A win. Danny Young pitched a scoreless inning next, before Blake Burkhalter got two scoreless innings with four strikeouts and seven whiffs. Tyler Uberstine pitched the ninth inning, but was tagged for three runs.
Brett Wisely had a monster game, though both David McCabe and Lizandro Espinoza had big games as well. Wisely went two for two with two home runs, walked three times, stole a base, scored five times, and batted in four runs as he filled up the boxscore. McCabe and Espinoza each had four-hit games, with McCabe picking up a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and two batted in, while Espinoza scored a run, batted one in, and stole a base. That gives Espinoza 31 steals in just 46 games played on the season. Jose Azocar also homered, while Rowdy Tellez, DaShawn Keirsey Jr., and Cal Conley all had two-hit games, with Conley doubling. Jim Jarvis was hitless in four at bats, but drew two walks.
Columbus Clingstones 7, Chattanooga Lookouts 3
Alex Lodise, SS: 4-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI, .333/.367/.467
John Gil, 2B: 2-5, R, RBI, .286/.377/.385
Owen Carey, RF: 1-3, 2 BB, .261/.337/.409
Luis Vargas, RP: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 3.28 ERA
Columbus got a bullpen game in this one, though one of the relievers used stood out in a big way. Shay Schanaman went the first three innings and didn’t allow any runs to score as he struck out three and whiffed 11. Then came a huge performance from Luis Vargas, who over three innings allowed just one hit and no walks as he struck out seven and whiffed 13 in 46 pitches. Hayden Harris allowed all three Lookouts runs in his inning of work, leading to Duncan Davitt picking up a save for pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Combined the four relievers allowed just five hits and two walks with 14 strikeouts.
The biggest prospects had the biggest days for the Columbus offense. Alex Lodise continues his great run to end the season, as he went four for five with a double, scoring two runs and batting one in. John Gil had the other multi-hit game, going two for five, while Owen Carey was one for three but did draw a pair of walks. Eric Hartman went one for five, but stole two bases – giving him 51 steals on the season. Adam Zebrowski added a triple in the win.
Daniel Brooks continued his dominance over A-ball here as he went four more scoreless innings in his second High-A start. In this one Brooks allowed two hits and no walks as he struck out five and whiffed 11. He has now allowed just three runs (two earned) over 36 innings between Rome and Augusta. Brooks left with his pitch count at 59, throwing 44 strikes. Both of the Greenville runs scored off of Logan Samuels, as he pitched the next two innings out of the pen. The game was finished off by two scoreless frames from David Rodriguez and one from Tyler Schoff.
The Rome offense had a fun evening here, as seven guys had at least one hit and all nine reached base safely in a game that saw four home runs and a perfect 6 for 6 in stolen base attempts. The homers came from Carter Beck, who hit his first with Rome, and Dixon Williams, who also added a steal to give him 21 homers and 29 steals on the year. The other two came from Will Verdung and Colin Burgess. Luis Guanipa had a three-hit game that included two runs scored and two steals, taking him to 41 on the season. Conor Essenburg was hitless in two at bats, but did draw a pair of walks and stole three bases – giving him 10 on the season. Burgess and Cade Doughty also added multi-hit games in the win, with Doughty having a double.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans 6, Augusta GreenJackets 5
Manuel Campos, SS: 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, .218/.235/.346
Juan Mateo, 2B: 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, .251/.330/.363
Caleb Klein, CF: 2-5, R, .322/.438/.339
Luis Arestigueta, SP: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 6.55 ERA
Luis Arestigueta came into this game after going his last two starts, not allowing any runs over 11 innings. He did allow one run over five innings, though it was unearned, on just two hits and no walks. That means he hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last 16 innings in three starts. He struck out six and also had six whiffs, though he had better command today than he had in those last two fairly effectively wild outings. Nico Wagner followed and allowed four runs (three earned) over three innings, and Kade Woods allowed one run during his inning.
The top of the order did most of the damage for the Jackets tonight, as Juan Mateo and Manuel Campos each homered and drove in a pair of runs. The Mateo homer was just his sixth of the year, but the fourth of August for him as he is seeing a late season spike in power fairly similar to John Gil last year. Whether he can continue that power into next year is still up for debate, though I do have belief that he can continue to grow the power in his game. Campos’ homer was his second here and fourth in 67 games between Augusta and the FCL. Caleb Klein added a two-hit night, while Nick Montgomery and Dominic Kibler each doubled, with Montgomery also drawing a walk.
There is so much to dive into this afternoon in the MLB player propsmarket.
Join me as I break down three of my favorite MLB picksfor Sunday, Aug. 30, including why Max Scherzer is going to shove against Seattle.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Zebby Matthews
Over 2.5 earned runs
-115
Max Scherzer
Under 2.5 earned runs
-149
Parker Messick
Under 5.5 strikeouts
+126
Zebby Matthews Over 2.5 earned runs (-115)
Still have no idea what a "Zebby" is, but we're fading it once again.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews enters Sunday with the worst pitcher rating on the day, drawing a fully elite-rated Chicago White Sox lineup, per Batters-Box. Matthews has improved over his last few starts, but he is still allowing over 54% hard contact over his last five outings.
The White Sox bats have been on fire all week and have yet to cool down, as they have a 124 wRC+, .350 wOBA, and .785 OPS over their last six games. All six of their elite-rated hitters today will bat from the left side, and Matthews has struggled against lefties all season, owning a 5.57 ERA and 4.50 xERA while allowing a 12.2% barrel rate and 1.69 HR/9.
With the White Sox not looking ahead to a day off, they should be fully focused on this afternoon's matchup. Take this down to -125.
Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MNNT, CHSN
Max Scherzer Under 2.5 earned runs (-149)
The old man has a chance to shove this evening against the Seattle Mariners, as they have been ice cold at the dish as of late and most of the season.
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer really only has to worry about a few left-handed bats that have been seeing the ball pretty well in their last 30 at-bats versus right-handed pitching. However, six of their nine batters are batting below .185 during that stretch, generating little to no hard contact or barrels.
Despite Father Time calling Scherzer's name, he has done a very good job limiting hard-hit and barreled balls in his last five starts. On top of that, he owns a 3.31 xERA during that span.
If the old-timer gets lit up by a lineup that owns an 81 wRC+, .620 OPS, and 27.4% strikeout rate over their last six games, tip your cap. The Blue Jays are trying to end the season strong with a possible playoff berth, and Mad Max should be locked in this afternoon.
Take this down to -150.
Time: 1:37 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportnet, SEAM
Parker Messick Under 5.5 strikeouts (+126)
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick has been outstanding in his rookie season, being an absolute strikeout machine. However, it seems like a tough road for him to surpass 5.5 strikeouts this afternoon, as he draws a Kansas City Royals lineup that makes a lot of contact and does not strike out much.
Not to mention, they are on a heater at the dish over their last 12 games. During that stretch, they own a 17.4% strikeout rate, 145 wRC+ and an .863 OPS.
Even against southpaws, the Royals do not strike out at a high rate. Over their last 30 at-bats versus a left-handed pitcher, more bats have a walk rate above 10% than they have hitters with strikeout rates above 21%.
If you want to play it safe and get 6.5, but pay some juice, go for it, but Messick should stay under six strikeouts with how well the Royals have been. Take this down to +110.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ROYL, CLEG
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 440-876, -16.2 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 29: Walker Buehler #10 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the game between the San Diego Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Diego Padres were able to build a 6-3 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays thanks to a three-run top of the seventh inning. The Rays responded with a four-run bottom of the seventh inning, which handed the Padres a 7-6 loss at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburgh on Saturday. The loss is critical to San Diego’s push for the postseason, but even worse was the loss of Luis Rengifo who was injured and carted off the field in bottom of the seventh.
Bradgley Rodriguez started the seventh inning on the mound for the Padres with a 6-3 lead. San Diego appeared to have the recipe for a win in place. Rodriguez would work the seventh and pass the ball to Adrian Morejon in the eighth and eventually Mason Miller in the ninth if it was still a three-run game to secure a win. Rodriguez immediately got into trouble with a walk and back-to-back singles to load the bases. Yandy Diaz then lined a ball over the head of Jackson Merrill in centerfield that one-hopped the wall. Merrill threw the ball back to the infield where Rengifo took the ball at second base.
Tampa Bay had a runner caught between second and third and Rengifo ran toward him. At the same time, the runner on third base sprinted toward home and when Rengifo planted to stop his momentum and throw to the plate, he suffered what manager Craig Stammen said after the game was a knee sprain. The throw from Rengifo sailed past home plate and allowed the tying runs to score to tie the game at 6-6.
After a long injury delay and Rengifo being driven off the field while lying on his back on the cart, Stammen replaced Rodriguez with Adrian Morejon since there were no outs in the inning and the winning run on third base. Morejon induced a groundout for the first out of the inning and then allowed an intentional walk to setup the double play possibility. Morejon struck out Ryan Vilade for the second out of the inning but then allowed a single to Chandler Simpson which put the Rays ahead of the Padres, 7-6. The inning ended on a strikeout one batter later.
San Diego appeared deflated after the injury to Rengifo and surrendering the lead and went down in order in the top of the eighth. Manny Machado drew a one-out walk in the top of the ninth, but Ty France followed with a strikeout and Merrill grounded out to end the game.
The Padres will have an opportunity to salvage the series today at 10:40 a.m. before they depart for a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds to finish the road trip.
Laars Nootbaar helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the first game of a doubleheader with the San Francisco Giants with a pinch-hit grand slam. The Giants bounced back to win Game 2.
WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 23: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the 2026 Little League Classic presented by New York Life between the Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers at Journey Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field on Sunday, August 23, 2026 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
There’s whiplash-inducing, and then there’s whatever the Braves have done in August. The month started with five wins in a row, the bulk of an eight-game winning streak. Then there was a stretch where the Braves won just one of five series, including suffering a sweep at the hands of the Twins. But, they’re reeling off another winning streak as August draws to a close, having won six in a row. They swept the Dodgers at home (first time sweeping the Dodgers since 2013!) and can pull off another sweep if they win today. Another odd thing: the Braves haven’t had a win by a differential of three or more runs since August 12; their last seven wins have all been either one-run or two-run affairs in the end.
To help keep the winning streak going, the Braves will rely on Trade Deadline pickup Tyler Mahle. The journeyman right-hander has a 109/101/94 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-) for the season as a whole. As a Brave, that line has been a much healthier 37/73/80, though it’s only been four starts. The Braves have split those four games, but not for any real fault of Mahle’s, who’s been great in three of them, only struggling against the Twins. The Braves have reworked Mahle’s arsenal a bit, having him throw more splitters and less of his other non-four seam offerings; the result has been a bunch more whiffs, including in the zone.
This will be Mahle’s third outing against the Rockies this season, as he faced them in back-to-back starts in July. He acquitted himself pretty well (though he lasted only 4 1/3 at Coors Field) with a combined 9/3 K/BB ratio in 11 1/3 innings across those two starts.
Starting opposite Mahle for Colorado will be Mason Adams, a 26-year-old right-hander acquired from the White Sox in the Brenton Doyle trade. Adams was a 2022 senior sign that has nonetheless progressed towards the majors on the back of an extreme pitchability profile that’s given him a fair bit of minor league success amid a progression of serious injuries, including Tommy John Surgery last spring. He made his MLB debut last week against the Nationals, and put together a 5/3 K/BB ratio in four frames, with Daylen Lile tagging him for a homer. Adams threw a diversified four-pitch mix (four-seamer, sinker, sweeper, curve) in that start; the Braves should be prepared for a fairly straightforward fastballs-in-zone, breakers-out-of-it profile.
New York Yankee outfielder Johnny Lindell sanding bat.
Johnny Lindell was born in Colorado, but was raised in California. From an early age and through high school he showed to be a promising athlete starring for Monrovia High School in football, track, and of course baseball. The 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher caught the eye of Yankees scouts and was signed as an amateur free agent in 1936 receiving a bonus of $150.
John Harlan Lindell
Born: August 30, 1916 (Greeley, CO)
Died: August 27, 1985 (Newport Beach, CA)
Yankees Tenure: 1941-1950
After signing with the Yankees, Lindell started working his way through the farm system. In his first season in the minors he posted a 17-8 record. Despite his large frame Lindell was known for his breaking balls, depending on his curve and slider to produce outs. In 1940 Lindell went 18-7 with a 2.70 ERA in the American Association with the Yankees’ farm team in Kansas City.
Lindell’s performance in 1940, as well as a strong spring, landed Lindell on the opening day roster as a reliever. However, that promotion turned into a cup of coffee as Lindell was sent back down to the minors after only appearing as a pinch-hitter. Lindell would spend 1941 in Newark with the Yankees’ top farm club. He went 23-4 with a league-leading 2.05 ERA and then picked up three more victories in the playoffs. The Sporting News named Lindell the 1941 Minor League Player of the Year for that performance.
Heading into the 1942 season the Yankees and the rest of the majors were dealing with players leaving to serve in World War II. It was thought the top pitching prospect would win a starting job. However, Lindell seemed to have that Quad-A type stuff and was stuck out in the bullpen. Lindell finished the 1942 season going 2-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 52.2 innings. The Yankees lost the World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals that season and Lindell did not make an appearance in the postseason.
Prior to the 1943 season, skipper Joe McCarthy decided that Lindell did not have a fastball worthy of the show, but decided Lindell was a good enough hitter to try him out in the outfield. With starters Joe DiMaggio and Tommy Henrich in the service Lindell not only made the club but was a starting outfielder. Lindell got off to a great start and was selected to the 1943 All-Star team. His final slash line on the season was .245/.329/.365 and he led the league in triples with 12. The Yankees would face the Cardinals in a rematch of the previous Fall Classic and this time the Yankees would prevail in five games.
The best season of Lindell’s career would come the following season in 1944. Lindell hit .300, set his career high with 18 home runs, had 103 runs batted in, and again led the league in triples this time with 16. The team finished in third place, however, and missed the postseason. Lindell was off to a solid start in 1945, but was drafted into the military that June and would serve until March of 1946.
With all the boys returning in 1946 Lindell found himself in a crowded outfield with no sure spot in the lineup. Lindell appeared in 102 games shuffling around in a utility role as the Yankees went 87-67 on the season, finishing in third and missing the playoffs.
An injury to Charlie Keller in 1947 put Lindell back into a regular role. Lindell posted solid number over the course of the regular season, but really entered a zone in the World Series. Facing the Brooklyn Dodgers, Lindell went 9-for-18 at the plate and led the team with seven runs batted in. The Yankees would take the series in seven games.
The Yankees moved Yogi Berra to the outfield before the 1948 season and welcomed back a healthy Keller. This again crowded the grass and pushed Lindell into a utility role. Playing in only 88 games, Lindell slashed .317/.387/.511 with 13 home runs. The team finished third again and missed the playoffs.
Lindell’s playing time continued its downward projection in 1949. Despite the limited role Lindell got to play the hero at the end of the season helping the Yankees take down the Red Sox to claim the pennant. The Yankees would face and defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers this time in five games giving Lindell his third ring as a Yankee.
Heading into 1950 Lindell was still the Yankees’ fourth outfielder. However, that would change in May as he was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals. Lindell struggled at the plate following the move, and this led to him being sent back down to the minors. In June the Cardinals traded Lindell to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Glen Moulder. While bouncing around in the minors Lindell started pitching again, now throwing a knuckleball. Prior to the 1951 season, Lindell landed in the Pirates’ organization.
In 1953 Lindell was back on a major league roster throwing a knuckleball for the Pirates. Now 36, Lindell went 5-16 with a 4.71 ERA. On the last day of August that season Lindell was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies. Rounding out the year with the Phillies, Lindell went 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA. Lindell started the 1954 season with the Phillies and appeared in a handful of games as a pinch hitter before being released.
That release ended his playing career. After that, Lindell took a position as the athletic director of the 7-Up Foundation back in California. Lindell passed away from lung cancer in 1985.
It’s no small feat to win multiple World Series titles, especially contributing as a quality hitter after coming up as a promising pitcher. Lindell filled whatever role the team needed him in, and his name will forever be a part of the era that saw the team cement their spot atop the sport’s history books. Happy birthday Johnny!
The Mets placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on waivers, giving other teams 48 hours to claim him, meaning they would take on the remaining $3 million on his contract for the remainder of the season
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - AUGUST 29: Cal Quantrill #44 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field on August 29, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, folks..
The Texas Rangers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday by a score of 5-3.
Peoria Chiefs pitcher Cooper Hjerpe throws against Dayton on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Dozer Park in Peoria. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
After matching his shortest start of the season, Kyle Leahy is nearing the end of his first season as a starter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite early struggles that caused some fans to laughably demand his removal from the rotation, Leahy had the lowest ERA among starters since the All-Star Break with the lightened workload. Had he thrown enough innings to qualify, the righty would sit in the top 20 in all of baseball in ERA.
Even though Leahy (and myself) are bummed out by the truncated appearances, the strategy makes sense as the 29-year-old looks to be a mainstay in the rotation next season. This season has been similar to that of Andre Pallante’s last season, as the newly formed starter saw his innings jump up after a full-time move from the bullpen. It worked for Pallante, who threw 162.2 innings last season after throwing 121.1 the year before. In his second full year as a starter, Pallante trimmed almost two full points off of his ERA and doubled his win total from 2025.
The 2027 rotation has an early make up of Pallante, Leahy, Quinn Mathews, Michael McGreevy, and then…? Who fills those final one (or two) spots could vary greatly over the next six months. Hunter Dobbins looked to be penciled in but he awaits an update on a forearm issue that landed him on the IL. Matthew Liberatore has a few more starts to work himself back into the conversation, and then there is the rehabbing Richard Fitts to factor in alongside additional prospects or free agent signings.
With that list of possibilities looking uninspiring, the 2027 season could be another year we see a Wainwright/Liberatore/Pallante/Leahy move with one of the Cardinals’ current bullpen options.
Cooper Hjerpe, Gordon Graceffo, others could see a role shift for the Cardinals
In a way to save money as well as work with currently rostered players, the Cardinals have dipped into their reliever talent pool in the hopes of finding a usable major league starter. I know there are other and probably more successful reliever-turned-starter stories than the four I listed above, so feel free to add those to the comments and share your memories. (Braden Looper and sort of Carlos Martinez came to mind immediately after).
As the last month of the 2026 season arrives, the rosters expand and give teams like the Cardinals an opportunity to try out some of their prospects in a lower stress major league environment. The tapering of Leahy’s outings gave me the thought of utilizing Cooper Hjerpe in a mini-Leahy role to close this year before shifting to the bullpen next season. Hjerpe is also having his innings capped after rehabbing most of this season, but he is on the 40-man roster and pitching extremely well in his own short starts in the minors.
Giving Hjerpe his first taste of the bigs in a September of little consequence would be nothing new for the Cardinals. They did the same with Masyn Winn and Jimmy Crooks, who then used their struggles during their brief major league stay to adjust in their second full seasons. For Hjerpe, though, I would see him going back to what we saw Leahy do last year before then making the jump into the rotation.
Hjerpe is at 38 innings (14 starts) after missing time in 2024 and all of the 2025 season and has yet to throw more than five frames in any appearance. However, his workload has trended the opposite direction of Leahy as Hjerpe has been working deeper into games as the season winds down. In September, I would like to see Leahy continue to stick with his five-day routine but have Hjerpe cover the middle innings to get through the games.
Then, in 2027, expecting Hjerpe to go 150 innings would be unrealistic, so I would entertain him being a phenomenal lefty bullpen option that takes a firefighter role like Leahy did in 2025. In that season, Leahy threw 88 innings, giving him a solid starting point for his first season in the rotation. This, to me, would be another way to keep Hjerpe on a pitch count and schedule his usage in his hopeful first full season since becoming a pro. As the Cardinals then return to the World Series in 2028, Hjerpe would be ready for a starter’s workload.
While the lefty Hjerpe works out the bullpen in 2027, the Cardinals still need someone to fill the end of their rotation. After Gordon Graceffo’s stellar three-inning start earlier in the week, there could be some potential for him to enter himself into the rotation conversation coming into Spring Training. Graceffo would be 27-years-old and was a starter until the 2025 season. Out of the bullpen this year, Graceffo has worked 66.1 innings with a sub-3.00 ERA that definitely outpaces what the analytics say.
Leahy had more of the strikeout stuff and high leverage under his belt, but Graceffo’s familiarity with the rotation and deeper arsenal could give him tools to tinker with later in his outings. After Dobbins went to the IL along with Pallante, Graceffo could get another time or two as an opener for a bullpen day while continuing to work in relief during more consistent schedules. The righty averaged nearly a strikeout per inning during his first few years of pro ball as a starter, but has seen that trickle way down to 5.70 K/9 and a tough 4.07 BB/9. Potentially, a more consistent role for Graceffo could get him more comfortable with his pitch mix and we could see both of those numbers trend back towards his career norms.
Alongside those two, the Cardinals could turn to recently promoted Cade Winquest as an internal option. The now-reliever threw over 100 innings as a starter last season but shifted to the bullpen this year, resulting in just 39.2 innings pitched. Winquest made his major league debut in yesterday’s loss against the Pirates and he covered two scoreless innings. He may end up being another long, middle reliever guy Marmol uses to get through the rest of the season. Like Winquest, Brycen Mautz has been a starter and reliever and could work in bulk during September.
Drop in the comments to let me know if any of these guys intrigue you at all. Or let me know if you hate this annual experiment and you want them to either sign free agents or promote prospects.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets singles against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Citi Field on August 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Another gem by Nolan McLean buoyed the Mets to a 6-2 victory over the Astros yesterday afternoon. Juan Soto knocked in a run in his return from the injured list, A.J. Ewing a spectacular catch, and Jared Young had a big day at the plate, notching three hits and three RBIs.
There was a bit of a scare with Soto when he fouled a ball off his leg in yesterday’s game, but he was okay and will continue to see time at DH before making a return to the field with copious off days baked in.
Which leads one to ask: why have Soto return at all in a lost season? Why not just shut him down? “He has pushed himself in a way that, frankly, you don’t see a lot of veterans push themselves when your team is in this type of situation that we’re in,” manager Andy Green said. “That speaks volumes to his desire to be on the field.” This “warrior mentality,” as Sean Manaea put it, sets the tone for next year’s clubhouse as well and keeps the Mets’ best hitter sharp.
Speaking of injured Mets hoping to return before season’s end, Devin Williams (right shoulder strain) played catch yesterday—the start of his throwing progression.
With August trades a thing of the past, the Mets placed Luis Robert Jr.—who they tried unsuccessfully to trade at the deadline due to his extended stint on the injured list—on outright waivers yesterday. If another team claims him, they will assume all of his remaining salary for this season.
Jonah Tong came within one out of a seven-inning no-hitter in a doubleheader yesterday for Triple-A Syracuse. He could be an option for the Mets as the calendar turns to September and rosters expand.
Not playing well made it hard for Bo Bichette to settle into the clubhouse, but he did have an impact on young rookies Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing. And since then, as his play has improved, he has settled in as he weighs what to do in the offseason, given the opt out in his contract.
Around the National League East
Dylan Crews dealt the decisive blow with an RBI knock in the tenth, as the Nationals walked off the Marlins 5-4. But Cade Cavalli’s day ended early when he was hit in the leg by a comebacker in the fourth, having yet to surrender a hit. Luckily for the Nationals, X-rays on Cavalli’s leg were negative.
The Marlins yesterday recalled Wikelman González, who they had claimed off waivers from the White Sox.
The Phillies also won extras, defeating the Angels 4-2 in ten innings, despite a sloppy night on the base paths. Cristopher Sánchez pitched seven shutout innings with eight strikeouts in the victory.
The Phillies are likely to call up Rafael Marchán—who is currently on rehab assignment—when rosters expand on Tuesday to serve as a third catcher.
The Braves kept pace, beating the Rockies 2-1 thanks to a go-ahead two-run double by Michael Harris II in the eighth. It is the Braves’ sixth straight win. The Phillies remain five games back of Atlanta for the NL East division lead, but with a four-game cushion in the Wild Card, as they currently hold the second NL spot.
Around Major League Baseball
Jarred Kelenic, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Sunday, signed with the Yankees on a minor league contract yesterday.
“If any pitcher was feeling like this, we wouldn’t run him out there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Shohei Ohtani, who will not make his start tomorrow. But the Dodgers have not ruled out Ohtani pitching again this season.
As that news broke about the winner of the last two National League MVP trophies, Pete Crow-Armstrong continued to make his case for that title with a three home run performance in the Cubs’ 17-5 win over the Reds.
The Yankees beat the Red Sox 9-2, setting up a rubber game today that will determine the season series and the tiebreaker between the two clubs, who currently sit only three games apart in the standings, with the Yankees occupying the top AL Wild Card slot and Boston in the second. The bad news for the Yankees is that young shortstop George Lombard Jr. left the game early with a knee injury, but the Yankees are hopeful he can avoid the injured list.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Linus Lawrence wrote about Carson Benge’s secret sixth tool: his prowess at ABS challenges. He is the best on the team at getting calls overturned in his favor.
This Date in Mets History
Six at-bats, six runs, six hits: that was the batting line for Edgardo Alfonzo on this date in 1999 in the Mets’ 17-1 victory against…the Astros. Perhaps that portends well for today’s series finale.
CANADA - OCTOBER 10: He dug a furrow: Cliff Johnson of the Blue Jays rests at third base after an earth-crunching slide and dryland version of the Australian crawl failed to stretch his run-scoring double into a triple in the fourth inning yesterday. George Bell scored on the play and Heathcliff was gunned down by the catcher. (Photo by David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images) | Toronto Star via Getty Images
41 Years Ago
On August 29, 1985, the Blue Jays traded three minor leaguers—Matt Williams (not that Matt Williams), Jeff Mays, and Greg Ferlanda—to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cliff Johnson.
At the time of the trade, the Blue Jays were in first place, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Yankees, but they were platooning Al Oliver and Jeff Burroughs at designated hitter. The results weren’t ideal, though Burroughs (the right-handed half) was hitting .261/.375/.422, which wasn’t bad. Oliver, however, was hitting just .257/.298/.376, yet the Jays decided to replace Burroughs, not Oliver. After the trade, Burroughs was used only as a pinch hitter for the remainder of the season.
The Jays didn’t give up much for Johnson. Of the three prospects, only Williams made it to the majors, pitching just five games for the Rangers in the final month of the 1985 season before fading into obscurity. The Jays already knew Johnson well; he had played for them in 1983 and 1984, departing as a free agent after the 1984 season.
Although Johnson didn’t hit much for the Jays in the final month—just .274/.343/.315, with only one extra-base hit (a home run) in 24 games—the team still made it to the playoffs, ultimately losing to the Royals in seven games. In that series, Cliff hit an impressive .368/.400/.474.
The Jays utilized platoons at several positions during that era:
Catcher: Ernie Whitt and Buck Martinez (I wonder what happened to him).
Third base: Rance Mulliniks and Garth Iorg.
And, of course, designated hitter.
The Jays won three of the first five games of the series. Beginning with game six, however, the Royals developed a strategy to neutralize Toronto’s platoons: they would start a right-hander and then bring in a lefty early (Bud Black in game 6 and Charlie Leibrandt in game 7). The Jays would counter by swapping their left-handed platoon hitters for their right-handed counterparts. Later in the game, the Royals would turn to their right-handed closer, Dan Quisenberry.
Quisenberry, an excellent closer and a right-handed submarine pitcher, struggled more against left-handed batters than right-handers. With the Jays’ lefties out of the lineup, he faced fewer challenges. Notably, Quisenberry had blown saves in the second and fourth games of the series.
The Royals’ plan proved effective in the short series.
However, that’s not the main reason I wanted to reflect on the trade’s anniversary.
As mentioned, Johnson played for the Jays in 1984, then signed with the Rangers as a free agent in the offseason. Back in the 1980s, free agent compensation worked very differently than it does today. In the early ’80s, MLB owners wanted to compensate teams that lost star players to free agency—and, more importantly, slow the pace of salary inflation. Free-agent compensation was a major issue in the 1981 player strike, as players wanted to maintain salary growth.
The result was a complicated system. Baseball Reference explains it best:
The compromise that was reached following the strike was to set up a free agent compensation draft, through which a team losing a top-notch free agent would get to pick a player from a pool of players made available by the other Major League teams. Free agents were divided into three classes, based on playing time and performance over the previous two seasons: in descending order, these were Type A, Type B and Type C. Only losing a Type A player would activate the compensation draft; Type B players would continue to be compensated with draft choices, and Type C’s would not trigger any compensation.
All teams could protect 26 players in their organization from the draft, except for teams who signed a Type A free agent that year, who would protect 24 players. Teams could opt out of the right to sign Type A free agents and, therefore, not have to place any names into the pool. As a result, the team losing a player could be sure to pick a player who would help immediately if that was their wish (although some lower-level prospects would also be available). The draft occurred once a year, in January or February, between the end of the free agent signing season and the opening of spring training.
Cliff Johnson was considered a Type A free agent, so the Blue Jays were able to select reliever Tom Henke from the Rangers as compensation. Henke became the best closer in team history (though Duane Ward might disagree), saving 217 games for Toronto over eight seasons. The Jays got a remarkable return for ‘renting’ Johnson for just five months. Without that deal, there would be no Henke—and without Henke, would the Jays have won the 1992 World Series?
28 Years Ago
Dave Stieb earned his final MLB victory—his 176th overall, with 175 coming as a Blue Jay.
Stieb ‘retired’ in 1993 at age 35, after pitching four games with the White Sox, who had signed him as a free agent. Stieb earned his World Series ring in 1992, though his performance that season was underwhelming—a 5.04 ERA in 96.1 innings. His last strong campaign came in 1990, when he posted a 2.93 ERA over 33 starts and 208.2 innings at age 32. The heavy workload earlier in his career caught up with him in his early thirties.
In 1998, Stieb returned to spring training as a pitching instructor and threw so well—better than before his four-year hiatus—that players took notice and spoke with the coaches. One thing led to another, and he began the season in the minors (where he posted a 2.78 ERA in 12 starts), earning a call-up in June.
Stieb appeared in 19 games, making three starts. He went 1-2 with two saves and a 4.83 ERA. In 50.1 innings, he allowed 58 hits, 17 walks, and 27 strikeouts. At the end of the season, at age 41, he retired for good. He and Roy Halladay remain 1 and 1a atop the list of best starting pitchers in Jays’ history—my view on who comes first changes all the time.
Stieb’s final win came in a 14-7 victory over the Twins. The Jays scored in every inning except the second. Stieb pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, four earned runs, two walks, and recording four strikeouts.
Aug 29, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Yunior Marte (87) reacts during a pitching change against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The San Francisco Giants provided the bread in their final series sandwich against the Diamondbacks. Their win on Thursday and their 7-2 win in game 2 Saturday night were somewhat rare well-rounded performances that got the whole team involved. Whole team, whole wheat,with some dubious mystery meat encased in the middle. …Or possibly Italian? Who am I kidding, the bread is a sourdough. Classic, versatile, tangy.
You know who was tangy Saturday night? Yunior Marte.
Brought over from Kansas City in the Mike Yastrzemski trade, Marte started his 2026 season in Eugene, got promoted up to Double-A Richmond in June, and then got the call to the bigs. If that kind of accelerated rise was in anyway disorienting for the 23 year old, Marte didn’t let on. Comfortable — that’d be a good adjective to describe his demeanor in his Major League debut. He got Corbin Carroll to line into an unassisted double play to erase his walk of Lars Nootbar — accounting for his first outs recorded as a big leaguer. He celebrated by pumping his fist when his four-seam fastball clipped the bat of James McCann and nestled into Andrew Knizner’s glove for his first career strikeout. He did it again two batters later against Ryan Waldschmidt.
Having thrown 76 pitches and faced the Arizona order twice, it was determined his day was done with two outs recorded in the 5th. If he carried any frustrations from the outing, Marte didn’t show it — he beamed up at his family seated in the crowd as he walked back to the dugout.
The one run he allowed came in the 3rd, and he’d be forgiven if he felt frustrated by it. A weird drag bunt infield single thing from Ildemaro Vargas had the right-side of the infield all flustered. Marte couldn’t beat Vargas in a footrace to the bag. Bryce Eldridge may have been better off just covering first, letting second baseman Osleivis Basabe field the ball. Then McCray couldn’t reel in a flare off the bat of Nootbar that allowed Vargas, running on pitch with two outs, to tie the game at one. The play wasn’t routine, the left fielder had to travel and go into a slide to get under the ball, but he did get there. Once McCray had done the hard part he biffed the easier bit of seeing the baseball into his glove. The RBI knock went into the books against Marte as an “earned” run (in name only), and a double for Nootbar that Kruk rightly pointed out is “a hit you get when you’re hot.”
Under duress, Marte managed the stress in the 3rd without forfeiting the lead, handing the ball to a chain of five relievers who allowed just one run while striking out 6 D-Backs hitters over the final 4.1 innings. Special mention to Carson Seymour who really bucked the trend and kept things from getting out of hand in the later frames. With one run already in against Jason Foley in the 7th, Seymour stranded the tying run by getting the Giant-killer-du-jour, Nootbar, to chase a gutsy 3-2 slider in the dirt. An inning later he’d strand another runner at third with a strikeout of Max Kepler.
On some nights, that single run allowed by Foley might’ve proved costly. Earlier in the day the Giants offense was held to a measly run — not so in game two. San Francisco scored 7 on the backs of some standout run production from the heart of the line-up. Jung Hoo Lee, batting clean-up, came up with a clutch RBI single in the 7th. Rafael Devers, swinging out of the two-spot, went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs. Right behind him, Eldridge came up with a quartet of hits (a couple didn’t leave the infield but they still count) and a quartet of runs batted in, a first for a Giants rookie since Buster Posey did it back in 2010.
Eldridge’s first hit, first rib-eye, came in the 1st after lead-off man Jonah Cox worked a walk against LHP Mitch Bratt and stole 180 feet of ground.
The lead-off tandem of Cox and Drew Gilbert were never retired in 5 plate appearances. Cox reached base twice before being pinch-hit for, and stole three bags, becoming the first Giant to do so since Tyler Fitzgerald in 2024. Gilbert took over in the 5th and walked thrice, setting up crucial scoring opportunities that bore fruit — he scored all three times.
In the 5th, the bottom of the order set the table for the top in what would be a decisive three-run rally. Honestly, it was a rally the Giants usually experience from the other side. McCray started it with a single, followed by a sac bunt and two walks that really exacerbated the situation, loading the bases with less than two outs and the guys a pitcher doesn’t want coming up coming up. Devers and Eldridge both delivered: Back-to-back RBI singles by the big boys.
They’d do it again in the 8th, pushing the lead to five — which should still count as a save situation if you’re pitching out of this Giants bullpen. So Dylan Smith, I officially award you a save. Nicely done.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox finish off their four-game set at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, where I’m taking the visitors to walk away with the win.
I’ll explain why Ranger Suarez will lead Boston to victory in my Red Sox vs. Yankees predictions and free MLB picks for Sunday, Aug. 30.
Who will win Red Sox vs Yankees today: Red Sox (52%)
For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.
A mismatch on the mound gives the Boston Red Sox the edge today.
Ranger Suarez doesn’t have eye-popping numbers, but his underlying figures are impressive as he ranks in the 91st percentile in pitching run value.
New York Yankees starter Will Warren sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking in the 4th percentile in pitching run value with a subpar 4.62 xERA (25th percentile), plus a 5.89 ERA over his last four outings.
Both teams have elite bullpens, so it’ll depend on which starter has the better showing, and Suarez is the easy pick.
Red Sox vs Yankees Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (54%)
The line is a touch too high here with Suarez on the mound against an inconsistent Yankees offense that’s averaged just 3.88 runs over the last 16 games.
Boston (2.94) and New York (3.04) also own the top two bullpen ERAs in the majors.
The Under has cashed in four of the last six meetings between these clubs, and it’s 5-0-1 in their last six meetings at Yankee Stadium.
I’m playing the Under up to 56%.
Red Sox vs Yankees home run prediction: Willson Contreras (16%)
Willson Contreras has done damage vs. right-handed pitching this season with 19 dingers and a .513 SLG — placing him in the Top 25 in both categories across the majors.
His advanced profile is just as impressive, with the Red Sox slugger ranking in the top percentile in batting run value, 90th percentile in barrel rate, and 96th percentile in bat speed.
Nine of Contreras’ 23 home runs have come against the sinker, which Warren throws about 27% of the time.
Play this up to 18%.
Chris Faria's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 8-8, -0.94 units
Over/Under bets: 8-8, -0.40 units
Red Sox vs Yankees weather
Weather won’t be a major factor as Yankee Stadium will see temperatures in the mid-80s and light winds pushing out to left field this afternoon.
Red Sox vs Yankees odds
Moneyline: Red Sox 52% | Yankees 49%
Run line: Red Sox -1.5 (39%) | Yankees +1.5 (62%)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (46%) | Under 8.5 (54%)
Red Sox vs Yankees trend
The Yankees have hit the team total Under in 33 of their last 46 home games. Find more MLB betting trends for Red Sox vs. Yankees.
How to watch Red Sox vs Yankees and game info
Location
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
Date
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
First pitch
1:35 p.m. ET
TV
NESN, YES
Red Sox starting pitcher
Ranger Suarez (5-3, 3.35 ERA)
Yankees starting pitcher
Will Warren (8-6, 4.39 ERA)
Red Sox vs Yankees latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Bryan Baker #47 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates closing the game out in the top of the ninth against the San Diego Padres at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Parker Freedman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees split a day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox on Saturday, losing the day portion in shutout fashion before winning the nightcap with a wave of singles sprayed across the field. That meant that effectively the day was as good as a day off for them in the standings, so Tampa Bay had the opportunity to move up a half-game if they were on their A-game down in the Trop.
Tampa Bay Rays (81-54) 7, San Diego Padres (72-64) 6
Nick Martinez has been a surprising find for the Rays’ rotation this year, pitching arguably the best he’s ever been at the start of the season with back-to-back sub-2 ERA months. He came back down to Earth in June allowing three or more runs in all but one start, and since then he’s been a bit more vulnerable. His latest start against the Padres continued that mortal stretch, lasting six innings with three runs crossing the board on seven hits to raise his ERA just a hair under three at 2.99.
He exited with his team down a run, but Junior Caminero bailed his starter out and gave him a no-decision when he launched a solo home run to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. Garrett Cleavinger was the first man out of the ‘pen for Tampa Bay and he didn’t have it, letting the first three batters reach base before striking out the final man he faced. Kevin Kelly was the next man out, and Manny Machado greeted him with a single to right to score a pair. Then with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Machado on the corners, the Padres pulled off a delayed double steal to bring Tatis home and manufacture a third run.
Suddenly down a handful, the Rays answered right back. Bradgley Rodriguez entered the game and promptly walked the first batter before a trio of singles tied the game right back up. Adrian Morejon was called on to put out the fire and got two outs as he worked around Caminero intentionally walking him, but Chandler Simpson slapped one to the left side past the drawn-up third baseman to drive home the winning run. Kelly worked a 1-2-3 eighth inning to hand the baton over to Bryan Baker, who stranded Machado at first base to end it.
Chicago White Sox (72-63) 3, Minnesota Twins (64-72) 2: Despite getting just three hits in this game, the White Sox managed to make them all count (and they got some help from the Twins’ defense). The Pale Hose worked two walks to start the game before Andrew Benintendi smacked a single to get them on the scoreboard first, but the Twins answered back with a sac fly in the bottom of the first and an RBI groundout in the second. Benintendi was again the catalyst for the Sox’ second run, leading off the fourth with a double and scoring after the Twins fumbled the last out of the inning, and the third was entirely on his shoulders as he lifted a solo shot in the sixth inning.
CWS – Andrew Benintendi Solo HR (14)
📏 381 ft | 💨 97.3 mph | 📐 31° ⚾️ 95 mph cutter (MIN – RHP Andrew Morris) 🏟️ Out in 27/30 parks
Houston Astros (68-68) 2, New York Mets (61-75) 6: The Astros got in the board in the first inning thanks to an error extending Jeremy Peña’s leadoff double into a triple setting up a Yordan Alvarez sac fly, but that was all they’d get against Nolan McLean. The Mets starter tossed seven strong innings with just the unearned run marring his line, and a three-spot in the fifth capped off by Jared Young’s two-run triple would be enough for the Metropolitans to outlast Houston.
Texas Rangers (66-70) 3, Milwaukee Brewers (85-51) 5: The Rangers faced a tall task facing the team with the best record in baseball, and they did themselves no favors falling behind 3-0 after two innings with homers from Jackson Chourio and William Contreras. Brandon Nimmo launched a two-run shot in the eighth inning to bring Texas within striking distance, but Anthony Senzatela and Trevor Megill closed the door on any further comeback.
Cleveland Guardians (68-68) 3, Kansas City Royals (62-75) 8: Angel Martínez got Cleveland on the board first with a two-run shot in the second, and that lead lasted until the fifth when it swung all the way in Kansas City’s favor. Isaac Collins doubled in a pair to tie the game, the Royals put up a four-spot in the sixth to claim the lead themselves, and Josh Rojas padded it with a two-run homer in the eighth. Martínez was the only offense for Cleveland as he knocked in their third and last run in the ninth, but no other Guardians could keep it going.
Baltimore Orioles (67-69) 5, Athletics (53-83) 3: Three Athletics errors made the difference for Baltimore, as they scored two unearned runs off of them to eke out a win. Leody Taveras was the engine for the O’s in this one, going 2-for-3 with three runs driven in on a pair of doubles, and a quintet of Baltimore relievers held the lead as Shane Baz tossed 5.2 innings of two-run ball.
Toronto Blue Jays (67-70) 4, Seattle Mariners (64-72) 3: Cal Raleigh has looked more like the MVP runner-up that he was this past week, with five of his last eight hits all leaving the yard including a solo shot in this game. The Mariners went up 3-0 on a Taylor Ward two-run single in the fourth inning but the Blue Jays flipped the script by scoring four unanswered, including two in the fifth inning when Eduard Bazardo fired off a wild pitch that walked in a run but also allowed Brett Bateman to fly all the way home from second. Bazardo could’ve potentially tagged the runner out at the plate, but he was seemingly unaware that Bateman was coming in and that mistake proved costly.
Zebby Matthews
Max Scherzer
Parker Messick 
COVERS INTEL: Since Aaron Judge left the lineup on May 31, the Yankees rank 28th in the majors 