BOSTON, MA - JULY 25: Dylan Cease #84 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after pitching a complete game shutout of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, July 25, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Yankees have a good start to their road trip building, taking the first two games in Philadelphia thanks to some solid pitching performances and just enough offense to get by. This time it was Ryan Weathers’ turn to keep the ball rolling and he did just that, tossing 5.2 innings with just a lone run on his record while striking out seven. Austin Wells and Jasson Domínguez, two of the more maligned bats in the lineup, contributed solo homers to take the lead for good and the back of the bullpen continued their dominant run shutting the door down on any potential comeback. There was a full slate of competition going on around them, so lets see if the Yankees managed to gain any ground.
Tampa Bay Rays (61-43) 3, Cleveland Guardians (54-52) 0
Tampa Bay threatened early and often against Tanner Bibee, but it took until the fifth inning before they got on the scoreboard. The offense collected a hit in every single inning that the Guardians’ starter was in, getting leadoff singles in the first and second that went nowhere as well as loading the bases with two outs in the fourth inning. Each time, Bibee managed to worm his way out of damage, but in the fifth Yandy Díaz lined a one-out double to center and moved to third on a single from Jonathan Aranda. Junior Caminero stepped up and ripped a double out to right, scoring Díaz to plate the first run of the game. The second came right behind it when Cedric Mullins lifted a sac fly, and in the sixth inning the Rays manufactured a third on a walk, single, and a sacrifice bunt.
On the other side, Nick Martinez was efficient in shutting down Cleveland’s chances. Steven Kwan led off the game with a single but got erased on a double play, and Gabriel Arias ended up stranded after he led off the third in similar fashion. Nobody made it to second base against Martinez in his six innings of work, and when he handed the ball over to the bullpen not much changed. Cole Sulser, Garrett Cleavinger, and Bryan Baker held down an inning each and prevented a rally from forming.
Boston Red Sox (53-50) 0, Toronto Blue Jays (48-57) 6: Credit where credit is due, Dylan Cease isn’t fading behind in the Cy Young race at all. A day after Cam Schlittler tossed seven brilliant innings, Toronto’s ace went out and pitched a one-hitter against the surging Sox, allowing just an Andruw Monasterio double to lead off the sixth inning alongside a trio of walks scattered throughout his complete-game shutout. He struck out 12 batters along the way, utterly dominating Boston’s lineup (who are getting an upgrade after acquiring Curtis Mead yesterday, but he wouldn’t have made a difference in this one).
The Blue Jays backup up Cease with an explosive third inning, scoring five of their six runs. Sonny Gray got the first two outs in quick succession, but Nathan Lukes kept the frame alive with a double out to right before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled him home. Kazuma Okamoto kept the line moving with a single kept within the infield, and then George Springer delivered the big blow — a three-run homer over the Monster to make it 4-0 in a hurry. Daulton Varsho singled and Ernie Clement doubled him in to cap off the rally, and though Boston’s offense would slumber until the ninth inning when they scratched across one more run they hardly needed it.
Texas Rangers (53-51) 7, Seattle Mariners (51-54) 1: Nathan Eovaldi’s had one of his rougher seasons in a while, but he looked vintage in this outing as he tossed seven innings of one-run ball with eight strikeouts to his name. Only an RBI double from J.P. Crawford in the fifth did any harm to him, and by then his offense had already staked him a five-run lead after scoring three in the first with a pair of doubles and an Ezequiel Duran triple followed by two more in the second off a Wyatt Langford double and Duran single. Texas tacked on two more in the seventh when Alejandro Osuna doubled in a pair of runs, but the insurance wasn’t needed with how Eovaldi was dealing.
Chicago White Sox (54-49) 1, Houston Astros (52-54) 4: Sean Burke pitched phenomenally for the Pale Hose through five innings of this game, collecting eight of his 10 strikeouts while scattering a pair of hits. Unfortunately for him, the sixth inning would undo all his hard work, as he led off the frame by hitting Cam Smith and allowed a single to Jeremy Peña before walking the dangerous Yordan Alvarez to load the bases with no outs. Isaac Paredes singled out to right field, and what should’ve been a simple hit turned into a bases-clearing one when Braden Montgomery couldn’t get his glove under the ball and allowed it to roll to the warning track. Hunter Brown was similarly on point for Houston and didn’t have an inning get away from him, going seven strong to secure the win.
Columbus Clippers Travis Bazzana (12) throws the ball to first base during home opener at Huntington Park on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Columbus wasted a spectacular pitching performance from Yorman Gomez. Gomez tossed 5.1 shutout innings of three-hit ball with three strikeouts and two walks.
Jake Miller followed by allowing two runs on a pair of solo home runs in 1.2 innings. Carlos Hernandez finished off the game with a scoreless frame.
It was a rough day offensively. The lone run was courtesy of Kody Huff, who went 1-for-2 with a home run and a walk. No one else reached base twice or had an extra base hit.
Hello Nolan Schubart! The mammoth three-true-outcome slugger has been a revelation this season. Schubart started Saturday 0-for-3 and it looked like his 49-game on-base streak was in peril, but then he walked in the eighth inning and then hit the walk-off winner in the bottom of the ninth as Akron rallied to defeat Altoona.
Nolan Schubart got 1 last plate appearance in the 9th and he got a hit, a LOUD walkoff hit to win it for Akron. So he didnt need the walk to extent the 50 game on base streak https://t.co/UZcOZZDGDMpic.twitter.com/7WTlEEc7uh
— Justin L. (jlbaseball on bluesky) (@JL_Baseball) July 26, 2026
Since being promoted to Double-A, Schubart is hitting .320 with a 1.020 OPS. Incredible.
Also impressing was Ryan Cesarini, who went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and an RBI. Cesarini also is hitting .300 since being promoted to Double-A. Tyresse Turner went 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base while Jaison Chourio walked twice and stole a base.
Starting pitcher Braylon Doughty was OK, allowing three runs on four hits in 4.2 innings. He walked one and struck out four.
The bullpen was spectacular as Carter Rustad pitched 2.1 hitless innings and Izaak Martinez followed with 2.0 scoreless innings and three strikeouts to earn the win.
Ugly loss alert. The bats for the most part were silent for Lake County on Saturday. Jonah Advincula went 2-for-4 with a triple and a hit by pitch, Anthony Martinez went 2-for-5 with a double and Juneiker Caceres went 1-for-4 with a walk. Logun Clark also walked and was hit by a pitch.
No one else reached base safely twice.
This loss can be pinned on a horrific performance from a rehabbing Ben Lively. Lively, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, allowed a whopping eight runs on seven hits and one walk in just one inning, good for a 72.00 ERA.
A lone bright spot for pitching was Jackson Humphries, who allowed one earned run in 3.1 innings while striking out eight and walking zero, although he did give up six hits in the process. Conner Zsak also pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief.
I think it’s time to take catching prospect Reiner Herrera a little more seriously.
After blasting 11 home runs in the Arizona Complex League this summer, he was promoted to Single-A Hill City, where he has now homered four more times in 15 games. Herrera launched a two-run homer Saturday and also had three more runs batted in, going 2-for-5 with five RBIs. He has a .908 OPS since being promoted in what has been a breakout campaign for the 20-year-old Venezuelan.
Fellow catcher Cannon Peebles (my god I love that name) also had a big day, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.
Jonathan Martinez went 1-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base while Dauri Fernandez singled, walked and stole a base. Jhorvic Abreus doubled and walked while Yerlin Luis walked twice.
Starting pitcher Ryan DeSanto put up a quality start, allowing three runs on five hits in 6.1 innings with five strikeouts and a walk.
Keegan Zinn added 1.2 scoreless frames and Conner Whittaker allowed one run in the ninth.
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 21: Conor Essenburg #34 of the Atlanta Braves bats during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s almost fitting that I write today’s recap of the action in the Atlanta Braves minor league system on the day when the first prospect I began to follow gets inducted into the Hall of Fame in Andruw Jones. It was an interesting day in the Braves system as Ronald Acuna Jr. was among three guys rehabbing in Gwinnett while Owen Murphy pitched in part of a combined shutout. Brett Sears, Cam Caminiti, and Zach Royse all made strong starts, Conor Essenburg had a huge evening that included his 10th homer, Andrew McCutchen had a couple of extra base hits, and both Tate Southisene and John Gil stood out during their doubleheader.
Lucas Braun, RP: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 3.82 ERA
The first game of the doubleheader saw three prospects combine on a shutout of Iowa. Owen Murphy started and allowed three hits and a walk over three and two thirds, striking out five and getting 11 whiffs on 71 pitches. Hayden Harris came in for the final out of the fourth inning and picked up a strikeout. Lucas Braun went the final three innings to pick up the win, allowing one hit and one walk – though he had just one strikeout and two whiffs on 47 pitches.
Perhaps a story just as big was that three key players in the Braves lineup were here rehabbing. Ronald Acuna Jr. was one for three with a walk while playing right field. At shortstop Ha-Seong Kim doubled, scored a run, and batted in two in his four at bats. Finally Sean Murphy caught and was hitless in three at bats, though he did draw a walk. The offensive star was Luke Williams, who was three for three with a pair of doubles, two runs scored, and two batted in plus two steals. Carlos Santana also had a two-hit game and even stole a base, while Andrew McCutchen had one hit. Cal Conley (double, walk) and Aaron Schunk (two walks) also reached base multiple times in the win.
Carlos Santana, DH: 1-3, HR, R, 2 RBI, .306/.419/.472
Andrew McCutchen, LF: 2-3, HR, 2B, R, RBI, .313/.313/.563
Patrick Clohisy, CF: 1-3, 2B, BB, R, .500/.538/.889
Cedric De Grandpre, SP: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 6.75 ERA
The second game of the doubleheader saw Cedric De Grandpre start and go four innings. Cedric allowed three runs on three hits and three walks, striking out four and whiffing five. The game started out better for him than the line would indicate, as a three-run third inning hurt his final numbers – though he did get saved from giving up another run in the fourth after a leadoff double by having a runner thrown out at the plate. Scoreless innings from Austin Gomber, Blake Burkhalter, and Ian Hamilton finished off this game, with Burkhalter picking up the win and Hamilton the save.
In the second game the three rehabbing players sat out, but the two former big league All Stars continued to have big days. After a hit in the first game, Andrew McCutchen homered and doubled, while Carlos Santana followed up his two-hit game with a homer. Patrick Clohisy also continued his red hot 10 game stretch to start out his time in Gwinnett by doubling and walking in four trips to the plate. Rowdy Tellez also had a two-hit game that included a double in the win.
Brett Sears, SP: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 4.00 ERA
Brett Sears pitched a gem, unfortunately he made two mistakes – and those mistakes got punished. Sears went seven innings, allowing just five hits and one walk as he struck out seven and whiffed 13. Unfortunately two of those hits were solo homers, including one to Brandon Compton – a Top 50 pick from last year’s draft who had already hit 10 homers in his first 19 games at Double-A. Luis Vargas pitched a scoreless eighth inning and picked up a pair of strikeouts along with four whiffs.
Also unfortunate for Sears was the fact the offense completely failed to show up. Dalton McIntyre singled and got hit by a pitch in his four plate appearances and Ambioris Tavarez had a single. That was it. Columbus managed just two singles and a hit by pitch as their only base runners in this loss against three different Pensacola pitchers – none of whom had an ERA under 4.08, and two of them had ERA’s above 5.80.
Zach Royse, SP: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 4.68 ERA
Zach Royse started and went six very strong innings, allowing a run on five hits and two walks. Royse also struck out five, while whiffing 11 in his 93 pitch outing in the first half of a doubleheader. Justin Long came in for the final inning, and pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout while walking one hitter in the process.
The offense had a big day, and to no one’s surprise the prospects led the way. Tate Southisene had two hits and a walk in four plate appearances, scoring two runs, batting in one, and stealing a base as he brings his Rome OPS up to .823. Eric Hartman walked and singled in four trips to the plate, scoring two runs, while Owen Carey walked and tripled in three trips, scoring twice and batting in one. John Gil reached with a walk, Dixon Williams had two walks and two steals, while Mason Guerra added a pair of singles in the win.
This is a good example of the boxscore not telling the whole story, especially for Cam Caminiti. Caminiti had a very solid line, but he actually hadn’t allowed a hit or run through four innings – only to give up three hits and a pair of runs in his fifth and final inning. He finished with two runs allowed on three hits and a walk over five innings, with five strikeouts and nine whiffs, but looked especially strong until the end. Jacob Shafer followed with two scoreless innings, though he did get into a little trouble in each of those innings only to get out of it. Mathieu Curtis pitched the eighth inning and did allow the extra inning ghost runner to score, which gave him the loss.
This game was a tale of base running mistakes, as Rome had three runners thrown out on the bases fairly early in this game. Dixon Williams had the most notable game, going two for three plus a walk and a stolen base, while playing in center defensively. John Gil also had an impact in this one, going one for three with an impressive double, walked, stole a base, scored a run, and batted one in. Tate Southisene had a single in four at bats and scored a run, while Eric Hartman had a walk in four plate appearances and Owen Carey failed to reach base in his four trips. Mason Guerra also doubled and walked in the loss.
On the day Southisene was three for seven with a walk, Hartman went one for six with a pair of walks, Carey was one for six with a triple and a walk, and Gil was one for six with a double and a pair of walks.
Derek Vartanian, SP: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 3.89 ERA
Daniel Brooks, RP: 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1.35 ERA
Derek Vartanian started and went six quality innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits and one walk as he struck out three with 14 whiffs. Styven Paez followed with two scoreless innings, which included two strikeouts and seven whiffs. Daniel Brooks pitched the next two innings, allowing only the inherited ghost runner in the 10th to score, and struck out three with six whiffs. Combined the trio allowed just two earned runs on 11 hits, one walk, eight strikeouts, and 27 whiffs.
Conor Essenburg led the way offensively, going three for six with his 10th homer of the season plus a stolen base. With this game he brings his OBP back over .400 for his time in Augusta, showing an even more advanced approach than we had expected for a player who only focused on hitting full time within the last year. Luis Guanipa also had a multi-hit game, going two for five with a walk, run scored, and two batted in, while Nick Montgomery had a single and two walks in five trips to the plate. Hayden Friese also played a big part as he hit his second homer of the season and drew a walk. They weren’t the only GreenJackets to reach multiple times, as Caden Merritt had a two-hit day, while Cooper McMurray had two walks. Among the other prospects Alex Lodise drew a walk during his five plate appearances, while Cody Miller doubled in his five trips to the dish.
Martires Polance, SP: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 3.51 ERA
Martires Polanco turned in his worst start of the season in his seventh start, allowing six runs on three hits and three walks over two and a third innings. His ERA jumped nearly two runs from 1.54 to 3.51, while the WHIP went from 1.11 to 1.25 in this outing. Darren Pereira allowed the other run to score during his third of an inning, while Josue Castro, Abraham Prado, and Yostin Pinales each had scoreless outings – one inning apiece for Prado and Pinales, with Castro going one and a third.
The offense didn’t do a ton, outside of Edelson Cabral that is. Cabral reached base three times in four trips to the plate, walking twice, hitting a single, and batting in a run. Catcher Angelo Neira was the only other player to reach base multiple times, as he walked and singled in three plate appearances and also added a stolen base. Elioberto Mondesir, Luis Consoro, and Jose Nelo singles accounted for the remainder of the base runners for the Braves in this loss.
Carlos Beltrán will be forever enshrined in baseball’s most prestigious club this weekend, becoming the third player to enter the Hall of Fame wearing a Mets cap on their plaque. But even before his induction was announced, Beltrán has—like most Hall of Famers—already been part of some of baseball’s most exclusive clubs, from niche stat leaders to franchise and hometown record-setters.
Here are some of the most impressive, intriguing accolades from Beltrán’s 20-year major league career:
400/300, 20/20, 100/100
Beltrán had a rare combination of power, speed, and longevity. He finished his career with 435 home runs and 312 stolen bases, becoming one of just five players in MLB history to collect 400+ homers and 300+ stolen bases alongside Willie Mays, Andre Dawson, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez. Beltrán posted seven 20/20 seasons, being one of only six players to do so alongside Barry Bonds (10), Bobby Bonds (10), Bobby Abreu (9), José Ramírez (7), and Eric Davis (7). He is also one of only three players to hit 100+ homers and steal 100+ bases for two different franchises (Royals and Mets), along with Bonds (Pirates and Giants) and A-Rod (Mariners and Yankees). But it’s worth mentioning that there’s one other player in MLB history with 99+ HR and 99+ SB for two different franchises: Francisco Lindor.
Silver and Gold
In both leagues at the end of a season, a Gold Glove Award is given out to the best fielder at each position and a Silver Slugger Award is given out to the best hitter at each position. To win both is one of the more impressive all-around feats that a player can accomplish in a given year. Not only did Beltrán win a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger in the same season — he did it in back-to-back seasons from 2006-07. Only nine outfielders have done that since the Silver Slugger Award was introduced in 1980: Ken Griffey Jr., Dave Winfield, Kirby Puckett, Mookie Betts, Barry Bonds, Andre Dawson, Dale Murphy, Tony Gwynn and Beltrán. Beltrán is also one of only two Mets to win both awards in multiple seasons, along with David Wright, who also happened to do it in back-to-back years from 2007-08.
Gamer
By the end of his 20-year playing career, Beltrán had appeared in 2,586 MLB games. Only 46 players have appeared in that many games, and only five (Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., and Beltrán) did so while playing at least 50% of their games at center field.
From ROTY to HOFer
Some Hall of Famers find their stride over time. Others burst onto the scene with a bang. That was the case for Beltrán, who will be the 22nd Rookie of the Year Award winner inducted into the Hall of Fame, and the second former ROTY to be inducted as a center fielder after Willie Mays. Beltrán earned his award by hitting 22 homers and stealing 27 bases in his age-22 season with the Royals in 1999, earning all but two first-place votes (which went to Seattle’s Freddy García and Boston’s Brian Daubach. Beltrán is sure to have an influx of company in the ROTY->HOF club over the next decade-plus as Justin Verlander, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani eventually hit the ballot and become bound for Cooperstown.
No. 2 to No. 21
It’s that time of the article where we must simply list a bunch of Beltrán’s career stats. But rather than compare him with other Mets, or other center fielders, or other Hall of Famers, let’s do something else. Puerto Rico has one of the richest baseball histories of anywhere in the world. How do Beltrán’s numbers stack up with the all-time Puerto Rican greats? Here are his ranks among players born in Puerto Rico:
2,586 games played (1st) 1,582 runs (1st) 2,725 hits (3rd) 435 home runs (2nd) 1,587 runs batted in (1st) 312 stolen bases (3rd)
And finally…
70.0 bWAR (2nd, behind Roberto Clemente’s 95.0)
Now Beltrán, the 2013 Roberto Clemente Award winner, joins Clemente as the second Puerto Rican outfielder in the Hall of Fame.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 20: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets up to bat against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 20, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
Tyrone Taylor’s pinch hit two-run double in the eighth wasn’t enough to overcome a big Dodgers third inning that included more fielding miscues by the Mets, as a comeback effort fell short and the Mets lost 4-3 in their second straight defeat to the reigning champion Dodgers.
Juan Soto had imaging done on his left calf—which had been bothering him since the series in Philadelphia and caused him to exit Friday night’s game early—which revealed a Grade 2 strain. That is more significant than the minor strain he suffered in his right calf that resulted in a three-week IL stint earlier this season, but less significant than Francisco Lindor’s strain that sidelined him for two months. Soto has been placed on the injured list and while Andy Green acknowledged the Mets will factor in Soto’s “long-term importance to us” to the recovery timetable, the team expects he will return this season—likely sometime in September.
If Soto will be out until mid-September, given where the Mets are, it isn’t worth bringing him back, writes Laura Albanese of Newsday.
A four-run third inning propelled the Nationals to a 5-3 victory over the Diamondbacks.
The Nationals acquired left-hander Connelly Early from the Red Sox in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead, who is having a breakout season in DC.
The Nationals are reportedly open to trading All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, who went 3-for-4 in yesterday’s win with a home run, a double, and three RBIs and would instantly become one of the more appealing targets on the market.
Despite going on the board first, the Phillies fell to the Yankees 3-1, as the Bronx Bombers lived up to their name in Philadelphia.
But one positive thing that came out of the game for the Phillies was Brian Keller’s three scoreless innings in his major league debut after a long road to get there.
The Phillies acquired outfielder Kameron Misner from the Royals for cash considerations. Misner was optioned to Triple-A. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, they designated Steward Berroa for assignment.
The Marlins lost their 11th straight game, falling below .500 for the first time since June 17 and becoming the only team besides the Mets to have a losing streak of that length this season. Miami was defeated by the Padres 7-2 in a game that included a delay as a result of the fire alarms going off at loanDepot Park. Eury Pérez had a solid outing, but Dax Fulton was tagged for four runs in two innings.
Marlins right-hander Eiver Mosquera was suspended for 80 games Saturday under the minor league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance boldenone.
After Ozzie Albies tied the game in the eighth with a clutch two-run homer, the Braves were walked off by the Orioles in the ninth on a game-winning single by Dylan Beavers, losing 3-2.
The Braves called up Connor Thomas from Triple-A Gwinnett and designated Elieser Hernandez for assignment.
Around Major League Baseball
MLB.com provided a guide for everything you need to know about the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which of course includes Carlos Beltrán.
Though the Yankees won last night’s game against the Phillies, it didn’t come without agita, as Cody Bellinger left the game early due to some tightness in his hamstring. Bellinger said after the game that he thinks the issue is minor and he hopes to avoid the injured list, which already has several prominent Yankees stars on it.
Could the White Sox be a suitor for Padres star closer Mason Miller at the deadline? They have the prospects to get it done, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
The A’s signed 38-year-old veteran lefty Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract. Keuchel last pitched in the big leagues in 2024.
This Date in Mets History
On July 26, 1983 Mookie Wilson hit a walk-off homer in extras to power the Mets to a thrilling victory over the Braves.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 21: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets up to bat against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on July 21, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners suck. Not much else to say right now. They have a chance to suck just a little bit less and salvage a modicum of dignity against the Rangers this morning at 11:35 am PST.
The New York Mets are now going into the deadline without their best player as Juan Soto was placed on the 10-day IL yesterday with a left calf strain. Soto missed three weeks earlier this season with a calf strain in his other leg, and interim manager Andy Green described this strain as significantly worse.
The Red Sox and Nationals have turned on the stove!
BREAKING: The Boston Red Sox are trading left-hander Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals for infielder Curtis Mead, sources tell ESPN.
The Boston Red Sox are hoping to have a much different trade deadline than last season, which ended up being extremely underwhelming, although it almost went much differently. It was reported on Friday that a blockbuster prospect package nearly went to Minnesota for Joe Ryan before the Twins backed out.
Metalhead Software walked onto the sports video game stage when they introduced my favorite sports video game franchise of all-time, Super Mega Baseball, all the way back in 2014. With every subsequent installment the games got better and better and added features that have led to a thriving competitive scene that still runs in SMB 4 to this day. I personally have been running a completely agonizing and asinine “0 Stats franchise” that rapidly whittles away at my sanity every time I play a game, and yet I continue to love it, even when I scream obscenities at it and myself. Samuel Horti at Remap went down memory road earlier this week to reminisce on what the games were at their best, and why we’ll sadly never get another one.
HARRISBURG, PA - JULY 21: Bryan Rincon #4 of the Reading Fightin Phils bats in the first inning during the game between the Reading Fightin Phils and the Harrisburg Senators at FNB Field on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kyle Mace/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
A depressing night in the major leagues and a semi-depressing night in the minor leagues. Let’s check in on the kids:
Indianapolis 9, Lehigh Valley 0
Good lord, what a pitiful showing by the offense. A double by Paul McIntosh, a single by Liover Peguero and that’s it. Nothing more, nothing less. Alan Rangel must have been depressed at being sent back to the minor leagues as he let up seven runs in 4+ innings of work, but it didn’t matter much since no one wanted to hit the ball anyway.
Reading 6, Harrisburg 5
This was a game of extremes, one on the good end and another on the bad. First, the good. Bryan Rincon continued his resurgence this season, hitting two more home runs to give him 14 on the season.
Bryan Rincon CRUSHES his second homer of the night 🤯🤯
— Reading Fightin Phils (@ReadingFightins) July 25, 2026
That’s the sound of his stock rising on both the trade market and within the team’s own player development system. Caleb Ricketts also hit a home run to help the offense, one that needed each run it could get.
Now, for the bad. Gage Wood had a good first three innings in his outing on the evening, cruising through the lineup and striking out five. In the fourth, he started getting hit a bit, allowing two doubles and a single to see two runs cross the plate. In the fifth, it came apart for him. He gave up a home run, a walk, a single, hit a batter, got an out via a sacrifice fly then struck out a batter before being replaced. Not his best start for Reading.
Jersey Shore 7, Brooklyn 3
Wait, what’s that? A victory for the BlueClaws? Daunte Stuart was the hero on offense, having a three hit night that included a home run to pace the team. Wuilfredo Antunez had two RBI, combining with Antunez to be two of six BlueClaws hitters with an RBI on the night. On the bump, Tanner Gresham had a solid start, going five innings and giving up three runs on three hits, striking out six and walking only one. Considering how rough their season has been, this is a great night for the BlueClaws.
Clearwater 8, Daytona 7
At this point in my life, I am much too invested in the success of Juan Villavicencio. I watched some video of the young man last night once everyone was away asleep for the night and the recap was written.
Juan Villavicencio CRUSHED his 13th homer of the season for Clearwater.
He was left of many of the updated national Phillies prospect rankings, but is hitting .299 with a .924 OPS this season.
Great piece of hitting here from Juan Villavicencio, who stays back on a changeup and drives it out the other way for his 10th home run of the season for Clearwater pic.twitter.com/V5wbotuSsG
That is a quick bat that is hitting the ball really hard. It’s a little harder to find fielding videos of him, but by all accounts, he’s a shortstop that can stick at the position. He’s young and needs to prove it at higher levels, but this is someone to get excited about.
On the evening for Clearwater, he hit another home run (as seen above), joining Jonathan Hogart (3-3, 2 2B) and TJayy Walton (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI) as the multi hit gatherers on the evening to lead the offense. On the pitching side, there wasn’t much to write home about as Zuher Yousuf allowed four runs in four innings, striking out five. Marty Gair had a lockdown ninth inning, striking out two to get the save.
Jul 25, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (5) is tagged out at third base trying to steal by Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images
This is mainly because they have longer hind legs than front legs. Their legs are also very powerful and can run at speeds of 35 mph.
Snapple’s 1001 “Real Facts” aren’t true.
In 2002, the manufacturers of Snapple began printing “Real Facts” inside the bottle caps. However, most of this information is outdated or simply myths.
Pencils are yellow because of Chinese royalty.
In the 1800s, the best graphite in the world came from China. The Americans wanted to give a tribute to the Chinese for the graphite used in their pencils. Yellow means royalty and respect in China, which is why the Americans manufactured their pencils in yellow. To this day, the default color for pencils is still yellow.
Joshua’s lack of punch resistance is clear, which could place him in danger in the highly anticipated £150m fight with Tyson Fury
The bedlam and madness lasted for just five minutes and 43 seconds and, after Anthony Joshua was back in the sanctuary of his dressing room, he claimed to have learned “a valuable lesson”. Joshua had been knocked down twice by Kristian Prenga before he rescued himself in the second round with a brutal stoppage of the previously obscure Albanian.
Joshua also looked ahead to the hugely anticipated fight with Tyson Fury after the two faded former world champions came through wildly contrasting bouts which were meant to be routine exhibitions this weekend. “I’m gonna come back stronger now,” Joshua claimed as he tried to clear the concussive fog from his brain after the worst round of his tumultuous career.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 25: Austin Wynns #38 of the Texas Rangers gestures after hitting a single during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field on July 25, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, folks…
The Texas Rangers beat the Seattle Mariners last night by a score of 7-1.
The Philadelphia Phillies may be strong home favorites on Sunday Night Baseball as they look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees, but I expect a close game.
Cristopher Sanchez has been one of baseball’s best starters this season, but his July form has been wobblier. Will Warren gives Philadelphia a scoring path, too, which is why I’m also playing the Over.
Here are my Yankees vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks for Sunday, July 26.
Sanchez is still excellent. However, July has been rough: a 7.47 ERA + 1.98 WHIP across 16 innings. He's already matched last year's 31 barrels allowed, and his barrel rate has jumped from 5.7% to 8.4%.
You don't need me to tell you that New York is built to succeed against that. Play this to -150.
COVERS INTEL: Cristopher Sanchez's sinker is the Yankees' clearest attack point: it has allowed a .371 xwOBA and 56% hard-hit rate despite his excellent overall production.
Yankees vs Phillies Over/Under pick: Over 7.5 (-121)
I like the Over, and I'd play it to -135. It's the only direction you can go if you feel the Yankees cover because Warren won't be spotless.
Sanchez’s recent issue has been contact volume, and the Yankees are a good option to expose that. Their 9.7% barrel rate and 135 home runs give them a direct path if his July command or location issues continue.
Warren brings the Philly side into play. His 4.50 xERA and .415 xSLG are a problem against a lineup with a 9% barrel rate and .411 xSLG.;
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 40-35, +7.47 units
Over/Under bets: 43-34, +11.01 units
Yankees vs Phillies weather
Yankees vs Phillies odds
Moneyline: Yankees +165 | Phillies -178
Run line: Yankees +1.5 | Phillies -1.5
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Yankees vs Phillies trend
How to watch Yankees vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Sunday, July 26, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
NBC, Peacock
Yankees starting pitcher
Will Warren (7-4, 4.00 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez (12-4, 2.71 ERA)
Yankees vs Phillies 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.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 25: Jackson Merrill #3 of the San Diego Padres slides home safely past Liam Hicks #34 of the Miami Marlins in the eighth inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 25, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Randy Vasquez got the start over JP Sears for the San Diego Padres against the Miami Marlins on Saturday, but it was Sears who came away with the win after 3.1 innings of scoreless baseball where he allowed just one hit with one walk and three strikeouts. The duo of Vasquez and Sears completed six innings allowing just one run and the Padres offense scored seven runs on 11 hits to beat the Marlins, 7-2.
Vasquez well, but it was a bit of a surprise when the team announced he would be making the start over Sears who was the scheduled starter. Vasquez completed 2.2 innings and allowed one run on one hit with two walks. He did not record a strikeout. Vasquez worked into and out of trouble in the first inning with walks to the first two Miami batters, but a ground ball double-play got him two outs, and the lead runner advance to third base. Vasquez then induced a flyball from Xavier Edwards for the third out of the inning.
The Padres broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning when Ty France hit a two-out two-run single to score Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado. France tried to stretch his single to a double and was thrown out just after Machado crossed the plate to give San Diego a 2-0 lead. The Marlins plated a run in the bottom of the third to make the score, 2-1 but the Padres continued to score and added to their lead in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings with five runs. Miami was able to add a run in the bottom of the eighth off Matt Waldron, but that was all the right-hander would allow over his two innings of work to end the game.
Jackson Merrill was the offensive leader for San Diego, finishing the day 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored, but it was his defense that created a buzz. Kyle Stowers hit the third single in the bottom of the eighth inning for Miami which scored Esteury Ruiz but Merrill scooped up the ball and threw a dart to Machado at third base who tagged out Otto Lopez for the second out of the inning, leaving Stowers as the lone man on base at first. Waldron induced a groundball out from the next Marlins batter to end the inning.
— Padres Highlights (@FriarHighlights) July 25, 2026
France also contributed at the plate for the Padres, which could be bittersweet depending on what the team decides to do at the trade deadline. France finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored and is now hitting .283 on the season. His recent performance as helped San Diego remain in and win games, but it also may be enticing other teams to consider adding him to their roster if the Padres make him available.
San Diego has taken back-to-back games from Miami and will go for the series sweep, which would bring them back to .500, today at 10:40 a.m.
Padres News:
According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees could all be interested in trading for Mason Miller if the Padres decide to move him. The Milwaukee Brewers were also recently reported as another team interested in the closer. There is also speculation that the Chicago White Sox could be interested in adding Miller.
Salvador Perez hit a home run to help the Kansas City Royals beat the Detroit Tigers and became the all-time home run leader for the Royals, passing George Brett.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Jameer Nelson, Nick Nurse and Jaylen Brown attends a game between the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers on July 11, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown hasn’t even been on the Sixers for a month. We still haven’t seen him play in a Sixers uniform. Yet the Sixers already have a tough decision to make with him.
On July 26, Brown becomes eligible to sign a one-year extension worth no less than roughly $68.9 million. He’s only eligible to sign that deal between July 26 and the preseason, though. Once the regular season begins, he will not be able to sign an extension again until next summer.
Brown’s upcoming extension talks likely contributed to the urgency that the Celtics felt to move him this offseason after their failed pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens didn’t admit to that, but he did say “the path looked a little bit more challenging with 70% of our cap and such a high percent of our usage tied into two players.”
As we’ve covered before, the Sixers were already pot-committed to that model, so the upgrade in terms of ability, age, health and availability from Paul George to Brown is arguably worth two first-round picks and then some. But is it worth committing to that model beyond 2029?
Let’s walk through each of Brown and the Sixers’ extension options between now and the expiration of his contract after the 2028-29 season.
This summer: 1-year extension
Had Brown stayed with the Celtics, he would have been eligible for a two-year extension this summer. But once he got traded, he was limited to having a four-year deal for the next six months, including the years remaining on his current contract. That means he can only tack on one more year come July 26, not two.
It’s far too early to make an accurate prediction for the 2029-30 salary cap. But under the current collective bargaining agreement, a player’s max salary for any given season can never be less than 105 percent of what they earned the previous year. Since Brown is set to earn $65.6 million in 2028-29—his age-32 season—his max in 2029-30 would start no lower than nearly $68.9 million.
However, that comes with one major caveat. The current CBA is set to run through 2029-30, but either side can opt out after the 2028-29 season—the year Brown’s current contract is set to expire. If there’s a new CBA in place by the time Brown’s contract expires, the Sixers might want to know what team-building restrictions they might be risking if they continue to assemble a pricy roster.
Brown isn’t the only major deal coming off the Sixers’ books that summer. Both Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are set to become unrestricted free agents in 2029, although it’s tough to imagine the Sixers allowing that to happen with the latter. VJ Edgecombe will also be a restricted free agent if he doesn’t agree to an extension during the 2028-29 offseason.
Depending on what happens with the CBA, 2029 could be a reset year both for the Sixers and the league at large. With that in mind, it’s hard to imagine the Sixers committing a huge portion of their cap space that far in advance to someone whom they’d never even see play with the rest of the core.
Next summer: 3-year extension
Brown technically would become eligible for a two-year extension with the Sixers in January, six months after the trade. However, since he has multiple years remaining on his deal, he can only sign an extension before the start of the regular season. So, if he doesn’t sign a one-year extension by October, he won’t become extension-eligible again until next summer.
At that point, Brown would be able to add three years and at least $223.2 million to his deal. At a minimum, it could be structured along these lines:
2029-30: $68,889,740
2030-31: $74,440,920
2031-32: $79,912,100
Total: $223,202,760
Brown would be going into his age-33 season at the beginning of this deal. With Maxey and Edgecombe also heading into new contracts that season—and with Embiid possibly coming off the Sixers’ books—that is a lot of money for someone heading away from his prime.
Perhaps Brown proves to be the Sixers’ missing piece this season, guides them to a championship, quashes any concerns about what analytics might say about him and fully justifies that price tag next summer. If so, the Sixers would likely be happy to pay it.
But if the concerns from the Celtics and the analytics community pan out in Philadelphia as well, it might be less clear whether the Sixers should sign up for three more years of a 35 percent max for Brown.
Summer of 2028: 4-year extension
Perhaps the Sixers and Brown both decide to take this decision down to the wire. Brown is a vice president of the NBPA, so he’ll have an early read on how CBA negotiations are going and the major areas of conflict between the two sides. (It’s easy to guess one of them.)
At this point, the Sixers will be able to negotiate both with Maxey and Edgecombe on new extensions as well. Since all three will be interconnected decisions—as will Embiid if they have interest on bringing him back again—it’d be easiest from their standpoint to coordinate those decisions simultaneously.
This would be Brown’s best chance to cash in before he reaches free agency, too. The first three years would be the same as his three-year extension, but he’d add an extra $85.4 million in his age-36 season to bring the total value of his deal north of $300 million.
2029-30: $68,889,740
2030-31: $74,440,920
2031-32: $79,912,100
2032-33: $85,423,270
Total: $308,626,030
Given how the George experience went for the Sixers, they’ll likely be gunshy about shelling out that kind of cash for someone heading into his mid-30s unless Brown forces their hand in the next two years. Perhaps they can find a middle ground that’s below his 35 percent max but still compensates him handsomely over the coming years. That would be the optimal outcome from the Sixers’ perspective, if nothing else.
With a new CBA guaranteed to be in place no later than the 2030-31 season, most teams around the league figure to keep their books as clean as possible at the turn of the decade, no-brainer keepers notwithstanding. They should feel zero urgency to sign Brown to an extension with that in mind. Brown should likewise be curious about potential changes to the CBA before deciding on his long-term future.
The Sixers and Brown have plenty of time between now and when his contract expires after the 2028-29 season to hammer out an extension. Even though he becomes eligible to tack on an extra year to his deal on July 26, neither side should feel any pressure to get something done before the start of this season.
DENVER, COLORADO - FEBRUARY 22: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche looks for an opening against the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the second period at Ball Arena on February 22, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
While waiting to sign his mega contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, superstar defenseman Cale Makar is keeping busy along with PWHL star Hilary Knight as they took the time to try out some hockey gear from Bauer. One of the tidbits revealed in the video is that Cale changes out his skates to new ones every four to five games.
Time to circle the calendars as word on the street is hinting that the NHL trade deadline will fall on Monday, March 1st next year. This is due to the regular season beginning and ending earlier starting next season.
NEWS: The 2027 NHL trade deadline has been set for Monday, March 1 per @RussoHockey
More former Avalanche players are getting new jobs this summer. Now Stanley Cup champion Jack Johnson is leaving the Vancouver Canucks organization to help the women’s hockey program at Ohio State.
— Ohio State Women's Hockey (@OhioStateWHKY) July 23, 2026
Andrew Agozzino recently announced his retirement from hockey and also already has a new gig with the Utah Mammoth. The former Avalanche forward joins the Tucson Roadrunners staff.
Excited to keep Agozzino in the organization!
Recently retired forward Andrew Agozzino will remain in the organization as an assistant coach for the Tucson Roadrunners.
COVERS INTEL: Cristopher Sanchez's sinker is the Yankees' clearest attack point: it has 
