NEW YORK, NY - MAY 06: An overall photo before the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees on May 6, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s Unofficial 1990s Throwback Night at Yankee Stadium on Friday, as the Atlanta Braves are in town to face the Yankees for a three-game set.
These showdowns always bring to mind fond—for us anyway—memories of the 1996 and 1999 Fall Classics, when the Yankees came back from down 0-2 to win their first championship in 18 years and then when they polished off a similarly potent Braves team in a four-game sweep durig the final year of the 20th century (securing a repeat to follow the act of the legendary 1998 club). Of course, it’s been many years since those rumbles, and from 2001 onward, the Yankees and Braves have the same number of titles: one apiece, in 2009 and 2021 respectively.
Tonight has a special sort of buzz about it, as erstwhile Braves ace Max Fried—who won the World Series clincher in Houston during that special 2021—will face his old team for the first time. The personnel has changed a bit since Fried departed after 2024 (including now-retired skipper Brian Snitker), but Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, and plenty more are still around. Meanwhile, Atlanta will send out one of their Trade Deadline acquisitions, Tyler Mahle, who will make his Braves debut.
It’ll be a fun showdown … whenever they get to play it. The weather in the Bronx is crummy at the moment and even though first pitch is still an hour away, the Yankees have announced that the game will not begin at 7:05pm ET as expected. Whenever the Yanks and MLB offer updates, we’ll update our own article in turn. Stay dry and hang in there! The rain is supposed to subside, so we should get baseball tonight.
Please be advised we do not intend to start tonight’s game on time. Information will be provided as it is received.
On an episode of “The Big Podcast” hosted by Shaquille O’Neal, he questioned why former teammate Kobe Bryant isn’t included in the conversation.
Shaquille O’Neal questions why Kobe Bryant isn’t considered in GOAT debates. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
“There’s only three people in the GOAT conversation. Listen, I’m arrogant, but I’m not dumb,” O’Neal said. “It’s Kobe, Bron and Mike, that’s it.”
O’Neal was originally asked why he isn’t considered in the GOAT conversation; he was then confronted about a bias of shooting guards who are in the conversation, to which O’Neal admitted that players have their sub-categories.
“For so long it was just Mike and Bron, and I’m like, ‘I understand, great picks, but what about the Kobester?’ ” O’Neal said.
Bryant won five NBA championships with the Lakers during his 20-year career. AP
Bryant is no doubt one of the NBA’s greatest players. He spent his 20-year career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA championships. Bryant was a two-time Finals MVP and a regular-season MVP in 2008.
Bryant’s five NBA titles eclipse James, who has won four championships in his 23-year career, but do not surpass Jordan, who won six NBA titles and was crowned Finals MVP in all six series.
Bryant was known for his “Mamba Mentality,” which focused on his relentless effort to try to win games and perform well while dealing with adversity.
With so many iconic moments in his career, Bryant’s greatest performance came on Jan. 22, 2006, when he scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors, the third-most points in a game by a player. Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 in 1962, and Bam Adebayo tallied 83 in 2026.
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Lonnie Walker IV, a seven-year NBA veteran who spent last season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague, reportedly has agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million minimum contract with the Denver Nuggets to return to the NBA, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Walker is a 6'4" two guard, a position where the Nuggets need depth after losing Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency (plus Jalen Pickett is not back as well). It's unclear if this contract is fully guaranteed, but it's possible he steps into (or earns the chance in training camp to step into) the role Bruce Brown played with this team.
Walker was a double-digit scorer in four of his seven NBA seasons (four of the last five) and is a career 35.6% shooter from 3-point range. The former No. 18 pick averaged 15.2 points per game in EuroLeague play last season, shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc.
Denver still has a lot of work to do this offseason, most notably either re-signing or finding a sign-and-trade for wing player Peyton Watson. With that comes the fact that the Nuggets are currently already above the second apron of the luxury tax with 12 contracts on their roster — this is a team that needs to shed salary. They have looked for trades for Cameron Johnson or Christian Braun, but would have to add the sweetener of picks to either of them to get another team to take on those contracts at this point in the summer.
Where Walker fits into all that is just another piece of the puzzle.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 10: Kyle Leahy #62 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium on July 10, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals return home for a 3-game weekend series vs the Colorado Rockies starting Friday night. Kyle Leahy will start for the Cardinals while the Rockies will send Ryan Feltner to the mound. First pitch scheduled for 7:15pm central time at Busch Stadium and the TV broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 02, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks announced their coaching staff earlier on Friday. Under new head coach Taylor Jenkins, only Darvin Ham and head of player development Jack Herum will return to the Bucks for the 2026-27 season. The rest of Milwaukee’s new coaching personnel—including Summer League head coach Pat St. Andrews—are all new hires or returning to Milwaukee after previously leaving.
Darvin Ham is the most recognizable name among Jenkins’ assistant coaches. Ham served as the lead assistant coach for four seasons, including Milwaukee’s championship-winning season in 2021. He then spent a turmoil-filled two years in Los Angeles, where, despite posting a winning record across his two seasons in charge, he was fired after a first-round playoff exit. Ham was a candidate to fill the New Orleans Pelicans’ coaching vacancy in the summer, but he ultimately remained in his role as the Bucks’ assistant coach. Ham has worked with Jenkins before in Atlanta for five seasons and in Milwaukee for one.
Two of the Bucks’ assistant coaches, St. Andrews and Brad Jones, worked with Jenkins as assistant coaches in Memphis. Others have ties to Milwaukee; Vince Legarza returns to the Bucks after spending the 2024-25 season as an assistant with the Suns, and Schuyler Rimmer spent four seasons with the Bucks from 2018-22 as a video coordinator. Some of the Bucks’ new assistants have experience from around the league. Johnny Carpenter was an assistant for the Indiana Pacers last season but turned down the opportunity to coach the Pacers’ Summer League team to join Milwaukee.
T.J. Ford will also join Milwaukee’s coaching staff, his first coaching role in the NBA. The former eighth overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, Ford spent two seasons with Milwaukee as the team’s starting point guard and made 127 appearances, averaging 10 points. After retirement, Ford spent time coaching high school and AAU basketball, including his own Adidas-sponsored team, TJ Ford Elite.
Joe Boylan, the highly-touted coach who seemed set to join Jenkins’ coaching staff, won’t join the Bucks. Boylan shifted course in early July to join new coach Dusty May and the Dallas Mavericks,
Dave Joerger, a longtime assistant to Doc Rivers, will take on an assistant coaching job in Denver, while Greg Buckner joins the Orlando Magic.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 01: Jackson Holliday #7 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 01, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles are back for another one of those “man, they’ve got to find a way to take two out of three” series. This one pits the club against the Texas Rangers. The Rangers (57-58) currently sit one game ahead of the Orioles in the chase for the third wild card spot. You can read more about Texas in Paul Folkemer’s series preview.
Jackson Holliday will bat third and play second base tonight against right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. The Orioles will look for Holliday to step up with Adley Rutschman and Taylor Ward no longer with the organization. Craig Albernaz will give the former first-overall pick a chance to make an impact from a higher spot in the batting order this evening.
Gunnar Henderson will bat first and play shortstop. He’ll be joined in the infield by first baseman Pete Alonso and third baseman Coby Mayo. Tyler O’Neill will slot in as the designated hitter with Christian Encarnacion-Strand beginning the game on the bench. Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras will make up the outfield from left to right. Carlos Narváez will catch starter Shane Baz.
The Orioles have struggled to provide Baz run support this season, but it would behoove the bats to strike early in this one. Baltimore’s high leverage relievers should all be fresh after getting the day off in a 4-1 loss on Thursday.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 29: Tyler Tolbert #2 of the Kansas City Royals takes the field prior to the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Ritter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It feels like another lifetime ago, but there was a time, back at the beginning of 2024, when the Royals had a battle for the fifth rotation spot between Daniel “Danny Drips” Lynch IV and Alec Marsh. Marsh won the job out of Spring Training, but Lynch was demoted to Omaha to continue starting and be ready to fill into the rotation as necessary. When Marsh was injured toward the end of April, Lynch got the call.
Lynch’s first start that season was five shutout innings, pretty good! Then he had a two-inning relief appearance. Then he retook the starter’s mound for another five innings, but this time he allowed three runs (two earned). His next appearance was a start against the Mariners, which saw him allow 8 runs, all earned, in 4 innings. He got a bulk relief appearance next that saw him allow 6 runs in 6.2 innings. That was on June 12, 2024, and was the last time Danny Drips made a true effort at starting.* His next appearance was at the end of August, and he picked up a 3-inning save before sticking in the bullpen for the rest of the year.
*He had two “starts” as an Opener last year.
He struck out 24 over 20.2 innings without allowing a run and gave the Royals some hope he could be something of a left-handed Wade Davis. He spent the entire season in the bullpen last year, where he regularly put runners on before being bailed out by John Schreiber. He started off this season looking more like the reliever from ‘24, but has since backslid into the reliever from ‘25. Over his last 20 appearances, he has pitched 19.2 innings while striking out only 6 and walking 4. He’s also allowed 14 hits. The fact that he’s only given up 5 runs for a 2.29 ERA over that span speaks more to incredible luck than incredible talent.
Some will point to Seth Lugo’s success returning to the rotation after being relegated to the bullpen for years. Others will point to Danny Duffy’s. And while I’m not saying this can’t or even won’t work, I will say Lynch’s performance in the bullpen over the past two years has done very little to prove that it should. Still, the Royals are critically low on starting pitching, and giving Daniel Lynch IV another shot makes a heck of a lot more sense than giving Mitch Spence another.
The Cubs will debut the newly acquired Kevin Gausman against the Royals. Gausman is a right-hander who gets by on three pitches – a four-seamer, a slider, and a splitter. He throws that fastball more than half the time. You’d think that would make him easy to pigeonhole, but he’s pitched quite effectively for a very long time, regardless.
Lineups
I’m not entirely sure why the Royals have loaded their lineup as if they’re facing a lefty tonight if it’s going to be Gausman, but that’s what they’ve done. The Royals made another roster move ahead of today’s game:
Bummer pitched twice for the Royals and blew the game open for the other team both times, leading to his name being featured in the headlines of both game recaps. Maybe the headlines will be less entertaining, or maybe we’ll have to be more creative. Only one way to find out!
Friday's series opener between the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates is in a rain delay in the top of the third inning.
Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski threw three pitches to A.J. Ewing to begin the frame before the umpiring crew made the call to roll the tarp onto the field.
New York is leading 1-0 after scoring in the first inning on Carson Benge's RBI single, which scored Ewing, who doubled to lead off the game and moved to third on a Bo Bichette infield single.
Mets starter Zac Thornton pitched two scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout while dealing with the rain.
After a 36-minute delay, the game restarted and on the first pitch, Ewing lined a single off of Mlodzinski to lead off the third.
The tarp is being rolled out at the top of the third inning with no outs in Pittsburgh due to rain pic.twitter.com/dhR8vpZSoT
Munetaka Murakami and the White Sox have a big divisional clash ahead of them Friday night. | (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
After getting swept in a three-game series to the Boston Red-Handed Cheaters (seriously, does anyone believe they’ve gone 26-3 over their last 29 games legitimately?), the Chicago White Sox now find themselves in a dogfight in the AL Central. For most of the season, the race has been between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago, and this series allows the South Siders a real chance to deal a devastating blow to Cleveland’s playoff hopes.
With every team in the division but the Kansas City Royals within four games of each other, every single game moving forward is absolutely crucial. While the White Sox are coming off a tough sweep, they aren’t the only ones struggling lately as Cleveland is also coming off of a sweep of their own, dropping three straight to the lowly New York Mets.
With the Minnesota Twins on the road against the best team in baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers, it’s not a stretch to believe this series will give the winning team a leg up on the rest of the division. With Chicago leading the season series over Cleveland four games to three with only six left to play, a series win would assure the White Sox a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker as long as they aren’t swept in the final series against the Guardians.
Somebody has to break their losing streak tonight, and the Guardians must feel pretty good about their chances with Parker Messick taking the mound. Although Messick has a record of just 1-3 over his last seven starts, he has posted an impressive 2.30 ERA during that time. Messick has been one of the best pitchers in baseball as of late and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 29 against the Texas Rangers.
In two starts against the White Sox this season, Messick has pitched just shy of 13 innings, allowing just eight hits and three earned runs. He has a vast repertoire of pitches and excels in limiting hard contact. While Messick’s past success against the White Sox is certainly not the greatest sign for Chicago, it is important to note that both of those starts were against the South Siders sans Munetaka Murakami. Fans have seen how much his presence alone boosts this team, so it’s anyone’s guess how Messick will perform against a stronger Chicago offense.
While the White Sox also come into this series cold, they also have to feel pretty good about their chances moving forward but for different reasons. This series against the Guardians kicks off an interesting quirk in the schedule that sees the South Siders play 16 of their next 19 games in Chicago. With the White Sox holding a 34-21 record at home, the long stretch inside city limits is a dream scenario. In a tight divisional race, the rest of the month of August provides a great opportunity to solidify themselves at the very top.
On the mound for Chicago tonight is Noah Schultz, who quite frankly will be heavily outmatched by Messick. I know advanced metrics aren’t everything, but the only metric Schultz has better than the 50 percentile is fastball velocity, at 60. There aren’t many things he’s done well lately, either, as seen by his 1-5 record and 6.82 ERA over his past seven starts. The other issue is that he doesn’t go late into games, which will put some extra strain on what will already be a tired bullpen after last night’s extra innings affair.
While on paper it certainly seems that the White Sox are outmatched, fans certainly thought the same thing last Friday before the team batted around Tampa’s Cy Young candidate Nick Martinez on its way to a 6-1 victory.
Here are the starting lineups for the Chicago White Sox:
Here are the starting lineups for the Cleveland Guardians:
Game time is 6:40 p.m. CT, available in all the usual places.
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 01: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Casey Paul/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Sometimes you’re the broom, sometimes you’re in the dustpan.
After sweeping the Kansas City Royals in a three-game series, the Colorado Rockies found themselves on the other end, dropping three straight to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rockies enjoyed a nice Thursday off after the homestand and will try to turn their fortunes around under the shadow of the Gateway Arch as they kick off a weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rockies enter the series at 45-70, while the Cards sit in the middle of the NL Central at 57-58.
PECOTA projections at the beginning of the season had the Cardinals only reaching 66 wins. They are nearly about to eclipse that prediction and are four games out of the last Wild Card spot as they float around .500 on the year. St. Louis went 10-18 in July and are 3-2 to start August, going 4-6 in their last 10 games.
As for the pitching matchup, St. Louis will start Boulder, Colorado’s own Kyle Leahy. The Colorado Mesa University product is 7-4 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 21 starts. Leahy hasn’t logged a decision in his last four games but has three quality starts in that span. In his last start, he went six innings and gave up just one run on six hits as the Cardinals fell to the Toronto Blue Jays 3-1.
The Rockies turn again to Ryan Feltner who has shown lots of resilience in his last starts as he’s struggled with command at times but found ways to battle back and keep the team competitive. After notching a win in his last start, a 12-6 victory over the Royals where he was shaky early but locked in late, he enters with a 4-5 record, a 5.75 ERA, and a 1.46 WHIP across 16 starts.
Both teams traded vets or expiring contracts for prospects at the deadline. With their rosters settled (for now…), each team continues their path into the backend of the season.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 05: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers celebrates a victory over the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field on August 05, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 21, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the hunt for two different wings, making themselves known as potential suitors for both Atlanta’s Jonathan Kuminga and Denver’s Peyton Watson. Earlier this week, we asked you to vote on which 23-year-old forward you would want to see in Cleveland the most.
Watson comes in as the heavy favorite, pulling more than 85% of our vote. Kuminga grabs just 14%.
I’d have to say I agree with the results.
Watson had a career-best year last season, improving his efficiency and becoming a genuine threat from downtown. He’s got the raw potential of a 3-and-D wing who has taken the necessary steps forward to make that potential a tangible reality.
Kuminga, on the other hand, still has more to prove. He hasn’t been a good three-point shooter at any point in his career so far. And he hasn’t fully fit in with either team he’s been on to this point. The Golden State Warriors didn’t want to play him, and the Atlanta Hawks don’t want to pay him. Maybe both of those franchises are making a mistake by undervaluing him. Either way, it’s on Kuminga to change the narrative.
The Cavs remain active in pursuing both Kuminga and Watson. The Nuggets are looking to avoid the second apron, making it more difficult for Cleveland to acquire him in a trade. Kuminga, on the other hand, is likely more available.
Either wing would fit in Cleveland. The Cavs have needed athleticism and length at small forward for years. Acquiring one of them would help fill that need and move them up from 10th on FanDuel for championship odds.
In order to vote in our next poll, all you have to do is make a free account on Fear the Sword and wait for our next react survey to drop. You can find it in our feed, or right here in our posts.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 22: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Yankee Stadium on July 22, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Even these days, interleague matchups aren’t exactly common, making this the first time that Max Fried will face his former club since joining the Yankees. Obviously it isn’t as special as that first visit to Truist Park (which he made at the 2025 All-Star Game), but it adds a layer to this game—the unique context of it aside, a meet-up between the Yankees and Braves needs no propping up, as two of the strongest teams in the sport battle it out.
The Braves visit Yankee Stadium, sitting comfortably atop the NL East, with their biggest concern being the fight for a first-round bye with the Brewers and Dodgers. Meanwhile, the Yankees are trying to keep their heads above water, sharing the AL East spotlight with two of the hottest teams in the sport (in addition to Atlanta, which has won eight in a row). Prior to dropping two out of three against the Cardinals at home, the Yankees had not lost any of their last four series. And yet their place in the standings keeps looking worse thanks to the outstanding efforts of their opponents.
Looking to strengthen the backend of their rotation, the Braves added Tyler Mahle at the deadline, and he’ll be making his debut for Atlanta this Friday. One of the Yankees hitters with the most experience against the right-hander is Ryan McMahon, who has taken Mahle deep twice in just 18 plate appearances. McMahon drops one spot in the order as Aaron Boone rewards George Lombard Jr. for his impressive performance in his first two games as a big leaguer, moving the shortstop to the seven-hole.
Although the raw ability is there, Mahle comes as a lottery ticket of sorts. Before this trade, Mahle was having far from a solid season with the Giants, with an ERA above five, having suffered the loss in half of his 18 starts.
San Diego Padres’ newest starting pitcher Robbie Ray (Photo by Brendon Baranov/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
FriarWatch: August 7 Edition
The San Diego Padres return home for a crucial six-game stretch against two potential MLB playoff contenders. First up is the American League West-leading Houston Astros in a crucial three-game series for both teams.
The Padres trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by one game for the final berth in the National League Wild-Card standings. The Astros hold a slim 1.5-game advantage over their cross-state rival Texas Rangers.
Both clubs come into the weekend set hot, as each team is 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Friars will try to extend their three-game winning streak at Petco Park with a series sweep.
Taking the mound: Ronel Blanco (HOU) vs Robbie Ray (SD)
The Gaslamp Quarter should be rockin with anticipation of Robbie Ray’s (10-6, 3.08 ERA) first start with the Brown & Gold. He was a hot commodity at this week’s trade deadline. The left-hander would bolster any team’s starting rotation.
The Padres dealt for him hours before Monday’s trade deadline. Ray stated his case by shutting down the Friars on July 30 at Petco Park.
He has been on a hot streak, going 7-0 in his last 12 starts. How dominant is Ray? Well, the southpaw allowed one run or less in nine of those starts.
Career-wise, the Astros have Ray’s number, as he is 3-3 with a 6.86 ERA in nine starts. Jose Altuve is hitting .550 against him in over 20 at-bats. Ray must keep the ball in the yard, as he allowed 11 home runs in 42.1 innings pitched against the Stros.
Houston will send out Ronel Blanco (0-1, 7.36 ERA) in the series-opener. You can expect Astros manager Joe Espada to keep him on a short leash. Blanco has struggled since returning from Tommy John surgery.
No question, the right-hander has shown rust from the 14-month layoff. Blanco has failed to get past the fifth inning in his three July starts. He has been susceptible to giving up the long ball (five HRs in 14.2 IP).
Blanco will have to attack the strike zone (16 Ks) to keep the hitters off balance. But more importantly, he needs an extended outing tonight, so as not to tax the Astros bullpen in the series’ first game.
Today’s Game
8/7 ⚾ Astros Lineup is Out! Provided by mlbstartingnine (@DailyMLBLineups for link)
TAMPA BAY, - MARCH 16: Henry LaLane #58 of the New York Yankees pitches during the 2024 Spring Breakout Game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday, March 16, 2024 in Tampa Bay, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Six games for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates on Thursday. Not all six teams played, though, as AA Richmond had a doubleheader, while the Dominican Summer League Black squad had the day off.
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
News
We officially have a draftee assignment! Outfielder Tanner Mally, the team’s 17th-round pick in last month’s draft, has been assigned to Low-A San Jose. That move bumped outfielder Cam Maldonado (No. 34 CPL) up from San Jose to High-A Eugene, and outfielder Jose Astudillo from Eugene to AA Richmond. That’s extremely exciting for Astudillo, who only just got to Eugene … but fit in sensationally.
Also in exciting news, Richmond RHPs Will Bednar (No. 24 CPL) and Christian Alvarado have been promoted to AAA Sacramento!
AAA Sacramento (62-46)
Sacramento River Cats lost to the Round Rock Express (Rangers) 5-2 Box score
Not the most interesting game for the River Kitties, but some nice performances. Center fielder Jonah Cox continues to fit in just fine at the level he initially skipped, as he hit 3-5 with a double, though he was caught stealing twice. Cox is 7 games into his AAA tenure and he’s been a certified hit machine, going 15-32 with just 6 strikeouts. I’ll be curious to see how long he’s in AAA before the Giants bring him back to the Major; he was obviously promoted way ahead of schedule and his struggles showed that, but if he keeps hitting like this … presumably San Francisco will want to see how he handles some of the pitches he struggled with in the Majors (and even in his blistering AA stint) before making that decision. But seeing him collect hits is a great sign.
Speaking of collecting hits, left fielder Turner Hill only went 1-5 with a strikeout and an outfield assist, but that “1” was enough to push his hitting streak to 22 games. Phenomenal work!
Second baseman Diego Velasquez (No. 31 CPL) had a strong AAA debut on Wednesday, and he was even better on Thursday, hitting 2-3 with a double and a walk. It’s so great seeing the switch-hitter finally get a chance in AAA, and making the most of it … it’s easy to think of Velasquez as an older prospect because of how long he was in AA, so here’s your reminder that he was nearly 2 years younger than the average player when he was in AA this year. He’s still only 22!
Third baseman Parks Harber (No. 17 CPL) hit 1-3 with a double and a walk, boosting his OPS to .949 and his wRC+ to 145 through 18 AAA games. He’s slowed down a little since his blistering start, but my goodness has he taken beautifully to the highest level of the Minors. If you’re clamoring for a debut, I’d push back on it a little bit … not only will the Giants potentially want to keep him off the 40-man roster so he can play Minor League games in the event of a lockout, but Harber, for all his great numbers, is showing a lot to work on in AAA. He’s posting decent exit velocities, but not at the level of what we expect of him, and he’s having a hard time pulling the trigger and swinging as he adjusts to better pitchers: he’s just 5th percentile in in-zone swing rate. He’s perhaps patient to a fault at the moment.
Designated hitter Victor Bericoto (No. 35 CPL) made his 2nd rehab appearance and went 0-4 with a walk and 3 strikeouts.
Just 2 pitchers were used, and neither was particularly sharp. LHP Seth Lonsway had a nice game from an ERA standpoint, as he gave up just 1 earned run (plus 1 unearned run) in 6 innings … yet, despite that great run suppression, allowed 5 hits (including a home run) and walked 5 batters, while throwing just 48 of his 92 pitches for strikes.
Lonsway, a 6th-round pick in 2021 who turns 28 in October, has struggled in AAA this year, with a 6.07 ERA and a 6.27 FIP. He did have 6 strikeouts in this game, though, which was nice to see, as he normally doesn’t get many strikeouts.
Then it was RHP Will Bednar (No. 24 CPL), who made his AAA return. Bednar, who was an NRI this year (as well as a 1st-round pick in 2021), started the year with Sacramento but only pitched twice (and well, at that) before being returned to AA, had a re-introduction to AAA. Normally his issue is with walks, yet he didn’t issue a single free pass in 3 innings, and threw 35 of 47 pitches for strikes. Great to see! But living in the zone had its repercussions, as he gave up 6 hits and 3 earned runs, while only striking out 2. Unfortunately, the high-90s velo that Bednar found last year has really abandoned him this season. He sat 94-95 early in this outing, though he found more gas as the appearance went on … but only peaked at 97.
AA Richmond (61-42)
Game 1: Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies) 6-4 (7 innings) Game 2: Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Reading Fightin Phils 8-3 (7 innings) Game 1 box score Game 2 box score
Not the most exciting doubleheader for the Squirrels, who were playing a makeup of Tuesday’s lost series opener. Across the 14 innings, they only had 1 extra-base hit … but it was an exciting one, as shortstop/DH Gavin Kilen (No. 7 CPL) went yard for the 1st time since getting promoted.
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 6, 2026
Kilen, who hit 2-7 with 3 strikeouts over the pair of games, has cooled down a little bit following a red-hot start to his AA tenure. He set the world on fire when he first got to Richmond, but in his last 7 games is 7-27 with 2 extra-base hits, 1 walk, and 8 strikeouts. On the flip side, if that’s a slump, then you know things are going wonderfully, and things are, indeed, going wonderfully for last year’s 1st-rounder, who has an .860 OPS and a 121 wRC+ through 17 games at the level.
His fellow recent promotee, and last year’s 3rd-round pick, center fielder Trevor Cohen (No. 15 CPL), has been hotter than hot lately, but cooled off in this pair of games, as he went 0-8.
Left fielder Jack Payton had a nice pair of games, hitting 2-4 with 2 walks, while third baseman/right fielder Jean Carlos Sió (No. 44 CPL) had a painful outing, both literally and figuratively, hitting 1-4 with a strikeout, 2 hit by pitches, and 4 errors. Sió, a 22-year old who has a .732 OPS and an 87 wRC+ since getting promoted, had 0 errors in 45 AA games before this pair of contests and quartet of goofs. So it goes.
RHP Trystan Vrieling had a good start in Game 1, giving up just 4 singles and 2 walks in 5 innings, while striking out 8. Vrieling didn’t give up any earned runs, though Sió‘s rough defensive day resulted in 3 unearned runs.
Vrieling, a 3rd-round pick by the Yankees in 2022, has struggled with strikeouts this year (he has just 8.1 per 9 innings), so this was nice to see. He’s still walking too many batters (5.6 per 9), but a nice summer has brought his ERA all the way down to 3.99 (it was in the 6s after his 1st 3 starts, and at 5.00 after his 1st June start). His FIP still sits at 5.29, though. I’m curious to see how long the Giants keep the soon-to-turn 26-year old both in AA and in a starting role.
RHP Yunior Marte (No. 25 CPL) wasn’t so sharp, ceding 6 hits (including 2 home runs) and 4 walks in 5 innings, while getting tagged for 3 runs and striking out 4. The AA numbers aren’t great for Marte in 11 starts since getting promoted, as he has a 4.56 ERA and a 4.47 FIP. But there’s a lot for the Giants to be thrilled about, notably the 58 strikeouts to 20 walks in 53.1 innings and, quite simply, the sheer electricity and excitement of his pitches. He’ll be a very fascinating Rule 5 decision.
RHP Marques Johnson, recently demoted from AAA, had a great showing, throwing 1.1 no-hit innings with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. A less successful day for RHP Manuel Mercedes, who got rocked to the tune of 6 hits and 4 runs in an inning of work.
A very exciting game for the Emeralds, who used a 5-run 10th inning to win. Eugene did it the old fashioned way: they had no home runs en route to 15 runs, settling instead for a parade of bases: 15 singles, 10 walks, and 3 doubles.
But the excitement began on the mound, where a pair of players acquired at the deadline made their organizational debuts. That began in the first inning, when LHP Henry LaLane got the start.
LaLane, a 6’7 southpaw who recently turned 22, was the headlining return piece from the New York Yankees in the Heliot Ramos trade. LaLane, who has been having a stellar season, had pretty good results, but it was firmly a case of the process looking way better than the results, even though the results were fine. LaLane finished the day with 4.2 innings pitched, and having allowed 5 hits, 3 runs, and just 1 earned run, with 5 strikeouts against 1 walk. He wasn’t efficient, as he needed 87 pitches, but he was heavy on the strikes, as 59 of those pitches were strikes.
That underscores it, though: our highly-esteemed community member HeyDay72 pointed out a whopping 10 called balls that were in the strike zone.
This was only LaLane’s 4th start in High-A, after he posted a 2.74 ERA and a 2.60 FIP in 13 Low-A games to start the year, before getting promoted. So far in High-A he has allowed just 17 his in 20.1 innings, with 22 strikeouts against 5 walks. The numbers are really good, but it’s the feel you get from watching him that should make you really excited about this acquisition. It’s extremely early days, but it’s hard not to feel like the Giants nailed the trade deadline, as much as I miss Heliot Ramos.
The pitching performance concluded with a dominant performance from another deadline pickup, RHP Marty Gair. The super-power righty faced 4 batters and retired all of them, 3 by way of strikes. Gair, who was acquired in the Luis Arráez deal, has some of the filthiest stuff in the entire organization. The just-turned 23-year old now has a staggering 69 strikeouts in 37.1 innings this year, his 2nd in the pros. He fairly easily hits triple digits, and hasn’t been slowed by his recent promotion to High-A, where he has 11 strikeouts in 4.1 innings. If he can cut back on the walks — he has 22 on the year — he could be a dominant and fast-moving relief option.
In between the new guys was RHP Niko Mazza, who served as the piggybacking starter and got lit up, allowing 14 baserunners and 7 earned runs in 4 innings. Sometimes it’s just not your day…
But it emphatically was the day for plenty of players on offense, namely a pair of exciting youngsters: shortstop Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL) and center fielder Lisbel Diaz (No. 32 CPL). Both players had sensational days, with Level hitting 4-5 with 2 walks, and Diaz going 5-6 with a double and a walk. Days to remember!!
Level hit a mini slump for a while, but has had a dominant 3-game stretch, hitting 8-11 with a homer, a triple, 6 walks, and 0 strikeouts. My goodness! With that, Level is already up to an .844 OPS and a 122 wRC+ since getting promoted to High-A, and it’s looking more and more likely that he opens the 2027 season in AA … right as he’s celebrating his 20th birthday. Be excited, friends. Be very excited.
As for Diaz, his numbers are really starting to round into focus. For much of the year the, the just-turned 21-year old had below-average numbers, despite being one of the most prolific home run hitters in the system. Now he’s above water, with an .811 OPS and a 106 wRC+. The wRC+ underscores his talent a bit, since it’s primarily the result of the fact that he never draws walks … he’ll have to be more selective as he climbs the ranks, but I’d hardly call that a concern now, especially since it comes with a very low strikeout rate.
Finally, first baseman Hayden Jatczak hit 3-6 with a double and a strikeout. The undrafted free agent, who is in his debut season but is about to turn 25, has an .807 OPS and a 115 wRC+ in 11 games since getting promoted.
3-3-3
Hayden Jatczak has gone 3 for 3 at the plate with 3 RBIs, including this double to deep center field!
San Jose Giants lost to the Stockton Ports (A’s) 19-6 Box score
This was a bad day for the Baby Giants, but it featured a very good moment: a grand slam of the bat of shortstop Josuar González (No. 2 CPL). Sit back and marvel at the top prospect in the organization, and perhaps soon the top prospect in all of baseball. He is special, folks!!
Injuries are the only thing that have kept González from having a nearly perfect 1st season in the states. He hit 3-5 in this game (albeit with a strikeout and an error), which has brought him up to a .310 batting average in 8 games with San Jose, with a .934 OPS and a 132 wRC+. He’s playing awesome defense, he’s striking out less than 20% of the time, he’s running the bases very well, and, oh yeah … he doesn’t turn 19 until October. González hasn’t just lived up to expectations this year … he’s lived up to dreams.
Things have been a little bit slower for third baseman Luis Hernández (No. 6 CPL), which is understandable, given that Hernández is more than a year younger, and is not just in his debut stateside season, but his debut season period. He hit 2-5 in this game with an error, and has just a .190 OPS in San Jose, with a .667 OPS and a 63 wRC+ through 10 games. I gotta say, it’s one of the most exciting and encouraging 63 wRC+ tallies I’ve ever seen!
The other great offensive day belonged to catcher Junior Barajas, who hit 3-5 with a solo home run and a strikeout. After an ice cold stretch, last year’s 11th-round selection has hit 6 home runs in the last 7 games. And in his last 8 games he’s hit 14-33 with 6 dingers, 2 doubles, and 2 walks. That’s brought him up to a .794 OPS and a 96 wRC+ in his debut season.
A brutal day on the mound, especially for LHP Ricardo Estrada and RHP Evan Gray, the 1st 2 pitchers to appear for San Jose. Each was only able to record 3 outs, with Estrada ceding 9 baserunners and 9 earned runs, and Gray 8 baserunners, 6 runs, and 5 earned runs. But RHP Chen-Hsun Lee continues to perform well since getting promoted, as he allowed 2 hits and 1 walk in 2 shutout innings, with 2 strikeouts. He’s yet to allow an earned run in 10 innings since joining the Baby Giants, though he has just a 4.11 FIP.
Really nice pitching performances from RHPs Abraham Utrera and Jhon Leon. Utrera, a 21-year old from Venezuela, struck out 5 batters in 2.2 shutout innings, with just 1 hit and 1 walk. Leon, a 22-year old from Venezuela, struck out 2 in a perfect inning. Utrera has a 4.75 ERA and a 3.58 FIP in his 2nd season, while Leon has a 4.50 ERA and a 4.20 FIP in his 3rd season.
Nice games in the batter’s box for left fielder Ricardo Crespo, a 19-year old from Venezuela, and catcher Deivis Colmenarez, a 17-year from Venezuela. Crespo hit 1-2 with a double, 2 walks, and a stolen base, giving him an .878 OPS and a 140 wRC+ in his 3rd season. Colmenarez went 1-1 with a double, a walk, a hit by pitch, a stolen base, and a caught stealing, and now has a .622 OPS and an 85 wRC+ in his debut season.
Home run tracker
12 — Junior Barajas — [Low-A] 10 — Gavin Kilen — [1 in AA; 9 in High-A] 4 — Josuar González — [2 in Low-A; 2 in ACL]
Friday schedule
Sacramento: 6:45 p.m. PT vs. Round Rock (SP: Anthony Molina) Richmond: 4:05 p.m. PT vs. Reading (SP: Charlie McDaniel) Eugene: 6:35 p.m. PT at Spokane (SP: Cade Vernon) San Jose: 7:00 p.m. PT vs. Stockton (SP: TBD)
Reminder that almost all MiLB games can be watched on MLB TV.
