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Checking in on UNC’s 2026 MLB Draftees

OMAHA, NEBRASKA - JUNE 22: Jake Schaffner #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels hits a single during the third inning against the Oklahoma Sooners in Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals at Charles Schwab Field on June 22, 2026 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We are about two months out from the North Carolina Tar Heels’ heartbreaking loss in the finals at the College World Series. In the weeks since, the 2026 MLB Draft was also held, and a number of UNC players have since begun their professional careers. With some time having passed from that, let’s take a look in on how the Diamond Heels are now fitting into their new homes.

In total, six Tar Heels were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, all six of them opted to sign and begin their minor league careers.

The first two Heels off the board were both selected by the Boston Red Sox. Shortstop Jake Schaffner went 20th overall and came to terms on a $2 million signing bonus. His first taste of pro ball has come with the High Single-A Greenville Drive in the South Atlantic League, where he’s put up a .797 OPS in six games through Monday. Meanwhile, Boston then took Super Regional hero Owen Hull 67th overall and inked him to a $1.2 million bonus. Hull is also in Greenville and has also played in six games, putting up a 1.014 OPS. He’s shown a good eye, drawing five walks in six games, continuing on one of his calling cards from college. More notably, they both rank among the Red Sox top ten prospects according to one outlet that covers that aspect.

The third round saw two Tar Heels picked, the first of which was pitcher Jason DeCaro, who went 80th to the Pirates, signing with them for $1,297,500. As teams sometimes tend to do with pitchers, they’ve taken it slowly with DeCaro, as he hasn’t appeared in a minor league game yet. Fellow UNC rotation member Ryan Lynch went a little bit later to the Padres at the 97th pick, and he also has not taken the mound in a live game yet.

A couple rounds later, catcher Macon Winslow was selected by the Phillies and came to terms with them. In six games so far, he has just three hits, but one of them was a home run and he’s also shown a pretty good eye, drawing three walks. That has his OPS sitting at .754 in that small sample size.

The final UNC player picked this year was reliever Matthew Matthijs, who went in one of the last rounds of the draft, the 17th at 520th overall, going to the Mariners. Like the other pitchers on the list, he hasn’t appeared in a real game as of yet.

Among the undrafted free agents, pitcher Joe Charles has struggled in the Mets’ system so far, while catcher Colin Hynek didn’t record a hit in his first two games with a Cubs’ affiliate.

Other than the fact that all six Tar Heels ended up signing with their teams, there wasn’t a lot substantial to talk about just yet. We’ll be sure to check in on this year’s drafted Tar Heels towards the end of the season as they have a little more time to play in their various organizations. Best of luck to those six, and any other former UNC players around the minor leagues over the rest of the 2026 MiLB season.

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GUARDIANS AT TIGERS: Messick vs. Montero, discussion

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 12: Angel Genao #17 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a RBI double in the seventh inning in front of Dillon Dingler #13 of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on August 12, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The next “biggest game of the year” starts now:

Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:

Here’s the Tigers’ lineup:

Let’s go, Guardians!

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GameThread: Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Guardians, 1:10 p.m.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez (28) bats against Cleveland Guardians during the second inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co

Detroit Tigers (59-61) vs. Cleveland Guardians (59-62)

Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park
SB Nation Site:Covering the Corner
Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network
Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (8-7, 3.38 ERA) vs. LHP Parker Messick (9-6, 2.57 ERA)

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Aaron Nola vs. corn: Phillies vs. Twins series preview

Sep 4, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to their mostly poor play since the All-Star break, the Phillies currently find themselves out of a playoff spot. While there’s still plenty of baseball left to be played, it certainly isn’t early anymore.

The last two opponents they’ve faced have been mediocre, but that didn’t stop the Phillies from dropping both series. They’ll move on to play another mediocrity in the Twins, who may be without their best offensive player in Byron Buxton (currently on the IL, but he is close to a return) and best pitcher in Joe Ryan. Then again, mediocrity would be a step up from what we’ve seen from the Phillies in recent weeks.

The series will be a bit wacky with Thursday night’s opener being the Field of Dreams game (hope you have Netflix), and we’ll have yet another Friday night without a game. Then again, this entire season has been a little wacky for the Phils, so they should be used to it.

Opposition research: Kody Clemens

I understand why the Phillies sold Kody Clemens to the Twins in early 2025. They had a glut of lefthanded hitting outfielders, and while he had been a nice enough bench piece, you never really got a “they have to give this guy a chance to play every day” vibe from him.

He put together a solid season for the Twins in 2025, serving as a utility player who mostly played against righthanded pitching. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was better than Max Kepler who the Phillies handed the left field job to last year.

This season, he’s been an everyday player, and while his on-base percentage is unideal (.280) he’s got a solid .747 OPS with 20 home runs. He also hit an “ultimate grand slam” this year. (Matt Strahm has had a tough time of it this season.)

He’d still be an awkward fit in the Phillies’ outfield alongside fellow lefties Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford, but it’s frustrating to see a player they basically gave away succeeding elsewhere.

Hating on the Twins

After winning World Series titles in 1987 and 1991, it has been a rough few decades for the Twins. Since 1991, they’ve won a total of two playoff series and haven’t gotten past the ALCS. For a while there, they couldn’t even win a single playoff game, dropping 18 in a row.

The Twins rarely sign big free agents, and one of their most notable signings was Carlos Correa, who only chose them because he failed a physical with two other teams. Their current franchise player is Byron Buxton who has been really adamant about staying with the Twins, perhaps because anyone trading for him would likely become enraged when he takes his annual trip to the Injured List.

Trivia

Last week’s answer: Roberto Alomar tied Paul Molitor’s 12 hits in the 1993 World Series. MG77 was correct.

This week’s question: The Phillies defeated the Twins in the 2025 regular series finale by a 2-1 score in ten innings. Who drove in the winning run via a sacrifice fly?

Additional thought about the series

John Stolnis went into more detail about Thursday’s Field of Dreams game, but I’m just hoping the Phillies can play non- embarrassing baseball in this showcase. Maybe they can avoid any horrid fielding mistakes, and Aaron Nola can somehow limit his home runs allowed to one or fewer.

The Twins have Josh Bell on their roster, and we think of him as a Phillie-killer, but they’ve actually kept him in check in recent seasons. Over the past two seasons, he’s batting just .190 with two home runs against them in 23 games. He did take Nola deep once last season, but these days, only hitting one home run off of Nola is probably below average.

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Golden State Warriors to host Indiana Pacers as part of Presidents Day spectacular

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 23: Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry #30 talks with Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton #0 after the Pacer's 111-105 NBA win at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Playing with Steph Curry means you aren’t going to get a lot of holidays off. This year, the Warriors won’t be part of the league’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day showcase, but they will anchor the league’s inaugural Presidents Day quadruple-header.

The NBA does not traditionally have a Presidents Day extravaganza, mainly because it usually falls the day after the All-Star Game. But since the Super Bowl falls on Valentine’s Day this year, the All-Star Game isn’t until Feb. 21. The NBA is seizing the opportunity to finally get out from the massive shadow of the NFL by delivering an orgy of games, in what feels like a conspiracy to create divorces.

Golden State will host the Indiana Pacers, a matchup that’s not exactly a rivalry, though the teams have some connections. The Warriors sent Chris Mullin to the Pacers for Erick Dampier in 1997, and Mullin was a key part of teams that fell just short of a title. The Pacers returned the favor a decade later, sending Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington to the “We Believe” Warriors team, a move that helped them to a first-round upset and thankfully sent Mike Dunleavy, Jr. out of town.

In 2013, the Pacers and Warriors had a scuffle that counts as a brawl by NBA standards. Roy Hibbert shoved David Lee, both teams went at each other, and Steph Curry attacked Hibbert with a lot of enthusiasm and not a lot of success, like a chihuahua throwing himself at a Great Dane. Klay Thompson got involved, Hibbert got shoved into the stands, and David West and Andris Biedrins acted like disappointed parents breaking up the fracas.

After the game, Hibbert claimed he didn’t know which Warriors guard was fighting him.

“I saw some light-skinned guy. I don’t know if it was Klay Thompson or Steph Curry, I just knew there was a light-skinned guy by me,” Hibbert told reporters. At the time, he probably outweighed Curry by 100 pounds.

More recently, Gary Payton II got Goga Bitadze ejected after dunking on him and staring him down. Both players got technical fouls, but Bitadze already had one, so he got tossed.

The highlight of this clip comes after GPII has been staring down Bitadze and scratching his head for a few seconds and Jordan Poole hustles over to stand behind Payton and scratch his head as well. The Warriors would go on to lose in overtime after 2015 NBA champion Justin Holiday hit a clutch shot to tie the game at the regulation buzzer.

Other than that, the main connections between the Pacers and Warriors come from both teams briefly believing in James Wiseman before his injuries ruined everything, and having great pre-draft workouts with Tyrese Haliburton in 2020, with one team making a better decision about him in the draft lottery.

Presidents Day was originally designated to celebrate the birthday of George Washington, which happens on Feb. 22. Now its a federal holiday designated for the third Monday in February, which means it can’t actually occur on the date Washington was born. It now honors all the presidents, which means William Henry Harrison’s 30 days in office are valued exactly as highly as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s 12 years and change, as one day off of work.

In California, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12) is a separate holiday, and the second February day off is simply known as “the third Monday in February.” Maybe that’s because they want to head off any speeches from Bay Area politicians about how Washington owned slaves, Millard Fillmore was a racist, or Rutherford B. Hayes screwed Samuel Tilden in the 1876 election by agreeing to end Reconstruction, or George H.W. Bush was a tool of the CIA. Those things aren’t incorrect, but this is America. Most of our presidents stunk!

We would like to suggest that California adjust even further and simply designate this holiday as “the Monday after the Super Bowl.” It’s much easier, and we can still imagine George Washington wiping barbecue sauce off his wooden teeth and dragging a hungover Benjamin Franklin out of his wine cellars at Mount Vernon if we want to honor our history.

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Stephen A. Smith makes bold prediction on Rob Pelinka’s future

Times are changing for the Los Angeles Lakers, and they’re changing fast after the team was sold by Mark Walter to former Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger and venture capitalist Josh Kushner.

With so much happening so fast for the organization, television personalities have offered strong opinions. None stronger than Stephen A. Smith, who believes that Lakers president of basketball operations, Rob Pelinka, may be out the door.

Stephen A. Smith speaking at Fanatics Fest. Kyle Stevens/Shutterstock

“I think Rob Pelinka will not be there, running basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers,” Smith said on “The Stephen A. Smith Show.”

Smith went on to say he believes the team will have minority owner Jeanie Buss more involved in the team’s operations, and that they will go and try to bring in President of Sports for Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment and former two-time NBA executive of the year, Bob Myers.

Iger himself, in an exclusive with the Post on Wednesday, confirmed the new ownership group intends on keeping Buss in her role. However, no such accommodation was announced for Pelinka.

WIth regard to Myers, it’s a little tricky. In his role as president, Myers oversees operations for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.

“I mean, Bob Myers gets on the scene and in a month, he had Jaylen Brown and LeBron James,” Smith said. “…If there is a way to get that man, I think you go get him. This is my belief; I haven’t spoken to anybody about it.”

As Smith said, it’s his “belief” the Lakers will part ways with Pelinka and look to hire Myers. But usually, when new ownership comes, the entire organization becomes revamped.

During Walter’s brief stint as owner, Pelinka’s name was secured from being etched out of the franchise as the team was planning to keep him in his current role.

Los Angeles Lakers President of Basketball Operations, Rob Pelinka. Getty Images

Pelinka has been in the Lakers’ front office since March 2017, when he was hired as the team’s general manager, and later promoted to his current role in April, 2025.

During his tenure in the Lakers’ front office, Pelinka signed James as a free agent and traded for Anthony Davis in 2019. In February 2025, Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.

Under his guidance, the Lakers have won an NBA title once (2020), and have been perennial regulars in the playoffs.

Yet, Myers is considered one of the top front office names in basketball. He was the architect behind the creation of the Golden Warriors’ dominance for the last 12 years.

In 2011, Myers joined the Warriors front office, and later became the team’s general manager in 2012, helping them win 4 NBA titles from 2015-2022.

In 2023, Myers elected to step down as general manager, when he famously told the media, “It’s just time.”

In 2024, Myers served as an advisor, with the NFL team, the Washington Commanders, helping them restructure their front-office leadership. Last year, Myers was part of the search committee that helped UCLA Football hire head coach Bob Chesney.

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Game Thread: Reds (57-62) at White Sox (62-57)

Aug 9, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Davis Martin (65) delivers the ball during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The Sox need Good Davis Martin to make an appearance today. | (Matt Marton/IMAGN IMAGES)

Luis Castillo did his best executioner impression last night, slicing up his old squad, and now Chicago heads into the rubber match with a chance to boot the Reds out of town licking their wounds. For that to happen, though, the Sox need Davis Martin to show up as someone other than the batting practice pitcher he’s been lately.

Martin’s season has taken a pretty ugly turn since June, and the recent numbers aren’t doing him any favors. Over his last seven starts, he owns a 7.80 ERA and 1.77 WHIP, and his outing in Boston was especially brutal. Martin was tagged for nine runs over five innings in the 14-2 loss, with the White Sox later saying he had been tipping pitches. Hopefully that explains at least some of the carnage, because Chicago desperately needs him to get back on track. With Castillo giving the bullpen a much-needed breather by tossing seven scoreless innings last night, Martin’s job today is simple: keep the Reds from putting up a crooked number early and give the offense a chance.

Cincinnati counters with lefthander Andrew Abbott, who enters the afternoon 6-7 with a 3.92 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Those numbers certainly aren’t terrifying, so this feels like an opportunity for the Sox offense to build on last night rather than making another opposing pitcher look like a Cy Young candidate. Abbott has been hittable, and Chicago needs to make him work, get traffic on the bases and — this is always the important part — actually do something with it.

Here’s how Will Venable will send them out against Abbott:

View Link

This is how the Reds will line up versus Martin:

View Link

Last night belonged to Castillo. Today, the spotlight shifts to Martin. A solid outing would go a long way toward quieting some concerns about his miserable pitching of late, and more importantly, it would give the South Siders a chance to take two of three from Cincinnati. Win the rubber match, take the series and move along. Sounds easy enough, right?

First pitch has been moved up an hour to 12:10 p.m. CDT due to weather. The game will be televised on CHSN and can be heard on ESPN Chicago 1000.

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Cubs vs Nationals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The Chicago Cubs put on an absolute show yesterday.

Following a 12-run outburst, Kevin Gausman is in the perfect spot against the Washington Nationals to help the blue and white win their fourth straight, so we're running back Chicago on the moneyline (-138 at Polymarket) as part of my Cubs vs. Nationals predictions.

Let’s dive into my MLB picks for Thursday, Aug. 13, and sweep the board once more.

Who will win Cubs vs Nationals today: Cubs moneyline (-142)

The Chicago Cubs' offense is simply on another level right now. They've scored 30 runs across their last three games and own the highest wRC+ in baseball as a result. In other words, they've been pretty unstoppable.

Enter Washington Nationals starter Cade Cavalli, who's had issues limiting the long ball this season. Over his last five starts, he's surrendered seven homers, and his 40.6% hard-hit rate ranks in the top 20 among qualified starters.

Cavalli's going to play right into the Cubs' power stroke, so expect more traffic on the base paths for Chicago tonight.

I'd play this one up to -150. 

Looking for more plays? Tap into Colby Marchio's MLB moneyline picks for Thursday.

Covers COVERS INTEL:Kevin Gausman's 3.84 xERA is among the best of his career, and he's finding his home in Chicago quite quickly following his trade from the Blue Jays. In his lone start with the Cubs, Gausman tied a season-high seven innings, allowing just two earned runs and four strikeouts. 

Cubs vs Nationals Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 runs (-116)

With the Cubs' offense going up against Cavalli, who's prone to the long ball, the Over is the only play today. Not only has the ball been flying off his arm, but Nationals Park is home to the 10th-most homers and third-highest xwOBAcon this year.

Look for Pete Crow-Armstrong to also continue his blistering pace in the NL MVP odds; he's now recorded 12 hits (three homers) over his last eight games.

Cubs vs Nationals home run prediction: Pete Crow-Armstrong (+365)

Crow-Armstrong enters today cruising toward the NL MVP, owning an elite 12.3% barrel rate, a career-high 48.6% hard-hit rate, and a .473 xSLG. His 8.8% solid contact rate is not only a career high, but reflects the offseason adjustments he's made to get to this spot. 

Meanwhile, Cavalli relies heavily on a 97 MPH four-seam fastball, a pitch that PCA has been able to eat up this season. Adding to the case are PCA’s splits — he’s hit 20 of his 27 homers against righties this season.

More home run prediction for Thursday can be found with our resident expert Josh Inglis.

Dustin Saracini's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 3-5, -2.26 units
  • Over/Under bets: 4-4, -0.80 units

Cubs vs Nationals weather

The weather will be perfect for baseball tonight, with temperatures reaching 89F prior to first pitch, giving the ball a little extra air under it.

Cubs vs Nationals odds

  • Moneyline: Cubs (-142) | Nationals (+133)
  • Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+122) | Nationals +1.5 (-127)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-116) | Under 8.5 (+108)

Cubs vs Nationals trend

I'm loving the Over tonight, which is 6-0-1 in the Cubs' last seven games as a road favorite. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Nationals.

How to watch Cubs vs Nationals and game info

LocationNationals Park, Washington, D.C.
DateThursday, August 13, 2026
First pitch4:05 p.m. ET
TVMARQ, Nationals.TV
Cubs starting pitcherKevin Gausman
(6-10, 4.29 ERA)
Nationals starting pitcherCade Cavalli
(9-5, 3.27 ERA)

Cubs vs Nationals 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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Ex-Yankees prospect Rob Refsnyder retires at 35 rather than sign with contender

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A New York Yankees player in a black helmet and uniform with eye black runs on the field, Image 2 shows Seattle Mariners designated hitter Rob Refsnyder reacting after hitting a two-run home run
Refsnyder retires

A former Yankee prospect is calling it a career.

Rob Refsynder, 35, spent three seasons with the Yankees from 2015-2017 and signed a one-year deal worth $6.25 million with the Mariners last offseason. 

A career-worst season in Seattle led to him being released, but rather than sign elsewhere, he opted to pack his bags and end his career early.

Robert Refsnyder played only three seasons with the Yankees but became very useful as a short-side platoon specalist. Getty Images

The righty bat was “real close” to a deal with the Astros before deciding to retire, according to MLB.com.

Refsynder graded out as high as the team’s No. 7 prospect in 2015 alongside other high-end talent that came from the Yankees’ system, as Luis Severino was their top prospect at the time, followed by future three-time MVP Aaron Judge, Jorge Mateo, Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez. 

He played in 94 games for the Yankees, accumulating just 17 RBIs and two home runs for the Bronx Bombers while failing to leave his mark.

Refsnyder was traded to the division rival Toronto Blue Jays during the 2017 season and was a useful player for the next nine years as he bounced between AL East rivals.

His best seasons came as a utility player for the Red Sox spanning four seasons.

Refsnyder hit .307 in 2022 and blasted a career-high 11 home runs to support a .283 AVG in 2024. 

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Rob Refsnyder reacts after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. William Liang-Imagn Images

Best known for being a short-side platoon specialist, Refsynder hit .265 with a .787 OPS against lefty pitching in his career, giving teams an incredible value proposition on top of his positional versatility. 

The Mariners hoped he could continue to mash lefties, but Refsynder was instead the midst of a career-worst season in Seattle, hitting .140. 

Rob Refsnyder played some of his best baseball in four seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Getty Images

He previously floated the idea of retirement and the hope of spending more time with his family back in 2024. 

Refsynder is married to his longtime partner, Monica, who swam at the University of Arizona, and they have a son together who was born in 2021.

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MLB Field of Dreams – Phillies vs. Twins prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for August 13

The cornfields of Dyersville, Iowa will provide the backdrop for one of baseball's most anticipated regular-season events tonight when the Philadelphia Phillies (64-58) meet the Minnesota Twins (60-62) in the Field of Dreams game. This year's event marks MLB's return to the iconic Iowa site after a three-year hiatus while a permanent stadium was constructed adjacent to the original movie field.

 

Philadelphia arrives in Iowa looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Phillies scored just one run over the final two games of their three-game series against the Cardinals. The Phillies managed just 11 hits over the last two games. Philly is 5-5 in their last ten games. Minnesota comes to Dyersville just 4-6 in their last ten games but fresh off a series win over the Orioles taking the rubber game 7-5 yesterday. Outside of yesterday’s poor outing by Zack Wheeler, the Phils have been held together of late by sound starting pitching while the Twins’ offense has been keeping them afloat in August averaging 4.8 runs per game.

 

The Phillies take the field second in the NL East, 9.5 games behind Atlanta, while the Twins sit second in the AL Central, 3.5 games behind the division-leading White Sox.

 

Although there was no Field of Dreams Game the last three seasons, the most recent edition took place on August 11, 2022, when the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-2. That game featured three total home runs, with the Cubs getting homers from Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ while the Reds received a solo shot from Stuart Fairchild. The contest was remembered for the emotional pregame appearance of Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Griffey Sr. emerging from the cornfield together. The inaugural 2021 Field of Dreams Game remains the event's signature moment, when the White Sox defeated the Yankees 9-8 on Tim Anderson's dramatic walk-off home run. Eight home runs were hit in the first two editions of this game in Dyersville.

 

It will no doubt be interesting to see how the ball carries at the new stadium. Tonight’s starter for Philadelphia, veteran right-hander Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.47 ERA), has been extremely generous to opposing hitters this season allowing 29 home runs over his 24 starts this season. who has endured an unusually difficult season by his standards. Minnesota counters with Taj Bradley (9-4, 3.76 ERA). The model of consistency, the righthander has allowed three or fewer runs in all but one of his last ten starts. Bradley is not immune to giving up the long ball, though, having allowed 17 home runs in 23 starts this season.

 

Under the lights, surrounded by Iowa cornfields and baseball nostalgia, MLB's return to the Field of Dreams promises another memorable chapter in one of the sport's most unique traditions.

 

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

 

Game Details and How to Watch: Phillies vs. Twins

 

  • Date: Thursday, August 13, 2026
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Field of Dreams
  • City: Dyersville, Iowa
  • Network/Streaming: Netflix

 

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

 

The Latest Odds: Phillies vs. Twins – August 13

The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Philadelphia Phillies (-103), Minnesota Twins (-104)
  • Spread: Phillies -1.5 (+154), Twins +1.5 (-187)
  • Total: 8.5 runs

 

Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Phillies vs. Twins for August 13

  • Phillies: Aaron Nola
    Season Totals: 125.0 IP, 3-9, 5.47 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 129K, 43 BB
  • Twins: Taj Bradley
    Season Totals: 131.2 IP, 9-4, 3.76 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 148K, 55 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Phillies vs. Twins

  • Josh Bell is just 8-41 in his career against Aaron Nola but has gone yard against him 3 times
  • Kyle Schwarber has homered and walked in his only 2 ABs against Taj Bradley
  • Kody Clemens is hitting .128 in August (5-39)
  • Brooks Lee has collected 2 hits in each of his last 4 games (8-17)
  • Bryce Harper has 1 hit but has walked 10 times in his last 4 games (1-9)
  • Luis Arraez is 8-40 since being traded to Philadelphia
  • JT Realmuto was 0-7 in the series against the Cardinals
  • Alec Bohm has hit safely in 3 straight games (5-10)

 

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Phillies and the Twins

 

  • The Twins are 66-56 on the Run Line this season
  • The Phillies are an NL-worst 47-75 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 64 times in games involving Minnesota this season (64-50-8)
  • The OVER has cashed 53 times in games involving the Phillies this season (53-61-8)

 

Expert picks & predictions: 2026 Field of Dreams Game

 

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet for Phillies vs. Twins

 

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

 

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

 

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Twins:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Twins on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 8.5.

 

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
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Jason Benetti joins NBC's roster of NBA play-by-play announcers

Jason Benetti, the voice of NBC's Sunday Night Baseball, will be expanding his network duties this fall to include pro basketball.

NBC Sports announced on Thursday, Aug. 13, that Benetti has joined its NBA play-by-play team for the 2026-27 season.

According to a report by Front Office Sports, Benetti will handle between 10 and 20 regular-season and playoff games for NBC and Peacock. He will not replace any current NBC announcers.

Currently, Mike Tirico, Noah Eagle, Terry Gannon and Michael Grady handle play-by-play duties for NBC-produced games.

Benetti, 42, has previously filled in on local Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers broadcasts, and he called an NBA playoff game last year between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics on Peacock.

NBC regained broadcast rights to the NBA last season and will televise the 2026-27 season-opening tripleheader on Tuesday, Oct. 20.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jason Benetti joins NBC's roster of NBA play-by-play announcers

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Payton Tolle attempts to save Red Sox from demoralizing sweep

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 07: Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out a batter to end the sixth inning against the Athletics at Fenway Park on August 07, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TV: NESN

First Pitch: 3:07 p.m. ET

It’s not time to panic yet. Regression was due, but the Red Sox are on the verge of dropping six consecutive games immediately following a nine-game winning streak. Payton Tolle is the guy the team would love to see put the ballclub back on track as he takes the mound fresh off career-best 14 strikeouts against the Athletics. 

Here’s who the Red Sox will send to the plate behind him Thursday afternoon at Rogers Centre. 

The Blue Jays send the aging Max Scherzer to the hill. While he’s certainly ready for Cooperstown when he hangs up his cleats, he’s never fared well against Boston with a 5.77 ERA in 14 regular season starts against the Red Sox in his career. 

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago White Sox – Andrew Abbott vs. Davis Martin

CINCINNATI, OHIO - AUGUST 6: Andrew Abbott #41 of the Cincinnati Reds walks back to the dugout during the game against the Athletics at Great American Ball Park on August 6, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati defeated the Athletics 6-5. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds were completely shut down by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night in Guaranteed Rate Field, foiled by their old friend Luis Castillo. The offense was miserable, the bullpen couldn’t keep it within slam range, and from start to finish things just looked like a team simply out of gas.

The beauty of baseball, though, is that there’s another chance the very next day.

Andrew Abbott toes the rubber today in the series finale opposite Chicago righty Davis Martin as the Reds look to get back in the win column and take the series. This game will go off at 1:10 PM ET today due to concerns about weather later in the afternoon, as the original start time was slated for 2:10 PM ET. Make sure you don’t accidentally miss an hour of 2026 Cincinnati Reds baseball, folks!

After all, Ke’Bryan Hayes is in the lineup!

Here’s how both clubs will line up to begin:

Today’s Lineups

REDSWHITE SOX
Elly De La Cruz – SSChase Meidroth – 2B
Sal Stewart – 1BRandal Grichuk – DH
JJ Bleday – LFMiguel Vargas – 1B
Tyler Stephenson – CBraden Montgomery – RF
Eugenio Suarez – DHBrenton Doyle – CF
Dane Myers – CFColson Montgomery – 3B
Hector Rodriguez – RFEdgar Quero – C
Matt McLain – 2BSam Antonacci – LF
Ke’Bryan Hayes – 3BLuisangel Acuna – SS
Andrew Abbott – LHPDavis Martin – RHP

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MLB Strikeout Props & Pitcher Best Bets for Today, Aug. 13

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It was a winning day here yesterday for +1.7 units, and there are plenty of pitcher and MLB player props on tonight's shorter slate. 

Despite a 14-strikeout performance in his last start and numbers that stack up with some of the best in baseball, Payton Tolle's K total still isn't as high as it should be. Jacob deGrom could be dealing with an innings cap, making his Over a tough climb, and Roki Sasaki might finally be turning a corner with his outs market on the rise.

These are my favorite pitcher strikeout props and MLB picks for Thursday, Aug. 13.

Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today

Player PickOdds
Red Sox Payton TolleOver 5.5 strikeouts -111
Rangers Jacob deGromUnder 6.5 strikeouts+101
Dodgers Roki SasakiOver 16.5 outs +101

Strikeout prop: Payton Tolle Over 5.5 strikeouts (-115)

I hate backing a pitcher after a monster game, and Payton Tolle is coming off a career-best 14-strikeout outing. However, even with his 90-pitch leash, 48% of his outs since June 26 have come via the strikeout. He has the third-highest K/9 over that stretch and the fourth-best K% behind some heavy hitters in Dylan Cease and Jacob Misiorowski.

He has shown he can get to this Over even on abbreviated outings, and the Over is a perfect 6-0 on this total over his last six starts.

The Jays aren't a K-heavy team, but their strikeout rate has climbed of late, and this lineup could have five hitters with a K% of 25% or higher this month.

The juice is moving on this Over despite the projections liking the Under. This could close at -135/-140, and I'd buy it down to -120/-125.

  • Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Sportsnet, NESN

Strikeout prop: Jacob deGrom Under 6.5 strikeouts (+101)

The Texas Rangers are keeping the lid on Jacob deGrom, and getting to seven punchouts is going to be damn hard.

The veteran right-hander might have a 15-out cap on him, as he has not gotten over that number in five straight starts. He was at just 88 pitches after five innings in his last game and didn't come back out. To me, that sounds like a blueprint for an oft-injured pitcher the Rangers need healthy if they are going to make the playoffs.

The throttle started in July, and since then, he has 29 Ks in 23 innings. However, he has gone Over this total just twice in five starts and has thrown 88, 91, 90, 97, and 80 pitches. He's going to have to be mighty efficient to get seven of his 15 outs via the K.

At plus money on the Under, the risk is low to see if he has an innings cap. I'm betting this down to -115.

  • Time: 10:07 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ABTV, Rangers Sports Network

Pitcher out prop: Roki Sasaki Over 16.5 outs recorded (+101)

The market is moving heavily toward this Over, and I wouldn't be surprised if it closed at 17.5.

Roki Sasaki, the roller-coaster Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, has gone four straight starts allowing two or fewer runs, which is his best four-game stretch of the season. He's a K-per-inning guy who doesn't allow many hits. Command can be an issue, but pitching on his own mound is always an advantage.

When Sasaki is on, it's a beautiful thing, and I think the market moving toward the Over, coupled with his recent form, makes this the right side at this price and down to -115. The Milwaukee Brewers offense has hit a lull and ranks in the Bottom 10 this month, which only helps.

Sasaki's arrow is pointing up, and we're taking advantage.

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Brewers.TV.

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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MLB Home Run Props & Predictions Today: Best HR Picks & Parlay for Aug. 13

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How about another 2-1 SU day for over 10 units last night? The dingers are dinging, and the MLB player props are popping this week. Let's stay hot and get on the good side of zero for the season.

In addition to targeting a pair of bats vs. homer-prone veterans, I'm adding Jake Bauers to go deep in the nightcap against Roki Sasaki and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

These are my favorite MLB home run props for Thursday, Aug. 13. 

  • UPDATE: Added another HR pick + parlay.

MLB home run props for today

Player to hit a HROdds
Red Sox Ceddanne Rafaela+550
Twins Royce Lewis+450
Brewers Jake Bauers+450
💲Today's HR parlay+20239

Home run prediction: Ceddanne Rafaela (+550)

Max Scherzer has pitched above expectations since returning to the rotation, but he is still giving up plenty of homers and has the second-worst HR/9 among MLB starters with at least 30 innings. His HR/FB rate is also near the basement of the league. The Red Sox have a great long-ball matchup, and my money is going on Ceddanne Rafaela at +550.

The price is the most appetizing thing here, with other top-end bats shorter than +350 today. Rafaela has five of his 16 homers over the last two weeks, is slugging .632 over those 14 days, and handles righties, meaning likely three plate appearances vs. Scherzer near the top of this order. 

Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras might be the higher-volume picks on a short slate, but getting more than 200 points with Rafaela is my move, and one I'd play to +450.

  • Time: 3:07 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Sportsnet, NESN

Home run prediction: Royce Lewis (+450)

It’s a small slate, but HR bettors get Aaron Nola, who has allowed the most dingers in baseball this year, at a makeshift MLB stadium with short fences and nothing but corn in the outfield. Nola is the best home-run target today, as his fall has been spectacular. He’s allowed 10 homers over his last 33 innings across six games, just took a 105-mph laser beam off his knee in his last start, and today’s setting might not help him.

The Iowa Cubs and St. Paul Saints played on this field Tuesday and ripped four combined dingers — the only extra-base hits of the game. In the other two "Field of Dreams" games, played on a different diamond but with a similar layout, there have been seven total homers.

Royce Lewis is the hottest stick in the Minny lineup. He has three homers over the last two weeks and leads the team in slugging (.667), ISO (.278), wOBA (.461), and HardHit% (47.4%). His 76.3-mph swing speed over that stretch is also a Top-25 mark in all of baseball.

Send it to the maize, Royce.

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Netflix

Home run prediction: Jake Bauers (+450)

The Milwaukee Brewers have only two hitters in their lineup who are actually producing right now: Jake Bauers and Jackson Chourio. I'm avoiding the latter today, as he's dealing with a thumb issue and has been pinch-hit for recently.

That leaves Bauers, who is 100 points longer and gets a good HR matchup against Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki. Sasaki is pitching well, but he's still giving up long balls. 

Much like Shota Imanaga earlier this week, when Sasaki does get hit, he gets hit hard — and Bauers can do damage against righties.

The 10-mph winds blowing out to his pull side are just another layer of confirmation. I'd play this to +420 today.

  • Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Brewers.TV, SportsNet LA
Josh Inglis' 2026 Transparency Record
  • HR picks: 31-150, -0.37 units

Best home run combo for Aug. 13

Red Sox Ceddanne RafaelaTrade Now
+20239
Twins Royce Lewis
Brewers Jake Bauers

Want more baseball parlays? Check out our MLB parlay picks page!

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.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.