LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers warms up in the outfield prior to the game against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers all-American League homestand continues this weekend facing the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers haven’t yet named a starting pitcher for Friday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting on Saturday. Presumably that means a bullpen game. Ranger Suárez starts for Boston, the first of three consecutive left-handed starting pitchers for the Red Sox during the weekend series. The Dodgers are 19-12 in games started by opposing southpaws this season.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Kyle Hart #68 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the first inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on July 29, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Francisco Giants (46-62) at San Diego Padres (55-53), July 30, 2026, 6:40 p.m. PST
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: Yaxel Lendeborg after he is drafted eleventh overall by the Golden State Warriors during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors seem very excited about rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick in this year’s draft who won Summer League MVP. That’s a marked change from their feelings after interviewing Lendeborg before the 2025 draft, a meeting in which he was “acting like a jackass.”
Lendeborg had just finished two seasons at the University of Alabama-Birmingham last spring and was torn on whether to enter the NBA draft. He didn’t help his case for being pro-ready with flippant answers about his habits, ones that Lendeborg admits were bad before transferring to Michigan for his final college season,
“I was like, damn, I did that bad?” Lendeborg told Anthony Slater. “But thinking back I guess my answers weren’t as professional. Just giving honest answers like, ‘Yeah, I’m BSing in practice. Yeah, I’m not doing my job in games, but I’m performing.’ I guess I didn’t really give out the good vibe.”
We’re assuming he improved on those answers before this draft, while also improving on his approach to playing basketball. Lendeborg claims he didn’t practice hard enough, sleep well, or watch enough game tape until playing for Wolverines coach Dustin May, now coach of the Dallas Mavericks. That last one was the key to Lendeborg charming Steve Kerr after the Warriors coach quizzed him about his own game tape.
“I pretty much gave all the right answers,” Lendeborg said, which is good because, “I was BSing” probably wouldn’t have flown with Kerr.
For his part, the Warriors coach has gushed about Lendeborg’s “natural feel” for basketball, his pass-first attitude, and his personality, where, “There’s no filter.” At no point anywhere in the profile does he call Lendeborg a jackass, dingbat, numbskull, knucklehead, doofus, or a ding-dong.
Lendeborg specifically charmed Kerr and other Warriors officials when they went to dinner at Draymond Green’s restaurant, and watched Game 4 of the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks came back from 29 points down to shock the San Antonio Spurs. Lendeborg was the “life of the party.”
What might have also convinced the Warriors decision-makers is seeing the Knicks, a team relying on a group of rangy, defensive-minded wing players around an undersized, scoring point guards, take down the Spurs. Lendeborg looks to be the type of player that has become hugely valuable to the Knicks and other NBA teams, and been noticeably absent on the Dubs roster.
And now he even goes to bed on time and works hard in practice! I bet he even makes his bed every morning, like James Wiseman.
Yaxel Lendeborg used to be a jackass. But he’s not anymore. No more glass houses, white Ferraris, living for New Year’s Eve, slacking off in practice, sleeping during film sessions, horsing around in draft interviews, or sloppy steaks at Truffoni’s!
The MLB trade deadline is approaching and teams are having discussions on whether they intend to deal players or stand pat.
The Athletics are a team that many in baseball thought could make a run at the wild card, but they have slipped to having the second-worst record in the American League at 45-63.
The 2026 trade deadline is officially scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. PT. A .417 winning percentage is typically enough for teams to consider a massive overhaul of the roster, but not the A's. They're sticking with their guys.
“We’ve built this team for the long haul. I’m not looking to break the team up. Just because we’re not in a playoff race doesn’t mean you’re selling off pieces," A's general manager David Forst said on A's Cast. "I don’t feel compelled to make a trade just because the deadline is Monday.”
The A's have added standout prospects and formed a promising young core that is expected to be together for years to come. The Athletics' opening day roster was one of the youngest in all of baseball at an average of 27.4 years old, according to Statista.
Many of their key players are under age 30. Nick Kurtz is 23, so is Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom are both 24. Lawrence Butler just turned 26 on July 10, joining Denzel Clarke. J.T. Ginn is 27. Shea Langeliers is 28.
Despite building all this young talent together, things just haven't gone right for the A's during the 2026 season.
The A's have lost nine consecutive series entering their four-game series against the Boston Red Sox, which concludes Thursday, July 30. The team's last such series losing streak occurred last season between May 5 and June 5.
The Athletics have not lost more than nine consecutive series since 2023, when they lost their first 10. After losing two of the first three games versus Boston, the A's have gone 12 consecutive series without a win, which is their longest streak since they lost 12 straight series from July 11 to Aug. 24, 2008.
The A's could use additional support at pitching, having a need primarily for young pitching talent. The A's don't have a proven starting pitcher or a veteran reliever in big moments. That veteran relief could also be someone who could serve as a primary closer for the Athletics. They currently don't a traditional closer.
The A's bullpen is 0-3 with two saves, three blown saves, a 6.17 ERA and has allowed 10-of-22 (45.5%) inherited runners to score over the last eight games.
Overall, the Athletics have been losing games due to poor performances at the mound. Their bullpen is responsible for the highest ERA in the majors (5.45), they rank third in most blown saves (21), sixth in lowest save percentage (56.3%), highest percentage of inherited runners scored (36.8%), and eighth in most innings pitched (435.2).
Aside from pitching, the A's could use better luck in the health and medical department. The Athletics have 13 players on the injury list, including some of their best such as Kurtz, Clarke, Langeliers, Kuroda-Grauer, Zack Gelof, Justin Sterner, Luis Severino and Brent Rooker, who will miss the year after season-ending surgery to repair a cartilage tear in his left knee.
It's all but over for the A's during the 2026 season, despite there still being a lot of baseball left to be played.
But make no mistake this wasn't expected of the A's. Minor setbacks prevented them from seeing their potential for this season, but they won't be hauling off players, rather play this year out and prepare for 2027.
But when host Kevin Connors sent the network's pregame coverage from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut to Truist Park in Atlanta, a familiar name was included in the send-off: Karl Ravech.
Despite Ravech being part of the latest round of layoffs at ESPN, a person with knowledge of his status with the network told USA TODAY Sports Thursday evening that Ravech was given the option to call a few select MLB games this summer. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details of his contract publicly.
The supposedly laid off Karl Ravech is in the booth calling Braves-Nationals for ESPN tonight 🤨 pic.twitter.com/HieiM61kgE
The 61-year-old Ravech is also expected to once again call the Little League World Series for ESPN; he has served as a play-by-play voice for the tournament since 2006, and the lead voice of the LLWS championship games since 2011. The 2026 Little League World Series gets underway on Wednesday, Aug. 19 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
In addition to serving as a longtime play-by-play broadcaster for ESPN's Major League Baseball and LLWS coverage, Ravech had called college basketball and college baseball for ESPN, and even anchored SportsCenter during his tenure.
Here's what to know:
Is Karl Ravech still with ESPN?
Ravech was let go by ESPN on Tuesday, July 21 as part of the network's round of layoffs, two people close to the situation confirmed to USA TODAY on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on personnel decisions.
"There is a lot going on with ESPN. We’re well aware of it. We’re not going to discuss that tonight. This is all about Parent Dugout. It’s all about Dirt From The Dugout," Ravech said.
"It’s all about trying to help parents, which ultimately is our goal here, and young players on their journeys through the eyes and through the experiences of Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers, where I think Adam Wainwright will belong and eventually get to."
Ravech joined ESPN in 1993. He served as the lead play-by-play voice on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball for four seasons before NBC bought the rights for this season.
The initial rush at the beginning of NHL free agency has concluded, and there remain several notable players who are still available on the open market.
The Detroit Red Wings were active players in free agency, as they signed forward Viktor Arvidsson and goaltender Daniil Tarasov along with a handful of minor-league depth players, but also lost Patrick Kane to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Meanwhile, two players that were part of the 2025-26 roster are still searching for their next NHL opportunity.
Veteran forward James van Riemsdyk provided a valuable leadership presence in the Red Wings' dressing room while contributing 15 goals and 16 assists across 72 games.
During Detroit's strong month of December, van Riemsdyk set a personal milestone by scoring in four consecutive games as part of a stretch in which he found the back of the net in six of seven contests.
Who else other than James van Riemsdyk in front to kick things off? 🚨 JVR has been such a force for Detroit. #LGRWpic.twitter.com/HOMSsQyJil
Drafted with the second overall pick in 2007 by the Philadelphia Flyers, one pick behind Kane, van Riemsdyk has played two stints with the Flyers, and has also suited up for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
In 1,154 career NHL games, he's tallied 342 goals with 354 assists.
Meanwhile, veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic also remains unsigned. Like van Riemsdyk, he was signed by now-former Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to a one-year contract last offseason.
Skating in 26 games for the Red Wings, Hamonic registered a pair of assists. He's scored 53 goals with 191 assists in 926 career NHL contests for the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators.
He was selected in the second round (53rd overall pick) of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Islanders.
And finally, veteran goaltender Cam Talbot, who is coming off his second season in Detroit after being signed as a free agent in 2024, also remains unsigned.
Talbot posted strong numbers for the Red Wings in the early goings of the season before John Gibson caught fire, ultimately finishing with a 12-9-6 record, a 3.19 goals-against average, and an .883 save percentage.
Never drafted into the NHL, Talbot began his career with the New York Rangers and later played for the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and Los Angeles Kings.
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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Andruw Monasterio #32 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run against the Athletics in the top of the 10th inning at Sutter Health Park on July 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. The Red Sox won the game 4-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TV: NESN First Pitch: 9:40 p.m. ET Location: Sutter Health Park, Sacramento, Calif.
The Red Sox are aiming to secure yet another series victory over the Sacramento Athletics on Thursday at Sutter Health Park.
Boston has been superb recently, having put itself in a position to win a seventh consecutive series with its torrid 23-5 stretch through July.
Sonny Gray will toe the rubber after perhaps his worst start of the season, having allowed five runs his last time out against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 25. It’s expected that he’ll be able to bounce back since… well, he’s done it time and time again. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy has made a couple of changes, adding Anthony Seigler, Masataka Yoshida, and Jarren Duran to the fold while benching Jahmai Jones, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Freddy Fermin #54 and Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres celebrate after defeating the Colorado Rockies 3-1 in a game at Petco Park on July 29, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres welcome the San Francisco Giants to Petco Park on the strength of a five-game win streak. The offense has shown it is capable of winning big and the pitching has shown it can hold the lead in close games. While not all the games have been clean, they had all resulted in a win for the Padres. San Diego will try to extend its winning streak to six games in front of a what is expected to be a large crowd on a giveaway night.
San Francisco is coming into the series after a blowout win over the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Giants have lost Casey Schmitt to the IL, but despite their record they have shown an ability to give teams problems. There is still star power on the team with Rafael Devers and Willy Adames so the Padres should not expect a potential sixth win in a row to come easy.
Taking the mound
JP Sears (SD) v. TBD (COL)
JP Sears will get the start for San Diego against San Francisco. He has been solid in his outings at the major league level this season with the exception of the game in Chicago at Wrigley Field. Sears has a 3-3 record and a 3.86 ERA in 28.0 innings. The expectation is the left-hander will work a handful of innings before the pitching chaos approach takes over for San Diego.
San Francisco had still not announced a starting pitcher at the time of this report.
Batter up!
The Padres just needed one three-run inning to beat the visiting Rockies, but they need to get back to scoring in multiple innings to give their relievers some room to work. The big inning, if you want to call three runs a big inning, was all the San Diego pitching staff needed to get the win.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, DH
Ty France, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Gavin Sheets, LF
Sung-Mun Song, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Luis Campusano, C
It is hard to imagine Luis Rengifo coming out of the lineup, but he has cooled slightly at the plate. He has shown an ability to provide some power off the bench if needed and could be used in that role. It seems that every time the trio of Tatis, Machado and Merrill are productive the Padres win. San Diego will hope its stars shine tonight to open the series.
Relief corps
Adrian Morejon got the day off yesterday, but Mason Miller pitched in back-to-back days. Morejon may be used in the closer role if the situation calls for it. Randy Vasquez should be the first out of the ‘pen behind sears and the chaos will ensue after that. No matter how they get it done, if the Padres walk away with a win, the bullpen has delivered.
Sean Burke was lights out for six scoreless innings. Ryan Weathers of the Yankees was equally as good, but for seven.
Each starter gave up only three hits, Burke walking two and Weathers three, with Burke winning the battle of the K’s with 10 (one short of his career high) to Weathers’ four.
Burke was amazing. He came nowhere near the plate against the first two Yankee batters, but then Edgar Quero came out for a chat and must have had magic words, because Burke then struck out seven of the next eight. Quero has many defensive weaknesses, but apparently a silver tongue.
The Sox bullpen followed with five scoreless innings, allowing only the Manfred Man to score in the 10th. Sean Newcomb handled two of those innings, albeit he had some nice help, with Jazz Chisholm Jr. following up a leadoff single in the seventh by dumbly wandering off base and easily being picked off, and Braden Montgomery making a nice grab in right.
The inning before, Braden got an assist when Jasson Domínguez dug for a triple with no outs, and, in an act of huge stupidity, overslid third by about 10 feet. Or maybe 20. That was just one example of Yankee brainlessness in the game, following through on losing Wednesday largely because of a dumb defensive move — it’s one thing to hit badly with three of your best hitters injured, but that doesn’t mean you have to park your brains in the clubhouse. The White Sox smartly took advantage.
Domínguez followed up his next time out by striking out on a pitch that was helmet high with two on and one out in the eighth. So he didn’t exactly atone.
With the pitchers in total domination, the game was 0-0 through regulation, reportedly the first such case between these two teams in 58 years. The Yankees helped the scorelessness by going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position to that point — the Sox had many fewer such opportunities.
On to the extras, for the second game in a row.
The Yankees scored their Manfred Man in the 10th on a Trent Grisham single with one out, but Chris Murphy got Ben Rice and Domínguez (yep, him again) to fly out.
The Sox matched the run when sub catcher Ali Sánchez — Yankee goat of last night — was unable to block a bouncer, sending the Manfred Man to third, and Andrew Benintendi hit what would have been a routine grounder, but went through the drawn-in infield for an RBI single. Chase Meidroth, who had walked three times earlier, ended the inning by hitting into a double play.
In the 11th, Will Venable dared to send Seranthony Domínguez to the mound, which probably had all available Sox fans throwing stuff at their TVs. He somehow didn’t give up a run.
That put the Sox in great shape. Meidroth began the 11th on second, Munetaka Murakami was intentionally walked, Miguel Vargas struck out, and Sam Antonacci beat out an infield single to first to load the bases.
At that point, Yankee reliever Fernando Cruz apparently decided he wanted to get an early start for home, so why bother keeping the game going? Since Sox batters couldn’t be counted on to hit in a run, he ran the count to 3-0 on Colson Montgomery, but after a couple of get-me-over strikes, Colson decided to swing at a ball that was bouncing in, making it bases loaded, two out.
Frustrated that he couldn’t walk in Colson, Cruz absolutely insisted on handing the Sox the game by throwing four straight balls to Tristan Peters, not a one of them remotely close.
Thus, it was 2-1 Sox, and a split of the four-game series. That runs their record to 57-51, with a trip to Tampa Bay for the weekend coming up. Erick Fedde (5-6) is scheduled to face Nick Martinez (10-2) tomorrow, and it’s highly unlikely the Rays will be nearly as boneheaded as the Yankees.
White Sox MVP Duh — Sean Burke, 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 K
Runners-Up Fernando Cruz, for walking in the winning run Jasson Dominguez, for a bunch of dumb stuff (yeah, yeah, they’re on the other team — so what)
Cold Cat Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery, 0-f0r-10 with 5 Ks between them
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani was out of the lineup due to an ongoing knee issue that has kept him off the mound since before the All-Star Game.
Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, told reporters on July 29 that Ohtani’s knee is the reason he’s not pitching right now.
Another injury came to light after Ohtani mentioned during his recent media availability that he's dealing with right biceps discomfort.
Ohtani recently had a bullpen session postponed on Saturday, July 25, in New York. There’s an expectation that the organization would be cautious with the superstar’s workload for the rest of the regular season.
Roberts recently stated that Ohtani is not expected to throw 100 pitches whenever he does make his return to the mound.
The two-way star had continued to be in the Dodgers' lineup as designated hitter, despite the injuries.
Ohtani went 2-for-3 for one run and an RBI in the 4-2 victory over the Mariners on July 29. He was also walked once.
SAN FRANCISCO — When the Giants board their charter jet home from this seven-game road trip, the passenger manifest will look different than the one on their flight to San Diego.
“There’ll be changes, for sure,” manager Tony Vitello acknowledged Wednesday, a few days ahead of his first trade deadline leading a major-league clubhouse.
San Francisco manager Tony Vitello confirmed that the Giants will be sellers at the trade deadline, with nearly all of their players available. Getty Images
Even after series wins over the Angels and Brewers, the Giants’ position as one of a handful of definitive sellers hasn’t budged. They ended Wednesday 16 games below .500, one of five teams buried 10 or more games out of a playoff spot.
Although Luis Arraez boarded the plane Wednesday night, and Robbie Ray is slated to start Thursday’s series opener, neither player is likely to be on the flight back from Texas.
Tyler Mahle, Heliot Ramos and any number of relievers could also be dealt before the 3 p.m. PT Monday trade deadline. They could also unload Willy Adames or Rafael Devers, if they can find a trade partner willing to take on their bloated contracts with more than $100 million left on each.
“For any team that makes a change throughout the league, it is a little bit of a restart to the season,” Vitello said. “Or a fresh start, of some sort.”
Arraez has been special for the Giants season, batting a major league-leading .331 while at the top of San Francisco’s lineup. Getty ImagesArraez, who has constantly praised Vitello as a rookie manager, is a strong voice in the locker room and will be missed if traded away. Getty Images
Arraez is viewed as possibly the most likely player to be on the move in all of baseball, given his exceptional two-way play and status as a free-agent to be. But the seemingly inevitable end of his brief but memorable tenure in San Francisco is something he prefers not to think about.
“I don’t know. I don’t know,” Arraez said when asked Wednesday about the looming deadline. “I just try to be focused and play my game. I don’t want to think about trades or anything. I just try to go out there and do my job.”
It should have been harder than most days for Arraez to keep his focus on the field as the Giants wrapped up their homestand with a feel-good 16-3 win over the Brewers. If all goes as expected, it would be the last time he takes the field in front of the fans at Oracle Park.
Arraez’s signing was met with mixed reactions from a fanbase who doubted his ability to play second base and the utility of his contact-oriented hitting style. Only six months later, in what could have been his finale in front of the same fans, no player generated more cheers.
Forced to confront reality afterward, Arraez expressed his gratitude to the fans for their quick embrace and the organization for giving him a chance when no other team would.
Despite their record, Arraez said his time in San Francisco has been “amazing.”
“Especially [because] they gave me a real opportunity to play second base,” he said. “I really appreciate the organization. They gave me an opportunity to go out there and play second base. Nobody trusted me and the organization trusted me to play second base. I really appreciate that. …
Robbie Ray is also a hot name ahead of the trade deadline with many contenders in need of another starting pitcher. MLB Photos via Getty Images
“[The fans] are amazing. Everyday they cheer for us. And they get loud everyday. I love the fans. I want to say thanks to them.”
It would have been hard to script a more appropriate sendoff for Arraez in front of the home fans. If it was his final time wearing the Giants’ home cream uniforms, he got everything out of them, just like everything he does.
There was a small hole in the left knee of the pants and dirt stains still there from a diving play he made to his right in what may end up being his final act with the Giants, a fitting bookend to his defensive transformation and dedication to his work with infield coach Ron Washington.
“He literally had to go full speed and then extend full out on that play,” Vitello said. “So that’s how his day ended. It kind of marks what kind of day he had. But you could really just stack up all the days together. He’s playing phenomenal baseball.”
Even during the lowest doldrums of the Giants’ lineup early in the season, Arraez provided a rare bright spot with a customary hit or two almost every night. On this afternoon, he collected four, raising his average to .331, overtaking the Marlins’ Otto Lopez for the major-league lead.
Logan Webb bestowed him the highest compliment, calling him a “modern-day Tony Gwynn.”
“He’s an unbelievable hitter,” Webb said. “I wasn’t a fan of him because he’d get hits off me and his power takes are incredible. But getting to know him and become his friend and teammate and see the work he puts in everyday, it’s pretty special.”
Even teams going nowhere have to field nine players, and there are still plenty of fans passing through the turnstiles at the corner of Third & King — 35,399 for a weekday matinee — who are paying to be entertained. Without Arreaz, that will only get harder.
“He made everybody’s day better,” Vitello said. “Pick any fan you want, [media], players, coaches – literally made everyone’s day better, everyday. There wasn’t any days off, either.”
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The Atlanta Braves are opening up a series at home against the Washington Nationals where they hope to get some momentum going before the trade deadline on August 3rd.
Grant Holmes will be facing Jake Irvin for the second time this season. In that game both pitchers performed well, but it was Irvin who came out on top with 5.0 innings of one hit ball. Irvin has not pitched since that game and may need to shake off some rust today.
The Braves and Nationals are both in the top three in runs scored this month, so it looks to be a shootout, but that was said the last time these two pitchers faced off and that was not the case. Baseball can be funny sometimes. Here is to hoping the Braves’ offense can shake off their underwhelming performance against the Mets and start this series off with a bang.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 28: Nasim Nuñez #26 of the Washington Nationals fields a ground ball against the Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park on July 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the August 3rd deadline looming larger by the day, the Nats hit the road and head to Atlanta. Dropping the Jays series felt like a missed opportunity, especially with this four gamer approaching. However, the Nats are road warriors and will have the chance to show that yet again in Atlanta.
With a righty on the mound, Blake Butera is going with a lefty heavy lineup. Dylan Crews is the only true right hander in the lineup, playing center field and hitting third. CJ Abrams is back at shortstop, with Nasim Nunez sliding to second and Jorbit Vivas moving to third. Keibert Ruiz is back behind the dish. After missing a lot of time with a shoulder injury, Jake Irvin is back in the fold to make one of the biggest starts of his career.
The Braves lineup features a familiar cast of characters including Ronald Acuna Jr., Matt Olson, Drake Baldwin and Ozzie Albies. One Braves mainstay who is not in the lineup is Austin Riley, who has had a difficult season. Mauricio Dubon will take his place at third. Right hander and Kenny Powers lookalike Grant Holmes is on the mound.
This is a nationally televised game where the Nats have a chance to show the world their elite offense. It is also a massive game in the Wild Card race. They need to win to stay above .500 after dropping that Jays series. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 22: Adrian Morejon #50 of the San Diego Padres pitches during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 22, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The MLB trade deadline is four days away, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are in desperate need of bullpen help.
Everyone knows it. That’s not an industry secret that the 29 other teams are unaware of.
As the deadline nears and the Pirates hover around .500 and the final wild card, it’s time for the Pirates to become the most aggressive they’ve been in a decade.
ESPN insider Buster Olney labeled the Pirates as one of 12 teams that are most desperate to make moves to their major league roster.
The greatest area of need? The bullpen.
Pittsburgh ranks 24th in bullpen ERA and released former closer Dennis Santana this week following a chaotic season that resulted in an ERA over six.
It’s a huge week for Ben Cherington, whose offense ranks first in hits per game and tied for second in runs scored. The staff also boasts two All-Star starters and Jared Jones, emerging as one of the best young right-handed starters after internal brace surgery last year.
The Pirates offense is the best of our lifetime, and Olney reported on Wednesday that other teams have definitely taken notice.
“That rotation is f- – -ing real,” one rival executive told Olney, “and they can score.”
Olney pointed to Padres star closer Mason Miller and shutdown lefty Adrian Morejon as names to keep an eye on, but said “we’ll see” and didn’t add any other rumblings surrounding the duo.
The same executive told Olney, “they’re going to be aggressive” at their trade deadline.
It’s a common statement local and national insiders have reported in the previous weeks.
The Padres relievers would make a significant impact, but would command a significant return, and San Diego is closer to the final wild card than the Pirates.
Pittsburgh is two games back of the Arizona Diamondbacks after losing two out of three games this week and looking up at the Marlins and Padres. Philadelphia is also tied for the final wild card.
The Pirates begin a crucial four-game series against the rival Cincinnati Reds on Thursday before their most important deadline since 2015.
The start of Thursday's game between the Mets and Miami Marlins at Citi Field has been delayed due to the threat of bad weather.
After about a 30-minute delay, the Mets announced the series opener will start at 8:15 p.m.
The game was originally scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m., with the two NL East sides opening a four-game set in Queens.
When the weather clears, Nolan McLean (3.32 ERA and 1.115 WHIP over 119.1 innings) will get the ball for his 22nd start of the campaign. The visitors are sending out right-hander Eury Pérez (3.56 ERA and 1.115 WHIP in 98.2 innings) for his 19th start of the year.
