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Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani star as NL MVP race moves to another level

CHICAGO (AP) — Pete Crow-Armstrong was terrific once again. Same for Shohei Ohtani.

It was quite a day in an increasingly compelling race for the NL MVP award.

Crow-Armstrong homered twice and drove in four runs to help the Chicago Cubs beat Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 on Wednesday for a sweep of their three-game series. But Ohtani also went deep twice and finished with three hits.

“I do think they were going toe to toe,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “You know, obviously, there’s a lot of talk about those two guys being the front-runner for the MVP. They both showed up, and you can see that they hear what’s being said about them, and that was fun for the fans certainly.”

Crow-Armstrong, 24, is Chicago’s regular center fielder, but he served as the designated hitter for the series finale against LA. That gave him an opportunity to take a closer look at Ohtani’s brilliance at the plate.

“I just enjoy watching him play baseball,” Crow-Armstrong said. “So I guess today for me what was cool was just getting to watch him from a different angle and not worrying about going and trying to catch balls that are hit at 1,000 miles an hour.”

Ohtani and Crow-Armstrong exchanged leadoff shots in the first inning. It was Ohtani’s 11th leadoff homer this season and No. 35 for his career. It was Crow-Armstrong’s fourth career leadoff drive — all this season.

Crow-Armstrong added an RBI double in the second and a two-run shot in the fourth, a 405-foot laser that went off the videoboard in right field. It was the 31st homer to hit that videoboard since it was installed in 2015.

Ohtani capped the Dodgers’ five-run eighth inning with a two-run drive to left-center. It was his first multihomer game of the season and No. 24 for his career.

“That’s two great players,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Yeah, they were kind of doing everything offensively for their teams, for sure. Pretty impressive.”

Ohtani won his second straight NL MVP award in 2025, smacking 55 homers and recording a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts on the mound for the Dodgers. He is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts this year, but he hasn’t been able to pitch since July 3 because of left knee soreness and a right biceps injury.

While Ohtani has been limited to DH duties of late, Crow-Armstrong has become an offensive force while playing his usual stellar defense in center. The two-time All-Star is batting .288 with 26 homers, 28 steals and 69 RBIs in 115 games. He went 6 for 13 in the series against LA with two homers and five RBIs.

At the very least, he has turned the NL MVP race into an intriguing competition.

“He’s a great player but I’m really focused on myself right now on the hitting side of things and I’m really working towards hopefully getting back on the mound and just working on that side of the side of game as well,” Ohtani said through a translator.

Ohtani, 32, said his knee is feeling better, but it’s hard to tell what the schedule is going to look like in terms of returning to pitching. Asked if the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal affects his urgency level for getting back on the mound, he said he lets the front office decide the tempo of his progression.

“But at the same time it’s really nice to see Tarik on our side and being able to see him pitch live,” Ohtani said.

Ohtani, a four-time MVP and six-time All-Star, certainly isn’t having any trouble at the plate. He is batting .457 (16 for 35) with four homers and nine RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak. He is hitting .297 with 26 homers, 70 RBIs and a .953 OPS in 109 games on the year.

“I think if you guys want to talk about all this back and forth, I really should go get in the lab and start pitching,” Crow-Armstrong cracked. “I really should.”

Crow-Armstrong said he is more focused on the team’s success than the MVP race, but he was honored to be mentioned alongside Ohtani.

“Simply put, just having your name in the same conversation as someone as profound as he feels, it’s awesome and it’s a nice nod,” he said.

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Thursday BP: Injury updates galore

Matt Chapman on the field.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Matt Chapman #26 of the San Francisco Giants prepares for the game at Oracle Park on July 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Godofredo Vásquez/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Buried under the countless moves that the San Francisco Giants have made this week is the fact that the team released a whole bunch of injury updates on Tuesday.

Most notably, Matt Chapman had an MRI that revealed a core muscle injury, and is meeting with a specialist next week. Surgery is on the table, and it looks like his season could be over.

Victor Bericoto, who will likely be the primary replacement for Heliot Ramos when healthy, began a rehab assignment in AAA on Wednesday.

Speaking of Wednesday, the new guy, Marcelo Mayer, reported to the team on Wednesday and will have an evaluation. No word yet on how that went.

Jesús Rodríguez has been resting and rehabbing his elbow at home, and will be re-evaluated at the end of the week.

Joel Peguero threw a live batting practice on Tuesday. It’s possible that he returns before the season ends.

Jose Buttó is still only throwing on flat ground, but is throwing up to 120 feet. Doesn’t seem as likely that he pitches again this year.

Matt Gage is also throwing on flat ground, and is now throwing up to 60 feet. It looks like he successfully avoided surgery, which is huge.

And, of course, Trevor McDonald and Casey Schmitt are out for the year. McDonald underwent his Tommy John surgery earlier this week.

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Has Jaylen Brown talked with Jayson Tatum since trade? ‘Not really'

Has Jaylen Brown talked with Jayson Tatum since trade? ‘Not really' originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown with the No. 3 overall pick in 2016. The Celtics drafted Jayson Tatum with the No. 3 overall pick a year later.

Together, they represented both the present core and the entire future of the Celtics organization, working hand-in-hand as a superstar duo and winning a championship together in 2024.

Throughout that journey, outsiders wondered how close the Jays were off the court. And while that relationship might have evolved over time, it appears to have ended on a sour note.

On Thursday, when Brown was officially introduced as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, he was asked if he’s spoken to Tatum since the trade went down more than a month ago.

“Uh, not really,” Brown answered.

That is, of course, a surprising reality, considering that the two stars worked together as the faces of the franchise for so long. But it’s also in line with what many considered or assumed to have been a professional — but not necessarily personal — relationship between Brown and Tatum.

“We won a championship together, so anybody that you win a championship [with], you would think like that’s what a brotherhood or a lifelong legacy would entail,” Brown said when asked if he and Tatum hoped their on-court partnership would continue. “Obviously, there’s ups and downs with any type of relationship, for sure. But on my end, it’s nothing but respect. Besides when he plays the Sixers, I hope he does well. But other than that, everything for me is just based on respect.”

Brown also shared some leftover distaste about how the process of being traded played out slowly at the start of the summer.

“The whole process,” Brown said when asked what bothered him about the Celtics’ handling of his availability in trades. “But to be honest, my mind is so focused on what’s in front of me. To be honest, I’m moving on. Maybe one day we’ll share the details of how everything transpired and all the moving parts that took place in this. Obviously, it’s a lot of speculation. I feel no need to chime in on it, because I’m focused on what’s in front of me.”

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Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Rays, Red Sox both pitch shutouts

DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 5: Junior Caminero #13 and Liam Hicks #34 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate after the win against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees fell in lackluster fashion on Wednesday, scoring just a single run en route to a 3-1 loss. Will Warren wasn’t as sharp as his previous outing, but when your offense is as hard-pressed as the Yankees’ lineup is to score multiple runs in a rally you’d have to be in phenomenal form to not walk away with an L. Unfortunately, that meant that they were at the mercy of the red-hot Rays and Red Sox on whether they lost ground for their transgressions, and both saw fit to punish them for slipping up.

Tampa Bay Rays (68-46) 4, Colorado Rockies (45-70) 0

Remember when the Rays lost four straight coming out of the All-Star break and it looked like the division was anyone’s to grab? That feels like a decade ago already, as Tampa’s turned on the jets ever since and won 12 of their last 16 to open up a 4.5 game lead for first place. The Rockies were looking to avoid a sweep on Wednesday, but despite outhitting the Rays they couldn’t cobble together a single run.

The Rays had no trouble converting on their chances, scoring right away in the first inning. Victor Mesa Jr. led the game off with a triple out to right field, and Jonathan Aranda knocked him in right away with an RBI single. After a Junior Caminero walk and Liam Hicks flyout, Chandler Simpson lined a single out to left to score Aranda and make it 2-0 Tampa. Mesa tripled again in the second, but this time with two outs and Tomoyuki Sugano was able to punch out Aranda instead of repeating history. Unfortunately for Sugano, Caminero greeted him with a homer to lead off the third, his 33rd blast of the year making it 3-0 Rays.

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The Rockies had a couple chances early against Nick Martinez but couldn’t convert, stranding a two-out double in the second and a leadoff single in the third that made it to second on a stolen base. The fourth saw Mickey Moniak and Kyle Karros hit back-to-back singles to threaten a rally, but after former Yankee farmhand TJ Rumfield flew out to center Martinez induced a double play ball out of Jordan Beck to escape the jam. Martinez pitched a clean fifth before the Rockies threatened again in the sixth, getting two aboard with two out via singles and chasing Martinez from the game. New pitcher Tyler Wells came in and got Rumfield to chase on a high cutter to strand them both.

Tampa added an insurance run in the seventh, Taylor Walls working a walk before stealing second base and getting bunted over to third and home in consecutive at-bats. Colorado still had no punch with enough weight to challenge Tampa’s pitching, stranding a runner in the seventh and eighth before going down in order to close out the ninth.

Other Games

Boston Red Sox (62-51) 4, Chicago White Sox (59-54) 0: The White Sox fared much the same against Boston, though they came up with even less chances to break through the shutout. The Red Sox got on the board in the first inning of their game as well, Wilyer Abreu hitting a two-out single and advancing to second on a wild pitch before Willson Contreras singled him home. Boston stranded a runner at third in the second but came back for another run in the third when Abreu hit a solo home run and then the game entered a still period through the middle innings where neither side had much going (getting Déjà vu here).

Sonny Gray pitched six strong innings, striking out eight while walking just two, and the only real threat he faced came in the top of the third when he hit Sam Antonacci, walked a batter, and then Miguel Vargas slapped a single to third base. Antonacci attempted to run home after advancing to third as the throw was sent to first, only to get easily thrown out and get a tag stuffed into his face as he slid hard for home plate.

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Boston doubled their lead late, a sacrifice fly in the seventh and a Caleb Durbin RBI single in the eighth pushing it to 4-0 for the home team. The Pale Hose didn’t have much bite left in their bats by that point, managing only a single in the eighth and a walk in the ninth before getting put away.

Cleveland Guardians (57-58) 5, New York Mets (49-66) 6 (10 innings): With the ChiSox falling Cleveland had a chance to capitalize, but the lowly Mets managed to get in their way. Brett Baty and Jorge Polanco both homered in the third inning and Jared Young added on an RBI single in the fourth to give the Mets a 3-0 lead, but it got erased by the fifth as Travis Bazzana knocked a run across in the bottom of the fourth and Nathaniel Lowe brought in two more in the fifth via baseknocks. Carson Benge briefly brought the Mets back into the lead with a solo shot, only for Patrick Bailey to give Cleveland their first lead of the night with a two-run single in the seventh.

Cade Smith’s attempt to convert the save in the ninth turned into a disaster as he walked a pair around a Polanco double to load the bases with two outs. Smith got a chopper hit to shortstop Brayan Rocchio for the potential final out, but it hit off his glove allowing the tying run to cross, and then in extras Bo Bichette immediately scored the Manfred runner while Steven Kwan bunted a pop out to lead off the home half of the 10th. The newly-acquired Jo Adell also popped out and Lowe hit a soft grounder to first to end it.

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Houston Astros (59-57) 4, Toronto Blue Jays (54-61) 5 (10 innings): Houston also struggled to pick up a game against a last-place foe, falling in extras. They missed a golden opportunity in the first inning when a pair of walks and a Jose Altuve single loaded the bases with one out against Jameson Taillon, but Taillon was able to escape getting a pop up out of Taylor Trammell before striking out Christian Walker. He wasn’t as fortunate in the third, Altuve jumping on a middle-middle cutter for a solo shot before Walker doubled in another run and LaMonte Wade Jr. singled him home to make it 3-0 Houston.

Toronto made it a game in the sixth inning, however. Myles Straw hit a one-out double to start the rally, and after Nathan Lukes grounded out Kazuma Okamoto singled up the middle to put Toronto on the board. Jesús Sánchez was up next and worked a 3-0 count before getting a high fastball that he gave himself the green light for. It was a good decision as he crushed it, launching a two-run homer to tie the game at three. The Astros threatened to take the lead right back, getting runners on second and third with no out in the bottom half, but a pair of weak pop ups surrounded a strikeout to strand both of them. They wouldn’t get any more chances in the seventh, eighth, or ninth innings, and when extras rolled around Ernie Clement punished the first pitch he saw for a two-run blast.

Yordan Alvarez led off the bottom of the second with a hard-hit ball into the corner in right, easily scoring the Manfred runner, but he inexplicably jogged standing up into second base and got tagged out. The Astros challenged but the call was upheld, and despite Joe Espada’s protests (which resulted in him being ejected) the call stood and the next two Astros could only lift fly ball outs to end it.

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Pens Ink Long-Term Extension With RFA; How It Affects The Islanders

The Pittsburgh Penguins just dropped a stunning contract on the NHL, signing restricted free agent Ville Koivunen to an eight-year, $32 million contract ($4 million AAV).

That sound you may hear is the cash register for Emil Heineman and Simon Holmstrom's eventual contract extensions next summer, as they're both set to become RFAs following the end of the 2026-27 season.

If the New York Islanders had plans on extending both long-term, they both just got undoubtedly more expensive.

Koivunen, 23, played 39 NHL games this past season, and has a total of 47 career NHL games.

In 2025-26, he posted two goals and seven points. In his career, he has just five more assists, a total line of 47 GP, 2G, 10A, 12Pts.

It's a massive, massive contract from the Penguins. While the cap is rising exponentially and indefinitely, given an unproven RFA eight years and a solid enough cap hit is a big bet on the player's future.

Koivunen's now signed until he's age 31, and if he hits as a solid middle-six forward, it'll age fantastic for Pittsburgh.

Meanwhile, for the Islanders, it's not the best of news. Heineman, 24, just potted 22 goals and 31 points this year. Holmstrom's posted 39 goals and 86 points in the last two seasons.

Heineman on a long-term contract could point right to that Koivunen deal and command at least another $1.5-2 million annually on an eight-year deal, minimum. If the Islanders wait, and Heineman posts another 20+ goal season while becoming more well-rounded offensively, it could become even more expensive.

Holmstrom, meanwhile, has excelled at both even strength and on the penalty kill. His biggest deficiency has been early-season consistency. If and when Holmstrom puts that together, he's an easy 25+ goal, 55-60+ point player who can play in all situations.

A long-term contract for that will cost double to two-and-a-half times what Koivunen just signed for.

While Koivunen is not the best comparable for either player, what he did just do is raise the bar entirely for RFA forwards.

Heineman and Holmstrom are better players than Koivunen, and thus will command a higher salary AAV if they signed today.

 

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Game #115: A’s at Reds Game Thread

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 30: Mason Barnett #63 Athletics pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This morning, the Athletics will face the Cincinnati Reds one final time, looking to avoid a sweep and finally snap their losing streak. Winning baseball games has proved elusive for the A’s over the past two months, as they have endured a free-fall down the standings.

Right-hander Mason Barnett will get the start for the Green & Gold, making his first career appearance against Cincinnati. The 25-year-old enters his 16th appearance and second start of the season with a 1-1 record, a 4.85 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 29 strikeouts across 29 2/3 innings pitched.

After initially pitching in relief following his call-up from Triple-A, Barnett recently moved into the rotation to fill a void created by injuries to several A’s starters. He will look to replicate his performance from his first start of the season, when he received a no-decision after allowing three runs on four hits over five innings against the Boston Red Sox.

In the first two games of this interleague series, the Athletics received quality outings from their starters, only to watch a reliever either blow the lead or surrenderer the go-ahead run in a tie game. Both times, the offense failed to mount a come back, saddling the reliever with the loss and wasting another strong effort from the starting rotation.

If the A’s want to avoid yet another sweep, they will need Barnett to make it three straight quality starts and the bullpen to either hold a lead or keep the game tied long enough for the offense to push across the go-ahead run late in the contest.

Here’s how the Athletics’ lineup looks today courtesy of manager Mark Kotsay:

This lineup reflects how much the A’s have been affected by injuries this season. Rookies Henry Bolte and Tommy White lead things off, while the bottom third of the lineup lacks the production typically expected from major league regulars. However, shortstop Alika Williams has been a pleasant surprise, showcasing an improved bat to complement his steady defense up the middle.

Starting shortstop Jacob Wilson is not playing today, a decision that raises questions about the severity of the injuries he has been dealing with. If the A’s want to avoid a sweep, they will need significantly more production from their offense. Max Muncy has the opportunity to provide a spark, while left fielder Tyler Soderstrom and right fielder Lawrence Butler will also need to deliver at the plate.

That lineup will face Reds’ left-hander Andrew Abbot, who enters his 24th start of the season with a 5-7 record, a 3.91 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP and 95 strikeouts across 122 innings pitched. The 27-year-old, who will be making his first start against the A’s, has been pitching well lately, despite going winless over his past seven starts. In his last outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he took the loss after allowing three runs on three hits and five walks over five innings.

The 2025 National League All-Star poses a tough matchup for a struggling A’s offense, which will need to capitalize on any opportunities it gets and any mistake pitches Abbot leaves over the plate.

And here’s Cincy’s starting lineup for the series finale:

Barnett will need to be careful when facing the Reds dynamic duo atop the lineup: shortstop Elly De La Cruz and National League Rookie of the Year candidate: first baseman Sal Stewart. The Reds have additional threats in former A’s player JJ Bleday and slugger Eugenio Suárez. Top prospect Hector Rodríguez will look to make an impact for the hosts as he searches for his first major league hit.

Let’s get back in the win column. Let’s go A’s!

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Chemistry and connections of the 2026-27 Lakers

MALAGA, SPAIN - AUGUST 10: Austin Reaves #15 and Walker Kessler #14 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team get ready for practice on August 10, 2023 at Pabellon Training Center Higueron in Malaga, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

With the LeBron James era officially over, it is time to move on to the Luka era and all his new teammates with the cap space the Lakers have used this offseason.

While the Lakers may have assembled a new squad this summer, many of the players already had connections to one another, which could speed up the process of building chemistry.

Let’s take a look at those.

Walker Kessler

Walker Kessler and Austin Reaves played together at the FIBA World Cup in 2023. Kessler has also played with Jared Vanderbilt for half a season in his rookie season.

Collin Sexton played with Kessler in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, developing a great chemistry with one another.

Quentin Grimes

Quentin Grimes has played with Luka Dončić in the season after the Finals run and hold each other in high regard as despite not playing together very long. JJ has a connection with Grimes as, prior to him becoming coach of the Lakers, the pair worked out with JJ showing the process of being a professional.

Sandro Mamukelashvili

Luka has already reached out to Mamu about the fit together and how that will work. Mamu also played in Europe with Virtus Bologna while Luka was with Real Madrid.

Collin Sexton

He has chemistry with Kessler from his Jazz days. Collin Sexton was on Redick’s podcast “The Old Man and the Three.”

Jaden Hardy

Jaden Hardy played with Luka for two-and-a-half seasons with the Mavericks and was even part of the 2023-24 Finals run.

Ziare Williams

He has chemistry with Bronny James from Sierra Canyon High School. He has also played with Jake LaRavia with the Memphis Grizzlies in his early years.

Kevon Looney

He doesn’t have any chemistry with any of the current players on the roster, but he has lots of experience with ex-Lakers or soon-to-be Lakers in the following seasons with D’Angelo Russell, Dennis Schröder, Juan Toscano- Anderson, Quinn Cook, and JaVale McGee.

Matisse Thybulle

Matisse Thybulle doesn’t have any connections to current players on the roster, but during his time in Portland, he played with players who have played in Los Angeles. Those include Josh Hart, Shaquille Harrison, Skylar Mays, Gary Payton II and Cam Reddish, both prior to and after being on the Lakers. JJ Redick also talked with him on his podcast four years ago.

With these connections among themselves and with the Lakers franchise, it should help develop chemistry. And with Luka hosting a mini camp in Slovenia, it should help build even more bonds to start the 2026-2027 NBA season.

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Kings reportedly discussed Domantas Sabonis trade with Celtics, Pistons

Kings reportedly discussed Domantas Sabonis trade with Celtics, Pistons originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It is no secret the Kings are in a rebuilding phase, as they look to build around a new, younger core led by the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Darius Acuff Jr.

But as that focus shifts towards the promising rookie, general manager Scott Perry still must figure out what to do with some of Sacramento’s high-paid veterans on long-term deals, namely Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.

There have been several reports in recent months regarding the Kings’ attempts to trade Sabonis, including unsuccessful discussions with the Toronto Raptors at the NBA trade deadline in February and the Charlotte Hornets prior to the NBA Draft in June.

And now, as ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported in a story this week, Perry also engaged in trade talks with the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics involving Sabonis, who underwent season-ending knee surgery on Feb. 18.

“Perry visited with restricted free agent center Jalen Duren in early July and explored the idea of a sign-and-trade swap of big men,” Slater wrote, “but the Detroit Pistons balked at the idea of losing Duren for Sabonis, league sources said.

“There were predraft conversations about Sabonis with the Charlotte Hornets (who held pick Nos. 14 and 18) and at least one phone call with the Boston Celtics, team and league sources said, but nothing materialized. In Charlotte’s case, the idea would’ve been to pair Sabonis with point guard LaMelo Ball, but the franchise instead opted to trade Ball for draft picks and lean further into a youth movement.”

Duren, a 22-year-old NBA All-Star last season with the Pistons, perhaps would have been a better fit for the Kings’ new timeline with Acuff. But now, it appears Sabonis is set to return to Sacramento for the 2026-27 NBA season.

The veteran big man, who turned 30 in May, is coming off a disappointing year in which he played just 19 games; his 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game all were his lowest marks since his third NBA season in 2018-19.

Slater also reported Sabonis “has expressed a willingness to recommit and buy-in to this season’s team,” citing sources with the Kings. Sabonis still is owed just over $94 million over the final two seasons of his current contract. And though he is eligible for an extension, that isn’t currently on the table, according to Slater.

With LaVine seemingly remaining with the Kings as well, it’s set to be an interesting campaign for Sacramento as the team looks to transition from one core to another.

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The Red Sox can't lose. Here's how they created a monster

It still doesn’t make much sense. Not that the Boston Red Sox are trying to quantify it all.

The most unstoppable team in baseball, now owners of the hottest stretch in the 126-year history of the franchise, have morphed from a 32-46 disaster to a team nobody wants to face come October.

They earned their way to a buyer’s position at Major League Baseball’s trade deadline, made some of the biggest splashes – and only continue to win. They fired their manager and the ground under club president Craig Breslow grew very unstable – and now the embattled Yale graduate is looking like the second coming of Theo Epstein.

How did they get here, and what does it all mean? Let’s take a look inside a most unlikely summer that at least partially restored the shine to a storied franchise gone stale:

They simply don't lose

First, the numbers.

The Red Sox will carry a seven-game winning streak into their series finale against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, Aug. 6. They are 16-3 since the All-Star break.

They are 30-5, tied for the fourth-best 35-game stretch in the expansion era since 1961 (Cleveland’s 2017 squad, which won a record 22 in a row, holds the record at 32-3).  

It’s a stretch that viscerally evokes other stunning stretches across sports, such as the New England Patriots’ 18-0 run in 2007 (let’s ignore the eventual outcome) or the Golden State Warriors' 73-9 accomplishment in 2015-16 (same).

From a baseball old head’s perspective, one very similar number jumps out: 35-5. That’s how the 1984 Detroit Tigers broke from the gate, on their way to a wire-to-wire demolition of the major leagues and the most inevitable World Series title one could imagine.

The Red Sox are getting closer to 35-5. But how?

Bombs away

In what will increasingly be known as the Before and After dates in New England, the Red Sox on June 24 ranked 29th in the major leagues with 67 home runs in 78 games.

Since then? They’ve hit 49 home runs in 35 games, good for fifth in the majors and more than any American League East team during that span.

Looking for a hero? You couldn’t do much better than Caleb Durbin, the 5-6 infielder on his third organization in three years.

Caleb Durbin has 10 home runs and an .886 OPS over his past 57 games.

When the Red Sox failed to re-sign Alex Bregman and hastily dealt away Kyle Harrison and others to Milwaukee, Durbin was a key part of the return package. And he promptly laid an egg in his first 49 games in Boston, batting .172 with one home run, a .499 OPS and an abundant sense he was Not Alex Bregman. (Nor Rafael Devers, for that matter).

Ever since?

Durbin is a different man, socking 10 home runs, posting an .886 OPS with a .309/.369/.517 line. He’s grounded into just one double play in his past 57 games, after hitting into five in his first 49.

For this, the Red Sox can at least partially credit a man they just traded away: Catcher Carlos Narváez, included in the blockbuster deal to snag Adley Rutschman from Baltimore, suggested Durbin visit his swing guru, a fellow named Lorenzo Garmendia in suburban Waltham.

His work with Durbin has resulted in a virtual flip in his groundball/flyball rate, resulting in a massive spike in production. And a huge inflection point for Durbin, who was probably flirting with a minor league demotion before his turnaround.

Gray matters

As the Red Sox tumbled into the AL East cellar, the trade deadline vultures gathered around the club’s prized pieces. Closer Aroldis Chapman would surely be a goner. And nominal ace Sonny Gray indicated to the Boston Globe that yes, he’d probably listen if the Red Sox came to him and asked to waive his no-trade clause.

But that was before the Red Sox couldn’t lose. And Gray never really stopped winning.

His hot streak began long before his teammates, posting a 12-1 record and 2.42 ERA over 16 starts since May 6. Boston is 15-6 in his 21 starts, and he’s allowed three or fewer earned runs in 18 of them.

At 36, Gray’s golden years are exactly that, his 2.78 ERA his finest since posting a 2.73 mark as a 25-year-old in Oakland. He’s also setting himself up for a lucrative winter, with a $10 million buyout due on a 2027 mutual option, followed by a free agency foray.

But not before a playoff run, thanks to Gray keeping them afloat all along.

Ceddanne Rafaela: MVP?

He was more curiosity than consistent contributor for a couple seasons, a defensively gifted player capable of holding down shortstop or center field.

Now, Cedanne Rafaela might be the most valuable player in the AL.

He earned his first Gold Glove a year ago and his first All-Star nod this year and the elevator ride is not stopping. Rafaela, 25, is tied for second – behind only Houston’s Yordan Alvarez – in AL position-player WAR, and for good reason.

Ceddanne Rafaela is on track to win his second consecutive Gold Glove in center field.

The man is having a career year at the plate, with an AL-leading 28 doubles, 15 homers, 15 stolen bases and an .804 OPS. Defensively, he leads AL center fielders with 13 outs above average, second in the majors only to the Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 22.

There’s no finer center field-right field combo in the majors than Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, whose 4.6 WAR aren’t far behind Rafaela’s 5.2. Before the year, it seemed this would be Abreu’s MVP turn, coming off a fine World Baseball Classic performance.

Yet the Red Sox might have a franchise player reaching his ceiling in center.

Chad Tracy: From interim to permanent?

It seemed impetuous and startled the clubhouse and certainly did not have an immediate impact when Breslow fired longtime, World Series-winning manager Alex Cora and installed Chad Tracy as interim manager in April.

Tracy was to become a Hall of Famer – the Worcester Woo Sox Hall of Fame. Yet the man has proven his big-league chops through a mercurial and then glorious period, leading the club on a 15-game winning streak yet, perhaps most significantly, keeping the foot up on the gas in the weeks since.

It is Boston, and things can always get weird when its executive branch gets involved. And eventually, no one leaves Fenway without a few switchblades in their back. Yet it’s hard to imagine Tracy, barring a playoff meltdown, not earning the permanent gig based on what he’s done the past four months.

Blame the Yankees? Sure, why not

Lest we forget, the Red Sox hit their low point June 24, beaten at Coors Field and then heading home to welcome the mighty New York Yankees.

And then Cam Schlittler finally proved mortal against the Red Sox. Fernando Cruz blew a two-run, 10th-inning lead. And behind their deep pitching, the Red Sox cobbled together a four-game sweep.

Twenty-five wins in 30 games later, here we are. And the Red Sox are now just a game behind the Yankees for the No. 2 wild card, within 5 ½ of the first-place Rays.

Should the Red Sox blow by them, it will only sting even more for the Bombers. They could have buried Boston. Now, they’ve created a monster.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Red Sox can't lose. Here's how they created a monster

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Astros Prospect Report: August 5th

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Cole Hertzler #35 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch during the fifth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (58-51) lost 7-6 (BOX SCORE)

McPherson started for Sugar Land and went 5 innings allowing 3 runs. Sugar Land got on the board in the 4th inning on an Alexander 2 run home run. The Isotopes scored three runs in the 6th to extend their lead. In the 8th, Sugar Land rallied for 4 runs on a Spence RBI single and Delgado 3 run double to tie it. The Isotopes retook the lead in the 8th and the offense was unable to score again as Sugar Land fell 7-6.

Note: Loperfido is hitting .306 in Triple-A.

AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (50-54) won 5-2 (BOX SCORE)

Hertzler started for the Hooks and pitched well striking out 7 over 4 innings allowing just one unearned run. The Hooks got on the board in the 5th inning scoring 2 runs on an error and on a passed ball. In the 6th they scored 3 runs on a Call RBI single, a run on a balk and a wild pitch. The pen was solid as they closed out the 5-2 win.

Note: Encarnacion is hitting .344 over his last 23 games.

A+: Asheville Tourists (34-68) won 5-2 (BOX SCORE)

Asheville got on the board in the 2nd inning on Garcia RBI single. Shoemaker got the start but struggled allowing 6 runs, while walking 9, over 2.1 innings. Asheville got a run in the 5th on a Newman RBI double and one in the 6th inning on a Moss RBI single. Martin tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in relief to keep it close. Asheville got a run in the 8th on a Moss RBI single but that was it from the offense as Asheville fell 7-4.

Note: Frey is hitting .346 over his last 14 games.

A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (52-50) lost 10-3 (BOX SCORE)

The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on a wild pitch and Sierra RBI single. Forcucci started for the Woodpeckers but had another rough outing allowing 6 runs while retiring just 2 batters. Cassedy tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in relief and then Verdugo went 4 innings and allowed 4 runs, all in the 8th. The Woodpeckers got a run in the 9th inning on a Flores RBI single but that was it as they fell 10-3.

Note: Luciano has a .887 OPS in Single-A this season.

Today’s minor league starters:

SL: Jason Alexander – 1:05 CT

CC: Brett Gillis – 6:35 CT

AV: Kellan Oakes – 5:30 CT

FV: TBD – 5:35 CT

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Luke Stevenson finds his groove, wins Northwest League Player of the Month

PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 11, 2026: Luke Stevenson #31 of the Seattle Mariners bats during a minor league spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Peoria Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

After a scorching hot month of July, Mariner catching prospect Luke Stevenson mashed his way to the top of the High-A Northwest League offensive charts and earned himself the title for the league’s player of the month. Stevenson, who has rebounded admirably after a rough stretch in late spring and early summer, caught fire after some intriguing adjustments and looks to have sorted through his struggles. For reference his monthly slashline trends as follows:

May: .192/.366/.359

June: .148/.365/.328

July: .338/.433/.753

That’s a month-to-month jump in OPS of over 500 points!!

This is no flash in the pan, either; Stevenson was mirroring this level of production in the first month of the season, and given his level of pedigree as a 2025 first rounder, there’s plenty of reason to believe that his breakout has legitimate sticking power. He’s been more aggressive at the plate over the past few weeks, seeking out damage earlier in the count and subsequently getting better pitches to hit. His whiff issues haven’t been alleviated by the new approach, but his profile doesn’t rely on bat-to-ball all that much, particularly when he’s able to get into his immense raw power. Given his excellent eye at the dish, light tower power from the left side, and outstanding skills and leadership behind the plate, Stevenson is amongst the system’s most elite prospects and has a definite “up arrow” next to his name as we approach the end of the minor league season. He’s continued this production into the early goings of August and will look to end the season on a high note.

Funnily enough, Stevenson was unable to take the crown for best Mariner minor league hitter in the month of July; that honor went to ACL outfielder Kelvin Alcantara, whose 1.266 OPS and .400 batting average were undeniably worthy of the honor. Congratulations to both players on their outstanding months!

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Trust Aaron Nola at Your Own Risk

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 3: Pitcher Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on August 3, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bill Streicher/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Aaron Nola stepped off the mound on Monday having delivered another quality start, his third in his last six games. He allowed three runs over six innings and departed with the Phillies down 3-0. But Nola had kept the Phillies stagnant offense in the game long enough for them to come alive against the Nationals bullpen in what would become a 6-3 win. Of course, he got to that quality start in typical Aaron Nola fashion though, as he surrendered two home runs to bring his league-leading total to 28 homers allowed, outpacing Nathan Eovaldi of the Rangers by four.

Since the start of July, Nola has a 4.37 ERA across 6 starts. It’s still not necessarily what you would want from someone like Nola, but it’s a welcome alternative to the 6.04 ERA he had in his first 17 starts of the year. The Phillies have been desperate for some stability in the back of their rotation, and for the most part, Nola has provided that over the last month.

He’s done it with a tangible adjustment that can be pointed to as the reason for his success. Nola’s usage of his changeup has slowly increased starting with his start on July 5th. He threw the pitch 19 times on 98 total pitches that night, or a 19% usage rate. Prior to that start, Nola had been using the changeup 16% of the time on average this season. In the games following that start, the usage has continued to climb, plateauing at 36.6% in his start on July 28th.

It’s perhaps no coincidence that he’s allowed three runs or less in all but one of those starts, and the one in which he allowed five runs on July 22nd was the lowest percentage of changeups (17.6%) since the trend began. Showcasing the offspeed offering has allowed Nola to keep hitters off of his fastball, a pitch that was getting demolished earlier in the season. Opponents are hitting .264 off of Nola’s four-seamer since the start of July as opposed to .388 combined in the previous months.

But of course, it will always be hard to trust Nola even when there is a clear adjustment to point to as a key to his success. He’s notorious for showing signs of promise before it all slips away in a barrage of balls going over the fence. Look no further than his .281/.325/.510 opponent’s batting line with two outs or his league-worst 10 home runs allowed with two strikes. Nola has cultivated a reputation of letting bad innings snowball into disasters, a trend that has accelerated since the start of his nightmare 2025 season. Even if he starts a game off well, it will always feel like he’s minutes away from disaster until he leaves with the quality start intact.

However, the Phillies have given themselves no choice but to put their trust in Nola and his adjustments. They opted not to address their already thin starting rotation at the trade deadline, instead choosing to roll with Nola and the newly recalled Andrew Painter to be their fourth and fifth starters. The pitching staff will ultimately live and die with its top three of Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler, and Jesús Luzardo. But after that, they need quality innings at a minimum, as every game will be important down the stretch and trying to find rest for an overtaxed bullpen along the way will be paramount. The Phillies need Nola to continue his recent string of success, serving as nothing more than at least a serviceable back of the rotation starter.

If that is an uncomfortable thought, it should be. But this is the route the Phillies and Dave Dombrowski chose when they did not trade for a starting pitcher at Monday’s trade deadline. Uncomfortable or not, they have to buy in to Nola’s new pix mix finally being the solution to his struggles, because they have left themselves no other option but to do so.

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Springboks and All Blacks flex financial muscles with ‘Greatest Rivalry’ tour

The throwback series rekindles memories of the past, but the focus is very much on realities of the modern game

Just in case you were unaware that the forthcoming series between South Africa and New Zealand, dubbed Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry (RGR), is a “tour like no other”, the Springboks have just unveiled a jersey to prove it. “A jersey like no other” to be worn four times and then consigned to history. Meanwhile, RGR kicks off amid a looming legal battle in South Africa over the series’ commercial identity and the unauthorised use of its branding. And you thought sporting romance was dead.

Enough of the cynicism though. The series promises to be a blockbuster. It is a throwback, with New Zealand’s men facing four matches against provincial sides, starting with the Stormers in Cape Town on Friday, as well as four Tests against the Springboks. The countries’ women’s sides also face each other in a one-off Test. The series has further allure in just how rare tours such as this are these days. Add in the fact that the rugby calendar is pretty much barren at the moment and a series between the two best sides on the planet is enough to quicken the pulse.

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Orlando Ribalta is a rare keeper in the Washington Nationals bullpen

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 02: Orlando Ribalta #64 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on August 02, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

As we all know, it has not exactly been a banner year for the Nats bullpen. They have spent most of the season blowing games for fun. However, there is one reliever who has really impressed me this season. Orlando Ribalta has had a breakout year for the Nats, and looks like a guy who can be a piece for years to come.

Don’t get me wrong, Ribalta has not been perfect by any means. A 3.44 ERA and 1.21 WHIP is nothing that will knock your socks off. However, it is very solid in a bullpen that desperately needs that. Ribalta has the high octane stuff and has taken big strides with his command this season.

My favorite thing about the 6’7 right hander is his poise in big moments. He is the one guy in this bullpen who has proven to be a capable fire fighter. With the bases loaded, batters are 0-10 with 5 strikeouts against the Cuban. That is a testament to his stuff but also his slow heartbeat on the mound.

Ribalta is one of those guys who never gets too high or two low on the mound. That really helps him in these big spots. He is not scared to compete in those moments, but he also does not get overly excited either. It is just like any other situation for him, except it feels like he locks in more.

However, his loud stuff is another big factor in his success. Ribalta has the best raw stuff in the bullpen, at least before Yovanny Cruz arrived. His fastball and sinker both sit at 97 MPH, with the 4-seamer doing a great job generating whiffs while the sinker is a soft contact pitch. 

The right-hander’s most used pitch is actually his slider. Unlike many slider’s which are used as putaway pitches, Ribalta’s sets the table for his 4-seamer and devastating changeup. The changeup is my favorite pitch in Ribalta’s arsenal. Even though stuff+ models much prefer the slider, the way he sells the changeup just devastates hitters.

His changeup looks just like a fastball and moves a lot like his fastball before dying as it gets to home plate. The 10 MPH speed difference has hitters swinging at air 48.4% of the time. Honestly, it is a pitch he should be throwing more than 14.4% of the time.

Ribalta has been an arm who has intrigued me for a while. He has always had the stuff, and when he came up in April, I was very excited by him. The biggest leap he has taken has been in terms of command though. His walk rate has been cut from 14.2% to 9.3%. Ribalta’s Location+ grade has also gone from a below average mark of 94 to well above average at 106. 

Ribalta’s new found command has made him a very effective reliever this year. His 3.44 ERA is supported by the underlying numbers, which have him in the same range. He is a well rounded pitcher who I think will only get better.

This season, Ribalta has done a great job limiting hard contact with an average exit velocity against of 84.2 MPH which is elite. He is also great at getting hitters to chase outside the zone as well. When you look at his Baseball Savant page, there are not a lot of holes to poke. 

The swing and miss numbers are middling, but I think those could improve if he threw the changeup more often. He has also been getting more strikeouts lately, with 18 K’s in his last 13.2 innings. Orlando Ribalta is easily the reliever I trust the most in the Nats bullpen.

Even when he does give up runs, a lot of the time it seems like he is getting unlucky. I remember an outing against the Blue Jays where Ribalta gave up the lead thanks to 3 bloop hits. Sure he blew it, but it is tough to blame him too much.

Moving forward I think Ribalta can be a solid high leverage arm. He is probably not a closer, or even an 8th inning guy. However, I like the 28 year old as a 7th inning guy who can put out fires in big spots. The Nats have traded promising relievers with control the past couple off-seasons, but they need to learn their lesson here. Ribalta needs to stick around for a while.

He is not exactly Mason Miller, but Ribalta is a steady presence at the back of the bullpen. That is exactly what the Nats need entering 2027. In a bullpen that does not have many keepers, they found one in Orlando Ribalta.

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MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions August 6

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A shorter slate isn't short on value picks, and today's MLB expert picks are hitting a pair of moneylines, beginning in the early afternoon with the Cleveland Guardians.

Later, our MLB picks expect the Atlanta Braves to continue their hot streak against the Miami Marlins on Thursday, Aug. 6.

MLB expert picks for today

PickOdds
Jon Metler Jon Metler: CLE ML-113
Joe Osborne Joe Osborne: ATL ML-138

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

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    Jon Metler's expert pick: Guardians moneyline

    Price: 53¢ (-113) at Polymarket

    New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean has electric stuff and a 10.60 K/9 this season, but betting is about price and matchup, not talent alone, and this is a tough draw for the young right-hander. 

    The Cleveland Guardians are expected to load the lineup with eight left-handed bats, significantly reducing the effectiveness of McLean's biggest weapon. His hard, sweeping slider is designed to finish hitters, but it breaks into the barrel against lefties rather than away from it. 

    The Guardians also have one of the most disciplined approaches in baseball, consistently working deep counts and refusing to chase pitches out of the zone. That combination should drive up McLean's pitch count and increase the likelihood of an early exit. 

    Polymarket has Cleveland priced as a 53-cent favorite, but I make the Guardians closer to a 59-cent favorite, which is why I'm hitting the button.

    • Time: 1:10 p.m. ET
    • How to watch: SNY, Guardians.TV

    Joe Osborne's expert pick: Braves moneyline

    Price: 58¢ (-138) at Polymarket

    The Atlanta Braves are in a great spot to extend their winning streak to eight games tonight.

    Martin Perez has done his best work at home, posting a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts. His last two home starts saw him allow just two combined hits and zero earned runs.

    Perez should have his way with a Miami Marlins lineup that ranks 26th in OPS against left-handed pitching over the past month.

    On the other side, Janson Junk owns a shaky 5.28 road ERA and was crushed for eight earned runs when he faced Atlanta in May. Atlanta has been obliterating baseballs at home, ranking first in slugging percentage over the past month.

    • Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
    • How to watch: Marlins.TV, BravesVsn

    More MLB best bets for today

    PickOdds
    DET ML+110
    Read analysis in our Tigers vs. Mariners predictions
    NYM/CLE o7.5-103
    Read analysis in our Mets vs. Guardians predictions
    BOS -1.5+105
    Read analysis in our White Sox vs. Red Sox predictions

    Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
    Not intended for use in MA.
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