Jul 23, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt (32) throws against St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Blaze Jordan (33) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
“Not easy to do what he did,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He comes to the ballpark, he’s always preparing to play. I know that. But the lineup goes out the night before, and there’s a couple things he’s probably going to come here and work on. And all of the sudden transitions an hour before the ballgame starts and he’s going to be starting at first base. I think he’s got the right mindset. He’s always ready.”
And when the Diamondbacks recalled first baseman Tyler Locklear on July 17, even his exceptional Triple-A hot streak offered little reason to assume he’d produce at a level he’s never shown success at before.
Carroll reached 55 career triples in just 587 games. By comparison, Marte and Trout each needed more than 1,500 games to reach that same total. The feat further establishes the 25-year-old Diamondbacks outfielder as one of the game’s premier extra-base threats, combining elite contact, speed and power.
Carroll’s pace doesn’t just stand out among active players — it also puts him alongside one of baseball’s greatest legends.
According to Sarah Langs, Carroll is just the second player in MLB history to record at least 55 triples and 85 home runs through his first 587 career games, joining only Lou Gehrig.
The Detroit Tigers ace found himself clearing the air Thursday after a discourse outbreak around his decision to not undergo an MRI last offseason, which could have revealed an issue in his elbow at a more convenient time. Instead, he underwent a novel treatment for loose bodies in May and missed a month and a half.
In comments to The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen published Wednesday, Skubal recalled feeling like “something was wrong” in his pitching elbow in January. He said he chose to ignore the symptoms rather than undergo the MRI.
[Ed. Note] I recognize that the Diamondbacks were never going to be in on the Skubal sweepstakes this offseason, but this makes me glad they aren’t. To risk so much over a one off arbitration hearing? Just wildly irresponsible.
Anyone entering the fountains is subject to immediate arrest, transportation to the police station, and prosecution, according to the Royals’ ballpark rules.
Following the game, Perez asked authorities to show leniency.
“Please, police, just take care of the job please and send him home,” he said. “If I was him, I’d maybe jump too and try to get that ball, so please. And thank you for the hard work in trying to get that ball.”.
Harbinger Sports Partners, the private equity firm backed by the former Dallas Mavericks majority owner, has purchased a minority stake of undisclosed size in the Athletics ahead of their move to Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Mick Akers.
How did Sergio De Larrea go from a relatively unknown Spanish prospect to a standout at the Summer League (SL), providing some of the most exciting highlights of the week?
Toni Canyameras, a journalist covering the NBA for Spanish sports media Mundo Deportivo from Toronto, followed De Larrea closely during SL. He was also able to interview both De Larrea, Mavs SL head coach Joe Boylan and his teammates about the Spanish rookie’s first experience playing in the US.
So I asked Toni Canyameras about his impression of his countryman during SL:
“The way he [Sergio De Larrea] has dominated on the offensive end through his understanding of the game has been really impressive. While we can’t compare the Summer League to the NBA, it was a completely new environment for him on and off the court and he has dictated the pace and the tempo of the possessions with his passing.”
The 20-year-old point guard averaged 10 assists and dished out 14 against the Thunder, which only three other players had accomplished in the SL, Canyameras pointed out.
“His ease in producing alley-oop passes has been incredible, and nobody knew how to stop it, despite it often being the same situation: De Larrea driving to his right to deliver the lob pass.”
This compilation by the Dallas Mavericks social media team provides some great examples of just that. De Larrea’s vision and passing ability, as well as the natural feel he seems to have for the game, stands out.
“A knack and feel” for the game and that it’s “innate”, “something you can’t teach”, as Mavs SL head coach Joe Boylan describes it. We will get back to that later.
De Larrea’s ability to scan and pass before the defender can catch up left defenses scrambling. And Dallas excited.
“The special thing about him is how quickly he sees everything and his fast decision-making,” Canyameras said.
Was Mavs coach Joe Boylan impressed with De Larrea’s passing, as well? To say the least:
“I mean, you saw some of those – he jumped up, looked at the corner, threw it to the wing. Just unbelievable passes,” Boylan told Canyameras.
“He’s [Sergio De Larrea] a guy, who is kinda wise beyond his years. He showed you guys the alley-oop pass and he has some things that you just can’t teach.”
When asked how De Larrea’s lob passing will translate to the NBA and to playing with the Mavericks bigs, Joe Boylan said:
“I think it’s a perfect fit. Everyone talks about how in the NBA it’s bigger, stronger, better athletes. I think that plays into Sergio’s strength. His ability to find guys above the rim… He does a great job of communicating with his teammates of things he wants to see to put them in positions to be successful.”
Being able to interview Sergio De Larrea in his native language, as well as having followed him and other Spanish players in their local leagues previously, gives Toni Canyameras a unique understanding of the Mavs rookie. Was he as mature off the court in SL as he seemed when he played?
“He looks like a humble, mature and very easy-going guy off the court. I feel he is very genuine, like when he is playing basketball. He gave us very honest and insightful answers and never wanted to brag about his passes; he always gave credit to his teammates for catching his lob passes and converting them into assists,” Canyameras said.
“He’s so poised, he’s so composed,” coach Boylan said about De Larrea.
“He was a little down on himself for some of the shots, but we don’t want to judge guys by just the results. We want it to be process oriented, and I think he took a bunch of great shots.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Sergio De Larrea #55 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on July 9, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks clearly had great expectations for their new rookie backup point guard before SL, and he seems to have lived up to all of them.
And so it looks like Sergio De Larrea, affectionately called Larry in Spain – which was immediately adopted by Mavs fans and media alike – could be looking forward to a much bigger role next season than most people expected.
Though more moves could be on the horizon, it was very telling when Dallas traded backup point guard Ryan Nembhard earlier this week. He was part of a three-team trade, sending Nembhard to Atlanta and acquiring former number one pick, Zaccharie Risacher from France. Trading a pg for a wing seems to be a clear signal that the Mavs intend for De Larrea to play a bigger role than most expected.
The trade came right after SL, suggesting that the Mavs wanted to make sure De Larrea was as good as they hoped, before making any moves. And according to Boylan, they have no doubts.
He remained enthusiastic about De Larrea the whole week, offering details of what stood out to him:
“He handled the pick’n’roll. I thought he did a great job at handling a lot of the pressure. Summer League can be really difficult for taller guards, because you get these athletic pressure guards to try to get up under you.”
“Super impressive job. He was facing full court pressure the whole game. You saw he was exhausted… It was just an awesome performance by Sergio,” Boylan told Canyameras after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The story of the Dallas Mavericks’ connection to De Larrea goes back further than most of us realized. He was not a prospect they just stumbled upon.
They had kept an eye on him for a while, according to the 6’7 point guard himself. He emphasized that he wanted to feel ready before making the jump to the best league in the world.
“Dallas had been following me for a while, and I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. But above all, they had confidence in me, and I felt physically and mentally ready to make the leap,” De Larrea told Toni Canyameras.
And Boylan also revealed that the 20-year-old, still riding on the wave of winning the Spanish ACB league championship with Valencia, went straight to work as he came to Dallas.
“He’s got an amazing feel for the game. He was sending me clips last night about how to attack the defense that Memphis runs. He’s a student of the game. He’s studying on film. And then I just think some of it is innate. He has a knack and feel.”
VALENCIA, SPAIN – MAY 13: Sergio de Larrea, #5 of Valencia Basket celebrates at the end of the EuroLeague Play Off Game Five match between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos Aktor Athens at Roig Arena on May 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by JM Casares/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
While De Larrea’s ball-handling had been questioned after the first games, perhaps looking somewhat loose, it improved vastly as the week progressed, Canyameras points out.
“Another thing that stood out to me was how confident he became in his ball-handling as the Summer League went on. I’d say that he still has to put a lot of work into his body but managed to beat high-ball pressure with his skillful handling. He knows very well how to change pace and direction with his crossovers.”
Joe Boylan:
“I agree. He faced full court pressure from NBA caliber guards for 40 minutes and he did a tremendous job of attacking their pressure. I mean, he was really vocal in the timeouts. Really stepped into a leadership role with some of our other guys out. Really, really proud of what he did tonight.”
But what about his SL teammates? What did they think about this youngster straight from the Spanish system and tradition?
“Always looking to create for others before himself,” was the first thing Mavs two-way player and SL teammate John Poulakidas said when asked what it’s been like to play with De Larrea.
“When you got a player like that on the floor it makes basketball a hell of a lot easier for everybody else,” he told Canyameras.
As always, when Europeans make the transfer to the NBA, there’s a lot of rumbling about whether they can handle the physicality and athleticism of the NBA. So I asked Toni Canyameras about his thoughts on this.
“That’s a good question. I think he will gain more ability to drive and break down defenses, attacking one-on-one’s. Due to his ease in making assists, teams might go for more switching to guard him in order to take away time and space for those passes, and in this context he will have to create advantages by attacking bigs on the perimeter.”
Here’s what Joe Boylan said when Canyameras asked him about the next step in De Larrea’s game. This also says a lot about how Dallas is planning on using him next season:
“A lot of teams will be so scared of him playing in pick and roll against coverage that he will face a lot more switching in the regular season, and there will be opportunities for him to create one-on-one and to go and finish at the rim and finish contested layups. I think that’s going to be the next step in his growth, just the ability to go and break down his man, going and finishing contested layups.”
And Boylan later got even more into details about how the Mavs intend to use De Larrea next season:
“He looks like someone who played point guard growing up. His passing, his vision, his IQ … then he hit a growth spurt and that probably allowed him to potentially play multiple positions. And I think the NBA is trending towards having as many point guards on the floor as you can at one time. I think that gives you a lot of flexibility and adaptability, you can play alongside another ball-handler.”
“I think he’ll get opportunities both as a primary and as a secondary guy,” Boylan said.
As the Dallas Mavericks are looking more international than in a long time, the influence of more team-oriented players will show, as well. Another thing to look forward to in the upcoming season.
El entrenador de Dallas Mavericks, Joe Boylan, sobre De Larrea a @mundodeportivo:
“Anoche me enviaba vídeos de cómo atacar la defensa de Memphis. Es un estudiante del juego, su trabajo fue impresionante. Tomó un rol de liderazgo con muchos chicos fuera” #NBApic.twitter.com/Zo2VvRFrKB
🏀 De Larrea y su siguiente paso según el entrenador de Dallas en la Summer League, Joe Boylan:
“Muchos equipos tendrán miedo en el pick and roll y se enfrentará a muchos más cambios. Tendrá más oportunidades de crear 1 vs 1 y finalizar en el aro”#NBApic.twitter.com/Hu5PNzkYl0
🟠 Sergio de Larrea, sobre los motivos para dar el salto ya a la #NBA este año desde el Valencia:
“Dallas llevaba tiempo siguiéndome y he sido fan de pequeño. Pero, sobre todo, que tenían confianza en mí y me sentía física y mentalmente preparado para dar el salto” pic.twitter.com/SrEKomW13F
💬 “Siempre busca crear para otros antes que para sí mismo. Cuando tienes un jugador así en la pista, hace el baloncesto muchísimo más fácil para los demás”
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 10: Max Scherzer #31 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches to strike out Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies for his 3500th career strikeout in the first inning of their MLB game at Rogers Centre on June 10, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The other day the Rochester Red Wings faced the greatest pitcher in Nationals history. Max Scherzer was on a rehab assignment for the Blue Jays and faced the Nats AAA affiliate. I was worried this would be a little sad and the Nats Triple-A lineup would rock the 41 year old. However, I was wrong and Scherzer threw five no-hit innings, striking out seven.
In his six big league starts this year, Mad Max has certainly shown his age. His ERA is over 10, and the future Hall of Famer has looked washed up. However, with the Blue Jays out of the race, the Nats have a chance to take a flier on the greatest pitcher in franchise history. If he looks like he did in that rehab start, he would easily be an upgrade over the likes of Mikolas and Littell.
It is very unlikely to actually happen, but I actually think bringing in Scherzer makes a lot of sense for several reasons. The first one is that it is a cheap flier on a guy who still has some upside. It was only last year when Scherzer gave the Blue Jays extremely valuable innings in the playoffs. He proved that he still had the juice to start a playoff game. For crying out loud, he started game 7 of the World Series last year.
If the Nats do sneak into the playoffs, I would trust Max, even in this state, to be the Nats three starter. He has more upside than Littell, Mikolas and Alvarez. Last year, Scherzer looked over the hill and a complete liability. However, the old dog still had that ability to rise to the occasion. The fastball crept up a couple ticks, the slider was sharper and his command was more pinpoint. Mad Max can’t do it for a full season anymore, but he can tap into those reserves when he needs it.
It would also be a move that would cost you absolutely nothing. Scherzer turns 42 in a few days, and has not been effective this year. Honestly, you could probably acquire him for cash or a player to be named later. At most, you would have to give up an org player who is unlikely to ever reach the big leagues.
Even beyond his performances, I think Scherzer’s presence could help power the team. You cannot deny that he would put butts in seats and make the atmosphere at Nationals Park special. The Nats have not exactly had much of a home field advantage this year. In fact, they actually have the worst home record in all of baseball. I think the buzz that Scherzer would bring could actually be somewhat helpful in improving home performances. It would certainly bring better crowds.
Another reason to bring back Scherzer is for his impact on the clubhouse. Imagine all the things a young power pitcher like Cade Cavalli could learn from one of the greatest power arms of all time. Cavalli probably looked up to Scherzer growing up, and may have even had some conversations with him in 2021 Spring Training. It would be cool to see Scherzer pass his knowledge to the next generation of Nats arms.
He would also provide much needed playoff experience and wisdom to a team that does not have a lot of that. Also, it would likely ensure that Scherzer would go into the Hall of Fame as a National. Seeing the greatest player in franchise history finish his career in DC would be so special.
Max Scherzer reached 100 strikeouts in a season faster than anyone in @MLB history.
This is not going to be one of those trades that would make a lot of sense on Paul Toboni’s model. However, it is something he should keep in the back of his mind. The Nats need a third guy who could start a playoff game. Scherzer may be way past his best, but he has shown very recently that he still has the ability to be effective in a playoff setting.
It is time to finish the story. Let’s bring back the greatest pitcher I have ever seen in this uniform. I am probably just delusional and dreaming after one rehab start. However, I would truly love to see Mad Max take the mound at Nationals Park one last time rocking the Curly W.
Just like with Brown, it will be a while before anyone fully grasps that James is a Sixer. He was an All-Star before rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. existed. At 41 years old, he decided to take his talents to Philadelphia and try to win his fifth NBA championship.
Six or so weeks ago, Gansey held his introductory Sixers press conference. He didn’t speak like an ultra-polished executive who’d faced the media a million times before. His family listened from the first row, Sixers brass from the second.
Gansey declined to detail much about his plans. He seemed perhaps most confident when discussing his time in the Cavaliers’ front office.
“I was there 15 years,” Gansey said. “Worked my way up, intern to GM. I give (president of basketball operations) Koby Altman a lot of credit … and the Gilbert family. They let me do my thing. I had a ton of responsibilities. I think nowadays, when people can be a G League GM, that’s a huge stepping stone in their career. I was able to do that and it helped me when I became assistant GM, and then all the way to GM.
“I did all the day-to-day. I was talking to players, to agents, collaborating with the head coach. … And then obviously dealing with ownership. So I haven’t been the No. 1 guy, but I’ve been right there with Koby and Koby put a lot on my plate. I was very fortunate to be able to work as much as I did. He gave me a ton of responsibility.”
“Man, I don’t like talking about myself,” he said. “I just feel that I can lead. I can lead a group of people.
“There’s going to be alignment throughout the building. I’m going to be very collaborative with the head coach. Me and (Nick Nurse) are going to be attached at the hip. … We’ve got really good players. We’ve got some young players and we’ve got some vets that can really play. I’m just excited to get this thing started, get to know everyone in the building, and just get going.”
James will attract an absurd amount of attention, as he always does. He’s the sort of athlete who transcends sports and invites the circus to town. Anything related to James and the Sixers will be spotlighted, dissected and fiercely debated. As long as James is in the lineup and the Sixers are rolling, Xfinity Mobile Arena will be packed and passionate.
Though he’s unequivocally past his prime, James hasn’t been making All-Star Game after All-Star Game just because of his name. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in his final season with the Lakers. James drilled a heap of well-contested, clutch jumpers in Los Angeles’ Dec. 7 win last year over the Sixers and posted 29 points on 12-for-17 shooting, seven rebounds and six assists. All indications are that James has plenty left in the tank.
He deliberated over many options before landing on the Sixers. Gansey was obviously far from the only factor that mattered to James. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has long admired Tyrese Maxey’s all-world work ethic, positive personality and ever-growing game. He knows Joel Embiid is a former MVP who often looked dominant last season when healthy. James will understand where the Sixers might be flawed and have a clear image of how a title-winning season could transpire.
He’ll talk about it all, the world will react, and opening night will eventually arrive in October.
After Gansey’s star-centric, almost unbelievable summer, James will be wearing a Sixers uniform.
Jul 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Fans cheer during the seventh inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images | Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 04: A general view of a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap on top of a baseball glove during a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 4, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Wins on the lower levels and losses on the higher levels marked the day of baseball in the Dodgers minor league affiliates.
Player of the day
Eduardo Guerrero and Hayden Gilliland both had four-RBI games with a home run, but the difference is that the Loons won their matchup, while Gilliland couldn’t carry the Drillers all the way to the finish line.
Not much of a power bat with a slugging percentage below .400, Guerrero now has five home runs, already an improvement on the three he accumulated in over 100 games across three different levels in 2025.
Triple-A Oklahoma City
The good news is that Kiké Hernández’s rehab is trending in the right direction, with the veteran utility man hitting a home run. The bad news is that the Comets didn’t have much scoring outside of that, losing to the River Cats by a score of 4 to 2.
Kiké Hernández leaves the yard for the first time during his rehab assignment!☄️ pic.twitter.com/PNml74LzA6
These days it is not easy to see a team finish an entire game without recording a walk, but that was what OKC did against the River Cats pitching staff. On the other side, the Comets bullpen game allowed seven free passes and recorded just four strikeouts.
Double-A Tulsa
Needing your catcher and eighth-hole hitter to secure all of your RBI in a game is not the path one normally takes to win a game. Hayden Gilliland did his best with a season-high four RBI—it wasn’t enough, though, with the Travelers winning at home 5 to 4 thanks to an eighth-inning run hit by Hayden Fitz-Gerald.
The top three in the order all went hitless for the Drillers, including an 0-for-5 performance from leadoff hitter Taylor Young. The only one of three to get on base safely was Mike Sirota, earning a walk. Three of Gilliland’s four RBI came on an opposite-field home run in the fourth.
The team effort that was lacking in the Drillers lineup was present for the Loons, with everybody but the ninth-hole hitter recording at least one base hit in an 8-to-5 win. The Eduardo brothers (not actually brothers) ran the show, with both Quintero and Guerrero leaving the yard, the latter of whom was responsible for half of the team’s eight runs driven in.
With starter Tyler Gough off his game, allowing four runs in as many innings, the key pitcher for the Loons was Jacob Frost, tossing four scoreless innings and earning what became his eighth win, lowering his season ERA to 3.11.
Single-A Ontario
It was a push-and-pull game for the Tower Buzzers pitching staff, allowing just three hits and at the same time handing out 10 free passes and seeing their defense commit three errors behind them—all of this wasn’t enough to take the win away from Ontario, fixing many of these problems with the long ball on the offensive side.
Easton Shelton’s terrific form continued with the first baseman hitting a milestone 30th long ball before August rolls around. Kellon Lindsey and Ching-Hsien Ko also left the yard in this game.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 23: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres tags out Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves at second base on a stolen base attempt during the fifth inning at Truist Park on July 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the third time in the four-game series the San Diego Padres lost a one-run game to the Atlanta Braves. The Padres struck first against Braves pitcher Chris Sale with a three-run second inning, but after a four-run fourth inning the Braves held a 5-3 lead and that deficit proved too much to overcome as San Diego dropped the game and the series with a 6-5 loss.
Kyle Hart started the game as an opener for Griffin Canning and recorded three outs against three batters to start the contest. Hart, a left-hander, faced two left-handed hitters and a switch-hitter in Ozzie Albies who batted from the right side. Michael Harris II led off the bottom of the second for the Braves and rather than continuing with the left-on-left matchup, Padres manager Craig Stammen went to Canning, a right-hander, in the second inning. Harris immediately got the home team on the board with a long home run to right field to make the score, 3-1.
Canning got the next three batters out to end the second inning and faced the minimum three batters in the third. He opened the fourth inning allowing a solo home run to Albies to make the score, 3-2 before getting Matt Olson to pop out. Canning allowed a one-out single to Harris and Mauricio Dubon reached on a catcher’s interference, the second one this week on Freddy Fermin, and Canning responded with a strikeout of Austin Riley. Canning was almost out of the inning, but Dominic Smith hit a 1-1 changeup that was left up and out over the plate over the right-field wall and Atlanta took a 5-3 lead.
The Braves tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh when Baldwin golfed a home run out to right field off Matt Waldron, but that proved to be the game-winner. The Padres scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning when Manny Machado singled and Ty France brought him in with a two-run home run to pull San Diego within a run.
The Padres mounted a two-out rally in the ninth inning against Braves closer Raisel Iglesias when Jake Cronenworth and Fernando Tatis Jr. reached on back-to-back singles. Luis Rengifo who has been arguably San Diego’s hottest hitter, stepped in looking for a base hit to tie the game, but struck out on a high fastball on an 0-2 count to end the game.
The Padres are 2-5 after the All-Star break and start a three-game series in Miami against the Marlins today at 4:10 p.m.
Padres News:
The Padres traded reliever Ron Marinaccio, who was designated for assignment earlier this week, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for international bonus pool money.
Padres reliever Adrian Morejon, who is a free agent after this season, could be on the move at the trade deadline.
This total sits at just 7.5, and the Over has a clear path despite Skubal’s presence.
The Tigers have been average overall with a 98 wRC+ over the last week, but their .185 ISO shows some extra-base pop.
Kansas City has also been productive lately, carrying a 107 wRC+ during that same span.
The bigger concern is the relief pitching. Detroit’s bullpen owns a 4.71 xERA over the last week, while K.C.’s bullpen game is the main path to runs.
I'll play this pick up to -125.
Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 36-43, -11.34 units
Over/Under bets: 44-33, +4.80 units
Royals vs Tigers weather
Conditions look excellent at Comerica Park tonight, with clear skies and temperatures sitting in the low-to-mid 70s throughout the game. Winds should stay light around 7-8 mph, and there is no rain risk.
Royals vs Tigers odds
Moneyline: Royals +257 | Tigers -270
Run line: Royals +1.5 (+113) | Tigers -1.5 (-117)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-104) | Under 7.5 (-100)
Royals vs Tigers trend
The Tigers have hit the moneyline in 14 of their last 19 games (+8.45 Units / 33% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. Tigers.
How to watch Royals vs Tigers and game info
Location
Comerica Park, Detroit, MI
Date
Friday, July 24, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
Detroit SportsNet, Royals.TV
Royals starting pitcher
Beck Way (1-0, 3.22 ERA)
Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal (6-5, 2.83 ERA)
Royals vs Tigers 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.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 22: Zach Neto #9 of the Los Angeles Angels runs to first in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 22, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We officially have trade deadline rumors! Is anyone interested in a little Zach Neto action?
As fun as it was to watch Anthony Seigler and Tsung-Che Cheng make surprising contributions during the 15-game win streak, there is no question that the middle infield continues to be a major weak spot on the Red Sox roster. Marcelo Mayer and Trevor Story are making progress on their rehab journeys, and Franklin Arias is now knocking on the door at Worcester, but Zach Neto and his 2.8 bWAR would be a significant upgrade. And, as a right-handed home run hitter who would likely see a Green Monster-induced power boost, he’s a great fit for the lineup.
But Neto is by no means a perfect player. He strikes out a lot, doesn’t walk much, and has consistently graded out as a poor defensive shortstop. He’s unlikely to be the long-term answer at the most important defensive position on the diamond. But he’s just 25-years-old, is under team control through 2030, and his 19 homers would be second on this Red Sox team behind Willson Contreras. Frankly, he looks a lot like a younger, healthier Trevor Story.
Personally, I don’t love Neto’s profile. But he’s a young player who will almost certainly put up 3-5 WAR over the next 3-4 years, which is more than you could reasonably project from Marcelo Mayer at this point. And with Arias almost ready for the bigs, the Sox will have a painless avenue for moving Neto off of shortstop in the very near future. The prospect of a Contreras-Neto-Arias-Durbin infield is tasty.
From that perspective, a package headlined by Mayer makes sense, though the Sox would almost certainly have to sweeten the deal with additional prospects, and we’re talking about top-10 guys here, like Kyson Witherspoon, Anthony Eyanson, and Justin Gonzalez. The Angels might even insist on a big league-ready arm like Connelly Early.
So what would you be willing to ship to LA to land him?
Talk about trades and whatever else you want in this space and, as always, be good to one another.
The slightly favored Pittsburgh Pirates (-120) host the Chicago Cubs in a National League Central Division battle tonight.
The Pirates are rightfully favored with Jared Jones on the bump, but tonight's Cubs vs. Pirates predictions and free MLB picks think the price tag is too short.
Who will win Cubs vs Pirates today: Pittsburgh Pirates (-120)
Jones has averaged more than 12 punchouts per nine innings in three consecutive starts, over which time he allowed two runs.
He is providing the Pirates with ace-caliber pitching right now and that’s not something I want to challenge.
The Pirates continue to hit for power against lefties but their low 5.9% walk rate in July could lead to less traffic on the basepaths when that power arrives, making it more difficult to score in bulk.
The Under is my preferred route, and I would play it to -120.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 62-53, -3.05 units
Over/Under bets: 62-48-5, +5.99 units
Cubs vs Pirates weather
The forecast calls for temperatures in the high 70s with winds blowing inwards. Small boost to the arms.
Cubs vs Pirates odds
Moneyline: Cubs +100 | Pirates -120
Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+160) | Pirates +1.5 (-190)
Over/Under: Over 8.0 (-105) | Under 8.0 (-115)
Cubs vs Pirates trend
Pittsburgh has hit the moneyline in 10 of the last 16 games (+4.80 units, 27% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Pirates.
How to watch Cubs vs Pirates and game info
Location
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Date
Friday, July 24, 2026
First pitch
6:40 p.m. ET
TV
Marquee Sports Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Cubs starting pitcher
Matthew Boyd (6-1, 4.15 ERA)
Pirates starting pitcher
Jared Jones (2-1, 4.05 ERA)
Cubs vs Pirates 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.
The NHL free-agent market is only continuing to decrease as the summer rolls on. On Thursday, Patrick Kane became the latest player off the board, signing a two-year, $8 million AAV contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.
With Kane now signed, it is clear that former Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine is now, without a doubt, one of the best free agents still available for the taking.
Teams looking for scoring help could become more interested in Laine now that a big-name player like Kane is off the board. The only other notable UFA forwards besides Laine at this stage of the off-season are Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, Eeli Tolvanen, and Reilly Smith.
With that, it would not be particularly surprising if Laine can land himself a one-year, prove-it deal in the near future. Although he played just five games last season for the Canadiens, the six-time 30-goal scorer's past success could lead to teams calling. If he bounced back and stayed healthy, he would be a nice pickup for a team that needs more offense and skill.
In 57 games over two seasons with the Canadiens from 2024-25 to 2025-26, Laine posted 20 goals, 14 assists, and 34 points.
Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming to win a third consecutive World Series title [Getty Images]
Defending World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers will launch a summer of live Major League Baseball on the BBC when they meet the New York Mets on Sunday.
The Dodgers lead the National League again in 2026, with last season's Most Valuable Player, Shohei Ohtani, to the fore as they target a third consecutive World Series title.
The struggling Mets are in need of inspiration from star man Juan Soto as they look to turn around a difficult start to the season.
The game sets up a run of 10 consecutive live Sunday night MLB matches on the BBC, including the season finale on September 27 before four post-season games the following week.
The Dodgers' record of 65 wins and 38 defeats means they are likely to win the National League West for the 13th time in 14th years.
Their recent dominance is built around Ohtani, whose achievements are now compared to the greatest players in the history of the game.
His ability to both hit and pitch at the top level consistently - he already has 22 home runs this year and has recorded eight wins as a pitcher - demonstrates a similar skill-set to the legendary two-way player Babe Ruth.
Juan Soto and the New York Mets need a big turnaround late in the season as they sit bottom of the National League East [Getty Images]
Dominican left-fielder Soto became the highest-paid player in baseball history in 2024 when he left the New York Yankees and signed a $765m deal with their bitter cross-city rivals the Mets.
He hit his 250th career home run against the Yankees earlier this season, one of 21 home runs he has delivered in 2026.
Despite Soto's contribution, the Mets narrowly missed out on a post-season berth last year and now sit bottom of the National League East with 43 wins to 60 defeats.
This season, the MLB Bases Covered Live team will again be led by play-by-play announcer Melanie Newman, with former St Louis Cardinals first baseman Xavier Scruggs and Maccabees guitarist Felix White alongside to call the action for seasoned baseball fans and new viewers.
During the 2026 Fifa World Cup, baseball played an unexpectedly large role in the experiences of football fans and players from the UK as they enjoyed memorable outings to ballparks across the US.
After defeating Haiti in their opening game in nearby Foxborough, Scotland's Tartan Army took over Fenway Park in Boston to celebrate while watching the Red Sox take on the Texas Rangers.
England manager Thomas Tuchel threw out the first pitch at Kaufmann Stadium when several members of the England squad watched the Kansas City Royals play the St Louis Cardinals.
Chicago Cubs announcers Len Kasper, left, and Jim Deshaies record a pregame show for WGN-TV before a 2014 game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Although lacking the drama of their historical post season battles, the three game series forthcoming on Chicago’s south side holds heightened significance should the Astros hope to remain relevant this baseball season.
Len Kasper calls games for the White Sox and he joins us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes to preview the weekend ahead.
Q: How personally fulfilling has this season been for you after witnessing the rebuild?
A: Super, super fun for Darrin Jackson and me. I recall a few weeks ago when the Sox were like 31-28 and we had the note that 2 years ago they were 31-109 I had to do a double take. I called all of those games and lived it but it still doesn’t seem real. Having said that, this season has really put all those struggles in the rear view mirror. It doesn’t matter anymore. This team is good and the way they play is FUN and we are living in the moment. They play hard, they slug, they claw from behind, they enjoy each other. There is something really special about this group that is hard to quantify, but when you see it, you acknowledge that it matters. Also, our fans adore this team. They love the winning but they love how this team plays just as much.
Q: How huge has a guy like Sean Newcomb been?
A: I think it’s fair to say he’s been the most valuable pitcher on the roster. He has done a little bit of everything which is where the league is now headed — closers, set-up men, etc. are becoming a thing of the past. Pitchers are just out-getters and in Newcomb’s case, you feel comfortable using him in any situation. What a great under-the-radar addition he’s been. One underrated thing about the bullpen is most of the guys are multi-inning options: Newcomb, Taylor, Hudson, Murphy, Richards, et al.
Q: Not to put it on one guy, but if Sean Burke continues the strong outings, you must feel pretty upbeat about the remaining two months of the season, correct?
A: Burke has pitched like an ace over the last several weeks. The stuff has always been there but it has been about strike-throwing and he is now doing that. One walk in his last 3 starts and a ton of strikeouts. I kinda hate the “this guy is a 1, this guy is a 3” conversation, BUT if we are gonna do that, the Sox have been looking for a “1” and right now, it’s Sean Burke. It’s interesting, they opened for him a few times earlier this season and he always pitched really well in that bulk relief role. But I’m guessing he didn’t love it and the best way to not be in that position is to pitch like he has. I wouldn’t expect an opener to be in play for him again for awhile.
Q: Biggest need at the deadline? Will it be another arm or a combination of things best guess?
A: These are questions for Chris Getz, but I just think the “you can never have enough pitching” cliche applies. I trust he will do everything he can to supplement the current roster while not sacrificing the future.
Q: I’m guessing if things stay the course, there will be some awards handed out on the south side for this unexpected season?
A: If the Sox make the playoffs, they will undoubtedly have the AL Manager of the Year and probably the Executive of the Year. Both would be well deserved. Will Venable has created a great culture here by allowing this group to kind of dictate the vibe. So many managers, even some of the all time greats, loom over all of it and sometimes that can dampen whatever the natural atmosphere might be. And while Will has some things he expects out of his guys and is very clear about those things, he has “stayed out of the way” to a degree in this area and that’s a huge thing here. As a former player, he understands how important it is for the nucleus to set the tone on a daily basis and it has made a very talented team even better. And Getz made a trade for Tristan Peters who came out of nowhere to become an All-Star, and another piece from the Crochet deal, Braden Montgomery, is now the everyday right fielder. Miguel Vargas has had a breakout season. The Murakami signing is looking like one of the best from last winter in the entire league. He has flipped this roster upside down and it’s now super young and on the position player side, one of the best in the entire league.
HARRISBURG, PA - JULY 21: Aroon Escobar #10 of the Reading Fightin Phils prepares to bat in the dugout during the game between the Reading Fightin Phils and the Harrisburg Senators at FNB Field on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kyle Mace/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
We’ve all seen the latest prospect rankings that cast the Phillies farm system in a rather dim light. We all know that they don’t have much in the way of ammunition to acquire upgrades at this upcoming trade deadline.
But that doesn’t mean they won’t be sending any of their prospects out in a deal over the next week and some change. Dave Dombrowski likely won’t be shopping in the Jhoan Duran tier of the market as he did a year ago, but Dombrowski and the Phillies are certain to be heavily involved in the Harrison Bader tier of the market to put it in 2025 terms. They will likely be targeting rentals which of course come with less cost in prospect capital than players with multiple years of control.
It can’t be ruled out that the likes of Gage Wood or Aidan Miller could be moved, but it feels extremely unlikely, especially in Miller’s case due to injury. Once you get into the Ramon Marquez, Dante Nori, and Aroon Escobar tier of the Phillies system though, it’s extremely likely that at least a couple of players will be moved. Again, there’s not much in the way of trade bait for a big fish, but there’s enough to find moderate upgrades if the opportunity cost is weighed correctly. The Phillies have enough glaring holes that even a mid-tier upgrade could go a long way to increasing their win total and therefore their chances at the division title or the postseason in general.
So, who is the Phillies prospect most likely to be moved at the deadline? Does your prediction align with what you would do if you were in charge of the deadline?
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 11: Tyler Wells #68 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 11, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tyler Wells wasn’t supposed to be here. By here, I mean, in the Majors at all, and certainly not taking the mound in the ninth inning with a lead to protect for this Orioles team. But injury luck has a way of rewriting careers, and Wells’s is one of the stranger paths in today’s game.
We can start with how he arrived into the Orioles org. Wells was a selection of the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 2016 draft out of Cal State San Bernardino, #453 overall—this is hardly a pedigree that promises a big-league career. Wells reached Double-A in 2018 with a 2.49 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 119⅓ innings—so far, so good. But then he blew out his elbow, had Tommy John surgery in May 2019, then the pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor league season. That is how Tyler Wells ended up never throwing another competitive pitch for the Twins. Minnesota left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft, and the Orioles snatched him up that December.
The 6-foot-8 prospect seemed a long shot, indeed, with his rebuilt elbow and pedestrian fastball. This is true of Rule 5 picks generally, who have to stick on their new team’s active roster for the entire following season or get offered back to their old club, not to mention pitching fifteenth-rounders. Most don’t make it. Over the 2018 and 2019 drafts combined, only seven of 25 picks (28%) met that bar.
Well, Tyler Wells has beaten those odds by a wide margin: not only did he stick with Baltimore in 2021, he made 44 appearances and pitched to decent numbers: 4.11 ERA, .192 average against and a 0.91 WHIP. This was a 52-win team only, but Wells was already showing his value.
Wells moved into Baltimore’s rotation in 2022, his rise mirroring that of the team—at 83-79, they finished just outside of the playoffs—and in 2023, the Orioles’ fourth best season in team history, Wells emerged as one of the team’s best starters. Well, he had a tale of two halves: through his first 18 starts of 2023, Wells posted a 3.18 ERA and an MLB-best 0.93 WHIP, one of the biggest surprises in the American League. But the innings caught up with him. By late July, Wells had thrown 113⅔ innings, a career high, and it showed: an 11.00 ERA over his next nine innings, three ugly starts in a row, resulted in a demotion to Double-A Bowie.
Wells clawed his way back to Baltimore that fall, finishing the year with eight scoreless outings between the regular season and the playoffs, but questions had been raised about his fragility, despite his undeniable talent. The next few seasons only reinforced that reputation. Elbow inflammation sent Wells to the injured list again in 2024, and after only three starts it was announced he’d have to right elbow UCL surgery. He’d make just four starts in 2025.
Heading into 2026, nobody was quite sure where, or how much, Tyler Wells would pitch. President of baseball operations Mike Elias had said back in the fall that the plan was for Wells to start, but with Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, Chris Bassitt, Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer fighting for rotation spots, Wells was far from a lock. And in the end, the big righty opened the season in the bullpen as Baltimore’s top right-handed setup man in front of new closer Ryan Helsley.
In some ways, 2026 was already a success for Wells before the whole closer thing began. Between March 26, his season debut, and July 1, Wells made 30 appearances—he was finally healthy! And, even more happy news, he was good! Wells pitched to a 3.18 ERA in 39.2 innings as a setup man, making the majority of his appearances in the sixth or seventh innings. Then a “break” of sorts: in early July, Helsley felt discomfort warming up against the White Sox and landed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. Thankfully, the veteran righty managed to avoid structural UCL damage, but Wells got the call anyway.
Wells has more than delivered in his new high-leverage role: in nine games, he has a 1.93 ERA, and just one run allowed in his last five appearances. He was scoreless in six of seven outings that month. Manager Craig Albernaz has stopped short of naming him the permanent closer, noting that Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano remain in the mix and that “everything is on the table.” But for now, the job is Wells’s to lose.
It is a strange but fitting turn for a pitcher whose entire career has been defined by other people’s plans falling apart around him. Perhaps more than ever, it’s a triumph that Wells has been healthy. Wells is a setup man promoted by his closer’s bad elbow: Baltimore never drew this plan up. But this season he’s been there when his team needs him.
COVERS INTEL: Skubal owns a 
