The Seattle Mariners (53-56) and Los Angeles Dodgers (68-40) wrap up their three-game series tonight at Dodger Stadium with the series tied at one game apiece.
The Dodgers evened the series last night with a 4-2 victory behind a dominant effort from left-hander Eric Lauer. The southpaw delivered one of his best starts of the season, allowing just one hit over six scoreless innings while striking out four and walking one. The Mariners managed only a third-inning single by Cole Young against him, and Lauer retired the leadoff hitter in every inning he worked.
Fun Fact: The Dodgers have won all eight of Lauer's starts since acquiring him from Toronto in mid-May.
The Dodgers opened the scoring courtesy of an Andy Pages solo homer in the first inning. Los Angeles continued to pressure Mariners’ starter Emerson Hancock, scoring again in the third when Freddie Freeman reached on an infield hit that brought home Shohei Ohtani. Pages added another RBI in the fourth, and Ohtani capped the Dodgers' scoring with a two-out RBI double in the sixth inning. Seattle mounted a late rally. Weston Wilson scored on a Cole Young RBI single in the eighth, and Josh Naylor doubled home Dominic Canzone in the ninth. The tying run reached base against returning closer Edwin Díaz, but Díaz closed the door for his fifth save after missing 85 games due to arm surgery. Pages finished 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, while Ohtani went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Veteran Bryce Miller (4-5, 2.75 ERA) takes the ball today for Seattle. That sparkling ERA was a bit shinier before Miller’s last start. Last Friday on the road against the Rangers, the right-hander gave up five runs on six hits over just 5.1 innings in a 5-4 loss. The Dodgers counter with Roki Sasaki (4-5, 4.71 ERA). The right-hander has been lights out his last two starts allowing one earned run while striking out 14 over 12.2 innings. The Dodgers have won each of his last four starts.
Lets dive further into today’s game and find a sweat or two.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Mariners vs. Dodgers
Date: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 10:10PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Mariners.TV, Sportsnet Los Angeles
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The Latest Odds: Mariners vs. Dodgers
The latest odds as of Thursday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Seattle Mariners (-157), Los Angeles Dodgers (-157)
Spread: Mariners +1.5 (-162), Dodgers -1.5 (+134)
Total: 8.5 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Mariners vs. Dodgers for July 30
Mariners: Bryce Miller Season Totals: 68.2 IP, 4-5, 2.75 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 71K, 11 BB
Freddie Freeman is enjoying an 8-game hitting streak (16-33)
Shohei Ohtani is 8-20 over his last 4 games
Max Muncy is 15-68 (.221) in July
Bryce Miller has allowed 11 earned runs in 16 innings over his last 3 starts
Julio Rodriguez has hit safely in 8 of his last 10 games (9-37)
Josh Naylor is 6-17 over his last 5 games
Naylor has not homered since June 12 (37 games)
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Top Betting Trends & Insights: Mariners vs. Dodgers
The Mariners are 42-67 on the Run Line this season
The Dodgers are 48-60 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 54 times in Seattle’s 109 games this season (54-49-6)
The OVER has cashed 50 times in LA’s 108 games this season (50-57-1)
Expert picks & predictions: Mariners vs. Dodgers
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s game between the Mariners and the Dodgers:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Dodgers on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 8.5
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Part of the speculation about LeBron James' next team — before he ended up choosing the Philadelphia 76ers — was about which landing spot best told a story that he could put into the documentary he was having made about his next (and potentially final) season.
That documentary is happening, with LeBron and ESPN close to a deal on a serialized documentary about the season — kind of in the "Last Dance" style — reports Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
LeBron James and ESPN are closing in on an agreement for a behind-the-scenes documentary series that will be similar to Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance," according to industry sources granted anonymity as they were not authorized to talk about the deal that is not finalized.
One of the sources described the talks as being at the "1-yard line," with the expectation that James, 41, will have a camera crew documenting his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, who James signed with this month.
There is no released timeline for when this would air, although it likely would have some lag time rather than be a "Hard Knocks"- style situation where episodes are finished less than a week after being filmed. The financial terms of the deal also remain unknown.
LeBron's jump to Philadelphia — a team that also added Jalen Brown this offseason and has to be considered one of the top contenders in the East — has drawn tremendous interest from fans. As evidence, Fanatics announced that LeBron's No. 23 76ers jersey has become the best-selling jersey for any player in any sport during the first 48 hours after their announcement, beating out the record set by Shohei Ohtani when he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers.
LeBron's plans to make a documentary about his next season — his record 24th in the NBA — are well known, with his production company heading it up. The documentary makers would have special access to him and the 76ers during the season, and also would use historic footage from LeBron's well-documented career.
ESPN had great success with The Last Dance, the documentary done with and about Michael Jordan during his final season and championship with the Bulls, which dropped during the pandemic, when people were home and starved for fresh content. ESPN can only hope LeBron would draw similar ratings and interest.
Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin is going to meet with Quinn Hughes about a potential contract extension this week. If they come to the conclusion that he is going to stick with his original plan of joining his brothers on the New Jersey Devils, a trade could happen.
A roster player or two, along with high-end draft picks, could go the other way in a deal for the eldest Hughes, but prospects are likely to be a part of the package as well.
If the Devils were to get Quinn a year ahead of schedule by making a trade with the Wild, one or more of these 3 prospects are likely to be on the move:
Mikhail Yegorov
The New Jersey Devils do not have a long-term plan in goal outside of Mikhail Yegorov. Trading him must land them an elite player, like Quinn Hughes. Otherwise, they should keep him in the system.
The Minnesota Wild are pretty set in the goal crease with Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson. With that said, Gustavsson had surgery and will miss the start of the season, but the Wild plan to have this tandem in place for a while.
If they were to acquire Yegorov, however, they may change things up. They could use one of their two mainstays as trade bait for assets in other areas. Yegorov has the talent to be a starting goalie in the NHL; he just has further development to accomplish.
Anton Silayev
Anton Silayev is a good prospect. However, it was a strange pick when the Devils made it in 2024 with the 10th overall pick. They should have selected Zeev Buium, but the Wild traded up to get him and then used him to acquire Quinn Hughes from the Canucks.
Buium may or may not have been used in the same trade if the Devils drafted him instead of Silayev, but it was a bad drafting decision.
Still, Silayev has value as a young prospect trying to make it in the NHL. For the Wild, trying to recoup a high-ceiling defenseman out of another trade involving Quinn Hughes makes perfect sense from an organizational perspective.
Alexander Command
The New Jersey Devils selected Alexander Command in the first round (12th overall) of the 2026 NHL Draft, and they are high on him. His ceiling as a great two-way forward in the NHL makes him an intriguing prospect, but you have to give good players to get good players in a trade.
For the Wild, they are not very deep down the middle of the ice within their organization. If Alexander reached his potential as a center, the Wild would love to add him. Giving up on a high-end prospect so early in his development is never easy, but it's the price of doing business.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 12: Kevin Alvarez #17 of the Houston Astros on the American League Team looks on in the seventh inning during the 2026 MLB Futures Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty 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 (53-50) won 7-5 (BOX SCORE)
Sugar Land got on the board in the first inning on a Whitcomb 3 run home run. McPherson got the start for Sugar Land but struggled allowing 4 runs over 3.1 innings. Sugar Land took the lead in the 4th inning on a Sacco solo home run and Ferreras RBI single. After the Bees tied it in the 6th, Sugar Land took the lead again in the 7th scoring 2 runs on a Meyers 2 run double. The pen closed it out with scoreless innings down the stretch as Sugar Land won 7-5.
Kai-Wei Teng, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Christian Roa, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K (WIN)
Alimber Santa, RHP: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (SAVE)
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (45-53) lost 13-12 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the first inning on Sisneros and Whitaker RBI singles. Hertzler got the start and went 3 innings allowing 1 run. Santos allowed a run in the 4th inning but the Hooks got 2 runs in the 5th on an Austin 2 run home run. The pen struggled in the 6th allowing 9 runs as Frisco opened up a big lead. The Hooks rallied in the 9th scoring 8 runs on 8 hits but the comeback fell short with a man on second as the Hooks fell 13-12.
Cole Hertzler, RHP: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Alex Santos, RHP: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Jose Guedez, RHP: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Jack Dashwood, LHP: 1.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Ramsey David, RHP: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (33-63) lost 13-1 (BOX SCORE)
Santos started for Asheville but struggled allowing 4 runs retiring just 2 batters. He was relieved by Ogando who allowed 2 runs over 2 innings. The offense got on the board in the 3rd inning on a Thomas solo home run. The pen continued to struggled with Steinbaugh allowing 6 runs as the Drive extended their lead. The offense was quiet the rest of the way as Asheville fell 13-1.
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (49-47) won 5-4 (BOX SCORE)
Forcucci started for the Woodpeckers but struggled allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, over 1.2 innings. The Woodpeckers got on the board in the first inning on an Alvarez RBI single. In the 4th, Sierra connected on a 2 run home run to cut into the lead. In the bottom of the 6th, Alvarez hit a solo home run to tie the game. Verdugo pitched in relief and pitched well tossing 6 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. In the bottom of the 9th, the Woodpeckers won on a walk-off walk to Diaz.
Note: Alvarez is hitting .330 over his last 27 games.
According to ESPN.com, the probe could last well into 2027 if there is no agreement on what the investigation ultimately finds and whether any punishment could be forthcoming as a result.
That could be an issue for the Clippers and Leonard, as a proposed trade to the Toronto Raptors is on hold. The deal would have sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and draft pick swaps to Los Angeles for Leonard, who won a championship with the Raptors in 2019.
“The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors said in a statement. “In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”
The investigation originally centered on reporting by journalist Pablo Torre, who looked into whether a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC broke NBA rules.
Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg pleaded guilty in October 2025 to two counts of wire fraud for what the Department of Justice said was a "multi-year scheme involving fake clients, sham payments, and deceptive loan collateral that caused at least $248 million in losses to numerous victims."
Leonard is possibly involved in a new scandal after a new investigation conducted by Torre, WPRI-TV Target 12, a television station based in Providence, Rhode Island, and investigative news outlet Hunterbrook.
According to the report, Leonard, his uncle Dennis Robertson, and his former agent Mitch Frankel were minority investors in Rhode Island FC and its stadium project.
The project, located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, became Centreville Bank Stadium, a 10,500-seat facility on the Seekonk River, which received $110 million in public funds to help with construction costs. That plan included the development of new affordable housing, shops and restaurants around the stadium.
Not a single housing unit has been built so far since ground was broken in 2022 for the stadium and the other projects, although city officials said last month that they secured $30 million in investments through loans. Construction on the project is slated to start later this year and is expected to last three to four years.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rangers shortstop Corey Seager took a big step toward returning to the lineup and helping Texas in the American League West.
Seager hit a home run and made a strong play in the field in the first game of a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco. The 32-year-old went 0 for 3 before being lifted in the sixth inning in his second game with Frisco as recovers from lower back inflammation that has kept him out since July 1.
The Rangers hold a one-game lead over the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West.
Seager finished 1-for-2 with a walk and Texas manager Skip Schumaker was encouraged by the reports he received.
“The report was he came out of the game healthy and ready to go play again (Wednesday),’’ Schumaker said. “That part was good. He had a really good play in the hole. Nothing running, really good at the plate, hit the ball. Kind of everything checks. That’s exactly what we wanted to see.’’
No decision has been made as to when Seager might be ready to return to the Texas lineup, although Friday in Houston might be the earliest target date if all goes well Wednesday night.
“He’ll get back-to-back (games) and likely a day off (Thursday) then we’ll see where he’s at,’’ Schumaker said.
Seager has been limited to 51 games this season. He was placed on the seven-day IL on June 15 with a concussion and missed 12 games before dealing with back inflammation on May 15 that kept him out for 19 games. Seager’s latest stint on the IL has kept him out for 22 games, including Wednesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Schumaker said the decision on when to return will ultimately be up to Seager.
“The player dictates a lot,’’ Schumaker said. “He wanted a couple games, I think, because he missed so much time. The recommendation is what we give and then the player decides how much he needs. Position players (need) maybe one of those simulated games, and then go to a rehab assignment, and it’s one or two games, then kind of you’re ready to roll. We’ve kind of had that discussion. He felt he needed a couple days, back-to-back games. We’ll see where he’s at.’’
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 24: Hogan Harris #36 of the Athletics pitches during the game between the Athletics and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning A’s fans!
The trade deadline is nearly upon us and with the Athletics where they are in the standings it’s time for them to begin getting rid of anything not nailed down. That means it’s time to start saying our likely goodbyes to guys like Jeff McNeil and Jeffrey Springs, two veterans on expiring contracts. Neither of whom are going to be on the next A’s playoff team and it’s time for the A’s to make room for younger players who could be on the next playoff squad.
After those two veterans though there’s not much in the way of rental players for the Athletics to offer on the trade market. New starting catcher Jonah Heim could be of interest to catchy-needy teams and there’s a larger than usual number of contenders seeking help behind the plate this year. Considering he’s also a free agent at season’s end it makes sense to trade him, but then that saddles the club with Brian Serven as the starter for the final two months of the year. Heim’s glove alone could be worth more to the Athletics’ young pitchers over the final two months than a small-time prospect in the lower minors.
It’d be a major shock to see any other position players traded by the A’s this deadline season but there could be more action in regards to what little pitching we do have. Lefty Jose Suarez has been a solid option for Mark Kotsay over the past couple months after starting the year in Atlanta. He’s got a tough 4.63 ERA on the year but a much more respectable 3.79 mark in 29 games with the A’s. More importantly, the 28-year-old is controlled for one more year after this season wraps up. That should boost the prospect cost to acquire his services.
The other two bullpen arms other teams might be considering are Hogan Harris and Luis Medina, who are both now into the arbitration years and getting raises this offseason. Medina, once considered a building block for the starting rotation, has settled into a bullpen role this year and adapted well to the new spot on the team. His 3.70 ERA is the second-best mark in the A’s bullpen and he’s also under contract for three more years. That extra team control gives the A’s options in regards to the right-hander. If a team wants his services they’ll need to pay a decent package for the three-plus years they’ll have him.
The left-handed Harris has been often mentioned by other fans and pundits as a dark-horse trade candidate and it’s easy to see why. Like Medina, outside of a tough June the 29-year-old has been one of the few consistent arms for Kotsay out of the ‘pen. His 61 appearances are the fourth-most in the American League and his nine saves leads the team. He’s a lefty but he’s actually been more effective against right-handed hitters this year. And, again like Medina, he’s got lots of club control after this year so teams will need to pay up.
The squad will be finding out soon enough how far the A’s go this deadline season, but all indications are we shouldn’t expect any massive swaps. First pitch is at 6:40 again tonight. Until then, have a great day everyone.
Lawrence Butler just shared on @AthleticsCast24 that he called a players-only meeting prior to yesterday's game against Boston, and that he and several teammates spoke.
The A's went on to beat the Red Sox by a 4-3 score and snapped a four-game losing streak.#Athletics
(Original Caption) 10/1/1956- New York, NY - Yankee Manager Casey Stengel proudly presents the apple of his eye, his switch-hitting majesty Mickey Mantle, complete with crown and three "sceptres" representing the triple crown of the Major Leagues. Mantle is the top man on the batting totem pole with .353 batting average, 52 home runs and 130 runs batted in. Photograph by Bob Gilman.
I had the pleasure of writing one of these birthday profiles for legendary Yankees manager and the head honcho for the late 90s dynasty, Joe Torre. There aren’t many who can match Torre’s managerial career, and even fewer can live up to what he did as a player in the major leagues. Now, we get the opportunity to do remember the man who inspired Torre, beginning his career with the men in pinstripes nine years after Torre’s birth in Brooklyn.
Charles Dillon “Casey” Stengel Born: July 30, 1890 (Kansas City, MO) Died: September 29, 1975 (Glendale, CA) Yankees Tenure: 1949-1960
Charles Dillon Stengel was born a Midwest kid in the late 1800s, where he would go to sandlots around his home turf and play baseball with his friends and anyone who wanted a game. By the time he was 20, his time playing in the sandlot was gone, but his dream for Major League Baseball remained after a few years in the semi-pro ranks. Thanks to the Kansas City Blues of the American Association, he began his professional baseball journey.
Stengel began his time as a pitcher, but when he made it to Double-A, his pitching skills were not up to par. So, he was moved to the outfield, where he still needed some work to be done. Kansas City optioned Stengel to the Class C team in Kankakee, Illinois, where he batted .251. Around this time, he did consider other options and even began school to become a dentist. Fortunately for the sport, those dalliances didn’t pan out.
The young Stengel was in the minors for three seasons before he began his major league career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1912. He played 17 games with a slash line of .316/.466/.386 playing center field. He made his debut on September 17, 1912 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he went 4-for-4 with two RBI’s and two stolen bases. He would play with the Dodgers from 1912 to 1917 (with Ebbets Field opening in 1913), amassing 676 games played with a slash line of .272/.346/.393 for an OPS+ of 119 — so well above average for the era. Brooklyn was the organization that Stengel played the most with, so, naturally, he gathered his most walks, RBI’s, stolen bases, and more there as well.
Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Stengel with Brooklyn. In 1915, at the age of just 24, he dealt with illness as early as spring training, showing up 20 pounds weaker than he was the previous year. And as a result of the illness, which was addressed as venereal disease (after the thought was typhoid fever), he had the worst full season of his playing career. He was also consistently stuck in contract disputes with Charles Ebbets, co-owner of the Dodgers, despite teammate Chief Meyers in the book The Glory of Their Times saying his play was key to the Dodgers’ 1916 pennant win prior to their World Series loss to the Boston Red Sox — and 21-year-old pitcher Babe Ruth.
Stengel was traded to the Pirates after another contract holdout with Dodgers ownership and played for Pittsburgh in the 1918 and 1919 seasons, but he seemed to have little interest in playing for the club. In his first year, he only played in 39 games while working and running Brooklyn Navy Yard’s baseball team. After another contract dispute and a bit of antics from Stengel on the field in 1919 involving a sparrow that was released from his cap when he tipped it after the crowd booed him, Bucs ownership had had enough, and he was moved to Philadelphia.
After one season in 1920 with the Phillies, he was moved again in 1921 to the New York Giants, where he finished that season and played two more, winning back-to-back Fall Classics in two all-Polo Grounds series against a Yankees team that now starred Ruth. He also faced his future club in a third in 1923, memorably hitting an inside-the-park homer in the ninth inning of Game 1 to key a Giants victory during the very first World Series game at the original Yankee Stadium. Another Stengel homer in a 1-0 win in Game 3 put the Giants ahead in the series 2-1, but Ruth’s Yankees rallied for three-straight victories to secure their first championship.
Following a two-season stint in the Boston Braves organization, Stengel hung up the playing spikes, after he was hitting only .077 and was sent to Worcester as player-manager and president for their minor-league squad. He played in 100 games, batted .320, and led the team from last place to third. His legendary managerial career began when an opportunity to take over as manager of the Toledo Mud Hens came out of the woodwork; Stengel released himself as a player, since he was player-manager, and then, as president, he fired himself as manager.
Stengel was manager of the Mud Hens for six seasons, and in 1931 he was hired as a first base coach for the Dodgers by former Pittsburgh teammate Max Carey. The former Dodger had a reputation that preceded him, which gave managers a reason not to hire him for any job, but Carey’s call to allow Stengel into the fold ended his absence from MLB and set him on the road to new heights as a manager. After Carey would not respond to a jab at the Dodgers in the press, he was fired, and Stengel took over for the first time as a manager of a major league ball club. He managed until 1936 and was fired due to poor team performance and not getting enough out of the talent he had at his disposal. After sitting out entirely in 1937, the owner of the Braves, Bob Quinn, offered Stengel the manager chair in his organization, and he took it.
From 1938 to 1943 — Stengel’s tenure at the helm — the team never finished in the top half of MLB and finished seventh four straight years between 1939 and 1942. And while he did see some excellent names come across his lineup card (including Warren Spahn, whom Stengel eventually sent down because he viewed him as not having any “heart”), the progress wasn’t nearly enough to constitute a longer tenure. So, Casey was fired.
Stengel returned to the minors for another four seasons, not sure if or when his major league managing career would ever restart. But after enough work to win Minor League Manager of the Year with the powerhouse Pacific Coast League’s Oakland Oaks, he was finally hired as the manager of the Yankees (eventually bringing along one of his favorite Oaks players, a firestarter named Billy Martin).
Yankees brass were not keen on bringing Stengel in at first. While he had his name tossed around in conversations years before his hiring, those who had a stake in the club knew of Stengel’s reputation and didn’t feel like it was worth pursuing. Like Torre decades later, Casey was also perceived as someone who had never won much of anything as a manager and was undeserving to manage this already-prestigious franchise led by Joe DiMaggio. However, after those who opposed his hiring were either fired or sold their stake, there was no way to block the move.
While Stengel tried to keep a low profile, it was almost impossible for the newest Yankees bench boss. It was hard for Stengel at first to fit in, but he did after a while. Early in his first season, he criticized players heavily, including in one players-only meeting held after a doubleheader loss to Philadelphia. Still, he also made sure to tell them that he knew everything was going to work. He believed they could win. And after DiMaggio returned from injury, that’s exactly what they did.
The Yankees of 1949 finished the season with a plethora of injuries plaguing them, but also a 97-57 record, good enough for the American League pennant and a chance to win a World Series. But it came against Stengel’s former team, the Dodgers, just as it would through most of Stengel’s time as manager. And after five games, the last three of which the Yankees won despite some antics from Stengel in Game 4 that got him reprimanded by the commissioner, Happy Chandler, he won his first championship as a manager — again like Torre in his first year.
In wake of his championship in 1949, Stengel went back to being the man who earned himself the reputation that preceded him: talkative, forceful, brash, you name the adjective, and he was probably that. He knew the job he still had to do, but when you win it all, you have a bit more leeway to do as you see fit. He and DiMaggio had their battles, especially with the Yankee Clipper being in the back end of his career, but Stengel also did an excellent job with the younger players. Names like the already-ascendant Yogi Berra, lefty Eddie Ford (soon to be famous as Whitey), the versatile Gil McDougald, the aforementioned Martin, and others came to the forefront, and Stengel found a player before the 1951 season who could take the franchise’s reins: 19-year-old Mickey Mantle.
The 1950 and 1951 Yankees finished with the same record (98-56), and both came out of the season as world champions, both against two of Stengel’s old teams, the Phillies and Giants. Three seasons, three championships for Stengel as manager of the Bombers, and it had only just begun.
DiMaggio retired from baseball in 1951, and the Yankees continued their reign as kings of Major League Baseball, defeating the Jackie Robinson-led 1952 Dodgers in seven games. The Yankees won another World Series in 1953 against Brooklyn with Martin walking it off in the Game 6 clincher, making that five championships in a row for the Stengel-led pinstriped men. And he felt the love, as the charismatic man dubbed “the Ol’ Perfesser” grew to become a national figurehead not just for the franchise but for baseball as well.
The 1954 campaign was the first that Stengel’s Yankees fell short, though oddly enough, their 103-51 mark was the best of Casey’s time with the Yankees but still eight fewer wins than Cleveland. They quickly bounced back in 1955 with a record of 96-58 and another pennant win. They lost to the Dodgers in the World Series in seven games, but from there, it flip-flopped, with the Yankees winning the World Series over Brooklyn in 1956 (keyed by Stengel’s gutsy call to start Don Larsen in Game 5 mere days after he was dreadful in Game 2), only the pennant in 1957, and a seventh title in 1958, avenging the previous year’s loss to the Milwaukee Braves. Over that period, there were issues within the organization and how Stengel managed the players off the field, with rumors leading to a media circus when players stayed out too late or even were involved in a brawl at the Copacabana nightclub — leading to Martin’s ouster. But as long as they were winning, Stengel did not mind one bit.
By the time he won his seventh World Series as manager, Stengel was 67 years old and was seen falling asleep in the dugout. According to his players, he had also grown significantly more irritable. He needed a new contract and was visibly wearing down. Still, management decided to keep him involved anyway because of that 1958 triumph, even though his contract was set to expire.
Casey was given another two-year deal set to expire in 1960. A 79-75 record and distant third-place finish in 1959 was a clear example of the problems within the Yankees dugout. Despite winning his 10th pennant in 1960, the decision to not renew Stengel as Yankees manager had effectively been made, and it was only secured by strange decisions during that last Fall Classic. Stengel’s ace, Ford, was incensed that his skipper refused to start him in Game 1 against Pittsburgh, which Art Ditmar lost, 4-2. It was a strange series, as the Yankees outscored the Pirates by more than any team in World Series history across seven games, but New York lost three close games along the way to force a Game 7 — which Ford could not start because he wasn’t used until Games 3 and 6 (blowout wins).
Bill Mazeroski’s series-winning homer off Ralph Terry was the last moment of Stengel’s Yankees career. Overall, he finished with a 1149-696 record with the Yankees, along with seven World Series championships and 10 AL pennants. Stengel went on to manage the New York Mets from 1962 to 1965, where he finished with a record of 175-404 for the expansion club that was still finding their identity — though he remained a beloved figure in the media for everything he did to stir up interest in his otherwise-subpar Metsies.
While he was a brash character both during his playing days and during his time as a manager, Stengel will always be remembered for the effect he had on his players and his leadership during the best years in Yankees history. He was blessed with great players, but some of the best seasons in MLB history came under his tenure. For that, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966 alongside legendary Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams.
Stengel helped build and foster some of the best teams and players the game will ever know, making his mark permanently on the sport’s history. His No. 37 was retired in 1970, allowing him one more moment in the Bronx sun prior to his passing five years later at age-85.
Happy birthday, Casey!
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
To keep this feature going, I’m going to post simply the WPA numbers and plays of the game, and a poll so you can vote on your choice for Player of the Game. Thomas will update the Rizzo Award standings when he returns.
Game 108, July 29: Cardinals 3, Cubs 2 (61-47)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Matthew Boyd (.438). 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K
Hero: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.302), 1-5, HR
Sidekick: Caleb Thielbar (.135). 1 IP, 2 K
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Trent Thornton (-.806). 0.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER)
Goat: Dansby Swanson (-.259). 0-4, R
Kid: Ian Happ (-.136). 0-4, 2 K
I’ll let Thomas weigh in when he returns from vacation, but I’d guess that -.806 WPA score for Thornton is not only the worst of the year for a Cub, but one of the worst in the history of our Heroes and Goats feature.
WPA Play of the Game: Ivan Herrera’s game-winning two-run double in the 10th (.670).
Cubs Play of the Game: PCA’s two-run homer in the top of the 10th (.415).
The two plays above were the top two WPA plays of the entire game.
Up next: The series finale, with Javier Assad facing Andre Pallante. The Cubs still have a chance to win the series.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 12: Theo Gillen #14 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during batting practice prior to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game Presented by Nike at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
As the Tampa Bay Rays sit in a strong position in the American League standings in late July 2026, the organization faces a familiar but critical decision point.
With the trade deadline set for August 3, speculation has intensified around potential moves to bolster the major league roster. Yet, recent reporting from Ken Rosenthal underscores a compelling reason for caution: the Rays’ exceptionally deep farm system, headlined by top prospect Theo Gillen, represents a foundation that should not and cannot be compromised lightly.
Theo Gillen, the Rays’ No. 1 prospect and a top-10 talent across Major League Baseball, has delivered a breakout 2026 campaign. The 20-year-old outfielder has excelled at Double-A Montgomery, showcasing plus power from both sides of the plate, speed, and a polished approach that has produced multi-home run games and extended hitting streaks. Ranked as high as No. 9 overall by MLB Pipeline, Gillen embodies everything a seller would want at the trade deadline: high-upside and a controllable timeline.
Theo Gillen logs his third multihomer outing of the season 💪
Accordingly, Gillen is also the type of player the Rays need — unless the new owners want to drop top dollar on expensive veterans alongside a new ballpark — to have sustained competitiveness over the coming years.
The Rule 5 Imperative
Compounding the value of retaining top-end talent is the impending Rule 5 Draft. With a dozen or so quality players from the Rays’ organization eligible next offseason, Erik Neander and the front office must weigh the risk of losing developed depth against any short-term gains from trades. If you’ve been reading the site over the last month, this is nothing new, as Ben Whitelaw has been mapping such prospects into proposed trades in his articles over the last few weeks with a similar reminder.
R5 eligible Rays who are Top 30 prospects:
Brody Hopkins (No. 5) Michael Forret (No. 8) Ty Johnson (No. 10) Santiago Suarez (No. 13) Xavier Isaac (No. 16) Brayden Taylor (No. 17) TJ Nichols (No. 19) Gary Gill Hill (No. 26) Jackson Baumeister (No. 28) Tre' Morgan (No. 29) Homer…
Protecting these assets typically means prioritizing additions to the 40-man roster or strategic retention over aggressive selling of future value. In a market where the Rays are positioned more as buyers than sellers given their playoff odds, the calculus favors measured moves that supplement the current roster without mortgaging the years ahead.
Said more plainly: if the Rays are going to make a move, these are the players they need to prioritize in their trade discussions.
The Goodman Inquiry and Setting Boundaries
Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic reported the most recent Rays rumor when discussing the potential availability of breakout young catcher Hunter Goodman in Colorado:
How badly do you want him?
The staring contest between the Rockies and teams seeking to trade for Goodman is on.
Three AL East clubs — the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees — are among the teams expressing varying interest in Goodman, according to people briefed on the Rockies’ conversations but granted anonymity to speak freely. The Rockies, however, face no urgency to move Goodman, who is under club control for three additional seasons. So, they’re asking for multi-player packages led by teams’ No. 1 prospects — outfielder Theo Gillen from the Rays, Franklin Arias from the Red Sox and so on.
This highlights the problematic market dynamics at play. The Rockies, seeking a substantial return for Goodman, have reportedly inquired about Gillen as the centerpiece of any package from the Rays. Goodman, as a productive power bat at home and on the road with years of control remaining, understandably appeals to contending clubs. However, the Rockies’ high asking price—centered on a top prospect—aligns with their lack of urgency to move a player under club control through 2029 and the realities of a sellers market.
For the Rays, this inquiry should serve as a firm boundary. Asking for Gillen can — and should — slam the door shut on any trade negotiations.
Trading Gillen, even in a package for an established major leaguer, would represent a significant departure from the model that has sustained contention. While the Rays have demonstrated willingness to move prospects in the past when they feel the return justifies the cost, both team history — typically waiting until the offseason for such moves when leverage is neutral — and the current depth and Rule 5 considerations tilt strongly toward preservation.
A Sustainable Path Forward
Rays fans understand the franchise’s philosophy around trades is rooted in avoiding the boom-and-bust cycles that plague other markets. The current farm system offers an opportunity to extend the team’s success.
As the August 3 deadline approaches, the expectation is that Neander and company will have explored upgrades, but also while remaining disciplined. The goal remains building a roster capable of not only reaching the postseason this year, but one that ensures relevance for years to come.
Let me finish by acknowledging the devil (rays)’s advocate: Is there a scenario where the Rays could move the likes of Gillen? Yes, of course! But such a deal would be unreasonable, and thus the return must also be one you might consider unreasonable. It would need to be a Godfather offer, one you cannot refuse. There are players that could fit that bill: shortstops Bobby Witt Jr. or Konnor Griffin come to mind. But it’s hard to imagine either being for sale, and even typing it out feels foolish.
It’s not all doom and gloom. Perhaps the Rays will still add a player here or there before August 3rd, a backup catcher and/or a reliever, but at this point I’d rather promote Brayden Taylor to the majors to give him a whirl at second base than trade him alongside Brody Hopkins for the likes of JJ Bleday.
Tampa Bay’s strength has always been foresight. In this moment, it might mean recognizing that the best deals are sometimes the ones not made — especially when they involve the future stars who will define the next era of Rays baseball.
Jul 25, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Robby Ahlstrom (54) delivers a pitch to the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Morning, all!
The Rangers addressed two needs last night after a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay, sending prospect Angel Arredondo to Anaheim for reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
O’Hoppe will be headed to Round Rock, as he has seen a dramatic decline in his offensive production over the last year and the Rangers are hoping they can return him to form.
Skip Schumaker says the Rangers have a plan to get O’Hoppe back to where he used to be.
Corey Seager is expected to rejoin the club in Houston this weekend after a lengthy stay on the IL.
Sebastian Walcott stole the show during Seager’s rehab start last night, perhaps highlighting the Rangers’ present and future.
It has been just about one month since NHL free agency started, so most of this year's top UFAs have signed their new contracts.
Although this is the case, a former Buffalo Sabres defenseman is surprisingly still unsigned at this juncture of the off-season: Logan Stanley.
When noting that Stanley had a career year in 2025-26, it is certainly surprising that he has not landed his next contract yet. Even if he cooled off after being traded to the Sabres from the Winnipeg Jets, he still had a successful year and would have the potential to be a good pickup for a team needing more size and grit on their blueline.
In 76 games last season split between the Jets and the Sabres, Stanley posted nine goals, 17 assists, 26 points, 110 hits, and 128 penalty minutes. With this, he provided a bit of everything last season, so he should be able to land his next contract soon.
Stanley could be a solid addition to an NHL club that is looking to improve its bottom pairing and penalty kill. It will be interesting to see where the former Sabres defenseman ends up getting signed from here.
The Detroit Tigers' season may have flatlined with July 29's brutal loss to the Orioles in extra innings, but on July 30 the team broke out the defibrillator in the form of No. 1 team prospect and the No. 13 MLB prospect (per MLB Pipeline) Max Clark.
Clark, 21, was drafted third overall by the Tigers in 2023. He played alongside former 2023 pick Kevin McGonigle, who went 37th overall, in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field, where he went 1-for-1 with a single, a walk, and a stolen base.
With the Toledo Mud Hens this season, Clark is hitting .276 with an OPS of .802. He has 11 home runs on the year, including two in his past three games. He will join a Tigers outfield badly in need of a reshuffle, and will give a glimpse of the Tigers' future with its present very much in flux.
With the loss to the Orioles, the team is facing down what to do with super-ace Tarik Skubal, the two-time defending Cy Young winner who is on an expiring contract. It is six games back in the AL Central and 4.5 games back in the crowded AL wild card race.
Max Clark MiLB stats
Clark has impressed in Triple-A, looking like a very streaky hitter at times. Here's a look at how he's fared.
If nothing else, Clark adds some electricity to the lineup. His strikeout-walk ratio and 21 steals should help the team's depth in the lineup after the initial MLB lumps. He is hitting .338/.466/.620 in July.
Max Clark spring training
Clark was the topic of much debate in the Tigers' spring training games this season, though much of that was due to his gaudy choice of accessories. Clark didn't play well in those showings, misplaying multiple fly balls on defense and finishing ice cold at the plate. He will be trying to rectify that early.
It is unknown as of now when Clark's MLB debut will be.
How old is Max Clark?
Max Clark is 21 years old, born on Dec. 21, 2004.
The third overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, Clark made his professional debut in the minors at age 19.
What does Max Clark move mean for Tarik Skubal trade prospects?
In truth, while every Tigers move is going to be pored over to see what it means for Skubal, this particular move is likely its own thing. Around the deadline is a reasonable time for teams to call up top prospects, and Clark has come on extremely hot in July after just two home runs in April and May. Center field is hitting .208/.261/.330 for the Tigers this year, so he is also addressing a position with a massive dearth of offensive production for the Tigers.
Sign up now using our exclusive Polymarket promo code 'COVERS' (on your mobile app only) and get a $50 trading bonus after you deposit $50 to trade on any other event contracts — including MLB expert picks!
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Josh Inglis' expert pick: Royals vs Twins - Under 9.5
Price: 52¢ (-109) at Polymarket
It's a getaway game for both clubs, and let's face it, neither offense has looked good out of the break — especially in this series.
The Minnesota Twins have scored four or more runs in just three of their last 10 games. In the other seven, they have combined for only 11, including last night's 4-0 shutout loss.
The Bobby Witt-less Kansas City Royals haven't been much better offensively, but they did get seven strong innings from Randy Dobnak last night — leaving the bullpen fresh.
Minnesota also hasn't needed its high-leverage relievers since the weekend. Even if neither starter goes deep, the late innings should feature the A arms on both sides.
These are two of the coldest offenses in baseball right now, and with fresh bullpens, an afternoon getaway game, and an inflated total, I'm betting the Under 9.5 down to 9 at -110.
The wind blowing in at 11 mph is the cherry on top.
Time: 1:40 p.m. ET
How to watch: Royals.TV, Twins.TV
Jon Metler's expert pick: Reds moneyline
Price: 48¢ (+108) at Polymarket
I usually break these games down from a baseball perspective, but for Thursday's matchup, I think the biggest edge comes from the price itself.
I like the Cincinnati Reds on the moneyline, but what really stands out is how far Polymarket's number is from the rest of the market. The Reds are trading at 48 cents against the Pittsburgh Pirates, while most sportsbooks and prediction markets have them closer to a 51-cent favorite.
That alone makes Polymarket's price attractive, but I think the value runs even deeper because I make Cincinnati closer to a 54-cent favorite.
In other words, I believe there's value in backing the Reds, but that edge becomes even greater if you can lock in the 48-cent price at Polymarket.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh, Reds.TV
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Dodgers moneyline
Price: 59¢ (-148) at Polymarket
The Seattle Mariners send Bryan Woo to the mound, and he's been horrendous away from home — posting a 6.52 ERA while allowing five or more earned runs on five occasions.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been hammering right-handed pitching, ranking fourth in OPS over the past two weeks.
Roki Sasaki is trending up after surrendering just one earned run across his last two starts and now draws a Mariners lineup that ranks a brutal 27th in OPS vs. righties during that two-week span.
Seattle's 15 losses in its last 20 road games only strengthen the case.
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
How to watch: SportsNet LA, Mariners.TV
More MLB best bets for today
Pick
Odds
WAS ML
+133
Read analysis in our Nationals vs Braves predictions
CWS ML
-112
Read analysis in our Yankees vs. White Sox predictions
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.
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 04: A jersey with USA 250 patches hangs in the locker of Corey Seager #5 of the Texas Rangers prior a game against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on July 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, who has been on the injured list since the beginning of the month, is expected to be activated tomorrow when the Rangers start their series in Houston against the Astros, per the beats. In addition, Jordan Montgomery, who has been on the injured list all season as he returns from Tommy John surgery, will make another rehab start on Sunday.
Seager has had a difficult season, going on the injured list in mid-May due to back spasms, returning in June, playing five games, and then going on the concussion injured list and missing two weeks after a home plate collision. He returned and played four games before going back on the injured list due to more back issues. He has played shortstop the past two days for Frisco on a rehab assignment.
Seager is slashing just .182/.292/.374 on the season, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in baseball, and getting him back in the lineup would provide a shot in the arm for the Rangers — at least, if he can stay in the lineup. Josh Jung, who went on the injured list with a calf issue, is eligible to be activated on Saturday, August 1, though there’s no word yet on whether he’s expected to be ready to go.
As for Montgomery, there was some thought that he could be activated and start a game in the Houston series. The Rangers are instead leaving him out for another rehab outing, and are going with a bullpen game in today’s series finale in Tampa, allowing the team to go with Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom and Kumar Rocker in Houston. Rangers are 4-6 against Houston so far this season. The Rangers need to sweep Houston to have the tiebreaker over the Astros, who are currently just a game back in the division. Texas, by virtue of winning three of four against Seattle last weekend, hold the tiebreaker over Seattle.
Montgomery, one of the heroes of the 2023 championship team, signed a two year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on the eve of the 2024 season. He had an awful year, putting up a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings, and then needed Tommy John surgery early in 2025. He signed a one year deal with the Rangers for 2026, with the idea being he would be a major league option at some point in the second half of 2026.
Montgomery has made seven rehab appearances, most recently throwing 75 pitches in 4.1 innings for Round Rock on the 25th. His velocity has been down, which is a concern — in his most recent appearance, he averaged just 90.6 mph with both his fastball and his sinker, down a little over one mph from where he was in 2024, and down 2.5 mph from 2023. He has stated that he thinks the velocity will be back when he’s back in the majors and the adrenaline kicks in, but until he shows that, the loss in stuff has to be a concern.
