Worldwide Sports News

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It was a 1-2 profitable day yesterday thanks to Kyle Stowers' lone dinger in a 1-0 win. Now I turn the page to Wednesday and navigate an afternoon schedule loaded with fadable arms, which is great news for dingers and MLB player props. 

Jeremy Pena is checking every single box today vs. Grayson Rodriguez, while the San Diego rotation is a joke, giving value on Colorado lefty bats if Griffin Canning gets paraded out today.

These are my favorite home run picks for Wednesday, July 29.

MLB home run props for today

Home run prediction: Jeremy Pena (+572)

Every Wednesday home run card needs a Houston bat or two.

Grayson Rodriguez might be making his final start for a while, as he has been getting pummeled while trying to pitch through shoulder and back issues.

His expected metrics back up the ugly ERA and FIP, and only one qualified starter has allowed a higher HardHit% this season. He gets just 29% of his outs on the ground, owns the 13th-worst BlastContact% in baseball, and isn't missing bats either — with only six strikeouts over his last 13+ innings.

Lefties have done the most damage against Rodriguez this year, but his splits have been much more even since 2024, so I don't have to force a left-handed bat here.

Jeremy Pena should get five plate appearances out of the leadoff spot and might be the hottest home run hitter in baseball since the break.

The right-hander has launched five homers over his last eight games, and with Yordan Alvarez priced below +200 today, this +572 number on Pena looks like a steal. Everything checks the boxes here: matchup, setting, form, and price.

I'm playing this home run down to +450.

• Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ABTV, Space City Home Network

Home run prediction: Mickey Moniak (+367)

I need a left-handed Colorado bat against Griffin Canning, who has surrendered 11 of his 12 home runs to left-handed hitters while allowing them to post a 1.004 OPS.

He is one of my favorite pitchers to fade today, ranking seventh-worst among qualified starters in HardHit% while sitting in the bottom 50 in HR/9, HR/FB, and BlastContact%.

Canning has been working in a bulk role, and the writing might be on the wall given how much he has struggled this season. Even if San Diego opens with another arm, it should still be Canning handling the bulk of the innings.

Mickey Moniak projects as the Rockies' second-most likely hitter to go deep today behind Hunter Goodman (+280). Moniak doesn't walk much, but he takes aggressive hacks with a 74.7 mph bat speed that ranks second on the club.

He also crushes right-handed pitching, posting a .952 OPS with 15 of his 17 home runs coming against righties. He also likely avoids San Diego's best left-handed reliever, as Adrian Morejon threw 32 pitches yesterday.

The Padres are in a tough spot with their pitching staff, and the Rockies have a chance to jump on one of the worst starter ERAs in baseball.

I make the fair price closer to +325.

• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Padres.TV, Rockies.TV

Home run prediction: Willi Castro (+600)

I'm grabbing another Rockies bat at a monster price with Willi Castro at +600.

The Padres could be cycling through plenty of arms today, and Castro has already gone deep in back-to-back games while launching four homers since the All-Star break.

Most of his power has come against RHP, which is great news if he gets the matchup with Griffin Canning.

I already have some Mickey Moniak shares, but Castro at this number might be my favorite value. He ranks second on the team in slugging over the last two weeks and has matched Hunter Goodman with the same number of home runs during that stretch.

His swing speed doesn't match Goodman's, but Castro's 17.3% BlastContact% leads the team over the last two weeks.

I don't see how this price should be much longer than Moniak's, and I'd play this home run down to +500.

• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Padres.TV, Rockies.TV

Best home run combo for July 29

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

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

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

It's an all-day baseball Wednesday with a ton of strikeout and MLB player props to comb through. There is no shortage of edges and angles on the bump today.

Grayson Rodriguez is on my all-time fade list. Casey Legumina might not go more than an inning, and Davis Martin has lost his K stuff.

These are my favorite MLB picks for Wednesday, July 29.

Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today

Strikeout prop: Grayson Rodriguez Under 4.5 strikeouts (-125)

Five strikeouts? Grayson Rodriguez has reached four punchouts just once over his last six starts. He is fighting to keep his rotation spot, and only one other MLB starter has a worse HardHit% than the right-hander. He might be the worst starter on the slate, and that says something with Zack Littell also taking the mound today.

The velocity is trending the wrong way as Rodriguez battles through back and shoulder injuries, and all four of his pitches are getting hit hard with an average exit velocity of 88 mph or higher. His best swing-and-miss pitch is the slider, but he throws it only 10% of the time, and hitters are slugging .579 against it. His changeup can generate whiffs, but the spin rate has dropped in back-to-back starts.

The biggest concern is the leash. Rodriguez has been hit so hard that a 12-out outing could be the ceiling today. He has gone beyond 12 outs just twice over his last six starts and shouldn't be sniffing 90 pitches.

It's a little juice, but this is a massive number for a pitcher who looks cooked. I don't hate the Under 3.5 strikeouts at plus money either. I'm playing this to -135/-140.

• Time: 9:38 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ABTV, Space City Home Network. 

Strikeout prop: Casey Legumina Under 1.5 strikeouts (+125)

Casey Legumina is a right-handed opener who will likely turn things over to lefty Ian Seymour. He threw 40 pitches and recorded six outs in his last outing vs. Toronto, but that came against a Jays lineup featuring eight right-handed bats.

The Texas Rangers should present a much different challenge, with a projected lineup that goes L, R, R, L, L, R, L, L, and R. That gives the Tampa Bay Rays plenty of opportunities to get to the lefty Seymour early and limits the chances of Legumina seeing a full second inning.

With just 31 strikeouts over 43+ innings, Legumina is not a strikeout-per-inning arm, and there is a strong chance he works just one inning today, which has been the norm in most of his opener appearances.

It's a sweaty prop because opener strikeout markets are volatile, but THE BAT projects just 28 pitches and 1.5 strikeouts, making the fair price shorter than -100. If you can't find the K total right away, wait closer to game time, as these markets often reappear once books adjust.

• Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: One National or Two local

Strikeout prop: Davis Martin Under 4.5 strikeouts (+125)

Davis Martin was shelled for nine runs and three home runs a month ago when he faced this New York Yankees lineup, but he still managed only four strikeouts. Since then, the surface numbers haven't been terrible, but the strikeouts have disappeared with just 17 punchouts over his last 29+ innings. He has also benefited from facing some bottom-tier offenses during that stretch.

Today, he is projected for a mid-80s pitch count, but I'm fading the projections that are leaning toward the Over. The market is moving the other way, and the leash remains the biggest concern.

Martin's fastball velocity has been trending down since May, and he is outperforming his expected metrics. This was a pitcher who posted just a 6.56 K/9 over 140 innings last season, and the workload could be starting to catch up as his strikeout rate continues to slide.

Betting Yankee Under Ks is always a sweat, but like Anthony Kay yesterday, these plus-money prices on short-leash pitchers with workload concerns are worth attacking. I'm playing the Under 4.5.

• Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Chicago Sports Network, Amazon Prime Video

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

As any college student knows full well, there's no real incentive to get to work until an imminent deadline is staring you in the face.

Major League Baseball GMs seem to have perfected that approach this season with rumors by far outweighing actual deals as the 6 p.m. ET witching hour on Aug. 3 approaches.

Of course, the silence could be broken at any time with one trade acting as the catalyst for many others in succession.

While there's a temporary lull in the action, let's go division-by-division in order of the standings (through games of Tuesday, July 28) and see which teams are likely to be buyers and which ones will be sellers.

AL East

Tampa Bay Rays

Could the miserly Rays front office actually make a move that adds payroll? Their new stadium deal has hit a snag, so probably not. But the front office is nothing if not creative, especially when a No. 1 seed in the AL is at stake.

• Verdict: Buyer

New York Yankees

The Yanks have several well-documented holes that need filling, and it's a two-team race for the league's best record. The question is whether they have the trade chips to acquire anyone who can truly help. Get well soon, Aaron Judge.

• Verdict: Buyer

Boston Red Sox

Their initial foray into the trade wars turned out miserably when they lost Curtis Mead to a broken wrist after only two at-bats. But their recent 15-game winning streak has made believers in Boston. So where to find another infielder?

• Verdict: Buyer

Baltimore Orioles

Four games under .500 and behind four teams for the third wild-card spot, the O's path isn't promising. OF Taylor Ward would be a hot commodity if they made him available. But they've also been one of the hottest teams since the All-Star break.

• Verdict: Standing pat

Toronto Blue Jays

So much disappointment. So many expiring contracts. Kevin Gausman, George Springer, Daulton Varsho, Shane Bieber ... Maybe it is time for a reset, despite being just two outs away from a World Series title last year.

• Verdict: Seller

AL Central

Chicago White Sox

MLB's biggest surprise of 2026 has a chance to go from worst to first. But the biggest mistake in a rebuild is thinking you've arrived before you're actually there. At 55-51, there's no reason to mortgage any of the franchise's future for a quick temporary fix.

• Verdict: Standing pat

Cleveland Guardians

They just acquired Jose Ramirez from the injured list. There's your deadline deal. What, you want more? Hahahaha.

• Verdict: Standing pat

Minnesota Twins

The Twins could probably name their price for Ryan Jeffers with so many playoff contenders looking to acquire a catcher. Yet they sit at .500, two games out of first place. For a team that wasn't supposed to contend this season anyway, the Twins are playing with house money.

• Verdict: Buyer AND seller

Detroit Tigers

Truth be told, the Tigers have the most talented roster in the division and could leapfrog everyone with two months to play. Their direction comes down to what other teams are willing to pay for ace Tarik Skubal. If the best offers don't come in until right before the deadline, it doesn't give team president Scott Harris much time to pivot.

• Verdict: Buyer OR seller

Kansas City Royals

It likely won't take much for needy contenders to acquire outfielders Lane Thomas and Isaac Collins. The Royals would also part with veteran starters Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo if they were able to resolve the money remaining on their contracts.

• Verdict: Seller

AL West

Texas Rangers

They're in first place and about to get starting shortstop Corey Seager back from the injured list. So why aren't we hearing more about the Rangers' trade options? Probably because their shallow farm system doesn't leave them with much to offer. Adding some relief help may be the best they can do.

• Verdict: Standing pat

Houston Astros

GM Dana Brown has already said the Astros will be buyers at the deadline so we'll take him at his word. How much they'll buy is a different story. A lefty-hitting outfielder tops the wish list, but payroll concerns may force them to shed salary at the same time.

• Verdict: Buyer AND seller

Seattle Mariners

The M's have a pitching surplus (with Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan waiting in the minors) and MLB's third-worst offense. A trade − maybe more than one − seems inevitable.

• Verdict: Buyer

Athletics

The injury to All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers eliminated the A's best trade chip. Now, it's hard for a contender to find anyone on the roster who can help them. Maybe backup catcher and impending free agent Jonah Heim?

• Verdict: Seller

Los Angeles Angels

With the worst record in the majors and arguably the most trade targets, the Angels can jump-start the deadline frenzy at the drop of a halo. Outfielders Jo Adell and Jorge Soler should be available at a reasonable price. Starting pitchers Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano (both with two arbitration years left) will cost a little more. Relievers Kirby Yates and Brent Suter could also be depth pieces. Act now before the liquidation sale ends on Monday!

• Verdict: Major seller

NL East

Atlanta Braves

After all their injuries this season, the Braves are still standing. And thriving − with a six-game division lead. But they definitely need a shortstop (the Angels' Zach Neto?) and could really use a playoff-caliber starter if they want to go far in the postseason.

• Verdict: Buyer

Philadelphia Phillies

Dave Dombrowski is their GM. Say no more. He'd probably trade the Phillie Phanatic for bullpen help if that were an option. Instead, a right-handed hitting outfielder tops Dombrowski's wish list. If he's successful, a rotation with Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo could carry the Phils deep into October.

• Verdict: Buyer

Washington Nationals

MLB's best offense has carried a suspect pitching staff all season. Currently just one game out of the last NL wild-card spot, the Nats have already added starter Connelly Early, who should be joining the rotation soon. Are there more additions coming? All-Star SS CJ Abrams would be a huge get for any contender, but it's hard to see the Nats trading him without getting a Juan Soto-like return (i.e. another Abrams). Maybe 1B Luis Garcia is dealt instead.

• Verdict: Buyer AND seller

Miami Marlins

Plenty of trade candidates here, with C/1B/DH Liam Hicks almost certain to land elsewhere. Starting pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Braxton Garrett have been drawing attention. A dreadful 12-game losing skid this month has likely turned the Marlins from buyers into ...

• Verdict: Seller

New York Mets

Their offseason moves failed miserably. Juan Soto's calf injury is just the latest insult. Pitcher Freddy Peralta would almost certainly benefit from a change of scenery, as would fellow starter Clay Holmes and reliever Luke Weaver. Perhaps it's time to blow up this version of the Mets and start over.

• Verdict: Seller

NL Central

Milwaukee Brewers

A bountiful farm system just keeps providing replacements whenever the Brewers seem to need them. Why bother making trades? Tied with the Dodgers for the best record in the majors, there aren't many weak spots on the Brewers roster. Maybe an arm to help save ace Jacob Misiorowski for the playoffs?

• Verdict: Tepid buyer

Chicago Cubs

A playoff spot seems secure. So what do the Cubs need to do for October? Their starting rotation is still a mess, so trading C/DH Moises Ballesteros, OF Kevin Alcantara and/or OF/3B Matt Shaw for pitching would be a sensible move.

• Verdict: Buyer

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates were surprising buyers this past offseason, and whaddya know ... actually trying to be competitive can work sometimes! They have one of the best offenses in baseball and a rotation any team would envy. But that bullpen needs help. Fortunately, relief pitching is always available at the trade deadline. But don't expect them to go too crazy, they're still the Pirates.

• Verdict: Buyer

St. Louis Cardinals

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year in St. Lous after GM Chaim Bloom traded away many of the veterans from last year's club. But a funny thing happened: the fledgling Cardinals are fluttering on the fringes of the NL playoff race. It's too early to get too excited, but there's also room to start revamping next season's roster. Anyone hungry for a Lars Nootbaar?

• Verdict: Buyer AND seller

Cincinnati Reds

Maybe the opposite of the Cardinals, the Reds have been a major disappointment in 2026, despite the growth shown by promising youngsters Sal Stewart and Chase Burns. They have several impending free agents who could help other teams, including C Tyler Stephenson, 1B Nathaniel Lowe and SP Brady Singer. Closer Emilio Pagan could also be available.

• Verdict: Seller

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers

What could the Dodgers want that they don't already have? Hmmm, Skubal would be nice. Otherwise, they may just try to drive up prices for their competitors. The real season doesn't start until October.

• Verdict: Buyer

Arizona Diamondbacks

Of all the teams currently holding a playoff spot, the Diamondbacks may be the most unassuming contender. They have a bunch of their key players signed for the next several years, so no major moves are on the horizon. They could use some bullpen help and perhaps another starter if they're going to be serious about contending.

• Verdict: Tepid buyer

San Diego Padres

Closer Mason Miller could be a difference-maker for any playoff team. And you just know GM A.J. Preller wants to make some deals. However, 1B Ty France and RP Adrian Morejon are much more likely to be moved.

• Verdict: Buyer AND seller

San Francisco Giants

The one-stop shop for all your stretch-run needs, just visit the Giants' waterfront warehouse. An elite contact hitter (Luis Arraez), a power-hitting outfielder (Heliot Ramos), a veteran shortstop (Willy Adames), a durable starter (Robbie Ray) and many more are all available for cash or trade.

• Verdict: Big-time seller

Colorado Rockies

Outfielders Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak are available, but how valuable will they be if they aren't hitting at Coors Field? McCarthy's OPS is 187 points higher at home this season (.925 vs. .738), while Moniak's is an astounding 336 points higher (1.033 vs. 697). And good luck trying to pry away two-time All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman.

• Verdict: Seller

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB trade deadline buyers and sellers: Where all 30 teams stand as time runs out

Game three of the three game series. And it is an afternoon game.

Tomorrow’s an off-day, so we are going to see the Odyssey, so if you were going to bet on when the Jays first ‘deadline’ trade will happen, sometime in those three hours would be a sure thing..

Today’s lineup, no Vlad. They say he will be available for pinch hitting, if needed, but I very much doubt he’ll be used. Davis plays second, Just his eighth start at second this season. They seem to have decided he’s an outfield, unless they have little for other options at second.

Go Jays Go.

The San Diego Padres extended their winning streak to four games, despite the bullpen trying to give the game away. Bradgley Rodriguez and Adrian Morejon combined to allow three runs in two innings, but the offense bailed them out and the Padres got an 8-7 win over the Colorado Rockies.

San Diego has shown some fight through the first 11 games since the All-Star break and that was exemplified in the final win against the Miami Marlins and their win against Colorado. The stars have been starring and if that is the team the Padres are going to be, there is no reason to sell at the Trade Deadline.

San Diego will go for a fifth consecutive win and a two-game sweep of Colorado today.

Taking the mound

Kyle Hart (SD) v. Gabriel Hughes (COL)

It was announced late this morning that left-hander Kyle Hart would get the start today for the Padres. Hart is likely the first of many arms to be used by San Diego in the final game of the series with Colorado. The lefty has appeared in 27 games this season and is 0-2 with a 5.21 ERA. Hart last pitched July 24 in Miami. He completed two innings and allowed just two hits and had two strikeouts. If he can have similar success against the Rockies lineup he be given an opportunity to take down as many innings as he can before the ball gets handed to the next guy out of the’pen.

Gabriel Hughes is a rookie pitcher who has only appeared in four games for the Rockies this season. Sometimes the Padres have trouble with a pitcher they are unfamiliar with, so it is important for them to have the same approach at the plate as they have shown over the recent winning streak — be aggressive and punish mistakes in the zone. Hughes is 0-2 in his four appearances but has a 2.79 ERA on the year. He has 19 strikeouts in 19.1 innings and has allowed five hits in each of his last two outings.

Batter up!

Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill combined for 11 hits in the series opener with the Rockies. That level of production cannot be expected game in and game out, but if all three contribute the season may not be lost for San Diego.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
2. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
3. Manny Machado, 3B
4. Ty France, DH
5. Jackson Merrill, CF
6. Luis Rengifo, LF
7. Gavin Sheets, 1B
8. Sung-Mun Song, SS
9. Freddy Fermin, C

It was another solid night for the lineup in the opener against the Rockies. There is no reason to mess with a good thing, but Craig Stammen can move guys into different positions on the field. It would make sense to get Bogaerts the day off considering the quick turnaround with the day game after a night game. That is the same thinking when it comes to Fermin getting the nod over Luis Campusano behind the plate, but Campusano has been much more productive than Bogaerts offensively despite the game-winning sacrifice fly and gives the Padres some thump off the bench should they need it in a big spot.

Relief corps

Michael King pitched six innings which left the San Diego bullpen with just three innings to cover. Bradgely Rodriguez had a rough inning of work, allowing two runs and Adrian Morejon allowed a run in his inning as well. Mason Miller locked down the ninth and eventually got the win thanks to the Bogaerts sacrifice walk-off. The remaining pieces in the ‘pen will be available with Morejon likely off due to his bloated pitch count.

It’s a “guys who are maybe about to be traded” matchup on Wednesday afternoon as the Orioles and Tigers close out their three-game series. The starting pitchers, Trevor Rogers for the Orioles and Tarik Skubal for the Tigers, could each be on the move regardless of what happens in this game. The losing team is going to be pushed hard towards a sell-off; the winning team might end up selling off this particular pitcher even if it tries some modest buying.

Each team’s record sucks, yet they really aren’t far out of the playoff picture. But it’s a seller’s market out there and if a team is able to get the right trade, they can probably get a package of prospects that’s superior to just waiting to make the qualifying offer to the pitcher and then collect a draft pick next year.

The trade deadline is August 3. Counting today, there are four games remaining before the deadline. Rogers and/or Skubal are making their final starts for their current teams. Enjoy it while you can. Skubal has won the last two Cy Youngs and is pitching like he’ll win a third, unless he gets traded to an NL team. Rogers pitched like a Cy Young candidate for 18 starts last year and has been pitching like one for the most recent nine of his 19 starts this season. These two things together do not add up to a Cy Young award.

The Orioles have shown us the good and the bad over this series so far. Last night’s blowout loss was rather pathetic. Monday’s win was a nice, competent game. They are both of those things this year, the pathetic one slightly more often than the competent one. Facing Skubal does suggest this is more likely to be another pathetic game. This team has surprised us frequently after people have given up on them for a game or even for the season. They don’t surprise us for long, but they can still surprise us.

We’re running a poll this week with the simple question: Will Mike Elias be the GM next year? If you haven’t voted yet, check it out:

Orioles lineup

1. Taylor Ward – LF
2. Pete Alonso – 1B
3. Gunnar Henderson – SS
4. Tyler O’Neill – RF
5. Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B
6. Coby Mayo – 3B
7. Leody Taveras – CF
8. Jeremiah Jackson – 2B
9. Chadwick Tromp – C

Tigers lineup

1. Gleyber Torres – 2B
2. Kevin McGonigle – SS
3. Hao-Yu Lee – 3B
4. Dillon Dingler – C
5. Riley Greene – LF
6. Eduardo Valencia – DH
7. Spencer Torkelson – 1B
8. Matt Vierling – RF
9. Javier Báez – CF

I look at this lineup and I think, this team should be better. I have felt this about the Orioles lineup a lot of days this season. Today is not one of those days. This particularly lineup, it’s fairly clear why the Orioles are where they are. Even so, neither team should be where they are, and yet, here they are. One walks away a winner of the series today. The other seems to be ticketed for trade deadline selling.

Not only has the Chicago White Sox organization improved in the clubhouse and on the field, but they have also shown plenty of appreciation to their fans this season, who have been returning to the park in droves after several rough seasons. This past Sunday, the White Sox generously invited a couple of us here from South Side Sox — Di Billick and me — to take part in a wonderful, nostalgia-filled day of baseball to celebrate National Parents’ Day with our families. There were so many special moments throughout the day, beginning with Munetaka Murakami getting to catch the first pitch from his parents before mashing two homers on his bobblehead day.

As someone who has been a fan of the South Siders for as long as I can remember (thank you, Grandpa), it was amazing to experience the day with so many small, thoughtful touches from the White Sox to make the day as special as possible. Walking into the suite, we were immediately greeted with good vibes, the smell of delicious ballpark snacks, and a little goodie bag with a custom pennant featuring my last name.

Other members of local media joined in on the fun for Family Weekend, including WGN’s very own Dan Ponce, whose family was extremely kind and fun to hang out with for the day. To feed into the nostalgia-filled afternoon, the Sox set up a photo station to make a commemorative baseball card, which brought me right back to Little League, where you’d get your photo printed on a makeshift card; the only difference is I am (at least) 25 years older and have all of my teeth in this photo.

To further enhance the day’s nostalgic undertones, the White Sox also created personalized scorecards with our family’s name on them to keep score throughout the game. Whether you already knew how to keep score or not didn’t matter, however, as former Sox outfielder Mike Huff filled out a massive scorecard on the wall that fans could follow along with or learn the ins and outs of marking up a scorecard. My mom was the official scorekeeper for about 10 years of my softball career, so it was a blast getting to dive back into that while also hanging out with Huff for a bit. I’m not saying my mom could keep a better scorecard than Huff, but I’m not not saying it either.

There were also photo opportunities with a Polaroid camera they had set up, adding to the old-school vibe they were (perfectly) executing, and they even displayed photos some of us submitted to highlight our fandom over the years. Not to brag, but the majority of the photos were from Di and me, and they were a blast to look through, bringing back memories of all the moments we’ve shared as fans over the years.

Truly, I was decked out in Sox gear before I could even talk, and while it was before the Carlos Lee and Bobby Jenks era, my number 45 shirt shows that I knew baseball even as a baby. Impressive, I know.

With it being Backyard Baseball Day at the park as well, my childhood dream was nearly complete: meshing my favorite game as a child with my favorite baseball team. Hard to beat. Except the White Sox did beat it, by bringing us down onto the field to play some catch with our families after the game. I’ve been on the field a couple of times briefly, but it felt special to be able to walk out in center field after a glorious win and toss a baseball around in left field. Did my arm feel like it was going to fall off by the end? Yep. Was it worth it? 100%.

My partner Willie and I were having a blast while my mom watched on, probably bringing back memories of when she’d watch me play softball several times a week. Willie and I got to meet WGN producer Eli Ong, and the three of us lived out a childhood dream together, mixing in a little long toss to see if we still have it at our ripe ages, but wow, that was a blast.

I cannot thank the White Sox enough for such an amazing game-day experience this past weekend, and it’s great to see the organization getting more involved with the fans and giving back a little bit after being dedicated through some hard times. The White Sox have been turning a corner as a whole, and continue to show they’re moving in the right direction both on and off the field. Special shoutout to Colin McGauley and Sheena Quinn for continuing to amplify South Side Sox voices and create an inclusive environment for all.

The Nats are no strangers to rubber matches, and they find themselves in another one today. This time they will look to take the series from the Blue Jays. The Nats have won three straight series coming out of the break, and they will look for number four. This is a big opportunity for the Nats in the Wild Card race.

Blake Butera is making a couple tweaks to his lineup. Surprisingly, Dylan Crews is out after a big night. Following a key error, CJ Abrams will be at DH, while Nasim Nunez mans shortstop. Vivas will be at second while Brady House is at third. Harry Ford is behind the dish. Zack Littell will take the mound this afternoon.

lineup time ⏰

→ https://t.co/iUBDqlACVspic.twitter.com/RcksNrvNT3

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 29, 2026

After suffering an injury yesterday, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is out of the lineup. Kazuma Okamoto will replace him at first base. Davis Schneider will make his first start of the series at second base. Alejandro Kirk will be back behind the plate. Young Trey Yesavage will be on the mound for the Jays.

Blue Jays 7/29

Y. Piñango LF
N. Lukes RF
K. Okamoto 1B
G. Springer DH
A. Kirk C
D. Varsho CF
E. Clement 3B
A. Giménez SS
D. Schneider 2B

T. Yesavage SP

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) July 29, 2026

Game Info:

Stadium: Nationals Park

Time: 1:05 PM EST

TV: Nationals.TV

Radio: 106.7 The Fan

Every game the Nats play is of extreme importance with the trade deadline looming. Getting another series win would be huge. If the Nats want Paul Toboni to buy, they need to keep winning. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!

The earliest game time the rest of the way, so you’ll understand if this is relatively brief. This is going to be an exercise in bullpen management for Torey Lovullo, as the above chart likely suggests. Six relievers were used last night, so this may be one of those days where we have to ride with Eduardo Rodriguez for a hundred pitches, regardless of the results. Hopefully he’ll go seven innings, and the offense doesn’t have another “24 outs with runners in scoring position” day, so we can hand the ball over to Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loaisiga for a couple of low-stress innings. Or better yet, Ildemaro Vargas with another double-digit lead.

Just to follow up on something I mentioned in the GDT. Gerardo Carrillo’s heroics, stranding the Manfred Man in consecutive innings, is now confirmed as the highest Win Probability by a reliever in franchise history, at +76.9%. The only better performances are all by Arizona starting pitchers who threw complete-game shutouts in 1-0 victories, most recently Zac Gallen against the Cubs in September 2023. It’s also #6 all-time by any reliever in the National League. Not bad for a pitcher with [checks notes] precisely two major-league games under his belt before taking the mound last night.

After Tuesday’s game was rained out, the Braves will (weather permitting) close out their 2026 slate of Mets road games with a Wednesday doubleheader which is scheduled to begin at 1:10 p.m. ET.

AJ Smith-Shawver is set to make his season debut at the major league level for the Braves after completing his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery the last few weeks with five outings across Single-A Augusta and Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Braves are largely keeping the same lineup from Monday’s series-opening loss, making just one change in the lineup. Mauricio Dubón will play shortstop and hit sixth, while Eli White takes his typical place in left, likely because Atlanta doesn’t want Jim Jarvis to play both full halves of a doubleheader.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is back atop the lineup for the second straight game, and Joey Bart is catching the second straight game to divide those duties similarly across the two-game day.

Let’s play 2! pic.twitter.com/rIBSQp3uYE

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 29, 2026

The Juan Soto-less Mets are not playing Luis Robert Jr. — somewhat recently back from an extended IL stint — in the first half of the doubleheader. Carson Benge replaces him in the lineup while A.J. Ewing will hold down his center field spot.

Game 1️⃣ #LGMpic.twitter.com/VHD1jieriZ

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 29, 2026

Follow along as the Braves look to win the opening game of the doubleheader and force a rubber match in Wednesday’s nightcap with Chris Sale on the mound.