BAJA, HUNGARY â" AUGUST 8: People gather along the exposed riverbed of the Danube, after exceptionally low water levels revealed the remains of an old World War II-era ship from the riverbed in Baja, Hungary on August 8, 2026. The emergence of the wreck has attracted hundreds of curious visitors to the site. (Photo by Robert Nemeti/Anadolu via Getty Images) | Anadolu via Getty Images
Hickory starter Mason McConnaughey was alright, alright, alright, striking out three in four scoreless innings. Jormy Nivar (who I keep wanting to call Ramon Nivar) allowed three runs in 2.2 IP, striking out five and walking two. Michael Trausch struck out one and walked one in 1.1 scoreless innings.
Paulino Santana had a hit and a stolen base. Noah Franklin homered. Kaden Carpenter had a hit and a stolen base. Marco Argudin had a walk and a stolen base. Kolby Branch had a hit, a walk and a stolen base.
Hub City starter Caden Scarborough was quite good, throwing 51 of 75 pitches for strikes in 5.2 IP, walking two, striking out five, and allowing one hit and one unearned run.
Maxton Martin was 3 for 4 with a double and a homer. Casey Cook was 2 for 5 with a homer.
Round Rock stater Dalton Pence allowed two hits and one walk in five shutout innings, striking out six. Ryan Lobus struck out one in a scoreless inning. Michel Otanez struck out two and walked two in a shutout inning. Wilian Bormie allowed a solo homer in an inning of work, striking out one.
Logan O’Hoppe doubled. Cody Freeman had a hit. John Taylor had a hit and two walks.
The Toronto Blue Jays go for a series win as +140 road underdogs against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, and they draw a huge opportunity in Aaron Nola, one of the worst starters in baseball this year.
Max Scherzer takes the ball for Toronto, but my card is all about attacking Nola, starting with Alejandro Kirk.
Read on for my Blue Jays vs. Phillies predictions and MLB picks for this Saturday, Aug. 8 matchup.
Blue Jays vs Phillies predictions
Blue Jays vs Phillies best bet: Alejandro Kirk Over 1.5 total bases (+130)
Nola has allowed an MLB-leading 28 home runs, and hitters are teeing off on his fastball. Normally I’d lean on Kazuma Okamoto, the club’s best fastball hitter, but he went 0-for-5 on Friday, so I’m turning to Alejandro Kirk and his contact-heavy profile.
Kirk does a great job thumping fastballs the other way, and he’s locked in, with 12 hits in his last 10 games and an .804 OPS over that stretch. I like his chances to rack up two hits against Nola’s hittable pitches, or better yet, to double to right field.
I’d play this down to +110.
COVERS INTEL: Nola’s four-seam fastball carries a -13 run value and yields a .727 slugging mark, arguably the worst pitch in baseball and right in the wheelhouse of a fastball hitter like Kirk.
Blue Jays vs Phillies same-game parlay (SGP)
For the same-game parlay, I’m all-in on a high-scoring night. George Springer Over 0.5 hits leads it off, and he’s blistering hot with 14 hits in his last 13 games.
I’ll add Over 9.5 total runs, with Scherzer and Nola both carrying ugly ERAs on a hot night at a bandbox, then cap it with the Blue Jays moneyline at plus money.
Blue Jays vs Phillies SGP
George Springer Over 0.5 hits
Blue Jays moneyline
Over 9.5
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Blue Jays vs Phillies home run pick: Jesus Sanchez (+390)
Jesus Sanchez has become a reliable power threat since returning from an ankle injury, going 3-for-12 with a home run and a double.
He came off the bench on Friday and picked up a hit, and I love his upside on Saturday against Nola.
As noted, no pitcher in baseball allows more home runs than Nola, so Sanchez, with his uppercut left-handed swing, has a great shot to clear the wall at Citizens Bank Park.
Watch the four-seamer in particular, a pitch he slugs .514 against, and note that five of his seven homers have come off fastballs. Keep this to a quarter unit, even against Nola.
2026 Transparency Record
Best bets: 16-15, +0.63 units
SGPs: 3-29, -4.31 units
HR picks: 4-27, -1.88 units
Blue Jays vs Phillies odds
Moneyline: Blue Jays +140 | Phillies -160
Run line: Blue Jays +1.5 (-140) | Phillies -1.5 (+120)
Over/Under: Over 9.5 | Under 9.5
Blue Jays vs Phillies trend
Max Scherzer (7.92 ERA) and Aaron Nola (5.55 ERA) carry two of the ugliest ERAs among Saturday’s starters, pointing toward the Over 9.5. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Phillies.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Phillies and game info
Location
Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Saturday, August 8, 2026
First pitch
6:05 p.m. ET
TV
NBCSP, SN
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (1-4, 7.92 ERA)
Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola (3-9, 5.55 ERA)
Blue Jays vs Phillies latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Phillies weather
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.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 01: Rhys Hoskins #8 of the Cleveland Guardians scores on a two-run homer during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Progressive Field on August 01, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sometimes, you gotta make the tough call to put the old steer out to pasture.
Rhys Hoskins has a 95 wRC+ this season. That, especially on the Guardians, is not bad. However, this includes a 79 wRC+ since June 1st, during which time he has struck out 37% of the time. Even more prominently, since June 1st of LAST season, Hoskins has a 57 wRC+ against LHP. Why has Hoskins forgotten how to hit southpaws on a team that needs him to be able to be the career 130 wRC+ against them he has traditionally been like no other? I don’t know. Because the baseball gods hate us, probably. It’s likely one of two options: 1. small sample size and he’ll eventually correct things, or 2. the canary in the coal mine that he is washed overall.
Regardless, Hoskins isn’t helping the Cleveland Guardians win baseball games in his current role of supposed lefty masher who plays first base when LHP are on the mound. He’s not a good defender. But, he is, from all accounts, great in the clubhouse. So great that the team is a game under .500 on August 8th. You can probably sense my skepticism that his clubhouse skills are indispensible to this team’s success.
I think it’s probably time to give Kody Huff a chance at a platoon first-base/occasional catching reps role. Huff has a .793 OPS against LHP and .914 OPS against RHP this season, but has traditionally hit LHP better than RHP as most RHH’s do. Most importantly, he has a higher OPS away from the Columbus bandbox than at home (.888/.879). Zach Meisel of the Athletic has repeatedly mentioned on the Selby is Godcast that the team “LOVES” Huff and it was a big reason they were willing to trade Jacob Cozart and Bo Naylor at the trade deadline. Great opportunity to potentially get Huff some experience with Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey and make use of the 235 innings he has played at first base to hopefully leverage their way to an improvement over what Hoskins has done against left-handed pitching.
By September, if Huff struggles and Ralphy Velazquez continues his recent breakout, I would love to see the team give Velazquez reps in a first base/DH role and let him hit LHP. (Cooper Ingle cannot hit lefties, in case anyone is wondering about him in a full-time DH role). Ralphy has consistently hit LHP slightly better than he has RHP over the past two seasons. He’s a full-time hitter, eventually, and it would be great to give him a chance to experience big league pitching and potentially help a team trying to make the playoffs. But, for now, the team needs to take a shot at improving their roster in the Hoskins’ role, even at the risk to clubhouse chemistry, and Huff seems to be the best potential option.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 07: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Petco Park on August 07, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another Trade Deadline acquisition took the mound for the San Diego Padres against the Houston Astros. The result was another disappointing outing and another loss for the Padres.
Robbie Ray who won his last start at Petco Park as a member of the San Francisco Giants made his debut with San Diego and allowed four runs on seven hits with five walks and two strikeouts over five innings pitched in what proved to be a 6-3 loss for the Padres. It was another disappointing result for a Trade Deadline acquisition after Casey Mize was roughed up in his first outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks where he allowed eight runs in nine hits in three-plus innings of work last week.
The San Diego offense tried to climb back into the game and cut the deficit to 4-3 scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth and a run in the bottom of the fifth. The third run of the game for the Padres came on a monster solo home run off the bat of Fernando Tatis Jr. The hope was that blast would ignite the offense and San Diego would come back to win the game, but Yuki Matsui and Wandy Peralta each allowed a run in their combined four innings pitched and the Padres were unable to add to their run total.
San Diego plays the second game of the series tonight at Petco Park at 4:15 p.m.
The Detroit Tigers dropped the series opener to the San Francisco Giants on Friday night, 5-2, at Oracle Park. The good guys outhit the hosts, but were plagued by LOBsters while Kieder Montero coughed up five runs over six innings to earn his seventh loss of the season.
Making his first appearance for the Motor City Kitties since last season on Saturday evening is right-hander Jackson Jobe, who will be returning from Tommy John surgery after 14-plus months on the shelf. The freshly turned 24-year-old actually faced the Giants the last time he pitched in the big leagues, surrendering three runs on seven hits (one home run) and three walks while striking out four over 4 2/3 frames for a no-decision in a 4-3 win at Comerica Park.
Jobe’s rehab process stretched across five games over four levels of the minors — rookie ball to Double-A — resulting in a 1.76 ERA and 2.35 FIP over 15 1/3 innings of work, giving up 14 hits and four walks while striking out 17, plus one each of a hit-by-pitch, balk and wild pitch.
San Francisco, on the other hand, has fellow righty Landen Roupp taking the mound for his 23rd appearance this season. The 27-year-old has struggled over his last two games, posting an astronomical 9.72 ERA along with an ugly 5.85 FIP over 8 1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits (one home run) and seven walks while striking out seven and hitting a batter over that span, earning a pair of losses in the process.
Speaking of losses, Roupp’s 10 recorded defeats this season are tied for the National League lead as of Friday night.
Here is a quick look at how the two hurlers matchup for Game 2 on Saturday.
Detroit Tigers (56-60) vs. San Francisco Giants (49-67)
Time (ET): 7:15 p.m. Place: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California SB Nation Site:McCovey Chronicles Media: FOX, Tigers Radio Network
Game 117: RHP Jackson Jobe (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Landen Roupp (7-10, 4.34 ERA)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 01: The DAZN logo is seen on a microphone prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between England and Congo DR at Atlanta Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Per recent reporting by Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal, a new player is entering the local NBA broadcast space. U.K. based streamer DAZN (pronounced da’zone), a platform primarily known for boxing and MMA, secured streaming rights for New York-based MSG and YES networks, making them the exclusive digital provider for all non-national TV New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets games.
Karp also reported from multiple sources that DAZN was close to deals with the Timberwolves, Cavaliers, Pacers, Grizzlies, Magic, possibly the Hornets, and the San Antonio Spurs. Nothing is official, but DAZN CEO all but confirmed, telling Sports Business Journal, “We are in discussion with many other teams, and I can promise you that more teams will follow very soon.”
This marks a notable shift in local sports broadcasting, which, until now, was handled by regional sports networks (RSNs). These are Fox Sports Southwest, Bally Sports Southwest, and most recently, FanDuel Sports Network Southwest. All of which are no more, with FanDuel Sports Network officially folding this year.
This can hardly be a surprise. RSNs have been a dying business model, limping along for years now. As the name changes suggest, the networks have changed hands several times, with one parent company, Diamond Sports Group, going through bankruptcy in 2023. DAZN was looked at as a potential buyer of the entity in 2025, but ultimately decided not to, perhaps seeing the future opportunity down the road.
These struggles have had real consequences for NBA teams beyond just their own revenue. As RSNs underperformed, the NBA salary cap can’t be propped up by the lucrative national TV deals. As a result, the salary cap did not hit its 10 percent maximum growth, instead settling for 6.7 percent.
While this isn’t a decline, it isn’t the growth the owners and players want. Other RSNs will either need to adapt or face the same fate as FanDuel Sports Network.
Streaming is the natural progression, and DAZN stepping in makes sense. The company is already a rights holder for the NBA in several international markets, and is looking to grow its U.S. rights portfolio. The aforementioned anticipated deals could be only the beginning as the platform wants to pursue the rights to be the NBA’s centralized local streamer down the road.
What about the fans?
This is all well and good for the NBA and DAZN, but what does it mean for fans?
Provided the deals go through, it will mean streaming becomes the exclusive medium for Spurs broadcasts.
Karp reports that DAZN is willing to put forth a good amount of capital for marketing to create awareness. A small handful of games will be broadcast over-the-air or free from DAZN before fully switching over to streaming exclusively.
How that is received will largely be dependent on the price. Currently, DAZN has a few package options. The least expensive of which is $249.99 yearly. If you are only signing up for the Spurs, that may or may not feel worth it. It’s possible those prices could change, and the idea of a less expensive, team-only or basketball-only package is feasible.
Overall, it’s a big shift but a step towards the future. RSNs simply aren’t a viable option if they can’t sustain themselves. The details are still being ironed out, but it’s certain that how fans watch the Spurs will change for the 2026-2027 season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have only had two players wear #54, and none since 2019.
Today we'll look at who has worn it, what they did, and where they are now.
Scott Harrington - Harrington played 185 games for the Blue Jackets after being traded to Columbus by Toronto with a conditional pick in the 2017 NHL Draft for Kerby Rychel on June 25, 2016. Those 185 games would be spread out over six seasons, with 2018-19 being the year he played the most games at 73. He scored 7 goals and totaled 37 points in his career with Columbus, with the 18-19 season being his most productive with 17.
During his time in the Columbus organization, he would also play 52 games for the Cleveland Monsters, scoring 7 total points.
Harrington would sign with San Jose in 2022 and then be traded to New Jersey in February of 2023. New Jersey would then put him on waivers a few days later, where he would be picked up by Anaheim and play 17 games.
In 2023, Harrington would leave for Europe and play for the ZSC Lions of the Swiss League. After playing just 14 games in 23-24, he would return to North America for the 24-25 season to play for the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL.
He played for the Belleville Senators last season, and is signed on to play for them again this year. He had 19 points in 69 games last season.
Adam McQuaid - Columbus originally drafted McQuaid in the 2nd round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. McQuaid would never play for the CBJ, though. While he was still in the OHL, he was traded to Boston by Columbus for Boston's 5th-round pick in the 2007 NHL Draft on May 16, 2007. The pick the Jackets sent to Boston turned out to be Jamie Benn.
After playing nine years in Boston, he was traded to the Rangers in 2018. But in 2019, McQuaid was traded from New York to Columbus to help the Jackets with their playoff push. He played in 14 games before the season ended, suffering an injury that would ultimately end his career.
On March 28, 2019, Montreal’s Andrew Shaw gave McQuaid a nasty blindside shot that took him out of the game and his career. McQuaid told The Athletic, “I definitely wasn’t in a good place physically. Then it weighed on me mentally. I wasn’t feeling like myself. I had many injuries throughout my career, unfortunately. That became part of my story. I look at it more as having overcome different injuries, come back, try to play the same way, and not have it affect my outlook on playing. But I was probably at a point where I had the most going on. I had so many different things that were really nagging me. I felt like I wanted to give more. But you hear guys say that they’re asking their bodies to do things and just not getting the response they want.”
McQuaid would finish his career 73 points and one Stanley Cup.
Who was your favorite #54?
There are 54 days to go until opening night at NWA.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers will be looking to end their seven-game losing streak, and they're -175 favorites to do just that.
My Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks believe the road team is worth backing with Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound.
Who will win Dodgers vs Diamondbacks today: Dodgers (-175)
Brandon Pfaadt has gotten remarkable results of late, but even so, his season-long outputs are not overwhelmingly impressive.
Most alarming are his 48th-percentile ranking in xBA and his inability to generate strikeouts. He sits in the seventh percentile with a 15.6 K%.
The Los Angeles Dodgersrank first in OPS and wOBA vs. righties despite their recent struggles.
They are a breakout waiting to happen, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of nine road starts, with better underlying numbers to boot.
He’s the perfect person to get the Dodgers back on track. Bet to -185.
COVERS INTEL: Yamamoto ranks in the 99th percentile in Pitcher Run Value this season.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-110)
His ability to keep the ball in the park and limit free baserunners makes it very difficult for opponents to put together big innings.
Pfaadt has been even better at limiting the longball (0.92 HR/9), and has conceded just one bomb over his last 40.1 innings of work.
He has induced grounders efficiently while limiting hard contact, setting him up to avoid blow-up innings.
I’d play the Under to -117.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 73-66, -7.50 units
Over/Under bets: 76-57-6, +9.89 units
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks weather
This game will be played in a dome.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks odds
Moneyline: Dodgers -175 | Diamondbacks +150
Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (-110) | Diamondbacks +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks trend
Arizona has hit the Game Total Under in 25 of their last 45 home games (+7.50 units, 15% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks.
How to watch Dodgers vs Diamondbacks and game info
Location
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Saturday, August 8, 2026
First pitch
8:10 p.m. ET
TV
SNLA, DBacks.TV
Dodgers starting pitcher
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11-7, 2.76 ERA)
Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Brandon Pfaadt (6-1, 3.66 ERA)
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks 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 Texas Rangers have won three consecutive games and are -150 favorites to extend their winning streak tonight when they host the Baltimore Orioles.
With Baltimore struggling mightily at the dish following a deadline selloff, my Orioles vs. Rangers predictions and MLB picks see value backing Texas to pick up a low-scoring win.
Who will win Orioles vs Rangers today: Texas Rangers (-150)
Jacob deGrom is not in great form, but he has been very good on the year, pitching to a 3.26 xFIP.
He is in a nice spot to rebound against a Baltimore Orioles team that pulled the plug at the trade deadline, selling multiple everyday bats for futures.
We’re dealing with small samples, but the Orioles have predictably fallen off since that happened. They’re hitting a league-worst .160 against righties since Aug. 3.
The Texas Rangers are 18th in wOBA vs. right-handed pitching the past two months, and should give deGrom enough support against Kyle Bradish.
Bet to -160.
COVERS INTEL:Baltimore ranks dead last with a .190 average on the road against righties over the last month.
Orioles vs Rangers Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-115)
deGrom has done a much better job of limiting damage at home. He owns a 3.04 ERA and 0.80 HR/9 in Texas compared to a 4.87 ERA and 1.73 HR/9 on the road. Night and day.
His home success should continue against this watered-down Orioles lineup that has plated three runs or fewer in three of four games since the deadline.
Run line: Orioles +1.5 (-160) | Rangers -1.5 (+140)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 (-105) | Under 7.5 (-115)
Orioles vs Rangers trend
Baltimore has hit the Game Total Under in 27 of the last 45 games (+8.55 units, 17% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Orioles vs. Rangers.
How to watch Orioles vs Rangers and game info
Location
Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Date
Saturday, August 8, 2026
First pitch
7:15 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (7-10, 3.79 ERA)
Rangers starting pitcher
Jacob deGrom (7-7, 3.96 ERA)
Orioles vs Rangers 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.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 04: Jo Adell #7 of the Cleveland Guardians runs onto the field prior to a game against the New York Mets at Progressive Field on August 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jo Adell built a reputation as a lefty masher before being traded to the Guardians. His career numbers vs. RHP have been a weakness, but there were stretches of success off them in the past. Today we will take a look at what the numbers say and try to determine if Adell has potential to hit RHP well enough to impact the game offensively on an everyday basis.
Jo Adell had a very successful 2025 vs. RHP relative to his career numbers, but has fallen back down to being very poor against them so far in 2026. Was 2025 a fluke, or is there something there to indicate that there’s potential to recapture that success in what remains of the 2026 season? To determine that, let’s look at some of his underlying stats over the last 2 seasons.
We can see the K% and the BB% have both dropped, which is a bit of a mixed bag, but the Whiff% has stayed fairly stable, so there’s no obvious deterioration in contact ability. The biggest change here is the 2026 vs. RHP contact quality has dipped a bit, with the largest drop coming in Barrel%. When we look at the numbers outright, we can see he’s basically league average in EV and in Barrel%, and decently above it in Hard-Hit%. This would indicate he’s still able to impact the ball with legitimate authority, but his precision is off in such a way that he’s not able to translate those swings into barrel level damage vs. RHP.
The good news is that there’s no indication that the approach has collapsed, and he’s still showing some ability to hit the ball hard vs. RHP. This data points more to a loss of consistency than a loss of ability to make quality contact. Obviously a .300 xwOBA is not good. In fact, it’s well below league average, but it’s also not “this hitter has no ability to hit righties.” As it stands right now, a .300 xwOBA would rank 4th on the Guardians’ current roster of hitters with over 50 PAs.
With the Guardians offense being in the state it’s been over the past 2 seasons, I can see why the team would want to give Adell a run vs. RHP. There’s enough to like in the underlying numbers and the recent history that it seems more than worth giving him a chance to recapture that 2025 form. Hopefully Adell can find that consistency again and be a formidable force in the box for the Guards, no matter who takes the mound against us!
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 07: Austin Riley #27 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday, August 7, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It might be possible that second half Austin RileyTM has arrived. Maybe we should ask Fernando Cruz.
It might be possible. The man was left for dead in the first half, only sporting a .207/.288/.329, a 73 wRC+, and 9 home runs in 385 plate appearances. It wasn’t just the top-line numbers. He was genuinely lost at the plate. It appeared to be largely an approach with him. His bat speed is in the 92nd percentile.
We don’t recognize that guy any more. Since the All-Star Break (not counting last night), Austin is on a .290/.333/.522 tear with a 131 wRC+ and four home runs. The fifth was pretty huge last night, until the ugliness occurred.
I owe you guys a deep dive but it’s after midnight. I will show you know one thing that I have noticed lately. Austin is pulling non-fastballs now. I don’t know if this is an approach thing or he’s seeing the ball better or what exactly. But it’s definitely a trend. Might want to add another data point well into the Yankee Stadium left field bleachers.
Here’s something with more data points. He’s not taking breaking pitches to right field. Everything is pulled here or hit straightway. I mean, that has to be pitch recognition, no? But that’s not the question. Is Austin Riley back? Looks like it from here.
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 07: Pete Alonso #25 of the the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Friday, August 7, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tenley Wright/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning Birdland,
Well, it was yet another putrid night for the Orioles offense. They have scored one run or fewer in four of their last six games. Their record in those four games? 0-4. Tough to chase down a wild card spot with a lineup that disappears far too often,
The problem wasn’t even getting runners on base. They had seven hits, three walks, and five at-bats with runners in scoring position. But they wasted almost all of those chances. Pete Alonso struck out with the bases loaded in the fifth, and Leody Taveras was punched out in the sixth with two runners on base.
Christian Franklin came up clutch with a ninth-inning double into the right field corner that nearly scored Taveras from first base. But the Rangers executed a perfect relay to apparently nab him at the plate. It was close, and O’s manager Craig Albernaz challenged, but (despite some evidence to the contrary) the called was upheld anyway.
It’s a shame because the Orioles got a really good Shane Baz start in the loss. He was the only pitcher that Albernaz used. He tossed all eight innings, allowed the two runs on three hits, a walk, and nine strikeouts. Both runs he gave up came on a Joc Pederson homer in the sixth.
Baz’s season ERA is down to 3.76. He has gotten better as the season has worn on. Back on May 15, he had a 5.26 ERA and 4.37 FIP. Since then, he has made 14 starts and thrown 85 innings. In that time he has a 2.86 ERA and 2.75 FIP. Maybe the Orioles did land a frontline arm this offseason after all.
The silver lining to all of this is also a bit scary. The Orioles have ground to make up in the standings, and they will exclusively play teams ahead of them in the AL over the next two weeks. If you want to play with the big boys you need to beat ‘em first.
Kyle Bradish (7-10, 3.79 ERA) will face off with Jacob deGrom (7-7, 3.96 ERA) later today, hopefully reversing the Orioles latest fortunes. Be advised that the game is being broadcast on FOX.
Links
The narrative of the Orioles’ rebuild changed with the trade deadline. It didn’t have to. | The Baltimore Banner Eh, it wasn’t the trade deadline that changed the narrative. It was the last two-and-a-half seasons that did that. There are still a lot of positive structural changes that have occurred within the organization, but there are also obvious failings too. Changes are needed. Getting rid of Adley Rutschman isn’t the last shakeup that is likely to come.
Orioles’ No. 3 prospect continues to climb the K charts in the Minors | MLB.com Joseph Dzierwa may be the single biggest success story of the Orioles minor league system this year. The 2025 second-round pick has dominated at both High-A Frederick and Double-A Chesapeake this season. It’s possible that he could get to Baltimore sometime next season if he continues to ascend.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
Eddy Rodríguez turns 45 today. He pitched in 38 games for the Orioles between the 2004 and ‘06 seasons.
The late Johnny Temple (b. 1927, d. 1994) was born on this day. Known best for his years in Cincinnati, Temple spent half of the 1962 season on the Orioles infield.
A posthumous celebration for Marlin Stuart (b. 1918, d. 1994), who was a pitcher that came wth the organization on its move from St. Louis to Baltimore in 1954.
This day in O’s history
This has been a rather slow day in Orioles history, according to Baseball Reference. So, instead here are a few happenings from beyond Birdland:
1969 – Photographer Iain Macmillan takes an iconic photo of the Beatles at a zebra crossing in London. The image would become the cover of the band’s album Abbey Road.
1988 – The first night baseball game in the history of Chicago’s Wrigley field takes place, but is rained out in the fourth inning.
1991 – The Warsaw radio mast, then the tallest structure ever built, collapses.
2004 – The Dave Matthews Band’s tour bus dumps approximately 800 pounds of human waste onto a boat full of passengers in the Chicago River.
2007 – The most powerful tornado in New York to date and first in Brooklyn at all since 1889 touches down in Kings County and Richmond County, NY.
The Cubs made a flurry of deals before Monday’s Trade Deadline, and one of Jed Hoyer’s primary aims was to add quality starting pitching to the team.
And in acquiring Kevin Gausman, he appears to have done so. Gausman was as advertised (after a bit of a shaky first inning), throwing seven strong innings and allowing two runs, helping lead the Cubs to a 6-4 win over the Royals, their fifth straight victory.
That first inning for the Cubs’ new right-hander included a walk and then a single by Salvador Perez that went off Gausman’s foot for a hit. A double by Isaac Collins scored a run to give KC a 1-0 lead.
Gausman stayed in the game and after that was nails, including four strikeouts and inducing weak contact on his excellent splitter.
The Cubs then put together a four-run rally in the second that began with two out and no one on base. Carson Kelly and Pedro Ramirez singled and Dansby Swanson walked to load the bases. Pete Crow-Armstrong then singled and two runs scored [VIDEO].
Only one RBI was credited to PCA as the throwing error scored the second run. Swanson stopped at third. PCA then stole second, his 30th, putting two runners in scoring position for Seiya Suzuki, whose hit scored both to make it 4-1 [VIDEO].
After that Gausman was just nails. He did serve up a home run ball to Carter Jensen in the sixth that made it 4-2, but otherwise wound up retiring 19 of the last 21 Royals he faced.
The Cubs got Gausman an additional run in the top of the seventh. PCA led off with a walk and one out later, moved to second on a wild pitch.
Caleb Thielbar then entered the game for the bottom of the eighth and had another rough outing. He allowed three hits and two runs and Trent Thornton had to come in to keep the score at 6-4.
Jacob Webb, who’s been just outstanding since being nominally made the Cubs’ closer, retired the Royals in order in the ninth for save number 7. Here’s the final out [VIDEO].
The Twins beat the Brewers Friday (thanks Twins!), so the Cubs picked up a game in the NL Central standings. More from BCB’s JohnW53:
With their win and the Brewers’ loss to the Twins, the Cubs are 4.5 games out of first place. They had not been fewer than five games back since May 30, when they trailed by four games following a 6-1 win at St. Louis. They have played 58 games since then, going 36-22. Their biggest deficit was eight games, the last time on June 17, when they were 39-36 after an 8-6 win at home over the Rockies. …….. Friday night’s win was the Cubs’ fifth in a row. They also won five straight June 27-July 1: two games at Milwaukee, then three at home vs. the Padres. Those are the Cubs’ only streaks of more than four wins except their pair of 10-game streaks, April 14-24 and April 29-May 8. ….. The Cubs have erased deficits in each of the five consecutive wins. They have erased 51 different deficits in 48 different games. They are 35-13 in those games and have won eight straight, 10 of 12 and 20 of 22 starting June 11, the day they began their 34-15 surge.
The Cubs will go for the series win Saturday evening in Kansas City, and also their sixth win in a row. Clay Holmes is scheduled to make his Cubs debut and Seth Lugo will go for the Royals. Game time is 6:10 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
Australia got new coach Les Kiss off to a winning start on Saturday with a nail-biting 35-32 victory over Japan that was full of twists and turns in sweltering Osaka.
Wallabies win first match under new coach Les Kiss
Amatosero red carded in the first half
“Deep care,” is the message from Les Kiss ahead of his first match in charge of Australia. He wants his team to care about every second, on and off the pitch, when they’re on national team duty.
The 2026 Test calendar is a patchwork quilt of matches scattered around the world as the the All Blacks and Springboks flex their financial muscles and teams begin preparations for next year’s World Cup.
COVERS INTEL: Nola’s 
