The Cubs will wrap up a wild three-game series against the Reds Sunday night. They dropped a close game on Friday 10-8 after they just couldn’t quite pull off the comeback. Saturday they left no room for error, scoring 17 runs, including the first career three home run effort from MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong. They’ll look to win their final game at Wrigley Field against Cincy this season on NBC’s game of the week, and you know what that means: Bingo.
This game started as a way to make some truly groan-worthy national announcer crews more palatable, but I admit tonight’s crew for NBC is not that. Jason Benetti is the best in the business and he’ll be joined by Jeff Brantley and Anthony Rizzo. That only would be a great booth, and I admit I’m excited to hear what Rizzo has to say about his 2016 World Series teammate Jon Lester, who will be inducted into the Cubs Hall of Fame tonight. But tonight’s crew also includes the absolutely essential Joey Votto who will be contributing from the sideline and if you haven’t had a chance to watch Votto talk about baseball this season, you’re in for a treat:
Joey Votto, a former star left-handed hitter, breaks down a tough lefty-lefty matchup for Kyle Schwarber in his NBC 'Inside the Pitch' analyst debut on Sunday Night Baseball. ⚾️🎙️ #MLBpic.twitter.com/acl7INbu6T
But the (Bingo) game must go on even as the booth reaches legendary status. As always, play along at home and if you want a real challenge, make it a blackout game. I do not recommend making it a drinking game unless you are trying to black out:
SACRAMENTO, CA - AUGUST 29: Colton Cowser #17 of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases during the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Don Collier/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Orioles have an opportunity to sweep the Athletics today with Chris Bassitt on the mound. Baltimore managed a pair of close victories over the struggling A’s on Friday and Saturday. The team will look to build some momentum with a convincing result this afternoon.
Blaze Alexander is back atop the lineup and will play second base. Jackson Holliday will begin the game on the bench. Pete Alonso is back as the designated hitter, which brings both Coby Mayo (first base) and Christian Encarnacion-Strand (third) into the lineup. CES made several nice plays in Baltimore’s 5-3 win last night.
Leody Taveras (right), Christian Franklin (left) and Colton Cowser (center) will makeup the outfield. Carlos Narváez will catch Bassitt, and Gunnar Henderson will play short.
The Orioles will face left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs. Springs holds a 3-12 record and a 6.08 ERA over 118.1 innings.
These are the games the Orioles need to win if they hope to make the playoffs. Baltimore has already clinched the series, but the team needs every win it can get. Baltimore can come within one game of .500 with a victory today.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: The sneakers worn by Romeo Weems #88 of the Chicago Bulls during the game against the Utah Jazz during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 18, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
ANAHEIM, Calif. – His pitch count had risen over 100 on a hot, 90-degree day. Zack Wheeler’s tank was almost empty. He had just walked two batters in a tie game. There were two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning and there was nowhere to turn.
Despite a recent slump that saw him walk 15 batters and rack up a 8.38 ERA in his previous four starts, Wheeler remains one of baseball’s very best pitchers.
So, after falling behind Jose Siri with two quick balls and the game on the line, Wheeler was able to climb back into the count and register a swinging strikeout on a 3-2 curveball.
“I got behind there,” the pitcher said later. “I had just walked two guys and I’m thinking I can’t walk this guy, just bear down. I’ve got J.T. (Realmuto) back there and he’s got confidence in me. The curveball was working today so we leaned on it and I was able to throw it for a strike.”
Wheeler has 154 strikeouts on the season. This one might have been his most important.
Because moments after keeping the Los Angeles Angels at bay in the bottom of the sixth, Wheeler watched teammate Edmundo Sosa clout a tie-breaking homer to left to help send the Phillies on to a 5-2 victory and a sweep of the three-game series Sunday afternoon at Anaheim Stadium.
Wheeler earned his first win since July 12.
The Phillies have won 13 of their last 15 to improve to a season-high 17 games over .500. They are 20-7 in August with one more game to play in the month.
Sosa, getting the start at third base against lefty Yusei Kikuchi, had a huge series. Before Sunday’s homer, he belted a ninth-inning grand slam to key Friday night’s comeback win. He has seven homers on the season.
The big story Sunday was the work of Wheeler. His recent struggles had resulted in alarm bells sounding. In the wake of Monday’s four-homer, five-walk performance in a loss at Seattle, the Phillies’ pitching brain trust spent the week diving into the 36-year-old right-hander’s struggles. A mechanical adjustment was made. Wheeler struggled with his control, walking a batter and hitting another, as he loaded the bases and gave up a run in the first inning. But a double-play ball mitigated the early problems. After that, Wheeler looked pretty close to his old self. In all, he went six innings and allowed four hits and a run while walking three and striking out six. Not bad.
“He wasn’t sharp against the first few batters, but once he got that double play, I felt confident he’d be himself today,” Realmuto said. “His four-seam fastball had more life today, more carry, and he was locating it better. When he’s doing that, he’s at his best and he can blow away good fastball hitters with his fastball. He’s close. We have all the faith in the world that he’s going to be the guy for us that he’s been in the past.”
Wheeler confirmed that he’s close to being himself, but added, “I’m still not out of it. It’s been tough. I’ve just had to grind. I expect a standard from myself and I just haven’t been there.”
With the help of the team’s pitching instructors and analysts, Wheeler spent the days leading up to the start digging into his mechanics.
“The biggest thing they talked about was posture,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He was getting a little bit of lean (toward home plate) and that caused some problems.”
“We feel like we kind of figured some things out,” Wheeler said. “When I feel off, I look at the biomechanical stuff because you see more stuff than regular video. You can see the smallest little difference. My glove was down two more inches than where it had been all year in my last start. They showed me a graph of how it’s been trending, so we brought the front arm up a little bit and went from there. Everything synched up off that. I was able to get my weight on my back leg and that helped me be more direct rather than rotational.”
Half of Wheeler’s 108 pitches were four-seam fastballs. The pitch averaged 95.4 mph and topped out at 96.3.
Wheeler allowed a leadoff double in the third but pitched over it with the help of center fielder Derek Hill, who made a nice running/diving catch for the second out.
The next time Wheeler got in trouble was in the bottom of the sixth. He handled that problem all by himself with a full-count curveball to Siri and his 15th swing and miss of the day.
Mattingly thought about removing Wheeler before the Siri at-bat.
“He was getting toward the end, but I felt like he deserved that shot right there,” Mattingly said. “We know what he can be and what he can do. This was a good start to head in that direction. It’s good to get him going in that direction.”
Wheeler’s battery mate, Realmuto, first tied the game with a solo homer in the third. Sosa put the Phils up in the seventh and they tagged on with two runs in the eighth and another in the ninth.
Rookie right-hander Alex McFarlane continued to impress with a scoreless seventh. Jose Alvarado pitched into some trouble in the eighth, but got out of it with the help of Orion Kerkering, who stayed on for the ninth. Kerkering allowed a run before getting the final out.
Bryce Harper singled and doubled to extend his career-best on-base streak to 32 games.
The Phillies’ next two series are important ones. They open a three-game series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks on Monday night. Arizona currently holds the third NL wild-card position, 4 1/2 games behind the Phillies. With a good series, the Phils could put more space between themselves and the D-Backs.
On Friday, the Phils open a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. It will be the first of seven meetings the teams will have in the next two weeks. The Braves hold the lead in the NL East by five games over the Phils.
Wheeler lines up to pitch the second game of the series. He might not be all the way back, but he took a major step forward Sunday.
Jun 4, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Jeffrey Springs (59) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Here we go. Series finale Sunday. The A’s have already lost the series but can salvage a win today and avoid the sweep. Gotta maintain our lead over the Angels for fourth place in the AL West.
It’s left-hander Jeffrey Springs on the mound for today. It’s been a rough season for Springs in what is likely his final year with the squad. He’s looked better in his two starts since coming off the IL though and hopefully he can help push this team to a win in the series finale.
Mostly the same lineup as yesterday’s with some minor changes. The top of the order is the same but McNeil and Gelof are at different spots in the field. Infielders Donovan Walton and Tommy White are also swapping spots in the order. Catcher Jonah Heim gets a full day off meaning Brian Serven is catching Springs. And Alika Williams is back in at shortstop after a day off.
As for Baltimore, they have old friend Chris’s Bassitt on the mound for them in this one. The former Athletic has bounced around in recent years. He’s wrapping up his first year in Baltimore, which has not gone well for him or team. The righty has a 4.77 ERA while seeing time on the IL this year. Could an offseason reunion happen between us and our former starter?
And here’s Baltimore’s lineup today for the finale:
Cole Carrigg, one of the National League's top rookies this season, will miss at least the Colorado Rockies' Sunday, Aug. 30 game at Atlanta for making an inappropriate gesture toward Braves fans in the Rockies' loss Saturday.
Carrigg, 24, made a diving effort on a Michael Harris II fly ball in the seventh inning Saturday but came up just short of a dazzling catch as it deflected off the top of his glove. Two runs scored on the play, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead that held up for the victory.
As Braves fans cheered in the aftermath of the crucial sequence, Carrigg, with his back turned toward fans in center field, flipped the bird in their direction. The morning after, manager Warren Schaeffer announced Carrigg would be benched for Sunday's series finale, and perhaps the start of their home series against Baltimore.
"Cole made a mistake – he knows that is an embarrassment to the organization and that we don’t stand for that," Schaeffar said Sunday, per MLB.com. "Listen, everybody makes mistakes. It’s just one that he has to learn from. It’s just that we will not put up with that here.
"So he is going to sit a couple days, because he’s a guy that wants to play every day. That’s the repercussions of this.”
Carrigg, who made his major league debut June 9, is a hard-nosed player who earlier this season had a brief altercation with Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing after scoring a go-ahead 10th-inning run.
"First, I apologize to my teammates and the organization – that’s not how I want to represent us,” Carrigg told reporters in Atlanta. "That’s inexcusable on my part.
"With that being said, I’m somebody who’s going to play at 110% every game and give my all to this team and to the game to try to win ballgames. That was a play that I felt could or could not have won the game, so I’m very passionate about that.
"Braves fans are pretty passionate themselves. Kudos to them. But that can’t happen."
Carrigg eventually pinch-hit Sunday, striking out in place of Troy Johnston, and remained in the game in center field.
Carrigg is capable of playing both shortstop and center field, and this season, he's posted a .345 on-base percentage and .789 OPS - 106 adjusted - for Colorado. He has six homers and eight steals in 11 attempts, completing a three-year rise after the Rockies drafted him in the second round in 2023.
Carrigg was high school teammates with Athletics slugger Tyler Soderstrom, and as he rose the ranks in amateur and pro ball, expected he'd arrive in the majors.
"You get to college and do it. You get to the minors and do it," he told USA TODAY Sports last week. "Each step prepares you and if you look at it with the right state of mind, you can tell yourself, ‘I’ve done it with these guys before, I’ve seen these guys in college. Why not me?’"
Victor Wembanyama is a nearly unstoppable force in the NBA, and he might be better when playing for his country.
Wembanyama put up 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting on Sunday, helping France pull away from Sweden late in the second half of a FIBA World Cup qualifying game played before a record crowd of 14,750 at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Wemby put on a show, maybe just not what the Swedish fans hoped to see.
Two of these plays deserve to be looked at again. First, the body control on this drive then the vision to make a pass normally reserved for point guards is amazing.
Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson was hot as well and scored 23 points to lead Sweden.
France outscored Sweden 20-5 to close out the game and win 84-69. That has France 7-1 in World Cup qualifying and in first place in Group L, while Sweden falls to 4-4.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - AUGUST 24: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 24, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After two close wins, the Phillies will go for the sweep on Sunday in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels.
Zack Wheeler gets the start for the Phillies, and will draw a lot of attention after a string of disappointing starts.
The Angels will start Yusei Kikuchi. The Japanese lefthander has endured a poor season, with a 6.25 ERA in eight starts.
Game time is 4:07 PM Eastern and will be televised locally by NBCSP.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros hits an RBI triple in the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TODAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros (68-68) and New York Mets (61-75) will play the rubber match of this series this afternoon at Citi Field.
Rookie RHP Ethan Pecko (0-0, 7.88 ERA) will make his 3rd start of the season as he takes on Mets LHP Zac Thornton (3-4, 2.88 ERA).
ASTROS-METS: Since 2017, the Astros are 14-4 vs. the Mets, with a 5-2 mark here at Citi Field. They took 2 of 3 from NYM in their last visit to Citi Field, June 28-30, 2024.
Common Bond: The Astros and Mets both entered the Major Leagues in 1962, with both clubs competing in the NL at that time (HOU moved to the AL in 2013). Both clubs have won two World Series Championships and five pennants. The Astros hold the edge in the all-time regular season series with a 323-264-1 record, while the Mets were victorious in the one postseason series between the two clubs, taking the 1986 NLCS in what was a thrilling, 6-game series.
NY STATE OF MIND: Today is the finale of a 6-game road trip for the Astros (3-2 thus far), with all 6 games being scheduled in the Big Apple. Prior to the current series vs. NYM, the Astros took 2 of 3 from the Yankees in the Bronx (Tues-Thur).
Last Time It Happened: The Astros had a similar road trip in NYC, June 23-29 of 2022, during which they played 4 games at Yankee Stadium (2-2) and 2 games at Citi Field (2-0), respectively.
YOUNG ETHAN: Tonight will be the 3rd ML start/ app. for 24-year-old rookie RHP Ethan Pecko, and his 2nd start on the current road trip. He also started the 1st game of the trip, which was Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, which was also his 24th birthday. He ended that start with no decision. Pecko was the Astros 6th-round pick in 2023 out of Towson University (MD).
YESTERDAY’S RECAP: The Astros were defeated by the Mets yesterday afternoon, 6-2. RHP Cristian Javier (1-5) took the loss in relief (4.1 IP, 3 ER). LHP Bennett Sousa served as the opener (0.2 IP, 1 ER). Yordan Alvarez drove in both of the Astros runs on the day, going 2×3 with a solo HR and a sacrifice fly. The Astros offense was held to just 4 hits.
MATCHING HIS BEST: Yesterday’s HR by Yordan Alvarez was his AL-leading 37th of the season, matching his career high, set 2022. His career-high in RBI is 104, set in 2021 (currently has an AL-best 93 RBI).
ROAD WARRIORS: Today is the finale of the Astros 6-game road trip (3-2 thus far). Since posting a 1-9 record on the 1st road trip of the 2026 season, the Astros have been one of the best road teams in the Majors. They are 34-24 (.586) on the road since April 14, which is 3rd-best in the AL in that span. More recently, they are 18-12 (.600) on their last 5 road trips combined (includes current trip). Overall for the season, HOU is 35-33 on the road.
ON THE OFFENSIVE: Among AL teams, the Astros rank 1st in TB (1,870), 2nd in SLG (.409), T-2nd in HR (180), T-3rd in runs scored (618) and 4th in OPS (.725).
TRIPLE THREAT: Yordan Alvarez, who is a solid candidate for the AL MVP Award, currently leads the AL in several categories, including all three Triple Crown categories. He enters today leading the AL in batting avg. (.320), HR (37) and RBI (93). Additionally, Alvarez also leads the Majors in OPS (1.049), SLG (.613), OBP (.435) and is 2nd in TB (295).
Rare Feat: Since Carl Yastrzemski won the AL Triple Crown in 1967, there has been just one Triple Crown winner in the Majors, Miguel Cabrera in 2012 (AL).
UP TO THE CHALLENGE: Astros hitters are 2nd in the AL in successful ABS challenges with 85. Their 54% success rate in challenges is T-1st in the AL. Among individual players, Jose Altuve’s 20 successful challenges are also T-1st in the AL.
MEASURING UP: The Astros are 25-14 (.641) vs. teams currently at .500 or above. Some clubs that they have winning records against include BOS (5-1), CHC (3-0), CWS (2-1), CLE (4-2), MIA (3-0), and TB (2-1). HOU is 9-4 vs. TEX, who are in 2nd place in the AL West.
SLOW AND STEADY RECOVERY: Since starting the season with a 20-31 record after 51 games, the Astros are 48-37 (.565) in their last 85 games (since May 22). That is the 2nd-best record in the AL in that span, behind only the Red Sox (52-35).
THE HIT MAN: Jose Altuve enters today’s game needing just 8 hits to reach 2,500 for his career. Among active players, his 2,492 hits rank 2nd to Freddie Freeman’s 2,582.
IN GOOD COMPANY: In MLB history, Altuve is one of just 3 players with a .300 career batting avg. to reach both 250 HR and 300 SB. The other 2 are HOFers Willie Mays and Derek Jeter.
HADERADE: With Friday night’s scoreless 9th inning, LHP Josh Hader extended his scoreless innings streak to 18.0 innings (17 app.). His is the longest streak by an Astros hurler this season and the 3rd-longest current streak in the Majors. Opponents are just 4×58 (.069) during the streak. Hader is also now 20-for-20 in save opportunities in 2026. Hader in August: 1-0, 12 G, 0.00 ERA, 13.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 15 SO.
ONE OF THE BEST: Double A Corpus Christi C/1B Jason Schiavone, who has 5 HR and 9 RBI in his last 5 games, has been one of the top players in minor league baseball in 2026. In his combined 107 games at Single A Asheville and Corpus, he leads the Astros system in HR (30) and RBI (80) while slashing .260/.398/.551 with a .949 OPS. Schiavone, who is 23, was selected by the Astros in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Amateur Draft.
HOMEWARD BOUND: After today’s game, the Astros will return home to Houston for a 7-game homestand, during which they will face the White Sox (4g) and Diamondbacks (3g), respectively. The Astros are 2-1 thus far vs. CWS, and will be facing ARI for the 1st time in 2026.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY:1970 – In the Dome, the Astros touch up opposing starter Nolan Ryan for 3 HR en route to a 9-5 win over the visiting Mets. Jimmy Wynn leads with way, going 4-for5 with 2 HR and 5 RBI, with both HR coming off the future Hall of Famer. SS Denis Menke also has a big day with 2 HR and 3 RBI.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Sunday, August 30, 2:10 p.m. CT
Location: Citi Field, Queens, NY
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 21: Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on ahead of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 21, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The latest SB Nation Reacts polling had to do with a broader thought with meaningful implications for the San Francisco Giants.
Earlier in the week, Major League Baseball put out a new set of proposals (free to read) that were mainly designed with a salary cap in mind. Michael Baumann went over the pros and cons of the proposals over at FanGraphs (free), while Marc Normandin discussed for Baseball Prospectus (sub required) how none of the proposals actually require a salary cap. So, the owners are sticking firm to there being a salary cap. The players don’t intend to budge on the matter; and, as much as we fans are “caught in the middle,” it’s worth it to me to point out that too many fans want a salary cap without bothering to learn anything about what it would mean for Major League Baseball to have one.
But that blissful ignorance is a topic for another day. I suspect we’ll have plenty of time to pick over everybody’s opinions and public statements during this inevitable lockout — and it will be a lockout, not a strike — and that’ll be in addition to my personal fretting about the missed development time for a lot of the players.
In case you hadn’t heard or had forgotten, players on the 40-man roster would be impacted by a lockout. Not the minor league clubs. So, not every Giants prospect would miss out on games during a lockout period — again, the minor league schedule will carry on as usual during a lockout of the MLB level — but some would. Notably:
Bryce Eldridge
Randy Rodriguez
Yunior Marte
Blade Tidwell
Drew Cavanaugh
Jesus Rodriguez
Andrew Susac
Nate Furman
Marcelo Mayer
Victor Bericoto
Jonah Cox
They won’t be able to have contact with their big league clubs during the lockout period, which means coaching and training check ins and instruction are off the table.
The majority of Giants fans polled by SB Nation think that there will be fewer than 162 games played in the regular season, which would mean a substantial lockout. Indeed, 76% think games will be missed, ranging from “some” to “all,” and that’s probably a very exciting prospect for owners. Having the fans on their side to crush the players really does give them leverage the longer a lockout lasts beyond December (the current one expires on December 1st). Respondents might also simply be keeping up with the news and understand that this craven cadre of owners has dug in on a potentially sport-damaging issue that is merely reflective of the destructive nature of the billionaires of our time. Total value extraction at any cost.
While I don’t think a delay in the start of the season will meaningfully impact Bryce Eldridge — who’s still quite young — or Randy Rodriguez — who’ll still be recovering from Tommy John surgery — if games wind up being played in 2027, I wonder how much of a setback their careers might experience if an entire season is missed.
For most of the other players, they seem like they’re in a tough situation where missed time could really set them back. To what extent does offseason contact with the team matter? Well, I suspect we’ll find out if a lot of games are missed and then we look at the development of players like Jonah Cox, Victor Bericoto, and Blade Tidwell. With a lot of these injured players, we can already see how simply missing game action for an extended period of time hurts them. Sure, they could be receiving coaching and physical therapy during this time period (again, two things they’d miss in a lockout), but it’s tough to replicate game speed when trying to get back to playing shape.
Then there’s what a layoff might do for the actual coaching staff. It’s not like Tony Vitello and crew won’t be able to access the organization. So, a full offseason of scouting and preparation is still on the table. Plus, a longer layoff might do well in helping him close the knowledge and rhythm gap since he didn’t really have one prior to this disastrous season. He and his coaches will be able to interact with all of the minor leaguers not on the 40-man roster, too, but on the downside, it’ll be a long winter of him once again being separated from the major league level. It’s the drag coefficient on his career right now, to the point that major league umpires are giving him the business. No stretch to imagine how much of a gap there is between he and his players. But, a lockout has the chance to help TV out quite a bit. It might also provide him cover for an exit back to the college ranks… if he wants to go that way.
Another article for another time is how it does feel like Buster Posey is being graded on a curve here. There’s no evidence that the team will be better in 2027 anyway, so maybe my comments in this post amount to nothing more than some concern trolling when it comes to developing players and future outcomes. Nobody should anticipate the San Francisco Giants being a good baseball team any time soon. Easy knowledge to take with you to FanDuel. For a couple of years now, I’ve been saying that this is a lost decade and that 2030 is a nice target year for expecting the franchise to have turned things around. Now, obviously, being good in a specific season requires improvement in areas in the preceding years, but 2030 is still four seasons out. They don’t really need to start looking better or getting better for a couple more, and so a lockout of any duration isn’t going to meaningful improve or hinder what the Giants are trying to do in the near-term. Maybe that’s why respondents voted the way they did. Makes sense.
Aug 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (25) hits an RBI double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Detroit Tigers (63-72) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (81-55)
Time/Place: 1:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site:True Blue LA Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (8-9, 4.35 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow (3-0, 3.02 ERA)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: Pitcher Zac Thornton #49 of the New York Mets pitches to the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Citi Field on August 25, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Benjamin B. Braun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS Juan Soto – DH Bo Bichette – 3B Carson Benge – RF Jared Young – 1B Luis Robert – LF A.J. Ewing – CF Marcus Semien – 2B Luis Torrens – C
SP: Zac Thornton – LHP
Astros lineup
Jeremy Pena – SS Yordan Alvarez – LF Isaac Paredes – DH Jose Altuve – 2B Daulton Varsho – CF Christian Walker – 1B Yainer Diaz – C Cam Smith – RF Nick Allen – 3B
SP: Ethan Pecko – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 3:10 PM EDT TV: NBC/Peacock Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Messi nets four goals, adds assist in 7-1 Miami win
Dejan Joveljić scores twice on Sounders debut
Minnesota United score three times in four minutes
Inter Miami interim coach Guillermo Hoyos ran out of superlatives for Lionel Messi after the Argentine playmaker scored four goals in a Major League Soccer match for the first time in his career to inspire a 7-1 thrashing of CF Montreal on Saturday.
Messi’s four-goal haul and an assist came at a crucial time for Miami, helping them snap a five-game winless run across all competitions.
Los Angeles, CA - August 14:Dodgers Will Smith throws before the start of the game against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, August 14, 2026. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
The Dodgers August has been abysmal, so it’s probably a blessing they don’t play on Monday, the final day of the month. When they boys in blue resume play, they will be back home at Dodger Stadium to host the St. Louis Cardinals for three games beginning on Tuesday night.
September 1 is the first day active roster limits expand to 28 players and 14 pitchers. The Dodgers are expected to get catcher Will Smith back after a week of rehabbing in Triple-A.
Eric Lauer starts on the mound for the Dodgers on Tuesday. St. Louis hasn’t yet named a starting pitcher for the opener, but the identity of the opposing pitcher hasn’t mattered much anyway given how mediocre the Dodgers offense has been lately.
The right-hander has faced some speed bumps against left-handed hitters as of late. The last 30 he's faced have produced a 57% hard-hit rate, 19% barrel rate, and 66.7% elevation rate. Not only that, but those left-handed hitters have a .298 xBA, .656 xSLG, and .423 wOBA.
With Crow-Armstrong owning a .762 SLG, .476 ISO, and 14% barrel rate, he should be worthy of our trust after a monster performance on Saturday.
If the home run scares you, take the bases.
Sal Stewart Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI (-130)
Reds rookie sensation Sal Stewart is easily one of the best bats to back this evening to go over his 1.5 hits + runs + RBI prop.
The price is a bit juicy, but he has surpassed this prop in 66.67% of his 18 elite ratings on the road this season, per Batters-Box. In 45 elite ratings this season, the Reds slugger has gone Over this prop 55.56% of the time.
Across his last 10 games, the young fella has maintained a .634 SLG and .293 ISO while barreling the ball at a 12.5% clip.
Stewart draws Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga, who has a 14.3% ground-ball rate over the last 30 righties faced.During that time, those right-handed hitters own a mouthwatering .453 xBA, .627 xSLG, and .248 ISO.
Stewart has seen left-handed pitchers very well this season and at $1.30 it is worth paying the juice here. Do not take this prop much higher. Alt to Over 1.5 bases.
Chase Burns Under 6.5 strikeouts (-165)
It is no news to true baseball die-hards that Burns is a strikeout machine, but tonight against the Cubs, the Under is the play. Yes, at a juicy price, but the Cubs have maintained a strikeout rate under 20% for weeks now. In their last six games, they have posted just a 14% strikeout rate.
This is a number the Reds starter rarely stays Under, but the Cubs have been on a complete tear, and I see them making a ton of contact this evening. Chicago ranks third in contact rate over its last six games while also ranking second-lowest in swinging-strike rate.
Trust the hot bats. Alt this down to 5.5 if you want plus money, but do not pay more for this prop.
How to watch Reds vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026
First pitch
7:20 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
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.
Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 0.5 home runs 
Sal Stewart Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBI