PITTSBURGH — Paul Skenes insists he has had stretches during his still-burgeoning career when he has had to grit his teeth and grind through it.
The problem is, it rarely seemed like it.
Spending two seasons doing things few pitchers in the history of the game have done — as Skenes did while winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and the NL Cy Young in 2025 with a dazzling arsenal that frequently was unhittable — has a way of raising expectations. Maybe unfairly so to someone only a few months removed from his 24th birthday.
The towering and remarkably mature right-hander is well aware of the standard he has set while becoming one of the faces of the game. There is a weight that comes with it, one he is intent on shouldering even when it’s not easy.
And it’s not easy at the moment. At least not as easy as Skenes has made it look so often since his electrifying arrival.
So while he feels there are things to be upbeat about during a 4 1/3 inning stint in a 4-3 victory over Detroit — particularly a fastball that clicked back into the upper 90s after hovering at 95 mph in a loss to Miami — he knows there remains plenty to work on after another outing where the results just were a little off.
“I’ve been learning a lot and I’ll continue to learn a lot,” he said after his ERA ticked up to 3.95, more than double his career mark of 1.96 when the season began. “Just got to keep going.”
Skenes allowed three runs on four hits with a season-high tying four walks and five strikeouts while throwing just 46 of his 81 pitches for strikes. While he credited the extended break he received when the Pirates adjusted their rotation over the weekend for the uptick in velocity, the fact that the ball isn’t bending to his will remains baffling.
The pitcher who allowed just four or more walks five times in his first 77 appearances now has done it in three of his last four starts.
“I think the walks, it’s frustrating,” he said. “Nobody wants to go out there and walk anybody. Nobody is trying to.”
And yet it is happening. Detroit’s Colt Keith and Gleyber Torres both worked free passes in the first inning, and while Skenes emerged from the frame unscathed, he needed 24 pitches to get three outs.
It’s one of the reasons manager Don Kelly came to get him following an RBI single by Torres with one out in the fifth gave the Tigers the lead. Skenes was on the hook for the loss — which would have been his 10th in 13 decisions since May 17, a stretch in which his ERA is 5.05 — until Rafael Flores Jr. and Brandon Lowe homered in the ninth to give the Pirates just their second win this season when trailing after eight innings.
A creature of habit like most others who do what he does for a living, Skenes hasn’t changed much about his meticulous preparation and is trying to “remember what’s real and what’s not.”
And what’s real?
“Just objective numbers, watching the game, execution, all that stuff,” he said. “Not anything from the outside.”
It’s what’s happening on “the outside” that leaves his teammates at a loss. While he received a typically warm ovation when he was introduced at PNC Park, criticism of his play — and, in one picture of Skenes walking alongside girlfriend Livvy Dunne on a Miami beach that went viral, his physique — has grown as his funk has extended to late summer.
“I think the world’s been spoiled on who Paul Skenes really is,” Lowe said. “He had probably the best starting stretch to a career ever. And now he’s not the greatest pitcher on the face of the planet for a few months, and people were worried and freaking out a bit.”
Lowe is one of the many Pirates who do not count themselves in that group. The veteran second baseman believes what’s happening with Skenes simply is the nature of baseball taking its course.
“There’s a reason why there’s not going to be a guy that pitches for 10 years and wins 10 Cy Youngs,” he said. “People adapt, people adjust.”
Skenes spent two seasons overwhelming opponents with a mix of power and precision. The power has dipped a bit. So has the precision. Batters have taken advantage. Now it’s up to Skenes to punch back.
The walks are a problem, but one Skenes is confident he can fix. And for as rocky as it feels, the reality is he’s still in the top 10 in the majors in strikeouts (171) and his current ERA still ranks in the top 40.
“He’s at 3 point whatever instead of his normal one (something),” Lowe said. “That’s still pretty good.”
Just not really good. Yet with a nine-game road trip that could define Pittsburgh’s season looming, Skenes hopes he’s hit his version of rock bottom and is on the way back up.
“I think it’s good just having my body in a really good spot (for) the last month or so of the regular season,” he said. “And hopefully a substantial number of innings after that.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Mark Walter attends a basketball game between the Loa Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We rejoiced that the owner of the Dodgers — the same organization that had become the model franchise in all of Major League Baseball and was in the process of winning their second straight World Series — would bring that same acumen and thirst to win to a Lakers organization that could sorely use an injection of that same spirit and leadership.
We rejoiced at the idea of Walter’s deep pockets supplanting those of the Buss Family, who had traditionally run the Lakers as a “mom and pop business” that, even while historically spending money on players and (some) head coaches, had proven more frugal when investing in areas like front office staffing, scouting, analytics, and health and wellness among other areas not governed by the collective bargaining agreement.
We rejoiced that the more insular, inner-circle-reliant approach to leadership that Jeanie Buss had adopted over the years would be replaced by a more expansive, forward-thinking mindset to organizational structure. The prospect of broadening the search for talent across the front office and business operations was an idea many — again, including me — welcomed.
And, ultimately, we rejoiced at the idea of how these three ideas would merge to reposition the Lakers as not only the most significant brand in the NBA, but the best run and most successful organization too. The Lakers would not only be well-run and well-funded, but also on a fast track to reclaiming their spot at the top of the NBA franchise hierarchy.
If this all sounds like wish-casting optimism, one only needs to remember the general response to Walter’s purchase by those who don’t root for the Lakers (or, even more, root for their failure), which was, for lack of a better word, fear.
Fear of what seemed like almost an inevitability: the Lakers, under Walter’s leadership, would begin capitalizing on their historical standing as the league’s glamour franchise by investing heavily in all the modern mechanisms that promote team success.
Only 14 months later, Walter is stunningly out as the Lakers owner, seemingly before his ownership could even gain real traction. And, while there are clear reasons to be skeptical of (or even unnerved by) the Josh Kushner and Bog Iger led group that Walter is selling his majority stake in the Lakers to, I actually find myself rejoicing some in the fact that Walter will not be around to try to see out all those grand plans to take the team I love back to the top of the league.
That might sound harsh or extreme, but if I’m being honest, it’s the feeling I simply cannot shake in the aftermath of Walter’s decision to deal away the franchise he’d only officially taken control of last October. Because the more I read about Walter, and the more I learn about the federal investigation into his finances, the more I’m grateful that he will not be the team’s owner during this exact period of what is sure to be the most challenging of his professional (and, maybe, personal) life.
I mean, let’s be real. With every ensuing report, the ricketyness of Walter’s financial position is being revealed in real time, undermining much of the appeal his ownership group was supposed to provide in the first place. From dumping the Lakers to working to sell off his stake in the Chelsea Football Club to reports of him trying to cash out early from both the Dodgers and Lakers TV contracts with Spectrum for a lump sum payment, Walter is clearly scrambling for his financial — and, maybe, literal — freedom in ways that almost certainly would have had a negative effect on his ability to lead the franchise forward. Especially if we’re talking about pure finacial resources.
And even if you don’t necessarily believe this would have all come to a head in this upcoming season, I think it’s more than fair to speculate whether he’d have been the deep-pocketed leader many fans (and analysts) were projecting him to be well into the future. And whether or not you would argue that was his main appeal in the first place, it’s hard to disagree with the fact it was certainly one of the top reasons for excitement with him taking over the franchise.
Inglewood, CA – February 15: Los Angeles Dodgers owner, Mark Walter during the 75th NBA All-Star game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Sunday February 15, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
And this is just the sunniest version of the possible negative outcomes that are on the table. There are versions of this story where even if he’s able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again by patching together the money needed to make the loans who reportedly took out from his related insurance companies whole, protracted legal issues follow him around like the stench on Peanuts’ Pigpen that continue to chip away at both his standing in the business community and his general effectiveness as a leader and steward for the organization.
That’s not the sort of context I’d want for the Lakers generally, but particularly not at a time when they are supposed to be transitioning to a new era with Luka Dončić as the face of the franchise. This is a time for stability and focused discipline to push the team forward into an extended period of contention. It’s hard to imagine that being the case when your principal owner is under federal investigation.
Maybe if the Lakers were actually in the same position as the Dodgers, where there was a decade-plus worth of infrastructure built out under Walter’s ownership, I’d feel differently. That’s the sort of foundation that can better withstand this sort of disruption with both business and team-building operations more naturally insulated because of their longer tenured and more established track records of success.
The Lakers, however, are not yet fully set up in that same way. The first season of Walter’s ownership was supposed to be a feeling out period and, as we’ve seen, it’s only been in the last four to six months where more change has been instituted in terms of staffing changes and updates to the business and basketball operations structuring.
And while I fully understand that disrupting that path forward now in favor of a new ownership group’s vision feels similar to the point I’m making about Walter’s issues, the prospect of all that is happening with him lingering or being more long-lasting is not far-fetched at all. So, I’d rather press the reset button now and have a new direction established with all the attention and intent of a new group over what could be extended uncertainty with Walter’s ongoing and developing legal issues.
This isn’t necessarily an endorsement of Iger and Kushner, either. But I’d much rather take a chance on the unknown with them over what we currently know about Walter and his ongoing financial and legal troubles.
The Bronx Bombers walk at a 9.8% clip, fourth-best in MLB. For me, this is one of the most undervalued stats in baseball, but it matters more here because of the current form Baltimore Orioles armKyle Bradish.
He grades in the 25th percentile in walk rate at 10.3%, and the underlying numbers are worse: a 43.8% zone rate and a 55.3% first-strike rate, both career lows. A patient lineup does not need to hit him to score.
Gerrit Cole is the other half of the equation. He's looking closer to vintage form with a 1.93 ERA across three August starts and a 2.15 mark since the All-Star break.
COVERS INTEL:Kyle Bradish's four-seamer has become a giveaway pitch. He throws it 17.4% of the time, and hitters are batting .330 with a .481 xSLG against it.
Yankees vs Orioles Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-108)
Both offenses score in bursts or not at all.
New York sits at a .273 BABIP, the lowest in MLB, and Baltimore is fourth-worst in contact rate at 72.3%. That is a profile built for two three-run innings rather than sustained ones. The multi-run homer is likely what beats me, but it's reduced with both pitchers having an approximate 5% barrel rate reduction over the last week.
Bradish grades in the 79th percentile in ground-ball rate at 48.5% against a Yankees club that hits 40.9% fly balls, a mismatch of intent that turns damage swings into outs on the ground. Cole sits in the 77th percentile in xERA at 3.37 and has allowed just five earned runs across 18 2/3 August innings.
I made this total 7.1 and would play it to -120.
Yankees vs Orioles home run prediction: Jazz Chisholm (+562)
Bradish's chief skill is keeping the ball on the ground. Beating him means getting lift on breaking stuff.
Jazz Chisholm is the Yankee who does it best, posting a .413 average and .609 slugging with a .504 xSLG against sinkers this season, a plus-5 run value and the best mark on the roster. Chisholm also pulls 53.9% of his contact, the highest rate in the lineup, into a right field porch that rewards it.
Play to +350.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 44-44, +0.90 units
Over/Under bets: 50-38, +13.49 units
Yankees vs Orioles weather
There's a 70% chance of rain with high near 80F. Though the weather may not have a direct impact on the game, a delay could limit either pitcher's workload. Check the radar before first pitch if considering such props.
Yankees vs Orioles odds
Moneyline: Yankees -118 | Orioles +108
Run line: Yankees -1.5 | Orioles +1.5
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Yankees vs Orioles trend
Yankees are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a favorite. Find more MLB betting trends for Yankees vs. Orioles.
How to watch Yankees vs Orioles and game info
Location
Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD
Date
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
First pitch
6:35 p.m. ET
TV
MASN, YES
Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (6-6, 3.22 ERA)
Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (7-11, 3.65 ERA)
Yankees vs Orioles 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.
NHL training camps are roughly a month away, and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly already has his sights on preparing for the 2026-27 season.
Going into this coming campaign, the Maple Leafs have seen several changes in all areas of the organization. Despite this being one of the busiest off-seasons for Toronto in recent memory, it doesn't seem to shock Rielly. In fact, he expected and is embracing all the moves ahead of his 14th season with the club.
"There's changes every year," Rielly said at Wednesday's Hockey Night in Brampton. "I think whenever there's an overhaul after a down year, as players, you almost want that. I mean, you're excited and driven and motivated to bounce back and play well. Change comes every year, but you can be excited. I think as a group, we're just looking forward to getting going, getting playing. Camp's around the corner now, so it's important that the camp is good and hard and fast because it's quick this year.
"Every year has a different feel. I mean, I think, yeah, but I think you can go on about that. Every off-season there's always change, there's always new guys coming, always teammates who have a lot of other things. So you just kind of get used to it, to be honest," he added.
This off-season, the Maple Leafs added some notable names, including defenseman Darren Raddysh and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, among others.
Another one of those "new guys coming" is the first overall pick from the 2026 draft, Gavin McKenna. He's gone through a whirlwind of a summer, with off-season training, sponsors, events, the draft itself, and many other responsibilities that come with being a first overall draft pick in the NHL.
Has Rielly been able to chat with McKenna, who will be his youngest teammate, assuming he makes the team out of training camp?
"Yeah, a bit," he said. "I mean, he's had a lot going on. He's been a busy guy, obviously with the draft, and what that brings and going first overall."
Regardless, they will get to know each other a little more when training camp comes around, as McKenna will get introduced to all of his new teammates. With that, Rielly knows the caliber of player that McKenna is and can be, so he's expecting a big presence from him come September.
"It's a pretty cool off-season for him. I expect him to be at camp, flying around."
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BALTIMORE — Major League Baseball now uses technology to confirm or overturn balls and strikes.
Is it time for something similar around the foul poles?
The Baltimore Orioles certainly felt aggrieved against the New York Yankees after Pete Alonso’s deep fly to left field in the seventh inning was ruled foul — and the call was upheld on a review.
The play occurred with the game tied at 3. New York then scored twice in top of the eighth and went on to win 5-3.
“I think a simple fix is like football, you have the pylon camera with the plane, where it shoots right across the goal line,” Alonso said. “And I feel like, for us, we could easily have a laser or a camera that shoots straight up.”
“On the dugout iPads there’s ball-tracking data with the field that the players see, so it’s really tough to have that (call) come back as ‘stands’ and have that visual in the dugout as well. It’s 2026,” Albernaz said. “There are teams using AI on the iPads and other sports use ball-tracking data for challengeable calls. Don’t understand why we don’t do it.”
At least one replay seemed to show the ball on the fair side of the pole, but it wasn’t clear what angle that shot was from.
“What I was told is in order to overturn a call, you need to have two camera angles to confirm it,” Alonso said. “But the best view, the only view that shows the ball fair or foul is the one down the line, but no other camera angle is available. So video room rules it foul, umpire obviously called it foul initially. It is what it is.”
It might have been easier for the umpire — and the replay room — to make the call if Alonso’s hit hadn’t been so high. It appeared to tower above the foul pole at one point.
“That we don’t have the technology in place to actually say, ‘Hey, this was fair or foul,’ is literally crazy in 2026. It’s crazy,” said Chris Bassitt, Baltimore’s starting pitcher.
Bassitt then blamed financial considerations for why such technology isn’t used.
“Because it would cost money,” he said. “That’s it. I mean, that’s literally it.”
NEW YORK, NY - CIRCA 1989: Patrick Ewing #33 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game played circa 1989 at Madison Square Garden in New York City . 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 1989 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Floor generals and shooters provided flash, while power forwards added bruises, but the center position is the bedrock of Knicks history. To understand New York’s basketball DNA is to understand the titans who ruled MSG’s paint.
Historically, this is the deepest and most top-heavy group in the organization’s existence. Selecting four faces to represent the Knicks Center Mt. Rushmore requires navigating a field of statistical anomalies, transitional eras, and shifting tactical philosophies. Evaluating the five-spot means balancing iconic moments and statistical peaks against modern offensive spacing and defensive architecture.
Two spots on the mountain are non-negotiable locks. Filling the remaining two spots, however, means making tough decisions.
Here is the definitive New York Knicks Center Mt. Rushmore.
Willis Reed
Willis Reed is the ultimate symbol of Knicks championship basketball. Even today, the image of him limping out of the tunnel for Game 7 of the 1970 Finals is still Madison Square Garden’s most iconic moment. It set the emotional standard by which all future New York big men are measured.
Beyond that legendary game, Reed was a complete force to be reckoned with. He captured two NBA Championships in ’70 and ’73, took home Finals MVP both times, and won league MVP in 1969-70. An elite two-way anchor, Reed set highly effective screens, freeing up guards like Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe. He also had a reliable mid-range shot that fit perfectly with Red Holzman’s motion offense. The first face on our mountain, Reed established the standard for winning basketball in New York.
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing is the heart and soul of modern Knicks history. Even without a championship to his name, he single-handedly kept the franchise in the title conversation for over a decade, during the most physically punishing era of big-man basketball.
Ewing’s statistical dominance is incredible. He remains the team’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, and games played, and he earned 11 All-Star bids. Offensively, he was a dominant low-post scorer with a baseline fadeaway that served as the Knicks’ primary safety valve. On defense, Ewing was an intimidating rim protector, carrying a large two-way workload each game. Statistically, Ewing is the undisputed GOAT of the franchise, making his place on the mountain unquestionable.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Individual numbers carry a lot of weight. However, altering the floor spacing to secure an NBA Championship also cements a legacy forever. Acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns completely changed how New York’s offense operated, providing the spacing needed to crown the Knicks champions again after 53 years.
Town represents the peak of modern offensive versatility at center. Serving as an elite perimeter threat, he forces opposing rim protectors out of the paint. This shift opened driving lanes that didn’t exist before, allowing Jalen Brunson to play at an MVP level within Mike Brown’s system. Delivering the vital offensive advantage needed to break a half-century drought, Towns firmly earns the third spot on our mountain.
Okay, I assume this is where I start getting yelled at.
While Towns represents the best of offensive spacing, Tyson Chandler represents the ultimate defensive anchor. When he arrived, Chandler instantly transformed a weak defense into a top-tier unit. His immediate impact earned him the 2011-12 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, making him the only player in Knicks’ history to win that particular hardware.
The vocal engine behind a team that won 54 games, Chandler provided elite pick-and-roll rim-running, stretched the floor offensively, and stopped drives on the other end. Establishing an accountability culture missing for over a decade, he proved that an elite center can completely overhaul a team’s identity without demanding a ton of shots. His individual hardware and cultural impact provide him with the final spot on Mt. Rushmore.
No game today, so here’s the only DPOY in Knicks history, Tyson Chandler, putting the clamps on the entire league pic.twitter.com/XY4or3DqDc
With the top four set, it is important to look at the fierce battle for those final spots and explain why certain statistical titans and fan favorites missed the cut. Putting up massive numbers on average teams or providing specialized skills does not automatically give you franchise immortality.
If the criteria relied strictly on stats, both Bob McAdoo and Walt Bellamy would demand consideration. Acquired mid-season in ’76, McAdoo spent parts of three seasons with the Knicks, averaging 26.5 points and 12.8 rebounds during the 1977-78 season. With an outside jumper difficult to block, he was a matchup nightmare long before the stretch-five became a household identifier. Similarly, Bellamy spent roughly three and a half seasons as New York’s workhorse, averaging 18.9 and 13.3 rebounds per game in the mid-60s. Unfortunately, both players produced at these high levels during non-contending eras. McAdoo’s perimeter-oriented game resulted in big numbers but lacked meaningful playoff success. Bellamy was highly efficient, but his most significant contribution to New York’s championship pedigree was being traded for Dave DeBusschere. That move balanced the defense and sparked the 1970 title run.
Then you have one of the most underrated offensive centers in franchise history, Bill Cartwright. Drafted third overall in ’79, he immediately earned an All-Star spot as a rookie, averaging 21.7 points and 8.9 rebounds. He possessed great footwork, an effective turnaround jumper, and elite free-throw shooting. Unfortunately, severe foot injuries ruined a majority of his prime in the mid-80s. By the time he became healthy again, the franchise had fully moved into the Ewing era. Cartwright then moved into a secondary role before being used as the primary trade chip for Charles Oakley.
On defense, Marcus Camby provided elite, specialized skills. With high-energy, elite shot-blocking, he was a key member of the miraculous run to the NBA Finals. He covered a ton of ground and blocked shots from every spot on the court, fitting perfectly into the identity of the late 90s. Unfortunately, his offensive limitations and frequent injury struggles keep him off the mountain.
The New York Knicks Center Mt. Rushmore features Willis Reed, Patrick Ewing, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Tyson Chandler. This group perfectly captures the heart, statistical dominance, defensive grit, and modern championship spacing that define the best of Knicks basketball.
Toronto owns the pitching matchup today as it looks to win its seventh straight series, so I'm riding with them as part of my Blue Jays vs. Rays predictions.
The Toronto Blue Jays walk into their final game at Tropicana Field as +145 underdogs at BET99, and have a strong chance to cash against Ian Seymour.
Let’s dive into my MLB picks for Thursday, Aug. 20, and cash another same-game parlay, shall we?
Blue Jays vs Rays predictions
Blue Jays vs Rays best bet: Blue Jays moneyline (+145)
This is a good spot to take a shot.
The Toronto Blue Jays have all the momentum after coming just a run short of completing a seemingly insurmountable comeback following a couple of mind-numbing errors from Jesus Sanchez in left field. This type of resiliency should carry over against Tampa Bay Rays SP Ian Seymour, whom the Jays own a .325 average and .439 xSLG against across 40 at-bats.
With the Rays owning just a .290 xwOBA over 52 plate appearances against the right-hander, I'm riding the Jays to win their seventh straight series.
I'd play this up to +120 at BET99.
COVERS INTEL:George Springer will need a big game if the Jays are going to take two of three at the Trop. He's 5-for-9 vs. Seymour with a .447 xBA and .669 xSLG, while owning an average exit velocity of 95.2 mph. That'll play.
Blue Jays vs Rays same-game parlay (SGP)
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Blue Jays +1.5 has cashed for us in five straight games. I expect much of the same today.
Elsewhere, the offense has quietly come on, scoring 21 runs over its last three games while cashing this team total Over in five straight as well.
Springer has been a big part of that injection of offense — let's see him have another big game against Seymour.
Blue Jays vs Rays SGP
Blue Jays +1.5
Blue Jays team total Over 2.5
George Springer 2+ total bases
Alberta: Sports betting is now live!
Regulated Alberta sports betting has officially launched, allowing sportsbooks to operate under provincial oversight.
You can sign up and join BET99 — one of the best Alberta betting apps — now to get in on the Blue Jays action!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/82/bet99.svg" alt="BET99" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
Blue Jays vs Rays home run pick: Alejandro Kirk (+575)
If we're looking into homers, we might as well rock with the hottest hitter in the Blue Jays lineup.
Yes, Alejandro Kirk has 14 hits and three bombs across his eight-game hit streak, and he owns a home run alongside a .857 SLG against Seymour in his career. Let's ride with the big man one more time.
2026 Transparency Record
Best bets: 4-5, +1.91 units
SGPs: 1-7, -0.9 units
HR picks: 0-8, -1.9 units
Blue Jays vs Rays odds
Moneyline: Toronto (+145) | Tampa Bay (-170)
Run line: Toronto +1.5 (-145) | Tampa Bay -1.5 (+125)
Over/Under: Over 7 (-120) | Under 7 (+100)
Blue Jays vs Rays trend
The Over is 7-0 in the Blue Jays' last seven games as a road underdog. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. Rays.
How to watch Blue Jays vs Rays and game info
Location
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Date
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026
First pitch
1:10 p.m. ET
TV
Rays.TV, Sportsnet
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Shane Bieber (4-2, 4.99 ERA)
Rays starting pitcher
Ian Seymour (9-3, 4.11 ERA)
Blue Jays vs Rays latest injuries
Blue Jays vs Rays 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.
Joc Pederson of the Texas Rangers looks at third-base umpire Chad Fairchild after being called out on strikes during the game between the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers on August 19, 2026, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, United States. (Photo by Seth Garber/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Good morning, folks…
I’m apparently doing the links again this morning…
The Texas Rangers fell to the Washington Nationals yesterday by a score of 6-0.
Evan Grant’s game story highlights the difference in the Rangers’ record when they score first.
Jeff Wilson writes that if the Rangers want to make the playoffs, they’ll need to take advantage of a remaining schedule that is heavy on home games.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 19: Cade Cavalli #24 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on August 19, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last night Cade Cavalli twirled yet another gem. As the season has gone on, Cavalli is reaching another level. That is so encouraging to see given the fact we have had plenty of pitchers regress as the season goes along in the past. With how Cavalli has been pitching lately, he has put himself into down-ballot Cy Young consideration.
Obviously he is not going to win the award, Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sanchez are fighting for that honor. However, with how he is performing, he should be in the top 10. Even former Nats play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter remarked that Cavalli should be in consideration.
Pardon me if I'm late to the party, but … if there's an NL Cy Young conversation, should Cade Cavalli be one of the first starters mentioned? Asking for a retired broadcaster friend.
For the season, Cavalli has put together an impressive resume. In 142.2 innings, Cavalli has an 11-5 record with a 3.22 ERA and 162 strikeouts. Those strikeout numbers are highly impressive in particular. He is tied for 5th in the NL in strikeouts and tied for 9th in all of baseball. Cavalli’s swing and miss stuff is undeniable, and that is such an important part of modern pitching.
In terms of fWAR, Cavalli is tied for 8th in the NL among qualified starters. These numbers, along with a very strong ERA suggest at least a top 10 finish in Cy Young voting. For a guy in his first full MLB season, that is wildly impressive. I had high expectations for Cavalli entering the season, but he is shattering even those.
He is not going to win the Cy Young, but over his last 10 starts, Cavalli has pitched like a Cy Young. In that time he has a 2.12 ERA with 73 strikeouts to just 13 walks in 59.1 innings. The most impressive number for me is that he has 8 straight quality starts. That shows an ability to go deep into games, not just dominate for shorter spurts.
For Cavalli to go from a Cy Young outsider to someone who can truly challenge for the award next year, he will need to keep that up. In the first three months of the season, Cavalli was mostly effective, but he tended to only go about 5 innings. He also had these starts where the pitch count got out of control, and he had to leave in the third or fourth inning. Cavalli has not had one of those since the Pirates start in the beginning of July.
Lately, he has been an absolute rock at the top of the Nats rotation and dare I say an ace. That ace crown is one that many fans do not give out easily, and understandably so. The likes of Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg have worn that crown in the past. Cavalli might not be there yet, but it is time to have a conversation. In this 10 start stretch, he has undeniably been an ace.
For a guy whose career looked to be on the ropes just 18 months ago, this has been such a terrific story. It goes to show that you should never bet against elite stuff and an elite mentality. He was struggling to get on the mound at that time, and now the numbers firmly point to a top 10 Cy Young finish.
Just to put his resume in one place, Cavalli is 5th in the NL in strikeouts, 9th in ERA, tied for 8th in WAR, 8th in FIP and 9th in innings. That points to a top 10 Cy Young finish, a truly remarkable accomplishment for the 28 year old.
For a minute, I also want to dive into how Cavalli has had so much success. He has a fastball that averages around 97 MPH, but his best pitches are his breaking balls. Cavalli has exceptional power and break on his curveball and sweeper. Both pitches get whiffs at over a 30% clip and grade out as elite on stuff models.
The Nationals have an ace blossoming in front of their eyes this season in Cade Cavalli! pic.twitter.com/VBODGFewfU
What makes those pitches so unique is the velocity he gets on them. Both the curveball and the sweeper average 86 MPH, but have been closer to 87 the past couple months. That power, combined with how much movement he can get on the pitches makes him so devastating. He has also started featuring a cutter, which helps bridge the gap between his breaking balls and his fastball, making everything even better.
The Nats pitching coaches have not had a ton of success stories this season, but Cavalli is certainly one of them. Adding the sweeper has helped him out a ton against right handed hitters, who he really struggled against last year. In 2025, righties hit .381 against him but that number has dropped to .222 this season. The midseason addition of the cutter has also proven to be a wise move.
It makes me want to see what this staff can do with more talented arms, especially a guy like Connelly Early. Cavalli has excelled this season, and is getting better by the start. That is something all Nats fans love to see. We have not had a Nats pitcher on a Cy Young ballot in a while, but that should change this year with the rise of Cade Cavalli.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 14: Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after striking out during the eighth inning as William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws to the mound at Dodger Stadium on August 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sometimes we get so focused on our own bubble we don’t pay attention to the outside world.
That can cause us to lose perspective and not see the forest for the trees. So, for a moment, let’s zoom out. While the Phillies have had a dizzying 2026 season thus far, they are not the only National League team to go through its own series of ups and downs.
The Atlanta Braves, for example, are suddenly struggling once again. After beating the Mets last Wednesday, August 12, they were up 9 1/2 games in the NL East. This week, they lost a series against the Diamondbacks and were swept by the Twins in Minnesota.
Out of the blue, the Braves’ lead over the Phils is just 4 1/2 games. While it’s unlikely the Phillies will catch them and win the division, the fact it’s suddenly a horse race once again is staggering. But Atlanta has not been immune to slumping, as evidenced by their 9-14 record in June. They are only 9-8 in August.
But the biggest surprise in baseball right now are the struggles of the Dodgers, MLB’s Evil Empire, the unstoppable behemoth whose financial dominance undoubtedly means they will never not win a World Series ever again.
While it’s fair to continue calling them the favorites to win it all, things are not going at all well in Los Angeles. They are 8-10 in August, thanks mainly to a three-game sweep of the Rockies in Colorado. Prior to that, the Dodgers had lost 10 of their last 15.
As it is, L.A. has been just a .500 ballclub since July 1 (21-21). During that time, they are just 17th in runs scored, 18th in OPS, and 20th in OBP. Their starting rotation’s 4.02 ERA is 14th over that stretch, while the bullpen’s 4.60 ERA is 23rd.
Off the field, the future of the franchise is clouded in uncertainty. Owner Mark Walter is currently being investigated for alleged tax fraud among his insurance companies, and reports indicated he is trying to raise as much money as possible to rectify his financial issues. He’s already sold his majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers less than a year after buying it, and is reportedly preparing to sell his stake in the Chelsea Football Club. A sale of the Dodgers could affect the team’s ability to continue funding their massive payroll long-term, but likely doesn’t have much impact this year.
Still, the distractions cannot be helpful for a team trying to do something that hasn’t been done in nearly 30 years.
As I mentioned on my latest Hittin’ Season podcast, powered by WHYY, there’s a reason no team has won three straight World Series titles since the 1998-2000 Yankees.
Since July 1, the Dodgers are 21-21. The Braves are slumping. Is there a window of opportunity emerging for the Phillies? I discussed on a NEW Hittin' Season, powered by @WHYY!
It’s been a nightmare season for free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker, who is hitting just .232 with 11 HRs in his first season in L.A.
Kyle Tucker has to be the biggest bust signing in Dodgers history. Just an absolute disaster in every aspect. Just get him off the field at this point. pic.twitter.com/3arVJbYCEa
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 18: Members of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate a win after the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Cardinals did not take advantage of a worn out Reds bullpen. They pretty much let their starters go as deep as starters end up going nowadays. They let their starter for hire Kent Emmanuel survive through 5 innings despite about two baserunners per inning, but that’s fine because they won anyway. I was definitely more annoyed they let Rhett Lowder get two outs in the 7th inning. The Reds bullpen exited Monday less taxed than the Cardinals somehow. They also let Andrew Abbot pitch into the 7th inning as well. Meanwhile the Reds offense did basically what I wanted the Cardinals offense to do, at least with regards to working the starters.
So I think they bungled their advantage. If they win later today, that’s okay, I will take 3 out of 5 against any team. It could have been a much better series, but while the Reds offense hasn’t been that good, they’ve been very good at making the Cardinals use every bit of their bullpen, leading to Matthew Libertore needing to stay in to allow a three-run homer, because Luis Gastelum was the only functioning right-handed arm and he threw 40 pitches in the past 3 days! Riley O’Brien, George Soriano, Ryne Stanek, and Gordon Graceffo were all required on both Monday and Tuesday. We saw how Justin Bruhl did yesterday. Peter Strzelecki threw 46 pitches on Monday, so he was still unavailable today I’m sure.
So you’re going to have to miss me with the “Oli blew it” calls. He had no choice. They had gotten to the point where they needed length from a starter and he just made a bad pitch on 1-2. Not sure why they called a fastball there, but whatever. On a day where he had 9 strikeouts and no walks. A starting pitcher throwing 6 innings with 3 ER at Great American Ballpark should still win most of those games. The offense has been a huge disappointment this entire series in my honest opinion. After a great Cubs series, they have not come through, scoring 2, 3, 4, and 5 runs which I don’t know why we are surprised that resulted in a 2-2 series tie at a huge hitter’s park. Anyway rant over.
The Schedule Ahead
It feels like a lost cause to ask for this, because it does not feel like the Cardinals ever hit well on getaway day games, but Brady Singer is a bad pitcher. He has had a huge home run problem this year, no doubt due to the park he plays in. The offense really needs to show up. 2-3 runs and letting Singer go 6 – I mean that might work because it’s not like the Reds offense is good either, but come on guys please take advantage of this ballpark at least once. This feels like an identical series that we would have if this was played at Busch Stadium more or less.
Michael McGreevy is pitching which I like. But I consider today’s game about as close to a must-win as a game can be in this time of year. It is not literally must-win, because they have enough time to make up for it, but 66-63 and 65-64 is a mighty big difference and the Reds are not a good team. Feel like you kind of have to win these series.
Past the Reds, the Cardinals have a very difficult series in Philadephia. Like if they win today and then they win the series in Philly, I’m going to become a true believer in this team. They have to face Jesus Luzardo and Christopher Sanchez. They are also facing Andrew Painter again and I actually think seeing him for a second time will help the offense. But very clear strategy in this series. Win the Painter game and find a way to win one of the others.
Then they head back to St. Louis and face the Baltimore Orioles for three games. Orioles are an underperforming, but talented team, so I don’t want to overlook them. But they are five games under .500 and have a -31 run differential, so certainly a series you need to win. Then Pittsburgh comes into town for three games. They actually have a +31 run differential, so they may actually be a good team. Let’s hope there’s some unforeseen reason they are badly underperforming there and win that series as well.
You’ll notice, as I go through these series, I’ll never say sweep. That is an unreasonable expectation. My goal is to win every series until the end of the season. I firmly believe if that happens, they make the playoffs. What a sweep allows you to do is give you wiggle room in case you lose a series, which is almost inevitable. But for a particular series, I think you’re setting yourself up for failure to expect a sweep, because they are hard and they don’t happen often. The Cardinals have swept just three teams all year and they’ve been swept twice. It might happen a fourth or fifth time, but I’m not going to predict the team.
After that, the Cardinals head to Los Angeles to face the Dodgers. Let’s hope that the Dodgers continue coasting on the fact that they know they’ll make the playoffs, because aside from winning two straight against the Rockies, they haven’t really played all that well in the 2nd half. Facing the Dodgers in September is not the worst thing honestly, especially if they just take it for granted that they’ll win their division. Still a tough series to win.
And then they head to Colorado to face the Rockies at Coors Field. Unfortunately, Coors Field is always a tough place to play so despite the Rockies being bad, it’s not a sure thing they win this series. I mean we’ve seen this in recent years. The Rockies have played pretty well against the Cardinals. They then have three games in San Francisco, which I want to pencil down as a series win, but I am forever scarred by the 2010 Giants teams and I think they might have a voodoo doll of every Cardinals player.
They then head back to St. Louis to face the surprising White Sox. I confess I don’t know much about the White Sox this year, so I’ll just trust their record and say they’re going to be a hard team. There is a part of me that views them as the anti-Blue Jays though where in the back of my mind, I’m thinking “they aren’t actually this good and some team is gonna show them.” Why not the Cardinals?
And then the Giants meet us in St. Louis. After that, the Nationals play the Cardinals for three games in St. Louis. This is quite the extended stretch of bad teams, and also the White Sox in the middle of it. Ignoring the White Sox, let’s say the two Giants series, the Rockies series, and the Nationals series. The Cardinals need to figure out a way to win three of them and sweep the fourth. So I don’t care how they do it, it would be extremely helpful to the Cardinals playoff chances if they could take advantage of this weak stretch and go 9-3 in those four series. That’s asking a lot, but they may need a lot.
So you have to like the Cardinals’ odds honestly if they manage to survive through the next few series with series wins. That’s why I’m emphasizing series wins. Philly, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and LA is not a tremendously difficult stretch, but if they can come out of it with the equivalent of four series wins – if one is a sweep and one is a series loss, I don’t care – then they are really well-set up, because it’s a bunch of weaker teams after that. And the White Sox, who again I don’t know anything about but because they won 60 games last year, I kind of find it hard to fully buy into their record. My only point is that if the White Sox is the difficult team in a stretch of 15 games, that’s a pretty easy stretch. And they’re at home against the White Sox too, though that’s bad for the offense.
They do finish the season with two difficult opponents, albeit one of them will likely have zero to play for. They face the Pirates in Pittsburgh for three games. The Pirates might be out of it at this point, but they’re a young team and they’re going want to knock the Cardinals out of the playoffs I’d think. So I am worried about this series. And then they finish the season in Milwaukee. Which I am not as worried about because there’s a very good chance Milwaukee will have absolutely nothing to play for, so they’re going to hold back their toughest starters for the playoffs. Milwaukee is of course good enough that they can still win, but the last series of the year being against a team who has already locked up a playoff spot isn’t the worst thing. Same logic as my Dodgers comments, but even more so here.
Weirdly, going over the schedule has somehow made me more optimistic about making the playoffs. Not that i expect it, but there’s a route to it for sure. The next week is going to be critical. Today is going to be critical. Their toughest opponents are arguably in the next week and a half. I say they need to win the series, but they just need to make sure they’re still in it really. Don’t get swept. Maybe some teams ahead of us help us out and we still look okay after the Dodgers. So some of it is in the Cardinals’ control and some of it isn’t. The Phillies are our direct competitor so that one is in the Cardinals control, although it won’t be easy.
But really, the main reason I’m more optimistic is because I feel like a sweep or two might actually happen? As a fan, I will not expect a sweep when the Cardinals face a bad team. But if they face 6 bad teams in a row, you have great increased the chances of one of them being a sweep. And the Cardinals are facing enough bad teams the rest of this year that it would almost be weird if they didn’t pull off one more sweep. They might bungle the playoffs in other ways and probably will, but one of the bad teams is surely going to stink it up and the Cardinals can’t let them off the hook like this series.
So win today, survive the next week and a half to get to a weaker part of the schedule, profit?
The Mets took the rubber game of their series with the Padres yesterday afternoon at Citi Field, giving them their eleventh win in their past fifteen games. Carson Benge got the Mets on the board with a two-run home run in the fourth, and a couple of insurance runs in the eighth proved to be the difference in the 4-2 win.
Before the game, the Mets placed Jorge Polanco on the injured list as he prepares for season-ending ankle surgery.
Steve Cohen spoke to the press ahead of the game and acknowledged that the Mets might have taken on too much risk with the 2026 team.
With Cohen continuing to express confidence in president of baseball operations David Stearns, Abbey Mastracco writes that Stearns has to learn from his mistakes.
Andy Green hasn’t yet indicated that he’d be interested in managing the Mets beyond this season, but he’d be considered for the job if he were to express interest.
Speaking of first basemen, there’s new data to compare which players at the position are the best at scooping throws.
The Giants shut out the Guardians, one of the very many American League teams that have a real shot at making the playoffs despite their losing record.
Here are my MLB moneyline predictions for tonight's slate, which include the White Sox at plus money on the road against the Braves.
Before we dive in, be sure to check out all of our MLB picks for Thursday, Aug. 20.
MLB moneyline picks for August 20
Matchup
Pick
Cardinals vs Reds
-107
Giants vs Guardians
-191
Blue Jays vs Rays
-161
Athletics vs Royals
-137
Braves vs White Sox
+105
Mariners vs Brewers
+119
Yankees vs Orioles
+105
Nationals vs Rangers
+146
Angels vs Astros
+158
Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 8-20.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for Aug. 20
Cardinals vs Reds: Cardinals (-107)
Cardinals win probability: 52%
The Reds may be coming off a 5-4 win over the Cardinals last night, but their offense has been pretty cold over the last six, 12, and 21 games. Over their last 12, Cincinnati owns just a 50 wRC+, 27.2% strikeout rate, and .549 OPS. Brady Singer takes the rubber tonight, coming off three starts in which he has posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, will send Michael McGreevy to the mound. He's turned things around over his last three starts, posting a 2.81 ERA and 1.38 WHIP while allowing just a 6.12% barrel rate. St. Louis' offense has also been scorching hot over its last 12 games.
At -107, the Cardinals are a great look.
Giants vs Guardians: Guardians (-191)
Guardians win probability: 66%
The way Gavin Williams has been pitching lately makes it hard not to back the Guardians against a struggling Giants offense. Landen Roupp, meanwhile, has been pretty brutal in his most recent outings, making it even easier to lean on Williams in this matchup.
Neither the Giants' nor Guardians' bats have been particularly hot lately, but at least Cleveland isn't striking out at a high rate and has continued to draw walks.
It's heavy juice, but I trust the Guardians here.
Blue Jays vs Rays: Rays (-161)
Rays win probability: 61%
Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber has been allowing far too much hard contact to be trusted over his last three starts. The veteran owns a 4.94 xERA during that span, allowing a 51% hard-hit rate and nearly a 13% barrel rate to opposing hitters.
Rays left-hander Ian Seymour owns a 4.50 xERA over his last three starts, but he has held things down at home this season, posting a 3.32 xERA.
On top of that, the Rays' offense continues to hum despite Toronto finally sparking some life offensively. This is a full fade on Bieber.
Athletics vs Royals: Royals (-137)
Royals win probability: 57%
The Royals have been looking strong as of late, and with Randy Dobnak on the bump this evening, he should be able to hold down the Athletics' offense.
The right-hander does have some concerning underlying metrics, but he has done a phenomenal job limiting hard contact, allowing us to overlook his 4.03 xERA over his last three starts.
Plus, the Royals own a .338 wOBA, 116 wRC+, and .759 OPS over their last six games, making them worth paying the juice for this evening.
Braves vs White Sox: White Sox (-103)
White Sox win probability: 50%
Coming off what felt like a must-win game over the Cubs yesterday, the White Sox look to keep the ball rolling against Grant Holmes and the Atlanta Braves.
Holmes has some concerning underlying metrics that make it hard to lean with Atlanta, especially with Anthony Kay being far more consistent over his last five starts, posting a 3.21 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
Most importantly, the Braves' bats are ice cold. Over their last 12 games, Atlanta owns just a 69 wRC+, .270 wOBA and .607 OPS. The White Sox, meanwhile, have posted a 131 wRC+, .361 wOBA and .818 OPS during that same stretch.
White Sox or nothing.
Mariners vs Brewers: Mariners (+119)
Mariners win probability: 45%
After nearly blowing a 7-0 lead last night, the Mariners still came out on top, beating the Brewers 7-5. Tonight, they find themselves as +119 underdogs against southpaw Robert Gasser, who owns a 5.29 xERA over his last three outings.
Seattle sends George Kirby to the mound, and he has been very solid over his last three despite his strikeout and walk rates looking nearly identical. Kirby has done a great job limiting hard contact, unlike Gasser, who has allowed nearly a 50% hard-hit rate and 10.2% barrel rate to opposing hitters.
Despite the near choke last night, the Mariners as an underdog are the more appealing look here.
Yankees vs Orioles: Orioles (+105)
Orioles win probability: 47%
Despite the Yankees managing to come out on top game after game with lifeless offensive numbers, the Orioles are the more attractive play as a home underdog.
Gerrit Cole takes the mound tonight for New York and has looked lights out, but there is a slight concern with how much hard contact he has been allowing. That could come back to bite him against a red-hot Orioles offense that should be able to get on top of his offerings.
Take the hungry dog!
Nationals vs Rangers: Nationals (+146)
Nationals win probability: 40%
Simple and sweet.
Both lineups are ice cold, while one team sends out a pitcher going through a rough patch at the moment. That team is the Texas Rangers. Jacob deGrom has looked pretty bad over his last five starts, posting a 6.30 ERA and 1.95 WHIP while allowing a 52.38% hard-hit rate and 9.52% barrel rate to opposing hitters.
The Nationals at nearly +150 are an enticing look.
Angels vs Astros: Angels (+158)
Angels win probability: 38%
Neither team's offense has looked great over the last month, but the pitching matchup between Grayson Rodriguez and Peter Lambert should surprisingly be an interesting one this evening.
The punching bag that is Mr. Grayson Rodriguez has actually been extremely serviceable over his last three outings, posting a 2.76 xERA, 1.13 WHIP and 30.16% strikeout rate.
Lambert has put up very similar numbers, but at nearly +160, the Angels offer far more value here.
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.
HOOVER, AL - MAY 20:Missouri infielder Kam Durnin (27) hits a home run during the SEC Baseball Tournament game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Missouri Tigers on May 20, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by Jason Homan/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below. Check out the previous day’s recap here.
AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (64-57) won 2-1 (BOX SCORE)
Alexander started for Sugar Land and pitched well tossing 5 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts. The offense got on the board in the 6th inning on a Delgado groundout. They got another run in the 7th inning on a bases loaded walk to Spence. The bullpen was solid tossing 3 scoreless innings and then in the 9th, Munoz allowed a run but he was able to hold on for the 2-1 win.
Note: Knorr has a 0.61 ERA over his last 12 outings.
Michael Knorr, RHP: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (WIN)
Miguel Ullola, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Roddery Munoz, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (SAVE)
AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (54-62) lost 6-2 (BOX SCORE)
The Hooks got on the board in the 2nd inning on a sac fly. Hertzler got the start and went 4 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 8. Guedez relieved by Hertzler but struggled allowing 4 runs. The offense got another run back in the 7th inning on an error but that was it as the Hooks fell 6-2.
Note: Hertzler has 96 K in 78 innings this season.
Cole Hertzler, RHP: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Jose Guedez, RHP: 0.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Joey Mancini, RHP: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Nic Swanson, RHP: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
A+: Asheville Tourists (40-74) won 7-6 (BOX SCORE)
Asheville got on the board in the first inning when a run scored on a steal. Perez started for Asheville and struck out 8 batters over 4 innings while allowing 2 runs. Ogando pitched in relief and allowed 3 runs. Asheville responded in the 5th scoring 3 runs on a Powell solo home run and Gomez 2 run home run. The offense would rally again in the 7th scoring 3 runs on an error and 2 runs on a Vasquez 2 run double. The pen was solid the rest of the way as Asheville won 7-6.
Note: Perez has 103 K over 89.1 innings this season.
Javier Perez, RHP: 4.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Joan Ogando, RHP: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Max Martin, RHP: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Francisco Frias, RHP: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (WIN)
A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (59-53) won 19-1 (BOX SCORE)
The Woodpeckers got on the scoring started in the first inning scoring 3 runs on a bases loaded walk to Nowak and Flores and a hit by pitch to Soto. In the 2nd inning, Alvarez connected on a 2 run home run. Durnin continued the scoring with a solo home run in the 4th. In the 5th inning, the offense added 3 runs on an error and Hughes 2 run home run. Fraide got the start for the Woodpeckers and was really good tossing 5.2 scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts. The offense exploded for 8 runs in the 8th inning on a Luciano 2 run home run, Soto walk, Ramirez RBI single, Durnin walk, Hughes groundout, Alvarez RBI single and Luciano RBI single. The offense would add 2 more in the 9th on a Hughes 2 run triple. Serrano closed it out allowing a run in the 9th as the Woodpeckers won 19-1.
It’s one of the biggest two-year rebounds among modern-era teams that lost at least 110 games.
USA TODAY analyzed ballclubs two seasons after a 110-or-more-loss season and found that Chicago currently has the third-best, year-2 winning percentage in the modern era (1901 or later).
Better than the White Sox’s current .524 winning percentage is the Baltimore Orioles, who went 52-110 in 2021 and then posted a 101-win, .623% season in 2023.
The 2013 Houston Astros also held a better second-year season: After going 51-111 in 2013, Houston went 86-76 in 2015, good for a .531 winning percentage.
All told, only four of the 21 previous 110-loss teams with a completed second season finished above .500.
Chicago could be the fifth to join that subset if it doesn’t suffer a collapse in the final weeks of the season. To surpass .500, the White Sox will need to go at least 16-20 the rest of the way.
The other two clubs that improved to a winning record were the Boston Braves/Bees in 1935-37 and the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021-23. The 1932 Boston Red Sox also managed to reach .500 in 1934 but did not pass it.
Every other team had a losing record in year two.
However, it’s notable that 20 of the 21 teams analyzed did improve upon their 110-loss record two years later. The one that didn’t: the New York Mets, who went 51-111 in 1963 and then 50-112 in 1965.
In terms of postseason success, only the 2023 Diamondbacks went on to win a multi-game playoff series; Arizona went on to lose the World Series to Texas that year.
The 2015 Astros and 2023 Orioles also reached the postseason, but neither won a multi-game series (Houston did win the AL Wild Card game, however).
So, if the White Sox were to make a deep playoff run reminiscent of their 2005 World Series win — the last time Chicago won a postseason series — they’ll need to buck another trend. But, as it turns out, this team is already used to ignoring historical precedent.
Methodology: Modern era (1901 or later) teams with 110 losses or more and their corresponding record two seasons later were pulled from the MLB Stats API. The 2025 Colorado Rockies team that went 43-119 were excluded from the analysis because they have yet to reach their year-2 season. The 2026 White Sox record is current through August 19 games.
COVERS INTEL:
Cardinals
Reds
Giants
Guardians
Blue Jays
Rays
Athletics
Royals
Braves
White Sox
Mariners
Brewers
Yankees
Orioles
Nationals
Rangers
Angels
Astros
