Baseball fans watch from the View Reserve level at Oracle Park during an MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Angels as the sun sets in San Francisco, Friday, July 24, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Good morning, baseball fans!
Over the weekend, I saw an amazing social media post by a fairly new baseball fan who had a pretty inspiring idea to make baseball more interesting for the teams that are already statistically out of the running for the playoffs. I highly encourage folks to check that out before continuing, but just in case you aren’t able to, I’ll give a bit of a synopsis.
Essentially, she says that when teams are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, they should have the option to go Evil Mode and begin pulling pranks on teams that are still in the running. Her ground rules were that pranks couldn’t be anything to do with trying to win the game, or doing anything that would harm anyone. But everything else was on the table.
Honestly, at this point, that would be the only thing that could make the San Francisco Giants a watchable baseball team this season and I love the idea. Some of her suggested pranks include a speaker hidden in the locker room that just plays random Michael Jackson vocals or swapping out their cereal for lug nuts.
My favorite joke of hers was that the scouting report for these teams would primarily consist of the amount of times they’d been spotted at a Party City in the last week.
As a fan of harmless shenanigans, I would absolutely be more invested in the rest of this awful season if we were watching for hijinks and tomfoolery. Maybe they slip a brand new red towel in with the other team’s laundry to turn all of their uniforms pink. Or replace their game tapes with nothing but copies of 2003’s The Room.
The possibilities are endless!
What about you? What would make the rest of this season more tolerable/watchable?
What time do the Giants play today?
The Giants continue this three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers tonight at 6:45 p.m. PT.
Jul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Salvador Perez (13) acknowledges the crowd after tying the all-time team record for home runs with former infielder George Brett (not pictured) and defeating the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
More than anyone else, Perez says Garcia is the one who gets him ready to play every day with their routine.
“I’ve known him since 2006 in the Dominican in instructional league,” Perez said. “That was the first time I met Miggy. It’s been 20 years that I’ve been with him. All my career in the big leagues. A little bit in the Minor Leagues. He’s a guy who gets me ready, who knows when I’m struggling, sees the video and tells me what I’m doing wrong to try to fix it. I appreciate him a lot.”
So what is the routine that has allowed Perez to turn into the greatest power hitter in Royals history? Garcia says it hasn’t changed too much across all these years.
“The main focus has always been to feel fluid with his swing,” Garcia said. “To be able to feel good, and with a fluid swing, and to concentrate on the pitches that he knows he can hit really well, which is middle to the pull side. Don’t leave the cage without a good swing, good fluid swings hitting the ball that way.”
David Lesky appreciates that the Royals have been trying some new things recently amid the lost season.
This weekend was a perfect example. They had a struggling starter, so they changed a couple of things. Noah Cameron had been pitching exceptionally poorly for the better part of six weeks, so they gave him an opener (that part didn’t work) and had him call his own pitches (that part did, I’ll get to it). As someone who works in marketing, I will tell you that testing two variables is not the smartest thing in the world, but I like that they tried something different. They gave a big save opportunity to someone who I wanted to see in that role. They’ve already started playing Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen against everyone, so that part is done, but I appreciate them doing things like that. First, it provides them with information. Second of all, it’s far more interesting to write about than a Randy Dobnak start, no matter how good he’s been.
SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 27: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Monday, July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Ceddanne Rafaela’s first career grand slam lifted the Red Sox over the A’s last night in Sacramento in a game that was otherwise a sleepy affair. Peyton Tolle gave up a first-inning solo shot to Tyler Soderstrom in the most anti-Fenway homer there is:
And then the bats on both sides went silent for a while. A’s starter Jack Perkins stymied the Sox despite an ERA over 6, but ran into trouble in the 6th after a Connor Wong leadoff double. Willson Contreras walked, which brought on José Suarez in place of Perkins, but the result was the same for Wilyer Abreu, who also walked. Then Ceddy called game, albeit just barely:
Here is what happens when you hit a grand slam against the A’s, btw:
Yep, that’ll do it. And did it. With the win, the Sox stayed 2 games ahead of the Guardians for the 2d Wild Card spot and kept pace with the repulsive Yankees. As I said in the preview, these are the games you gotta win. Nice to know they read OTM!
Big news in the sports world this week as LeBron James finally made his decision about where he is going to play next year, and as you know he decided on the Philadelphia 76ers. So, what does that mean for his sports card and collectibles market?
Shrug emoji.
His cards were already starting to go up-up-up over the last few weeks or so in anticipation of not only his latest decision but in response to the massive Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant card market boom that has happened in the last few months. It seemed only right that the nostalgia and fomo would carry into the LeBron market.
And while many of his flagship Topps rookie cards are in the thousands of dollars, there are still some fun LeBron collectibles on the market that I think are worth grabbing and holding for the long run.
The Campioni di Futuro (mini) rookie card is maybe my all-time favorite. It’s odd, it’s adorable and it’s under $100 for a raw. There’s also numbered and different color variations, and while it may not bring you generational wealth, it certainly remains relatively rare for a LeBron rookie.
It’s crazy to me that these LeBron James rookie card mini Hummers are still affordable. It not only includes a rookie card but you also get a toy car!!
Oddly the market is hot on LeBron’s “Prizm rookie card” from 2012-13, the first year of Panini Prizm, is exploding. The PSA 10’s are well over $1,000 but you can still grab a PSA 9 or a raw version for under $500. I’m not fully sure how this card will hold up in the long-run but collectors seem to be digging it.
The 2014-15 NBA Hoops “Lights…Camera…Action” insert might be the most underrated card of his - it has maybe the coolest shot of his famed chalk toss and it can still be had for under $50 raw. And there’s only like ~10 copies of the card graded. It’s a fun one!
I still love the second-year LeBron James playing card officially licensed by the NBA. This card used to be $30-$40 raw a few years ago, now it’s over 10x that… but that doesn’t mean I love it any less.
Related, but unrelated, this is so dumb but I love it: a LeBron James hanger. It’s a good bit, too, when he retires and you, alone in your closet, putting your clothes on hangers, look at the LeBron hanger and say “Hey, LeBron, time to hang it up…”
See, there’s lots of dumb, fun and affordable LeBron James cards and collectibles out there. I imagine we’ll see a record-breaking print run on his Topps Now 76ers card which would ultimately deem that worthless, but if you like to gamble and chase the auto then by all means.
Speaking of potential markets that might “pop off” - you have to think on the heels of the Jordan, Kobe and LeBron markets going way up that guys like Shaq, Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan might not be too far behind. Yes, we’re getting into massive print runs but as we’re seeing with Jordan and Kobe, specifically, inserts are what collectors are hunting for.
The ‘next-man-up’ of it all seems ripe.
Speaking of Kobe Bryant, there’s an interesting rookie card that is starting to make some noise. It’s the Topps 1996-97 rookie card with the “50th Anniversary” foil on it.
It’s “foil” which means it’s not “paper” but it’s not quite chrome either. What’s interesting about it is the SP nature of it - the fact that there are over 67,000 graded copies of his base Topps rookie and only about 3,500 graded copies of the “50th Anniversary” parallel. The Topps Chrome version of the same card has over 10,000 cards graded.
The prices for the 50th parallel feel very much undervalued - for example, a PSA 9 version of the Chrome (which has over 4,000 graded copies in a 9) goes for about $4,000 while the PSA 9 version of the parallel (which has less than 1,000 graded copies in a 9) goes for about $1,900.
You see what I’m getting at?
Speaking of dudes who might retire soon… let’s not forget about Steph Curry. When he retires in the next few years his cards will go on the post-announcement run.
Speaking of, um, basketball, don’t look now but the Sophie Cunningham “I said what I said” market boom is in full swing! She’s rivaling the likes of Michael Jordan and Dylan Harper in market increase over the last 14 days, according to ALT.
Now, we won’t get into the politics of “why” but I do want to remind you “not to get caught holding the bag.” People are buying less on talent and more on the fact that she said what she said. Saying things can be good for short term investments, but it never works out in the long run.
Finally… Speaking of something else other than basketball cards, you should take a look at what Kimi Antonelli is doing in F1. He’s the latest to enter the “generational talent” area at just 19 years old. His card market is already taking off with his 2025 Topps Chrome rookie cards heating up.
Now that we are approaching August, most of this year's top UFAs have found their new homes. However, there are still some notable players who have not signed their next contracts.
When it comes to the remaining UFA goalies, a former Sabres netminder is among the most notable: James Reimer
Reimer remains a UFA after spending this past season with the Ottawa Senators. In 14 games with Ottawa in 2025-26, he posted a 7-4-2 record, an .886 save percentage, and a 2.42 goals-against average. Overall, he was a serviceable backup for the Senators, and it is fair to wonder if he could get another deal from a team looking for more goalie depth.
With the Sabres having Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis all on their NHL roster, a reunion with Reimer is highly unlikely. However, he could be a good addition for another team that is looking for a backup or third-string goalie.
Reimer appeared in 22 games with the Sabres during the 2024-25 season, where he posted a 10-8-2 record, an .899 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average, and one shutout.
Green has agreed to return to the Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million contract, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday morning.
Draymond Green has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. The contract is the same Green opted out of to give the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James, but the sides land his return Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/Hyf1xruzrx
Earlier this offseason, Green declined his $27.7 million player option to become a free agent and give Golden State flexibility to pursue LeBron James in NBA free agency.
But with James choosing the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors made sure to secure their guy.
In 14 seasons, Green has averaged 8.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists through 949 games and 794 starts.
Green now will play his 15th consecutive season in the Bay, where he’s won four NBA championships and continues to chase a fifth.
UNLV basketball coach Josh Pastner clarified comments he made when he said the Runnin’ Rebels were seeking an "owner" for the team, emphasizing that the men’s basketball team is not for sale and belongs to the university.
In a statement, Pastner explained, "the Runnin' Rebels are not for sale, and my reference to an 'owner' was meant to highlight the level of resources, sponsorships, and overall support needed to compete in today's evolving college athletics landscape, not to suggest that anyone could own the program."
He concluded by reaffirming that the men’s basketball team "belongs to UNLV, its students, alumni, fans, and the entire Southern Nevada community."
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 24: A general view of rainfall during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 24, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Guardians were rained out yesterday and will play at 1:40 and 7:10. Slade Cecconi and Gavin Williams will both pitch as the Guardians have an off day on Thursday to get the rotation back on track.
The Guardians have five players in FanGraphs’ new Top 100 prospects list. 11. Angel Genao, 37. Braylon Doughty, 38. Ralphy Velazquez, 67. Juneiker Caceres, 96. Aaron Walton. Khal Stephen also snuck on to the 11 players listed just outside the 100 at 111. Get well soon, Khal.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 27: Zac Thornton #49 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Monday, July 27, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Evan Yu/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets had themselves quite the night in the series opener against the Atlanta Braves, crushing their rivals to the tune of 14-3. Zac Thornton continued his run of success with his fourth straight quality start, and the bats slugged four home runs—including two from Francisco Lindor.
The Phillies entered the bottom of the ninth against the Marlins with a two-run lead, but Jhoan Durán then allowed six baserunners while recording just one out, culminating in a walk-off single from Griffin Conine to give Philadelphia an 8-7 defeat.
Speaking of Beltrán, it was fifteen years ago today that the Mets traded him to the Giants in exchange for a young pitching prospect named Zack Wheeler.
While theMLBGold Glove odds aren't out yet, it's never too early to speculate who baseball's sharpest defenders will be.
Established in 1957, the Gold Glove honors players who exhibit superior individual fielding performances at each position in the AL and NL. Overall, 18 Gold Gloves are handed out, making the Gold Glove odds a fun bit of speculation – and ultimately a lucrative market to bet.
As I said, we don't have odds, but we can offer a decent projection on potential winners based on Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) as of July 28.
AL Gold Glove Odds & Picks
Position
Player
Team
DRS
C
Dillon Dingler
Detroit Tigers
+8
1B
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Toronto Blue Jays
+5
2B
Cole Young
Seattle Mariners
+11
3B
Caleb Durbin
Boston Red Sox
+8
SS
Taylor Walls
Tampa Bay Rays
+14
LF
Cody Bellinger
New York Yankees
+19
CF
Cedanne Rafaela
Boston Red Sox
+17
RF
Wilyer Abreu
Boston Red Sox
+20
P
Brent Suter
Los Angeles Angels
+4
The AL board is loaded up the middle and in the outfield. Wilyer Abreu's +20 DRS in right field leads all AL fielders on this list, with Cedanne Rafaela (+17) and Cody Bellinger (+19) giving Boston and New York outfield candidates of their own. Taylor Walls (+14) paces infielders at short, while Cole Young's +11 stands out as the clear leader among AL second basemen.
NL Gold Glove Odds & Picks
Position
Player
Team
DRS
C
Luis Torrens
New York Mets
+12
1B
Ty France
San Diego Padres
+10
2B
Brice Turang
Milwaukee Brewers
+14
3B
Matt Chapman
San Francisco Giants
+16
SS
Geraldo Perdomo
Arizona Diamondbacks
+7
LF
Daylen Lile
Washington Nationals
+8
CF
Andy Pages
Los Angeles Dodgers
+17
RF
Corbin Carroll
Arizona Diamondbacks
+8
P
Nolan McLean
New York Mets
+4
The NL races center on the outfield and left side of the infield. Andy Pages tops this board at +17 DRS in center, with Matt Chapman's +16 keeping the hot corner competitive for San Francisco. Brice Turang's +14 leads NL second basemen, and Luis Torrens' +12 puts him ahead of every other catcher listed, a strong early marker in a position that's historically hard to grade defensively.
If you bounce around the majors, you'll find a variety ofMLBballparks, big and small. No two stadiums are alike, and that's a good thing.
Baseball sharps take note of which parks favor hitters or pitchers. There are betting advantages and disadvantages camouflaged within each venue's towering wall, short porch, dry air or deep alley. Here's everything you need to know about which MLB ballparks are good or bad for dingers.
Homer heaven: Best MLB ballparks for home runs
If you love the value of a home run player prop, take note of the ballparks that can make or break your bet.
Dodger Stadium remains the best home run environment in baseball, posting a 129 HR factor in the 2024–2026 window. That means the park is playing 29% more homer-friendly than league average, giving it a clear edge over the rest of the field. With dry conditions, limited wind disruption, and a lineup loaded with power, games at Chavez Ravine should stay circled for anyone betting dinger props.
Great American Ball Park (122)
Great American Ball Park has long carried a hitter-friendly reputation, and the latest HR factor data backs it up. Cincinnati checks in second at 122, making it one of the best parks in baseball for balls to leave the yard. The compact dimensions can turn well-struck fly balls into quick home runs, especially when the weather heats up. If you're shopping home run props, this is one of the first venues to check.
Yankee Stadium (117)
Yankee Stadium remains a prime target for home run bettors, especially when left-handed power is involved. The short porch in right field gives hitters a clear path to cheap or pulled home runs, and the park's 117 HR factor puts it third in the majors over the 2024–2026 sample. Matchups in the Bronx deserve extra attention any time a power bat gets a favorable handedness split.
Daikin Park (115)
Daikin Park also sits firmly in homer-friendly territory with a 115 HR factor. Houston's home park rewards hitters who can pull the ball with authority, and the Crawford Boxes can make life uncomfortable for pitchers who miss up or over the plate. It may not always get the same betting attention as Cincinnati or New York, but the park factor says it belongs in the same conversation.
Homer Hell: worst MLB ballparks For home runs
Maybe you love old-timey small ball? Maybe you're scanning daily picks and want to fade a team with tons of sluggers? Either way, this will help inform your next move.
Oracle Park (77)
Oracle Park sits at the bottom of the home run park factor rankings, posting a 77 mark in the 2024–2026 window. The cold air, deep right-center gap, and bay-side conditions continue to knock down fly balls that might carry elsewhere. If you're fading power props or looking for a reason to lean under on a slugging market, San Francisco is one of the first places to start.
PNC Park (78)
PNC Park remains one of baseball's toughest home run environments, checking in just ahead of Oracle Park with a 78 HR factor. The deep left-center gap can swallow fly balls, and the park rarely gives hitters the same cheap power boost they might find in Cincinnati, New York or Los Angeles. For bettors, Pittsburgh is still a strong fade spot for homer-heavy profiles.
Busch Stadium (81)
Busch Stadium also lands near the bottom of the list with an 81 HR factor. St. Louis has not played as a friendly home run park in this sample, which can matter when evaluating power props or game totals. The venue does not erase offense entirely, but it makes hitters earn their damage more than most parks on the board.
As she heads to Royal Lytham as a guest of the R&A for Thursday’s start of the Women’s Open, the inaugural winner looks back
Golf commitments in the United States meant Jenny Lee Smith was unable to accept the North East Sports Personality of the Year award for 1982 in person. She attended the following year’s event, this time to present the trophy to Kevin Keegan. His death last week shocked Smith, prompting her to reflect back on that time. It delivers a snapshot of Smith’s sporting status at a time when Keegan was wooing Tyneside.
“It is very sad,” Smith says of Keegan’s death, aged 75. “We did a lot of work together because I was sponsored at the time by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, who did the same for the football team. He became a good friend and was such a lovely chap.
By not extending his contract a summer ago, they made it clear: They were ready to move on. And they have. They found their way to a front-line center and got a whole lot younger. And get this: They got better. In the long run and probably in a sprint too.
Maybe it seems sacrilegious to suggest they’ve improved by parting ways with the greatest player of all time and trading for a fifth-year pro who missed all but five games last season with the Utah Jazz after suffering a torn labrum.
Maybe you’re finding it hard to get fired up about the new guy with no playoff experience. And you’re used to the Lakers collecting the biggest names — not guys whose games are unfamiliar. Giannis, say. Not ... Walker.
But please, stop and consider the tankathon Utah has been running; the last thing the Jazz wanted was Kessler on the court winning games for them.
You also still might be experiencing sticker shock on the Lakers’ behalf. They’re getting Kessler on a $130-million, four-year deal after completing a sign-and-trade that sent out a 2031 first-rounder, 2033 first-rounder and first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030.
But position, position, position is to the NBA what location, location, location is to real estate — and if this fit proves as fun as Doncic seems to believe, then Kessler’s contract is going to feel like a real fair trade on the hot center market.
Because, defensively, the Lakers’ new 7-foot-2 center is a shot-blocking, space-eating deterrent in the post. That’s invaluable when you’re going with Doncic and Austin Reaves on the perimeter.
Offensively, Kessler has good hands and good handoff timing. You can call for him to screen all day. He has a radar for the rim, sixth in the NBA in dunks per game in 2024-25.
And Kessler is a blessing on the glass, the king of second chances. His 4.6 offensive rebounds per game in 2024-25 led the NBA.
Also: LeBron is going to turn 42 this season; Kessler is 25.
Walker Kessler was a big presence in the paint for the Jazz before he got hurt last season. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)
Age and experience count for a lot in life. But increasingly, today’s NBA is proving a young man’s game — and check ball, the Lakers are now in it.
Out went Deandre Ayton (28 years old), Rui Hachimura (28), Luke Kennard (30) and Marcus Smart (32). Jaxson Hayes (26) too, the only departing rotation player younger than 28.
In come Quentin Grimes (26), Sandro Mamukelashvili (27), Collin Sexton (27), Ziaire Williams (24), Jaden Hardy (24) and rookie summer league sensation Cameron Carr (21). Also, Kevon Looney, who will be Kessler’s backup big, and Matisse Thybulle, a proven defender on the wing, who are 30 and 29, respectively, and the only additions not younger than Doncic (27) and Reaves (28).
Still, I get it. You’re not wowed by the incoming group.
Were you wowed when the Dodgers acquired Max Muncy, Justin Turner or Chris Taylor? Probably not. But those guys went on to help the club win World Series titles.
Were the Dallas Mavericks banking on lob threat Derrick Jones Jr. — on a minimum contract — being a catalyst for their run to the 2024 NBA Finals? Do Lakers fans remember Doncic’s 17 assists to guys like Dante Exum, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Grant Williams in a 2023 victory over LeBron and Anthony Davis?
Doncic is manning the Lakers’ elevator now; it’s his job to lift his teammates to new heights. He can do it. He better do it.
Because the margins can be major, but they don’t account for most of the Lakers’ offseason grade this summer.
So give them a B+.
Not an A. No, because not every assignment has been completed.
There’s the minor matter of a starting five. The Lakers don’t appear to have one of those just yet.
They might yet add Jonathan Kuminga at forward. Or perhaps someone already rostered — hello, 22-year-old, skyscraping Adou Thiero — is waiting to wow us all in that role?
Normally, not having an answer to the most basic of questions at this point in the summer would fail you.
Filling the hole at center was weighted so heavily among the Lakers’ priorities — and landing Kessler earned them so much extra credit — it bumps their grade almost all the way up.
Of course, this was only the introductory course.
The real tests for this fresh new roster — down an all-time talent but so much more solid in the center — come when the season begins. Or, really, when the postseason does.
And expecting that opponents won’t have an easy time coming up with answers for Doncic and his new dominant defensive center, the Lakers are now set up to score well there too.
Jul 27, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The Orioles have less than a week to decide whether they’ll be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. Their two series before that Aug. 3 date, a three-game trip to Detroit and three at home against the Phillies, could be critically important for deciding the near-term direction of the club.
Last night, the O’s looked like a team that plans to stay in the postseason race, winning the opener against the Tigers in a series with big wild card implications. Even with ace Kyle Bradish suffering a rare bad outing, the Birds used a 12-hit, three-homer offensive explosion and a superb combined effort from four relievers to secure an 8-5 victory. Check out Alex Church’s recap of the high-scoring affair.
With so many teams jostling for position on the fringes of the wild card race, we’re at the point where every win (and every loss) shuffles the Orioles’ status in the pecking order. Their victory last night pulled them back within two games of the rained-out Guardians for the final wild card spot, and inched them a game behind the idle Twins. The O’s also pulled even with the Mariners, who lost yesterday, and possibly a half game ahead of the Astros, who were trailing in Anaheim at the time of this writing. (Morning update: the Astros overcame a two-run deficit in the ninth to win, because the Angels are useless.)
When you see the standings laid out like that, it’s more than reasonable to think that the Orioles have a good shot at earning a postseason spot. But all it takes is another losing streak and suddenly the O’s could find themselves in a lousy position again. Two days from now, they could be four games out of wild card position and languishing behind three or four other teams once more. The margin for error at this point is incredibly slim, even with so many other AL teams struggling to get hot.
For now, the O’s have put two games of distance between themselves and the Tigers. Another Orioles win tonight would deal a further blow to Detroit’s fading playoff hopes. In fact, I think the Tigers might as well just call it a season and trade Tarik Skubal today. No need to let him face the Orioles in the series finale tomorrow. It’s the responsible thing to do.
Tonight, it’ll be Dean Kremer on the mound for the Orioles, hoping to bounce back from his six-run outing in Boston last week, while the O’s offense will hope to greet the Tigers’ Troy Melton with the same offensive firepower they brought yesterday.
Jackson Holliday had four hits, Coby Mayo homered against a righty, and even Tyler O’Neill had a pinch-hit dinger. It was a big night for some of the most-maligned Orioles hitters.
Some might say that getting Ryan Mountcastle and Chris Bassitt back is just like making trade acquisitions. They would be wrong, but they might say it anyway.
Kyle Goon is flummoxed about the Orioles owner’s recent vote of confidence for his GM. Is it possible that Rubenstein was just being so dryly sarcastic that we all missed it?
Craig Albernaz says, “The whole squirrel thing was nuts.” Alby’s got puns!
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Three former Orioles were born on this day: outfielder Drew Jackson (33) and right-handers Chad Paronto (51) and Bob Milacki (62).
A lot of stuff has happened on this date in Orioles history. In 1971, 16-time Gold Glover Brooks Robinson committed three errors in one game for the first — and only — time in the Hall of Famer’s 2,896-game career. The miscues led to two unearned runs against the Athletics, who took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth. But it turned out okay anyway when fellow Hall of Famer Frank Robinson hit a walkoff three-run homer against yet another Hall of Famer, Rollie Fingers.
In 1978, Rich Dauer set an Orioles record with his 10th consecutive multi-hit game, giving him a .583 average over those 10 games. It was a remarkable hot streak for a hitter who batted just .257 in 10 career seasons.
In 1990, Cal Ripken’s MLB-record 95 consecutive errorless games as a shortstop came to an end when he flubbed a grounder from the Royals’ Jeff Schulz in the sixth. It was Cal’s first error since April 13, the third game of the season.
The O’s have also made a bunch of trades on July 28. In 1995, they made a splash by acquiring slugger Bobby Bonilla from the Mets for outfielders Damon Buford and Alex Ochoa. Bonilla provided a big boost to the O’s lineup, batting .300 with an .877 OPS and 39 homers for the Birds from 1995-96. And he is still to this day getting paid by both the Orioles and Mets, thanks to a deferred-payment arrangement he made with each club. He’ll receive $1.19 million annually from the Mets through 2035 and $500,000 from the Orioles through 2028.
In 2000, the Orioles made another trade with the Mets, the only one of GM Syd Thrift’s fire-sale deals that season that paid any dividends for the Birds. They sent shortstop Mike Bordick to New York for three players, including 28-year-old utility man Melvin Mora. Mora blossomed in Baltimore, emerging as a versatile OBP machine with power over the next decade, and was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame after hitting .280/.355/.438 with 158 homers for the club.
And in 2017, the Orioles made a useless trade, sending fan-favorite outfielder Hyun Soo Kim and minor league southpaw Garrett Cleavinger to the Phillies for washed-up starter Jeremy Hellickson, who spoke openly about how much he disliked pitching at Camden Yards. Hellickson bombed to a 6.97 ERA in 10 starts for the Birds, while Cleavinger has since emerged as a solid lefty reliever, currently with the Rays.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 24: Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after a bases loaded out in the eighth inning during a game against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park on July 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers
Toronto Blue Jays
Seattle Mariners
Boston Red Sox
Tampa Bay Rays
New York Yankees
Los Angeles Angels
New York Mets
San Diego Padres
Milwaukee Brewers
San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
Washington Nationals
Los Angeles Dodgers
