What Does the Trade Deadline Say About the Future of Dana Brown?

I usually want to wait a few days to let the dust settle before writing a commentary piece like this. Going through the trade deadline is a lot like going through the stages of grief. In Economics we teach the concept of opportunity costs. It is simply the idea of the infinite number of possibilities that the future holds. When the future comes and goes then there will always be a letdown. Those infinite number of possibilities gets dwindled down to one, two, or sometimes zero.

So, in the case of this deadline the first core emotion is anger. For those of us clued into the news wire, that anger builds as the day goes on. More and more names go off the board and none of them are coming to you. You look at all of your competitors doing more than you. Yes, we got Daulton Varsho, but there is not one single competitor outside of the AL West that did less.

That anger slowly dissipates the day of the deadline and turns into despair. You suddenly realize you are outgunned come playoff time and there is very little you can do about it. Brown can come on the radio and utter “we aren’t done” or “we’ll chase the fight” all he wants, but it doesn’t change the reality. You have the minor leagues and the waiver wire left. That’s not much to grasp onto. However, there were three factors that impacted the deadline that should be explored in more detail before casting judgement on Brown.

Crane did not want to exceed the tax

Depending on your source, the Astros were somewhere between five and ten million dollars underneath the tax apron following the LMJ trade to the Brewers. That automatically limits your exposure. You probably couldn’t add someone making much more than 15 million dollars due to the prorated nature of contracts at the deadline. So, the talk of adding a George Springer, Robbie Ray, or similar player is complicated given the salary constraints involved.

It is not even as simple as overall team payroll. There are intricate rules involved that go beyond cash actually owed a player. It takes a tax attorney and capologist to figure it all out. Obviously, going beyond the tax not only costs money but being a three time tax payer also comes with penalties and other limitations that go beyond simple cash. How does the new CBA impact that? These are all huge considerations.

Crane did not want to deal from the present roster

The nixing of the Larnach trade probably had more to do with this. So imagine you are given the parameters of not trading from the current roster, not exceeding the tax, or trading major farm pieces and tell me how many quality players you can add. Now, how much does vetoing a trade say about the faith in the current general manager? The last time that happened was James Click and the reported Willson Contreras trade. Who wouldn’t trade Jose Urquidy for even two months of Contreras? Well, apparently Dusty Baker and Jim Crane wouldn’t.

In terms of net WAR, the Larnach trade would have been a huge net win for the Astros. Not only would you get this season’s WAR, but next season as well. However, I suppose someone could make an argument for chemistry and all of that jazz. No matter how anyone feels about Brown, this veto says more than any of us could possibly say on the interwebs.

The farm system is barren

According to most experts, the Astros farm system ranks in the bottom five in MLB. Now, there is a ton of subjectivity there, but clearly teams are not as interested in our prospects as they are in other team’s prospects. Moreover, Brown was tasked with elevating the farm system and he has been on the job for four seasons. Is that enough time? That’s a fair question. Still, when you have only a handful of blue chip prospects, it can be frightening to part with any of them.

So again, if you can’t spend money, can’t trade from the current roster, and can’t trade any of your top prospects then how exactly are you supposed to add an impact bat or arm? I suppose some general managers are adept at making something out of nothing, but Brown has never been a big wheeler and dealer. So, the cards were stacked against him before he even got to the deadline.

What does this all mean?

Ultimately, it means a few things. First and foremost, it means that Jim Crane has likely lost faith in Dana Brown. Whether that means that Brown has done a bad job or not is not particularly important here. After all, we were in the exact same situation in 2022. It could be a function of poor performance or it could be a function that Crane simply won’t have a ton of trust in anyone after what happened during the Jeff Luhnow regime. I could hardly blame him if that were the case. That means that Brown is living on borrowed time and Joe Espada might also be living on borrowed time.

I have stated my piece on both and those opinions largely have not changed. My personal issues with Brown are more in what he has failed to do than what he has done. Most of his trades and free agent acquisitions are defensible given the available information at the time. In other words, if given the same set of facts about hypothetical players, I probably would have done many of the same things. Some of them didn’t work out because not everything in life works out even with the best laid plans.

The problems with Brown is in what he has failed to do. He has been chasing a lefty bat like Captain Ahab chased his white whale for three years. In multiple seasons he has talked about adding a starter at the deadline or adding a key bullpen piece and failed to deliver. You can also point to organization problems that were not addressed effectively. That could include waiting until this season to replace the hitting coaches, never really overhauling the medical and training staffs, or looking heavily into the return to play procedures. Additionally, the public face of the organization is problematic. Many of Brown’s public statements border on the comical. It seems like a very minor critique, but that is the access many fans have to the general manager and the job he is doing.

Brown comes off like a used car salesman at times. He overpromises and underdelivers on a regular basis. It is what some people would call “foot in mouth” disease. The irony is that the actual reasoning behind doing or not doing certain things often makes sense. I get not wanting to trade four or five prospects for a pitcher. I get not wanting to trade your top prospect for a reliever. I get past situations where gambling on health made sense. The public statements around them did not make sense. It’s almost like Brown needs to go to finishing school to learn how to talk to the press.

More than anything though, he will be graded on his two biggest selling points. He came in as a guy that would rebuild the farm system and lock up our younger players to team friendly extensions. He signed one extension and it ended up blowing up in his face. The farm system is still bottom five. Did he get enough time to turn things around? It’s a fair question. Sadly for Brown, it looks like he is out of time. It might seem like a happy moment for Brown critics, but there is the lingering question as to whether any executive will have the juice to get done what needs to get done. This organization is being held together by duct tape and the memory of some great players that aren’t great anymore. The gravy train is coming to an end. It is just a question of when and when that happens there will need to be someone in place that can make the decisions necessary to make the rebuilding quick and as painless as possible.

Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for August 7

Arizona (61-55) has played seven straight days and buckle up for an eighth when they take on the NL West leading Dodgers (69-46). The Diamondbacks are coming off a tied 2-2 series versus the Padres and holding onto the final spot of the NL Wild Card, while the Dodgers are in a pickle.

The Dodgers are on a season-long losing streak of six games and coming off a rest day, which was much needed. Los Angeles was swept by the Red Sox and Cubs over the last six games and are 2-8 if you span back to the past 10. Despite the losing streak, the Dodgers offense is hitting .274 in that span (8th) with the 10th-most home runs (8) and ninth-most hits (57). However, the pitching rotation has the second-worst ERA (6.88) and allowed 59 hits over 51.0 innings (opponents batting .281, 25th).

Arizona is 3-3 to start August and the Diamondbacks pitching staff owns a 4.92 ERA (21st) and .280 OBA (T-25th) in August allowing at least four runs in five out of six games. Arizona's offense has scored 32 runs over the six games (5th) on the third-most hits (56) and eighth-best batting average (.273). Arizona is 5-5n versus Los Angeles this season and won the last four meetings.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Dodgers at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field 
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Dodgers at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-181), Arizona Diamondbacks (+149)
  • Spread: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-111), Dodgers -1.5 (-108)
  • Total: 9.0

Probable starting pitchers for Dodgers at Diamondbacks 

  • Friday's pitching matchup (August 7): Roki Sasaki vs Merrill Kelly 
  • Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly 

2026 stats: 114.1 IP, 8-9, 5.04 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 76 K, 46 BB

  • Dodgers: Roki Sasaki  

2026 Stats: 99.0 IP, 5-5, 4.64 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 101 K, 39 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • Freddie Freeman is on a 15-game winning streak and reached base in 17 consecutive games
  • Shohei Ohtani is batting .421 to start August (8/19)
  • Mookie Betts is coming off a season-high four hit performance against the Cubs
  • Tim Tawa is batting .333 to start August (8/24)
  • Nolan Arenado is hitting .190 over the past seven days (4/21)

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Dodgers at Diamondbacks

  • Los Angeles is 66-49 ATS, ranking third-worst
  • Arizona is 62-54 ATS, ranking eighth-best
  • Los Angeles is 60-54-1 to the Under
  • Arizona is 61-49-6 to the Under, ranking fifth-best
  • Los Angeles is 29-30 ATS on the road
  • Arizona is 30-25 ATS at home, ranking fifth-best

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 9.0

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Dodgers notes: Gavin Stone, Shohei Ohtani, playoff roster

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Gavin Stone #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a first inning pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 24, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

So far this season, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is once again leading the Dodgers in pitching wins after he led the team last year. Two years ago, right-hander Gavin Stone was tied for the team lead in wins during the regular season, but he’s still yet to take the mound for the team since.

Stone had his entire 2025 season wiped away after having shoulder surgery the year before. He was able to make one start during spring training before being shut down, and it seemed like Stone would once again have his whole season end before it could begin.

Thankfully, for Dodgers fans, the return for Stone is in sight, as the right-hander made his first rehab start with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, tossing 1 2/3 innings while allowing one run and striking out three. The Dodgers rotation is expected to see Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell return before season’s end, and adding Stone into the mix will help keep the rotation afloat while Shohei Ohtani continues to nurse injuries, per Valentina Martinez of the California Post.

Now, it appears Stone is set to make his long-awaited return to the Dodgers down the stretch. While LA’s starting rotation is crowded, Stone could be a placeholder for one of the Dodgers’ stars including Shohei Ohtani.

As for Ohtani, he was a bright spot for the Dodgers on Wednesday despite their 7-6 defeat to the Chicago Cubs, connecting two home runs and driving in three. Ohtani spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA following Wednesday’s game, where he talked about how his swing feels while dealing with both knee and biceps ailments.

“Heading in the right direction… Definitely being able to drive the ball with the right angle is what I’m ultimately looking for.”

Ohtani’s two-homer game also matched Pete Crow-Armstrong’s home run total on Wednesday, as the two superstars are duking it out for the NL MVP race this year. Both All-Stars showed praise towards each other, but the focus for Ohtani is making sure that he’s ready to go on both sides of the field for October, per Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times.

“He’s a great player,” Ohtani said of Crow-Armstrong. “But I’m really focused on myself on the hitting side of things right now, really working towards hopefully getting back on the mound and working on that side of the game as well.”

Sonja Chen of MLB.com breaks down what the Dodgers postseason roster could look like.

New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves: Series Preview

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the second inning against the New York Mets in game two of a double header at Citi Field on July 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

While the Yankees didn’t as much as a lot of people hoped at the trade deadline, they still made a couple moves, and also called up top prospect George Lombard Jr. That being said, they still haven’t looked that different early on. The Yankees dropped two of three in their series against the Cardinals. The lone win did feature Lombard homering, which was fun. Now, the Yankees will welcome the Braves to town for a three-game series.

After missing the playoffs last season, the Braves have rebounded this year and are in control of the NL East, homing in on a double-digit game lead. They’ve been led by Chris Sale and Matt Olson, who have powered the fifth best pitching staff and the sixth best offense according to runs per game. Even if the Yankees hadn’t been struggling lately, this would be a tough test.

Before the action gets going later today, let’s take a look at the expected pitching matchups for this weekend.

Friday: Max Fried vs. Tyler Mahle (7:05 pm ET)

This will be Fried’s first ever game against the team he came up with, as he didn’t pitch against the Braves when these two teams met last year. Since coming off the injured list, Fried has put up a 2.70 ERA and a 1.29 FIP in three starts. Surprise, surprise, the offense didn’t get him enough support last time around, but he struck out seven Cubs in 5.1 innings in his last start. He reached 78 pitches in that game, so you’d expect him to inch closer to a normal pitch load in this outing.

Mahle was a deadline pickup by the Braves, and this will be his first appearance for the team. He doesn’t have especially impressive numbers this year (5.13 ERA, 4.37 FIP), but Atlanta needed some innings in the rotation behind Sale, as they’ve dealt with some pitching injuries this year.

Saturday: Gerrit Cole vs. Chris Sale (3:05 pm ET)

This would’ve been an absolute must watch pitching matchup circa 2018, ans it’s still a pretty good one now.

After a spotless first two appearances of the season, Cole looked a bit iffy in June, but he’s been very good every since then. Dating back to the start of July, he has a 2.75 ERA and a 2.68 FIP and has struck out 44 batters in 38 innings. He has walked a combined five batters in his two most recent games, so that could be a trend to keep an eye on in this one.

Despite being 37 and having missed a decent chunk of last season, Sale still looks excellent. His 2.08 ERA is better than two seasons ago when he won the NL Cy Young, and he’s been especially good of late, having been named the NL Pitcher of the Month for July.

Sunday: Cam Schlittler vs. Grant Holmes (1:35 pm ET)

His numbers overall for the season are still excellent, but home vs. road splits are starting to become a thing to keep an eye on when it comes to Schlittler. On the road, he has a 1.10 ERA and is holding hitters to a collective .463 OPS. However in the Bronx, those numbers rise to 4.32 and .761. We saw him dominate at home last season, including most notable in the AL Wild Card Series, but this difference is something we should hope doesn’t become a greater trend.

Holmes was a first round pick by the Dodgers all the way back in 2014, but he only cracked the majors back in 2024. His numbers are solid but not overwhelming, with his FIP suggesting there could be some negative regression happening at some point. The Yankees saw Holmes as a starter once last season, scoring three runs on seven hits in six innings.

Braves News: Win streak extended, Eric Hartman goes 20/40, and more

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 6: Matt Olson #28 celebrates with Mauricio Dubón #14 of the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on August 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves have won their eighth straight after Thursday’s 11-3 win over the Miami Marlins. Between a solid outing from Martín Pérez and a 14-hit night for the Atlanta lineup, things went well all around. 

Despite the rain delay, the Braves were able to complete the sweep of the Fish and earned their 70th win of the year. Now, it’s your turn to let us know your Braves Player of the Game.

More Braves News:

Ethan Bagwell struck out six on Wednesday for the Rome Emperors. More in the minor league recap. 

MLB News:

Joey Bart, who was dealt to the Chicago White Sox earlier this week, has suffered a hand fracture after a hit by pitch. 

From the Feed:

Eric Hartman has become one of the youngest players to have a 20 home run, 40 stolen base season.

A's vs Red Sox Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The surging Boston Red Sox head into tonight's series opener against the Athletics as a massive -245 moneyline favorite as left-hander Payton Tolle takes the hill. 

With those odds offering minimal value, and Boston's offense in peak form, my Athletics vs. Red Sox predictions are targeting the Boston run line. 

Read more in my MLB picks for Friday, Aug. 7. 

Who will win A's vs Red Sox today: Red Sox -1.5 (-126)

The Athletics send struggling Jack Perkins to the hill tonight. He owns a 5.64 FIP across his last two starts while allowing 2.45 HR/9, which is dangerous against a Boston Red Sox offense carrying a 147 wRC+ and .243 ISO over its last six games.

Payton Tolle counters for Boston, and he's been reliable with a 2.62 xERA over his previous four appearances. He also faces an A’s lineup in horrendous form, posting a 67 wRC+ and .080 ISO over the last week.

Boston has the offensive edge to create separation, while Tolle limits the damage.

I'll play this pick to -140. 

Covers COVERS INTEL: The Athletics have been substantially worse offensively on the road, collecting an 82 wRC+. That's compared to a 116 mark at home. Tolle is in a prime position to deal. 

A's vs Red Sox Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-116)

The total sits at 8.5, and I’m leaning toward the Over.

Boston’s offense is averaging 8.33 runs per game across the last week, and Perkins’ inability to limit damage gives the Red Sox a clear path to early production.

The Athletics bullpen is vulnerable, too, posting a 5.30 FIP over its last 22 2/3 frames while surrendering 1.59 HR/9.

Boston’s relief corps has been much better with a sub-3.00 xERA during that same span, but the A's do not need to contribute much if the Red Sox do most of the scoring.

Play to -130.

Quinn Allen's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 44-55, -17.06 units
  • Over/Under bets: 54-42, +5.96 units

A's vs Red Sox weather

The weather looks warm and clear at Fenway Park tonight, with temperatures falling from the upper 80s at first pitch into the low 80s later on. Winds should stay light around 4-5 mph, and rain is not a concern. The warm air could slightly help carry, but overall conditions look clean.

A's vs Red Sox odds

  • Moneyline: A's +233 | Red Sox -245
  • Run line: A's +1.5 (+117) | Red Sox -1.5 (-122)
  • Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-113) | Under 8.5 (+108)

A's vs Red Sox trend

The Red Sox have hit the team total Over in 24 of their last 35 games (+11.50 Units / 28% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for A's vs. Red Sox.

How to watch A's vs Red Sox and game info

LocationFenway Park, Boston, MA
DateFriday, August 7, 2026
First pitch7:10 p.m. ET
TVNBCSCA, NESN
A's starting pitcher

Jack Perkins
(2-7, 6.72 ERA)

Red Sox starting pitcherPayton Tolle
(6-6, 3.30 ERA)

A's vs Red Sox latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

8/7, 8/7, 8/7

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 13: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his first period goal against the San Jose Sharks at PPG PAINTS Arena on December 13, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

Today on the seventh day of the eighth month, it’s Sidney Crosby’s birthday. There’s always reason to celebrate one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Earlier in the summer we took a look at some of the best age-39 seasons ever. Despite injury, Crosby maintained one of the best age-38 seasons in NHL history last year with 74 points in 68 games in 2025-26. There could be some survivorship aspects going on, but the good news is that there historically hasn’t been as much of a drop-off for hockey players going from 38 to 39 as much as the usually big drop going from 37 to 38.

What’s next for Sid? The future looks to be whatever he wants it to be.

As of March, Crosby will have been the captain of the Penguins for 50% of his entire life. That will come with another NHL record, 2026-27 will be the 20th season for Crosby as captain of the Pens, surpassing Steve Yzerman’s 19 playing seasons with Detroit. If you give credit for time served, Yzerman (who missed one season due to the lockout) was the Red Wings captain for 19 years and six months, Crozby will pass that this year as well.

There’s more history sure to follow. Crosby is at 1,761 points in his career, 39 points away from 1,800. Reaching that mark would make him just the fifth player in NHL history to get to 1,800 career points, the first since Jaromir Jagr got the milestone during the 2014–15 season. Getting to 1,800 would also mean passing Marcel Dionne (1,771) and Ron Francis (1,798) along the way. Up next would be the chase of another legend known for a long career, Gordie Howe (1,850).

Overall Crosby is 160 points behind Jagr (1,921) for second place all-time in NHL scoring. Should Sid play two more years, he just might be able to get there. If he decides to play three more seasons, it could be a lock that Crosby will end up with the most points in NHL history besides Wayne Gretzky.

As Crosby told Josh Yohe in Switzerland this spring at the World Championships, stepping away from the game isn’t in his mind.

“I’m saying year to year based on contracts,” he explained. “It just seems to make sense. I mean, it could change. We’ll see. Kyle (Dubas) and I haven’t even talked about it. But I’ll talk with Pat (Brisson) and Kyle later this summer. We’ll talk about it and do what makes sense. If it does make sense to sign for a couple of years, then we’ll do that.”

At the end of the day, I’m just going to do what’s best for the team. It’s got nothing to do with how long I want to play. It’s not like that at all.”

Any team would be lucky to have Crosby, even at an advanced age. Luckily for the Penguins, it’s still an easy decision to hold onto a player that’s woven into the very fabric of the franchise at this point.

At now 39 years old, the end is closer than the beginning for Crosby’s playing days. On this day, like all days, it’s a celebration of greatness to witness a master still so sharp at his craft.

Is 2026 the most memorable Red Sox season of all-time?

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 06: Caleb Durbin #5 of the Boston Red Sox is doused with water after hitting a walk off RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the thirteenth inning at Fenway Park on August 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I don’t know how to explain the 2026 Red Sox and I don’t know anyone else who does. As the recent A’s series showed us, even when they’re bad, they’re somehow good. They simply cannot lose right now, which isn’t how baseball is supposed to work, or has ever worked for as long as I’ve watched it.* And the fact that all of this is coming on the heels of a three-month stretch during which the Red Sox were arguably the most mocked team in baseball, playing in front of a fanbase that had grown as apathetic as I’d ever seen it, makes the story even more remarkable.

(*This is in fact the 20th time since 1901 that a team has won at least 31 of 36 games. Frankly, it’s amazing that it’s happened even that much.)

So all of this raises the question: is this the most memorable regular season in Red Sox history?

When it comes to looking at the season’s I’ve been alive for, I think there is no question that the answer is yes.

The 2004 season had its ups-and-downs, including an incredible August run that saw the Sox move from 10.5 games behind the Yankees to just 2; but the Red Sox were essentially in second place all season and the playoffs were rarely in doubt. 2018 was, frankly, too dominant to be all that memorable; from the All-Star Break on, the Red Sox’ division lead never fell below 4.5 games and grew to be much larger than that. 2013 certainly deserves a place in the conversation. Unfortunately, 2011 does, too. In fact, if we’re using the word “memorable” in its most elemental sense without regard to the nature of the emotions attached to it, then I think 2011 is this season’s closest competitor.

Obviously the answer to this question will be greatly affected by what happens over the next seven weeks, but as of right now I think it clearly is the most memorable regular season of my lifetime. If we’re talking all-time, then the 1967 impossible dream season enters the picture. That’s a hard one to top — entire books have been written about it. And, unfortunately, pennant races like the one the world witnessed that summer are no longer possible. But what we’re witnessing right now might be the modern equivalent.

Talk about your favorite seasons of Red Sox baseball and whatever else you want and, as always, be good to one another.

How to watch the Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals: Live stream info, schedule, preview

This Sunday features another exciting slate of MLB action on NBC and Peacock. First, at 12:00 PM ET, the Cincinnati Reds go head-to-head with the Washington Nationals in the MLB Sunday Leadoff game. Then, at 8:00 PM ET, it's the Houston Astros vs San Diego Padres on Sunday Night Baseball. See below for additional information on how to watch both games.

Play-by-play voice Dave Flemming joins former Washington infielder Kevin Frandsen and former Cincinnati pitcher Sam LeCure on the call for Sunday's Reds vs. Nationals game alongside reporter Caroline Pineda.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

How to watch the Cincinnati Reds vs Washington Nationals:

  • Where: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
  • When: Sunday, August 9
  • Time: 12:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBCSN
  • Live Stream: Peacock

What other MLB games are on Peacock this Sunday?

Houston Astros vs San Diego Padres - 8:00 PM ET on NBC and Peacock

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With MLB’s trade deadline behind us, here’s how all 30 teams stack up entering the stretch run.

How to watch MLB on NBC and Peacock:

MLB Sunday Leadoff is a weekly Major League Baseball showcase featuring live Sunday daytime games. It highlights marquee matchups throughout the regular season and streams primarily on Peacock, with some games also airing across NBC Sports and NBC.

MLB Sunday Night Baseball is a weekly primetime Major League Baseball showcase, featuring marquee matchups each Sunday night during the regular season. The games air on NBC and Peacock and anchor NBC Sports’ Sunday night programming lineup.

NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC and Bravo hits for whatever suits your mood.

MLB on NBC 2026 schedule:

Click here to see the full list of MLB games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

Why are some MLB games unavailable to stream on Peacock?

Due to territorial blackout restrictions, select regular season, special event, and Postseason games may be unavailable on Peacock. Television territory blackout restrictions apply regardless of whether a Club is home or away and regardless of whether a game is televised in that Club's home television territory. For more information, visit Peacock’s Help Center.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

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The Rotoworld staff list their picks for the players that gained or lost the most fantasy value at the MLB Trade deadline

Check out the latest MLB player news here!

Friday Rockpile: Former Rockie Eric Young making history as first-time manager in WPBL

Former Colorado Rockie Eric Young Sr. coaches a member of the Los Angeles Queens in late July 2026. Young is the manager of the Professional Women’s Baseball League team, which will make its inaugural debut on Aug. 1, 2026 in Springfield, Ill. | Women’s Pro Baseball League

Eric Young Sr. knows a thing or two about making the most of the moment. 

So, it’s no surprise that the former Rockie and current manager of the Los Angeles Queens, one of four teams in the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League, has made seizing the day the motto guiding his approach to his first baseball managing gig.

“I told them in the meeting [before the first game on Aug. 1], ‘there’s going to be a moment throughout this year that’s going to be very special for you,” Young said during a press conference after the first game in Springfield, Ill. “I said, ‘the only thing I want you to do is to be mentally prepared for that moment.’”

His words turned into reality immediately as the Queens rallied from a 7-2 deficit to the New York Heights for an epic 10-8 win on a rainy day that couldn’t dampen the joy of the debut of the first women’s league to exist in the United States since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) ended in 1954.

“What a game and what a start to the Women’s Pro Baseball League,” said Young, who played with the Rockies from 1993 through half of the 1997 season. “The energy was electric out there.”

And just like that, Young, aka EY, recorded his first victory as a manager. Young, a first base and baserunning coach for five different MLB teams — including the Rockies from 2014-16 under then-manager and his former Rockies teammate Walt Weiss — joins former MLB players Matt Williams and Keith Foulke and women’s baseball pioneer and former Colorado Silver Bullet Rachelle “Rocky” Henley as the first-ever WPBL managers this season.

With another 12-4 victory on Wednesday, Young and the Queens have jumped out to a 2-0 start in the debut season where each team will play 15 games before the playoffs in September. In the middle of a historic moment, and with only about a week of practice with the team before the season started, Young had nothing but praise for his players. He shouted out their energy, willingness to play wherever he needs them and their love of the game. 

“For me as a manager, that makes it easy because this is my first day managing and I’m trying to figure the pieces out, but they were helping me. They don’t even know how much they were helping me tonight,” Young said. “They made it look good for our whole team. Kudos to them. They just deserve all the credit in this, and I was just happy to be next to them to enjoy the moment.”

As a member of the inaugural season for the Colorado Rockies, Young knows what it’s like to make history. Not only was he part of a brand new team, but he hit a home run in the first home at bat for the Colorado Rockies on April 9, 1993 at Mile High Stadium.

In his time as a Rockie, Young hit .295/.378.412 with 30 homers, 102 doubles, 28 triples with 227 RBIs and 378 runs scored in 613 games over five seasons. Young, who remains the Rockies all-time leader with 180 stolen bases, clearly understands the pressure of being part of something new and is trying to help the Queens navigate the experience.

“The main thing is to stay positive. This is going to be a process. We are going to have some ups and downs, but if we can stay positive and push each other, you never know what could happen and it happened tonight,” EY said after the comeback win on Aug. 1. “The bench was still cheering the same way as if we were up 7-2 or 8-4. There is so much positive energy in our clubhouse. I am amazed at it.”

Young played under some legendary managers in his 16-year MLB career, which included time with the Dodgers, Cubs, Brewers, Padres, Rangers and Giants. From playing under Rockies manager Don Baylor, to other skippers like Tommy Lasorda, Bruce Bochy, Ned Yost, Davey Johnson, he learned from them all. In 2025, he told FanGraph’s David Laurila specifically what he liked about playing for Baylor.

“I liked the calmness of Don Baylor. He was OK with players that were upset, because he knew how to handle guys. He knew how to push guys’ buttons based on their personalities. Don Baylor was a strong personality,” Young said. “He was also the type of manager who was going to give you a chance. If you told him you can do something, he was going to give you that opportunity. But you better do it.”

Young has adopted that philosophy as a manager for the Queens. With a shorter roster in his debut, he put utility player Maggie Fox on the mound to get the save, despite having never seen her pitch in practice leading up to the game.

“The first day, I have to admit, when I met Maggie, she said, ‘I can play all over. I can play anywhere you want me to play.’ She gave me that attitude right there,” Young said. “To be honest, I didn’t even see her pitch and [late in the Aug. 1 game] I am looking around and I said, “Maggie I need you on the mound.” And that’s it. She went running and getting loose and everything. But the thing is, it doesn’t matter. She loves the games so much, you put her at catcher, pitcher, she’s going to play.”

EY’s style is landing well with his players, as evident by L.A. center fielder Mo’ne Davis’s comments in the press conference after the first game. She appreciates his positivity and energy.

“He just always sits on the side and he just lets us play our game and how this is our stage,” Davis said. “We just want to give props to him and give him the respect because he allows us to play our game and be ourselves.”

Young’s resume includes the wins to back up his approach. After all, he was part of the 1995 squad that went 77-67 (season shortened by strike) and earned a National League Wild Card berth, when there was only one Wild Card slot per league, in the Rockies third year of existence. He hopes he can achieve quick success with the Queens as well.

“The most important thing through this process is that we get better each and every day,” Young said. “If we get better every single day, I’ll take our chances when we get to the postseason.”


On the Farm

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 5, Sugar Land Space Cowboys 3

Charlie Condon and Connor Norby, who the Rockies recently aquired from Miami in a trade for Victor Vodnik, each hit solo homers, and TJ Shook threw two scoreless innings to earn the save and preserve the win for the Isotopes on Thursday night. Ryan Ritter tripled, singled, and drove in a run, and Zac Veen stole second and scored on a throwing error. Albuquerque was able to squeak out a win and fend off a three-run eighth, depsite going 0-for-10 and leaving eight runs on base. Eiberson Castellano gave up three runs on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts for the Isotopes to earn the win and improve to 3-2 on the season.

Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Ponies 23, Hartford Yard Goats 3

The Yard Goats had a really bad night and the Ponies had a really good one. Roc Riggio hit a two-run single and Mike Antico hit a solo homer to make up for Hartford’s scoring. Binghamton out-hit the Yard Goats 21-7, and Hartford committed six errors to aid the Ponies, who scored three unearned runs.

High-A: Eugene Emeralds 15, Spokane Indians 10 (10)

A valent comeback was foiled when the Emeralds unleashed a five-run 10th inning to beat Spokane. Eugene jumped out to an 8-2 lead after four innings, but the Indians slowly clawed their way back to within one run entering the bottom of the ninth. Kelvin Hidalgo drew a one-out walk and Roynier Hernandez hit a pinch-hit RBI single to send the game into extra innings. Roldy Brito recorded three hits and scored two runs, Ethan Hedges posted two hits, two runs and to RBIs and Tevin Tucker added three hits and a run. Cameron Nelson and Juan Castillo each chipped in two hits and one run, while Nelson also drove one in.

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 4, Visalia Rawhide 3

Cristian Arguelles had himself a night. Arguelles hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to help the Grizzlies regain the lead and it was enough to earn the victory on Thursday. The Rawhide scored in the second to take a 1-0 lead, but Sebastian Blanco hit a sac grounder to score Wilder Dalis to tied it in the bottom of the frame. Arguelles singled and scored Juan Martinez in the third to put Fresno back on top, only for the Rawhide to rally back again and set up Arguelles homer in the sixth. Aidan Redahan and Martinez both had two-hit nights for the Grizzlies. Bryson Van Sickle improved to 4-0 after throwing a quality start, giving up three runs on six hits with four walks and five homers in seven innings.


Zac Veen named Pacific Coast League Player of the Week | Purple Row

For the second time this season, Zac Veen has earned PCL Player of the Week. Veen (No. 9 PuRP) has been tearing it up for Triple-A Albuquerque, going 13-for-29 with four doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 14 RBI in games.

Wilder Dalis named California League Play of the Month for July | Purple Row

Wilder Dalis (No. 24 PuRP) outstanding performance for the Fresno Grizzlies in July did not go unnoticed. Over 24 games in July, Dalis batted .374/.443/.727 for just a taste of his stats in the month.

MLB Power Rankings Week 19: Post-trade deadline edition | ESPN.com

Guess what? The Rockies aren’t last.


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Victor Wembanyama is working on Dirk Nowitzki’s fadeaway, and it might be over for the NBA

The San Antonio Spurs ranked No. 13 in our preseason power rankings last year. It felt like a reasonable placement for a team that had not made the playoffs the last six seasons. Instead, Victor Wembanyama led them all the way to the NBA Finals, where they suffered a devastating five-game loss to the New York Knicks despite leading for 72% of the total minutes during the series.

Despite a bummer of an ending, it was obviously a wonderful year for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama morphed into arguably the best player in the world, and proved that he could drive winning at the highest levels by leading his team to an upset victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Wembanyama turns 23 years old in the middle of next season, and he’ll be the presumptive favorite to win his first MVP. Only the Thunder are ahead of the Spurs in our way-too-early power rankings for the 2026-27 campaign.

The scariest thing about Wembanyama is he still has so much room to get better. To me, the biggest thing that would help him level up again is figuring out a signature shot in the mid-range that he can always lean on when he doesn’t want to chuck a three and can’t get all the way to the rim. In the playoffs, Wemby took a decent amount of mid-range shots, with 28% of his field goal attempts coming on non-rim two-pointers. The problem is he only made 35% of those shots. Wemby obviously has good touch — he’s an 82% career free throw shooter, and 34% career three-point shooter — so I tend to think he can get a lot more accurate from the mid-range in time.

A video circulated from the Spurs’ offseason workouts, and it should terrify the rest of the NBA. Wembanyama might be figuring out his mid-range game in the most unstoppable possible style: by mastering Dirk Nowitzki’s go-to fadeaway.

There’s a world where that shot could be as unstoppable as a skyhook for Wembanyama. It’s going to be impossible to contest, and it gives him enough room to square his shoulders to the basket for a shot. The fact that Wemby is now strong enough to win the positioning battle on the ground against his man only makes this even more enticing. If Wembanyama can hit this with any consistency, it’s going to give him even more scoring versatility for when the game slows down in the playoffs.

Wembanyama worked out with Dirk’s old trainer Holger Geschwindner in 2021 where they worked on pivot steps, stride length, and balance. He’s spent time this summer working out with Hakeem Olajuwon.

Wemby could still be a few years away from his offensive peak. Right now, it feels like he’s about as dominant defensively as anyone has ever been. It’s easy to imagine Wembanyama and Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle reaching the NBA Finals year after year, but the reality is that the NBA hasn’t even had a repeat conference champ since the 2019 Golden State Warriors. Everyone thought LeBron James would be in the Finals every year after he made it for the first time in 2007. It turns out James had to leave Cleveland for the Miami Heat before he made his next trip in 2011 … where he lost to Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks.

Wembanyama should be adding to his offensive arsenal every offseason. Beginning to integrate a Dirk fade into his game would be the best possible start.

LeBron and the 76ers are showing the Raptors how to use Scottie Barnes

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 10: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball off against Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on February 10, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There was a big part of me that dreaded LeBron James’ return to the Eastern Conference. The years of LeBronto, and the idea of James in his twilight years snuffing out the Raptors’ playoff hopes in infancy was almost more than I could bear.

Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, James, and Embiid. Lord have mercy.

But then, Shams Charania made something clear: LeBron James would not just be playing power-forward for the Sixers. Rather, he’ll be slotting in at the point guard for at least a significant amount of time. This means that the 76ers’ lineup may actually be James, Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown, and Embiid. This is a game changer. And not just for the 76ers, but for the Raptors as well.

People deemed successors to LeBron have frequently fallen short in some way. Paolo Banchero and Zion Williamson both haven’t quite developed into the archetype of unstoppable point forward, but I would argue that Scottie Barnes is closer to what LeBron is archetypically — a do-it-all forward who rebounds and passes as well as scores — than any of these score-first bigs that usually get compared to LeBron.

Since the end of the regular season, I’ve been an advocate of giving Scottie Barnes official point guard status; in a short sample size at the end of the year, Barnes showed that he was more than capable of dishing out assists as needed when Immanuel Quickley was out. In his Instagram bio, Scottie still proclaims himself to be a “6’9 PG”, and I wonder why this hasn’t been made explicit yet?

As Scottie is breaking out as a developing scorer and as one of the league’s premier defenders, I feel like his ability to facilitate an offence shouldn’t be thought of as an afterthought, lumping him into the “point forward” group. LeBron James, who famously played every position at least once in his career, saw one of his highest highs playing PG for the LA Lakers in 2020, leading the league in assists with 10.2 per game, and coming second in MVP voting. That was, in my view, one of his finest seasons in a very storied career. Am I saying that slotting Scottie in at the one is going to be what finally turns him into a superstar?

Yes. I think it just might.

Scottie Barnes is not LeBron James — and really, no one is — but allowing Barnes to focus on parts of the game that feel most natural to him could allow him to develop even more effectively than having him try to straddle multiple roles. The Raptors already understand that part of the key to unlocking Barnes is to remove some of the scoring load from his shoulders, but signs are pointing to a further shift of responsibilities being the thing that could change the trajectory of this team for the better.

The forward at point guard experiment doesn’t always work, and there is a need for true facilitators. But Scottie Barnes is not just any forward. With the Sixers paving the way, will success with LeBron as floor general make the Raptors reconsider how they’ve been using Barnes?

Former Maple Leaf Nikita Grebenkin Earns Paycheck With Flyers

After backchecking and forechecking for the Philadelphia Flyers this past season, former Toronto Maple Leafs left winger Nikita Grebenkin has earned his paycheck.

The 23-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with the Flyers, the team announced on Thursday, which will cost $1.1 million against the salary cap in the NHL.

This is Grebenkin's first standard NHL contract since signing his entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs in late April 2024. It also comes after his first full season in the NHL with the Flyers.

The Russian was selected by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round of the 2022 draft with the 135th overall pick. Since being drafted, Grebenkin has only spent one year with the Maple Leafs organization.

He played seven games in the NHL and 39 appearances with the AHL's Toronto Marlies. He didn't score any points in the NHL for that 2024-25 campaign, but notched nine goals and 21 points with the Marlies.

'His Biologic Age Is Younger Than Is Chronologic Age': How New Maple Leafs VP Of Sport Performance Views 37-Year-Old Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky'His Biologic Age Is Younger Than Is Chronologic Age': How New Maple Leafs VP Of Sport Performance Views 37-Year-Old Goalie Sergei BobrovskyO'Brien was a guest on TSN's 'First Up' On Wednesday, where he talked about Bobrovsky's fitness and why he took his new role as Maple Leafs VP of Sports Performance.

Grebenkin made his first scoring impression in the NHL with the Flyers this past season. He recorded four goals and 14 points in 55 contests, while averaging 11:17 of ice time. He registered his first NHL point in his debut for Philadelphia, then marked the first goal of his career eight games later against the Montreal Canadiens.

The last game Grebenkin played for the Flyers was on March 21. He didn't feature for the rest of the regular season and didn't appear in the Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Former Maple Leafs Prospect Eyeing Return To Toronto, But How Realistic Could That Be?Former Maple Leafs Prospect Eyeing Return To Toronto, But How Realistic Could That Be?Former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev is apparently seeking a return to the club and the NHL. But with the current makeup of the Maple Leafs, how realistic is that?

Finding ice time with the Flyers won't come any easier for the coming 2026-27 season with the winger depth that Philadelphia has compiled. The likes of Travis Konecny, Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and a few others all stand before him on the depth chart.

Therefore, the youngster can expect to see more time in the American League with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In 2025-26, he played 11 games for the Flyers' AHL affiliate and produced three goals and seven points. He also provided an additional four points in seven contests during the Calder Cup playoffs.

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Open Thread: Gratitude for David Robinson

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 5: David Robinson attends the game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs during Game Two of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 5, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

On Thursday, Spurs legend David Robinson turned 61. That’s also 39 years since he moved to San Antonio. Nearly four decades in The Alamo City. Robinson was originally drafted in 1987 as the first overall pick, but because of his active-duty commitment to the United States Navy, he did not suit up until the 1989-1990 season.

Over his illustrious career, The Admiral accrued many awards starting in 1990 with the NBA Rookie of the Year. He was the league’s rebounding leader (1991), blocks leader (1992), and scoring champion (1994) on his way to picking up the 1995 NBA Most Valuable Player award. He also picked up Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1992, just one of five players to all-time to receive MVP and DPOY during his career.

Robinson is one of nine players to ever score more than 70 points. His 71-point game came on April 24, 1994.

Robinson is also one of four players in recorded NBA history to capture the elusive quadruple-double, tallying 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and 10 blocks on February 17, 1994.

The Admiral displayed the greatest humility in 1997 as he relinquished his leadership of the San Antonio Spurs to Tim Duncan. Together they brought in the Spurs first championship in 1999. Robinson continued to hand the baton until 2003, when the Spurs next generation was poised to take over.

Robinson had the rare distinction of going out on top. In 2003, he played his final NBA game. It was Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and the Spurs won their second title. The game took place on Father’s Day, June 15, and he walked off the court for the last time with a trophy by his side.

In addition to his NBA accolades, Robinson was a member of the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team” and won two gold medals, the second coming in 1996.

Since retiring, Robinson has continued to make San Antonio his home. He’s been an ambassador, a philanthropist, and a leader in educational pursuits. He can be seen dining at local restaurants, hosting events, and making appearances throughout the city. He remains a fixture at Spurs games. He’s had seats in the second row for years, but during the 2026 postseason, he moved around and sat with other former members of the Spurs as they made their first Finals run in a dozen years.

SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 19: David Robinson and Tim Duncan attends a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs during Round One Game One of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2026 NBAE (Photos by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Robinson help set the tone for Spurs Culture. He brought a grandness and composure to the team, the city, and the sport. And he is the ever present reminder that the Spurs stand tall and have class.

Happy belated birthday, Big Dave.


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Orioles news: Time for a Texas showdown

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 06: Yohel Pozo #79 of the Baltimore Orioles hits a solo home run in the third inning during a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 6, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Happy Friday, Camden Chatters. The weekend has arrived! Are we still scoreboard watching? If so, after the Orioles lost yesterday they fell to one game out the final Wild Card spot. And the team that has that last spot just happens to be the team the Orioles are playing this weekend. The Texas Rangers.

The Orioles and Rangers faced each other in the second series of the season. The Rangers won two out of three that time. Not ideal.

This time, if the Orioles lose two out of three, they’ll find themselves two games behind the Rangers. If they get swept, it’ll be four games behind and that, frankly, will be all she wrote. If they somehow take two of three, they will leave Texas tied with the Rangers. So it’s a pretty big series. And if they survive this one, they are off to Minnesota to face the team that is currently a half-game ahead of them in the WC race. And that’s to say nothing of the Guardians, who are also a half-game up on the Orioles.

So they’re in it, for now. But the problem, as I see it, is this: they can’t hit. They’re just so bad at hitting! If you take a glance at the team’s Baseball Reference page, there are four players on the top section with an OPS+ over 100, which is league average. They are Pete Alonso, Samuel Basallo, Adley Rutschman, and Taylor Ward. Uh…get well soon, Samuel! Also, Blaze Alexander while we’re at it.

In yesterday’s game, the Orioles were facing Ryan Johnson, a starter with an ERA over 7 and they couldn’t do anything with him. In the first five innings, they have five walks, three hits, and a HBP. But they also hit into two double plays and had a runner caught stealing. Their only runs scored came on a home run from Yohel Pozo. So good for him!

Even in their two wins over the Angels, one of the worst teams in baseball, they struggled to score runs. On Tuesday they scored just three runs in a game started by Grayson Rodriguez, and on Wednesday they were clinging to a one-run lead until an unlikely Leody Taveras home run.

Well, this turned into a downer. They should hire me to be their hitting coach so I can tell them to be better hitters.

Links

David Rubenstein talks Orioles trades, payroll and World Series hopes – The Baltimore Banner
Andy Kostka recounted an event the Orioles’ owner had to promote his new book. This headline had me hoping for answers. I don’t know that I got them.

Orioles offense can’t convert opportunities in 4-1 loss to Angels – MASN Sports
Roch Kubatko’s game story from yesterday’s loss.

Orioles Legend Jim Palmer Tackles a Challenging Career Quiz – FanGraphs
Well know Jim Palmer has an incredible memory. Take a trip down memory lane with him.

Birthdays and History

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have seven Orioles birthday buddies. That’s a lot! Gerónimo Gil is 51 years old today. Gil spent five seasons with the Orioles, 2001-05. He spent that time as a backup catcher, except in 2002 when he got into 125 games.

Also born on this day in history are former Orioles Wade LeBlanc (42), Jason Grimsley (59), Tex Nelson (b. 1936, d. 2011), Don Larsen (b. 1929, d. 2020), Art Houtteman (b. 1927, d. 2003), and Bob Alexander (b. 1922, d. 1993).

On this day in 1964, the Orioles defeated the Yankees 2-0. Steve Barber pitched 6.2 shutout innings and Harvey Haddix finished the game. Brooks Robinson had an RBI single and Jerry Adair hit a home run.

In 1998, the Orioles pounded the Twins 16-9. Brady Anderson had five hits with two doubles and two home runs. Harold Baines and Cal Ripken also homered. Starter Scott Erickson was knocked out after four innings and seven runs, but that’s ok in this instance.

In 2016, Manny Machado hit three home runs in his first three at-bats in a 10-2 Orioles win over the White Sox. He had three more chances to hit four homers, but went hitless for the rest of the game. He had seven RBI.

In 2019, in the midst of a 14-2 loss to the Yankees, Chris Davis and Brandon Hyde got into a fight in the dugout. It was the most exciting thing that happened for the Orioles in the game.