July 14th, 2025

⚾ Headlines Around the League

Dodgers 5, Giants 2 — Yamamoto Dominates, Dodgers Strike Late to Win in Extras

Red Sox 4, Rays 1 — Rafaela and Bello Send Sox Into Break Riding 10-Game Heater

Shota Dazzles, Swanson Breaks Out as Cubs Win Series in the Bronx

Sánchez Shines as Phillies Enter Break in First

Seattle’s 5-HR Outburst Secures First-Half Statement Sweep

Royals 3, Mets 2 — Cameron Dazzles, Loftin Walks It Off to End First Half Strong

What a first half to the 2025 season. Hard to believe we’re already at the break. Here a few things that stood out to me:

First off, the Tigers having the best record in baseball? Did not see that coming. They have been playing great all season long on both sides of the ball. On the flip side, the Dodgers have felt like they’ve underperformed all year and yet, here they are sitting in first place with 58 wins. That’s how loaded that roster is. They haven’t even hit their stride yet, and they’re still at the top.

The AL East, as always, is a straight-up dogfight. I think everyone besides the Orioles are a legit contender this year. And now we’re also seeing that kind of chaos in the NL Central and NL West too.

Biggest disappointment for me? Gotta be the Orioles. I had legit high hopes for them coming into the season, but they just haven’t found their rhythm. At this point, I’d be shocked if they don’t move at least Ryan O’Hearn before the deadline.

As for surprises, I’ve got four: the Giants (non-biased, I swear), Mariners, Red Sox, and Brewers. All of them have overachieved in different ways — whether it’s young guys stepping up, rotation pieces clicking, or just finding ways to win tough games. And honestly, if any of those four sneak into the playoffs, I think they’re going to be a problem. Those are the types of teams that no one wants to face in a short series.

Can’t wait for the second half, some of these division races will be insane.

Now, normally I’m not a huge Home Run Derby guy (I’ve always preferred the old-school 10 outs format over the current timed setup), but I’ll be honest, this year’s Derby has me fired up.

I put a full breakdown at the end of today’s issue, but before that, I had to share this video I saw recently. It’s a young Cal Raleigh talking about how his dream is to win the Home Run Derby one day. Oh yea and by the way, his Dad will be pitching to him tomorrow.

Let me know in a quick reply who you think will win or who you are rooting for. I'll be rooting for BIG DUMPER.

Check out the video here:

🔥 Top Performances

Hitting

Pitching

📊 Final Scores and Highlights

Dodgers 5, Giants 2

Yoshinobu Yamamoto fired seven scoreless innings in his final start before the All-Star break, and the Dodgers broke through with three runs in the 11th to secure a gritty series win over the Giants at Oracle Park.

🔑 Key Moments

• In the 4th, Freddie Freeman delivered the Dodgers' first hit off Robbie Ray, ripping an RBI double to score Shohei Ohtani and give L.A. a 1–0 lead.

• One inning later, Miguel Rojas launched a solo homer to left to make it 2–0, giving Yamamoto extra cushion in a dominant outing.

• The Giants tied it in dramatic fashion in the 9th when Luis Matos, pinch-hitting, crushed a two-run homer off Tanner Scott, erasing the Dodgers’ lead with one swing.

• Both teams went scoreless in the 10th, thanks in part to back-to-back clutch catches by James Outman to end the Giants’ half of the inning.

• The Dodgers responded in the 11th: Freeman came through again with a go-ahead RBI single, followed by RBI knocks from Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages to open up a 5–2 lead.

• Ben Casparius shut the door with a clean 11th, locking up L.A.'s second straight win heading into the break.

📊 Notable Stats

Los Angeles Dodgers

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K

• Freddie Freeman: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, R, 2B, GW hit in 11th

• Miguel Rojas: 1-for-2, HR (5), RBI

• Teoscar Hernández: 1-for-5, RBI

• Andy Pages: 1-for-5, RBI

• Tanner Scott: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, HR allowed

• Ben Casparius: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K (Win)

San Francisco Giants

• Luis Matos: 1-for-2, HR (5), 2 RBI

• Jung Hoo Lee: 1-for-3, 2B, BB

• Robbie Ray: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K

• Spencer Bivens: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), L (3rd of season)

Red Sox 4, Rays 1

The Red Sox ended the first half of the season in style, capping a four-game sweep of the Rays and securing their 10th straight victory with a 4-1 win at Fenway. Brayan Bello delivered another strong outing, while Ceddanne Rafaela dazzled both at the plate and in the field to close out a red-hot run heading into the All-Star break.

🔑 Key Moments

• With the game tied 1–1 in the bottom of the sixth, Trevor Story came through with a sharp RBI single to left, scoring Roman Anthony to give Boston the lead

• Two batters later, Ceddanne Rafaela crushed a two-run homer that cleared the Monster to extend the Sox’s advantage to 4–1

• In the third, Rafaela nearly made a diving catch on a sinking liner from Yandy Díaz, but when the ball slipped out, he quickly recovered and fired to third to nail Austin Wells, wiping out what would’ve been a run

• Brayan Bello built off his recent complete game with 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball, striking out five without a walk

• The bullpen trio of Wilson, Whitlock, and Chapman locked things down, with Chapman striking out the side in the ninth to seal Boston’s first 10-game win streak since 2018

📊 Notable Stats

Red Sox

• Trevor Story: 2-for-3, R, RBI, SB

• Ceddanne Rafaela: 1-for-3, HR (14), 2 RBI, R

• Brayan Bello: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K

• Aroldis Chapman: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K

Rays

• Jake Mangum: 2-for-4, 2B, R

• Yandy Díaz: 2-for-4

• Ryan Pepiot: 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R (3 ER), 1 BB, 3 K

Cubs 4, Yankees 1

The Cubs rode another brilliant start from a lefty — this time Shota Imanaga — and a clutch blast from Dansby Swanson to a 4–1 win at Yankee Stadium, taking the series and heading into the All-Star break in first place.

🔑 Key Moments

• Michael Busch got things going early with a leadoff homer to center on just the second pitch of the game — his 19th of the season and his first career AB in the leadoff spot

• The Yankees briefly tied it in the second when Giancarlo Stanton snuck a solo shot into the short porch, but Imanaga made midgame adjustments and dominated from there

• With the score tied 1–1 in the sixth, Dansby Swanson crushed a two-run homer to left, snapping an 0-for-10 skid and putting Chicago back in front

• In the seventh, Pete Crow-Armstrong beat out an infield single to score Seiya Suzuki, padding the Cubs’ lead

• Imanaga retired 11 straight at one point and struck out six over seven strong innings, while the bullpen trio of Pomeranz, Palencia, and Williams shut it down from there

📊 Notable Stats

Cubs

• Michael Busch: 1-for-5, HR (19), RBI, R

• Dansby Swanson: 2-for-4, HR (16), 2 RBI, R

• Shota Imanaga: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

Yankees

• Giancarlo Stanton: 1-for-3, HR (4), RBI

• Aaron Judge: 0-for-3, 2 K

• Will Warren: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K

Phillies 2, Padres 1

Cristopher Sánchez delivered a masterclass in resilience and control, guiding the Phillies to a narrow 2–1 win over the Padres and helping Philadelphia reclaim the top spot in the NL East as they head into the All-Star break.

🔑 Key Moments

• The Phillies grabbed a quick 1–0 lead in the first inning thanks to two Padres errors that allowed Bryce Harper to score, setting an early tone despite a shaky offensive day overall

• After walking two and allowing a single in the first, Cristopher Sánchez calmed down and cruised through the next six innings, giving up just one run while striking out six across 7.1 dominant frames

• The Padres tied the game in the sixth on an RBI single by José Iglesias, but J.T. Realmuto answered in the top of the eighth with a clutch two-out RBI double to center, plating Bryce Harper, who had hustled for a double earlier in the inning

• With the tying run on base in the ninth, Matt Strahm came on and held firm — aided by a bunt out, a foul pop, and a deep lineout — to notch the save and seal a gutsy road win

• A defensive gem from Realmuto and Trea Turner cut down Fernando Tatis Jr. stealing in the seventh, halting a potential Padres rally and preserving the 1–1 tie

📊 Notable Stats

Phillies

• Cristopher Sánchez: 7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K (W, 8–2, 2.50 ERA)

• J.T. Realmuto: 2-for-4, 2B (17), game-winning RBI

• Bryce Harper: 1-for-3, 2 R, 2B, BB

• Matt Strahm: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB (Save)

Padres

• José Iglesias: 1-for-4, RBI single

• Manny Machado: 2-for-4, R

• Nick Pivetta: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 8 K

• Adrián Morejón: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, K (L)

Mariners 8, Tigers 4

The Mariners capped an emotional weekend and the first half of the season with a dramatic sweep of the AL-best Tigers, using five home runs — including Jorge Polanco’s go-ahead blast in the ninth — to finish with a 51–45 record at the break.

🔑 Key Moments

• Julio Rodríguez got the Mariners on the board with a third-inning solo shot, his 14th of the season, after Detroit jumped out to a 2–0 lead on a two-run double from Dillon Dingler

• Randy Arozarena tied the game in the fourth with a long solo homer to left, one of his three extra-base hits in the series finale

• In the 7th, Mitch Garver gave Seattle its first lead with a towering homer to left-center — only for Riley Greene to answer back with a go-ahead two-run blast for Detroit

• In the 8th, Arozarena ripped an RBI double to score Rodríguez and tie the game again at 4–4

• The 9th inning belonged to Seattle: Jorge Polanco and Cole Young delivered back-to-back solo homers to reclaim the lead, and Julio Rodríguez tacked on an RBI double to complete the four-run frame

• Logan Gilbert was sharp despite early defensive miscues, striking out 9 over 5.1 innings while allowing no earned runs

📊 Notable Stats

Mariners

• Julio Rodríguez: 2-for-3, HR (14), 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB

• Randy Arozarena: 2-for-5, HR (17), 2B, 2 RBI

• Jorge Polanco: 1-for-1, HR (15), go-ahead HR in 9th

• Cole Young: 2-for-4, HR (2)

• Logan Gilbert: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R (0 ER), 2 BB, 9 K

Tigers

• Dillon Dingler: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

• Riley Greene: 2-for-4, HR (24), 1 RBI

• Jack Flaherty: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Royals 3, Mets 2

Rookie lefty Noah Cameron delivered 6.2 scoreless innings and Nick Loftin played the hero in the ninth as the Royals survived a late Mets comeback to earn a 3–2 walk-off win and close the first half on a high note.

🔑 Key Moments

• John Rave broke the ice in the 2nd inning with a two-run double to right, putting the Royals up early after the team had gone just 1-for-17 with RISP over the first two games of the series

• Noah Cameron, undeterred by a 43-minute rain delay, struck out eight and allowed no runs in another poised start, continuing to shine in a rotation battered by injuries

• After a scoreless 8th from Lucas Erceg, All-Star closer Carlos Estévez couldn’t close it out in the 9th — a triple by Jeff McNeil and sac fly by Jared Young tied the game at 2

• The Royals didn’t flinch in the bottom of the frame: Tyler Tolbert singled, stole second, and Nick Loftin delivered a walk-off bloop to left for his second game-winner of the homestand

• It was a gritty team win that showcased the Royals’ resilience — responding to the blown save with smart baserunning, timely contact, and unshakable poise

📊 Notable Stats

Royals

• Noah Cameron: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K (2.31 ERA)

• Nick Loftin: 1-for-2, walk-off RBI single

• John Rave: 1-for-2, 2B, 2 RBI

• Tyler Tolbert: 1-for-1, R, SB (9)

Mets

• Jeff McNeil: 1-for-1, 3B, RBI, R (pinch-hit)

• Ronny Mauricio: 2-for-4, R

• Clay Holmes: 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Marlins 11, Orioles 1
In his first series back at Camden Yards since being traded, Kyle Stowers delivered a game for the ages with three homers and five hits, powering the Marlins to an 11–1 rout of the Orioles on Sunday.

🔑 Key Moments

• Stowers opened the floodgates in the 2nd, launching a solo shot to center — nearly identical to his first career homer in Baltimore back in 2022

• One inning later, he ambushed a hanging curveball for a two-run blast to right-center, extending the lead and silencing the crowd

• The hat trick came in the 5th — another two-run homer to right that chased Orioles starter Brandon Young and gave Stowers 6 RBIs

• The dugout erupted in laughter when Stowers “settled” for singles in his final two ABs — even getting playfully booed by teammates

• Meanwhile, Eury Pérez was dominant on the mound, tossing seven shutout innings with six strikeouts and no walks to keep the O’s offense quiet

📊 Notable Stats

Marlins

• Kyle Stowers: 5-for-5, 3 HR (17, 18, 19), 6 RBI, 4 R

• Agustín Ramírez: 2-for-4, 3 R, RBI, BB

• Eury Pérez: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K

Orioles

• Ramón Laureano: 2-for-3, HR (11), RBI, R

• Brandon Young: 4.1 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 4 HR allowed

Other scores around the league:

Reds 4, Rockies 2
N. Martinez: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 SO, 1 BB
T. Friedl: 2-3, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Guardians 6, White Sox 5
E. Clase: 2.0 IP, 2 SO
A. Benintendi: 3-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI

Pirates 2, Twins 1
M. Keller: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 SO
D. Bednar: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO

Rangers 5, Astros 1
N. Eovaldi: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 SO, 1 BB
E. Carter: 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI

Brewers 8, Nationals 1
F. Peralta: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 SO, 1 BB
J. Chourio: 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Cardinals 5, Braves 4
D. Daniel: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 SO, 3 BB
G. Graceffo: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 SO

Athletics 6, Blue Jays 3
J. Springs: 6.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 5 SO
N. Kurtz: 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
(Editor’s Note: Nick Kurtz is on an insane hot streak and I don’t think it is slowing down anytime soon. He might just be this good!)

Diamondbacks 5, Angels 1
M. Kelly: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 6 SO, 4 BB
J. Eder: 4.0 IP, 2 H, 4 SO, 1 BB

⚾ Must-Watch Today:

🏆 2025 Home Run Derby

8pm ET (ESPN)

Format Refresher

• Round 1: 3 minutes or 40 pitches (whichever comes first), then an untimed bonus round with 3 outs

• Semifinals & Final: 2 minutes or 27 pitches

• Longest HR over 425 feet = bonus out

• Top 4 advance based on total HRs in Round 1

• No carry-over totals from round to round

Participants:

James Wood (Nationals)
Monster power with 24 HRs and a 451-foot nuke on his résumé. Top-10 WAR player and rising superstar. Hits to all fields and might be the most complete slugger here.

Oneil Cruz (Pirates)
Statcast freak. Owns the hardest-hit ball ever (122.9 mph) and the fastest swing in MLB. His average isn’t pretty, but his raw power might be unmatched.

Cal Raleigh (Mariners)
MLB’s HR leader with 38 bombs. Switch-hitter, catcher, and childhood Derby dreamer. Dad Todd will be throwing to him. Can he make history as the first backstop to win it?

Matt Olson (Braves)
The hometown hero. Olson hit 54 HRs in 2023 and now has a chance to win it in front of Braves fans. No ATL player has ever won a Derby, could this be the one?

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Yankees)
The smallest guy in the field, but oozing swagger. Jazz grew up doing HR derbies in the Bahamas and has 17 bombs this year. Don’t count him out if he gets hot early.

Junior Caminero (Rays)
At 22, he’s one of the youngest — but also has the second-fastest bat speed in baseball. Big power, big flair. A breakout Derby could mark his arrival on the national stage.

Brent Rooker (A’s)
Quietly one of baseball’s top right-handed power bats. Feels like a longshot, but don’t sleep on him.

Byron Buxton (Twins)
Back home in Georgia and finally healthy. One of the most explosive athletes in the league with the second-longest HR this year (479 ft).

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