Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Freeman Homer Lifts Dodgers Past Rays To Complete Sweep
Freddie Freeman hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Freeman’s 407-foot drive to center off reliever Kevin Kelly came after Shohei Ohtani surrendered five hits and four runs in the fifth inning. The Dodgers had led 2-0 on two-out RBI singles by Alex Call and Alex Freeland in the fourth before Tampa Bay answered. According to ESPN, it was just the second time the Dodgers have ever swept the Rays and their first sweep of Tampa Bay since August 2013. Los Angeles improved to 48-27.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Bellinger, Goldschmidt Power Yankees Past White Sox
Cody Bellinger hit an early homer and finished a triple shy of the cycle, Paul Goldschmidt homered for the third time in four games and the New York Yankees beat the Chicago White Sox 10-5 on Wednesday night. The Yankees won their fourth straight and for the ninth time in 13 games since losing slugger Aaron Judge indefinitely to a fractured right rib. New York equaled its largest lead atop the AL East by moving 3 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay. Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the first off Anthony Kay, doubled in the third and started a five-run fifth with a single, finishing with three hits.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Stowers Homers Twice As Marlins Rout Phillies To Avoid Sweep
Kyle Stowers homered twice and drove in five runs as the Miami Marlins avoided a series sweep with a 12-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Stowers hit a two-run homer in the first off Phillies starter Andrew Painter, then a solo shot in the sixth for his seventh of the season, adding an RBI double in the second and a run-scoring single in the eighth. Owen Cassie homered in a four-run second inning, Joe Mack added a two-run homer and Jakob Marsee went deep in the ninth. Sandy Alcantara pitched six innings, allowing four runs, two earned, to improve to 7-4.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
McLean, Bichette Lead Mets To 9-1 Win Over Reds
Rookie Nolan McLean struck out nine over seven innings and Bo Bichette continued his hot streak with three hits as the New York Mets averted a sweep with a 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Francisco Alvarez and Juan Soto also had three hits apiece as New York piled up 15 hits, tied for its second-highest output of the season. Bichette has multiple hits in six straight games and went 8 for 14 in the series. McLean, now 4-4, allowed one unearned run and three hits. JJ Bleday drove in Cincinnati’s only run on a third-inning sacrifice fly.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Tatis, Merrill Drive In Two Each As Padres Top Cardinals
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill each drove in two runs and finished with three hits as the San Diego Padres beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 on Wednesday to avoid a sweep. Merrill capped his effort with a two-run homer in the ninth inning, his eighth of the season. Tatis, who also stole a base, has gone 17 for 48 with four doubles and a home run over his last 11 games. San Diego pounded out 14 hits but went 4 for 14 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. Alec Burleson extended his hitting streak to 17 games with an RBI single.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Pena Homers, Lambert Dominates As Astros Edge Tigers
Jeremy Pena homered and added an RBI single, and Peter Lambert allowed just one run on two hits over seven innings as the Houston Astros beat the Detroit Tigers 4-2 on Wednesday. Yordan Alvarez extended his on-base streak to 24 games and doubled home Christian Vazquez for his 55th RBI of the season. Lambert, now 6-4, retired nine of his first 10 batters and set down 11 straight before Kerry Carpenter’s solo homer in the seventh, finishing with five strikeouts and no walks. Pena homered in the third inning off Detroit starter Casey Mize, who fell to 2-4.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Royals Hit Four Early Homers To Beat Nationals
Luinder Avila carried a shutout into the sixth inning and the Kansas City Royals hit four solo homers in the first three innings to beat the Washington Nationals 6-2 on Wednesday and avoid a three-game sweep. Carter Jensen led off the game with a home run, and John Rave, Lane Thomas and Michael Massey also went deep. Avila, now 2-3, allowed a run and three hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Rave tripled to lead off the sixth and scored on Isaac Collins’ squeeze bunt, with Bobby Witt Jr. adding an RBI single later in the inning to pad the Kansas City lead.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Yelich, Chourio Homer As Brewers Beat Guardians
Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio homered and the Milwaukee Brewers scored seven runs in the first four innings in a 9-4 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night. Chourio’s two-run shot in the fourth gave him six homers in his last seven games. Cleveland wasted a grand slam from Daniel Schneemann as Gavin Williams allowed a career-high seven earned runs in five innings, falling to 9-4. Chad Patrick struck out seven and allowed one hit over 3 1/3 innings of relief. Cooper Pratt, one night after his major league debut, singled for his first hit and later drove in his first run in the eighth.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports
Cubs Erupt For Seven-Run Inning To Beat Rockies
Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong homered as the Chicago Cubs beat the Colorado Rockies 8-6 on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field to take the series. The Cubs batted around in a seven-run second inning against Rockies starter Sean Sullivan, tying a season high for runs in a frame. Alex Bregman drew a leadoff walk, Ian Happ singled and Matt Shaw drove a 102.4-mph triple into the right-center gap to score both runners. Seiya Suzuki added a run-scoring double. Crow-Armstrong’s 15th home run came in the fourth. Chicago, now 39-36, clinched back-to-back series wins for the first time since May 6.
Sources: ESPN · Sports Illustrated
Braves Transfer Strider To 60-Day IL, Add Carrasco And Camargo
The Atlanta Braves transferred right-hander Spencer Strider to the 60-day injured list and designated right-hander Hunter Stratton for assignment, opening two 40-man roster spots to select right-hander Carlos Carrasco and catcher Jair Camargo. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Strider had landed on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation, and the club said he would be shut down for four weeks before a follow-up MRI; the 60-day transfer rules him out until at least mid-August. Carrasco, 39, cannot be optioned to the minors and has repeatedly been added for fresh relief. Camargo, 26, signed a minor league deal with Atlanta and has played five career big league games.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors · MLB Trade Rumors
American League
AL East
1. Yankees — 45–27, —
2. Rays — 41–30, 3.5
3. Blue Jays — 36–38, 10
4. Orioles — 35–40, 11.5
5. Red Sox — 29–42, 15.5
AL Central
1. White Sox — 38–34, —
2. Guardians — 39–35, —
3. Twins — 35–40, 4.5
4. Tigers — 30–44, 9
5. Royals — 30–45, 9.5
AL West
1. Mariners — 38–37, —
2. Athletics — 36–38, 1.5
3. Rangers — 35–38, 2
4. Astros — 35–41, 3.5
5. Angels — 30–45, 8
National League
NL East
1. Braves — 46–27, —
2. Phillies — 40–34, 6.5
3. Nationals — 39–36, 8
4. Marlins — 37–38, 10
5. Mets — 33–41, 13.5
NL Central
1. Brewers — 45–26, —
2. Cardinals — 40–32, 5.5
3. Cubs — 39–36, 8
4. Pirates — 38–37, 9
5. Reds — 35–38, 11
NL West
1. Dodgers — 48–27, —
2. Padres — 38–35, 9
3. Diamondbacks — 38–36, 9.5
4. Giants — 31–43, 16.5
5. Rockies — 28–47, 20
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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