Samwise MLB Newsletter
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Yankees Rally Past Nationals 5-3 on Late Chisholm Homer
Two hours of pre-game rain could not dampen New York's determination on Thursday. Jazz Chisholm Jr. launched a two-run home run — his 13th — off Matt Krook in the ninth inning to give the Yankees a come-from-behind 5-3 victory at Washington. Austin Wells added a solo homer off Justin Lawrence to seal it. Ben Rice had given New York an earlier boost with his 29th home run of the season. David Bednar (3-3) earned the win in relief. The Yankees (52-42) remain four games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Tigers Rout Phillies 10-2 for Sixth Straight Win
Jack Flaherty was sharp Thursday night, allowing two runs over six innings with six strikeouts as Detroit routed Philadelphia 10-2 — the Tigers' sixth straight win. A five-run sixth inning blew the game open, with James Outman's two-run triple the key blow. Spencer Torkelson launched his 16th home run, a two-run blast, while Colt Keith also went deep. Flaherty has won three of his last six starts for a Tigers team surging despite sitting at 44-50 on the season. The loss drops Philadelphia to 52-43, 3.5 games behind Atlanta in the NL East.
Guardians Edge Marlins 3-2; Cade Smith Earns MLB-Leading 28th Save
Cleveland came within outs of a combined no-hitter before holding on for a 3-2 victory over Miami on Thursday. Starter Parker Messick (8-5) was untouchable through five innings before Heriberto Hernandez broke up the bid with a home run in the sixth. Chase DeLauter had given Cleveland the lead with a fourth-inning homer, and the Guardians extended it to 3-1 before Miami's late push. Cade Smith navigated a hitless ninth for his MLB-leading 28th save of the season. Cleveland (49-46) leads the AL Central, while Miami falls to 52-43 in the NL East.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Sonny Gray Defies Travel Woes; Red Sox Win Seventh Straight 6-2
Sonny Gray defied travel adversity Thursday, delivering six innings of one-run ball to improve to 11-1 as Boston extended its winning streak to seven games with a 6-2 defeat of New York. The Red Sox arrived at Citi Field just two hours before first pitch after being grounded in Chicago for nearly 24 hours due to back-to-back mechanical issues with their plane. Anthony Seigler and Wilyer Abreu each hit two-run home runs, and Masataka Yoshida doubled twice and drove in two runs. Brett Baty went 3-for-4 with a homer and extended his hitting streak to 10 games for New York.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Diamondbacks Rout Dodgers 9-3; Tim Tawa Drives In Four
Arizona's bats overwhelmed the Los Angeles bullpen Thursday night in a 9-3 rout at Dodger Stadium. After the teams traded two runs each in the first — Shohei Ohtani (21st HR) and Andy Pages (17th HR) connecting off Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez — the Diamondbacks seized control in the fourth when Tim Tawa launched a two-run homer off Brock Stewart. Tawa finished with four RBIs, also contributing two run-scoring singles. Gabriel Moreno drove in two runs for Arizona. The Dodgers, who fell to 61-34, remain the NL West's dominant team despite the setback.
Rangers Down Astros 7-3; Yordan Alvarez Slugs 200th Career Home Run
Wyatt Langford's leadoff home run set the tone Thursday, and Jake Burger's three-run blast in the eighth inning off Bryan King (2-2) sealed a 7-3 Texas victory over Houston. Cole Winn (5-2) earned the win for the Rangers, who improved to 48-46 and hold a 1.5-game lead atop the AL West. The night also provided a historic highlight: Yordan Alvarez connected for his 30th home run of the season and the 200th of his career in a losing effort for Houston, cementing his standing as one of baseball's premier sluggers.
Caminero, Simpson Power Rays to 7-2 Win Over Mariners
Junior Caminero swatted his 28th home run of the season Thursday night, one of four Tampa Bay home runs in a 7-2 defeat of visiting Seattle at Tropicana Field. Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson provided another offensive highlight, belting two triples to go with the long-ball barrage. The victory lifts Tampa Bay to 55-37, the best record in the American League and four games ahead of the second-place Yankees in the AL East. The Mariners dropped to 47-48, further complicating their AL West playoff chase as they fall 1.5 games behind division-leading Texas.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Blue Jays Send Reliever Tommy Nance to Twins for Catching Prospect
The Toronto Blue Jays dealt reliever Tommy Nance to the Minnesota Twins on Friday in exchange for catching prospect Ryan Sprock. Nance posted a 3.82 ERA in 32 appearances with 34 strikeouts across 33 innings for Toronto this season, serving primarily in low-leverage spots. The Twins, who entered the day 2.5 games out of first place in the AL Central, have been hunting for bullpen reinforcements ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. Toronto's acquisition of Sprock adds catching depth to a Blue Jays system looking to retool after a disappointing 2026 first half.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Skubal Headlines a Loaded Starting Pitcher Trade Market
With less than a month until the August 3 trade deadline, starting pitching has become the summer's defining trade market. Tarik Skubal — the two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner who returned from elbow surgery in May — is the undisputed prize. The 44-50 Tigers are exploring offers for Skubal, a free agent after this season, along with Casey Mize (2.64 ERA, 13 starts). Kansas City's Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha, and the Angels' Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, give contenders additional options. One AL executive summed it up plainly: every team needs a starter.
Home Run Derby Field Set: Harper, Schwarber Headline Philadelphia Slate
Eight sluggers will compete in Monday's Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with the event streaming on Netflix. Philadelphia's Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber headline the hometown contingent, joined by Junior Caminero (Rays), Ben Rice (Yankees), Jac Caglianone (Royals), Willson Contreras (Red Sox), Jordan Walker (Cardinals), and Shohei Murakami (Giants). The 2026 format makes a notable change, replacing the timed approach introduced in 2015 with a swing-based scoring system that rewards clean contact over raw volume. The derby takes place Monday evening as part of All-Star Week.
American League
AL East
1. Rays — 55–37, —
2. Yankees — 52–42, 4.0
3. Red Sox — 44–48, 11.0
4. Blue Jays — 44–49, 11.5
5. Orioles — 43–51, 13.0
AL Central
1. Guardians — 49–46, —
2. White Sox — 47–45, 0.5
3. Twins — 46–48, 2.5
4. Tigers — 44–50, 4.5
5. Royals — 38–56, 10.5
AL West
1. Rangers — 48–46, —
2. Mariners — 47–48, 1.5
3. Astros — 46–50, 3.0
4. Athletics — 41–52, 6.5
5. Angels — 37–57, 11.0
National League
NL East
1. Braves — 54–38, —
2. Marlins — 52–43, 3.5
3. Phillies — 52–43, 3.5
4. Nationals — 48–47, 7.5
5. Mets — 40–55, 15.5
NL Central
1. Brewers — 59–34, —
2. Cubs — 52–41, 7.0
3. Cardinals — 48–44, 10.5
4. Pirates — 47–47, 12.5
5. Reds — 42–50, 16.5
NL West
1. Dodgers — 61–34, —
2. D-backs — 47–47, 13.5
3. Padres — 46–47, 14.0
4. Giants — 39–54, 21.0
5. Rockies — 38–57, 23.0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency