Samwise MLB Newsletter
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Astros Ship Lance McCullers Jr. to Brewers in Salary-Motivated Deadline Move
The Houston Astros dealt veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 15 in exchange for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder, completing the first notable transaction of baseball's unofficial second half. Houston's motivation was financial: McCullers is earning $17 million in the final year of a five-year, $85 million contract, and the Astros were hovering near the luxury tax threshold that owner Jim Crane typically avoids. McCullers has not pitched in the majors since May 13 due to a shoulder injury but completed three solid appearances in a Triple-A rehab assignment, giving Milwaukee confidence in his potential rotation contribution down the stretch.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
MLB Second Half Begins Tonight: Mets Visit Phillies in Exclusive ESPN Matchup
The 2026 MLB second half officially begins Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET when the New York Mets visit the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in a game broadcast exclusively on ESPN. The matchup features contrasting trajectories: Philadelphia sits 53-43, just two games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East and in prime World Series contention with Kyle Schwarber leading the majors with 32 home runs, while New York enters at 40-56 and well out of the playoff picture. Cristopher Sanchez, who started the All-Star Game Tuesday, is expected to open the rotation for the Phillies. Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez will call the game for ESPN.
Sources: MLB.com ESPN Press Room Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Ohtani Cleared to Play as Dodgers Open Second Half at Yankee Stadium
Shohei Ohtani will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup this weekend after having fluid drained from his left knee during the All-Star break, manager Dave Roberts confirmed. Ohtani, who missed his final start of the first half and sat out the All-Star Game due to left knee irritation, received a pain-relieving injection and took several days off before the second half. Roberts indicated Ohtani will play at minimum as designated hitter when Los Angeles opens the second half at Yankee Stadium this weekend. Whether Ohtani will resume pitching duties against the Yankees remains unclear, as the knee irritation only affects him on the mound.
Red Sox Enter Second Half in Wild Card Hunt After Stunning Surge Under Interim Chad Tracy
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy guided the team to a 14-2 record down the first-half stretch, leaving Boston half a game out of an AL Wild Card spot at the break. When Tracy replaced fired Alex Cora with Boston at 10-17, the Red Sox carried a minus-13 run differential. Under Tracy, they went 31-31 with a plus-25 differential. Boston enters the second half at 45-48, poised for a genuine playoff push despite trailing division-leading Tampa Bay by 11 games. The Red Sox open the second half with a four-game series against the first-place Rays at Fenway Park, an immediate measuring-stick series for this resurgent club.
Sources: MLB.com Sports Illustrated Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
White Sox Shock Baseball, Lead AL Central After Three Straight 100-Loss Seasons
The Chicago White Sox, who lost 101, 121, and 102 games in each of the previous three seasons, enter the 2026 second half tied for first place in the AL Central at 49-45. Since a disheartening 11-inning loss on April 18, Chicago posted a 29-17 record, tied for the best mark in the American League over that span. Breakout performances from Colson Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, and rookie Munetaka Murakami, who remains on the injured list but is expected back soon, powered the offense. Manager Pedro Grifol acknowledged the club needs pitching help before the August 3 trade deadline to sustain its unexpected playoff contention.
Sources: CBS Sports MLB.com Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Second Half Starts with Exceptional Parity: 23 Teams Within Four Games of Playoff Spot
Major League Baseball enters its second half with an extraordinary level of parity, as 23 teams begin the second half within four games of a playoff berth, according to FanGraphs projections. The Los Angeles Dodgers (61-34) hold the best record in baseball and lead the NL West by nearly 14 games, while the Milwaukee Brewers (59-36) own the NL Central by 6.5 games. In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays (56-37) lead the AL East. With the trade deadline arriving August 3, front offices face compressed timelines to identify whether they are buyers, sellers, or holding. Nearly two-thirds of the league still has realistic paths to October.
Sources: NBC Sports CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Padres 'Open-Minded' at Deadline After Dismal 17-28 Finish; Mason Miller's Future Uncertain
San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller told reporters the club will be open-minded heading into the August 3 trade deadline after finishing the first half at 48-48, following a brutal 17-28 stretch to end the half. While Preller stated the preference is to retain All-Star closer Mason Miller, Miller's name has surfaced in trade discussions, with the New York Yankees among teams monitoring his availability. The Padres' disappointing finish raises the possibility they could shift toward selling, particularly if the second half begins poorly. San Diego went into the break searching for answers after entering the year with legitimate NL West ambitions.
Sources: CBS Sports MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Phillies Target Relievers and Right-Handed Bat at Deadline as World Series Window Nears
The Philadelphia Phillies, who went 45-24 since Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson as manager in late April, are expected to be active buyers before the August 3 trade deadline with a rotation already featuring Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, and Andrew Painter. According to insider Jon Heyman, Philadelphia is targeting multiple relievers and potentially a starting pitcher to fortify the staff for a playoff run. The veteran Phillies core, led by Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, views this season as the best remaining opportunity to win the franchise its second World Series title, creating urgency to add high-impact arms.
Sources: CBS Sports MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Yankees Targeting Catcher and Bullpen Help as Deadline Nears, Judge's Return Expected in August
The New York Yankees have made their trade deadline priorities clear: New York is actively seeking to acquire a catcher, with Minnesota's Ryan Jeffers and Colorado's Hunter Goodman as primary targets, while also monitoring relief pitching options including San Diego's Mason Miller, according to CBS Sports. The Yankees received positive injury news on Aaron Judge during the All-Star break, with their slugger expected back next month following a rib stress fracture. A healthy Judge would reshape New York's deadline calculus, potentially allowing the club to focus resources on the catching and bullpen positions. New York enters the second half at 53-42, four games behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
Sources: CBS Sports MLB Trade Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 56–37, —
2. New York Yankees — 53–42, 4.0 GB
3. Boston Red Sox — 45–48, 11.0 GB
4. Toronto Blue Jays — 45–49, 11.5 GB
5. Baltimore Orioles — 45–51, 12.5 GB
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 49–45, —
1. Cleveland Guardians — 50–46, —
3. Minnesota Twins — 47–49, 3.0 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 44–51, 5.5 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 38–58, 12.0 GB
AL West
1. Texas Rangers — 48–46, —
2. Seattle Mariners — 47–49, 2.0 GB
3. Houston Astros — 46–50, 3.0 GB
4. Athletics — 41–54, 7.5 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 38–58, 11.0 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 54–40, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 53–43, 2.0 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 52–44, 3.0 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 48–48, 7.0 GB
5. New York Mets — 40–56, 15.0 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 59–36, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 52–42, 6.5 GB
3. St. Louis Cardinals — 50–44, 8.5 GB
4. Pittsburgh Pirates — 49–47, 10.5 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 43–50, 15.0 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 61–34, —
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 47–47, 13.5 GB
3. San Diego Padres — 46–48, 14.5 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 40–55, 21.0 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 39–58, 23.0 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency