Samwise MLB Newsletter
Friday, July 24, 2026
Tigers’ Hot Streak Complicates Skubal Trade Decision With Deadline Approaching
The Detroit Tigers have made the August 3 trade deadline far more complicated after winning 14 of their last 19 games and pulling to within four games of a wild-card spot. Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the most coveted name on the market, has told close friends he badly wants to stay in Detroit. Rival executives say the growing sentiment is that the Tigers will hold onto Skubal after he returned from elbow surgery and struck out nine Angels over seven shutout innings last weekend. The Dodgers, Cubs, Braves and Rays are monitoring the situation closely as the deadline approaches.
Sources: CBS Sports Sports Illustrated Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
Walker Returns From Home Run Derby to Heroes’ Welcome as D-backs Rout Cardinals 10-6
Jordan Walker received a standing ovation and lined an RBI double on the first pitch of his return from winning the 2026 Home Run Derby, but Arizona’s offense overwhelmed St. Louis in a 10-6 Thursday victory. Tyler Locklear, a late addition after Ketel Marte was scratched with back stiffness, hit a two-run homer in the fourth and added an RBI single in the eighth. Corbin Carroll hit his league-leading 12th triple in the fifth, and Nolan Arenado drove in two runs with singles. Arizona scored five times in the eighth inning, putting the game out of reach and dropping the Cardinals to 11 losses in their last 16 games.
Twins Rally in 12th to Edge Guardians in Extra-Innings Thriller
The Minnesota Twins scored twice in the 12th inning to beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 Thursday, overcoming a pitching gem by Guardians starter Gavin Williams. Patrick Bailey’s solo homer in the fifth gave Cleveland the lead off Twins starter Taj Bradley. Williams was brilliant, throwing an immaculate inning in the fourth in his third straight start with at least 11 strikeouts. Alan Roden tied the game with an RBI single in the eighth, and in the 12th, Trevor Larnach’s go-ahead single off reliever Erik Sabrowski put Minnesota ahead before Luke Keaschall added an insurance run. Jack Anderson retired the final Guardians batter to secure the win.
Sources: MLB.com CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
Outman Three-Run Homer, Dingler Double Lift Tigers Past Royals
James Outman hit a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning, and Dillon Dingler added a tiebreaking double in the eighth as the Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 Thursday. Detroit has now won 14 of its last 19 games, keeping the Tigers in the wild-card hunt and adding pressure to any decision to trade two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal before the August 3 deadline. The Royals, who placed star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on the injured list Wednesday with back tightness, fell to 43-61 and last place in the AL Central, 12.5 games back of the division-leading Chicago White Sox.
Sources: ESPN CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
Iglesias Earns 21st Save as Braves Hold Off Padres Late Rally
Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless ninth inning, striking out Luis Rengifo with two runners on base to earn his 21st save as the Atlanta Braves held off the San Diego Padres 6-5 Thursday. Ty France hit a two-run homer off Braves reliever Tyler Kinley in the eighth to pull San Diego within one. Michael Harris II went 2 for 4 with two runs scored, and Ozzie Albies collected two hits for Atlanta. The Braves, who have won six of their last eight games, improved to 60-42 and sit atop the National League East, while the Padres fell to 50-53, 15 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Sources: ESPN NBC Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
Bieber Goes Season-High Seven Innings as Blue Jays Avoid Sweep
Shane Bieber pitched a season-high seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts, as the Toronto Blue Jays avoided a four-game home sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3-1 victory Thursday. Bieber needed just 86 pitches to record his second consecutive win. George Springer went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI single, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contributed two singles and a run batted in. Closer Louis Varland worked a clean ninth for his 21st save in 21 opportunities. The Blue Jays, at 47-56, remain 12.5 games behind division-leading Tampa Bay in the AL East.
Rival Executives 'Convinced' Padres Will Deal All-Star Closer Mason Miller
Rival front office executives say they are convinced the San Diego Padres will trade All-Star closer Mason Miller before the August 3 trade deadline, with the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies identified as the primary suitors. The Padres have also not ruled out dealing starter Michael King or high-leverage reliever Adrian Morejon. Miller, who has said he loves playing in San Diego, addressed reporters about the trade talk this week and acknowledged an active deadline looms. The Padres sit at 50-53 and are considered deadline bubble teams; the Phillies, who need rotation and bullpen help, are said to be actively seeking both Miller and a back-end starting pitcher.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors Sports Illustrated Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
Bobby Witt Jr. Placed on IL for First Time in Career With Back Tightness
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with lower back tightness, the first IL stint of his five-year major league career. Witt exited Monday’s game against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning and did not return to the lineup before the team made the move official. The Royals recalled infielder Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha to fill the vacant roster spot. Kansas City has not given a timetable for Witt’s return. The Royals sit at 43-61, last in the AL Central, though Witt himself has been one of the game’s most consistent stars before this week’s setback.
Sources: MLB Trade Rumors ESPN Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
Dodgers and Brewers Lead Their Leagues as Trade Deadline Race Heats Up
With ten days until the August 3 trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers lead all of baseball at 65-38, while the Milwaukee Brewers pace the NL Central at 64-38, seven games clear of the Cubs. In the American League, Tampa Bay leads the AL East at 59-43, two games ahead of the Yankees. The Chicago White Sox hold the AL Central at 54-47, one and a half games in front of the Cleveland Guardians. The Texas Rangers (51-51) and Seattle Mariners (51-52) are in a near tie atop the AL West. Standings are through Thursday, July 23.
Sources: MLB.com CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬︎ Text
American League
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays — 59–43, —
2. New York Yankees — 57–45, 2.0 GB
3. Boston Red Sox — 52–49, 6.5 GB
4. Baltimore Orioles — 50–53, 9.5 GB
5. Toronto Blue Jays — 47–56, 12.5 GB
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox — 54–47, —
2. Cleveland Guardians — 54–50, 1.5 GB
3. Minnesota Twins — 51–53, 4.5 GB
4. Detroit Tigers — 49–54, 6.0 GB
5. Kansas City Royals — 43–61, 12.5 GB
AL West
1. Texas Rangers — 51–51, —
2. Seattle Mariners — 51–52, 0.5 GB
3. Houston Astros — 50–54, 2.0 GB
4. Athletics — 43–59, 8.0 GB
5. Los Angeles Angels — 41–62, 10.5 GB
National League
NL East
1. Atlanta Braves — 60–42, —
2. Philadelphia Phillies — 56–47, 4.5 GB
3. Miami Marlins — 52–51, 8.5 GB
4. Washington Nationals — 52–51, 8.5 GB
5. New York Mets — 43–60, 17.5 GB
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers — 64–38, —
2. Chicago Cubs — 57–45, 7.0 GB
3. Pittsburgh Pirates — 53–50, 11.5 GB
4. St. Louis Cardinals — 52–50, 12.0 GB
5. Cincinnati Reds — 47–54, 16.5 GB
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers — 65–38, —
2. Arizona Diamondbacks — 54–49, 11.0 GB
3. San Diego Padres — 50–53, 15.0 GB
4. San Francisco Giants — 42–60, 22.5 GB
5. Colorado Rockies — 41–63, 24.5 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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