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Canada News.Net
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Division leaders clash as Blue Jays, Tigers begin series
(Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) The Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers each have 60 victories, but the two division leaders have been heading in opposite directions. The Blue Jays have won five of their six games since the All-Star break, opening up a four-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the American League East. Detroit has seen its lead in the AL Central shrink to eight games over the Cleveland Guardians after dropping nine of its past 10 games. Now the Tigers will host the Blue Jays for four games beginning on Thursday night. Detroit was swept in a three-game series this week by the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, the last-place team in the National League Central. 'It's a good testament to just getting up and moving on,' Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling said, according to the Detroit News. 'It's a new day and the biggest thing, it's a new series. Regardless of what's happened these past couple, we have to move on. We know they've been playing good baseball, but it's a new series and that's awesome for us. We get a new start.' Reese Olson (4-3, 2.71 ERA) will start the series opener for the Tigers. He tossed five-plus scoreless innings in Texas on Friday, allowing two hits and a walk but still needing 90 pitches to get 15 outs. Olson has made three starts since a finger injury on his throwing hand forced him to the injured list in mid-May. He has given up just three runs in 14 1/3 innings (1.88 ERA) during that span. 'I felt a little more normal than I had my last two starts back,' he said after the outing against the Rangers. 'Still too many three-ball counts, but I felt more normal, for sure.' Olson stymied the Blue Jays in his last start before going on the IL, holding them to one hit and a walk in six scoreless innings on May 17. He is 1-0 with a 0.55 ERA in four career appearances (three starts) against Toronto. He will be opposed by Eric Lauer (5-2, 2.80 ERA), who is coming off one of his best outings of the season. Lauer held the San Francisco Giants to two runs on two hits in six innings with seven strikeouts and no walks on Saturday. That equaled his longest start this year. 'What he's been able to do, to come in and just give us a chance to win every game, it's invaluable,' infielder Ernie Clement said. 'Tip of the cap to him. He's probably been our unsung MVP so far.' Lauer, who pitched in South Korea last year, has given the starting staff an unexpected boost. 'I'm just trying to make sure that I stick in the rotation, honestly,' Lauer said. 'That's what I want to do, and that's where I think I can help the team best.' Lauer is 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA in three career starts against Detroit. He took a no-decision against Olson and the Tigers on May 17 after yielding one run in three innings. Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. appears to be heating up entering the series, having reached base 11 times over the past four games. He knocked in two runs and scored twice in an 8-4 win over the Yankees on Wednesday. In contrast, Tigers All-Star outfielder Riley Greene is 3-for-21 with 10 strikeouts since the All-Star break. Manager A.J. Hinch rested him Wednesday as Detroit lost 6-1 to the Pirates. 'Everybody needs a blow every now and then. He looks like he's had a long week,' Hinch said.
Chicago Tribune
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
As Chicago Cubs drop Kansas City Royals series, improving the pitching staff remains trade deadline priority
The Chicago Cubs came into the season expecting right-hander Colin Rea to factor into the rotation in some capacity. The 35-year-old had 76 career big-league starts before joining the Cubs, and the organization expected that experience to be valuable as they tried to build a pitching staff with depth and multi-inning options. Injuries to multiple starting pitchers, though, has meant relying more heavily on Rea in a starter role. Rea is 66 innings away from eclipsing his career-high after allowing six runs (five earned) over five innings in the Cubs' 8-4 loss Wednesday to drop the series against the Kansas Royals. On a day the wind was blowing out at Wrigley Field, the Royals tagged Rea for three two-run home runs. 'I thought Colin pitched well, I mean, the home run in the first is a legit homer,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'The error (on Seiya Suzuki's dropped fly ball) gave them an extra run there. And then the other two homers … it's tough to blame the pitcher, and they did a good job of pulling the ball in the air. It was a day where you were rewarded for putting the ball in the air. And they did that part of the game certainly better than us.' Rea set his career mark last year with the Milwaukee Brewers when he tossed 167 2/3 innings in 32 games (27 starts). His 17 starts this year are tied with Jameson Taillon for second-most on the Cubs behind Matthew Boyd's 20, and that doesn't include his outing June 5 at the Washington Nationals when he pitched 5 1/3 innings following an opener. Rea has been essentially league average this year, entering Wednesday's start with a 101 ERA+. But relying on him as much as the Cubs have highlights their need to acquire another proven starter. Rea, right-hander Ben Brown and rookie Cade Horton are responsible for 41.2% of the Cubs' starts this year. The Cubs have also used an opener six times. 'I don't think it's something you overthink, or anything,' Rea said of pitchers stepping up amid injuries this year. 'It's just go out there, do your job, each man coming in every single day, trying to find ways to get better.' If the Cubs keep trending in the right direction and make the postseason — they are currently tied for the second-best record in MLB and sit one game back of the Brewers in the National League Central — adding another quality starter who can slot into a playoff series with Boyd and Shota Imanaga would make them a serious World Series threat. Photos: Chicago Cubs lose to Kansas City Royals 8-4 at Wrigley FieldThe Cubs have a couple of different paths they potentially can take when looking to upgrade the rotation. They could attempt to trade for one of the top controllable starters — such as the Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan or the Nationals' MacKenzie Gore — which would require a step cost in prospect capital, almost certainly multiple top-100 prospects from the Cubs' system. Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera is also an intriguing starter who wouldn't be a free agent until 2029. But he's less proven and has health concerns. He pitched well against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. The Cubs did not have any scouts in attendance at Cabrera's start Tuesday in Miami, sources told the Tribune. But the organization does not tend to deploy its scouts for in-person looks at the pro level. Perhaps the Cubs address the rotation and bullpen within the same trade. Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller and reliever David Bednar are an intriguing mix, though those pitchers don't necessarily possess big upside. The Cubs have shown they can identify ways to get the most out of pitchers, their current bullpen featuring good examples with Brad Keller, Chris Flexen and Drew Pomeranz. But whoever the Cubs acquire, it likely won't be a pitcher who will need those kinds of significant tweaks to get them back on track. 'The developmental one in terms of making big changes with players is a little harder because there's just not a lot of time left in the season,' Counsell said. 'So the Brad Keller example, that to me is more of a longer term.' Whatever path the Cubs ultimately settle on, they are clear buyers, which is a distinct difference from the previous two years when the team had to fight to prove to the front office it should not, at the very least, blow up the roster as they attempted to dig out of a hole in the standings. With a week to go until the July 31 trade deadline, the pitching staff is the most obvious area to improve a roster that can win the division and make a deep postseason run. 'We've done a great job of putting ourselves in a position where we've proved to a lot of people that we have a really good foundation, and now it's up to the front office and the research and development group, scouting group, to find ways to continue to help raise our floor,' pitching coach Tommy Hottovy told the Tribune on Wednesday. 'We know what we can do as a team. You know what the ceiling of this team can be, but you want to make sure that you continue to find ways to support the pillars because we still have a lot of season left, and we're still going to need a lot of contributors.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs trade idea brings $63 million starting pitcher to Chicago
The Chicago Cubs have let the Milwaukee Brewers claw back into the National League Central race. The Cubs' starting rotation could use some upgrades if they want to ensure a division title. Justin Steele will not return this season after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. Shōta Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have pitched great, but the Cubs could use some reliable arms behind them. With the trade deadline approaching, the Cubs could find some talent to add to the mix. While the Cubs could target a rental, they may opt to give up more to add a controllable piece to their rotation. FanSided's Aldo Soto suggested the Cubs could target Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins. He is under club control through 2028. "Cabrera had a rough outing his last time out against the Baltimore Orioles as the righty allowed four earned runs in four innings of work," wrote Soto. "Yet, the 27-year-old was still able to flash his plus stuff, striking out six and walking none. Cabrera has a 3.61 ERA in 16 starts this year and had an 11-start stretch from May through early July, when he posted a 2.11 ERA with a 25.3 K% and 8.0 BB% in 59.2 innings." Cabrera is projected to earn a five-year, $63 million deal when he hits free agency. The biggest hurdle in trying to trade for him will be the fact that the Marlins could hold out for a bigger offer next season. However, this is the healthiest he's been, and the Marlins could try to cash in now if they feel he will be unable to maintain this level of health."The Marlins can always hold out for a bigger trade package, considering Cabrera still has three more years of arbitration left before he reaches free agency. That's certainly a plus for any team pursuing Cabrera, cheap, under control through 2028, and he's finally putting things together. However, his price could be hurt by the fact that Cabrera has not pitched more than 100 innings in any single season during his MLB career." More MLB:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Can't sleep on them': What NL Central rivals say about Cincinnati Reds playoff chances
ATLANTA – The Cincinnati Reds haven't exactly been scaring anybody in the National League Central this season the way they've played so far. But the rivals seem to be paying attention to Terry Francona's underfunded, would-be overachievers as they opened their post-break schedule in shouting distance of the playoff picture. 'Cincy's one of those teams that I'm honestly excited to see,' Chicago Cubs All-Star Pete Crow-Armstrong said, 'a team that could really go on a tear. Reds MLB Draft signing Steele Hall Cincinnati Reds ink top draft pick Steele Hall for below-slot $5.75 million bonus Reds second half 5 things to watch as Cincinnati Reds open second half, chasing wild-card field 'Mean, their rotation's really good,' he said. 'I'm not in that clubhouse every day, so I don't know what they need to take the next step. But I think that ballclub could really make some noise.' The Reds came out of the All-Star break in fourth place, trailing the first-place Cubs by 7 1/2 games. The surging Milwaukee Brewers were just one game back and in the top wild-card position. And the surprising St. Louis Cardinals were in third, a game ahead of the Reds. It's the only division in the National League – one of two in MLB – that has four teams with winning records. So much for all that baseball power on the coasts and the West and East divisions that were supposed to shut the Central out of the wild-card race. 'We have one of the best divisions in baseball,' Cubs pitcher Matt Boyd said. 'The records even say that right now. So it's going to be a fight.' And, said Reds All-Star pitcher Andrew Abbott: 'We're still in the fight.' The only thing holding the Reds back from being in the thick of the division race so far is those other teams in the division. They're 7-13 against those clubs, having won just one of eight series against NL Central rivals. They're 43-34 (.558) against everyone else. 'The Central is impressive, thinking about the pitching coming through the Central right now,' said Cardinals All-Star Brendan Donovan, one of four hitters who made the All-Star team from the division. Six pitchers did, including at least one from four different teams. 'Look at the pitching in the division. It's hard to hit,' Donovan added, singling out the Reds' staff. 'Cincinnati has really good pitching. I feel like they call up another guy every year who has really good stuff.' Wait till the Cardinals see Chase Burns. 'You can't sleep on them,' Brewers All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta said. 'Because they have some guys over there like Elly (De La Cruz), guys that run really well. They can do damage quick. 'You cannot sleep on them because they can score three or four runs against you in one inning really easy,' Peralta added. The Brewers have won five of seven against the Reds so far this season, and 42 of the last 58 going back to late in the 2021 season. But with that starting pitching and Hall of Fame-bound manager Terry Francona at the helm for the first time, even those Brewers are keeping their eye on keeping the Reds in the rear-view. 'The Reds are playing well, and everybody else seems to be playing pretty good baseball,' Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill said. 'They've got good players, young core. They've got Emilio (Pagán) on the back end (of the bullpen). He's been shoving this year. That's a team you can never sleep on. I mean, they've just got so many guys that can hit, run and do things well.' And they have a manager whose teams historically get better in the second half. That's been especially true of his first seasons everywhere he's been: Philadelphia, Boston and Cleveland before this. In 1997, 2004 and 2013 – his first seasons in those three stops – his teams collectively went 123-143 (.462) in the first half and 135-85 (.614) after the All-Star break. 'Never count them out," Peralta said. "Because they're going to be there, playing hard.' The Reds have two more series each against all four division opponents. They'll see each once next month and then face each in consecutive series the final 13 games of the season. Meanwhile, they have a lot of business to take care of this week and then in the final days leading to the July 31 trade deadline – when a difference maker in this race might land in any of three or four NL Central locales. 'It's probably going to come down to a game or two at the end of the year,' Megill said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Can't sleep on them': What NL Central rivals say about Cincinnati Reds
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Brewers become first NL team to reach 60 victories, riding 11-game win streak
SEATTLE — At first, Brandon Woodruff was caught a bit off guard. The Milwaukee Brewers' starting pitcher was fresh off a dazzling performance, one in which he tossed six innings of two-hit ball en route to the club's 6-0 win against the Seattle Mariners. But upon learning the victory gave the Brewers 11 wins in a row but also the best record in the National League, Woodruff was taken aback — but only briefly. 'Doesn't surprise me,' Woodruff said. 'We got a lot of great guys in this clubhouse and it's a fun team. So, I feel like we say that every year, but this year's a little bit different in a way.' To Woodruff's point, the Brewers have won 60 of their first 100 games with a very different roster than the one that won the National League Central last year. Shortstop Willy Adames (San Francisco Giants) and right-hander Corbin Burnes (Arizona Diamondbacks) both signed massive contracts elsewhere this offseason. Long-time closer Devin Williams, meanwhile, was traded to the New York Yankees in December. Their departures, though, have hardly hindered the Brewers. Even though Woodruff missed most of the first half as a result of being brought along slowly following surgery on his pitching shoulder, the Brewers' rotation has been stout in his absence. Milwaukee starters have combined for the sixth-lowest ERA in the majors, thanks in part to shrewd pickups like right-hander Quinn Priester, who Milwaukee acquired in April. 'I think that's a lot of credit to our front office and our coaching staff, and just putting the right guys in the room,' Woodruff said. 'When you can get guys that play for each other and play with each other and just have fun. That's the biggest thing. There's a reason why we've done this over the last eight, nine years.' Since 2018, the Brewers have won the NL Central four times and are on track to make it three straight seasons, doing so mostly without 'household names', as Woodruff said. This season, it's been a collective, well-balanced effort propelling the Brewers to frequent victories, including six against the Los Angeles Dodgers during their active win streak. Second baseman Brice Turang is leading the club's position players with three Wins Above Replacement, per Baseball Reference. Twenty-one-year old outfielder Jackson Chourio remains a force to be reckoned with after a standout rookie season. And right-hander Freddy Peralta leads all major league pitchers with 12 wins. All of it has led to quite the positive clubhouse culture from the perspective of folks like shortstop Joey Ortiz. 'Winning's great, winning's fun, It's a blessing to come to a big-league field and play the game,' Ortiz said. 'So, I feel like winning is just an extra on top of that. Everyone's so close in the locker room that I don't even think – of course we want to win, but I don't think winning matters. I think we have a great time just being together, and I think it shows on the field.' It's a tight-knit group led by reigning National League manager of the year Pat Murphy. The baseball lifer is aware his team continues to gain confidence with each passing win, but that there is still much time remaining in the regular season. The trade deadline hasn't even come and gone, so the small-market Brewers still have plenty of time to work with – after all, as Murphy put it, it's only July 21. 'There's more to be done. There's more opportunity,' Murphy said. 'There's no reason to coast. There's every reason to know you're in a fight. You drop your guard, 'Whack!' and sometimes you don't recover from that.'
