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Boston Globe
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Brayan Bello, Red Sox absorb a smackdown in shutout loss to Cubs
For the second straight night, the Red Sox bats were silent, striking out five times against Cubs starter Shota Imanaga and 10 times in all, with much of the contact they did make against the lefthanded Imanaga resulting in pop-ups or foul balls. Meanwhile, the Cubs went on a home-run barrage, hitting them back-to-back in the first inning from Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker, and two more in the eighth from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ian Happ. Advertisement In between came a shot from Matt Shaw, a second career pinch-hit homer for the Massachusetts native. All three late home runs were solo blasts off reliever Chris Smith, and for Shaw, a Springfield native who grew up in Brimfield and played his college ball at Maryland, it kept him from falling below the Mendoza Line (he was batting .200 going into the game). Shaw practically sprinted around the bases. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Sox had no such pep in their step. After surging into the playoff conversation with the 10 straight victories prior to the All-Star break, they knew a test was coming. Unlike the likes of the Rockies or Rays they'd beaten before, the Cubs represented the first of three straight series against division-leading National League teams, with the Phillies and Dodgers looming. Advertisement So far, the Sox have been unable to carry the momentum of their pre-All Star success across the break, hoping now to avoid a sweep in Sunday's series finale. The sluggish start was reminiscent of Friday's series-opening loss, with missed opportunities, mistake pitches and leadoff walks once again putting the Red Sox in an early hole. Saturday's pitching culprit was Brayan Bello, who surrendered back-to-back solo home runs to Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker to open the game. Busch sent the game's first pitch into the left-centerfield seats and four pitches later, Tucker sent a no-doubter into the rightfield seats. Bello rebounded to retire Seiya Suzuki (fly ball), Pete Crow-Armstrong (strikeout) and Ian Happ (grounder to first) to get out of the inning, but he gave up another run in the second when the dreaded leadoff walk to Dansby Swanson came around to score. Swanson, who advanced on a Nico Hoerner single and a Reese McGuire fielder's choice, made a nice head-first slide on Vidal Brujan's short fly ball to left field, evading a tag attempt by Connor Wong when Rob Refsnyder's throw pulled the catcher too far outside the baseline. Refsnyder, leading off against Imanaga, opened the game with a sharp double in the left-centerfield gap, advancing to third on Alex Bregman's ground ball to first. But back-to-back strikeouts by Romy Gonzalez and Roman Anthony stranded him there. Cora was back at his lineup juggling job for Saturday night's game, using Refsnyder in left field and fellow lefty-facing specialist Romy Gonzalez at second base while keeping the rookie Anthony in against the lefthander (as he plans to do going forward), batting cleanup and playing right field. Advertisement He then inserted Masataka Yoshida at DH, leaving Jarren Duran on the bench. Cora praised the reaction he got from Duran after texting him of the plan Friday night, which said, 'I'm fine, let me know when and we'll go.' Yoshida had two hits against his Japanese countryman Imanaga, including a two-out single to right in the second inning. Abraham Toro followed with another single, but that mini-rally fizzled out when the struggling Wong struck out. Still, Cora was glad to get Yoshida in the game after feeling he had jumped the gun using him as a pinch-hitter Friday in a no-stakes situation. 'I need to be probably more patient with that one,' Cora said, 'just wait till the opportunity comes later on with men on and using that spot. But I just felt like okay, he gets on base, we got something going. It just didn't work out, and it didn't feel right from my end. 'But I think it's going to be a big contributor for us. And as far as the [outfield] rotation, you know, they play two out of three most of the time. And we'll make sure everybody gets a rest and keep them engaged. Is it easy? No, it's not easy, but we'll make it work. They're willing to do it.' Tara Sullivan is a Globe columnist. She can be reached at
Edmonton Journal
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays ratings soaring for Sportsnet, Buck Martinez continues to recuperate
Article content By now, we're well aware of what a Blue Jays playoff push can do for filling the seats at the Rogers Centre (even as ticket prices rise) and piling up TV audiences (even as those costs increase on Sportsnet as well.) Article content Over time, from a business standpoint it has made Canada's team the envy of many markets in Major League Baseball. Article content And the Jays pre-All Star break surge that saw the team win 10 in a row to zoom up to first place in the American League East is the latest example of how that boom can take hold. Article content Eight of the last 12 Jays games heading into the midsummer hiatus attracted audiences of more than a million viewers, a sure sign of the momentum at play. Of note, the number could have been higher given a couple of late starts in the Pacific time zone on the Jays last road trip. Article content Article content Not surprisingly, the biggest audiences came from the June 30-July 3 series against the New York Yankees, a four game sweep by the Jays that propelled them into the division lead. That series averaged 1.1 million viewers with the peak coming for the July 3 contest, an 8-5 Jays win that brought in a season-high audience of 1.3 million. Article content With an engaged audience like that, the possibilities must be enticing — and profitable. It may just be coincidence, but the 30 per cent hike on Sportsnet+ subscriptions that kick in on Sept. 9 will hit loyal Jays viewers just when the division races heat up. At that point, public outrage could well be outweighed by momentum from the baseball team. Article content Article content For Sportsnet, which like the Jays is owned by Rogers, the timing of that ratings boon of the Yankees series was a perfect confluence. The NHL playoffs were well tucked to bed, freeing up multiple channels on the Sportsnet grid and July 1 free agency period also had quieted by the end of the series. Article content And yes, having the Yankees in as an opponent just as the Jays winning streak was taking off also didn't hurt. Article content For the season, Sportsnet is averaging 679,000 viewers for its Blue Jays broadcasts, a nice eight per cent bump from last year's numbers, with a total reach of 11.3 million Canadians. Article content Barring a complete collapse, however, those comparative numbers, should widen noticeably given that it was at this time that the tank towards a last-place finish began in earnest for the Jays. Article content With a captive audience for the next two months and the prospect of a captivating September race for the division title, we can expect audiences of a million plus to be the norm.
Toronto Sun
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays ratings soaring for Sportsnet, Buck Martinez continues to recuperate
Serious playoff push could lead to massive TV numbers. Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays gets an ice bath from Myles Straw after their MLB game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston / Getty Images By now, we're well aware of what a Blue Jays playoff push can do for filling the seats at the Rogers Centre (even as ticket prices rise) and piling up TV audiences (even as those costs increase on Sportsnet as well.) This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Over time, from a business standpoint it has made Canada's team the envy of many markets in Major League Baseball. And the Jays pre-All Star break surge that saw the team win 10 in a row to zoom up to first place in the American League East is the latest example of how that boom can take hold. Eight of the last 12 Jays games heading into the midsummer hiatus attracted audiences of more than a million viewers, a sure sign of the momentum at play. Of note, the number could have been higher given a couple of late starts in the Pacific time zone on the Jays last road trip. Not surprisingly, the biggest audiences came from the June 30-July 3 series against the New York Yankees, a four game sweep by the Jays that propelled them into the division lead. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That series averaged 1.1 million viewers with the peak coming for the July 3 contest, an 8-5 Jays win that brought in a season-high audience of 1.3 million. With an engaged audience like that, the possibilities must be enticing — and profitable. It may just be coincidence, but the 30 per cent hike on Sportsnet+ subscriptions that kick in on Sept. 9 will hit loyal Jays viewers just when the division races heat up. At that point, public outrage could well be outweighed by momentum from the baseball team. For Sportsnet, which like the Jays is owned by Rogers, the timing of that ratings boon of the Yankees series was a perfect confluence. The NHL playoffs were well tucked to bed, freeing up multiple channels on the Sportsnet grid and July 1 free agency period also had quieted by the end of the series. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. And yes, having the Yankees in as an opponent just as the Jays winning streak was taking off also didn't hurt. For the season, Sportsnet is averaging 679,000 viewers for its Blue Jays broadcasts, a nice eight per cent bump from last year's numbers, with a total reach of 11.3 million Canadians. Barring a complete collapse, however, those comparative numbers, should widen noticeably given that it was at this time that the tank towards a last-place finish began in earnest for the Jays. With a captive audience for the next two months and the prospect of a captivating September race for the division title, we can expect audiences of a million plus to be the norm. It's early for Rogers and Sportsnet to get too bullish on what awaits, but there are certainly 2015 and 2016 vibes happening in terms of coast-to-coast excitement for the team. Mix in the possibility of some trade deadline acquisitions, a team that plays a more entertaining version of the sport and a serious playoff push and the TV numbers could be massive. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. IN THE BOOTH The absence of popular analyst Buck Martinez will continue into the home stand as the long-time Jays broadcaster attends to some medical issues. Martinez remains in good cheer and is certainly following the team closely as he recuperates during his latest absence and its hard not to root for one of the best in the business to make a speedy return. In the meantime, Joe Siddall will continue to work the bulk of the games alongside play-by-play voice Dan Shulman. That pair will be in the booth for the six-game homestand that gets under way on Friday. STREAM ON Why is the Blue Jays-Giants game a 12:05 start on Sunday, you ask? It's a TV thing. Roku Sunday Leadoff games are part of MLB's expanded national package and the sport's continued foray into streaming services. And this week the Blue Jays turn on to be on the menu. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Most of the Roku games are early starts, as in the case of Saturday's Jays-Giants contest (hence the Leadoff branding) giving the streaming service an exclusive window with no other games as competition on the airwaves. The start time won't be particularly jarring for Jays players, though it undoubtedly will catch some fans and viewers off guard, given it's more than 90 minutes earlier than regular Sunday Rogers Centre scheduled first pitches.. The good news for the majority of fans is that the Roku menu isn't nearly as intrusive as the Apple TV Friday Night Games. For starters, Sunday Leadoff is free and available on Roku and various Android devices. And for those unnerved by different voices calling the action, Roku doesn't have an exclusive window to the games it does, meaning the Sportsnet broadcast — and the call from Shulman and Siddall — is also available. Tennis Sunshine Girls MMA Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
New York Post
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Mets 2025 first-half report card: Star power carrying Amazin's in tight NL East race
Access the Mets beat like never before Don't miss Mike Puma's text messages from Queens and beyond — he's giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets. Sign up Now A Mets team that just over a month ago appeared capable of rolling through the NL East lost its mojo. Lack of production with runners in scoring position and injuries have been the biggest factors in a 10-18 nosedive that began on June 13. Even so, the Mets will begin the post-All Star break on Friday only a half-game behind the first place Phillies in the NL East. Before we resume the pennant races, a look at the Mets' pre-All Star break grades.
Newsweek
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
MLB Home Run Derby Betting Odds, Best Bets: Prediction, Best Value Plays
Oddsmakers see Seattle's Cal Raleigh as the favorite in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Oddsmakers see Seattle's Cal Raleigh as the favorite in the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, which begins tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Whether you're a diehard baseball fan who has been locked in since March or a casual, the annual MLB Home Run Derby is always worth checking out. The eight-man field for the 2025 derby -- which takes place tonight at Truist Park in Atlanta -- features several interesting storylines. The intrigue starts with Mariners star Cal Raleigh, who nearly broke Barry Bonds' longstanding record for most home runs in the first half of an MLB season. Will Raleigh be as effective in this competition as he's been all season? The odds for both Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz and 22-year-old Nationals left fielder James Wood are 4-to-1 or shorter at most sportsbooks, which tells you that we're looking at a wide-open competition. How To Watch MLB Home Run Derby Start time: 8 p.m. ET TV: ESPN/ESPN2 MLB Home Run Derby Betting Odds Below are the odds (as of Monday afternoon) from FanDuel, DraftKings and bet365 for the eight participants: Player (HRs, rank) FD DK bet365 Cal Raleigh (38, 1st) +300 +295 +275 Oneil Cruz (16, 43rd) +310 +330 +300 James Wood (24, 8th) +370 +450 +400 Byron Buxton (21, 12th) +850 +950 +800 Matt Olson (17, 31st) +950 +800 +900 Junior Caminero (23, 10th) +1000 +1200 +1200 Brent Rooker (20, 17th) +1000 +850 +1000 Jazz Chisholm (17, 31st) +1500 +1100 +1500 Raleigh's status as the favorite is more than justified given his historic campaign thus far. He finished the first half of this season with the second-most pre-All Star break homers (38) in MLB history, behind only Bonds' 39 in 2001. Bonds, of course, finished 2001 with 73 dingers, which still stands as MLB's single-season record (and the only 60-plus home run season since '01 was Aaron Judge's 62-homer effort in 2022). Oddsmakers expect a hard-fought battle between Raleigh, Cruz and Wood. But keep in mind that last year, Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández won the HR Derby despite entering as one of the biggest betting longshots. Best Home Run Derby Value Bet: J. Wood Best odds: +450 at DraftKings In just his second season in the majors, Wood has broken out for the Nationals. He's currently top-10 in MLB in both HRs and RBI (tied-8th with 69), and he's a popular pick for a number of reasons. For one thing, Wood's pitcher tonight will be Nationals third-base coach Ricky Gutierrez. Partnering with an experienced coach like Gutierrez could give Wood a leg up on the likes of Raleigh, whose father will be pitching, and Chisholm, whose stepfather will be on the mound. It's also worth noting that in a tough-to-predict competition like this, line-shopping is essential. The current format of the derby -- which rewards stamina/conditioning as much as pure slugging power -- makes finding value by comparing odds across a variety of sportsbooks even more helpful. Wood being available at +450 at DK (compared to +370 at FD and +400 at bet365) is a big part of what makes him tempting here. Best Home Run Derby Longshot Bet: M. Olson Best odds: +950 at FanDuel Looking further down the board, one high-upside option with a unique advantage in tonight's competition is 31-year-old Braves 1B Matt Olson. Tonight will be a good test of how much weight we should put in a hitter's familiarity with the ballpark. Olson knows Truist Park better than anyone in tonight's field after joining the Braves back in 2022. Of Olson's 17 homers on the season, he's hit nine in 174 at bats at home, compared to eight in 185 road ABs. He also boasts a better batting average (.270 at home, .254 away), slugging percentage (.483 at home, .454 away) and OPS (.835 at home, .825 away) at Truist Park than on the road. While there's (obviously) no guarantee those numbers will translate to a strong showing in the Derby, Olson's homefield advantage at least makes him a tempting longshot at nearly 10-to-1 odds. Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
