Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.
Though baseball is a team effort, Saturday was decided by stars. Let’s start with its most expensive, Juan Soto. The Mets slugger spit out four RBIs on the night for his best game of the season, and helped pave the way for a much-needed win. Their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, weren’t nearly as desperate but received a sensational performance themselves from Clarke Schmidt. Elsewhere, Rafael Devers got his revenge against the Red Sox, and Washington Nationals stud James Wood ignited a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. And who could forget Cal Raleigh, who ushered his name into the history books with his 30th home run of the season. Sometimes, it’s not about the sum.
Don’t forget to watch every game with the Pitcher List community on Playback!
Today’s Headlines
Nimmo, Soto, Mets Win-o
After every New York Mets home win, the club plays Ace Frehley’s cover of “New York Groove.” But on Saturday, they might’ve preferred another song from the KISS catalog, “Two Timer.” Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto lived up to the song’s title, both going deep in the 11-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Nimmo’s first, a 415-foot shot to center, started the scoring, while his second, a screamer to deep right, tied things at 3-3. Soto followed suit afterward. His first longball handed New York the 4-3 lead, and his second two innings later doubled it to 5-3. Soto put an exclamation mark on his night with a two-RBI single, upping his total to four on the night. He’s now hitting .338/.500/.708 with a 1.208 OPS in June.
The longball was a theme for the Mets, who launched an MLB-record seven solo shots on the night. And while history is nice, the Mets are just happy to snap their seven-game losing streak. Moreover, they’re glad to draw back even with the Phillies atop the NL East.
Cal Can’t Quit
Cal Raleigh, we may never see another like you again. No, seriously. Raleigh, Seattle’s superstar catcher, went deep on Saturday for the 30th time this season. Yes, that’s correct. Raleigh has a baseball-best 30 home runs, and it’s not even July. More than just an amazing stat, it’s history. Raleigh is the first-ever switch hitter with 30+ homers before the All-Star Break and is the fastest to reach the milestone, needing just 75 games, since Barry Bonds and Luis Gonzalez in 2001. What we’re seeing is alien in MLB history. It has no parallel. Unfortunately, all these accomplishments could be the lead in another Tungsten Arm O’Doyle post. Seattle lost to Chicago 10-7 and is somehow, even with Raleigh doing what few or no one else ever has, 38-37.
Schmidt Stars in Yankees Win
To the shock of only a few, the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, winning 9-0. To the shock of all, Aaron Judge did no damage. It was instead an offensive group effort led by catcher J.C. Escarra, first baseman Ben Rice, and second baseman Oswald Peraza. But the real headline was Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt. The right-hander pitched seven no-hit innings and was perfect save for a pair of walks while striking out five. Baltimore couldn’t touch Schmidt, and thankfully for their sake, touched the Yankees’ bullpen once to prevent a no-hitter.
The Rays Are For Real
The Tampa Bay Rays are hot. After sweeping the Mets last weekend, Tampa kept the burner on yesterday, trouncing the Detroit Tigers 8-3. Things started early, with Josh Lowe, José Caballero, and Taylor Walls chipping in for a 4-0 lead in the first. From there, it was little by little – Another run in the second, a pair in the fourth, and one more in the eighth. Tampa has now won seven of their last nine and solidified themselves in second in the AL East.
As for the Tigers, they’ve lost five of their last seven. Ineffective pitching is mostly why. Detroit’s pitching staff is averaging 9.8 runs against in its losses. They’ve allowed 11, eight, eight, and 14, and eight runs during that stretch, with 14 being the most they’ve allowed in a game this season, and 11 tying their previous worst. In other words, Saturday was a tale of two clubs.
Pozo Pays Off
Heroes come from the unlikeliest of places. Just ask the St. Louis Cardinals. With two outs and runners on second and third in the 11th inning of a tied game, the Cardinals didn’t turn to Nolan Arenado or Brendan Donovan. They instead looked to backup catcher Yohel Pozo. Pozo, though, looked every bit like his teammates, dunking a slider outside the zone into the outfield grass for a walk-off win. St. Louis is now 42-35 and dead even with the Milwaukee Brewers for second place in the NL Central.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Raffy’s Revenge
The Boston Red Sox held their former superstar, Rafael Devers, hitless. Then, this happened. Because, of course, it did. That home run, by the way, would end up the difference in a 3-2 San Francisco win.
🚨 RAFAEL DEVERS HAS HIT HIS FIRST HOME RUN AS A GIANT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/c6pfMEAjqi
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) June 21, 2025
Ronald’s Got It
Who needs a third-base coach when you know you’re this good?
Ronald Acuña Jr. races all the way home! pic.twitter.com/Gu4rGpiVRr
— MLB (@MLB) June 21, 2025
Miguel With The Move
The Chicago White Sox avoided a shutout in the most physically taxing and impossible way. At least there’s that.
What a slide by Miguel Vargas!
(via @whitesox)pic.twitter.com/AO07EVqBAc
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 21, 2025
Kade Closes It Out
Kade Anderson, take yourself a bow.
On his 130th pitch, Kade Anderson finished a three-hit shutout in LSU’s 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina in Game 1 of the Men’s College World Series. Anderson is a left-hander with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings. He will go high in the draft. Game 2 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/doiN74EMqO
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 22, 2025
Going, Going, Where?
This flyball fooled everyone in the Nationals’ outfield. Well, everyone except for Daylen Lile.
MUST SEE: Wherever you thought this baseball was going to end up … you were wrong 👀 pic.twitter.com/yMD5R0TvpX
— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2025
A Bengal-Sized Bungle
Joe Burrow can throw a football through a keyhole. What he can’t do is, well, throw a baseball anywhere close to the strike zone.
Joe Burrow struggling to hit the target in the baseball segment of Fanatics Games. pic.twitter.com/j7VCkGr1qz
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 21, 2025
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾Why didn’t Atlanta ace Chris Sale see out his masterpiece against the Mets? Because he fractured his rib cage diving for a ball in the ninth, the team announced yesterday. While the injury lands Sale on the 15-day IL, it’s unlikely he’ll return that soon. The injury is massive for Atlanta, which was starting to round into form with Sale’s excellence expected to keep carrying them. In the meantime, Atlanta elevated Austin Cox, another left-hander.
⚾Baltimore will be without stalwart catcher Adley Rutschman due to a left oblique strain. The injury sends the catcher to the 10-day IL and marks his first-ever trip to the IL in his career. Triple-A catcher Maverick Handley joins the Major League Club and will back up Gary Sánchez for the time being.
⚾ The Cincinnati Reds are calling up right-hander Chase Burns, the second-overall pick from last year’s draft. The 22-year-old made quick work of the minors, needing just three starts before getting the call. That said, Burns bested every level, recording a 1.77 ERA with a 12.1 SO/9 in those starts. Burns will make his MLB debut Tuesday against the Yankees.
⚾ The San Diego Padres are parting ways with Jason Heyward. The club DFA’d the veteran outfielder on Saturday following a .176/.223/.271 slashline through 31 games. The 35-year-old will try to catch on with his fifth team in four years as he closes out his career. In response to Heyward’s removal, the Padres took reliever Bryan Hoeing off the 60-day IL. Right-hander Sean Reynolds was also demoted to Triple-A.
⚾ The Texas Rangers won’t be grilling anytime soon. The club announced that third baseman Jake Burger is headed to the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. That strain seems to stem from a swing on Friday night, where Burger held his hand to his chest and didn’t return. Veteran Justin Foscue will sub into the roster in the meantime.
⚾ New York Mets reliever Max Kranick officially has a minor flexor strain. The elbow injury will keep Kranick from throwing for the next three to four weeks. A ramp-up period will then follow, probably prolonging Kranick’s absence into August.
⚾ It’s a simple weekend for the Cubs. Reliever Génesis Cabrera is down due to a DFA, and Nate Pearson is up. Pearson, a former top prospect, will try to once again stake his claim with a club.
⚾The Miami Marlins added southpaw Josh Simpson to their roster and DFA’d Robinson Pina on Saturday. Simpson worked two innings yesterday, allowing three hits and three runs.
⚾ Pablo Reyes may have packed his bags, but he’s staying in New York. The former Yankee agreed to a minor league deal with the Mets this weekend. While an unfamiliar path, it’s not a new destination for Reyes. The veteran infielder spent some time in the blue-and-orange last season and will hope to wear their colors in more than just one MLB game.
Articles You Should Read
10 intriguing trade candidates from teams on playoff bubble – Thomas Harrigan, MLB.com
From Babe to Betts, The Wild Trades that Define the Red Sox After Devers Deal – Fox Sports
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
