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Baseball had a simple offering on Saturday: Come for the rivalries, stay for what’s left. Those in the Big Apple were treated to another edition of the Subway Series while the Cubs and the Cardinals squared off at Wrigley. The Giants and the A’s also got in on the fun, reigniting the Bay Bridge Series even though they no longer share a bay. Past that, it was a hodge-podge, like Pittsburgh versus Seattle, Boston versus Washington, and the White Sox versus the Rockies. That last one, though, was only for the sickos.
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Today’s Headlines
Nimmo and Alonso Star in Subway Series Dub
The New York Mets approached Saturday’s edition of the Subway Series with all the severity of a Wall Street dealbroker. Brandon Nimmo opened the exchange, firing a 387-foot grand slam in the first. And while the whole of Citi Field cheered, Nimmo was calm, caging his reaction to a pumped fist as he roamed second. As the game wore on, the Yankees battled back, bringing themselves within two runs twice. But that’s when the Mets looked to Pete Alonso, their deal-sealer. Alonso socked a pair of home runs yesterday afternoon, with both bolstering the Mets’ lead. His final, a 392-foot tank, cemented the eventual 12-6 win. The Mets are now winners of four straight after a horrid 3-13 finish to June.
While it was all business for the Mets, it’s anything but for the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers are now losers of six straight and 5-15 over their last 20. Their stock is crashing.
Astros Stomp Dodgers
The Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers re-enacted the 2017 World Series on Saturday night. Sadly, for the Dodgers, the result is no different from what it was seven years ago. The only difference was the 6-4 score and its culprits. This time around, the Astros were led by Isaac Paredes, Christian Walker, Yainer Diaz, and, most surprisingly of all, Zack Short. Framber Valdez was also strong, striking out seven over six, while Josh Hader tossed a four-out save. The Astros, sans Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, and, due to injury, Yordan Alvarez, are now 54-35. Another 2017 rematch could be in the cards this Fall.
Barger and the Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are hot, and few are fanning the flames than Addison Barger. Barger started his afternoon in the field, lobbing a perfect throw home to get Angels star Mike Trout out. That throw mattered more and more as the tied game entered the ninth, 10th, and 11th without change. And it’s here in the 11th, with the bases loaded for Toronto, that Barger was back in the center of things. Barger, though, didn’t bat an eye, sending a second-pitch sweeper into the outfield grass for a 4-3 win and Toronto’s seventh-straight. During this winning streak, Barger is hitting .346/.393/.769 with three home runs, 10 RBIs, and a 1.162 OPS. Barger isn’t a pair of fire bellows. He’s gasoline.
Pozo Powers the Cards
Leave it to Cardinals catcher Yohel Pozo to bust the game open. No, really. The backup broke a 5-5 tie between the Redbirds and the Chicago Cubs with a 419-foot no-doubter. Better than the swing or its timing is the theatrics. Pozo reacts to the long ball with all the elation of a boy, tossing his bat and pumping his fist. Pozo was only matched by his ninth-inning battery mate Ryan Helsley. The Cardinals’ closer silenced the Cubs in the ninth to cement the 8-6 win.
Twins Take It In Odd Fashion
Not all walk-offs are created equal. The Minnesota Twins proved that adage true during Saturday’s 6-5 win against the Tampa Bay Rays. With men on the corners and no outs, Twins infielder Brooks Lee just needed a flyball. Lee instead bunted a dribbler to first baseman Yandy Díaz. Diaz, though, misplayed the ball, allowing it to trickle into the outfield and Byron Buxton to score without so much as a challenge. Oddities aside, it’s a win Twins manager Rocco Baldelli will remember as it’s his 500th managerial victory.
D.C. Disaster: Red Sox Boatrace Nats
A lot is going on in Washington, D.C., and for the hometown Nationals, none of it’s good. The Boston Red Sox clobbered the club for the second time in as many days, this time tarnishing the Nats 10-3 following an 11-2 game the day before. Like Friday, it was a group effort for Boston. Second baseman Romy González, left fielder Jarren Duran, and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela all chipped in with at least two RBIs. Pitching-wise, Walker Buehler went five innings for the first time since June 11 while the Boston bullpen waylaid Washington’s bats. With the win, Boston is back to .500 for the 16th time this season.
Baltimore Bests Atlanta in Back-And-Forth Affair
In yesterday’s matchup between Atlanta and Baltimore, two of baseball’s most disappointing teams went head-to-head. True to their reputation, neither was good enough to win comfortably. Every time Baltimore took a lead, Atlanta answered, and vice versa. The two traded blows like boxers without a knockout punch. However, one finally arrived in extras in the form of a double from Ramón Laureano and another from Jacob Stallings. The latter put Baltimore ahead 9-6 and, thanks to a clean 10th from Yennier Cano, awarded it the win.
R.I.P. Bobby Jenks
Bobby Jenks, a former White Sox pitcher and World Series champion, passed away from cancer on July 4, the team announced yesterday.
During his playing days, Jenks was hard to miss. Standing at 6’4, 275 lbs, he was more block than man. He commanded space, respect, and when he clambered out of U.S. Cellular’s bullpen, fear. That fear was well-placed. Jenks dominated most hitters in his first five seasons, carrying a 3.21 ERA with 146 saves and 273 strikeouts over 274 appearances. At 26, he was the second-youngest pitcher to record back-to-back 40-save seasons. He’d also retire 41 straight batters, tying a then-Major League record. Jenks was as solid as the rocks he seemed cut from. For those reasons, he became a figure of folklore in the South Side and will forever he remembered as an integral part of that 2005 World Series win. Jenks was just 44.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Shohei Strikeout
Shohei Ohtani celebrated his birthday the only way he can: By striking out the side.
What did Shohei Ohtani get for his birthday?
Three NASTY strikeouts 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/4lAlJWs4Xu
— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2025
Run, Randal, Run
Though replay determined this wasn’t an inside-the-park homer, shoutout to Randal Grichuk and his 33-year-old legs.
GRICHUK INSIDE-THE-PARK HOMER!!!! pic.twitter.com/PnmS6neCLs
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 5, 2025
Chicago’s Colson
Colson Montgomery’s MLB numbers through two games: .429/.500/.714 with a 1.214 OPS and a web gem.
Colson Montgomery 🔥
The White Sox’ No. 8 prospect drills his third hit of the night in his second career game.
(🎥@FutureSox)
pic.twitter.com/m7NZTXCbf6— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 6, 2025
Good Fundies
Folks, this is what Keith Hernandez calls “good fundies.”
Suzuki Stands Alone
Amidst Saturday’s loss, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki notched his league-leading 75th RBI of the season.
Seiya Suzuki extends his league lead in RBIs with his 75th, which is a new career high!
pic.twitter.com/IXAIn9kHGh— The Wrigley Wire (@TheWrigleyWire) July 5, 2025
Alvin’s Airball
New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara threw the first and second pitches at Wrigley Field yesterday. And no, that’s not a typo.
Juuuust a bit outside!@Saints running back Alvin Kamara's first pitch wasn't to his liking … so he got a redo 🤣 pic.twitter.com/R25WKqzXGC
— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2025
Phillies Finest
John Kruk: The savviest man of the 21st century.
A commercial using the word "Thrillionaire" led the Phillies broadcast to discuss "rizz" and "physicality" and John Kruk to wonder who came up with words pic.twitter.com/AjbXCsn04c
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) July 5, 2025
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ He’s back! The Arizona Diamondbacks activated outfielder Corbin Carroll from the 10-day IL yesterday. Due to a chip fracture, Carroll spent roughly the last two weeks on the sidelines. His return, while minimally felt last night, will be a boon for the barely afloat 44-45 D-Backs. Utilityman Tim Tawa was optioned to Triple-A Reno to compensate for Carroll’s return.
⚾ As if things couldn’t get worse for the New York Yankees, starter Clarke Schmidt likely needs Tommy John surgery, will miss all of the 2025 season, and maybe all of the 2026 season. The right-hander first landed on the 15-day IL with forearm tightness, but the ailment was just a precursor to this penultimate fate. It’s a brutal blow for the Bronx Bombers, who had a strong one-two-three between Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, and Schmidt. To make do, the Yankees will likely promote Cam Schlittler. Schlittler, 24, is a former seventh-round draft pick who most recently touted a 4.18 ERA in Triple-A.
⚾The San Francisco Giants started their Saturday by activating third baseman Matt Chapman off the IL. Chapman, one of San Francisco’s few offensive studs, has missed the last month due to a hand injury. The Giants have a 14-23 record since, and will welcome him back with open arms. Unfortunately, Sergio Alcántara will not be part of that embrace as the Giants DFA’d the infielder to fit Chapman into the fold. Pitcher Erik Miller will also be an onlooker, just for a different reason. The southpaw is going to the IL with an elbow sprain. Scott Alexander will take his place.
⚾ A left ankle sprain is sending Blue Jays reliever Yimi García to the 15-day IL. It’s one hit after another for Garcia, who just returned from the IL early last week after missing six weeks due to a shoulder injury. Right-hander Robinson Pina will replace Garcia on the roster for now.
⚾ Third time’s the charm. Or, at least, that’s what reliever Héctor Neris is thinking. The veteran re-upped with the Houston Astros for the third time in his career yesterday afternoon. To make room for Neris, Houston optioned pitcher Jason Alexander.
⚾ Jeimer Candelario didn’t sit on the market long. The veteran infielder officially signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees on Saturday and will report Monday to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. Candelario comes to New York following a two-year stint in Cincinnati. There, he hit .207/.265/.394 over 134 games.
⚾ The Texas Rangers officially inked Rowdy Tellez to a minor league contract yesterday. Tellez, 30, spent some time in Seattle earlier this season, hitting his usual .208/.249/.434 with 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and a .692 OPS. Should Tellez make the Majors again, he’ll be on his fifth.
⚾ The Washington Nationals returned reliever Mason Thompson from the 60-day IL on Saturday. For the Nationals, it’s an upgrade over what they have currently in their bullpen. For Thompson, it’s a long-awaited comeback. Due to Tommy John, the right-hander hasn’t pitched in the MLB since September 10, 2013. Thompson’s comeback, however, is a setback for reliever Zack Brzykcy, who was optioned to Triple-A.
⚾The New York Mets’ pitching merry-go-round spun again on Saturday. This rotation brought several changes, including the optioning of reliever Austin Warren and the DFA of reliever Tyler Zuber. The club concluded things by signing Zach Pop.
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