Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We've got you covered to keep you in the know.
Today's Headlines
Skenes Dazzles Through Seven
What a rookie campaign it's been for Paul Skenes, who turned in another gem in Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon by pitching seven scoreless innings with 11 punchouts as the Pittsburgh Pirates topped the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0. Only through a handful of starts in his career, Skenes is already hitting marks to join elite company:
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1811532376595403110
There's sure to be plenty of discourse on Skenes over the next few days, as he was pulled after the seventh inning with 99 pitches under his belt. It's a topic that probably doesn't have a right answer, but Pirates manager Derek Shelton did his best to explain his decision to the media postgame:
https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1811523779773817259
It's a tough situation that has a solid argument on both sides--sure, Skenes was dealing and had a genuine chance to put his name in the history books on Thursday, but he's also the Pirates' most important asset, and one they need to guard very carefully. Personally, I would have loved to see Skenes come back out for the eighth and see how things played out, but I can understand the decision made here. I'm sure we'll have plenty more opportunities to see Skenes go the distance in his career. For now, let's enjoy Thursday's greatness:
https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1811523611917758521
Steele Steers Cubs to Series Sweep
No sugarcoating here--the Chicago Cubs have had a rough couple of months thanks to a lackluster offense and a porous bullpen. The one thing they've had going for them lately is their starting pitching, especially from staff ace Justin Steele. Looking to get back on track before the All-Star break, Steele took the mound for the Cubs with a road sweep of the Baltimore Orioles on his mind and delivered ... on his birthday!
https://twitter.com/Cubs/status/1811567591774621743
With seven shutout innings, the Cubs completed the sweep and will head to St. Louis to face their longtime rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs have plenty of work to do to get back into playoff contention, but a sweep of a formidable foe is a great place to get started.
The Orioles, meanwhile, are scuffling just slightly with six losses in their last ten games. They still hold a two-game lead in the AL East thanks to the Yankees' simultaneous struggles. They'll host the Bronx Bombers for a three-game set to determine division advantage heading into the break.
Wheeler to Skip Next Start
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler was removed after five innings of work in his last start due to some lower-back tightness, and it appears the injury will be enough to prevent him from making his next start this Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. Still, it doesn't seem like the injury will be a long-lasting concern. Phillies manager Rob Thomson spoke on Wheeler's condition Thursday:
https://twitter.com/SportsRadioWIP/status/1811490867582038368
Wheeler had an MRI on his back that came back clean, which is good news for everyone in Philadelphia. It's unclear if Wheeler will be ready to go right out of the gates after the break, but we'll be sure to learn more in the coming days.
All-Star Replacements Roll In
We have some All-Star replacements still rolling in thanks to injuries on both sides. While it's a shame we won't see Kyle Tucker in Arlington, we have Anthony Santander taking his place on the American League roster:
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811505837501710814
It's the first All-Star appearance for Santander, who has 23 home runs and 57 RBI for the Orioles this season. Congrats, Anthony!
Another Astro on the mend is Jose Altuve, who will bow out of the All-Star game to rest his left hand. This means Marcus Semien is the AL's starting second baseman, and Willi Castro gets the nod as Altuve's replacement on the roster!
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811463093123248350
This is also the first All-Star selection for Castro, who boasts a .784 OPS for the Twins while playing all over the field defensively. Congratulations, Willi!
Best Moments From Yesterday
McCarthy's Home Run Robbery
Trying to hold on to a 1-0 lead in the ninth, Paul Sewald and the Diamondbacks faced Matt Olson with one out. Olson put a charge into one the other way that had just enough to get out... if Jake McCarthy wasn't there to rob him.
https://twitter.com/Dbacks/status/1811613615516188732
Second-Deck Schwarbomb
In a battle of two National League powerhouses, the Philadelphia Phillies finished a series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The sweep was punctuated by a classic Schwarbomb:
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811560516394848764
Spencer Goes Swimming
Welcome to the Bay Area, home to the Splash Brothers. Spencer Horwitz took the invitation to join the crew a little too literally:
https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1811506129253401049
Thursday's Best Web Gems
We have a handful of great defensive efforts to highlight this morning, courtesy of Kevin Kiermaier, Ceddanne Rafaela, and José Caballero. Caballero's over-the-shoulder grab was especially dramatic, as it ended the game with a runner on third, securing the win for the Rays.
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811506581500006650
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1811554554409894348
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811578882710978912
A Big Day for Big Dumper
Hitting a home run? Cool. Hitting one from both sides of the plate? Awesome. Doing it twice in the span of three games? Goodness gracious, Cal Raleigh.
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1811600179549659522
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Brewers RP Devin Williams is set to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. Williams will be a welcome second-half addition to a Brewers squad that's in the middle of chasing an NL Central crown.
⚾ Twins optioned SP David Festa to Triple-A St. Paul.
⚾ Guardians activated OF Will Brennan from the 10-day IL and optioned Gabriel Arias to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move.
⚾ Cubs officially placed 1B/OF Cody Bellinger on the 10-day IL with a left middle finger fracture. Alexander Canario was called up to take his spot on the roster.
⚾ Blue Jays placed OF Kevin Kiermaier on revocable waivers, likely as an attempt to clear some cap space. It's the first selling move we're seeing Toronto make, and it probably won't be the last.
⚾ Mets sent RHP Shintaro Fujinami on a rehab assignment to Triple-A Syracuse.
⚾ OF Nick Senzel was released by the Nationals. He should find his way onto another roster at some point this season.
⚾ Orioles SP Kyle Bradish was moved from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL as he begins his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Articles You Should Read
Where all 30 teams stand on MLB trade deadline moves heading into the All-Star break — Jim Bowden, The Athletic
Latest mock: Entering the final stretch, who will go No. 1 in the '24 Draft?— Jim Callis, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
