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Today’s Headlines
Four for Juan
Juan Soto went 4-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, and three runs scored in the New York Yankees‘ 6-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees right fielder doubled, reached third on Randy Arozarena’s throwing error, and sauntered home after the ball went out of play. He also had the presence of mind to confirm that he touched third base.
JUAN SOTO LITTLE LEAGUE HOME RUN! pic.twitter.com/iGcIJtLM5N
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 20, 2024
Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, who pitched six innings, struck out eight, and allowed a run on six hits and a walk, spoke highly of his teammate’s performance after the game.
"It's worth the price of admission, to say the least. What a magnificent hitter."
Gerrit Cole on Juan Soto reaching base five times and going 4-4 tonight: pic.twitter.com/Q4oHFhLJG4
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 20, 2024
Nick at Night
The Philadelphia Phillies looked set to continue their winning ways after taking a 7-4 lead in the fifth inning. But a two-run seventh and an Oneil Cruz RBI in the ninth set up Nick Gonzales with the opportunity to win it 8-7.
FIREWORKS BEFORE THE FIREWORKS!! pic.twitter.com/ctBkfIfKI5
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 20, 2024
Houston Regains First By .001
The Houston Astros shut out the Seattle Mariners 3-0 and jumped to first place in the AL West. The difference is percentage points right now: .526 for the Astros, .525 for the Mariners. They struggled to begin the season, but counting them out after a rough couple of months seemed foolish. Hopefully, we get a race for the division down the stretch.
Houston, the Astros are in first place in the AL West.
The Astros wipe out a 10-game deficit in only a month, capped by Friday's 3-0 win over the Mariners. The Astros lead the AL West by percentage points over Seattle and six games over the third-place Rangers.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 20, 2024
There’s Always Next Year
MLB released the 2025 schedule the day after the All-Star game. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will continue the World Tour in Tokyo nine days early. Chicago is listed as the home team for both games, so no alternating like this year’s London Series. Both teams will join everyone else on March 27 for Opening Day.
MLB returns to Japan to start the 2025 regular season!
The @Dodgers and @Cubs will open the season at the Tokyo Dome on March 18-19, 2025. pic.twitter.com/7pdedhLIGq
— MLB (@MLB) July 18, 2024
The slate includes Rivalry Week, which seems more like Geography Week.
MLB will have a "Rivalry Week" in 2025, during which all fifteen series matchups will feature some form of rivalry — geographical (NY/NY, LA/LA etc), historical (Bos/Atl), or the last two left without a lab partner (Sea/SD) pic.twitter.com/oV5SuGcmmZ
— SportsLogos.Net (@sportslogosnet) July 18, 2024
Four New Hall of Famers
The National Baseball Hall of Fame will induct third baseman Adrián Béltre, catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman Todd Helton, and manager Jim Leyland tomorrow. Beltre and Mauer are first-ballot selections. Mauer and Helton each played for one team. Beltre spent seven seasons with the Dodgers, five with the Mariners, one in Boston, and eight in Texas. Leyland managed eleven seasons in Pittsburgh, two in Florida (winning the 1997 World Series), one in Colorado, and eight in Detroit.
Baseball’s most historic weekend starts now!
Don’t miss a moment of #HOFWKND: https://t.co/7NW5P864e7 pic.twitter.com/InfTuYZXTO
— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) July 19, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Today’s Reason to Be Romantic About Baseball
Baseball has so many father and son stories. And they don’t get old. The Oakland Athletics called up shortstop Jacob Wilson from Triple-A. He was the 6th overall pick in the 2023 draft, and his dad, former big leaguer Jack Wilson, got to cheer him on. Sadly, Wilson was taken out of the game later with a leg injury.
Jacob Wilson records a hit in his first MLB at bat and his dad Jack Wilson is loving it! pic.twitter.com/SDCK0iAMPc
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 20, 2024
Smoke and Lasers
Imagine trying to catch these in the stands or center field.
Vladdy lasers one out at 117.5 MPH off the bat to get the @BlueJays back in it!
(MLB x @lululemon) pic.twitter.com/Ar1MSHGLZk
— MLB (@MLB) July 20, 2024
A 120.5 MPH double off the bat of Oneil Cruz!
That ball was SMOKED 😯 pic.twitter.com/RWg2o2wsgk
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2024
Smith with the Sprinting Snag
The H is for “How about that!”
babe wake up josh h. smith made another great defensive play pic.twitter.com/TdsDbY2Oy5
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) July 20, 2024
Raes Win
And like Jose Iglesias, she put on a postgame concert.
you did it carly pic.twitter.com/fuXw7sm9qa
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 20, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ Bo Bichette left the game with a leg injury yesterday.
⚾ On Wednesday, the Chicago White Sox designated catcher Martín Maldonado for assignment.
⚾ Atlanta reinstated outfielder Ramón Laureano from the injured list.
⚾ The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Mike Tauchman from the injured list and optioned outfielder Alexander Canario to Triple-A.
⚾ The Kansas City Royals signed right-handed pitcher Dinelson Lamet to a minor league deal. The team also placed right-handed reliever Nick Anderson on release waivers.
⚾ Pitcher List signed Kyle Bland as Director of Research & Analytics, Chris Weber as Director of Product, and Josh Sperry as Director of Visual & Social Media.
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