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
Pau-L Skenes
It took until his 12th appearance in MLB, but Paul Skenes finally has a loss in his ledger, albeit not a very fair one. Facing the Cardinals and Lance Lynn (who became the sixth active pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts), Skenes flashed his usual electric stuff to keep hitters off-balance, allowing only two hits and one run through the first five innings. With the offensively-challenged Pirates failing to provide any run support, Skenes cruised through three perfect innings and was at 93 pitches when Pittsburgh finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game. While manager Derek Shelton had been criticized by removing the righty phenom during no-hit bids, this time he may have been too caught up in the moment, as Skenes was brought back in the ninth to try to earn a deserved win. Alas, the Cardinals got two more hits, with Alec Burleson’s two-strike knock driving in the winning run. In the end, Skenes left his line at 8.1 innings, with four hits, zero walks, and eight strikeouts. Baseball can be cruel like that.
Despite being tagged with his first loss, Paul Skenes turned in his longest start yet with more flashes of brilliance. pic.twitter.com/WqMsLHpDQu
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2024
Clutch Pitching > Two Good Hitters
Anticipating the latest chapter of the Subway Series, former Yankee Luis Severino made a barb about the Bombers having “only two good hitters.” Being New York, the quote was obviously exaggerated and used for tabloid fodder, adding a layer of intrigue to tonight’s matchup in the Bronx. While it may have been only a diss, the Mets were not far off in planning for this game, as they took the bat from Aaron Judge’s hands (four walks) and were able to limit Juan Soto to only one walk in five plate appearances. Elsewhere in the lineup, Mets pitchers followed a clear bend-but-don’t-break mentality, ultimately allowing only two runs despite allowing five hits and eight walks, as the Yankees went a dismal 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. While the Mets did not do much on offense, a key two-run homer from the red-hot Jeff McNeil was enough to provide the winning margin, and now they will have the chance to sweep the season series.
The @Mets are now 3-0 in this year's Subway Series with one game to go. pic.twitter.com/3wHfZp0HeC
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2024
The Bee’s (Fragile) Knees
In a possibly cruel turn of events, the much-anticipated Mike Trout rehab assignment may have ended prematurely, as he was removed after only two innings with left knee soreness. The Salt Lake Bees had made this an event, with a packed crowd to see Trout man center field, but it seems that the Angels’ plan to bring him back to the majors as early as this week may be put on hiatus yet again.
The Angels announced that Mike Trout left his first rehab game after 2 innings with left knee soreness pic.twitter.com/Hby86OysSY
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 24, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
An Athletic Explosion
With the Mariners losing yet again both on the field and in terms of injuries, the Astros had a golden chance to start creating some ground in the AL West standings. Instead, they have fallen into an unexpected trap at the Coliseum, as Houston has been outscored 12-2 over the first two games of the series. Today’s game was highlighted by the A’s suddenly turning the contest into a home run derby, as five Athletics hit homers en route to an 8-2 laugher. Brent Rooker’s 23rd of the season set an early tone, and it was capped by Shea Langeliers‘ 19th, while starting pitcher Osvaldo Bido tossed five innings of one-run ball to earn his fourth career win.
Shea Langeliers is the 5th @Athletics player to homer tonight. 💪 pic.twitter.com/D1YBP7emgs
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2024
Tyler O’MG
After starting the second half of the season on an 0-4 slide that made everyone question their status as contenders, the Red Sox finally broke through, cruising to a 6-0 win in Colorado. All the scoring would come during the first three innings, headlined by Tyler O’Neill’s two massive homers that drove in three runs and set the tone for Boston. The second one was particularly impressive, as the thin air of Colorado allowed it to travel an estimated 465 feet, for his 20th dinger of 2024. While the offense was certainly impressive, starter Cooper Criswell was also dominant, scattering only five hits over seven scoreless innings to earn his fourth win of the season.
Tyler O'Neill's 2nd HR of the game and 20th HR of the season travels 465 feet! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/nzWLeukDhC
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2024
Wheeler and Dealer
Zack Wheeler and Simeon Woods Richardson engaged in an unexpected pitchers’ duel in Minnesota, as both combined to throw 13 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts, though neither of them were able to record the win as the game remained tied at zero entering the ninth. Philly’s bullpen kept its end of the bargain, even as it had to escape a bases-loaded jam in the eighth, but Minnesota’s closer Jhoan Duran was unable to do the same, as he allowed two hits and two walks en route to a three-run blowup that decided the contest. With the win, the Phillies added to their MLB-best record, standing at 64-37.
Zack Wheeler and 3 relievers combine on a 3-hit shutout as the @Phillies even the series in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/D03HzUioyT
— MLB (@MLB) July 24, 2024
When Mom Buys Pizza Rolls
In the middle of a tight game against the lowly White Sox, Tommy Pham hit a ground ball that appeared primed to become an infield single. After the ball skipped past third base, shortstop Jonathan Ornelas came out of nowhere to not only catch, but also make a Derek Jeter-like jump throw that nabbed the runner by half a step. While the crowd and the announcers went justifiably crazy, they cannot compare to Max Scherzer, who had the perfect reaction from the dugout. It seems that he is not only elite at pitching.
Max Scherzer’s reaction to this play by Jonathan Ornelas 😂
(Cut4 x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/Au3vjr2urP
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 24, 2024
Paw Skenes
It seems that Skenes-mania has caught over all of Pirates fandom, not limited to humans only. Bark at the Park events usually make this articles, but more so when our canine friends get involved in baseball-related activities. While fans in Pittsburgh have made Skenes starts mandatory viewing with novelty mustaches, today they took it a step further by getting some of their pups involved in the action. Here’s hoping that these doggos enjoyed the game, if not the final outcome.
A mustache takeover for Paw-l Skenes at PNC 🤣 pic.twitter.com/GCKaNrTjqU
— Cut4 (@Cut4) July 23, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Mariners announced several moves, which are bound to create a significant effect on their offense. Ty France has been officially designated for assignment, as no team claimed him off waivers. The former All-Star will now probably become a free agent while Seattle has to cover most of his remaining salary. Additionally, the team announced that JP Crawford (right hand fracture) and Julio Rodríguez (right high ankle sprain) have been placed on the 10-day IL. There is no clear timetable for their return, as the low-scoring Mariners will now have to face the toughest stretch of the season without two of their top hitters.
⚾ The Angels have reinstated Luis Rengifo, who is expected to be one of their top trade candidates before the deadline. Before missing almost three weeks with inflammation in his right wrist, Rengifo had an .800 OPS and was raking against left-handed pitching, making him a coveted infield target for many contenders. To make room for him, Anaheim designated former prospect Keston Hiura for assignment. Hiura will likely clear waivers and become a free agent, even as he now profiles as a quintessential quad-A player who cannot sustain his solid minor league numbers in the majors.
⚾ Christian Scott has been placed on the 15-day IL with a right UCL sprain, as announced by the Mets. The young right-hander, who owns a 4.56 career ERA over nine starts, had long been touted as a promising power pitcher, cruising through the minors after being drafted in 2022. While the severity of the injury is still unknown, such UCL ailments tend to be followed by Tommy John surgery. While the Mets will probably find a short-term replacement in the rotation, Kodai Senga is also expected to make his season debut in early August.
⚾ Christian Yelich was removed from today’s game with lower back tightness, as announced by the Brewers. After working two walks and serving as the designated hitter, he was replaced by Rhys Hoskins in the eighth inning. The extent of the injury is still unknown, but it will be important to monitor.
Articles You Should Read
The 6-1-1 Podcast with Jimmy and Ryan — Theo de Rosa, MLB.com
It’s all Right There in Front of the Yankees — Matt Martell, Fangraphs
Fantasy Baseball Coverage