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
Judge Reaches Rare Territory, Sox Roar Back
Aaron Judge gets top billing for a magnificent three-run shot, his 36th of the season. Take a seat behind home plate, listen to the crack off the bat, and watch this one go to straightaway center, over the bleachers, and up to fans who had no business expecting a scramble for the ball.
This is what 470 feet and 114.4 MPH off the bat of Aaron Judge looks like 🤯 pic.twitter.com/kw1BcN7R9S
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2024
Austin Wells followed with another homer to give the New York Yankees a 7-4 lead at Fenway. But the Boston Red Sox scored two runs in the seventh and three in the eighth. Masataka Yoshida slapped a single up the middle through the drawn-in infield to put Boston ahead in the eighth. They held on for a 9-7 win.
CLUTCH MASA. pic.twitter.com/rNCpeOcWzg
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 27, 2024
Mets Climb into NL Wildcard Lead
The New York Mets reinstated Kodai Senga from the IL and sent him out for his 2024 debut against Atlanta. He struck out nine in 5.1 innings, giving up just two hits and one walk. The Mets hit three homers off Charlie Morton and took over the top NL wildcard spot with an 8-4 win. Atlanta has now lost six in a row.
Kodai Senga, Dirty 85mph Ghost Fork. 👻🍴
The Ghost Fork is BACK! 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/9qNWAURxmL
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 26, 2024
The Ghost Fork was back. Senga threw his signature pitch 24 times with a 33% CSW. But he pulled up while going after a pop-up in the sixth and exited with a calf strain. He’ll get an MRI today.
Profar Powers Padres over Orioles
Jurickson Profar hit a pair of two-run homers, and the San Diego Padres beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-4. Profar’s first tied the game at two in the sixth, and his second put the Padres ahead at Camden Yards. They’ve won six straight on the road and will play the AL East leaders twice more, then head home for an off day before hosting the NL East-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
Jurickson Profar is the most clutch hitter in baseball in 2024.
The numbers back it up.
His numbers in High Leverage ABs in 24’:
➡️ 328 wRC+ (1st in MLB)
➡️.636 wOBA (1st in MLB)
➡️.531 Batting Average (1st in MLB)pic.twitter.com/XZx8vpWaeK— Clark Fahrenthold (@CFahrenthold11) July 27, 2024
M’s, Astros, and Royals Deal Shutouts
The Seattle Mariners beat up on the Chicago White Sox 10-0. George Kirby struck out seven in 7.0 innings on 88 pitches.
George Kirby, Wicked 88mph Slider. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/sMzLt8lQ6n
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 27, 2024
The Houston Astros blanked the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 behind 10 Ks in 6.1 strong innings from Framber Valdez.
Framber Valdez's 10th K. pic.twitter.com/7Ied5owHFg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 27, 2024
The Kansas City Royals backed up another excellent outing by Brady Singer and beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0. Singer went 7.0 innings on 99 pitches, striking out five and allowing two hits and two walks.
"A few years in the Big Leagues, I've learned how to figure [the game] out… I've just been able to calm down and understand the situation."
Brady Singer has a 1.76 ERA over his last 7 starts and joined #MLBTonight to discuss his success.@Royals | @Plesac19 | @JakePeavy_22 pic.twitter.com/d12qgJnutE
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 27, 2024
Best Moments From Yesterday
Farewell to Randyland
The Tampa Bay Rays traded Randy Arozarena to the Mariners on Thursday night, but he took in one more game in Florida before heading west. The star left fielder played 568 games for Tampa Bay with a 123 OPS+. He won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2021, a year after hitting 10 postseason homers for the AL champions. He sat with his family in left field and shook hands with fans on the concourse on his way out.
Randy as a fan 🥹
I AM UNWELL pic.twitter.com/wiJxhnOz3z
— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) July 26, 2024
Randy Arozarena watched a few innings of the Rays game from the stands and said goodbye to fans 🥹 pic.twitter.com/PGgVUGYbHS
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2024
Fitzgerald on a Tear
Anytime “since Barry Bonds” comes up for a hitter, you know they’ve done something impressive. San Francisco Giants shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald hit two home runs in an 11-4 route of the Colorado Rockies. He’s got eight so far — seven of them in a little over a week.
Tyler Fitzgerald is the first Giants player with 7+ HR in an 8-game span since Barry Bonds in 2004 https://t.co/7WnlWgsVMZ
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 27, 2024
2k for Goldy
This makes two milestones in two months for Paul Goldschmidt. He reached 350 career home runs on June 22 and 2,000 hits last night.
Paul Goldschmidt's 2,000th career hit is a home run! pic.twitter.com/92cn1spnUO
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2024
Bulletin Board Material?
The Baltimore Orioles traded outfielder Austin Hays to the Philadelphia Phillies for right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and center fielder Cristian Pache. We’re a long way from October, but this quote will resurface if the bracket results in Hays, a 2023 All-Star in Baltimore, facing his former team in the Fall Classic. FanGraphs gives the Phillies the edge in World Series chances at 16.1% to Baltimore’s 10.8%.
Austin Hays on joining the Phillies:
“There's not very many teams you could feel like you're upgrading from where you were when your team was in 1st place. … I feel like I'm coming to a place where we have an even better chance of winning a World Series” pic.twitter.com/3VxtxydqoV
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) July 27, 2024
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Orioles added right-handed starter Zach Eflin in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. Baltimore sent outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-handed pitcher Jackson Baumeister, and utility player Mac Horvath to Tampa Bay.
⚾ The New York Mets acquired Ryne Stanek from the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Rhylan Thomas.
⚾ The Mariners acquired right-handed reliever Yimi García from the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Jonatan Clase.
⚾ The Los Angeles Dodgers traded left-handed pitcher James Paxton to the Boston Red Sox for infielder Moises Bolivar.
⚾ An MRI on Mike Trout’s knee came back clean.
Articles You Should Read
Late Summer Solace: Rooting Interests for Fans of Subpar Teams — Randy Holt, Pitcher List
Do Managers Give Their Toughest Battles to Their Strongest Relievers? — Mike Baumann, FanGraphs
Fantasy Baseball Coverage