MLB The Show 25 Franchise Discussion

[jamm113]

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"Bulls on the Bay" – Postgame & Midseason Special


Host: Jake Kessler | 95.3 Tampa Sports Radio

🎙️ OPENING MONOLOGUE
“Good morning, Rays country! What a week we just had heading into the break — Tampa takes two of three from Houston, sweeps the Twins on the road, and suddenly sits right at .500 (47-47). One game out of a Wild Card spot, folks. And let’s not forget, that was after a tough start to July against Boston. This team has weathered the storm, the hitting coach change is starting to show real results, and now we’ve got decisions to make at the deadline. Do we buy? Do we stand pat? Fans are buzzing, and I don’t blame them — this group is right in the thick of it.”

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🎙️ SEGMENT 1: HOT STREAK & PLAYER SHOUTOUTS
“Let’s start with Yandy Díaz, because what else can you say? The man is having an MVP-caliber stretch. After that monster seven-RBI game against Houston — even in a loss — he’s up to .305 on the year, 47 RBIs, and he’s the heart of this offense. Chandler Simpson keeps sparking at the top, Realmuto finally broke out with that triple in Minnesota, and Jonathan Aranda went nuts with four hits, a homer, and three RBIs.

And pitching? This is where it gets exciting. Shane Baz strung together back-to-back seven-inning starts with a combined 16 strikeouts, looking every bit like a front-line arm. And Pete Fairbanks? ERA under 4.00 for the first time this year. You can feel this bullpen stabilizing after a brutal May.”

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🎙️ SEGMENT 2: CY YOUNG BUZZ & ALL-STAR TALK
“Speaking of elite arms — Shane McClanahan is second in the AL Cy Young race right now, and you can see why. Six innings, seven Ks, one earned against Houston — and that was against a top-5 lineup in the league.

I’d be shocked if both McClanahan and Yandy don’t represent Tampa in the All-Star Game. They’ve been the backbone of this team all season long. You give me those two in October, and I’ll take my chances with anyone.”

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🎙️ SEGMENT 3: FAN CALL-IN – EXPECTATIONS AND DEADLINE
📞 Caller from St. Pete:

“Jake, we can’t waste this. Go get a bat. I don’t care if it’s a rental — give these guys a chance.”

📞 Caller from Clearwater:

“I love the fight, but we can’t give up prospects for a team barely over .500. Play it smart, keep building for the future.”

Jake’s take:
“This is the classic Rays dilemma. You’ve got your pitching healthy (for the most part), you’re one game back of the WC, and the offense is finally clicking. Personally? I say add a bat. Nothing crazy, but you go get someone who can slug in the middle of the order, because let’s face it, we’re 28th in home runs — that has to change if we’re serious about October.”

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🎙️ SEGMENT 4: HITTING COACH CHANGE – RESULTS CHECK
“Since the change in hitting philosophy, we’re seeing more quality at-bats, more extra-base hits, and fewer soft rollovers. This Twins series was proof — six extra-base hits in one game, multiple guys driving the ball into the gaps. Yandy even said it after the Houston series: ‘We’re seeing the ball better and we’re not chasing as much. It feels different in the dugout.’

And it shows in the numbers. June OBP was .312 — not great — but through early July we’re closer to .330. That’s a big deal.”

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🎙️ SEGMENT 5: LOOKING AHEAD – ANGELS SERIES, DRAFT & DEADLINE
“So here’s what’s next: three in Anaheim before the break, the draft coming up with Tampa picking 13th overall — and word is they’re locked in on a bat with some thump. This team knows they need more power in the system.

After that? Well, the front office has about three weeks to decide if they’re pushing chips in. And let’s be honest — this fan base is ready. The Trop has been louder these last two weeks. You can feel it. Give them a reason to show up in August and September, and this could be a special summer.”

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🎙️ CLOSING REMARKS
“Bottom line — we’ve got a .500 team with elite pitching, a surging offense, and an MVP-caliber first baseman leading the way. If this front office believes in October randomness, this is the time to strike. Buckle up, Rays fans — the second half is going to be a ride.”

[The Gamer]

Cubs Sweep Rockies Behind Veteran Bats, Strong Arms

By Chicago Tribune Staff Reporter

The Cubs are suddenly one of the hottest teams in baseball. With three straight wins over the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field, Chicago has pushed its winning streak to seven games, climbing back into the NL Central picture with a 28–28 record.

Game 1: Veterans Lead the Way
On Monday afternoon, the Cubs leaned on familiar faces. Mark Grace cracked a home run and plated two, while Shawon Dunston added a solo shot to extend his hitting streak to eight games at the time. Starter Geremi González bent but didn’t break, scattering 10 hits over seven innings while yielding just two runs. Closer Rod Beck sealed the 5–2 victory with his 14th save.

Game 2: Trachsel Shuts the Door
Tuesday’s tilt belonged entirely to Steve Trachsel, who turned in the pitching performance of the season. Mixing location and tempo, the right-hander carved through Colorado’s lineup for a complete-game shutout, needing only 114 pitches. The Cubs scratched out just enough offense with RBIs from Henry Rodríguez and José Hernández to support the 2–0 win. Dunston chipped in with another hit, extending his streak to 10 games before taking a scheduled rest day in the series finale.

Game 3: “Oh Henry!” Seals the Sweep
By Wednesday, the Cubs’ lineup exploded. Henry Rodríguez hammered two home runs and drove in four, sparking an 8–5 victory. Kerry Wood backed him up with 10 strikeouts over seven innings, further cementing his role as the staff ace. Beck came on once more to notch save No. 15.

Momentum Building
The sweep gave the Cubs a seven-game winning streak, their longest of the season. It also marked the return of Kevin Tapani from the disabled list, a welcome reinforcement for a rotation that has carried the team in recent weeks. Injuries to Tyler Houston and Lance Johnson have thinned the roster, but the promotions of Alan Zinter and Micah Franklin from Iowa have provided depth.

What’s Next
The Cubs will now welcome the division-rival Cincinnati Reds (30–27) to Wrigley Field. Tapani is slated to make his first start since returning from the DL, facing off against veteran right-hander Pete Harnisch.

Around the Bases

Dunston Streak Hits 10
Shortstop Shawon Dunston quietly extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in Tuesday’s 2–0 victory. He was given the day off in Wednesday’s finale, preserving the mark heading into the weekend. The veteran has been a steadying presence in the lineup, hitting .333 over the streak with timely power and energy at the plate.

Beck Locks It Down
Closer Rod Beck collected two more saves in the series, giving him 15 on the season. “Shooter” has been the bullpen’s anchor, working three times in five days without allowing a run.

Walker Contained
Colorado’s Larry Walker, the reigning 1997 NL MVP, managed just four hits in the series and was held homerless by Cubs pitching.

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[The Gamer]

Series Preview — Cubs vs. Reds

Cubs Riding High Into NL Central Showdown
The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field with momentum on their side, winners of seven straight games after sweeping the Rockies. Now sitting at 28–28, the Cubs face a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds — a familiar division foe looking to regain ground.

The big storyline is the return of Kevin Tapani, who will be activated from the DL and slotted back into the rotation. With the Cubs’ bats firing and the staff finding its rhythm, the Reds arrive to a ballclub surging back into the NL Central race.


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Page 2: Key Players to Watch

Henry Rodríguez (Cubs) — Fresh off a three-homer, 8-RBI series against Colorado, Rodríguez provides protection behind Sammy Sosa and has emerged as a consistent power threat.

Sammy Sosa (Cubs) — Riding his own power surge, Sosa has 6 HR and 11 RBI since May 17 and continues to be the spark at the heart of the lineup.

Shawon Dunston (Cubs) — Quietly riding a 10-game hitting streak, though he sat out the finale against the Rockies. His energy at the top of the lineup has been key.

Barry Larkin (Reds) — The 1995 NL MVP remains the Reds’ steady veteran presence. Limiting his opportunities will be crucial.

Bret Boone (Reds) — Power from second base makes him a dangerous bat in the middle of the order.



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Page 3: Series Outlook

Projected Cubs Rotation vs. Reds

1. Kevin Tapani — returns from DL, finger contusion healed.


2. Mark Clark


3. Courtney Duncan (tentative, rotation may shuffle if needed).



Standings Snapshot (NL Central)

Astros leading the division.

Cubs climbing after 7 straight wins.

Reds hanging in the mix, but looking to break their skid.


Storylines to Watch

How sharp will Tapani be in his first start back from the DL?

Can the Cubs extend their win streak into double digits?

Will Dunston’s hit streak continue?

How will new call-ups Alan Zinter and Micah Franklin contribute with Houston and Johnson sidelined?

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[Itsma806]

2026 Houston Astros 06/12-06/14

Overall Record: 35-35 (1st AL West/1.0 over Seattle)

Game Results:

Game 1
Astros-5
Blue Jays-3

Game 2
Astros-3
Blue Jays-1

Game 3
Blue Jays-6
Astros-4

Stros win third straight series with 2-1 victory over Toronto.

Well, so far June is going quite a bit better than May for Houston. They still are only at .500 but currently lead what has been a very weak AL West early on in the 2026 season.

Houston won game one behind another gem from Hunter Brown who improved to 10-1 on the year and currently leads the lead in wins and strikeouts (101). He did give up the three runs but only 5 hits, no walks and he struck out 5 in his eight innings of work. Christian Walker kept his hot streak going as he homered again bringing his season total to 22 which is good for third in the AL behind Royce Lewis of the Twins (23) and his own teammate, Yordan Alvarez (25).

Saturday saw the Astros take the 2-0 series lead as Cristian Javier also kept his hot start to the season going (9-3). He pitched six innings, gave up 4 hits,1 run, 2 walks and struck out 5. The bullpen arms (Bryan King, Bryan Abreu and Josh Hader combined for three innings allowing just 1 hit and no runs. Kyle Tucker was the star offensively as he went 3-4 with a HR and 2 RBIs.

Houston missed out on the sweep with a Sunday loss that saw Edouard Julien and Daulton Varsho account for all six of Toronto's runs.

Houston will now finish off their road trip with three in Boston (36-34/3rd AL East). Houston took 2 of 3 when the two teams met in Houston late May.

[jamm113]

Tampa Bay’s Deadline Double-Down: Rays Betting Big on the Stretch Run


By Jeff Passan – ESPN Insider

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The Tampa Bay Rays entered July as a franchise staring down one of the most consequential decisions in recent memory. At 49-48, sitting on the knife’s edge of contention, the front office faced a choice: punt the season, shed salary, and stockpile for the future — or push the chips in and trust the roster to make a run.

Now, after an active trade deadline and a flurry of roster shuffling, the Rays stand at 57-54, right in the thick of the AL Wild Card chase. They are not just betting on the roster they have — they are betting on a re-energized, re-tooled group to push them over the top.

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The Big Splash: Tovar Time


The headline move of the Rays’ deadline wasn’t a rental. It wasn’t a one-month flier. It was a franchise move.

Tampa Bay shipped off top prospect Carson Williams and power-armed reliever Joe Boyle to Colorado for Ezequiel Tovar, one of the game’s premier defensive shortstops.

Tovar, just 24 years old, immediately becomes the Rays’ everyday shortstop and is under team control through 2029. His Gold Glove-caliber defense paired with sneaky pop (18 HR, 61 RBI already this season) makes him a two-way asset.

"This is the type of move you make when you believe," one rival AL executive said. "Tovar isn’t just a shortstop — he’s a stabilizer. He makes everyone better, from the pitchers to the corner infielders."

The acquisition does leave some wondering — what would this team look like if Junior Caminero had stayed healthy? The 22-year-old was projected to win the third base job out of spring training before a gruesome ankle injury sidelined him until at least September. If Caminero were healthy, the Rays might have pivoted to pitching upgrades instead — but for now, fans are salivating at the thought of Tovar and Caminero on the left side of the infield for years to come.

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Complementary Moves: Stowers, Jax, and the Bullpen Reboot


The Rays didn’t stop there. They dealt from pitching depth to add Kyle Stowers, a lefty bat with legit pop who adds outfield depth and some much-needed thump against right-handed pitching.

Perhaps more importantly, they addressed one of their biggest weaknesses: a bullpen that led the league with 21 blown saves. The acquisition of Griffin Jax from Minnesota gives Tampa another late-inning hammer to pair with Pete Fairbanks — and possibly allows Fairbanks to get more favorable matchups rather than wearing the full brunt of ninth-inning duty every night.

This retooled pen now looks like a strength: Cleavinger, Rodriguez, Jax, Kelly, and Fairbanks give the Rays a five-headed monster heading into August.

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July Surge: The Sweep That Sparked a Run


After losing three straight series (Padres, Red Sox) and sitting at .500, Tampa ripped off four straight wins in Cleveland followed by two of three from Toronto and a series win over Detroit to climb three games over .500 for the first time since May.

Offensively, Yandy Díaz continues to be the heartbeat of the lineup — slashing .318 with 17 HR and 69 RBI — and is emerging as a quiet MVP candidate in a loaded AL race. Jonathan Aranda and Kyle Stowers have lengthened the lineup, Chandler Simpson has been an on-base machine and stolen 31 bases, and Josh Lowe (16 HR, 29 SB) is one of the most dynamic power-speed threats in baseball.

Still, the Rays rank just 20th in runs scored and 26th in home runs, a glaring problem they will need to overcome with timely hitting and elite pitching.

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The Arms Race


Pitching remains the Rays’ identity, and they have leaned heavily on their rotation. Shane McClanahan (12-4, 2.71 ERA) is firmly in the AL Cy Young race and currently trails only Gerrit Cole in the Vegas odds. Taj Bradley and Shane Baz have given them stability, and rookie Spencer Arrighetti has emerged as a reliable fifth starter.

The injury to Drew Rasmussen (finger ligament, expected back late August) was a blow, but the rotation has held strong. Dylan Lesko’s first taste of the majors was rocky, but evaluators are bullish on his long-term upside.

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Around the League: Buyers, Sellers, and Shockers


July’s trade market was one of the wildest in years.

• Royals went all-in, adding Luis Robert Jr. and Robert Suárez to pair with Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez. Kansas City is a legitimate AL Central threat now, just 1 game behind Detroit.
• Yankees shocked the league by shipping Jasson Domínguez to Minnesota for Royce Lewis. New York is all-in, holding the AL’s best record (71-40).
• Giants may have pulled off the move of the summer, acquiring Byron Buxton from the Twins to bolster a playoff push.

Meanwhile, Minnesota appears to have fully embraced a soft rebuild, trading away Buxton, Griffin Jax, and Jhoan Duran despite being within striking distance of .500.

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Fan Sentiment: A Re-Energized Clubhouse


Tropicana Field has been buzzing since the Tovar trade. Fans see this as a rare win-now move from a front office that has historically played the long game.

"You can feel it in the dugout," Kevin Cash said. "The guys know the front office believes in them. That’s contagious."

Yandy Díaz, never one for hyperbole, was even more direct: “We have the pieces. We just have to play our game. October is right there.”

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Looking Ahead


The Rays enter August sitting 3rd in the AL East, 14 games back of the Yankees but just 1.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot. FanGraphs gives them a 42% chance of making the postseason.

The key will be whether the offense can stay consistent. The Rays have speed, defense, and pitching — but will they hit enough home runs to survive a head-to-head stretch that still includes two series with the Yankees, two with the Orioles, and a West Coast trip through Seattle and Houston?

The final two months promise to be electric. If the Rays sneak into October, this is the kind of team — elite defense, shutdown rotation, now two late-inning bullpen arms — that no one wants to face.

And if they fall short? The future is still bright. Tovar is under control, Caminero will return, and Ronnie Juarez (their top draft pick) is already turning heads in rookie ball.

"This deadline felt different," one AL executive said. "The Rays sent a message — not just to their players, but to the league. They’re not just building for tomorrow. They’re coming for today.”

[Bgrd1080]

Well managed to squeeze a series in between the Georgia/Tennessee game and The Padres game.
Haven't won many so relish the ones we do.

[countryboy]

Cardinals sweep Dodgers to get closer to best record in National League

RECORD: 85-50
DIVISION: 1ST (+8 CIN)
WILDCARD: NA

The Cardinals played what may have been the best 4 games of the season as they swept the Dodgers in St.Louis to begin the week. Every game was decided by one run and every game included late inning heroics. With the sweep the Cardinals are within 2 games of the Dodgers for the best record in the National League. They also extended their lead to 8 games over the Reds.

Of the 4 games two were decided in walk off fashion while the other two were won in the 7th and 8th inning. This 4 game series in late August felt very much like a playoff series. The pitching on both sides were superb and the hitting was timely. Alec Burleson delivered a 2 run walkoff homerun in the series opener on Monday. Nolan Gorman delivered a walk off bases clearing double in the series finale on Thursday. Tuesday the Cardinals took the lead when Matt Vierling singled home two in the 8th to break a 2-2 tie, on Wednesday it was a Jackson Holliday solo homerun in the 7th that proved the difference. The bullpen was extremely solid allowing just a single run over the 4 games.

The only downside to the series was Ryan Helsley leaving Wednesday night's game with arm issues that landed him on the 15 Day IL. Other than that, the Cardinals couldn't have asked for a better 4 game outcome against the defending World Series Champions.

Up next is a 3 game series in Boston against the Red Sox.

[countryboy]

Cardinals drop series to Red Sox in Boston over the weekend

RECORD: 86-52
DIVISION: 1ST (+7 CIN)
WILDCARD: N/A

After sweeping the Dodgers to begin the week, the Cardinals concluded the week losing 2 of 3 to the Red Sox in Boston. For as good as the bullpen was in the series prior, they were equally as inconsistent this series. The Cardinals lost Friday night as Luke Weaver would give up 4 runs without recording an out allowing the Red Sox to go from a 4-2 deficit to a 6-4 lead and eventual win. On Saturday the Cardinals were able to get the win 5-1 but again Sunday the Cardinals had a lead late but Andre Pallante and Alex Vesia would allow 3 runs each to give the Red Sox a 7-2 win after trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 7th.

Not having Ryan Helsley is proving to be a big concern for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will return home on Monday as they welcome the Braves to town for a 3 game series over 4 days.

[countryboy]

Cardinals swept by Braves

RECORD: 86-55
DIVISION: 1ST (+5 CIN)
WILDCARD: N/A

The Cardinals continue to struggle after a big 4 game series sweep against the Dodgers. The Cardinals were swept at home by the Braves to begin the week. The Braves bats just destroyed the Cardinals pitching. On Monday the Braves beat the Cardinals 12-2 collecting 5 homeruns over the 9 innings. After an off day Tuesday, the Cardinals committed 5 errors as they wasted an offensive output of 8 runs as the Braves captalized on the errors in a 15-8 win. On Thursday, the Cardinals pitching gave up 4 homeruns as the Braves won 10-3.

The Cardinals are now 4 games behind the Dodgers for the best record but even more worrisome, their divisional lead has dwindled to the 5 games over the Reds.

Next up is a 3 game series in Chicago against the Cubs. This will be the final 3 games between the two this year.

[The Gamer]

Worrell Writes His Name Into History

KANSAS CITY — May 30, 2025
The Detroit Tigers walked into Kauffman Stadium on Friday night and walked out with a piece of history. Tim Worrell, the veteran right-hander who had been searching for consistency all season, delivered the game of his life: a complete-game no-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Royals.

Worrell needed just 118 pitches to mow through Kansas City’s lineup, striking out six and allowing only three walks. He induced two key double plays to erase base runners and kept a restless Royals crowd quiet inning after inning.

“This game reminds you why you love baseball,” Tigers skipper said afterward. “Tim had everything working — command, movement, poise. The Royals never had a chance to square him up.”

The Tigers gave him breathing room offensively. Joe Randa broke the ice with a solo homer and later added an RBI single, while Frank Catalanotto doubled in three runs. Juan Encarnación and Damion Easley swiped bags to apply more pressure.

The only blemishes came on the basepaths and in the field — Luis Gonzalez was caught stealing twice and committed an error — but none of it mattered. The scoreboard told the story: nine innings, zero hits.


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Page 2: Box Score & Notes

Final: Tigers 4, Royals 0

Detroit Batting

2B: Frank Catalanotto

HR: Joe Randa

RBI: Randa 2, Catalanotto 3

SB: Juan Encarnación, Damion Easley

CS: Luis Gonzalez 2


Detroit Fielding

E: Luis Gonzalez


Detroit Pitching

Tim Worrell (W, 3-5): 9.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO — No-Hitter


Kansas City Batting

Johnny Damon: 0-3, BB

Jose Offerman: 0-3, BB

Dean Palmer: 0-2, BB

Mike Sweeney: 0-2, BB

Jeff King: 0-3, GIDP

Jermaine Dye: 0-3, GIDP

Hal Morris, Jeff Conine, Scott Leius all 0-3


Kansas City Totals: 25 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 3 BB, 6 SO

Key Notes

Royals grounded into two double plays.

Detroit outhit Kansas City 8-0.

Worrell’s ERA drops to 4.78 after the gem.

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[The Gamer]

May Award leaders

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[The Gamer]

Standings, league leaders and all star voting through May

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[countryboy]

Cardinals bounce back to take series from Cubs

RECORD: 88-56
DIVISION: 1ST (+5 CIN)
WILDCARD: N/A

The Cardinals bounced back after being swept by the Braves by taking the series against the Cubs in Wrigley. The Cardinals won Friday night as the offense exploded for 18 runs on 22 hits including 6 homeruns by 6 different hitters. Then as typical, the Cards were shutout 2-0 on Saturday with just 3 hits. Sunday the Cards scored 4 in the top of the 8th and 2 in the Top of the 9th erase a 7-2 deficit to win 8-7 and take the series.

The Cardinals will now travel west for a 3 game series with the Angels.

[countryboy]

Cardinals sweep Angels as big series with Reds looms

RECORD: 91-56
DIVISION: 1ST (+6 CIN)
WILDCARD: NA

The Cardinals swept the Angels on the road to begin the week and in turn extended their division lead to 6 games with 15 games left in the regular season. The Cardinals will now face the Reds for a big 3 game weekend series in St.Louis as a series sweep could all but secure the division. Get swept, and things get very interesting over the last 12 games especially with 3 of those against the Reds next weekend.

The Cardinals dominated this three game series with the Angels. The Cards outscored the Halos 26-3 over the series. The Cardinals mashed a dozen homeruns and racked up 11 stolen baes over the 3 games. This type of series has to bold well for the confidence heading into the big series with the Reds this weekend.

[Itsma806]

2026 Houston Astros 06/15-06/18

Overall Record: 36-38 (1st AL West/0.5 over Seattle)

Game Results:

Game 1
Red Sox-5
Astros-4

Game 2
Astros-5
Red Sox-3

Game 3
Red Sox-3
Astros-2

Game 4
Red Sox-14
Astros-4

Houston's series streak comes to an end with 1-3 loss to Boston.

Well atleast we are still in first place. Houston really could have won this series as they had late leads in both the first and third games of the series but the bullpen gave them up. The last game was horrible as the wind was blowing out of Fenway hard and the Astros seemed to have missed that memo.

Boston had six homeruns, two triples and five doubles in that game for a absurd 13 extra base hits. That obviously wouldnt bode well for Houston who only managed six total hits of their own. The light did come on at the end of the game at least for Christian Walker who had a two homeruns late. His second was hit over the monster and out of the park for what was the longest homerun of the day (474 feet) beating Boston's Masataka Yoshida's deep ball to RF by just one foot (473).

Obviously the West cant stay this bad forever right? We will see as Houston heads home welcome the third place Rangers (35-40) to town.