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picks · 18 min read

Cardinals and Cubs Battle for NL Central Supremacy

Today, we have 13 MLB games to look forward to, including the St. Louis Cardinals facing off against the Chicago Cubs in a classic rivalry matchup.

Analyst
Analysis and editorial

Thirteen games across the league, each one brimming with potential storylines that'll keep us on our toes all day long.

The Cardinals head north to face the Cubbies in a battle of division rivals. St. Louis has been on a tear lately, while Chicago's offense seems to be sputtering. Can the Cards continue their momentum or will the Cubs find a way to slow them down?

Meanwhile, over in the AL East, the Yankees welcome the Twins for a showdown at Yankee Stadium. New York's been playing some solid baseball as of late, but Minnesota's no pushover. This one could go either way, and we can't wait to see it play out.

Out west, the Dodgers host the Padres in what promises to be a high-scoring affair. Both teams have potent offenses, so expect plenty of runs and some thrilling baseball. But don't sleep on the Diamondbacks taking on the Brewers – Arizona's been surprising folks this season, and Milwaukee's no slouch either.

Elsewhere, we've got a couple of interleague matchups that should be fun to watch: the Mets face off against the Braves in Atlanta, while the Red Sox travel out west to take on the Angels. These games could go either way, so it'll be interesting to see how they shake out.

And let's not forget about the underdogs – teams like the Pirates, Orioles, and Reds, who are looking to pull off an upset against their more formidable opponents. It might be a long shot, but stranger things have happened in this game we love.

So buckle up, folks. Today's slate is shaping up to be one for the ages, and we can't wait to see how it all unfolds.

Today's MLB Slate

  • St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs (4:05 PM ET)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates @ Washington Nationals (6:45 PM ET)
  • Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees (7:05 PM ET)
  • Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Guardians (7:10 PM ET)
  • Baltimore Orioles @ Cincinnati Reds (7:10 PM ET)
  • New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves (7:15 PM ET)
  • San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies (8:10 PM ET)
  • Tampa Bay Rays @ Houston Astros (8:15 PM ET)
  • Boston Red Sox @ Los Angeles Angels (9:38 PM ET)
  • Miami Marlins @ Athletics (9:40 PM ET)
  • Milwaukee Brewers @ Arizona Diamondbacks (9:45 PM ET)
  • San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers (10:10 PM ET)
  • Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners (10:10 PM ET)

Matchup Breakdown

St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs — 4:05 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs renew their rivalry, with both teams looking to solidify their division standings. The Cards have been on a tear lately, but the Cubbies will be eager to prove they're still in the mix.

H2H LAST 5 (St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs)Chicago Cubs 3-2 | Avg margin: +1.2
May 31: L @ St. Louis Cardinals 1-5 (-4) | May 30: W @ St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 (+5) | May 29: L @ St. Louis Cardinals 5-6 (-1) | Sep 28, 2025: W vs St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 (+2) | Sep 27, 2025: W vs St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 (+4)
CHICAGO CUBS LAST 55-0 | Avg score: 9-3 | Avg margin: +6.0
Jul 01: W vs San Diego Padres 23-3 (+20) | Jun 30: W vs San Diego Padres 9-7 (+2) | Jun 29: W vs San Diego Padres 3-2 (+1) | Jun 28: W @ Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 (+1) | Jun 27: W @ Milwaukee Brewers 8-2 (+6)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 4-4 | Avg margin: +0.2
Jul 02: W @ Atlanta Braves 11-5 (+6) | Jul 01: L @ Atlanta Braves 1-5 (-4) | Jun 30: W @ Atlanta Braves 5-3 (+2) | Jun 28: W vs Miami Marlins 2-1 (+1) | Jun 27: L vs Miami Marlins 1-5 (-4)
CHICAGO CUBS RECENT STATS8.2 PPG (L10) | 4.0 allowed (L10) | +4.2 diff | 9-1 L10
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS RECENT STATS3.6 PPG (L10) | 4.9 allowed (L10) | -1.3 diff | 4-6 L10
INJURIES — Chicago CubsEdward Cabrera (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-27); Jameson Taillon (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-10); Ethan Roberts (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Matt Shaw (10-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2026-07-09); Daniel Palencia (15-Day-IL — Tendinitis, return: 2026-07-21); Hoby Milner (15-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-27); Phil Maton (15-Day-IL — Tendinitis, return: 2026-07-11); Ben Brown (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-08-21); Justin Steele (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01); Riley Martin (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-07); Hunter Harvey (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-07); Porter Hodge (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-05-01); Shelby Miller (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-09-15); Cade Horton (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-08-01); Tyler Austin (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-17)
INJURIES — St. Louis CardinalsDustin May (Day-To-Day — Bruise, return: 2026-07-07); Ramon Urias (60-Day-IL — Tendinitis, return: 2026-07-24)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Chicago Cubs: #1, score: 95.7, L10: 9-1, ATS: 70% | St. Louis Cardinals: #22, score: 33.5, L10: 4-6, ATS: 33%

Pittsburgh Pirates @ Washington Nationals — 6:45 PM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates travel to Washington Nationals, hoping to build momentum after a few tough losses. The Nats, meanwhile, are looking to keep their winning streak alive and move up in the standings.

H2H LAST 5 (Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals)Washington Nationals 3-2 | Avg margin: -2.0
Apr 16: W @ Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 (+1) | Apr 15: L @ Pittsburgh Pirates 0-2 (-2) | Apr 14: W @ Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 (+1) | Apr 13: L @ Pittsburgh Pirates 5-16 (-11) | Sep 14, 2025: W vs Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 (+1)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS LAST 54-1 | Avg score: 6-3 | Avg margin: +3.0
Jul 01: W @ Boston Red Sox 10-2 (+8) | Jun 30: W @ Boston Red Sox 8-1 (+7) | Jun 29: L @ Boston Red Sox 3-6 (-3) | Jun 28: W @ Baltimore Orioles 6-4 (+2) | Jun 27: W @ Baltimore Orioles 4-3 (+1)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 6-6 | Avg margin: +0.4
Jul 02: W @ Philadelphia Phillies 6-1 (+5) | Jul 01: L @ Philadelphia Phillies 6-10 (-4) | Jun 30: L @ Philadelphia Phillies 0-8 (-8) | Jun 29: W @ Philadelphia Phillies 11-7 (+4) | Jun 28: W vs Cincinnati Reds 9-4 (+5)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS RECENT STATS5.4 PPG (L10) | 4.9 allowed (L10) | +0.5 diff | 5-5 L10
PITTSBURGH PIRATES RECENT STATS6.3 PPG (L10) | 5.5 allowed (L10) | +0.8 diff | 5-5 L10
INJURIES — Washington NationalsMitchell Parker (60-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2027-09-01); Richard Lovelady (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Trevor Williams (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-29); Jake Irvin (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); DJ Herz (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-08-15); Max Kranick (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-05); Ken Waldichuk (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-06-01); Josiah Gray (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-08-01)
INJURIES — Pittsburgh PiratesJared Jones (Day-To-Day — Not Specified, return: 2026-07-04); Spencer Horwitz (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Oneil Cruz (10-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-17); Wilber Dotel (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-05); Chris Devenski (60-Day-IL — Not Specified, return: 2026-07-05)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Washington Nationals: #13, score: 52.2, L10: 5-5, ATS: 50% | Pittsburgh Pirates: #14, score: 51.4, L10: 5-5, ATS: 67%

Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees — 7:05 PM ET

New York Yankees welcome Minnesota Twins for an AL East showdown. Both teams have been playing well recently, making this matchup one of the most anticipated games of the week.

H2H LAST 5 (Minnesota Twins vs New York Yankees)New York Yankees 3-2 | Avg margin: +0.8
Sep 17, 2025: W @ Minnesota Twins 10-5 (+5) | Sep 16, 2025: W @ Minnesota Twins 10-9 (+1) | Sep 15, 2025: L @ Minnesota Twins 0-7 (-7) | Aug 13, 2025: L vs Minnesota Twins 1-4 (-3) | Aug 12, 2025: W vs Minnesota Twins 9-1 (+8)
NEW YORK YANKEES LAST 50-5 | Avg score: 3-6 | Avg margin: -3.6
Jul 01: L vs Detroit Tigers 2-6 (-4) | Jun 30: L vs Detroit Tigers 3-9 (-6) | Jun 29: L vs Detroit Tigers 3-7 (-4) | Jun 28: L @ Boston Red Sox 4-5 (-1) | Jun 27: L @ Boston Red Sox 1-4 (-3)
MINNESOTA TWINS LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 5-5 | Avg margin: +0.4
Jul 01: W @ Houston Astros 8-3 (+5) | Jun 30: L @ Houston Astros 4-6 (-2) | Jun 29: W @ Houston Astros 5-4 (+1) | Jun 28: W vs Colorado Rockies 3-2 (+1) | Jun 27: L vs Colorado Rockies 5-8 (-3)
NEW YORK YANKEES RECENT STATS2.8 PPG (L10) | 5.3 allowed (L10) | -2.5 diff | 2-8 L10
MINNESOTA TWINS RECENT STATS4.5 PPG (L10) | 5.1 allowed (L10) | -0.6 diff | 5-5 L10
INJURIES — New York YankeesRyan McMahon (10-Day-IL — Infection, return: 2026-07-05); Max Fried (15-Day-IL — Bruise, return: 2026-07-24); Giancarlo Stanton (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Aaron Judge (10-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-08-03); Clarke Schmidt (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-08-01)
INJURIES — Minnesota TwinsAnthony Banda (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-09-01); Bailey Ober (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-09); Mick Abel (15-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-09-01); Ryan Jeffers (10-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-17); Garrett Acton (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Cole Sands (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-11); David Festa (60-Day-IL — Pinched Nerve, return: 2026-07-24); Pablo Lopez (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-04-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)New York Yankees: #30, score: 10.9, L10: 2-8, ATS: 11% | Minnesota Twins: #15, score: 48.0, L10: 5-5, ATS: 56%

Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Guardians — 7:10 PM ET

Chicago White Sox visit Cleveland Guardians with both teams fighting to stay in the playoff race. The Guardians are riding a hot streak, but the Sox will be determined to turn things around.

H2H LAST 5 (Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians)Cleveland Guardians 3-2 | Avg margin: +0.2
Jul 02: W vs Chicago White Sox 6-5 (+1) | Jun 24: W @ Chicago White Sox 4-3 (+1) | Jun 23: L @ Chicago White Sox 1-2 (-1) | Jun 22: L @ Chicago White Sox 5-6 (-1) | Sep 14, 2025: W vs Chicago White Sox 3-2 (+1)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 5-5 | Avg margin: +0.4
Jul 02: W vs Chicago White Sox 6-5 (+1) | Jul 01: W vs Texas Rangers 9-4 (+5) | Jun 30: L vs Texas Rangers 2-4 (-2) | Jun 29: L vs Texas Rangers 3-6 (-3) | Jun 28: W vs Seattle Mariners 6-5 (+1)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX LAST 52-3 | Avg score: 5-4 | Avg margin: +1.0
Jul 02: L @ Cleveland Guardians 5-6 (-1) | Jul 01: L @ Baltimore Orioles 1-6 (-5) | Jun 30: W @ Baltimore Orioles 9-3 (+6) | Jun 29: W @ Baltimore Orioles 8-2 (+6) | Jun 28: L vs Kansas City Royals 4-5 (-1)
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS RECENT STATS3.6 PPG (L10) | 3.8 allowed (L10) | -0.2 diff | 4-6 L10
CHICAGO WHITE SOX RECENT STATS6.1 PPG (L10) | 3.3 allowed (L10) | +2.8 diff | 6-4 L10
INJURIES — Cleveland GuardiansJose Ramirez (10-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-24); Angel Martinez (10-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-17)
INJURIES — Chicago White SoxMunetaka Murakami (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-07); Everson Pereira (7-Day IL — Concussion, return: 2026-07-07); Tyler Gilbert (15-Day-IL — Pinched Nerve, return: 2026-07-07); Austin Hays (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-07); Jordan Leasure (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-28); Ky Bush (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-17); Drew Thorpe (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-11); Prelander Berroa (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-17); Mike Vasil (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-07-01); Tanner Murray (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-09-01); Brooks Baldwin (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Cleveland Guardians: #17, score: 43.0, L10: 4-6, ATS: 57% | Chicago White Sox: #8, score: 66.2, L10: 6-4, ATS: 50%

Baltimore Orioles @ Cincinnati Reds — 7:10 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles face off against Cincinnati Reds, with both teams looking for a much-needed win. The O's have struggled lately, while the Reds have been inconsistent – making this game a must-watch for fans of underdog stories.

H2H LAST 5 (Baltimore Orioles vs Cincinnati Reds)Cincinnati Reds 2-3 | Avg margin: +2.4
Apr 20, 2025: W @ Baltimore Orioles 24-2 (+22) | Apr 19, 2025: L @ Baltimore Orioles 5-9 (-4) | Apr 18, 2025: W @ Baltimore Orioles 8-3 (+5) | May 05, 2024: L vs Baltimore Orioles 1-11 (-10) | May 04, 2024: L vs Baltimore Orioles 1-2 (-1)
CINCINNATI REDS LAST 51-4 | Avg score: 4-5 | Avg margin: -1.8
Jul 02: W @ Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 (+5) | Jul 01: L @ Milwaukee Brewers 2-4 (-2) | Jun 30: L @ Milwaukee Brewers 2-7 (-5) | Jun 29: L @ Milwaukee Brewers 3-5 (-2) | Jun 28: L @ Pittsburgh Pirates 4-9 (-5)
BALTIMORE ORIOLES LAST 51-4 | Avg score: 4-6 | Avg margin: -2.0
Jul 01: W vs Chicago White Sox 6-1 (+5) | Jun 30: L vs Chicago White Sox 3-9 (-6) | Jun 29: L vs Chicago White Sox 2-8 (-6) | Jun 28: L vs Washington Nationals 4-6 (-2) | Jun 27: L vs Washington Nationals 3-4 (-1)
CINCINNATI REDS RECENT STATS3.6 PPG (L10) | 4.7 allowed (L10) | -1.1 diff | 3-7 L10
BALTIMORE ORIOLES RECENT STATS4.6 PPG (L10) | 4.3 allowed (L10) | +0.3 diff | 4-6 L10
INJURIES — Cincinnati RedsGraham Ashcraft (60-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2026-08-01); Hunter Greene (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-04); Dane Myers (10-Day-IL — Bruise, return: 2026-07-17); Ke'Bryan Hayes (10-Day-IL — Not Specified, return: 2026-07-07); Brandon Williamson (60-Day-IL — Soreness, return: 2026-08-01); Blake Dunn (10-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2026-07-07); Tony Santillan (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-08-01)
INJURIES — Baltimore OriolesKeegan Akin (15-Day-IL — Soreness, return: 2026-07-17); Yaramil Hiraldo (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-17); Felix Bautista (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-09-07); Colin Selby (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-08-01); Chris Bassitt (15-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-31); Ryan Mountcastle (60-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-07); Jordan Westburg (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-03-01); Zach Eflin (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-07-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Cincinnati Reds: #25, score: 27.4, L10: 3-7, ATS: 50% | Baltimore Orioles: #18, score: 40.2, L10: 4-6, ATS: 50%

New York Mets @ Atlanta Braves — 7:15 PM ET

New York Mets take on Atlanta Braves in an NL East battle. The Mets are currently leading the division, but the Braves are hungry to reclaim their spot atop the standings.

H2H LAST 5 (New York Mets vs Atlanta Braves)Atlanta Braves 2-3 | Avg margin: -2.6
Jun 14: L @ New York Mets 1-8 (-7) | Jun 13: W @ New York Mets 3-1 (+2) | Jun 12: L @ New York Mets 5-7 (-2) | Aug 24, 2025: W vs New York Mets 4-3 (+1) | Aug 23, 2025: L vs New York Mets 2-9 (-7)
ATLANTA BRAVES LAST 51-4 | Avg score: 3-5 | Avg margin: -2.0
Jul 02: L vs St. Louis Cardinals 5-11 (-6) | Jul 01: W vs St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 (+4) | Jun 30: L vs St. Louis Cardinals 3-5 (-2) | Jun 28: L @ San Francisco Giants 2-3 (-1) | Jun 27: L @ San Francisco Giants 0-5 (-5)
NEW YORK METS LAST 52-3 | Avg score: 3-4 | Avg margin: -0.2
Jul 01: L @ Toronto Blue Jays 3-9 (-6) | Jun 30: W @ Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 (+3) | Jun 29: L @ Toronto Blue Jays 1-2 (-1) | Jun 28: L vs Philadelphia Phillies 4-5 (-1) | Jun 27: W vs Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 (+4)
ATLANTA BRAVES RECENT STATS2.9 PPG (L10) | 4.0 allowed (L10) | -1.1 diff | 3-7 L10
NEW YORK METS RECENT STATS3.5 PPG (L10) | 5.3 allowed (L10) | -1.8 diff | 2-8 L10
INJURIES — Atlanta BravesAJ Smith-Shawver (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-28); Ronald Acuna Jr. (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Spencer Schwellenbach (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-08-25); Robert Suarez (15-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-20); Kyle Farmer (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-04); Spencer Strider (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-08-25); Sean Murphy (60-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-17); Joe Jimenez (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-08-01); Joey Wentz (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01)
INJURIES — New York MetsLuis Robert Jr. (60-Day-IL — Not Specified, return: 2026-07-16); Marcus Semien (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-08-01); Clay Holmes (60-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-27); Jorge Polanco (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-07); Dedniel Nunez (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-24); Reed Garrett (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01); Justin Hagenman (60-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-17); Tylor Megill (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Atlanta Braves: #26, score: 26.2, L10: 3-7, ATS: 22% | New York Mets: #27, score: 22.0, L10: 2-8, ATS: 60%

San Francisco Giants @ Colorado Rockies — 8:10 PM ET

San Francisco Giants travel to Colorado Rockies for a matchup that could have big implications for both teams' playoff hopes. The Giants have been playing well recently, while the Rockies will be eager to prove they can compete with the league's best.

H2H LAST 5 (San Francisco Giants vs Colorado Rockies)Colorado Rockies 2-3 | Avg margin: -2.2
May 31: L vs San Francisco Giants 6-19 (-13) | May 30: W vs San Francisco Giants 8-3 (+5) | May 29: W vs San Francisco Giants 8-6 (+2) | Sep 28, 2025: L @ San Francisco Giants 0-4 (-4) | Sep 27, 2025: L @ San Francisco Giants 3-4 (-1)
COLORADO ROCKIES LAST 52-3 | Avg score: 6-7 | Avg margin: -0.4
Jul 02: W vs Miami Marlins 14-4 (+10) | Jul 01: W vs Miami Marlins 6-3 (+3) | Jun 30: L vs Miami Marlins 3-14 (-11) | Jun 29: L vs Miami Marlins 7-10 (-3) | Jun 28: L @ Minnesota Twins 2-3 (-1)
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 4-4 | Avg margin: +0.2
Jul 01: W @ Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 (+2) | Jun 30: L @ Arizona Diamondbacks 2-8 (-6) | Jun 29: L @ Arizona Diamondbacks 4-5 (-1) | Jun 28: W vs Atlanta Braves 3-2 (+1) | Jun 27: W vs Atlanta Braves 5-0 (+5)
COLORADO ROCKIES RECENT STATS5.3 PPG (L10) | 6.5 allowed (L10) | -1.2 diff | 4-6 L10
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS RECENT STATS3.0 PPG (L10) | 3.7 allowed (L10) | -0.7 diff | 4-6 L10
INJURIES — Colorado RockiesBlas Castano (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Jaden Hill (15-Day-IL — Tendinitis, return: 2026-07-17); Brenton Doyle (10-Day-IL — Bruise, return: 2026-07-06); Chase Dollander (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-04-01); Welinton Herrera (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-07-01); McCade Brown (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-20); Jose Quintana (60-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2026-07-24); RJ Petit (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-06-01); Pierson Ohl (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-04-01); Kris Bryant (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-08-01)
INJURIES — San Francisco GiantsMatt Chapman (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-10); Keaton Winn (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-09); Joel Peguero (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-31); Harrison Bader (10-Day-IL — Plantar Fasciitis, return: 2026-07-06); Daniel Susac (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-06); Jason Foley (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-04); Rowan Wick (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01); Hayden Birdsong (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-06-01); Randy Rodriguez (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01); Jose Butto (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Colorado Rockies: #20, score: 37.7, L10: 4-6, ATS: 60% | San Francisco Giants: #19, score: 38.0, L10: 4-6, ATS: 50%

Tampa Bay Rays @ Houston Astros — 8:15 PM ET

Tampa Bay Rays face off against Houston Astros in an AL West showdown. Both teams are among the league leaders, making this game one of the most anticipated matchups of the week. The Rays have been on a roll lately, but the Astros will be determined to defend their home turf.

H2H LAST 5 (Tampa Bay Rays vs Houston Astros)Houston Astros 2-3 | Avg margin: -5.0
Jun 01, 2025: W vs Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 (+1) | May 31, 2025: L vs Tampa Bay Rays 3-16 (-13) | May 30, 2025: W vs Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 (+1) | May 29, 2025: L vs Tampa Bay Rays 3-13 (-10) | May 21, 2025: L @ Tampa Bay Rays 4-8 (-4)
HOUSTON ASTROS LAST 53-2 | Avg score: 6-6 | Avg margin: +0.0
Jul 01: L vs Minnesota Twins 3-8 (-5) | Jun 30: W vs Minnesota Twins 6-4 (+2) | Jun 29: L vs Minnesota Twins 4-5 (-1) | Jun 28: W @ Detroit Tigers 7-5 (+2) | Jun 27: W @ Detroit Tigers 8-6 (+2)
TAMPA BAY RAYS LAST 55-0 | Avg score: 6-2 | Avg margin: +3.8
Jul 02: W @ Kansas City Royals 5-2 (+3) | Jul 01: W @ Kansas City Royals 4-0 (+4) | Jun 30: W @ Kansas City Royals 10-4 (+6) | Jun 28: W vs Arizona Diamondbacks 5-1 (+4) | Jun 27: W vs Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2 (+2)
HOUSTON ASTROS RECENT STATS4.4 PPG (L10) | 4.9 allowed (L10) | -0.5 diff | 6-4 L10
TAMPA BAY RAYS RECENT STATS5.7 PPG (L10) | 3.0 allowed (L10) | +2.7 diff | 8-2 L10
INJURIES — Houston AstrosBraden Shewmake (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-06); Lance McCullers Jr. (15-Day-IL — Pinched Nerve, return: 2026-07-12); Ronel Blanco (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-17); Kai-Wei Teng (15-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2026-07-17); Jeremy Pena (10-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-10); Bennett Sousa (15-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-17); Hayden Wesneski (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-08-01); Brandon Walter (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01); Carlos Correa (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01)
INJURIES — Tampa Bay RaysJesse Scholtens (15-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-17); Jake Fraley (10-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-10); Steven Matz (15-Day-IL — Sprain, return: 2026-07-09); Edwin Uceta (60-Day-IL — Strain, return: 2026-07-24); Manuel Rodriguez (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2026-07-17); Gavin Lux (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-10); Jonathan Heasley (60-Day-IL — Fracture, return: 2026-07-28); Steven Wilson (60-Day-IL — Inflammation, return: 2026-07-17); Ryan Pepiot (60-Day-IL — Surgery, return: 2027-02-01)
RANKINGS (last 10g)Houston Astros: #12, score: 53.8, L10: 6-4, ATS: 50% | Tampa Bay Rays: #2, score: 81.1, L10: 8-2, ATS: 67%

More From Today's Slate

Boston Red Sox @ Los Angeles Angels — 9:38 PM ET

Red Sox and Angels meet in a battle of struggling teams, both looking to turn things around.

BOSTON RED SOX LAST 31-2 | Avg score: 3-7 | Avg margin: -4.0
Jul 01: L vs Washington Nationals 2-10 (-8) | Jun 30: L vs Washington Nationals 1-8 (-7) | Jun 29: W vs Washington Nationals 6-3 (+3)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS LAST 30-3 | Avg score: 2-5 | Avg margin: -3.3
Jul 02: L @ Seattle Mariners 0-1 (-1) | Jun 30: L @ Seattle Mariners 3-8 (-5) | Jun 29: L @ Seattle Mariners 2-6 (-4)

Miami Marlins @ Athletics — 9:40 PM ET

Marlins face A's in a matchup between two teams near the bottom of the standings.

MIAMI MARLINS LAST 31-2 | Avg score: 7-8 | Avg margin: -0.7
Jul 02: L @ Colorado Rockies 4-14 (-10) | Jul 01: L @ Colorado Rockies 3-6 (-3) | Jun 30: W @ Colorado Rockies 14-3 (+11)
ATHLETICS LAST 31-2 | Avg score: 5-6 | Avg margin: -1.7
Jul 01: W vs Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 (+6) | Jun 30: L vs Los Angeles Dodgers 3-9 (-6) | Jun 29: L vs Los Angeles Dodgers 4-9 (-5)

Milwaukee Brewers @ Arizona Diamondbacks — 9:45 PM ET

Brewers visit D-backs, with both teams hoping to build momentum after recent losses.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS LAST 32-1 | Avg score: 4-4 | Avg margin: +0.7
Jul 02: L vs Cincinnati Reds 2-7 (-5) | Jul 01: W vs Cincinnati Reds 4-2 (+2) | Jun 30: W vs Cincinnati Reds 7-2 (+5)
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS LAST 32-1 | Avg score: 6-4 | Avg margin: +1.7
Jul 01: L vs San Francisco Giants 4-6 (-2) | Jun 30: W vs San Francisco Giants 8-2 (+6) | Jun 29: W vs San Francisco Giants 5-4 (+1)

San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers — 10:10 PM ET

Padres take on Dodgers in an NL West showdown, as both teams look to establish dominance.

SAN DIEGO PADRES LAST 30-3 | Avg score: 4-12 | Avg margin: -7.7
Jul 01: L @ Chicago Cubs 3-23 (-20) | Jun 30: L @ Chicago Cubs 7-9 (-2) | Jun 29: L @ Chicago Cubs 2-3 (-1)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS LAST 32-1 | Avg score: 6-5 | Avg margin: +1.7
Jul 01: L @ Athletics 1-7 (-6) | Jun 30: W @ Athletics 9-3 (+6) | Jun 29: W @ Athletics 9-4 (+5)

Toronto Blue Jays @ Seattle Mariners — 10:10 PM ET

Blue Jays travel to Mariners for a matchup between two teams that have been playing well recently.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS LAST 32-1 | Avg score: 4-2 | Avg margin: +1.3
Jul 01: W vs New York Mets 9-3 (+6) | Jun 30: L vs New York Mets 0-3 (-3) | Jun 29: W vs New York Mets 2-1 (+1)
SEATTLE MARINERS LAST 33-0 | Avg score: 5-2 | Avg margin: +3.3
Jul 02: W vs Los Angeles Angels 1-0 (+1) | Jun 30: W vs Los Angeles Angels 8-3 (+5) | Jun 29: W vs Los Angeles Angels 6-2 (+4)

Final Word

As we wrap up this week's MLB action on Friday, there are 13 exciting matchups to look forward to. One game that stands out is the St. Louis Cardinals taking on the Chicago Cubs. Both teams have been playing well recently and it should be a competitive showdown between two of baseball's oldest rivals. The Cardinals will be looking to extend their winning streak, while the Cubs will be hoping to snap their losing skid. Let's enjoy the games!

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