The Baseball Buffet for 7/6/2025

Issue #327

What follows is a new feature for 2025 at Now Taking the Field. The goal with The Baseball Buffet series is to provide the best daily dose of relevant baseball info in a smart-brevity format (mostly short bullets, getting to the point, with quick analysis/insights.) Think of it like what baseball fans of a certain age would look forward to in their morning newspaper’s sports section each day! Let me know what you think of each issue… I can be reached at [email protected].

⚾ Welcome! ⚾

The 101st day of the season had a full slate of Saturday games:

• TBR 5, MIN 6 - The Rays scored their five runs spread across innings three through six, while the Twins tied the game with four in the bottom of the sixth after a 3-run HR by Kody Clemens. The game stayed tied until the bottom of the ninth, when Willi Castro singled to right to advance Byron Buxton to third, and then Brooks Lee singled bunt to first base to drive Buxton home.

• STL 8, CHC 6 - The Cubs built up a 5-3 lead through seven innings, with Michael Busch continuing his hot hitting by going 3-5 with a HR and a double, and Carson Kelly going 2-5 with a HR. But the Cardinals came back with five runs in the top of the eighth, powered by homers from Alec Burleson and Yohel Pozo. Chicago scored a run in the bottom of the eighth, but then St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless ninth for his 17th save.

• LAA 3, TOR 4 - Both teams scored a few runs early, including George Springer hitting a 2-run HR for the Blue Jays. The game was tied 3-3 through nine, and Toronto reliever Braydon Fisher pitched two scoreless innings in extras. Angels reliever Ryan Zeferjahn did the same for the tenth, but in in the bottom of the 11th, he loaded the bases and then with two outs gave up a single to Addison Barger to drive in Myles straw for the winning run.

• BOS 10, WAS 3 - Boston scored two in the first and then piled on seven runs in the third, including a 2-run HR by Ceddanne Rafaela. Romy Gonzalez was 3-5 with 2 doubles, and after Walker Buehler had given up 8 hits and a few runs through five innings, three Red Sox relievers held the Nationals scoreless the rest of the way.

• CIN 1, PHI 5 - The Reds out hit the Phillies 8-5, but other than a HR by Will Benson in the fifth inning, they struggled to score runs going 0-8 with runners in scoring position and stranding nine runners on base overall. Nick Lodolo struck out 8 in 6 innings, but also let up three runs from HR by Edmundo Sosa and Alec Bohm. Kyle Schwarber added a solo HR in the 8th inning, his 27th of the season. Ranger Suárez pitched well (5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) and four Phillies relievers pitched shutout innings the rest of the way.

• KCR 1, AZ 7 - Lourdes Gurriel Jr. went 2-4 with a triple and a double, James McCann was 2-4 with a double, and Randal Grichuk hit a 2-run HR. Meanwhile, Ryne Nelson pitched well (7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) and two D-Backs relievers pitched scoreless innings to close it out.

• BAL 9, ATL 6 - Both teams scored runs early, going back and forth, with Matt Olson and Austin Riley each hitting a HR and a double for Atlanta, while the Orioles had homers from Tyler O’Neill, Jordan Westburg, and Colton Cowser. The game was tied 6-6 through nine innings, and then in the top of the tenth, doubles by Ramon Laureano and Jacob Stallings drove in three runs. Baltimore’s Yennier Cano came in and pitched a scoreless bottom of the tenth for his first save of 2025.

• PIT 0, SEA 1 - Pirates leadoff hitter Spencer Horwitz had two singles—but that is all the Pittsburgh offense would get in this one. Luis Castillo was excellent (7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K), and Matt Brash and Andrés Muñoz combined for the 2-hit shutout, with Muñoz picking up his 20th save. The Mariners only managed to get five hits, with Mike Burrows pitching well (5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K). They scored their lone run in the sixth inning off Caleb Ferguson when Ben Williamson doubled to right to drive in Jorge Polanco from third.

• NYY 6, NYM 12 - The different in this one came down to homers. The Yankees had three, but they were all solo blasts from Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells, and Anthony Volpe. The Mets on the other hand got a grand slam from Brandon Nimmo (his second in four days), and both a 2-run HR and 3-run HR from Pete Alonso.

• MIL 2, MIA 4 - Jackson Chourio was 3-4 with a stolen base, a double, and scored both of the Brewers’ runs. Kyle Stowers hit a HR in the second inning, and the game was tied 2-2 through seven. In the bottom of the eighth, Milwaukee reliever Nick Mears got into trouble by loading the bases with no outs. He struck out Connor Norby, and got a force out at home on an Otto Lopez grounder. But then Agustín Ramírez singled to left to drive in what would be the decisive two runs.

• DET 1, CLE 0 - This was a good pitchers duel, with both starters doing well: Casey Mize (7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) and Logan Allen (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Spencer Torkelson had the two hits off Allen, and one was a solo HR, his 20th on the year, and the difference in this game.

• HOU 6, LAD 4 - On his birthday, Shohei Ohtani pitched two innings of scoreless ball, striking out the side in the second inning. Unfortunately Justin Wrobleski gave up some hits and runs as the bulk innings pitcher (4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K), including a HR by Yainer Diaz. Mookie Betts and Miguel Rojas each had a HR off Framber Valdez, but then three Astros relievers shut them out over the final three innings, with Josh Hader notching his MLB-leading 25th save.

• CHW 10, COL 3 - The Rockies spread around 11 hits, including a late pinch hit HR by Brenton Doyle, but their three runs weren’t nearly enough. The White Sox tallied 15 hits, including 2-run homers by Lenyn Sosa and Michael Tucker. Batting fifth, SS Colson Montgomery was 3-5 with a triple in his second major league game.

• TEX 7, SDP 4 - Luis Arraez went 4-5 with four singles, and Jake Cronenworth was 2-3 with a walk and a HR. But the Rangers had 11 hits, including Josh Smith going 2-5 with a HR, and catcher Kyle Kigashioka having a big day going 3-3 with a HR and 5 RBI.

• SFG 7, ATH 2 - Logan Webb gave up five doubles, but otherwise pitched well overall (6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K), with three Giants relievers holding the Athletics scoreless the rest of the way. San Francisco’s scoring came from a solo HR by Heliot Ramos, Willy Adames going 3-5 with 4 RBI, and Brett Wisely going 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI.

I plan to start including the current standings in some form here, but until then… here is a link to the official standings at MLB.com.

Today’s Trivia Question

Nolan Ryan pitched 27 years in the major leagues, including 5,386 innings. Only one player hit a walk-off HR against him—can you name him? (Hint: he didn’t hit very many HR in his career, but will likely make the Hall of Fame nonetheless).

Trivia answer is at the bottom of the newsletter.

Who’s on the move?

In this section I won’t list 26th-man moves, or every time a team shuttles relievers back and forth to AAA to keep a stock of fresh arms in the bullpen. I’ll focus on the biggest, more impactful demotions, promotions, and injury list changes (for a full list, see all the latest MLB transactions).

➕ Sent on a Rehab Assignment

• BOS SP Hunter Dobbins

• SEA RP Collin Snyder

• PIT SP Johan Oviedo

• NYM SP Kodai Senga

🤕 Placed on the IL

• TOR RP Yimi Garcia - 15-day IL (left ankle sprain)

Also of note, it seems likely that NYY SP Clarke Schmidt will undergo Tommy John surgery and so will be out for the rest of the season (and part of next year too).

📝 Signed as Free Agent

• HOU RP Héctor Neris

• NYM RP Zach Pop

• TEX 1B Rowdy Tellez

MLB Debut Yesterday

Here I’ll try to keep up with players who just made their MLB debut the day before!

• MIN RP Travis Adams - The 25-year old struggled in his MLB debut, entering in the third inning but giving up nine hits and five runs over four innings of work. Before the call-up Adams had been both a starter and reliever for AAA St. Paul this year, with a 3.68 ERA and 58 K in 63.2 IP.

• TOR RP Lázaro Estrada - The 26-year old did fairly well in a long relief role (4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K), with the Jays eventually beating the Twins in extra innings. Before the call-up Estrada has been mostly a starting pitcher in the minors, throwing this year at AAA Buffalo with a 4.75 ERA and 66 K in 60.2 IP.

• NYY RP Jayvien Sandridge - The 26-year old pitched in the seventh inning (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 2 Bb, 2 K) of the Yankees 12-6 loss to the Mets. Before the call-up Sandridge pitched in 13 games in relief across three minor league levels in 2025, with a 2.35 ERA and 26 K in 15.1 IP.

League Leaders

Yesterday Boston’s Jarren Duran became the first to reach double-digit triples this year:

• 10 - BOS Jarren Duran

• 9 - AZ Corbin Carroll

• 8 - DET Zach McKinstry

• 7 - SFG Jung Hoo Lee

• 7 - LAD Shohei Ohtani

• 5 - COL Mickey Moniak

On this day in baseball history…

Here is what stands out to me for this day in baseball history (for a longer list, see the feature at the Baseball Almanac or the Bullpen feature at Baseball-Reference.com):

📅 On July 6…

• 1933: The first AL/NL All-Star Game is played. As described at baseball-reference.com, “At Chicago's Comiskey Park, the first ever All-Star Game is played. Babe Ruth's two-run home run helps the American League defeat the Senior Circuit, 4-2. John McGraw comes out of retirement to manage the NL squad.”

• 1983: The AL breaks a losing streak and Fred Lynn hits the first ASG Grand Slam. As described at baseball-reference.com, “In the 50th anniversary All-Star Game at Chicago's Comiskey Park, the American League routs the National League, 13-3, for its first win since 1971. The AL breaks the game open with seven runs in the 4th inning, highlighted by Fred Lynn's grand slam - the first ever in All-Star competition. It is Lynn's fourth All-Star homer, tying him with Ted Williams for the American League record.”

• 1986: Bob Horner hits four HR in a game. As described at baseball-reference.com, “Bob Horner becomes the 11th player to hit four home runs in one game, but it isn't enough as the Braves fall to the Expos, 11-8. Horner is only the second to hit his four home runs in a losing cause; Ed Delahanty of the Phillies was the first, on July 13, 1896.”

🎂 Today’s Birthday Boys🎉

• Manny Machado (1992) was the first-round (3rd overall) draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. He was in the major leagues two years later, and was already an All-Star and 3B Gold Glove Award winner in 2013. He is now in his 14th season, mostly spent with the Orioles and Padres, with a brief stop with the Dodgers in between. Machado has hit 25+ HR nine times, and provided 100+ RBI four times. A six-time All-Star he has won two Gold Glove Awards, and is once again doing well for the Padres so far this year with 21 doubles, 14 HR, and a .292 average.

• Willie Randolph (1954) was drafted in the seventh round by the Pirates in 1972, worked his way up through the minors and played briefly for Pittsburg in 1975. He was then traded along with pitchers Ken Brett and Dock Ellis to the Yankees for pitcher Doc Medich. This worked out great for New York, as Randolph became a fixture at 2B in their infield for over a decade, scoring 85+ runs seven times, and stealing 30+ bases four times. Randolph didn’t strike out much and drew a lot of walks, providing the Yankees with a .275 average and .374 OBP over 14 seasons. He was a six-time All-Star, and finished his 18-year career with brief stints with the Dodgers, Athletics, Brewers, and Mets, retiring with 1,239 runs scored and 271 SB. He later became the manager of the Mets, with a .544 winning percentage over four seasons from 2005-2008.

• Lance Johnson (1963) was a CF who came up through the Cardinals system, and after briefly playing for them in 1987 was traded along with pitcher Ricky Horton to the White Sox for pitcher José DeLeón. After a couple of partial seasons in the majors, he used his speed to steal 25+ bases seven times, and lead his league in triples five times, including a high of 21 with the Mets in 1996, his one All-Star campaign. Over his 14-year career he had 117 triples, 327 SB, and a .291 average.

• Jason Thompson (1954) had an 11-year major league career, mostly with Detroit and Pittsburgh. A three-time All-Star, he hit 25+ HR three times, including 31 HR with 105 RBI in 1977 for the Tigers, and 31 HR with 101 RBI in 1982 with the Pirates. Knee injuries led to early retirement at the age of 31, but in a relatively short career Thompson amassed 208 HR with a .261/.366/.438 slash line and a 122 OPS+.

In addition to Manny Machado, other currently active players who were born on July 6 include TBR Brandon Lowe, CHW Andrew Benintendi, and DET Keider Montero.

Today’s Matchups

A full slate of Sunday games (15), so lots of possibilities. Some games that jump out to me are:

• PIT vs. SEA features the always interesting Paul Skenes (2.03 ERA, 115 K in 111 IP) vs. George Kirby (4.85 ERA, 41 K in 42 IP), who has been working his way back into form with two solid starts recently.

• BOS vs. WAS has Boston’s ace and current MLB strikeout leader Garrett Crochet (2.34 ERA, 144 K in 115.1 IP), with the Nationals starting Shinnosuke Ogasawara in his MLB debut. The 27-year old lefty was signed by Washington at the end of January, after having pitched nine years in Japan. He has been injured for part of this season, but in six minor league games across three levels has a 4.50 ERA with 24 K in 24 IP.

• CIN vs. PHI similarly features the Phillies’ ace Zack Wheeler (2.27 ERA, 136 K in 107 IP) up against someone relatively new to MLB, Cincinnati’s rookie Chase Burns, who was exciting in his debut against the Yankees but then was crushed in his second game at Boston.

• TBR vs. MIN involves two starting pitchers having good seasons thus far in Drew Rasmussen (2.78 ERA, 74 K in 87.1 IP) and Joe Ryan (2.75 ERA, 108 K in 98.1 IP).

Also on the hill today are ATL Grant Holmes, DET Tarik Skubal, NYY Max Fried, and CHC Matthew Boyd.

HR Watch

Predicting who might hit a HR on any given day is a challenge. But here are a few to consider based on opposing SP past performance:

• LAA Mike Trout, 8-20 with 3 HR vs. TOR Kevin Gausman

• TOR George Springer, only 4-17 but with 2 HR vs. LAA Tyler Anderson

• TEX Kyle Higashioka, 5-10 with 2 HR vs. SDP Nick Pivetta (if pitching, TBD)

• MIN Byron Buxton, small sample but is 2-4 with 2 HR vs. TBR Drew Rasmussen

If you play MLB’s Beat the Streak mobile game, or otherwise bet on/parlay players to collect hits, I’ll try to provide some good options in this section. In addition to the HR Watch guys listed above, here are some others to consider based on opposing SP past performance:

• TOR Vladimir Guerrero, 7-13 with 2 doubles vs. LAA Tyler Anderson

• ATL Ronald Acuña Jr., 6-14 with a HR and 3 doubles vs. BAL Trevor Rogers

• CHC Dansby Swanson, 10-26 (.385) with a double vs. STL Erick Fedde

• CHC Michael Busch, small sample but is 4-7 with a HR vs. STL Erick Fedde

Who is streaking?

These are players on active hit streaks and who for this reason (if playing) might also be interesting picks to get a hit today:

• 20 - TBR Brandon Lowe

• 12 - WAS Daylen Lile

• 11 - NYY Cody Bellinger

• 10 - MIL Caleb Durbin

• 9 - TEX Evan Carter

• 9 - KCR Bobby Witt Jr.

• 9 - TBR Chandler Simpson

• 9 - DET Spencer Torkelson

• 8 - LAA Taylor Ward

• 8 - WAS CJ Abrams

• 8 - MIA Xavier Edwards

• 7 - AZ Jake McCarthy

• 7 - AZ Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

• 7 - DET Colt Keith

• 7 - BOS Trevor Story

• 7 - SEA J.P. Crawford

• 7 - ATH Max Muncy

• 7 - ATH Shea Langeliers

• 7 - PHI Alec Bohm

Who might struggle today?

Betting against any given player to not get a hit is tough, as guys in the starting lineup get at least one hit in a game more often than not. That said, here are some guys who clearly have struggled against their opposing SP today:

• NYM Brandon Nimmo, 3-29 with 12 K vs. NYY Max Fried

• NYM Francisco Lindor, 3-31 with 6 K though one hit was a HR vs. NYY Max Fried

• ATL Matt Olson, 1-13 with 6 K vs. BAL Trevor Rogers

• CLE Lane Thomas, 1-10 with 4 K though the one hit was a HR vs. DET Tarik Skubal

• AZ Josh Naylor, 0-10 with 2 K vs. KCR Michael Lorenzen

• TOR Alejandro Kirk, 1-13 with 3 K vs. LAA Tyler Anderson

⚾ Enjoy the games today!⚾

Today’s Trivia Answer

As described in a recent article by Shaun O’Neill at MLB, the only walk-off HR allowed by Nolan Ryan was hit by Bruce Bochy. He only had 26 HR in 358 games, spread over nine seasons as a part-time catcher. But one of them came on, July 1, 1985, as Bochy hit a 10th-inning walk-off HR off Ryan to lift the Padres over the Astros. Bochy of course wasn’t much of a hitter otherwise, but he is currently in his 28th year as a major league manager and is one of only six managers to win four World Series championships.

Good Reads

Here I am providing one or more links to baseball articles I’ve enjoyed recently, whether by writers at MLB.com or elsewhere.

• 10 worthy candidates to make their first All-Star Game, by Will Leitch at MLB, 7/5/2025

• RIP - Bobby Jenks, 2-time All-Star and World Series champion, passes away at 44, by Jared Greenspan and Owen Perkins at MLB, 7/5/2025

See recent issues of The Baseball Buffet for more recent good reads!

Did you know? I wrote a 600+ page book with the same title as this newsletter/blog? Now Taking the Field: Baseball’s All-Time Dream Teams for All 30 Franchises was published in early 2019, by ACTA Sports. It is available at Amazon and most other major booksellers.

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