Hot Summer Weekend of Baseball
Monday, July 7th, 2025
Good morning and welcome to the Buzzer Beater Breakdown, your one-stop shop for all things NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.
It has been a hot, baseball filled weekend and the All-Star game is coming up, so let’s cover all the bases.
Headlines
-The MLB announced the All-Star pitching staffs and reserves, so here’s who will be attending:
NL: Pitchers - Jason Adam (SD), Matthew Boyd (CHC), Edwin Díaz (NYM), Mackenzie Gore (WAS), Clayton Kershaw* (LAD), Freddy Peralta (MIL), Robby Ray (SF), Randy Rodríguez (SF), Chris Sale (ATL), Paul Skenes (PIT), Logan Webb (SF), Zack Wheeler (PHI), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD); Reserves - Pete Alonso (NYM), Corbin Carroll (ARZ), Elly De La Cruz (CIN), Brendan Donovan (STL), Hunter Goodman (COL), Matt Olson (ATL), Kyle Schwarber (PHI), Kyle Stowers (MIA), Eugenio Suárez (ARZ), Fernando Tatis Jr (SD), James Wood (WAS).
AL: Pitchers - Hunter Brown (HOU), Kris Bubic (KC), Aroldis Chapman (BOS), Garret Crochet (BOS), Jacob deGrom (TEX), Max Fried (NYY), Josh Hader (DET), Yusei Kikuchi (LAA), Andrés Muñoz (SEA), Tarik Skubak (DET), Shane Smith (CWS), and Bryan Woo (SEA); Reserves - Jonathan Aranda (TB), Alex Bregman (BOS), Byron Buxton (MIN), Jazz Chisholm (NYY), Alejandro Kirk (TOR), Brandon Lowe (TB), Jeremy Peña (HOU), Julio Rodríguez (SEA), Brent Rooker (ATH), Bobby Witt Jr (KC).
*-Named as a “Legend Pick” by MLB Commissioner in honor of illustrious career.
You can find the starters in my previous edition of the Breakdown.
-The Washington Nationals fired their general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez. Senior VP and Assistant GM will take over as interim GM for the team.
-Devin Fitzgerald, son of NFL-great Larry Fitzgerald, and Kaydon Finley, son of former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley, have both committed to play college football at the University of Notre Dame.
MLB, Upcoming Games & News
-The Detroit Tigers will host the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tigers are 7-3 in their last 10 and on a 3 game winning streak, the Rays 4-6.
Rays 2B Brandon Lowe, who was on a 20 game hitting streak, exited early with side soreness, ending his streak; SS Ha-Seong Kim, who made his debut Friday, left early with a right calf cramp.
-The Boston Red Sox will host the Colorado Rockies for an interleague series. The Red Sox are 6-4 in their last 10 and on a 3 game winning streak, the Rockies 3-7.
The Red Sox became the 5th franchise with 10,000 wins over the weekend.
-The Cincinnati Reds will host the Miami Marlins. The Reds are 4-6 in their last 10 and have lost 2 in a row, the Marlins 7-3.
The Reds activated 3B Noelvi Marte and reliever Graham Ashcraft from the IL, optioning utility man Ryan Vilade and reliever Sam Benschoter to AAA.
-The Kansas City Royals will host the Pittsburgh Pirates for an interleague matchup. The Royals are 5-5 in their last 10, the Pirates 6-4 and on a 3 game losing streak.
-The Toronto Blue Jays will travel to play the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays are 9-1 in their last 10 and have won their last 8, the White Sox 5-5.
The White Sox called up number 5 prospect Colson Montgomery over the weekend to play shortstop.
-The Los Angeles Dodgers will travel to play the Milwaukee Brewers. Both teams are 6-4 in their last 10, the Dodgers have lost 3 in a row.
After nearly 2 years, Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff made his return to the starting rotation; X-rays on 1B Rhys Hoskins negative for injured thumb.
-The Houston Astros will host the Cleveland Guardians. The Astros are 8-2 in their last 10 and on a 3 game winning streak, the Guardians 0-10 and have lost 10 in a row.
Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas will hit the IL for the 3rd time this year with plantar fasciitis.
-The Texas Rangers will travel to play the Los Angeles Dodgers for an AL West matchup. The Rangers are 5-5 in their last 10, the Angels 4-6 and on a 3 game losing streak.
-The San Diego Padres will host the Arizona Diamondbacks for an NL West series. The Padres are 5-5 in their last 10, the Diamondbacks 3-7.
The Diamonbacks activated outfielder Corbin Carroll from the IL and sent infielder Tim Tawa to AAA.
Padres starter Yu Darvish will return to the starting rotation on Monday from the IL.
-The Philadelphia Phillies will travel to play the San Francisco Giants. The Phillies are 6-4 in their last 10 and on a 2 game winning streak, the Giants 5-5 and also on a 2 game winning streak.
The Phillies have sent down their number 5 prospect Mick Abel to AAA for a “reset,” Taijuan Walker, who has been pitching from the bullpen, will rejoin the starting rotation.
The Giants activated 3B Matt Chapman over the weekend from the IL.
-The New York Mets will travel to play the Baltimore Orioles for an interleague series. The Mets are 5-5 in their last 10, the Orioles 6-4 and on a 3 game winning streak.
As the O’s place their 4th catcher, Gary Sanchez, on the IL, they trade for catcher Alex Jackson from the Yankees.
Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga is expected back before the All-Star break.
-The New York Yankees will host the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees are 3-7 in their last 10, the Mariners 7-3 and on a 3 game winning streak.
Yankees righty starter Clarke Schmidt, who was having a career year, will likely undergo Tommy John surgery.
-The Chicago Cubs will travel to play the Minnesota Twins for an interleague matchup. The Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10, the Twins 5-5.
The Cubs placed righty starter Jameson Taillon on the IL and recalled lefty Jordan Wicks from AAA.
-The St. Louis Cardinals will host the Washington Nationals. Both teams are 4-6 in their last 10, the Nationals are on a 3 game losing streak.
The Nationals activated righty pitcher Mason Thompson from the IL and optioned Zach Brzykcy to AAA; they also activated catcher Keibert Ruiz from the IL and placed righty pitcher Trevor Williams on the IL.
-The Atlanta Braves will travel to play the Athletics for an interleague series. The Braves are 2-8 in their last 10 and on a 4 game losing streak, the Athletics 4-6 and on a 2 game losing streak.
NBA, News
-The NBA Summer League has started and some players are making their presence known: Jaylen Wells (MEM) had 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals; GG Jackson (MEM) also had 20 points, shooting 3-8 from 3; VJ Edgecomb (PHI) had 28 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a steal; Cole Swider (LAL) scored 24 points, shot 6-8 from 3, and had 8 rebounds.
-The Kevin Durant trade has been finalized, including an NBA-record 7 different teams. Here’s the full breakdown:
PHX: Guard Jalen Green, guard/forward Dillon Brooks, center Khaman Maluach, forward Rasheer Fleming, guard Koby Brea, guard Daeqwon Plowden, 2nd round pick
HOU: Forward Kevin Durant, center Clint Capela
BKN: 2 2nd round picks
GSW: Forward Alex Toohey, guard Jahmai Mashack
ATL: 2nd round pick swap, forward David Roddy, cash
LAL: Forward Adou Thiero
MIN: Center Rocco Zikarsky, 2 2nd round picks, cash
-The Memphis Grizzlies are trading center Jay Huff to the Indiana Pacers for a 2nd round pick and a 2nd round pick swap.
-The Houston Rockets are trading forward Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for 2 2nd round picks.
-The Milwaukee Bucks are re-signing guard Ryan Rollins to a 3 year, $12 million contract with a player option for the third year.
NFL, News
-The NFL Top 100, a peer voted ranking of the top 100 players in the NFL, began its release. Numbers 91-100 are as followed:
#100 - WR Ladd McConkey (SD); 2024 stats: 16 games, 82 receptions, 1,149 yards, 7 TDs; McConkey had 50+ yards in each of his last 10 games.
#99 - DL Leonard Williams (SEA); 2024 stats: 16 games, 64 tackles, 16 TFL, 11 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD; Williams generated 50 total QB pressures, 4th most among DTs.
#98 - RB Aaron Jones (MIN); 2024 stats: 17 games, 255 rushes, 1,138 yards, 5 TDs / 51 receptions, 408 yards, 2 TDs; Jones averaged a speed of 12.81 mph, 6th fastest among RBs.
#97 - WR Drake London (ATL); 2024 stats: 17 games, 100 receptions, 1,271 yards, 9 TDs; London had 555 yards and 45 catches from the slot, 6th most in the league.
#96 - LB Lavonte David (TB); 2024 stats: 17 games, 122 tackles, 9 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR; David has had 5 seasons of triple-digit tackles and 3 forced fumbles in a season.
#95 - OLB Josh Sweat (PHI); 2024 stats: 16 games, 41 tackles, 9 TFL, 8 sacks; Sweat had 15 QB hits, second on the team.
#94 - TE Sam LaPorta (DET); 16 games, 60 receptions, 726 yards, 7 TDs; LaPorta had 273 yards on seam routes in the final 6 weeks of the season, 3rd most among TEs.
#93 - C Creed Humphrey (KC); 17 games, 7 QB pressures allowed, 0 sacks allowed; Humphrey did not allow a single quick pressure (under 2.5 seconds) in 2024, most of any offensive lineman.
#92 - FS Jessie Bates (ATL); 17 games, 102 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 10 PD, 4 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD; Bates had 4 INTs, tied for 6th most by safeties.
#91 - QB Tua Tagovailoa (MIA) - 11 games, 72.9 completion percentage, 2,867 passing yards, 19 TDs, 7 INTs, 49 rush yards, 7 fumbles; Tua was the quickest thrower in the NFL at 2.42 seconds average per throw.
-Cowboys WR KaVontae Turpin was arrested on two misdemeanor charges.
NHL, News
-The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed forward Dmitri Voronkov to a 2 year contract worth $4.175 per year.
-The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Anthony Beauviller to a 2 year, $5.5 million contract.
MLB, Results
-The Baltimore Orioles swept the Atlanta Braves in their series, 3-0. The O’s won game 2 in extra-innings, scoring 3 in the 10th inning.
Top Performers: Trevor Rogers (BAL) - 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 Ks, W; Austin Riley (ATL) - 4 hits, 1 run scored, 3 RBIs, HR
-The Boston Red Sox swept the Washington Nationals in their series, 3-0. The Sox scored double digit runs in the first two games.
Top Performers: Trevor Story (BOS) - 6 hits, 5 runs scored, 6 RBIs, 2 HRs; Josh Bell (WAS) - 6 hits, 1 RBI.
-The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Cincinnati Reds in their series, 2-1. The Phillies won the final two to secure the series.
Top Performers: Zack Wheeler (PHI) - 9 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER, 12 Ks, W; Nick Lodolo (CIN) - 6 IP, 3 ER, 8 Ks, L.
-The New York Mets defeated the New York Yankees in their series, 2-1. The Mets scored 12 runs in the 2nd game.
Top Performers: Pete Alonso (NYM) - 3 hits, 4 runs scored, 6 RBIs, 2 HRs; Aaron Judge (NYY) - 3 hits, 2 runs scored, 4 RBIs, 2 HRs.
-The Seattle Mariners swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in their series, 3-0. The Mariners shutout the Pirates in all three games.
Top Performers: Luis Castillo (SEA) - 7 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 8 Ks, W; Paul Skenes (PIT) - 5 IP, 0 ER, 10 Ks.
-The Toronto Blue Jays swept the Los Angeles Angels in their series, 3-0. The Blue Jays won the first two games via walk-off in extra innings.
Top Performers: Eric Lauer (TOR) - 6 IP, 2 ER, 6 Ks; Jo Adell (LAA) - 2 hits, 1 run scored, 5 RBIs, HR.
-The Minnesota Twins defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in their series, 2-1. The Twins won 2 games via walk-off in the 9th, and the Rays won their sole game in extra innings.
Top Performers: Harrison Bader (MIN) - 3 hits, 3 runs scored, 5 RBIs, 3 HRs, walk-off HR; Zack Littell (TB) - 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 5 Ks.
-The Detroit Tigers swept their AL Central rival, the Cleveland Guardians, in their series, 3-0. The Tigers scored 6 runs in extra innings to win the final game
Top Performers: Tarik Skubal (DET) - 7 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 10 Ks; Gavin Williams (CLE) - 6 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 8 Ks.
-The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Miami Marlins in their series, 2-1.
Top Performers: Brandon Woodruff (MIL) - 6 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 8 Ks, W; Edward Cabrera (MIA) - 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 Ks, L.
-The Chicago White Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies in their series, 2-1. The White Sox scored 10 runs in the second game.
Top Performers: Adrian Houser (CWS) - 8 IP, 0 ER, 6 Ks, W; Mickey Moniak (COL) - 6 hits, 1 run scored, 3 RBIs, HR.
-The Houston Astros swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in their series, 3-0. The Astros scored 18 runs in game 1.
Top Performers: Jose Altuve (HOU) - 6 hits, 6 runs scored, 7 RBIs, 3 HRs; Mookie Betts (LAD) - 5 hits, 1 run scored, 1 RBI, HR.
-The Kansas City Royals defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in their series, 2-1. The Royals shutout Arizona in the final game.
Top Performers: Michael Lorenzen (KC) - 7 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 7 Ks, W; Ryne Nelson (ARZ) - 7 IPs, 1 ER, 5 Ks, W.
-The Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in their series, 2-1. The Cubs scored 11 runs in their 2 wins.
Top Performers: Michael Busch (CHC) - 9 hits, 6 runs scored, 6 RBIs, 4 HRs; Brendan Donovan (STL) - 4 hits, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, HR.
-The San Diego Padres defeated the Texas Rangers in their series, 2-1. The Padres won game 1 in extra innings via walk-off.
Top Performers: Randy Vásquez (SD) - 6 IP, 2 ER, 1 K; Kyle Higashioka (TEX) - 4 hits, 1 run scored, 5 RBIs, HR.
-The San Francisco Giants defeated the Athletics in their series, 2-1. The Athletics scored 11 runs in their lone win.
Top Performers: Logan Webb (SF) - 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Ks, W; JP Sears (ATH) - 6 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 6 Ks, W.
That’s all for today, I hope you enjoyed and I will see you Wednesday morning! Please share with your friends or family with the link below:
Alex Jackson??!? Someone new behind the plate every week for O’s!