MLB

Rays 8, Tigers 3

In his first full season as a starter, Junior Caminero’s exploits have been nothing short of impressive. Just 21, the third baseman has mashed 18 homers on the year, including one in this victory. The Rays have a tendency to shuffle players in and out, but Caminero is a keeper — and a potential future star.

The Tigers were practically destined to slow down at some point, and that deceleration might be occurring now. However, even after three consecutive defeats, Detroit is still 48-30. The AL Central is the Tigers’ to lose.

Yankees 9, Orioles 0

What an afternoon for Clarke Schmidt. In seven sparkling innings, the right-hander allowed zero hits on 103 pitches. There was plenty of discussion pertaining to Aaron Boone’s decision to remove the 29-year-old from the game, but the manager made the correct call. Schmidt was up against a career-high pitch count, and in June, there’s no reason to stretch an emerging starter too far. If everything breaks right, New York wants the righty making starts in October.

This season’s output has been the polar opposite of what Zach Eflin gave the Orioles last year. Traded to Baltimore in July 2024, Eflin pitched to a 2.60 ERA with O’s last season, giving the club a potential frontline starter for 2025. That hasn’t transpired, though. Up until yesterday, the righty lasted at least five innings in each of his outings this year, so it’s been less about length with Eflin and more about efficiency. In this loss, the 31-year-old lasted just three innings and allowed six earned runs, raising his ERA to 5.46.

Brewers 9, Twins 0

Something has gotten into Isaac Collins this June. At the conclusion of May, the left fielder held an OPS of just .635, but after yesterday’s 2-for-4, three RBI showing, it sits at .764. Collins won’t rake forever — it’s simply not who he is — but his tear has propelled the Brewers into the NL’s final wild-card spot. That is, however, who the Brewers are; they just keep clawing.

The Twins have been a team of streaks this season, and their latest run — of the losing variety — is burying Minnesota in the standings. Fortunately for the club, a wild-card spot is well within reach in the weak AL, even at 37-39.

Cardinals 6, Reds 5

The Cardinals are getting anything and everything from their backup catchers this season. Pedro Pages has simply been pedestrian as the nominal starter, but Ivan Herrera and Yohel Pozo have raked whenever given the opportunity. Herrera is currently on the IL with a hamstring strain, so Pozo has fittingly stepped in. This win was on the 28-year-old as he recorded a pinch-hit walk-off single in the bottom of the 11th inning.