With the beginning of All-Star festivities just around the corner, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day:
1. Ruiz to undergo testing:
A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz injured his throwing shoulder while diving back towards first base during yesterday’s win over the Tigers, manager Mark Kotsay told reporters, including Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Ruiz will undergo x-rays and potentially an MRI today. The 24-year-old rookie, who was shipped to Milwaukee from the Padres in the Josh Hader trade at the deadline last year before joining Oakland in the three-team deal that sent Sean Murphy to Atlanta, has had an unusual season as the club’s starting center fielder. Ruiz owns a slash line of just .257/.310/.329 across 369 plate appearances this season, good for a wRC+ of just 85.
While that performance at the plate certainly leaves something to be desired, it’s been paired with solid defense in center field and a whopping 43 stolen bases, a figure that leads the majors. With fellow outfielder Ramon Laureano already on the injured list himself, outfielder JJ Bleday seems likely to slide over to center if Ruiz misses time, opening up more starts for Brent Rooker and Seth Brown in the outfield corners.
2. Dodgers to make IL decision on Graterol:
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic) that right-hander Brusdar Graterol has been dealing with an arm issue that’s caused him to be unavailable for the past two days. Trips to the injured list can be backdated a maximum of three days, so it’s hardly shocking that Roberts indicated a decision on whether Graterol will require an IL stint for the issue will be made prior to tonight’s game against the Pirates.
Graterol, 24, is among the few bright spots in the Dodgers’ bullpen this season. The hard-throwing righty sports an ERA of just 1.95 with a 3.10 FIP in 37 innings of work. Alongside closer Evan Phillips and left-hander Caleb Ferguson, Graterol creates the backbone of a Dodgers bullpen that has struggled outside of its core, resulting in collective 4.47 ERA that ranks seventh-worst in the majors. Should Graterol miss time, lefties Alex Vesia, Justin Bruihl, and Victor Gonzalez are all on the 40-man roster at the Triple-A level, as is righty Nick Robertson.
3. Series Preview: Astros vs. Mariners
A series to watch begins in Houston this evening, as the Astros take on the Mariners. The Astros haven’t looked like the same dominant team that stormed to their second World Series championship in six seasons last October, sporting a 49-38 record that puts them in second place in the AL West. Similarly, the Mariners have slipped since ending MLB’s longest active postseason drought last year, with a record of just 42-43 in 2023.
The four-game set, which kicks off 7:10pm CT this evening, could have significant implications for both clubs going forward. The Astros are just two games behind the Rangers for the division crown after going 8-2 over their last ten games. With Texas facing a 34-52 Nationals squad in their final series before the All-Star break, Houston will likely need a strong series to stay on their heels. Meanwhile, the Mariners are one of several preseason playoff contenders who have struggled to this point in the 2023 campaign. A particularly strong or weak showing during this series from Seattle could impact their front office’s decision-making ahead of the trade deadline on August 1.
The Mariners will send George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Bryan Woo and Logan Gilbert to the mound. Houston, meanwhile, has tonight’s starter listed as TBD, with a trio of Hunter Brown, Framber Valdez and Brandon Bielak to follow. Chandler Rome of The Athletic tweets that Cristian Javier will not start a game during the team’s final series before the break.
Big series this weekend. 2-2 is a must for the M’s to feel like they have momentum. 3-1 would be ideal. Need the bats and defense to show up. Seattle needs to take advantage of Houston having so many players out this week.
And ATL vs. TB. Morton going against old team. ATL just captured MLB’s best record. They sold out CLE for only the second time this season while visiting on a Monday. So next: the impossible — bring fans to The Trop.
I am so nervous. This is a huge July series.
Houston vs Seattle? That’s the big series? You have the best teams in each league playing against each other and you preview Seattle/Houston? OK.
Lol @ avenger not recognizing that this series is a rematch from one of the best playoff games in mlb history last year. Selective memory?
It’s not just that.
It’s the fact that Seattle could become sellers real quick if they fall further back and Houston could potentially leapfrog Texas for the AL West lead.
Seattle should be sellers anyway, but how they sell could be significantly different.
Exactly. I agree, 110% Stevil.
You know, I am honestly not distraught over the thought that they do a little selling this year. If the cards are played right, the M’s could sacrifice this year in an effort to reload better next near. And you hope the kids will continue to progress.
I know a lot of fans found a little more optimism after the four-game winning streak, but over that stretch, they gained zero ground on that third wild card. It will be incredibly hard to leapfrog four teams to get into the playoffs, and especially when you consider their schedule the rest of this month. After Houston, they get Detroit after the break, but then it’s nothing but above .500 teams before the deadline..
They would probably be wise to try to get an outfielder and middle-infielder (or two of each).
I don’t think it’s as insurmountable as you are putting it there, but you make some valid points.
In defense of not giving up on this season; I will point to the strength of the starting pitching and bullpen. And that, as a team that’s been nothing if not mediocre; you could argue that one bat or two via trade (and we have plenty of ammunition to make trades; whether that be for this year, or the future) pushes this team into much more competitive territory.
For the record, my prediction is that the team makes a SMALL trade or two in an effort to win THIS year; and we end up falling short by a few games at the end. That’s just my prediction based on the way things have been going.
But yeah, I absolutely see the opportunity to go get a bat or two and make a push. If they win this series logistically they could be 3 games back of the playoffs at the all star break. Is that REALLY give up on the season territory? I certainly don’t think so.
I don’t think they’re just a couple of bats away from crawling their way out of this hole, though.
I’d be all for getting major-league ready bats and see if there’s a spark, but the focus should probably be 2024-2025. That means no rentals. I wouldn’t be keen on players with limited control, either.
Just out of curiosity, what else do you think they need? You plug Adam Frazier and Carlos Santana into the 2b and DH spots and I’d argue that this team might even be in the lead for the wild card. They have gotten awful production out of those spots offensively. Bottom of the league.
They don’t need a starter or a bullpen arm (though good teams always look to improve there). Top tier in baseball both spots
1B, SS, C and the OF are covered with a good everyday, all around (Teo isn’t gonna win any gold gloves but everybody else certainly could) players.
You could argue that Geno is due to be replaced; but he’s played great defense all year and the bat has heated up as of late.
If you were Jerry, what are you looking to improve?
They have a shaky bench. Moore hasn’t played or offered much since his return. Pollock has had a handful of bombs, but otherwise isn’t offering much, either.
Though Kelenic and Suárez offer solid defense and have power potential, it’s not offsetting their strikeouts.
They have a lot of players that don’t fit the profile of what is supposed to be the focus of the team. offensively I think it will be really difficult for them to find consistency with this cast, even if they swap out one or two.
Off the top of my head, If I were Jerry I’d try to prize Johnathan India away from CIN, failing that I would try to get Nick Senzel as the RH platoon to take on LHP. Senzel has a .373/.422/.627 line vs Lefties this year and can play INF/OF. Another RH option to face LHP is the Nats Lane Thomas. He would obviously cost more since he’s controllable through 2025 but he would fill that platoon or OF/DH role that Pollock was supposed to.
Cincinnati is a contender and those two have been a key part of their success.
Keep in mind, if Seattle behaves like a buyer, they’ll pay higher prices. That just doesn’t really make sense at this point.
Senzel’s lack of success/inability to meet lofty prospect projections have pushed him to a bench role. He cant hit RHP. If CIN does indeed commit to being a buyer Senzel would be a good trade piece since he’s surplus to requirements.
Paul De jong is another piece I’d entertain. Maybe even a Carlos Santana reunion!?
It’s that versatility that is helpful, though. If they need him to start at 3B or somewhere in the OF, including center, he can do it. It’s not so much about his numbers as much as it is what he allows the team to do. I doubt they’d be eager to move him.
DeJong is a little expensive for the strikeouts and lack of walks.
I really don’t think we’ll see Seattle chase rentals, or even players with just one additional year of control. If it were me, and there are significant budget restrictions in place, I would target infield prospects that need defensive work and see what Perry Hill can do with them. An outfield prospect who controls the zone would be on the list as well.
I’d worry more about major-leaguers in the offseason.
The bigger point is that neither of those two you mentioned would move the needle for Seattle.
I’d much rather see Seattle take a flier on disciplined minor-leaguers and target high-ceiling prospects that might be another year or two out.
100% agree on either Senzel or DeJong moving the needle….. by themselves. If and this is a huge if, the M’s hitters become a more patient lineup, i.e. If they can get their OBP and BB Rate higher, see more pitches and chase SP’s earlier, like they did last year. I believe the M’s FO would supplement an INF or INF/OF/UT type player with another bat. I would too! If the FO believes in the Pitching and they are still just 3-5g back in the WC why shouldn’t they? HOU literally just put Altuve back on the IL, LAA is w/o Trout for 2 mo’s and I don’t believe TX Pitching can continue to be this good (or healthy) for the entire 2nd half. The AL West is prob out of reach but theres a chance we can leapfrog a few teams ahead in the ALWC.
Well, the problem areas right now are LF, 2B, 3B, and the bench (2). I don’t know how much confidence they have in Ford, who routinely bats at the bottom of the order, but he’s about to enter an adjustment phase as pitchers get updated reports and try mixing things up on him. I’d let him have it and worry about the fielders, but it’s a tall order, hence my belief they should focus on players they can move forward with. And of course they’ll have to make a decision on Teo. If they move him, RF opens up.
Part of the problem is that the depth they have isn’t very disciplined, either. Trammell, Marlowe, DeLoach and Hummel are all K-machines. Didi is just getting started in Tacoma, so it will be a couple of weeks before we get a decent glimpse of what he might have left. None of the other infielders are particularly interesting, with exception to Scheiner, but the Ks have crept up on him as well (34% in June).
Regarding the WC, they’re 5 games back and would need to leapfrog 4 teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sneak past LA, but Houston, NY, and Toronto as well?
This isn’t Mission Impossible, but certainly feels improbably.
Those are all good points, lets call them practical points. Well thought out POV.
Maybe I’m over optimistic or just naive but I believe this current lineup has another level within them. Room to improve. Geno, Cal, Ty and Julio CAN play at a higher level. Will they? My optimism tells me they can. We are actually starting to see Suarez hit the ball harder these past 2 weeks. He’s a very streaky player who can “carry a team” from time to time. Personally I think he is going to have a better 2nd half. I also think Cal is going to have a better 2nd half.
I’m just not willing to waive the white flag yet. Thats not in my make up.
I also want to think the FO and ownership will have heard those boos at T-Mobile, read the negative feedback on this team. I want to believe they will make an effort to change that by trying to add at this deadline. We have to win first….we’ll see
And right on queue my guy Geno just hits a 2R HR……I can totally see him providing us with more production over the remaining 80g
You’re a fan and you want to believe. There’s nothing wrong with that! I would love to see the team collectively cut down on the Ks and produce more runs; get into the postseason.
But the rational side of me is thinking about 2024-2025. Worth noting, contention next year, or even in 2025, wouldn’t likely be possible if they blow it up. I don’t want to see that. I want to see players brought in that can integrate between now and 2025, with this core kept in place.
Morosi is reporting that talks between the Mariners and Cardinals are heating up.
I would like to see Seattle try to sell high on an arm like Miller, but the trio of Castillo, Gilbert, and Kirby should be off-limits (and probably are). I’d prefer to see Seattle let the bidding come to them, rather than some sort of balanced deal. But, that’s just my opinion.
Many fans have speculated over Donovan, since Morosi made that suggestion a week or two ago. But he’s more of a utility player, rather than a true second baseman.
Again, I’d rather see them take advantage of the contenders in need of pitching. That said, I’d be pleased if they could get Nootbaar. He’s controllable for 4 more years, can lead off and offer stellar defense, which would bode well given Seattle’s pitching strength.
We’ll see if there’s anything more to this.
And ‘heating up’ might be an overstatement. It sounds more like there have been conversations, but little or nothing more than that.
Seattle will listen. They’ll probably check-in with some teams as well. I’d be a little surprised if something happens relatively soon.
GENO FOR 2!! Here we go, heating up!!!
Huge game for him today. He’s been better over the last couple of weeks. Getting him off his feet yesterday couldn’t have hurt.
Seattle and St Louis seem like perfect trade partners- lets get something done Jerry/Justin. See…..this team can take more than 1-2 pitches per A-B! We know they’re capable of it. THAT is exactly what has driven me crazy this yr- we know they are better than this
Relax. It ain’t over ’till it’s over.
I agree, Fred. They are hanging around. I’m not super optimistic right now, but you don’t necessarily give up on the year at 5 games out in July
Jet51- this Mariners fan agrees that Seattle has a (albeit small) chance to finish the year on a high note.
While HOU has some injuries to their Pitching Staff it hasn’t impacted the team as much as I expected. If you look at team stats on Fangraphs HOU is still a Top 5 Pitching Staff in WAR with a team ERA and K/9 that is better than ours.
That HOU Pitching Staff has always had a good game plan against our lineup. They know we struggle against sliders/various off-speed.
The next 4 games will be no different. Especially if 2/3 of our lineup goes up to the plate hacking at the 1st pitch and averaging 2 pitches seen per AB over their 4-5 plate appearances. That has been their achilles heel all year. Talk about being easy to game plan!
IMO our success is not tied into HOU being less than full strength, rather, it will be wholly dependent on our hitters patience/pitch recognition and swing decisions at the plate. Hit the ball the other way and stop trying to hit a 5R HR and we’ll stand a chance
Or instead of watching two mediocre teams, people could watch the Braves/Rays.
Admittedly I haven’t stayed caught up on Perez besides his stolen base totals. I was initially kinda shocked to see that his bWAR was negative, until I started looking into his stats. Of course in my opinion the A’s should start him given their current situation.
Meh, everyone knows those two teams are going to the playoffs as the top teams barring some epic collapse. I guess it’s a good preview of a potential world series matchup so it has that going for it.
The Mariners/Astros series on the other hand could potentially determine if the Mariners become buyers or sellers at the deadline and if the Astros can keep up with or even pass the Rangers for first place.
So people should see either/or depending on what their looking for.
I don’t know if I would call the Astros mediocre. Hard to argue with a team that has gone to 6 straight ALCS (4 AL Pennants) and were a couple games from the World series in 2018 and 2020. They aren’t even full strength and just showed the Rangers who their daddy was. I agree with you, though, that Astros-Mariners shouldn’t be primetime because Mariners aren’t very exciting to watch. Pretty sure it’ll be Astros/Braves or Astros/NL West World Series. The Central Divisions will once again miss the World Series like they have since they had their little run from 2014-2016.
I can’t be certain FJBoi but I think the poster is mostly talking about the impact of injuries to the lineup. Specifically the Mariners Killer – big Yordan Alvarez. Either that or he is completely unaware that HOU Pitching is 5th in WAR, 2nd in Team ERA and 8th in K/9 rate and 7th in FIP.
Houston needs to take the series. I guess they decided to move Framber again. Guess they felt too early for the ankle to make him go later in series. Nice at least skipping Javier. I think arm fatigue for him. Pushing these pitchers that are not used to pitching 200 innings. Javier is close to 100 already. But see who pitches tonight since it will not be Framber now. At end of Rangers series they said Framber would start the Seattle series but did not know on the rest after that. The break could not come at a better time.
Astros this season with losing Garcia, McCullers, Altuve, Alvarez have really been trying to get by. Abreu finally woke up. Plus bullpen taxed this season, wonder if Verlander was still with us for this season what things would have been. Also guess will see if Urquidy returns or not or if could be trade material at deadline. He himself will be lucky if gives you 5 innings. Hunter needs to get it together also. But Houston needs to sweep. But be lucky if come away with split. Maybe get Framber and Bielak games. But think Houston needs to look at WC even though 2 games out. Angels or Seattle could creep closer if they falter this series.
Can posters who follow the Braves or Ray’s preview their series since MLBTR feels the Mariners/Astros is the “big” series this weekend?
I think its just providing a softer landing for the fanbase when the Mariners fall out of contention and begin selling. 5 GB in the wild card. A lot of teams to jump.
You underestimate the pain we’ve suffered over the past 50 years. Most Mariner fans I’m friends with are extremely pessimistic by nature and watch with this expectation of failure every night lol. I’m not kidding, man. Lots of bitterness up here even after the fun year last year. We are quite good at dealing with disappointment.
Don’t worry Mariners fans, while the Giants have Camillo Doval, the Orioles have Felix Bautista, and the Reds have Alexis Diaz, you guys have Zach Muckinhern. The Mets had a 400 million dollar payroll and Zach Muckinhern was supposed to be the savior of the pen according to Billy Eppler. According to Eppler, Muckinhern was just as good as those other guys
Odd FLEX(en) but ok
What about Sewald and Munoz?
Shhhh! Munoz is so scary guys don’t even like mentioning his name.
@Sodomojo these guys don’t even compare to Zach Muckinhern. According do Billy Eppler, hes one of the best relievers in baseball. Thats why we didn’t need to get any relief help. We had Zach Muckinhern. Now you guys can experience the full Muckinhern experience
^^^^
Which brings me to my next point.
DONT. Smoke CRACK.
POLITICS IN A BASEBALL THREAD!!! RUN! RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^^^boring games from mediocre teams? Did anybody catch the ALDS last year? Hard to beat that 18 inning intensity fest. Tbh this matchup should be must see tv for any baseball fan. The mighty Goliath versus the young, up and coming underdog within the division. There is no love lost between these guys, I’m still waiting for Omar Lopez to take a swing at Scott Servais lol.
Dont even listen to the trolls. Mariners-stros is a good rivalry. George Kirby is the most unknown stud pitcher in baseball. Mariners have a good rotation but they need a run producer in that lineup. No team in baseball needs Shohei more than Seattle. Good luck.
ATL/TB and SEA/HOU are both great series to watch….you don’t to have choose or compare… you can have both!
If Seattle doesn’t wake up in July it will be interesting to see who Seattle trades…
-Kolten Wong
-Teoscar Hernandez
-Sewald or Brash?
-Kirby or Gilbert? One of these two would sting…
Ruiz has solid defense in CF? Last time I checked he was the worst CF in baseball by Defensive Runs Saved. Speed alone does not make a good outfielder
Ruiz is an adequate centerfielder most days. However, every few weeks he has a game where he totally embarrasses himself in centerfield. On those days, the A’s would be better off with the kid in the wheelchair from the bad news Bears movies roaming centerfield.
They are allowed to make rookie mistakes. But playing the field is part of his job description and he does it very poorly unlike what the article said. Its great he’s stealing bases to help create runs, but his defense is allowing runs to be scored.
I think you should stick to basketball. He’s played 85 games this year. More than enough time to get a decent sample of his defensive metrics in CF. You don’t get -16 DRS for fluke plays in the outfield. smh
The reason the Astros are playing more down to earth baseball this year is they switched out the metal garbage cans with plastic cans in their continuing efforts to throw MLB off their cheating trail. Batters can’t hear them nearly as well so there you go.
Right. And the Braves are still abusing international bonus pool limits. The Red Sox and Yankees are still improperly using electronics to steal signs. The Rangers and Blue Jays are still waiving wife-beaters in the outfield stands to relay signs. The Dodgers are still sending MLB-uniformed employees to install cameras around opponents stadiums. The White Sox are still throwing games for money. Willie Mays and Leo, despite suffering from the medical condition of ‘death’, are still cheating at the Polo Grounds.
Have fun digesting all that 😀
“A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz injured his throwing shoulder while diving back towards first base during yesterday’s win over the Tigers, manager Mark Kotsay told reporters, including Martin Gallegos of MLB.com.”
Wrong team.
The Mariners have 1 playoff appearance in the last 20 years. It’s amazing to me how quick they are ready to pack it in and call it a season
“Meanwhile” belongs at the start of the sentence, not in the middle of it, set off by commas. How do you get this right the first time, then screw it up the second time? Maybe you should learn a new word, Nick.