Scheduled First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET

Venue: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, New York

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Clear skies

Temperature: 79°F at first pitch

Wind: 6–8 mph blowing out toward right field

Humidity: 58%

Impact: Slightly hitter‑friendly; right‑handed pull hitters may benefit

Team Form & Context

St. Louis Cardinals (55–57)

St. Louis enters the Bronx having dropped five of their last seven, struggling to generate consistent offense. The Cardinals’ lineup has been streaky, with Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt showing flashes but not sustaining production. Rookie Jordan Walker has been one of the few bright spots, while the bullpen has been unreliable in late innings. Michael McGreevy has provided competitive outings but remains vulnerable to high‑contact lineups.

New York Yankees (63–49)

The Yankees return home after a 4–2 road trip, maintaining pace in the AL East race and strengthening their Wild Card position. Their offense has surged behind Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Luis García Jr., who was recently acquired and has been one of MLB’s hottest hitters. Brian Schlittler has been a stabilizing force in the rotation, giving New York quality innings with above‑average strikeout rates and strong command.

Probable Pitchers Breakdown

St. Louis — RHP Michael McGreevy

2026 Season: 6–7, 4.41 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

Last 5 Starts: 2–2, 4.02 ERA

Strengths: Ground‑ball specialist, good sinker/slider mix

Weaknesses: Struggles vs. left‑handed power; limited swing‑and‑miss

Yankees Matchup Notes: Soto and García Jr. profile extremely well against his pitch mix

New York — RHP Brian Schlittler

2026 Season: 8–5, 3.52 ERA, 1.18 WHIP

Last 5 Starts: 3–1, 2.97 ERA

Strengths: High‑spin fastball, sharp cutter, excellent command

Weaknesses: Occasional trouble finishing at‑bats; susceptible to early‑count ambushes

Cardinals Matchup Notes: Goldschmidt has historically hit high‑spin fastballs well

Injury Reports

St. Louis Cardinals

C Willson Contreras — 10‑day IL (forearm strain)

SP Steven Matz — 15‑day IL (shoulder)

RP Giovanny Gallegos — 15‑day IL (back tightness)

OF Lars Nootbaar — Day‑to‑day (ankle)

New York Yankees

1B Rhys Hoskins — 60‑day IL (ACL recovery)

RP Seranthony Domínguez — 15‑day IL (shoulder)

OF Brandon Marsh — Day‑to‑day (knee soreness)

SP Taijuan Walker — 15‑day IL (forearm tightness)

Key Player Matchups

Juan Soto (NYY) vs. Michael McGreevy

Soto is hitting .318 vs. RHP this season

McGreevy’s sinker tends to leak arm‑side, a danger zone for Soto’s pull power

Expect Soto to see multiple RBI opportunities

Aaron Judge (NYY) vs. Cardinals Bullpen

Judge has a 1.012 OPS over his last 20 games

St. Louis relievers have allowed a .274 average to right‑handed hitters since July

High‑leverage mismatch favors New York

Paul Goldschmidt (STL) vs. Brian Schlittler

Goldschmidt has a history of success vs. high‑spin fastballs

Schlittler’s cutter may neutralize him if located properly

Key matchup for St. Louis staying competitive

Luis García Jr. (NYY) vs. McGreevy

García Jr. has been one of MLB’s hottest hitters since May

His ability to crush sinkers and curveballs makes him a major threat

McGreevy must avoid middle‑third pitches

Series History

Last Meeting: Yankees swept a two‑game set in 2025

Last 10 Meetings: Yankees lead 7–3

At Yankee Stadium: Yankees have won 5 of the last 6

Interleague Trend: Yankees have dominated NL Central opponents at home

Recent Team Trends

St. Louis

Last 10 Games: 4–6

Road Record: 26–31

Runs per Game (last 10): 3.7

Bullpen ERA (last 15): 4.98

Trend: Offense inconsistent; pitching vulnerable late

New York

Last 10 Games: 6–4

Home Record: 34–22

Runs per Game (last 10): 5.4

Bullpen ERA (last 15): 3.61

Trend: Offense surging; rotation stabilizing

Betting Trends

St. Louis

Cardinals are 3–8 in their last 11 road games

UNDER has hit in 7 of their last 10

McGreevy starts have gone UNDER in 9 of his last 13

New York

Yankees are 12–5 in their last 17 home games

OVER has hit in 6 of their last 9

Yankees are 10–3 in Schlittler’s last 13 starts

Preview Summary

The Yankees enter Monday’s matchup with momentum and a lineup that has been one of MLB’s most dangerous over the past month. Brian Schlittler’s consistency gives New York a strong foundation, while the Cardinals’ offense has struggled to sustain rallies on the road. Michael McGreevy faces a difficult assignment against a Yankees lineup stacked with left‑handed power and disciplined right‑handed hitters.

Game Odds

St. Louis Cardinals           8

New York Yankees           – 206

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, August 2, 2026

Scheduled First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. ET

Venue: Citizens Bank Park — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Weather Forecast

Conditions: Mostly clear

Temperature: 82°F at first pitch

Wind: Light southwest breeze, 5–7 mph (blowing out toward right-center)

Humidity: 63%

Impact: Slightly favorable for right‑handed pull hitters; neutral for pitchers

Team Form & Context

Washington Nationals (55–58)

The Nationals enter the opener having won four of their last six, stabilizing after a difficult July stretch. Their offense has been inconsistent but explosive when Luis García Jr., CJ Abrams, and James Wood are locked in. Washington’s bullpen has been volatile, ranking bottom‑third in MLB in ERA since the All‑Star break. Cristian Alvarez has been a bright spot in the rotation, giving Washington competitive outings with above‑average strikeout rates and improved command.

Philadelphia Phillies (59–53)

Philadelphia returns home after a 5–4 road trip, still chasing the Braves in the NL East while holding a narrow lead in the Wild Card race. The Phillies’ offense has surged recently, led by Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Alec Bohm, while the rotation has been uneven behind Zack Wheeler. Aaron Nola has been reliable, though not dominant, in 2026. His strikeout numbers remain strong, but he has been homer‑prone at Citizens Bank Park.

Probable Pitchers Breakdown

Washington — RHP Cristian Alvarez

2026 Season: 7–6, 3.71 ERA, 1.22 WHIP

Last 5 Starts: 3–1, 2.98 ERA

Strengths: Heavy sinker, late‑breaking slider, induces ground balls

Weaknesses: Occasional lapses in command; struggles vs. left‑handed power

Phillies Matchup Notes: Harper and Schwarber profile well against his sinker/slider mix

Philadelphia — RHP Aaron Nola

2026 Season: 9–8, 3.89 ERA, 1.14 WHIP

Last 5 Starts: 2–2, 4.02 ERA

Strengths: Elite curveball, high strikeout rate, excellent home mound familiarity

Weaknesses: Home run susceptibility, especially early in counts

Nationals Matchup Notes: Abrams and García Jr. have hit curveball‑heavy pitchers well this season

Injury Reports

Washington Nationals

SP Josiah Gray — 60‑day IL (elbow)

RP Hunter Harvey — 15‑day IL (lat strain)

OF Stone Garrett — 10‑day IL (hamstring)

C Keibert Ruiz — Day‑to‑day (hand contusion)

Philadelphia Phillies

1B Rhys Hoskins — 60‑day IL (ACL recovery)

RP Seranthony Domínguez — 15‑day IL (shoulder)

OF Brandon Marsh — Day‑to‑day (knee soreness)

SP Taijuan Walker — 15‑day IL (forearm tightness)

Key Player Matchups

Luis García Jr. (WSH) vs. Aaron Nola

García Jr. is hitting .295 vs. RHP and has been one of MLB’s hottest hitters since May.

Nola’s curveball may challenge García Jr., but his fastball command has been inconsistent.

Bryce Harper (PHI) vs. Cristian Alvarez

Harper has a .310 career average vs. sinker/slider pitchers.

Alvarez must keep the ball down; Harper punishes elevated sinkers.

CJ Abrams (WSH) vs. Phillies Bullpen

Abrams’ speed and improved plate discipline make him dangerous late in games.

Philadelphia’s middle relief has been shaky, especially vs. left‑handed hitters.

Alec Bohm (PHI) vs. Alvarez

Bohm excels against pitchers who work low in the zone.

Alvarez’s sinker could play into Bohm’s line‑drive approach.

Series History

2026 Season Series: Phillies lead 4–3

2025 Season Series: Phillies won 11–8

Last 10 Meetings: Phillies 6–4

At Citizens Bank Park (last 20 games): Phillies 13–7

Philadelphia has dominated the matchup at home in recent years, largely due to superior bullpen depth and late‑inning offense.

Recent Team Trends

Nationals

Last 10 Games: 6–4

Road Record: 27–30

Runs per Game (last 10): 4.9

Bullpen ERA (last 15): 5.12

Trend: Offense improving; bullpen remains a liability

Phillies

Last 10 Games: 5–5

Home Record: 33–24

Runs per Game (last 10): 5.1

Bullpen ERA (last 15): 4.21

Trend: Offense steady; pitching inconsistent but better at home

Betting Trends

Washington

7 of their last 10 games have gone OVER

Nationals are 8–4 in Alvarez’s last 12 starts

Washington is 4–9 in their last 13 road games vs. PHI

Philadelphia

Phillies are 11–5 in Nola’s last 16 home starts

Philadelphia is 5–1 in their last six home series openers

Phillies have hit the OVER in 6 of their last 8 games

Preview Summary

The Nationals arrive in Philadelphia playing their best baseball in weeks, but they face a Phillies team that has historically controlled this matchup at Citizens Bank Park. Cristian Alvarez has been sharp, yet he’ll be tested by a Phillies lineup that thrives at home and matches up well against his pitch mix. Aaron Nola’s command will determine whether Philadelphia can control the early innings.

GAME ODDS

Washington Nationals                   9

Philadelphia Phillies                      – 160

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, August 2, 2026

Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:

• Added INF Luis García Jr. (#26) to the active roster.
• Recalled RHP Kervin Castro (#74) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Optioned INF/OF Max Schuemann to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Baltimore Orioles continued reshaping their roster Monday, acquiring right‑handed pitcher Alex Hoppe and minor league right‑handers Brock Moore and Harrison Kreiling from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward. The deal delivers Baltimore a trio of pitching options at varying stages of development while Seattle adds a veteran bat to bolster its lineup.

Hoppe Brings Major League Experience and Strikeout Ability

Hoppe, 27, has appeared in 24 games for Seattle this season, posting a 5.79 ERA across 28 innings with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks. Despite the elevated ERA, he has shown flashes of effectiveness, allowing just two home runs and holding opponents to 27 hits. Hoppe also logged a 2.65 ERA in 15 appearances for Triple‑A Tacoma, striking out 17 in 17 innings.

The Davenport, Iowa native made his major league debut April 27 and was acquired by Seattle from Boston last November. A sixth‑round pick by the Red Sox in 2022 out of UNC Greensboro, Hoppe has not yet reported to Baltimore.

Moore Adds Upper-Minors Relief Depth

Moore, 26, has split the season between High‑A Everett and Double‑A Arkansas, recording a 3.72 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 38.2 innings. He has converted four saves and allowed just 23 hits, holding opponents to a .165 average. Moore was selected in the seventh round of the 2024 draft out of Oregon and entered the season ranked No. 24 in Seattle’s system by Baseball America.

Kreiling Shows Promise in Early Professional Action

Kreiling, 24, has impressed in limited work during his first professional season, posting a 1.69 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 10.2 innings across four starts between the ACL Mariners and Single‑A Inland Empire. The Omaha native was selected in the 17th round of the 2024 draft out of the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Ward Heads to Seattle After Productive Season in Baltimore

Ward, 32, departs Baltimore after hitting .246/.383/.346 with 20 doubles, seven home runs, 64 runs, and 87 walks in 111 games this season. His on‑base ability and plate discipline were standout traits, as he ranked among the league leaders in walk rate.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners bolstered their lineup Monday, acquiring veteran outfielder Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right‑handed pitcher Alex Hoppe and minor league right‑handers Brock Moore and Harrison Kreiling. Seattle’s 40‑man roster remains at 39 players following the transaction.

“We are excited to add Taylor to our lineup,” said Mariners Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander. “He has proven to be a consistent performer and one of the league’s best at getting on base. We’re thrilled to add a player of his caliber to our team.”

Ward Brings Elite Plate Discipline and Steady Production

Ward, 32, has been one of the American League’s most disciplined hitters this season. Across 111 games with Baltimore, he hit .246/.383/.346 with 20 doubles, seven home runs, 30 RBI, and an .730 OPS. His 87 walks lead the American League, and his .383 on‑base percentage ranks sixth. Ward’s 17.2% walk rate is the fourth‑highest in MLB.

Defensively, Ward has been a standout in left field, recording six defensive runs saved (Sports Info Solutions).

Ward is coming off a career‑best 2025 season in which he posted highs in home runs (36), doubles (31), RBI (103), and slugging percentage (.475). Since 2021, he has hit .250 with 113 home runs, 353 RBI, and a .774 OPS, ranking 17th among right‑handed hitters in OPS+ (minimum 3,000 plate appearances) and 11th in OBP.

A nine‑year MLB veteran, Ward was originally selected 26th overall by the Angels in the 2015 draft out of Fresno State.

Hoppe Provides Orioles a Major League-Ready Arm

Hoppe, 27, appeared in 24 games for Seattle this season, posting a 5.79 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks across 28 innings. He made his MLB debut April 27 and was acquired by Seattle from Boston last November. The Davenport, Iowa native was drafted in the sixth round in 2022 out of UNC Greensboro.

Kreiling Shows Promise in Early Professional Action

Kreiling, 24, has made four professional starts this season between the ACL Mariners and Class‑A Inland Empire, recording a 1.69 ERA with 16 strikeouts and just one walk in 10.2 innings. The Nebraska Omaha product was selected in the 17th round of the 2024 draft.

Moore Adds Upper-Minors Relief Depth to Baltimore’s System

Moore, 26, opened 2026 with a dominant stretch at High‑A Everett, posting a 1.13 ERA with 32 strikeouts and three walks in 16 innings while converting four saves. Promoted to Double‑A Arkansas, he has gone 3–3 with a 5.56 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. Moore, a seventh‑round pick in 2024 out of Oregon, is ranked No. 24 in Seattle’s system by Baseball America.

The trade gives Seattle a proven on‑base threat and defensive asset for its outfield mix, while Baltimore adds three right‑handed pitchers at varying developmental stages as it continues to build organizational depth.

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants completed a significant roster‑shaping trade Monday, acquiring highly regarded right‑handed pitching prospect Ramón Marquez and fellow right‑handers Marty Gair and Harrison Kreiling from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for infielder Luis Arraez and reliever Caleb Kilian. The deal delivers San Francisco one of the most coveted young arms in the minors while Philadelphia adds an All‑Star bat and a versatile bullpen piece for its postseason push.

Marquez Arrives as One of Baseball’s Fastest-Rising Pitching Prospects

Marquez, 20, has been one of the breakout performers in the Phillies’ system this season and is widely considered a top‑tier pitching prospect. MLB.com and Baseball America ranked him No. 4 in Philadelphia’s system, while FanGraphs placed him No. 3 and 67th overall in baseball.

Across two levels, Marquez has dominated. He posted a 1.86 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 29 innings at Single‑A Clearwater before earning a promotion to High‑A Jersey Shore, where he has been even better: 3–1, 1.50 ERA, 46 strikeouts, a .115 opponents’ average, and a 0.67 WHIP in six starts.

Marquez has earned three Pitcher of the Week awards this season — once in the Florida State League and twice in the South Atlantic League — underscoring his rapid ascent. Signed as an international free agent in January 2025, he owns a career 3.00 ERA, 165 strikeouts, and a 13.03 K/9 across 26 minor league games.

Gair Adds High-Leverage Relief Potential

Gair, 23, recently advanced to High‑A Jersey Shore, where he struck out eight batters in three scoreless innings across two outings. Before his promotion, he posted a 43% strikeout rate — the highest in the Florida State League among pitchers with at least 30 innings — while holding opponents to a .159 average at Single‑A Clearwater.

A 13th‑round pick in 2023 out of Florida Southwestern State College, Gair has compiled a career 4.43 ERA, 106 strikeouts, and a 15.14 K/9 across 54 minor league appearances.

Kreiling Shows Promise in Early Professional Action

Kreiling, 24, has impressed in limited work during his first professional season, recording a 1.69 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 10.2 innings between the ACL Mariners and Single‑A Inland Empire. The Omaha native was selected in the 17th round of the 2024 draft out of the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Arraez Heads to Philadelphia as NL Batting Leader

Arraez, 32, departs San Francisco amid another standout offensive season. The 2026 All‑Star leads the National League with a .324 batting average, and his 136 hits rank second in MLB. He has added 23 doubles, seven triples, four home runs, 43 RBI, and an .800 OPS across 105 games.

Acquired from the Angels last November, Arraez has continued to be one of baseball’s premier contact hitters and table‑setters.

Kilian Provides Phillies a Versatile Relief Arm

Kilian, 29, has been one of the Giants’ most frequently used relievers, appearing in a team‑leading 45 games while posting a 3–6 record, 4.26 ERA, and eight saves in 11 chances. He has logged 44.1 innings and allowed 21 earned runs.

The trade marks a strategic shift for San Francisco, which adds three young arms headlined by one of the sport’s most promising pitching prospects, while Philadelphia acquires an elite bat and a bullpen reinforcement for its stretch run.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Tarik Skubal, one of baseball’s premier starting pitchers and a two‑time American League Cy Young Award winner, from the Detroit Tigers in a three‑player trade that sends outfielder Zyhir Hope and right‑handers River Ryan and Brady Smith to Detroit.

Skubal Brings Ace Credentials and Historic Back‑to‑Back Cy Young Seasons

Skubal, 29, has been among the most dominant pitchers in the sport over the past three years. He is 7–5 with a 2.79 ERA in 16 starts this season and reached a major milestone in his most recent outing, recording his 1,000th career strikeout against Baltimore. Since returning from elbow surgery earlier this year, he has posted a 2.87 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 53.1 innings.

The left‑hander won his first Cy Young Award in 2024, delivering a 18–4 record, 2.39 ERA, and the AL Pitchers Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He also paced the league in fWAR, ERA+, and FIP, finishing seventh in MVP voting.

Skubal repeated as Cy Young winner in 2025, becoming the first back‑to‑back AL recipient since Pedro Martínez (1999–2000). He finished with a 13–6 record, 2.21 ERA, and 241 strikeouts, again leading the league in multiple advanced metrics, including ERA+, FIP, WHIP, and walks per nine.

Across seven Major League seasons, Skubal owns a 61–42 record, 3.04 ERA, and 1.012 WHIP in 153 games. He was drafted by Detroit in the ninth round in 2018 out of the University of Seattle.

Dodgers Part with Three Promising Young Players

Zyhir Hope, 21, has emerged as one of the Dodgers’ most productive minor‑league hitters. He is batting .293 with 23 home runs and 87 RBI in 94 games for Double‑A Tulsa this season. Across 294 career minor‑league games, he has hit 48 home runs and driven in 212 runs. Hope joined the Dodgers in 2024 in a trade with the Cubs.

River Ryan, 27, made his Major League debut in 2024, posting a 1.33 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 20.1 innings before undergoing elbow surgery. Over five minor‑league seasons, he has a 3.43 ERA and 255 strikeouts in 212.2 innings. The Dodgers acquired him from San Diego in 2022.

Brady Smith, 21, has split 2026 between Low‑A Ontario and High‑A Great Lakes, striking out 113 batters in 74.1 innings. Over two seasons in the Dodgers’ system, he has totaled 142 strikeouts in 95.1 innings. He was drafted in the third round in 2023 out of Grainger High School in Tennessee.

The acquisition of Skubal gives Los Angeles a frontline starter with elite swing‑and‑miss ability and postseason pedigree, reinforcing a rotation built for a deep October run.

The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled right‑handers Kyle Hurt and Wyatt Mills on Sunday while placing reliever Will Klein on the injured list with right‑elbow discomfort. The club also designated left‑hander Cole Irvin for assignment.

Mills Returns for Third Stint with Dodgers

Mills, 31, rejoins the Dodgers for his third stint this season. He has appeared in five games for Los Angeles, posting a 6.23 ERA, and has been one of Triple‑A Oklahoma City’s most reliable relievers, going 4–4 with a 2.41 ERA across 33 appearances.

A veteran of three Major League seasons with Seattle, Kansas City, and Los Angeles, Mills owns a career 0–1 record and 6.22 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. He was selected by the Mariners in the third round of the 2017 draft out of Gonzaga University.

Hurt Recalled After Strong Showing in July

Hurt, 28, last pitched for the Dodgers on July 19, delivering two scoreless innings in the second game of a doubleheader against the Yankees. Now in his third season with Los Angeles, Hurt has compiled a 3–2 record and 3.86 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 42 innings.

The Southern California native was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the fifth round in 2020 out of USC before being acquired by the Dodgers.

Klein Heads to IL After Rough Outing

Klein, 26, allowed three runs (one earned) over 1.1 innings in Saturday’s game before reporting elbow discomfort. He has appeared in 36 games this season, posting a 3–4 record and 3.67 ERA, and owns a 4–5 mark and 3.32 ERA across two seasons with the Dodgers.

Originally drafted by Kansas City, Klein has pitched in 58 career games for the Royals, Athletics, and Dodgers, recording a 5–5 record and 4.20 ERA.

Irvin Designated After Seven‑Season MLB Career

Irvin, 32, was designated for assignment after allowing six runs on eight hits over six innings in Saturday’s loss. He has pitched in parts of seven Major League seasons with Philadelphia, Oakland, Baltimore, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, compiling a 28–41 record and 4.58 ERA in 135 games (93 starts).

Irvin signed a minor‑league deal with the Dodgers on Feb. 4 and was originally drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round in 2016 out of the University of Oregon.

Los Angeles did not announce a corresponding 40‑man roster move beyond Irvin’s designation.