Venue: Yankee Stadium — Bronx, New York

Scheduled First Pitch: 7:05 p.m. EDT (Game 2 of the series)

Probable Pitchers:

PIT: Bubba Chandler (RHP)

NYY: Will Warren (RHP) Weather: 78°F at gametime in the Bronx

Concise Takeaway

New York holds a stronger record, better run prevention, and home-field advantage, while Pittsburgh brings one of MLB’s most productive offenses (5.33 runs per game). Chandler vs. Warren is a matchup of developing right-handers, and both teams enter with solid recent form (6–4 last 10). Expect run scoring opportunities, especially given Pittsburgh’s high OBP and New York’s power profile.

Team Form & Statistical Profile

Pittsburgh Pirates

Record: 52–49

Runs For / Against: 5.33 RF / 4.82 RA per game

Last 10 Games: 7–3, .280 AVG, 4.24 ERA, +27 run differential

Slugging: .428

OBP: .341 (2nd in NL)

Season HR: 129 HRs

New York Yankees

Record: 56–44

Runs For / Against: 4.75 RF / 3.87 RA per game

Last 10 Games: 6–4, .247 AVG, 3.27 ERA, +7 run differential

Home Runs: 144 HR (AL-leading 1.5 per game)

Pitching Matchup

Bubba Chandler — Pittsburgh

Pirates’ rotation has been inconsistent, but Chandler has shown flashes (4.2 IP, 3 ER vs MIL on July 11).

Pirates’ staff ERA: 4.26; WHIP: 1.31; 917 strikeouts; 104 HR allowed

Will Warren — Yankees

Previously faced PIT on April 6, 2025 (4 IP, 4 ER) — historical note, not predictive.

Yankees’ staff has been stronger overall, allowing just 3.87 RA per game.

Current Rosters & Key Hitters

Pirates Hitters

From Baseball Savant’s July 21 preview:

Esmerlyn Valdez: .364 xwOBA, 93.1 EV, 55.6% hard-hit rate

Bryan Reynolds: .366 xwOBA, 47.2% hard-hit rate

Ryan O’Hearn: 16 HR, 64 RBI (team power anchor)

Henry Davis: 75.8% zone swing rate, 9% walk rate

Marcell Ozuna: .311 xwOBA, 30.7% under% (fly-ball heavy)

Yankees Hitters

Ben Rice: 29 HR, .596 SLG (elite power)

Cody Bellinger: 11-for-38 recently, steady contact profile

Injury Reports

Pirates

Oneil Cruz — 60-Day IL (hand)

Endy Rodriguez — 10-Day IL (lower body)

Spencer Horwitz — 10-Day IL (hamstring)

Evan Sisk — 15-Day IL (elbow)

Konnor Griffin — 60-Day IL (finger)

Chris Devenski — 60-Day IL (illness)

Yankees

Aaron Judge — 60-Day IL (rib)

Carlos Rodón — 15-Day IL (elbow)

Max Fried — 15-Day IL (elbow)

Giancarlo Stanton — 10-Day IL (leg)

Clarke Schmidt — 60-Day IL (elbow)

Series History & Head-to-Head

Last 10 H2H: PIT leads 6–4; O/U 7–2–1

Most Recent Game (July 20, 2026): Yankees 8–5 over Pirates

NYY: Ryan Weathers 4.2 IP

PIT: Braxton Ashcraft 3.0 IP

Key Matchups

1. Bubba Chandler vs. Ben Rice

Rice’s 29 HR and .596 SLG make him the most dangerous bat in this matchup. Chandler’s HR suppression will be tested.

2. Will Warren vs. Bryan Reynolds

Reynolds’ .366 xwOBA and strong hard-hit profile give PIT a reliable middle-order threat.

3. Bullpen Battle

Pirates’ bullpen: 51.4% save rate, 31% inherited runners scoring (high-risk) Yankees’ bullpen has been steadier, contributing to their superior run prevention.

GAME ODDS

Pittsburgh Pirates            9.5

New York Yankees           – 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, July 20, 2026

Venue: Progressive Field — Cleveland, Ohio

Scheduled First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. EDT (3:40 p.m. PDT)

Probable Pitchers:

MIN: Kendry Rojas (LHP) — 1–1, 2.79 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 22 K

CLE: Parker Messick (LHP) — 8–5, 2.73 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 110 K

Gametime Weather (Cleveland): ~78–81°F, light chance of precipitation, moderate wind (low‑to‑moderate impact on run scoring).

Team context and recent form

Minnesota Twins

Record: 49–52 overall; 23–27 on the road.

Offense:

4.8 runs/game (top‑10 in MLB).

Team slash: .248 AVG / .322 OBP / .413 SLG.

479 runs, 457 RBI, 834 hits, 163 doubles, 123 HR.

Pitching:

4.66 ERA (25th MLB), 1.38 WHIP, 833 K, 117 HR allowed.

FIP 4.34; K/BB ratio 2.29.

Bullpen: 28 saves in 40 chances (70% save rate), 64 holds (5th MLB), 35.5% of inherited runners score.

Last 10 games: 5–5, .253 AVG, 5.07 ERA, –16 run differential.

Cleveland Guardians

Record: 53–48 overall; 26–24 at home.

Offense:

18–4 when hitting 2+ HR in a game (clear power‑driven win profile).

Last 10 games: 6–4, .257 AVG, 3.47 ERA, +6 run differential.

Series history and matchup framing

Season series: This is the eighth meeting; Minnesota leads 4–3.

Standings impact:

Cleveland: 2nd in AL Central, 1 game behind Chicago.

Minnesota: 3rd in AL Central, 5 games back.

This game sits right in the AL Central race—Cleveland trying to close on Chicago, Minnesota trying to claw back to .500 and stay relevant.

Projected lineups and current rosters

Minnesota Twins projected lineup

Austin Martin (2B/LF/CF/RF) — R, .244 AVG, .310 wOBA

Byron Buxton (CF/DH) — R, .275 AVG, .381 wOBA

Luke Keaschall (2B/CF/RF) — R, .267 AVG, .318 wOBA

Ryan Jeffers (C/DH) — R, .281 AVG, .397 wOBA

Josh Bell (1B/DH) — B, .254 AVG, .321 wOBA

Victor Caratini (C/1B/DH) — B, .240 AVG, .308 wOBA

Kody Clemens (1B/2B/LF/CF/RF) — L, .234 AVG, .327 wOBA

Royce Lewis (1B/3B) — R, .219 AVG, .301 wOBA

Brooks Lee (2B/3B/SS) — B, .252 AVG, .320 wOBA

This lineup is built around Buxton and Jeffers as primary impact bats, with Bell providing switch‑hitting power and Lee/Lewis offering upside but some volatility.

Cleveland Guardians projected lineup

Travis Bazzana (2B) — L, .246 AVG, .329 wOBA

David Fry (C/LF/RF/DH) — R, .194 AVG, .296 wOBA

Chase DeLauter (CF/RF/DH) — L, .286 AVG, .350 wOBA

Rhys Hoskins (1B/DH) — R, .187 AVG, .313 wOBA

Kyle Manzardo (1B/DH) — L, .207 AVG, .290 wOBA

Brayan Rocchio (2B/SS) — B, .271 AVG, .324 wOBA

Gabriel Arias (2B/3B/SS) — R, .232 AVG, .291 wOBA

Austin Hedges (C) — R, .277 AVG, .323 wOBA

Steven Kwan (LF/CF) — L, .238 AVG, .293 wOBA

DeLauter and Hoskins are the main power threats; Rocchio and Kwan add contact and table‑setting. DeLauter is coming off a four‑hit game, which shapes the narrative here.

Injury reports

Cleveland Guardians

José Ramírez — 10‑Day IL (hand)

Angel Martinez — 10‑Day IL (foot)

Tim Herrin — 15‑Day IL (elbow)

Ramírez’s absence is huge—Cleveland is missing its best all‑around bat and a key middle‑order anchor.

Minnesota Twins

Marco Raya — 15‑Day IL (shoulder)

David Festa — 60‑Day IL (shoulder)

Cole Sands — 15‑Day IL (forearm)

Mick Abel — 60‑Day IL (elbow)

Anthony Banda — 60‑Day IL (lat)

Garrett Acton — 60‑Day IL (shoulder)

Connor Prielipp — 15‑Day IL (finger)

Pablo López — 60‑Day IL (elbow)

Minnesota’s pitching depth is heavily compromised—multiple starters and relievers out, which magnifies the pressure on Rojas and the healthy bullpen arms.

Pitching matchup: Kendry Rojas vs. Parker Messick

Kendry Rojas (Twins, LHP)

Season: 1–1, 2.79 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 22 K.

Profile:

Small sample but strong run prevention; WHIP suggests traffic, so command and sequencing are critical.

As a left‑hander, he’ll face a Guardians lineup with several lefties (Bazzana, DeLauter, Manzardo, Kwan) and right‑handed power in Hoskins/Fry.

Key tactical point: Rojas must manage RH power (Hoskins, Fry) while not letting left‑on‑left matchups turn into long at‑bats and walks. His high WHIP means any HR can swing the game quickly.

Parker Messick (Guardians, LHP)

Season: 8–5, 2.73 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 110 K.

Team performance in his starts:

Guardians are 9–10 ATS when he starts; 6–8 when favored on the moneyline.

Profile:

Low ERA and WHIP, strong strikeout numbers.

Cleveland tends to win when their power shows up (18–4 with 2+ HR), and Messick’s run suppression gives them room to let the bats decide it.

Messick’s challenge is navigating Buxton/Jeffers/Bell—three hitters with legitimate power and solid underlying metrics—while keeping the ball in the park in a warm environment.

Key player vs. player matchups

1. Parker Messick vs. Byron Buxton

Why it matters:

Buxton is Minnesota’s most explosive bat—25 HR, strong slugging and hard‑hit profile.

Messick’s low WHIP and strikeout ability are designed to neutralize exactly this kind of threat.

If Messick can keep Buxton in the yard (limiting barrels and mistake pitches middle‑in), Cleveland’s win probability jumps; a Buxton HR or multi‑extra‑base game swings value toward Minnesota.

2. Kendry Rojas vs. Chase DeLauter

Context:

DeLauter is coming off a four‑hit game and leads Cleveland with 11 HR and a .457 SLG.

Rojas is still establishing his MLB baseline.

DeLauter’s ability to punish left‑handed mistakes—especially if Rojas falls behind in counts—could define the early innings. If Rojas keeps him to singles/walks, Minnesota can survive.

3. Twins bullpen vs. Guardians late‑inning power

Minnesota’s bullpen has a solid save rate (70%) but a high inherited‑runner scoring rate (35.5%). Against a team that wins when it hits multiple HR, any mid‑inning relief appearance with runners on is a high‑leverage risk.

Team betting trends

Guardians:

26–24 as favorites overall; 7–4 when favored at –148 or shorter.

47–48 ATS; 46 overs in 95 games.

Twins:

28–34 as underdogs; 10–12 when +126 or longer.

58–39–2 to the over in 99 games (clear over‑leaning profile).

Minnesota’s combination of strong offense and shaky pitching has produced a heavy over trend; Cleveland is more balanced, with moderate over frequency.

GAME ODDS

Minnesota Twins             8

Cleveland Guardians      – 143

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, July 20, 2026

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today recalled right-handed pitcher Zack Kelly from Triple-A Worcester and placed him on the 60-Day Injured List with right elbow inflammation. The Red Sox’ 40-man roster is now at 39.

Kelly, 31, has pitched in 17 games for Boston this season, posting a 3.31 ERA (6 ER/16.1 IP) with 14 strikeouts. The right-hander has also pitched in 12 games for Worcester, posting a 5.71 ERA (11 ER/17.1 IP) with 14 strikeouts. Signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in January 2021, the Virginia native owns a 4.04 ERA (59 ER/131.1 IP) with 127 strikeouts in 115 career Major League games (three starts), all with Boston (2022-26).

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with 20 draft picks from the 2026 Draft as denoted below.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 2026 DRAFT PICKS

Signed picks bold and highlighted yellow

Rd

No.

Player

Pos.

B-T

Age

School

Scout

Signed

1

15

Ryder Helfrick

C

R-R

21

University of Arkansas

Doyle Wilson

July 19

CB-A

31

Blake Bryant

RHP

R-R

18

Citizens Christian Academy (Douglas, Ga.)

Derrick Tucker

July 19

2

53

Carson Kerce

INF

R-R

21

Georgia Tech

Derrick Tucker

July 19

3

88

Brayden Dowd

OF

L-L

21

Florida State University

Matt Mercurio

July 19

4

116

Josh McDevitt

RHP

R-R

22

University of Missouri

Doyle Wilson

July 19

5

148

LJ Mercurius

RHP

R-R

21

University of Oklahoma

Doyle Wilson

July 19

6

177

Micah Worley

LHP

R-L

22

Stony Brook University

Justin Lewis

July 19

7

206

Carson Turnquist

RHP

R-R

22

California Poly State University

Jeremiah Luster

July 19

8

236

Paul Schoenfeld

OF

L-L

23

West Virginia University

Jason Gallagher

July 19

9

266

Chris Katz

INF

R-R

23

Mercer University

Derrick Tucker

July 19

10

296

Mason Steele

RHP

L-R

21

University of Alabama Birmingham

Stephen Baker

July 19

11

326

Cody Boshell

INF

L-L

19

Bishop John J. Snyder High School (Jacksonville, Fla).

Derrick Tucker

July 19

12

356

Caleb Jameson

LHP

L-L

22

University of Georgia

Derrick Tucker

July 19

13

386

Jack Spanier

INF

R-R

22

University of Minnesota

Trevor Haley

July 19

14

416

Brannon Westmoreland

RHP

L-R

21

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Doyle Wilson

July 19

15

446

Andrew Evans

RHP

R-R

22

Southern Illinois University

Trevor Haley

July 19

16

476

Joseph Jasso

RHP

R-R

21

Cal State University Fullerton

Christian Chavez

July 19

17

506

Rylan Alaniz

INF

R-R

18

Trinity High School (Euless, Texas)

18

536

Jake Duer

OF

L-L

23

Texas A&M University

Justin Seely

July 19

19

566

Weber Neels

C

R-R

23

University of Minnesota

Trevor Haley

July 19

20

596

Andrew Wertz

RHP

R-R

23

Northeastern University

Justin Lewis

July 19

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired right-handed pitcher Seth Halvorsen from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek.

Halvorsen, 26, appeared in 26 games for the Rockies this season, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.74 ERA. He notched two holds with 17 strikeouts in 19.0 innings. He made 75 appearances for the Rockies in three seasons, going 3-4 with a 4.31 ERA and 66 strikeouts in 71.0 innings. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 First Year Player Draft by the Rockies out of the University of Tennessee.

Frasso, 27, was 1-0 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Last season, he went 6-1 with a 5.49 ERA in 43 games (seven starts) for the Comets. He has been in the minor leagues five seasons, going 11-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 108 games (51 starts). He was acquired by the Dodgers on August 2, 2022 from the Toronto Blue Jays along with minor league left-handed pitcher Moises Brito in exchange for right-handed pitcher Mitch White and infielder Alex De Jesus.

Vidourek, 22, was hitting .176 with eight homers and 28 RBI in the minors this year. In two minor league seasons with the Dodgers organization, he clubbed nine homers and drove in 34. He was a third-round draft pick out of the University of Cincinnati in the 2025 First Year Player Draft.