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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan is a strong candidate for an 'Over 5.5 strikeouts' prop bet on Monday, August 25th, with favorable +126 odds. Despite a recent outing where he allowed six hits, he still recorded strikeouts and holds a 6.1 K/start average on the road. Ryan has also cleared the 'Over 4.5 strikeouts' line in 8 of his 12 starts, making him a valuable choice for bettors.
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is highlighted as a top MLB home run pick for Monday, August 25th, entering his matchup against the Guardians having homered in back-to-back games. Caminero has amassed 37 home runs this season, with 27 against right-handed pitchers, showcasing elite 100th percentile barrel speed despite a low launch-angle sweet spot. He faces a Cleveland team that originally traded him, taking on Bibee who has allowed 23 homers in 25 starts.
Giants outfielder Luis Matos has shown a significant turnaround, batting .293/.341/.634 with three home runs, six RBI, and two stolen bases in his last 41 at-bats. According to broadcaster Mike Krukow, this surge was likely ignited by a 'reality check' from the team's roster decisions, specifically the call-ups of Drew Gilbert and Tyler Fitzgerald, which motivated the young slugger. Despite a season average of .209, Matos's recent performance against the Brewers, including two home runs, suggests he is maturing into the player the Giants anticipated.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit his 100th career home run and a second in the eighth inning, tying his career high of 24 for the season, as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-2. Chisholm was playing while grieving the loss of his best friend, hitting both home runs, including a two-run shot in the second inning, which helped snap the Yankees' eight-game losing streak against their rivals. This victory improved the Yankees' record to 70-60, and Chisholm is one of five Yankees with at least 20 home runs this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani crushed his 45th home run of the season, a 409-foot shot in the ninth inning that secured an 8-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. The typically reserved Ohtani notably high-fived and had the last word with a persistent heckler who had been targeting him throughout the game for his hitless performance. This pivotal homer helped the Dodgers even the NL West race with 31 games remaining, with manager Dave Roberts and Freddie Freeman praising Ohtani's show of personality.
Trent Grisham delivered a standout performance for the New York Yankees, hitting two home runs in their 7-2 victory against the Boston Red Sox. Grisham connected for a solo shot in the third inning and added another lead-off homer in the sixth, finishing the game 4-for-6 with three RBI. He now boasts 25 home runs this season, ranking second on the team.
Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien is expected to miss the remainder of the season, requiring 4-6 weeks to recover from a fracture of the third metatarsal and a sprain of the lisfranc ligament in his left foot. He was placed on the injured list Saturday after fouling a pitch off his foot, marking only his second trip to the IL in his 13-year career. Semien finishes his season batting .230 with 15 homers and 62 RBIs, and expressed hope for his team to make a playoff run.
New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean has made two outstanding starts in the big leagues, demonstrating a strong performance that is prompting the team to reassess its conservative approach to promoting minor league pitchers. His success serves as a positive example as the Mets consider integrating other top prospects into the major league staff during their playoff push. The team's evaluation of their pitching staff continues, with McLean's impact noted as significant.
Yankees star Aaron Judge threw to bases for the first time since sustaining a right arm flexor strain earlier this month, marking a significant step in his recovery. Despite this progress, Judge indicated he is still not feeling 100%, and neither he nor manager Aaron Boone could provide a definitive timeline for his return to the outfield, emphasizing a cautious approach to prevent re-injury. Judge has been serving as the designated hitter since August 5, a period during which his offensive production has seen a notable decline, and he expressed a strong desire to resume playing defense. Giancarlo Stanton has been filling his spot in right field during this time.
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe was benched for Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox, with Jose Caballero starting in his place. The decision by manager Aaron Boone stems from Volpe's significant offensive struggles, as he is mired in a 1-for-28 slump, batting just .153 since June 14, and leads the majors with 17 errors. Volpe, who is hitting .208 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs this season, had gone hitless in his last 10 at-bats against the Red Sox and had not started for only the fifth time all year.
Dalton Rushing made a decisive impact for the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting a crucial three-run home run in the seventh inning that broke a 2-2 tie against the San Diego Padres. This go-ahead blast was described as a highlight of his rookie season, coming after he fouled off a two-strike slider. Rushing's homer was a pivotal moment in the Dodgers' five-run seventh inning, contributing significantly to their 8-2 victory.
Freddie Freeman delivered a significant offensive performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting two home runs to help secure an 8-2 win against the San Diego Padres. His first long ball in the sixth inning tied the game, and his second in the seventh inning provided two crucial insurance runs. Freeman also contributed by drawing a full-count walk in the first inning, playing a key role in revitalizing the Dodgers' offense.
Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz is officially scheduled to be activated from the injured list on Monday, marking his return after being sidelined since late June with a left oblique strain. Prior to his injury, Cruz had been a key contributor in the bullpen, posting a 3.00 ERA across 32 appearances. He completed three minor league rehab games to prepare for his activation. Manager Aaron Boone expressed enthusiasm for Cruz's return, highlighting his productivity and importance to the team.
Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh launched his 48th and 49th home runs on Sunday, surpassing Salvador Perez's MLB record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season. Raleigh's historic performance, which includes 40 of his 49 homers coming while playing catcher, has him leading the majors and emerging as a strong contender for the American League MVP award with 104 RBIs and 7.0 fWAR. The 28-year-old, who previously won the Home Run Derby as the first switch-hitter and catcher, recently signed a six-year, $105 million extension and continues his impressive season despite playing in a pitcher-friendly home park.
Kansas City Royals star Salvador Perez previously held the single-season MLB home run record for a catcher with 48 homers, a feat he achieved in 2021. During that remarkable year, Perez's offensive output was significantly boosted by his ability to serve as a designated hitter, contributing to his 2.7 fWAR and a seventh-place finish in the American League MVP voting. His historic record has now been surpassed by Cal Raleigh, who launched his 49th home run of the 2025 season.
Mets lefty David Peterson appeared to be in strong form on Sunday, delivering five shutout innings against the Braves after a couple of recent rough starts. However, his outing unraveled in the sixth inning when he issued two walks, leading to Sean Murphy's two-run single that tied the game and ended Peterson's afternoon. The left-hander finished having allowed two earned runs on five hits, striking out eight and walking four over 5.2 innings, as the Mets ultimately fell 4-3 to the Braves and missed a chance for a series sweep.
Boston Red Sox starter Dustin May is a highlighted player prop for August 24, with a recommendation to bet on him achieving over 4.5 strikeouts. May, who averages 4.7 strikeouts in road starts, has successfully gone over this total in four of his last six outings, including an eight-strikeout game on August 12. He has also delivered quality starts in his last two appearances, pitching at least six innings in each.
Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo, sidelined since Wednesday due to neck stiffness, is anticipated to be available off the bench for Sunday's game against the Braves. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed a strong likelihood of Nimmo returning to the starting lineup on Monday for the series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The neck stiffness, which hindered his swing and defense, led to his early exit from Wednesday's game but is an issue dating back to a 2019 outfield wall collision. Nimmo, 32, has posted a .761 OPS with 20 homers and 68 RBI this season, and has been hitting .320/.379/.400 over his last seven games.
The Atlanta Braves released veteran right-hander Erick Fedde on Sunday, less than a month after acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals. The 32-year-old struggled in his short tenure with Atlanta, posting a 1-2 record with an 8.10 ERA in five games, including four starts. His overall record for the season across both teams stands at 4-12 with a 5.76 ERA over 25 appearances.
Heliot Ramos was instrumental in the San Francisco Giants' thrilling comeback win against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. After being hitless in his previous four at-bats, Ramos delivered a clutch two-run single to center field in the top of the ninth inning, giving the Giants a crucial 4-3 lead. This pivotal hit secured a series victory for San Francisco on the road.
