The July 31 non-waiver transaction is of course on the front, and on this front we have covered our summary of the daily rumor and our updated commercial tracker . As for the action on the field, let's jump into the saturated Saturday slate that brings us 16 games through a double program in the Bronx …
Saturday's Scores
Royals 10, Yankees 5, Game 1 (box score) Cubs with Cardinals (GameTracker) Tiger Indians, 18:10 ET (GameTracker) Phillies at Reds, 6:40 ET (GameTracker) Royals at the Yankees, match 2, 19h05 ET (GameTracker) Rays at the Orioles, 19:05 ET (GameTracker) Mets at Pirates, 19:05 ET (GameTracker) Rangers at Astros, 19:10 ET (GameTracker) Twins at the Red Sox, 19:10 ET (GameTracker) Dodgers at Braves, 19:10 ET (GameTracker) National Championships at Marlins, 19:10 ET (GameTracker) The Blue Jays at White Sox, 19:10 ET (GameTracker) Mountain Athletics, 8:10 pm ET (GameTracker) Diamondbacks at Padres, 8:40 pm ET (GameTracker) Brewers at Gia nts, 9:05 pm AND (GameTracker) Sailors to Angels, 9:07 pm ET (GameTracker)
Yanks Severino struggles again
Yankees striker Luis Severino came into play Saturday against the Royals. After a strong outing against the Red Sox on July 1, Severino recorded a 1.98 ERA with 138 strikeouts and 29 walks. In his next three starts, however, Severino worked just five innings each while allowing 14 runs and six homers.
Yet, opposing an alignment of post-Moustakas Royals punches Saturday at Yankee Stadium, where Severino had launched a 1.64 ERA this season, would surely provide a reversal of the situation. Well, here's what happened …
So that comes down to 20 races allowed in his 19 1/3 innings pitched. Although his command seemed stained on Saturday, the problem was that he was recovering easily – Severino gave 33 hits over those 19 innings and one-third. It should be repeated that the last round of damage was done by a team consisting of Alcides Escobar, Adalberto Mondesi, Rosell Herrera and Jorge Bonifacio. He also included a No. 3 hitter – Salvador Perez – who came with a .263 OBP.
This remains a small sample of games in the larger scheme, but Severino has been scored since before the All-Star break. The extended rest did not help, nor did the Triple-A alignment he faced. Yes, the Yankees have fortified the rotation and the bullpen via trade in recent days, but Severino's last start before the deadline raises the question of whether GM Brian Cashman should do even more on the pitching front.
The Cubs and Cardinals play the second game of their weekend in St. Louis on Saturday, and the hosts hung six rounds of the first leg of Chicago starter Jose Quintana. The big shot came courtesy of card fielder Marcell Ozuna …
This is the 11th circuit of Ozuna of the season. Considering that he crashed 37 last season, it's a disappointing tally. He also hits just .265 / .309 / .381 on the year. That said, a big slap against the Cubs is always a welcome thing from the Cardinals' point of view.
The Cardinals are at best wild card contenders this season, while the Cubs are big favorites to win NL Central for a third consecutive season. Even so, if the Cardinals win on Saturday, they will jump to 9-6 against their rivals this season. It's not a lot, but it's something.
