Covid update: in advance of Tampa Bay series @Toronto, todays Rays have placed RHP Ryan Thompson, OF Luke Raley on the restricted list for being unvaccinated (they also placed RHP Jeffrey Springs off the active roster, onto family emergency medical list.)
In their place will be LHP Ryan Yarbrough, RHP Phoenix Sanders, RHP Javy Guerra.

Looks like the Rays are going with an opener, while the Blue Jays counter with Charo’s favorite pitcher (Kikuchi). Yankees have the tougher matchup tonight @ Astros, but have a chance to continue to gain ground while the other AL East split their game among themselves fairly evenly.

Update on my little MLBtv operability saga ...

Because MLBtv doesn't have an app for LG's WebOS, I normally run the app via my GoogleTV chromecast dongle. For other reasons, I usually run this through a VPN via Australia. This all worked fine until recently.

Then for a few days, it didn't. It didn't work through the VPN if I connected via NZ (where I actually am) but it also didn't work if I turned the VPN off so it should see me in NZ. But it worked just fine through my phone (no VPN) or my laptop (NZ VPN) and I could cast those to the TV if I wanted.

Then there was a AppleTV game. I've been unable to access these at all -- while Apple games will show in Aus, they apparently don't have the rights to show them in NZ, but Apple seems smart enough to know I'm really in NZ even through the VPN (maybe because I'm registerd in NZ). But ... the last time the Cubs were on Apple I tried to connect through my phone and everything was fine without me having to do anything special (like run AppleTV on my phone) ... but if I tried to cast it to my TV, it shut down.

Now ... MLBtv is back to working fine on my TV/chromecast at least if I don't run it through the VPN.

Poking around ... I see former Cubs prospect and reliever Carl Edwards Jr is pitching well in relief for the Nats this year. They're in line with his career numbers but he's had just 27 IP over the last 3 seasons so maybe he's healthy.

Astros Kyle Tucker tried to steal home with the bases loaded while Luis Severino was fiddling with his PitchCom device, but Severino recovered in time to nail him at the plate. Inning over.

Between Severino’s snail’s pace and the Luis Garcia Macarena, this game is a slog already.

Anthony Rizzo HR (#21) to RF (358 feet) puts the Yankees on the board, and chases Luis Garcia from the mound. Still 2-1 Astros in 6th.

Cubs up 1-0, bases loaded nobody out in the 2nd. Fly ball straight down the LF line that the Cinci LF nearly misplays, scores a run, 2-0.

Updating a "big" story from a couple weeks ago or so ... After being DFA'd, Clint Frazier accepts his assignment to Iowa. I was expecting him to choose FA and look around elsewhere so I'm not sure that speaks well to the league-wide perception of his value.

In an unusual move, b-r seems to have decided that Clint Frazier's name is now Jackson Frazier.

EDIT: The bullpen Wiki claims he asked to be called by his middle name Frazier before the 2022 season started. I'm pretty sure the broadcasts were still using Clint but the websites seem to have caught on (exc MLB.com transactions page).

EDIT2: After various mucking about, Wisdom with the grand slam, 6-0 Cubs.

Position player alert as Braves 1B Mike Ford pitches the 9th vs the Phillies. allows a 2-run HR to new kid Hall to make it 14-4.

Odubel Herrera took 5 pitches to draw a walk ahead of Ford. lame !

When I compiled the 2022 covid list and posted in the "Boston media explodes" thread, I mentioned that my source was the unreliable mlb.com pages.
Well that continues, without apology. (From me, or apparently them.)
They've silently changed the unvaccinated restricted list from OF-Luke Raley to P-Brooks Raley. Same name, but not related to each other.

Position player alert as INF Max Schrock pitches the 8th (!) for the Reds and allows 5 runs in a 15-4 game that ends up 15-7, Cubs.

didn't see the first 8 innings, but LA's Kimbrel had Leslie Nielsen behind the plate for the 9th.

anything that didn't bounce was a strike, basically, and "Leslie" inaccurately punched out 2 of the 3 SD hitters in the half-inning.

STEEEE-RIKE THREE!

in other news MLB CS rate is now up to 76% on the season (.759). Would that be some sort of record if it stands?

HOwie what are you saying in post 12? Is NIelsen an umpire or a catcher? Either way I dont understand.

[13] Nielsen is the ump

Umpire Scene - The Naked Gun (HD) - YouTube

I never get tired of this clip haha.

In an unusual move, b-r seems to have decided that Clint Frazier's name is now Jackson Frazier.

Came straight from . Clint himself.

Robles is on a 1 year/$2.25 mil deal. He's not worth the roster spot, even at that price. DFA.