Betting

Obviously, there’s nothing at all guaranteed for the Nationals here, but turning Mead, who was acquired after being DFA’d by the White Sox in March, into a pitcher who was universally regarded as a top-75 prospect at the start of the season and who has posted a 3.24 ERA through 21 major league starts, seems like major win for the organization. There is the huge caveat that Early is currently on the IL with elbow inflammation. Also, his peripherals aren’t as strong as that 3.24 ERA. Still, he projects as a fine middle-of-the-rotation starter for the long haul, even if his recovery from his current elbow issue doesn’t go as hoped. The Red Sox, for what it’s worth, seemed optimistic that he’d be ready to contribute in September. The Nationals, meanwhile, will replace Mead with Brady House. They’ll still probably trade another infielder, too, with Luis García Jr. most likely to go.

The Red Sox could have easily acquired Mead a few months ago, but they’re obviously much bigger believers now after he hit .254/.352/.500 with 17 homers in 327 plate appearances for the Nationals. And he does look like a perfectly legitimate major league hitter at this point. However, his bat speed and exit velocity numbers are all pretty average, and he just doesn’t offer much defensive value as a well below average defense third baseman and potentially adequate first baseman. The Red Sox will likely make him their primary DH for now, allowing him to maintain some mixed-league value. Still, if they’re ever at full strength, he might not warrant starts against righties. Time will tell, but giving up Early here seems like a misstep. With Mead likely to see significant time at DH, Masataka Yoshida will again become a reserve, though perhaps a Jarren Duran trade could put him in left field for a time.

Langford had X-rays, which were negative. He was 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored before departing Saturday.

This was discouraging. Greene averaged just 97.2 mph with his fastball tonight. He was at 98.9 and 99.1 mph in his first two starts before slipping to 98.1 mph last week against the Rockies and losing another one mph tonight. This was the lowest he’s been since his final start of 2024. Last year, he never fell below 98.8 mph in his 19 starts. Greene ended up allowing eight hits and 11 hard-hit balls. He struck out just three. Maybe we’ll get some explanation for the diminished velocity, but there’s good reason for concern. He’s due to face the Pirates on Thursday.

Crow-Armstrong’s home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a two-run shot off Ron Marinaccio in the seventh inning. His stolen base was his 26th. After hitting a double and a home run on Friday night, Crow-Armstrong’s offensive domination continued against the Pirates on Saturday. He’s hitting .291 with a .934 OPS and 59 RBI.

Bellinger exited after a double in the seventh against the Phillies. “It just feels a little tight,” he said after the game. “I really don’t think it’s anything too serious.”

Martinez was outstanding against the Guardians on Saturday, holding them scoreless over six easy frames. He scattered four hits and did not walk a batter, tossing 60 of 84 pitches for strikes. He struck out five. The 35-year-old right-hander will take a 2.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 67/20 K/BB ratio across 117 1/3 innings into a start against the White Sox in Tampa Bay on Friday.

France broke a scoreless game in the third inning with a single to drive in two runs for the Padres. He later gave the Padres an insurance run with a base hit in the eighth to score Jake Cronenworth from second. The 32-year-old first baseman is hitting .283/.336/.549 with 16 homers and 46 RBI across 269 plate appearances.

Abrams brought the first runs home for the Nats with a two-run double in the third inning. He then led off the fifth with a solo homer off Mitch Bratt before knocking a base hit and stealing second in the seventh inning. The 25-year-old shortstop is having an incredible season, slashing .293/.364/.557 with 25 homers, 64 runs scored, 79 RBI, and 17 steals across 431 plate appearances.

On the second anniversary of Cease’s no-hitter for the Padres in 2024, it looked like he’d be on the verge of history once again as he held the Red Sox without a hit through five innings before Andruw Monasterio led off the sixth with a double. It was the only hit he’d allow on the day as he went the distance in this one, recording the last six outs all via the strikeout to collect a dozen.