On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts appears to have turned things around at the plate after a rocky first half of the season, ending a division rivalry series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with five straight hits, including two big moments.
Bogaerts thought himself to be the hero on Wednesday night, driving a ball into the left-center field gap to level the game at three in the ninth inning. However, the Dodgers stole his moment as a Will Smith walk-off homer gave them the win in the bottom of the inning.
Rather than clinging onto the previous night's shortcomings, Bogaerts delivered in a big way in Thursday's 5-3 win, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, a homer and three runs scored.
The eight total bases he recorded in the final game of a four-game series against the division rivals were the most he had in a single game all year.
"I’m never big on ‘unlucky,’” Bogaerts said. “Throughout my whole career, I’ve been very fortunate. It’s gone my way. But this is definitely the year where it’s been very weird. Unlike me, kind of. It doesn’t matter where I hit it, it’s right at someone. It’s very weird, very frustrating.
“But they say it turns around, and whenever they come, they come in bunches. So I’m looking forward to that streak.”
While Bogaerts may not be big on 'unlucky', statistics show the 32-year-old hasn't had the best fortune at the plate this year. His expected batting average is .265 compared to his .239 true batting average, meaning the quality of his contact historically results in better results than he has been getting this season.
Bogaerts is having a down year with four homers and 28 runs batted in this year while slashing .239/.314/.340. Prior to last night, his OPS was .617 and he had an OPS+ of 74, which is well below league average. Thursday's explosion brought his numbers up fairly significantly, but his numbers still are not what the Padres would expect from their $280 million star.
The shortstop will look to stay hot as the Padres go straight into a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, who have scored the second-fewest runs in MLB this season. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. PT.
For more Padres news, head over to Padres on SI.
More must-reads:
- Yankees release two-time All-Star pitcher
- Cubs to host 2027 MLB All-Star Game
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Grading the New York Mets' trade-deadline deals
The New York Mets were among the most active teams at the July 31 MLB trade deadline. Club president David Stearns was motivated to improve his roster as the franchise seeks to build off its 2024 NLCS run. The Mets already held one of the best records in the National League, while being locked in a fierce NL East divisional battle with the rival Philadelphia Phillies. New York — one of the biggest trade-deadline winners — was able to bolster its depth chart through four moves. Move No. 1: Gregory Soto, RP The Mets began their deadline run by adding a much-needed lefty specialist in Baltimore Orioles reliever Gregory Soto. Minor league pitchers Wellington Aracena and Cameron Foster were sent back to Baltimore in the exchange. Soto, a two-time All-Star, held a 3.96 ERA at the time of the trade. He was also limiting left-handed batters to a devastating .131/.260/.262 slash line. While it was initially assumed that Soto would take on a more prominent role as a late-inning bullpen option, the following moves ensure he can be properly deployed as a specialist against lefty batters. Mets' grade: B+ Move No. 2: Tyler Rogers, RP The Mets added their second bullpen weapon by trading for longtime San Francisco Giants submariner Tyler Rogers, sending reliever Jose Butto, and minor leaguers Blade Tidwell (SP) and Drew Gilbert (OF) to the Bay Area. Tidwell and Gilbert were New York's No. 10- and No. 12-ranked prospects. While the package of prospects sent away frustrated some Mets fans — including some talk of New York getting "fleeced" — it is important to note that both Tidwell and Gilbert seemed to be plateauing in their farm system. Tidwell's likeliest outcome is as a Butto-like middle reliever. While Gilbert boasts an interesting combination of power and defense, he profiles as a fourth outfielder. Meanwhile, Rogers has been one of the most consistent bullpen options over the past decade. He holds a sparkling 1.80 ERA and 0.860 WHIP across 50 innings in 2025. He has a 2.79 ERA across his seven-year MLB career. Adding Rogers (who is a free agent after this season) came with a high price. However, the Mets add an established workhorse to their revamped bullpen. He would be the perfect replacement for the injured eight-inning option AJ Minter if it weren't for the next trade. Mets' grade: B+ Move No. 3: Ryan Helsley, RP The Mets made their biggest splash of the deadline through the surprise acquisition of two-time All-Star and 2024 MLB saves leader Ryan Helsley. The Cardinals received a prospects package headlined by shortstop Jesus Baez. Right-handed pitchers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt were also sent to St. Louis. Like Rogers, Helsley is also a rental who is slated to hit free agency after this season. Unlike Rogers (or anyone else on this list), the 31-year-old Helsley features premier stuff and is one of the most dangerous closers in baseball. The Mets already have a three-time All-Star and two-time MLB Reliever of the Year locking down the ninth inning in Edwin Diaz. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will be able to use the former Cardinals closer as a flexible weapon during New York's highest-leverage moments. This also allows players like Reed Garrett, Ryne Stanek and Brooks Raley, who were formerly used in the seventh and eighth innings, to become Swiss Army knives in one of the league's most dangerous bullpens. Mets' grade: A Move No. 4: Cedric Mullins The Mets put the cherry on top of their trade deadline by adding 2021 All-Star Cedric Mullins. This adds a dual threat to a position of need in New York's centerfield. Mullins is hitting .229 with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases. While this batting average leaves something to be desired, the incumbent starter, Tyrone Taylor, is hitting just .201 with two homers and 11 steals this season. The longtime Oriole gives the Mets a needed boost to the latter half of their lineup. The low price tag of minor league pitchers Raimon Gómez, Chandler Marsh and Anthony Nunez makes this deal well worth it for New York. Mets' grade: A Conclusion Each of these four moves set the Mets up for a deep playoff run. While they elected not to seriously pursue a starting pitcher, the three relievers will allow the Mets to set their current rotation up for maximum success. On paper, the Mets' bullpen-heavy pitching profile closely mirrors the Los Angeles Dodgers team that knocked them out of the postseason en route to the 2024 World Series title. Add in Mullins' bat, and Stearns and the Mets crushed the trade deadline. Overall grade: A
How to watch the Detroit Tigers vs. the Philadelphia Phillies: First pitch, TV & streaming details for tonight
'Most likely scenario' for Terry McLaurin revealed
A recent report indicated that teams potentially interested in acquiring Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin learned that the club is "not trading" him before the 2025 season begins. The 29-year-old, who is in the final year of his current contract, may have responded to this news by requesting a trade on Thursday. However, ESPN's Bill Barnwell shared Friday that he doesn't "think there's a strong chance McLaurin gets traded" before September. "There's been no suggestion from the Commanders' side that they're looking to deal him, even after his request," Barnwell wrote. "Trading him now would likely result in landing 2026 draft picks, which won't help the Commanders in a season in which they're hoping to compete. And there just aren't many teams with the cap space or cash budget at this point of the offseason to give him the sort of deal he appears to want." McLaurin allegedly does not want to accept less money than DK Metcalf, who received a five-year, $150M deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. Whether or not McLaurin "deserves" such an extension is irrelevant as it pertains to his importance to Washington and the market for players at his position. McLaurin finished the 2024 campaign with team highs of 82 receptions and 1,096 receiving yards as quarterback Jayden Daniels guided Washington to the NFC Championship Game and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year Award honors. Additionally, McLaurin was second in the NFL with 13 touchdown catches. As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Washington sixth among the betting favorites at +1800 odds to win Super Bowl LX in February 2026. That shows why Barnwell and others are convinced that acquiring future draft assets for McLaurin makes little sense for the win-now Commanders. "The logical thing is for McLaurin to stay with the Commanders, for the two sides to come to terms on a new deal or some sort of raise, and for Daniels to have his best pass catcher on the field in Week 1," Barnwell concluded. "It's still the most likely scenario." On Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala and Dianna Russini of The Athletic noted that "several teams that called Washington about [McLaurin] before his trade request on Thursday were told the team will not trade him." Commanders general manager Adam Peters seems to understand he still has plenty of time to work something out with McLaurin before Washington opens the regular season against the New York Giants on Sept. 7.
One player from each AFC team who deserves Hall of Fame call
Let the (preseason) games begin. With the Detroit Lions-Los Angeles Chargers Pro Football Hall of Fame Game kicking off 2025 action, Yardbarker NFL writers mulled a player — past or present — on each AFC team who merits enshrinement in Canton. AFC East BUFFALO BILLS | LB Von Miller | As the NFL’s active leader in sacks (129.5), Miller — who's now with the Commanders — is a sure bet for the Hall of Fame even though he missed 14 games in three years with Buffalo. In 10 seasons with Denver, Miller earned a Defensive Rookie of the Year award, made eight Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams and was named MVP of Super Bowl 50, the last defensive player to win the award. MIAMI DOLPHINS | WR Tyreek Hill | His subpar 2024 season aside (81 catches, 959 yards, six TD catches), the 31-year-old receiver boasts a Hall of Fame resume (eight Pro Bowls and five first-team All-Pro nods in nine years). Hill led NFL receivers with 1,799 yards in 2023 and has six 1,000-yard seasons in his career, two fewer than Cris Carter, who spent the last five games of his Hall of Fame career with Miami. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Kicker Adam Vinatieri | The NFL’s all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) narrowly missed induction as a finalist in 2025, his first year of eligibility, and will be an automatic finalist in 2026. Vinatieri, who retired in 2021, holds records for most field goals made in the regular season (599) and playoffs (56) and helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls before winning another with the Colts in 2007. NEW YORK JETS | QB Aaron Rodgers | The enigmatic passer disappointed as a Jet, but four first-team All-Pro honors, four NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl MVP with the Green Bay Packers can’t be overlooked. Rodgers’ 62,952 passing yards are the seventh most in league history, and his 4.34 touchdown-to-interception ratio is the best of any quarterback, past or present. — Bruce Ewing AFC West DENVER BRONCOS | WR Rod Smith | Smith played a key role when the Broncos repeated as Super Bowl champions in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The three-time Pro Bowler had 152 receiving yards in a 34-19 Super Bowl XXXIII win over the Atlanta Falcons, tied for the sixth most in a Super Bowl. The undrafted WR starred for Denver from 1995-2006, becoming the club’s career leader in receiving yards (11,389). KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | QB Patrick Mahomes | Star tight end Travis Kelce would be an excellent pick, too, but the Chiefs had won only one Super Bowl before Mahomes became the starter during the 2018 season. The 2017 first-round pick has won three Super Bowls and two MVPs in eight seasons with the Chiefs. Expect Mahomes, who turns 30 on Sept. 17, to keep bolstering his stellar resume. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | QB Philip Rivers | Rivers, who retired as a Charger in July, never reached a Super Bowl during his career, but neither did former Chargers QB Dan Fouts. That didn’t prevent him from making the HOF in 1993. The same should go for eight-time Pro Bowler Rivers, who ranks sixth in career TD passes (421). LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Guard Steve Wisniewski | It’s surprising Wisniewski isn’t in Canton already. Per Pro Football Reference, his HOF monitor score (76.58) is higher than that of HOF guard Mike Munchak (72.7). The former O-lineman is also a member of the HOF’s All-1990s team. — Clark Dalton AFC North BALTIMORE RAVENS | LB Terrell Suggs | Suggs, who played from 2003-19, and former Ravens guard Marshal Yanda were finalists for the 2025 class but missed out. Suggs was one of the more dominant pass-rushers of his era, accumulating 139 career sacks, earning seven Pro Bowl nods, one first-team All-Pro, a Defensive Player of the Year award and an NFL-record 202 tackles for loss. He was a key part of two Super Bowl winners. CINCINNATI BENGALS | QB Ken Anderson | The Bengals did not win a Super Bowl during Anderson’s career (1971-86), but that is pretty much the only thing separating him from other Hall of Fame quarterbacks, especially from his era in the 1970s. Anderson has an NFL MVP award and led the league in passing twice, completion percentage three times and passer rating four times. CLEVELAND BROWNS | Edge Myles Garrett | Garrett is still active, but it’s not hard to see the path his career is on. He has been the more dominant pass-rusher in the league from pretty much the day he arrived. He may not win a title in Cleveland, but he is going to finish as one of the best Browns players of all time and one of the best defenders of the modern era in the NFL. PITTSBURGH STEELERS | QB Ben Roethlisberger | Roethlisberger, who retired in 2022, does not have many individual accolades, but spending nearly two decades as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and earning two Super Bowl rings will be more than enough to get him in. It is just a matter of how long he might have to wait for induction. — Adam Gretz AFC South HOUSTON TEXANS | DE J.J. Watt | Widely considered to be a first-ballot lock, Watt — who retired following the 2022 season — will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028. His career could have been even better if not for several seasons being shortened by injury, but Watt is one of only three players to win three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. Few players were capable of changing the game the way a healthy Watt could. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Kicker Adam Vinatieri | The three-time Pro Bowl selection made 29 game-winning kicks in his career, including two that won Super Bowls for the Patriots. Vinatieri has four Super Bowl rings and could be considered the most clutch kicker of all time. There are four kickers in the Hall of Fame, and it is almost impossible to argue against Vinatieri becoming the fifth. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | RB Fred Taylor | The wait continued in 2025 for Taylor, a Hall of Fame finalist for the second straight year, but he did not get the nod. Taylor, who retired in 2011, ranks 17th in NFL history with 11,695 rushing yards and holds numerous Jaguars records. The only running back ahead of him on the all-time rushing list who is not in the Hall of Fame is Frank Gore, and he is likely to get into Canton eventually. TENNESSEE TITANS | RB Derrick Henry | Titans legends Eddie George and Steve McNair advanced in the Hall of Fame voting process for 2025, but there is a good chance neither will get into Canton. Henry, meanwhile, is already 19th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 11,423 yards and coming off a season in which he ran for 1,921 yards. Henry, who spent the majority of his career in Tennessee, should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. — Steve DelVecchio
Robertson, Leafs Set for Unnecessary Arbitration Battle Over $1M
With most NHL arbitration cases settling before reaching a hearing, the standoff between Nicholas Robertson and the Toronto Maple Leafs is out of the norm this summer. The two sides remain apart ahead of their scheduled arbitration hearing Sunday, with the Leafs filing at $1.2 million and Robertson seeking $2.25 million—a significant $1.05 million gap that doesn’t seem sufficient to warrant the drama that could result from a hearing. The midpoint sits at $1.725 million, and based on comparable contracts, that figure may offer a reasonable benchmark for a potential award. Last season, Robertson scored 15 goals in 69 games, ranking seventh on the Leafs, but added just seven assists. Despite seeing more ice time, his overall point pace dropped. Still, his physical game improved, logging a career-high 79 hits. Because Robertson filed, the Leafs get to choose a one- or two-year term if it goes to a ruling. A one-year deal would keep options open, particularly if the team still views him as a trade candidate. The Maple Leafs Shouldn’t Let It Get to a Hearing This is not the same as the situation that unfolded between the Winnipeg Jets and Dylan Samberg. The Jets filed at $2.5M for the player, while he asked for $6 million. Eventually, the settlement came in at three years by $5.8 million. The financial gap in this case hardly seems large enough to justify the risks of arbitration. A ruling slightly above the midpoint—say, in the $1.9 million range—wouldn’t cripple the Leafs’ cap situation but could hurt (or worsen) their relationship with a still-developing 23-year-old. Hearings often involve teams pointing out a player’s flaws to argue against higher pay, something that can damage trust and morale, especially with a young forward trying to carve out a bigger role. A modest compromise now would avoid long-term strain. And, the Leafs should have no issues trading Robertson at anything below $2.25 million in a rising salary cap environment. Keep in mind, it won’t cost the Leafs that much to retain him. Given the stakes, it’s a bit surprising this hasn’t been settled already. Unless there’s a last-minute agreement, this could be one of the rare arbitration cases that actually goes the distance. It’s not clear why the Leafs are letting things get so close with a winger who could be useful, but has already felt disrespected by the organization on more than one occasion.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
