MLB All-Star Game
First LA had the Super Bowl and now the MLB All-Star Game. They don’t call it Tinseltown for nothing, my friends. Baseball’s biggest stars will descend upon Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, July 19 for a game two years in the making, as LA was supposed to host in 2020, but you know, COVID happened. It will be the first time in 42 years that Dodger Stadium has hosted the All-Star Game.
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker will manage the National League, while Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker will manage the American League. The MLB draft will take place from July 17-19 from Los Angeles. The Futures game will take place on Saturday.
The Home Run Derby is on Monday at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT. The participants are: Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Albert Pujols (Cardinals), Juan Soto (Nationals), José Ramírez (Guardians), Pete Alonso (Mets), Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves), Corey Seager (Rangers) and Julio Rodriguez (Mariners).
Tuesday’s game is at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on FOX.
American League Roster
Elected starters: C: Alejandro Kirk (TOR), 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR), 2B: Jose Altuve (HOU), 3B: Rafael Devers (BOS), SS: Tim Anderson (CWS), OF: Aaron Judge (NYY), OF: Mike Trout (LAA), OF: Giancarlo Stanton (NYY), DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAA)
Legacy selection: DH: Miguel Cabrera (DET)
Reserves: C: Jose Trevino (NYY), 1B: Luis Arraez (MIN), 2B: Andrés Giménez (CLE), 3B: José Ramírez (CLE), SS: Xander Bogaerts (BOS), SS: Corey Seager (TEX, replacement) , OF: Byron Buxton (MIN), OF: Kyle Tucker (HOU), OF: George Springer (TOR, inactive), OF: Andrew Benintendi (KC), OF: Julio Rodríguez (SEA), DH: Yordan Alvarez (HOU, inactive), DH: J.D. Martinez (BOS, replacement)
Starting pitchers: LHP: Shane McClanahan (TB), RHP: Justin Verlander (HOU), RHP: Alek Manoah (TOR), LHP: Nestor Cortes (NYY), RHP: Gerrit Cole (NYY), RHP: Shohei Ohtani (LAA), RHP: Paul Blackburn (OAK), LHP: Martín Pérez (TEX), LHP: Framber Valdez (HOU)
Relievers: RHP: Clay Holmes (NYY), RHP: Emmanuel Clase (CLE), RHP: Jorge López (BAL), LHP: Gregory Soto (DET)
National League Roster
Elected starters: C: Willson Contreras (CHC), 1B: Paul Goldschmidt (STL)
2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr. (MIA), 3B: Manny Machado (SD), SS: Trea Turner (LAD), OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL), OF: Joc Pederson (SF), OF: Mookie Betts (LAD), DH: Bryce Harper (PHI, inactive)*
Legacy selection: 1B: Albert Pujols (STL)
Reserves: C: Travis d’Arnaud (ATL), 1B: Pete Alonso (NYM), 1B: C.J. Cron (COL), 2B: Jeff McNeil (NYM), 3B: Nolan Arenado (STL), SS: Dansby Swanson (ATL), OF: Kyle Schwarber (PHI), OF: Starling Marte (NYM), OF: Ian Happ (CHC), OF: Juan Soto (WSH), DH: William Contreras (ATL) – starting with Harper sidelined, DH: Garrett Cooper (MIA, replacement)
Starting pitchers: RHP: Sandy Alcantara (MIA), RHP: Corbin Burnes (MIL), RHP: Joe Musgrove (SD), LHP: Max Fried (ATL), RHP: Tony Gonsolin (LAD), RHP: Luis Castillo (CIN), LHP: Clayton Kershaw (LAD), LHP: Carlos Rodón (SF, replacement)
Relievers: LHP: Josh Hader (MIL, inactive), RHP: Edwin Díaz (NYM), RHP: Ryan Helsley (STL), RHP: David Bednar (PIT), LHP: Joe Mantiply (ARI)
Houston Texans
Per attorney Tony Buzbee, the Houston Texans have settled with 30 women who accused former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct. The team was sued last month for allegedly providing Watson with suites in which to meet with massage therapists and for providing a NDA for Watson to use for said meetings.
The suit was filed by one woman, but the Texans settled with 30. Buzbee said in a Friday statement that all the women either made claims, or planned to make claims, against the team.
The Texans released a statement Friday, saying, “Although our organization did not have any knowledge of Deshaun Watson’s alleged misconduct, we have intentionally chosen to resolve this matter amicably. This is not an admission of any wrongdoing, but instead a clear stand against any form of sexual assault and misconduct.”
Orlando Brown Jr.
As the Kansas Chiefs and LT Orlando Brown Jr. did not make a deal by the NFL’s 4 pm ET/1 pm PT Friday deadline, Brown will play this season on the franchise tag. He will earn $16,662,000 on the tag this season.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs had made a final offer of six years, $139 million with a signing bonus of $30.25 million. If the Chiefs are reading this, I will take the deal.