In this edition of The Windup, The Athletic’s MLB newsletter, the summer heat isn’t just baking ballparks—it’s exposing some chilly realities for New York, while other teams are heating up in surprising ways. Here’s a fresh look at the latest around the league, plus the biggest stories you don’t want to miss.
Disappointments: The vibes are bad in New York
Since the All-Star break, the Mets have gone 8-13, having once led the NL East by as many as 5.5 games on June 12, they’ve slipped to 5.5 games back and sit just a half-step from losing their wild-card footing. The Yankees have been wobbling too, at 9-13 since the break, after at one point holding a comfortable lead in the AL East. Their current seven-game slump story isn’t as stark as the Mets’, but it’s meaningful enough to reshape the AL playoff picture.
The Mets’ season is slipping from promising to precarious. They signed Juan Soto hoping to elevate them into a title conversation, but they’ve dropped 12 of their last 13. There’s talk about whether some Triple-A options—like Nolan McLean or Brandon Sproat—could translate raw potential into big-league impact, especially with the team’s rotation under heavy strain. Promising youngsters such as Jonah Tong have already moved up to Triple-A, but it’s unclear if they’re ready to rescue a season in peril.
On the Yankees’ side, the current losing streak is short, but injuries have been piling up. Devin Williams took the loss in a weekend game against the Astros, and two of their trade-deadline acquisitions—Austin Slater and Amed Rosario—are on the injured list. Giancarlo Stanton, at age 35, has even returned to the outfield for the first time since last year. The hope here is that new energy and some shifting roles can spark a turnaround, but time is running short.
Still, there’s a bright note for the Mets: Pete Alonso hit his 252nd home run, tying Darryl Strawberry for the franchise record. And the Old-Timers Game saw Graig Nettles back in uniform after a 14-year absence, a nostalgic reminder of New York baseball’s enduring history.
AL Cy Young race: a quick check-in
Tarik Skubal of Detroit remains the favorite by traditional metrics, posting a 11-3 record with a 2.35 ERA in 145 1/3 innings. By newer metrics, his 5.4 bWAR trails only Paul Skenes (5.7) but sits seventh overall among pitchers. Yet, in his last two starts, Skubal has allowed seven earned runs in 11 2/3 innings (5.40 ERA), prompting a closer look at who could seize the moment if his form dips.
Contenders knocking on the door include:
– Garrett Crochet, Red Sox: 13-4, 2.24 ERA, 148 1/3 innings, 4.8 bWAR. Crochet leads the AL in wins and has the lowest ERA among the top candidates, but his workload and walks (39) complicate the narrative compared to Skubal’s efficiency (21 walks) and his sub-1.00 WHIP.
– Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers: 10-3, 1.38 ERA, 111 innings, 4.3 bWAR. A compelling season hampered only by a midseason absence with triceps tightness. If he can stay healthy and build a little more innings, he’ll be a strong case.
– Hunter Brown, Astros: 9-5, 2.51 ERA, 136 1/3 innings, 4.5 bWAR. Durable and effective, contributing to Houston’s continued strong run in a tough division.
– Joe Ryan, Twins: 11-5, 2.79 ERA, 132 1/3 innings, 4.6 bWAR. Very solid, though perhaps lacking in a standout edge that separates him from the field.
Honorable mentions: Jacob deGrom (Rangers), Framber Valdez (Astros), Max Fried (Yankees), Kris Bubic (Royals).
Gawking: Look at these memorable catches
This weekend delivered two outfield plays to remember. Jurickson Profar robbed a homer for Agustin Ramirez with a smooth, over-the-wall catch that recalled Denzel Clarke’s similar highlights earlier this season. And Adolis García pulled off a remarkable sequence—off the glove, off the shoulder, and barehanded just before the ball touched grass. Both plays underscore how defense remains a dramatic, game-changing element of baseball.
Guardians back from the dead?
Cleveland’s season looked nearly over at the All-Star break, standing at 46-49 and three games under .500, with the division seemingly out of reach. Since then, the Guardians have surged to 15-7, pulling within six games of the division lead and just a half-game out of the third AL wild-card spot. The short version: timely hitting has powered the offense, while Gavin Williams has helped anchor the rotation alongside a group of less familiar contributors. Kyle Manzardo has emerged as a steady force, crossing the 20-homer threshold, and the bullpen has been strengthened by contributions from Nic Enright and Erik Sabrowski. Cleveland ranks sixth in FanGraphs’ team-wide defensive metrics, a reminder that defense has become a meaningful part of their surge.
Handshakes and High Fives
– The Brewers are riding a nine-game win streak, a sign that their late-summer push could be real.
– Debuts and milestones on the radar: Jen Pawol’s debut made waves, with David O’Brien and Britt Ghiroli providing deeper context and history.
– Division and schedule analysis: A breakdown by Stephen Nesbitt and Chad Jennings shows which teams have the toughest and easiest paths to the postseason.
– Teammate value: Rustin Dodd talked with Jeff Francoeur about what makes a great teammate.
– Carlos Correa’s learning curve at third base: He’s studying the league’s best to shorten his adaptation period.
– Trevor Story’s health: The biggest measure of success for him in Boston this year is simply staying on the field.
– The Twins, since the trade deadline, have a winning record and five wins in their last seven—thanks in part to rookie Luke Keaschall.
– The NL West’s rotation is getting healthier: Michael King is back with the Padres, and Blake Snell with the Dodgers.
– A switch-throwing position player rounds out the weekend chatter: Carlos Cortes of the A’s has been playing right field left-handed, then shifted to third base right-handed.
Milestones and memorable moments
Jose Altuve reached 250 career home runs, while Justin Verlander logged his 3,500th strikeout. It’s the sort of pair of markers that reminds fans how individual legacies persist even as teams navigate their seasons.
What to watch next
The Windup will keep you posted as these stories develop—whether it’s the AL Cy Young race tightening up or the Guardians riding a second-half surge into October. And for fans seeking fresh context, the latest Weird and Wild stat lines from the week will keep the edge sharp.
Summary
The season’s mid-to-late stretch is where narratives crystallize: the Mets and Yankees face pressure in New York, while the Guardians exemplify a midseason resurgence. The Cy Young conversation remains dynamic, with multiple contenders in the mix. Across the league, dazzling defensive plays, milestone moments, and coming-from-behind runs keep the storyline as engaging as ever.
A hopeful takeaway
Baseball seasons are long, and momentum can swing quickly. While some teams are scuffling, others are finding form at the right moment, and a few breakout weeks could redefine division races and wild-card battles in the weeks to come. Stay tuned for more updates, deep-dives, and the standout plays that keep this game thrilling.
Additional notes for publication
– Maintain a clear, engaging voice suitable for a broad audience, balancing stats with narrative.
– Omit promotional placeholders and ads; focus on the storytelling and standings context.
– Consider adding a “What this means for fantasy players” sidebar if applicable, given the AL Cy Young chatter and player milestones.