Baseball
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Buck Martinez announced he is cancer-free and will be inducted into the Blue Jays Hall of Excellence on Aug. 29. The longtime broadcaster and former player plans to fill a Rogers Centre suite with family for the ceremony.
The Vancouver Canadians are in a tight playoff race in the Northwest League, holding second place and vying for a postseason berth. A recent win moved them into first place in the second-half standings, and the article outlines the remaining schedule and what is needed for the team to return to the playoffs.
Kevin Gausman's first start at Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs ended early due to a hand cramp in the fifth inning. The Toronto Blue Jays traded Gausman at the deadline for prospects, and rookie Brett Bateman has helped spark a winning streak.
Vancouver is competing with several U.S. cities to land an MLB expansion franchise, with a local ownership group recently formed to lead the bid. The city's chances are bolstered by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's positive remarks about Vancouver's viability, though a stadium site remains a key challenge.
The Toronto Blue Jays open a key series against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays. Toronto is trying to build its case as a playoff contender while narrowing the gap with one of baseball's best teams.
Jordan Romano earned a save for the Colorado Rockies, continuing his strong recent performance since being released by the Angels. The former Blue Jays closer has converted six of his last seven save chances with a 3.09 ERA for the Rockies.
Eric Lauer was cut loose by the Blue Jays in May after posting a 6.69 ERA in six starts. With the Dodgers, he has a 3.48 ERA over 10 starts and is now making Toronto's decision look questionable as they scrap for a playoff spot.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider criticized Yankees infielder Jose Caballero for obstructing Josh Smith's view on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, calling it a dirty tactic. Smith, who scored on the play, said he would try the same move himself, highlighting a difference in opinion between player and manager.
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Casey Lawrence to a minor league deal. Lawrence provides organizational depth for the Phillies as they chase a playoff berth.
The Mid Island Pirates won four consecutive games to capture the 2026 BCPBL Junior Championship with a 6-1 victory over the Langley Blaze on Championship Sunday. The Pirates opened the double-knockout tournament with a 2-0 win over the Delta Blue Jays and followed with a 10-0 shutout of the Coquitlam Reds before edging the Blaze 5-4 to set up the championship rematch.
The Seattle Mariners claimed catcher Willie MacIver off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays and assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma. Toronto designated MacIver for assignment as part of a roster shuffle, and Seattle had open 40-man spots to make the low-cost addition.
Jeff Hoffman allowed the go-ahead run in his third appearance with the Minnesota Twins, a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning against Milwaukee. The former Toronto Blue Jays reliever has a 3.88 ERA this season and continues to struggle with consistency.
The Pitch Pod is a sports, media, and business podcast hosted by MLB pitcher James “Big Maple” Paxton and media sales pro Chad “The Sizzler” Dey. From locker room stories to sales stories and tips, we break down the headlines, the business behind the game, and what actually works in sports, media, and sales. Plus real conversations with athletes turned business owners, media guests, and more.
