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The Los Angeles Dodgers managed to come up with a promising finish when they clocked out the San Diego Padres in all three games of their marquee series. However, things seemed to have come up with a lot of heated arguments as emotions were on the rise in this series, leading to fans speculating that this will ever be a fiery matchup to look forward to in the years to come. Perhaps the most spicy clashes of the season so far, the Dodgers vs Padres series lived up to the hype – all close games, high implications in the standings, and a lot of drama that began right from the first game and was carried all the way to the final game. It was a picture-perfect finish for fans in the MLB, and you can see how it really continues to be a spectacle at this point. Despite a mature win for the Dodgers, fans were quick to point out that the club wasn’t really much interested in the antics that was stirred up by the Padres. The opponents were clearly trying to get into their heads, and that didn’t work well as Los Angeles remained composed – at least for most parts of the game, but it was manager Dave Roberts who could not handle that well. Roberts Ejected in Game 2 In just an inning, fans saw both stars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Shohei Ohtani get plunked by pitchers, causing lineup shifts and massive complaints from the Dodgers. Tatis was clocked in the back with a fastball coming from reliever Lou Trivino, while Ohtani’s right leg was struck with another fastball, this time from Randy Vasquez. Both teams were immediately issued a warning from the umpires – and that perhaps proved to be quite the trigger point as Roberts eventually stepped out of the dugout and barked out loud, saying that Vasquez should have been ejected. His plea was not taken lightly by the umpires, with third-base umpire Tripp Gibson deliberately ejecting him from the game as soon as he made his way from the dugout. As far as rivalry goes, this is something that fans would’ve loved to see, and the tensions rising says a lot about how it is expected to be for the two clubs when they get a chance to face each other again. “They got way more superstars over there if we want to hit somebody,” said Manny Machado. “They’ve got some big dogs over there we could hit. This game is crazy, right, this rivalry. It’s back and forth. Playing this competition, things get heated. You want to go out there and compete.” Rising Emotions This incident wasn’t the first one, however. Monday night clash that ended up in a Dodgers win also saw outfielder Andy Pages get struck in the left leg after a fastball by Dylan Cease. It led to a staredown from the Los Angeles outfielder – thinking there was intent behind the “accidental” hit. The next day, both superstars on each team ended up being hit as early as the third inning. Tension mostly cooled off after the Dodgers’ manager was sent out of the game. The series did end in a bang, with emotions settling down. However, fans are expecting to see more from a showdown between the two clubs. Luckily, there’s still two series of baseball left between these two teams, which comes in August.

The Boston Red Sox were fresh off a three-game sweep against one of the top teams in the league in the New York Yankees. The club has notched its seventh win of the last eight games, and they are set to focus on their upcoming trip to the West Coast as they are set to take on the Seattle Mariners. All of that hype and focus went away in a snap after Rafael Devers was suddenly traded. The star slugger – the last remnant of the club’s most recent success in the World Series back in 2018 – Rafael Devers is gone from wearing Red Sox club kits to putting up a new one. Boston received righty Jordan Hicks, lefty Kyle Harrison, and a pair of prospects in outfielder James Tibbs III (Giants' No. 4 prospect at the time of the deal) and righty Jose Bello. All of a sudden, the story has flipped well from being a huge season for Devers, only to end up being on the moving end of a trade that may well define the future of the club. Just six weeks before the July 31 Trade Deadline, and just five days before the two teams involved find themselves in a showdown in San Francisco. Why is the Devers Trade a Shocker? For starters, Devers was the face of the Red Sox, especially after he inked a massive deal of $313.5 million worth 10 years. Imagine how would it have held up had he stayed with the team instead of being traded. In his suddenly final game for the Red Sox, Devers notched his 15th homer and the 215th overall of his career. On top of that, he logged his 500th extra-base hit. At the age of 28, Devers is at the best of his game, well within his prime, and certainly capable of being a championship piece for his team. It can be remembered, however, that things have gone turbulent between Devers and the Red Sox in the past Spring Training, especially after the team signed third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year deal. In that turn, Bregman became the club’s right-handed batsman and veteran leader. Devers, who is a below-average defender based on the numbers, was prominently in the third base in his whole career. He didn’t like transitioning to the designated hitter role, but eventually agreed to that shift last March. A New Star for the Giants It can be remembered that the New York Giants went for Aaron Judge in the offseason, only to fall short. They also made their case for the likes of Shohei Ohtani and Carlos Correa – also falling short in both. The Giants roster has been somewhat full of supporting cast players, but never an elite star who can win big and lead the club to bigger heights. Landing Devers in a massive deal, however, is a good move for them. In fact, it is a steal. It is rare for a star of his caliber to be involved in a trade. The mere fact that he is still in his best prime says a lot about how it is expected to turn out for the Giants moving forward. The only thing that the Red Sox can hope for is that this trade does not end up as a disastrous move like the way they did in moving Mookie Betts, which still hits hard considering that they signed Devers a big deal because of that. Now they just gave him away.

Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Max Fried, and Zack Wheeler – are just a few names who are making waves in the current poll for the Cy Young award as they continue to elevate their pitching game with a whole new promising feel for their respective teams. But both Skenes and Skubal take the top spots on their respective leagues. Pitching is not an easy task for any player, let alone for those who continue to take the job at the helm. Still, that doesn’t stop the latest pitchers from shining at the top of the big stage to show their worth and elevate their level of play. In fact, both Skenes and Skubal have impressed well to top their respective leagues, showing how they have become elite pitchers this season so far. But the season is far from over, and there’s a lot of expectations that the season will bring out the best of the best from these pitchers while they help their respective clubs win. At this rate, nothing has surprised MLB fans more than the sudden rise of these elite pitchers now more than ever. A Skenes and Skubal Domination Tarik Skubal continues to be the runaway vote-getter in the American League as he continues to play at a high level. Let’s not forget the fact that he is also the defending Cy Young award winner, which says a lot about his strong potential to repeat as a winner again. He continues to be on an absolute tear with just one run allowed in the last 23 2/3 innings to lower his ERA to 2.16. On the other hand, Skenes has also been phenomenal in his games. His recent seven-pitch mix has allowed him to evolve faster than what he achieved in his massive rookie season, and now he continues to shine at a high level as one of the top pitchers in the National League. These two stars have been on the shining ground for today’s list, and it is easy to expect that they will be the ones to continue to dominate the game on the pitching side as they are seriously making some dominant performances now more than ever. Max Fried and Zack Wheeler also deserve some praise for their individual performances, and this should give them a strong chance to contend for the top spots. After all, it is still a long way to October. Setting Expectations At this rate, both Skenes and Skubal are poised to come up with a big win in the Cy Young awards on their respective leagues. Skubal has been quite the performer, but it is also worth noting that he has the highest first-place votes so far, which makes a lot of impressive note on the way he is performing right now. Skenes, on the other hand, also continues to shine bright on his own, and it is definitely his time to be a runaway winner for the Cy Young at this point. With the way his only rival – Yoshinobu Yamamoto – is playing right now, maybe Skenes indeed does have a chance to take the award home for himself and deliver a fantastic finish that he’s been waiting for. That said, there are still a lot of contenders to look out for outside of these two, and even Fried and Wheeler. The likes of Garrett Crochet, Hunter Brown, and Kris Bubic also round off the AL’s top performers, while Yamamoto, MacKenzie Gore, and Logan Webb also round up the NL’s list.

If there’s worry about how the Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling right now, it does seem that the focus is expected to shift on how they are going to stay on track for a championship finish this year. Despite being able to respond with a 7-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals, it seems that there’s going to be a lot of concern about their pace heading for the rest of the season. Shohei Ohtani drilled the first pitch of the series finale on Sunday against the Cards, and he went on to gap in the left-center field before cruising to the second base with a stand-up double. He would go on to stay there for the next three hitters before Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman smashed line drives for outs. The Dodgers went a mere 1-for-28 with runners in scoring position for the whole series. That is something that is very disappointing indeed considering the fact that they weren’t really playing that way. However, it does raise some concerns with this kind of play as they shift to battle another rival in the San Diego Padres. The “Luck” Narrative Well, there has been a lot of talk about how the Dodgers are simply relying on luck when it comes to their hits, and one can say that this is quite the 50-50 reality so far. That struggle on runners is definitely seen and felt well, but what was more evident in this stretch against the Cardinals was their lack of aggressive approach. But in terms of bad luck, one can say that the Dodgers may have solved it – at least for now. That’s what manager Dave Roberts has to say, and it cannot be denied that they needed this one well. “I don’t think that was there,” the manager said after his team’s 7-3 victory on Sunday afternoon. “There was a narrative out there for a little bit, but you know, it’s baseball, and so our guys kind of take it in stride. And I thought we were pretty good today with runners in scoring position.” Los Angeles has gone 3-for-14 on those regard in the win, and they have certainly done a great job – or a satisfactory one at the very least, in avoiding what could have been the club’s second sweep for this season. No way they would have survived it in any other way, which says a lot about the hopes of a competitive run once more. Surviving the Season? Despite being third overall in the National League, it cannot be denied that this is starting out to be a disappointing season for LA. That comes bearing even more stakes for many people when you mention that the team was also the winner of the previous year’s World Series, so there’s that. And yet, the Dodgers are only standing at meager 39-27. That is closer to the teams from the 4th to 8th seed teams in the National League, and a few wins behind the top seed New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs following suit. This season has been about redefining what the Dodgers really are made of. Dealing with the complacency after winning, and learning more about each other as they seek to come up with some of the best rallies to get back on a more competitive track in the 2025 MLB season as well.

Cincinnati was holding on for dear life when they battled the Milwaukee Brewers in an unexpected tight showdown. So when the ball was on their pitching side and was later thrown, fans were definitely in for a massive ride as it looked like it would be a home run for the visitors, only to be saved by TJ Freidl as the ball nearly went over the wall. Emilio Pagán drilled a promising score of his own to make it a 4-2 lead, but it cannot be denied that it was Friedl’s massive save that sealed the deal with a leaping catch that no one expected him to pull off. The lights went wild in the stadium as fans celebrated a thrilling victory to give the Reds their first win in this three-game series. All games have been tight contests, even today’s showdown. However, nothing tops off that massive play from Friedl as it definitely goes down as one of the biggest highlights for Tuesday Baseball. That win also puts them close to the eighth seed of the National League, just a few more wins behind the Brewers and the San Francisco Giants. Clutch Saves Happen As much as this is celebrated as if the Reds won the World Series, clutch saves happen in the game, and that is not new. What’s unique, however, is the frequency of these kinds of saves. For Friedl’s big play, it was not just a simple save – but rather a risky one to begin with. For starters, Friedl chased down the ball as soon as it went up high. He did not look at the path he was going down on – thus the risk of a potential slip up or even a misstep, but luckily, he ended up jumping on the wall (that has a protective foam specifically designed for players to jump on), and eventually caught the ball in what has been a defining clutch moment. "How about that?" Friedl said. “I knew it was hit well off the bat. I was kind of just tracking it. Probably when I was coming close to the warning track, I was like, ‘I could have a chance at this. It’s possible.’ Anything is possible.” That massive save also ended the Brewers’ eight-game winning streak. The Reds evened up the rivalry showdown in the second game, and now they can ignore whatever result the third game had to offer. On the Other Side of the Bat While fans are celebrating Friedl’s game-winning play, this comes as a frustrating finish for Jake Bauer, who was at the batting end of the attempted home run. Had Friedl not made a fantastic save, it would have been a walkoff victory for the Brewers. Instead, the club goes 1-1 before today’s affair to wrap up the series. “It’s a rollercoaster,” Bauers said. “I got the pitch I was looking for, put a good swing on it and you thought you might have got enough. And then the game’s over, you lose. That’s why they don’t make a level higher than this, because guys can go and make those plays in a big spot like that.” The Reds will now continue their homestand as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks come onto their turf. The Brewers, on the other hand, will host the San Diego Padres in their three-game clash starting this Friday.

The season hasn’t been kind to the Pittsburgh Steelers so far, but then they are still capable of showing signs of life at this point even at the bottom of the National League. Paul Skenes rallies this gritty team as they pulled off a stunning 10-1 smash on the Arizona Diamondbacks to get into 21 wins. Now headed to San Diego for the next three games, Skenes and the Pirates are carrying a promising pace after that offensive burst as the team looks to keep on winning once more. It seems that this season will be something to look forward to as they seek to salvage it as well. Skenes was on the fiery side – and yet he hasn’t been able to come up with impressive scoring bursts, but has found his groove when it mattered most. Dominating at Chase Field has been his strong suit, and he made sure that he would be able to keep his pace going as they now hope to keep on winning in the next set of games. A Massive Win for the Pirates Pittsburgh stands with a 21-36 record as of the time of writing and is dead second to the last in the National League. It has been a tough season with the team having a lot of injuries, but then they are trying to find ways to win. One of those ways is to have Skenes ride on a winning groove. This May hasn’t been quite his big game though, as he entered this final stretch at 0-3, only to claim his spot on the win column late. Skenes took out seven batters in over six and ⅔ innings, which marked the fifth time in a row that he has at least struck out half dozen players on the batting side. On top of that, he was pitching at a 2.32 ERA during that stretch, and yet was still able to close out the month of May with a promising finish, thanks to a flurry of runs. Majority of the damage came from the sixth inning, which saw them generate a total of five runs. The Pirates chased Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen and kept their foot on the gas as they rallied all the way to the finish and kept the D-backs from scoring once more. A Chance at a Climb with Skenes? Paul Skenes has emerged as the cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching staff, and his continued excellence is pivotal for the team's resurgence in the 2025 season. Following a stellar rookie year where he posted a 1.96 ERA and set a franchise record with 170 strikeouts, Skenes has maintained his dominance into the new season. This performance marked his 10th quality start in 12 appearances, underscoring his consistency and reliability on the mound. Beyond his on-field achievements, Skenes has taken on a leadership role within the Pirates' clubhouse. Drawing from his experiences and insights gained from veterans, he has been instrumental in fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration among his teammates. His calm demeanor and work ethic serve as a model for others, and his influence is evident in the team's improved performance and morale. As the Pirates aim to end a decade-long playoff drought, Skenes' ability to lead both on and off the field will be crucial in guiding the team back to contention.

Nothing has been really easy for the Los Angeles Dodgers in what has been quite a turbulent start to the 2025 season. While they have managed to stabilize well heading into June, it does seem that there is a promising hope to look out for the team as they seek to improve their winning chances. Two of the big reasons for their impressive run? Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In the Dodgers’ recent showdown with the Cleveland Guardians, Yamamoto was explosive as he pushed the team to its somewhat first stress-free win in a long while. Heading into that showdown, Los Angeles has just claimed three out of the last nine games – and those needed extra innings to win as they have been blowing massive leads so far. The theatrics haven’t been fun to watch for the Dodgers so far, but with manager Dave Roberts finding ways to tweak his squad and show that Los Angeles has impressive depth, one can say that this is a promising look considering that Ohtani and Yamamoto’s recent big game led the team to a much-needed win so far. Tenacity by Yamamoto If there’s one way to say that this season has been worse for the Dodgers, maybe the fact that the injuries have been mounting is a starting point. Had it not been for his elite performance on Memorial Day, the Dodgers would have been in a dire mood right now searching for answers. Yamamoto woke up a promising lineup that has been on a lull in the past few games, and it cannot be denied that his six-inning, two-run start has proved to be pivotal so far. Now that has ended a streak of five runs in the last seven games before extra innings. Nothing has been easy for the Dodgers, but Yamamoto made it look like he could carry this team to bigger heights. “I mean, you could argue he’s been our most valuable player,” Roberts said, accounting for the rash of other injuries that have ravaged the rotation. “Just to be able to log six or seven innings and kind of reset your ‘pen, give us a good chance to win every time he goes out there, has been huge. I feel very confident in calling him the staff ace.” There was also a massive play in the third inning from Yamamoto. He had two on and no outs, but he managed to race on the mound, fielding a bunt that first baseman Freddie Freeman misread. Yamamoto then ran all the way to first himself before eventually tagging Wilson in the foot – forcing the Guardians to just keep one run and paving the way to a smooth victory. The Ohtani Spark Much like Yamamoto, Ohtani was firing from all cylinders and was able to drill a leadoff home run in the second straight game. The Japanese star now leads the MLB with 19 long balls as of the time of writing, and it could not have been any better for the Dodgers’ impressive victory. The Dodgers have always relied on Ohtani to make the big plays, and he did deliver in this clash with the Guardians to make sure that he would be able to put them on top. Ohtani also clocked his third career leadoff homer in the win. With the key victory, the Dodgers surge back into third with a 33-21 record, tied with the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets for the second spot.

Matt Shaw has not seen the bright side of the day after being demoted in mid-April after what was deemed to be his stretch of “uninspired play” in his early runs with the Chicago Cubs. But despite all those doubts on what he can bring to the table for the club, Shaw is still emerging as a hot favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year this season. That is, of course, if he can step up and deliver in his return to the Majors. Nothing has been easy for MLB rookies, and the challenge is definitely present as it can be. Ranked as the 28th-best prospect in the minors, it does seem that there are a lot of promising hopes for Shaw to eventually emerge and come up with a bigger spark in his games moving forward. As of late, the Cubs have been running a timeshare in the third base, which includes Nicky Lopez, Jon Berti, and Vidal Bruján. The club now moves to put Shaw to assume the majority of the responsibility on that end and ensure that there will be more spark on that side as the Cubs try to come up with a much more competitive season. Early Struggles for Shaw Shaw faced early challenges in his professional career. After making the Opening Day roster in 2025, Shaw struggled at the plate, posting a .172 batting average with one home run and 18 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances over 18 games. Manager Craig Counsell noted that such struggles are common for young hitters and emphasized the importance of growth through adversity. In response to his performance, the Cubs optioned Shaw to Triple-A Iowa on April 15, 2025, to allow him to gain more consistent at-bats and refine his skills. During his time in Iowa, Shaw made significant adjustments, improving his batting average to .286 with six home runs in 24 games. These changes included focusing on reducing head movement and refining his swing mechanics, which led to a more controlled approach at the plate. His performance in the minors earned him a recall to the majors, where the Cubs hope his refined skills will bolster their lineup. Chance at Proving Critics Wrong Matt Shaw's return to the major leagues presents an opportunity for growth and redemption. During his time in Iowa, Shaw focused on adjusting his swing mechanics, particularly reducing head movement and refining his weight shift, which had contributed to an increased ground ball rate. These adjustments led to a noticeable improvement in his performance, including a four-hit game and a significant uptick in his batting average and on-base percentage. As Shaw re-enters the major leagues, his recent minor league success suggests he is better prepared to handle the challenges of big-league pitching. His improved plate discipline, as evidenced by a better strikeout-to-walk ratio, indicates a more mature approach at the plate. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized that such struggles are common for young hitters and that growth often comes through adversity. With the Cubs leading the NL Central and Shaw's recent performance, he has the opportunity to contribute positively to the team's success. As the Cubs continue to top off the list in the National League Central, Shaw’s return to the game would be a chance for them to keep that spark up and running and make things interesting at this point for the club.

Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games without pay by the MLB after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, a banned performance-enhancing substance under the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The suspension, announced on May 18, 2025, takes immediate effect and renders Alvarado ineligible for the remainder of the regular season and any potential postseason play. At the age of 29, Alvarado has made himself one of the best players on the bullpen for the Phillies this season. He is posting a 2.70 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts over 20 innings pitched. He leads the team with seven saves and five holds, contributing significantly to the Phillies' 27-18 record as of the suspension announcement. The timing of the suspension is particularly damaging, as the team is contending for the National League East title and a playoff berth. This is definitely a bad news for a team that has strong World Series aspirations and may well be hurting their chances now more than ever. A Tough Break The Phillies expressed disappointment over Alvarado's violation but reaffirmed their commitment to MLB's drug policy. In a statement, the team emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and supporting the league's efforts to eliminate performance-enhancing substances. “It’s disappointing for sure,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Sunday morning at Citizens Bank Park. “There’s no question about that. We’ve had other issues come up at various times. I end up treating it like an injury because you need to replace somebody for 80 games and then hopefully into the postseason.” With Alvarado sidelined, the Phillies face increased pressure on an already underperforming bullpen. Relievers such as Jordan Romano and Orion Kerkering have yet to meet expectations, and the team may need to explore trade opportunities to bolster their relief corps. However, with many teams in contention for playoff spots, acquiring quality bullpen help may prove challenging. Under MLB's drug policy, a first positive test for a banned substance results in an 80-game suspension without pay. A second offense leads to a 162-game suspension, and a third offense results in a lifetime ban from the league. Players are not eligible for postseason play during their suspension, regardless of when it concludes. Alvarado has the right to appeal the suspension, but unless the appeal is successful, the penalty will stand. If upheld, the suspension will serve as a significant setback in his career and the Phillies' season. Losing Alvarado Alvarado is in the final year of a three-year, $21.5 million contract extension signed in February 2023, which includes a $9 million club option for the 2026 season. The suspension raises questions about his future with the team, as the Phillies will need to assess the impact of the violation on his performance and reputation. José Alvarado's suspension marks a significant development in the 2025 MLB season, highlighting the ongoing challenges teams face in maintaining compliance with league policies. This is, after all, not the first time that a player has been suspended for drug use as well. For the Phillies, the loss of their top reliever presents both a tactical and emotional hurdle as they navigate the remainder of the season without one of their most reliable pitchers. The team's response and any subsequent roster moves will be closely scrutinized as they aim to remain competitive in the National League East.

After being put on the 60-day injured list by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw is back on the brink as the 37-year-old makes his return to action for the club. This will mark his season debut as he has yet to touch the field since March, and his return could not have come at a better time when the Dodgers are plagued with injuries. Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Teoscar Hernández, and Tommy Edman are all out for the Dodgers so far. Sasaki was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement, while Snell will be up for checking for his left shoulder inflammation. Nothing has been easy for the team so far, and Kershaw’s return this week is starting to be a promising note for the defending World Series winners. Kershaw just finished his fifth and final rehab on Sunday, and he went on to pitch a total of four innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City, in which he landed two hits and two runs allowed. He also finished with 57 pitches and had two walks and strikeouts apiece. He has not played a single game since the World Series campaign and had surgeries last November on a torn meniscus in his left knee and a ruptured plantar plate. A Big Return for Kershaw Kershaw is one of the biggest pieces for the Dodgers over the years and is also a fan favorite in the city. The return spells a positive look for the team at this point as the injuries have been really piling up for the team so far, and it cannot be denied that Kershaw could spark the team’s struggles now more than ever. “It's great. It's a big shot in the arm,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Clayton has worked really hard to get healthy, and the bar is high for him. He doesn't want to just come back to be active. He wants to come back and help us win baseball games and be good. And so I know he's excited to contribute.” In an injury-shortened season, Kershaw went 2-2 before he got injured in seven starts with a 4.50 ERA. It was his 17th season at that time, and fans are hoping to see him thrive in a rotation that features Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Landon Knack. So far, the Dodgers still remain atop the National League West with a 27-14 record and are also sitting with the best record in the MLB so far. The Kershaw Boost In his run with three affiliates, Kershaw has logged a 2.57 ERA in five rehab starts. The Dodgers star has also pitched 21 innings, allowed 12 hits and six runs, walked five, and struck out 16. So far, getting him back is going to be a boost that the team can build off him and get back to bigger winning grooves. “Just getting No. 22 back in the rotation is a huge shot in the arm of our ballclub,” Roberts said. “With Clayton just being back, I think it just adds an element of certainty and kind of performance.” Roberts also said that he is not that concerned with the way Kershaw will struggle in his return. After all, it does seem that the pitcher has been quite effective in his rehab games, and it will likely translate to better numbers when he returns.

In a decisive move signaling a shift in direction, the Colorado Rockies have relieved manager Bud Black of his duties following a dismal 7–33 start to the 2025 MLB season. The decision comes on the heels of a 9–3 victory over the San Diego Padres, which ended an eight-game losing streak but was insufficient to salvage Black's tenure. The Rockies' performance this season has been marked by inconsistency and underachievement, culminating in a franchise-worst 21–0 loss to the Padres the previous day. Black, who became the Rockies' all-time winningest manager in 2024, managed the team for nine seasons, compiling a 544–690 record. Under his leadership, the Rockies reached the playoffs in 2017 and 2018 but have since struggled to maintain competitiveness. The team's ongoing challenges, including back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2023 and 2024, prompted the front office to seek a change. A New Dawn In the wake of Black's dismissal, third-base coach Warren Schaeffer has been appointed interim manager for the remainder of the season. Clint Hurdle, a former Rockies manager and the franchise's all-time winningest skipper, will serve as the interim bench coach. General Manager Bill Schmidt expressed confidence in Schaeffer's ability to connect with players and improve team performance, emphasizing the need for a fresh approach to reverse the team's fortunes. As the Rockies embark on this new chapter, the focus will be on rebuilding the team's culture and performance. The remainder of the 2025 season presents an opportunity for Schaeffer and the coaching staff to assess the roster and implement strategies aimed at long-term success. The Rockies' ownership and management are committed to making the necessary changes to restore the team to competitiveness in the National League West. Schaeffer, previously the team’s third base coach and a respected figure in the Rockies’ player development system, steps into one of the most challenging managerial roles in baseball. But does he have the tools – and time – to make an impact? Schaeffer Stepping Up Schaeffer’s most immediate opportunity lies in player development and clubhouse culture. A former minor league manager within the Rockies’ system, he has strong relationships with many of the team’s younger players, including top prospects like Adael Amador and Yanquiel Fernandez. Giving these prospects meaningful playing time could inject life into a stagnant roster. Schaeffer’s background managing in the minors gives him insight into the Rockies’ farm system. These changes wouldn’t solve every issue overnight, but they would signal a bold shift toward player growth, accountability, and future competitiveness. One should expect that he will instill more aggressive baserunning and better situational awareness, turning the Rockies into a more dynamic, high-effort team. Additionally, Schaeffer is expected to emphasize fundamentals, baserunning, and defensive improvement – areas where the Rockies have consistently struggled. With Clint Hurdle stepping in as interim bench coach, Schaeffer will also have a seasoned voice beside him to help stabilize the team’s leadership. If the Rockies are to salvage anything from 2025, it won’t be about a playoff push – it will be about setting the tone for 2026 and beyond. Schaeffer’s success will hinge not just on wins, but on whether he can inspire effort, reestablish development priorities, and restore a sense of direction to a franchise adrift. The challenge is steep – but for Schaeffer, it’s also the opportunity of a lifetime that he should not pass up with Black now moving on from the team.