Pete Crow-Armstrong Tops 2026 MLB Pre-Arbitration Bonus Pool List Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has once again emerged as the top recipient of the 2026 MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool, securing the largest share of the $50 million allocated to players with less than two years and 140 days of major league service. According to WAR calculations provided by Major League Baseball, Crow-Armstrong is projected to receive $1,179,587 through July 6, surpassing his previous midseason total of $1,091,102 and final figure of $1,206,207. This marks his third consecutive year leading the bonus pool, with a 2024 payout of $342,128. Crow-Armstrong’s performance through July 6 includes a .282 batting average, 21 home runs, 55 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and a .900 OPS. The bonus pool, established under the 2022 collective bargaining agreement, aims to distribute funds to players ineligible for salary arbitration due to insufficient service time. A 100-player list was released, with Miami shortstop Otto Lopez securing the second-highest amount at $910,239, followed by Milwaukee right-hander Jacob Misiorowski ($896,407) and St. Louis second baseman JJ Wetherholt ($879,874). Other notable recipients include Detroit catcher Dillon Dingler ($797,802), Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle ($786,326), and Washington outfielder James Wood ($711,330). The bonus pool’s distribution has fluctuated over recent years, with $12.75 million allocated in 2025, $9.85 million in 2024, $9.25 million in 2023, and $11.25 million in 2022. The players’ association has proposed increasing the pool to $180 million in 2027, followed by annual raises of $15 million. However, foreign professionals are excluded from the program.#chicago_cubs #mlb #major_league_baseball #pete_crowarmstrong #otto_lopez
Zack Wheeler's Resilience Shines in Dominant Performance Despite Struggles Zack Wheeler delivered a masterclass in adaptability on Monday night, turning a shaky start into a dominant outing that underscored his reputation as a pitcher who consistently elevates his game under pressure. Despite struggling to locate his fastball early in the game and facing challenges with his breaking ball, Wheeler managed to pitch six scoreless innings, striking out nine batters while allowing just two hits. His performance highlighted his ability to thrive even when his usual tools aren’t fully dialed in, a trait that has defined his career. The game began with Wheeler clearly out of sync, as he failed to command his fastball in the first inning. Of his 11 heaters, five missed the strike zone, with three of those occurring in the first at-bat against Liam Hicks. Hicks, however, managed to work a single on the fourth fastball he saw, which was just slightly outside the zone. The struggles continued as Wheeler’s sweeper, a pitch he typically relies on heavily, performed poorly, with a chase percentage of 12.5%—his worst of the season. Against Otto Lopez, the pitch missed the zone badly, leading to a walk and two baserunners with just three strikes thrown. The turning point came in the third inning when Wheeler executed a well-placed splitter, a pitch he had reintroduced to his arsenal in 2024. The splitter, which he threw 18 times during the game, generated six swings and misses, including a critical strikeout of Kyle Stowers. This moment marked the start of Wheeler’s resurgence, as he gradually regained control of the game. By the end of the night, he had settled into his typical fastball command, using it in conjunction with the splitter to keep hitters off balance.#philadelphia_phillies #zack_wheeler #otto_lopez #don_mattingly #kyle_stowers
CJ Abrams Can Make Nationals/Expos History With All-Star Nod Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams is on the verge of securing his second All-Star selection, a milestone that could etch his name into the franchise’s history books. The Nationals, formerly the Montreal Expos, have long struggled to produce All-Star shortstops, but Abrams’ elite season has positioned him as the most likely candidate to break that drought. With a .293 batting average, 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and the highest OPS (.919) among qualified shortstops, Abrams has dominated the National League’s shortstop position this season. Abrams’ performance has placed him in a tight race for the All-Star starting spot, with Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez as his primary competitor. Lopez leads in batting average (.332) and is also a strong contender for the starting role. However, Abrams holds the edge in key advanced metrics, including on-base percentage (.381) and slugging percentage (.522), while tying with Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz in home runs (12) and hits (65). De La Cruz, however, is sidelined with a right hamstring strain, reducing the competition to a duel between Abrams and Lopez. The Nationals’ historical context adds significance to Abrams’ potential All-Star nod. Since the Expos joined Major League Baseball in 1969, only seven shortstops have earned All-Star selections, including Trea Turner (2021), Ian Desmond (2012), Wil Cordero (1994), Hubie Brooks (1986 and 1987), and Cristian Guzmán (2008). None of these players were named the starting shortstop, leaving a void in the franchise’s All-Star history. Abrams, if selected as the starting shortstop, would become the first Expos/Nationals player to achieve that honor. MLB.#washington_nationals #cj_abrams #elly_de_la_cruz #otto_lopez #montreal_expos
Reds vs. Marlins Odds, Prediction, and Line: 2026 MLB Picks for April 9 from Proven Model The Miami Marlins aim to split the four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds in the final matchup of the 2026 season, set for Thursday afternoon at loanDepot Park in Miami. The Reds, who entered the game with an 8-4 record, had their five-game winning streak snapped in a 7-4 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday. The Reds, now 5-1 on the road this season, face a challenge against a Marlins team that has won six of its last seven games at home. The Marlins, with a 7-5 record, are looking to capitalize on their momentum after ending a two-game losing streak. The game is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET, with the Reds holding a slight edge in the all-time series, 139-107. However, the Marlins have dominated the recent matchups, winning five of the last seven games against Cincinnati. The money line odds favor the Marlins as -128 favorites, meaning bettors would need to risk $128 to win $100, while the Reds are listed as +109 underdogs, offering a higher payout for a $100 bet. The over/under for total runs is set at 8, with SportsLine’s model projecting the game to exceed that total. SportsLine’s computer model, which has a track record of profitability in MLB betting, simulated the Reds vs. Marlins matchup 10,000 times and identified key trends. The model’s analysis suggests the Marlins, who rank fourth in the league in offense with a .262 team batting average, are poised to outscore the Reds. The Marlins have scored 59 runs in 12 games, the sixth-highest total in baseball, while the Reds, who scored 716 runs in 2025, are expected to contribute significantly to the offensive output. The model’s projections highlight the Marlins’ strong offensive potential, with their lineup expected to generate over 1.#loandepot_park #miami_marlins #cincinnati_reds #otto_lopez #jakob_marsee
