Fatal fiery crash caused major traffic issues in Colorado on I-70
Fatal fiery crash caused major traffic issues in Colorado on I-70
03:10
Officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation sent out a warning to Denver-area drivers on Thursday afternoon to avoid heading up to the high country due to a fatal crash on Interstate 70. Westbound I-70 reopened after 5 p.m., about 4 hours after the collision, and there were still big backups at 5:30 p.m.
The crash was in the westbound lanes right before the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel.
A vehicle fire closed westbound lanes of I-70 at mile marker 218.
CDOT
A person and a dog were killed in the crash, which involved a semi truck and a pickup truck hauling a trailer. It happened just after 1 p.m. in the westbound lanes and a large fire with heavy smoke resulted from the collision.
The person and the dog were in the pickup truck. The person’s identity has not been released. The semi driver wasn’t hurt.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Cars are seen backed up on Interstate 70 in the foothills late Thursday afternoon.
CBS
“Motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid travel from Denver to the high country via Interstate 70 and US Highway 285 until this evening,” officials from CDOT wrote in an afternoon news release.
Colorado State Patrol said drivers who attempt to head up to the mountains in the afternoon could “expect extreme congestion and heat.”
The eastbound lanes were closed for a short time after the crash. They reopened about an hour after the crash. Drivers heading eastbound were also warned to expect heavy holiday traffic.
Jennifer McRae
Jennifer McRae is a digital media producer for CBS Colorado with more than 25 years of experience in news. Jennifer is part of the digital team recognized for excellence for Best Website several times by the Colorado Broadcasters Association.
Early into his second year in the majors, a young Clayton Kershaw was enduring a sophomore slump with the Dodgers. Looking for a way to complement his predominantly fastball/curveball mix, he began toying around with a slider in his between-starts bullpen sessions.
When Brad Ausmus, the well-traveled 40-year-old backup catcher on that year’s Dodgers team, heard about the experiment, he didn’t initially think much of it. That a raw 21-year-old talent would be tinkering with a new pitch didn’t come as much of a surprise.
But when Ausmus asked the club’s bullpen catcher, Mike Borzello, how Kershaw’s new pitch looked, he got his first inkling it might be special.
“He was like, ‘It’s really good,’” Ausmus recalled recently. “I said, ‘Oh, so maybe he’ll throw it in a couple more bullpens before taking it into the game.’ And he’s like, ‘Ehh, I think he might take it into the game his next start.’”
A few weeks later, Ausmus got his first chance to see it up close, calling it sporadically in a Freeway Series game at Angel Stadium. That day, Kershaw spun a gem, throwing seven scoreless innings in a Dodgers victory.
But it was afterward, as Kershaw, Ausmus and longtime Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt reviewed the outing, that the longtime catcher started to understand that Kershaw wasn’t just any young pitcher. That his tantalizing talent was matched by a preternatural aptitude. That his precocious battery mate was both a physical force and pitching prodigy.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, talks with former teammate Brad Ausmus, right, and coach Matt Martin before a game in 2019, when Ausmus was the manager of the Angels.
(Alex Gallardo/AP)
“Keep in mind, this is a rookie, basically, talking to a guy who’s been in the big leagues 17, 18 years,” Ausmus said. “And he goes, ‘Brad, I wish you would call more sliders.’”
Initially surprised, Ausmus thought to himself: “Really? This is a brand new pitch. We probably threw 10 or 15 of them.”
But Kershaw could already see the bigger picture. He immediately sensed how the new pitch might profoundly influence his game.
“If you think about it, the fastball was 95, the curveball was probably in the low-to-mid 80s, so there was a lot of separation in terms of velocity. It almost gave the hitter time to reload before swinging,” Ausmus said. “The slider did not allow the hitters to do that.”
Seventeen years, three Cy Young Awards, two World Series titles, and — very nearly — 3,000 strikeouts later, the rest has been singularly impressive history.
“It speaks to not only his knowledge, but his ability and his confidence,” said Ausmus, now bench coach for the New York Yankees. “He has an aptitude for the game. He adjusts. And he continues to perform at a high level. It really is remarkable … I miss having that guy as a teammate.”
When Clayton Kershaw takes the mound on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, he will need just three strikeouts to become the 20th member of Major League Baseball’s 3,000 strikeout club.
And, just as it was almost two decades ago, it will be the same primary three-pitch mix that is all but certain to lift him into such rarified air.
For better or (very rarely) worse, at full strength or in ailing health, the now 37-year-old future Hall of Famer has managed to perfect one of the sport’s all-time signature plans of attack on the mound:
Establish the fastball on the edge of the plate for a strike. Tunnel the slider on the same trajectory to get awkward swings when it tails off late. Mix in a curveball when a change of pace is needed. And never be afraid to change the sequence and tendencies of that infallible trio of pitches, using instinct and feel to amplify his physical talent.
“It’s what’s upstairs [that makes him special],” current Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said. “He’s always a step ahead.”
Countless big-league pitchers have used a similar fastball-slider-curveball repertoire. Even in Kershaw’s prime years, there were always others who could throw harder, or produce more break, or manipulate the ball with more gravity-defying spin.
What separates Kershaw are more foundational skills. His unwavering execution, in seasons he threw 200-plus innings or those in which he battled increasingly persistent injuries to his back, shoulder and even a bothersome left big toe. His unflappable persistence to move from one pitch, one start, one year to the next; never satisfied with his best moments nor shaken by his rare failures.
“He just knows the ins and outs of baseball, and has such good feel,” longtime teammate and backstop Austin Barnes said. “He’s like a train that comes at you consistently.”
That’s why, when Kershaw does inevitably cross the 3,000-strikeout threshold, it will be equal parts a testament to his talent and durability — an accomplishment that required him to continually reinvent his game without ever changing his fundamental nature as a pitcher.
“Clayton has everything the right way, on the field, off the field, over a long period of time,” manager Dave Roberts said last week.
“It’s hard to wrap your head around what it takes,” he added, “as far as longevity, and greatness.”
“He’s like a train that comes at you consistently,” former Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, center, said of pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Few players have produced the kind of prolonged period of greatness Kershaw did during the peak of his career. Starting in that 2009 season, he went on a run of sub-3.00 ERA campaigns in 11 of his next 12 years. In seven of them, he had 200 or more strikeouts, including a career-high 301 punchouts in 2015. Eight of his 10 All-Star selections came in that stretch, as did his three Cy Young Awards and a 2014 National League MVP (still the last time a pitcher won the game’s highest individual honor).
His only blemishes in that time were repeated disappointments in the playoffs. But even in most of those, he was tasked with trying to save the team’s season while pitching on short rest or desperately-needed outings out of the bullpen.
“Even with all the pressure he’s had as the Dodgers’ ace … he’s always out there, he’s always willing to take the ball,” Barnes said. “I think that goes underappreciated. He’s willing to put himself out there, even when he doesn’t feel his best.”
To Barnes, who has caught more Kershaw starts than anyone other than A.J. Ellis, the way Kershaw strives to always be better is what has made it all possible. It was a trait he noticed in one of his first games catching him in 2017 against the San Diego Padres.
“I kind of went against the scouting report, and I called a fastball that froze the guy,” Barnes, who signed a minor-league deal with the San Francisco Giants this week after being released by the Dodgers earlier this year, recalled recently. “I remember him coming up to me after, kind of sizing me up and down, like, ‘Why’d you call that?’ I just said, ‘I just kind of felt it.’”
It was a small example of how Kershaw’s pitch mix — unchanged over the years, outside of an occasional flirtation with a variety of changeup grips — could be weaponized in ways opposing batters have long struggled to expect.
“Not everybody gets to his caliber of pitching and stuff,” Barnes said. “But the work he puts in, in the weight room, in the video room, for him to go out there and have clarity and conviction in what he needs to do, I think that’s what helps most. And the level of competitor he is. He can do it all.”
Even, in recent years, as his stuff has gradually diminished.
At the start of this season, Kershaw was just 32 strikeouts away from the 3K club — an exclusive fraternity that includes only three other left-handed pitchers, and two who spent their entire career with one team.
In past seasons, that would’ve been a total he could clear in less than a month.
But now, he joked early in his return from offseason foot and knee surgeries: “Maybe by September I’ll get there. We’ll see.”
After all, Kershaw barely touches 90 mph with his fastball even on a good day now. His slider and curveball don’t always have as much bite as they once did. Such has been the case for much of the last three seasons, as the miles on Kershaw’s arm and body have steadily caught up to him.
At the end of 2020, when Kershaw finally won his first World Series and began more seriously starting to contemplate when he might retire, he was less than 500 strikeouts away from 3,000. He seemed like a virtual lock to get there, perhaps as the last new entrant for the foreseeable future.
“He’s always a step ahead,” Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, left, said recently about pitcher Clayton Kershaw when discussing the key to his success.
(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)
Since then, however, he had a season-ending elbow injury in 2021 that nearly required Tommy John surgery; back and shoulder problems that limited him in what were nonetheless All-Star seasons in 2022 and 2023; consecutive offseasons of surgical rehabs each of the past two winters, first on his shoulder and then his lower-body ailments; all on top of the normal aches and pains that come with pitching into someone’s late 30s.
His three-pitch arsenal remains unchanged, but figuring out ways to maximize it has been an ongoing challenge.
“He’s doing it the same way, but he’s having to figure out different ways to do it, if that makes sense,” Prior said.
Just like when he first broke into the majors, it has required him to trust what’s working best and adjust on the fly to his ever-weakening capabilities.
And yet, entering Wednesday’s potential milestone outing, Kershaw is 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA in his eight starts this season (the second-best ERA among Dodgers starters behind only Yoshinobu Yamamoto). He is coming off a particularly productive June, giving up just seven earned runs in 27 ⅔ innings. And, while they don’t come as frequently as they once did, the strikeouts are still present, with Kershaw averaging 7 ½ per nine innings over his last five starts.
To Prior, it’s a testament to Kershaw’s enduring ability to still pitch his way through a start.
“He knows when guys are looking hard and he can get them with the slider. The fastball and slider still do look the same, when he’s on, so he can pull the trigger on one or the other … And he has the equalizer with the curveball, to be able to use that to change speeds like he has his whole career.”
“Again, it’s the same pitch mix,” Prior added, “but he’s still finding ways to do it at this stage.”
To Roberts, it’s made Kershaw an example for the rest of the team to follow.
“It’s a lesson in life,” the manager said. “You don’t always have to feel perfect to be productive. I have a lot of respect for him.”
The great irony, once Kershaw does eclipse the 3,000-strikeout mark, is that punchouts have never been his primary objective.
“No, no,” Barnes said with a laugh. “He cares about winning the game and throwing up zeroes. That’s the biggest thing for him. The strikeouts are just a byproduct of him getting ahead of hitters, and being able to have [the pitches in] his mix playing off each other.”
But once that moment does arrive — fittingly, as things have lined up, likely on the Dodger Stadium mound he has dominated for almost two decades — the total will be indicative of all he has accomplished in a career of unmatched excellence, and the way he has elevated himself as one of the best pitchers in the history of the sport.
“He’s teaching me that so much of this game is still about mindset,” Prior said. “There’s so much object data, which is helpful in all aspects of our game. But part of it is still so unquantifiable. He’s just someone who has willed himself to be better than everybody else.”
THE Yankees are starting to make calls in search of a third baseman.
It’s an unusual situation, where their current third baseman, Jazz Chisholm Jr., is arguably their second-best player. But they also know he belongs at second, where he’s Gold Glove caliber. Plus, they also obviously know for-the-moment second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who prefers 2B to 3B, isn’t what he was.
There aren’t a ton of teams needing a third baseman (Cubs? Angels? Dodgers?) but there also aren’t many slam-dunk solutions. Here’s our list of possibilities.
1. Ryan McMahon, Rockies
The Yankees checked in on McMahon, according to sources, and the often trade-averse Rockies will listen. He’s playing well after a putrid start likely affected by all the putridity around him (.828 OPS since May 1). Has reasonable $37M to go through 2027.
ADDISON, Texas – Addison’s Kaboom Town!, one of the nation’s most anticipated Fourth of July celebrations, is set for tonight, Thursday, July 3. More than half a million people are expected to gather for the event, which includes an airshow, live music, activities for all ages, and fireworks, as the town celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Kaboom Town! Fireworks Start Time
The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. today, July 3. The display will last approximately 25 minutes and can be seen from anywhere in Addison.
Kaboom Town! Parking
The major event is expected to cause significant traffic delays. The event entrance is located at the corner of Quorum Drive and Addison Circle. Free parking is available at:
Millennium Garage (15455 North Dallas Parkway)
Colonnade Garage (15305 North Dallas Parkway)
Addison Circle Two Garage (15725 North Dallas Parkway)
Accessible parking is available at the DART parking lot (4925 Arapaho Road). Rideshare parking is designated at Beckert Park (5000 Addison Circle).
Kaboom Town! Schedule
5 p.m.: Gates open to Addison Circle Park
6:30 p.m.: 36th Infantry Band
7:15 p.m.: Addison Airport Airshow begins
8 p.m.: Presentation of the Colors & National Anthem
8:30 p.m.: The Elton Johns
9:30 p.m.: Addison Kaboom Town! Fireworks
10 p.m.: Emerald City All-Stars
Where to Watch the Show
You can watch FOX 4’s live coverage of the fireworks show on this page, FOX Local, YouTube or anywhere else you get your news.
Hundreds of restaurants and hotels in Addison will host watch parties for the fireworks. While the show is visible from anywhere in Addison, organizers state the best viewing location is Addison Circle Park. Tickets to the park are available for purchase: $10 for adults and $5 for children.
What they’re saying:
“It’s become a family tradition, people started coming to the event 40 years ago and now they have kids, grandkids, it’s a testament to how much people love Addison and how they participate in the Addison way,” said Faith Alfred, a town of Addison representative.
Kaboom Town! has consistently been recognized as a top Fourth of July fireworks display. USA Today and People.com have both ranked the event in their top 10 lists for best U.S. fireworks, notably outranking major cities like Philadelphia and New York City.
Local perspective:
This is the third year for Carmen Williams and her “boom crew”.
“We had these shirts made this year… just for Kaboom town! Boom Crew!” said Williams. “We get out here early to get a good spot, every year.”
Nicole Kautz brought her whole family for the first time.
“This is our first time here. This is one of my best friends. This is her little girl here, and then we have 3 girls, so we are a big girl family,” said Kautz.
4,000 shells will be fired into the sky.
1,400 of them in the last 90 seconds of the 25-minute-long extravaganza, making for a dazzling finale.
Some shots reach heights of 600 feet and people are here for every ounce of it,
“I’m still a little kid at heart, so fireworks are my favorite thing. I just love how inclusive it is. It’s family friendly,” said Camari Johnson, who is attending for her third time.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the city of Addison and previous FOX 4 coverage.
Each week, we’ll look at a handful of different hitters who fantasy managers should consider picking up in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. Many of these players will have the most value in larger leagues where waiver wire options aren’t as plentiful. Still, they could also occasionally be useful additions in other, more standard-sized leagues, depending on your options at their position.
All roster percentages mentioned in this column are via FantasyPros as of Wednesday afternoon.
Jake Mangum – 6%
Sporting one of the league’s lowest strikeout rates, Jake Mangum has carved out a fairly regular role for the Tampa Bay Rays so far.
The 29-year-old entered play on Wednesday with just one home run in 186 plate appearances, but thanks in large part to the strikeout rate, the outfielder was hitting .314 with a .351 on-base percentage and a 113 wRC+.
Mangum isn’t suddenly going to hit for regular power, not at least if his quality of contact metrics continue as is. The 29-year-old was sporting a 2.6% barrel rate, a .366 xSLG and a 38.3% hard-hit rate as of the beginning of play Wednesday. All three ranked in the 26th percentile or lower league-wide.
However, thanks to the low strikeout rate and a high average, he’s been able to get on base plenty for the American League East club and make an impact on the basepaths when he does.
Mangum has stolen 11 bases so far in just 50 games and 186 plate appearances. Among hitters with at least 180 plate appearances in 2025, just 34 have more stolen bases than the Rays outfielder.
Of that group of 24, only Miami’s Dane Myers and Tampa Bay’s José Caballero have fewer than 260 plate appearances.
What’s more, Mangum is also starting to hit in the heart of Tampa Bay’s order. Since June 20, all but two of his starts have come batting fifth. One of the two times he didn’t bat fifth, he was hitting third.
If that lineup trend continues, Mangum should continue to see plenty of RBI chances with such a high contact rate.
Ramón Urías – 1%
Continuing to see regular starts at third base for the Baltimore Orioles, Ramón Urías has enjoyed a productive stretch as of late for the American League East club.
Since June 22, Urias is batting .290 with a .333 on-base percentage, a home run and a stolen base in 36 plate appearances – not to mention five RBI, five runs scored and a pair of doubles.
For the season, the infielder is batting .264 with a .318 on-base percentage, an even 100 wRC+, six home runs and a pair of stolen bases in 236 plate appearances, but he’s worth a look as a short-term stream option heading into the All-Star break for fantasy managers in leagues with 14 or more teams.
That’s partly due to the recent production at the plate, but also due to Baltimore’s upcoming schedule. After the O’s finish a three-game series against Texas on the road on Wednesday, they’ll close out the first half with nine straight against three National League East teams – Atlanta (on the road), New York (at home), and Miami (at home).
The first two clubs are both dealing with significant rotation injuries, with Atlanta recently placing Spencer Schwellenbach on the 15-day injured list due to a fractured right elbow.
The third team on that list, the Marlins, entered play Wednesday with the league’s fourth-highest FIP.
Highest FIP By Pitching Staff
Victor Scott II – 13%
It’s early July, and Victor Scott II is still on far too few fantasy rosters.
The outfielder is batting .245 with a .329 on-base percentage and four home runs in 287 plate appearances as of the start of play on Wednesday, logging a 93 wRC+ in the process.
And while the batting average and xwOBA (.289) are both low, Scott has made a significant impact on the basepaths, both for the St. Louis Cardinals and fantasy managers alike.
The 24-year-old has logged 22 stolen bases so far this season.
The list of players with more stolen bases than the Cardinals outfielder is a short one. It consists of José Caballero, Oneil Cruz and Pete Crow-Armstrong. And that’s it.
And while Scott has mostly hit ninth for the Cardinals as of late, he’s enjoyed a productive stretch at the plate recently, hitting .268 with a .348 on-base percentage, two home runs, and three stolen bases in his last 46 plate appearances dating back to June 17.
He’s a potential impact addition for fantasy managers in search of additional stolen base production, particularly in deeper Roto leagues.
Les présidents russe et américain ont échangé par téléphone ce jeudi et ont évoqué la guerre en Ukraine. Si le Kremlin se félicite d’un appel “franc”, Donald Trump se désole de “ne pas avoir fait de progrès”.
Au cours d’un entretien téléphonique d’environ une heure, Vladimir Poutine a indiqué ce jeudi 3 juillet à Donald Trump que la Russie “ne renoncera pas à ses objectifs” dans la guerre en Ukraine, selon le conseiller diplomatique russe Iouri Ouchakov. Cela correspond “à l’élimination des causes profondes bien connues qui ont conduit à la situation actuelle”.
Devant plusieurs journalistes, Iouri Ouchakov précise que Vladimir Poutine a “souligné la volonté de la partie russe de poursuivre le processus de négociation” entamé à Istanbul, où ont eu lieu deux sessions de pourparlers directs russo-ukrainiens aux maigres résultats.
De son côté, le président américain a déploré ce jeudi soir à la presse “ne pas avoir fait de progrès” suite à son entretien téléphonique avec son homologue russe.
Un appel “franc”, selon le Kremlin
Le 2 juin dernier, des négociations entre Kiev et Moscou se sont tenues en Turquie. Les deux pays avaient ont convenu d’un échange de prisonniers, mais n’ont pas permis de découler sur un cessez-le-feu. Lors de cette rencontre, la Russie a transmis à Kiev le mémorandum précisant les demandes russes en vue d’un cessez-le-feu, contenant des exigences maximalistes.
Dans ce document, Moscou y réclame notamment le retrait de l’armée ukrainienne des régions ukrainiennes partiellement occupées par l’armée russe et dont Vladimir Poutine a revendiqué l’annexion en 2022: Donetsk, Lougansk, Zaporijia et Kherson. Cette rencontre correspondait au second round de négociations, après une première session de pourparlers qui s’est tenu mi-mai dans la même ville.
Qualifié de “franc” par la partie russe, cet appel est la sixième discussion téléphonique entre Vladimir Poutine et Donald Trump depuis son retour à la Maison Blanche. Cet entretien intervient après la suspension de l’acheminement par les États-Unis de certaines armes à l’Ukraine. Ce sujet n’a pas été abordé lors de l’appel entre Vladimir Poutine et Donald Trump.
La décision américaine a été “prise pour mettre les intérêts de l’Amérique en premier, à la suite d’un passage en revue, par le ministère de la Défense, de l’aide militaire de notre nation à d’autres pays à travers le monde”, selon la Maison Blanche. Jusqu’à présent et malgré la relation conflictuelle avec Kiev, le gouvernement de Donald Trump poursuivait, au moins partiellement, l’aide militaire initiée sous Joe Biden. Sous le mandat de ce dernier, les États-Unis ont fourni pour plus de 60 milliards de dollars d’aide militaire à Kiev.
David Benavidez is making the jump to Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season, leaving Premier Boxing Champions behind.
Alalshikh says that Benavidez will defend his WBC light heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde in November.
Benavidez (30-0, 24 KO) won the WBC’s interim 175 lb belt in June 2024 when he moved up to that division and defeated Oleksandr Gvozdyk, having tired of chasing a Canelo Alvarez fight that wasn’t going to happen at 168.
“The Mexican Monster” defended that interim crown against David Morrell on February 1 of this year, winning a decision in Las Vegas, and was promoted to full titleholder status after it was clear that Dmitry Bivol would not be making a defense against Benavidez, likely awaiting confirmation of a third Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev fight.
The WBC never operated with that sort of firm hand when Benavidez held their interim title at 168 lbs from 2022-23, fighting three times for that belt while Canelo held the full title.
All things considered, Yarde (27-3, 24 KO) is about as good a challenger as is actually available, what with Bivol and Beterbiev figured to be focused still on one another. The 33-year-old British fighter has won four straight, albeit three of those wins were carefully-chosen after his valiant 2023 loss to the aforementioned Beterbiev.
In addition to Yarde being a solid and credible challenger, Benavidez vs Yarde could be a really good fight, pitting two heavy hitters who work best when they’re aggressive against one another.
This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:
1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.
2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday’s columns.
It’s no secret that football is king in this country, but there’s something about baseball that feels especially “American.” For starters, it’s the only major sport that runs during the Fourth of July, and both home runs and our independence are typically celebrated using fireworks. On a deeper level, baseball has long been a driving force for moving the United States forward. It helped keep morale up during times of war and in the aftermath of 9/11, and Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in MLB is considered one of the most important chapters of the Civil Rights Movement. In short, America would likely be a very different place if baseball weren’t around to play a key part in our culture, and I’m glad that’s not a reality we have to live with (especially since that would mean I wouldn’t be able to write these articles every week).
Happy Fourth, everyone!
The number in parentheses represents the player’s rostership rate in Yahoo leagues.
Starting Pitcher
Brandon Walter, Houston Astros (19%)
Walter has looked fairly promising through five starts this season. He owns a 3.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 29.2 frames, both of
This FAAB article is in addition to the AL and NL FAAB articles that run Sunday. Bids are based on a $100 FAAB budget. Throughout the season, this column will have two goals:
1. Identify FAAB targets for fantasy managers in leagues with Thursday FAAB.
2. Offer a preview of FAAB targets ahead of Sunday’s columns.
It’s no secret that football is king in this country, but there’s something about baseball that feels especially “American.” For starters, it’s the only major sport that runs during the Fourth of July, and both home runs and our independence are typically celebrated using fireworks. On a deeper level, baseball has long been a driving force for moving the United States forward. It helped keep morale up during times of war and in the aftermath of 9/11, and Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in MLB is considered one of the most important chapters of the Civil Rights Movement. In short, America would likely be a very different place if baseball weren’t around to play a key part in our culture, and I’m glad that’s not a reality we have to live with (especially since that would mean I wouldn’t be able to write these articles every week).
Happy Fourth, everyone!
The number in parentheses represents the player’s rostership rate in Yahoo leagues.
Starting Pitcher
Brandon Walter, Houston Astros (19%)
Walter has looked fairly promising through five starts this season. He owns a 3.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP through 29.2 frames, both of which are heavily inflated by an ugly seven-run outing he endured against the Angels on June 21. He does a great job limiting hard contact and keeping balls on the ground, and his 30:2 K:BB is off the charts. The 28-year-old southpaw has been bitten by the long ball a bit this year, but overall, he looks to be worth an investment, especially as he makes his next start Thursday against the Rockies. FAAB: $4
Dietrich Enns, Detroit Tigers (4%)
Enns’ return to the big leagues after a four-year absence went about as well as he could’ve hoped, as he gave up just one hit and two walks in five innings of shutout ball while collecting four strikeouts and coming away with the win. His impressive outing has officially bought him another start with the Tigers against Washington on Thursday, and Sawyer Gipson-Long’s (neck) recent move to the IL means Enns has a good shot at sticking around for the near future. FAAB: $1
Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles (20%)
Kremer’s first two starts of June weren’t great, as he gave up nine runs over 12.1 innings. However, he’s bounced back nicely since then, giving up just two runs in 17.2 frames while collecting 17 punch-outs and two wins over his last three outings. His hot stretch has allowed his ERA to drop from 4.99 to 4.27 – the lowest it’s been all season. His recent strikeout rate has been a bit higher than what you might be able to expect from him going forward, but he at least has a bit of upside as a streamer Friday when he matches up against an Atlanta offense that’s turned in a .681 OPS over the past two weeks. FAAB: $1
Relief Pitcher
Ronny Henriquez, Miami Marlins (14%)
The Marlins’ bullpen situation has been a bit tricky to navigate this year, but it seems Miami has pivoted to using Henriquez as its preferred closer, with Calvin Faucher allowing four runs over his last three appearances. Henriquez’s 2.85 ERA on the year through 41 innings makes him one of the club’s most reliable relievers, and with a save in each of his last two outings, he’s only been earning more trust from his manager. That being said, the Marlins may still bring Faucher back into the ninth-inning mix once he works through his slump, which would diminish both pitchers’ opportunities for saves. FAAB: $2
Grant Taylor, Chicago White Sox (10%)
After posting a 1.01 ERA and 0.88 WHIP at Double-A Birmingham, Taylor skipped past Triple-A entirely and grabbed a spot in Chicago’s bullpen in mid-June. Nine appearances later, he’s already earned a high-leverage role with two saves and four holds. His ERA sits at 4.76 thanks to some late-game heroics from the Dodgers on Wednesday, but his 1.76 FIP paints a much more accurate picture of how well he’s performed since arriving in the majors. I imagine the White Sox are going to have significantly fewer save opportunities than other teams over the rest of the season, but it’s likely that Taylor will be their go-to option whenever one does come up. FAAB: $2
Gary Sanchez, Baltimore Orioles (19%)
Sanchez spent roughly a month and a half on the injured list due to wrist inflammation, but since his return June 14, he’s slashed .327/.383/.636 with five homers, 20 RBI and 12 runs scored across 15 games. Adley Rutschman’s oblique injury has allowed Sanchez to see a dramatic rise in playing time, and with no clear end in sight for Rutschman’s time on the IL, Sanchez should continue to start regularly at catcher or as Baltimore’s designated hitter. FAAB: $2
Carson Kelly, Chicago Cubs (24%)
To say Kelly has been streaky this season would be an understatement. The 30-year-old owned an absurd 1.347 OPS at the end of April before slashing .178/.252/.267 over his next 30 games. However, he now seems to be starting another upswing after going 11-for-27 (.407) with five RBI and three runs scored across his last 10 contests. Miguel Amaya (oblique) is still a ways away from starting up a rehab assignment, so Kelly’s role as Chicago’s primary catcher should be secure for at least another few weeks. FAAB: $1
First Baseman
Nathaniel Lowe, Washington Nationals (48%)
A prolonged slump at the plate brought down Lowe’s OPS from .870 on April 22 to .650 on June 5. The 29-year-old has looked much more like his regular self since then, slashing .270/.327/.506 with five long balls, 18 RBI and 13 runs scored in 98 plate appearances. The fact he’s been able to maintain those numbers for nearly a month, along with the fact that he boasts a .779 OPS over his seven-year career, makes me confident that the worst part of Lowe’s season is behind him, and fantasy managers can begin to trust him again. FAAB: $3
Second Baseman
Otto Lopez, Miami Marlins (46%)
Lopez went on a nice 10-game hitting streak to finish the month of June, during which he went 17-for-41 with two home runs, 15 RBI, 10 runs scored and a stolen base. As a reward for his hot stretch, the Marlins have begun using Lopez as their three-hole hitter, putting him in a great position to both drive in RBI and come across the plate himself. The 26-year-old also possesses great speed, which will surely come in handy for fantasy managers looking to pick up a few extra steals. FAAB: $4
Third Baseman
Zach McKinstry, Detroit Tigers (43%)
McKinstry has only continued to mash since we last checked in on him three weeks ago, as he’s slashed .345/.356/.527 with two homers, six RBI and nine runs scored across his last 16 games. His meteoric rise has given him an .817 OPS on the year, which is more than 200 points higher than the .614 OPS he logged in 118 games with the Tigers last season. Between his defensive versatility and Kerry Carpenter’s (hamstring) recent move to the injured list, McKinstry shouldn’t have much trouble sticking in the starting nine, though he likely will continue to be restricted to hitting in the bottom half of the lineup. FAAB: $2
Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers (16%)
Durbin gets a nod for a second consecutive week after going 6-for-13 with two runs scored over his last five games, giving him a .375 batting average and a .929 OPS since his remarkable turnaround began June 12. It’s worth mentioning that the Brewers brought up Anthony Seigler from Triple-A on Wednesday to take some of the workload off Durbin at third base, but I find it hard to believe the team is going to take the bat out of Durbin’s hands regularly just as he’s getting comfortable in the majors. FAAB: $2
Shortstop
Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox (37%)
Story’s season has been filled with ups and downs thus far, and after going 15-for-42 with two homers, nine RBI and seven runs over his last 11 games, it feels safe to say the 32-year-old is currently enjoying one of his “ups.” The Red Sox are also slated to face the Nationals and Rockies this upcoming week, both of whom own an ERA north of 5.00 on the year, so Story should have plenty of opportunities to remain hot as we approach the All-Star break. FAAB: $1
Outfielder
Kyle Stowers, Miami Marlins (45%)
He’s at it again. As you may recall, a power surge from Stowers in early May allowed his OPS to climb as high as .958 through May 23. A 24-game stretch of batting .160 brought down his OPS to .797, but he’s now hit safely in nine consecutive games, slugging five homers in the process. Batting fifth in the Marlins’ lineup should enable the 27-year-old to continue plating runs (he has 11 RBI during his hitting streak), though he may grab a seat on the bench whenever Miami runs into a left-handed starter. FAAB: $3
Ramon Laureano, Baltimore Orioles (17%)
Speaking of reserve outfielders turning into regular starters, Laureano has impressed over the past few weeks, most recently going 13-for-32 (.406) with a home run, five RBI and 12 runs scored over his last eight games. His .868 OPS would be a career high if the season were to end today, making him a top candidate to be traded away to a contender before the end of the month, which would almost certainly mean an improved situation for fantasy purposes. FAAB: $2
Isaac Collins, Milwaukee Brewers (3%)
Collins began the season as Milwaukee’s reserve outfielder thanks to Blake Perkins’ fractured shin, but he has been wielding one of the hottest bats in all of baseball for the past month. Since the start of June, Collins has slashed .328/.443/.594 while belting four home runs, driving in 13 RBI and scoring 16 runs himself over 23 games. With Garrett Mitchell out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, Collins’ chances of remaining with the Brewers all season have significantly improved, and his hot streak may allow him to remain the team’s primary left fielder after Perkins is healthy. FAAB: $1
Check out where all the players on your fantasy baseball team fit into RotoWire’s MLB Cheat Sheet!
CHICAGO — Third baseman José Ramírez will represent the Guardians for the seventh time as an American League All-Star on July 15 in Atlanta.
Ramírez was elected to manager Aaron Boone’s starting lineup by a vote of the fans. Boston’s Alex Bregman was the other AL finalist at third.
“I’m very happy,” said Ramírez, through interpreter/coach Agustin Rivero. “I’m very happy to get this opportunity and I’m thankful for the fans who voted for me.”
Left fielder Steven Kwan, the Guardians’ other finalist, was not voted into the AL’s starting outfield, but could still be named to the team as a reserve.
Ramírez will make his fourth start for the AL, setting a franchise record as a starter. He had been tied with Kenny Lofton and Sandy Alomar with three All-Star Game starts.
Hall of Famer Bob Feller is Cleveland’s franchise leader with eight All-Star appearances. Ramírez could tie him if he’s an All-Star in 2026.
Ramírez said he’d be more than happy to participate in the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game, but as of yet has not been asked. He’s done it twice before.
“It would be a beautiful opportunity,” said Ramírez.
Ramírez went into Wednesday night’s game against the Cubs hitting .305 (92 for 302) with 15 doubles, 13 homers and 38 RBI. He’s scored 43 runs and stolen 21 bases in 26 attempts.
Despite those solid numbers, Ramírez is not completely happy with his performance so far this season.
“That’s why I appreciate the fan’s vote,” said Ramírez. “I feel like this has not been the kind of year I want to have and that I worked for. I give credit to the fans who voted for me to represent Cleveland.”
When asked what he could have done better, Ramírez said, “Everything. Every aspect.”
Still, Ramírez has put up some impressive numbers. He put together a career-high 21-game hitting streak and a 39-game on-base streak.
“José is the best all-around third baseman in baseball,” said manager Stephen Vogt. “He’s one of the top five players in the game, in my opinion.
“Jose exemplifies what it means to be a professional baseball player on the field. I’m just thankful I get to watch him do it every day.”
Ramírez made his big league debut in 2013. This is his 11th season in the big leagues with the Guardians.
The Guardians went into Wednesday’s game having lost five straight and seven of their last 10 games. They trail first-place Detroit in the AL Central by 12 games.
Ramírez said he’s concerned about the team.
“There is always concern because I’m a winner,” said Ramírez. “As long as I’ve been here, I’ve been around winning teams. For me, it’s always a concern when we don’t win, but we’ll try to do our best.”
Here is the All-Star Game’s starting lineups for the American and National League teams:
American League
Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Mariners.
First baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays.
Second baseman: Gleyber Torres, Tigers.
Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, A’s.
Third baseman: José Ramírez, Guardians.
DH: Ryan O’Hearn, Orioles.
Outfielder: Riley Greene, Tigers.
Outfielder Javier Báez, Tigers.
Outfielder: Aaron Judge, Yankees.*
National League
Catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers.
First baseman: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers.
Second baseman: Ketel Marte, D-backs.
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Mets.
Third baseman: Manny Machado, Padres,
DH: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers.*
Outfielder: Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves.
Outfielder: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs.
Outfielder: Kyle Tucker, Cubs.
*Judge and Ohtani were named to the All-Star Game after receiving the most votes in Phase 1 of the voting.
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The New York Yankees already had one of their players — captain Aaron Judge — voted into the All-Star Game after Phase 1 of the voting process. He led all American League players in votes (with the other 2024 unanimous MVP, Shohei Ohtani, leading the National League in votes), and will be playing right field for the AL All-Star team at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15th.
However, the Yankees had three other players in close contention for spots on the AL squad, though only two of them advanced to Phase 2 of the voting. Cody Bellinger fell just short of making the final outfield ballot, while first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and designated hitter Ben Rice did make the cut. Rice was bidding for his first career All-Star nod, while the former MVP Goldschmidt was eyeing his eighth.
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Goldschmidt will be turning 38 in September, though it was hard to tell from the production he put up to begin the campaign. After an uncharacteristic down year in his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals, he bounced back in The Bronx across the first two months, though a recent slump has brought his slash line to a still-solid .284/.347/.425 with a 116 wRC+. However, he had stiff competition in Phase 2 of the All-Star Game voting in the form of another AL East first baseman.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a dominant 2024 season, and while he hasn’t been quite as excellent in 2025, he has still been strong for the Toronto Blue Jays. The 26-year-old is slashing .278/.380/.447 with a 134 wRC+ and remains one of the most popular players in the game. His 138 wRC+ is the highest on the Blue Jays and he sits third in total fWAR among all position players behind Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement, who have been defensive monsters north of the border so far this season.
As just revealed on ESPN, it wasn’t close at all. Vladdy tripled up Goldy, 75 percent to 25.
In Rice’s case, the age scenario is flipped, with the older player of the two in the race — in this case, Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles — leading the charge. The 31-year-old is slashing .295/.383/.471 with an impressive wRC+ of 144 on an Orioles team that has notably struggled through the first half of the season. He has certainly been a bright spot during what has been a very underwhelming season.
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Rice has been good as well, slashing .229/.324/.471 with a wRC+ of 124. He, as many might recall, was one of the best hitters in baseball through the first couple of months of the 2025 season. His 168 wRC+ from the end of March to April was one of the top marks in the league. However, he began to slow down. In May, he hit only five points above the average, and June was a horrid month, hitting to the tune of an 83 wRC+. Rice is still hitting the ball hard, but the results are the results.
Just as he did in Phase 1, O’Hearn beat out Rice in the voting, and it was even more of a blowout than Guerrero vs. Goldschmidt. Per ESPN, O’Hearn had 78 percent to Rice’s 22.
So while both Yankees hitters have been good relative to their positions and have helped the team win games and lead the AL East thus far, they were outvoted by superior players in Guerrero and O’Hearn. Such is the nature of the event. They will still have a chance to make the team as reserves when those are announced on Sunday along with the pitchers. Look for Max Fried and perhaps Carlos Rodón to join Judge in Atlanta, but unless Goldschmidt’s sterling reputation helps him out, he (and Rice) might very well end up being on the outside looking in on the Midsummer Classic.
Brandon Walter, Houston Astros (19%)
Dietrich Enns, Detroit Tigers (4%)
Dean Kremer, Baltimore Orioles (20%)
Ronny Henriquez, Miami Marlins (14%)
Grant Taylor, Chicago White Sox (10%)
Carson Kelly, Chicago Cubs (24%)
Nathaniel Lowe, Washington Nationals (48%)
Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers (16%)
Trevor Story, Boston Red Sox (37%)
