Sports
Three MLB Teams Falling Far Short of Expectations This Season
Jun 1, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Green (31) celebrates a home run during the third inning against Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images Most teams in baseball have around 100 games remaining in 2026, so we’re starting to see which organizations will separate from one another, for better or for worse. Teams like the Rays, Braves, and Guardians have to be pretty excited about their seasons, while others are feeling some major lows.
Here are the teams that I feel have been most disappointing, with a little under 40% of the season completed.
Detroit Tigers (23-38) Preseason Win Total: 85.5
After a disappointing regular-season collapse in 2025, a solid postseason performance has Tiger fans hopeful heading into 2026. Many in the media even had the Tigers as a trendy World Series pick this year.
Unfortunately, when you play poorly for the better part of three months, sometimes, that’s just what type of team you are. Of course, injuries have decimated Detroit, especially on the mound; however, the lineup has been one of the worst over the last full 162-games played.
Currently, the Tigers are 26th in runs scored, 27th in OPS, 20th in Homers, and 22nd in strikeouts. Even if the rotation and bullpen were healthy and performing, this lineup isn’t doing enough to cut it. Most importantly, the Tigers will most likely trade their ace Tarik Skubal at the deadline, officially putting a slight pause on their championship-contending window.
New York Mets (26-34) Preseason Win Total: 90.5
May 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter MJ Melendez (1) rounds the bases after hitting a two run walk off home run against the Miami Marlins during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Similarly to the Tigers, when a team has a horrific collapse down the stretch to miss the postseason, it’s not because they’re just unlucky; they’re probably a pretty poorly constructed baseball team.
The Mets let Pete Alonso walk in free agency this year, and his replacements, Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Luis Robert Jr., have combined to put up -0.8 WAR so far this season.
Sadly, their pitching has been fairly competitive this year, resulting in the 8th-best ERA in baseball. The National League is absolutely loaded this year, and because of that depth, the Mets will definitely be sellers at the deadline unless they love their +390 odds to make the playoffs.
Kansas City Royals (23-37) Preseason Win Total: 82.5
Apr 10, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals first base Vinnie Pasquantino (9) celebrates in the dugout during the fourth inning after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium. credits: William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports No team has to be happier about the Tigers’ downfall than the Royals. Most media members had the Tigers winning the division, but the Royals were close behind.
Many thought that if the offense could just be league average, the pitching would take them back to the playoffs. Unfortunately, the offense is still one of the worst in baseball, ranking 26th in OPS, but more importantly, the pitching fell off a cliff, becoming the 20th in ERA this year, a massive fall from 6th last year.
On the bright side for Royals fans, Bobby Witt Jr. is having another MVP-caliber season, so even if you make a few deadline moves, you should hopefully be in a position to compete next season.
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
Jul 18, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) makes a diving stop during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to tightness in his lower back.
A starter for the American League in the All-Star Game last week, Witt left the Royals’ 4-3 win against the San Francisco Giants on Monday with back spasms. The roster move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Being without their best player for any length of time is likely the crowning blow for the Royals, who at 42-60 have a better record than only the Los Angeles Angels (41-60) and Colorado Rockies (41-61) heading into play Wednesday.
Because of the relative weakness of the AL Central, the Royals are 12 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians. But with a little more than two months to play and a dozen games to make up, Witt’s injury should insure the Royals will be sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 3.
Veteran starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are projected to be coveted by contenders, though the Royals have said they are not inclined to move either right-hander.
In 94 games this season, Witt is batting .289 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. He has 103 hits and 22 doubles, scoring 51 runs.
His 30 stolen bases lead the major leagues.
Witt is a three-time All-Star and the winner of two Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. He won the AL batting title in 2024 when he led the majors with a .332 average.
Kansas City’s shortstop since 2022, Witt has a career average of .288 with 118 home runs, 412 RBIs and 178 stolen bases in 720 games.
In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted 32-year-old Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. He is a well-traveled utility infielder who has not played in the major leagues since 2023.
He and Tyler Tolbert, a 28-year-old infielder hitting .328 in 38 games this year, are expected to share duties at shortstop.
The Royals also transferred right-hander Stephen Kolek to the 60-day injured list, designated center fielder Kameron Misner for assignment and traded right-hander Nate Pearson to the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Max Martin.
–Field Level Media
Sports
O's place rookie C Samuel Basallo (shoulder) on 10-day IL
Jul 12, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (29) throws to first for an out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Already without injured starter Adley Rutschman, the Baltimore Orioles placed rookie catcher Samuel Basallo on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Wednesday.
The roster move is retroactive to Monday. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo, 21, is enjoying a solid first full season in the majors, posting 16 homers and 46 RBIs to go along with a .241 batting average in 86 games. He left Sunday’s game at the Houston Astros with right shoulder discomfort and did not play in Monday’s series opener at the Boston Red Sox.
Sam Huff started Monday and also was behind the plate Wednesday afternoon in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against Boston. Tuesday night’s game was rained out.
Rodriguez, 26, is 0-for-7 with an RBI in five games this season with Baltimore. He played 44 games for the Cleveland Guardians in 2024-25, hitting .176 with two home runs and 15 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
Bobby Witt Jr. put on 10-day IL, likely sealing Royals' seller status
