MLB Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies vs San Francisco Giants

The Phillies and Giants kick off a tightly poised three-game set on Monday at Oracle Park with the season series tied 2-2. This one features a strong pitching matchup between Cristopher Sanchez and Landen Roupp, both of whom have been in solid form recently. Matchplug brings you the best MLB picks and predictions backed by data and form trends. Betting Preview for Phillies vs Giants Venue: Oracle Park, San FranciscoDate: Monday, July 1, 2025Time: 9:45 PM ETOdds are provided by 1XBet Betting on the Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies enter this series atop the NL East but have been shaky on the road lately, losing five of their last six away games. Still, their pitching remains a consistent strength, led by lefty Cristopher Sanchez, who brings a stellar 2.68 ERA and 1.13 WHIP into this contest. Sanchez has also had the Giants’ number this year, going 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 17.2 innings against them. Offensively, Philadelphia continues to lean on Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos, although Harper’s recent slump (0 RBIs in six games) has dulled their scoring potential. Alec Bohm and Castellanos have picked up the slack, but overall, the offense has dipped slightly, managing just 14 runs over their last three series. Betting on the San Francisco Giants The Giants remain dangerous at home, boasting a 25-17 record at Oracle Park. They’re clinging to a Wild Card spot and have relied heavily on their elite pitching, ranked 2nd in MLB with a 3.45 ERA. Rookie Landen Roupp continues to impress, especially at home where he’s been lights out — 1.85 ERA over 34 inningsat Oracle. He’s allowed only two runs in his last 15.1 innings and led the team to victory in four of his last five starts. Though he gave up four runs in five innings to Philly earlier this season, his current form is much stronger. MatchPlug Prediction for Phillies vs Giants While the Phillies have the stronger overall team and pitching staff, their road woes and Roupp’s home dominance tilt this one in San Francisco’s favor. Roupp has quietly become a trusted arm in pressure spots, and with Philly’s bats inconsistent lately, the Giants are well-positioned to steal Game 1. Final Prediction: San Francisco Giants Moneyline

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pirates vs kansas

MLB Prediction Today: Pirates vs Kansas City Royals Prediction

The Pittsburgh Pirates head to Kauffman Stadium on Monday, July 8th, 2025, to face off against the Kansas City Royals in an interleague battle. Here’s our full betting preview for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Kansas City Royals game. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:40 PM ET on Monday, July 8th, 2025, at Kauffman Stadium. Matchplug is your best plug for all MLB match predictions. Betting Preview for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Kansas City Royals Betting on the Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates enter this matchup having been swept by the Seattle Mariners. They’ve dropped three straight and have seen their offense go cold, failing to score a single run in the series. Over their last 10 games, Pittsburgh is 6-4, with the underhitting in 7 of those matchups. Veteran lefty Andrew Heaney gets the start. He’s 4-7 with a 4.16 ERA this season but has struggled on the road, posting a 1-5 record and a 5.79 ERA in nine away starts. While he impressed in his last outing against St. Louis, he’ll need more consistency for the Pirates to stay competitive. Pittsburgh has talent in the likes of O’Neil Cruz, Brian Reynolds, and Ke’Bryan Hayes, but the offense has underperformed as a unit. The Pirates desperately need their bats to show up, especially after going scoreless over three games. Betting on the Kansas City Royals The Royals are coming off a strong series win over the Diamondbacks, taking two of three. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and looking to gain momentum in the AL Wild Card race. Noah Cameron gets the nod on the mound. The 25-year-old lefty has been a bright spot this season, boasting a 2.56 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Though his numbers dip slightly at home (4.28 ERA in five starts), his recent form makes him a reliable option. Kansas City’s offense hasn’t been electric, ranking last in total runs scored, but their pitching and defense continue to keep them competitive. With a solid rotation and postseason experience from last year, the Royals are a team that could hang around the playoff picture down the stretch. MatchPlug Prediction for Pittsburgh Pirates vs Kansas City Royals The Pirates’ offense has gone silent, and that’s a bad recipe against a Kansas City team coming off a series win and sending a sharp young arm to the mound. While Pittsburgh may find their rhythm soon, it’s unlikely to happen here, especially on the road where Heaney has struggled. Expect Cameron and the Royals’ bullpen to limit the Pirates’ run production, while KC does just enough offensively to get the job done. Final Prediction: Kansas City Royals Moneyline

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diamondbacks vs padres

MLB Prediction Today: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres

The Arizona Diamondbacks head to Petco Park to open a three-game NL West series against the San Diego Padres on Monday, July 8th, 2025. These teams met in June with Arizona taking two of three at home, but this time the Padres get a shot at revenge. Here’s our full breakdown and Diamondbacks vs. Padres prediction. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET on Monday at Petco Park. MatchPlug is your best plug for all MLB match predictions. Betting Preview for Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres Betting on the Arizona Diamondbacks The Diamondbacks dropped two of three to the Royals and continue to hover around .500. Their lineup has plenty of pop, led by Eugenio Suárez (28 HR, 73 RBI), Corbin Carroll (20 HR), and Ketel Marte (19 HR). Carroll just returned from the IL with a wrist injury, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be fully effective at the plate. Zac Gallen gets the start, looking to build on his strong outing against the Giants, where he gave up just one run over seven innings. Despite a 6-9 record and elevated 5.45 ERA, Gallen has helped Arizona win three of his last four starts. The concern lies in inconsistency. Betting on the San Diego Padres The Padres are tied for second in the NL West and are chasing a Wild Card spot. With Nick Pivetta on the mound, they have the advantage here. Pivetta is 9-2 with a 3.25 ERA and has allowed just one earned run across his last 13 innings. In his last start, he struck out 10 and gave up just three hits in a win over the Nationals. Offensively, the Padres lean on All-Stars Manny Machado (.292 AVG, 14 HR, 52 RBI) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (15 HR, 18 SB). Tatis has been explosive as the leadoff man, and Machado provides consistency in the middle of the order. Veteran Jake Cronenworth added two RBIs on Saturday and remains a versatile asset. The Padres are a strong home team and have covered in three of Pivetta’s last four starts. MatchPlug Prediction for Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres This is a bounce-back spot for San Diego after dropping a series in Arizona last month. With Nick Pivetta in strong form and the Padres lineup healthy and clicking, expect them to capitalize on Gallen’s shaky road numbers and a D-Backs lineup that hasn’t looked sharp since the All-Star break buildup. Final Prediction: San Diego Padres ML (-150)

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MLB Prediction Today: Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago White Sox

The Toronto Blue Jays head to Guaranteed Rate Field for a matchup against the struggling Chicago White Sox on Sunday, July 7. Here’s our betting preview for the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago White Sox game. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:10 AM on Tuesday, 8th of July, at Guaranteed Rate Field. Matchplug is your best plug for all MLB match predictions. Betting Preview for Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago White Sox Betting on the Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays come into this matchup atop the AL East with a 52-38 record and winners of eight straight. They are 20-22 on the road this season but have covered the run line in 26 of their last 42 away games. Toronto’s offense is solid, ranking fourth in batting average and 12th in runs per game. George Springer leads the charge with 16 homers and a strong .886 OPS, while Ernie Clement leads the team in batting average. José Berríos takes the mound, carrying a 3.02 ERA on the road and a sharp 2.75 ERA in night games. Betting on the Chicago White Sox The White Sox continue to struggle, sitting at 30-60 and near the bottom of every major offensive category. They rank last in batting average (.222), OPS (.642), and 28th in runs scored per game (3.46). Sean Burke gets the start with a 4.30 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. While Chicago’s pitching has had some bright spots, their defense and control issues remain problematic. The White Sox are just 19-24 at home and have lost eight of their last ten games. MatchPlug Prediction for Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago White Sox This matchup favors Toronto heavily. The Blue Jays are a playoff-contending team with balanced hitting and a strong arm in Berríos on the mound. The White Sox, meanwhile, are struggling to stay competitive and haven’t been consistent in any phase of the game. With Toronto’s depth and momentum, expect them to continue their winning streak in Chicago. Final Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays Over/Under

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Frank Vogel

Frank Vogel to resume as Associate Head Coach

The Dallas Mavericks are set to reunite Jason Kidd and Frank Vogel, according to multiple reports. Vogel, who was the Lakers’ head coach during their championship run in the Florida bubble, will now serve as associate head coach. The 52-year-old spent last season as a consultant for the Mavericks. This move reverses the roles from their time in LA, when Kidd was an assistant under Vogel. The two worked together from 2019–2021, before Kidd took over as Mavericks head coach in 2021. Under his leadership, Dallas reached the Western Conference Finals in 2022 and made the NBA Finals two years later. Vogel brings deep playoff experience, having also coached Indiana to back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014. Those Pacers teams lost to LeBron James’ Miami Heat. In related news, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Mavericks assistant coach Jared Dudley is finalizing a move to join David Adelman’s staff with the Denver Nuggets. Dudley had been with Dallas since 2021. Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Jota

Salah mourns Jota’s death: “I am truly lost for words”

Mohamed Salah has shared a heartbreaking tribute following the tragic death of his Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota. Jota, 28, died in a car crash alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva, in Spain on Thursday. Reports say their car veered off the road after a suspected tyre blowout while heading to a ferry back to England. The tragedy happened just days after Jota married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children. Tributes have flooded in from across the football world, including from Jurgen Klopp and Cristiano Ronaldo. Salah, who played alongside Jota at Liverpool since 2020, posted an emotional message on X: “I am truly lost for words.Until yesterday, I never thought there would be something that would frighten me of going back to Liverpool after the break.Teammates come and go, but not like this. It’s going to be extremely difficult to accept that Diogo won’t be there when we go back.” The football world continues to mourn the devastating loss of a player remembered for both his talent and humility.

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Quansah

Bayer Leverkusen complete signing of Liverpool defender Quansah

Jarell Quansah has completed a permanent transfer from Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of £35 million, including add-ons. Liverpool have included a buy-back clause in the deal for the 21-year-old defender, who came through the club’s academy after joining at the age of five. He made 58 senior appearances, scoring three goals, and won both Premier League and Carabao Cup medals during his time with the Reds. Quansah played 13 league games in Arne Slot’s debut season, helping Liverpool to another league title. He also recently won the U21 European Championship with England. Speaking about his move, Quansah said:“I was able to get a good impression of the team and the club when we faced Leverkusen with Liverpool in the Champions League last season. A great team. It’s an exciting task and challenge for me to become part of Leverkusen’s current rise.” He becomes one of the first signings under new manager Erik ten Hag at the Bundesliga club.

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Former England striker Abraham joins Besiktas on loan

Turkish club Besiktas have confirmed the loan signing of English striker Tammy Abraham from AS Roma. The 27-year-old joins on a season-long deal with an option to make the move permanent for €13 million starting from the 2026/27 season. Besiktas will pay Roma a €2 million loan fee for the 2025/26 campaign. If the conditions in his contract are met, the deal will become permanent, with the transfer fee paid in instalments until 2030. Abraham, who arrived in Istanbul earlier this week and passed his medical, still has a year left on his Roma contract. He joined Roma in 2021 from Chelsea for €41 million and helped them win the 2022 Europa Conference League. Last season, he scored 10 goals during a loan spell at AC Milan.

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Jamie Gittens

Dortmund confirm Jamie Gittens deal for Chelsea

Chelsea have reached an agreement to sign England winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund in a deal reportedly worth £55 million. The 20-year-old will sign a seven-year contract with the Premier League club. Both clubs are currently in the United States for the Club World Cup, where they’ve reached the quarter-finals. The deal was struck in Fort Lauderdale, with final contract details still being completed. Gittens joined Dortmund from Manchester City’s academy in 2020 and made his senior debut in 2022. He has played 107 matches for the Bundesliga side, scoring 17 goals. “Jamie Gittens’s career is an example of the development of top talents at Borussia,” said Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken. “We discovered Jamie very early, practically signed him for free, and gave him playing time at the highest level.” Chelsea are strengthening their left wing options after deciding not to keep Jadon Sancho, who returned to Manchester United following a loan spell.

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Bronny James

Bronny James Focused on Growth

Bronny James says he’s ignoring the buzz surrounding his future and his father’s plans with the Lakers. Speaking on Wednesday, the 20-year-old guard insisted he’s tuning out headlines and speculation. “A friend called me up and asked what my dad thinks about the Lakers’ direction, and I said, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about,’” Bronny said with a smile. “I don’t really pay attention to that stuff.” Bronny seems committed to blocking out the noise as he prepares for his second season with the Lakers. He’s expected to spend the summer focused on development, not drama. LeBron recently picked up his $52.6 million player option to return for a record 23rd NBA season. But his agent Rich Paul raised eyebrows with vague comments suggesting the Lakers must prove they can compete, even while building around Luka Dončić. While some speculate LeBron could seek a trade if the Lakers don’t look like contenders by fall, Bronny isn’t letting that affect his mindset.

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