The Sportsletter - High Orbit ☄️

BY JEFF YODER

AUG. 2, 2023 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

I remember some quiet trade deadline days over the years. Yesterday wasn't one. More than 50 players changed teams in the final 24 hours before the MLB's trade market closed, including a reunion between the Astros and Justin Verlander. How’d they celebrate?

Houston, we have a no-no.

Letter Rip!

MLB

Houston's Big Day ☄️

Photo: Logan Riely / Getty Images

Astros Brings Back Justin Verlander Before MLB Trade Deadline & Framber Valdez Throws 93-Pitch No-Hitter

Just how they drew it up! The MLB trade deadline came to a close last night, and on a busy deadline day that was anything but quiet, one team stole the show. The Astros brought back Justin Verlander after a failed Mets experiment that lasted only 100 games. JV is coming off an incredible comeback year where he won the 2022 Cy Young Award with the Astros last season. How did Houston celebrate? Framber Valdez tossed a historic no-hitter a few hours later. Valdez fanned seven and walked one in a 2-0 win against the Guardians. It’s just the second individual no-no of the 2023 season and the 16th in franchise history. He did it in just 93 pitches. And suddenly, the ‘Stros are back in high orbit.

Watch: Framber Valdez Throws Historic No-Hitter on Same Day Astros Reunite With Verlander

MLB Trade Deadline Tracker

As we stated, the trade deadline was anything but quiet. More than a dozen moves were made and more than 50 players changed teams in the final 24 hours. Here's a look at the top moves from Tuesday:

Every Move From the MLB Trade Deadline

B/R: MLB Trade Deadline: Live Grades for All the Biggest Trades

MLB Quick-Hitters

Cubs Ring 20 on Reds at Wrigley: The Cubs became buyers just before the deadline, and that looks like the right move. Chicago hung 20 runs on Cincinnati last night in an NL Central showdown (20-9). The Cubs hit seven homers on the night, including two from Dansby Swanson and a scoreboard-breaker from Cody Bellinger. Newcomer Jeimer Candelario also had a 4-for-5 night, and the Cubs are rolling.

O’s Rout Jays on Santander Slam: Make it three straight for the Orioles to stay on top of the AL East. Baltimore routed Toronto in Tuesday’s divisional battle (13-3). Anthony Santander hit a grand slam for his 19th of the season, and Gunnar Henderson also went yard. The O’s still hold the top spot in the toughest division in baseball.

Strider Snaps Angels’ Spirits: Spencer Strider made more history from the mound on Tuesday with his second 200-K campaign in his first two seasons. Last night’s gem (6.2 IP, 9 Ks, 5 Hits, 1 Run) stumped the Angels on deadline day (5-1). The Halos were 8-2 over the previous two weeks leading up to the trade deadline, but three losses in their last five has L.A. slipping.

WORLD CUP 🏆

Nearing The Knockouts

Photo: Fred Lee / Getty Images

Final 24 Hours of Group Play: England & Denmark Secure Spots in the Knockouts

Two weeks of group stage action is about to conclude, and we know roughly 3/4 of the teams competing in the Round of 16. Two more European countries etched their names into the Knockout Stage with dominating wins on Tuesday. England carved up China (6-1) with one of the most overwhelming performances of the tournament thus far. Denmark also cruised past Haiti (2-0), bringing the total number of European teams in the Round of 16 to at least seven. It’ll likely be nine or ten when it’s all said and done with France, Italy and Germany are still kicking.

World Cup Highlights

England def. China (6-1)

Denmark def. Haiti (2-0)

After 44 matches, 11 of the 16 teams are set for the knockout stage. The Italy-South Africa and Jamaica-Brazil matchups likely decide(d) the 12th, 13th and 14th spots overnight. The final two slots are up for grabs tomorrow morning in Group H with Colombia expected and Germany in control.

Teams Advanced (11 out of 16)

Group A: Switzerland & Norway

Group B: Australia & Nigeria

Group C: Japan & Spain

Group D: England & Denmark

Group E: Netherlands & USA

Group F: TBD (France, Jamaica or Brazil)

Group G: Sweden & TBD (Italy, South Africa or Argentina)

Group H: TBD (Colombia, Germany or Morocco)

Full Group Standings

Upcoming Schedule (Final Group Stage Matches)

Argentina vs. Sweden (Wed. 3:00 am ET)
South Africa vs. Italy (Wed. 3:00 am ET)

Jamaica vs. Brazil (Wed. 6:00 am ET)

France vs. Panama (Wed. 6:00 am ET)

Morocco vs. Colombia (Thurs. 6:00 am ET)

Germany vs. South Korea (Thurs. 6:00 am ET)

Live Updates

Let’s keep kicking!

FOX Sports: Can USA Still Flip the Switch? ‘It’s Not Like We Don’t Have the Pieces’

STORYLINES

🏀 Aces Clinch 1st WNBA Playoff Spot

With a 21-point drumming against the Dream last night (93-72), the Aces (24-2) are the first WNBA team to clinch a playoff berth. Las Vegas has won eight straight. (ESPN)

🏈 Who Are the 2023 Hall of Famers?

The 2023 NFL Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason tomorrow night, but nine new members of the HOF will have their legacy cemented in Canton on Saturday. (NBC Sports)

⚽️ The USWNT Can’t Keep Getting Away With This

The Americans were one post away from crashing out of the group stage for the first time in World Cup history. How can they right the ship heading into the Round of 16? (The Ringer)

NEWS 📰