The Boston Red Sox are surging with a 10-game winning streak, their longest since 2018, positioning them as a contender in the competitive AL East. Key players like Ceddanne Rafaela have stepped up, with Rafaela hitting .271, 14 homers, and 13 stolen bases in his second full season. Despite not making the All-Star Game, players like Nico Hoerner and Michael Busch are shining with strong offensive numbers, contributing to the Cubs' success. The Phillies' Christopher Sánchez boasts an impressive 2.50 ERA, while Framber Valdez leads the Astros with a solid performance, marking the first half with a 10-4 record and 125 strikeouts.

The Texas Rangers' offense is gaining traction as they prepare for the anticipated return of left fielder Wyatt Langford, who has been sidelined since June 25 due to a left oblique strain. Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Langford could be activated for Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres, depending on his condition. Langford has demonstrated his readiness, having hit a home run in a minor league rehab appearance, showcasing an impressive 1.135 OPS in his minor league career. Before his injury, he led the Rangers with 13 home runs.

While Langford's return is exciting, the Rangers have been thriving offensively, scoring six or more runs in six of their last eight games. This surge comes at a crucial time as they look to solidify their position in the standings. Additionally, Texas recently signed Rowdy Tellez to a minor league deal, adding depth and power potential to their lineup. The combination of Langford’s return and Tellez's signing could further enhance their offensive capabilities as they push for postseason contention.

In his fourth MLB start, Milwaukee Brewers' rising star Jacob Misiorowski faced a challenging outing against the New York Mets, struggling with command and ultimately allowing five runs over 3.2 innings. Misiorowski, who previously showcased impressive performances, including 11 consecutive hitless innings, faltered against a potent Mets lineup. Brandon Nimmo’s grand slam and a homer from Francisco Lindor highlighted the Mets' offensive explosion, leaving Misiorowski with a 3-1 record after this loss.

Misiorowski expressed frustration over his mechanics and the inability to maintain his electric velocity, which peaked at 102 mph. Brewers' manager Pat Murphy acknowledged that Misiorowski's struggles were a lesson in the challenges of consistently performing at the major league level. Moving forward, Misiorowski hopes to learn from the experience and improve as he continues his rookie season.

The Houston Astros have placed rookie outfielder Jacob Melton on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right ankle sustained during a defensive play in Friday's victory against Minnesota. In his 11 games this season, the 24-year-old Melton posted a .241 batting average, including one triple and six RBIs.

In a roster shake-up, the Astros also optioned utility player Shay Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land. To fill these roster spots, Houston brought in outfielder Cooper Hummel and infielder Luis Guillorme from Sugar Land. Furthermore, right-hander Spencer Arrighetti has been transferred to the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from a fractured thumb that occurred during batting practice earlier this month.

Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs faced an early exit during Sunday’s game after being ejected for a comment to umpire Derek Thomas regarding his officiating. Following a low and inside strike call, Hoerner remarked, “You’re having a really bad day,” leading to his dismissal. Cubs manager Craig Counsell defended Hoerner, claiming the ejection was unwarranted and reflected poorly on player-umpire relations. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in officiating, particularly in terms of how umpires handle dissent and the influence of technology on their decisions.