Pete Alonso, the New York Mets slugger and two-time Home Run Derby champion, has opted out of participating in this year's Home Run Derby at the MLB All-Star Game, breaking a five-year streak in the event. Alonso expressed a desire to make the most of the All-Star break to improve his performance in the second half of the season, highlighting his strong start with a .267 batting average and 20 home runs. Meanwhile, Kyle Schwarber from the Philadelphia Phillies also declined an invitation to this year's Derby, though he may consider competing next year in Philadelphia. Other notable players like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are also skipping the event.

The Philadelphia Phillies (53-37) are set to face off against the San Francisco Giants (49-42) in a pivotal matchup at Oracle Park. Cristopher Sánchez will start for the Phillies, backed by their recent success, having won two consecutive games and sitting atop the NL East. In their last outing, Zach Wheeler delivered a stellar complete game one-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing only one run, while Bryson Stott and Kyle Schwarber provided key offensive support with a home run and a double, respectively.

The Giants are coming off a series win against the Oakland Athletics, where Willy Adames played a crucial role, hitting a home run and driving in three runs during a 6-2 victory. Despite this victory, they remain seven games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. This matchup offers a chance for both teams to solidify their standings as the season progresses.

The game details will be broadcast on NBC Sports Philadelphia and MLB Network with the latest odds favoring the Phillies at -136 on the moneyline, while the Giants are at +116. The total is set at 7.0 runs, making it a game to watch for bettors and fantasy enthusiasts alike.

As the MLB season progresses, fantasy baseball enthusiasts are on the lookout for prospects to stash for the upcoming redraft leagues. Recent calls to the Majors include standout performers like Cam Schlittler from the New York Yankees and Andrew Painter from the Philadelphia Phillies, who show significant potential to impact fantasy rosters in 2025. While Schlittler has been impressive with his strikeout ability, Painter's anticipated debut adds excitement as he aims to reclaim his prior ace status.

Other notable prospects worth considering include Samuel Basallo of the Baltimore Orioles, who has shown immense upside but faces delays due to the team's catching situation. Dylan Beavers, also with the Orioles, is making waves with a solid offensive profile that could see him promoted as soon as an opportunity arises in the outfield. Fantasy players should stay alert to these developments as they strategize for the second half of the season.

As we approach Week 15 of the MLB season, top prospect Andrew Painter of the Philadelphia Phillies has finally claimed the No. 1 stash position after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Having shown promising recent outings with a K:BB ratio of 23:8, Painter's potential MLB debut could be imminent, particularly with the Phillies facing rotation challenges. Bubba Chandler, meanwhile, has bounced back from a rough patch, demonstrating his potential with a recent shutout performance, making him a noteworthy stash option. Joe Boyle, recently called up by the Tampa Bay Rays, has shown impressive minor league statistics, although he may not immediately slot into a starting role. Lastly, Quinn Mathews of the St. Louis Cardinals and Nolan McLean of the New York Mets are also rising prospects worth stashing due to their solid recent outings.

The Philadelphia Phillies are set to begin a crucial three-game series against the San Francisco Giants on July 7 at Oracle Park, with a start time of 9:45 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia (NBCSP) and MLB Network for those outside the local market, while the radio broadcast will air on 94WIP and WDEL 101.7 FM/1150 AM. For livestream options, fans within the Philadelphia area can access the game via nbcsportsphiladelphia.com or the NBCSP app, which is also available through platforms like FuboTV, Hulu, Peacock, and YouTube TV.

This season, the Phillies will feature on Apple TV+ as well, requiring a subscription for viewing. Key upcoming games on Apple TV+ include the matchup against the New York Yankees on July 25 and against the Atlanta Braves on August 29. This strategic scheduling aims to heighten visibility and engagement for the Phillies as they make a push in their division.