On Saturday, Manny Machado's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning secured a 5-4 victory for the San Diego Padres against the Philadelphia Phillies. This loss marked the Phillies' fourth in five games, pushing them half a game behind the New York Mets in the National League East standings.

Starting pitcher Zach Wheeler struggled, allowing four runs in six innings. The Phillies initially led 2-0, thanks to an RBI single from Nick Castellanos and a double from J.T. Realmuto. However, the Padres rallied back, with Jackson Merrill hitting a two-run homer to tie the game and eventually securing the win in a tightly contested match.

The 2025 MLB Draft is set to commence tonight at 6 PM Philly time, with the Philadelphia Phillies making their first selection at the 26th overall pick. This year's draft follows a lottery system for the first six picks, resulting in the Washington Nationals holding the coveted number one selection. Notable prospects include left-handed pitchers Kade Anderson from LSU and Liam Doyle from Tennessee, along with Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette. The draft is extensive, spanning 20 rounds across two days, with the first three rounds taking place this evening. The Phillies have additional picks at 63 in the second round and 100 in the third.

ESPN will broadcast the first round, featuring Karl Ravech and analysts such as Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel. The Phillies' recent history in the first round shows promise, having drafted players like Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm, while top prospect Andrew Painter is expected to join the team after the All-Star break. Speculations about potential picks for the Phillies include high school pitcher Matthew Fisher and Arkansas junior Gage Wood, highlighting a commitment to investing in young talent.

As the MLB Draft unfolds in Atlanta, nearly 300 prospective players are under the spotlight, vying for a chance to become the next big star in baseball. With teams armed with a strict slot draft system, executives are strategically navigating their pick values and bonus pools. The No. 1 overall pick, projected to belong to the Washington Nationals, carries a hefty slot value of over $11 million, underscoring the stakes of this intricate process. Each franchise is allotted a bonus pool based on their draft positions, compelling them to negotiate player contracts that could either save or cost them future picks, depending on their spending.

With the Seattle Mariners leading the pack in total pool money, teams like the New York Yankees have found themselves at a disadvantage due to luxury tax penalties. This creates a highly competitive landscape where scouting and financial management intertwine. As teams look to build their rosters for the future, the decisions made today will reverberate through the MLB for years to come.

Alec Bohm, the Philadelphia Phillies' third baseman and No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, is having a noteworthy season despite facing some setbacks. After an impressive rookie season in 2020, where he finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting with a .338 batting average, Bohm struggled to maintain that production. However, his performance improved, leading to his first All-Star selection last year.

Recently, Bohm suffered a left rib-cage contusion after being hit by a pitch during a game against the San Diego Padres. Phillies' manager Rob Thomson remarked that Bohm is experiencing soreness and is doubtful for the next game. Despite the injury, Bohm's season statistics include eight home runs, 42 RBIs, and a .282 batting average over 90 games, showcasing his resilience and ability to contribute when healthy.

Major League Baseball's All-Star Game is set to showcase an exciting pitching matchup for the 2025 edition. The National League will be represented by the Pittsburgh Pirates' powerhouse, Paul Skenes, who returns for the second consecutive year as a starter. Opposing him will be the American League's ace, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, a Cy Young Award winner and arguably the best pitcher in baseball today.

Despite some key players opting out—such as Zack Wheeler and Julio Rodriguez—the anticipation remains high for this duel. Skenes, despite a record of 4-8, boasts a stellar 2.01 ERA and 4.8 WAR, while Skubal's impressive 2.23 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 121 innings bolster his reputation. This matchup promises to be a highlight of the All-Star festivities, even amidst the absence of several star players.