Andrew's Musings

MLB: What to watch on July 22, 2025

Here are today's MLB games, ordered by watchability, based on how interesting the teams and starting pitchers look. Higher is better.

This is inspired by Carson Cistulli's NERD scores at FanGraphs. (I'll write a bit about the details of my implementation on GitHub soon, and then link to that from this intro.)

Notes:

Detail

Milwaukee Brewers @ Seattle Mariners, 9:40p

Milwaukee Brewers

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 5.3 6.0% 11.2 18.8 $112.2M 27.6 -40.0
Z-Score 0.13 -1.96 2.15 1.11 -0.82 -1.14 -2.27
tNERD 0.13 -1.96 2.15 1.11 0.82 1.14 0.00 4.00 7.39

Seattle Mariners

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 59.8 9.2% -4.2 -14.7 $152.8M 28.2 16.0
Z-Score 1.23 0.46 -0.87 -0.86 -0.27 -0.53 0.90
tNERD 1.23 0.46 -0.87 -0.86 0.27 0.53 0.90 4.00 5.67

Visiting starter: Jacob Misiorowski

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 78 13.6% 66.7% 99.4 mph 23 19.5s -9 0.0%
Z-Score -1.39 1.57 1.13 2.62 -1.49 0.80
pNERD 2.77 0.78 0.56 2.00 1.49 -0.40 0.00 0.00 3.80 11.00

Home starter: Logan Gilbert

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 57 16.6% 66.5% 95.4 mph 28 20.5s 33 0.0%
Z-Score -2.65 3.03 1.07 0.78 -0.17 1.61
pNERD 5.30 1.51 0.54 0.78 0.17 -0.80 0.05 0.00 3.80 11.35

Athletics @ Texas Rangers, 8:05p

Athletics

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 6.6 8.2% 2.0 -17.9 $77.1M 27.6 36.0
Z-Score 0.15 -0.29 0.34 -1.05 -1.29 -1.14 2.04
tNERD 0.15 -0.29 0.34 -1.05 1.29 1.14 2.00 4.00 7.59

Texas Rangers

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -52.1 8.7% 10.5 14.2 $219.7M 30.4 -26.0
Z-Score -1.04 0.08 2.01 0.84 0.63 1.71 -1.48
tNERD -1.04 0.08 2.01 0.84 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 5.89

Visiting starter: J.T. Ginn

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 69 9.8% 59.7% 93.9 mph 26 20.8s 49 0.0%
Z-Score -1.93 -0.29 -1.81 0.09 -0.70 1.85
pNERD 3.86 -0.14 -0.90 0.09 0.70 -0.92 0.05 0.00 3.80 6.52

Home starter: Jacob deGrom

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 79 13.7% 66.9% 97.4 mph 37 18.1s -21 0.0%
Z-Score -1.33 1.61 1.24 1.70 2.19 -0.33
pNERD 2.65 0.81 0.62 1.70 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.00 3.80 9.74

Boston Red Sox @ Philadelphia Phillies, 6:45p

Boston Red Sox

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 20.6 10.2% 2.0 11.3 $191.8M 28.7 0.0
Z-Score 0.44 1.22 0.34 0.67 0.25 -0.02 -0.00
tNERD 0.44 1.22 0.34 0.67 0.00 0.02 0.00 4.00 6.69

Philadelphia Phillies

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 17.4 8.7% 4.9 -1.8 $279.5M 29.5 11.0
Z-Score 0.37 0.08 0.91 -0.10 1.43 0.79 0.62
tNERD 0.37 0.08 0.91 -0.10 0.00 0.00 0.62 4.00 5.89

Visiting starter: Richard Fitts

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 98 12.5% 68.2% 95.6 mph 25 18.7s 3 0.0%
Z-Score -0.18 1.03 1.78 0.87 -0.96 0.16
pNERD 0.36 0.51 0.89 0.87 0.96 -0.08 0.05 0.00 3.80 7.37

Houston Astros @ Arizona Diamondbacks, 9:40p

Houston Astros

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 23.5 7.7% -1.7 3.3 $221.9M 29.0 18.0
Z-Score 0.50 -0.67 -0.38 0.20 0.66 0.28 1.02
tNERD 0.50 -0.67 -0.38 0.20 0.00 0.00 1.02 4.00 4.66

Arizona Diamondbacks

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 65.8 9.3% 6.1 8.2 $189.5M 29.5 5.0
Z-Score 1.36 0.54 1.15 0.49 0.22 0.79 0.28
tNERD 1.36 0.54 1.15 0.49 0.00 0.00 0.28 4.00 7.81

Visiting starter: Framber Valdez

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 73 11.2% 64.8% 94.3 mph 31 19.9s -4 0.0%
Z-Score -1.69 0.40 0.32 0.27 0.61 1.12
pNERD 3.37 0.20 0.16 0.27 0.00 -0.56 0.00 0.00 3.80 7.24

Home starter: Eduardo Rodriguez

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 97 10.4% 62.7% 91.9 mph 32 18.4s 45 0.0%
Z-Score -0.24 0.01 -0.57 -0.83 0.88 -0.09
pNERD 0.48 0.00 -0.28 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.05 0.00 3.80 4.09

Kansas City Royals @ Chicago Cubs, 8:05p

Kansas City Royals

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -65.6 7.5% -5.9 1.6 $130.0M 28.8 28.0
Z-Score -1.31 -0.82 -1.20 0.10 -0.58 0.08 1.58
tNERD -1.31 -0.82 -1.20 0.10 0.58 0.00 1.58 4.00 2.92

Chicago Cubs

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 73.7 10.2% 7.3 21.2 $197.7M 30.6 -14.0
Z-Score 1.52 1.22 1.38 1.25 0.33 1.91 -0.80
tNERD 1.52 1.22 1.38 1.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 9.37

Home starter: Matthew Boyd

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 94 10.5% 67.8% 93.2 mph 34 18.5s -36 0.0%
Z-Score -0.42 0.06 1.61 -0.24 1.40 -0.01
pNERD 0.84 0.03 0.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.80 5.48

New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays, 7:07p

New York Yankees

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 87.1 11.5% -4.9 8.8 $290.9M 29.1 15.0
Z-Score 1.79 2.20 -1.01 0.52 1.58 0.38 0.85
tNERD 1.79 2.20 -1.01 0.52 0.00 0.00 0.85 4.00 8.35

Toronto Blue Jays

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 28.9 8.2% -2.0 33.9 $248.4M 29.6 12.0
Z-Score 0.61 -0.29 -0.44 2.00 1.01 0.89 0.68
tNERD 0.61 -0.29 -0.44 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.68 4.00 6.55

Home starter: Max Scherzer

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 99 10.5% 65.0% 93.5 mph 40 19.5s 17 0.0%
Z-Score -0.12 0.06 0.43 -0.10 2.98 0.80
pNERD 0.24 0.03 0.21 0.00 0.00 -0.40 0.05 0.00 3.80 3.93

Minnesota Twins @ Los Angeles Dodgers, 10:10p

Minnesota Twins

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -2.4 9.0% -5.0 -9.8 $145.1M 28.8 13.0
Z-Score -0.03 0.31 -1.03 -0.57 -0.37 0.08 0.73
tNERD -0.03 0.31 -1.03 -0.57 0.37 0.00 0.73 4.00 3.79

Los Angeles Dodgers

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 70.5 10.1% 2.6 -4.8 $341.0M 29.6 -17.0
Z-Score 1.45 1.14 0.46 -0.28 2.26 0.89 -0.97
tNERD 1.45 1.14 0.46 -0.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 6.78

Visiting starter: Simeon Woods Richardson

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 119 9.7% 63.9% 93.3 mph 24 18.8s -22 0.0%
Z-Score 1.09 -0.33 -0.04 -0.19 -1.22 0.24
pNERD -2.17 -0.17 -0.02 0.00 1.22 -0.12 0.00 0.00 3.80 2.54

Home starter: Yoshinobu Yamamoto

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 77 11.6% 63.5% 95.2 mph 26 18.6s -14 0.0%
Z-Score -1.45 0.59 -0.21 0.68 -0.70 0.07
pNERD 2.89 0.30 -0.11 0.68 0.70 -0.04 0.00 0.00 3.80 8.23

Detroit Tigers @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 6:40p

Detroit Tigers

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 29.2 9.9% 6.8 3.2 $148.2M 27.6 -13.0
Z-Score 0.61 0.99 1.28 0.19 -0.33 -1.14 -0.74
tNERD 0.61 0.99 1.28 0.19 0.33 1.14 0.00 4.00 8.56

Pittsburgh Pirates

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -98.8 8.2% -6.3 8.5 $88.9M 28.4 7.0
Z-Score -1.99 -0.29 -1.28 0.51 -1.13 -0.33 0.39
tNERD -1.99 -0.29 -1.28 0.51 1.13 0.33 0.39 4.00 2.79

Visiting starter: Casey Mize

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 98 10.4% 66.4% 94.6 mph 28 17.6s -20 0.0%
Z-Score -0.18 0.01 1.02 0.41 -0.17 -0.73
pNERD 0.36 0.00 0.51 0.41 0.17 0.37 0.00 0.00 3.80 5.62

Home starter: Mitch Keller

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 99 8.3% 67.0% 93.7 mph 29 18.1s -17 0.0%
Z-Score -0.12 -1.02 1.28 -0.01 0.09 -0.33
pNERD 0.24 -0.51 0.64 0.00 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.00 3.80 4.34

Baltimore Orioles @ Cleveland Guardians, 6:40p

Baltimore Orioles

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -19.6 8.8% -1.9 -18.9 $167.6M 29.2 -5.0
Z-Score -0.38 0.16 -0.42 -1.11 -0.07 0.49 -0.29
tNERD -0.38 0.16 -0.42 -1.11 0.07 0.00 0.00 4.00 2.32

Cleveland Guardians

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -52.9 6.7% 2.7 17.7 $102.3M 27.5 -15.0
Z-Score -1.06 -1.43 0.48 1.05 -0.95 -1.25 -0.85
tNERD -1.06 -1.43 0.48 1.05 0.95 1.25 0.00 4.00 5.24

Visiting starter: Brandon Young

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 102 9.8% 64.0% 93.7 mph 26 18.5s 86 0.0%
Z-Score 0.06 -0.29 -0.00 -0.01 -0.70 -0.01
pNERD -0.12 -0.14 -0.00 0.00 0.70 0.00 0.05 0.00 3.80 4.29

Home starter: Joey Cantillo

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 77 12.1% 61.5% 91.8 mph 25 17.7s 28 0.0%
Z-Score -1.45 0.83 -1.07 -0.88 -0.96 -0.65
pNERD 2.89 0.42 -0.53 0.00 0.96 0.33 0.05 0.00 3.80 7.91

Cincinnati Reds @ Washington Nationals, 6:45p

Cincinnati Reds

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -18.2 7.1% 4.5 -7.4 $115.7M 28.7 -21.0
Z-Score -0.35 -1.13 0.83 -0.43 -0.77 -0.02 -1.19
tNERD -0.35 -1.13 0.83 -0.43 0.77 0.02 0.00 4.00 3.72

Washington Nationals

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -12.3 7.7% -5.5 -30.7 $115.9M 27.5 -13.0
Z-Score -0.23 -0.67 -1.13 -1.80 -0.77 -1.25 -0.74
tNERD -0.23 -0.67 -1.13 -1.80 0.77 1.25 0.00 4.00 2.18

San Francisco Giants @ Atlanta Braves, 7:15p

San Francisco Giants

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -25.2 7.4% -5.3 6.4 $195.3M 29.3 -13.0
Z-Score -0.49 -0.90 -1.09 0.38 0.30 0.59 -0.74
tNERD -0.49 -0.90 -1.09 0.38 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 1.90

Atlanta Braves

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -7.3 9.2% -2.8 17.7 $216.2M 29.4 17.0
Z-Score -0.13 0.46 -0.60 1.05 0.58 0.69 0.96
tNERD -0.13 0.46 -0.60 1.05 0.00 0.00 0.96 4.00 5.74

Visiting starter: Landen Roupp

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 98 9.6% 62.8% 92.7 mph 26 15.0s -17 0.0%
Z-Score -0.18 -0.38 -0.50 -0.47 -0.70 -2.83
pNERD 0.36 -0.19 -0.25 0.00 0.70 1.42 0.00 0.00 3.80 5.84

Chicago White Sox @ Tampa Bay Rays, 7:05p

Chicago White Sox

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -77.8 7.8% -1.5 -24.1 $79.0M 27.5 -9.0
Z-Score -1.56 -0.60 -0.34 -1.41 -1.26 -1.25 -0.51
tNERD -1.56 -0.60 -0.34 -1.41 1.26 1.25 0.00 4.00 2.59

Tampa Bay Rays

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 11.9 7.7% 6.4 -16.9 $89.9M 27.4 -17.0
Z-Score 0.26 -0.67 1.21 -0.99 -1.12 -1.35 -0.97
tNERD 0.26 -0.67 1.21 -0.99 1.12 1.35 0.00 4.00 6.27

Visiting starter: Davis Martin

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 105 9.2% 62.9% 93.4 mph 28 16.8s -12 0.0%
Z-Score 0.24 -0.58 -0.48 -0.14 -0.17 -1.38
pNERD -0.48 -0.29 -0.24 0.00 0.17 0.69 0.00 0.00 3.80 3.65

Home starter: Drew Rasmussen

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 86 9.0% 65.4% 95.7 mph 29 18.6s -15 0.0%
Z-Score -0.90 -0.68 0.58 0.91 0.09 0.07
pNERD 1.81 -0.34 0.29 0.91 0.00 -0.04 0.00 0.00 3.80 6.44

San Diego Padres @ Miami Marlins, 6:40p

San Diego Padres

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -9.5 7.0% -3.2 -0.5 $209.3M 30.0 4.0
Z-Score -0.17 -1.20 -0.68 -0.02 0.49 1.30 0.22
tNERD -0.17 -1.20 -0.68 -0.02 0.00 0.00 0.22 4.00 2.15

Miami Marlins

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -18.4 8.0% -2.4 0.4 $67.3M 26.8 0.0
Z-Score -0.36 -0.45 -0.52 0.03 -1.42 -1.96 -0.00
tNERD -0.36 -0.45 -0.52 0.03 1.42 1.96 0.00 4.00 6.09

Visiting starter: Stephen Kolek

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 105 7.5% 62.5% 93.9 mph 28 17.2s 2 0.0%
Z-Score 0.24 -1.41 -0.65 0.09 -0.17 -1.06
pNERD -0.48 -0.70 -0.33 0.09 0.17 0.53 0.05 0.00 3.80 3.13

Home starter: Edward Cabrera

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 91 11.5% 62.8% 96.7 mph 27 17.7s -5 0.0%
Z-Score -0.60 0.54 -0.52 1.38 -0.44 -0.65
pNERD 1.20 0.27 -0.26 1.38 0.44 0.33 0.00 0.00 3.80 7.15

Los Angeles Angels @ New York Mets, 7:10p

Los Angeles Angels

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -9.1 11.1% -3.3 -37.3 $203.8M 29.2 -8.0
Z-Score -0.17 1.90 -0.70 -2.19 0.41 0.49 -0.46
tNERD -0.17 1.90 -0.70 -2.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.00 2.85

New York Mets

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 38.9 10.4% 2.9 5.5 $332.0M 29.7 22.0
Z-Score 0.81 1.37 0.52 0.33 2.14 1.00 1.24
tNERD 0.81 1.37 0.52 0.33 0.00 0.00 1.24 4.00 8.27

Visiting starter: Kyle Hendricks

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 116 7.4% 67.3% 86.4 mph 35 18.5s 3 0.0%
Z-Score 0.91 -1.45 1.40 -3.37 1.66 -0.01
pNERD -1.81 -0.73 0.70 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 3.80 2.02

St. Louis Cardinals @ Colorado Rockies, 8:40p

St. Louis Cardinals

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 10.4 7.9% -3.3 21.7 $135.7M 28.6 -10.0
Z-Score 0.23 -0.52 -0.70 1.28 -0.50 -0.13 -0.57
tNERD 0.23 -0.52 -0.70 1.28 0.50 0.13 0.00 4.00 4.92

Colorado Rockies

Batting Runs Barrel % Baserunning Fielding Payroll Age Luck Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat -108.5 8.3% -3.3 -20.0 $125.9M 27.9 19.0
Z-Score -2.19 -0.22 -0.70 -1.17 -0.63 -0.84 1.07
tNERD -2.19 -0.22 -0.70 -1.17 0.63 0.84 1.07 4.00 2.27

Visiting starter: Erick Fedde

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 130 6.6% 60.4% 93.2 mph 32 17.4s -11 0.0%
Z-Score 1.75 -1.84 -1.50 -0.24 0.88 -0.89
pNERD -3.50 -0.92 -0.75 0.00 0.00 0.45 0.00 0.00 3.80 -0.93

Home starter: Bradley Blalock

xFIP- SwStr% Strike % Velocity Age Pace Luck KN% Constant TOTAL
Raw Stat 126 6.6% 63.6% 94.8 mph 24 19.3s 87 0.0%
Z-Score 1.51 -1.84 -0.17 0.50 -1.22 0.64
pNERD -3.02 -0.92 -0.09 0.50 1.22 -0.32 0.05 0.00 3.80 1.23