Along with the Maple Leafs and Jets, Hutchinson also featured in the crease for the Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings. He played a total of 154 NHL games across appearances in 11 different campaigns, playing his final game in the league with Detroit in 2023-24.
As for his time with the Maple Leafs, that's where Hutchinson saw the most action in his career following his early stint with the Jets.
Hutchinson, a Barrie, Ont., native, featured in parts of four years with Toronto, making 30 appearances along the way, 25 of which were starts. In that span, he earned a 10-15-2 record, averaged an .898 save percentage and a 3.18 goals-against average, as well as three shutouts.
His time with the Maple Leafs was divided into two separate tenures. Hutchinson was first acquired by Toronto in December 2018 from Florida in exchange for a 2020 fifth-round draft pick.
After two seasons with the Leafs, he was traded to the Avalanche in return for Calle Rosen. Hutchinson stepped up for Colorado in the 2019-20 playoffs, when he made four appearances, won two games, and posted a .910 SP with a 2.75 GAA.
Once that campaign was complete, he re-joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent for 2020-21 and played another two seasons in Toronto.
Hutchinson's busiest campaign with the Leafs was in 2019-20, when he played 15 games, finishing with an .886 SP and a 3.66 GAA.
The goaltender also played multiple seasons for the Toronto Marlies, appearing in 57 regular-season games and two playoff games over those four years with the Maple Leafs organization.
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Jun 11, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella after the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
James Guillory/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
John Tortorella hasn’t closed the door on coaching at age 68, some two months after his latest, brief stint ended two wins short of a Stanley Cup and not being rehired by the Vegas Golden Knights.
“Oh, I want to coach,” Tortorella told The Athletic. “I want to coach now. I’m not sure if that happens, and that’s where I am in my career. But I wanted to coach that Vegas team. I told (general manager Kelly McCrimmon) that.”
Tortorella’s tenure in Vegas began with him replacing the fired Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season. And it ended in mid-June with the Golden Knights losing the Stanley Cup Final in six games to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Though Tortorella pushed for his return, he said he respected McCrimmon’s decision to promote minor-league coach Ryan Craig.
“They’ve been developing (Craig) for a number of years there,” he said. “He’s a good coach and a good man.”
Tortorella has 24 seasons of NHL head-coaching experience, with the Golden Knights representing his seventh stop — including two separate tenures with the New York Rangers. He enjoyed his longest stint with Tampa Bay, spanning 2000-01 to 2007-08, during which he won his only Stanley Cup in 2004. He also coached in Columbus, Philadelphia and Vancouver.
From Boston, Tortorella is sixth on the NHL list and first among U.S.-born coaches with 1,628 games coached. Tortorella’s 777 career wins rank second among U.S.-born coaches behind Peter Laviolette’s 846. With a 70-72 career playoff record, he’s 20th on the NHL list in wins.
Tortorella lamented coming up short on winning a second Cup.
“I guess the word I’d use is disappointed,” Tortorella said.
“We didn’t finish the job, and I wanted some more time with that club to try to finish the job. That’s not my call. That’s the general manager and president’s call,” he added. “You just get about your business after that.”
It’s quite clear that the Atlantic Division will be the toughest decision in hockey this season. The Florida Panthers will be back at full strength after a campaign lost to injuries, the Tampa Bay Lightning will remain a top team, the Buffalo Sabres will want to prove that last season wasn’t a one off, the Boston Bruins will be holding on for dear life not to slip out of the playoffs picture, just like the Ottawa Senators while the Toronto Maple Leafs will want to prove that last year was a one off. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens will hope to keep moving forward and remain near the top of the division and the league as well, of course.
In a recent article, THN’s Ryan Lambert has given his top-three goalies in what he calls the league’s best goaltending division, the Atlantic. Nobody will argue with his top choice: Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Bolts netminder has got nothing left to prove and has a couple of Stanley Cups to his name already. Last season, he posted a 2.27 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage with a 39-15-4 record. However, in the playoffs, he was 3-2-2 with a 2.18 GAA and a.897 save percentage; the Habs’ Jakub Dobes outdueled him, and Vasilevskiy fell in the first round.
In second place, he has Jeremy Swayman, who finished third in voting for the Vezina Trophy with a 31-18-4 record, a 2.69 GAA and a .908 SV. The Bruins performed much better than most people hoped, and Lambert sees Swayman as one of the main reasons why. It’s hard to argue with that when most believed they would be out of the playoff picture. Of course, Swayman did have that one miserable season in 2024-25 when he was stuck in a contract dispute early on, which led to him missing the preseason, and he never really caught up. He ended the year with a 22-29-7 record, a 3.11 GAA, and a .892. He bounced back perfectly last season and put that year squarely in the rearview mirror.
Finally, Lambert gives the third spot to Swayman’s former partner in Boston and now main guy in Ottawa: Linus Ullmark. The Sens’ masked man ended the season with a 28-12-8 record with a 2.73 GAA and a .891 SV. He helped the Senators scrape into the playoffs but was swiftly dispatched in four games by the champions-to-be Carolina Hurricanes. That wasn’t on him, though; he lost the four games, but he posted a 2.03 GAA and a .932 SV. Ullmark couldn’t have done any better in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Dobes had a 29-10-4 record with a 2.78 GAA and a .901 SV. While he finished the year with respectable numbers, it has to be said that he had some tough stretches during the season as the Canadiens kept trying to get Samuel Montembeault back on track without regard to what going back to the Quebecer time and time again would do to the Czech netminder’s confidence. Once the Canadiens put their chips on Dobes, though, he rose to the occasion and was also great in the playoffs, finishing with a 9-6-4 record, a 2.66 GAA and a .908 SV.
What Dobes did from the moment he was given the reins of the team was enough to convince the Canadiens to sign him to a three-year contract extension even though he still had a year left on his contract. However, it wasn’t enough to convince the rest of the league of what kind of goaltender he would be in the future. That was his rookie season; he was still young and seen as an unproven commodity. He did catch a lot of people’s eyes, though, and if he can perform out of the gate this season as he did at the tail end of last season, he may very well make his way into this top three next offseason.
Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) skates against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Danny Wild/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
CHICAGO — When the Chicago Blackhawks selected Patrick Kane No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft, they counted on the forward, then just 18, to give their rebuilding team and its sputtering offense an immediate boost.
Fast-forward 19 years: The Blackhawks again hope that Kane, now 37 and entering his 20th NHL season, will do the same after signing the all-time scoring leader among U.S.-born players to a two-year, $16 million deal.
“I mean that’s kind of always what I’ve been known to do is help produce,” Kane said at the Blackhawks practice facility. “I don’t think that’s going to change any time now. I’m excited to come back and try to produce and fit in with all these young players and guys that I can play with, help build chemistry, learn. So do all those things. Help the team win. Help the team score.”
Kane said he feels strong three years after undergoing a major hip resurfacing surgery and rehabbing his way back for three solid seasons with the Detroit Red Wings.
Kane has 1,400 points in 1,369 career NHL games (508 goals and 892 assists). He cranked out 16 goals and 41 assists in 67 games last season for Detroit and says he’s not slowing down.
The homecoming is nice but the Blackhawks need production
Kane had discussions with his hometown Buffalo Sabres after becoming a free agent on July 1. But it seems to have been an easy decision to return to Chicago, where he spent his first 15-plus NHL seasons and helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships as one of the NHL’s most electrifying players.
Kane said there wasn’t one deciding factor in returning to Chicago, where he has spent his summers. He acknowledged the homecoming, but said his biggest focus is helping a team “that’s on the rise, a team that’s looking to make some big steps forward and trying to make the playoffs”
“It’s not like I’m just coming back home, to you know, ride off into the sunset or whatever it is,” Kane said “You know I want to be a big player here and help the team win.”
Kane is looking forward to skating with Connor Bedard
Part of that will be meshing with Chicago’s young forwards. That starts with center Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks only other No. 1 overall draft pick who was selected in 2023.
Bedard will miss the early part of the season after left shoulder surgery on July 8. Bedard, who signed a five-year, $75 million contract, got hurt skating with a group of NHL players near his home in suburban Vancouver. Once Bedard returns, Kane can’t wait to skate with him.
“He’s such a special player,” Kane said. “This will be my 20th year in the league and I’ll probably see passes I’ve never seen before playing with him. But I mean, wherever I fit in, I fit in. No matter who it is, I’m going to try to make the most of it.”
The statistical symmetry between the Blackhawks in 2006-07, the season before Kane entered as a rookie, and last year’s team is stunning.
The 2006-07 Blackhawks scored just 201 goals, second lowest in the NHL, as they went 31-42-9 for 71 points. With Kane in the lineup the following year — and posting 21 goals and 51 assists — Chicago jumped to 40-34-9 and 88 points. The Blackhawks scored 239 times and narrowly missed the playoffs.
In 2025-26, Chicago finished at 29-39-14 with 72 points, and scored just 213 goals, behind only Calgary (212).
Blackhawks GM says the timing was right
Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said it was time to bring Kane back after dealing him to the New York Rangers just before the March 2023 trade deadline.
Davidson was beginning a major overhaul of his roster then. In addition to focusing on prospects, he said the Blackhawks also needed to focus on building a new leadership core.
That process, with Bedard leading the way, already has started, Davidson said. Kane can only help now.
“They (Blackhawks young players) already know their way around the league a little bit,” Davidson said. “It’s the right time for him (Kane) to come, step in, join a group of of not all young players –- but a considerable group of young players -– and provide high-end play, but also high-end leadership and a lot of different things that he can impart on our young players.”
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 18, 2007: The Great Lakes Classic trophy is awarded to the winning team between the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions following their annual preseason game was on display prior to the game on August 18, 2007 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Detroit won 23-20. Great Lakes Classic Trophy07-1206979 (Photo by Diamond Images/Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
“The Battle for the Barge,” as fans would call the GLC, was regularly played between two teams who were only “Classic” in that they have both been around a long time, both were founded in Ohio (the Lions were originally the Portsmouth Spartans), and both have been classically bad since the Browns returned in 1999.
Detroit has seen a strong turnaround since 2022, with four straight winning records and two playoff appearances, while Cleveland has made the playoffs twice since 2020 but has seen four losing seasons in that timeframe as well.
According to Joel Walkowski, author of the book “Honolulu Blues: How The Detroit Lions Saved My Life,” fans of the Browns and Lions are 1a and 1b in having “the worst go of it of any franchise,” similar to the NBA’s GOAT debate between Michael Jordan and LeBron James:
“I exist on this planet to make the argument that the Lions fans have the WORST go of it of any franchise…”
“I gotta give a hat tip to the Cleveland Browns. That is the Jordan-LeBron debate of this…”
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) July 28, 2026
Obviously, Walkowski has a bias, as we all do.
A look at the historical numbers between each team:
Record: CLE – 567-560-14, DET – 615-717-34
Winning %: CLE – 50.3%, DET – 46%
Championships: CLE – 8, DET – 4
Maybe Walkowski is on to something, big picture and in the long-term. For the more recent history, the Browns have been far more downtrodden and have had an organization that has made mind-numbing decision after mind-numbing decision.
Then again, Detroit and Cleveland are also the only two teams since the strike-shortened season of 1982 to have winless seasons, so both fan bases have gone through a lot.
Overall, which fan base do you think has it worse? Do you agree with Walkowski because of the whole history of the franchises or do you think it is the Browns given the history since The Return in 1999?
Join the conversation below in our comment section
With Summer League play in the rearview mirror and most of the major free agency decisions having been made, now is a good time to look back on some players whose fantasy values have been affected by the changes. Today's column focuses on those who stand to be more valuable to fantasy managers, starting with a Grizzlies wing heading into his second NBA season.
▶ Returnees
G/F Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
Coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to four games in his final college season, many were unsure what to make of Coward's fantasy value going into the 2025-26 campaign. As a rookie, he would appear in 62 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 three-pointers per game, finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting.
With the franchise moving on from Ja Morant and Santi Aldama this summer, Coward should be empowered to be one of the Grizzlies' leaders moving forward. He played well in Summer League, helping lead Memphis to the title game in Las Vegas, and has already established good chemistry with lottery pick Cameron Boozer. While Coward finished last season ranked outside the top-100 in fantasy basketball, his floor should be higher than that in 2026-27.
C Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers
Kessler's time in Utah came to an end this summer, with the Jazz agreeing to a sign-and-trade with the Lakers. The 7-footer appeared poised for a breakout campaign in 2025-26, but a torn labrum in his left shoulder ended Kessler's season after just five games. In Los Angeles, he'll be asked to serve as the lob threat to play off Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. And the Lakers' defensive issues mean there are likely to be even more shot-blocking opportunities for Kessler, who has averaged 2.4 rejections per game in his four NBA seasons.
G Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
This has been a summer of significant change for the Hornets, who bid farewell to LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges in two separate trades. The departure of the former should mean more time on the ball for Knueppel, last season's runner-up for Rookie of the Year, even with the Hornets re-signing Coby White. He started 80 of the 81 games he played in 2025-26, averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.4 three-pointers per game. Already one of the best shooters in the NBA, more playmaking opportunities will raise Knueppel's fantasy ceiling next season.
G Egor Dëmin, Brooklyn Nets
Of the five players the Nets selected in the first round of the 2025 draft, Dëmin is the one who has shown the most promise. Remember when his perimeter shot was considered to be a significant question mark? Well, Dëmin was productive in both summer leagues the Nets appeared in. In Las Vegas, he averaged 21.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 3.0 three-pointers in three appearances. Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle will be the first options offensively for the Nets next season, but Dëmin's upside can't be ignored, especially with his improved shooting.
F/C Naz Reid, Charlotte Hornets
Reid's time in Minnesota came to an end this summer when the Timberwolves dealt him to Charlotte as part of the LaMelo Ball trade. However, the move east puts the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year in a position to start consistently, especially after the Hornets also traded Miles Bridges. A consistent top-100 player in fantasy basketball the last few seasons, Reid should be selected much earlier in drafts this fall due to the opportunity in front of him.
F/C Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons
Reed's play during the postseason was one of the bright spots for the Pistons, who were eliminated by the Cavaliers in the second round. And with Detroit trading Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, Reed will now serve as the backup center, provided the Pistons get a deal done with restricted free agent Jalen Duren. While he may not be a player worth selecting with a top-100 pick, Reed's consistent role makes him more valuable to fantasy managers than in the past, when he was little more than a streamer when someone was injured.
▶ Rookies
F AJ Dybantsa, Washington Wizards
Dybantsa only appeared in two games in Las Vegas, but even when considering the level of competition, he looked ready to make an immediate impact for the Wizards next season. In those outings, the former BYU standout averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. Dybantsa did not shoot the ball well from three in Las Vegas, but that should not be a major concern once he's able to share the floor with Trae Young and Anthony Davis, among others, in the nation's capital.
F Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls
More active than most of the top picks who saw action in Las Vegas, Wilson was highly productive for the Bulls. In four games, he averaged 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks and 3.3 three-pointers while shooting 50 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three. Wilson did have some issues with turnovers, averaging 5.3 per game, but that should not be a major concern for fantasy managers once the regular season begins. He should be a force once the games truly count.
F Cameron Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies
Viewing Boozer as a "high floor" player may be selling him short, especially when considering how well he played in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. He played in all six of Memphis' games in Sin City, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 three-pointers while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the foul line. This season marks the official beginning of a new era in Memphis, and Boozer is expected to be one of the leaders. He's got the ability to take on that role.
F Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State Warriors
One of the questions lingering over the Lakers this summer was whether they could land LeBron James in free agency. Well, he picked Philadelphia, which gave Lendeborg's fantasy value as a rookie a boost. The Most Valuable Player of the Vegas Summer League, he filled the stat line on most days, averaging 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.7 three-pointers per game. With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody set to begin the season on the sideline as they recover from knee injuries, Lendeborg may find himself in the starting lineup as a rookie. And his versatility should mesh well with a lineup headlined by Stephen Curry.
G Brayden Burries, Milwaukee Bucks
During his lone season at Arizona, Burries spent most of his time off the ball due to Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley running the point. The Bucks put the ball in his hands quite often in Las Vegas, and Burries delivered. In four appearances, he averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers, shooting 50 percent from the field.
Milwaukee's backcourt is a bit crowded following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, with Tyler Herro joining a rotation that already had Ryan Rollins, Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr. However, with Burries showing that he's capable of playing either guard spot, there should be no lack of opportunities for the rookie. That said, fantasy managers may have to exercise some patience due to the veterans in front of him.
G Meleek Thomas, Cleveland Cavaliers
Thomas put on a show in Las Vegas and appears ready to provide needed scoring off the bench as a rookie in Cleveland. In four games, the second-round pick averaged 27.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.5 three-pointers, leading the entire Summer League in scoring. The opportunity to play off James Harden and Donovan Mitchell should benefit Thomas, as the offensive gravity of both veterans can open up the floor for their teammates.
F Allen Graves, Toronto Raptors
After drafting Collin Murray-Boyles last summer, the Raptors may have another potential category league star on their hands. Graves may have come off the bench during his one season at Santa Clara, but he was an advanced-stats darling in the pre-draft process for his ability to contribute in multiple areas.
In four games in Las Vegas, he averaged 16.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers on excellent shooting splits (51.0/50.0/100). The lingering Kawhi Leonard situation makes it somewhat challenging to project Graves' value in redraft leagues, but managers in dynasty leagues should not hesitate to select him if available.
In another surprising development for the Anaheim Ducks in the 2026 offseason, the team announced on Saturday that they signed 2026 first-round pick Nikita Klepov to a three-year entry-level contract.
The Ducks drafted Klepov (18) with the 15th overall selection a month ago with a pick they acquired from the St. Louis Blues, along with the 29th overall pick (later to become the 28th pick, Marcus Nordmark), in exchange for Mason McTavish.
Following the first round, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek stated that had Klepov not been available at 15, the Ducks would not have made the trade and that he felt Klepov had a “fast track” to the NHL.
After those comments, nobody anticipated that the fast track would be quite so fast, as Klepov had previously committed to Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season. That will no longer be an option, and neither will the AHL, as he will not be 19 years old at the start of the season. He’ll either play in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks or return to the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.
In theory, he would be eligible to play AHL games with the San Diego Gulls on a conditioning stint should he be healthy scratched for five or more consecutive NHL games.
In 2025-26, Klepov led the OHL in scoring with 97 points (37-60=97) in 67 regular season games to earn OHL Rookie of the Year honors and added five points (1-4=5) in four playoff games. To some, that may suggest he has outgrown the OHL and should be in the NHL come autumn.
The Ducks’ newest Russian winger is listed at 6-foot and 186 pounds and stated that the decision to head to the NCAA was to fill out his frame and refine the details in his game. Modeling his game after Nikita Kucherov, Klepov is an offensive dynamo, as creative, skilled, intelligent, manipulative, slippery, and tenacious as anyone in his draft, with a nose for the back of the net.
Klepov sniffs out pucks in all three zones, but is at his best when leading a cycle in the offensive zone, working low-to-high and across the top of the circles, confident and deceptive, consistently scanning for high-percentage, dangerous plays.
The Deerfield Beach, Florida native, who grew up in Russia until 2023, is eligible to play in the 2027 World Junior Championship for the United States should the Ducks be willing to loan him out, much like the Seattle Kraken developed Shane Wright in 2022-23.
The Ducks could also map out a rookie season as they had with Leo Carlsson in 2023-24, utilizing selective healthy scratches to maximize his off-ice training and avoid a mid-season fatigue wall. They had planned a similar rookie season for Beckett Sennecke in 2025-26, but Sennecke’s immediate impact, for all intents and purposes, forced the Ducks to play him every night.
Ultimately, Klepov will likely have the same opportunity Sennecke had a year ago, where his games played and ice time will be in his control. If he plays well enough and is an instant success, the Ducks won’t have a choice but to play him every night.
The Ducks will likely have some surgery to perform on their depth chart before opening night, as Cutter Gauthier remains unsigned and their cap space is limited. Troy Terry will miss the first two or three months of the regular season, and the team may need to offload a veteran forward to free some cap space, potentially opening a depth chart spot, relatively high in the lineup, for Klepov or another young forward to seize.
The Mets (45-62) and the Braves (62-44) continue their three-game series tonight at Citi Field. New York ripped Atlanta in the opener last night, 14-3.
Atlanta struck first in the opening inning when Ronald Acuña Jr., playing his first game after missing 37 games with a strained hamstring, singled and eventually scored on an Ozzie Albies RBI infield hit. The Mets answered immediately when Francisco Lindor ripped an RBI triple off the wall in right field.
Lindor put New York ahead in the third inning with a two-run homer off Braves starter Martín Pérez, but Atlanta responded in the fourth. Albies launched a two-run homer to left-center field, his 18th of the season, tying the game at 3-3.
The game remained tied into the sixth inning before New York finally broke through against the Atlanta bullpen. Marcus Semien crushed a two-run homer off Connor Thomas to give the Mets a 5-3 lead. The floodgates then opened. In the seventh, Tyrone Taylor continued to swing a hot bat, blasting a three-run homer to extend the lead to 8-3. Bo Bichette later added a sacrifice fly, and the Mets sent the game completely out of reach with a five-run eighth inning. Lindor capped the outburst with his second homer of the night, a three-run shot that gave him six RBIs on the evening.
New York pounded out 19 hits, with Lindor, Semien, Taylor, Bichette, and rookie A.J. Ewing all enjoying three-hit games. Zac Thornton earned the victory after allowing three runs over 6⅓ innings, while Atlanta reliever Connor Thomas suffered one of the roughest outings of the season, surrendering 11 earned runs on 10 hits in just 2⅔ innings.
Tonight, Atlanta turns to its ace, Chris Sale (11-6, 2.19 ERA) with an eye on evening the series. Sale has once again been one of the National League's most dominant starters. Over his last eight starts, the veteran has allowed 12 earned runs in 44 innings.
The Mets counter with Christian Scott (3-2, 3.13 ERA), who has quietly put together a strong season. Since the start of May, the 27-year-old has pitched 62 innings and allowed just 21 earned runs.
Lets dive into tonight's matchup and find a sweat or two.
Game Details and How to Watch: Braves vs. Mets
Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time: 7:10PM EST
Site: Citi Field
City: Queens, NY
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, BravesVision, SNY
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Braves vs. Mets
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Atlanta Braves (-163), New York Mets (+135)
Spread: Braves -1.5 (+109), Mets +1.5 (-131)
Total: 7.5 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Braves vs. Mets for July 28
Braves: Chris Sale Season Totals: 111.0 IP, 11-6, 2.19 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 134K, 26 BB
Mets: Christian Scott Season Totals: 63.1 IP, 3-2, 3.13 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 78K, 29 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Braves vs. Mets
Marcus Semien is 6-18 (.333) with 3 HRs against Chris Sale
With 3 hits last night, Semien is 6-28 (.214) in July
Francisco Lindor is 16-41 (.390) with 2 HRs against Sale
Lindor went 3-5 last night to snap a 1-12 skid over his previous 3 games
Michael Harris II is 4-5 (.800) in his career against Christian Scott
Harris has hit in 5 straight games (7-21)
Drake Baldwin has hit in 6 straight games (8-23)
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Braves vs. Mets
The Braves are 56-50 on the Run Line this season
The Mets are 49-58 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 52 times in Atlanta’s 106 games this season (52-48-6)
The OVER has cashed 48 times in New York’s 107 games this season (48-50-9)
Expert picks & predictions: Braves vs. Mets
Rotoworld Bet Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Braves and the Mets:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Braves on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 7.5
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But as the clock ticks down to the Aug. 3 deadline, teams are getting even more anxious to make deals that could potentially help them win a 2026 World Series ring.
First off, there are the most obvious trade candidates − players who are in the final year of their contracts and players who could benefit from a change of scenery.
Who will be dealt and who will stay put? We have six days to find out the answers.
When is the MLB trade deadline?
Teams must have their trade details finalized and submitted to the league office by the deadline in order for any acquired players to be eligible for the playoffs. After that, players on 40-man rosters can't be traded.
When: Monday, Aug. 3
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Yankees badly need outfield help
Cody Bellinger's hamstring injury is the latest in the New York Yankees' recent string of painful losses. They now have an entire outfield on the IL with Bellinger joining Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
GM Brian Cashman is desperately in search of depth at the position, but complicating matters is the fact that two of the team's best trade chips − Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez − are outfielders. And both are currently starting.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman suggests the Royals' Lane Thomas, the Reds' Spencer Steer, the Angels' Jo Adell and Jorge Soler, and the Blue Jays' George Springer could be possible trade targets.
Steer, however, is currently on the injured list with a partially torn tendon in his right wrist. And Springer, a longtime Yankee nemesis, would seem an unlikely match coming from an AL East rival.
The Yankees are also in search of catching help, which could take away resources they might otherwise need to acquire an outfielder.
What will Tigers do with ace Tarik Skubal?
Don't expect a final answer to this question until the last possible moment.
The Tigers have the talent to make the postseason. They've been playing much better since Skubal returned from elbow surgery in mid-June. But they're not quite in playoff position just yet ... and likely won't be by the deadline.
The question is how close do they need to be to keep the two-time defending Cy Young award winner. Or how far back do they need to be to sell. At 50-57, Detroit is currently four games out of the third AL wild-card spot.
On the heels of a three-game losing streak, USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale writes the Tigers now "have no choice but to trade Skubal." He also expects No. 2 starter Casey Mize to be dealt as well.
This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (48-53, 11.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers won 5 of 6 against the Salt Lake Bees on the road. At the plate, Gavin Cross went 12-for-27, with 5 homers, 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 10 runs batted in, and was named International League Player of the week. After a horrific start to the season at the plate, Cross is now up to .249 on the season, with 10 homers and 21 stolen bases. Kyle Isbel will probably be returned from his rehab assignment soon, but I’d like Cross to get some time with the Royals late this season. Elsewhere, John Rave went 11-for-22, with a homer and 3 doubles. Drew Waters was 9-for-22 with a homer as well.
On the mound, Aaron Bummer threw 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Matt Moore threw 2.2 scoreless innings striking out 5, and Justin Topa threw 3.2 scoreless innings, striking out 5. These are the veteran guys the Royals have been signing lately, with the deadline looming and trades possible, these three would be the first replacement call ups more than likely. Mitch Spence threw 5 innings of 1 run ball in his lone start of the week, striking out 6.
Gavin Cross is the 3rd Triple-A Omaha player since 2005 to homer in 5 straight games.
Cross is the 4th full-season @MiLB player to do so this year, but he's the first to do so in 5 consecutive *DAYS* ‼️ https://t.co/sNJj5mNUNc
The Storm Chasers return home this week to take on the St. Paul Saints. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (40-54, 20 games back)
The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Springfield Cardinals. On the mound, Hunter Patteson made 2 starts, totaling 10 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 11 hitters. Felix Arronde went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 5 in his lone start of the week. Oscar Rayo threw 5 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out 5 hitters.
At the plate, Luke Pelzer, who was just promoted from Quad Cities, went 10 for 24, scoring 3 runs as well. Daniel Vazquez went 7-for-21, with a double. Vazquez is a 22-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic. Sam Kulasingam went 6-for-23, with a homer.
— Northwest Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) July 26, 2026
The Naturals hit the road to take on the Tulsa Drillers, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (45-47, 11 games back)
The River Bandits lost 5 of 6 to the Beloit Sky Carp. At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 4 for 20, with 3 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases. Jose Cerice went 6 for 17. Cerice is a 21-year-old infielder from Cuba. Derlin Figueroa was 4 for 22 with a homer and a double.
On the mound, Kendry Chourio went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 4 in his lone start of the week. Tanner Jones threw 4 innings of scoreless ball, allowing 2 hits, striking out 3. Jones was the Royals 6th round draft pick in 2024 out of Texas A&M. Blake Wolters threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 1 hit and striking out 7.
Kendry Chourio allows 1 run or fewer in his 5th consecutive start for the @QCRiverBandits 💎
The River Bandits return home this week to take on the Dayton Dragons. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (50-46, 6.5 games back)
The Fireflies won 5 of 6 from the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. On the mound, Ryan McDonagh threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, striking out 6 batters. McDonagh threw a no-hitter for 5.2 innings. McDonagh is a 20-year-old right hander from Canada. Jose Gutierrez threw 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 3. Shane Van Dam threw 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 7 in his lone start of the week.
At the plate, Sean Gamble went 7-for-20, with a double and home run. Gamble has battled back from a brutal start to the season and has raised his average to .203. Josh Hammond went just 3-for-21, cooling him off from the great month of July he’s having. Yandel Ricardo went 8-for-17, with a double and a triple.
Sean Gamble hit this one really, really, really far.
Transitioning away from professional hockey is rarely a seamless process. For athletes who have defined their entire existence by the daily routine of rink visits, team travel, and game nights, stepping away from the sport often brings an abrupt, jarring shift in identity.
For former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell, however, stepping off the ice hasn't meant stepping away from supporting athletes. Campbell is channeling his experiences into a brand-new calling as a mental wellness and performance coach—a career pivot that those who spent time sharing a dressing room with him say makes total sense.
Speaking at his annual charity golf tournament at Oakdale Golf & Country Club, Edmonton Oilers forward and former Maple Leafs teammate Zach Hyman offered high praise for Campbell's new venture. Having spent years alongside Campbell in Toronto, Hyman understands the challenge of leaving the game behind, but believes Campbell’s personal qualities make him uniquely qualified for the road ahead.
"Happy for him, excited for him," Hyman said when asked about Campbell’s career change. "It's not easy to transition from being a hockey player into doing something else. We live our whole life—since you're four years old, you put your skates on and you go play, and then oftentimes it's hard to find what your next passion is, right?"
It is precisely those real-life highs and lows that Hyman believes will resonate so strongly with athletes seeking Campbell's guidance today.
"I think it fits his bill," Hyman explained. "Like, he's a great guy to talk to. He loves to listen. He's caring, and I think that he'll be a great mental wellness coach. I think that's what he's going for. And he's experienced a lot of ups and downs in his career, and I think he can relate to a lot of players."
In modern professional sports, mental health and performance psychology are no longer relegated to the background; they are recognized as vital components of an athlete's overall health and longevity. Players are under more scrutiny than ever before, navigating social media noise, high-pressure contract years, and the mental toll of injuries.
"Playing in Toronto was the coolest thing in the world"
This morning on #FirstUp, former #LeafsForever goalie Jack Campbell shares what it was like to play in a Canadian market and if there was extra pressure that comes with it. pic.twitter.com/CvqxkylIWJ
While traditional sports psychologists offer crucial theoretical framework, Campbell brings something exceedingly rare to the table: authentic, battle-tested perspective from someone who has lived through the absolute highest peaks and lowest valleys of modern NHL goaltending.
As Campbell turns the page on his playing days, his transition represents a meaningful next chapter. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most genuine teammates in recent Maple Leafs memory, taking those same empathetic traits into a field where they are needed most.
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Jul 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (left) is mobbed by teammates afterhitting a game winning RBI single to defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks in the tenth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Brandon Lowe delivered the game-winning single, as the Diamondbacks have dropped three straight games to fellow National League Wild Card contenders on what many players called the most important road trip of the season. Lowe’s walk-off knock off Taylor Clarke ricocheted off the glove of first baseman Ildemaro Vargas.
The Diamondbacks had their chance in the top of the 10th, as a throwing error from Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales set up Arizona with runners on second and third with one out. Gabriel Moreno, the Diamondbacks’ hottest hitter, struck out looking on the 11th pitch of his at-bat. After an intentional walk to Ketel Marte, Max Kepler — who delivered three hits on Monday — hit a line drive to center field that hung up too long.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which had a rough afternoon in Washington the day before, coughed up a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning. With two out, the Pirates got consecutive doubles from Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds to tie the game off reliever Jonathan Loaisiga.
Reynolds’ at-bat was interrupted by the ejection of Pirates manager Donnie Kelly, who was thrown out by third-base umpire Ben May after ostensibly complaining about check-swing calls that went against Reynolds.
Piecoro went on to reveal that the Diamondbacks had spoken to the Red Sox about this type of deal. He did not state whether it was Early, specifically, who was on Arizona’s radar, but it’s a good bet that was the case.
But the Red Sox weren’t interested, and it had to do with the players the D-backs were able to give up in exchange. Boston reportedly preferred to land a more major-league caliber player, as opposed to hitters who were closer to being prospects than everyday major league bats.
Many Diamondbacks fans grew worried there was a rift between Ketel Marte and Arizona when the star second baseman wiped his Instagram feed almost entirely over the weekend.
As of Monday morning, the Diamondbacks are not looking to trade Marte, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro said.
Marte, who was previously very active on Instagram, deleted all posts but one, including those related to the Diamondbacks and others that were not.
“First, I don’t even know what scrubbing is,” Lovullo told reporters, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. “I don’t get it. I mean, I’m a baseball manager. I’ve connected with Ketel just to find out how he’s doing. Everything is in a good spot. I know that everybody wants to make some drama that’s taking place here. It’s nothing like it seems.”
Max Scherzer’s second return from an IL stint this season went better than his first, enough so that he’s hopeful for what could still be ahead.
Scherzer labored through 2 2/3 innings on 75 pitches on his 42nd birthday, but he escaped by allowing only one run in his former home park in the Blue Jays’ 3-2 win over the Nationals in Monday night’s series opener.
It seems like, for much of the 2026 season, the top question in the National League — and Major League Baseball as a whole, really — has been: Who are the biggest threats to the Los Angeles Dodgers?
Atlanta and Milwaukee lead their respective divisions, while Chicago and Philadelphia hold the first and second wild-card spots, respectively. The Dodgers are cruising to another NL West title, with a 12-game edge over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks, meaning they will likely make their 14th consecutive postseason appearance in 2026, tying Atlanta’s record of 14 straight playoffs from 1991 to 2005.
The Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals kicked off trade deadline season in earnest on Saturday night, when Boston sent left-handed pitcher Connelly Early to the Nats for corner infielder Curtis Mead.
Most consequential trades this time of year involve a contender swapping one or more prospects for an established big leaguer. Not so this one. At the time of the trade, the Red Sox and Nationals were in similar positions in the standings: The Sox were 53-50, seven and a half games out of the division lead, but half a game up in the AL Wild Card race. The Nats were 53-52, eight and a half games out of first place in the NL East, but only two games out of a Wild Card spot. Both teams are playing with house money: Boston on account of being 14 games under .500 less than five weeks ago, and Washington on account of… everything that’s happened since the start of the 2020 season.
Detmers and rotation mate José Soriano are both under arbitration control through the 2028 season. The former is playing on a $2.625MM salary, a little over $775K of which will be owed after the deadline.
The Angels could seek multiple top 100 prospects to part with two and a half years of very affordable control over an above-average starter. They’re in an odd spot with interim general manager John Mozeliak running their deadline, but recent reporting suggests they’re more open to conversations on their controllable players than they’d been in prior years. The aforementioned two starters and shortstop Zach Neto would be their top trade candidates and could rejuvenate a weak farm system if the Halos are truly open to a rebuild.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Ceddanne Rafaela #3 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates in the dugout after hitting a grand slam in the top of the sixth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees took home an exciting win on Monday to kick off a series on the south side of Chicago. Ben Rice had a clutch hit in the seventh to give them the lead, and Ali Sánchez’s three-run homer put the nail in the coffin against the White Sox. With the Rays off for the day, it was a free mini-jump for New York in the East to 2.5 games behind Tampa Bay.
Despite the shorter schedule, there was still plenty of action to take in around the American League, so let’s take a look at what went down to open up the week.
Boston Red Sox (54-50) 4, Toronto Blue Jays (48-58) 2
With the Rays off for the day, The Red Sox game out in Sacramento was likely of chief concern for the Yanks. Things were tight for much of the evening, before one big hit propelled Boston to victory over the Athletics.
The A’s jumped ahead early, when Tyler Soderstrom belted a solo shot in the bottom of the first. The lefty’s 17th homer of the season gave his crew the lead, one they held on to for some time. Starter Jack Perkins pitched well to begin the game, keeping the Red Sox out of the run column for the first five innings of the game.
In the sixth inning, still trailing 1-0, the Red Sox finally made their move. A double from Connor Wong and a two-out walk to Willson Contreras ended the day for Perkins, and suddenly had the A’s on the ropes. José Suarez came on in relief, but found himself in even more trouble by immediately walking Wilyer Abreu. In the next at-bat, Ceddanne Rafaela broke the game open with a towering wall-scraper of a grand slam into left-center field.
Suddenly trailing, the A’s began to answer back with a Jonah Heim solo shot in the bottom half of the inning. His 10th long ball of the season cut their deficit to two runs, but wasn’t enough to help get his squad back in front. After a quiet seventh and eighth innings, the A’s were tasked with taking on Aroldis Chapman in the ninth.
They certainly kept the game interesting, as a hit from Colby Thomas and Nick Kurtz reaching on an error had the winning run at the plate for the Athletics. Chapman dialed it in under pressure, however, as the veteran flamethrower notched back-to-back strikeouts to bring this game to a close as a 4-2 Boston win. The Red Sox surge continues as they hold the second Wild Card berth in the American League with the win. There was some concern, however, as new acquisition Curtis Mead was forced to leave the game early after being hit by a pitch in the fifth. X-rays were at least negative. The team said that he is “day-to-day with a bruised wrist.”
Texas Rangers (53-52) 7, Seattle Mariners (52-55) 4: The Rangers did the bulk of their work early in a big divisional game against Seattle on Monday. They scored all seven of their runs in the first three innings, all of which came one homers, with Joc Pederson, Pederson again, Ezequiel Duran, and Jake Burger all going deep in the surge. Kumar Rocker allowed just a pair of runs while striking out seven in his outing, which was more than enough to get by for Texas. Four different Rangers tallied multiple hits, with Pederson’s pair of homers being the highlight. It was an important win for them over their division rival, as the Rangers’ lead grows to 2.5 games with the Astros also passing the M’s thanks to a ninth-inning rally in Anaheim.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 10: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 10, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jonathan Cannon 6 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 9 K Mason Adams 5 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 5 K Duncan Davitt 5 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 4 K Shane Murphy 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 4 K Shane Smith 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 3 K Peyton Pallette 4 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 5 K Tanner McDougal 2 2/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K Hagen Smith 2 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 K
After a slow start to the second half, the Knights are trending in the right direction again. Since the All-Star break, the Knights have won six of nine, and that includes a 5-1 series against the Tides (36-64).
Infielder Andy Weber, 29, who primarily plays shortstop, has been terrific lately. Against Norfolk, Weber, whom the North Siders drafted in the fifth round in 2018, could not be stopped. Weber is still looking to make his MLB debut, but he went 8-for-19 with three homers, two doubles, a walk, eight RBIs, and a stolen base in his only attempt. The White Sox acquired Weber in February via free agency, and in 52 games since being promoted from Birmingham to Charlotte, Weber has slashed a solid .273/.316/.464.
2026 Charlotte Knights Players of the Week Korey Lee (March 27-April 5) Oliver Dunn (April 6-12) Shane Smith (April 13-19) Jarred Kelenic (April 20-26) Oliver Dunn (April 27-May 3) LaMonte Wade Jr.(May 4-10) Jacob Gonzalez(May 11-17) LaMonte Wade Jr.(May 18-24) Jacob Gonzalez(May 25-31) Braden Montgomery(June 1-7) Ryan Galanie(June 8-14) Kyle Teel(June 15-21) Korey Lee(June 22-28) Caden Connor(June 29-July 5) Nolan Jones(July 6-12) Andy Weber (July 13-26)
Barons Player of the Week Caleb Bonemer .353/.421/.824, 17 at-bats
Alec Briley .360/.385/.560, 25 at-bats Colby Shelton .409/.417/.682, 22 at-bats Anthony DePino .368/.429/.579, 19 at-bats Samuel Zavala .300/.364/.600, 20 at-bats Grant Magill .333/.385/.583, 12 at-bats Boston Smith .100/.379/.300, 20 at-bats
Dylan Cumming 5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 2 K Lucas Gordon 5 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, 4 K Jake Palisch 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K Carson Jacobs 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 BB, 6 K Jackson Kelley 4 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K
Since the All-Star break, the Barons’ performance has been OK, at least by 2026 Birmingham standards. After taking two of three against Rocket City (48-47), the Barons dropped four of six against Montgomery (48-47) in a full-length series.
Infielder Caleb Bonemer, 20, was very difficult to retire, and he displayed a lot of power against Montgomery. This is Bonemer’s fourth weekly award of the season and his first with the Barons. This week, Bonemer went 6-for-17 with two homers, two doubles, four RBIs, and a walk. More impressive is that Bonemer did all of his damage in just three games, as on Friday he was beaned in the head and was removed from action for the rest of the contest, as well as Saturday’s action. That resulted in a weekly OPS of 1.245, and after 29 games with the Barons, Bonemer is slashing .267/.374/.476. Birmingham has been a large hurdle for many White Sox prospects over the years, especially hitters. However, although it is early, the top White Sox prospect is not slowing down during his dash toward the majors.
Drew McDaniel 7 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 7 H, 4 BB, 9 K Grant Umberger 5 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 7 K Jake Curtis 5 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K Justin Sinibaldi 5 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 K Tommy Vail 4 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K Max Banks 3 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K
The Dash have had a rough time since returning from the All-Star break, only winning three of nine games since then.
Outfielder Ely Brown, 22, who mainly plays center, was unstoppable during a 3-3 series against Greensboro (59-37). During that series, Brown went 8-for-16 with a triple, three doubles, seven RBIs, three walks, and a steal in his only attempt. That resulted in a series OPS of 1.392, as he reached base in more than half of his plate appearances. Brown has shown that he can reach base with ease at the lower levels of the minors. Brown posted a .417 OBP in 27 games with Kannapolis in 2025, and this year, he is slashing .268/.411/.353 in 84 games, all with the Dash.
2026 Winston-Salem Dash Players of the Week Caleb Bonemer (April 6-12) Colby Shelton (April 13-19) Colby Shelton (April 20-26) Caleb Bonemer(April 27-May 3) Colby Shelton(May 4-10) Boston Smith(May 11-17) George Wolkow (May 18-24) Morris Austin(May 25-31) Caleb Bonemer(June 1-7) James Taussig(June 8-14) Kyle Lodise(June 15-21) George Wolkow(June 22-28) Kaleb Freeman(June 29-July 5) Ryan Burrowes (July 6-12) Ely Brown (July 13-26)
Cannon Ballers Player of the Week Steven Lancia .583/.615/.583, 1-for-1 stolen bases, 12 at-bats
Jaden Fauske .318/.444/.364, 1-for-3 stolen bases, 22 at-bats Alexander Albertus .375/.474/.688, 16 at-bats Nick McLain .238/.238/.381, 21 at-bats Javier Mogollón .227/.227/.318, 22 at-bats Billy Carlson .211/.286/.263, 1-for-1 stolen bases, 19 at-bats
Gabe Tanner 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K Truman Pauley 5 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 1 K Carlton Perkins 4 1/3 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 8 K Alexander Martinez 3 1/3 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 K Blaine Wynk 3 1/3 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K
The Cannon Ballers won four of nine since we last checked in, and they are now exactly .500 in the second half and overall this season. Kannapolis wrapped up a six-game series in Columbia against the Fireflies on Sunday. That series went poorly, with the Cannon Ballers only winning one game, and that was on Sunday, as Kannapolis narrowly avoided getting swept.
Catcher Steven Lancia, 23, was on fire all week against Columbia. Lancia only played in four of those games, but Lancia made his time on the field count. Lancia went 7-for-12 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a walk (that sole RBI came from a game-winning single in the 10th inning). Lancia, who played his first game of the season on June 22, is seeing the ball quite well since his return. Between a five-game rehab stint with the Complex Sox and 10 games with Kannapolis, Lancia is slashing .415/.490/.537 with a homer, a triple, and 10 RBIs.
2026 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Players of the Week Stiven Flores (April 6-12) Abraham Núñez (April 13-19) Javier Mogollón(April 20-26) Arxy Hernández(April 27-May 3) Javier Mogollón(May 4-10) Max Banks(May 11-17) Riley Eikhoff(May 18-24) James Taussig(May 25-31) James Taussig(June 1-7) Derek Cerda(June 8-14) Matthew Boughton(June 15-21) Ryan Schiefer(June 22-28) Christian Gonzalez(June 29-July 5) Jaden Fauske (July 6-12) Steven Lancia (July 13-26)
ACL White Sox Record 5-4 (last week), 19-41 (overall)
Complex Sox Player of the Week Frank Mieses .357/.471/.714, 14 at-bats
Justin Fuson 6 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 6 K Fidel Montero 4 IP, 5 ER, 3 H, 4 BB, 6 K Orlando Suarez 5 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K Dylan Carmouche 3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 K Jeremy Gonzalez 4 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 4 K
The rookie leagues did not have an All-Star break like the rest of the affiliates, and the ACL White Sox played nine games since we last checked in. Surprisingly, the Complex Sox finished their season strong, winning five of their last nine to salvage a win percentage above .300, at .317.
During the latter portion of the season, outfielder Frank Mieses, 18, was impressive. Overall, in 26 games in the Complex League, Mieses only slashed .172/.273/.293, but he ended the season on a high note to claim his first weekly award. Mieses went 5-for-14 with a homer, a double, and three walks, as he played a sizable role in the team’s strong finish this season.
2026 Complex Sox Players of the Week Alexander Albertus(May 4-10) Eduardo Herrera(May 11-17) Yordani Soto (May 18-24) José M. Mendoza(May 25-31) Yordani Soto(June 1-7) Landon Hodge(June 8-14) Tommy Vail(June 15-21) Yordani Soto(June 22-28) D’Angelo Tejada(June 29-July 5) Osniel Castillo (July 6-12) Frank Mieses (July 13-26)
DSL White Sox Record 3-5 (last week), 14-23 (overall)
DSL White Sox Player of the Week Nestor Pérez .500/.583/.800, 10 at-bats
Sebastian Romero .455/.600/.727, 11 at-bats Ronald Cardozo .400/.533/.500, 10 at-bats Fernando Graterol .273/.429/.273, 11 at-bats Hector Hernández .231/.412/.308, 13 at-bats
Yordany Marte 4 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 4 K Franchel Crisostomo 3 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 K Enmanuel Rodriguez 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K David Colmenares 2 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K José Taveras 2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K
Like the Complex Sox, the DSL White Sox did not have an All-Star break, and they fit eight games in since the most recent weekly recap. Unlike the Complex Sox, the DSL White Sox had a subpar week, and their season goes until August 18.
Nestor Pérez, 19, heated up quite a bit, finishing 5-for-10 with three doubles and two walks since we last checked in. Pérez has played first base more than any other position this season, but he also has experience at third base and left field. Overall, Pérez has an unremarkable slash line by Dominican Summer League standards (.258/.355/.364, 77 wRC+), but he has taken a step forward this month. In particular, on July 25, Pérez went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and that outstanding performance went a long way during the team’s 8-7 victory.
2026 DSL White Sox Players of the Week Carlos Vielma(June 1-7) Sebastian Romero(June 8-14) Sebastian Romero(June 15-21) Ronald Kelly(June 22-28) Orlando Patiño(June 29-July 5) Ronald Cardozo (July 6-12) Nestor Pérez(July 13-26)
‘It Fits His Bill’: Zach Hyman Not Surprised To See Former Maple Leafs Goalie Jack Campbell Transition To Wellness CoachFormer Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman explains why Jack Campbell is uniquely built for his new calling as a mental wellness coach.
Reunited: Frederik Andersen Joins Zach Hyman And Mike Babcock Oilers as Ex-Maple Leafs Connection Grows in EdmontonZach Hyman and Connor McDavid break down the addition of former Maple Leafs netminder Frederik Andersen and why his championship pedigree is the missing piece for Edmonton’s goalie tandem.
