Worldwide Sports News

July 23, 2026

Blue Jackets sign goaltender Jet Greaves to $15 million, 3-year deal through the 2028-29 season

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Jet Greaves to a three-year, $15 million contract through the 2028-29 season.

The deal was announced Thursday by general manager Don Waddell, who said "Jet is a high-character, talented and athletic goaltender who has become an important part of our hockey club. Our intent always was to get a deal done to ensure he remains a Blue Jacket and we are thrilled that we were able to do so.”

The 25-year-old Greaves finished 26-19-9 with a 2.60 goals-against average last season to become the fifth goaltender in franchise history to win 25 games in a season. He had two shutouts in 55 games. His .908 save percentage tied for sixth among NHL goaltenders.

In 76 career appearances, Greaves has a 36-28-11 record with a .913 save percentage and four shutouts. He made his NHL debut at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Greaves is a native of Cambridge, Ontario who made his international debut for Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championships in Switzerland. He finished 6-2 in the tournament to tie for third in wins.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

July 23, 2026

Why Knicks are poised to be regular season juggernaut in 2026-27

While the high may still be coming down for Knicks fans experiencing their first championship in 53 years, the rest of the league is back to usual business, re-shuffling their rosters in pursuit of New York’s throne. Opposing fans are already touting their new acquisitions and downplaying the Knicks' run as flukey, but they may be in for a rude awakening.

With how dominantly and cohesively New York ran through the playoffs, the league should be more fearful they’ll come in even better than they were last season. Here’s why we shouldn't be surprised if the Knicks continue their tear with a 60-win regular season.

The manner in which New York steamrolled the playoffs - 12 consecutive wins, only three total losses by a combined six points, massive closeout blowouts and a historic point differential - suggests it wasn’t just a heater, but an all-time great team finding itself. Something clicked that allowed them to elevate to a new level, one that, if sustained, should have a similar impact on the regular season.

Guys playing multiple roles selflessly, committing on defense, and openly moving in and out of the rotation to answer the team’s needs at the moment. This, on top of the standout on-paper talent that’s almost entirely been retained, should make for a standout group.

If this team could sweep the best of the Eastern Conference last year, and walk the Spurs down over five games in the Finals, hitting 60 wins shouldn’t be an especially outsized challenge. They’ve historically dominated lesser teams and had to fight against the league’s top dogs, and so long as they can stay relatively healthy, they’re atop the food chain now.

They will also have less holding them back this year. The weight of trying to secure the city’s first championship in a half-century is lifted, and so are the challenges of figuring out how to be that caliber of team.

Head coach Mike Brown spent training camp implementing a new offensive system that he had to spend months of the regular season adjusting to his personnel, and the same with the defensive side. At times this caused friction, and it required a lot of trial and error to perfect.

Now they’re coming into his second training camp with the answers to the test already, and won’t need to spend so much of the regular season trying new things. Brown will still dabble in new schemes and rotations as other teams adapt and the Knicks try to further raise their ceiling, but at least now the roster will be used to it and can see the ultimate vision.

This will be year three of this core starting five, so while New York comes into 2026-27 familiar with themselves, the rest of the league will spend some time discovering their identities. Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Toronto and Indiana all made big trades in the last year and will go through adjustment periods figuring out their new teams.

Oklahoma City and San Antonio are still the behemoths out West, but the rest of the conference is noticeably worse. The Knicks will have an edge right from opening night.

If they can continue playing at the level they ended last season on, without the pressure or major schematic changes, while the rest of the league needs time to figure itself out - watch out. Their dominance didn't just end with the 2026 championship, in fact it may be just beginning.

July 23, 2026

Padres’ five-run rally not enough in 7-6 loss

Atlanta Braves Jim Jarvis (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves host the San Diego Padres in the series-deciding finale. If the Braves win, they will have won three of the four games. A victory this morning secures a series split for the Padres.

The four-game set has been highly competitive, as the Braves are coming off a dramatic 7-6 win last night. Rookie shortstop Jim Jarvis broke up a 1-1 tie with a run-scoring double that scored Mauricio Dubon in a six-run eighth-inning rally. The Friars responded with a five-run top of the ninth that fell short of tying the game.

Taking the mound: Chris Sale (ATL) vs Kyle Hart (SD)

The Braves ace, Chris Sale, will take the hill in the series finale. He has been dominant in 18 starts this season. The left-hander has struck out 123 batters in 105.0 innings pitched.

Today’s game plan is simple, as Sale wants to set the tone early with scoreless innings before handing a lead off to the bullpen. Surprisingly, Sale still generates weak contact from opposing lineups after 16 major league seasons.

Sale is making his second start following his 10th All-Star Game appearance, and he reached a milestone in his last appearance. Sale recorded his 2,700th career strikeout in a start against the Texas Rangers.

The Padres will start Kyle Hart as the opener this morning. But Griffin Canning (1-8, 6.67 ERA) will work the bulk innings, as he will try to turn his 2026 campaign around. The veteran right-hander had his troubles against the Braves this season. Earlier, he allowed four runs in less than two-thirds of an inning at Petco Park.

Canning will need to be more aggressive in the strike zone. However, consistency has been missing all season. Canning desperately needs to have a good outing, as he allowed 13 runs over his last 16.1 innings pitched.

Friars skipper Craig Stammen may have a short leash for him in today’s contest. If he shows any signs of trouble, Canning will be removed from the game. Stammen has to give his team an opportunity to even the series.

Today’s starting lineups

Closing out the series. pic.twitter.com/KNXKjwoxqK
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 23, 2026

Getaway day ✈️#BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/xKDeMJBugn
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 23, 2026

July 23, 2026

Rays vs Blue Jays Prediction, Odds & Home Run Pick for Today's MLB Game

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The Toronto Blue Jays close out a rough four-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon, with both sides priced at -110.

Toronto’s bats have gone missing for most of this series, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting the ball as hard as he has all year, and he's the focus of my Rays vs. Blue Jays predictions.

Read on for my MLB picks for this Thursday, July 23 matchup.

Rays vs Blue Jays predictions

Rays vs Blue Jays best bet: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (+125)

While I won’t ever base a bet on one swing, I saw some great cuts from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Wednesday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

In his first at-bat, he crushed a double the other way to right field at 105 mph, narrowly missing a home run. He’s swinging hard trying to drag this offense out of its rut, and I expect that to translate against Rays starter Ian Seymour.

As I’ll get into below, Seymour serves up meatball fastballs. He’s allowed a homer in four straight starts, and opponents own a .497 xSLG against his fastball, sinker and cutter.

Guerrero also holds the platoon advantage here, carrying a .762 OPS and 121 wRC+ against southpaws, far above his numbers vs. righties.

I’d play this to +110.

COVERS INTEL:Guerrero topped 105 mph exit velocity on all four of his balls in play Wednesday, and he now draws a pitcher who lives up in the zone with his fastball.

Rays vs Blue Jays same-game parlay (SGP)

The Toronto Blue Jays bullpen worked hard on Wednesday, and fatigue tends to show up late in a series, while Ian Seymour’s penchant for allowing homers gives Toronto a path to runs of its own.

I’ll add Vladdy Over 0.5 hits, leaning on the same hard contact behind my best bet, then finish with the Blue Jays on the moneyline — banking on the home side finally breaking out with a statement win in the finale.

Rays vs Blue Jays SGP

Blue Jays moneyline
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 hits
Over 8.5

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Rays vs Blue Jays home run pick: Kazuma Okamoto (+280)

By all accounts, Kazuma Okamoto is the best home run bet on the board.

He’s the perfect foil for Rays starter Ian Seymour, who carries a 1.6 HR/9, has allowed a homer in four straight outings and owns a bad fastball.

The left-hander has a very good changeup (+9 run value), but his fastball grades out below average (-2 run value), and the heat maps show it sitting high in the zone.

Enter Okamoto, who owns a +12 run value against the four-seamer, slugs .578 on that pitch, and leads the Blue Jays with five home runs against lefties this season.

The matchup works on both the pitch mix and the platoon side, which makes him the best home run bet on the card.

I’d bet this to +250 but no shorter, at my standard quarter unit.

2026 Transparency Record

Best bets: 8-8, -0.57 units
SGPs: 2-15, -2.06 units
HR picks: 3-14, -0.50 units

Rays vs Blue Jays odds

Moneyline: Tampa Bay -110 | Toronto -110
Run line: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+150) | Toronto +1.5 (-175)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)

Rays vs Blue Jays trend

The Toronto Blue Jays have seen the Over cash in eight of their last 12 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rays vs. Blue Jays.

How to watch Rays vs Blue Jays and game info

Location	Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON
Date	Thursday, 7-23-2026
First pitch	3:07 p.m. ET
TV	Rays.TV, Sportsnet
Rays starting pitcher	Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA)
Blue Jays starting pitcher	Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70 ERA)

Rays vs Blue Jays latest injuries

Rays vs Blue Jays weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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July 23, 2026

Veteran Patrick Kane reunites with Blackhawks on 2-year, $16M deal

Blackhawks icon Patrick Kane is returning to Chicago.

The All-Star winger has signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the team that drafted him first overall in 2007 and he helped lead to three Stanley Cup titles over a six-season span.

The Blackhawks announced the signing on Thursday, July 23.

Kane, 37, spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Playing the first 16 seasons of his NHL career in Chicago, Kane made an indelible mark on the franchise record book, ranking second in assists (779) and points (1,225), as well as third in career games played (1,161) and goals (446).

Kane, the 2008 NHL rookie of the year, helped the Blackhawks end a 47-year Stanley Cup drought in 2010.

Three years later, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy in leading Chicago to another title. He added a third for good measure in 2015, when he led all scorers in the playoffs.

His best season came the following year, when he won the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award after tallying 46 goals and 106 points in 2015-16.

Patrick Kane played 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before he was traded midway through the 2022-23 season.

The Blackhawks dealt Kane to the New York Rangers in a three-way deal in early 2023. He then signed a series of three successive one-year contracts with the Detroit Red Wings before ultimately deciding to return to the site of his greatest accomplishments.

“Day in and day out for 16 seasons, Patrick captivated the city of Chicago with his dazzling skill, creating some of the most memorable moments in Blackhawks history as he helped bring our storied franchise back to the pinnacle of our sport," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement.

“He’s shown on countless occasions that he knows what it takes to win at the highest levels, and we couldn’t be prouder for Patrick to once again call the United Center home and continue to shine in Chicago’s brightest lights."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Veteran Patrick Kane reunites with Blackhawks on 2-year, $16M deal

July 23, 2026

Former Wild Forward Is Now The Best Free Agent Left

The NHL had a big signing on Thursday, as Patrick Kane reunited with the Chicago Blackhawks on a two-year, $8 million AAV contract. With this signing, a former Minnesota Wild forward is now the best UFA still on the market: Vladimir Tarasenko.

Now that Kane has been signed, it would not be surprising if Tarasenko's market heats up. The 34-year-old forward showed last season with Minnesota that he can still be a solid middle-six forward, evidenced by his 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games.

Teams looking for more offensive production should consider taking a flier on Tarasenko because of it. Even if he is no longer the star he was during his prime, he could still be a good pickup for a team needing more secondary scoring.

Tarasenko is also a two-time Stanley Cup winner, which undoubtedly adds to his appeal. This could help him grab the attention of some contenders, especially if he is willing to take a bit of a paycut at this point in the off-season.

It will be interesting to see where Tarasenko ends up signing this summer. Teams looking for more scoring and experience should have the veteran forward on their radar now that he is the NHL's top UFA.

In 906 career NHL games over 14 seasons split between the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, and Wild, Tarasenko has posted 327 goals, 382 assists, and 709 points.

July 23, 2026

Gerrit Cole and Max Fried together in Yankees rotation for the first time, and their numbers add to Aaron Judge’s 99

NEW YORK — While the Yankees still are missing Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and Max Fried pitched together in New York’s rotation for first time and their numbers add to the injured captain’s 99.

Displaying $542 million worth of aces, the Yankees sent the pair to the mound in a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cole didn’t get a decision in an opening 5-3, 10-inning loss, striking out 11 — his highest total in three years — while allowing three runs over seven innings. Fried came off the injured list for the night game and pitched five innings of one-hit ball in a 2-0 win.

“I think you saw a master class today,” fellow Yankees pitcher Will Warren said.

New York manager Aaron Boone long had envisioned Cole (No. 45) and Fried (54) following each other to the mound.

“It’s nice that it’s finally come to fruition,” Cole said. “A bit too long for of our both of our tastes.”

Signed to a nine-year, $324 million contract before the 2020 season, Cole won the 2023 AL Cy Young Award and helped the Yankees reach the 2024 World Series. He had elbow ligament reconstruction surgery on March 11 last year, and the 35-year-old right-hander didn’t return until this past May 22.

Cole is 3-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 11 starts, striking out 66 and walking 12 in 62 innings. He retired his first 14 batters before allowing Nick Gonzales’ single and Jacob Gonzalez’s two-run homer. Nick Gonzales added a solo homer in the seventh.

He pitched his 64th double-digit strikeout game, a Yankees-record 29th.

“He’s at a really good place and I just think benefiting from now pitching every fifth and sixth day and getting back his competitive sea legs,” Boone said.

Cole did have a hiccup when he was called for a balk in the sixth inning. The pitch clock malfunctioned and went blank, and Cole broke his hands before stepping off the pitching rubber.

“They were not aware that the clock went off,” Cole said. “And it is my fault. I broke and stepped off at the same time. I was startled that it was off.”

Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million deal in December 2024 and led the major leagues in wins last year when he went 19-5 with a 2.86 ERA. The 32-year-old left-hander, who had not pitched since May 14 because of a bone bruise in his left elbow, is 4-3 with a 2.97 ERA.

He threw 52 pitches over three innings in a rehab outing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was set to make another rehab outing for the RailRiders. Then a game was postponed because rain was forecast, creating the doubleheader.

Fried was in the clubhouse and Boone happened to be there with pitching coach Matt Blake and other mound staff.

“I walked in and just kind of jokingly said like: ‘Are you guys figuring out who’s pitching the doubleheader tomorrow?’ thinking they were going to choose which game it was going to be between Will and Gerrit,” Fried recalled. “And then they kind of looked at me and gave me a look of like: ‘Would you be on?’ I was, ‘Oh wait, we’re serious?’ I was like, ‘Yeah. Like, I mean, I’m going to pitching anyway.’ So I was — as soon as they said that, I said, ‘Yeah, you guys make the decision, but if you want me to pitch, I’m ready.’”

He struck out seven and walked one while throwing 37 of 57 pitches for strikes and retiring his last 12 batters.

“It’s something that I’ve been looking forward to for a while now and kind of sucks that I got hurt when I did to delay that, but better late than never,” Fried said.

His four-seam fastball averaged 96.2 mph, 1.5 mph above his season average coming in.

“It’s as good as he’s looked all year,” Boone said.

New York currently still is missing left-hander Carlos Rodón, who hasn’t pitched since June 28 because of left elbow inflammation. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt threw 20 pitches of batting practice in his second BP session since elbow surgery on July 11 last year and probably will have another in a few days.

“Hopefully in the final couple of months of the regular season that rotation can continue to be a real strength for us,” Boone said.

Cole had been waiting 19 months to go back-to-back with Fried.

“We were so excited when we signed him. He’s just a magnificent pitcher and he’s a great compliment to the other starters that we have in our rotation,” he said. “Definitely looking forward to the next few months.”

July 23, 2026

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's MLB Game

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The St. Louis Cardinals host the Arizona Diamondbacks as -112 favorites tonight at Busch Stadium.

With Brandon Pfaadt toeing the rubber for Arizona opposite Michael McGreevy, my Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals predictions are favoring the home side and the Over.

I explain why in my MLB picks for Thursday, July 23, below.

Who will win Diamondbacks vs Cardinals today: Cardinals (-112)

I'm no longer a believer in Brandon Pfaadt. I was high on the Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander as a prospect and into his first full season in the rotation in 2024. His 4.71 ERA that year seemed fake, as he boasted an expected ERA of 3.73 and a 3.61 FIP with a 24.3% strikeout rate. In other words, there was a clear path for improvement.

That hasn't happened. His 2025 was a disaster, and 2026 found him back in the minors for a spell while splitting time between the bullpen and rotation with the top club. His 4.58 ERA isn't far off his xERA, and his ability to miss bats has regressed, with a 15th-percentile whiff rate and a strikeout rate in the 14th.

Opponents own a 9% barrel rate against him (29th percentile), and while he's pitched better since returning to the rotation, there's way too much smoke to ignore the fire.

Jordan Walker and JJ Wetherholt are among the bats who will feast on Pfaadt's offerings early, giving the St. Louis Cardinals enough of a lead that the bullpen won't blow it this time.

The relief corps' shakiness is the only reason I'm not taking the run line, as it's shown that a big lead can evaporate in the blink of an eye.

Play to -120.

COVERS INTEL: Walker's breakout is legitimate, and his 100th-percentile bat speed helps him catch up to high-velocity arms and to really punish those like Pfaadt, who might touch 94.

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (+140)

Pfaadt and Michael McGreevy give up regular and loud contact.

McGreevy has limited the damage well enough, as indicated by his 2.92 ERA, but it's simply not sustainable. I like him to outpitch Pfaadt, but that's about it.

He's also stepping in against baseball's hottest offense. The Diamondbacks have scored a whopping 66 runs over their last 10 games in the past two weeks.

The Cardinals have watched theirs dry up a bit in that span, but Pfaadt's deficiencies will help reignite St. Louis' bats.

I'd play this down to even money and would even consider Over 9.5 at +180 or longer.

Jason Wilson's 2026 Transparency Record

ML/RL bets: 6-1, +5.23 units
Over/Under bets: 4-3, -0.2 units

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals weather

A high-pressure system with winds blowing toward home plate could suppress fly ball distance, limiting home run potential at Busch Stadium, so the scoring may come by a stream of consistent contact where the ball stays in play.

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals odds

Moneyline: Diamondbacks +104 | Cardinals -108
Run line: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-178) | Cardinals -1.5 (+170)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (+150) | Under 8.5 (-156)

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals trend

The Arizona Diamondbacks have hit the Team Total Over in 13 of their last 19 games (+5.90 Units / 26% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals.

How to watch Diamondbacks vs Cardinals and game info

Location	Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO
Date	Thursday, July 23, 2026
First pitch	5:15 p.m. ET
TV	Diamondbacks.TV, Cardinals.TV
Diamondbacks starting pitcher	Brandon Pfaadt (4-1, 4.58 ERA)
Cardinals starting pitcher	Michael McGreevy (4-7, 2.92 ERA)

Diamondbacks vs Cardinals latest injuries

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July 23, 2026

2026 MLB Awards Tracker: Power Rankings, betting odds for MVP, Cy Young: Cease, Crow-Armstrong heating up

The second half of the season is underway and injuries are already making an impact on the MVP and Cy Young races. There is a new leader in the clubhouse for AL Cy Young, while the NL Cy Young, and the NL MVP has become interesting for the first time all season after Shohei Ohtani's knee injury and Jacob Misiorowski's arm fatigue. All odds are courtesy of DraftKings.

National League Cy Young Poll

1. Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers (-245)

2026 Stats: 115.0 IP, 10-4, 1.57 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 173 K, 28 BB, .152 OBA

Jacob Misirowski could be in trouble and his first Cy Young award is at risk. After being pulled after only 4.0 innings and 65 pitches in his previous start against the Mets, it's clear that Misirowski's health will be in question down the stretch of this season.

With the heat that he throws, Misirowski has made a name for himself, but at 24-years-old, he hasn't put this time of wear and tear on his 6-foot-7 and 200 lbs frame. If Misirowski skips a few games or isn't going past 5.0 innings for the next couple of starts, then it may be time to consider one of the veterans for the No. 1 spot in the Cy Young rankings.

2. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies (+800)

2026 Stats: 100.0 IP, 10-2, 2.16 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 117 K, 22 BB, .186 OBA

Zack Wheeler is a man on a mission lately! Since being left out of the initial All-Star team, Wheeler took it personally and turned that news to fuel. In July, Wheeler owns a 2.55 ERA, .215 OBA, and 43 strikeouts to three walks over 24.2 innings (four starts). Wheeler has racked up at least nine strikeouts in four consecutive starts and two or fewer earned runs in eight of the last nine games. The 36-year-old is pitching his best ball of the year right now.

3. Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (+1000)

2026 Stats: 105.0 IP, 10-6, 2.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 123 K, 25 BB, .221 OBA

Chris Sale has been nearly perfect over his last two starts with 11 strikeouts to one walk and no earned runs over 10.0 innings. Sale only trails Misiorowski in ERA this season as he's permitted two or less earned runs in 15 out of 18 starts. In July, Sale has a 1.80 ERA and .204 OBA, which ranks 11th and 17th across the MLB.

Long Shot: Chase Burns, Cincinnati Reds (+2000)

2026 Stats: 107.2 IP, 12-1, 2.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 124 K, 39 BB, .204 OBA

The Reds have now won seven straight starts when Chase Burns is on the mound and 11 out of the past 12. Burns has been automatic for Cincinnati this season and has yet to get the respect he deserves for the year he's having.

Burns has yielded two or fewer earned runs in 16 out of 19 starts this season and he's coming off his sixth game with zero earned runs. The 23-year-old from Naples, Italy has made a dramatic jump in his second season and should finish top five in Cy Young voting because of it.

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American League Cy Young Poll

1. Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays (+140)

2026 Stats: 104.1 IP, 6-5, 2.67 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 155 K, 45 BB, .196 OBA

Dylan Cease went into the All-Star break with a near no-hitter as he went 8.0 innings strong against the Giants with 11 strikeouts and three walks. Before that, Cease went 7.0 innings of three-hit ball and no earned runs at the Mariners. That was 15-straight innings of no runs allowed entering the break.

To start the second half, Cease went 6.0 innings and allowed three earned runs with seven strikeouts to one walk in a loss to the Rays. Despite the loss, Cease is running hot and may have made this a 1A and 1B race for Cy Young.

2. Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees (+130)

2026 Stats: 123.0 IP, 9-6, 2.20 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 145 K, 25 BB, .205 OBA

Cam Schlittler has been caught in the Cy Young race and it seems to be neck and neck now. Schlittler didn't make it five innings in his last start versus the Dodgers, which resulted in a loss, and his ERA for June was a 3.38 and 2.84 in July so far, which are both sharp declines from May. He's allowed 12 combined earned runs in his last four starts and failed to make it through five innings in two of those four.

3. Sonny Gray, Boston Red Sox (+1700)

2026 Stats: 101.2 IP, 12-1, 2.48 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 90 K, 28 BB, .229 OBA

Boston is coming off a historic stretch of winning 15 straight games — which tied a franchise record. The Red Sox have a lot of reasons why they're successful, but one of the cornerstones of the success for this Boston team all year has been Sonny Gray.

The Red Sox are 14-4 in his 18 starts and won five straight and eight of the last nine. Gray has a 1.50 ERA in July with three earned runs over 18.0 innings of work and three starts versus the Angels, Mets, and Rays — earning wins in all three. Gray's only loss came back on April 14 in a 6-0 result versus the Twins.

Long Shot: Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (+4000)

2026 Stats: 105.1 IP, 7-6, 3.76 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 128 K, 24 BB, .219 OBA

Jacob deGrom posted a 3.00 ERA in June, but has a 6.52 ERA in July — his worst of the season. The veteran has allowed 23 earned runs in the last six games and seven in the past two. deGrom is not helping himself of getting back in the Cy Young race. He's positioned himself with the rest of the long shots for this award such as Logan Gilbert, Joe Ryan, and Gavin Williams. deGrom should be in the mix as on the outside looking in the rest of the season unless Texas goes on a Boston-like run and deGrom racks up wins.

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American League MVP Poll

1. Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros (-285)

2026 Stats: .328 BA, 34 HR, 77 RBI, 69 R, .433 OBP, 1.089 OPS

Yordan Alavarez is having his best month of the season in July. Alvarez is hitting .397 with a 1.300 OPS, plus eight home runs and 17 RBI over 16 games. The 29-year-old slugger is having a career season and currently riding a nine-game hitting streak and three consecutive with two or more hits. In the last week, Alvarez totaled his fifth game this year with two home runs in a game.

2. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays (+500)

2026 Stats: .290 BA, 29 HR, 62 RBI, 65 R, .559 SLG, .940 OPS

The All-Star Game and Home Run Derby did not affect Junior Caminero's game whatsoever. To start the second half, Caminero has a hit in seven straight games and recorded a multi-hit performance in four of those seven and three straight. It's safe to say Caminero has the best chance of anyone to catch Alavarez for MVP and the Rays' season success compared to the Astros' will be another advantage that Caminero has.

3. Ben Rice, New York Yankees (+1300)

2026 Stats: .277 BA, 30 HR, 71 RBI, 66 R, .590 SLG, .956 OPS

Ben Rice has come out swinging in July. Rice is posting a .317 batting average, 1.125 OPS, and has seven homers and 17 RBI over 17 games. The Yankees are 9-8 in that stretch, so the winning hasn't come with the hot play, but Rice has put himself back into the conversation.

Long shot: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (+2500)

2026 Stats: .279 BA, 13 HR, 39 RBI, 51 R, .350 OBP, .800 OPS

Bobby Witt Jr. has gone on the 10-day IL after feeling stiffness in his back. Witt was hitting .196 in July and .162 over the last 37 at-bats, so it's obvious that the back spasms he's been dealing with has affected his play too much to continue. That has dropped Witt to a long shot for MVP and given the Royals' 43-60 record — Witt's MVP hopes are all but toast.

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National League MVP Poll

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (-550)

2026 Stats: .283 BA, 22 HR, 60 RBI, 66 R, 8-2 record, 1.79 ERA, .180 OBA

Shohei Ohtani is dealing with a left knee injury that will cause him to miss some starts on the mound indefinitely due to irritation. While he won't be pitching anytime soon (1.79 ERA, 8-2 record), Ohtani will continue hitting.

So far in July, Ohtani is hitting .222, which would be his worst batting average of any month this season, plus his four home runs and 10 RBI are the fewest of any month. Ohtani's injury and poor hitting has cracked the door slightly for a guy like Pete Crow-Armstrong to get in the mix.

2. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs (+380)

2026 Stats: .282 BA, 21 HR, 55 RBI, 66 R, 25 SB, .900 OPS

In June, Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) was on fire and climbed into the MVP race behind a .381 batting average, 11 homers, 20 RBI, and 21 runs scored. He hasn't skipped a beat in July. PCA is hitting .273 with 12 runs scored, 9 RBI, three home runs, and five stolen bases over 16 games.

The 24-year-old has taken a significant leap in his fourth season going from a .247 batting average to .282. He also waked 29 times last season over 157 games and has 52 this season as he's improved his plate discipline. PCA should shatter his career-high 31 home runs, 91 runs scored, and 95 RBI from last year, setting up him for a run at MVP if Ohtani misses time.

3. James Wood, Washington Nationals (+3500)

2026 Stats: .270 BA, 28 HR, 69 RBI, 94 R, 15 SB, .947 OPS

James Wood leads the MLB in runs scored (21), and ranks top three in OPS (1.293), home runs (7), SLG (.807), and is tied fourth for RBI (17) during July.

On the season, nobody has crossed home plate more than Wood (94), who has scored 23 more times than second-place Bryan Reynolds (71). Wood also leads the MLB in walks (81), third in doubles (25), and tied 12th with 107 hits. If the Nationals make the playoffs, Wood better receive some top second and third place votes for MVP.

Long Shot: Jordan Walker, St. Louis Cardinals (+7500)

2026 Stats: .289 BA, 22 HR, 76 RBI, 64 R, .517 SLG, .868 OPS

Jordan Walker had an epic performance in the Home Run Derby knocking off Philadelphia's own Kyle Schwarber amid a breakout season for the 24-year-old. Walker is riding a 12-game hitting streak and has a hit in 21 out of the last 23 games. In July, Walker is having his best month hitting .313 with 17 runs scored and 18 RBI over 18 games. The Cardinals are jumbled up in a hotpot of teams for the final NL Wild Card spot. If St. Louis makes the postseason, expect Walker to finish top five in MVP voting ahead of guys like Juan Soto, Corbin Carroll, and Bryce Harper.

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July 23, 2026

Jason Robertson set for 1 more season with Dallas Stars, who hope for more after $12M deal

FRISCO, Texas — Jason Robertson is happy to be with the Dallas Stars for another season, and not too concerned about the process that led to a $12 million contract to avoid a salary arbitration hearing only weeks after the team had a deal to trade him.

“What happened from then to now is, kind of doesn’t matter anymore,” Robertson said on his 27th birthday and a day after signing the one-year deal. “Just want to focus on having a great summer this year and coming into camp ready to go and trying to win a (Stanley) Cup.”

Robertson has averaged more than a point a game in his six full NHL seasons, all with the Stars — 490 points (213 goals and 277 assists) in 456 regular-season games.

He was their leading scorer with 96 points (45 goals and 51 assists) last season, and had five goals with three assists in six playoff games. His third 40-goal season wrapped up a four-year, $31 million deal before going into this offseason as a restricted free agent.

Without a contract extension, Robertson next summer could become an unrestricted free agent for the first time.

“At the end of the day, it’s a business for them, for me, everything. I don’t know their future plans, they don’t know our future plans either,” Robertson said on a Zoom call after skating in Michigan. “I’m sure we’re just both content to getting it done, having now the time to re-evaluate both of our futures.”

General manager Jim Nill said the Stars hope to reach a long-term extension, though the earliest they could sign such a deal would be Jan. 1. He said they would start working on it before then with a player he has called a franchise cornerstone.

“That’s our plan,” Nill said earlier in the day during an availability at team headquarters. “We’re happy he wants to be a Dallas Star. We want him to be a Dallas Star, and have those discussions. ... We want to make this work.”

Nill said different scenarios were discussed during these negotiations, including long- and short-term deals. He said Robertson’s representatives made it clear throughout the process that the forward wanted to be with the Stars.

“This was probably the best fit for this time,“ Nill said of the one-year contract.

Nill and Robertson both acknowledged their desire to get a deal done and avoid having to go through an arbitration hearing.

Robertson, the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NHL draft, has played in all 328 regular-season games the past four seasons. He has scored 365 points (155 goals and 210 assists) in that span.

His $12 million salary for 2026-27 will match forward Mikko Rantanen for the highest on the Stars. Rantanen just completed the first season of the eight-year, $96 million extension he signed to facilitate the deadline trade that brought him to Dallas from Carolina in March 2025.

The Stars had a sign-and-trade deal in place during the draft to send Robertson to Seattle for the seventh overall pick. While Robertson couldn’t veto that trade, he didn’t agree to a long-term deal with the Kraken — a reported $120 million over eight years ($15 million a season).

With veteran Tyler Seguin going into the final season of his contract that pays $9.85 million annually, and the NHL salary cap also increasing by almost that much next offseason, the Stars would be in a much better position to extend Robertson than they were now.

“I’m happy to happy to be playing with them starting in September,” Robertson said, “and see where it goes.”

July 23, 2026

Twins vs. Guardians prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for July 23

The finale of the four-game AL Central series between the Cleveland Guardians (54-49) and the Minnesota Twins (50-53) takes place this afternoon.

Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak Wednesday with a 10-6 victory over Cleveland in a game that spoiled the return of Guardians superstar José Ramírez. Playing for the first time since June 13 following hand surgery. Ramírez made an immediate impact, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored, but the Twins' offense proved too much. The Twins jumped ahead when Trevor Larnach led off the game with a home run, but Cleveland answered with three early runs and looked well on their way to a third straight win over the Twins. The turning point came in the fourth inning, though. After an RBI infield single by catcher Alex Jackson, Brooks Lee crushed a three-run homer, turning a tie game into a 7-3 Minnesota advantage. Lee finished with four RBIs. Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi allowed seven hits and seven runs over 4.2 innings but just three earned runs. Three errors by the Guardians led to a total of six unearned runs on the night for the Twins.

Taj Bradley (9-4, 3.85 ERA) has been better than anticipated for Minnesota this season. He takes the mound for the Twins this afternoon. Bradley has held opposing hitters to a paltry .225 batting average and struck out 124 in 107.2 innings…and he has offered innings consistently pitching at least five innings in seven consecutive starts. That said, he was less than stellar in his last start. On July 18 against the Cubs, Bradley endured one of his rougher outings of the season. He surrendered five earned runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out six while walking three in a 6-2 Twins loss. Eleven days prior to that debacle, Bradley faced the Guardians. He dominated Cleveland allowing just one run over seven innings while striking out 10.

Gavin Williams (10-5, 4.00 ERA) takes the ball for the Guardians today. Williams continues to be one of Cleveland's most electric arms, piling up 145 strikeouts in 119.1 innings. He has recorded seven quality starts this season. Like Bradley, though, Williams is looking to rebound today after a rough outing. Williams took the loss against Pittsburgh on July 18, allowing five earned runs over six innings while giving up seven hits. Just as the Guardians struggled against Bradley earlier this month, so did the Twins at the plate against Williams. On July 9, Williams dominated Minnesota striking out 11 Minnesota batters in a 5-2 victory.

It is a getaway day for these clubs which adds to the look that this game has all the ingredients for the UNDER to cash for the Game Total through five innings and possibly the full game.

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game Details and How to Watch: Twins vs. Guardians

Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2026
Time: 1:10PM EST
Site: Progressive Field
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, CLEGuardians.TV, Twins.TV

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: Twins vs. Guardians

The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:

Moneyline: Minnesota Twins (+119), Cleveland Guardians (-144)
Spread: Twins +1.5 (-186), Guardians -1.5 (+153)
Total: 7.5 runs

Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Twins vs. Guardians for July 23

Twins: Taj Bradley
Season Totals: 107.2 IP, 9-4, 3.85 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 124K, 43 BB
Guardians: Gavin Williams
Season Totals: 119.1 IP, 10-5, 4.00 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 145K, 37 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Twins vs. Guardians

Byron Buxton is 3-7 in this series
Trevor Larnach is 5-10 including 1 HR and 3 RBIs in this series
Brooks Lee is 4-9 in this series with 1 HR and 5 RBIs
Brayan Rocchio is 5-14 with 1 HR and 4 RBIs in this series
Steven Kwan is 4-11 in this series
Travis Bazzana was 0-3 yesterday but is 4-10 in this series

Top Betting Trends & Insights: Twins vs. Guardians

The Twins are 54-49 on the Run Line this season
The Guardians are 55-48 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 57 times in games involving the Twins this season (57-40-6)
The OVER has cashed 49 times in games involving the Guardians this season (49-54)

Expert picks & predictions: Twins vs. Guardians

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 today’s game between the Twins and the Guardians:

Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Guardians on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 7.5.

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July 23, 2026

Athletics place J.T. Ginn on injured list with blister on pitching hand

PHOENIX — The Athletics placed right-hander J.T. Ginn on the 15-day injured list with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

The move is retroactive to when Ginn threw 6 1/3 shutout innings while striking out seven and walking three in a 15-1 victory over Washington. For the season, Ginn is 8-6 with a 3.46 ERA in 109 1/3 innings, including 19 starts.

The Athletics recalled right-hander Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas to fill the roster spot. Barrett was 1-0 with a 4.64 ERA in 21 1/3 innings in his earlier relief appearances for the team, though he was working as a starter in the minors.

The A’s have a season-high 11 players on the injured list.

July 23, 2026

Yankees Rivalry Roundup: Red Sox winning streak ends, while Rays take another

BOSTON, MA - JULY 22: Tyler Wells #68 and Chadwick Tromp #41 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrate after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Following multiple rainouts on Tuesday, Wednesday was chock-full of important action around the American League. The Yankees, playing a pair against the Pirates, split the two contests, while the rest of their AL East foes were tied up in important divisional matchups. It was an eventful day, as the Rays continued to beat up on the Jays, while Boston’s huge winning streak continued and then came to an end. Let’s take a look at how everything shook out.

Tampa Bay Rays (59-42) 4, Toronto Blue Jays (46-56) 2

For the third time in as many days, the Rays once again gave the business to Toronto. In the penultimate game of a four-game series north of the border, Tampa Bay cruised to victory thanks to some timely small ball and quality work from starter Griffin Jax.

The Jays struck first on George Springer’s RBI groundout, which was quickly answered by a Victor Mesa Jr. run-scoring knock that tied things up at one in the second inning — the first of multiple big contributions from the Rays’ right fielder. After the early run, Jax settled in with ease, coasting to six strong innings of work, allowing just the one run on three hits, while striking out five.

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Despite the strong effort on the mound, the game remained tied until the sixth, when the Rays took the lead on a sac fly from Chandler Simpson, before Mesa chipped in once again with another RBI knock. By the end of the inning, the Rays had taken a 4-1 advantage.

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Toronto cut the lead when Alejandro Kirk homered in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough, as they fell once again to the Rays, by a score of 4-2. With their win and the Yankees’ split of a doubleheader, Tampa Bay’s lead in the East stands at 2.5 games.

Other Games

Boston Red Sox (52-48) 6, Baltimore Orioles (49-53) 3 (Game 1): After a wash on Tuesday, the Red Sox and O’s were slated for some doubleheader action on Wednesday, much like their rivals. The Sox jumped out quickly against Baltimore starter Dean Kremer, as they plated four runs in the opening inning, with Jarren Duran’s two-run triple putting a cap on the frame. That was ultimately the bulk of their scoring, as Boston secured their 15th (!) straight win in the matinee, tying a franchise record set by the 1946 Red Sox.

Baltimore Orioles (50-53) 5, Boston Red Sox (52-49) 1 (Game 2): Their massive winning streak would come to an end in the second game, however. In a bit of payback, the Orioles this time jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first, when a wild pitch and a pair of big hits had Baltimore up early. Fresh off signing an extension to stick around Baltimore through 2031, starter Kyle Bradish had the good stuff as well, allowing just one run over his six innings of work, helping the O’s cruise to victory and put an end to Boston’s W15.

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Cincinnati Reds (47-54) 5, Seattle Mariners (51-52) 3: After leading into the middle innings thanks to hits from Cal Raleigh and Luke Raley, the Mariners surrendered their lead later on in theeventual loss. The big hit of the night came off the bat of Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart, who belted a clutch three-run shot in the seventh to turn the Reds’ deficit into a lead. His 21st of the season sealed the loss for the now sub-.500 Mariners — though they at least remained a half-game back of Texas for first place in the AL West.

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Chicago White Sox (54-47) 4, Texas Rangers (51-51) 2: With another win on Wednesday, the White Sox retained their slim lead in the competitive AL Central. This one came thanks in large part to a huge day from Chase Meidroth, who went 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs on the night. Starter Anthony Kay also did enough to get things done on the mound, allowing a pair of runs over five innings. Chicago keeps their half-game lead with the win, while Texas holds a razor-thin advantage over Seattle.

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Minnesota Twins (50-53) 10, Cleveland Guardians (54-49) 6: Despite a good day on the offensive side for the Guardians, they couldn’t keep up with Minnesota’s double-digit outpouring on Wednesday. After trailing in the first two innings, the Twins turned it up a notch with seven runs in the third and fourth innings, with Alex Jackson’s RBI knock giving them the lead, and Brooks Lee’s three-run homer kicking the door in. A trio of insurance runs in the eighth allowed the Twins to capture the 10-6 win, and snag their 50th win on the season.

July 23, 2026

The solution to the San Diego Padres’ Mason Miller dilemma is simple

The 2026 Major League Baseball trade deadline is Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. EST. And for the next two weeks, the Friar Faithful will be inundated with Mason Miller trade rumors. The media experts have the San Diego Padres as definite sellers and maintain the organization will trade Miller to the highest bidder.

Despite all the speculation, people are seeking the truth about what the Padres will actually do with baseball’s premier closer.

Miller is not your average trade deadline candidate

Miller is not your typical trade deadline candidate, as he is not eligible to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 season. In fact, the closer is under team control for three more seasons. Miller is arbitration-eligible for the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons.

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No question, Miller is a bargain with a $4 million salary price tag for this season. But it is his dominance in the ninth inning that is the reason why he has become a hot commodity at the trade deadline for the second consecutive year.

Thus, the Padres have three options available: keep Miller, deal him to the highest bidder, or sign their closer to a long-term contract that buys out his arbitration years.

The latter might make the Friar Faithful increasingly pessimistic with the trade deadline less than 14 days away. But it is the right move.

Keep baseball’s best closer in America’s Finest City

The Padres have the best closer in baseball, but if they decide to trade him, the organization will not receive equal value in return. A year ago, Miller was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Athletics. The price tag was steep, as the Friars dealt Leo De Vries, who is considered one of the top minor league prospects.

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Most contending teams rarely like breaking up their existing roster. They may offer a package that includes their organization’s third, fourth, and fifth-best pitching prospects. The return will not equal Miller or the potential value of De Vries, as you must account for giving up an elite five-tool talent the year before.

Miller is a building block

Instead, sign your star pitcher to a long-term deal and build around him. Young talent is working its way through the minor league system. Yes, the extension will be expensive, but the organization is securing the majors’ best closer in his prime at a fixed cost.

Good front offices negotiate deals that work for both sides. It is A.J. Preller’s job to find the number that Miller is willing to give up his arbitration years. You may have to be creative, such as deferring money that would lower the contract’s value in the MLB’s luxury tax system.

It is tough to figure out how the Miller dilemma will play out. He will be dealt if Preller can secure a dream package from another team.

However, keeping Miller long-term is the right move.

July 23, 2026

Yankees potential trade target: Bo Bichette

Jul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) hits an RBI double during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

It’s been a disaster in Queens. The Mets are no longer the second-worst team in baseball, now merely tied with the Royals for the fourth-worst record. There’s some kind of a reset coming, with the team itself leaking that outside of Juan Soto and a couple young building blocks, anyone who can be moved is subject to being moved. Enter Bo Bichette.

Still just 28, Bichette inked a three-year, $126 million contract in the offseason, one that came with a pair of opt-outs after this year and next. It has not yet worked out for the Mets, with their shortstop/third baseman managing just a 90 wRC+ and a break-even defensive performance. Opt-outs or no, his contract stands out as one of the deals that the club would love to get off the books, and that makes him available at somewhat of a discount.

The question that needs to be answered, given the Yankees have a need for more thump at third base, is whether or not we can expect Bichette to hit better than he has to this point.

Off the top, FanGraphs’ Depth Charts projections thinks so, pegging him for a 110 wRC+ the rest of the season. If that bears out, that’s 26 points better than Ryan McMahon is managing on the season, and 28 points better than the Yankees have seen from the proverbial hot corner in 2026. Bichette’s underperforming all of his major expected stats — xBA by 27 points, xSLG by 39 points, and xwOBA by 32. All else equal, Bo should start hitting better.

And truth be told, he has been hitting better than his absolutely putrid first two months. There’s something to be encouraged about with Bo.

The problem is, baseball can stay irrational longer than you can stay in playoff contention. Bichette should hit better the rest of the way. I don’t know if the transition to a new team was part of the problem he had in the season’s first eight weeks, but if it is, you run the risk of that happening again. Bichette’s injury troubles over the last three seasons also introduce some significant downside risk on the contract.

There’s a lot of incentive for Bo to overperform in the stretch run of the year, so he can opt out and net himself another $100 millionish guaranteed. However, that injury concern plus the uncertainty of the CBA negotiations could force his hand and have him decide on a little more stability, in which case the Yankees need to work out a significant amount of salary relief in any deal.

A significant amount of salary relief increases the prospect cost going back to Queens, and this is where it just gets too complicated with Bichette. Maybe he comes to the Bronx, hits to a .360 wOBA like he did a year ago, and gives the Yankees real production at third. There’s just not enough certainty in that happening, weighed against the downsides of injury and the contract structure. Prospect capital is best spent elsewhere than bailing out Steve Cohen’s backup backup signing.