ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 04: A jersey with USA 250 patches hangs in the locker of Jake Burger #21 of the Texas Rangers prior a game against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on July 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Texas Rangers didn’t score while the Detroit Tigers scored three runs.
The Rangers had their first day off in over two weeks yesterday and all it seemed to accomplish was cooling them off. To say they returned to the office a little flat would be a bit of an understatement.
Following a ten-run outburst in the series opener on Thursday, Texas collected all of three hits today without scoring for their first shutout loss since being blanked by Cleveland 6-0 back on June 6.
In some vintage 2026 Rangers action, the Tigers went up 2-0 in the top of the first after today’s starter Cal Quantrill allowed a two-out, two-run blast to Riley Greene. An inning later, the Tigers padded their lead when left fielder Alejandro Osuna straight up whiffed on catching a popup down the line to put two runners in scoring position.
After an RBI groundout, the scoring for the entire game concluded. The Rangers got a leadoff single from Joc Pederson but much like most games where they allow early runs, the bats were pretty much stun locked as they didn’t have their second hit of the afternoon until one out in the fifth and finished with three total.
I hear you pondering, “oh, were they up against Tarik Skubal or something?” And no, they were against Jack Flaherty, who has been among the worst starting pitchers in the AL this season and hadn’t won a game in over a month. Now he has two wins on the season.
Despite trailing 3-0 after two innings, the pitching staff did its job. Quantrill rebounded to go five innings and allowed only the two earned runs from one mistake pitch and then the bullpen tossed four scoreless frames (including one shaky one from a resurrected Chris Martin). This one was totally on the lineup in a fashion that was reminiscent of the worst days from this season.
The Detroit bullpen also hasn’t exactly been a bright spot for them this season, but they combined to toss 3.1 scoreless innings – the final three of which from Keider Montero – to help the Tigers even the series.
Player of the Game: Recently acquired reliever Ben Peoples made his MLB debut and contributed two scoreless innings.
Up Next: The Rangers and Tigers conclude this series with a Sunday showdown featuring RHP Kumar Rocker for Texas opposite RHP Casey Mize for Detroit.
The finale first pitch from The Shed is scheduled for 2:30 pm CDT and you can catch it on Peacock / NBCSN Extra.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 03: A jersey with USA 250 patches hangs in the locker of Hunter Brown #58 of the Houston Astros before the July 4th game at Daikin Park on July 03, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Houston Astros/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (43-47) will play host to the top team in the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays (52-33), for a July 4th matchup tonight at Daikin Park.
Astros ace RHP Hunter Brown (1-0, 1.78 ERA) will get the start for Houston as he looks to snap the Astros two-game losing streak and the Rays nine-game winning streak. The Rays will counter with RHP Drew Rasmussen (10-5, 2.76 ERA).
BROTHER BROWN: RHP Hunter Brown will make his sixth start of the season tonight and his fourth since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL with a right shoulder strain. Despite showing some rust, Brown has still been effective, posting a 2.45 ERA (4ER/14.2IP) in his three starts since his return.
Overall in 2026, Brown has a 1.78 ERA (5ER/25.1IP) while allowing just 17 hits in 25.1 IP (.187 opp. avg.) with 32 strikeouts. Brown has had huge success against the Rays in his career, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA (7ER/28IP) in six games (four starts).
FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH: The Astros have won on the Fourth of July for eight consecutive seasons (since 2016), which is the longest active streak in the Majors. Three of those wins have come at Daikin Park (last, a 4-1 win over COL in 2023).
In 2025, the Astros beat the Dodgers, 18-1, on the Fourth of July at Dodger Stadium. It marked the Dodgers’ largest-ever margin of defeat at Dodger Stadium. It also marked the 13th time in franchise history the Astros scored at least 18 runs in a game.
TODAY’S ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have reinstated OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (right hamstring strain) from the 10-day IL and recalled OF Zach Dezenzo from Triple A Sugar Land. In corresponding moves, OF Jake Meyers and OF Joey Loperfido have been optioned to Triple A Sugar Land.
YESTERDAY’S TRADE: Announced yesterday, the Astros traded minor leaguer LHP Tom Cosgrove to the Nationals in exchange for cash considerations. Cosgrove was pitching at the Triple A level.
ALL-STAR UPDATE: Full All-Star rosters (starters and reserves) will be announced tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX. DH Yordan Alvarez was a finalists on the 2026 KONAMI eBaseball MLB All-Star Ballot and is a strong candidate to be the AL starter at the DH position. Alvarez has been an All-Star three times in his career.
MVP-CALIBER: DH Yordan Alvarez has had a torrid first half to his season, currently leading all of baseball in OPS (1.056), OBP (.431), SLG (.625) and total bases (198). Additionally, he ranks first in the AL in extra-base hits (43), first in homers (27), tied for first in hits (101), second in batting average (.319), second in RBI (61), second in runs (60) and fourth in walks (59).
WHAT A RELIEF: LHP Josh Hader is 2-0 with eight saves (in eight chances) and a 0.69 ERA (1ER/13IP) in 13 appearances this season. He has 21 strikeouts in his 13.0 innings with a .049 (2×41) opponent average and a 0.54 WHIP. Hader has not allowed a hit in six consecutive appearances (6IP since June 21).
YOR-GONE!: DH Yordan Alvarez delivered a game-tying solo homer in the 6th inning last night, giving him 27 home runs on the year. He reached 27 homers in the Astros 90th game of the season, marking the fifth instance in club history for a player to reach 27 homers in that span and the first to do so since OF George Springer in 2017.
MY BOY BLU: RHP AJ Blubaugh worked another 2.2 scoreless innings on Wednesday vs. MIN, giving him 56.1 innings pitched on the season, which leads all Major League relievers. Blubaugh has been on a strong run since April 11, going 3-0 with a 2.06 ERA (11ER/48IP) in his last 29 appearances.
OUT ON ASSIGNMENT: The Astros have several players on minor league rehab assignments:
• RHP Ronel Blanco (rt. elbow surgery) started on Wednesday for Double A Corpus Christi at NW Arkansas, tossing 4.1 innings, allowing three runs with four strikeouts. He tossed 60 pitches (45 strikes) in what was his third minor league rehab start. He is expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday.
• RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (rt. shoulder inflammation) started on Wednesday for Triple A Sugar Land at OKC, tossing 4.0 innings of one-run ball on 60 pitches (41 strikes). He is also expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday.
• RHP Hayden Wesneski (rt. elbow surgery) began a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday for the FCL Astros, tossing 3.0 innings (0ER) on 25 pitches. He is expected to make his next start on Sunday.
• IF Braden Shewmake (rt. adductor strain) had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple A on Wednesday and has started two games for the Space Cowboys, one at shortstop and one at second base.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 1995 – 2B Craig Biggio sets the franchise record by scoring five runs in the Astros 16-8 win over the Rockies at Coors Field. Biggio goes 3×4 with two walks, two HR and three RBI in the shootout. 1B Jeff Bagwell also homers for Houston and has five RBI.
Since that date, an Astro has scored five runs on six additional occasions, accomplished by Biggio twice more (1995, 1996), Chris Burke (2006), Cody Ransom (2007) and George Springer twice (2014, 2019).
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Saturday, July 4, 6:10 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: SCHN
Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
In one of four roster moves made before Saturday’s game against the Rays, the Astros optioned struggling outfielders Jake Meyers and Joey Loperfido to Triple-A Sugar Land.
Meyers, a Gold Glove finalist in 2024 and the Astros’ third longest tenured position player, went hitless in Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Rays, dropping his batting average to .206 for the season. He’s posted a .167/.231/.250 slash line since June 2, and he’s started just three of the Astros’ previous 10 games.
“He’s helped us to win a lot of games, helped us win a lot of postseason games,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s part of this organization’s success, but he understood it. We’re going to help him. We’ve pinpointed some things that he’s going to be working on in Triple-A.”
Loperfido, who was re-acquired in a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays at the start of spring training, is batting .136 since returning from the injured list June 4.
In search of offense for an outfield struggling to muster any, the Astros recalled Zach Dezenzo from Triple-A and reinstated LaMonte Wade Jr. from the injured list.
Wade was 4 for 12 with a home run in four games with the Astros after signing as a free agent on June 4. He landed on the IL with a right hamstring strain on June 9.
Dezenzo, 26, batted .191 in 21 games with the Astros earlier this season before being optioned to Triple-A on June 5.
“(We’re trying to see) if having Wade and Dezenzo can spark something up and see if we can get something going,” Espada said.
The Astros entered Saturday’s game with a 43-47 record, three games back of Texas for first place in the American League West.
Once again, storms could hit the Chicago area Saturday, so here’s the local radar to keep handy.
Saturday notes…
IT’S LIKE NIGHT AND DAY: The Cubs are 30-20 in night games this year vs. 19-19 in day games. At home, they are 12-8 in night games and 14-10 in day games. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
HITS AND STRIKEOUTS: In their loss yesterday, the Cubs made seven hits and struck out six times. They are 31-7 when they have finished with more hits than strikeouts, 4-3 with an equal number and 14-19 when they have had more strikeouts than hits. With at least seven hits, the Cubs are 41-21; with six or fewer, 8-18. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
WALKING THE WALK: Only one Cub walked yesterday. They are 2-3 in games with a lone walk. Both previous losses also were to the Cardinals, by 7-5 on May 29 and 5-1 on May 31. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Michael Busch homered three times and the team set a franchise record with eight home runs (a mark tied this past Wednesday!). The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 11-3. It happened one year ago today, Friday, July 4, 2025.
The Cubs lineup was not available at posting time. Please check BCB social media for the Cubs lineup.
— Dealin' the Cards (@DealinTheCards) July 4, 2026
Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Kyle Leahy, RHP
After a rough patch in late May and early June, Shōta Imanaga has been better over his last four starts: 2.82 ERA, 1.075 WHIP, just three home runs in 22.1 innings.
One of those rough outings was May 29 in St. Louis, when Imanaga was tagged for five hits, three of them homers, in 5.1 innings. Overall, he has done pretty well vs Cardinals hitters: .228 (13-for-54), though with four home runs.
Kyle Leahy faced the Cubs May 30 in St. Louis and allowed one run on six hits in 4.1 innings.
Since then: five starts, 3.76 ERA, 1.291 WHIP, just one home run allowed in 26.1 innings in June.
Current Cubs are a small sample size 4-for-18 against Leahy.
Today’s game is on Fox-TV (regional — coverage map). A reminder that if you subscribe to MLB.TV or MLB Extra Innings, you can watch this game even if it’s not on the Fox affiliate in your market. Announcers: Joe Davis, John Smoltz and Ken Rosenthal.
Please visit our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos. If you do go there to interact with Cardinals fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The Colorado Avalanche don’t have many true “must-keep” players. Artturi Lehkonen is one of them.
The soft-spoken Finnish winger has become one of the most reliable clutch performers in the NHL, a player whose value rises the deeper the stakes get. Call him Mr. Clutch, call him Mr. Big Time — the label has followed him for years, and it’s not going away any time soon. He has one year remaining on a five-year, $22.5 million deal signed in July 2022.
One of the primary reasons Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic targeted Lehkonen was his ability to score meaningful goals in meaningful moments. That reputation was cemented in 2021, when he delivered arguably the biggest goal in nearly three decades of Montreal Canadiens hockey, scoring in overtime to send Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final, where it ultimately fell in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Everything changed the following season when Sakic struck at the trade deadline, acquiring Lehkonen from Montreal in exchange for Justin Barron and a 2024 second-round pick, with the Canadiens retaining 50 percent of his salary.
From the moment he arrived in Colorado, the “clutch” reputation only grew. Lehkonen scored another overtime winner in the Western Conference Final to send the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup Final after a sweep of the Edmonton Oilers, then delivered the defining moment of the run — the Cup-clinching goal in Game 6 — securing the third Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.
His big-game résumé has even carried beyond the NHL. At the Milano Cortina Olympics, Lehkonen brought that same timing to the international stage, scoring the decisive goal in a 3–2 comeback win for Finland at Rho Arena to send his country into the semifinals in what marked its fifth appearance in six Olympic tournaments featuring NHL players.
For Colorado, the conclusion is straightforward: this is not a player you gamble with. An extension feels inevitable. The only real question is structure — term and AAV — with injury history likely shaping how both sides approach the deal.
Lehkonen has dealt with a notable injury history throughout his career. Of his 12 documented absences, a significant portion stem from upper-body issues, particularly his shoulder — roughly three-quarters of his injury history. He underwent shoulder surgery in May 2024 to repair substantial damage and also endured a difficult 2023 season that included finger surgery and a neck injury requiring a brace, which ultimately led to a stint on long-term injured reserve.
Durability remains the primary concern. Lehkonen has only completed a full 82-game regular season once in his career — a number that will rise to 84 games in 2026–27.
That said, it’s a risk the Avalanche are well aware of and willing to manage given what he provides when healthy. Lehkonen is an elite two-way winger with high-end penalty-killing ability, driven by relentless pressure that disrupts opposing power plays and consistently creates shorthanded chances. Offensively, his game is built on timing and positioning — consistently finding soft ice in dangerous areas and finishing plays around the net.
He also plays a far heavier game than his frame suggests. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 179 pounds, Lehkonen routinely battles larger defensemen and pays the physical price for it. He absorbs contact, creates contact, and rarely avoids the dirty areas, even if it means ending up on the ice. That willingness is part of what makes him so valuable.
Lehkonen is coming off another strong season with 21 goals and 27 assists for 48 points in 70 games, just shy of his career-high 51 points set in 2022–23.
At 31 years old — a milestone he reached on the day of publication — he remains exactly the type of player contenders don’t replace, they retain, even if it costs more the second time around.
The NHL was thrown on its ear on Friday by the news that the Philadelphia Flyers had signed Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson to a five-year, $90 million offer sheet, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL. The 21-year-old was selected second overall in 2023 and scored a career-high 29 goals in his third NHL season. The Flyers, desperate to acquire a top-line center, are prepared to surrender four first-round picks as compensation if the Ducks do not match the offer sheet by July 10.
Anaheim did not dip into free agency on July 1 and cleared out restricted free agent defenseman Olen Zellweger in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres last week because they were holding back cap space to sign RFA’s Carlsson, winger Cutter Gauthier and defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, but are now in a vulnerable position if they match the offer sheet, since it will leave Anaheim only $17 million in cap space to re-sign Gauthier (who scored 41 goals last season), and add to a short-handed defensive corps.
Ducks GM Pat Verbeek had a chance to sign Carlsson to an extension throughout last season, but his modus operandi was on display last summer with forward Mason McTavish, who held out until training camp before signing a seven-year, $49 million extension (he was traded to St. Louis last weekend).
Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen wisely was proactive on the restricted free agent front with winger Zach Benson, signing the 21-year-old to a seven-year, $52.5 million extension before becoming eligible for an offer sheet. While it is always speculated that offer sheets will become the rule rather than the exception, the increasing salary cap and the gentleman’s agreement between rival GM’s may be going the way of the do-do bird, which will force teams like the Ducks and the Sabres to either match deals to young emerging players for more money than they would choose to, or prepare to accept draft pick compensation and become feeder systems for more financially powerful clubs.
Sabres sign Zach Benson to a seven-year contract extension
The Sabres trade of goalie Devon Levi to Edmonton for a 2028 third round pick last week left the club with a pair of young and inexperienced goalies in 2022 secoond-rounder Topias Leinonen and 21-year-old Scott Ratzlaff. The pair split time between AHL Rochester and ECHL Jacksonville last season, but totalled only 21 games with the Amerks, leaving the Sabres affiliate without a full time starter. On Saturday, the club signed veteran minor-leaguer Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract.
The 27-year-old spent last season with AHL Tucson (AHL affiliate of the Utah Mammoth) and had a 16-12-3 record, 3.10 GAA, and .895 save percentage in 33 games.
A third-round draft pick by Los Angeles in 2017, Villalta has seven years of AHL experience between the Ontario Reign and Roadrunners, and will likely split duties with one or both of the Sabres young goalies in Rochester, while the other will get playing time in Jacksonville.
BRONX, NY - JULY 04: Brendan Beck #98 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins on July 4, 2026 at Yankee Stadium in the Borough of the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One of the things that wears on you in stretches like this is the recaps actually start to annoy you. Look, I get it, I’m a silly little baseball blogger, I’m not an ER nurse working a double shift or a teacher paying for their own Elmer’s glue while kids can no longer sound out unfamiliar words. My work here is reasonably low stakes. But my oh my are these games absolute drags to try and analyze. The Yankees lost again, badly, because the starter got set on fire and Camilo Doval cannot pitch at the major league level.
11-4 is your holiday final from the Bronx.
For Brendan Beck, it was a hang with ‘em kind of day. Called up to make a spot start with Carlos Rodón moved to the IL yesterday, and it looked like Beck was never comfortable out there. He walked the first man he saw before Byron Buxton put the Twins on the board with a double, only for Kody Clemens to take Beck deep and before an out was recorded, the Yankees were down 3-0.
Minnesota added two more home runs in the second, including Alex Jackson’s first of the year, after the top three in the Yankee order went down smoothly to start their own day. Beck managed to get through the third without further damage, but the team was down 5-0 early. I’ll be honest in that my analysis is somewhat weak today as I was watching Canada put on a masterclass of a first half before fading in the second. Beck’s secondary offerings seem promising but his fastball seems awful flat for an MLB pitcher.
Jasson Domínguez gave us the first offensive sparks of the day, getting the Yankees’ first hit, then second hit and first run a couple innings later:
The Twins are a good offensive team; their weakness is their pitching. As long as the Yankee bullpen could stop the bleeding, the offense was going to get chances to come back. Tim Hill allowed a solo shot of his own, but a big fifth inning put New York back in this one:
The Yankees had to pick between Max Schuemann and Spencer Jones to be the corresponding move for Beck’s recall, and ended up going with Max because of his versatility. For one day, the plan worked perfectly.
And we finally had an appearance by Cody Bellinger:
Belli has been a ghost the last ten days or so, and it shouldn’t be a surprise then that the lineup has also looked rather sleepy. Getting him going, especially as there’s no return of Aaron Judge in sight, is absolutely critical heading into this week’s series with the Rays.
The next threat came in the sixth, as the Yankees were able to load the bases for leadoff hitter Trent Grisham. With a lefty on the hill, Aaron Boone elected to go to Paul Goldschmidt, who has hit southpaws well this year but was also 0-20 at the time. The gamble didn’t pay off with Goldy going down swinging, and Josh Bell tacking on a run with a solo shot immediately following in the top of the seventh.
I wanted to get mad at Camilo Doval but the first run he allowed in the eighth was unearned, the 24th such in the last 14 games. Jazz Chisholm Jr. misplayed the first ball of the frame, allowing Luke Keaschall to reach. Keaschall would come home a couple batters later thanks to Buxton’s sac fly. and Minnesota led 8-4. Fortunately for the true hater I am, Doval can always be relied upon to give up more runs, and Clemens brought in the Twins’ ninth run of the game on an RBI single, and then a second Josh Bell home run gave them 11. I dislike you Camilo Doval and I would like you to no longer be on the New York Yankees’ 26-man MLB roster.
You can’t give up six home runs and expect to win. I’m done talking about this team for 24 hours, it is a beautiful day in one of the world’s most beautiful cities and I am going outside. The Yankees can still win this series behind Ryan Weathers, but I’m not going to be super confident about it with Joe Ryan on the bump for Minnesota. Peacock gets the game tomorrow, with a 1:35pm first pitch.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 04: Malique Lewis #19 of the Milwaukee Bucks warms up prior to playing the Golden State Warriors in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Golden 1 Center on July 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Bucks took down the Golden State Warriors Blue 97-83 to secure their first win in the California Classic. Milwaukee busted a tense, back-and-forth game wide open in the third quarter, mixing defensive versatility with lethal transition offense and catching fire from three-point range late. B.J. Boston and Bogoljub Marković led Milwaukee with 17 and 16 points, respectively. RJ Nembhard scored 15 points for the Warriors Blue.
The Bucks began the game with a starting five of Kira Lewis Jr., Cormac Ryan, Markovic, Rafael Castro, and Malique Lewis. The Golden State Warriors Blue started Nick Boyd, Colby Jones, Nembhard, David Green, and Jacksen Moni. No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg and No. 54 overall pick Lajae Jones are currently playing with the Warriors’ Gold team. Brayden Burries and Nate Ament arrived at the arena in street clothes and didn’t log any minutes.
Marković, the 2025 draft-and-stash that won the Serbia league’s MVP last season, scored the Bucks’ first Summer League points after getting on the receiving end of a Castro dime. However, the Warriors ran off to a 9-2 run, led by a pair of Moni triples. The game was fast-paced, but the Warriors found the best looks of the quarter. The Bucks rotated guys frequently throughout the game — ten players saw first-quarter minutes — but one unifying trait among them seemed to be getting out quickly in transition and turning defensive actions into points. Castro, in particular, was everywhere on the defensive end. The 2025-26 National Defensive Player of the Year finalist used his 85-inch wingspan to apply an insane amount of pressure everywhere on the court. However, the Bucks looked shaky on offense. They didn’t make any of their six three-point attempts and looked frustrated by the Warriors’ rim protection. The Bucks ended the first quarter down seven points, 25-18.
It was more of the same for the Bucks, who struggled on offense and were burned on transition defense in the second quarter. What can you expect from the first game of Summer League ball? However, there were real glimmers of brilliance, especially among the Bucks’ two-way players. Lewis fought hard inside and came up with a couple of second-chance points. Castro showed exciting versatility on the pick-and-roll, either barreling down the lane or popping outside and finding an open man. Despite a slow start, Ryan found his footing and began knocking down threes. Marković also looked very encouraging in his limited minutes, whether it was displaying some advanced court vision, showcasing a gentle touch off the glass, or creating separation with his footwork. He looks much more suited to the NBA’s tempo and physicality, and it’s evident his game has improved since last year. The Bucks and Warriors traded blows for the second quarter, with neither team able to gain a real advantage until Milwaukee embarked on a run towards the end of the half. Boopie Miller’s quick midrange pull-up trimmed the Warriors’ lead to just two by the end of the quarter, with the Bucks trailing, 45-43.
The Bucks jumped out to a 10-3 run immediately after halftime. Ryan knocked down a three-point shot and converted an and-one, while Lewis finished off a pair of driving layups. The Bucks looked really interesting when they were switching off on pick-and-rolls, especially with Markovic, Castro, and Lewis in the frontcourt. That level of peskiness on the perimeter and toughness on the block allowed them to frustrate the Warriors on offense and secure a 13-point lead. As the third quarter continued, it seemed like the Bucks caught their second wind. Luke Travers made some impressive hustle plays, and the Bucks scooped up several offensive rebounds. B.J. Boston found his offensive rhythm, and he looked nearly unstoppable when he got downhill. The Warriors looked increasingly out of answers to an aggressive Bucks defense. Milwaukee outscored the Warriors by 21 points during the third quarter, putting them up 77-58 with the final frame to go.
The Bucks continued to flow in the final quarter. Zack Austin and Miller came up with some impressive acrobatic finishes, and they continued to force turnovers and keep Golden State from generating good looks. They looked truly inspired. In one play, Marković dove into the Warriors’ bench to save a loose ball, which triggered a fast break that ended with Lewis finishing through contact to convert an and-one layup. The Bucks slowed the game down and went back-and-forth with the Warriors, who attempted to mount a comeback in the game’s dying moments but didn’t have enough time. Lewis effectively iced the game with a logo three as the shot clock expired to secure the Bucks’ first Summer League victory.
Stat That Stood Out
Rafael Castro picked up four steals today, a game-high. He is very strong defensively, and this game proved it. Castro was one of the most interesting undrafted prospects because of his elite agility and athleticism, along with his strong positional size and wingspan. Today showed it. Castro was a real nuisance for the Warriors’ offense today. If he can shore up some of his rougher offensive deficiencies, Castro will be a real two-way player who can improve the Bucks.
On a scorching July 4 in the Bronx, the Yankees fell 11-4 to the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees didn't lead at any point in the game, and the team's pitching staff allowed six home runs in the loss.
Here are the takeaways…
-- For the 250th Fourth of July in American history, both the Yankees and the Twins wore special caps and jersey numbers which featured an American flag design. The holiday has a storied past for the Yankees, as it also marks the birthdays of two dearly departed Yankees legends, longtime owner George M. Steinbrenner III (1930) and play-by-play commentator John Sterling (1938). Additionally, on July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig gave his iconic farewell speech in front of a teary-eyed Yankee Stadium.
-- The Yankees starting pitcher today was 27-year-old righty Brenden Beck, whom New York called up to make his first-ever MLB start in place of the injured Carlos Rodón. Beck, a second-round pick in 2021 by the Yankees, had a game to forget in his big-league debut. He allowed five earned runs on five hits through 3.2 innings, striking out three batters and walking two across 87 pitches. The Twins led 3-0 before Beck recorded a single out, thanks to a Byron Buxton RBI double and a Kody Clemens two-run tater. The following inning, Beck surrendered two more homers, back-to-back solo shots off the bats of Luke Keaschall and Alex Jackson.
-- Beck was relieved by Yankees left-handed reliever Tim Hill, who was taken deep to right field by the first batter he faced, Twins outfielder Trevor Larnach, who padded the Minnesota lead to 6-0 with another solo homer.
-- Twins right-handed starter Zebby Matthews didn't allow his first hit until the bottom of the fourth inning, when Yankees right fielder Jasson Dominguez clobbered a home run with nobody on base. The Yankees' offense was able to find some life and chase Matthews from the game the next inning, tagging the pitcher with three more earned runs thanks to a Max Schuemann two-run blast and a Cody Bellinger RBI double. Twins reliever Travis Adams got Dominguez to ground out to end the fifth inning, stranding Ben Rice at third base and Bellinger at second base.
-- Yankees manager Aaron Boone made a surprising move with the bases loaded and two men out in the bottom of the sixth inning, calling on righty Paul Goldschmidt to pinch-hit for lefty outfielder Trent Grisham with Minnesota's southpaw reliever Taylor Rogers on the mound. Goldschmidt extended his slump with a limp pop fly to left field to leave all three men on base and end the inning, extending his hitless streak to 21 straight at-bats.
-- The struggles continued for the Yankees bullpen and defense in today's game. The scoreboard read 8-4 in favor of Minnesota after Ryan Yarbrough gave up a solo home-run to switch-hitting Twins cleanup hitter Josh Bell in the seventh inning, and after a Jazz Chisholm Jr. fielding error allowed Luke Keaschall to get on base in the eighth inning, Byron Buxton eventually hit a sacrifice fly off of Camilo Doval to drive home the unearned run. In the first 74 games of this season, the Yankees allowed 22 unearned runs. Compare that ratio to the last 14 games, in which the Yanks have allowed 24 unearned runs.
-- Doval did eventually allow earned runs in the form of a Kody Clemens RBI single immediately followed by Josh Bell's second home run of the game. He was finally able to end the eighth inning by striking out Royce Lewis with the Yankees trailing 11-4.
-- Brent Headrick was forced to pitch in the ninth inning, and given the fact that the lefty reliever has been one of the few bright spots in the team's bullpen this season, the Yankees not being able to have Headrick fully fresh for the series-deciding third game tomorrow could be a problem. With two outs, Ryan McMahon made a throwing error attempting to throw out Keaschall after he grounded to third base, but Headrick shut the door one batter later.
Game MVP
Twins designated hitter Josh Bell recorded his 13th career multi-homer game, racking up 775 feet worth of long balls and three RBI in today's game.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 28, 2026: Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on February 28, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds have been beseiged at Helm’s Deep for four days running. They sit at just 40-47 on the season, mired in last place in the National League Central and 7 full games back of the final NL Wild Card spot. That’s closer to the team in last place in the NL Wild Card standings (the Colorado Rockies at 12 games back) than they are to the St. Louis Cardinals, who occupy that final playoff position.
Today, though, is dawn on the fifth day. At least, that’s what the team must hope lest they barrel into trade season needing to blow this whole operation up and begin once again.
Reds ace Hunter Greene was activated on Saturday ahead of the team’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, their two-time All Star finally ready to make his 2026 debut after his March surgery to clean up debris in his prized right elbow. His minor league rehab starts have been basically perfect, his touted velocity once again there, and the Reds will now turn to Greene to help miraculously turn around their fortunes before it’s all too late.
He’ll start opposite Orioles starter Brandon Young, who pitched to an impressive 2.76 ERA across 29.1 IP (5 GS) during the month of June. That backed up an equally impressive May where he pitched to a 2.86 ERA in 28.1 IP (5 GS) as he has settled in as a force within the O’s rotation.
First pitch is set for 7:10 PM ET this 4th of July, with a massive fireworks display scheduled for after the game at Great American Ball Park.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 03: Garrett Mitchell #5 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with third base coach Matt Erickson #68 after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning at Chase Field on July 03, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Brewers have a chance to win their second series in a row and their first of July this evening in Arizona as they get set to take the season series against the Diamondbacks.
After a late night yesterday with over eight innings thrown by the Brewers bullpen, they’ll lean on Brandon Woodruff to provide them with rest. Woodruff will be making his third start on the mound since returning from the injured list and his ninth overall on the season. Since returning, Woodruff has thrown 11 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits, no runs, and has struck out 16. That brings his season total to a 2.59 ERA with 41 strikeouts.
Tonight’s start will be Woodruff’s ninth against the Diamondbacks in his career. Most recently, he was sent to the injured list after he completed 1 1/3 innings at the end of April. Overall, he has been up-and-down throughout the course of his career against the Diamondbacks, posting a 4.65 ERA with 51 strikeouts.
Pressure on getting long outings from the starting pitching was just increased as right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder injury, retroactive to July 3. Craig Yoho was recalled from Nashville. In five games this season with the Brewers, Yoho has a 6.00 ERA in six innings pitched with eight strikeouts.
For the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly will be handed the ball to make his 15th start of the season. He’s been in the midst of his worst season up to this point in his career as he enters tonight with a 5.84 ERA, having allowed 18 home runs, 33 walks, and only striking out 33. He finished the month of June with a 7.31 ERA, as in his last start, he allowed five runs to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Lifetime against the Brewers, Kelly has been successful, posting a 3.41 ERA in 11 games. However, in his last outing against the Brewers in April, he gave up five runs on six hits and five walks.
Both of these lineups have faced both teams’ starting pitcher. For the Brewers, Sal Frelick and Brice Turang have witnessed the most success against Kelly, as they hope to replicate what they did in Milwaukee back in April tonight.
You’ll be able to listen to tonight’s game on the Brewers Radio Network on WTMJ 620 while being able to watch it on Brewers.TV. First pitch will be another late one as it’s slated for 8:40 p.m.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 02: The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is fenced off in preparations for Independence Day fireworks on July 02, 2026 in Washington, DC. The "Salute to America" Freedom 250 Independence Day firework celebration on the National Mall will feature over 800,000 fireworks and will attempt to break a world record. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Arizona Diamondbacks fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Since I was out of range this week – I will be leaving a one-star review on Yellowstone’s TripAdvisor page, due to the lack of wifi – there was no specifically D-backs related question this week. So let’s just discuss the national poll, sent out to those on the list (and if you aren’t on it, the link above has you covered). There were three questions. The first was in regard to which executive was on the hottest seat. You probably won’t be surprised to discover that the Mets’ David Stearns was the clear winner there, at 62%. However, the Giants’ Buster Posey (20%) while the Red Sox – and former D-back – Craig Breslow (18%) also got significant support.
These are all examples of teams with large payrolls, in excess of $210 million cash value per Spotrac, putting them comfortably in the top half of MLB spending this year. But they are also all struggling: the Red Sox, at 38-48, have the best record. We’re still not even at the All-Star break, and they only have a fifteen percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Fangraphs – and that feels generous to me. The Mets and Giants might as well pack it up and go home. New York and Boston have already fired their managers, and one wonders how long San Francisco will stick with Tony Vitello, the first man to go straight from a college job to MLB management.
Related: another question was “Who won the Rafael Devers trade?” and a resounding victory there was “No one” at 69%. However, the Red Sox did beat the Giants in the remainder, by a 22-9 percent margin. That seems fair. Boston did get to dump a massive contract for a player who was increasingly toxic there. However, the players they got back have either fizzled, or been traded on. For example, Kyle Harrison was yesterday’s starter for the Brewes against the D-backs, and despite his struggles there, is 8-1 with an excellent 2.82 ERA. Meanwhile, Devers has been worth just 3.2 bWAR over a year and a half. He’s on the SF books for seven more seasons and $225 million. Yep. Happy not to be them.
However, I want to focus on, and ask you here about, the result above. Almost half of respondents think it’s time to revamp the MLB draft, which will be coming up in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I do not have any data on exactly how things should be changed. Are we talking about timings? Draft order? An international draft? [Something which was part of the owner’s proposals during the current CBA negotiations] So, basically: what are your thoughts? If you had unfettered power to re-arrange and re-organize the draft to your liking, what would you do? That would be what the comments section is for…
With Ha-Seong Kim hitting the IL, Jorge Mateo gets the start at shortstop over Jim Jarvis, facing the lefty Manaea. Elsewhere, Joey Bart starts at catcher, with Baldwin DHing and batting second. Austin Riley bats fifth, ahead of Michael Harris for reasons that are clearly more about mixing lefties and righties than recent production. They have a clear pitching advantage on paper and can hopefully continue their offensive momentum they showed, hitting four homers on Friday night. If they can, it should be a fun national TV game for Braves fans on this country’s 250th birthday.
After trading Devon Levi to the Edmonton Oilers earlier this week, the Buffalo Sabres have added to their goalie depth.
The Sabres have announced that they have signed goaltender Matt Villalta to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season.
Villalta spent all of this past season in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners. In 33 games with the AHL club during the 2025-26 season, he posted a 16-12-3 record, an .895 save percentage, and a 3.10 goals-against average.
While Villalta did not play a game for the Utah Mammoth this past season, he made NHL appearances during both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. In three career NHL games split between the Arizona Coyotes and Utah, the 6-foot-3 goalie has a 1-1-0 record, a 3.64 goals-against average, and an .867 save percentage.
With the Sabres having Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis, Villalta has been signed to help out Buffalo's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
In 235 career AHL games, Villalta has a 123-83-20 record, a .903 save percentage, a 2.93 goals-against average, and 10 shutouts.
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: A general view as a large U.S. flag is unfurled on the field before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on July 4, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the game, I was playing catch with my dad, thinking about what to write. The performance on the field by the Washington Nationals was pretty unremarkable. They lost 7-1, falling behind early and then looking sluggish in the heat. However, some of the pre-game ceremonies and the occasion itself were remarkable. Those moments captured me on the 250th birthday of this nation.
Between Artemis astronauts throwing out the first pitch, to all of the ceremonies, it was a special day at the yard. In America’s 250 year history, baseball has played a key role in much of it. The National Pastime has become central to American culture, as well as our image both internally and around the world.
In so many ways, baseball has been a cultural zeitgeist for this nation. Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier is an iconic moment in history, and in some ways kicked off the Civil Rights movement. It took a long time for integration to happen, and race relations in the US are far from perfect even today. However, Jackie paved the way for so many both on and off the field.
This country likes to think it is based on a true meritocracy. However, that is not really the case despite the great imagery of the American Dream. In baseball though, it is more of a meritocracy. That is a big reason why Jackie got a shot in the MLB long before the Civil Rights Act. Baseball is a game where differences can be put to the side in the name of winning and competing.
The game can also be a great unifier. After 9/11, baseball played a key role in the country’s healing process. That Mets game just 10 days after the horrific tragedy was a truly iconic moment, and ended in storybook fashion. George Bush throwing out the first pitch in New York during the World Series was a similarly emotional moment.
In so many of America’s biggest moments, you can easily find a connection to baseball. During World War II, many of baseball’s biggest stars such as Ted Williams and Joe Dimaggio served our country. They fought for our freedom in years that would have been the prime of their career.
That is why baseball is such a big part of the July 4th holiday. It is a quintessentially American game and has been part of so many American moments. Even if the game did not go the Nats way today, there is always something special about playing baseball in DC on the 4th of July.
It is a big stage for these players. We saw James Wood homer today, and Nats stars have come to life on the 4th in the past. Mr. National Ryan Zimmerman had a great track record on Independence Day. He hit .361 with 4 homers in 11 July 4th games.
To play America’s game in America’s capital is a great honor. Even though they lost, it really did seem like the players appreciated that. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we cannot tell the story of this country without talking about baseball. This game is so special, and it is always a treat to watch those 11:05 games at Nationals Park.
