With things picking up on the offer sheet front and in the RFA market in the days following NHL free agency, the Pittsburgh Penguins have some bigger rumors swirling about them.
It may not be a very high-profile RFA move like some want, but they did make an RFA-related signing on Friday.
The Penguins came to terms on a two-year deal with RFA forward Hendrix Lapierre, who was extended a qualifying offer on Jun. 30. The contract is worth $1.3 million annually.
The former first round pick (22nd overall in 2020) never quite fully found his footing in parts of four seasons with Washington, amassing just 13 goals and 47 points in 158 NHL games with the Capitals. The 6-foot, 190-pound center has played in a bottom-six role to start his career, and he joins what currently looks like a crowded forward group.
Already having 14 forwards listed on their NHL roster, the Penguins will have some decisions to make. With rumors about the Penguins being involved in some trade discussions - most notably, pertaining to RFA superstar forward Jason Robertson - going around, it's possible that the number of forwards on their NHL roster will decrease by the time training camp rolls around.
As of Friday, Pittsburgh has yet to sign RFA forwards Egor Chinakhov and the newly acquired Nicholas Robertson, and they also figure to come to terms with RFA goaltender Arturs Silovs.
The combat sports world has joined in on the festivities as sports fans everywhere await Lebron James next move.
In case you don’t know, the legendary NBA superstar is no longer a member of the Los Angeles Lakers where he has played for the past eight seasons. This includes an NBA Championship back in 2020 during the COVID-19 outbreak. James has been defying the odds ever since as the now 41-year-old continues to play at an elite level.
As of now, Lebron is officially an NBA free agent, which means he can sign with any team he wants. The legendary basketball player isn’t looking to score a big payday ahead of his incredible 24th NBA season. Instead, James simply wants to join a team that gives him the best chance to win another title. That could be with the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, or even the New York Knicks, who are coming off their first NBA title in 53 years.
That is, of course, if Lebron doesn’t take his talents to the cage.
This week, the mixed martial arts (MMA) community took to social media to suggest that Lebron was moving from the NBA to combat sports. Obviously this is a joke, but it goes to show you the global reach of James. There may have been a time when a younger James could have utilized his elite size and athleticism to make some noise as a professional fighter, but that time has passed.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the MMA community from trying. Check it out below:
👑 LEBRON JAMES OFFICIALLY SIGNS WITH THE MMA! After months of contract negotiations, LeBron has decided to take his talents from the hardwood to the cage. Sources say his first goal is becoming the UFC Heavyweight Champion. 🥊😂 #lebronJames#MMApic.twitter.com/iiXXXpnyiy
“LEBRON JAMES OFFICIALLY SIGNS WITH THE MMA! After months of contract negotiations, LeBron has decided to take his talents from the hardwood to the cage. Sources say his first goal is becoming the UFC Heavyweight Champion.”
“The decision has been made. LeBron James is taking his talents to ONE!”
— HEXAGONE MMA Winamax (@HexagoneMma) July 2, 2026
“Following the announcement of his departure from the Lakers, the entire sports world is waiting to find out where LeBron James will go…
HEXAGONE MMA is proud to announce a totally unprecedented addition to its roster…
LeBron James (@kingjames) officially joins the organization… and embarks on a new adventure.
After making basketball history with the Lakers and the NBA, the American legend is turning a historic page in his career to take on a new challenge in the cage. With his extraordinary physical power, explosiveness, and flair for the dramatic, LeBron James is set to shake up the heavyweight division and draw all eyes to HEXAGONE MMA.
This signing, as unexpected as it is explosive, once again confirms the league’s commitment to writing unique chapters and shining a spotlight on MMA on the international stage.”
The writing had been on the wall for Mads Sogaard for a while now.
After seven years in the Senators organization, the 25-year-old goaltender officially left the club on Wednesday, signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
With so many big NHL headlines flying around on July 1st, Sogaard's exit flew under the radar a little, but his departure wasn't exactly a surprise.
Over the past two weeks, the Senators acquired Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs and then committed to restricted free agent Leevi Merilainen on a one-year contract extension.
With Linus Ullmark entrenched as the starter, there simply wasn't a path forward for Sogaard in Ottawa, nor had he earned one. The Sens also have to start getting better looks at goalies like Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler.
The Great Dane's exit marks the end of another goalie graveyard story in Ottawa.
The Senators believed enough in Sogaard back in 2019 that they traded up to select him 37th overall in the NHL Draft. At 6-foot-7, he immediately became one of the most intriguing goaltending prospects in hockey. You can't teach size, as they say, and combined with his .921 save percentage in his draft year with Medicine Hat (WHL) he was hard to resist.
Among goalies, Sogaard went second overall in that draft behind only Spencer Knight.
There was always a sense that if everything came together, Ottawa might have found its goalie of the future. But injuries became the ongoing theme. Every time Sogaard appeared ready to build some momentum, another setback seemed to interrupt his progress.
In his six years as a pro, thanks to injuries, Sogaard has only appeared in 162 professional games.
Last season was another difficult one. Sogaard played 27 games for Belleville, posting a 7-13-4 record with a 3.69 goals-against average and an .874 save percentage. He also made two appearances with Ottawa.
One of those games turned out to be one of the best performances of his NHL career.
On January 25, Sogaard stopped 20 of 21 shots in a stunning 7-1 victory over the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Vegas Golden Knights. Afterward, he spoke emotionally about everything it had taken just to get back to the NHL after another injury setback. It felt like a breakthrough moment, and perhaps the beginning of another opportunity.
Instead, it proved to be one final NHL highlight before the Senators moved in a different direction.
Sogaard became a Group 6 unrestricted free agent, and Tampa Bay will now see if there's still an NHL goalie in there waiting to emerge.
Søgaard remains tied for the distinction of being the tallest goaltender ever to appear in an NHL game at 6-foot-7, sharing the record with, among others, former Lightning star Ben Bishop. Tampa also acquired Bishop from Ottawa in 2013, and he went on to have four outstanding seasons.
Tampa would love to see Lightning strike twice.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators, check out one of the latest headlines below:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 20: Grounds crew members cover the field with a tarp after a rain delay was announced before the start of the first inning between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 20, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are in the midst of trying to stop a seven-game losing streak with the Twins in town to begin a three-game series. Minnesota took a quick lead off Gerrit Cole thanks to a solo shot by Kody Clemens, but Yankees leadoff hitter Trent Grisham welcomed himself back from the IL by belting a bomb of his own at the start of the game to tie it at 1-1.
Although Cole has since settled down a bit with two scoreless innings, we must now wait before we get baseball again. They’ve put the tarp on the field at Yankee Stadium with heavy rain expected shortly. The forecast looks like it will clear up in a little while, but for now, it’s a rain delay. I would say that I hope it cools people off on this hot, hot day, but it might just end up being steamy. Alas.
So remember in Wednesday’s recap when I said maybe games like this make me reconsider my desire for MLB to have a mercy rule?
Can I take that back?
The Cubs put a +20 on their run differential with Wednesday’s win — and gave 16 of that back Friday afternoon in a 17-1 blowout by the Cardinals.
First, about that blowout loss after the blowout win, from BCB’s JohnW53:
The most runs that the Cubs ever had allowed before in a game immediately after one in which they had scored at least 20 was 10. They lost to the Reds, 10-5, at home on Aug. 14, 1937, one day after winning, 22-6.
So 89 years later, the Cubs pretty much shattered that “record,” for whatever that’s worth.
More from John:
The Cubs’ worst loss ever to the Cardinals was by 18 runs, 21-3, at Wrigley Field on April 27, 1977. They lost to them, 19-2, at the West Side Grounds in 1904, and by 15 three times, the last in 1925. ….. The Cubs’ worst loss since 1901 was by 22-0 at home vs. the Pirates on Sept. 16, 1975, then by 20 runs, 22-2, at Cincinnati on June 1, 1957. This was their 17th loss by at least 16 runs and the 11th of them at home.
Okay, you probably do want to hear something from me. What I want to say about David Peterson’s first Wrigley Field start as a Cub is this: He just could not put away hitters, or innings. After a pretty easy first, which could have been better if Michael Busch hadn’t dropped a possible double-play relay after Dansby Swanson caught Ivan Herrera’s line drive, Peterson then retired the first two hitters in the second. After that: Double, single, home run. In the third, after the first two hitters reached, a sac fly and a ground out made it 4-0, but again, Peterson couldn’t put away Masyn Winn, who hit an RBI single, followed by an RBI double by Jose Fermin. In the fourth, after he got the first two hitters out on routine fly balls, Peterson walked the bases loaded, then gave up a two-run single. Bryse Wilson then relieved Peterson and served up a three-run homer to Winn, with two of the runs charged to Peterson.
Peterson threw 91 pitches to record 11 outs and was ahead of quite a few hitters, but simply could not put them away. Was it the Cardinals? As I mentioned in today’s game preview, the Cardinals pounded Peterson for seven hits and six runs in 3.2 innings just three weeks ago in New York.
So, Peterson vs. the Cardinals this year: 7.1 innings, 16 hits, 16 runs, 19.64 ERA. Maybe just don’t start him against the Cardinals?
Wilson wasn’t any better, serving up another homer in the sixth and being charged with seven runs in 3.1 innings. One can see why Wilson has been in five organizations in the last four years.
Here, let me break up this wall of text by showing you the Cubs’ only run of the game. In the seventh, Pedro Ramirez (who had taken Swanson’s place in the lineup) tripled, and one out later Alex Bregman doubled him in [VIDEO].
So, yay? Bregman had two of the Cubs’ seven hits. Maybe he’ll start hitting.
Drew Pomeranz, just returned to the Cubs, threw a 1-2-3 ninth in garbage time, on just 11 pitches, so he should be available tomorrow. That’s about all I’ve got on this one.
One more game note: It rained really hard in the area around Wrigley Field for about an hour starting just as the gates were opening at 1:30. Fortunately, it cleared the area, though a light rain fell during the first inning, and the game started just 10 minutes after the scheduled starting time of 3:05. Had this been a normal Friday 1:20 start, it probably would have started at… around 3:15.
Games like this, you do have to eventually laugh. They only count as one loss, fortunately, and one of the best things about baseball is that there’s almost always another game the next day. The Cubs and Cardinals will play Saturday evening at Wrigley Field. Shōta Imanaga will start for the Cubs and Kyle Leahy goes for St. Louis. Game time is 7:08 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Fox-TV (regional — coverage map).
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JUNE 25: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros looks on against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 25, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
DENVER, CO - 2009: The Bulova clock and American Flag adorn the entrance to Coors Field as seen in this 2009 Denver, Colorado, spring cityscape photo. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants head to Coors Field tonight to begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
As of the time this is being written, the Giants have not yet announced a starting pitcher. But check out the comments below for more up-to-date information.
Whoever it ends up being will be facing off against Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner, who enters tonight’s game with a 4.42 ERA, 4.94 FIP, with 35 strikeouts to 20 walks in 53 innings pitched. His last start was in the Rockies’ 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, in which he allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in six innings.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 28: Hendrix Lapierre #29 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck on a breakaway before scoring a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on March 28, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Penguins reached an agreement with one of their restricted free agents on Friday getting Hendrix Lapierre to ink a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.3 million.
The Penguins have signed forward Hendrix Lapierre to a two-year contract.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward Hendrix Lapierre to a two-year contract, it was announced today by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas.
His contract runs through the 2027-28 season and carries an average annual value of $1.3 million.
Lapierre, 24, spent the 2025-26 season with the Capitals, skating in 74 games and tallying four goals, 12 assists and 16 points. Lapierre has spent the past five seasons in the Capitals organization, splitting time between Washington and their American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears. In 158 career NHL games, the 6-foot, 195-pound forward has recorded 13 goals, 34 assists and 47 points and tallied career highs during the 2023-24 season when he registered eight goals, 14 assists and 22 points in 51 games.
The two-time Calder Cup Champion (2023, ’24) has played in 113 career AHL games, recording 27 goals, 52 assists and 79 points, while adding 31 points (10G-21A) in 48 postseason games. During the Bears’ run to the 2024 Calder Cup, with Penguins’ Assistant Coach Todd Nelson as the bench boss, Lapierre was named the Playoffs MVP while recording a postseason-high 22 points (7G-15A).
Lapierre was originally drafted in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft by Washington.
Pittsburgh traded third and fifth round picks to Washington last week to acquire Lapierre. The Pens still have six more restricted free agents to go, including Egor Chinakhov, Arturs Silovs, Nick Robertson and others who finished the previous season in the minor leagues, with about $27 million in cap space that will be more than enough to sign that group and still have some flexibility for future moves.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 26: Spencer Arrighetti #41 of the Houston Astros pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at Comerica Park on June 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TONIGHT’S GAME: The Houston Astros (43-46) will welcome in the top team in the AL, the Tampa Bay Rays (51-33), for a three-game holiday weekend series at Daikin Park beginning tonight.
RHP Spencer Arrighetti (7-4, 4.00 ERA) will get the Friday night start for the Astros opposite the veteran RHP Nick Martinez (7-2, 2.66 ERA) and the Rays.
SPENCER’S GIFTS: RHP Spencer Arrighetti is 7-4 in his 13 starts, leading the club in wins and ranking 10th in the AL in opponent batting average (min. 70IP). He has allowed just 56 hits in his 72.0 innings, averaging 7.00 hits per 9.0, which ranks eighth in the AL.
Arrighetti had a rough June (9.00 ERA), but was the AL Pitcher of the Month for May, posting a 4-1 record with a 0.93 ERA.
RECENT ‘STROS: The Astros have won six of nine, seven of 11, and are 10-5 in their last 15 games. The Astros 16-11 record in June tied as the best in the AL, along with their rival Rangers.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: Prior to the Astros losing two of three to the Twins earlier this week, the club had won five consecutive series dating back to June 12. The last time the Astros won five straight series was from June 20-July 6 of last season.
WINNING THE CLOSE CALLS: The Astros are 9-5 in one-run games and 19-10 in two-run games. Each of the Astros last seven wins and 12 of their last 13 victories have come by two-or-fewer runs.
NEYENS ADDED TO FUTURES GAME: IF Xavier Neyens has been added to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game, which will be played on July 12 in Philadelphia. Neyens, the Astros first-round selection last year, joins the club’s top prospect OF Kevin Alvarez on the American League squad.
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.
ASTROS ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have reinstated RHP Cristian Javier from the 60-day IL and have transferred LHP Bennett Sousa to the 60-day IL to make room for Javier on the 40-man roster. Postgame on Wednesday, the Astros optioned RHP Miguel Ullola to Triple A.
ALL-STAR UPDATE: Full All-Star rosters (starters and reserves) will be announced tomorrow night 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 (1.053), OBP (.433), SLG (.620) and total bases (194). Additionally, he ranks first in the AL in extra-base hits (42), tied for first in homers (26), tied for first in hits (100), second in batting average (.319), second in RBI (60), tied for second in runs (59) and fourth in walks (59).
TAP FOR SUCCESS: Astros hitters have won an MLB-best 63 ABS challenges and lead the Majors in challenge success rate (60%). 3B Isaac Paredes (9-for-9) has the most successful challenges in the Majors without losing one. 2B Jose Altuve has been successful on 15-of-21 challenges (71%), ranking second in the Majors in challenges won.
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 on five hits with four strikeouts. He tossed 60 pitches (45 strikes) in what was his third minor league rehab start.
• 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, fanning three. He tossed 60 pitches (41 strikes) in what was his second minor league rehab start.
• 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.
• 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.
• OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (rt. hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment at Triple A on Tuesday and has started two games so far for the Space Cowboys, one at first base and one in left field.
TODAY IN ASTROS HISTORY: 2020 – In a year unlike any other, the Astros begin Summer Camp workouts at Daikin Park and the University of Houston. It was the first workout day for all clubs as MLB returned following nearly a three month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the club’s first day back on the field since Spring Training was halted on March 13.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, July 3, 7:15 p.m. CT
Location: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
TV: Apple TV
Radio: KTRH 740 AM; KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 03: Nathan Church #27 of the St. Louis Cardinals runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 03, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You could sense that the St. Louis Cardinals entered Wrigley Field Friday afternoon feeling the momentum of their inspiring series-winning comeback victory in Atlanta on Thursday. The Cardinals took the Cubs to Church in a Nathan kind of way to win Friday’s contest easily in Chicago.
St. Louis did not wait long before they jumped all over Chicago Cubs starter David Peterson. They literally hit him hard in the top of the 2nd inning as José Fermín hit a two-out double and Blaze Jordan lined a ball off of Peterson’s right triceps. He was fortunately not injured and stayed in the game. On the 8th pitch of his at-bat, Nathan Church did not miss a 79 mph curveball that didn’t curve enough with a 3-run homer that soared 384 feet into the right field stands.
The bottom of the 2nd inning would include a defensive highlight that shows just how far Jordan Walker has come both offensively and with the glove. Sliding catches by our right fielder for the win!
The Cardinals would continue to add to their lead in the top of the 3rd inning when Iván Herrera singled followed by a Jordan Walker double. Nelson Velázquez lifted a sacrifice fly to center making it 4-0 St. Louis. The Cardinals weren’t done, either. After Alec Burleson grounded out to first, Masyn Winn singled which scored Walker upping the St. Louis lead to 5-0 then José Fermín launched a shot into the right-center field gap scoring Winn all the way from first making it a commanding 6-0 lead for the Cardinals.
The St. Louis words for the day were relentless and merciless. The Cardinals would continue to pile on the hapless Cubs in the top of the 4th inning when Iván Herrera , Jordan Walker and Nelson Velázquez drew two-out walks. Alec Burleson then walked to the plate and said “thank you for throwing a meatball 84 mph slider on the first pitch” lancing it into right field scoring Herrera and Walker giving St. Louis a remarkable 8-0 lead. But wait, there’s more. Masyn Winn decided to put an exclamation point on an already big lead as he lifted a 391 foot homer over the left field wall making it 11-0 Cardinals.
While the Cardinals offense was going ballistic, Andre Pallante was quietly keeping the Cubs from mounting much of a threat. Through the first 4 innings, all the Cubs had to show for their efforts were a couple of infield singles and a double from PC Armstrong who’s name I refuse to write out completely. Andre gave St. Louis the exact kind of start they needed after an exhausting bullpen game on Thursday. The bats made the headlines today, but Pallante deserves major kudos, too. By the time he was taken out of the game in the bottom of the 6th inning Andre’s line was an impressive 5 2/3 innings allowing just 5 hits, absolutely no Cubs runs with 2 strikeouts and just 1 measly walk. Just what the Cardinals bullpen needed.
It is with great pleasure that I let you know that the Cardinals did not stop at 11 runs. In the top of the 5th inning, Blaze Jordan led off with a single. Three batters later, Herrera singled to center and then Jordan Walker was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Cubs then decided that they’d like to score on themselves by walking Velasquez giving St. Louis an even dozen runs. Alec Burleson and his bat then added to the delightful Cubs misery by ripping a single into right scoring 2 more and giving the Cardinals a football lead of 2 touchdowns and 2 extra points at 14-0.
The top of the 6th inning saw St. Louis load the bases AGAIN (and that’s not a complaint). With one out, Blaze Jordan collected his 3rd hit of the game which was a single to left which Nathan Church followed with a single of his own. JJ Wetherholt was hit by a pitch to load the bases which gave Iván Herrera the opportunity to add to his RBI total which he did with a ringing single to center scoring 2 more and giving the Cardinals a whopping 16-0 lead.
I have a life motto that there is no such thing as scoring too many runs when you’re playing the Cubs and Bryan Torres obviously agreed. Oli Marmol decided to give Masyn Winn the rest of the game off and Bryan honored that opportunity by crushing his own home run over the right field wall increasing the Cardinals obliteration of Chicago to 17-0.
The Cubs did end up getting a consolation run in the bottom of the 7th inning off of reliever Max Rajcic, but who cares. That reduced our lead to a nerve-racking 17-1 and yes, that’s sarcasm. Max did a fine job of eating innings in a blowout so the Cardinals bullpen will enter Saturday night’s national broadcast game fully-rested. Ryne Stanek, back from paternity leave after becoming a new dad (congrats, btw), took care of the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the 9th.
The St. Louis Cardinals will continue a very enjoyable stay in the Windy City so far as they’ll do battle with the evil empire Chicago Cubs Saturday night. The Cardinals will send Kyle Leahy to the mound for a 4th of July national broadcast while the worst franchise in baseball Cubs give Shota Imanaga the ball. First pitch is set for 7:08 central time as this will be a TV broadcast handled by Fox.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 28: Ryan Feltner #18 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Sunday, June 28, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Ritter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies (35-53) open a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants (36-50) tonight at Coors Field.
Colorado is still in last place, but the Rockies enter just two games behind the floundering Giants, adding a little division-floor intrigue to the weekend.
The Rockies also enter with some momentum after splitting a four-game series with the Miami Marlins. Miami took the first two games to close June with 20 wins for the month — the winningest month in their franchise history — before Colorado answered by taking the final two to open July undefeated.
Ryan Feltner gets the ball for Colorado. The right-hander enters at 2-2 with a 4.42 ERA and 35 strikeouts through 11 starts. Feltner posted a 4.00 ERA across five June starts and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four outings, including his June 28 start against the Minnesota Twins, when he allowed two runs over six innings with no walks.
His six-pitch arsenal has been anchored by his slider, changeup, and sweeper, all of which have produced positive run value this season. His four-seam fastball and curveball have been more hittable, which puts more weight on how he gets through the lineup. Feltner is not overpowering hitters right now, so sequencing and execution will matter.
Ace right-hander Logan Webb will start for San Francisco and enters on a roll. Across five June starts, Webb went 3-1 with a 0.71 ERA, allowing just three earned runs over 38 innings while striking out 29 and walking four — leading to National League Pitcher of the Month honors. On the year, Webb is 5-5 with a 3.09 ERA through 14 starts, and he has already faced Colorado once this season, allowing one run over 4 ⅓ innings on May 29 in a game the Rockies eventually won 8-6.
Webb is not built around premium velocity — his four-seam fastball sits around 92.5 mph — but he controls contact with a sinker-heavy mix. He throws his sinker 32.2% of the time, and it has produced +11 run value this season. The changeup sits next at 24.5%, followed by the sweeper at 19.7%. He also enters with a 53.1% ground-ball rate.
San Francisco’s bullpen gives Colorado its best opening, entering with a 4.36 ERA, 4.45 FIP, 4.76 xFIP and negative collective WAR.
First-year Giant Luis Arraez remains a tough out, entering with a 126 wRC+ and a 3.6% strikeout rate. Casey Schmitt has supplied some power with 16 home runs and a .489 slugging percentage, while Jung Hoo Lee has been one of San Francisco’s steadier bats with a 124 wRC+ and a 9.2% strikeout rate.
T.J. Rumfield has been productive all year and now has back-to-back National League Rookie of the Month honors to show for it. Rumfield enters the series with a .293/.373/.487 line, 12 home runs, 46 RBI, and a 125 wRC+. Mickey Moniak has also been hot over his past three games, going 7-for-13 with three home runs and eight RBI, while Hunter Goodman continues to chase the MLB home run lead with 27 home runs, second only to Kyle Schwarber.
If the Rockies can stay close against Webb and force the game into San Francisco’s bullpen, Coors Field might leave room for a little LoDo Magic.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 06: Leo Carlsson #91 of the Anaheim Ducks skates during the third period against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 06, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The figure for Carlsson eclipses that of Kirill Kaprizov, who the Minnesota Wild signed to a $17M AAV contract last year, which was the previous highest mark. Swelling NHL contracts are a sign of the times, with the sport’s popularity meaning increasing TV deals, growth in the salary cap, and whispers of expansion on the wind.
Carlsson is one of the brightest young stars in the NHL. The 21-year-old just completed his third season in league since being drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in 2023, and has shown exponential growth. In 2025-26 he finished with 67 points in 70 games, and the record-breaking money being offered by Philadelphia proves that they believe he can quickly become an elite, 100-point player.
Two questions now remain:
Firstly, will the Ducks match the offer sheet? The team has seven days to decide if they want to match the Flyers’ offer and retain their RFA. The Ducks have more than enough cap space to make it work, currently sitting $35M under the salary cap for the 2026-27 season.
Secondly, is Carlsson worth it? While there are so many reasons to be hopeful about the 21-year-old’s future, this offer doesn’t come without mammoth risk for whichever side ends up with him. An $18M AAV deal means he absolutely needs to become a Top 10 player in the NHL within the next season or two, or this would be a colossal bust. The tea leaves are certainly there to say Carlsson can become that guy, but ultimately you’re still projecting how a very young player will grow moving forward.
If the Ducks chose not to match the offer sheet and relinquish Carlsson to the Flyers, they will get colossal draft compensation. Draft picks are based off the money being spent on the player, and the $18M AAV deal means that Philadelphia will give up their first-round pick for the next four years if they are able to land the star.
Now begins the gamesmanship. Do the Ducks believe that Carlsson can make Philadelphia so much better than those four draft picks will be largely meaningless? Can they envision a future without their young star? Are they prepared to sink that much money of their cap into him moving forward? Those questions will be answered in the next week.
Either way, Leo Carlsson is now the highest-paid player in NHL history.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 02: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket while guarded by Royce O'Neale #00 of the Phoenix Suns in the first half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 02, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we sat here a little more than a year ago, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were still on the roster, but the Suns had just finished 11th in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs entirely. We all knew something had to change. The philosophy needed to change. The culture needed to change. The direction of the franchise needed to change.
Mat Ishbia gave us exactly that.
He moved on from James Jones and Mike Budenholzer, replacing them with Brian Gregory and Jordan Ott. What followed was an offseason filled with corporate buzzwords we could only hope would eventually turn into action. Thankfully, they did.
The 2025-26 Phoenix Suns will be remembered as one of the most enjoyable teams this fan base has watched in years. It wasn’t because they won a championship or dominated the league. It was the style in which they played, the tenacity with which they executed the game plan, and their ability to exceed expectations.
Yes, they stumbled at the finish line. But they also gave us confidence in the direction the franchise was headed. After all, Suns owner Mat Ishbia told us he wanted this organization to resemble the Pittsburgh Steelers, a franchise built around players who compete a certain way and make you proud to watch them wear the uniform.
“You can talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Ishbia said last summer. “You kind of know what they mean when you talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Or even my old team, Michigan State basketball. You kind of know what you’re going to get when you talk about Michigan State basketball. What is Phoenix Suns basketball? That’s on me. That’s a change that’s coming, and it will be undeniable.”
For the first time in a long time, it felt like the Suns were beginning to look the part.
The acquisition of Miles Bridges, only a year later, runs counter to much of that philosophy, at least from a reputational standpoint. Bridges carries the baggage of his domestic violence case, and when we talk about the culture we want the Phoenix Suns to build, and the reasons we want to feel proud of this team, bringing in a player with that kind of history naturally conflicts with the message the organization spent the previous year promoting.
Recent polling reflects that tension. 62% percent of Suns fans approved of the Miles Bridges acquisition. That’s a solid number. But it also means 38% disapproved for one reason or another, and it’s fair to assume the primary reason is the player’s character concerns.
If we’re talking strictly about basketball, Bridges aligns with what the Suns are trying to become. Arizona Sports Suns insider John Gambadoro recently shared an observation from one of his coaching sources:
“One of my favorite players. Loves to play, works hard, epitome of a Four. Can throw a lob to him. He can hit a three, can guard. Plays bigger than he is. Has a love for the game that not all have – if the season was ever cancelled he would be the first one at the Y looking for a pickup game. He was a great teammate and was very coachable. He needed to get out of Charlotte so Phoenix will be great for him. He may explode in Phoenix so don’t be surprised to see the best version of him”
That sounds like a player who, on the court, aligns with what the Suns established over the past season. Is it enough to move the FanDuel odds? Time will tell. But it’s enough to give you hope that he’ll fit within the ecosystem Phoenix has spent the past year creating.
The Suns needed a starting-caliber power forward, and they went out and acquired one. For many fans, the issue isn’t the position. It’s the person playing it. And that’s completely understandable. It’s something many people will wrestle with throughout this season and, if an extension is signed as expected, potentially for years to come. I can’t tell you how to feel about that. I can only tell you how I view the basketball side of it.
From a basketball standpoint, I think Miles Bridges is an ideal fit given the market and what Phoenix was trying to accomplish. Is he a great defender? No. But neither was Royce O’Neale, who started 67 games for the Suns last season. Is he a great three-point shooter? No. But he’s capable enough. He shot 33.3% from deep with Charlotte last season, and what he brings in other areas helps offset that. But there is no doubt that he is an upgrade to what Royce O’Neale gave us.
He puts pressure on the rim. He can average close to 20 points per game. He can absorb many of the offensive possessions Dillon Brooks was forced into last season, doing so with more confidence while still providing enough spacing to allow Brooks to settle into a more natural offensive role. Hopefully, that means fewer of those Kobe Bryant turnaround fadeaways that made everyone hold their breath.
There will be plenty of analysis this summer as we try to understand what this team can become. We’ll continue to discuss the basketball fit. We’ll continue to acknowledge the moral dilemma. I suppose this is what they call the Miles Bridges experience.
Anthony Kay will look to build on his past success against the Guardians.
Although the Chicago White Sox went 6-3 over nine games heading into their series with the Cleveland Guardians, a Chicago loss in the opening game draws the two teams even atop the AL Central. With three games left to go, someone will be leaving this series with a lead in the divisional race.
Last night, the White Sox held a lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but a Grant Taylor slip-up now makes the next three games crucial for Chicago. With plenty of resentment over how the game ended, the White Sox will look to get the bats rolling early.
They face an uphill battle to do so, with Gavin Williams taking the bump for the Guardians. While he did post a 6.04 ERA in the month of June, Williams still comes into the game with a 9-4 record and a 3.81 ERA. He faced off against the White Sox on June 22 and went five innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits.
That game ended up being a back-and-forth contest, much like last night, and was closer than it should have been due to a faulty White Sox bullpen. Unlike last night, on June 22 the White Sox came up with magic late, thanks to a Sam Antonacci single in the bottom of the ninth to steal a win from the jaws of defeat.
On the bump for the White Sox is Anthony Kay, the same pitcher who matched up against Williams in that game. While he was not rewarded with the win Kay pitched a gem, going six innings and allowing just three hits and no runs.
Unfortunately, it’s been a turbulent campaign for Kay, who posted a 6.35 ERA in the month of June after going 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA in the May. With that in mind, three of his starts came against the high-powered offenses of the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees.
Both starters are more than capable of shutting the other team down, and it would seem unlikely that one outshines the other. Whether White Sox fans like it or not, this game will probably come down to who has the better bullpen tonight. With no margin for error for either side and the White Sox looking to avoid a three-game losing streak as well, this July game will certainly have more of a playoff atmosphere than normal.
Here is the starting lineup for the Chicago White Sox:
Here is the starting lineup for the Cleveland Guardians:
First pitch is 6:10 p.m. CST. You can watch on CHSN or listen on ESPN Chicago 1000. Let us know your thoughts and predictions below!
Jul 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves designated hitter Dominic Smith (8) celebrates after scoring a run with shortstop Jim Jarvis (74) against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
It’s time the Atlanta Braves turn things around to work in their favor before the All-Star break hits…what better way to do it than against their division rivals that are ranked last in the Division?
Don’t count the New York Mets out…they took the first series win and are scheduled to face this team a few more times this season.
This four-game series will be a perfect way to kick off the week before break, but do the Braves’ bats know that?
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