Over the weekend, there was a bunch of news dropping at once as the NHL Draft approached. One piece of news that many have slipped under the radar for many, was former San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns signing a new one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche.
Burns, 41, was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but he was able to reach an agreement with Joe Sakic, the Avalanche's president of hockey operations and general manager.
Much like his previous deal with Colorado, Burns' new contract has a low salary but carries a multitude of performance bonuses which are based on his ice time.
According to PuckPedia, Burns' new deal comes with a base salary of $850,000. If he plays 10 games, he receives a $1.15 million bonus and an additional $250,000 for 55, 60, 65, and 70 games played if he's averaged 23 or more minutes per night.
Burns hopes that the 2026-27 season will be the campaign that finally allows him to lift the Stanley Cup, an honor that has eluded him to this point in his career, and there aren't many destinations that would've given him a better chance to do so than Colorado.
TORONTO, CANADA - JUNE 28: Ezequiel Duran #20 and Jake Burger #21 of the Texas Rangers celebrate at the end of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 28, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Rangers 3, Blue Jays 2
Herbie brought his passport.
And I will remind you that every time the Texas Rangers have won the World Series, they have swept a four game series in Toronto that season.
In what has been a recurring theme in this series, Texas took an early lead, had to deal with some bullpen shenanigans late, but still managed to pull it out.
Fun fact…by my count, there were exactly 15 plate appearances in this series where the game was tied. In every other plate appearance in this series, the Blue Jays were trailing.
With one out in the eighth inning of this game, Vlad Guerrero, Jr. lined out, and then Kazuma Okamoto grounded out. Those were the only two plate appearances Jays hitters had in the series when Toronto wasn’t losing.
Kumar Rocker started the game by allowing a pair of singles, and the cries of dismay over Skip Schumaker not going with an opener, as he has in what have been arguably Rocker’s two best outings of the season, could be heard all around.
The Jays only recorded two more hits off of Rocker after that, though, with Rocker ultimately going six shutout innings.
After Rocker got out of the first, the only difficulty he really faced came in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Andres Gimenez fisted a single into left, then Corey Seager made a bad throw to first on what should have been an easy 6-3 grounder by George Springer to end the inning. Exacerbating things, Elias Diaz followed that up by throwing behind Gimenez at second during Nathan Lukes’ ensuing plate appearance, but hit him on the helmet with the throw, resulting in the runners being allowed to advance.
Rocker got Lukes swinging to end the inning, however, and had a nice 1-2-3 sixth to end his day.
16 swings and misses for Rocker, including 8 out of 16 swings on his slider. Rocker also got 5 whiffs on 9 swings on his fastball, which normally isn’t a big swing-and-miss pitch for him.
The Rangers needed length from Rocker, since Jakob Junis and Jacob Latz were unavailable after pitching two straight days on Thursday and Friday, Robby Ahlstrom was unavailable after pitching two straight days on Friday and Saturday, and Joe Ross and Peyton Gray were unavailable after throwing 29 and 39 pitches, respectively, on Saturday.
That left Cole Winn, Tyler Alexander (who threw 15 pitches on Saturday), and Winston Santos, who has never pitched in a major league game, available from the pen.
Winn handled the seventh, struck out Gimenez looking, allowed a single to Springer, then gave up a bomb on a hanging slider to Lukes.
At that point, I thought we were facing defeat. And what a vexing defeat it would have been.
Joc Pederson homered to lead off the game, leading to hopes that the Rangers would do damage off of Shane “Big Brown” Bieber, who was making just his second start of the year and who wasn’t effective in his first outing.
Texas loaded the bases with one out against Bieber in the first, but a bad swing decision by Ezequiel Duran on a 2-0 pitch he shouldn’t have swung at led to a 5-2 fielder’s choice for the second out, and Evan Carter struck out swinging to end the inning.
Again, something that has seemed to happen a fair amount in this series.
The Rangers had the bases loaded with one out again in the sixth, and actually got a run home on a Elias Diaz single, but Alejandro Osuna followed it up with a hard hit ball to first that turned into a 3-2-3 GIDP.
The Rangers had some bad luck on balls in play in this game — especially Osuna. Osuna had three balls in play in the game, with xBAs of .470, .470 and .530. They resulted in a pair of double plays and a line out.
The luck dragons owe Osuna one here.
The home plate umpire also seemed to have a particularly bad strike zone, as well, with the Jays successfully challenging four pitches. The Rangers had several pitches that looked challengeable, but after Diaz unsuccessfully challenged a ball call in the bottom of the first, Texas didn’t challenge the rest of the way, no doubt in part wanting to save their lone remaining challenge for a key late game situation.
It had all the hallmarks of a gut punch lost, a game slipping away due to circumstances and misfortune.
And if the Rangers were going to win, they were going to need Winn to get out of the eighth, and then likely have someone throw a scoreless ninth, because the Rangers were unlikely to score off of Jays reliever Louis Varland.
Varland has been the second best reliever in baseball this year (no one is touching Mason Miller, who has an insane 0.37 FIP to go with his 0.79 ERA and 1.21 xERA). Varland took over the closer role in late-April. Coming into the game, he had allowed 4 earned runs on the season, and was sporting an 0.82 ERA, 1.94 xERA and 1.54 FIP.
Varland struck out Alejandro Osuna and Joc Pederson to start the ninth, and with Winston Santos and Tyler Alexander warming, I assumed that Santos was coming into the game unless the Rangers took the lead. Such thought was not encouraging.
But Josh Jung laced a slider down — but not down enough — into the opposite field gap for a double. Jarred Kelenic, the only non-catcher left on the bench after Justin Foscue hit for Evan Carter in the top of the sixth (awfully early, though with one out and two on in a one run game, it was a big spot, but still…) and then Lopez replaced Foscue, pinch ran for Jung.
Sometimes fortune smiles upon you at the most unexpected time.
Such it was here when the first pitch from Varland to Corey Seager went about 55 feet, bounced up and off of Alejandro Kirk, and caromed all the way back to the netting on the base side of home plate. Kelenic, running all the way, made it home easily from second, and the Rangers, unexpectedly, miraculously, had the lead:
Tyler Alexander, summoned to handle a save situation for the second day in a row, had an uneventful ninth.
And just like that, the Texas Rangers swept the series, had a four game winning streak, and guaranteed themselves no worse than a .500 road trip.
When the road trip started, I felt that .500, on three city trip with ten games in ten days, would be a successful road trip. After that, the Rangers would have just 31 road games remaining, compared to 44 home games. Split the road trip, play well on the nine game home stand leading into the All Star Break, and let’s go from there.
With three games in Cleveland coming up now, a .500 road trip would feel like a letdown.
The Rangers are also in sole possession of first place as result of the Mariners losing. This is the first time the Rangers have been in first place since April 25, and the first time they’ve been in sole possession of first place since April 17.
Kumar Rocker touched 96.8 mph with his sinker, averaging 94.5 mph. Cole Winn maxed out at 95.9 mph with his fastball. Tyler Alexander’s fastball topped out at 92.6 mph.
Joc Pederson’s home run was 108.9 mph. Ezequiel Duran had a 106.7 mph single. Jake Burger had a 105.1 mph groundout. Josh Jung had a 104.4 mph single, a 102.0 mph double and a 100.5 mph fly out. Elias Diaz had a 102.2 mph single. Alejandro Osuna hit into a double play on a ball with a 100.8 mph exit velocity.
One of the biggest trades that never happened nearly reshaped the landscape of the 2026 NHL Draft before a single pick was made. According to multiple reports, the Buffalo Sabres presented the Winnipeg Jets with a significant offer for superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck heading into Friday night's first round, and the Jets ultimately walked away from the table.
The reported package coming back to Winnipeg was substantial. According to The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta, the offer included the fourth overall pick, starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a player believed to be Jack Quinn and at least one additional asset.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman added significant weight to the report, noting that the deal had gotten close and that Hellebuyck himself had approved a move to Buffalo. Despite that, Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was not comfortable pulling the trigger.
David Pagnotta: Re Connor Hellebuyck: The pricetag, just a little bit too high...for Buffalo; it sounded like...the 4th overall pick, UPL, a player who I believe might be Jack Quinn and perhaps another ask - NHL Tonight (6/26)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 28, 2026
The fourth overall pick would have given the Jets a marquee prospect at the top of a talented draft class. Luukkonen has shown flashes of the talent needed to be an NHL starter. Quinn, if he was indeed the NHL-ready player referenced in the reports, would have been a meaningful addition to the top of Winnipeg's lineup.
Digging a little deeper and Cheveldayoff's hesitation becomes easier to understand. Hellebuyck has been the backbone of everything Winnipeg has built in recent years. The 33-year-old Michigan native is the kind of elite netminder that can single-handedly keep a team in games and has been one of the best in the world at his position for several seasons running.
Replacing him with Luukkonen, a goaltender who has shown volatility and was not even receiving every start for Buffalo during this past postseason, would have been a significant gamble.
The additional pieces, while attractive, also raise questions. Draft picks carry no guarantees, and trading a proven Vezina-caliber goaltender for a collection of assets and a replacement netminder with question marks attached is the kind of move that can look very different depending on how each piece develops.
Cheveldayoff appears to have looked at the full picture and decided that dismantling the most reliable part of his team for a package that carried real risk was not a trade he was willing to make. Whether that decision ages well will depend largely on what the Jets do with Hellebuyck from here and whether he remains committed to the organization long term.
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Warriors' news from @TheSteinLine – Porzingis expected to be back on a new deal before free agency period starts – still interested in LeBron James – expected to pursue names like Jock Landale, Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton – had interest in Kevin Porter Jr. before he picked up…
LeBron James still is contemplating his future a few days ahead of free agency starting. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
The Warriors’ reported offer would be the lowest offer James has received in free agency and would be the lowest annual salary he’s had since he signed a four-year, $60 million extension with the Cavaliers in 2007.
James is set to enter his 24th NBA season and will turn 42 in late December. Last season, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists for the Lakers, who reportedly have not made an offer to the unrestricted free agent.
The Warriors and James have a long history. He played Golden State in four consecutive NBA Finals with the Cavaliers beginning in 2015. The Warriors got the better of James by winning those matchups in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
The Warriors might pursue Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons (22) in free agency. NBAE via Getty Images
If the Warriors don’t end up landing James and decide to go after Simons or Sexton, it would likely be a battle between the two guards, who became teammates in the middle of last season.
Last season, Simons started with the Celtics but was traded at the NBA deadline to the Bulls. He played a pivotal part in the Celtics’ offense while Boston was without Jayson Tatum for most of the season.
Simons averaged 14.2 points and 2.4 assists per game last season.
Sexton started the season with the Hornets after he was traded by the Jazz.
Sexton saw increased minutes when he landed in Chicago and started averaging more points per game (17.5) and rebounds (2.9).
Coach Billy Slater brings back North Queensland’s Nanai for Game 3
To’o and Kotoni Staggs among four NSW players dropped
North Queensland second-rower Jeremiah Nanai has been recalled to the Maroons side while star winger Brian To’o and second-rower Dylan Lucas are among four players dropped by NSW for the State of Origin decider.
Aerial specialist Nanai has been superb in 11 Origin games for the Maroons and is fresh from a stunning two-try man of the match display for the Cowboys in the 26-12 win over Penrith on Saturday.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Josh Lowe’s first career grand slam was all the offense the Los Angeles Angels needed Sunday in a 4-1 victory over the Athletics.
Lowe was 10 for 33 with 27 RBIs with the bases loaded during his six-year career, but had only managed two extra-base hits in those situations prior to going deep off starter Aaron Civale in the second inning.
The center fielder fouled off a pair of 1-2 pitches before sending a high cutter 403 feet to the right-field corner for his first homer since May 20.
Angels starter Sam Aldegheri (3-3) allowed one run and five hits in five innings, striking out four. José Fermin threw two scoreless innings and Samy Natera Jr. got four outs for his first major league save.
Joey Meneses drove in Jeff McNeil with a sacrifice fly in the fifth for the A’s, who finished with six hits. They went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base overall.
The A’s threatened to cut into the lead after two straight walks to open the eighth, but Ryan Zeferjahn struck out the next two batters before giving way to Natera, who retired Nick Kurtz on a flyball.
Civale (5-5) permitted seven hits in five innings, striking out two. José Suarez tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
Up next
The A’s host the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series beginning Monday night. LHP Gage Jump (3-1, 2.04 ERA) faces LHP Eric Lauer (3-5, 4.87) in the opener.
Angels RHP Ryan Johnson (1-2, 8.84 ERA) starts Monday night in Seattle against RHP George Kirby (6-7, 3.94) to begin a three-game set.
Mookie Betts watches his two-run single in the fifth inning Sunday, the big blow in the Dodgers' three-run rally. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press)
The Dodgers claimed a series win against the San Diego Padres with a 4-2 victory Sunday, widening the gap between division rivals to 10 games.
The Dodgers (54-30), who have the best record in the majors, have won five of the first six games of a three-city trip that ends in Sacramento.
A bounce-back start from right-hander Emmet Sheehan made the Dodgers’ win Sunday possible. He held the Padres to one run, on Manny Machado’s fourth-inning homer, through five innings.
“Maybe being a little more comfortable in my mechanics,” Sheehan said after limiting the Padres to two hits. “But also just the focus in between starts of trying to get a little more execution instead of delivery thoughts. I had seven days, so I got to throw two bullpens this week, which is nice.”
It was the first time Sheehan held an opponent to a single run since May 8, when he threw 4⅔ innings against the Atlanta Braves.
“He just beared down and made pitches when he needed to,” manager Dave Roberts said, “versus feeling it with the mechanics or being uncertain.”
Mookie Betts stayed hot with his bases-loaded, two-run single off Padres starter Michael King to spearhead a three-run rally in the fifth. Betts also singled in the seventh.
Freddie Freeman had an RBI on a nine-pitch walk in the fifth, and Shohei Ohtani drove in the Dodgers’ first run with a single in the third.
“The last six weeks, Shohei’s been out of this world,” Roberts said. “Freddie’s been very consistent all year, and then now we got Mookie this last week on track. So it has been the better part of the season that we haven’t had all three of those guys. You can see it — when those three guys are threats, it just kind of takes a lot of pressure off everybody else.”
Over the three-game series, the Dodgers outscored the Padres 20-12. Here are offensive takeaways from the series:
Tucker ‘grinding’ through
Kyle Tucker hits a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres on Saturday in the Dodgers' 15-3 win. (Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker never had been through a stretch like this. He entered Sunday with a .719 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, the lowest he’s had 77 games into a season in his career.
“I feel fine coming to the field and everything, it’s just not being as productive as I normally am, or as I want to be, kind of sucks,” Tucker said in a conversation with The Times a couple of weeks ago. “But I’ve just got to come back for the next at-bat, or the next day, and whatever, and just move on.”
Has battling this uncharacteristic slump taught him anything?
“I’d rather not suck,” he said. “But just try and grab through and just whenever anything works or clicks or whatever, just don’t let it go.”
Tucker has had moments this season when it looked like he was heading toward an offensive turnaround.
In mid-April, he homered twice in three games, including a three-hit performance. In early May, he went on a six-game hitting streak. He hit .303 over a nine-game stretch in mid-June. But none led to sustained success.
So, when Tucker logged three hits, including a home run, on Saturday as the Dodgers routed the Padres 15-3, he was cautious in his optimism. Tucker even nitpicked the nine-pitch at-bat that ended in the pull-side homer.
“There were some pitches I swung at earlier in the at-bat that I thought should’ve gotten the job done earlier, just didn’t put a great swing on it,” he said after the game.
Manager Dave Roberts was more enthusiastic about that at-bat.
“He’s handled it well,” Roberts said. “He’s frustrated, certainly. But he hasn’t run from the work. Even [Friday] night after the game, he was hitting in the cage. … You hear the word ‘grind’ a lot, but he’s grinding. It’s good to see him have some success. I just liked that one at-bat tonight where it was just compete. It wasn’t about mechanics. It was about competing and getting the job done.”
On Sunday, Tucker singled in four at-bats.
Edman’s consistency
Tommy Edman hits against the San Diego Padres on Friday. (Derrick Tuskan / Associated Press)
There were times last year when utility player Tommy Edman could look at video of his swing and think, “OK, that doesn’t look like how I want it to look.” But there was only so much he could do in the middle of the season, while playing through nagging ankle issues.
“Part of it is kind of just breaking habits that I built last year,” said Edman, who underwent surgery on his right ankle in the offseason. “Was just getting into some bad movements with the lower body, probably just compensating for the ankle, and hips get out of whack, and that kind of stuff. So I’m hopeful that I’ll just be able to keep this up the rest of the year and just be consistent with it.”
Since returning from the injured list on June 16 to make his season debut, Edman is hitting .333 (11 for 33) with a .405 .on-base percentage. He hit his first triple and second double of the season in the Dodgers’ blowout win Saturday.
“I feel like this is kind of one of the rare times where both swings feel good, both from the right and left,” switch-hitting Edman said after that game. “It’s really tough to maintain both swings over the course of the season, so just happy that I feel that way.”
Betts is back
When Betts went three for four, a triple short of the cycle, in the Dodgers’ series finale in Minnesota last week, he couldn’t put his finger on a cue that had snapped his swing into shape over the last couple of weeks.
“Today, I was able to just find something,” he said then. “I don’t even know really what I found. After the home run the first at bat, I wasn’t sure what I did, but I just kind of stayed there. And I think that was the beauty of it. And not really fully knowing and just kind of going to play kind of let me know my training is paying off.”
It continued playing off. That performance kicked off a three-game homer streak. And by the end of his two-week heater, Betts had raised his OPS from .591 to .737.
By Saturday night, Roberts was ready to declare that Betts was back.
“I say ‘back’ because I just think there’s more intent with him in the batter’s box and a lot less indecisiveness,” Roberts said. “So for me, if he can have that kind of proactive approach, aggressive approach, then everything else is going to take care of itself.”
Betts credited his resurgence to a shift in how he prepares for games. Instead of taking 100 swings in the cage with a specific cue, he’s building up from a blank slate every day.
“I used to have things I would think about that would produce a swing, and now I’m actually just training my body every day,” he said. “So kind of one in the same, but they’re just two completely different ways of going about it. And still trying to get fully used to it, but it’s working, so I’m not changing it.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JUNE 3: Devin Vassell #24, Julian Champagnie #30, Victor Wembanyama #1, and Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs huddle up during the game against the New York Knicks during Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 3, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs added four rookies during the draft. Who are you most excited about, and who, if anyone, did you wish they had drafted instead?
Marilyn Dubinski: As someone who is not a college basketball aficionado, it’s hard to get too high or low on anyone when you’re well outside the lottery for the first time and years and don’t know anything about anyone until they’re Spurs. That being said, I like the approach the Spurs took. They went directly at their most exposed weakness in the first round, which was a lack of size and physicality down low, and even doubled down by trading for a second pick. Jayden Quaintance is a long-term project with his knee but could have the Spurs once again owning the steal of the draft when/if he gets going again. And if not? Tarris Reed is about the best insurance policy they could have asked for. The second round was less exciting, but with the power forward market in both the draft and FA a bit dry, there’s a chance for at least Maliq Brown to show something (but I wouldn’t count on it).
Mark Barrington: I like taking a swing on Quaintance, although he’s not likely to help next season. Tarris Reed looks like he can help this upcoming regular season, although rookies are rarely playoff-ready in their first go (Dylan Harper excepted). As Marilyn mentioned, the Spurs drafted two guys at their biggest position of need. Their lack of an athletic big to take some of the pressure off Wembanyama and give him sufficient rest to be fresh at the end of games was exposed by the Knicks in the finals. These guys will be big helps in the future, but the future is now for the Spurs. I’m worried about JQ’s history of injuries, as the Spurs have had bad luck in the past with drafting injured players who haven’t panned out. A lot of people mention DeJuan Blair, but I can go back a long way and remember James Anderson (foot) and Livio Jean-Charles (knee). I trust that the Spurs have done their homework and they have a high degree of confidence that Jayden will be fully healthy, even if he has to take a redshirt year.
I’m not concerned about the second-round picks. Gillespie could slot in as a replacement for Jordan McLaughlin or Lindy Waters, and Maliq Brown as a development player who could make the rotation if he improves his offense. One or both of them will probably be on a 2-way contract next year, and both of them will play mostly in Austin if they make the team.
Jacob Douglas: Long-term, the idea of at least one of Victor Wembanyama and Quaintance protecting the rim is about as exciting as it gets. San Antonio has the depth to let Quaintance sit for the majority of the season if it needs to give him time to get healthy. Then, they could have one of the most dominant defensive front courts in the NBA.
In the meantime, Reed should be able to log some minutes at center. He gives San Antonio that bruising size they’ve needed alongside Wembanyama for a bit. However, unless they were worried about a team 21-25 selecting Quaintance, I would have liked to see them grab Cameron Carr from Baylor at 20, and then pick Quaintance at 26. Yes, the Spurs need size, but they also need shooting. Carr is a knockdown three-point shooter and a high flyer who could eventually fill out into a 3&D wing. Addressing that and grabbing a big man in the draft would have been a huge win.
Jeje Gomez: I was intrigued by Houston’s Chris Cenan Jr. because of his raw tools, but the Quaintance pick seems like the type of upside swing the team can afford to take. The consensus seems to be that he would have been a lottery talent if he had been healthy, and his Arizona State season backs that up. He could be a special defender who is a decent jumper away from being a two-way force, and the fact that he will be just 18 for a couple more weeks shows that he has plenty of room to grow. Reed is less exciting but seems NBA-ready physically and mentally, as he knows what he is and is happy to just do the non-glamorous jobs.
It was surprising to see the Spurs pick a small guard and a forward who can’t shoot in the second round, since the league is moving away from those archetypes, but maybe that’s why they were available and could prove to be valuable. Either way, it’s always better not to have high expectations for second-rounders, so if they ever contribute, it’d be a bonus.
Free agency is close, and after the draft, the Spurs still haven’t upgraded the power forward spot. Who would you like them to target, or do you think they are set at PF?
Dubinski: As previously mentioned, it’s a pretty dry market. I don’t see LeBron James wanting to leave the state of California (and don’t really desire him, plus likely the only thing that would have drawn him here would have been playing for Pop, and that’s not an option anymore). Beyond him and Draymond Green, whom I also have no interest in, the best options are John Collins and Tobias Harris. And you know what? We’ve been talking about Collins as a potential Spur for at least five years now. Why not just make it happen so we can finally see what we’ve been missing? If the Spurs don’t pursue a power forward, I’m going to assume that their eventual goal is for Wemby to move back to his preferred position of PF, and the stockpiling of centers is to actually see who can play alongside him.
Barrington: I think the Spurs still need help at power forward, but their history in free agency is that they don’t really go for it, as they tend to try to develop players internally. Tarris Reed is more of a center than a power forward, but he might end up doing some twin towers work with Wemby this season, as Victor slides to the forward position. John Collins is interesting, and he’d be a good addition, but it all depends on how much it costs to obtain him.
Douglas: San Antonio can offer roughly $15M and up to four years with the non-taxpayer MLE. They can also trade for a player into that slot. John Collins and Rui Hachimura are the names I’ve seen mentioned most frequently. Collins would provide some vertical spacing as a lob threat and has shot around 40% from three on about three attempts per game over the last two seasons. He’s probably the best fit, but still comes with questions. Can he hold down the paint and guard the perimeter while Wembanyama roams defensively? He isn’t the greatest rebounder either (11.4% rebound rate).
I’d stay away from Hachimura, who would be duplicative with Julian Champagnie. Yes, Hachimura hit 44.3% of his three-pointers, but those looks are typically stand-still catch-and-shoot jumpers, like the ones Champagnie gets. He’s a worse rebounder (only a 6.9% rebound rate) and a worse defender. San Antonio needs a four who can play inside and out, and can do some of the dirty work for Wembanyama inside. Hachimura is not a fit in that regard.
May I present a third door? Are we sure the Spurs want to commit 15M a year to a role player when they have looming contract extensions for Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper? What if they went have someone a little cheaper instead? San Antonio had reported interest in Guerschon Yabusele last offseason. He got back on track in a bigger role with the Chicago Bulls late last year. He’d provide the same level of rebounding as Collins while shooting 38% from three (with the Bulls). He’d be a cheaper option who could do a lot of the things San Antonio needs from a power forward.
Gomez: Rumors about Aaron Gordon being potentially available have me wanting the Spurs to take a big swing, but after getting to the Finals, it’s unlikely they will do anything drastic. I’d settle for them getting Hachimura, Tobias Harris, or Collins, and I’ll add Precious Achiuwa to the list of desirable targets. Achiuwa is not a shooter, but he’s a big forward who can also play as a small ball center in a pinch thanks to his rebounding, and he brought energy to a Kings team that severely lacked it last season. He could do the same for a Spurs team that might get complacent now that it knows it’s elite and will have a target on its back.
If they decide to go for cheaper targets, Kenrich Williams could be interesting. He has playoff experience, can shoot a little, and doesn’t shy away from physicality.
There have been a few high-profile players who seem to be available via trade. Do you think the Spurs should go hard after any of them?
Dubinski: I don’t think so. Jalen Brown is both too combustible and expensive (plus, it seems he wants to be first fiddle, and that’s even less likely here than Boston), and someone like Ja Morant is not a position of need and a hard pass for the Spurs’ system and culture. Plus, any trades for major players would likely require De’Aaron Fox for salary purposes; the Spurs have made it clear they have no intention of trading him, and as Jesus pointed out, it wouldn’t be a good look for them at this juncture. (And for the record, I’m not on the trade Fox bandwagon. I think the results would have been different if his ankle had been healthy. Blame Ayo Dosunmo.)
Barrington: I honestly can’t believe the deal that Minnesota gave up for Julius Randle. He is still a useful player, but they basically swapped the 28th pick for the 33rd to dump Randle’s salary, just so they could overpay Ayo Dosunmo. If the Spurs can find another team having a fire sale on good players because they’re churning the roster, maybe they can take advantage of another team’s cap problems, as they have a pretty decent situation for the next year or two before things start to explode with Wemby and Castle getting their second contracts and Fox’s max kicking in. I just don’t see it happening, but I expect that Brian Wright will be keeping an ear to the ground to listen for signs of other teams having salary cap-induced panic attacks.
Douglas: No, partly because I don’t think San Antonio has assets it should sacrifice to get one of them. Aaron Gordon or Leonard (gulp) would be the perfect fits with this team, but would likely require giving up De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and/or Keldon Johnson to get them. This offseason shouldn’t be about a major shakeup. It should be about adding pieces around the edges that can maximize a core that made it all the way to the NBA Finals in their first full season playing together. A trade for a star that requires a major sacrifice could either boost them into the stratosphere or kill all of the momentum from last season.
Gomez: The way the Spurs acted at the deadline last season, when they stood pat despite having big expiring contracts, suggests they are happy with their core, so I doubt they are seriously considering making a big move. It’s always good to do the due diligence and check what it would take to land an established star, and there are some exciting names that could make San Antonio better, but I just don’t see a big trade coming, for better or for worse.
SAN DIEGO — One big hit and a bunch of great at-bats.
That’s all the Dodgers needed to take control of a rubber-match 4-2 win over the Padres on Sunday afternoon at Petco Park.
With the score tied entering the top of the fifth inning, and a pivotal midseason series hanging in the balance between National League West rivals, the Dodgers built the kind of big inning they’ve long felt defines their offense.
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the 4-2 road victory Sunday against the Padres. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
They stressed Padres ace Michael King with supreme plate discipline. Then they made him pay for the one mistake he left in the zone.
The inning began with three free bases: walks from Alex Freeland and Shohei Ohtani (who had opened the scoring in the third with an RBI single), then a hit-by-pitch of Andy Pages.
After that, former MVPs Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts came up and exemplified a pair of professional at-bats.
Freeman stayed alive in a nine-pitch battle against King, fouling off one two-strike offering after the next —including one that nearly drilled Betts in the on-deck circle — before finally walking on a changeup that appeared to catch the corner of the zone but wasn’t challenged by either of San Diego’s batterymates.
Betts then stepped in and waited King out for something over the plate. He laid off the first three pitches he saw. He then laced a two-run single to center on a sinker down the middle.
The Dodgers would cling to the lead the rest of the way, getting a five-inning, one-run start out of Emmet Sheehan, then four stressful innings of one-run ball from the bullpen.
There were plenty of chances for the Padres to rally along the way, as they put the tying runners on base in the sixth and eighth and had Fernando Tatis Jr. up as the tying run with one out in the ninth. But they couldn’t replicate what the Dodgers did in the fifth. It underscored the difference in the game, the series and the NL West standings.
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani went 1-for-4 with an RBI in the series-clinching victory Sunday in San Diego. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
What it means
The Dodgers’ division lead was in no sort of danger entering this week’s series, even after the Padres trimmed it to eight games with a win in Friday night’s opener.
Granted, there is still half a season to play. And the Padres come to Dodger Stadium next week for a four-game series. But the way the Dodgers are playing — especially against the Padres so far this year –– it’s hard to imagine the division race getting close again.
The Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. (left) and Manny Machado celebrate after Machado homered Sunday. AP Photo/Denis Poroy
Who’s hot
California Post baseball columnist Dylan Hernandez covered Betts’ recent hot streak, which included another single Sunday in addition to his two-run knock in the fifth.
So we’ll use this space to focus on Freeland — who has not been swinging the bat well lately (.182 average with only two extra-base hits his last 21 games) but helped get both of the Dodgers’ scoring rallies started Sunday.
In the third, Freeland lined a leadoff single to left field, took second on a Chuckie Robinson sacrifice bunt, then scored on Ohtani’s RBI base hit. In the fifth, he reached again as the leadoff man by drawing a full-count walk off King, marking only the sixth time this month he’d reached safely twice in a game.
The performance came at a good time for the second-year utility man, who could be on the roster bubble with Teoscar Hernández expected back Monday.
It’s more likely that outfielder Ryan Ward gets optioned to make space for Hernández. Still, Freeland offering a reminder of his value should only help his case in this latest roster crunch.
Machado gets checked out after getting hit by a pitch in the fifth inning Sunday against the Dodgers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Who’s not
Pages is becoming the latest victim of the Dodgers’ two-hole curse. After going hitless in three at-bats on Sunday (he was hit by a pitch in his two other trips to the plate), Pages is now batting just .208 this month, which he has spent entirely in the No. 2 spot of the batting order.
No one who has slotted into the place has seemed to do well this year, with the Dodgers having already bumped Kyle Tucker and Betts down the order.
Up next
The Dodgers will make their first road trip to Sacramento this week, opening a three-game series against the Athletics — who continue to play in the Giants’ Triple-A park — on Monday. Eric Lauer (3-5, 4.87 ERA) will start and not follow an opener, manager Dave Roberts said pregame. Left-handed rookie Gage Jump (3-1, 2.04 ERA) will square off against him.
Jun 28, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) hits a two-run single during the fifth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images | David Frerker-Imagn Images
The Dodgers reinforced their dominance over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, taking the weekend finale by a final score of 4-2.
The Dodgers were left hitless over their first two innings against Michael King, but Alex Freeland tallied their first hit with an opposite field single to lead off the top of the third. Chuckie Robinson put Freeland into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, and Shohei Ohtani brought in the game’s first run with an RBI single.
Emmet Sheehan mowed down San Diego’s offense over his first three innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out three. His one-run cushion was short-lived as Manny Machado connected for his second home run against him this season in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Freeland reached base for the second time against King with a leadoff walk to begin the top of the fifth inning, but Robinson failed to move him over as the bunt attempt found King’s glove. Ohtani worked the second walk of the inning to give the Dodgers multiple baserunners for the first time, and King subsequently plunked Pages for the second time to load the bases with one out. Freddie Freeman gave the Dodgers the lead back with a walk, and Mookie Betts broke it open with a two-run single, knocking King out of the game after just 4 1/3 innings. Betts added another hit in the seventh inning, finishing the weekend with an average of .333 (4-12), two home runs and six RBI.
Sheehan walked Song for the second time before plunking Fernando Tatis Jr. with two strikes on him and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. With Samad Taylor representing the potential tying run, Sheehan struck him out for the third time to get out of the jam.
Sheehan’s day was done after 84 pitches, but he put up his best performance in two months. It was the first time that Sheehan allowed just one run since May 8 against the Atlanta Braves, and it was the first time he allowed just one run over at least five innings since April 24 against the Chicago Cubs. His two hits allowed on Sunday are tied for the least amount all season.
Alex Vesia came in relief in the bottom of the sixth inning, but a late reaction to a ground ball from Jackson Merrill allowed the center fielder to reach on an infield single. Merrill got into scoring position on a lazy pickoff attempt from Vesia, and the left-hander couldn’t complete the inning after getting two outs.
Will Klein came in to face Xander Bogaerts, but an RBI single cut the Dodger lead in half. For the second straight inning, the Padres got a baserunner on a hit by pitch with two outs and two strikes as Andujar was drilled to put the tying run on base. Sung-Mun Song represented the potential go-ahead run, but Klein struck him out swinging to get out of the jam.
San Diego threatened Klein again in the bottom of the seventh as Tatis lined a single to right to once again bring the tying run to the plate. Klein got Taylor to strike out for the fourth time, but Tanner Scott came in to face the left-handed hitting Merrill. Scott got him swinging on three pitches to end the threat.
Scott stayed in to face the middle of the order in the bottom of the eighth, but a double from Machado and a hit by pitch to Ty France put the tying run on base with nobody out. Scott managed to strike out Bogaerts for the first out, and the southpaw needed just one pitch to get Andujar to ground into a 5-4-3, inning ending double play.
Edgardo Henriquez notched his first save of the season and just the third of his career, as the Dodgers now lead the season series over San Diego 4-2. The two teams are set to meet at Dodger Stadium for a four-game set beginning Thursday.
Before these two teams square off again, the Dodgers head up to Sacramento to begin a three-game set against the Athletics beginning Monday (6:40 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Eric Lauer faces left-hander Gage Jump.
Sep 26, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Romy Gonzalez (23) gets a base hit in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Romy Gonzalez is a good baseball player. He was one of the best hitters in baseball against left-handed pitchers last season. His 162 wRC+ against southpaws last season was ninth-best among qualifiers. Tonight, he makes his return for the Red Sox against Carlos Rodon on the Yankees. While he’s not the flashiest name, it should be a legitimate spark for a struggling offense. Sonny Gray goes for the Red Sox, coming off an 11-strikeout performance against the Rockies. Is a four-game sweep of the Yankees what this team needs to turn things around? Probably not, but it’s a start.
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 17: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic during the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
You never know when or where an NBA transaction is going to strike, especially this time of year. I took the gamble. I loaded my family and the dogs into the truck and headed for the coast this weekend. The destination was Huntington Beach, California. Surf City, USA. I figured nothing major would happen as I felt the team was a good place.
Sure, running it back wasn’t sexy. But it was responsible, especially considering the transgressions of the past and where the franchise currently stood. Knowing that both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale would be on expiring contracts next offseason, along with Jalen Green, meant the organization had an entire season to evaluate whether its culture had truly taken hold, how the pieces fit together, and whether its path of alignment and development would ultimately lead to success.
Then, as I was getting ready to head down to the beach, my phone buzzed. The Suns had traded both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale for Miles Bridges.
BREAKING: The Charlotte Hornets are trading Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and a 2033 first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/vjcR7AdwSD
What are my initial thoughts on the acquisition of Miles Bridges, along with a 2029 first-round pick swap and a 2027 second-round pick swap, in exchange for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick? Let’s grade the trade.
Draft Capital Exchange Grade: D+
I’ll start here: why include a 2033 first-round pick? This is an organization allergic to retaining unprotected futures, aren’t they? Bridges is an expiring deal. You are giving them two players for that expiring. You are getting back the 2029 first-round pick you sent out for Mark Williams, which is a heavily swapped “worst-of-the-worst” draft pick. You’re getting a swapped second-round pick in 2027. Are those worth an unprotected 2033? I simply don’t get it.
I can understand the “well, the kid is currently in sixth grade, so who cares?” point of view. But I don’t agree with it. Every kid was a sixth grader once. Devin Booker was. Imagine if the Suns traded his draft rights in 2008 for an expiring power forward. I understand the philosophy, but at some point, you are going to have to lean into lottery youth to restart your program. 2033 could be that year, but it no longer has the chance to be.
Sooner or later, especially with the new draft rules, a Suns pick that they no longer own will end up high in the lottery, and we’ll be kicking ourselves down Jefferson Street because of it.
The one plus is that, by making this deal, they have opened up accessibility to all of their first-round draft capital between now and 2029. So if they like what they have as an organization, that can improve by attaching those picks. Jalen Green, anyone…
After this Miles Bridges trade and opening up access to their draft picks for the next four years in other trades, I’m starting to believe Jalen Green’s long-term future isn’t in Phoenix.
This is a team that is positioning itself for a big move, whether it’s now or in months.
I know Miles Bridges is a player this organization has targeted for quite some time. I’ve been writing about him for the past few seasons, and I understand the eventual need to move on from both Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. My question is whether this truly maximizes their outgoing value.
The Suns acquire Bridges and his $22.8 million expiring contract. Make no mistake about it, the fact that it’s an expiring deal doesn’t mean an extension isn’t already part of the plan. I fully expect the Suns to bring him back.
This Suns trade for Miles Bridges came about late last night. The plan is that Bridges will not just be here for one year – at some point not sure when they would like to extend him. To replace Grayson Allen the Suns are looking at 7 to 8 free agent shooting guards. So, another…
The financial side of this deal is significant as well. Before the trade, Phoenix sat $5.4 million below the second apron and $7.6 million above the first apron. By moving the combined $29 million owed to Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen and taking back Bridges at $22.8 million, the Suns save more than $20 million in luxury tax payments while reducing their payroll by roughly $6.2 million. They now sit only $1.7 million above the first apron.
They also opened a roster spot. From a financial standpoint, that’s meaningful flexibility. The question is whether that flexibility, combined with Miles Bridges, was worth the price they paid.
What does this mean? It means the Suns can now use a portion of their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to add another player when free agency opens on June 30. Perhaps Luke Kennard becomes a target. Whoever it is, it needs to be someone who can shoot the three-ball because the Suns just traded away two of the better three-point shooters in the league for a player who is a career 33.8% shooter from beyond the arc.
And that’s the challenge with all of this for Phoenix. Throughout the offseason, many people pounded the table for the Suns to acquire a power forward. Well, they did. But no matter what move they made, they were always going to be shifting their problems rather than eliminating them. There is no catch-all solution. There is no magic move that fixes every hole on the roster. There are only tradeoffs.
Yes, the Suns brought in a power forward. But he’s an undersized power forward who doesn’t stretch the floor, so now you’ve addressed one need while creating another. You sent out shooting, and now you have to find shooting. That’s the reality of roster construction when you’re chasing your tail. It becomes even more difficult when you’re carrying $23.2 million in dead cap.
We’ll have much more clarity on the full scope of this transaction once the new season begins. First, we need to see who the Suns add to fill that open roster spot. If that player, combined with Miles Bridges, proves to be a better combination than Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, then it’s a net positive. That’s a good trade.
There’s also another wrinkle to consider. Because the Charlotte Hornets already had a deal in place with the Minnesota Timberwolves involving LaMelo Ball earlier this weekend, there’s a possibility this transaction gets folded into that larger deal. If that happens, the Suns could potentially receive one or more additional assets.
As it stands right now, I walk away from this trade a little perplexed, but certainly intrigued. There’s also the moral dilemma.
Miles Bridges arrives with an off-court reputation that most people would not describe as positive. For a team that has spent the better part of a year talking about culture and identity, it’s fair to wonder what impact that has inside the locker room. It’s already created outrage among portions of the fan base.
Overall Grade: C+
Did the Suns take a step forward or a step backward? Right now, I don’t think we have enough information to answer that question. The roster isn’t complete, the additional flexibility created by the deal hasn’t been utilized, and there could still be more to this transaction than we currently know. My initial reaction, however, is that it feels like a step backward. I can’t help but feel there was more value to be extracted had the Suns played this a little more patiently. I can’t help but feel like the team added a first-round draft pick that didn’t need to be included.
But what’s done is done. Now we wait to see how the rest of the offseason unfolds.
I don’t hate the depth chart, though. I see the short-term viability and the long-term vision. This move tells me Phoenix still believes its competitive window is open, but it’s trying to win with younger legs instead of older veterans.
It’s funny. As I finish writing these words and get ready to head down to the beach, I can’t help but think about one thing. If you had told me two summers ago that the Phoenix Suns would one day have Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges on the same roster, I wonder what my response would have been. I wonder what I would have thought about that team’s chances of being successful.
Knowing there’s also an influx of young talent developing behind them makes it even more intriguing. That’s the word I keep coming back to. Intriguing. And it reminds me of something I said two summers ago: the Suns might not always be good, but they’re always entertaining.
Aug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (70) against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For the Arizona Cardinals they have two big decisions to make with regards to Monti Ossenfort’s first draft class, and they are two players at premium positions.
Now the question becomes, how will they address each contract situation?
What is interesting is that Paris Johnson Jr. and Michael Wilson seem to be going about their expectations of their next contract a little bit differently.
At least how it is being reported.
LT Paris Johnson Jr, who is under team control through the 2027 season, is seeking "$40 million" per year on his next contract, per @joshweinfuss
Michael Wilson tells ESPN that contract extension talks with Arizona are "going great."
"I love the Cardinals organization and I truly do want to be one of those guys that plays for one organization their whole career. That is a goal of mine,"
What is so interesting is that Wilson is probably better off playing the year out and betting on himself to get from the $18-22 million range to the $26-30 million range.
While PJJ wanting “$40 million a year,” makes sense for the top end left tackles, and maybe PJJ is, but can you pay that to someone who hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year?
The Cardinals also need to be cognizant of how much they’re investing in their “best players” from a three win team. They can control Paris the next two years at reasonable rates (for the position) while Wilson probably needs to prove he is more than just a volume player when the team is down 17+ points.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 23: Carlos Rodon #55 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Comerica Park on June 23, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees are lucky this series is in Boston, because after three pretty gross outings in a row against the Red Sox, they’d almost certainly booed by the Bronx like the hunter who shot Bambi’s mom. They can get a little bit of good vibes back today by managing a single win in this four-game set, though they’ll need to beat arguably the BoSox’s best in order to do it.
Sonny Gray, who I’m sure many of us remember, has been quite effective from a pure run prevention standpoint. He’s top 20 in baseball by ERA albeit with a 70-inning threshold, but what should be noteworthy is how his strikeouts have disappeared. He sat down 26.7 percent of batters faced last year and over 30 percent two years ago, but manages just a 21.1 percent this year. Far more balls in play are available against Gray, and while he’s juiced his ground-ball rate to something we haven’t seen from him this side of COVID-19. If the Yankees can elevate against him, there are runs on the table here.
Meanwhile, Carlos Rodón will once again take the stage for the Yankees. I don’t want to harp on Carlos too much, he’s a fair pitcher who probably isn’t what you’re paying him to be but his wife is an excellent social media follow. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs a start all year. I hate watching him pitch. He is a laborious viewing prospect, seemingly spotting every hitter an extra pitch and being one of the slowest pitchers in baseball in terms of how long he holds the ball for. Cam Schlittler is the second-slowest, but at least he seems to dock a pitch per hitter rather than donate one. I hope Rodón pitches well, but I doubt I’ll enjoy the journey.
We have a bit of a funky lineup today, with Aaron Boone seemingly try to shake the tree and see if a few runs drop out. Against the righty Gray, Jazz Chisholm Jr. will lead us off for the first time all season–first time as a Yankee actually–and traditional lefty platoon hitter Amed Rosario will DH and bat sixth. This means Paul Goldschmidt is the odd man out, with the league’s oldest position player given the day off. Oswaldo Cabrera also gets his first start since the ugly ankle injury that ended his season early in May 2025.
How to watch
Location: Fenway Park – Boston, MA
First pitch: 7:20 pm ET
TV broadcast: NBC
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | WEEI 93.7, WESX 1230 AM, WCCM 1490 AM (BOS)
SAN FRANCISCO — Attention, pitching-starved playoff contenders: There’s a left-handed former Cy Young Award winner in San Francisco who just went toe-to-toe with Chris Sale.
It’s not just Robbie Ray’s effort Sunday in the Giants’ 3-2 win over the Braves and their own former Cy Young Award winner that should get phones ringing in the Giants’ front office.
Giants pitcher Robbie Ray allowed no runs on four hits over eight innings Sunday. D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
With eight more innings in the win, securing the Giants’ first winning homestand since the end of April, Ray hasn’t allowed an earned run in his past 22 ⅔ innings, spanning three outings.
“There’s been no talk of that,” manager Tony Vitello said of the boon Ray’s performance of late has been to his trade value. “We just are looking for that deal where the position players and pitchers are in sync, and we just play good ball. If we do that with guys like Robbie Ray, we’ll be in a good spot.”
In the absence of that synchronicity that has existed for much of this season, however, Ray’s name — as a veteran starter both on a roll and an expiring contract — has already come up often in trade rumors.
“I’m just trying to go out every day and give my team a chance to win,” said Ray, insulated from social media chatter. “The rest is just going to fall into place. Whatever happens, happens.”
Continuing to rely more and more on his two-seamer to generate weak, early contact, Ray turned in his most efficient outing yet, needing only 95 pitches to complete his second straight start of eight innings.
Almost entirely forgoing the four-seam fastball he built his career on, Ray struck out only two batters but allowed only four hits — none until Matt Olson singled to lead off the fifth — and was at only 77 pitches through seven scoreless frames.
He needed 18 to make it out of his last and most laborious inning, finally allowing Atlanta to crack the scoreboard only after an error from Matt Chapman put the leadoff man on.
“It’s been one of my primary pitches my entire career,” Ray said, acknowledging having to let go of an emotional attachment to the four-seamer. “But I still have it. It’s still there.”
Ray, who used to throw his four-seamer on almost half his pitches, unleashed it only seven times, opposed to 36 sinkers — while mixing in a changeup and a slider — a transformation that can be traced back to the start of his recent turnaround.
On May 24, Ray walked a career-worst seven batters while allowing four runs over four innings, ballooning his ERA to a season-high 4.60. After his latest outing, that mark is down to 3.39.
“Guys have been fouling off fastballs [against him] so often, I think it’s a different look to the fastball, and now instead of a bunch of foul balls, you’re getting some induced contact early in at-bats,” Vitello said. “I think it’s led to more early contact, shorter at-bats and him getting deeper into games.”
Surely, the Giants will remind any team that calls of Ray’s dominance of late — back-to-back starts of eight innings with a 1.46 ERA the last six times he’s taken the mound. On an expiring contract, that’s not your average economy rental from Hertz — more like a premium upgrade.
Braves starter Chris Sale struck out 10 but left the game after six innings Sunday against the host Giants. AP Photo/Justine Willard
Sale struck out 10 but was out of the game after six innings having exhausted 94 pitches. He wasn’t able to recover from a single from Luis Arraez to lead off the sixth that was followed by a pair of errors that led to both of the Giants’ runs in the inning, putting them ahead 2-0.
As soon as they chased Sale, the Giants’ bats were in business, with pinch-hitter Drew Gilbert leading off the seventh with a single against Didier Fuentes. Chapman doubled him to third, where he was in position to score on a sac fly from Arraez.
The extra run proved to be important as Olson led off the ninth with a double and came around to score. But Caleb Kilian avoided any other damage and finished his sixth save in eight chances, bouncing back from his four-run outing in Wednesday’s loss.
The Giants’ Helios Ramos returned to the lineup after missing 37 games with a quad strain. D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
What it means
Heliot Ramos returned to the lineup after missing the past 37 games with a quad strain and helped the Giants find a spark against Sale, lining a single up the middle in the sixth for his first hit back that put Arraez in position to score on the second error of the inning.
Vitello penciled in Ramos as the designated hitter, but the playing-time picture gets murkier moving forward as the rookie manager tries to find ways to fit Ramos, Casey Schmitt, Jung Hoo Lee, Bryce Eldridge, Rafael Devers and Arraez in the lineup regularly.
Facing a tough lefty on Sunday, it was Eldridge who took a seat.
Who’s hot
Ray’s gem against the Braves was merely the latest effort in a strong stretch of starting pitching.
Of the 108 outs recorded in the sixth inning or earlier in six games on this homestand, all but three were recorded by Giants starters, which in and of itself is a step up from earlier this year.
Only Trevor McDonald (5 ⅓ IP) and Tyler Mahle (5 ⅔ IP) weren’t able to complete six innings, and in Mahle’s case it was only due to a 75-pitch limitation in his first start back from injury.
Altogether, it has produced a 1.31 ERA from their starters dating back to Logan Webb’s eight innings of two-run ball last Sunday, the best mark in the majors.
Yet, because of inconsistent offense and a faulty bullpen, the Giants improved to only 4-3 in that span. Dating back to Webb’s eight-inning gem to finish their last homestand, their pitching staff has produced MLB’s lowest ERA, but it has resulted in only a 7-5 record.
Who’s not
Sale, the 2024 NL Cy Young winner, figured to be a tough matchup for the Giants. At 37, he has been as dominant as ever in his third season in Atlanta, taking a 2.14 ERA into the game that trailed only Jacob Misiorowski and Cristopher Sanchez among NL starters.
But the Giants will probably look at their offensive output from the previous five games and feel they left some wins on the table this homestand. Their 10-hit effort Sunday only raised their team batting average on the homestand to .232, while they averaged only three runs per game, six that came in a loss blown by their bullpen.
Up next
The Giants’ bullpen should be in good shape as they head back on the road for two more series against NL West foes. Mahle will seek to build on his strong return from the injured list to begin the trip Monday against the Diamondbacks before the team spends Fourth of July weekend in Colorado to wrap up its final road trip before the All-Star break.
