Since completing their home sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates in early June, the Atlanta Braves are 8-17, winning exactly one series over that span.
But they can change that tune Thursday afternoon, somewhat fittingly against the Pirates.
After a beatdown loss in Game 1 and a late scoring surge in a shutout win in Game 2, the Braves close out their series in Pittsburgh Thursday at 12:35 p.m. ET before heading to St. Louis for a weekend series.
If they’re going to win a series and begin to trend back in the right direction, a strong performance on the mound from Bryce Elder would set them on that path.
The right-hander’s 5-6 record and 4.01 ERA are certainly not representative of his recent form. He’s been off since June 27, skipped once through the order after some serious struggles of late.
After he had a 5-3 record and 2.66 ERA through his first 14 starts, he’s lost his last three starts, allowing a combined 19 runs on 27 hits over 14 innings. Opposing teams had a .313 batting average and 1.61 WHIP against Elder in June, with 35 hits and 24 runs allowed in 26 2/3 innings.
Maybe another start against the Pirates will be what he needs to take a step back in the right direction. His last effective start came against Pittsburgh in Atlanta, allowing two runs on two hits over six innings. At that time, that was his 10th quality start in 14 total starts this season.
Suffice it to say, he hasn’t had close to another one of those since.
In his career against Pittsburgh, Elder is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA over four starts, striking out 26 and walking five over 24 innings.
He’ll be facing off against Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller. In the Pirates’ pre-Paul Skenes era, Keller was someone who seemed like a possible future ace for them. The former second-round pick was an All-Star in 2023 and had an ERA of 4.25 or better in each of the last four seasons.
This season, though, has been more of a struggle for Keller, now 30, who enters with a 6-6 record and 5.02 ERA, his worst since his first 100-inning season in 2021.
Like Elder, he had a stellar ERA early in the season that has taken a hit of late. In his six starts since June began, he’s 1-4 with a 6.47 ERA, 23 strikeouts and 13 walks in 32 innings. While his skid really began in his last start of May, he wasn’t very good back on June 5 at Atlanta, allowing six runs — tied for his second most this season — on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings.
That’s basically in line with Keller’s track record against the Braves. He has a 1-4 record and 7.85 ERA in eight career starts against Atlanta.
After Atlanta was so incredible in rubber matches early in the year, winning eight of their first nine, they’ve lost their last four deciding games of series.
This presents another chance to end that drought and build back some momentum with both the Phillies and Marlins only three games back in the NL East.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 08: Pete Fairbanks #29 and Joe Mack #80 of the Miami Marlins embrace after defeating the Seattle Mariners at loanDepot park on July 08, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I think about the 2023 Texas Rangers a lot. (Wait, isn’t this daily question post supposed to be about the Marlins? Yes, bear with me.) Not because they won the World Series. (Did they win the World Series? I have no idea.) But because of this:
The 2023 Rangers were, before the season, projected as an 82-win team, fourth in their division. Though their talent level changed over the course of the season, the swing was more like two wins (to an 84-win talent level).
At the same time, these same Rangers finished second in MLB in position player fWAR and 20th in pitching fWAR, with a whopping 97ish WAR-wins. They did outhit their xwOBA by a bit, and benefited from an FIP lower than their xFIP by a bit, but nothing dramatic or even that notable.
They finished with 90 wins.
So, it was kind of a weird double-whammy. They finished notably better than their talent level, but notably worse than their production. And usually, those two italicized things also line up, so it was kind of a mis-triangulation in a bunch of different directions slash along a bunch of different axes. Hence, that squad living rent-free in my head.
As of right now, the 2026 Miami Marlins are tied with the Phillies record-wise, both three games behind the Braves. The Fish and Phils hold the final two Wild Card spots in the NL, now up two games on the Cardinals.
The Marlins…
Were projected, preseason, with a central estimate of 76 wins. Their talent level estimation has barely gone up over the course of the season (to around 77 wins).
They are currently sixth in position player value and tenth in pitching value. Their current WAR-wins total is 50; the Marlins have 51 actual wins.
They have the league’s second-biggest xwOBA outperformance (after the Rockies), but also the league’s second-lowest HR/FB on the pitching end (which is probably park-aided, but then see the xwOBA outperformance).
So, it’s not exactly the same as the 2023 Rangers. But you can see why I’m going there. Are the Marlins good? They have had incredible production to date, but they’re 21st in team xwOBA and 15th in team xFIP. That combination of average-to-bottom-third is in line with a high 70s-win team (i.e., their projection central estimate). Meanwhile, the Marlins are on pace for 89 wins. If they keep it up, it’ll be a wild ride.
But, all of that is just a bunch of information. The Marlins’ outperformance could cease and they could regress, or it could keep up and give the Braves, Phillies, and other NL contenders a headache. Or, they could actually start playing better and become more 2023 Rangers-esque.
Do you think they’ll pass the Phillies this season? What about the Braves? I don’t necessarily mean when all is said and done, just… can they keep their run up enough to do so, even temporarily? They’ve lost just eight times in the last five-and-a-half weeks, which is quite an April/May 2026 Braves heater.
Jul 6, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Monday wasn’t a good day for any of the Phillies, but perhaps it was the worst for Cristopher Sánchez. The ace lefty suffered through his worst start in his big-league career to this point, as he allowed 9 runs on 12 hits in just 3.1 innings. It was the most runs he’s ever allowed in a start and the most he’s allowed in a start since August of 2024. It also tied his career high in hits allowed and the second time this year he’s allowed 12 hits in a start.
All baseball players go through slumps, including pitchers. It’s extremely common for anyone to have an off day where absolutely nothing goes right even in a season where almost everything has gone well. Sánchez will in all likelihood rebound from this disaster and continue to be one of the best pitchers in baseball.
However, this clunker may have cost him some notable recognition. It couldn’t have come at a much worse time in regard to the possibility of Sánchez starting the All-Star game on his home mound. It was already shaping up to be a debate, but recency bias is now firmly against Sánchez. Brewers’ fireballer Jacob Misiorowski being ineligible to pitch certainly helps Sánchez’ chances, but he still went from being second in the NL in ERA and seventh in WHIP to seventh and 15th respectively.
But that’s not all, as this start inflated his numbers to the point where he may have also cost himself a chance at the NL Cy Young award at season’s end. There’s still plenty of baseball to be played and things change all the time, but Sánchez was already facing an uphill battle against Misiorowski. Now the statistical gap between the two is even wider with others such as Chris Sale, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Chase Burns also looking like contenders.
So, did Cristopher Sánchez cost himself the All-Star start and the Cy Young with his bad start?
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 22, 2026: Andrew Fischer #3 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws to first base during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
It’s hard to argue with the Brewers’ recent draft results. Jacob Misiorowski is already a two-time All-Star, while Cooper Pratt, Braylon Payne, Blake Burke, and Andrew Fischer have emerged as some of the organization’s brightest young stars. Milwaukee will look to add another name or two to that list this weekend as the 2026 MLB Draft gets underway. Here’s everything you need to know before the Brewers are on the clock Saturday afternoon.
What picks do the Brewers have?
Milwaukee has three picks in the first three rounds. They only have two picks in the top 100, their fewest top 100 picks in the last eight years.
First round:
No. 25
Second round:
No. 66
Third round:
No. 102
After that, the Brewers have one pick in each remaining round. Last year, after selecting infielders Andrew Fischer and Brady Ebel with their first two picks, Milwaukee drafted five straight pitchers. In 2024, every selection they made between the fifth and 13th rounds was a pitcher. Don’t be surprised if the Brewers once again prioritize pitching depth on Day 2.
Milwaukee also had a second-round competitive balance pick (No. 67), but traded it to Boston in the trade that brought Kyle Harrison, David Hamilton, and Shane Drohan to Milwaukee.
What are the Brewers’ organizational strengths and weaknesses?
Most consider the Brewers’ farm system to be the best in baseball. By “most,” I mean Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, ESPN… you get the idea.
Strengths: The Brewers’ biggest strength is the middle infield, led by the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, shortstop Jesús Made. Milwaukee also has three other middle infielders ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects: Luis Peña (No. 2 in the organization, No. 18 overall), Cooper Pratt (No. 3, No. 56 overall), and Jett Williams (No. 5, No. 81 overall). Josh Adamczewski (No. 6), who has hit at least .320 in every season of his professional career, came up as a middle infielder but has shifted to the outfield simply because there’s nowhere else to play him. Last year, Milwaukee also took Brady Ebel (No. 14) with the No. 32 pick.
Honestly, it’s easier to ask what the Brewers don’t have. They have plenty of promising corner infielders, led by Andrew Fischer (.299/.441/.713, 28 home runs between High-A and Double-A), Blake Burke (.885 OPS, 19 home runs in Double-A), and Luke Adams (.942 OPS in 38 Triple-A games). They also have 11 pitchers in MLB Pipeline’s organizational Top 30, led by Logan Henderson (No. 7) and Bishop Letson (No. 10), plus another handful who could realistically crack those rankings in the near future. In last year’s article, I highlighted Coleman Crow, Tyson Hardin, and Ethan Dorchies as unranked pitchers to watch. Sure enough, all three have since appeared in MLB Pipeline’s rankings, and Crow ended up making the big leagues.
Last year, I also listed the outfield as one of the Brewers’ biggest organizational weaknesses. One year later, it’s become one of their strengths. Luis Lara‘s breakout season earned him a seven-year extension worth at least $31 million, while Braylon Payne (.281, .967 OPS, 16 home runs) has taken a huge step forward. Williams can play the outfield, Adamczewski has already made the move there, and younger prospects like Alexander Frias, Josiah Ragsdale, Brailyn Antunez, and Kenny Fenelon have all shown flashes. Add in a major league outfield already headlined by Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and now Lara, and it’s suddenly become a pretty deep positional group.
Weaknesses: Honestly… maybe catcher?
Jeferson Quero (No. 9) and Marco Dinges (No. 11), both of whom the Brewers are extremely high on, are the only two catching prospects in the organization who project as potential above-average major leaguers. Even then, calling catcher a weakness feels like a bit of a stretch.
Milwaukee already has an All-Star behind the plate in William Contreras, while players like Matthew Wood (.891 OPS in 189 Double-A at-bats) have produced despite flying under the radar. Besides, organizations don’t need nearly as many catching prospects as they do pitchers, infielders, or outfielders.
Either way, I would expect the Brewers to draft a catcher at some point during the draft. In a recent mock draft, Baseball America had the Brewers selecting high school C/SS Cole Prosek, the nephew of Brewers third base coach Matt Erickson, with their first-round pick.
The reality is that the Brewers don’t have many glaring organizational weaknesses. They have impact talent at nearly every position and enough depth throughout the system that they’re in a position to draft the best player available rather than trying to fill a specific need.
Who will the Brewers take?
One player who has been frequently mocked to Milwaukee is Ace Reese, a third baseman from Mississippi State who reminds evaluators of recent Brewer first-round picks Brock Wilken and Andrew Fischer. Reese slashed .336/.432/.721 with 24 home runs in 247 at-bats this season. Both ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and The Athletic’s Keith Law have him going to the Brewers at No. 25 overall.
In addition to Reese and Prosek, other players who could be in play at No. 25 include Zion Rose (OF, Louisville), Aidan Ruiz (SS, Stony Brook HS), and Cade Townsend (RHP, Ole Miss).
One thing to keep in mind: the Brewers have frequently gone under slot (spent less than the projected value of the pick) with their first-round pick to free up bonus pool money for later rounds, where they can target high-upside prospects with strong college commitments. Don’t be surprised if their first selection isn’t any of the names listed here. Ultimately, only Matt Arnold and the front office know the answer to this question, and the Brewers usually find a way to surprise.
How much can the Brewers spend?
After trading away its Competitive Balance selection, Milwaukee’s bonus pool is $8,042,900, which ranks 25th in Major League Baseball. Their first-round selection (No. 25) carries a slot value of $3,696,000, although the Brewers can choose to spend less or more on whatever prospect they select.
Day 1:
Round 1 (No. 25): $3,696,000
Round 2 (No. 66): $1,353,100
Round 3 (No. 97): $853,000
Round 4 (No. 127): $614,800
Day 2:
Round 5 (No. 157): $455,900
Round 6 (No. 187): $351,600
Round 7 (No. 217): $275,100
Round 8 (No. 247): $224,400
Round 9 (No. 277): $202,100
Round 10 (No. 307): $191,900
In rounds 11-20, teams are allowed to offer up to $150,000 in signing bonuses without it counting towards their bonus pool. They are allowed to offer more, but any money spent in excess of that limit is then counted toward the pool.
How do I watch the 2025 MLB Draft?
The 2026 MLB Draft begins at 12:00 p.m. CT on Saturday. Picks 1-10 will be televised on NBC and Peacock, picks 11-40 will air on MLB Network, MLB.com, and MLB.TV, and picks 41-135 will stream on MLB.com and MLB.TV. The rest of the draft takes place at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday and will stream live on MLB.com and MLB.TV.
MILWAUKEE, WI -MAY 06: Jon Horst, Manager of the Milwaukee Bucks, introduces new head coach Taylor Jenkins on May 06, 2026 at the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Wednesday, for the first time since trading Giannis, Bucks General Manager Jon Horst took questions on that decision, addressing why he chose to end things with the man he calls the greatest player in franchise history. Credit to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, who transcribed the press conference; these quotes came from Nehm’s article, which you can read in full here.
Jon Horst’s most important answer of the session came right at the end, when he stressed that the decision to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo was not one he made lightly, but that Miami’s package ultimately won him over.
“This is hard,” Horst said. “Call it what it is. Giannis is one of the greatest players in NBA history. Top 75 of all time. Greatest player in franchise history. He’s an NBA champion in Milwaukee. All the things that we’ve talked about and that you all know, he is not with us anymore.
“So, we’ve got a lot of work to do, and we championed balance and getting back foundational players that we believed in, draft capital that we thought we could utilise and capitalise on, either by drafting at some point or by using in future transactions and flexibility to make decisions. The Miami opportunity presented us with the best path in totality, and that’s why we did the deal.”
Something Horst said during Taylor Jenkins’ introductory press conference in early May was that the team would seriously consider the possibility of continuing to build around Giannis, even while all the outside noise indicated that he was as good as gone. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too sure Horst was telling the truth at the time, but he reiterated that same message.
“In most cases, for most of the last decade, there wasn’t a parallel path of ‘hey, if we trade Giannis, it’s this,’ and ‘if we keep Giannis, it’s this.’ It was just, ‘we’re going to maximise this with Giannis.’ And so, you’d end up trying to find the best opportunity and make the most of it, and hopefully it works.
“This time around, we had something sincerely to compare those options to, and clearly, we made the decision what we thought was best for us. But again, there’s a human side of this and a respect factor of Giannis. And what’s best for Giannis was to execute the Miami trade. It was different than years past, in that there were truly paralleling paths to really consider against just the all-in (with Antetokounmpo), and what does it look like.”
As we all know, Horst has been uber-aggressive during the Giannis era, repeatedly willing to “trade the future for the now” to give GA the best chance to win. From the acquisitions of Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard, to executing the largest waive-and-stretch in NBA history of Lillard’s contract to free up enough space to sign Myles Turner, he couldn’t have tried harder. The Bucks GM stood by all of those decisions but also explained that the time had come to stop the aggressive moves and part ways with the two-time MVP, though there was no “defining moment” that led him to that conclusion.
“If we’re looking for a defining moment, I don’t know that that exists in any of these things. I think you’re talking about a decade-long, or decade-plus, pursuit of first building competitiveness and then trying to sustain competitiveness, have as much success as you can, weather as many failures as you can. There’s a lot that goes into that, and I think over the course of time, you do everything that you can.
“I think ultimately there comes a point in time where you have to make the assessment, and you have to assess the opportunities, and if the result of that in our estimation or (Antetokounmpo’s) estimation is you can do more and better differently—and we can do more and better differently—you take advantage of that. We went through an offseason last year and we believed that we had an opportunity to maximise something together. We went through a trade deadline where we assessed whether or not that was still the case. And we went into an offseason this year where we took the same approach. This time around, our assessment was (that) the ultimate opportunity we had with Miami was what was best for the Bucks organisation now and going forward—and best for Giannis.”
Now with a young team to build with, Horst was under no illusions about where the team is and where it needs to get to.
“No one’s sitting here today and saying that we’re a better team today after trading Giannis,” Horst said. “He’s one of the greatest players to ever play, (the) greatest player in the franchise history. We’ve had an incredible amount of success. And as I’ve said to Miami a couple of times, he’s going to have an unbelievable season for them. [They’ve] got an incredibly motivated, healthy, focused Giannis Antetokounmpo that I think is going to have an unbelievable season and seasons, for that matter.
“So, for us, it was just about the opportunity to build and to again set a foundation. Can we set something in place with a new coach and take advantage of an opportunity to truly build from a place of strength on a roster and a style of player that hopefully makes our city proud and our franchise proud and gets us to the place where we are competitive and we can sustain that competition and that competitive level, year in and year out? And if we’re lucky enough, at some point, to be in a position to knock on the door and have a chance to win a championship.”
Hearing this from Horst actually made me feel pretty good. It sounds like he’s going to dial back the aggressiveness and allow this young core to develop organically, which seems like the right way to go about it.
Per Nehm, Horst “shied away from discussing his emotions” during the press conference, but he did call on a sentiment shared with him by former Bucks GM John Hammond, whom Horst worked under when he first came to the Bucks organisation.
“In the NBA, it’s never goodbye; it’s see you later. And Giannis will be back in Fiserv soon, and he’ll be back in Fiserv multiple times. And I really hope—not hope—I know that each and every time the standing ovation, the love, the respect, the admiration that he gets from this city and this fan base and this franchise will be felt and will be appropriate for everything he’s meant to all of us.”
Brew Hoop community, what did you take from Jon Horst’s press conference?
The Calgary Flames have reached a point where their biggest challenge is no longer finding defensive talent — it is figuring out how to fit everyone into the picture.
After an aggressive offseason reshaping the blue line, Calgary suddenly has a crowded group filled with NHL experience, young talent, and high-end upside. Unfortunately for Hunter Brzustewicz, that growth creates a difficult reality: barring unforeseen circumstances, he may be the odd man out.
General manager Craig Conroy has been one of the busiest executives in the NHL over the past four months, and the Flames’ offseason activity has only accelerated that trend.
Calgary landed 22-year-old right-shot defenseman Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils in a trade that sent three draft picks and Etienne Morin to New Jersey, adding a young defenseman who already possesses significant NHL experience and top-four potential.
The Flames continued building for the future at the NHL Draft, selecting defenseman Carson Carels sixth overall. The highly regarded prospect is projected by many to develop into a top-pairing NHL blueliner down the road.
Then, Calgary added more stability to its current roster by acquiring Jake Middleton from the Minnesota Wild as part of the Blake Coleman trade, bringing another reliable veteran presence to the back end.
The result is a defense corps that now features a rare combination of proven NHL players, emerging prospects, and legitimate upside.
That depth is a positive development for the organization — but it also creates a difficult situation for Brzustewicz.
The 20-year-old defenseman has shown plenty of promise, but the reality of professional hockey is that talent alone does not guarantee opportunity. Sometimes, circumstances dictate that a player has to wait, take another path, or become part of a larger transaction.
Conroy has several options available.
The most aggressive route would be exploring a trade and using Brzustewicz as a potential piece to acquire help elsewhere, particularly down the middle. It would be a ruthless decision, but that's the nature of building a competitive team. Organizations constantly have to make difficult choices between developing young players and adding pieces that can accelerate their path toward playoff contention.
The Flames could also look to move him for additional draft capital. Calgary has been stockpiling picks like they’re preparing for a nuclear war. And if that day ever came, Calgary would probably be one of the better-prepared organizations in the NHL.
All jokes aside, the draft-pick surplus gives Conroy another avenue to explore if he decides Brzustewicz is no longer part of the long-term plan.
However, the best decision may simply be allowing Brzustewicz to continue developing in the AHL.
Rather than forcing him into an NHL role where his minutes could be limited, giving him the opportunity to play major minutes, refine his game, and gain confidence could be the most beneficial path forward.
At this stage of his career, ice time matters more than simply being around an NHL roster.
For Brzustewicz, the challenge is not proving he belongs in the organization. It is finding the environment where he can continue becoming the player Calgary believes he can be.
Less than a month after winning the NBA championship, the Knicks will be back on a basketball court -- well, at least a few players on the actual team.
New York’s Summer League roster, which features roster players Mohamed Diawara, Dillon Jones and Pacome Dadiet will give the club a chance to evaluate their younger talent and potential training camp and G-League invites.
The Knicks begin Summer League on Friday night with a matchup against the Nets -- let’s look at four players to track during the July exhibition games.
Mohamed Diawara
One of the pleasant surprises of last season was the emergence of Diawara. A late second-round pick, the 6-foot-9 forward was in New York’s rotation for parts of the season and showed flashes on both ends of the floor.
With a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Diawara can defend multiple positions and cover a lot of ground in help coverages.
Offensively, he has potential as a ball-handler and good vision as a passer. Diawara’s also been a better shooter than expected, converting 36.9 percent of his 130 three-point attempts last season. He was open on the lion's share of the attempts, so there’s still work to do to garner respect from opposing defenses.
Still, the signs of a legitimate contributor were there for the 21-year-old, and that impressive play led to the Knicks locking him up on a multi-year deal this offseason. Summer League should be an opportunity for Diawara to show that he can handle a larger role and do more as a scorer and secondary playmaker.
Pacome Dadiet
In what will be his third Summer League, Dadiet’s continued development will be something to keep an eye on.
A 2024 first-round pick, the soon-to-be 21-year-old wing has barely played in two seasons. Dadiet saw just 136 minutes of action in his second season. He did show promise in the G-League, averaging 23.2 points on 46.6 percent shooting in 15 Westchester games, but he still has work to do to improve as a perimeter shooter, ball-handler and passer.
The Knicks already have three wings in OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart who play a considerable amount of minutes. Diawara also passed Dadiet on the depth chart.
New York will have to decide whether to exercise the fourth year team option of Dadiet’s rookie scale deal around training camp, so this might be the last real shot for him to impress ahead of that future fork in the road.
Tyler Nickel
Picked 47th overall in this year’s draft, Nickel already has one sure fire skill -- he was one of the best shooters in college basketball, and has a lightning-quick release. In his last two seasons at Vanderbilt, Nickel shot 191-for-475 (40.2 percent) from the three-point line. Standing 6-foot-6, he’s also showcased an ability to move well off the ball.
There are a few weaknesses in Nickel’s game to evaluate during Summer League, though.
He competes on defense, but lacks premium foot speed -- it will be important to see if Nickel can contain defenders on the perimeter and not allow easy drives into the paint. On offense, the focus will be on if he can attack closeouts, put the ball on the floor, and either create his own shot, or make plays for his teammates.
There’s a chance Nickel could earn one of three available two-way contracts or possibly compete for a standard NBA contract with the Knicks, it just depends on how the front office decides to fill out the roster.
After signing Andre Drummond, the Knicks have 12 roster spots filled. There’s a chance the team adds two more veterans to get to the minimum of 14 standard contracts, rather than going young.
Dillon Jones
There’s a couple of compelling invites to the Knicks’ Summer squad, including St. John’s guard Oziyah Sellers, but let’s focus on Dillon Jones. The former first-round pick could be a two-way candidate for the Knicks next year, and has a fringe chance to earn a full-time spot.
Signed to a two-way deal last season, Jones only played in seven games with the Knicks. The wing showed the ability to fill the stat sheet with Westchester, though, averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 18 games.
At 6-foot-5, Jones isn’t tall, but he is strong and uses his sturdy 235-pound frame to finish on drives despite middling athleticism. He’s arguably the best shot creator on this Summer League team.
A two-time NBA champion in his first two NBA seasons, Jones is still trying to find where he fits as a role player.
Can he knock down enough three-pointers at a high clip off the catch? Who does he guard on defense? Can he become more efficient as a shot-maker? Those are some of the questions in the way of the 24-year-old finding a cemented spot on an NBA roster.
Janse van Rensburg, Caluori and Kloska to make debuts
Head coach: ‘My conversations with the RFU are private’
Steve Borthwick says he and his players are also feeling “the hurt and pain” caused by England’s losing streak but has sidestepped questions about his job security if his team are beaten by Fiji on Saturday. The head coach has not tasted victory since early February and will come under significant external pressure should his side slip to a sixth successive Test defeat at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Rangers have been awfully busy this offseason, making numerous moves in free agency and the trade market as they look to turn things around next year.
Chris Drury likely isn’t done yet, but here’s how he’s graded out thus far…
Sent to Vegas: Pick No. 26, 2026 third-round pick, 2028 first-round pick
Drury found the Blueshirts a much-needed reliable scorer in a draft day stunner, bringing in Dorofeyev from the Knights for a trio of picks. He also wasted no time locking him up on a big money seven-year contract extension.
At just 25, Dorofeyev seemingly just keeps getting better. He’s topped the 35-goal mark in each of the past two seasons and added a dozen points to his career-best total last season with the high-powered Golden Knights.
Drury bringing him in without parting with the No. 5 pick was a massive win.
Sent to Boston: 2028 fourth-round pick, LW Kalle Vaisanen
This move was a bit of a shock as the Blueshirts elected to part with a fourth-rounder for a veteran backup goaltender, despite having youngster Dylan Garand on the roster -- him and Korpisalo will now compete for the spot behind Igor Shesterkin.
Korpisalo has finished with a save percentage under .900 the past three seasons in Boston, and he’s under team control with a $4 million cap hit for the next two years.
Even if the team wanted a more experienced backup than Garand, there were cheaper options out there.
Acquired from Utah: D Sean Durzi, C Cole Beaudoin, 2027 third-round pick
Drury elected to keep Trocheck at last year’s deadline hoping for a better return in the summer, and he certainly received that from Utah here.
Parting with a veteran piece in Trocheck is tough but Durzi should slide in on the second pairing of New York’s revamped d-core and Beaudoin gives them a legit top-tier center prospect coming off an 88-point campaign in the OHL.
GRADE: B+
Apr 2, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) shoots the puck past Montréal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (8) in the first period at Madison Square Garden. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Acquired Marcus Pettersson in trade with Canucks
Sent to Vancouver: Conditional 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
Giving up a first-round pick for a 30-year-old blueliner is a bit risky, but Pettersson should help this club right out of the gate. He’s a puck-moving d-man coming off a season in which he recorded 18 points over 82 games with Vancouver.
Petterson is also solid defensively and should help on the penalty-kill. He’s plenty familiar with head coach Mike Sullivan’s system from their time together in Pittsburgh, and is under club control for the next four seasons at a $5.5 million cap hit.
GRADE: B
Traded Will Borgen to Bruins
Acquired from Boston: 2027 second-round pick, conditional 2028 third-round pick
Borgen lost his spot on the Rangers’ second pairing with Petterson and Durzi brought in. Even with his up-and-down time as a Blueshirt, Drury was able to flip him for a pair of early-round picks which is a huge win.
Borgen was due to earn $4.1 million each of the next four years.
Bjorkstrand’s coming off a down season in which he recorded just 32 points in 80 games, but the Rangers are hoping a change of scenery can help him return to form.
The 31-year-old has multiple 20-plus goal seasons under his belt.
Even if the production still isn’t quite there, Bjorkstrand is a reliable righty-shooting middle-six depth option for the Rangers’ forward group on a cheap one-year pact.
Veleno isn’t much of a threat offensively but he fills a big-time need for the Blueshirts, bringing a speedy defensive-minded center for the fourth line.
He won 51.6 percent of his faceoffs last season with the Canadiens.
The Raptors announced Thursday that the trade will not be finalized until the NBA’s probe into Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers is finished.
The NBA has been investigating Leonard and the Clippers for the past 10 months after reports that he received a multi-million endorsement deal with sustainability services company Aspiration in an alleged effort to circumvent league salary cap rules.
Toronto and Los Angeles agreed to a deal involving Leonard last month, with the Raptors receiving Leonard and the Clippers getting Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and several draft picks.
“On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors,” the Clippers said in a statement. “We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors’ ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation. The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.
“At the heart of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
“We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues. We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.”
Despite the holdup, Toronto said it is still committed to completing the trade after the investigation is over.
“The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization and our fans,” the team said in a statement.
Leonard, 35, spent the last seven seasons with the Clippers after signing as a free agent in 2019. He played the 2018-19 season with the Raptors before joining the Clippers, leading the team to 58 wins and a championship.
The Tampa Bay Rays are firm -155 moneyline favorites against the New York Yankees today, and my Yankees vs. Rays predictionsare backing them in the series finale.
Drew Rasmussen gives Tampa Bay the clear starting-pitching edge, while New York’s bullpen-game setup asks too much from a staff patching innings together.
My MLB picks for July 9 are also taking the Under behind two run-prevention profiles that limit loud contact.
Who will win Yankees vs Rays today: Rays moneyline (-155)
I’m fading the New York Yankees again, and would play the Tampa Bay Rays moneyline to -165, with a smaller -1.5 play to +122 (bigger edge on the moneyline).
New York is on a bullpen day. The focus is Ryan Yarbrough, and whether he opens or works bulk, the former Ray should play a part.
He has not pitched since July 4 and can cover length, but his 18% strikeout rate meets a Rays lineup with an 86% zone-contact rate. That has been a series-long problem.
Drew Rasmussen adds the cleaner edge with just a 4.5% walk rate against a Yankees lineup needing free traffic.
COVERS INTEL:Rasmussen has allowed only a 6.9% barrel rate, a key matchup point against a Yankees offense leaning on its 10.0% team barrel rate.
Yankees vs Rays Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-103)
I’m taking the Under and would play it to -115.
Rasmussen fits this matchup because of his reliability and contact control. He ranks in the 80th percentile in hard-hit rate and 75th percentile in ground-ball rate, the right mix against a Yankees offense still trying to score through lift and isolated power.
New York’s bullpen day is also set up better than it looks. Several rested arms induce soft contact, which should play against a Tampa Bay lineup with the third-highest ground-ball mark in baseball.
Chris Hatfield's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 37-32, +7.77 units
Over/Under bets: 42-29, +17.09 units
Yankees vs Rays weather
Dome.
Yankees vs Rays odds
Moneyline: Yankees +140 | Rays -155
Run line: Yankees +1.5 | Rays -1.5
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Yankees vs Rays trend
The Rays have hit the moneyline in 35 of their last 50 games at home (+15.65 Units / 24% ROI).
How to watch Yankees vs Rays and game info
Location
Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL
Date
Thursday, July 9, 2026
First pitch
1:10 p.m. ET
TV
YES, Rays.TV
Yankees starting pitcher
Ryan Yarbrough (bulk) (0-0, 4.29 ERA)
Rays starting pitcher
Drew Rasmussen (7-4, 2.78 ERA)
Yankees vs Rays latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - JULY 5: Pitcher Ranger Suarez #55 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 5, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There are four games left before the All-Star break next week, and the Red Sox are both riding high winning ten of their last twelve contests, and also kind of desperate to get into the annual summertime stoppage.
For the next two games, the starting rotation is simple. Patrick Sandoval will make his Red Sox debut this afternoon in the finale against the White Sox as the Red Sox go for a sweep, and Sonny Gray is set to go on Friday as he tries to extend his American League lead in pitching wins. After that? Things get dicey.
The issues stem from Connelly Early going on the IL with left elbow discomfort (we’re still waiting for additional clarity there as he’s schedule to see a doctor sometime this week), and Ranger Suarez leaving his last start on Saturday with a groin injury where the severity is uncertain. The good news is Suarez still hasn’t gone on the IL and may be able to go on Saturday, but given how import he is to the rotation both now and going forward with his contract, it also kind of makes sense to just shut him down until the other side of the All-Star break to give him additional time to recover.
If that happens, the Red Sox are left without a starter for Saturday and then have Payton Tolle going on regular rest on Sunday. The Tolle piece of this is also fascinating because ideally you want to keep his innings down this year given he’s never thrown 120 innings in a season and already is beyond 80 this year. Despite pitching on an extra day of rest in Tuesday’s game against Chicago, they actually bumped him up a slot in the rotation to Connelly Early’s spot using the double off days surrounding the Angels series on Thursday and Monday to their advantage. The problem with that is they essentially created an additional Tolle start for the season because that space in the rotation is now slated to land on Sunday instead of falling into the All-Star break.
So on one hand, the Red Sox don’t appear to have anybody that can really go deep on Saturday or Sunday, but on the other hand, they have a really rested bullpen with two recent off days and the rotation pitching extremely well of late. With guaranteed addition rest on the horizon, do the Sox just piggyback everybody in the bullpen in those last two games to try and get to the checkpoint? Does it depend on how deep Sandoval goes today? Do they dare call up Brayan Bello to make a start in a pinch? (Shivers went down my spine as I typed that.) Regardless of how they choose to navigate this chokepoint, they’ve got some pretty compelling decisions coming up in the next 48 to 72 hours.
The good news? Their next opponent is the Mets who are having the season from hell (even for them), so the Sox might be able to get away with a weird pitching arrangement for this series. After that, even more fascinating decisions will come on the other side of the All-Star break when we get a better idea of injury timelines.
Talk about this and whatever else you’d like, and as always, be good to one another.
Jul 8, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets second baseman Brett Baty (7) reacts after scoring in the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets rallied for five runs with two outs in the eighth inning to win 6-2 against the Royals. Brett Baty delivered the big hit with the bases loaded to drive in two to extend the Mets’ lead. Unlike in the previous game, the team managed to hold on to the lead and get the victory.
UNITED STATES - CIRCA 2001: Former New York Yankees' greats Bill (Moose) Skowron, Tex Clevenger, Tom Tresh and Joe DeMaestri (l. to r.) are on hand for annual Old Timer's Day festivities at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees later lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-3. (Photo by Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) | NY Daily News via Getty Images
When records are being broken, all eyes are on those who break them. But it’s important to remember that in those moments, there are others around witnessing history that have stories to tell. Teammates of Aaron Judge will remember the 2022 season in which he broke Roger Maris’ franchise and AL home run record. No matter how many games they played in a Yankees uniform, they’ll be able to say they saw one of the greats do what he did best day in and day out.
Tex Clevenger was one of those teammates of Maris and Mickey Mantle, who could tell stories from his days playing alongside legends.
Truman “Tex” Eugene Clevenger Born: July 9, 1932 (Visalia, CA) Died: August 24, 2019 (Visalia, CA) Yankees Tenure: 1961-1962
Truman was born in Visalia, California, attended Visalia High School, and then spent three and a half years at Cal State Fresno. He began high school standing 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighing only 86 pounds. He did not play his first year due to the coaching staff’s concern about his stature, but a new coach – Hank Viden – came on in his sophomore year and said that anyone who wanted to play baseball would be allowed to play. Clevenger was initially playing in the outfield, but when Viden came to the team and asked if anyone wanted to volunteer to pitch, Clevenger raised his hand and was given his start on the mound.
He was signed by the Boston Red Sox on June 9, 1953, after a scout named Tom Downey saw him throw his second no-hitter for the Fresno Bulldogs against the College of the Pacific. In the game, he struck out 20 hitters and went 6-for-6 at the plate with three triples, two singles, and a double.
When the Red Sox signed him, other teams made their own bids, and three reportedly offered more money. But Clevenger saw an opportunity not just to make the major leagues down the line, but also to work on his arsenal, specifically his curveball. He knew that to make it in Major League Baseball one day, he would need to develop a major weapon in his pitch mix. Clevenger got his wish and began his pro career with the Red Sox organization in 1953, he went 16–2 with a 1.51 ERA and 157 strikeouts over 155.0 innings. As a result, the 1953 California League MVP Award.
After his almost-perfect minor league season, Clevenger trained with the Red Sox in Sarasota, Florida, in the spring of 1954. He was sent to the Triple-A Louisville Colonels to begin the year. He was called up just a week later, before the season began, receiving praise from the Red Sox coaching staff as an excellent prospect. However, they were hesitant to rush him in the major leagues, fearing it might stunt his development.
It was clear that Clevenger was close to being ready, but he wasn’t quite there just yet. In 23 games pitched in 1954 (eight started), he finished the season with a 2-4 record and 4.79 ERA in 67.2 innings. His first major league game came against the Philadelphia Athletics on April 18, 1954. He pitched an inning without allowing a hit or a walk.
Clevenger was sent back down to Louisville and received more playing time there, spending the entire 1955 season with the Colonels. He started 21 games and pitched 39 total, finishing with a 9-13 record and a 3.77 ERA, including nine complete games.
The same happened in 1956 after Clevenger was traded to the Washington Senators. The Red Sox pulled the trigger on a nine-player deal that sent him to Washington, and he initially started the season with the major league club, taking the mound in 20 games, of which only one was a start. His time in the majors was, once again, nothing to write home about. In those 20 appearances, he pitched 31.1 innings and posted a 5.40 ERA before being sent back to Louisville, which had become the Senators’ Triple-A team after their time with the Red Sox. He posted a 5.94 ERA and a 2-11 record over 103.0 innings, including a nine-game losing streak individually at one point.
The 1956 season would not be the last that he saw in the minor leagues, but it would be for a handful of years. In 1957, Clevenger pitched the most innings of his major league career (139.2), added another two complete games to his major league resume, and saw a significant decrease in his ERA (4.19). And in 1958, his ERA ticked up to 4.35, but he actually led the AL in appearances that season with 55.
Clevenger would remain primarily a reliever for the Senators in 1959 and 1960, where over 246.0 innings pitched, he posted a 4.06 ERA (including the first and only ERA under 4.00 and ERA+ over 100 in his entire major league career in a season where he pitched over 50.0 innings), an ERA+ of 98, and a FIP of 3.79. But 1960 would be his last in a Senators uniform, as an upcoming expansion draft would require Washington to make some hard roster decisions. Clevenger was not one of the players protected, and the newly introduced Los Angeles Angels selected him with the seventh overall pick.
However, his time in the City of Angels was short-lived, as he appeared in only 12 games before being traded to the Yankees in early May, despite not allowing an earned run in his first seven outings and maintaining a 1.69 ERA at the time of the trade. The Angels believed they could get more out of who they received, particularly right-hander Ryne Duren (who we profiled back in February).
The Yankees, according to reports of the time, had been looking to acquire Clevenger for some time while he was with the Senators, but they never made the move until he was with the Angels.
So, in 1961, when Mantle and Maris were setting their own records of 54 and 61 home runs, Clevenger was in the bullpen for it all. He pitched in 21 games, finished with a 1-1 record and a 4.83 ERA over 31.2 innings, putting his season total at a 3.78 ERA over just 47.2 innings pitched. The Yankees won the pennant and advanced to the World Series to face the Cincinnati Reds, but Clevenger did not see any playing time in the five-game series, which the Yankees won.
The 1962 season was a different year, same story. Manager Ralph Houk expressed faith in Clevenger, but he threw him out on the mound for only 21 games, and that was after the right-hander started the year with the Triple-A Richmond Virginians. After closer Luis Arroyo was put on the DL due to elbow inflammation, Clevenger had the chance to show his stuff. But it was to no avail, as despite the best ERA of his career (2.84) in 38.0 innings, he did not see action in a World Series that went seven games against the San Francisco Giants.
Overall in his career, Clevenger compiled a 36–37 record with a 4.18 ERA, 298 walks and 361 strikeouts. Oddly enough, perhaps his best season was his last those 21 games with the 1962 Yankees.
Clevenger was sent back to Richmond for the 1963 season and pitched well. He thought it was well enough to find a spot on another major league team, but no one came calling, and after another season in the minors, he looked ahead to 1964, which would have been more of the same. After that, Clevenger decided it was time to call it quits, and he became an insurance underwriter for Mutual of New York back home in Visalia until 1964, when he purchased a car dealership, which he owned until it was sold in 1995.
After being inducted into the Fresno State Athletics Hall of Fame and having his number retired, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008 and died due to the disease in August 24, 2019.
An excellent collegiate player who struggled to stick in the majors but witnessed some of the best moments in Yankees history, Clevenger may not be the most recognizable name. Still, it’s players like him that helped contribute on the side while the likes of Maris, Mantle, and Berra plied their trade. Happy birthday, Tex!
The Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, announced on Wednesday that the team had re-signed forward Mitchell Stephens to a two-year contract, keeping him with the club through the 2027-28 season.
The 29-year-old was drafted 33rd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. In five NHL seasons, Stephens has played 123 games across four teams.
He made his debut on Dec. 9, 2019, with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and in two seasons and 45 games, Stephens recorded seven points.
On July 30, 2021, he was traded by Tampa Bay to Detroit for a 6th-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Stephens recorded six points in 27 games with the Detroit Red Wings before signing as a free agent on July 13, 2022, with the Montreal Canadiens, where he recorded three points in 23 games in the 2023-24 season.
On July 1, 2024, Stephens signed with the Kraken as a free agent. He appeared in 28 games with the Kraken during the 2024-25 season, tallying three points.
He also appeared in 35 games with the AHL Coachella Firebirds that same year, recording 13 points.
Last season, the five-foot-11, 190-pound forward played 69 games with the Firebirds and recorded 12 goals and 15 assists.
The new deal locks Stephens in with the Firebirds through the 2027-28 season.
Firebirds General Manager Troy Bodie shared his excitement about keeping Stephens on the roster.
“We’re thrilled to have Mitchell back with the Firebirds. He brings invaluable NHL and championship experience, but just as importantly, he’s a leader our players look up to”, said Bodie. “His professionalism, character, and commitment to winning help set the standard for our group every day.”
The Firebirds will kick off their season on October 2.
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COVERS INTEL:
