LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 27: Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) jokes with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) during the MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 27, 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After Wednesday night in Minnesota, the Dodgers have played 81 games, expecatly half of their 2026 regular season schedule. They are 52-29, and it doesn’t take a math whiz to realize they are on pace for 104 wins.
Here’s a glance at the first half of the schedule and how it compares to what’s left over the final three-plus months.
Interleague winds down
The Dodgers’ previous 12 games were all against American League teams. They’ve fared pretty well in interleague play thus far, going 20-10, the best record in MLB. But after 30 interleague games in the first half, only 18 such games remain, the first three of which are in a minor league ballpark:
June 29-July 1 at A’s in West Sacramento
July 17-19 at New York Yankees
July 28-30 vs. Seattle Mariners
July 31-August 2 vs. Boston Red Sox
August 10-12 vs. Kansas City Royals
August 28-30 at Detroit Tigers
Getting used to the Padres
The Dodgers played 24 games against the National League West thus far, and have 28 games remaining. The difference here is they’ve played the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Colorado Rockies twice each so far, but they’ve only played the San Diego Padres once.
They open the second half of the schedule in San Diego for three games, then one weekend later host the Padres for four games. The two also play in the final week of the season at Dodger Stadium, giving this year’s schedule the odd quirk of the Dodgers playing the Padres all six games at Petco Park before playing any of the seven at Dodger Stadium.
un-Red emails
The only National League team the Dodgers haven’t yet played in 2026 is the Cincinnati Reds, and that won’t get rectified until the final month of the season. The entirety of their season series will be played over 11 days, with three games in Los Angeles from September 7-9 followed by four games at Great American Ball Park from September 14-17.
The Dodgers played a dozen games against the NL Central in the first half, with 20 remaining. The other slight difference in halves is that the Dodgers will play four games against the Brewers at home from August 13-16 after playing three games in Milwaukee in the first half.
Other things are pretty much even. The Dodgers played 15 games against the NL East thus far, and will play 15 more against that division the rest of the way. They’ve played 40 games at home and 41 road contests to date, and will flip that for the final 81 games.
The Los Angeles Clippers may have selected Narcisse Ngoy with the 57th overall pick in the NBA Draft, but the center didn’t choose the organization.
On Thursday, Ngoy revealed on social media that he would be returning to college for the 2026-27 season.
“I am thankful for the LA Clippers’ confidence in me. I fully intend to honor my commitment to Auburn University, and I am looking forward to wearing the Auburn Tigers jersey for the 2026-27 season,” Ngoy wrote in a post to his Instagram story.
The LA Clippers selected Narcisse Ngoy with the 57th overall pick in the NBA Draft, but he revealed on social media that he’ll be going back to college. Instagram/nnarsix
Clippers draft pick Narcisse Ngoy thanks Clippers — and says he plans to play for Auburn Tigers next season pic.twitter.com/5InJuBAQaP
Ngoy committed to Auburn in March and never formally declared for the NBA Draft or went through any process.
However, international players above the age of 22 are automatically included in the draft pool for that calendar year with new NCAA guidelines allowing him to keep his eligibility.
President of the LA Clippers, Lawrence Frank seen here in 2022. NBAE via Getty Images
The Clippers have transformed the meaning of the NBA’s ‘draft and stash,’ an avenue for teams to draft a player who doesn’t play for them the following season but allows the organization to retain the player’s rights while he plays elsewhere, which typically meant internationally.
For Ngoy, that is not the case. The Frenchman still has two years of eligibility remaining in college, and when he decides to join the NBA, it will be in a Clippers uniform.
The Clippers made multiple selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, headlined by Keaton Wagler out of Illinois with the fifth overall pick.
LA selected Henri Veesaar with the 52nd pick, but traded the center to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the No. 57 pick (Ngoy) and cash considerations.
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STEP RIGHT UP AND SWEEP THE METS: The Cubs’ last sweep of the Mets at Citi Field was three games in 2022. They also won three in 2019. They captured four in a row May 31-June 3, 2018. The current series is their second of four games since then. They split in 2024. Before 2018, the Cubs swept four when visiting the Mets only three times: June 15-17, 1962, at the Polo Grounds, and Aug. 6-8, 1965, and Aug. 2-5, 1991, at Shea Stadium. In 1969 and 1970, the Cubs won the first three games of series, then lost the fourth. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
SIX-RUN STREAKING: The Cubs have scored at least six runs in six consecutive games. Their last such streak to reach six games was more than 26 years ago, on April 22-28, 2000. It ended the next day with a 7-4, 10-inning loss. Their last such streak of more than six games was eight, on April 16-26, 1970. They had had eight three times before, in 1920, 1925 and 1930. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
MORE ON RUN SCORING: In their last six games, the Cubs have scored 59 runs (six, eight, 16, nine, 10 and 10), eight more than in any previous six games this season: 51, April 12-18 (seven, seven, 10, 11, 12 and four). Their six-game record is 81 runs, in 1930. They had a high of 64 in 2024, 61 in 2019 and 60 in 2018. Their most runs in seven games is 87, in 1930. They scored 73 in 1961 and 2024, 69 in 2019, and 63 in 1954 and 2004. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
DANSBY ON FIRE: Dansby Swanson is on a six-game hitting streak in which he is batting .478/.519/1.174 (11-for-23) with two doubles, a triple, four home runs, 18 (!) RBI, eight runs scored and only two strikeouts.
Neither team had posted a lineup as of the time this preview posted. Please check BCB social media for tonight’s lineups.
Matthew Boyd, LHP vs. Freddy Peralta, RHP
Matthew Boyd returns tonight from his second IL stint.
The first was due to a bicep issue. After his return then, he had one okay start, one bad one and another that was pretty good, before he injured his knee playing with his kids.
He made two rehab starts at Iowa and then had a setback. His most recent rehab start, last Saturday at South Bend, was better. He threw only 59 pitches in that one, and only 80 in the previous one for Iowa. So I wouldn’t expect him to go more than five innings tonight.
Boyd did not face the Mets when they were at Wrigley Field earlier this year. The last time he faced them was Sept. 24, 2025 at Wrigley Field, where he allowed them two runs in 5.1 innings. I think we’d take that.
Remember when Freddy Peralta was the guy many thought the Cubs could trade for to save their rotation this year?
Well, Peralta’s likely going to be available in a few weeks but is he a savior? Let’s see, he has a 4.83 ERA and 1.389 WHIP and has allowed 12 home runs in 85.2 innings. Yep, he’d fit right in with this group in Chicago!
Sigh. Actually, Peralta was doing reasonably well until he was left in to take a 10-run pounding in 2.2 innings from the Phillies in his last start. That alone raised his season ERA almost a full run (3.90 to 4.83).
Well, okay. Let the Cubs hit him hard tonight and then they can trade for him and turn him around. That works every time, right. Right?
Peralta allowed the Cubs three runs in 5.2 innings April 18 at Wrigley Field. That included a homer by Ian Happ.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Kawhi Leonard spent only one season of his 14-year NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and he made it count.
Leonard led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in franchise history, while securing the second Finals MVP award of his career. That led to his first contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, which was a three-year, $103.1 million deal.
Kawhi Leonard spent only one season of his 14-year NBA career with the Toronto Raptors and he made it count. Getty ImagesLeonard led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in franchise history, while securing the second Finals MVP award of his career Getty ImagesThat led to his first contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, which was a three-year, $103.1 million deal. NBAE via Getty Images
Since then Leonard has signed two contract extensions with the Clippers, the first in 2021 after he declined his player option for that season and then re-signed with the team on a four-year, $176.3 million max extension.
The latest contract extension came in 2024, where Leonard signed a three-year, $152.4 million deal that kept the two-time Finals MVP in Los Angeles through the 2026-27 season.
The Raptors are interested in reuniting with the small forward and Leonard is reportedly open to signing an extension with Toronto, per NBA insider Jake Fischer.
While Kawhi Leonard’s preference is to remain with the Clippers, league sources say the two-time Finals MVP would be open to signing an extension with Toronto, amid the Raptors’ own interest in reuniting with Leonard.
However, there are rumblings about Leonard’s availability on the trade block this year. Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat have also been linked to Leonard, but the 34-year-old wouldn’t have interest in inking an extension with either team.
Perhaps Leonard is also nostalgic about his former teams as he is reportedly only considering signing an extension with either Toronto or the San Antonio Spurs.
Ultimately, a reunion scenario would only transpire if the Clippers made Leonard available on the trade block. Currently, the team believes they “still have avenues to fortify their roster around Leonard and remain in Western Conference contention,” according to Fischer.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 12: The sneakers worn by Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 12, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the NBA Draft receding into the rear view mirror, it’s time to find out who is going to get Summer League and training camp invitations. As you might expect with the California and Salt Lake City minor summer league events coming up about a week from now, the teams involved with those might be a little bit quicker on the uptake on that issue, and so:
According to DraftExpress, the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to Exhibit 10 contract terms with former Marquette guard Chase Ross.
NEWS: Marquette’s Chase Ross has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.
14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game this season.
This is not a real NBA contract for Ross. This is a training camp invite with an option for the team to assign Ross to the Coachella Valley Lakers, their G-League affiliate, after camp is over. Sure, it’s possible that he really impresses someone in the Lakers’ front office or head coach JJ Redick or whatever, and finds his way onto the Los Angeles roster when the season starts, but that’s not the point of what the Lakers are doing here. This is more along the lines of the old-timey college football/basketball “preferred walk-on” recruiting. They definitely want him in Summer League and camp, but maybe that’s about it, and expecting more is probably expecting too much.
Chase Ross was not good for Marquette as a senior in the 2025-26 season. Yes, he finished the year at 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.3 steals, all of which were career highs while increasing his minutes per game by less than three per night. However, he shot a career worst 29.5% from behind the three-point line, and in an eight game stretch in the middle of the year, he averaged just 10.1 points per game and shot 17.6% from behind the arc. In Big East play, he shot just 38% from the field.
The most optimistic view of Ross relative to a professional future is that he excelled in a secondary or tertiary role behind Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones in the backcourt. No one is going to be asking Chase Ross to lead the way for the Los Angeles Lakers as long as Luka Doncic is alive and well, so I will carve out space to say that because all he has to do is prove he can be A Cog In The Machine, there’s a chance he could find a way to latch on in the league.
With that said, when he was asked to step up his game as a senior leader — much like he would have to step up his game in order to hang with NBA players — Ross failed to answer the call. I’m not optimistic here, but it’ll be nice to have at least one guy to pay attention to during Summer League across the next couple of weeks at the bare minimum.
The Colorado Avalanche finally made the difficult decision they spent years trying to avoid.
After multiple seasons weighing Valeri Nichushkin’s elite on-ice impact against recurring injuries and off-ice uncertainty, Colorado has closed the chapter, trading the veteran winger to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round selection in the NHL Draft.
It brings an end to one of the most complicated tenures in modern Avalanche history.
Nichushkin arrived in Colorado in August 2019 as a low-risk free-agent signing, a player whose NHL career had stalled in Dallas. Over time, he turned into one of the organization’s most important forwards — and one of its most difficult long-term evaluations.
In 404 regular-season games with the Avalanche, Nichushkin recorded 131 goals and 152 assists for 283 points. In the playoffs, his game often elevated even further, finishing with 27 goals and 40 points in 74 postseason appearances, including a major role in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
When he was right, there weren’t many power forwards in the league who looked like him. The size, the speed, the puck protection — it all came together in a way that made him a constant matchup problem and a key driver of Colorado’s puck-possession game.
He also delivered in defining moments. During the 2022 run, Nichushkin played through a broken foot in the Stanley Cup Final and still managed to produce, tying a franchise record with four goals in the series.
But the other side of the story never fully went away.
Injuries consistently interrupted stretches of his tenure, and off-ice issues created a level of uncertainty the Avalanche had to account for year after year. In January 2024, Nichushkin entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program and later received a six-month suspension after violating the program’s terms during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Since returning, there were no further public incidents, and head coach Jared Bednar often spoke about his professionalism and impact inside the room. Still, availability remained the constant issue, with injuries limiting him at multiple points during the 2025-26 season and postseason.
For Colorado, the decision ultimately came down to control and clarity. Nichushkin carries a $6.125 million cap hit through the 2029-30 season, and moving that contract gives the Avalanche additional flexibility as they continue reshaping a roster still built around contending.
In return, Colorado acquires three draft picks, including the 43rd overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. The second-round pick originally belonged to St. Louis before being moved through multiple trades to Columbus.
The Avalanche are left with cap space, future assets and one less question mark. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are betting that the version of Nichushkin who helped drive Colorado to a championship still has plenty of hockey left to give.
Kendall George, the Dodgers’ No. 13 overall prospect, suffered one of the strangest injuries in recent memory last month.
George (the Dodgers’ No. 36 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft) scored a run during a May 26 game with the Dodgers’ Double-A affiliate Tulsa Drillers. While heading back to the dugout, he had to dodge a bat dog who was running onto the field. This caused George to suffer a leg injury that he was visibly frustrated about.
While heading back to the dugout during a May 26 game, Kendall George had to dodge a bat dog running onto the field, resulting in a leg injury. Getty Images
The Dodgers suspended their bat-dog program as a result of George’s injury. While this has been upsetting for fans, it likely was the right call because dogs running around the field became detrimental to top prospects.
George, who’s hitting .328 with an .801 OPS and 26 stolen bases in 44 games this season, was placed on the seven-day injured list one day later because he suffered a left patellar tendon injury from dodging the dog. It took him about a month to return to the field, as he made his return on June 24 for the Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers.
It took George about a month to return to the field, as he made his return on June 24 for the Dodgers’ Single-A affiliate, the Ontario Tower Buzzers. Bally Sports
In his first at-bat, the Buzzers’ opponent, the Visalia Rawhide, played sounds of dogs barking, in what was a clear attempt to mock George’s freak injury. A video of this was posted to the Jomboy Media X account on Thursday morning and has since tallied over 380,000 pageviews.
The taunt worked out well for the Rawhide, as George struck out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
The opposing team was playing barking noises as Dodgers prospect Kendall George took his first at bats since injuring his knee avoiding a bat dog
What does this silence surrounding Schneider’s contract negotiations mean for his future in New York?
Despite messages from Schneider about wanting to stay with the Blueshirts, as well as from Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury about waiting to retain Schneider, it does not appear we are heading in that direction.
To kick off the offseason, the trade market has proven to be a sellers' market, as the Rangers have explored trade options for Schneider, according to The Athletic, and could look to capitalize on the current state of the market.
Drury, who is not looking to sit through a prolonged rebuilding process, is widely speculated to be targeting a young forward who could instantly contribute if he were to trade Schneider.
Given the Rangers’ reluctance to commit to Schneider long term, they could sign him to a one to two-year bridge deal, but Schneider, who is coming off a two-year, $4.4 million contract, is likely seeking a long-term contract extension.
It’s also possible the Rangers take a similar route to how they handled K’Andre Miller’s restricted free agency, in which the team agreed to a sign and trade with the Carolina Hurricanes that included a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft, and Scott Morrow.
The silence surrounding Schneider’s contract negotiations does not bode well for his chances of remaining with the Rangers into the future.
Speedy Colorado rookie Cole Carrigg hustled out a recent double, losing his batting helmet and leg guard along the way. He slid into second with such force that he ripped his pants, before hopping up and performing a little shimmy shake toward the dugout.
That’s the new grit, the new attitude, of a team still in last place but finding a path upward under the watchful gaze of a new front office. This isn’t the same floundering Rockies from a year ago that flirted with baseball’s all-time worst record.
At 32-49, the Rockies are already a plus-14 wins from where they were a year ago at the halfway mark. They’ve turned the page on last season, too — on the last three seasons in which they’ve dropped 323 games (2023-25). That’s tied with the 1940-42 Philadelphia Phillies for the fifth-most losses by a squad over a three-year span in the modern era.
Players like Carrigg and TJ Rumfield are helping bring a youthful vibe to the field.
Outfielder Mickey Moniak said the mentality these days is winning instead of hoping not to lose.
“That’s just a big step in the right direction. I think it’s only up from here,” he said.
Last season, the Rockies didn’t win their 32nd game until Aug. 13. They were also 18-23 in one-run games. This season, they’re 11-10 in games decided by a run.
“Even during games where we’re losing, I don’t think there’s a lot of panic,” said the 24-year-old Carrigg, who’s hitting .271 with three homers since being promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque on June 9. “Everybody trusts each other. We all know that we’re all great baseball players, and we’re here for a reason. We have a really special group of guys.”
This young nucleus, which includes All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, gives them promise down the road (they currently have around a 0.1% chance of making the playoff this season). The team hasn’t been to the postseason since 2018.
“There’s been a high level of commitment to elevate the story,” manager Warren Schaeffer said.
A path forward
Rebuilds, though, take time.
That’s why a front office led by Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes are being patient to make sure a consistent message permeates through all levels of the organization.
“We’ve still got a ways to go,” said Byrnes, who was brought in as general manager from the reigning World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. “But I’m encouraged by the progress.”
An area the Rockies plan to upgrade is the pitching throughout the system. That could be addressed through the draft next month or before the trade deadline in early August.
“Pitching is always going to be a challenge here when it’s tested over six months, and it’s our daily ritual of who’s available, who’s not,” Byrnes said. “Candidly, and it’s been done here before, to build a pitching staff that’s playoff-caliber and hopefully sustainable for several years — not just the players, but the methods behind it — is probably pretty high on the list for what we’re trying to do.”
The trade deadline
The Rockies do figure to be sellers at the trade deadline, especially given their surplus of outfielders. DePodesta already is starting to field some calls.
Anybody untouchables?
“There would be certain guys that would be really, really hard for us to move,” said DePodesta, the president of baseball operations. “That’s probably true for any team. There are guys that we feel are hopefully foundational players for us going forward.
“At the same time, I think we need to be opportunistic. We’re not where we want to be. So, if there are opportunities for us to get better, certainly both in the short-term and long-term, we need to look at that.”
One thing the Rockies are preaching on the minor-league level is position flexibility. Carrigg, for example, played outfield along with shortstop.
“It’s good for you. It’s good for us. Let’s do it,” Byrnes said. “It’s going to require some work, but for the most part ... it’s going very well.
“The most important thing we can do is deliver a team (fans) can root for, a team that wins, a team that plays in October.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced many familiar faces on the mound, but one former pitcher has yet to showcase his arsenal against them.
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler is lined up to start in Friday’s series opener versus the back-to-back World Series champions at Petco Park.
Walker Buehler is lined up to get the start against the Dodgers in Friday’s series opener. AP Photo/LM OteroManager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers. The team will face off against the erstwhile pitcher at Petco Park. Matt Marton-Imagn Images
After a shaky start with the Padres, the right-hander has seemingly found his rhythm. Buehler is sporting a 3.96 ERA in his last 15 starts for the Friars.
Buehler spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Dodgers, but chose to part ways with the team in free agency during the 2024 offseason. The Dodgers reportedly offered Buehler $20 million to return to LA, but he ultimately decided on signing a $21.05 million deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 campaign.
Buehler’s time with the Red Sox proved nightmarish as he posted a 5.45 ERA across 112.1 innings of work in Boston. The team chose to release Buehler and he was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies, where he tossed 13.2 frames with a 0.66 ERA.
The lackluster performance by Buehler caused serious doubt about the right-hander’s abilities following his second Tommy John surgery. The Padres signed the 31-year-old to a minor league deal in the winter and he earned his way to the Opening Day rotation.
Padres sweep the Braves behind terrific start by Sears. Next up, the Dodgers, who just swept the Twins.
Buehler vs. Sasaki on Fri. Sasaki faces SD for the first time since Manny Machado hosted him at his home for dinner during their recruitment pitch, ahead of him choosing LA pic.twitter.com/2X6SrR28LC
Despite a shaky start, Buehler has remained a staple of the Padres rotation and he may very well face his former team Friday in what is poised to be an exciting matchup.
Since his 2024 World Series heroics, the right-hander has yet to feature in the postseason. If president of baseball operations A.J. Preller orchestrates multiple trades at the deadline, there’s a chance the Padres make a deep playoff run with Buehler in the rotation.
As Dodgers’ opponents learned in October 2024, the right-hander shines when the lights are brightest.
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SAN FRANCISCO — For a baseball team that can’t seem to do anything right between the lines, you’d think the Giants would try to ace their image off the field.
And yet, their putrid play isn’t even the organization’s primary problem.
Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey meets with the media Tuesday in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
The public relations disasterclass that started almost two weeks ago when the franchise failed to get in front of a Pride Night fiasco that has escalated into a federal investigation and put the club in the crosshairs of a national political debate only continued Thursday.
Once again, a top club official was put in front of the press and took one big swing and a miss.
Apparently even the friendliest possible setting was too scary for the team’s top baseball executive.
Dickinson introduced Posey’s replacement by telling listeners that the team’s top business-side executive had “some things [he] wants to address about Pride Night.” That much alone was dubious, given that Baer was not made available despite repeated requests by reporters following the uncomfortable session with Posey in which he would only answer “baseball questions.”
Posey canceled a scheduled radio appearance on KNBR on Thursday. Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP
Despite apparently preparing a statement, Baer said about as little as Posey did two days prior and took no questions on the controversy. That, according to a source familiar, was a result of the restrictions put on the interview by team officials, who told the hosts in a meeting over Zoom the night before that Baer would be pinch-hitting and no follow-ups on the topic would be permitted.
Baer said he wanted to “speak from the heart” but offered the same mealy mouthed platitudes present in the organization’s lone, nameless statement after Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote Bible verses on the Pride Night hats that featured a rainbow Giants logo.
A fourth pitcher, Sam Hentges, opted to wear the Giants’ black and orange cap.
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“I know we’ve heard from many fans, and I know there are deep feelings about the events of Pride Night this year. We know it, we’ve heard, we’re listening,” Baer said.
“Just come context here: It’s a North Star here to create an experience in our ballpark for all fans, at Candlestick and Oracle Park, an experience that’s welcoming to all fans. That has not changed. … You know, look, yes, we’ve learned a lot in the last 11 days. Yes, we could have handled things better this year, for sure. We’re absolutely committed to continuing conversations with the LGBTQ+ community going forward. That’s where we are as an organization. … I just wanted to deliver that message to the fans and move on. Let’s talk about some other things.”
The pitchers’ actions were initially reprimanded by MLB for violating the uniform code, leading the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the league over religious discrimination.
“I know we’ve heard from many fans, and I know there are deep feelings about the events of Pride Night this year. We know it, we’ve heard, we’re listening,” Baer said. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Commisioner Rob Manfred placed blame directly on the organization for the “inadequate” communication to its players, and given what we’ve seen from their public posturing, should it be any surprise that it’s apparently just as much of a mess behind closed doors?
But nobody, even the franchise’s supposed leaders, is willing to address any of that.
Even when posed with the line of questioning they prefer, the team’s top decision-makers don’t seem capable of coming up with adequate answers. Posey called his news conference despite having not even spoken to Devers, largely deflecting those inquiries to manager Tony Vitello.
Baer, asked about the team’s problematic bullpen, noted how unfortunate it was that they had lost last year’s All-Star closer, Randy Rodriguez, to elbow surgery — a development that took place last September, before Posey opted not to commit more than $2 million to any reliever.
The bullpen came up the last time Posey appeared on the KNBR airwaves. Asked about his lack of investment in the group over the offseason, he used a strawman to deflect criticism. He seemed to suggest his choices were committing $69 million to Edwin Diaz or nothing at all.
The inability to articulate a vision can be traced back to Posey’s first day on the job, when he suggested his plan to return the team to relevance was to focus on “making memories.”
Surely, nobody will forget this saga anytime soon.
Even if they would prefer to, as Baer put it, talk about some other things.
RENO, NV - MARCH 18: Nevada Guard Corey Camper Jr. (4) looks on during a break in the action late in the game during a first round NIT Tournament college basketball game between the Murray State Racers and the Nevada Wolf Pack on March 18, 2026, at the Lawlor Events Center in Reno, NV. (Photo by Greg Ashman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Phoenix Suns have agreed to a deal with undrafted free agent Corey Camper Jr. out of Nevada, per One Time Agency Group. Nevada Athletics announced that it is an Exhibit 10 contract with the Suns after going undrafted.
Camper Jr. spent his senior season at Nevada, averaging 16.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season, while hooting 45.3 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from three. Camper, a 6-foot-5, 181-pound prospect profiles as a wing player, likely a shooting guard at the next level.
— On Time Agency | We Are Player-Driven (@ontimeagencygrp) June 25, 2026
Camper Jr. played two junior-college seasons and two years at UTEP before transferring to Nevada for his senior season. He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors.
An Exhibit 10 deal is a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum-salary NBA contract for undrafted rookies that comes with an invitation to Summer League and training camp, which could secure a spot for Camper on the Suns’ preseason roster.
So far, the Suns have done the following:
Pick 30: Koa Peat – Forward (Arizona)
Undrafted FA: Sam Hoiberg – Guard (Nebraska)
Undrafted FA: Corey Camper Jr. – Wing (Nevada)
Camper Jr. will join a Suns Summer League squad that will likely feature Koa Peat, Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach, Koby Brea and Sam Hoiberg.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 21: Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers reacts after hitting a three-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Globe Life Field on June 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for June 25, 2026 against the Toronto Blue Jays: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Kevin Gausman for the Jays.
Corey Seager is back! And the Rangers are in Toronto, where unpleasant things often happen for the team. But we’re going to think positive about this four game series.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Langford — CF
Seager — SS
Nimmo — RF
Burger — 1B
Duran — 3B
Osuna — LF
Higashioka — C
Lopez — 2B
6:07 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +120 underdogs.
New Zealand’s Tom Latham and Devon Conway broke a record that had stood for nearly a hundred years before England skipper Ben Stokes marked his return to international duty by sparking a late fightback on the first day of the third and deciding Test at Trent Bridge.
(@LawMurrayTheNU) 
