SURPRISE, AZ - MARCH 20: Kendry Chourio #33 of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the game between the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Royals’ farm system may lack depth, but the higher-end talent is gaining notice on prospect lists. And during MLB’s All-Star weekend, you can get a look at the future!
Pitcher Kendry Chourio and catcher Blake Mitchell were both named to the MLB Future Game to be played at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 12 at 11 a.m. CT. The American League will be managed by former Gold Glove shortstop Larry Bowa, while the National League will be managed by former All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino.
Chourio is ranked as a top prospect by both MLB Pipeline (#70) and Baseball America (#32). The 18-year-old right-hander dominated at Low-A with a 1.88 ERA in 11 starts with 44 strikeouts and just 9 walks in 48 innings, earning him a promotion to High-A recently. Chourio throws in the mid-90s with a plus change up and has excellent command and poise on the mound.
Mitchell was the eighth-overall pick in the 2023 draft out of high school in Texas. He suffered a hamate bone injury last year, but has rebounded to hit .210/.409/.425 with 13 home runs and 16 steals in 68 games at High-A this year. He features the best plate discipline in the organization and had an impressive 24 percent walk rate in the advanced Arizona Fall League last year.
The game will feature some of the best overall prospects in the sport including Brewers shortstop Jesús Made, Nationals shortstop Eli Willits, Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula, Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries, Mariners pitcher Kade Anderson, and Pirates pitcher Seth Hernandez.
DALLAS, TEXAS – APRIL 12: Collin Sexton #2 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2026...
The floodgates were fully open for the Lakers’ free agency moves Wednesday morning.
The Lakers landed explosive guard Collin Sexton on a 2-year, $19 million deal in NBA free agency. Getty Images
ESPN was first to report that Sexton is signing a two-year, $19 million deal.
Sexton, the No. 8 pick in the 2018 draft, is coming off of averaging 15.4 points and 3.3 assists in 68 regular season games (22 starts) for the Hornets and Bulls in 2025-26.
He has career averages of 18.3 points (47% shooting; 50.4% on 2-pointers and 38.9% on 3-pointers), 3.6 assists and 2.7 rebounds during an eight-season NBA career that’s taken him to Cleveland, Utah, Charlotte, Chicago and now Los Angeles.
Sexton is expected to slot in as the backup ball handler behind star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
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WRAPPING UP JUNE: The Cubs were 16-10 in June, for a winning percentage of .615. That was their highest percentage in any June since 1992, when they were 18-10, .643. They were better than .615 in only six more of the past 80 seasons: .677 (21-10) in 1967; .621 (18-11) in 1969; .667 (18-9) in 1971; .704 (19-8) in 1977; .667 (16-8) in 1979; .621 (18-11) in 1983. They were better in 28 seasons from 1876-1946. They were .607 in 1972 and 2007 (17-11). (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
STREAKING: A win today would give the Cubs their third-longest winning streak of the season, four games, behind their pair of 10-game streaks. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
COMPLETING SWEEPS: The Cubs have a shot at their 18th sweep of the Padres at Wrigley Field since the rivalry began in 1969, but only their fourth in 27 series on the North Side since 2000. The Cubs won all three games in 2009, 2012 and 2021. This season, the Cubs won the first two games of six previous series. They completed sweeps in five of them, including two of four games. The only third-game loss was at San Francisco. At home, they swept the Mets, Phillies and Reds. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
PCA’S JUNE: Pete Crow-Armstrong’s case for Player of the Month: 26 games, .381/.468/.781 (40-for-105) with five doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 20 RBI, 17 walks, 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases.
Colin Rea had a rough patch in early June but his last two starts, against the Blue Jays and Mets, have been very good – 10.1 total innings, one earned run.
Hopefully he can continue that tonight vs. the Padres, who he has not faced this year.
Rea has been much better at Wrigley Field (2.61 ERA in seven games, six starts) than on the road (6.60 ERA in 10 games, seven starts). Hopefully, that will come into play in this afternoon’s contest.
Walker Buehler was a free agent before 2026. He’s making just $1.5 million this year with the Padres. Coming off two pretty bad years, you can understand why teams weren’t interested.
He’s been very good this year in San Diego – 3.81 ERA and 1.308 WHIP, a 1.3 bWAR season so far. When he faced the Cubs April 28 in San Diego, he was struggling and allowed three hits, three walks and two runs in 4.2 innings, throwing 92 pitches.
Over his last nine starts: 2.64 ERA, 1.175 WHIP, 41 strikeouts in 47.2 innings. He’s not quite the guy he was with the Dodgers, but that’s really good. He turns 32 in a few weeks and if he keeps this up he’ll be a desirable free agent this offseason.
Please visit our SB Nation Padres site Gaslamp Ball. If you do go there to interact with Padres fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 21: Charlie Condon #24 of the Colorado Rockies bats during the seventh inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 21, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The 2026 edition of the Midsummer Classic is coming up in just two weeks. While rosters for the All-Star Game at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia are still in the air, Major League Baseball has announced the teams for this year’s All-Star Futures Game.
Two Rockies prospects have been named to the National League Futures Team.
First Baseman and Outfielder Charlie Condon (no. 1 PuRP)
23-year-old Charlie Condon was selected third overall by the Rockies in the 2024 draft and is making his second All-Star Futures Game appearance after suiting up for the National League squad last year in Atlanta.
Although he got off to somewhat of a slow start in his third professional season, Condon has become a force to be reckoned with over the last month. The University of Georgia product and 2024 Golden Spikes Award winner hit .337/.462/.814 with a 1.276 OPS in June and slugged three doubles, four triples, and ten home runs with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
It’s expected that Condon will make his Major League debut at some point this season.
Center Fielder and Second Baseman Roldy Brito (no. 11 PuRP)
One of the rising stars of the Rockies’ farm system, 19-year-old Roldy Brito exploded onto the scene with an incredible 2025 campaign. He was named the Arizona Complex League MVP after hitting .368/.445/.555 with 13 doubles, six triples, three home runs, 21 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases with the ACL Rockies. Once the short ACL season was over, Brito continued to dominate with a promotion to the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies. In 33 games with Fresno to finish the year, Brito hit .375/.442/.463 with another seven doubles, 17 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.
Brito has regressed slightly in 2026, but even then he is having an excellent season in a second stint with the Grizzlies. He is currently hitting .312/.363/.477 with 19 doubles, seven triples, six home runs, 60 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. Brito is a likely candidate for promotion to High-A in the near future.
The 2026 All-Star Futures Game will take place on Sunday, July 12th at 10:00 AM MDT to kick off All-Star Week in Philadelphia and will be broadcast on NBC.
Jan 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Mamuuu! Nooo!
Shams Charania of ESPN has broken the news that newly minted free agent Sandro Mamukelashvili has officially signed a $52 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, locking the centre-forward up for the next four years. It seems that as Toronto takes from one LA team, the other one takes back, and in a very vulnerable position for the Raps.
The potential effects of Mamu’s departure on the team have already been discussed: the loss of size and a respectable shooter is not something the Raptors can take lying down, and brings even more urgency to the Raptors’ quest to fill out their centre rotation. Trayce Jackson-Davis is now the team’s third stringer, who after playing only 17 games for the team, could see a huge uptick in minutes. All that considered, some additional urgency is probably not a bad thing for this team. The marathon to getting a positionally sound roster together is one that is going painfully slowly, but appears to be quite calculated, picking up Kawhi Leonard along the way.
But, the Raptors have only one seven footer, and ESPN shows Jamison Battle as the fourth string centre. That is an unacceptable state for this team to be in, long term. With even Jonathan Mogbo departing, the Raptors need more size of the bench, and a more reliable centre, full stop. We could see in the upcoming weeks more aggressive pursuit of Myles Turner, as Jalen Duren and many other high profile free agent centres have either been linked with new teams, or have already inked deals. The Raptors will have to make new moves sooner than later.
For more than his play, I’ll miss Mamu. The player seemed nothing but kind in his personal life, and injected excitement into a Raptors’ team that is only now beginning to find its identity. I wish him the best in Los Angeles, but reflect on the way we could have kept the good times going.
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 10: Kristaps Porzingis #7 of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 10, 2026 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Golden State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The Golden State Warriors opened the offseason with a big move, signing their trade deadline acquisition, Kristaps Porziņģis, to a two-year extension worth $40 million. The reunion wasn’t at all surprising, though I think the price tag probably raised a few eyebrows.
There are reasons to love and be skeptical about the extension. Porziņģis fit in brilliantly with the Dubs on both ends of the court, and showed just how dynamic of a force he can be in their systems. On the other hand, he also displayed the serious health concerns that have plagued him throughout the last decade.
So with all that in mind … how do you grade the extension?
The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to terms on a four-year, $60 million contract with a free agent who’s also a former teammate of their superstar guard.
The franchise will sign former 76ers guard Quentin Grimes, who was an unrestricted free agent after one-and-a-half seasons in Philadelphia.
The Lakers are signing Quentin Grimes to a four-year, $60 million contract in free agency. NBAE via Getty ImagesGrimes, 26, played with Lakers star guard Luka Dončić for a brief period to start the 2024-25 season in Dallas. NBAE via Getty Images
Grimes, 26, played with Lakers star guard Luka Dončić for a brief period to start the 2024-25 season in Dallas after being traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Dallas Mavericks during the 2024 offseason.
The 6-foot-4 guard out of Houston, who was the No. 25 pick in the 2021 draft, has averaged 11.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists during his NBA career.
Grimes is coming off of averaging 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 2025-26 with the 76ers.
He’s coming off a down shooting year, making a career-low 33.4% of his 3-pointers, but has been a reliable perimeter shooter for most of his career.
Grimes shot 37.5% on 3s during his first four seasons in the league. He’s shot at least 38% on catch-and-shoot 3s in four of his five seasons.
Grimes is also a reliable corner 3-point shooter.
Free agent guard Quentin Grimes has agreed to a four-year, $60 million to join the Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/5mcp4pULuD
At 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, Grimes has shown he can be a strong perimeter defender, especially off of the ball when he doesn’t have lapses.
After starting his career with the Knicks before being traded to the Pistons ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, Grimes hasn’t spent more than one-and-a-half seasons with a single team.
The Pistons traded him to the Mavericks during the 2024 offseason. And then the Mavericks traded Grimes to the 76ers ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
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It's Jun. 30, and that means NHL free agency is just one day away.
In years past, there was much more fanfare surrounding Jul. 1, especially since there was talent to be had in unrestricted free agency. That's not to say there isn't any talent this season, but there certainly isn't nearly as much intrigue surrounding the free agent class this season as opposed to years past.
Just take it from Pittsburgh Penguins' president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas, who actually laughed when asked about whether or not the Penguins will turn to free agency to fill talent holes.
"We can be as aggressive as we want on Jul. 1, but if you look at what's available, it could be an expensive mistake," Dubas said. "And I try to learn from the past. We'll try to steer clear of that."
Even if Pittsburgh could risk making some "expensive mistakes," however, that doesn't mean they won't be active on Jul. 1 - they just aren't likely to overpay.
So, what should Penguins' fans expect when free agency begins at noon ET? Here are three storylines to watch.
As of now, they have Karlsson, Korczak, van Riemsdyk, Kris Letang, and Harrison Brunicke on the right side - in addition to Finn Harding and Chase Pietila right behind them as far as depth in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) - so it is becoming a crowded place. In contrast, the Penguins now have just Sam Girard, Ryan Graves, Caleb Jones, and Ilya Solovyov left over from last year's NHL roster on the left side, and Owen Pickering, Jake Livanavage, and Maleek McGowan will be pushing for a roster spot from WBS. The only surefire NHL-caliber player there - right now - is Girard.
In free agency, options are limited. 27-year-old San Jose Sharks UFA Mario Ferraro is, potentially, a name to keep an eye on, as he recorded seven goals and 23 points last season and is a perfectly solid bottom-pair guy who can be had for relatively cheap. Same goes for Calgary Flames 28-year-old UFA Jake Bean, who played just 16 games with Calgary last season because of a season-ending injury sustained in December.
And, of course, there's still a few big names to watch on the trade market if the Penguins want to shoot higher. Zach Werenski and Thomas Harley are hot names, as is Alexander Nikishin, as the Carolina Hurricanes are exploring his market.
This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on Jul. 1 and into the rest of the summer.
To be upfront about this, I believe this is unlikely.
Dubas said last summer that he believed offer sheets aren't particularly viable in the rising cap environment: Teams not only have more cap space to match offers, but the pick compensation is also going to make things more complicated, as it will be a bit hard to predict how that ratio is going to work relative to the cap.
Perhaps blueliners Braden Schneider and Arber Xhekaj made some degree of sense, but only for a reasonable cap hit - and I doubt Dubas would surrender first-rounders for either, meaning he can't go above $4.68 million. RFAs like Nikishin will cost too much on an offer sheet.
Again, I doubt this is the route they'll take. But never say never.
Following Dubas's body of work, it's clear that he likes to make trades after Jul. 1 - particularly in the month of August. The Karlsson deal happened in August of 2023. The Rutger McGroarty deal in August of 2024.
But, given the trade market landscape right now, it's hard to imagine, if the Penguins are indeed shooting big in the trade market, that they will be able to wait that long to get something done.
Rumors have been swirling about superstar winger Jason Robertson, and Pittsburgh is in the thick of it. For three of the other teams that were revealed to have checked in on Robertson - the Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators - it was almost immediately shot down that Robertson would sign long-term with those teams.
So far, that hasn't been the case for Pittsburgh, and it's reasonable to think it would have been shot down by now if there was no interest, on his part, in coming to Pittsburgh.
As mentioned before, the Penguins are loaded up on the right side. A guy like Karlsson immediately makes a win-now team better. A guy like Brunicke gives a playoff-hopeful team something to look forward to. If the player is right, both of these guys are probably going to be in play, and Dallas needs right-side defensemen.
The chances of the Penguins pulling something as massive as Robertson off are slim, especially given their asset pool. But that doesn't mean it can't get done. And that doesn't mean they still won't be in the mix for a guy like Nikishin, or even a guy like Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov.
So, stay tuned. Things could get pretty interesting in the coming days.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 15: Sandro Mamukelashvili #54 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on December 15, 2025 in Miami, 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. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As the Lakers look to find shooting to put around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, they turned to one of the better stretch bigs on the market.
Just in: Free agent F/C Sandro Mamukelashvili has agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal to sign with Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option for the fourth season, sources tell ESPN. Big fully guaranteed deal for George Roussakis and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports. pic.twitter.com/dN7L6K7SQm
The Lakers adding a big, along with reports of Walker Kessler’s signing, means the frontcourt depth has improved. There are likely moves still to be made, but the Lakers have two new frontcourt pieces this season.
Mamukelashvili is a good player who is a capable rebounder and can certainly stretch the floor. Last year with the Raptors, he shot 38.9% from 3-point range. That’s his best shooting season from beyond the arc, and he did it while taking 3.7 3-point attempts per game.
Overall, Mamu had a breakout season with the Raptors last year, averaging 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. His ability to space the floor means he can play as a four and potentially as a five in small ball lineups. With Mamu, the Lakers should be able to play more two-big lineups while still spacing the floor.
At 27 years old, he’s also on the same timeline as Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, another positive sign. One of the overall themes of the Lakers in free agency this year is that they got younger overall.
His signing, paired with the other flurry of moves by the Lakers, almost guarantees that Rui Hachimura will not be back next season, something that has been in the cards since free agency started. Barring some sort of dramatic change or an unexpected change, the Lakers simply won’t have space under the first apron to retain Hachimura.
It all happened quickly this summer, but the Lakers landed a solid big who can space the floor, something the roster did not have last season.
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 10: Collin Sexton #8 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 10, 2025 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After completing a trade for Walker Kessler, the Lakers followed with a flurry of moves.
In a sequence of moves announced nearly simultaneously, the Lakers agreed to deals with Sandro Mamukelashvili and Quentin Grimes, then finished with a two-year, $19 million deal for Collin Sexton.
Free agent Collin Sexton has agreed to a two-year, $19 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/S2MBPxTSH4
This deal will be for the Room Exception, meaning the Lakers are now out of spending power. The only signings they can make now are veteran minimum deals.
Room mid-level exception for Collin Sexton over two years. Excellent value for him.
Lakers exhaust all their spending power.
They can now make trades with their players under contract to further increase their payroll and upgrade the roster. https://t.co/LavuSTsFwx
With both Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard leaving in free agency, the Lakers had a need for backup guards. Sexton is still just 27 years old, so the team is also getting younger.
Last season, Sexton split his season between the Hornets and Bulls, averaging 15.4 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 48.5% from the field and 40.1% from the 3-point line. For his career, he’s a 38.9% 3-point shooter, but has been north of 39% every season since the 2022-23 campaign.
Sexton also has a great ability to get to the rim. Last season, 27.5% of his shots came within three feet while he shot 64.7% on those attempts. The only non-bigs on the Lakers to have a percentage higher than that on the Lakers last season were Adou Thiero in limited minutes and LeBron James.
The Lakers relied heavily on Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves to create rim pressure last season, so adding Sexton certainly fills a need in that regard.
Sexton did spend a couple of seasons in Utah playing alongside Kessler, so there will also be a bit of chemistry there as well.
It all happened very quickly, so it’ll take time to digest, but the Lakers quickly made moves to add younger, athletic guards to the roster and surround Luka and Austin with shooting and playmaking on the perimeter, two areas the team lacked last season.
The Senators made it official on Wednesday morning. They've signed forward Nick Cousins to a two-year contract extension. The deal kicks in this fall and is worth an oddly specific total of $1.5875 million per season.
It's a decent raise for Cousins, who's 33 next month, and has obviously proven his worth to Sens management in his effective bottom six role. He's coming off back-to-back one-year deals with the club and has spoken openly about his desire to stay, ideally with some term.
Cousins didn't miss a game this season, putting up nine goals, 23 points and a career-high 92 penalty minutes. With Brady Tkachuk now gone, the Sens could ill afford to lose any more edge up front, and Cousins has never been an easy man to play against. In fact, he was voted as having the NHL's most punchable face for two years running.
“Nick has proven his value to our hockey club over the past two seasons," GM Steve Staios said in a prepared club statement. "He brings Stanley Cup-winning experience and is an important player inside our dressing room."
In parts of 12 NHL seasons, Cousins has collected 86 goals and 218 points with seven different clubs. He's also played for the Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, and Nashville Predators.
A member of the Panthers, Cousins won a Stanley Cup ring in 2024.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published on The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. For full coverage of the Senators check out one of the latest headlines below:
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers during Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 19, 2026 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. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yeah, that might be a bit rich for our blood.
ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that Quentin Grimes will be signing a four-year, $60 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, ending his Sixers tenure after two seasons. The Lakers were one of two suitors rumored to be interested in Grimes, along with the Miami Heat. The night before he signed, Jake Fischer reported again he expected Grimes to LA.
Free agent guard Quentin Grimes has agreed to a four-year, $60 million to join the Los Angeles Lakers, with a player option, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/5mcp4pULuD
Grimes’ eventual departure to LA was reported before the Sixers made any moves, but using part of their mid-level exception to sign Dean Wade all but sealed Grimes’ fate. Whether they signed Wade or not, that was probably not a number the Sixers were ever going to match. The Lakers have been big spenders so far this summer, also handing out deals to Walker Kessler, Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton.
With Grimes gone and Wade signed, the quickest breakdown of the Sixers’ cap situation is that they have $16.3 million to spend before hitting the first apron where they’re hard capped, plus the ~$6 million they have left on their mid-level exception after the signings of Wade and center Ariel Hukporti. They could also access the bi-annual exception ($5.5 million).
Grimes arrived in Philadelphia at the trade deadline during the 2024-25 season, but didn’t really get to play with the real version of this team until 2025-26. Averaging 21.9 points per game for the hospital Sixers appeared to set up Grimes pretty well for restricted free agency, but not many offers came Grimes’ way and he came back to the Sixers on the qualifying offer.
Despite a pretty up-and-down season, mostly in a sixth man role, Grimes was the only playable guard off the bench for the Sixers in the playoffs. He was great down the stretch in Game 5 of round one against Boston, but couldn’t string it together consistently as he shot 39% from the field in the playoffs.
LA will certainly provide a bigger role for Grimes than coming back to play with a backcourt of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Labaron Philon Jr, but the Sixers will miss his two-way ability should they not be able to replace it.
This evening, we’re looking to back steady, consistent arms while fading a few of the game’s more vulnerable starters.
Headlined by another strong outing from veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler, here are my favorite MLB player props and MLB picks for Wednesday, July 1.
Best MLB strikeout props and starting pitcher picks today
Player
Pick
Odds
Zack Wheeler
Over 7.5 strikeouts
+114
Zac Gallen
Under 3.5 strikeouts
-103
J.T. Ginn
Over 3.5 earned runs
+122
Strikeout Prop: Zack Wheeler Over 7.5 strikeouts (+114)
One of the most reliable strikeout pitchers in all of baseball is Zack Wheeler. The Philadelphia Phillies right-hander enters Wednesday with an elite pitcher and strikeout rating on Batters-Box.
In 34 elite-rated starts, the veteran has reached at least six strikeouts in 88.24% of games, seven strikeouts in 70.59%, and eight strikeouts in 50%.
Overall this season, the Phillies starter has carried a 29% K rate at home. Tonight, he draws a Pittsburgh Pirates lineup that has been extremely swing-happy. Over their last six games, they have a 30.6% strikeout rate.
Getting plus money in this spot offers a strong opportunity to back eight Ks from one of the most consistent pitchers in the game.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSP, SNP
Strikeout Prop: Zac Gallen Under 3.5 strikeouts (-103)
Despite not being the flashiest offense in baseball, the San Francisco Giants do one thing well: they don't strike out.
In their last 30 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, only three bats sit above a 26% strikeout rate. Six are under 20%, and four are under 13.3%.
Luis Arraez in that stretch? 0%.
On the other side, Zac Gallen has struggled all season, posting a 5.27 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP at home. Over his last three starts, the Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander owns a 9.18 ERA, 7.82 xERA, and 1.68 WHIP. In his last five outings, his strikeout rate sits at 7.75%.
Snagging nearly even money on a pitcher who has struggled this much all season long is a strong look, even playable down to -110 if needed.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ARID, NBCSBA
Pitcher Prop: J.T. Ginn Over 3.5 earned runs (+122)
The level of heat the Los Angeles Dodgers are bringing right now is reason enough to take a look at them scoring 4+ runs against J.T. Ginn this evening. If you're worried about an error or any shenanigans, the F5 team total Over is the cleaner angle.
The Dodgers enter today with four elite-rated hitters and the highest-rated offense in Batters-Box default ratings. Over their last six games, they're posting a 153 wRC+, .388 wOBA, and .890 OPS.
Ginn owns a 4.32 xERA and a 1.62 WHIP at home with the Athletics this season. With how hot the Dodgers have been, asking them to clear just above their first five-inning run average at plus money is a risk worth taking.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, SNLA
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 248-477, -21.3 units
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.
As the free agency window opened on Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings announced they have re-signed forward Carter Mazur to a two-year contract with a $875,000 cap hit.
The deal brings back the 24-year-old Jackson, Michigan native on a team-friendly pact as he looks to finally establish himself with the franchise he grew up watching and dreaming of playing for.
Mazur is a Michigan kid through and through, and the Red Wings represent far more than just an employer. After the organization elected not to extend him a qualifying offer, the decision to circle back and bring him back on a new deal speaks to the belief Detroit still holds in what Mazur can be when healthy, and perhaps to the belief that his passion for this particular organization is worth betting on.
When Mazur has been on the ice and at full strength, he has looked every bit the part of a legitimate NHL contributor. Over 16 games, the former third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft posted 11 goals and five assists for a point-per-game pace that would rank among the more productive stretches by any Red Wings forward this past season. He added six points in eight playoff games, further reinforcing that his game translates when the stakes are highest.
His game is built on grit, physicality and a competitive edge that resonates in the modern NHL, where teams increasingly value forwards who can contribute offensively while also bringing a nasty, hard-to-play-against element every shift.
Mazur suffered an injury during his debut with the Red Wings in the 2024-25 season and was unable to return, a cruel interruption to what had been a promising introduction at the NHL level. The health question mark remains the central uncertainty surrounding his game, but the underlying talent and compete level have never been in serious doubt.
At $875,000 per season, Detroit is taking on minimal financial risk while keeping a player whose combination of skill, physicality and hometown motivation makes him a compelling possibility for the bottom six.
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The White Sox hand the ball to rookie Noah Schultz as they chase a sweep in Baltimore. | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The White Sox are staring down their first road sweep of the year, with an 11:35 a.m. CT breakfast special in Baltimore. They’ve already bagged their first road series win since the Padres in early May, and now the South Siders have a shot to roll into Cleveland with some road win momentum.
Noah Schultz, fresh off the injured list (right knee patellar tendinitis, if you’re keeping score), gets the nod. He tossed three rehab starts in Charlotte, posting a 4.00 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. He had some pop last time out, allowing two runs on three hits, with seven punchouts in 4 2/3 innings. Before the knee went sideways, Schultz was 2-4 with a 5.82 ERA in 38 2/3 innings. The fastball still hums at 95 mph, the pedigree is real, but command has still been a struggle. Big leaguers have been happy to watch him miss, and the walks pile up. The plan today is not rocket science. He needs to get ahead, fill the zone, and let the slider eat once he’s in control. If Schultz can actually throw strike one and keep the freebies to a minimum, the Sox might just finish the job.
Baltimore throws Dean Kremer at Chicago, making his first big league start since April 18 after a two-month right quad strain vacation. He carved up Triple-A Norfolk in rehab (1.83 ERA, 0.86 WHIP) and has been a sneaky steady arm for the O’s since coming over in the Manny Machado deal. Kremer isn’t going to blow anyone away as he lives on command, not gas. He doesn’t rack up strikeouts, but he fills the zone, gets chases with his offspeed, and keeps barrels quiet. For the South Siders, patience is the whole game. Don’t go fishing for his junk, make him throw the heater for strikes, and jump on mistakes. If they can lay off the soft stuff and wait for something hittable, they’ll have a shot against a guy who wins with location, not velocity.
Chicago’s offense has found its rhythm of late. Six wins in eight games, 17 runs in two nights, and everyone’s chipping in. Jacob Gonzalez just put up back-to-back three-RBI games, and Andrew Benintendi is finally alive with three hits on Tuesday. Still not a great value at $75 million, but he seems to be having fun and providing some solid veteran leadership in the dugout. If the bats can keep this up this afternoon, maybe, just maybe, they can finish off their first road sweep of the year. So, here’s how skipper Will Venable will send them out to try to do just that against Kremer.
Zack Wheeler
Zac Gallen
J.T. Ginn
