Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) jumps to catch a pass and dunk the ball against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks are hoping to repeat as NBA champions in the upcoming season, but their job has become a little harder to repeat.
While the Philadelphia 76ers are gearing up to challenge them by trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James, the Knicks are focused on figuring out their own team after losing Mitchell Robinson in free agency to the Boston Celtics.
“The Knicks are still in a good position to defend their title: Nine of the top 10 members of their playoff rotation are returning, and none of their key players appears headed for age-related decline. Still, a team source took a cautious approach when forecasting for next season, warning about the possibility of a championship hangover and noting that the Knicks’ 3-point shooting could regress next spring after they ranked first in the 2026 postseason,” ESPN contributor Ben Golliver wrote.
Robinson sets the tone for the team’s defense, and not having him on the floor will change how every player operates for the Knicks on both ends of the floor. It remains to be seen how the team will adjust, as Robinson’s replacement Andre Drummond is not a plug-and-play type of situation. Drummond will take Robinson’s minutes, but he likely won’t have the same impact on both ends of the floor.
No team has repeated as champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. It’s a difficult feat to accomplish, especially with so many high-octane teams at the top of the heap in both conferences.
The Knicks won’t have it easy to repeat and the second apron is definitely not doing them any favors.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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Well, we’ve been here before.
LeBron James has once again ducked Northeast Ohio by choosing to sign with a team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. I think I speak for all of us when I say this left me feeling bummed out.
Not as bummed as 2010. But maybe slightly more disappointed than 2018, when it felt all but certain we’d be entering a dark age of Cavalier basketball following The King’s departure.
This time around is a little different than the other two.
In 2010, James left us all hanging. It felt like the hometown hero was turning his back on us. To this day, the first decision remains controversial in Cleveland. I don’t think that relationship would have ever been repaired if James hadn’t returned in 2014 and eventually fulfilled his promise.
2018 was totally different. By then, he’d already brought a title to Cleveland and done all he could to elevate a lackluster roster to another finals appearance. The 2018 playoff run felt like his last dance in Cleveland. They’d expended all of their resources and met the end of the road. I think most of us made peace with James ending his career somewhere else.
But then hope returned.
Last month, it felt like James might actually make another homecoming. Not only would he close his career with a storybook ending, but he’d be joining a team that actually has a chance of winning the title. This would have been more than a farewell tour. James was the exact type of player the Cavs had been missing throughout this era.
We all know what happened next.
James chose to join the Philadelphia 76ers, stating that this would be the last decision of his career. It all ends in Philly — not Cleveland.
So, now that we’ve laid it all out, we want to know how you feel about LeBron’s decision.
Does this change your view of him? Are you left feeling scorned and betrayed? Disappointed? Or do you have zero bad feelings in the wake of another decision? Let us know in our poll and leave a comment with your explanation!
The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, and the organization’s developmental model has begun to yield results, with 2023 first rounder Zach Benson making an impact in the playoffs, and 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius appearing as one of the AHL’s top prospects the last two seasons.
Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. These players are all 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 82 NHL games.
38 Norwin Panocha – Defense (Eisbaren Berlin - DEL)
Drafted 205th overall out of the junior level of Eisbaren Berlin of the DEL at the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, the 6’2”, 190 lb. defenseman opted to come to North America and play for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL instead of staying in Germany. In his first season, Panocha finished with 15 assists in 52 regular-season games and had one assist in eight playoff games for the Sagueneens, but he was released after the season.
Sabres need to add offense, either via trade or free agency
After being selected in the CHL Import Draft by Prince Albert, Panocha moved to the Western Hockey League to play for the Raiders, but played only three games before he was dropped again. After a brief stop playing with Green Bay in the USHL and playing for Germany in his second straight WJC, Panocha returned home to play for Berlin, where he finished with two assists in 16 DEL games.
Last season, Panocha split time between Berlin and was loaned out to Lausitzer Füchse in the secondary level of the DEL. According to Elite Prospects, he will be playing for another DEL club, the Iserlohn Roosters, next season.
Panocha was at the Sabres Development Camp earlier this month, and the club has one year remaining of rights before they have to sign him.
All signs pointed toward future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane deciding to sign another contract extension with the Detroit Red Wings, despite having finished outside of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for what is now a franchise-record 10th straight year.
Kane spoke glowingly about his time with the Red Wings, pointed to his friendship with longtime teammate Alex DeBrincat, and said he'd love to be part of the solution that finally brings Stanley Cup Playoff hockey to Little Caesars Arena.
However, Red Wings fans won't get to see "Showtime" in playoff action wearing the Winged Wheel. Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, returning to the club he helped win the Stanley Cup three times.
So, what happened?
While making an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast, Kane admitted that he thought he was coming back to the Red Wings, but as he put it, "things happen".
"If you would’ve asked me last year at the end of the season, I thought I would be going back to Detroit. And you know, things happen, and then it’s like, 'Okay, let’s just take our time, see what’s out there July 1st,'" he said. "And (Blackhawks) owner Danny Wirtz called me at, like, 11:03, as soon as free agency opened."
While Kane didn't get specific, it's not hard to guess as to exactly what he was referring to.
Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin requested to be traded, which became public in early June. Larkin and the Red Wings remain in a standoff, as he's still allegedly willing to be dealt to only three teams, greatly handicapping Detroit's ability to get an adequate trade package in return.
Not only that, but GM Steve Yzerman stepped down from his role in mid-July, stunning Red Wings fans and adding another layer of uncertainty to the franchise. As of July 28, the club has yet to name an official successor to Yzerman.
The departure of Kane, who recorded 57 points for the Red Wings last season, leaves a significant void in Detroit’s top-six forward group. Although the team added veteran winger Viktor Arvidsson, who scored 25 goals with the Boston Bruins in 2025-26, replacing Kane’s offensive production will be hard, barring another acquisition.
Additionally, if Larkin is also moved, the Red Wings’ chances of reaching the postseason next spring will take another major hit. Detroit would already face an uphill battle without Kane, but losing both key forwards would make their already slim playoff aspirations even more difficult.
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Tyler Locklear hit a home run. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Inspiration.
The Diamondbacks had three weak positions at the All-Star break: First base, left field, and center field. The following table shows some highlight metrics in games through 16 July. Data from Baseball Beference and Baseball Savant.
“The sum total of these endeavors is wretched on a historical level. Over almost three hundred plate appearances, Arizona’s first basemen are batting .215/.249/.312 for a .561 OPS at the position. That is currently the lowest figure at 1B by a major league team in over a century.” — Jim McLennan, 18 June 2026
Let’s look at first base. More specifically, “What has recently changed?”
This season, who has played at first base?
Before we continue, a promising player in AAA who could have a future at first base is Manuel Pena. He is 22.6 years old. Recently, he impressed two writers, in May and July. This season, in games through 21 July, he worked on improving his batting. Four home runs in 110 PAs was great, but his 27% whiff rate needs to be nudged lower, and his .830 OPS is not as good as it seems because it’s AAA Reno.
So far, ten players have played first base. Let’s look at them briefly.
Mostly catchers: James McCann & Adrian Del Castillo.
Cup of Coffee: Luken Baker, released 15 June after 4 PAs.
Rookies who returned to AAA: Lu James Groover (33 PAs) & Jose Fernandez (60 PAs).
Negative 22 OPS+: Carlos Santana (26 PAs), released 26 June.
Positive 20 OPS+: Pavin Smith (53 PAs), DFA on 9 July, currently back in AAA.
The Contenders: Ildemaro Vargas, Tim Tawa, and Tyler Locklear. Let’s look at them in depth.
The Contenders.
How do the contenders compare in batting? After Pavin Smith’s DFA, the competition for first base started in earnest. Statistics from 10 July onward show that the contenders’ batting is very impressive. The following table shows their extraordinry batting. Data from Baseball Savant.
Although Ildemaro Vargas was best overall batter, noteworthy was Locklear matching his OBP, and Tawa with the better hits per ball in play (hits/BIP).
How do the contenders compare in Defense? Let’s look at this season’s Outs Above Average (OAA) at first base, which is based on range and catch probability, and Defensive Runs Saved (DRA) at first base, which compares all defensive actions to average (and is used by Baseball Reference to calculate WAR).
OAA. Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas, each with 2 OAAs, are better than Tyler Locklear with negative 1 OAA.
DRS. Ildemaro Vargas with 5 DRS is better than Tim Tawa and Tyler Locklear, who have 1 DRS and 0 DRS.
Looking at OAA and DRS, Ildemaro Vargas is the best defender at first base.
Do splits in performance between left-handed and right-handed pitchers show a possible advantage to platooning? The following table shows the splits. Data from Baseball Savant.
The table shows a possible batting improvement if Tyler Locklear plays against right-handed starting pitchers and Ildemaro Vargas play against left-handed starting pitchers. And the benched player is available for pinch hitting in the late innings, depending on an advantageous matchup.
Summary.
After Pavin Smith’s DFA, the competition for first base started in earnest. Statistics from 10 July onward show that the contenders’ batting was extraordinary.
This season, looking at OAA and DRS, Ildemaro Vargas was the best defender at first base.
The OPS splits show a possible batting improvement if Tyler Locklear plays against right-handed starting pitchers and Ildemaro Vargas play against left-handed starting pitchers. And the benched player is available for pinch hitting in the late innings, depending on an advantageous matchup.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Head coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry #30 and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hug during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors have agreed to a deal with longtime franchise icon Draymond Green, agreeing to a one-year, $27.7 million deal, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. While Green’s sizable salary may seem larger than market rate, the Dubs are seemingly matching the player option he opted out earlier this offseason. Normally players only opt out of a player option when they know a more lucrative opportunity is waiting, but Green’s close relationship with the organization made him comfortable opting out to give the front office more flexibility to pursue LeBron James in free agency. Green likely would have taken less money to accommodate adding James. However, LeBron opted to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers so the two sides agreed to a deal that is equivalent to if he had opted in. While Green was eligible for a no-trade clause, ESPN’s Anthony Slater clarified that there is not a no-trade clause in the deal.
The news is far from a surprise since everyone expected Green to quickly re-up with the Warriors once James chose the Sixers. The main question was whether the two sides would lean toward a multi-year deal that either included non-guaranteed years or was fully guaranteed but carries a lower average annual salaries. Since there aren’t many premium free agents (if any) left on the market, the Warriors had much less incentive to cut Green’s salary for non-financial reasons. He presumably would have only agreed to a pay cut with more sizable guarantees or a subsequent upgrade to the roster.
Former New York Rangers star Ron Duguay, who is being treated for Stage 4 colon cancer, has been hospitalized after collapsing at his home, his daughter announced.
Shay Thomas announced on Instagram on Monday, July 27, that Duguay, 69, had fainted on Friday, was unconscious and suffered facial injuries and lost some teeth. Her post showed Duguay being loaded into an ambulance and being wheeled on a gurney through a hospital corridor.
"After extensive testing, doctors found that he was extremely dehydrated and had been struggling to eat because of how sick he had been feeling," Thomas wrote. "They also discovered varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, internal bleeding, and an ulcer.
"Because of the cancer in his liver, along with everything his liver has endured from surgery, chemotherapy, and the pump, pressure has built up inside the liver. That pressure can back up into the stomach and cause bleeding. The ulcer still needs further evaluation, but the bleeding and liver pressure are the major concerns right now."
The second-place Chicago Cubs (60-46) continue their road trip tonight at Busch Stadium as they take on the St. Louis Cardinals (53-53) in the second game of this NL Central series. Chicago enters play six games behind Milwaukee in the division race and looking to build momentum after a win last night, while St. Louis is trying to halt a slide over the last two weeks that has seen them drop eight of their last ten games and fall back to .500.
The Cubs opened the series with a 7-3 victory over the Cardinals on last night. Chicago's offense erupted for 14 hits, led by Alex Bregman, who broke out of an 0-for-12 slump by going 4-for-5 with a homer, two doubles, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Nico Hoerner also collected four hits, including a two-run homer in the ninth inning that put the game away. The Cubs received a solid outing from recently acquired left-hander David Peterson, who worked 5⅔ innings and allowed two runs. For St. Louis, José Fermín homered and Masyn Winn and Bryan Torres drove in runs, but the Cards were unable to overcome an early deficit created by Chicago's relentless offense.
The veteran Colin Rea (7-7, 4.85 ERA) gets the ball for Chicago looking to provide stability behind a Cubs' offense that has scored 25 runs over their last 3 games. Rea's most recent start came on July 22 against Detroit, when he took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits over five innings, striking out five while surrendering a pair of home runs. Prior to that outing, Rea delivered a quality six-inning effort against Minnesota, allowing three earned runs while striking out six.
Michael McGreevy (4-8, 3.07 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals. The right-hander enters with a strong 1.13 WHIP, among the best marks on the Cardinals' staff. His most recent start came July 23 against Arizona, when he suffered a 10-6 loss despite pitching into the seventh inning. McGreevy allowed four runs on seven hits over 6⅓ innings, walking three and striking out three. Before that setback, he was excellent against the Diamondbacks and Brewers, posting back-to-back victories while allowing just two earned runs combined over 12⅔ innings.
Lets dive into tonight's game and find a sweat or two.
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The Latest Odds: Cubs vs. Cardinals
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Chicago Cubs (-114), St. Louis Cardinals (-105)
Spread: Cubs -1.5 (+144), Cardinals +1.5 (-175)
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Cubs vs. Cardinals for July 28
Cubs: Colin Rea Season Totals: 105.2 IP, 7-7, 4.85 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 81K, 38 BB
Cardinals: Michael McGreevey Season Totals: 114.1 IP, 4-8, 3.07 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 74K, 27 BB
Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Cubs vs. Cardinals
Nico Hoerner has hit safely in 4 straight (8-17) and 8 of his last 9 games (19-40)
Alex Bregman collected 4 hits last night to snap a 0-12 streak
Pete Crow-Armstrong was 0-3 last night to snap a 3-game stretch in which he collected 7 hits in 14 ABs
Lars Nootbaar is 4-13 (.308) in his career against Colin Rea
Michael Busch is 3-8 with 2 HRs in his career against Michael McGreevey
Jordan Walker is 0-7 over his last 2 games and just 2-15 over his last 4
Ivan Herrera is riding a modest 3-game hitting streak (5-13)
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Cubs vs. Cardinals
The Cubs are 48-58 on the Run Line this season
The Cardinals are 58-48 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed an MLB-worst 42 times in St. Louis’ 106 games this season (42-58-6)
The OVER has cashed 57 times in Chicago’s 106 games this season (57-48-1)
Expert picks & predictions: Cubs vs. Cardinals
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Cardinals:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cubs on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 9.0.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 27: Fans cheer as rain falls during the sixth inning between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on July 27, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Due to inclement weather in Citi Field, Tuesday’s matchup against the Atlanta Braves vs the New York Mets is postponed in a doubleheader for Wednesday July 29.
Tonight’s game has been postponed.
It will be made up as a split doubleheader tomorrow, July 29, at 1:10pm & 7:10pm. pic.twitter.com/vMrq1mzmb1
As of now, Grant Holmes is set to pitch in the early matchup against Sean Manaea at 1:10 p.m. ET. And Chris Sale, who was set for Tuesday evening matchup is possible for Wednesday’s finale to close out the series. At the moment, however, the pitching matchup for that game is to be determined.
Stay tuned for more updates, as times and matchups are subject to change with the ongoing weather tomorrow as well.
Former All-Star forward Draymond Green has signed a one-year, $27.7 million deal to stay with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Draymond Green is staying home.
The star forward agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million deal with the Golden State Warriors that will keep him in the Bay Area for at least one more season alongside Steph Curry and Steve Kerr.
Former All-Star forward Draymond Green has signed a one-year, $27.7 million deal to stay with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Getty Images
Draymond Green has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. The contract is the same Green opted out of to give the Warriors flexibility to pursue LeBron James, but the sides land his return Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/Hyf1xruzrx
While Green was eligible to include a no-trade clause in the deal, there isn’t one featured in the one-year contract. The Warriors reportedly would have given Green a longer-term deal had the team landed LeBron James.
Green declined his $27.7 player option with the Warriors this offseason to give the team financial flexibility, primarily in its pursuit of James this summer. The Golden State veteran was always expected to return, but the team spent the last month wrapped up in the free agent sweepstakes for James.
Draymond Green and Steph Curry will play together at least one more season on the Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images
Green believes the fear of public scrutiny and backlash from joining the Warriors was a deciding factor in James saying no to the team. The 2015-18 rivalry between the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers may have been too much of a hurdle for James to end his career with Curry and Green.
Green is coming off a season where he averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists while shooting 41.8% from the field and 32.6% from three. It marked the first time in Green’s career that he finished a campaign outside the top 10 in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.
The forward was drafted by the Warriors as the No. 35 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Michigan State. Since then, Green has emerged as a four-time NBA champion, four-time All-Star, five-time All-Defensive First Team, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2017.
Had the Warriors won the NBA Finals in 2016 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Green likely would have won Finals MVP that year. In Game 7, Green recorded 32 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists while going 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.
He also scored 28 points with five three-pointers in the Warriors’ blowout win over Cleveland in Game 2 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Draymond Green had an incredible performance in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals to keep the Warriors in the elimination game. AP
Green is entering his 15th season in the league and remains a key piece of the Warriors veteran core alongside Curry and Jimmy Butler. Aside from the James sweepstakes, Golden State’s front office hasn’t been very active in acquiring free agents this summer.
Every NBA team has added a new player through free agency or trade this offseason, except the Warriors.
Though, the team has re-signed veterans such as Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. Golden State also drafted Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
There are several questions marks surrounding the Warriors as the team competes in a loaded Western Conference, but Green’s deal means the team retains a pillar of the organization.
The 36-year-old has spent his entire NBA career in the Bay Area, and while he hasn’t been as efficient in recent years, Green’s new deal with the Warriors is a sign of loyalty from the franchise.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 26: Jasson Domínguez #24 of the New York Yankees bats against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees got some of the worst news possible when MRI scans revealed that Cody Bellinger had suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Saturday’s win over the Phillies and will likely miss 4-to-6 weeks. As it happens, it is from that very same game, an inning prior to the injury, that we find our nominee for At-bat of the Week, Jasson Domínguez crushing a solo home run off José Alvarado.
We join Domínguez leading off the seventh on Saturday night in Philadelphia. The Yankees are clinging to a 2-1 lead courtesy of an Austin Wells solo bomb and Bellinger RBI single. However, the Phillies have their flame throwing lefty Alvarado in the game and the dangerous top of their order due up in the bottom half of the frame, so the Yankees would love to tack on another insurance run.
There is no mystery to how Alvarado is going to attack you, the lefty throwing the fastball 97.3 percent of the time. The one wrinkle he introduces is the type of fastball he’s going to throw, using the sinker about two-thirds of the time and the cutter about one-third of the time. He goes with his primary offering to start things off here.
Domínguez takes this 96 mph sinker for a called strike one. You might wonder how he could take a pitch right down the middle. The camera angle doesn’t quite do this pitch justice, but this sinker starts about a half-foot in off the plate before its 16 inches of arm-side run carries it back into the zone. It’s therefore easy to see how a hitter might give up early on a pitch initially aimed toward him.
Alvarardo looks to play off the placement of that last sinker by throwing a cutter down a similar tunnel, hoping to fool Jasson into chasing a pitch that now breaks away from the zone toward him for a whiff or better yet, a soft grounder.
This is just unfair placement of this cutter right on the corner up and in. After seeing the way the previous sinker moved, you can understand why this would be a pretty automatic take from Domínguez assuming this pitch will remain high for ball one. However, Alvarado’s cutter has about a foot more downward break than the sinker, which allows it to drop into the zone at the last instant. Had Domínguez swung, it’s a likely broken bat, and had he used an ABS challenge, he would have lost.
Without a chance to swing the bat, Domínguez finds himself in an 0-2 hole. He knows a fastball is coming, he just has to guess which way the pitch is going to break given how hard it is to distinguish the sinker from the cutter based on reading the seams.
Interestingly, Alvarado breaks out the four-seamer trying to get Domínguez to chase something above the zone. He only throws the pitch two-percent of the time and it’s easy to see why given how poorly executed this one was.
Despite the clear lack of command of the previous pitch, Alvarado doubles up on the four-seamer.
Same pitch, same result. It’s obvious Alvarado has no feel for this pitch given how non-competitively high out of the zone both of them landed.
After two complete misfires, Domínguez can safely eliminate the four-seamer with the count now 2-2. He has to decide whether the next pitch is going to break away from him or toward him, and the smart money is on the pitch that Alvarado throws twice as much as the other. As such, I had a hunch that Domínguez was sitting on the sinker here having filed away useful information on the first one he took for a called strike. He needs to hunt something that starts up and a bit inside and trust that the pitch’s movement will fade it right into the hitting zone.
Domínguez gets the sinker right in his nitro zone and he swings with extreme prejudice, blasting the ball deep to left for a leadoff home run to double the Yankees’ lead.
Here’s the full AB:
Bellinger’s injury applies an even sharper magnifying glass to the Yankees’ Trade Deadline needs. Their desire for an upgrade at catcher has long been known, but now they find themselves in the market for an outfielder who at the very least can crush lefties given the very really possibility that neither Bellinger nor Aaron Judge are able to return for the end of the regular season.
On the whole, Domínguez has been a disappointment at the plate, with a minuscule four-percent walk rate, 82 wRC+, and replacement level value overall. However, barring a major addition to the outfield, Jasson projects to receive a hefty dose of playing time in the next month-plus. To that end, it is fair to highlight the strides he has made batting from the right side after all the hand-wringing about that aspect of his game in his first three big league seasons. Domínguez entered this year with a career 53 wRC+ batting righty — that’s up to a 91 wRC+ this season. The Yankees should obviously shoot for better from a starting outfielder, but with the injuries in the outfield mounting, it is some solace that he is no longer a liability batting from that side.
LeBron James signed an $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming season.
LeBron James is the most prominent figure in basketball. With that level of fame comes plenty of criticism, but also adulation. Throughout his career, he has developed many close relationships with players around the league.
Warriors star Draymond Green being one of the closest.
Though rivals on the court, LeBron James and Draymond Green have been friends for several years. Getty Images
“I ultimately don’t think Bron was ever able to get over the history and I understand it, I get it. What we all ultimately always knew is that’s the hurdle to get over.
“We live in a day and age where everybody who doesn’t have anything to say have something to say,” Green said on his podcast posted on Tuesday.
Draymond reacts to LeBron's decision to sign with the 76ers instead of Warriors
"I ultimately don't think Bron was ever able to get over the history and I understand it, I get it… he's gonna get crushed if he comes to the Warriors, 'ahhhh man you went to team up with Steph'… pic.twitter.com/K5PdHwUIUC
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) July 28, 2026
“And so, he’s gonna get crushed if he comes to the Warriors, ‘Ah man you went to team up with Steph, ah man you had to go to them.’ And ultimately I think that weighed in on the decision a lot, that played a big role in the Warriors not landing LeBron.”
LeBron James signed an $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming season. Getty Images
It appears the final suitors in the free agent sweepstakes were the 76ers and Golden State, which is a surprise given the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to have an edge given James had won three of his four NBA championships with the two organizations.
But Green believes James ultimately signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia after weighing the public criticism he’d receive over joining arguably the biggest rival of his storied career, the Warriors.
From 2015-18, the Cavaliers and Warriors squared off in the NBA Finals four consecutive postseasons. James led Cleveland to its first title in franchise history during an improbable 2016 championship run where the Cavaliers faced a 3-1 deficit.
The Cavaliers won the series 4-3 after a thrilling Game 7 win. At that time, the best matchup in basketball was James versus Curry.
Based on Green’s remarks, it appears the heated rivalry played a role in James’ free agent decision.
NBA fans had witnessed the undeniable chemistry between James and Steph Curry at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Watching the duo stateside would have been magical, but Golden State likely wouldn’t have been a championship team even with James.
LeBron James and Steph Curry teamed up for the first time in their careers during the Paris Olympics in 2024. Getty Images
In the twilight of his career, James is looking to win a farewell title and Philadelphia presented the best option for him to do just that.
Comerica Park grounds crew attempt to capture a squirrel during the seventh inning of a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, in Detroit. (Jose Juarez / AP Photo)
The Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers combined for 13 runs, 23 hits and three home runs Monday at Comerica Park, but the biggest thrills of the game didn’t come from either team’s roster.
They were provided by a speedy and adventurous black squirrel, who spent the better part of an inning on and around the playing field and at one point led an army of ground crew members on a wild goose — uh, squirrel — chase in right field.
“At one point, I thought he was going to go into the batter’s box, see what was going on,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz told reporters following his team’s 8-5 victory. “He had a great view of the game.”
The critter covered a lot of ground inside the stadium as the game was being played. It could be seen behind Orioles third-base coach Buck Britton (who appeared to toss it a sunflower seed), all over the outfield and the warning track, and in shallow left field behind Orioles third baseman Coby Mayo.
“I wanted him, personally, to stay on the field,” Mayo said afterward. “Makes the game more interesting.”
During the top of the seventh inning, the squirrel found his way between the mound and home plate. Umpire Bill Miller took a few steps toward the creature, who then scampered into right field. That’s where it was during the seventh inning stretch, when at least 15 members of the ground crew began their pursuit of the furry fan.
It almost got captured several times but managed to escape the clutches of the crew members or from underneath the towels they were tossing. At one point, it ran into the glove of surprised Orioles right fielder Leody Taveras and ended up being momentarily launched into the air.
Taveras said after the game that he was merely trying to block the rodent’s path with his glove.
“I just was trying to stop it,” he said. “When it got into my glove, I don’t want to squeeze it, so I was just trying to bring it up. I wasn’t trying to do that.”
Finally, one of the crew members caught the squirrel under a towel and carried him off the field. A Tigers spokesperson told The Times on Tuesday that the team’s understanding is that the squirrel was in “fine health” after it was removed and released.
The critter gained numerous fans during its brief romp around Comerica, with the crowd booing after its capture and again when Miller called for a round of applause for the ground crew after the ordeal.
Several squirrels have frequented the ballpark during Tigers games over the years. Last season, one ran into the outfield and climbed into the team’s bullpen, where it reportedly hung out with the Detroit relievers for the rest of the game.
At the turn of the century in Queen City Book Store in Buffalo, amidst dozens of X-Men-tangential series and Tom Lyle’s high-key off-key emo Adam Warlock, there was a skinny self-published-looking collection of short stories and essays called The Nihilist’s Notebook. Maybe drawings, too. The last story ends as a man opens the trunk of his car to show another man the dead body he’s selling him to cannibalize, when an asteroid blazes overhead and crashes down, ending the world.
That juxtaposition was seared into my brain ever since, as was a mystery: does the transgressive leave a shadow in the light of annihilation?
In a big-picture sense, the 2027 Knicks definition of success is no mystery: repeat as champions. But as they now know better than anybody, that’s a long road. The built-in baby-teeth motivation of winning for the first time served its purpose, but winning for the second requires bigger teeth, and sharpening them means chewing on small-term goals along the way. And what triggers our hunger as seductively as the superlative? The taboo?
Until next spring, the question of ultimate success is pending. Once the games count again in October, the Knicks have plenty of reasons to keep pushing. Eight, let’s say.
GETTING AHEAD OF THE JONESES
So it’s hardly 1987, when for the 18th straight season a new champion was crowned. But the NBA’s currently in its most anti-incumbent era since, with the Knicks the eighth consecutive kings of yoink! When the 1988 Los Angeles Lakers became the first team since the Red Auerbach Celtics to repeat, it was kind of a big deal. Maybe not so much after Detroit knocked them off en route to their own repeat. After which Chicago won three straight, which . . . wow, right? Then Houston repeated. Bulls won three in a row again! Spurs blipped, then the Lakers went back-to-back-to-back.
Where was I? Ahh, yes. Believe it or not, if the Knicks were to win it all again in 2027 they’re in pole position to finish the 2020s as the team of the decade. That’d give them ownership of two decades, as they’re also the team of the 1970s, the league’s only other fragmented decade. Think about it. “The ‘70s Knicks” means something; it’s a proper noun, an ethos. Does it work with any other team from that time that won a ‘chip?
The ’70s Blazers, maybe, though for reasons more precious and parochial than cultural. The only team besides the Knicks to win more than once that decade were the Celtics, but unlike The ‘60s Celtics and The ’80s Celtics I’ve never gotten the sense the John Havlicek/Dave Cowens sides made the same kind of impact. Plus they’re the Celtics. So, no.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE FRIDAY NIGHT RUN-THROUGH AT THE LOMAXES
The Knicks have been around since the Truman presidency. There aren’t many heights nor hells this franchise hasn’t known. There are a few weird gaps. They’ve never won 46 games. Or 34. Or 25. Something else they’ve never done: win back-to-back titles.
Their best runs were reaching three straight Finals from 1951-1953, losing the first two to Minneapolis and then Rochester, and winning two titles while reaching three outta four Finals from 1970-1973. Simply repeating as Eastern champs would put these Knicks in a special place in team history. Repeating as NBA champs makes a case for them as the franchise GOATs.
LEAVE THEM OTHER CRABS BEHIND
If NBA teams were 30 crabs, 21 of them are either at the bottom of the bucket or within any number of crabs near enough to drag them down. Two crabs escaped long ago. Three are comfortably perched atop the bucket, looking down on the rabble. That leaves four crabs in-between the muck and the majesty. One is the Knicks.
The Knicks, Heat, Pistons and 76ers née Nationals have all won three championships. Only the Celtics, Lakers, Warriors, Bulls and Spurs have more. If the Knicks win this season, they’ll be all alone in sixth place. That doesn’t sound like much, but it’d give them bragging rights over 24 other teams. More importantly, it’d give us as fans bragging rights over 24 other fan bases. Is that petty? Petty’s what crabs is.
61
A magic number in New York sports. Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961. When 1986 NLCS MVP Jesse Orosco struck out Marty Barrett to win the World Series for the Mets he wore the number 47, but when Orosco broke in with the club in 1979 his first number was 61. The same number Rick Nash wore helping the 2014 Rangers to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals since 1994; Nash followed that up with a 42 goals in 2015. Props to those who remember Orestes Destrade, #61 for the Pinstripes in 1987. Admittedly this is Destrade hitting a home run for the Marlins, not the Yankees, when he wasn’t wearing 61. But it came against the Braves, and the ‘90s Braves went from easy to root for to easy to despise faster than you can say “Sammy Sosa.”
The Knicks record for wins in a season is 60, in 1970 and 1993. This year, they’re the hunted. What better way to stay sharp than to have something to play for over 82 games? Relatedly:
BE THE BIG FISH IN THEIR OWN POND
2013 was the last year Jason Kidd played. Same for Grant Hill. One ex-Knick, one never was, though Hill was rumored to be coming to the Knicks for so long it feels like played here. 2013 was also the last year the Knicks won their division. Droughts are the norm, apparently; the last one before then was 1994.
It’s not gonna get them a banner or anything, but I dunno. I grew up devouring box scores and standings. There’s just something cool about winning as much as you can, period. Divisions mean less ever, probably. I don’t care. It’s there. It exists. Win it. Relatedly:
BE THE BIG FISH IN AN EVEN BIGGER POND
1993 was the last year Michael Jordan played (the first time). Same for Bill Laimbeer. The man who tortured the ‘90s Knicks and the man who tortured the ‘80s Bulls. You probably knew MJ was born in NYC. Did you know Laimbeer was born in Boston? Two men born in two places many consider good enough. Both grew to surpass them — at the direct expense of their birthplace.
1993 was also the last time the Knicks finished the regular season tops in the East. Seems like it’s up for grabs, don’t it? The last two Eastern number ones, Cleveland and Detroit, are stuck somewhere between sad and meh. LeBron or no LeBron, superteams don’t jell overnight, and as long as Joel Embiid is a 76er their priority will always be game 83. Indiana’s never won more than 50 in the Tyrese Haliburton era. Boston? Har. Everybody else in the East? Har-dee-har-har.
There’s something cool about the road to the Finals going through MSG, something that’s only happened in 1953, 1954, 1970, 1971 and 1993. If the Knicks were to face a slate of, say, Washington, Boston and Philadelphia, they wouldn’t have to fly the entirety of the Eastern playoffs. Bet that came in handy last year, when New York went two months flying just once to Atlanta and once to Cleveland, versus San Antonio in the same period flying to the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, Minnesota twice and Oklahoma City three times.
FIVE’S ALIVE
I was four when I started kindergarten. One morning a boy in my class went up to everybody as we were putting stuff away in our cubbies and asked how old we were. Everyone before me was five, to which he’d respond “Five’s alive.” When I told him my age he sneered. “Four’s a bore.” I was devastated.
1967 brought the Knicks the tail end of the Dick McGuire era and the arrival of a rookie named Cazzie Russell. It also brought a modest improvement from 30 to 36 wins. From such humble beginnings came four consecutive years of improved winning percentages, culminating with 60 wins in 1970 and the championship. If the Knicks win at least 54 games this season, it’d be five straight years, a franchise first. That won’t be on too many people’s minds this year, in the locker room or watching the games. But if they win a 54th game and your window is open keep an ear out for me, hollering with joy.
MIKE BROWN, KNICKERBOCKER TRAILBLAZER
There is somewhat of a chance Mike Brown coaches the Knicks for the entire 2026-27 season. If he does, he’ll move within twentysomething games of Don Chaney and Mike Woodson for the most in franchise history by a Black coach. While eight of the 22 non-Black Knick head coaches (36%) lasted at least three full seasons, 0% of their 10 Black coaches have.
Again: since the Truman administration. 50 years since Willis Reed became the Knicks’ first Black coach. Eddie Donovan, Hubie Brown and Mike D’Antoni all finished comfortably below .500. Brown would need to last two more seasons to approach their tenure. Would you bet that he does? It’s weird we can’t say yes with certainty. Not “weird” as in “unheard of,” a coach winning a title and being canned within two years. Weird as in “especially and peculiarly dumb,” which racists are and racism is.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 15: Fans wait out a rain delay before the game was eventually postponed before the first inning between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 15, 2021 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tonight’s game at Citi Field has been postponed. In anticipation of rain in Flushing this evening, the Mets and Braves will now play a split doubleheader tomorrow, July 29.
The first game will start at its previously scheduled time, 1:10 PM ET. Parking lots will open at 10:40 AM ET, and the gates will open at 11:40 AM ET. If you are wondering about the giveaway, the first 5,000 children will receive a Mr. and Mrs. Met Play-Doh set.
Game two will now start at 7:10 PM ET. Gates will not open for game two before 6:10 PM. If you previously paid for a ticket for tonight’s game (July 28), that ticket will be honored for the 7:10 PM game tomorrow night. The first 15,000 fans will still receive the Mr. Met on Deck Plush Doll. Prepaid parking will be honored alongside admission to the game.
If you are not able to attend the rescheduled game, digital vouchers and digital parking vouchers will be issued after game two as explained here.
Christian Scott and Chris Sale were supposed to face off this evening, and presumably will do so tomorrow evening instead. Sean Manaea and Grant Holmes are still listed as probably pitchers for the day game. The Mets will be looking to piggyback off their strong offensive showing on Monday night, and the Braves should have some relief pitching that is well rested in time for the back-to-back outings.
