Mukhamadullin is a 24-year-old Russian defenseman, originally drafted 20th overall by New Jersey in 2020, who came to San Jose in the 2023 Timo Meier blockbuster trade. He's a big, mobile blueliner at 6-foot-4, known for a strong shot and real offensive upside, though his defensive game is still rounding into form at the NHL level.
He made his debut in January 2024 and has bounced between full-time NHL duty and healthy scratches since, most recently posting five goals, 12 points and 60 blocked shots over 50 games with San Jose last season while managing a couple of injuries.
He's now with the Edmonton Oilers, and he will get a shot at locking down a full-time NHL role.
If he clicks in Edmonton, the Oilers come away from the Nurse trade with a legitimate long-term piece on defense, not a player they had to take back to move Nurse's contract. If he doesn't, the downside is limited to a roster spot, not a wasted asset.
The opening days of NHL free agency provided a reminder of just how many players have passed through the Senators organization.
Over the past three days, a long list of former Senators have signed contracts with new or existing clubs. Some will fill full-time NHL roles next season on one-way contracts, while others will head to training camp on two-way deals looking to earn a roster spot.
Steve Staios spoke this week about keeping a light on for Claude Giroux if he decides he wants to play here for another season.
Former Senators Signing One-Way NHL Contracts
Nick Jensen – Anaheim Ducks
Nick Jensen's tenure in Ottawa officially came to an end after he signed a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $2.2 million per season.
Jensen spent two seasons with the Senators after arriving from the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2024 as part of the Jacob Chychrun trade. Ottawa's objective in acquiring the veteran right-shot defenceman was to rebalance its blue line, and for much of his first season he provided exactly that before injuries began to take their toll.
Mathieu Joseph – Edmonton Oilers
Mathieu Joseph signed a one-year contract worth $1 million with the Edmonton Oilers.
Joseph spent parts of three seasons with Ottawa after arriving from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2022 trade that sent Nick Paul to Tampa Bay. His best offensive season in Ottawa came in 2023-24 when he produced 35 points in 72 games, but that didn't impress Steve Staios, who had just taken over as GM.
With the Senators looking to create flexibility, Joseph was traded to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2024. The Sens even had to throw in a third-round pick to convince the Blues to do the deal. Ottawa went on to sign several other forwards in free agency.
Lars Eller – Florida Panthers
After spending one season with Ottawa, Lars Eller signed a one-year contract with the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
The veteran centre got off to an impressive start with the Senators, recording six points in his first 12 games. His production slowed considerably after that, and with centre Stephen Halliday pushing for a full-time NHL opportunity, Ottawa opted to move in a younger direction.
Erik Gudbranson – Columbus Blue Jackets
Erik Gudbranson will remain in Columbus for a fifth season after signing a one-year contract worth $1.75 million. Gudbranson just wants to stay healthy after injuries limited him to just 53 games total over the past two seasons.
The Ottawa native spent the 2020-21 season with his hometown Senators, appearing in 36 games before being traded to Nashville for Brandon Fortunato and a 7th rounder.
Ian Cole – Chicago Blackhawks
Ian Cole signed a one-year contract that will pay him $4 million.
Cole's stint as a Senator barely lasted long enough to unpack. Ottawa acquired him from Pittsburgh in the 2018 Derick Brassard trade that also brought goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson to the organization.
Just three days later, the Senators flipped Cole to Columbus for a third-round draft pick. Eight years later, the veteran defenceman is still cashing sizeable NHL paycheques. Chicago will be his 8th team since his drive-thru experience with Ottawa.
Nick Foligno – Minnesota Wild
Nick Foligno keeps rolling.
At 38, the former Senators captain signed another one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild worth $900,000. Foligno joined Minnesota last season to play alongside his brother Marcus and will return for another campaign.
Foligno was traded by Ottawa 14 years ago for Columbus defenseman Marc Methot.
Dennis Gilbert – Buffalo Sabres
Defenceman Dennis Gilbert landed a one-year, one-way NHL contract back with Buffalo worth $850,000.
Gilbert did two recent tours of duty with the Sens. He arrived in 2025 in the Josh Norris deal but then left in free agency last summer. He came back this season in exchange for Max Guenette before heading to free agency again this summer. The Sens can't seem to quit him, so maybe we'll see Gilbert again soon.
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:
Beckett Hamilton’s first experience inside the Colorado Avalanche organization offered an early look at the habits, pace, and standards that come with being an NHL prospect.
The jump to the Avalanche system comes after a year where he built momentum in the WHL and added international experience with Team Canada at the U-18 level, giving him a broader look at high-end competition before turning pro.
Hamilton was also the highest-drafted player Colorado selected in the 2026 NHL Draft, taken 74th overall after spending draft day in Buffalo with his parents as his name was called.
“It was a special day I’ll cherish forever with my family,” Hamilton said. “To get picked by this type of team is unbelievable.”
Hamilton said the early stages of his pro path have been about understanding what an NHL environment actually looks like and absorbing as much as possible from it.
“You come into an NHL environment,” Hamilton said. “And you just see how things are run, how they do stuff and how you get treated. So, bring that with me and try to share that back with my team in the WHL and just learn as much as I can from the guys around me.”
As for his identity on the ice, he pointed to a blend of competitiveness and skill, with an emphasis on playing through contact and getting to the net.
“I’m not the biggest guy,” Hamilton said. “But I play bigger than I may seem, and I like to score goals and I like to be around the net.”
That style is part of what the Avalanche saw when they selected him, and what he’s now beginning to refine as he adjusts to the pace and detail of a professional environment.
That connection also included growing up watching Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who is coming off his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and has long been one of Hamilton’s favorites, now serving as a direct example of the standard inside the organization.
Beyond that Avalanche connection, Hamilton also pointed to players he’s tried to model parts of his game after, including Brayden Point and Jonathan Toews, who have combined for five Stanley Cup championships for the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Hamilton said the opportunity to join Colorado is something he’s eager to build on as he continues his development.
“You see the success they’ve had over the last couple of years and the players they bring in,” Hamilton said. “It’s unreal. And I can’t wait to get started with them.”
Look for the Milwaukee Brewers star to make his way around the bases tonight. Play to -135.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: BREW, AIRD
Freddie Freeman Over 1.5 hits + runs + RBIs (-142)
Griffin Canning has no answers for left-handed hitters. He has allowed a whopping .312 average against lefties while ranking in the 16th percentile in xwOBA.
Freddie Freeman is a prime candidate to take advantage. The veteran lefty has recorded multiple H+R+R in 67.6% of his games when facing a starter who sits in the 50th percentile or worse in both xwOBA and OBP.
That number climbs to 72% in winning efforts, which is certainly noteworthy with the Los Angeles Dodgers -250 favorites to come out on top.
Back Freeman to -160.
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SDPA, SNLA
J.P. Crawford Over 0.5 walks (+128)
Shane Bieber is struggling with control vs. left-handed hitters. He is striking them out at the exact same rate as he’s walking them (15.8%), which is not a recipe for success.
Since the beginning of the 2025 campaign, J.P. Crawford has played 21 games against starting pitchers ranking in the 30th percentile or worse in K% and BB% against left-handed hitters.
Crawford drew at least one free pass in 15 of them, including four of five this year. Crawford has walked eight times in just five such matchups this season.
I see a lot of value. Play to -115.
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Sportsnet, SEAM
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 2-1, +1.0 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Rich Paul talks with LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on January 04, 2026 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. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are once again vying for LeBron James’s services in free agency and could be in the driver’s seat for doing so. However, they may have to wait a couple more days to figure out whether James is coming back home.
This timeline lines up with when James made most of his other free agency decisions.
The Decision to sign with the Miami Heat in 2010 came on July 8. The return to Cleveland in 2014 came on July 11. The second week of July is when James usually makes his free agency decisions, which lines up with what Paul is hinting at. The one exception to this was when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. That was decided on July 1.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
There’s a lot of speculation and rumors out there about what direction LeBron may be leaning. At this point, those are just that. James is supposedly valuing happiness and a chance to compete for a title on his next team. Both of those characteristics are pretty subjective. Only LeBron knows what makes him happy and what he values from an on-court fit on his next team.
We’ll see how this drawn-out free agency process plays out for the Cavs. Does this force them to make a move to try to impress LeBron? Trading for Anthony Davis or someone else close to James could be a way of doing that. Or are the Cavs going to stand pat, confident in their current group’s ability to compete for a title if James were added to the fold? After all, we’re talking about a core that did just make a conference finals run without James.
LeBron has spent the last eight seasons with the Lakers. The 41-year-old averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds on .513/.317/.737 shooting splits last season.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 30: Manager Mark Kotsay #7 of the Athletics takes the ball from pitcher Jeffrey Springs #59 taking Springs out of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the six inning of a major league baseball game at Sutter Health Park on June 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Happy birthday, America. I tried to get you a tie, but then the Marlins scored 7 extras runs. Tonight you will be treated to lots of fireworks, and I don’t mean from Jeffrey Springs pitching.
But enough about how wretchedly the A’s play at home — I have it on good authority (ok fine, Lawrence Butler) that it’s the ballpark’s fault and not the fault of the players who can’t match what opposing players can accomplish. Funny how it wasn’t “the ballpark’s fault” when the A’s were forced to play their home games in a venue that often had 90% of its seats empty and sometimes had sewage seeping into the clubhouse, yet the A’s often had one of the best home records in MLB.
Anyhoo, when I say “enough about how wretchedly the A’s play at home” I mean I’m going to continue talking about it for a while, because let’s face it: if the A’s could just have matched their 22-21 road record with similar “just mediocrity” at home, they would be sitting tied for 1st place right now.
Unfortunately, mediocrity is currently a pipe dream for the Sacrammerlin A’s. Here are some stats you might find interesting, and by interesting I mean they might make you want to put a firecracker up a defenseless kitten’s ass and walk away.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #1: The A’s home ERA this season is now 6.25. This is partly due to the fact that their ERA in the top of the 1st inning this season is 8,423.65 (give or take).
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #2: A’s pitchers, at home, have served up 86 HRs in 45 games. That means that any home game in which the staff gives up 2 HRs is called “just another day at the office”.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #3: Jeffrey Springs has thrown 54.1 IP at home this season and he has coughed up 16 HRs. This is an even more impressive pace of 1 HR every 3.4 innings. It only seems like it’s 3.4 HRs every 1 inning.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #4: The A’s are 15-24 at Sutter Health Park, which is a robust .385 winning percentage.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #5: In their 39 games at Sutter Health Park, the A’s have given up 8 runs or more in 14 of them. That’s about 36% of their games.
It Can’t Be True But It Is Fact #6: It’s not enough just to lead the majors in HRs allowed at home, the A’s also lead all of MLB in issuing walks at home: 199 walks, 10 more than their closest competitor (Houston) and more than twice as many as the Rays (98).
I would go on but the last thing I’d want to do is belabor the point. What I will say is this: until the A’s figure out a way to play halfway decently at home, rather than playing horrifically and then blaming the situation, the team cannot compete for anything because they play half their games at home. Simple math tells you that you can’t win enough games if you give up “6 and a quarter runs” half the time and can’t outscore the other team even 40% of the time in half your games.
To make that work the A’s would have to be true road warriors, dominating and winning about 2/3 of the time. In reality the A’s are hitting, as a team, .229/.304/.359 on the road and that’s not likely to win you 2/3 of your games.
So it’s not even a matter of the A’s now being too buried to contend. They are 6 games under .500, which means if they win 6 in a row — and any team can in a week where they suddenly get hot — they would be at .500 in a division and league where .500 gives you as good odds as anyone to make the post-season.
The A’s record, and the standings, are not the problem. The complete and utter inability to pitch or play well at home is the back breaker. And it shows no signs of slowing down on what is currently a 1-3 homestand in which the A’s have served up another 31 runs — 9 or more runs in 3 of the 4 games.
Enjoy tonight’s fireworks show! And then try to enjoy the post-game festivities as well.
Los Angeles, CA LeBron James has officially announced that he is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons with the franchise. The four-time NBA champion helped lead the Lakers...
James’ agent, Rich Paul, laid out 10 potential teams on his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman. It appears that one of these teams is feeling confident it will be able to sign James.
This team is the Timberwolves. The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski published a July 4 article that said Minnesota has “full belief” it is in the hunt to land James in free agency.
LeBron James has many suitors, but the Timberwolves like their chances of landing the free agent. Best Image / BACKGRID
What’s more, Minnesota seems to believe it is uniquely suited to sign LeBron, as its “bold pitch,” according to Krawczynski, is that James winning a championship with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert would end the discussion about who is the true NBA GOAT. The Timberwolves are convinced that James signing with them would cement his status over Michael Jordan.
But the Timberwolves’ front office also has practical reasons for its belief. They think their core of young stars can take pressure off James on offense, and that McDaniels and Gobert will lessen James’ defensive load, keeping him fresh throughout the season.
Anthony Edwards (left) and LeBron James would be a formidable duo. APJames could help bring the Timberwolves their first NBA title. Getty Images
They also want to sell James on bringing a championship to a franchise that has never won one. What’s more, Minnesota hasn’t had a champion in any of its major men’s sports franchises since the Twins won the 1991 World Series, and it thinks the prospect of bringing a championship to the state will entice James.
There’s no question that Minnesota makes sense for James on paper, and perhaps this unique pitch will compel him. But the bottom line is that he has plenty of suitors to choose from, and Minnesota might be a hard sell after spending the past eight years in Los Angeles.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: The Los Angeles Lakers on the clock during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After being swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick sat in front of the media to reflect on the year.
The duo addressed what they felt went right and wrong about last season and what should come next.
“If you look around the playoffs right now, I think depth is really important, athleticism and youth,” said Pelinka. “We have a lot of components of that on our roster, but we need to add to it.”
Fast forward to the present day and Pelinka’s words at the time have proved not to be just cliche front office speak, but rather an outline of what his vision for the team is. After a flurry of moves, and with more likely to come, the Lakers look drastically different from the way they did the last time we saw them.
You can argue about the transactions they’ve made this summer and even the ideology behind them. Yet it is clear the team has aggressively picked a direction for their next chapter and is leaning hard into it. Perhaps, for the first time in years.
If there is one common trend of the players they have added, it’s that they’re both younger and more athletic than those they are replacing.
With an average age of 26.3, the Lakers had the seventh-oldest roster in the NBA last season. Zooming in more, their starting group’s average age was 30.8. For context, the Clippers had the oldest roster to start last season at 28.6.
Age is one thing, but the Lakers also simply were too slow compared to their counterparts, especially the elite ones.
According to the league’s tracking data, the Lakers were the second-slowest team on offense and the slowest team on defense last year, two stats that proved to be their downfall the further they went in the playoffs.
Their new players should help in both areas. Although more moves are likely on the horizon, if this were the final depth chart, the Lakers would enter next season with an average roster age of 25.1. That would have ranked 12th youngest last year.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 03: Cameron Carr #43 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three-point shot over Malevy Leons #33 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in the California Classic a NBA Summer League game at Chase Center on July 03, 2026 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
That may not sound like a drastic improvement. However, what best exemplifies the difference from this roster compared to last season’s is that Austin Reaves is currently the oldest player on the team at an ancient 28 years old.
From a strictly age perspective, losing LeBron James also greatly improves the mean calculation. But from an athletic standpoint, even at 41, he was arguably still the team’s best athlete. Replacing him individually was always going to be an impossible task.
Instead, the hope is they can replicate it in aggregate and collectively get closer to the athletic threshold the rest of the NBA has already reached. Even if it comes in different forms.
Athleticism is not a catch-all trait. Swapping Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard for Quintin Grimes and Collin Sexton should yield immediate dividends from a run-and-jump perspective. Sandro Mamukelashvili may not look like an athletic upgrade over Rui Hachimura, but there is a degree of fluidity and versatility to his game that Hachimura’s rigidity often disallows. And Walker Kessler’s motor and defensive instincts allow him to get to places on the court that Deandre Ayton often was late to.
Beyond the free agent acquisitions, Redick and staff will likely also have to rely on their internal projects, Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr, to play actual minutes this year. Both would immediately help in this department as they become the most exciting and dynamic athletes on the floor the instant their names are called.
The team’s shift in ethos can be seen as far as their Summer League team. Led by the aforementioned young wing duo, the summer squad is composed of uber-athletic players who possess the DNA that the main roster will try to adopt going forward.
Players like Thiero, Carr, William Kyle, Rob Mccray, Chris Mañon and Zhaire Smith, should all be walking highlight reels this summer. As draft analyst, Ben Pfeifer pointed out, those six players have exactly 500 college dunks between them, and none have had fewer than 47 career slams. That’s a level of above-the-rim play that has been absent on the Lakers in recent seasons
There is still plenty of work before the roster is finalized, but if their recent moves are any indication, it is safe to assume whoever they add next will likely fit a similar mold. The team’s reported interest in Jonathan Kuminga (23) serves as a prime example.
It ultimately remains to be seen if this collection and approach pay off in the standings. However, there is at least a plan in place. Polarizing, yes. Yet it is something this team can at least be identifiable for.
The Lakers may not be the youngest or fastest team, still. But at least they are closer today than they were yesterday.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
BIRMINGHAM, AL - APRIL 24: Jordan Groshans #15 of the Columbus Clingstones is congratulated after hitting a home run during the game between the Columbus Clingstones and the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field on Friday, April 24, 2026 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Hannah Bachman/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
It was a bit of a weird day down on the farm as one team’s game got cut short due to technical difficulties, but there was plenty of action to go around. Let’s get into it.
All in all, there wasn’t much to write home about with regards to Gwinnett on Friday as the Stripers were shutout and were held to just two hits in the process.
The lone two hits in this one came off the bat of Jose Azocar and Jair Camargo — both of whom tallied a single each in this one — while the Stripers were held off the scoreboard.
Austin Gomber got the start and while he wasn’t bad — giving up three runs across five innings — the lack of offense he got proved to be the difference-maker.
Blake Burkhalter did make an appearance in this one, tossing one scoreless inning despite giving up three hits in the frame to keep his ERA at 0.00.
The offense will get most of the credit in this one, but the pitching staff also stepped up and showed out as Columbus dominated Tennessee on Friday by a 9-1 final.
Pacing the offense was Jordan Groshans, who homered not once, but twice in this one. The designated hitter’s first long ball came in the top of the sixth as he launched a solo shot — hit 14th of the season — to extend the Clingstones’ lead to 3-0 on the night.
But Groshans wasn’t done there, as he laced yet another solo shot in the eight inning to make it a 5-0 game in this one.
— Columbus Clingstones (@GoClingstones) July 4, 2026
Also participating in the home run fun was Drew Compton — who also tripled on Friday — who has been on a bit of a hot streak recently. It’s a short hot streak, but over the past three games, Compton has tallied 13 total bases, including two triples and a homer.
Meanwhile, Julio Robaina got the start on the mound and absolutely dominated across six innings of work.
Robaina managed to hold Tennessee scoreless on the night while holding the Smokies to just three hits and two walks, while striking out eight batters in the process.
Across eight appearances (seven starts) Robaina has posted an ERA of 2.48 in 36.1 innings pitched while striking out 36 batters along the way.
(39-38) Rome Emperors 1, (28-50) Jersey Shore BlueClaws 0
This one ended in weird fashion, as a power outage caused this one to be called after five innings. Thankfully, Rome was on top at the time of the outage, so the Emperors came away with a win to move to one game above .500 on the season.
Cade Kuehler got the start in this one and was rather excellent as he held Jersey Shore scoreless across five innings, scattering just three hits and issuing a pair of walks and striking out four as well.
Meanwhile at the plate, the Emperors tallied just two total hits, but it proved to be more than enough in the shortened game.
Eric Hartman and Mason Guerra both doubled in this one, while the former also walked and the latter plated the only run of the game as Guera scored on a wild pitch in the top of the third to give Rome the 1-0 lead which ultimately proved enough to carry them to victory.
Augusta attempted to battle back from an early deficit in this one, but the GreenJackets ultimately came up short in the 7-4 loss.
Landon Beidelschies got the start in this one and put up somewhat of a decent outing. Across five innings of work, Beidelschies allowed four runs on six hits while also striking out six. While that was enough to keep his offense in the game — and the GreenJackets struggled to score until the latter part of this one.
Alex Lodise got the scoring started for Augusta by launching his 17th homer of the season — a solo shot — in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 4-1 game.
— Augusta GreenJackets (@GreenJackets) July 3, 2026
The GreenJackets tacked on again in the bottom of the seventh as Michael Martinez launched a two-run shot to make it a 5-3 deficit for Augusta.
Trailing 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth, Lodise came through again with an RBI, this time on a sacrifice fly, to make it a 7-4 game. However, that’s the only offense Augusta would get in this one as the GreenJackets ultimately came up short.
Also on the pitching front, Adiel Melendez, who came on in relief, tossed a pair of scoreless frames and struck out a pair of batters to lower his season ERA to 1.86. While he is older for the level at 24, it is encouraging to see for the lefty who could project as a potential bullpen piece at the big league level down the line.
The FCL Braves came up short in this one by a 7-3 final.
Wuilinyer Tovar got the start and tossed five innings of two-run ball. Across those five innings of work, Tovar scattered five hits and gave up two walks while striking out six in the process.
At the plate, the Braves got a solid day at the plate from Johan Rodriguez, who homered, doubled and drove in a pair of runs to pace the offense. Rodriguez is currently carrying an OPS of .796, which leads the FCL squad thus far in the season.
Elias Reyno also drove in a run as well on the night.
Despite scoring seven runs on five hits, the DSL Braves ultimately came up short in the 11-7 final.
Jesus Cova got the start and only spun 2.2 innings of work while giving up a pair of runs and striking out two in the process. While that start wasn’t great, the DSL bullpen faltered tremendously, giving up seven runs in 5.1 innings on the day.
Meanwhile offensively, the DSL squad performed quite well despite the shortcomings of the pitching staff.
Elisandro Ramirez paced the offense as he launched his first professional home run while driving in a pair of runs and scoring twice on the day. Luis Fortunato (one RBI) and Edelson Cabral (two RBI) also played a large part in the DSL team’s day at the plate as well, contributing three of the team’s seven total runs driven in on the day.
Chicago's five-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Friday, falling 23-1 in their series opener against St. Louis.
The Cubs are healthy -155 favorites in Game 2, and my Cardinals vs. Cubs predictions and MLB picks believe they're a good value to bounce back with a win.
Who will win Cardinals vs Cubs today: Chicago Cubs (-155)
The Chicago Cubsrank 10th in OPS and eighth in ISO against right-handed pitching over the last month. They’re certainly capable of doing damage against Leahy.
Cardinals vs Cubs Over/Under pick: Under 8.0 (-110)
The Cubs don’t hit for average, sitting tied with the Angels for 23rd against right-handed pitching this season.
While they do possess power, colder conditions are expected today with the wind blowing in. That will help Leahy limit the long balls.
The Cardinals don’t feature a ton of power against lefties – they’re 21st in ISO – and the conditions will only make it tougher on them against Imanaga.
With power likely limited, these teams will be forced to string together a lot of hits to score in bulk.
I expect a 4-3 type of game. Play the Under to -120.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 49-39, -0.45 units
Over/Under bets: 47-37-4, +5.49 units
Cardinals vs Cubs weather
Temperatures are projected to hover around 70 with winds blowing inwards and potential showers. These conditions should hurt the offenses.
Cardinals vs Cubs odds
Moneyline: St. Louis +135 | Chicago -155
Run line: St. Louis +1.5 (-150) | Chicago -1.5 (+130)
Over/Under: Over 8.0 (-110) | Under 8.0 (-110)
Cardinals vs Cubs trend
Chicago has hit the moneyline in 15 of their last 20 games (+9.10 units, 34% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Cardinals vs. Cubs.
How to watch Cardinals vs Cubs and game info
Location
Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Saturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Cardinals starting pitcher
Kyle Leahy (6-4, 4.09 ERA)
Cubs starting pitcher
Shota Imanaga (5-6, 4.30 ERA)
Cardinals vs Cubs latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 2: José Alvarado #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on July 2, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pirates defeated the Phillies 6-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Even with the MLB trade deadline pushed back to August 3 this year, July still represents the time of year when everyone talks about trades. The Phillies’ 40-20 stretch under interim manager Don Mattingly has catapulted them into buying territory as a team with World Series aspirations. Their expectations for playing deep into October are still the same and reinforcements might go a long way.
Under Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies have typically waited until the day of to make trades. They did get Carlos Estevez multiple days before the deadline and Jhoan Duran the day before in back-to-back seasons but they still generally take things down to the wire.
Assuming that, there is roughly a month from the time of this writing until the deadline. So, here are three things to watch for prior to the deadline.
Orioles, Mets, Giants
These three teams entered the season with playoff aspirations. The Baltimore Orioles added Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, and Shane Baz for a bounce-back season but are eight games under .500 on July 3 and five games out of a playoff spot.
If the Orioles are sellers, Taylor Ward would become the best fit for the Phillies outfield at the deadline. He is generally a streaky hitter and an ok defender, but brings a plus eye at the plate. He has not played a single game in right field since 2022 but sliding over for two months is probably not a massive deal. They could slide Brandon Marsh over if needed. Again, it would only be temporary.
There are some red flags with Ward, his pull air rate is down from 17.8% last year to 12.2% and he does not have the raw power to make that work consistently. His bat speed is down over a mile per hour so there might be physical decline. Again, he is only a rental.
The New York Mets season has been pretty brutal. It’s not all terrible but most of it is. They came into the season expecting to make the playoffs and will be clear sellers at the deadline.
They are a match if the Phillies are looking for bullpen help. Luke Weaver has a 2.00 ERA in 36 innings with the Mets after cutting down his fastball usage. He is owed another year with eleven million, which would boost his trade value so it might cost the Phillies too much.
If they are looking for rentals, AJ Minter and Brooks Raley are interesting fits. Minter missed the beginning of the season recovering from tearing his lat last season but has pitched 14 games and hasn’t allowed a run. His velocity is down nearly two miles per hour and he is not striking out nearly as many batters.
Even at 38, Brooks Raley is still suppressing hard contact while getting strikeouts. He is the classic funky left hander that just knows how to get outs.
The only reliever mentioned with true October stuff is Weaver but the others could help fill a left handed void if the Phillies still need it this time next month.
The Giants have been a disaster with Tony Vitello. There might be too many issues to explain in this article. It’s just all bad.
Robbie Ray makes sense if the Phillies are looking for a starting pitcher. He could slot in as their #4 but might help in a bullpen role if needed. Again, there are red flags. Ray is not getting enough strikeouts or swing and miss, is still prone to walks, and allows a lot of hard contact. The Phillies might not be the best fit.
José Alvarado
No one is going to tell you a 6.10 ERA is good or that he is actually having a good season. He is not.
However, it might not be nearly as bad as people think. Alvarado’s BABIP allowed is over 100 points higher than a year ago despite being very good at limiting hard contact and barrels. His 66.9% strand rate would also be the lowest of his career in a season where he pitched 30 innings or more. He is still striking plenty of hitters out, limiting walks, and throwing gas.
This is all to say that their best left handed reliever option this deadline is probably Alvarado figuring it out. Given all of the indicators represent a pitcher that seems to be getting very unlucky, that just doesn’t seem as impossible as you would think.
Over the next month, it would still be good to see some results. If he can go on a heater, which might be the most likely outcome, then it might allow the Phillies some trade deadline flexibility.
Trea Turner
The Phillies might not be able to make a big offensive upgrade at this trade deadline. That hitter might not become available, and even if he does, the Phillies might not have the prospects to get it done.
April and May were not good months for the Phillies offense but June was. Over that month, they ranked tenth in wRC+ and fourth in home runs. Will it last? That probably depends on Trea Turner.
In 380 plate appearances, Turner is hitting .239 with a .653 OPS as an established top-of-the-order hitter in this lineup. He isn’t the only issue in their lineup, but Alec Bohm, Justin Crawford, JT Realmuto, or whoever you want to label a problem can’t get on the heaters like Turner.
That heater might’ve started, Turner is hitting .340 with a .950 OPS over his last 48 plate appearances. If this can continue for the rest of the season, and that seems like a pretty big if, he might indirectly be the big offensive upgrade the Phillies get this trade deadline.
One contract doesn’t usually shift a league’s center of gravity — but every so often, it sparks the same question everywhere it lands.
So when the Philadelphia Flyers handed Leo Carlsson a five-year, $90 million deal on Friday, it didn’t take long for that question to surface in Colorado: what does this mean for Cale Makar?
The answer, in short, is nothing. But the conversation says more about how the NHL thinks than the contract itself.
Carlsson’s deal simply reset another layer of the market for young stars, but it doesn’t change the trajectory of what’s already been building toward Makar’s next contract in Colorado.
Leo Carlsson is a Flyer -- for now. The Anaheim Ducks have less than a week to respond to the offer sheet. Credit: Griffin Hooper - Imagn Images
Makar is currently in the final year of his six-year, $54 million deal that carries a $9 million average annual value. He became eligible for an extension on July 1, and while no agreement has been announced, there is no urgency from either side. The new deal wouldn’t even begin until the 2027–28 season.
Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic has consistently expressed confidence that Makar will remain in Colorado long term. The real work now isn’t about if a deal gets done — it’s about timing, structure, and landing on the right number for both sides.
That timing conversation also includes the NHL’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement, which takes effect on Sept. 16, 2026. One key change reduces maximum contract length from eight years to seven on re-signs, meaning Colorado and Makar would have a short window to qualify for the longer term if they finalize an extension before the new rules kick in.
It adds a layer of urgency to the calendar — but not necessarily to the negotiation itself.
Because once you zoom out from Carlsson’s deal, the real question becomes familiar: how far will the top of the market actually go?
Makar is already a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe winner, and one of the defining defensemen of his generation. In almost any salary structure, he’s the obvious candidate to reset the defense market — and potentially push toward the long-discussed $20 million threshold.
NHL insider Pierre LeBrun recently floated that possibility, suggesting Makar could become the league’s first $20 million player. Others around the league expect the number to land lower, projecting a range between $15 million and $16.5 million depending on term and structure, with some believing $17 million is the realistic ceiling.
On paper, a contract like Carlsson’s only fuels the idea that the next wave of stars will continue pushing the salary cap upward.
But the reality in professional sports is that the highest-paid player doesn’t always define the culture of a franchise — or the priorities of its stars.
Across sports, there are long-standing examples of elite athletes choosing structure, stability, or winning over maximizing every last dollar.
Tom Brady spent much of his career with the New England Patriots on team-friendly deals, repeatedly restructuring contracts to give the franchise flexibility and help sustain a roster capable of winning six Super Bowl championships.
In the NHL, Sidney Crosby has long been the standard for this type of approach, carrying an $8.7 million cap hit for years despite being one of the most dominant players of his era, all while helping the Pittsburgh Penguins capture three Stanley Cups.
The Avalanche already have their own version of that philosophy sitting in the locker room.
Nathan MacKinnon is currently signed through 2031 at a $12.6 million cap hit — a number widely viewed as below-market for a player of his production level. Back in 2019, when he was still on his previous contract, he explained his mindset to Forbes’ Jordan Horrobin:
“We have guys that we wouldn't (otherwise) be able to bring in. On my next deal, I'll take less again. Because I want to win with this group.”
MacKinnon later clarified that his previous contract wasn’t a discount at the time it was signed, but the sentiment has remained consistent: winning has always been the priority.
That mindset has helped define Colorado’s modern era, and it inevitably becomes part of any conversation about Makar’s future.
None of that guarantees a hometown discount — and it shouldn’t be interpreted as one. Makar is too valuable, too important, and too accomplished for that kind of assumption.
But it does complicate the idea that a contract like Carlsson’s automatically resets expectations in Colorado.
Yes, Makar could become the NHL’s first $20 million defenseman. Yes, he will set a new benchmark at his position. And yes, he will be paid among the very top players in the league.
The more important question is where that number lands within the range — and what matters more when the deal is actually signed.
Because if there’s one thing the Avalanche have consistently shown over the last decade, it’s that they’re willing to prioritize long-term contention over short-term money.
And in that equation, Cale Makar’s next contract was never going to be dictated by Leo Carlsson — or anyone else resetting the market.
The Atlanta Braves took the series opener against New York and are heavy -170 favorites to come out on top once again.
The New York Mets own a 7-16 record against left-handed starters. My Mets vs. Braves predictions and MLB picks expect their struggles to continue facing Chris Sale on Saturday, July 4.
Who will win Mets vs Braves today: Atlanta Braves (-170)
Non-elite offenses trying to score on Sale has been like pulling teeth. He has only allowed multiple runs only once over eights starts against teams 15th or worse in ISO.
It’ll be a challenge for a shallow Mets lineup to string together hits, and Sale hasn’t conceded a homer in seven consecutive starts.
The Braves possess power but they have hit just .225 against left-handed pitching since June 1. They’re not generating enough traffic to score in bulk.
I see value on the Under and would play it to -115.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 49-39, -0.45 units
Over/Under bets: 47-37-4, +5.49 units
Mets vs Braves weather
Temperatures could reach the 90s but the winds are blowing slightly inwards. Small boost to the offenses.
Mets vs Braves odds
Moneyline: New York +145 | Atlanta -170
Run line: New York +1.5 (-140) | Atlanta -1.5 (+120)
Over/Under: Over 8.0 (-115) | Under 8.0 (-105)
Mets vs Braves trend
New York has hit the Game Total Under in 21 of their last 35 away games (+7.80 units, 21% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Mets vs. Braves.
How to watch Mets vs Braves and game info
Location
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Date
Saturday, July 4, 2026
First pitch
8:05 p.m. ET
TV
FOX
Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea (1-3, 4.71 ERA)
Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale (8-6, 2.10 ERA)
Mets vs Braves latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Jacob Bethell led England home with an unbeaten 76 to secure victory at Old Trafford and a 1-0 series lead
Sooryavanshi faces his first ball in international cricket… and misses! He flashed outside off at Josh Tongue, whose lift was too much for him.
1st over: India 4-0 (Sharma 4, Sooryavanshi 0) Never mind the prodigy, Abhishek can play a bit too. Archer starts well, beating him with a lifter, but the next ball is swished over slip for four, with one hand off the bat. Archer beats him again, and again, before finishing with a rap on the glove. The wind assisted both the bowler’s movement, away from the left-hander, and the lone scoring shot.
William Contreras
Freddie Freeman
JP Crawford
COVERS INTEL:
