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Trial to be introduced in bid to prevent goalkeeper tactical time-outs

  • Measures planned to run throughout 2026-27 season

  • Ifab yet to give permission for proposed rule change

English football will introduce a trial this season in an effort to end the goalkeeper tactical time-out.

The trial – backed collectively by Pro Ref (formerly Professional Game Match Officials), the Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League and National League – aims to prevent goalkeeper injuries used to disrupt momentum and allow opportunities for tactical instruction.

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LeBron James, star-studded Sixers heading to Brooklyn for preseason game

BROOKLYN, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball as Terance Mann #14 of the Brooklyn Nets plays defense during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 28, 2025 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s somewhat strange that in the year 2026, we still have to piece together NBA preseason schedules bit by bit over time from different sources, but we found another part of the puzzle on Monday afternoon, courtesy of the Brooklyn Nets.

The Sixers will take the floor at the Barclays Center at 7:30pm ET on Thursday, Oct. 8. Brooklyn selected Mikel Brown out of Louisville with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, so it will be fun to get an early look at him.

As previously announced, Philadelphia will play in Boston on Saturday, Oct. 10, with the Celtics coming back to Philly on Friday, Oct. 16. As things stand then, the game in Brooklyn could be our first chance to see LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia 76ers uniforms.

With the new stars joining the fold, there is bound to be a ton of increased interest around the Sixers this season, to put it mildly. There are already reports of get-in prices for the announced preseason game in Philadelphia well eclipsing the average regular season price from a season ago. Reporting came out today that the Sixers will receive the maximum allowed 34 nationally-televised games this season.

We’ll await word on any additional preseason contests, in addition to the full NBA regular season schedule. There will surely be plenty of premium matchups on tap. For now, enjoy this time with the Philadelphia 76ers at the center of the basketball universe, for good reasons for a change.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Series Preview #35 : Diamondbacks @ Pirates

Khristian Curtis. (Photo by Sean Finucane/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Wild Card Race

The following table shows my view of the Wild Card Race, updated Sunday morning. It shows the Diamondbacks are on track to win the third Wild Card in the NL. Another positive is that they have chances to overtake the Phillies for the second Wild Card in the NL. Most importantly, the table shows that if the Diamondbacks win this series, it will positively impact making the playoffs.

The Pirates have not reached the playoffs since 2015, when they lost a wild card game to the Cubs. Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta threw a complete-game four-hit shutout. Last season, their playoff chances were ended on 16 September per Grokipedia.

The Pirates are very motivated to add at the trade deadline so they can reach the playoffs. It is fortunate that the Diamondbacks play them now, before they add at the deadline.

UPDATE on Monday morning. The Nationals have moved into contention. The Diamondbacks lost on Sunday, but they are still on-track to reach the playoffs. Updated table follows:

Moved on From Santana.

The Diamondbacks moved on from Carlos Santana, while the Pirates moved on from Dennis Santana. 

Carlos Santana.  This season for the Diamondbacks, he played eight games at first base.  “Finally, Carlos Santana never made it back off the injured list, the team opting to DFA him rather than require a 40-man roster move to make room for him.” — Jim McLennan, SB Nation

Dennis Santana.  This season for the Pirates, his ERA was 6.05.  He earned 2 saves in 4 opportunities.  “2026 proved to be Santana’s worst year in the majors and [he] derailed multiple close games the Pirates had chances of winning.” — Austin Bechtold, SB Nation

Let’s compare the teams.

Offense. The Pirates offense made a big step upward from last season’s 3.60 runs scored per game.  This season through 24 July, the Pirates averaged more runs scored per game (5.24 vs 4.51 runs per game). 

Runners Left On Base. This season through 24 July, the Diamondbacks left fewer runners on base per game (6.63 vs 7.46).

Defense. This season through 24 July, the Diamondbacks had much better defense (36 vs negative 11 OAA, 22 vs 4 DRS)

Bullpens. The Pirates bullpen is below average. This season through 24 July, the Diamondbacks bullpen had a better ERA (4.04 vs 4.40) and had more shutdown performances (101 vs 98).

Starting Pitcher Matchups.  In this series, the starter matchups are either equal or advantage Diamondbacks. Of the Pirates’ six starting pitchers, the Diamondbacks are fortunate this series to face the two with the lowest ERA+’s (Chandler and Keller).  

Pirates Player to Watch.

In case a starting pitcher injured, Khristian Curtis could be recalled to the Majors.  In his MLB debut, 18 July, he entered in the second inning, then pitched 5 scoreless innings!  Curtis is a nice-to-have pitcher waiting in AAA.

“Curtis did not simply survive his first major-league appearance. He controlled it. The 24-year-old attacked with a five-pitch mix, landed his cutter for strikes and used his slider to finish hitters. After allowing consecutive hits during his second inning of work, he escaped the threat and struck out the side in the next frame. His ability to adjust and continue working deep into the game looked more like a starter’s outing than a short-relief audition.”  — Colin Witte

Pitching Matchups.

Monday, 3:40 PM MST.

Merrill Kelly vs Mitch Keller.This season, Chandler had a slightly better ERA (4.43 vs 5.12), but more importantly, Kelly had more quality starts (7 vs 2).

This matchup is very slight advantage Diamondbacks.

Tuesday, 3:40 PM MST.

Brandon Pfaadt vs Bubba Chandler.  This season, their ERAs were nearly the same (4.43 vs 4.47).  Although Chandler had more quality starts (3 out of 19 starts vs 2 out of 8 starts), Pfaadt had a higher percentage of quality starts.

This matchup is equal.

Wednesday, 9:35 AM MST.

Eduardo Rodriguez vs Jared Jones.  This season, Rodriguez had a much better ERA (2.64 vs 3.72) and many more quality starts (13 vs 2).

This matchup is big advantage Diamondbacks.

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On The Horizon: Cubs vs. Cardinals series preview

The Cubs might be facing the Cardinals at exactly the right time. While St. Louis has been in free fall over the last three weeks, the Cubs are 10-6 since they lost to the Cardinals on the Fourth of July.

For more on the Cardinals, here’s Doc Holliday, manager of our SB Nation Cardinals site Viva el Birdos.

The team is in a tailspin with almost zero offensive production. The Cardinals are 3-7 since the All-Star break and 6-13 since they defeated the Cubs at Wrigley Field in that foggy game July 4.

There are some bright spots on the pitching staff. Andre Pallante, Kyle Leahy and Michael McGreevy (minus his last outing) have all been strong. Hunter Dobbins had a stellar outing against the Angels right after the break. Matthew Liberatore either needs to go to the bullpen or Memphis. Much of our community would pick the second option. Dustin May just completed a strong start that the Cardinals gave no run support to, so he’ll almost certainly be gone before the trade deadline.

The trade deadline is likely to be the big focus for the Cardinals as it’s likely that Lars Nootbaar, JoJo Romero, Dustin May and maybe even some other regulars get moved by President of Baseball Operations, Chaim Bloom. There are potential stars lurking in Memphis and I expect Bloom to make room for many of them while also stockpiling future talent.

The Cardinals are still technically in the Wild Card hunt, but it’s not real. As much as it pains me to say it, the Cubs will be playing St. Louis at the perfect time (for the Cubs).

Fun facts

The Cubs played 102 games between visits to St. Louis from their second trip last season and the first this year from May 29-31. The Cubs lost, 6-5; won, 6-1; and lost, 5-1, in that May series.

Since then, the Cubs have played 53 games, three of them vs. the Cards on July 3-5 at home, where they lost, 17-1 and 3-0, before winning, 5-4.

Last year, the Cubs were 3-4 at Busch Stadium, splitting a four-game series and losing two of three. They were 1-1 and 2-2 in 2024. They last won a series, 3-1, July 27-30, 2023.

The Cubs have not swept a series at St. Louis since Sept. 13-15, 2010. This is their 41st series there since then. They have been swept in 10 of the previous 40, most recently Sept. 2-4, 2022. One of the sweeps was four games and another was two.

The Cubs’ 2,532 total games vs. the Cardinals are their second most against any opponent, after 2,631 vs. the Pirates. In all those games, the Cubs have outscored the Cards by exactly two runs, 11,064 to 11,062. They lead the rivalry, 1,283 wins to 1,230, but are 567-677 at St. Louis. The 677 losses are their second most on the road, after 715 at Pittsburgh.

(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)

Probable pitching matchups

Monday: David Peterson, LHP (2-1, 5.57 ERA, 1.286 WHIP, 5.06 FIP in four starts with Cubs; 5-7, 5.97 ERA, 1.562 WHIP, 4.14 FIP overall) vs. Matthew Liberatore, LHP (5-7, 5.18 ERA, 1.515 WHIP, 4.83 FIP)

Tuesday: Colin Rea, RHP (7-7, 4.85 ERA, 1.420 WHIP, 4.94 FIP) vs. Michael McGreevy, RHP (4-8, 3.07 ERA, 1.128 WHIP, 4.23 FIP)

Wednesday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (6-1, 3.81 ERA, 1.237 WHIP, 3.63 FIP) vs. Dustin May, RHP (5-7, 4.59 ERA, 1.317 WHIP, 3.16 FIP)

Thursday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (7-8, 3.72 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, 4.40 FIP) vs. Andre Pallante, RHP (11-6, 3.77 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, 3.81 FIP)

Times & TV channels

Monday: 6:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Tuesday: 6:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, TBS (outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories)

Wednesday: 6:45 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, Peacock (streaming, outside the Cubs and Cardinals market territories)

Thursday: 1:15 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network

Prediction

I’m going to go out on a bit of a limb here. The Cubs are (relatively) hot and the Cardinals are not. The Cubs could really use a series where they take three of four, so I’m going to predict that.

Up next

The Cubs return to Wrigley Field for a three-game series against the New York Yankees beginning Friday afternoon.

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A case for Khaman Maluach to be the Suns’ starting center

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 25: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Phoenix Suns and Isaiah Hartenstein #55 of the Oklahoma City Thunder play defense during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 25, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Look. I am not the type of person who overreacts to every Summer League game. But Khaman Maluach may have temporarily lifted that thought process from me. He looked stronger, he looked more confident, his shot looked more fluid, and his movement looked more fluid. He looked too good for Summer League, which is exactly what you want to see from the 2025 lottery pick.

Here is the part that got my attention. This was not one loud night in Vegas that we can wave off as noise. Maluach put up a double-double in every single game he played. Four games, four double-doubles.

He led the entire Summer League in rebounding and finished averaging 19.5 points, 12.8 boards, 2 blocks, and a steal and a half a night. Then he was voted onto the 2026 All-Summer League Second Team, the first Sun to earn that honor since 2021.

Hit the rewind button

Now rewind twelve months. Last summer, in his first crack at Summer League, Maluach went 1-for-6 from three in his opener and barely made a dent protecting the rim. This summer, he dropped a career-best 21 on the Bucks with four blocks and finished plus-18 in a win. That is a full rebuild of a game in one offseason. Weight room, footwork, touch, confidence, all of it, and he showed up looking like a different player.

Remember what we actually watched last season. Forty-six appearances. Three points a night. Barely saw the floor. He spent his rookie year as the third center on the roster, bouncing between the NBA bench and the Valley Suns, buried behind Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro. Phoenix drafted him as a project and treated him like one. Fair enough. He was 19 and raw. However, being the 10th overall pick in a strong draft comes with certain expectations, project or not.

The project is starting to look closer to coming into fruition in terms of being an impactful contributor.

Here is where I lose some of you. Phoenix just handed Mark Williams a three-year, $38 million guaranteed deal this summer. On paper, that is your starter. The front office has said all the right things too. No pressure on Maluach. Let him progress. Show growth. Brian Gregory basically said the minutes will work out over the course of the season. I hear all of that.

But re-signing Mark Williams and starting Mark Williams are two different conversations. Williams is a good player when he is on the floor. The trouble has always been keeping him on the floor. He has been dragging an injury history behind him for years, and a big man who cannot stay available is a starting job sitting there waiting to open up. Phoenix knows this. It is exactly why they kept four centers and why they protected Maluach’s timeline instead of forcing it. That runway does not vanish the second the kid outgrows it.

And that is the real case here. Forget the idea of handing a 20-year-old the keys on opening night just to make a statement. The honest question is who this team actually needs on the floor to start mattering again. The Suns went 45-37, snuck into the play-in, and got swept out of round one by OKC. This roster is retooling around youth, defense, and Miles Bridges. A rim-running, shot-blocking, floor-stretching center who just bullied an entire Summer League fits that direction cleaner than a hold-the-fort veteran does.

So how does this actually play out? I am not naive. Williams almost certainly starts game one. Jordan Ott gives the veteran the first look, and Maluach opens the year in the rotation, earning trust. But watch the trajectory. One Williams injury, one cold stretch, one week where Maluach’s motor and length are simply the better answer, and the depth chart flips. Once it flips, I do not see it flipping back.

The tell for me is his belief. Maluach does not carry himself like a kid hoping it works out. He talks about not wasting reps. He plays like he expects to win the matchup every trip down the floor. That is the part you cannot coach, and it is the part that turns a “project” into a starter faster than anyone plans for.

Call it a hunch. Call it Summer League fever if you want. I already told you I do not do this often.

But by the time we hit the meat of this season, Khaman Maluach is going to be the guy finishing games at center in Phoenix. Betting against that is going to look silly a whole lot sooner than people think.

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Masai Ujiri isn’t messing around with Mavericks

Masai Ujiri at TIME100 Sports Gala held at Pier Sixty on July 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images) | Variety via Getty Images

It’s been less than three months since the Dallas Mavericks tabbed Masai Ujiri as their president of basketball operations, giving him the chance to turn things around after former general manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, setting the franchise up for a rebuild.

Ujiri hasn’t been with the Mavs long, but he has made numerous moves that have put the Mavs in a position that’s far different from when he first came on board. This has set the stage for Cooper Flagg to be the true centerpiece of the team moving forward.

“The best part about Ujiri’s first wave of moves is that he targeted players who should make life easier for franchise forward Cooper Flagg: Johnson makes plays on both ends thanks to his motor and physicality, de Larrea creates scoring opportunities with his excellent vision, and Risacher adds complementary spacing. Kyrie Irving’s return from a seasonlong absence should be beneficial, too, even if the 34-year-old guard can’t fully recapture his pre-injury form (torn left ACL),“ ESPN contributor Ben Golliver wrote.

The Mavs are far from a finished product, but they are moving in a defined direction, which is promising to see. The switch from Jason Kidd to Dusty May is one that isn’t guaranteed to work, but it at least signals a new chapter for the franchise, which could be exactly what they need to move on from the Doncic era.

At the very least, Ujiri has made the Mavericks an interesting team to watch going into 2026-27, where he will have a chance to truly shape the roster in his image, one that he hopes will win a championship much like he did with the 2019 Toronto Raptors.

Mavs Moneyball community, what do you make of Ujiri’s high level of activity so far? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Rangers Reacts Results: How It Ends (2026 Regular Season Edition)

In the most recent edition of Rangers Reacts, we asked how you thought the Texas Rangers’ 2026 regular season would end — winning the division, missing the playoffs, or one of the Wild Card berths.

The voting was close for the top spot…

…but there were slightly more folks who think the Rangers will win the division than think the Rangers will miss out on the playoffs altogether. When including those who think the Rangers will claim one of the Wild Card spots, 59% of respondents think the Rangers will make the playoffs, which is pretty close to the Rangers’ actual playoff odds right now (57.4% before Monday’s game, per Fangraphs).

On the national voting, 85% of fans think Justin Verlander is a first ballot Hall of Famer, and I would like to think the other 15% mis-read the question or are trolling. Verlander is about as clear a first ballot Hall of Famer as you’re going to see for a starting pitcher in the 21st century.

Despite Verlander’s longevity and his playing primarily for very good teams in his career, he currently has “just” 266 career wins. The last pitcher notch his 300th win was Randy Johnson, who won his 303rd career game in 2009, his final season in the majors.

The only other active pitcher, besides Verlander, with at least 200 wins is Max Scherzer, with 222. And while Scherzer hasn’t announced he is retiring at season’s end, like Verlander has, getting another 78 wins seems pretty much out of reach for him.

The only other pitchers with at least 150 wins are Gerrit Cole and Chris Sale. They each have 156 career victories, and just getting to 200 will probably be difficult for either of them. Then there’s 36 year old Sonny Gray, at 137 wins, 36 year old Zach Wheeler, at 123 wins, and Kevin Gausman (35) and Michael Wacha (34), who are tied at 116 wins.

The highest win total for a pitcher who is under the age of 30 is 75, for the 29 year old Logan Webb. Tarik Skubal, born two days after Webb, is next, at 61. Logan Gilbert (who turned 29 in April) notched his 55th career win yesterday against the Rangers, tying him with Brady Singer, who turns 30 next week.

As the greatest musician to ever walk this earth, Prince Rogers Nelson, once said, “forever…that’s a mighty long time,” and so I hesitate to ever say never. That said, with the way the game is currently played, I don’t see there being a 300 game winner again unless the rules (either on-field or scoring) change significantly.

This has been brought to you by FanDuel.

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Freddy Peralta, Luis Arraez, and others most likely to be moved at the MLB Trade Deadline

The MLB Trade Deadline is officially one week away. We already have one impact trade under our belts, and rumors are swirling around plenty of players across the league, so we asked the Rotoworld Baseball staff to vote on which players they felt were most likely to be moved at the deadline and what it might do to their rest of season value.

Players Most Likely to be Traded at the MLB Trade Deadline

Luis Arraez - 2B, San Francisco Giants (9 votes)

Nine staff members voted for this article, and every single one picked Arraez to be shipped off at the deadline. The reasons are pretty obvious. For starters, the Giants are not a contender, and Arraez is signed to a one-year, $12 million deal. He remains one of the best contact hitters in baseball and is slashing .327/.363/.451 on the season with four home runs, 50 runs scored, 40 RBI, and eight steals. What's more, he has taken his defense to a whole other level this season, not just becoming a competent fielder, but posting an Outs Above Average at second base of 11. That's one of the better marks in the league. Now, he does have a -1 Defensive Runs Saved, so not all metrics indicate he is a great fielder, but he's certainly a far better one than he's ever been. He's unlikely to bring back a major return for the Giants since he will be a two-month rental, but perhaps they could get an intriguing starting pitching prospect back. Arraez's fantasy value would then get a decent boost if he's able to land in a better lineup or better hitting environment. - Eric Samulski

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Rays, Dodgers, Yankees

Robbie Ray - SP, San Francisco Giants (7 votes)

Robbie Ray is one of the easiest trade candidates to envision this deadline, an expiring contract on a team that has underperformed internal expectations all season. While the 34-year-old's 3.16 ERA is his lowest since his Cy Young-winning season in 2021, the peripherals paint a different picture, led by a 4.81 xFIP. That stems from a K-BB% that has fallen well below his usual standard. Looking at his pitch mix, Ray has leaned on the sinker more this season. It gets fewer whiffs, but it might be aiding his ERA outperformance by inducing weak contact. His home/away splits are the bigger worry for the deadline, as he owns a 2.22 ERA at Oracle compared to a 4.35 mark on the road. The sinker story is interesting, but fewer strikeouts are a net negative in fantasy, and losing a spacious home park will only put more pressure on a declining whiff rate. - Brendan Tuma

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: White Sox, Brewers, Astros, Phillies

Freddy Peralta - SP, New York Mets (7 votes)

There's no question that Peralta has been one of the most disappointing players in the league this season. The Mets traded two well-regarded prospects for his services and expected him to be the front-line pitcher they've sought over the last few years. Instead, his 4.99 ERA is the second-highest among all qualified pitchers. Things don't look better under the hood either. His 22.1% strikeout rate is the worst mark of his career by a wide margin, his fastball doesn't have the same life, his stuff is down across the board, and his slider and curveball shapes have blended together far too often. Yet, don't be surprised if he still has a robust trade market. His very inexpensive $8 million salary this season will be attractive to practically every team, and his long track record of success means he can't continue to be this bad, right? When splitting out for his last handful of starts, his fastball has regained some vertical action, and he's done a much better job at creating distinct shapes between his sweeper and curveball. We've seen him have long bouts of inconsistency in the past before righting the ship, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him do so again once he's with a contender. - James Schiano

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Dodgers, Brewers, Astros, Phillies

Luke Weaver - RP, New York Mets (5 votes)

There's a chance that Weaver is the best relief pitcher on the trade market. He's in a three-year run of success since converting to the bullpen full time and currently has a career-low 1.93 ERA that came with a 24-appearance scoreless streak between May, June, and July. He allows very little hard contact, strikes plenty of batters out, and doesn't walk many either. Also, the dominance of his changeup makes him excellent against left-handed batters. While he's run into some problems against righties over the last few years, the Mets have helped him adjust his cutter to give it reliable glove-side movement again. It's helped take some pressure off his changeup against them, and he doesn't have a flaw in his profile. There's a chance that some smaller-market teams are slightly scared off by his $12.5 million salary next season, but that's a fair price for a reliever of his caliber. There are a handful of bullpen-needy teams that could go after Weaver to be their closer too, which would do wonders for his fantasy value. - James Schiano

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Pirates, Cubs, White Sox

Tarik Skubal - SP, Detroit Tigers (4 votes)

Only four of the nine staff members voted for Skubal to be traded, which seems to be reflective of the general odds around the league. The truth is that the Tigers absolutely should trade Skubal. They're 3.5 games out of the Wild Card, but even if they snuck into the playoffs, this is not a World Series contender. Given their arbitration battles with Skubal and their offseason free agent agreement with Framber Valdez, it also seems highly unlikely that Skubal will re-sign with the Tigers in the offseason. Letting arguably the best starting pitcher in baseball leave your team and getting nothing in return would be catastrophic for Detroit. Still, all indications are that the Tigers are not yet ready to "sell" at the deadline. Perhaps a poor week against the Orioles and Athletics would change that. Of course, Skubal's value wouldn't really change no matter where he lands because his value is already tremendously high. Maybe he could take a minor hit if he lands in a worse home ballpark or see a small bump if he lands on a team with a better chance at wins, but we're talking about one of the best pitchers in baseball, no matter where he's starting. - Eric Samulski

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Dodgers, Braves, Brewers, Cubs, Phillies

Luis Garcia Jr. - 1B/2B, Washington Nationals (4 votes)

Luis García Jr. has improved tremendously at the plate this season, as have many other Washington hitters. After popping 11 homers with a 200 wRC+ in June, now might be the time to cash in. García has been limited to a strong-side platoon role and has already moved down the defensive spectrum to first base, limiting his long-term appeal for a rebuilding Nationals club. His power-plus-contact skills have played up this season, but the chase and walk rates are a longer-term concern. A trade away from the Nats cuts both ways. It could theoretically open up more playing time, but this team leads MLB in runs per game and has gotten the most out of him. His 2026 fantasy value might be better served if he simply stays put come August 3rd. - Brendan Tuma

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Rays, Dodgers, Yankees

Dustin May - SP, St. Louis Cardinals (4 votes)

The Cardinals are still in the midst of a playoff race, so it may be a surprise to see us suggest they trade their best starting pitcher, but, much like with the Tigers, this is not a World Series contender, and May is on a one-year, $12 million deal. This has been the best season of May's career, but the wheels have started to wobble a bit of late, and he's been dealing with some bumps and bruises as well. He's still on pace to surpass last year's innings totals and has improved his swinging strike rate significantly over what we have seen since 2022. May isn't going to bring back a huge return, but a team like the White Sox would probably love to have him at the back of their rotation over what they're currently trotting out there. We just don't believe the modest upside of having May for a potential playoff rush outweighs the Cardinals getting something for the growth they've gotten out of him this season. - Eric Samulski

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: White Sox, Brewers, Astros, Phillies

Luis Robert Jr. - OF, New York Mets (4 votes)

We know that the Mets are sellers, and their outfield for the future is already set with Juan Soto, A.J. Ewing, and Carson Benge. The team would almost certainly decline Robert Jr.'s $20 million team option for next season, as would any team dealing for him, so this is going to be a rental. Considering Robert Jr. is also injury-prone, it's unlikely that the Mets are going to get much back for him, but he has some interesting underlying metricsthat I covered in a video last week. - Eric Samulski

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Braves, Astros, White Sox (haha, but also, they could use a right-handed outfielder)

Matt Chapman - 3B, San Francisco Giants (3 votes)

Chapman is one of several veterans the Giants will be looking to move as sellers at the deadline in what has been a massively disappointing season under first-year manager Tony Vitello. The 33-year-old third baseman has been a streaky hitter throughout his career, but has consistently managed to hit for solid power. That wasn’t the case through the first two months of the season, with only one home run through May. He started to come around with six homers in June before landing on the injured list with an abdominal strain on July 1. However, moving out of Oracle Park could be a boon for any hitter. In the field, he remains one of the better defensive players at the hot corner, which could be an asset for any pitching staff. Muddling his trade outlook are the injury, the four years remaining on his six-year, $151 million contract, and the full no-trade clause. Chapman would have control of his destination, and the Giants would likely have to settle for eating a significant portion of his remaining salary. Despite the obstacles, Chapman could be a valuable veteran piece on a competing team, helping a pitching staff while providing some power as a right-handed bat that many teams are seeking. - Jorge Montanez

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Mariners, Brewers, Pirates

Jake McCarthy - OF, Colorado Rockies (3 votes)

Have the Rockies ever traded players they should trade? It hasn't been a great run in recent years for this front office, but they have new people leading the charge, and so we expect some things to be different in Denver. Well, three of us do. McCarthy signed a one-year, $1.53 million deal this offseason in one of the better signings across the entire league. The 28-year-old is hitting .298/.340/.502 with 10 home runs, 58 RBI, and 17 steals. Even though many teams will know that Coors Field is responsible for a portion of that resurgence, McCarthy is sure to get a decent contract as a free agent next season. Even if the Rockies could match it, they are struggling to find at-bats for Charlie Condon, Cole Carrigg, and Zac Veen, so they need to free up spots in the outfield. Trading McCarthy for a young but intriguing starting pitcher who has the potential to emerge as a rotation piece in Colorado would be the logical move. Yet, moving away from Coors Field would certainly hurt McCarthy's fantasy value. The speed will still be there, but we'd expect the batting average to take a clear hit, and there's also a chance he moves into a strong-side platoon role and/or hits farther down in the order. Those would not be great changes - Eric Samulski

POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS: Yankees, Rays, Braves

Others Receiving Multiple Votes: Taylor Ward - OF, Orioles (3 votes), Foster Griffin - SP, Nationals (3 votes), Mason Miller - RP, Padres (3 votes), Mickey Moniak - OF, Rockies (3 votes), Luis Castillo - SP, Mariners (3 votes), Eugenio Suarez - 3B, Reds (3 votes), Jasson Dominguez - OF, Yankees (3 votes).

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White Sox Weekly: July 20-26, 2026

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 26: Munetaka Murakami #5 of the Chicago White Sox rounds the bases for a two-run home run in the first inning of the game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on July 26, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
Mune’s back! | (Photo by Griffin Quinn/Getty Images)

There is distance growing between the first-place White Sox and those pesky Cleveland Guardians. A series victory in Arlington mixed with a singule win against the Astros created a 2 1/2-game division lead for the Good Guys. This, helped by the fact that Cleveland has now lost five in a row, created some much-needed breathing room as the club stares down the Yankees and the Rays this upcoming week.

After taking two of three in Arlington against the Rangers, I can confidently say the White Sox have figured out how to win on the road. They have not dropped an away series since they were swept in Detroit in June. The club landed in Texas and immediately made a statement.

For the majority of the series opener, it was tight. The White Sox came up to bat in the top of the ninth inning and flipped the script, scoring five runs and doubling the night’s total. There was not a single home run hit to get to the double-digit scoring output. Instead, it was a night full of four doubles. Miguel Vargas led the way with two RBI doubles, the first getting the White Sox on the scoreboard and the second starting the ninth-inning rally.

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The game was made even sweeter because Jacob deGrom was on the mound, and even though he may be ancient for a MLB pitcher, he still is throwing 97 mph. The Texas starter kept Chicago in check for four innings but did not make it out of the fifth, pulled with two outs after giving up a bases-clearing double to Andrew Benintendi. It was a bullpen day of sorts for the White Sox: Erick Fedde made it through four innings, giving up two runs, walking none and striking out six. The only blemish for the bullpen was a solo home run given up by Seranthony Domínguez to old friend Jake Burger.

Wins are sweet, but there was a bitter side to this one: Kyle Teel sprained his ankle and is going to be out for 6-12 weeks. It appears the front office might now need to be on the lookout for a veteran catcher on the trade market. It was being talked about this week that the solution for many catcher-needy teams could be Shea Langeliers, but he is now out for what looks like the remainder of the season with a torn meniscus. It is time for Chris Getz to get creative.

Tuesday was a completely different story for the pitching staff. It was like the clubs switched roles for the evening. Noah Schultz’s ERA continues to balloon, making its way past six after giving up five runs on 11 hits. The lefty was pulled after only 3 2/3 innings, and the bullpen could not keep the game within reach. Trevor Richards gave up two runs in his two-thirds of an inning and Tyler Schweitzer couldn’t keep his hot streak going, giving up three earned runs over 2 2/3 innings. The only pitcher in the entire game not to give up a run? Luisangel Acuña.

All was forgiven on Wednesday, when the team bounced back and took the series with a 4-2 win. The Rangers had a planned bullpen day, starting with former friend Tyler Alexander and ending with Jacob Latz. The left-handed opener gave up an RBI single to Chase Meidroth for the first run of the game and his only run given up in two innings of work.

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Cal Quantrill, who you might remember from his few seasons with Cleveland, took the bulk innings and the loss, giving up two runs on a pair of RBI singles to Meidroth and Benintendi. The fourth and final run for Chicago was surrendered by Jakob Junis. There was a theme for this game, and that was singles. Benintendi picked up his second RBI of the day to give the pitching more room to work with. It was room they needed after Anthony Kay gave up two runs over five innings. The elite portion of the bullpen (Jordan Hicks!) was deployed to keep the game where it was. Hicks, along with Grant Taylor and Bryan Hudson, kept the Rangers quiet and secured the victory.

Everything is bigger in Texas, but they do say if you go big you have to go home. That is exactly where the White Sox headed to take on the weaker of the two teams from the Lone Star State. I say weaker, but as you will quickly discover, looks can be deceiving. In what should have been at least two victories, the team dropped both Friday and Saturday’s matchups to the Astros.

Friday’s game was very much in reach. The squad scored three runs in the first inning to take an early lead and give Davis Martin some run support. They scored their runs the old fashioned way: a sacrifice fly, RBI single, and hit-by-pitch. In the fifth inning, Chicago tacked on two more thanks to a wild pitch and a Meidroth double. Then the wheels fell off.

Martin entered the fifth inning with the best intentions, but rather than be well on his way to his 10th win of the season, he loaded the bases and allowed a run on a LaMonte Wade Jr. single to right field. Will Venable saw enough after 88 pitches, and brought in Hudson to get a handle on things. He did not. The lefty let things get out of control in his two-thirds of an inning pitched, giving up a bases-clearing double to score the runners Martin was responsible for. Before he turned over the bases loaded with two outs to Domínguez, Hudson gave up a two-run shot to Cam Smith. This homer officially blew the lead for the White Sox and earned Hudson the loss. Dominguez Domínguez gave up no runs in his outing, but he allowed the hits that scored the last two runs of the inning. This was a game best forgotten.

Sean Burke had an incredible outing on Saturday, the type of outing that warrants a win. The righthander threw a quality start, going six innings, giving up three runs, and striking out 10. It was an unfortunate error in right field that put the Astros well on the scoreboard: Issac Paredes singled to Braden Montgomery but instead of fielding it cleanly and only allowing one run, Braden didn’t have his body in front of the ball and it took a hop over his glove. This allowed Houston to clear the bases and take a 3-0 lead.

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Paredes singled again in the eighth inning, Braden fielding it cleanly this time, to pick up his third RBI of the game and Houston’s fourth run. The lone run for Chicago was scored in the bottom of the ninth, when Colson Montgomery helped his team avoid being shut out for the second time in the week by driving in Vargas on a single to right.

The good news is, the Guardians lost every night as well, so no lead was lost in the division race. And Sunday was yet another opportunity to take advantage of the Cleveland skid. It was Munetaka Murakami bobblehead day at the ballpark, and Mune’s parents were in town (they even threw out the first pitch). Thankfully, the first baseman put on a show for his parents.

The Pale Hose scored a massive 12 runs in the series finale, and Murakami was responsible for driving in half of them. There were five home runs hit by the ballclub this week — all hit on Sunday. Meidroth, Vargas, and Junior Perez each homered in the game, but Mune had to be special and hit two dingers. His shot in the bottom of the first inning was his first home run since returning from the IL:

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It also gave the team its first lead of the day. The second traveled nearly 400 feet and made it a dozen in the scorecard. As if two home runs weren’t enough, he also knocked in a run on a ground out in the third and a pair of runs on a single in the bottom of the seventh. His total of six RBIs were the most he’s had in his young major league career. Fingers crossed that this got the rust off the home run machine:

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When all is said and done, the White Sox had a .500 week and grew their lead in the AL Central. When you put it like that, it doesn’t seem terrible, but when you dig a little deeper the club has some clear weaknesses. Chicago has a need for pitching, starters and relief alike. The pitching staff ranks 11th in the league in team ERA so far this season. Three of those teams are still worse than .500. The bullpen has also been presented with 48 save opportunities and only converted 28 of those. There is a lack of consistency, and an arm or two might help to mend the cracks that have shown.

The trade deadline is coming up, and how teams perform in the next week is going to say a lot about who is buying and who is selling. It is also going to say a lot about what kind of talent Chicago is going to go after. And the games heading into the deadline will be a challenge, as the Yankees are in town for a four-game set followed by a trip to Florida to play the AL-leading Rays.

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Red Sox vs. Athletics prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for July 27

The Boston Red Sox (54-50) open a four-game series in West Sacramento looking to continue their recent surge, while the Athletics (44-61) return home hoping to stop a slide after dropping a series to Minnesota. Boston is third in the AL East and in possession currently of one of the Wild Card spots while the A’s sit fourth in the AL West, nine games out of the AL West as well as the final Wild Card spot. The Athletics have fallen out of contention due to a dismal last 30 days. They are just 6-23 the past month.

 

The Red Sox wrapped up a successful weekend against Toronto with a 6-1 victory Sunday at Fenway Park. Boston received four shutout innings from Ranger Suárez before the bullpen blanked the A’s until the ninth inning. Offensively, Jarren Duran went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Jahmai Jones provided a key pinch-hit two-run double during a three-run seventh inning that broke the game open. Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu also drove in runs in the win. The Athletics head home after an 11-8 loss to the Twins on Sunday. Minnesota jumped ahead early, scoring six runs in the first two innings against Oakland starter Jeffrey Springs. The A's did battle back behind a three-run homer from Nick Kurtz, trimming a seven-run deficit to 8-6, but defensive miscues ultimately proved costly as the A’s committed four errors in the game. It was Kurtz’ second game in the lineup since returning from the injured list.

 

Payton Tolle (5-6, 3.31 ERA) takes the bump for the Sox tonight. The hard-throwing left-hander has kept opponents off balance all season as evidenced by his 1.10 WHIP. That said, Tolle will be looking to bounce back after a poor showing in his last start. Last Monday he allowed eight hits and four runs over just 5.2 innings. Jack Perkins (2-5, 6.75 ERA) takes the ball for the Athletics. The righthander will be happy when the calendar turns to August as he has surrendered 13 runs in 11.2 innings in July.

 

Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.

 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

 

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game Details and How to Watch: Red Sox vs. Athletics

  • Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
  • Time: 9:40PM EST
  • Site: Sutter Health Park
  • City: Sacramento, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, NESN, NBC Sports California

 

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

 

The Latest Odds: Red Sox vs. A’s

The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Boston Red Sox (-185), Athletics (+152)
  • Spread: Red Sox -1.5 (-116), A’s +1.5 (-104)
  • Total: 9.5 runs

 

Starting Pitchers and their Stats: Red Sox and A’s for July 27

  • Red Sox: Payton Tolle
    Season Totals: 89.2 IP, 5-6, 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 96K, 26 BB
  • A’s: Jack Perkins
    Season Totals: 62.2 IP, 2-5, 6.75 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 76K, 24 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not! Red Sox vs. Athletics

  • Nick Kurtz is 1-3 against Payton Tolle in his career and that 1 hit is a HR
  • Tommy Soderstrom has hit safely in 9 straight games (12-35)
  • Jeff McNeil is 6-14 over his last 4 games and is hitting .310 in July
  • Willson Contreras was 1-9 over the weekend against the Jays
  • Ceddanne Rafaela was 3-13 over the weekend with 1 HR and 3 RBIs
  • Masataka Yoshida was 0-8 over the weekend and is 3-23 over his last 8 games

 

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: Red Sox vs. A’s

 

  • The Red Sox are 50-54 on the Run Line this season
  • The A’s are 48-57 on the Run Line this season
  • The OVER has cashed 46 times in games involving the Red Sox this season (46-54-4)
  • The OVER has cashed 51 times in games involving the A’s this season (51-51-3)

 

Expert picks & predictions: Red Sox vs. A’s

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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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 is projecting for tonight’s game between the Red Sox and the A’s:

 

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Red Sox on the Run Line.
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 9.5.

 

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Trade: Canadiens Swap Forwards With Ducks

The Montreal Canadiens have made another small trade.

The Canadiens have announced that they have traded forward Sean Farrell to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Sasha Pastujov. 

Farrell appeared in 47 games last season with the Laval Rocket, where he recorded nine goals, 19 assists, and 28 points. He also had two assists in five playoff games for Laval this past spring.

Farrell was selected by the Canadiens with the 124th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 186 career AHL games over three seasons with Laval, he posted 46 goals, 79 assists, and 125 points. He also played in six games for the Canadiens during the 2022-23 season, where he scored one goal. 

With Pastujov, the Canadiens are bringing in another young forward who has shown promise at the AHL level. In 71 games last season with the San Diego Gulls, he posted 21 goals and 57 points. This was after he had 17 goals and 45 points in 43 games for the AHL club in 2024-25.

Pastujov was selected by the Ducks with the 66th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has yet to make his NHL debut. 

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Choosing the 76ers complicates the LeBron and Northeast Ohio relationship

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on February 5, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

I’m coming home.

That was the framing behind LeBron James’s second decision in 2014. After winning two titles in Miami with the Heat, he was ready to come home. Northeast Ohio always had a special place in LeBron’s heart. Something bigger than basketball, a calling, an obligation. However, as LeBron began pondering where his “final stop” in his basketball career would be, it was only natural that home would be one of the landing spots.

When it was announced via LeBron’s socials (Instagram and X) that he would be joining the Philadelphia 76ers, it sent shockwaves throughout the league. Since this seismic announcement, teams in the mix (Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Cleveland Cavaliers) and their fans are left reading the post-decision nuggets to find out where their pitches fell short.

The Cavaliers and their fans were probably the most heartbroken. Did LeBron owe them or the fans a return? No. LeBron delivered the crowning achievement of the franchise, a title in 2016. That cements a love shared between the fans, the King, and the Cavaliers.

However, there is something unsettling about the decision to join the 76ers. Nothing about the franchise, its players, or fans evokes this feeling of ire. It’s more so LeBron’s summer and the information that is trickling out about this decision that draw questions about LeBron’s intentions not only for 2026, but one cannot help but wonder what 2014 really was about.

2014 was always framed as being about the love LeBron had for Northeast Ohio. A wrong (The Decision) in his life that needed to be corrected. Something that he carried with him during his four years in Miami. This was a decision made out of searching for happiness, fulfillment, and a calling to achieve something higher than basketball.

Even reading through the letter published in Sports Illustrated, it is hard not to remember how incredible it felt that LeBron loved the same area of Ohio as much as its fans and wanted to repair a relationship that was fragmented in 2010.

When you zoom out on LeBron’s past decisions, Miami in 2010, Los Angeles in 2018, and now Philadelphia in 2026. There is a thread that makes his 2014 decision a little less heartwarming if you look deeper.

The allure of talent is what James has been seeking. It’s something that drew LeBron to Miami with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, Los Angeles with Anthony Davis in the works, and now Philly with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. It can’t be ignored that Cleveland in 2014 offered a similar template: a team with appealing talent (Kyrie Irving and soon-to-be Kevin Love), moveable assets to tinker with the roster (Andrew Wiggins, Dion Waiters, and Anthony Bennett), and a roadmap to a title.

Now, nothing can be said definitively about LeBron’s reasoning; I certainly cannot. I will say to put my tin foil hat on, that the thought that maybe 2014 for LeBron was less about coming home and more about setting up his next chapter at chasing a title. While LeBron achieved this goal, and I’m grateful for everything he’s done for the franchise and the city, the Philadelphia decision and approach to free agency raise questions about the sentimentality of 2014.

While the Philadelphia choice appears jarring, given the context of it being his final chapter, it follows the throughline of 2010-2026 that LeBron wants to be surrounded by the best talent available. The final chapter is about what all other chapters have offered in his career: a chance to win a title.

LeBron spending so much time in Northeast Ohio over the last month or so certainly added fuel to the fire. Stretching it out for so long with Cleveland being in the discussion made it seem like there was more of a chance than not that this final chapter was going to end in wine and gold. Instead, as new articles continue to trickle out, it was clear Cleveland was never really in a position, never mind pole position, to land the franchise icon.

If there was such a connection to the Cavaliers, it would be hard pressed to not end the career at home. The difference in talent between Philadelphia and Cleveland is close enough that going home one last time would be hard to refute. LeBron appears to have moved past this option rather easily and instead is choosing what he perceives as his best chance to win a title.

Whether or not LeBron wins a championship with Philadelphia is yet to be seen. However, LeBron has made Cleveland seem like they were more of a chapter in the story of his career than the place he romanticized in 2014.

In 2014 LeBron wrote, “I always believed that I’d return to Cleveland and finish my career there.” In 2026, this sentence seems slightly disingenuous.

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The one fad the Giants should avoid

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants prepares for the game at Oracle Park on July 24, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Godofredo Vásquez/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The latest SB Nation reacts poll response warmed my heart. It shows a wisdom that sometimes eludes fans.

SB Nation Reacts poll — only 29% of Giants fans think the team will sign Bryce Eldridge to an extension this year

Admittedly, the poll question is asking for a prediction rather than an opinion, but most people tend to conflate the two; because, “Do you think the Giants should sign Bryce Eldridge to an extension this year?“ means something radically different.

You can bet that respondents considered the Giants’ history in engaging in such behavior along with the upcoming lockout that has been planned by the owners since (probably) signing the last CBA. And then there’s the simple matter of whether or not an extension is warranted at this time.

Yes, this year is sort of an outlier in the frequency with which teams have extended their pre-arbitration players or even players before they’ve made their MLB debut — some other recent examples: the Brewers with Luis Lara, Cooper Pratt, and Jackson Chourio; the Mariners with Colt Emerson, the Tigers with Colt Keith, etc. — because it’s also not as though there is talented that has necessarily warranted such financial commitments.

With Eldridge, we’re talking about a slugging first baseman/designated hitter, the sort of hitter that is far more common than the ones who’ve been getting extended lately. No, Eldridge isn’t likely to be demoted anytime soon, and a 21-year old slashing .259/.359/.459 in 256 plate appearances is impressive enough, but his importance to the Giants is simply in having an impact hitter come up through their farm system and provide “surplus value” (performance vs. pay). He’s not (yet) hitting like 21-year old Juan Soto (.351/.490/.695) — which, yeah, by the time he does start hitting like that he’ll be less likely to want to sign an extension.

Thing is, Eldridge’s ceiling is unclear. Again, he’s a revelation for the Giants. He’s the type of hitter the Giants have been searching for and he’s likely to be a significant figure going forward, but is he a generational talent within the context of the sport itself? It’s really tough to compare him to these recent extensions and not come off like a critique to the point of insult. Let’s see if we can find a pattern here:

  • Jacob Wilson, A’s: 7 years, $70 million — shortstop
  • JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals: 8 years, $112.5 million — shortstop
  • Cooper Pratt, Brewers: 8 years, $50.75 million — shortstop
  • Colt Emerson, Mariners: 8 years, $95 million — shortstop (and some third base)
  • Konnor Griffin, Pirates: 9 years, $140 million — shortstop
  • Kevin McGonigle, Tigers: 8 years, $150 million — shortstop (and third base)

So, that should be definitive. There’s a very good reason why front offices opened up the pocket book. These up the middle defenders with above average hit and power tools are extremely valuable.

I can only think of a few recent extensions for non-shortstops, and while they don’t reflect the opposite end of the spectrum, they do present as cases that would give Zack & Buster pause.

  • Lawrence Butler, A’s: 7 years, $65.5 million — outfield
  • Jackson Chourio, Brewers: 8 years, $82 million — outfield
  • Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta: 8 years, $100 million — outfield

Butler was 23 when he signed his deal and coming off of .262/.317/.490 in 451 plate appearances with some fantastic defense in right field. The Athletics were probably motivated more by their financial restraints than by “look at this generational talent blossoming before us,” but that’s more or less where Bryce Eldridge falls on the player performance scale. Butler was sub-average last year and one of the worst players in the sport this year (age-25).

Chourio has been good. Around 20% better than the league average as a hitter and a good defender in a corner outfield position. Another not-generational talent, but who is playing well enough that the Brewers have locked in a quality contributor for below the market rates for similar performance.

Acuna Jr. was on a Hall of Fame track as recently as 2023, but in the years since the extension, he’s been injured a lot and his power has diminished quite a lot. In his first 4 seasons, ages 20-23: a .268 ISO or .549 slug. In the subsequent 5 seasons, ages 24-28: a .200 ISO or .492 slug.

Yes, Atlanta is absolutely doing that deal 12 times out of 10, but would 2019 Alex Anthopoulos consider a similar deal for 2026 Bryce Eldridge? Probably not.

Finally, there’s this example that the Giants are probably thinking about, if they even pondered an Eldridge extension at all:

  • Jonathan Singleton, Astros: 5 years, $10 million (with club options that could increase it to $35 million) — first baseman

That’s about $49 million in today’s dollars through simple dollar inflation, but it doesn’t factor in MLB’s market inflation over the past 12 years. Still, you can imagine senior advisor Bobby Evans remembering that 2014 deal and relaying to Posey the massive negative reaction it got from Evans & Sabean & then-Giants ownership at the time. Eldridge and Singleton’s profiles aren’t remotely comparable beyond left-handed hitting first baseman, but Singleton was more of an on base guy with doubles power. Still, because a bunch of oldheads are advising the Giants, I’m sure the fact that he hit just .171/.290/.331 in the first two seasons of the deal before the Astros moved on from him is a data point in the cost-benefit analysis.

And I think Giants fans know their organization enough to recognize that they’re less likely to take financial risks on younger players — for better or worse — so, that might be some of the wisdom behind the response here. But after the season? I wonder if the question was interpreted as “in-season” versus “off-season.” How many fans might wager on a November extension?

My personal opinion is that they should’ve signed him to an extension if he’d hit 20 home runs by now. But it was pretty clear to me early on that he was going to need at least this season to figure out major league pitching. So, given that, he looks like he’s on a pretty typical career trajectory, and for a tall power hitter who will either play first base or DH, the long-term value of a player like that is tricky to calculate and the team is better off going year to year to see if he can hit his way into forcing them to make a big commitment. I don’t think Juan Soto’s $31 million arbitration number could be a comp just given the defensive differences, and by the time Eldridge reaches his final year of arbitration, who even knows what arbitration will look like or what $31 million means.

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Brooklyn Nets Unveil 2026-27 Preseason Schedule

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Jordi Fernandez of the Brooklyn Nets looks on against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Fiserv Forum on November 29, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Another summer is flying by, and with that, so is another NBA offseason. Just over a week removed from the Summer League’s conclusion, we still have a roughly two months before we’ll see the Nets in action again. This week, however, we did learn who they’ll be up against once they return.

Monday morning, the team announced its 2026 preseason schedule. It includes the following four matchups:

  • October 6th at the Charlotte Hornets (7:00 p.m. EST)
  • October 8th vs the Philadelphia 76ers (7:30 p.m. EST)
  • October 12th at the Washington Wizards (7:00 p.m. EST)
  • October 14th at the Miami Heat (7:30 p.m. EST)

That’s only one preseason game at the Barclays Center. The Nets had only one at home last year as well, although two of their four were played overseas.

With these being preseason bouts, there’s no telling who’ll suit up for any of them. That being said, most of Brooklyn’s opponents present compelling cases to watch from a roster standpoint. After the Hornets, its three first-looks at new-look squads: LeBron James and Jaylen Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers, Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa with the Washington Wizards, and Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Miami Heat.

One notable Summer League absentee this year was Nolan Traoré, who sat out after having a scope on his right knee. However, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reported that the guard should be healthy by the start of training camp, which begins just prior to the preseason. Traoré was also seen getting shots up in Vegas a few weeks ago, even if refraining from any actual game action.

The YES Network will cover and televise each preseason contest this year. The NBA and the Nets released the full regular season schedule on August 14th last year, so keep an eye out for that in the coming weeks as well.

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MLB Player Props & Best Bets for Today, July 27

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A fresh week is in front of us as we look to back a few players and fade another on this nearly full Monday slate.

Here are my three favorite MLB player props for July 27.

Best MLB player props today

Player PickOdds
Mets Max ScherzerOver 2.5 earned runs -114
Mets Pete Crow-ArmstrongOver 1.5 total bases-111
Mets Seiya Suzuki Over 1.5 total bases-109

Max Scherzer Over 2.5 earned runs (-114)

I'm fading old man Max Scherzer this evening in my MLB picks as he draws one of the most dangerous offenses in baseball.

The Toronto Blue Jays veteran righty owns the worst pitcher rating on Batters-Box for today's slate and will face a lineup featuring three elite-rated hitters and one additional strong-rated bat.

The Washington Nationals have been on an absolute tear over their last 21 games, posting a 151 wRC+, .358 wOBA, .244 ISO, and .889 OPS.

Meanwhile, Scherzer has looked nothing like himself over his last five starts, posting a 13.50 ERA, 5.82 xERA, and 2.06 WHIP.

As difficult as it is to fade a future Hall of Famer, this is the spot to do it. The Nationals lead all of baseball in first five-inning scoring, averaging 3.13 runs over that span.

I'd play this prop down to -125.

  • Time: 6:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NATS, Sportnet

Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 total bases (-111)

It is a great day to fade St. Louis Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore. The southpaw enters Monday with the second-worst pitcher rating on Batters-Box, where he grades poorly in matchup ISO, wOBA, hard contact, and ground ball rate.

Two Chicago Cubs stood out to me in this matchup, starting with leadoff hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is coming off a strong performance on Sunday. He also carries an elite rating tonight while covering nearly 100% of Liberatore's arsenal.

Over his last 60 at-bats against southpaws, Crow-Armstrong owns a .543 SLG, .993 OPS, .434 wOBA, and .260 ISO.

Liberatore has also struggled against left-handed hitters, especially at home, where they are batting .321 with a .509 SLG and .357 wOBA against him.

With temperatures expected to climb into the triple digits tonight, the conditions should heavily favor the hitters. I think there will be plenty of offense, with the ball carrying well in St. Louis.

I'd play this to -125.

  • Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MARQ, CARD

Seiya Suzuki Over 1.5 total bases (-109)

The other bat I want to back in this matchup is Seiya Suzuki, who has been crushing left-handed pitching all season.

Over his last 60 at-bats against southpaws, the Cubs slugger owns a 46.1% hard hit rate, 12.8% barrel rate, and 74.4% elevation rate. He has also posted a 26.3% HR/FB rate, .680 SLG, and 1.097 OPS.

Against right-handed hitters, Liberatore has allowed a 42.5% hard hit rate and 72.5% elevation rate over the last 60 hitters he has faced. Those righties have also produced a .337 xBA, .501 xSLG, and .417 xwOBA during that span.

With the heat expected in St. Louis and the way both Suzuki and PCA have been swinging the bat, I think at least one of them has a big night at the plate.

I'd play this down to -125 as well.

  • Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MARQ, CARD
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  • Prop picks: 341-656, -9.5 units

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