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West Indies 205-9; Australia 206-7 | Australia win by three wickets
Green and Inglis hit 50s as Australia take 4-0 lead in T20 series
For the fourth time in as many games, Australia impressively chased down a West Indies total in their best-of-five Twenty20 series.
Glenn Maxwell lived up to his Big Show nickname and Cameron Green and Josh Inglis continued their hot form, as Australia swept to a 4-0 lead in the T20I cricket series against West Indies in St Kitts.
Continue reading...WhilePete Alonso has made a name for himself with his hitting and is just five home runs shy of breaking Darryl Strawberry's Mets franchise record, it's been his defense that's helping New York win games as of late.
Alonso dazzled in Saturday night's 2-1 win over the San Francisco Giants, making a couple of nice picks at first base and ending the game on an incredible leaping catch. His defensive performance earned praise from manager Carlos Mendoza, who made sure the first baseman was going to get the credit he deserves.
“Unbelievable. He doesn’t get enough credit because of his defense, but he’s elite,” Mendoza said. “Especially when we’re talking about receiving throws, using the whole bag, the footwork, just the target, and making plays that he can get to.
“We saw it again today. Hell of a pick on a [Francisco] Lindor play, that play to end the game right that, another throw where he had to come off the base. There’s a lot of positive from him defensively. I’ve been saying it all along. He doesn’t get enough credit.”
Starting pitcher David Peterson, who allowed just one run over six strong innings of work, also thanked Alonso for helping him get out of a couple jams. The left-hander added that it wasn't just Saturday's win where Alonso's defense came up big, but is instead something that's been going on all season long.
"He's been doing it all year,” Peterson said. "He had a couple really good ones today. He works his butt off before the games trying to get better. He's been really solid for us.
"To have a guy over there like that that you can trust and know that if you’re in a pinch and you need to get it out, he’s over there and he’s going to do his best to stay on or get the out however he can. It’s a comforting feeling knowing, especially for me trying to get the ball on the ground. It’s been awesome.”
When asked about comparing his jumping catch vs. a big home run, Alonso said he was simply happy to help the team win their sixth straight game.
"It's awesome to be able to end the game right there, it was big time,” Alonso said. “I know that our pitchers did an absolutely phenomenal job, but really happy I was able to contribute there."
He added: “I always want the ball hit to me. Just anticipating the ball. I was really happy to do it right there.”
Overall, Alonso is proud of the strides he's made with his glove.
“Defensively, I feel like I’ve improved as the season’s went on and I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now,” Alonso said.
New York couldn't get anything going offensively through the first five innings of Saturday's game. They left runners on base in two big spots, including a bases-loaded and no-out situation in the fourth inning as Mark Vientos struck out and Francisco Alvarez grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Vientos and the Mets got another scoring opportunity in the sixth inning, and this time they weren't going to waste it away. The third baseman drove in two runs on a double to give NY a 2-1 lead, which they'd hold on to for the win.
After the game, Mendoza said what he's seen recently from the 25-year-old has been "a really good sign" going forward.
“I think the biggest thing for me was, after he didn’t get the job done with the bases loaded there, he doesn’t get down and he gets another opportunity right there and comes through, Mendoza said. “So that’s a really good sign, especially when it’s been hard for you and that’s the case for Mark.
"So not missing pitches, even though he missed on the first at-bat with the bases loaded, the one he fouled off, but doing a better job of controlling the strike zone and finding holes. You need a hit like that the one tonight, ended up being the biggest hit of the night. I think his ability to turn the page was good to see tonight.”
Vientos extended his hitting streak to six games with the double and was happy to "come through" in the big moment.
"Felt really good, felt really good to get that second chance and come through for the boys,” Vientos said. “Got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it.”
Vientos added that he's been focusing on the little things while at the plate and the results are now showing.
“Yeah I feel a lot better,” Vientos said. “The things that I’m focused on are a lot better at the plate. It’s helping me get better results for sure.”
“Sticking to my approach. Doubling down on it. When I get my pitch, not missing it.”
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, two days after having two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries.
The Mets offense was quiet through the first five innings on Saturday night, but scored two runs in the sixth, and held on to beat the San Francisco Giants, 2-1.
New York (61-44) extended their winning streak to six games and remain 0.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies, who beat the Yankees again earlier in the day, for first place in the NL East.
-- David Peterson got some help from 3B Mark Vientos and 2B Brett Baty to avoid early damage, as Vientos snagged Matt Chapman's line drive and tossed it to Baty, who scooped the low and hard throw to complete the inning-ending double play. Peterson found himself in another situation with runners on first and second base with just one out in the second inning, but escaped thanks to a 4-6-3 double play.
It was then Pete Alonso's turn to help Peterson out in the third inning -- getting a tag on a wide throw for the first out and scooping a Francisco Lindor throw for the third out of the frame.
-- Peterson's luck ended in the fourth, loading the bases and allowing a run to cross on a force out, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead. But the left-hander bounced back to get out of another jam in the fifth inning, keeping it a one-run game. He then found a way to get through the sixth inning, matching his career high of 121 IP on the season.
Peterson's final line: one earned run on eight hits (all singles) with four strikeouts and three walks over 91 pitches across the six innings. The outing lowered his season ERA to 2.38.
-- Francisco Alvarez tripled with two outs in the second, crushing a ball off the wall in right field that was misplayed by Luis Matos. However, the Mets couldn't capitalize as Robbie Ray struck out Tyrone Taylor for the third out.
Alonso hit a leadoff single in the fourth inning and advanced to third on Starling Marte's double down the line to left field, giving New York another scoring chance. Baty then reached first on a dribbler back to Ray, who was watching Alonso at third, loading the bases. But once again, the Mets failed to score as Vientos struck out and Alvarez grounded into a 5-3 double play.
-- Juan Soto walked and stole his career-high 14th base with one out in the top of the sixth inning, New York's 26th straight successful stolen base (the longest active streak in the majors and three shy of the Brewers' record 29). Marte walked and then Rafael Devers struggles at first base continued, bobbling a grounder and only getting the force out at first base. Vientos came through with a two-run double to flip the game around and put the Mets up 2-1, knocking Ray out of the game.
New York had a chance to add more to their lead after Alvarez and Taylor walked, but Brandon Nimmo struck out looking to end the top half of the inning.
-- Reed Garrett tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning in relief of Peterson. Ryne Stanek then breezed through the eighth with a 1-2-3 inning of his own. Edwin Diaz nearly let up a game-tying homer to Jung Hoo Lee in the ninth, but the ball hit off the wall in right-center field for a double. The closer settled down to strike out Mike Yastrzemski and Alonso made a game-saving, jumping catch on Patrick Bailey's line drive to end the game.
Peterson got out of multiple jams and allowed just one run on the night. It's the 13th time in 20 starts this season that he's thrown at least six innings.
Honorable mention: Alonso, for his stellar defense throughout the game.
Francisco Lindor's spinning throw to Pete Alonso ends the inning! 🌪️ pic.twitter.com/4P9ZhJcSZ2
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 27, 2025
Mark Vientos gives the Mets the lead with a 2-RBI double! pic.twitter.com/fIiLhc9Yau
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 27, 2025
"Caught by Alonso and the ballgame is over!"
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 27, 2025
Pete Alonso LEAPS for the grab and the final out 👏 pic.twitter.com/tnW0TYsC4u
The Mets and Giants wrap up their three-game series on Sunday night. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. on ESPN.
Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.79 ERA) will take the mound while the Giants have yet to decide on a starter.
Australia’s No 1 beats Frenchman 6-4, 6-3 to book place in decider
World No 13 to meet Ben Shelton or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Alex de Minaur is through to the final of the Washington Open after demolishing Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
In promising signs ahead of next month’s US Open, the Australian No 1 and seventh seed stormed to a 6-4, 6-3 victory at the event where he reached his maiden ATP 500 final back in 2018.
Continue reading...The Yankees acquired another infielder ahead of the trade deadline.
The Yankees and Nationals have agreed on a trade that will send Amed Rosario to the Bronx in exchange for RHP Clayton Beeter and outfielder Browm Martinez.
Rosario, 29, gives the Yankees the right-handed utility man they have been looking for after trading for Ryan McMahon on Friday. Rosario has been solid for the Nationals in limited playing time. Across 47 games, Rosario is slashing .270/.310/.399 with a .707 OPS to go with his five home runs and 18 RBI. He's played primarily at third base this season but has seen time at second, shortstop and even in the outfield.
Over his nine seasons, Rosario has played for the Mets, Guardians, Dodgers, Rays, Reds and Nationals.
The acquisition is a smart one for GM Brian Cashman and the Yankees. He gives the Yankees more flexibility in the infield and potentially the outfield with Aaron Judge heading to the IL. His addition could mean Oswald Peraza's time with the Yankees could be at an end. The young infielder is out of minor league options.
Peraza, 25, has not taken advantage of his increased time with the club this year. While he was very good defensively this year, in 70 games he only slashed .152/.212/.241 with three home runs and 13 RBI. His OPS was just .453.
Beeter, 26, was the key piece when the Yankees dealt Joey Gallo to the Dodgers back in 2022 and was ranked as New York's No. 20 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He's made five major league appearances the last two seasons but has allowed eight runs across 7.1 innings with the Yankees. This season, Better has pitched to a 3.10 ERA while striking out 33 batters across 20.1 innings pitched in 18 appearances with Triple-A.
Martinez has spent the last two years in the Dominican Summer League. This year, in 18 games, he's slashed .404/.507/.632 with three home runs and 16 RBI to go along with a 1.139 OPS.
The Dodgers had MLB strikeout leader Garrett Crochet on the ropes early Saturday night, after Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández each homered within the game’s first three at-bats.
But, in what became a frustrating 4-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Crochet bobbed and weaved around every knockout blow the Dodgers tried to land.
“I thought we played hard. I thought we competed,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He made pitches when he needed to."
Indeed, in a game that was decided on the margins — through high-leverage at-bats and two-strike battles and risky decisions that backfired on the basepaths — Crochet was just a little bit better than Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw, using his heavy fastball and premium all-around stuff to wiggle out of trouble in a way his aging 37-year-old counterpart couldn’t.
Read more:Shaikin: Home again? Why Kenley Jansen could be a good trade match for Dodgers
While Crochet limited damage over the rest of his six-inning start, striking out 10 batters to prevent each of the eight other Dodgers who reached base from scoring, Kershaw faltered when his back was up against the wall, yielding the lead in a three-run second inning before exiting after another run in the fifth.
“Obviously, when you’re facing a guy like Crochet, there’s not gonna be a ton of runs,” said Kershaw, who once invoked such fear from opponents but now has to grind with gradually diminished stuff. “Our guys did a good job getting a lead there early and really having good at-bats. Just frustrating not to be able to hold it.”
Making his first career regular-season start at Fenway Park (he had only previously pitched here in the 2018 World Series), Kershaw appeared to be battling his mechanics from the start. He delivered a first-pitch strike to only five of the first 14 batters. Even worse, he couldn’t put guys away on two-strike counts.
It culminated in the three-run second inning from the Red Sox (56-50). Trevor Story worked a leadoff walk. Carlos Narváez belted a double off the Green Monster. And, on a night he had two triples and a double, Jarren Duran laced a line drive to center that got over Andy Pages’ head to plate two runs (Duran would later score on a sacrifice fly).
All three batters did their damage with two strikes.
“Needed to figure it out a little bit better,” Kershaw said of the second inning. “The last few innings [after that], I actually felt pretty good with everything. Just couldn’t make the adjustment that second inning. And that’s what cost us.”
Kershaw eventually settled down. He rediscovered his command in the third, working around a pair of singles with a double-play grounder and strikeout of Story. He found the kind of rhythm that has keyed his surprisingly strong 18th season from there, retiring seven consecutive batters to work his way into the fifth inning.
But with two outs in the fifth, Red Sox slugger Alex Bregman outlasted Kershaw in another two-strike battle, bouncing a single through the infield on the 10th pitch of the at-bat. Then, rookie star Roman Anthony drove him home with a double off the Monster.
Kershaw’s night ended there, with four runs (tying the second-most earned runs he has allowed this season) and only two strikeouts over 4⅔ innings raising his season earned-run average to 3.62.
“Could have been a super frustrating day,” Kershaw said. “Now it’s only mildly frustrating — just that that’s still in there, I can still get people out. It’s just that second inning got to me.”
Crochet, meanwhile, never wavered after the Dodgers (61-44) did their early damage.
“When you’re facing guys like Crochet, you don’t get so many good pitches to hit,” Hernández said. “The ones that you do, you just have to put it in play and hopefully you can get good contact, do some damage, like we did in the first inning. After that, he was throwing the ball very good. He didn’t miss many pitches in the strike zone.”
The Dodgers, in an effort to manufacture extra offense, didn’t help their own cause on the bases, either.
After the first-inning home runs, another rally fizzled when Freddie Freeman was thrown out trying to go from first to third base on a Pages single that was initially booted by Duran in left field.
The Dodgers challenged the call, with Roberts applauding Freeman’s aggressiveness from the dugout, but the out was upheld. Tommy Edman lined out to end the inning an at-bat later.
"I thought that was a good play, I liked that,” Roberts said of Freeman’s decision. “He's got to make a perfect throw to get Freddie right there. But in a first and third [situation] with a two-run lead, if we get into a situational spot right there, it could've been a different game."
Instead, the rest of the night was more of the same.
The Dodgers had two other innings end with outs on the bases. Hernández was caught stealing for the final out of the fifth (on a close play the Dodgers were unable to review after burning their challenge earlier, but one Hernández was told likely would’ve been upheld). Will Smith was gunned down trying to turn a single into a double in the seventh, after Crochet’s exit.
“If you try to play it straight and try to collect a bunch of hits, it's just not going to happen,” Roberts said of the Dodgers’ game plan on the bases. “We had a chance early and then he started bearing down and the velocity ticked up. Then hits were harder to come by."
And if that wasn’t enough, Ohtani squandered several more chances in deflating sequences at the plate.
Despite extending his National League lead with his 38th home run to start the game, the slugger also moved into the top-five of the NL in strikeouts with three in each of his remaining at-bats Saturday, finishing with 124 on the season.
In both the second and fourth, No. 9 hitter Hyeseong Kim managed to single off Crochet (surprising results given Kim’s recent struggles, which Roberts said have been magnified by a recent shoulder injury). But both times, Ohtani followed with inning-ending Ks, chasing out of the zone on a fastball up and a cutter that was well away.
The Dodgers, nonetheless, gave themselves one last chance against Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman in the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate after a two-out walk from Esteury Ruiz.
The batter representing that tying run: Mookie Betts, who was out of the starting lineup for a second straight game after spending the week back home in Nashville following a death in his family, but arrived at the ballpark shortly after first pitch to be available to pinch-hit.
His number was called with the game on the line, in what marked just his second trip back to Fenway Park since being traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers in 2020.
Alas, the former MVP brought a night of missed chances to a frustratingly fitting conclusion, getting rung up on a called third strike to set up a series rubber match Sunday.
Read more:With trade deadline looming, Dodgers showcase revived offense in win over Boston
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Predicting what 41-year-old LeBron James will want to do a year from now is a fool's errand. Even one of basketball insider Marc Stein’s sources tried to convey the same sentiment in kinder words when discussing LeBron's future: "It all really depends on how this coming season goes."
LeBron’s future was the hot topic at the NBA Summer League, however, the conversations ultimately went in circles because the only realistic option after he picked up his $52.6 million player option was for him to spend the next season in Los Angeles. There isn’t a trade to a team he wants to be on that’s available, and a buyout is highly unlikely.
But what about the season after that, a 24th LeBon season where he turns 42? Stein speculated about that in his Saturday Substack missive.
I believe that, by saying what I just said in the previous paragraph, it means that I expect him to retire in a uniform that isn't purple and gold. It's pretty clear at this juncture that the Lakers have launched the Luka Dončić Era. It certainly appears as though they are approaching the 2025-26 season as LeBron's last in Tinseltown. If James doesn't want retirement forced upon him, as one suspects, that almost certainly means he would have to find a new team next summer...
I believe that the Warriors, who have shown an interest in acquiring James dating to the February 2024 trade deadline some 18 months ago, will remain in the mix if James ever does reach the point that he's looking for a last hurrah elsewhere.
Then there are the Dallas rumors, about LeBron wanting to team up again with two people he won a title with in Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. The Mavericks might be interested, but not in a trade that guts the roster, Stein said.
While there is a fascination with where LeBron might play next, this comment sums up the vibe NBC Sports has gotten when discussing this around the league: LeBron is a fun parlor game, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is the player teams are really watching closely.
I believe that Giannis Antetokounmpo's future in Milwaukee... still holds far greater behind-closed-doors interest among rival teams than the ongoing chatter about how much longer James is A) likely to play and/or B) be a Laker.
Briton falls 6-4, 6-3 after dropping first sets of tournament
Russian to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in final
Anna Kalinskaya outclassed Emma Raducanu 6-4, 6-3 at the Washington Open to advance to the final, where she will face Leylah Fernandez.
After a strong start from both players, Kalinskaya secured the first break to lead 5-4 and served out the opening set, handing Raducanu her first dropped set of the tournament.
Continue reading...Prior to Saturday's game against the Giants, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke on a number of topics with the media...
One part of this year's Mets team that has excelled is the stolen bases. Entering Saturday's game, the Mets have safely stolen 25 consecutive bases, the longest active streak in the majors. It's also the longest single-season streak since the Brewers recorded 29 consecutive steals in 2024.
In Friday's game, the Mets stole three bases all against All-Star Logan Webb. Webb entered the game having only given up four stolen bases this season in his first 21 starts.
Mendoza was asked if stealing bases has become an emphasis this year, especially when the offense has been inconsistent.
"Not really, I think it's just part of the personnel, the situations," he said. "Got to give credit to [first base coach] Antoan Richardson with his preparation, and then credit to the players. They are buying in and executing the game plan. We’re not trying any harder, the situation presents itself and we’re going to take advantage."
The Mets lead the majors with an 89.4 percent stolen base rate, the highest rate in franchise history, and have only been caught 10 times this year.
Megill continues to progress from his right elbow sprain and is continuing to take the necessary steps to eventually return to the mound.
Mendoza said Megill threw a bullpen on Thursday and is set to make another on Sunday, and is "moving in the right direction."
The Mets transferred Megill to the 60-day injured list on July 8, but the team could use the big right-hander as they get deeper into the second half of the season. This year, Megill is 5-5 with a 3.95 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 68.1 IP over 14 games.
Kansas basketball coach Bill Self was released from Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Saturday, two days after having two stents inserted to treat blocked arteries. “I want to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at LMH Health for the excellent care I received during my stay there,” Self said in a statement released by the university. The 62-year-old Self felt ill Thursday after having run Kansas’ final practice of its summer session earlier in the day.
No matter where a team selects in the annual NHL Draft, it’s always something of a crapshoot.
Obviously, the earlier the pick, the better the odds of finding a future star – but there are never any guarantees. Senators fans know this all too well, as even the coveted number one overall selection has a chance to blow up in your face.
Still, when given a shot near the top, Ottawa has done pretty well, especially in this millennium. For your offseason enjoyment, here’s our ranking of the nine times the Senators have picked in the top five overall.
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The current captain and emotional engine of the team, Tkachuk has become exactly the type of player Ottawa had hoped for. With 404 points in 512 games and a wrecking-ball style of play, he’s both productive and endlessly entertaining. He’s also the kind of player you win with, on and off the ice. As a rabid consumer of hockey talk, I also have to inform you that it is now apparently against the law to describe Tkachuk's excellence without mentioning that he "drags his teammates into the fight."
Verdict: Already beloved at an Alfie level and still just entering his prime. A foundational piece.
Still just 23, Stützle is already one of the most electric young players in the NHL and arguably the best player from his draft class. Drafted out of Germany's DEL, he’s piled up 326 points in just 367 games, and earlier this month, he was named NHL.com’s top forward under 25. The fact that Ottawa landed him third overall after Alexis Lafrenière and Quinton Byfield is starting to look like a franchise-altering stroke of luck.
Verdict: A superstar in the making.
Drafted just two picks after Stützle in Ottawa’s legendary 2020 first round, Sanderson has quickly blossomed into one of the league’s most complete young defensemen. His 57-point breakout in 2024-25 shows the offense is coming to match his elite two-way game. The future Norris chatter is real.
Verdict: An elite defender who’s just scratching the surface.
Few players in Senators history were as skilled and productive as Spezza. He recorded 995 points in 1,248 NHL games, with the bulk of those coming during a dominant run in Ottawa. Spezza was a key part of the team's 2007 Stanley Cup Final appearance and briefly wore the "C" after Alfredsson’s departure. A Ring of Honour induction feels inevitable.
Verdict: An elite playmaker and one of the faces of the franchise’s golden era.
He didn’t rack up big numbers, but Phillips was a steady, loyal presence on the Ottawa blue line for nearly two decades. His 1,179 games remain a franchise record, and his number 4 now hangs from the rafters at Canadian Tire Centre. He wasn't a superstar per se, but his consistency and leadership, while going wire to wire as a Senator, are the biggest chapters in his tale of excellence.
Verdict: The ultimate stay-at-home defender and a Sens icon.
Yashin was Ottawa’s first real star, still the only Senator nominated for the Hart Trophy. He had elite offensive talent, racking up 781 points in 850 games, but his Ottawa legacy is, well, complicated. Contract disputes and holdouts marred his tenure here, and he was eventually traded to the Islanders in a deal that brought back Zdeno Chara and the draft pick used to select Spezza.
It was a deal the Sens won handily, but ironically, both Chara and Spezza, just like Yashin, wanted out of Ottawa by the end. All part of the previous ownership's legacy that someone will probably write a book about someday.
Verdict: Great talent, but an even better trade return.
A solid NHLer who carved out a long, respectable career, Bonk was a dependable two-way center for much of his time in Ottawa. But because of his early draft selection and the way he'd ripped up the IHL, expectations were mile high. He even added 208 IHL penalty minutes in his draft year while playing against men. Bonk had four straight years of 50-70 points in the early 2000s
Verdict: A steady contributor. Just not quite as impactful as the Sens were hoping for.
Berard never played a game for the Senators. After refusing to return to junior, he was dealt in a trade to the New York Islanders that brought back Wade Redden, who went on to have a great career in Ottawa. Berard had flashes of brilliance, but his career was stunted by a devastating eye injury.
Verdict: The Redden trade made it worthwhile.
Daigle came into the league with sky-high expectations but could never translate his junior dominance to the pros. He still had a good pro career, and it should always be remembered that he didn't pick himself first overall or create the 'generational' player hype.
That said, he didn't help himself by declaring to the media that no one ever remembers who comes second in the draft. That would be Hall of Famer Chris Pronger, who might have come in handy in Ottawa for the two decades that followed.
Verdict: An unfortunate miss but 100 percent of GMs, scouts, media, and fans would have taken Daigle. He was everybody's number one that year.
The Senators' track record in the top five of the draft has generally been pretty solid. And if they win a Stanley Cup this decade, the home runs they hit with their early picks in 2018 and 2020 will be a huge reason why.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa
Image Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
This article orginally appeared at The Hockey News Ottawa, where you'll find all the latest Senators news:
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Croatia's NHL Trailblazer: Sens Prospect Bruno Idžan Takes NHL Road Less Travelled
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Despite the prolonged dissatisfaction with the state of the goaltending, the Philadelphia Flyers have positioned incumbent starter Sam Ersson for success in the 2025-26 season.
Ersson, 25, was undone by a lack of experience, preparation, and help when the Flyers fell flat on their faces late in the 2023-24 season.
The departure of Carter Hart left the Flyers with Ersson, Cal Petersen, Felix Sandstrom, and, later on, Ivan Fedotov, as their only options.
Ultimately, in his first full season in the NHL, Ersson played 51 games, going 23-19-7 with a 2.82 GAA, a .890 save percentage, and four shutouts.
Last season, the situation remained the same, with Fedotov and rookie Aleksei Kolosov filling in behind Ersson at different points.
The latter struggled with injuries, and, as they say, the best ability is availability.
Ersson finished the season with a 22-17-5 record, a 3.14 GAA, a .883 save percentage, two shutouts, and a lot less believers than he started the season with.
The Swede may never be a full-time starter or No. 1 goalie at the NHL level, and that's okay. But to believe that Ersson is one of the NHL's worst goalies is laughable.
Flames Sniper Backs 'Excellent' Aleksei Kolosov to Stay with Flyers, Continue NHL CareerGoalie prospect Aleksei Kolosov has all the talent and experience to stay with the Philadelphia Flyers and forge a successful NHL career for himself, but will he?
Ersson played his best hockey in 2023-24 when Hart was still around, even if he was beginning to earn more starts with Hart not playing up to standard.
Through Jan. 20, 2024, Hart's last game with the Flyers, Ersson was 12-5-3 with a 2.28 GAA, a .911 save percentage, and three shutouts, according to StatMuse.
Ersson had played 21 games up to that point, while Hart had played 26.
Comparatively, Hart was statistically lagging, going 12-9-3 to the tune of a 2.80 GAA, a .906 save percentage, and only one shutout.
It makes little sense that, after a season in which Ersson was again left stranded with no capable understudies and below-average offense, Flyers fans are taking to social media clamoring for the return of Hart, who hasn't played a competitive game in 18 months.
The Flyers already have a goalie who went a year without playing, and his name is Ivan Fedotov. How's that working out so far?
And, that's not to blame Fedotov, but it's a year lost of training, preparing, and improving. That's the reality.
This summer, the Flyers went out and added goalie Dan Vladar, who is poised to start north of 30 games for the first time in his NHL career at the age of 27 (soon to be 28).
So, not only do the Flyers not have room for Hart, but they've also done what they believe is needed to set Ersson up for success.
Flyers Offseason: Aleksei Kolosov May Not Return to KHL After AllIt has long been rumored that enigmatic Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Aleksei Kolosov would leave his NHL future behind to return home to Dinamo Minsk, his hometown club in the KHL. But he may not be going anywhere after all.
The Flyers signed a goalie in Vladar who they feel can lighten the burden on Ersson and allow him to stay fresh and healthy throughout the course of a full season.
Whether this goaltending arrangement is a 50-50 split or a 60-40 split in favor of Ersson remains to be seen, but the Flyers have shown time and time again that they're committed to the 2018 fifth-round pick.
That can change quickly if Ersson comes up short again this season, but there's less reason than ever before to believe the 25-year-old can't return to form for the Orange and Black.
The Yankees received some good news regardingAaron Judge's elbow injury after Saturday's loss, but now they have another issue to address, and that's who will play the outfield.
New York does have the trio of Jasson Dominguez, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger -- Saturday's starting outfield -- already, but it's left-handed dominant. Dominguez is a switch-hitter but is a much better left-handed batter. Judge counteracted that imbalance with his presence, but with him unable to man right field for at least two weeks, the Yankees are turning to Giancarlo Stanton.
Yes, Stanton, who has been the team's designated hitter this season, will begin working to be an option in the outfield this week.
"Whatever is going to put us in the best opportunity to win, and for all circumstances, I believe that’s for me to be in the outfield," Stanton said of the opportunity. "[I'll] be working out there this coming week and be ready when needed."
Manager Aaron Boone approached Stanton when Judge's elbow issues sprang up earlier this week about potentially getting in work. And now that Judge is officially landing on the IL, the plan is for Stanton to get back out there since Judge will be solely a DH for a few days when he first comes back.
There aren't a lot of details on the plan for Stanton in the outfield just yet. The 35-year-old said he's open to playing either left or right field, but is confident his defensive skills are not gone after not having played the field since 2023.
"I’ll have to figure it out. There will be a little rust to knock out this week," Stanton said. "[That's] another thing that doesn't matter. There’s no excuses when you get out there."
"It’ll be good to be back out there," he later added. "This is a point that’s best for the team. Anything I can do. It’s not going to be like I’ve never been out there before."
Stanton has played the outfield in more than 1500 games in his career, 1063 coming in right field, including 31 back in 2023, but the slugger's return as a defensive presence offers the Yankees the flexibility needed until Judge returns from the IL. It'll be difficult to replace Judge's MVP offensive numbers, but Stanton has delivered his signature power numbers since his return from the IL.
In 28 games this season, Stanton is slashing .277/.358/.532 with seven home runs and 20 RBI with an OPS of .890. That includes his two-run blast in Saturday's game.
The Yankees will need that production to overcome Judge's absence, and Stanton believes the team can.
"We’re going to have to figure it out," he said. "Everyone is going to have to step up, and weather the storm until he comes back."
Giants' Rafael Devers put in spotlight during third career start at first base originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Bailey slammed his helmet against the ground and dropped his head. His 106 mph liner had found Pete Alonso’s glove, giving the Giants a sixth loss in eight games since the All-Star break.
It was an unfortunate way for the night to end, but it was really the only way it could have gone. The spotlight Saturday was on first base, where Rafael Devers made his third career start and had a two-hour adventure on the dirt before Alonso’s game-ending grab.
Devers was seemingly in the middle of everything that happened, and his bobble in the sixth inning ended up being a part of the outcome. With two runners on and one out, Devers fielded Brett Baty’s grounder and turned toward the middle of the field.
It looked like he would at least get the force at second and possibly start a huge double play, but he couldn’t get a throw off and instead took the out at first. Mark Vientos followed with a double that easily scored both runners, and that was the difference in the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the New York Mets.
It would have taken a perfect play to turn two, and even if Devers had been able to cut down the runner at second, there was still a chance that Baty would have scored from first on the ensuing double. Vientos’ ball rattled around the left-field corner as the Giants watched their lead disappear.
“Yeah, we had a chance (at the double play), but those are things that are going to happen during the game,” Devers said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Unfortunately, they got the hit that scored the runs.”
Devers didn’t get tested in his first two career starts at first base, but the ball found him early and often Saturday.
In the fourth, he charged too hard on a slow roller and couldn’t get back in time to take the throw from Robbie Ray, leading to an infield single that loaded the bases. Devers recovered quickly, though, scooping Matt Chapman’s low throw to complete an inning-ending double play and keep the Mets from scoring. He smiled as he jogged off the field, having made his most notable play to date at a new position.
An inning later, Devers had trouble picking up a ground ball, but it rolled right to first base; he grabbed it there and got an out. It was an odd play, but there was no harm done. His error came in the seventh, when he kicked a Juan Soto grounder. Again, there was no harm done, as the Giants got out of the inning with another double play.
Had the Giants not gone 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, Devers probably would not have found himself answering questions late Saturday night. But it was another close game, and his defense stood out.
Manager Bob Melvin chalked the whole thing up as a learning experience, and a valuable one.
“I’m glad he got a bunch of balls today,” Melvin said. “The more he gets like that, the more in-between plays and plays where he’s got to make a decision where he’s covering first or going to get the ball, all of those things are going to be good for him at the end of the day. I know a couple didn’t look great, but again, it didn’t cost us, and I think the more experience he gets over there, the better he’s going to look. I really did like the fact that he got a bunch of different plays tonight.”
Devers won’t start at first on Sunday, but not because of how Saturday went. Melvin said before the game that he planned to give him a breather, but for the most part, the Giants are hopeful that Devers can be their primary first baseman. That would open up a lot of other avenues.
Wilmer Flores has gotten more time this week with Devers no longer at DH, and it’s possible that someone like Heliot Ramos gets a few DH reps if the Giants improve their outfield depth, either this year or next. This also could open up late-season at-bats for Bryce Eldridge, who is starting to find his groove in Triple-A but is still learning how to play first.
Devers is in the same boat, having played third base his entire career before the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman. He was exclusively a DH before being shipped across the country.
It took a month for the Giants to get Devers back on the dirt, in large part because of back and groin tightness. But he’s feeling better physically and is eager to learn. Melvin said before the game that Devers is having fun, and that’s a big part of the push to keep him over there. Thirty minutes before the first pitch on Saturday, Devers sat in the dugout and bounced a ball against a cement barrier, preparing for another night at a new position.
It wasn’t perfect, but he was happy to get the reps. He’s hopeful that much better days are coming in the weeks ahead.
“I think that my responsibility is to improve,” he said. “Day in and day out, as I practice, I will get better.”
