CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 31: Reynaldo López #40 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Sunday, May 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Colten Strauss/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
A closely-fought series between the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and the currently-hot Baltimore Orioles will come down to the Sunday matinee game, as Reynaldo López will be looking to make a bounce-back start in order to help potentially push the Braves to another series win.
López will be entering this game fresh off the heels of one of his worst starts of the season so far, which is when he got tagged for five runs over 4.1 innings against the Padres. It would be easy to chalk it up to it simply being a case of the Padres playing the Braves tough as usual but that start came ten days after López got hit hard by the Cardinals for four runs over five innings, so it could be a case of López running into a real rough patch.
With that being said, one thing that appears to be aberrant when comparing López’s most recent start to the past is the fact that he walked three batters against the Padres. That was his season-high for walks and when you consider that he’s got a 3.45 BB/9 so far this season, that could be an indication that we’re not going to see Reynaldo walk as many batters this time around.
Then again, the Orioles are one of the best teams in baseball when it comes to coaxing walks out of opposing pitchers (their 10.2 percent walk rate leads the American League and is tired for third place in all of baseball with the Dodgers) and they’ve been especially good at it during this successful month for them so far, as they have the best walk rate in all of baseball (11.4 percent) during the month of June. If the last start was an aberration for López then he’ll certainly have his work cut out for him trying to prove it against this particular lineup.
Conversely, the Orioles will be starting Shane Baz, who hasn’t walked a guy since the fifth inning of his start on July 7 against the Cubs. Ever since then, he’s thrown 10.2 innings and struck out 15 batters while only giving up six hits and three runs. With that being said, his defense did let him down a bit in their showdown earlier this week against the Red Sox, which is when Baz only gave up one earned run but ended up seeing four Red Sox base runners cross home plate while he was on the mound after the O’s committed three errors during his appearance.
Those errors proved costly as the Red Sox ended up winning that game by one run and the Braves know all-too-well what effect defensive gaffes can have on a game after what happened last night, so maybe defense will be a priority during today’s game as well.
Despite Baltimore’s current overall record, a win for the Braves today would be pretty big in terms of recent performances. Atlanta’s coming off of a successful homestand to start the second half and could get their first road trip of this crucial portion of the season off to a good start with a win against an Orioles squad that has been playing a lot better lately than what their overall record indicates. The offense will have to figure out a way to get Shane Baz to crack and Reynaldo López will have to figure out a way to keep the Orioles from walking their way into dangerous situations against Atlanta, so this’ll certainly be an intriguing game to watch with the series on the line. Let’s see what happens, folks.
Earlier this off-season, the Buffalo Sabres signed forward Beck Malenstyn to a six-year, $17.5 million contract extension. The 28-year-old was a pending unrestricted free agent but ended up re-signing in Buffalo instead of testing the market.
While this is a long contract for a bottom-six forward, the Sabres made the right call bringing back Malenstyn.
Malenstyn's hard-nosed style of play, speed, and strong defensive play make him a very important part of the Sabres' forward group. Playoff teams need heart-and-soul players like Malenstyn, so it is certainly good news that he will be staying in Buffalo as the Sabres look to build off their great 2025-26 season.
Furthermore, with the salary cap continuing to go up, Malenstyn's $2.92 million cap hit is not too high for what he provides. The 28-year-old will continue to be a key part of the Sabres' bottom six and make them a difficult team to go up against when he is on the ice.
In 81 games during this past season with the Sabres, Malenstyn posted seven goals, seven assists, 14 points, and a career-high 282 hits. If he can continue to play a solid defensive game and provide a lot of grit, it would be significant for a Sabres club that is looking to continue to get better.
Welcome to the 2025–26 installment of The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks’ Player Report Card Series. Throughout the off-season, THN will conduct a deep dive into how each member of the Canucks performed throughout the 2025–26 season. Today’s article will focus on forward Arshdeep Bains.
Bains’s 2025–26 Season Review
Bains entered the 2025–26 season as one of a few players looking to push for a roster spot with a strong pre-season effort. Coming off 13 NHL games in 2024–25, as well as a Calder Cup win with the Abbotsford Canucks, Bains looked primed to try and fill a depth role at the NHL level.
Despite strong efforts from a variety of forwards including Braeden Cootes, Linus Karlsson, and Max Sasson, Bains ended up being one of the depth forwards that made the Canucks’ opening-night roster. He collected one assist in the team’s opening-night effort and followed that up with another helper two games after.
While he did begin the season with Vancouver, Bains didn’t quite find an even amount of playing time by the time mid-November came around. By mid-December, the forward was placed on waivers and sent back down to Abbotsford, with Bains not getting another call-up until the beginning of January. His final NHL game of the season was played on January 17 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Upon returning to the AHL in December, Bains provided Abbotsford with a solid two-way presence that the team had sorely missed with their lineup absences from injuries and NHL call-ups. He scored a goal and an assist in his first game back with the AHL Canucks, racking up three goals and three assists in his first five games with the team.
Throughout the remainder of the 2025–26 season, Bains stuck with Abbotsford. He finished the year with 11 goals and 13 assists in 34 games played, coming seventh on his team in points and tying Chase Wouters for fifth in goals scored.
Bains also managed to set some new franchise records for Abbotsford during the 2025–26 season. He scored a short-handed goal against the Henderson Silver Knights on February 20 to set Abbotsford’s new record for total points scored by an AHL Canuck with 149. As it stands, Bains’ record is now 160, which he can build on if he returns to Abbotsford next season. The forward has also tied former defenceman Christian Wolanin for the team’s franchise high in total assists collected with 109.
Bains’s 2025–26 Letter Grade
Bains managed to build on his 2024–25 season campaign in 2025–26, playing in 28 games and scoring a goal and four assists. He also continued to make his mark at the AHL-level, setting new records for Abbotsford while contributing consistent offence. That said, the forward still requires a bit of work regarding effectiveness when it comes to making a full-time jump to the NHL. Given the route Vancouver is expected to go in through the next few seasons, a strong pre-season and training camp effort in 2026 could help Bains get the opportunity he’s looking for.
Bains gets a C+ for his performance in 2025–26.
Dec 11, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (13) handles the puck against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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News came out yesterday from RG.org's Daria Tuboltseva that there is still smoke surrounding the CBJ's Kirill Marchenko, saying that he will be traded soon and that two teams are aiming to land the winger. Montreal has apparently been trying to land Marchenko for weeks and is still in the mix. Utah might be the other team interested in Marchenko as well, from what we're hearing.
A source close to Kirill Marchenko tells @TheRGMedia he's "essentially between two teams right now" — and Montreal hasn't given up. Here's where the trade talks stand 👇https://t.co/XNoJmZPf4l
With Montreal seemingly the frontrunner to land Marchenko, fans and some people in the media have begun speculating on a return. We even did one here at THN-Columbus a few weeks ago, which you can read below.
Most of the trades that people have brought up involve guys like David Reinbacher and/or Michael Hage. But the player people seem always to bring up is forward Kirby Dach.
If Kirby Dach's name is brought up, GM Don Waddell should immediately hang up and move on to the next team. There shouldn't be any arguments either.
Dach is a former 3rd overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019. After playing 152 games for the Blackhawks, he was traded to Montreal by Chicago for a 1st-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and a 3rd-round pick in 2022 July 7, 2022.
He totaled 19 goals and 59 points in 152 games.
Since his trade to Montreal, he's played in 154 games. He's scored 32 goals and totaled 77 points. His best year as a pro was the 22-23 season, which was his first in Montreal, in which he scored 14 goals and totaled 38 points.
He hasn't had the best career for someone drafted third overall, and it sounds like the Canadiens fans may be hoping that Montreal GM Kent Hughes will try to get rid of his $3,600,000 per season salary, which is set to expire after next season.
Don Waddell should not accept salary dumps in any Kirill Marchenko trade. He has said he wants NHL players who can step in and fill the role that would be vacated by the player leaving. In this case, it would be a top-line winger.
Obviously, we're not naive enough to think the Canadiens would trade any of their top-line players for Kirill Marchenko, but players that they don't have room for on the NHL roster, such as David Reinbacher, or a soon-to-be NHLer like Michael Hage, would be a perfect return.
But Kirby Dach should not be in any return for Kirill Marchenko.
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Adrian Morejon #50 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the seventh inning at Petco Park on July 12, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good left-handed pitching is something no team will ever turn down, and at this year’s deadline, the Yankees could benefit from exactly that. While the Padres are not necessarily out of the playoff hunt, any divisional hopes are all but gone, and sitting below .500 at this juncture with five teams ahead of them for the last Wild Card spot in the Senior Circuit, it may be in their best interest to sell.
Dominant closer Mason Miller is obviously the star attraction in the bullpen. But with three full years of team control after 2026 and reasonable hopes of contending again next year, San Diego does not necessarily have to move him unless they’re blown away by an offer akin at least within shouting distance of what they gave the A’s for Miller last year.
He’s not the only standout reliever in their ’pen though. Adrian Morejon could be a prime candidate to join the Yankees. The once highly-touted prospect out of Cuba has settled into a relief role, and has thrived over the last few seasons. With free agency looming this winter, the Padres could shop the 27-year-old lefty as a rental, shipping him out to a contending team in need.
Between 2024 and ‘25, Morejon pitched in 135 games, managing an impressive 2.42 ERA with a 2.52 FIP that backed it up. Although his role may not be what was expected in his minor-league days, he’s turned himself into a durable and reliably good option out of the bullpen.
In 2026 to this point, he’s been just about as good. Getting plenty of work, pitching in 48 games and working over 55 innings, the lefty has maintained a steady 2.40 FIP and is striking out more batters than he ever has, at a 27.9 percent clip. With a walk rate that has remained steady, Morejon has essentially been at peak form for the last three seasons while taking on a significant workload out of relief.
The start to Morejon’s career was not a seamless one, as he pitched just 75 innings with an ERA north of five in his first five combined seasons in the majors, including three different seasons where he stuck around for less than 10 innings of work. That 2023 season was a major leap for the lefty, however, and he hasn’t looked back since. With a multi-year track record of success now behind him, he becomes an attractive trade target at this year’s deadline, and one that may not break the bank, considering his forthcoming free agency.
The lefty throws hard, and boasts impressive peripherals across the board, so stretches of real dominance are never out of the question. He’d be a major boost to any bullpen, and the Yankees are no different. With Tim Hill largely disappointing in 2026, Morejon could pair nicely with Brent Headrick, who’s been terrific from the left side for the Yankees this season. Even regardless of pitching hands, Morejon is simply an impact arm to bring out of the ‘pen, and if the Yankees look to that area to improve at the deadline, he could make some sense.
He has been linked as a possible target for the Yankees, and the Padres make sense as natural trade partners at this year’s deadline. San Diego may be poised to move multiple relievers before August 3rd rolls around, and Morejon would make sense for any team looking to bolster the bullpen. His four-pitch mix has proven successful in his role, and next to the otherworldly Miller, the lefty would be a much cheaper option. With Morejon’s velocity and swing-and-miss stuff all moving in the right direction, he has a solid chance of being a true impact arm if put in the right position.
Morejon is now in the midst of a third straight year of high-level pitching out of the San Diego bullpen, and with 2026 being his final year before hitting the open market, he will more than likely be on the move at the deadline. He’d be of use to any Major League roster, and if the price is right, the Yankees may pull the trigger on the talented lefty.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have added multiple new forwards to their roster this off-season, including Andrei Kuzmenko, Nick Robertson, Hendrix Lapierre, and David Gustafsson.
But could the Penguins look to add one more forward before the start of the season?
When looking at Pittsburgh's current forward group, it is fair to argue that they could use another winger with skill. Because of this, one remaining free agent that could make sense for the Penguins to take a chance on is Patrik Laine. This is especially so if the sniper ends up being open to the idea of signing a professional tryout (PTO) agreement.
If the Penguins invited Laine to training camp on a PTO, he would give them another scoring forward to consider. While the 28-year-old winger has suffered multiple injuries over the years, he has shown that he can make a real impact when healthy. Keep in mind, he has hit the 30-goal mark three times in his career and easily would have more if he stayed healthier in past seasons.
Laine was limited to only five games last season with the Canadiens due to injury trouble. Yet, during the 2024-25 season, he posted 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games with Montreal. With this, he showed in a recent season that he can still put the puck in the net, and he could be worth taking a flier on for Pittsburgh because of it.
It will be interesting to see if the Penguins bringing in Laine on a PTO or even a one-year contract from here.
The underdog Chicago Cubs (+113) can earn a series victory when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 3 of their three-game series at PNC Park.
Braxton Ashcroft's underlying metrics are shaky, and my Cubs vs. Pirates predictions and MLB picks expect a Cubs sweep today,
Who will win Cubs vs Pirates today: Cubs moneyline (+114)
The markets are pricing this game off Jameson Taillon's 5.41 xERA and 1st-percentile barrel rate, but three factors point the other way.
Braxton Ashcraft relies on chase (37.2%, 96th percentile), yet he draws a Chicago Cubs lineup that rarely expands the zone and owns an 11% walk rate the past two weeks.
Taillon's fly-ball profile is better protected at PNC Park, especially with Pete Crow-Armstrong's +20 Outs Above Average patrolling center, while the Pittsburgh Piratescorner outfield defense sits at a combined -8 OAA.
Add in a Pirates lineup that chases enough to feed Taillon's sweeper, and I play the Cubs to -105 today.
COVERS INTEL: Ashcraft's four-seam fastball is his most-used pitch at 31.9 percent, and it's been hit for a .290 average, .519 slugging, and a .330 xwOBA with a negative run value.
Cubs vs Pirates Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-116)
It will be warm and dry for the first pitch, and both starters are hittable. Taillon carries a 14.4% barrel rate with 22 home runs in 72 innings and rarely sees the sixth inning.
Ashcraft has served up eight home runs in his last five starts and allows a 90.5 mph average exit velocity and meets a Cubs lineup walking 12.4 percent over the past two weeks.
That puts this in the bullpen's hands early, and Pittsburgh's relievers have walked 10.4% over the same stretch after emptying out Saturday night.
Scoring runs is what these teams do when they meet, as the Over is 7-3 in their last 10 games. I’d play this to -130.
Phil Naessens' 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 9-12, -1.01 units
Over/Under bets: 9-10, -2.45 units
Cubs vs Pirates weather
Warm and dry with light winds blowing out to right field.
Cubs vs Pirates odds
Moneyline: Cubs +108 | Pirates -117
Run line: Cubs +1.5 (-186) | Pirates -1.5 (+163)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-117) | Under 8.5 (+104)
Cubs vs Pirates trend
The Over is 7-3 in their last 10 head-to-head meetings. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Pirates.
How to watch Cubs vs Pirates and game info
Location
PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Date
Sunday, July 26, 2026
First pitch
1:35 p.m. ET
TV
MARQ, SNP
Cubs starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon (2-5, 5.38 ERA)
Pirates starting pitcher
Braxton Ashcraft (9-4, 3.95 ERA)
Cubs vs Pirates latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Los Angeles, CA - April 14: Dodgers teammates Kike Hernandez and Edwin Diaz celebrate with Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas (72) after Rojas scored a run during the eight inning of an MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Dodgers are looking to end their road trip with a record of 7-2, and they’ll be treated with a pleasant surprise once they begin their upcoming homestand on July 28.
Kiké Hernández has played just two games this season, but he will be back on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners after missing two months due to an oblique issue. Closer Edwin Díaz, who has pitched just six innings this season, will be activated on Wednesday after missing over three months due elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Both updates were reported by David Vassegh of AM 570 on Saturday.
Hernández has appeared in five games with the Oklahoma City Comets during his current rehab assignment, going 6-18 with a home run, while Díaz has accumulated one inning over two appearances with Oklahoma City.
Links
Dodgers fans were disappointed by the first half results from Kyle Tucker, as the outfielder limped into the All-Star break with just seven home runs while slashing .244/.341/.375. His opening to the second half wasn’t any prettier over the six games against the Yankees and Phillies, but he has found his groove at the plate against the Mets.
Tucker had the deciding home run on Friday in a 4-2 win, and he started the scoring on Saturday with another home run, the first time he’s hit home runs in two consecutive games as a Dodger. Tucker spoke with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports following the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over New York, where he discussed the struggles he’s faced this year while acknowledging the support he’s received from his teammates and staff.
“Our coaching staff and the players that we have on this team is unbelievable. Everyone is so supportive of each other and just wanting each other to help. It’s a team sport, and we want to get to the end of the season and win a World Series.”
Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, but lingering issues in his left knee flared up and the two-way superstar is now shut down from throwing.
Dave Roberts expects Ohtani to return to pitching during the regular season, but the team will not move forward with his throwing once he is 100 percent clear to continue, notes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
“We are not going to move forward [as far as throwing off a mound] until he feels 100 percent confident and we feel 100 percent confident that we should do it,” Roberts said. “He just doesn’t feel 100 percent. I think the last ‘pen that he had, there was a little bit of regression. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
The Chicago Blackhawks have made some major moves this off-season, and none have been bigger than adding Bowen Byram via a trade that they made with the Buffalo Sabres.
Byram was the 4th overall pick by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft, one spot after the Blackhawks selected Kirby Dach 3rd overall.
After parts of four seasons and one Stanley Cup with the Avalanche, Byram was traded to the Sabres before making his way to Chicago in 2026.
Upon his arrival, the Hawks gave him a six-year extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million. As of now, when it kicks in after the 2026-27 season ends, Byram is set to become the highest-paid defenseman in the NHL with this deal that runs through 2032-33.
Now, Byram has his chance to become a number-one defenseman in the NHL. Not only did he earn the opportunity with his play, but he is now on a roster where he won't be living in someone else's shadow.
Byram played behind Cale Makar in Colorado and Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo. There were other good defensemen around him as well, but they were the catalysts offensively, eating those big minutes at even strength and on the power play.
In Chicago, Byram will lead a blue line with support from guys like Alex Vlasic and Wyatt Kaiser, while other young players like Artyom Levshunov and Sam Rinzel continue their development.
"He is going to be one of the best defensemen in the league," Connor Bedard said of Byram. "He's always shown that. When you play behind Cale [Makar] and [Rasmus] Dahlin, it's not easy to take their spot. Just for him to get the opportunity to be that [number] one and prove himself in that way, he's one of the most skilled players in the league. His motivation to prove that is unbelievable. His excitement to be with us is great for the team."
Byram's most important teammate sees a desire to be great as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, so you'd think that it rubs off on everyone around him.
After years of being great despite limited opportunity playing behind some of the greats in the game, the door is open for him to show what he can do as the top guy in the lineup at that position.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 08: Anthony Edwards #5 (L) and Jaden McDaniels #3 of the Minnesota Timberwolves interact during player introductions prior to the start of Game Two against the Golden State Warriors during the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Target Center on May 08, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 117-93 to tie the series 1-1. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I distinctly remember the feeling after the Timberwolves lost to Denver in the first round of the 2023 playoffs.
Minnesota had been eliminated in five games, which on paper looked like another early exit for a franchise that had collected early exits like refrigerator magnets. There was no banner to raise, no deep postseason run to celebrate, and no reason for the rest of the league to spend much time thinking about a team that had just finished eighth in the Western Conference.
But the series did not feel like a typical five-game loss. The Wolves were without Naz Reid, who had broken his wrist late in the regular season. They were also without Jaden McDaniels, who broke his hand after punching a wall during the final game of the year (an incident that remains one of the purest expressions of Timberwolves basketball ever recorded). Minnesota had finally assembled a potentially dangerous playoff team, only to lose one of its most important reserves to injury and one of its best defenders to a hallway confrontation with cinderblock.
That Wolves team was incomplete, emotionally erratic, and nowhere close to fully mature. Anthony Edwards was still learning what it meant to carry a playoff offense. Karl-Anthony Towns was trying to find his footing after missing half of the season. Rudy Gobert was completing his first turbulent year in Minnesota. Chris Finch was still figuring out how the pieces fit together.
And yet the Wolves pushed the eventual champions harder than almost anyone expected. Denver reportedly viewed Minnesota as the toughest opponent it faced during that entire title run. That may have sounded like a consolation prize at the time, but it mattered. The Nuggets knew what they had survived. They had faced Edwards attacking a championship defense without fear, Minnesota’s size bothering Nikola Jokic, and a Wolves team that remained competitive despite playing without two essential rotation pieces.
That was the first time I looked at this group and thought: This team can compete for a championship. Not a respectable playoff team. Not another fun collection of talent destined to win 44 games before getting bounced by a real contender. A genuine championship foundation.
The following season proved that instinct correct. Minnesota entered the 2024 postseason healthy and immediately swept Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the Phoenix Suns. It was the franchise’s first playoff series victory in two decades, and the Wolves did not merely survive the series. They overwhelmed Phoenix. They looked like the team that understood the future had arrived while the Suns were still trying to explain why three expensive scorers had produced such a lifeless offense.
Then came Denver. The defending champions. The team that had ended Minnesota’s previous season. The team built around the best player in the world. The Wolves had them on the ropes, briefly lost control of the series, and then walked into Denver for Game 7 and erased a 20-point deficit on the road. It remains arguably the greatest victory in franchise history, overcoming that deficit against that opponent in that building with a trip to the Western Conference Finals at stake.
For a franchise that had spent decades training its fans to expect the floor to collapse, the Wolves were suddenly the team doing the collapsing. They eventually fell short against Dallas in the conference finals, but the larger breakthrough had already happened. Minnesota had established itself as a contender. The franchise had finally stopped asking whether it belonged in important games and started asking why it had not won them.
The next season brought a different version of the same ambition. Karl-Anthony Towns was traded in a cap-driven move that brought Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota. The logic behind the trade made sense financially, even if it was emotionally jarring. The second apron was looming. Towns’ contract was enormous. The Wolves needed greater flexibility and depth.
The basketball fit was less immediate. That team spent much of the season searching for cohesion and identity. Randle’s deliberate, isolation-heavy style did not always blend naturally with Edwards. DiVincenzo took time to settle into his role. Minnesota eventually landed the sixth seed, which felt disappointing after the previous year’s run. Then the playoffs began, and the Wolves once again reminded everyone that regular-season discomfort does not always define a team’s ceiling.
They eliminated LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Lakers. They followed that by knocking out the Golden State Warriors. The had overwhelmed two of the league’s signature franchises, two of its most recognizable stars, and earned another trip to the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota fell to the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder, but reaching the conference finals for a second consecutive season represented a monumental leap for this organization. Before Edwards arrived, the Wolves had won two playoff series in their entire history. They had now reached the final four twice in two years.
The Western Conference Finals were not the ultimate goal, but dismissing those appearances as failures would have ignored the scale of the accomplishment. This was not Boston or Los Angeles measuring another season against a wall filled with championship banners. This was Minnesota, a franchise that had historically treated competitive basketball after April 15 as an exotic concept.
Last season was supposed to be the year that continuity carried the Wolves forward. The roster had been together. The coaching staff understood the pieces better. Edwards was entering another stage of his ascent. The hope was that the inconsistency of the previous season would disappear and the Wolves would finally combine regular-season stability with postseason force.Instead, Minnesota experienced another roller-coaster campaign filled with impressive highs and baffling lows.
That inconsistency once again left them in the sixth seed. Then the injury luck that had largely favored Minnesota over the previous two seasons finally reversed. Minutes into Game 4 against Denver, Donte DiVincenzo tore his Achilles tendon. Shortly afterward, Anthony Edwards, already dealing with lingering knee issues, hyperextended his opposite knee, an injury that cost him the remainder of the series.
Losing two starters in the middle of a playoff matchup would normally end a team’s season. Instead, Minnesota battered Denver and eliminated its rival in six games. That result said something important about the Wolves’ depth, resilience, and institutional confidence. They still defended. They still competed. They still understood how to win ugly playoff games.
Eventually, however, the damage became too much to overcome. Minnesota entered the Western Conference Finals against San Antonio with Edwards limping, DiVincenzo gone, Naz Reid fighting through a shoulder injury, and Ayo Dosunmu limited by calf tightness. The Wolves were missing their best player, one of their best shooters, and portions of the supporting cast against a Spurs team that eventually won the West.
They still took two games.
That does not mean Minnesota would have won the series at full strength. San Antonio was excellent, and Wolves fans do not need to rewrite the matchup into something more comforting than it was. But a healthy series would have been close. Minnesota’s injury problems prevented a clean evaluation of that team’s true ceiling. At its best, it could compete with the league’s elite. Even diminished, it made the Western Conference champion work through six games. There was enough evidence to believe the Wolves belonged near the top, but not enough to claim they could win a title without favorable health, improved execution, and perhaps one or two lucky bounces.
That is the reality for almost every contender. Championships are not won through talent alone. Health matters. Matchups matter. Timing matters. Sometimes a team gets a fortunate bracket. Sometimes an opponent loses a star. Sometimes a role player turns into Ray Allen for four games. Sometimes a loose ball takes exactly the right bounce.
The Wolves, as previously constructed, could have won a title. But they would have needed the same kind of lightning in a bottle the New York Knicks captured during their championship run this past postseason. Tim Connelly apparently decided waiting around for lightning was not enough.
The NBA continues to evolve, and the salary cap now behaves less like a guidelineand more like a predatory animal lurking outside every contender’s front office. The second apron punishes expensive teams, limits flexibility, and turns every long-term contract into a referendum on whether a player can still help deep into May.
Connelly has rarely been afraid to act before circumstances force him. He sent Julius Randle to Brooklyn in a salary-clearing move, ending an uneven tenure that had produced strong stretches, frustrating habits, and another postseason disappearing act. Randle was talented enough to dominate individual games, but the moodiness, defensive inconsistency, and tendency to vanish during critical series made him a questionable long-term fit. Minnesota did not need another player capable of looking disengaged when the season reached its most important moments.
Then came the emotional gut punch. Naz Reid, the fan favorite and heart-and-soul figure whose name had become a citywide slogan, was traded to Charlotte for LaMelo Ball. There is no painless way to describe that move. Reid was more than a productive reserve. He was one of the most beloved players in franchise history, an undrafted success story who developed into a legitimate weapon and connected with fans in a way few role players ever do.
But Ball gives Minnesota something it has lacked for years: a dynamic offensive organizer who can create for others, manipulate defenses, and remove some of the burden from Edwards. The Wolves now possess the most exciting backcourts in the NBA, and perhaps the most unpredictable.
Edwards is a devastating downhill scorer with the strength to overwhelm defenders and the confidence to attack any matchup. Ball is a gifted passer who sees plays before they happen and treats conventional decision-making as a mild suggestion. Put them together and there may be nights when Minnesota’s offense resembles a basketball fever dream of full-court passes, transition threes, violent Edwards dunks, and possessions that begin chaotically but somehow end with Gobert standing alone beneath the basket.
Minnesota also re-signed Dosunmu, whose arrival at the trade deadline had initially been overlooked around the league. He eventually demonstrated why Connelly valued him, including a 43-point playoff performance against Denver that revealed just how much offense he could provide when opportunity and confidence aligned. Had injuries not overwhelmed the roster, the Dosunmu move might have been viewed as one of the defining transactions of the season. Instead, it became a glimpse of what he could be. Bringing him back establishes him as a core member of the rotation rather than a temporary addition.
Mike Conley departed in free agency, as did Kyle Anderson. Their production could be replaced in pieces, but their maturity and leadership will be harder to duplicate. Their exits leave a younger, more athletic, more explosive team, but also a team that must learn to steady itself.
The core is impressive: Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Dosunmu, and Rudy Gobert.
Around them sits a collection of intriguing but unproven players. Terrence Shannon Jr. has shown flashes of brilliance. His athleticism, strength, and direct attacking style can change the energy of a game. He has also experienced moments when the speed of the situation appears to overwhelm him.
Jaylen Clark can enter like a rabid wolverine, pressuring ballhandlers, creating chaos, and supplying defensive energy. His offense remains limited, and opponents will test whether Minnesota can keep him on the floor during meaningful playoff possessions.
Joan Beringer is an extraordinary athlete with size, mobility, and enormous potential. He may be the most fascinating young player on the roster. He is also raw and unrefined. Expecting him to become a polished contributor immediately would be unfair.
Bones Hyland remains the definition of streakiness. When the microwave is hot, he can score in bunches and swing a game. When it is cold, things can get ugly quickly.
That supporting cast will require patience and coaching. They will also be essential. The modern NBA does not permit contenders to fill every position with expensive veterans. The second apron has made developmental success mandatory. Teams must find young players, teach them winning habits, and trust them before they are fully comfortable. A contender’s survival increasingly depends on whether the ninth player becomes useful, whether a second-round pick can defend, and whether a raw big can provide 12 competent minutes without detonating the scheme. Minnesota’s ceiling may be determined as much by Beringer, Shannon, and Clark as by the stars.
Then there is the DiVincenzo question. A torn Achilles is one of the most serious injuries in basketball, and no one should assume a smooth or rapid recovery. But there remains hope that DiVincenzo could return late in the season, perhaps on a timeline similar to Jayson Tatum’s. The Wolves desperately need what he provides. His hustle, shooting, and willingness to move without the ball would fit beautifully alongside Ball. Few things would be more natural than Ball advancing the offense, drawing attention, and finding DiVincenzo relocating for a catch-and-shoot three. A late-season return would give Minnesota another playoff-tested guard and expand Finch’s options. It would also introduce the challenge of integrating a player after months away.
The roster’s largest weakness remains impossible to miss. Minnesota has a glaring hole at power forward, one seemingly custom-built for LeBron James before he chose Philadelphia. The Wolves will now have to find another answer. Perhaps a role player such as Josh Green or Trey Lyles can handle the position. Perhaps Minnesota leans into smaller, positionless lineups and uses McDaniels as an unconventional four. Perhaps Beringer develops more quickly than expected. Perhaps Connelly makes another trade before the deadline.
None of the current options is ideal. Going small could improve speed and spacing while placing more rebounding responsibility on Gobert. Playing McDaniels at power forward might allow Minnesota to switch more aggressively, but it could also diminish the value of using him against elite perimeter scorers.
The situation resembles last season’s unresolved point guard problem. Minnesota cycled through patchwork solutions without ever finding the version that fully unlocked the roster. Finch and the coaching staff adjusted, but the offense often failed to lean into the team’s greatest strengths.
This season, the positional weakness has simply moved. That leads to the central question surrounding the Wolves: Are they still contenders?
Sixty-five percent of respondents to the latest SB Nation Reacts poll said yes. That is a solid majority, but it also suggests less confidence than the fan base probably carried during the previous three summers. We did not ask the same poll question last year, but it is easy to imagine the number being higher after consecutive conference finals appearances.
Perhaps optimism and homerism are doing some work to keep the number above 50 percent, but homerism is not the same as delusion. There are legitimate reasons to believe. The offseason is not over. Free agency may look fairly barren, but trades remain possible. Connelly has demonstrated an ability to make useful in-season moves, and another transaction similar to the Dosunmu deal could reshape the roster by spring.
The Wolves still possess enough talent to finish among the top teams in the West. Edwards is approaching his prime. Ball gives the offense a dimension it has lacked. McDaniels remains an elite defender. Gobert still supplies the structure for a championship-level defense. Dosunmu offers two-way scoring and flexibility.
The league is also unpredictable. Injuries happen. Young players develop faster than expected. Favorites lose cohesion. Salary pressure forces rivals to break apart.
Perhaps the Edwards-Ball partnership unlocks something magical. The Wolves have spent years building around size, defense, and physicality. This version may be smaller, quicker, and far more explosive offensively. The change could create matchup problems because few opponents are built to handle Ball’s passing imagination and Edwards’ violence in the same backcourt. Minnesota could become a team that keeps defenses spinning, attacks before opponents get set, and turns every turnover into a potential highlight.
There will be difficult stretches. The power-forward hole could prove costly. Ball’s health remains a concern. The young bench could struggle. Gobert’s limitations may become more pronounced in certain matchups without the release valve that Randle and Reid provided. Edwards must continue developing as a leader and decision-maker.
But at the very least, this team should be fun. After watching a roster that often looked disjointed offensively, that alone will feel refreshing. There is a real chance the Wolves rediscover some joy and unpredictability, that Edwards plays freer, that Ball elevates teammates, and that the offense finally stops feeling like it is dragging a suitcase through wet cement.
Sixty-five percent of Wolves fans believe this is still a contender. Maybe two-thirds of us are delusional. Maybe we are looking at the uncertain supporting cast, unresolved frontcourt, and incomplete rotation and choosing to see possibility because that is what fans do every summer.
Or maybe Minnesota genuinely has the pieces to produce something special. A title run is not guaranteed. Another conference finals appearance is not guaranteed. Even a top-four seed in the West is not guaranteed. What is guaranteed is that the future remains young, talented, and flexible.
Anthony Edwards is standing on the edge of his prime. LaMelo Ball is arriving to share the backcourt. The Wolves have already proven they can reach the Western Conference Finals, survive injuries, eliminate champions, and compete with the best teams in basketball.
The roster has changed. The challenge has not.
Minnesota is still chasing the breakthrough that once seemed impossible.
The difference now is that nobody laughs when Wolves fans say it might actually happen.
The Timberwolves 2027 Championship odds are now at +2500, at FanDuel Sportsbook. It looks like the LeBron decision cost us 300 points. But that just means the value is even better if you believe in the Wolves!
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 17: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns dunks the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament on April 17, 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
As we find ourselves roughly two months away from any tangible news surrounding the start of the 2026–27 Phoenix Suns season, it’s time to revisit a topic that some people love, some couldn’t care less about, and some won’t even click on. Uniforms. And before the obligatory commenter reminds everyone that “it’s about the players, not the uniforms,” I know. Save yourself the effort. This one simply isn’t for you.
I’ve always enjoyed following the topic because uniforms become part of a team’s identity. They define eras. They become intertwined with our memories of specific seasons, players, and moments. When you think of the Seven Seconds or Less Suns, you picture those sunburst orange jerseys. When you think of the Valley era, the black gradient uniforms immediately come to mind.
Every season, we typically see a few new designs across the NBA. The Statement Edition and City Edition uniforms are intentionally fluid, allowing Nike to refresh each franchise’s look and tell a different story. The Suns have certainly had their share. We’ve seen the orange Statement jerseys with the Suns logo centered on the chest. We’ve lived through the “Los Suns” era. We’ve had El Valle, the immensely popular Valley gradient uniforms, and the turquoise City Edition that paid tribute to Arizona’s Native American communities.
So what should we expect this season? It appears the answer is…not much.
Everything points toward Phoenix running it back with last year’s uniform lineup. That includes the black Statement Edition jersey with “Phoenix” across the chest, along with the return of the Valley uniforms that have become synonymous with this era of Suns basketball.
Sources indicate this could be the final season of the NBA’s City Edition uniforms, with Nike reportedly believing the concept has run its course after 10 years. Personally, I’d hate to see them go. Sure, not every City Edition jersey has been a hit, but I’ve always appreciated the creativity behind them. They allowed teams to tell a different story, celebrate their cities, and pay homage to the communities they represent. Some designs were forgettable. Others became iconic.
If the program is truly coming to an end, that’s unfortunate. As it stands right now, though, it appears the Phoenix Suns will be wearing the same four uniform combinations they wore a season ago. Not exactly the most exciting news. But if you’re wondering what the Suns will be wearing this season, now you know.
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 21: Hunter Goodman #15 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after his eighth inning solo home run against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field on July 21, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The trade deadline is just around the corner — one week from tomorrow, to be exact! The Rockies have already begun their selling spree, trading Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ideally, there will be more trades. The players and their destination teams remains up for debate, though.
The biggest debate seems to be that of what to do with two-time All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman. Should the Rockies trade him, perhaps to a big-market team like the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, for what could be a considerable haul for a rebuilding team? Or should they retain their cornerstone and build the next contending Rockies team around him?
We asked your thoughts earlier this week whether or not you thought Goodman would be traded, and only 22% of respondents believe he will.
Do you agree with the results? Do you still agree with your answer? Let us know in the comments!
But in the meantime, here’s what our writers had to say this week:
Nov 9, 2025; Mesa, AZ, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars Game at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Triple-A: Charlotte Knights (White Sox) 7, Norfolk Tides 6
It was a wild one in Charlotte, where the Tides rallied back from a three-run deficit in the ninth, took a lead in the top of the 10th, and then got walked off in the bottom of the inning. Korey Lee’s two-run single off Cam Sanders won it for the Knights.
Before that, Enrique Bradfield Jr. twice played the hero for Norfolk. He delivered both the game-tying RBI single in the ninth and the go-ahead RBI single in the 10th. With a 3-for-6 night, Bradfield boosted his OPS to .676, which is not going to be enough to earn him a promotion yet but is at least a step in the right direction. Bradfield had a stolen base but was also caught once. Heston Kjerstad was 3-for-4 with a double. Catcher Creed Willems, a possible call-up candidate himself, went 0-for-4 but could hardly be a worse hitter than Sam Huff and Chadwick Tromp.
On the mound, starter Trey Gibson gave up two runs in four innings. The only one of the five Tides pitchers not to be scored upon was reliever Yosver Zulueta, who retired all four batters he faced. Former Oriole Austin Hays, on a rehab assignment with Charlotte, went 0-for-3 but had two RBIs.
Patrick Reilly, returning from Tommy John surgery, made his first start with Chesapeake since April 19, 2025. He had six strikeouts and no walks, but coughed up three solo home runs, including one by Josue Briceño, the Tiger’s #3 prospect. All in all, it was a solid return for Reilly, one of the Orioles’ better pitching prospects.
The Baysox offense was facing rehabbing major leaguer Jackson Jobe and had little answer for him. Their only run of the game came on an Anderson De Los Santos first-inning RBI double. That was one of just four hits for Chesapeake, though three of them were doubles.
High-A: Rome Emperors (Braves) 10, Frederick Keys 1 — Game 1
The first game of a doubleheader was a big ol’ mess for the Keys, who couldn’t hit, pitch, or field. Starter JT Quinn ran into big trouble in the fourth and was chased without getting out of the inning. In 3.2 frames he was tagged for four runs, but only two were earned because Frederick committed four errors (including one by Quinn himself). Reliever Juan Rojas was torched for five runs in one inning.
The Keys’ lineup is much less intimidating after Ike Irish’s season-ending meniscus tear. Their only run in this game came on an RJ Austin single that plated Wehiwa Aloy, who had doubled. Two rehabbing Triple-A players, Reed Trimble and Payton Eeles, were a combined 0-for-8.
High-A: Frederick Keys 3, Rome Emperors 2 — Game 2
The Keys got even fewer hits in the nightcap — just three! — but managed to turn them into three runs and salvage a doubleheader split. And they did it against lefty Cam Caminiti, the Braves’ #1 prospect. (Fun fact: Caminiti is a cousin of the late MLB star Ken Caminiti, even though they were born 43 years apart.) The Keys scraped across their runs on a Colin Yeaman RBI single and a Caminiti wild pitch. The normally seven-inning doubleheader game went to extras tied at two, and Nelson Figueroa’s sac fly in the eighth won it for Frederick.
The pitching quartet of Carson Dorsey, Trent Turzenski, Braeden Sloan, and Chandler Marsh held down the Emperors, helped by the fact that Rome went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position. Marsh fanned two in a perfect eighth for the save.
Low-A: Hill City Howlers (Guardians) 8, Delmarva Shorebirds 4
It was a rough night for starter Dalton Neuschwander, who gave up seven runs in four innings to fall to 1-9 on the season. His ERA rose to 7.98. The Shorebirds scored four runs but didn’t get much help from the first three batters in the lineup, who were a combined 0-for-12. Third baseman Elvin Garcia and shortstop Jose Perez each had two hits, and second baseman Felix Amparo contributed an RBI double.
BONUS FCL NOTE: Kudos to the short-season Florida Complex League Orioles, who made it to the League Championship Series after going 34-23 this season. “Series” is a bit of a misnomer, since it’s just one game, and unfortunately the FCL Orioles’ run ended yesterday against the Astros. They were shut out, 7-0, by right-handers Adrian Ardines and Jank Pichardo. The O’s managed only five hits, all singles, two of them by 2025 ninth-round pick Cam Lee.
Third baseman Wilfri De La Cruz, acquired in last year’s Andrew Kittredge trade, was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He had a .707 OPS in 51 games in his first full season in the organization. Second baseman Jemone Nuel, a 19-year-old from Jamaica, was 1-for-4 in the leadoff spot, finishing with an outstanding .283/.456/.483 line in 50 games.
Sunday’s scheduled games:
Norfolk: at Charlotte, 1:05 PM. Starter: Trace Bright (0-7, 7.32)
Chesapeake: vs. Erie, 1:05 PM. Starter: Luis De León (4-6, 4.58)
Frederick: at Rome, 1:00 PM. Starter: Boston Bateman (4-3, 4.10)
Delmarva: at Hill City, 2:00 PM. Starter: Brayan Orrantia (0-6, 5.54)
We have a 15-game MLB slate for today that will surely keep us interested throughout the day.
Our Sunday MLB moneyline card is filled with solid plus-money markets, and a few short favorites that we will attack.
Read on for our MLB moneyline predictions and MLB picks for Sunday, July 26.
MLB moneyline picks for July 26
Matchup
Pick
Guardians vs Rays
-127
Blue Jays vs Red Sox
-127
Diamondbacks vs Nationals
-117
Braves vs Orioles
-108
Cubs vs Pirates
+122
Dodgers vs Mets
+150
Royals vs Tigers
+156
Padres vs Marlins
+117
Astros vs White Sox
-100
Rockies vs Brewers
+257
Athletics vs Twins
+144
Reds vs Cardinals
+117
Mariners vs Rangers
-104
Angels vs Giants
-122
Yankees vs Phillies
-133
Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 7-26.
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Expert MLB moneyline picks for July 26
Guardians vs Rays: Tampa Bay Rays (-127)
Rays win probability: 56%
Drew Rasmussen provides a steady baseline, though Parker Messick starting for Cleveland brings some variance. Still, Tampa Bay's pitching metrics over the last two weeks stand among the league’s elite, featuring a 3.37 xFIP and a 20 percent K-BB rate.
Cleveland holds the offensive edge, but Tampa’s late-inning bullpen depth at home creates solid value.
Blue Jays vs Red Sox: Boston Red Sox (-127)
Red Sox win probability: 56%
Kevin Gausman always brings brand recognition, but Toronto’s lineup has hit a massive slump, producing a meager 69 wRC+ over the last 14 days. Boston’s bullpen is firing on all cylinders with a slate-best 1.51 ERA.
Questioning Boston's starter Payton Tolle being in the rotation is reasonable, but Toronto’s bats are currently too cold to trust on the road.
Diamondbacks vs Nationals: Arizona Diamondbacks (-117)
Diamondbacks win probability: 54%
Arizona’s offense is flat-out raking right now, posting a dominant 136 wRC+ and a .504 slugging percentage over the last fortnight. Miles Mikolas sits on the other side with a bloated 5.01 xFIP and low strikeout output.
At short road odds, backing Arizona’s bats offers tremendous value.
Braves vs Orioles: Baltimore Orioles (-108)
Orioles win probability: 52%
Reynaldo Lopez usually draws heavy betting interest, but Atlanta’s overall pitching has shown vulnerabilities lately with a 4.28 xFIP. Meanwhile, Baltimore quietly holds a sharp 3.73 SIERA over the past two weeks.
Taking the Orioles as narrow home favorites at Camden Yards is a solid situational angle that must be exploited.
Cubs vs Pirates: Chicago Cubs (+122)
Cubs win probability: 45%
Pittsburgh holds the home-field advantage, but the matchup between Jameson Taillon and Braxton Ashcraft remains tight. Chicago’s underlying offensive production (118 wRC+ vs. 100 wRC+) and bullpen metrics carry the overall statistical advantage.
Grabbing the Cubs at a plus-money price on the road provides strong value.
Dodgers vs Mets: New York Mets (+150)
Mets win probability: 40%
Emmet Sheehan versus Freddy Peralta makes for an intriguing matchup, but the prediction markets offer an appealing price tag for the home team. New York’s bullpen actually out-grades Los Angeles over the last two weeks in both ERA- and SIERA.
Backing the Mets at +150 delivers solid value.
Royals vs Tigers: Kansas City Royals (+156)
Royals win probability: 39%
Framber Valdez on the bump gives Detroit a notable edge, but the heavy home market price opens up opportunity on the visitor. Kansas City’s offense has struggled lately, yet Valdez is occasionally prone to control hiccups.
At a generous +156 payout, taking a shot on the road underdog makes sense.
Padres vs Marlins: San Diego Padres (+117)
Padres win probability: 46%
Miami enters as a surprising home favorite despite a lineup-wide offensive drought, managing just a 70 wRC+ over the last 14 days. San Diego continues to produce high-level contact, posting a 134 wRC+ and .475 slugging mark.
Getting the Padres at plus-money with Walker Buehler pitching is arguably the top value spot on the card.
Astros vs White Sox: Houston Astros (-100)
Astros win probability: 50%
This matchup sits at flat pick 'em odds on the board. Houston’s bullpen leads the entire slate with an elite 23.4 percent K-BB rate over the last two weeks.
Backing Ronel Blanco and the Astros at even money against a struggling White Sox lineup (85 wRC+) is a strong position.
Rockies vs Brewers: Colorado Rockies (+257)
Rockies win probability: 28%
Milwaukee commands massive home chalk in this spot. Colorado’s offense remains limited with a 74 wRC+, but Milwaukee’s bullpen has shown command issues with elevated walk rates, and Jacob Misiorowski can occasionally struggle with location.
At a massive +257 payout, targeting the high-variance road underdog is the sharp play.
Athletics vs Twins: Athletics (+144)
Athletics win probability: 41%
Joe Ryan is always tough to beat at Target Field, but Minnesota carries a heavy market premium price. The Athletics' lineup has quietly put together respectable power numbers over the last fortnight.
Fading the inflated line on the home favorite and taking the A's at +144 offers a solid risk-reward play today.
Reds vs Cardinals: Cincinnati Reds (+117)
Reds win probability: 46%
Busch Stadium is always a tough venue, but St. Louis ranks dead-last in offensive production over the past two weeks with a painful 60 wRC+. Cincinnati brings significantly more isolated power with a .231 ISO.
Backing Andrew Abbott and the Reds as road underdog is where the value lies today.
Mariners vs Rangers: Seattle Mariners (-104)
Mariners win probability: 51%
Betting against Jacob deGrom requires caution, but Texas’s overall bullpen metrics have cratered recently, sitting at a 166 ERA and 5.15 xFIP. Seattle’s pitching group remains far more reliable with Logan Gilbert taking the ball.
Getting Seattle near pick 'em odds (-104) offers strong value.
Angels vs Giants: San Francisco Giants (-122)
Giants win probability: 55%
An unannounced starter for San Francisco adds intrigue, but the Angels' lineup remains stagnant, posting an 86 wRC+ and a lightweight .099 ISO over two weeks. San Francisco’s bullpen boasts a 3.92 SIERRA across the past 14 days, and at -122, the park environment and bullpen depth heavily favor the home side.
Yankees vs Phillies: Philadelphia Phillies (-133)
Phillies win probability: 57%
In a prime-time national TV slot, Will Warren starting for New York leaves the door open for Philadelphia, particularly with the Yankees hitting just .210 over their last 14 games. Cristopher Sanchez and the Phillies bullpen carry a sharp 3.18 ERA.
At -133, backing the home club is a great play to close out Sunday.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
I don’t want to run through the play-by-play, as Al has covered it all thoroughly. But I’d be remiss:
Matthew Boyd — it wasn’t pretty or dominant, but all that matters is that he (and the defense) got out of jams, and the important two numbers: one run allowed over seven innings. What a battler!
Ian Happ — The throw on the double play from left was money, and the slide at home in the 10th was epic.
Nico Hoerner — I’ve gotten in the bad habit (I guess understandably) of allowing a lot of Nico’s plays make me think of Ryno. But there are exceptions, like the throw between the legs to first earlier this year. And Friday night’s play behind second and snap throw to third to get the runner — that was beyond elite. I don’t really think Ryno would have pulled off that combination during the play. Yet another play of the year by Nico?
PCA got the Cubs on the board. And good job directing Happ to slide to the inside of the plate.
Dansby Swanson’s single got the first run in the 10th. Honorable mention to Seiya Suzuki for the bases-loaded walk that turned out to be the difference in the game.
And Gavin Hollowell picked up his second career save Friday. With the insurance run, he concentrated on the three outs needed, not the placed runner on second. Three outs on five pitches. Hard to beat that.
Not much offense, but thanks to Boyd, he kept the Cubs in the game by going deep into the game by allowing just one run. And for Hollowell for slamming the door.
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Tyler Courtney (LastWordOnSports): Cubs Top Trade Assets Heading Into the 2026 Trade Deadline. “It is never easy to part ways with players who become fan favorites, but it is a necessary price to pay. Luckily, there is a wide variety of players at both the Major and Minor League levels who could be dealt.”
Patrick Mooney (The Athletic {$}): What we’re hearing about Matt Shaw and James Triantos as Cubs plan for trade deadline. “Matt Shaw will not be activated off the injured list before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed Friday, setting another variable for the club’s plans to bulk up its pitching staff.”
Howard Woodard (LastWordOnSports): Cardinals’ Slow Start to 2nd Half Makes Divisional Stretch Crucial. “Dropping five of their first seven games after the All-Star break, the St. Louis Cardinals’ slow start to the second half has heightened the circumstances now that the team has returned to St. Louis.”
Food For Thought:
Norman Jeffrey Healey (March 25, 1966 – March 2, 2008) was a Canadian blues, rock and jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter who attained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. When he was almost one year old, Healey lost his sight due to retinoblastoma, a rare cancer of the eyes. His eyes had to be surgically removed, and he was given ocular prostheses.
Healey began playing guitar when he was three, developing his unique style of playing the instrument flat on his lap. When he was 15, Healey formed the band Blue Direction, a four-piece that primarily played bar-band cover tunes. Shortly thereafter he was introduced to bassist Joe Rockman and drummer Tom Stephen, with whom he formed a trio, the Jeff Healey Band. They received a write-up in Toronto’s NOW magazine, and soon were playing almost nightly in local clubs, such as Grossman’s Tavern and the famed blues club Albert’s Hall (where Jeff Healey was discovered by guitarists Stevie Ray Vaughan and Albert Collins).
Please be reminded that Cub Tracks and Bleed Cubbie Blue do not necessarily endorse the content of articles, podcasts, or videos that are linked to in this series.
COVERS INTEL: Ashcraft's 
Guardians
Rays
Blue Jays
Red Sox
Diamondbacks
Nationals
Braves
Orioles
Cubs
Pirates
Dodgers
Mets
Royals
Tigers
Padres
Marlins
Astros
White Sox
Rockies
Brewers
Athletics
Twins
Reds
Cardinals
Mariners
Rangers
Angels
Giants
Yankees
Phillies