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Browns owner says his 95-year-old dad gave gut check on Garrett, Giannis trades

It's not often that an executive is attached to league-altering trades in two different sports, but Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam can etch his name in the trivia books after this summer.

In the span of a month, Haslam-led teams traded both NFL All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett (to the Los Angeles Rams) and NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (to the Miami Heat), ringing in new eras for both the NFL's Cleveland Browns and NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.

Haslam has been known to have some questionable transactions under his watch, and the latest gambits were both eye-opening to fans, analysts – and even family members — like Haslam's 95-year-old dad.

Speaking with reporters, Haslam said his father, Jim Haslam, had a small reality check moment with him in the wake of the deals.

"My dad's 95 and a half, but still follows every sports move we make, and he called me up after we traded Giannis and said, 'Do you know that in the last month you've traded Myles Garrett and Giannis?,'" Haslam told reporters with a laugh recently. "I said, 'Yes, sir, I know that.'"

As a minority co-owner of the Bucks, Haslam had a hand in dealing Antetokounmpo to the Heat in July, ending a years-long saga of whether or not the team would deal the superstar. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to an NBA championship in the 2021 NBA Finals and also added league MVPs to his mantle.

Garrett didn't have the luxury of being a piece of a championship team in Cleveland, but earned plenty of personal accolades, including two Defensive Player of the Year awards and five first-team All-Pro nods (while also becoming the single-season sack record holder in 2025).

Haslam weighs in on Giannis trade

The trade that sent Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat rocked the NBA as one of the biggest dominos of a massive summer across the league.

Haslam said he believes rebuilding in the NBA is more difficult than in the NFL, and that the only way to judge the Antetokounmpo deal is by what happens next. The Bucks netted Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakučionis in the deal, alongside multiple picks.

"Listen, it's all about what you get, and Giannis is a generational player, won a championship, but we felt the need to get younger," Haslam said. "He was the best asset we had. We had mortgaged our future going forward and I think we got four really good players, and we got two draft picks – No. 1 draft picks - couple of swaps, and second, so, time will tell.

"We've gotta use those picks wisely – just like we have to do with the Myles trade – but cautious optimism. Although, you gotta be realistic, rebuilding is no fun."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Browns owner says his 95-year-old dad gave gut check on Garrett, Giannis trades

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Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (69-41) @ Los Angeles Angels (42-69)

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 7: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers returns to the dugout against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on July 7, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a rough start to the road trip in San Francisco, the Brewers have turned it around with two straight wins against the Angels. They can make this a winning road trip by completing the sweep this afternoon, and Jacob Misiorowski is on the mound for it.

Since the All-Star break, the Brewers have been deliberate with building Misiorowski back up slowly to help manage his workload. His previous start was last Sunday, when he pitched five innings and struck out 12 against the Rockies. His last two starts were limited to 65 and 83 pitches, so he will likely be limited to under 100 pitches again today. Misiorowski still leads all of MLB in ERA (1.58), strikeouts (185), and FIP (2.02) across 120 innings pitched this season.

For the Angels, Walbert Ureña gets the start today. He is a 22-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic who made his MLB debut at the start of the season. So far this season, he has a 2.70 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and 88 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings pitched. He has had four consecutive starts allowing one run or fewer, with the last of those coming Monday against the Astros. In that start, he allowed just one run in six innings while striking out five.

With the righty on the mound, Christian Yelich will get the day off. Jake Bauers takes the DH spot instead with Andrew Vaughn playing at first. Garrett Mitchell moves up to third in the lineup, with Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, and William Contreras in their usual spots. Luis Lara, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton round out the lineup.

Today’s game will be broadcast nationally on Peacock at 2:15 p.m. It will also be on the Brewers Radio Network.

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Former Avalanche Defenseman Announces Retirement After Nearly Two Decades In Hockey

Former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brad Hunt has called time on his professional hockey career, bringing an end to a remarkable journey that took him from the BCHL to the NHL, the AHL and ultimately a gold medal with Team Canada.

The 37-year-old Hunt announced his retirement from professional hockey on social media, closing the book on a career that spanned nearly two decades and included stops with seven NHL organizations — including the Avalanche.

His connection to Colorado, however, went beyond his time in the NHL.

Before and after his stint with the Avalanche, Hunt became a familiar face within the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. He served as the Eagles’ captain and spent two seasons with the club, appearing in 94 games while recording 23 goals and 47 assists for 70 points.

That production was indicative of the offensive ability Hunt consistently displayed throughout his AHL career, while his leadership made him an important figure in the Colorado organization.

Hunt eventually got his opportunity with the Avalanche during the 2022-23 season, appearing in 47 games. The 5-foot-9 defenseman recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points during his lone season in an Avalanche sweater.

While Hunt was never a household name around the NHL, his career was defined by persistence. He continually found ways to carve out a role despite being overlooked because of his size, eventually playing 288 regular-season games at the highest level.

His final professional season came overseas with Sport Vaasa in Finland’s top domestic league. Hunt produced seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in 53 games during the 2025-26 campaign.

After wrapping up his playing career, Hunt reflected on just how far hockey had taken him.

“Hockey has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. From dreaming about playing in the NHL as a kid, to living that dream for so many years … I am incredibly grateful for every opportunity, every teammate, every coach, every organization, and every person who helped me along the way.”

Hunt’s NHL résumé stretched across parts of 14 seasons. In addition to Colorado, he suited up for the Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks.

Across those 288 NHL games, he finished with 20 goals and 60 assists for 80 points.

But the NHL represented only a portion of Hunt’s professional career.

He spent the majority of his time in the American Hockey League, appearing in 422 games for the Chicago Wolves, Oklahoma City Barons, Bakersfield Condors, Colorado Eagles and Hershey Bears. Hunt amassed 84 goals and 214 assists for 298 points in those games.

His consistency in the AHL earned him six All-Star selections. Hunt appeared in five consecutive AHL All-Star Games from 2012-13 through 2016-17 before earning another selection in 2022-23.

He also surpassed the 40-point mark four times and produced two 50-point seasons, establishing himself as one of the league’s more productive offensive defensemen.

Hunt’s path to professional hockey began in the BCHL with the Burnaby Express.

Over parts of three seasons, he registered 20 goals and 69 assists for 89 points in 122 regular-season games. His best campaign came in 2007-08, when he erupted for 16 goals and 35 assists for 51 points in 59 games.

That performance helped pave the way to Bemidji State University, where Hunt spent four seasons.

He finished his collegiate career with 24 goals and 88 assists for 112 points in 150 NCAA games before beginning his professional journey.

For a player who entered the hockey world without the imposing frame traditionally associated with NHL defensemen, Hunt’s career was a testament to finding other ways to stand out.

Hunt’s final chapter with Canada provided an especially fitting conclusion to his playing career.

He represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland, recording three assists while helping the country capture a gold medal.

Two years later, Hunt would make his way to Finland permanently for the final season of his professional career.

Now, after years of chasing the game from one league and organization to another, Hunt is stepping away with an NHL career, multiple AHL All-Star selections, a stint as an AHL captain and a world championship gold medal on his résumé.

Hunt’s time as captain of the Eagles further cemented his connection to the organization and the Colorado hockey community — a fitting part of the journey for a defenseman who spent his career proving that size was never going to determine how far he could go.

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Former Knick Guerschon Yabusele opens up about his time in New York, transition back overseas

Guerschon Yabusele will forever go down as a weird blip in Knicks history. Many years down the line, the Frenchman’s name will be brough up in trivia and reminiscing conversations, not just for his very tumultuous time as a Knick, but also for the incredibly selfless gesture he made that allowed the Knicks to acquire Jose Alvarado.

Yabusele, the player, left a lot to be desired. There’s really no way around it. He was put in a difficult situation where he was used in a way that maybe didn’t fully highlight his strengths. And he was playing in a very limited and inconsistent role that likely made getting into a rhythm difficult. But he did himself no favors. Yabusele started off by coming into the season a bit heavier than in the season prior. When the season began, while the effort was there, not much else was. The shooting was inconsistent, if not downright bad. The paint looks, be it in transition or off of a PnR, didn’t feel or look much better. And he just didn’t offer much in any specific area of the game.

But Yabusele unexpectedly won over the hearts of fans by doing them an incredibly big favor on his way out. To make the Knicks’ trade for the Brooklyn-native possible, he amended his contract to remove his $5.8 million player option. He didn’t need to do it, especially after the way his time with the club had gone. By that point in the season, Yabusele had fallen out of the rotation, racking up occasional DNPs and playing very sparing minutes even when he did enter the game. The Knicks have the option of presenting Yabusele with a ring and he fully deserves one after the role Alvarado had in bringing the city it’s first NBA championship in 53 years.

Recently, Yabusele spoke with as.com about his decision to leave the NBA again. “I spoke with my wife, my agents, my mentor. It’s an important decision. And it’s not something I’m saying easily; it was a long process, there were many questions.” Yabusele said. “I remembered French teammates who had gone through the same thing, who were there without playing for years. I can’t do that. And it was me who decided to leave, not them. I prefer to be the one who decides .”

On his time in New York, the reserve big man did open up about how tough it sometimes was. While he still has fond memories of the city, he did candidly say, “In New York, after two or three bad games, they’re already asking to trade you”.

On conversations he had with head coach Mike Brown about his playing time and role, he revealed that, “[Mike] explained that he wanted his five starters to play 38 minutes each, plus Mitch, who deserved his 26 minutes. And that already gives you an idea of ​​what to expect. What puzzled me most was what the coach didn’t mention about others . He talked to me about the five starters, he talked to me about Mitch, but he didn’t talk about Landry, he didn’t talk about Jordan Clarkson, he didn’t talk about all the others who were also there. If you add all of them up, technically there are no minutes left. So I understood very early on that it was going to be a very complicated year.”

One interesting point was what Yabusele said about the offensive system the Knicks were running. “ What’s curious is that when I was there, if we had moved the ball like we did at Real Madrid, a bit like in Europe, moving it around, shifting it … New York would have finished first in the conference ,” Yabusele said.

The Knicks did not finish first in the regular season, but did hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy, thanks in part to adopting a more ball-movement and player-movement oriented offense for large portions of the postseason.

Yabusele concluded the interview by speaking briefly about public enemy number one in New York, Victor Wembanyama. Having played with Wembanyama on the national team, Yabusele knows him and his game well. “It’s a problem with no apparent solution. He’s still so far from his best. Every summer you come back, play against him again, and he has a new trick up his sleeve. Just when you think you know him, something new comes out.”

Yabusele, the player, ended up being a disastrous mistake, arguably for both sides. But he seems to be a genuinely selfless, caring, and team-first kind of guy. While it’s unfortunate that the signing, which at the time brough excitement, didn’t work out. Fans should be thankful for his gesture, and root for him as he becomes one of the top three highest paid players in European basketball.

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3 Blackhawks Prospects Who Will Have AHL Start Due To New NHL Additions

It’s been quite the off-season for the Chicago Blackhawks. They made a big trade, signed some depth players, and brought back a franchise icon. Now, they are hoping that the 2026-27 season is another improvement over the year prior. 

Part of making these additions is taking up roster spots from guys who thought they might have cracked the lineup. This has become a hard team to make for every player on the bottom half of the roster, especially at forward. 

Multiple players with significant NHL experience may be on the outside looking in. It’s good to have depth, but some of these guys may begin the year in the AHL because of the additions pushing them down. 

3 Blackhawks Who Will Find It Difficult To Crack Opening Night Lineup3 Blackhawks Who Will Find It Difficult To Crack Opening Night LineupThe Chicago Blackhawks have many forwards who are capable of playing in the NHL. Some of them will be out on Opening Night because of the limited space.

It’s even harder for unproven prospects at this stage of their careers. If one of these rookies, not including Roman Kantserov, makes the team out of camp, it would mean that they were sensational in camp and the preseason: 

Sacha Boisvert

Sacha Boisvert was one of the best freshmen in the NCAA two years ago at the University of North Dakota. One year later, he transferred to Boston University, where things didn’t go as smoothly due to injury and inconsistencies. As a former first-round pick by the Blackhawks, he has the pedigree to eventually be a great contributor on a winning team. 

After his 2025-26 season at BU ended, he signed his entry-level deal with Chicago and played in 7 games. In those seven games, he had one goal and one assist, along with a fight to emphasize the physical nature of his game. Sometimes, he looked outmatched when it came to size and strength, despite being a physical player, but his skills belong in the NHL even now. 

This summer, a lot has been made about his bulking up. With the additions made to Chicago’s lineup, the AHL will be a great place for him to work on his game at the pro level before graduating to the NHL full-time. Injuries and potential trade deadline selling could force Boisvert into the lineup at some point, but starting in the AHL feels realistic. 

AJ Spellacy

At the end of the season, it seemed like AJ Spellacy would have a chance to impact the Chicago Blackhawks as soon as opening night. Everywhere he goes, whether it be major junior or the World Junior Championships, Spellacy makes a difference. 

Spellacy, a third-round pick (72nd overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, was not a high-end offensive producer with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He did, however, have a knack for scoring big goals when the lights were brightest, and that applied to his time with Team USA at the World Juniors. 

Spellacy has the tools to be a solid bottom-six forward in the NHL. His ceiling might not be as high as other prospects, but his floor is much higher. He is NHL-ready now on a team that could afford to play prospects in middle-six roles for a while. 

For now, Spellacy will have to make his pro hockey debut as a member of the Rockford IceHogs (AHL). That league is perfect for him, as he will be able to prepare for the NHL by playing pro hockey against good players who are hungry to reach the NHL themselves.

There is a specific role that will have to open up for Spellacy to make his NHL Debut, but he will stay ready in the AHL under the development staff there.

Marek Vanacker

Marek Vanacker is an incredibly skilled forward whom Chicago took with the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He is one of the many Brantford Bulldogs to enter the Chicago Blackhawks system over the last handful of years. 

In 2025-26, Vanacker took his game to another level to follow up his injury-riddled season the year before by having 47 goals and 35 assists in 82 games played. Those 47 goals led the OHL, beating out former Blackhawks prospect Jack Pridham by one. 

Now, after all of that success, he is a bit blocked at the NHL level for now. As moves are made within the organization, Vanacker is going to get his chance, but the Rockford IceHogs will be calling his name on Opening Night unless he is so spectacular in the preseason that the Hawks have no choice but to play him. 

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Dallas Mavericks fans are still mixed on the offseason

DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 29: New Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May is introduced during a press conference at American Airlines Center on June 29, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Earlier this week we had a poll up asking you to grade the Dallas Mavericks’ offseason. This was a question where I simply assumed fans would give the team an A. The results were really interesting!

There’s a lot to derive from results like this. Make no mistake, the vast majority of respondents thought Dallas had a good offseason, with 73% giving either an A or a B. But the differentiation here interests me. I am the site grump; I tend to be negative about the team, and when looking at the offseason so far, I really like what they’ve done! I voted A. There are elements of what the team’s done that I am lower on, take the Morez Johnson Jr. selection for example, but by and large I am impressed with where the team started before the draft and where the team is right now. And that doesn’t factor in any additional moves to occur before the season starts.

That a significant portion voted either B or incomplete says to me that they still want more from the team. Which is understandable, given how many things are still up in the air with the roster. Perhaps if any of these more confusing logjams at forward get sussed out, then anyone feeling less than excited about the offseason will have more reason for optimism.

Those who voted C, I’d like to know more. What has the team done that you didn’t like to grant that kind of grade? I’m curious if it’s more draft or free agency-focused. If you’re high on team there’s a number of win-total bets you can make over at our partners at FanDuel.

This week’s national poll centered on the Eastern Conference. The results, particularly following LeBron James heading East, are interesting.

I think the Knicks as clear favorites here is wild; while I don’t totally believe in the 76ers, I think the Knicks got hot and played well at the ideal time. Making it last for a playoff run is different (and harder) than being the best team in a division for the regular season. But that’s why we play the games.

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Former Wild Defenseman Announces His Retirement From Hockey

Brad Hunt has officially called it a career.

The former Minnesota Wild defenseman announced his retirement from professional hockey on social media, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than a decade and took him through the NHL, AHL and Europe.

Hunt's journey to the NHL was anything but conventional. Undrafted out of Bemidji State University, the Maple Ridge, British Columbia native worked his way through the ECHL and AHL before making his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers during the 2013-14 season.

Over parts of 10 NHL seasons, Hunt appeared in 288 regular-season games with the Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks and Colorado Avalanche. He finished his NHL career with 26 goals, 60 assists and 86 points.

Minnesota fans will remember Hunt from his three seasons with the Wild from 2018-21.

After being acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights during the 2018-19 season, Hunt carved out a role as a dependable depth defenseman with an offensive touch. He played 100 games for Minnesota, recording 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points while quarterbacking the second power-play unit at times.

His best offensive season came in 2019-20 when he set NHL career highs with eight goals, 11 assists and 19 points in 59 games.

Following his stint with the Wild, Hunt spent the 2021-22 season with the Vancouver Canucks before helping the Colorado Avalanche during the 2022-23 campaign. He later continued his career overseas before announcing his retirement. 

Although he never became a full-time top-four defenseman, Hunt's perseverance made him one of hockey's better underdog stories. From going undrafted to reaching nearly 300 NHL games, he proved that determination and offensive skill could earn a lengthy career at the highest level.

His retirement closes the book on a professional career defined by resilience, adaptability and an unwavering commitment to chasing the NHL dream.

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Flyers' Time Is Now to Strike for Unsigned Hurricanes Defenseman

Among the holes left unaddressed by the Philadelphia Flyers this offseason was defense, where the club added only Simon Benoit at the expense of Emil Andrae. If the Flyers want to take another step in the rebuild, they'll need to do more than that.

Fortunately, a young, potential future top four defenseman can be had via trade, and they needn't look very far to find him.

Elsewhere in the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes have yet to agree to a new contract with restricted free agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin who, according to himself, would like north of $8 million a year on his next deal.

"Earlier, when asked about rumors that he wants $8 million per season on his new deal, the defenseman smiled and said: 'More.'" RG's Daria Tuboltseva wrote in her exclusive interview with Nikishin.

"My agents handle that. I don't push the situation much, they take care of everything themselves. If something concrete comes up, they'll call me. Right now there's nothing concrete about the contract," Nikishin said. "The salary cap keeps growing, and defensemen are getting bigger salaries. You can already feel the difference. I think contracts will keep getting bigger and bigger over time."

By the sounds of it, Nikishin, 24, is backing himself to earn his improved salary and do the Hurricanes, or a team like the Flyers, a favor by taking the money now instead of later.

With the Leo Carlsson offer sheet and trade links to Zach Werenski, it's been well-established that the Flyers are able and willing to spend big money to improve their roster.

Nikishin, with 11 goals and 33 points in his first NHL season, would provide an upgrade already, even while not yet reaching his full potential.

Flyers Should Lure Alexander Nikishin Away From Hurricanes with Matvei Michkov's HelpFlyers Should Lure Alexander Nikishin Away From Hurricanes with Matvei Michkov's HelpDefenseman Alexander Nikishin is the perfect trade target for the Philadelphia Flyers this late into the offseason.

Travis Sanheim and Jamie Drysdale were the only Flyers defensemen to crack 30 points last season, and they were also the only two to have more than five goals (Sanheim had 11).

The young Russian blue liner already has 17 games of Stanley Cup playoff experience, winning it all with the Hurricanes this year while playing in a reduced role, and he's also a former teammate of Matvei Michkov's from their SKA St. Petersburg days in the KHL.

With Nikishin in need of a new contract and the Flyers willing to spend, plus the added element of familiarity, the trade fit between the two sides is obvious.

However, at the same time, other teams are pursuing the 6-foot-3 defender, and the Flyers will have to beat them to the punch if they are serious about making another upgrade this summer.

Recently, it was reported that the St. Louis Blues have interest in trading for Nikishin, and other teams will begin to realize soon, too, that the 24-year-old is worth the chase.

The Blues have enjoyed great success going this kind of route before, landing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg with offer sheets that pried them out of Edmonton.

If a team like St. Louis is willing to pony up again, even if not necessarily an offer sheet, that might say something about Nikishin.

According to PuckPedia, the Flyers have $14.88 million in cap space remaining and only need to re-sign Nikita Grebenkin, so the decision to trade for and re-sign Nikishin is entirely up to them.

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Mets vs. Marlins: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 8/2/26

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets connects for his seventh inning solo home run against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on July 31, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Bernstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mets lineup

A.J. Ewing – LF
Francisco Lindor – SS
Bo Bichette – 3B
Carson Benge – RF
Luis Robert – CF
Jared Young – 1B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Jorge Polanco – DH
Francisco Alvarez – C

SP: Robert Stock – RHP

Marlins lineup

Liam Hicks – DH
Kyle Stowers – 1B
Otto Lopez – SS
Xavier Edwards – 2B
Griffin Conine – LF
Owen Caissie – RF
Jakob Marsee – CF
Joe Mack – C
Javier Sanoja – 3B

SP: Sandy Alcantara – RHP

Broadcast info

First pitch: 1:40 PM ET
TV: SNY
Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds: Mitch Keller vs. Chase Burns

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 27: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PNC Park on July 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds, August 2, 2026, 1:40 p.m. ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are finishing off their four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds, but they won’t have it easy in the final game before the MLB Trade Deadline tomorrow.

Mitch Keller gets the start for the Pirates, and he’s looking for his first win since June 28, when he last pitched against the Cincinnati Reds. He went six innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs in a 9-4 victory at PNC Park. The Bucks have won each of Keller’s last two starts in 10 innings, including his latest appearance on July 27 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he went 5.1 innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs.

The Reds are giving the ball to their ace, Chase Burns, who is 12-1 so far this season. In his last start against the Pirates, he went six innings, giving up nine hits and five earned runs, but the Reds rallied late to win 9-7 at PNC Park. After that appearance, he won his next three starts but came away with a no-decision in his latest appearance on July 28 against the Cleveland Guardians. Burns went five innings, giving up five hits and one earned run, but the Reds lost 6-5.

Location: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Pitching Matchup: Mitch Keller (6-7, 4.83 ERA) vs. Chase Burns (12-1, 2.40 ERA)

BD community, this is your gameday thread for today. Chime off in the comments section below.

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Chicago Cubs vs. New York Yankees preview, Sunday 8/2, 1:20 CT

Sunday notes…

  • GETTING TO SIXTEEN: Today’s game will be the fourth time this season the Cubs have had a chance to move to 16 games above .500. They lost, 6-0, at Texas on May 9, then at St. Louis, 3-2, on Wednesday and at home against the Yankees, 2-0, on Friday. Last year, they had 16 more wins than losses for the first time on June 5, when they were 39-23 after a 7-1 win at Washington. They went to 16 above for good on Aug. 16, at 69-53, after beating the Pirates at home, 3-1. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • RUBBER GAMES: The Cubs are 4-4 in all third games of series vs. the Yankees. They won the first, in 2003; lost the next four, in 2005-22; then won the last three years. The wins in 2003, 2023 and 2025 were in rubber games, with the ones in 2003 and 2024 coming at home. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • COMING FROM BEHIND: Last night’s game was the 46th of the season in which the Cubs overcame a deficit. It was the 11th of those in which they did so in their next inning at bat after falling behind. They have done it in 43 different games, winning 30 and losing 13. They have won three in a row, five of six and 15 of 17 starting June 11, the day they began their 29-14 surge. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Ryne Sandberg’s two-run homer in the 10th gives the Cubs a 4-2 win over the Mets in New York. It happened 35 years ago today, Friday, Aug. 2, 1991.

Cubs lineup:

Yankees lineup:

Colin Rea, RHP vs. Gerrit Cole, RHP

Just when you think Colin Rea is past his sell-by date, he comes up with a solid performance, six one-run innings against the Cardinals last Tuesday. Of course, it helped that the Cubs gave him a 7-0 lead before the bottom of the second.

Rea hasn’t faced the Yankees since April 26, 2024 in Milwaukee, which is so long ago that Anthony Rizzo was batting cleanup for New York. (He went 0-for-5.) Rea threw six innings and allowed five runs that night.

The only current Yankee who has faced Rea more than a handful of times is Paul Goldschmidt (3-for-10). Trent Grisham and Jasson Dominguez have homered off him.

Rea has been much better at Wrigley Field (3.33 ERA in 54 innings) than on the road (5.93 ERA in 57.2 innings), so perhaps that will make the difference.

Gerrit Cole missed all of 2025 and the first third of this year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Since his return he’s been good. Not “2023 Cy Young good,” but good enough. He still strikes out a lot of guys, doesn’t walk many and as you see below, his velocity is still up there. He was very good in his last start, last Tuesday against the White Sox. He threw six scoreless innings, striking out seven.

Cole last faced the Cubs Sept. 8, 2024 at Wrigley Field and threw six innings, allowing three hits and two unearned runs.

Dansby Swanson is 4-for-11 (.364) with two home runs. Michael Conforto has also homered off him. Alex Bregman, who was Cole’s teammate in Houston in 2018 and 2019, is 3-for-12 with two doubles.

Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network. Of interest to Cubs fans in the UK, this game is being carried live on BBC at 7 p.m. BST. Details here.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Yankees site Pinstripe Alley. If you do go there to interact with Yankees fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

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Sunday Bantering: Too Quiet

TORONTO, CANADA - AUGUST 1: Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays is taken out of the game by manager John Schneider #14 in the sixth inning of their MLB game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre on August 1, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We are about 31 hours short of the trade deadline and the Jays haven’t made a move yet. I’m expecting trades, but I will be sad to see guys leaving the team. I’ve been putting off hitting publish hoping something comes up.

The Jays have been too quiet, there aren’t any rumors or anything at the moment.

There was a big trade, the Dodgers got Tarik Skubal and really didn’t give up anyone that they won’t be able to live without.

The Tigers got:

  • Zyhir Hope a left-handed hitting outfielder, 21 years old. He’s hitting .293/.369/.530 with 23 home runs in 94 games at Double-A Tulsa. He strikes out a fair bit, but has good speed
  • River Ryan a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who has an ‘upper 90s’ fastball and a slider with good control. He’s missed a lot of time thru injuries, including Tommy John, but I’d imagine the Tigers will be calling him up as soon after he’s recovered from his hamstring injury. 27 is old for a ‘prospect’ but injury issues have slowed his climb.
  • Brady Smith a right-handed pitcher, 21 years old, who has been hit pretty hard in A ball this year, but has 113 strikeouts in 74.1 innings. He’s also been through Tommy John throws mid-90s with a very good changeup and a slider. I think he’ll end up in the bullpen, but you never know.

I don’t know that it is really enough for one of the best pitchers in baseball, but it does suggest the Jays won’t get as much for Kevin Gausman as we’d like to think. But they are three guys who were on Baseball America’s top 100 prospect list. I would be very happy getting one guy on the top 100 prospect list for Kevin.

It doesn’t look like Bo Bichette will be moving, I didn’t think it was likely. He’s making too much money for my liking. I did see someone say that the Jays should trade for him, but I can’t imagine it, as much as I’d like to continue watching him.

Today’s lineup: Urias back in the leadoff spot. Springer playing outfield (I wonder if that is for teams scouting him?). We have seen a lot of lefty starters lately.

Today’s Lineups

CARDINALSBLUE JAYS
Lars Nootbaar – RFLuis Urias – 2B
Jordan Walker – DHVladimir Guerrero – DH
Alec Burleson – 1BKazuma Okamoto – 1B
Ivan Herrera – CGeorge Springer – LF
Masyn Winn – SSAlejandro Kirk – C
Bryan Torres – LFErnie Clement – 3B
Jose Fermin – 2BMyles Straw – RF
Nathan Church – CFDaulton Varsho – CF
Blaze Jordan – 3BAndres Gimenez – SS
M. Liberatore – LHPMax Scherzer – RHP

51 games left.

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Concerns Arise From Vancouver Minor Hockey Associations Regarding Canucks' Practice Facility Plan

Some of Vancouver’s minor hockey associations are expressing their concern over the Vancouver Canucks’ potential practice facility project. 

In a joint statement released on Friday, the Vancouver Angels, Vancouver Thunderbirds, and Vancouver Minor Hockey Association said the following regarding the Canucks’ recent practice facility update of signing an MOU to build at Britannia Ice Rink. 

“...We are disappointed by the report that the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Canucks are exploring building a practice facility that could leverage an existing community rink at Britannia without creating desperately needed new ice capacity.

“The City of Vancouver has not added a net new municipal ice sheet since the 1970s, yet demand for ice time remains exceptionally strong and continues to grow. Minor hockey associations throughout the city are operating at capacity and, in some cases, turning away prospective players because sufficient ice time is not available. The shortage impacts not only minor hockey but also a wide range of community ice users, including figure skating, adult recreation leagues, and other ice sport organizations.” 

In the project proposal released on Thursday, the Canucks and City of Vancouver’s plan indicates that, rather than building a brand-new facility itself, the construction process will focus on creating a separate section attached to the pre-existing rink, referred to as the “training venue.” 

With this in mind, the statement made by the Vancouver Angels, Vancouver Thunderbirds, and Vancouver Minor Hockey outlines how the idea of a new practice facility complex, one they compare to the Seattle Kraken’s Community Iceplex, could be “a conversation worth having” regarding its benefit to both the team, the city, and the communities being impacted by potential work done at Britannia. 

“A partnership involving the Vancouver Canucks, the City of Vancouver, and a private-sector development or operating partner could help expand ice access, manage capital costs, and create a lasting legacy for future generations of Vancouver families,” they state. 

The full statement can be found via @vanminorhockey on Instagram. 

Dec 21, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NHL puck and Stars logo and hockey stick and the face-off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NHL puck and Stars logo and hockey stick and the face-off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Vancouver Canucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – Chase Burns vs. Mitch Keller

CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 28: Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds walks back into the dugout during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on April 28, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kate Woolson/Cincinnati Reds/Cincinnati Reds)

The Cincinnati Reds dropped Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home in Great American Ball Park, but on Sunday they’ve got their ace on the mound with the series victory in the balance.

Chase Burns will toe the rubber for the good guys opposite Bucs starter Mitch Keller, with first pitch on the docket set for 1:40 PM ET.

Eugenio Suarez will begin this game on the bench, and with the trade deadline looming tomorrow afternoon that means he may well have made his final start in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. That’s sad, though not quite as sad as the fact that it means Ke’Bryan Hayes is going to be in the starting lineup at 3B more or less every day going forward (today included).

Here’s how both clubs will line up to begin Sunday’s series finale in GABP, one that may well be the final game the Reds play before ripping apart the roster:

Today’s Lineups

PIRATESREDS
Jake Mangum – LFElly De La Cruz – SS
Brandon Lowe – 2BSal Stewart – 1B
Bryan Reynolds – DHJJ Bleday – LF
Esmerlyn Valdez – RFTyler Stephenson – C
Spencer Horwitz – 1BNathaniel Lowe – DH
Nick Gonzales – 3BDane Myers – CF
Endy Rodriguez – CNoelvi Marte – RF
Jacob Gonzalez – SSMatt McLain – 2B
Jhostynxon Garcia – CFKe’Bryan Hayes – 3B
Mitch Keller – RHPChase Burns – RHP
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Jeremy Sochan signs with Portland Trail Blazers on one-year deal

Jeremy Sochan, who won a ring with New York last season after being released by the San Antonio Spurs following the trade deadline, is now headed across the country.

Sochan has agreed to a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, reports Shams Charania of ESPN, who got the news from Sochan's agent Deirunas Visockas. While the report does not mention the size of the contract, it is undoubtedly for the veteran minimum.

It also is a non-guaranteed deal and Sochan is essentially getting the chance to come to training camp and compete for a roster spot, reports Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report. That echoes what NBA Insider Jake Fischer had previously reported: Portland has 12 players on guaranteed contracts, and Sochan now joins Micah Potter, Vit Krejci, and likely others to follow on non-guaranteed deals, all of them brought in to compete in training camp for the final couple of roster spots. That said, there is room for frontcourt players like the 6'8" Sochan in Portland, which will start Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara at the forward spots, but the depth behind them is a question for the team.

Sochan, who Gregg Popovich once tried as a point-forward in San Antonio, got some regular run early last season with the Spurs but eventually fell out of the team's increasingly deep rotation. He signed as depth for the Knicks frontcourt, but averaged 6.9 minutes a game in the 16 games he got into for the Knicks. In New York's run to the title, he played a total of 23 minutes in the playoffs.