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Winnipeg's Kevin Cheveldayoff Becomes NHL's Longest-Tenured GM After Doug Armstrong Steps Down

With Doug Armstrong officially stepping down as general manager of the St. Louis Blues, the NHL's longest-tenured general manager title now belongs to Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, the only man who has ever held that role in the Jets' modern era.

Armstrong's time as Blues GM came to an end as of July 1, with former Blues forward Alexander Steen taking over as the club's new general manager. Armstrong will remain with the organization as president of hockey operations through 2029. 

His tenure in St. Louis was one of the most decorated in recent NHL history, highlighted by the Blues' first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, but his departure clears the way for a new era in St. Louis and reshuffles the hierarchy of the league's longest-serving front office executives in the process.

Cheveldayoff has led the Jets since June 8, 2011, when he was hired to build the hockey club that was relocating from Atlanta to Winnipeg ahead of the 2011-12 season. Fifteen years later, he remains the only general manager the Jets 2.0 era has ever known, a run of organizational continuity that is virtually unheard of in professional hockey.

The numbers over that stretch paint a picture of a franchise that has built itself into a consistent contender. Since taking over in the 2011-12 season, the Jets have compiled a 610-438-111 regular season record, good for the 11th-best mark in the NHL over that span and tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for tenth-best team defence with a 2.80 goals-against average per game. 

Offensively, the Jets have ranked 13th in the league during that stretch with a 2.96 goals per game average, figures that reflect a franchise that has prioritized defensive structure while gradually building out its offensive depth.

Much of that success traces back to Cheveldayoff's ability to identify and develop elite talent through the draft. He drafted Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, Jacob Trouba, Connor Hellebuyck, Nikolaj Ehlers, Josh Morrissey, Kyle Connor and Dylan Samberg, and oversaw their development into key pieces of the franchise's core.

What separates Cheveldayoff's tenure from many of his contemporaries, however, is not just the ability to find that talent but the capacity to build a culture and an environment that convinced those players to stay. Scheifele, Hellebuyck, Morrissey and Connor have all committed to long-term futures in Winnipeg, a feat that is particularly notable given the market challenges that come with playing in a smaller Canadian city.

The Jets advanced to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history in 2018 and won the Presidents trophy in the 2024-25 season with a 56-win campaign. That sustained competitiveness has allowed the Jets to make the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, cementing their standing as one of the league's perennial contenders rather than a boom-and-bust franchise.

With Armstrong's departure, Cheveldayoff is now the NHL's longest-tenured general manager, a milestone that speaks to both his track record and the trust True North Sports and Entertainment has placed in him over a decade and a half of building the franchise from the ground up. 

Whether his next chapter brings the one prize that has so far eluded him and the Jets, a Stanley Cup, will be the defining question of an already remarkable run at the helm of one of the NHL's most loyally supported franchises.

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Grading Clippers, Raptors Kawhi Leonard swap: Which team won the trade?

Breaking news just keeps coming out of Los Angeles. On the day where the topic of conversation has been LeBron James and his decision to not return to the Lakers, the other LA team got busy in the headlines.

The Los Angeles Clippers executed a deal with the Toronto Raptors to send them Kawhi Leonard in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks, according to multiple reports.

Leonard is coming off a career year where he averaged 27.4 points per game in his 14th NBA season. He returns to the Raptors, a familiar scene for Leonard, who won the 2019 championship and Finals MVP in Toronto.

As for LA, they lose a bonafide superstar but also bring back a player familiar with the area. Ingram was drafted by the Lakers as the No. 2 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft and now returns to southern California a decade later. Additionally, they bring in Dick, who has high basketball IQ, moves without the ball and can knock down 3-pointers at an elite level.

The cherry on top is all of the picks that Clippers accumulated: two firsts, two seconds and an added pick swap.

The Clippers lose star power, but Ingram and Dick will prove to be good fits around Darius Garland and Benedict Mathurin, who arrived midseason last year following trades. Appearing in 77 games during the 2025-26 season, Ingram averaged 21.5 points on 47.7% shooting, including 38% from 3-point distance.

It's rare that trades actually benefit both team and address areas of need. This is one those rare cases. USA TODAY Sports grades the blockbuster swap.

More: Clippers roster and starting lineup after Kawhi Leonard trade

Kawhi Leonard trade details

  • Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard
  • Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and a 2027 first-round swap

USA TODAY Sports grades Raptors-Clippers trade

Toronto Raptors: A-

This move couldn't have come at a better time. Somehow the Raptors have done it again. They built their team and developed their players to the point where they were one piece away from winning the NBA title, or at least being in contention.

I'm talking about 2019. But seven years later, it's like Toronto ran the same exact play. They built through the draft and trades. Leonard will join a team that includes a supporting cast of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

The team is coming off a 46-36 season that was good enough for the No. 5-seed in the Eastern Conference. It was the Raptors' first playoff appearance since 2022, but they were eliminated in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.

Adding a player like Leonard only adds to their ceiling. I'm not buying that the team is an immediate title contender, but they will startle some teams. If Leonard, 35, remains healthy, we could see another championship run in T-Dot.

It's definitely a "win-now" move as the Raptors take on an aging superstar to maximize their current championship window.

Los Angeles Clippers: B

Never a fan of shipping a superstar, but if you get ideal pieces in return, it's a good move. The Clippers didn't shop with the Raptors to leave empty handed. In return, they managed to pry Ingram, Dick and additional picks from the Raptors.

It may not appear to move the needle considering the loss of a franchise player, but the Clippers remain interesting as a team that could scare opponents through late April once they put it all together.

Last year, LA's season ended in the NBA Play-In Tournament, losing to the Golden State Warriors courtesy of late-game heroics from Steph Curry. They finished 42-40 after starting the season 5-21.

There are a lot of questions that need answers such as team fit and chemistry, but at their best, this team will find themselves just outside of the top-6 playoff spots and competing in the Play-in Tournament for a second consecutive season.

The Clippers' mix of young players and veterans is a recipe for success.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Grading Clippers, Raptors Kawhi Leonard swap: Which team won the trade?

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LeBron Sweepstakes: Which Landing Spots Offer Best Title Odds?

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As the basketball world awaits LeBron James' free-agency decision, NBA championship odds show which of his potential suitors have the best chance to win next season's title.

Key Takeaways

  • The Golden State Warriors are the betting favorites to land James.

  • Of all teams linked to the superstar, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers have the best title odds.

  • The Lakers fell to +4,500 in odds after it was announced James would be departing.

James and the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed the end of their eight-year tenure Tuesday, when free-agent negotiations are allowed to begin. This marks the fourth time that James is leaving his team, following stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10 and 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), and the Lakers (2018-26).

News of James’ departure sent the Lakers plummeting to +4,500 in FanDuel's odds to win the NBA Finals - good for just 14th in the league.

Reports suggest the Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cavaliers, and Heat could be interested in his services.

The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski also noted that James has been a long-time supporter of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards, with whom he won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

The betting favorite in LeBron James’ next team odds, the Warriors, supposedly have the strongest interest in acquiring the 41-year-old. James also reportedly has an interest in playing with former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. 

Even if verbal agreements made over the next week, nothing can become contractually binding until July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.

Finals odds for potential suitors

The general assumption is that James will play for a team that has a real chance of securing him a fifth championship of his soon-to-be-24-year career. 

Among the teams linked to James, the Timberwolves and Cavs have the shortest title odds at +2,200. Those odds still only carry a 4.4% implied chance, albeit without James being counted on their rosters.

One of James’ former teams, the Heat, is close behind at +2,700 odds (3.6% chance) following their trade acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. James won back-to-back titles with the Heat in 2012 and 2013.

The Warriors are immediately behind the Heat at +3,000 (3.2% chance). They were crowned NBA champs as recently as 2022.

The Wizards, a largely unexpected team that could be in the mix, have the longest odds among James' apparent suitors at +25,000 (0.4% chance). They just selected AJ Dybantsa with the first pick in the NBA draft, but they also have Anthony Davis on their roster as a means of possibly enticing James to sign on.

Tough road to title No. 5

Among NBA champions since 2015-16, the 2018-19 Raptors had the longest preseason odds, opening at +1,850, according to Sports Odds History. There are only four teams with odds shorter than that at the time of writing: the Oklahoma City Thunder (+270), San Antonio Spurs (+270), Boston Celtics (+700), and New York Knicks (+850), none of which have been linked to James.

James’ worst opening title odds in the last decade were assigned before the 2024-25 season, when his Lakers were only +2,500 (3.9% chance).

The Lakers’ +1,400 odds at this time one year ago would rank fifth among all teams presently.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Clay Holmes to throw bullpen session this week, Mets encouraged by RHP's progress

The Mets delivered a positive update on Clay Holmes as the right-hander looks to return to the team. 

Interim manager Andy Green told the media prior to Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays in Toronto that Holmes is set to throw a bullpen session this week. 

"He’s progressing well. Love to say he’s ahead of schedule, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself and actually make that kind of declaration," Green said. "It’s going well and we’re encouraged by that. He should get on a mound in the next couple of days and then we’ll figure out what the next step is after that." 

Holmes suffered a fractured fibula after taking a line drive to his leg against the Yankees back in May. While still weeks away, the latest update on Holmes, as Green said, is encouraging for a few reasons. If Holmes can return to the team sooner than expected, it boosts a starting rotation that has struggled to find consistency.

It also provides the Mets a potential trade piece ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. In nine starts, Holmes pitched to a 2.39 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP while consistently going deep into games. He was arguably the Mets' best starter this season and could help a team looking to bolster their rotation for the second half and a potential playoff run.

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Did Lakers nail the Austin Reaves contract?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during warm ups before the game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on March 16, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Austin Reaves has improved every year and is a wonderful success story not just for the Lakers, but for every undrafted player.

Thanks to his improved play each season, he was set for a big payday. While it was reported that the Lakers negotiated hard with Reaves, in the end, he agreed to a four-year, $185 million deal.

This makes Reaves a max player and the clear No. 2 for the franchise. Retaining him was always the best-case scenario, but did they nail the contract?

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we ask fans if the Lakers got the signing right when you look beyond the sticker price.

With reports indicating the Pistons were interested in offering Reaves a deal, perhaps all that matters is re-signing him and whatever that number ended up at is fine. After all, he is a max-level player and even if the ideal contract would be more team-friendly, players at Reaves’ level usually get paid what they want.

So, if that’s how fans are feeling, grading this as an A or a B is fair.

However, if you are skeptical that Reaves can truly be the No.2 without LeBron James on the Lakers to carry him when he falls, then maybe the deal isn’t one you like.

Not only did Reaves get a max contract, but he also has a player option for the final year. So, if it turns out he’s on a bad deal, he’ll likely opt in that summer, and LA will be stuck with the estimated $51.1 million bill. If he outplays that contract, he can opt out and get an even larger raise with the Lakers or another team.

It’s an interesting conversation, and we won’t actually know if it was a good contract for a couple of years. But what are your initial thoughts? Let us know by answering the poll above and leaving a comment below.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Gamethread 6/30: Pirates at Phillies

Jun 20, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) enters the field before the game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

For the Pirates:

Let’s talk about it.

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Game 86 Game Day Thread – Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Guardians

Jun 29, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A fan wears a baseball helmet during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers @ Cleveland Guardians

Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 5:40 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

Progressive Field

RHP Jacob deGrom vs. RHP Tanner Bibee

Today’s Lineups

RANGERSGUARDIANS
Joc Pederson – DHTravis Bazzana – 2B
Josh Jung – 3BChase DeLauter – DH
Corey Seager – SSKyle Manzardo – 1B
Jake Burger – 1BKahlil Watson – RF
Ezequiel Duran – RFCooper Ingle – LF
Evan Carter – CFDaniel Schneemann – SS
Alejandro Osuna – LFGabriel Arias – 3B
Elias Diaz – CPatrick Bailey – C
Nicky Lopez – 2BSteven Kwan – CF
Jacob deGrom – RHPTanner Bibee – RHP

Go Rangers!

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Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies: Bubba Chandler vs. Cristopher Sanchez

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 25: Bubba Chandler (36) of the Pittsburgh Pirates walks to the dugout after being relieved during a MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on June 25, 2026 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Philadelphia Phillies, June 30, 2026, 6:40 p.m. ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are fresh off of a big comeback victory against the Philadelphia Phillies to start their three-game set in Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates trailed 5-0 after the third inning, but a pair of runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth gave the Pirates the lead for good. The Phillies responded with two runs in the eighth inning, but the Bucks put three insurance runs on the board in the ninth, which was enough to give them an 11-7 victory.

The Pirates will look for their third straight win, starting Bubba Chandler on the mound. Chandler pitched 5.1 innings yesterday, allowing five hits and an earned run in his last start on June 25 against the Seattle Mariners at home.

Meanwhile, the Phillies are starting Christopher Sanchez, the left-handed ace who has been tremendous for the Phillies this season, going 9-3 with a 2.13 ERA. Sanchez is coming off the shortest outing of his season from his last start against the Washington Nationals on June 25. He only pitched five innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs. He left the game trailing 5-0, but the Phillies rallied in the second half, scoring 10 in the final four innings to capture a victory.

Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Broadcast: KDKA AM/FM, Sportsnet Pittsburgh

Pitching Matchup: Bubba Chandler (3-7, 4.42 ERA) vs. Cristopher Sanchez (9-3, 2.13 ERA)

BD community, chime off in the comments section below.

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Fantasy Fallout: Kawhi Leonard reportedly returns to Toronto and Brandon Ingram heads west

After seven seasons in Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the city where he won his second NBA title. With the Clippers reportedly unwilling to pay him the full two-year max extension that he was eligible for, Leonard has been traded to the Toronto Raptors. Headed in the other direction are Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks.

After Miami acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Raptors became the second Eastern Conference team to make a significant change to its roster in hopes of contending next season. Meanwhile, the Clippers move forward with a core that's likely to be led by Ingram and Darius Garland. Let's take a look at the fantasy fallout from the most recent major trade in the NBA.

Toronto receives:

Kawhi Leonard

When healthy, Leonard is one of the best all-around players in the NBA. However, since leaving Toronto after the 2019 NBA championship, staying on the floor has been a challenge. He played 57 games or less in four of his seven seasons in Los Angeles, including missing the entire 2021-22 campaign with a knee injury.

However, he has played at least 65 games in two of his last three seasons. 2025-26 ranked among the best of Leonard's career, as he averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.6 three-pointers while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 89.2 percent from the foul line. Add in a 38.7 percent mark from three, and Leonard was not far off from a 50/40/90 season.

His production from a season ago is likely to boost Leonard's ADP considerably, after many managers waited until the third or fourth round in standard league drafts to select him last fall.

As for how his return to Toronto affects the other fantasy mainstays on the roster, Leonard had a considerably higher usage (33.5) than Ingram did with the Raptors last season (26.9). That may not significantly affect Scottie Barnes, who remains a cornerstone, but Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett bear watching.

Quickley's superior three-point shooting to Barrett may give him a better chance of preserving his fantasy value next season. Also, does Ja'Kobe Walter see his opportunities take a hit after a promising end to his second NBA season? That won't change much regarding how he's viewed in dynasty leagues, but the redraft league value may take a hit.

LA Clippers receive:

Brandon Ingram
Gradey Dick
Two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033)
One pick swap (2027)
Two second-round picks (2030 and 2033)

In the short term, Ingram finds himself in a situation where he should be an offensive focal point alongside Darius Garland. However, given his injury history and current contract, it's fair to have some questions about Ingram's long-term fit with the Clippers. He's coming off a season in which he surpassed 70 regular-season games for the second time in his career, but heel surgery sidelined him for most of the playoff series against the Cavaliers.

In 77 games, Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 three-pointers while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line. In eight-cat formats, his production aligned with his ADP (61), so there wasn't much for fantasy managers to complain about. However, while the move to Los Angeles and last season's production may convince some to reach for Ingram earlier in drafts, the injury history may prevent others from doing the same.

Leonard's exit raises Garland's fantasy ceiling, provided he remains healthy. Bennedict Mathurin, who is a free agent, is another player whose points league value could benefit with a return to the Clippers. As for Gradey Dick, a change of scenery may do him some good after he offered limited production for most of his three seasons in Toronto. His best year in Toronto, 2024-25, was one in which the Raptors were hit hard by injuries. Unless he has a monster preseason, the trade won't change his outlook in fantasy drafts.

The biggest long-term winner in this deal may be rookie Keaton Wagler, whether he projects to play on or off the ball as his career progresses. The Clippers may not go all-in on a rebuild right now, but a realistic look at the Western Conference means that they moved closer to the lottery than to title contention with Tuesday's trade.

And it should be noted that, thanks to the Paul George trade, Oklahoma City can swap 2027 first-round picks with the Clippers.

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Raptors NBA Championship Odds Move to 6% Following Kawhi Leonard Trade

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The Lakers weren't the only team shifting the NBA landscape today. Right alongside the massive LeBron James fallout across town, the Clippers completely shook up the NBA championship odds by shipping Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto for a highly anticipated second stint with the Raptors.

While the Clippers reload with Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a hefty haul of future draft picks, Toronto resets its deck for an all-out title push. By leaning back into their 2019 championship blueprint, the Raptors are injecting instant drama into the Eastern Conference hierarchy, laying down a direct challenge to the New York Knicks.

Despite that aspect, this move has increased the Raptors' NBA championship odds to 6% (+1566), but where does that slot them among other contenders?

Let's take a look.

NBA Championship odds 2026-27

Percentages courtesy of Kalshi, one of Covers' most trusted prediction market apps.

Raptors NBA title odds at a glance

KalshiWin Probability
Raptors Raptors+15666%

At 35 years old, Kawhi’s degenerative knee issues and chronic ankle sprains mean his availability is a permanent question mark. Even though he’s coming off a highly productive All-NBA campaign with the Clippers (averaging 27.9 PPG in 65 games), history shows he requires intensive load management just to make it to April intact.

Kawhi is entering the final year of his contract, carrying a massive $50.3 million cap hit. He is reportedly seeking a long-term contract extension beyond this season — something the Clippers refused to offer. Giving up premium foundational assets like Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks for an aging, injury-prone superstar on an expiring contract could easily backfire if his health falters.

But rumors indicate that Leonard is highly receptive to the move and is open to signing an extension that would allow him to finish his career where he won his second Finals MVP. Returning to Canada wouldn't just be a temporary rental like 2018; it would be a definitive commitment to play out his remaining elite years and retire in a Raptors uniform.

Raptors projected starting lineup

PositionPlayer
Point guardImmanuel Quickley
Shooting guardRJ Barrett
Small forwardKawhi Leonard
Power forwardScottie Barnes
CenterJakob Poeltl

Kawhi Leonard gives Toronto a terrifyingly well-rounded core alongside Quickley, Barrett, and Barnes. Throw in the versatility of sophomore breakout Collin Murray-Boyles at small-ball center, and the Raptors instantly position themselves to hunt for a top seed in the East.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Cristopher Sánchez's latest Pirates shutdown adds to historic home stretch

Cristopher Sánchez's latest Pirates shutdown adds to historic home stretch originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Nine righties? No problem.

It did not seem to matter what the Pirates ran out against Phillies left-handed ace Cristopher Sánchez on Tuesday night.

And if it was not already clear, Sánchez has a strong handle on Pittsburgh’s offense.

He was going to bounce back after his rough outing last week in Washington.

Forty-five days ago, Sánchez was in the midst of one of the most dominant scoreless stretches by any pitcher in recent history. He threw a complete-game shutout against the Pirates on a sunny afternoon at PNC Park, striking out 13 without a walk.

Pittsburgh had three left-handed hitters in the lineup that day. They went 0-for-8.

A month and a half later, the Pirates loaded up with nine right-handed hitters against Sánchez. It did not change much.

The left-hander flirted with untouchable over seven scoreless innings, leading the Phillies to a 8-0 win after an ugly series opener Monday night.

Typically, a pitcher facing a team for the second time in a short span has to adjust once the lineup turns over. Sánchez had to do that Tuesday against Don Kelly’s exclusively right-handed lineup.

The caveat: Sánchez operates with three primary pitches.

He again leaned heavily on his changeup, but he made a notable adjustment with his slider.

Sánchez had thrown his slider to right-handed hitters only 16.1 percent of the time this season entering Tuesday. That number climbed to 20 percent.

It worked.

Of the 17 sliders Sánchez threw, 13 drew swings. Eight produced whiffs. Four ended in strikeouts. That was a 62 percent whiff rate, nearly double the pitch’s mark entering the night.

And he did it while dealing with a blister, or cut, on the top of his left thumb. That did not seem to matter, either.

As the game moved along and the Pirates’ order turned over for a third time, Sánchez leaned on his old reliable.

His changeup, arguably one of the most devastating pitches in baseball, took over. He threw it 62 percent of the time and recorded four of his nine strikeouts with it.

Sánchez finished with 23 swings and misses, the first time a Phillies pitcher had recorded at least 23 in a game since Statcast tracking began in 2009.

In two starts this season against the other Pennsylvania club, Sánchez has struck out 23 without allowing a run over 16 innings.

Tuesday’s outing also matched Jacob deGrom’s 24-game streak allowing two or fewer earned runs at home, the longest such run at one ballpark since 1913.

Sánchez’s ERA now sits at 2.00, three points lower than Zack Wheeler’s. The last time the Phillies had two starters (min. 10 starts) with an ERA of 2.05 or lower through June of a season was 1916 — Grover Alexander (1.65, 18 GS) & Eppa Rixey (1.91, 10 GS).

110 years ago.

His start, paired with a sharp night behind him, was the recipe the Phillies needed.

Alec Bohm made two diving plays that likely saved extra-base hits and possible runs. He robbed Henry Davis in the third, then took away another likely run-scoring hit from the speedy Konnor Griffin in the fifth.

The third baseman also made a running stop and strong throw in the seventh.

Bryce Harper added two impressive plays at first base. Bryson Stott made another sliding stop that nearly turned into an out.

Entering Tuesday, the Phillies’ infield ranked seventh-worst in outs above average at minus-14. Their minus-26 defensive runs saved ranked second-worst in baseball.

For one night, they looked nothing like those numbers.

They arguably saved the day.

The offense helped, too.

Justin Crawford had two hits, but his second-inning at-bat may have been the most important of the game.

Bubba Chandler attacked Crawford in the area that has troubled him lately: fastballs at the top of the zone, particularly triple-digit ones.

Crawford hung in.

After six straight fastballs, Chandler tried to finish the at-bat with a breaking ball nearly a ball and a half off the plate. Crawford stayed back and sent it on the ground down the left-field line.

His new setup, with lower hands and a no-stride approach, helped him stay through the ball and take the breaking pitch the other way.

Crawford finished with three hits. He is quietly batting .306 over his last 30 games and .362 over his last 15.

The Phillies added three more runs in the seventh, and then three more in the eighth, thanks to another Crawford run-scoring hit and a Trea Turner, the birthday boy, two-run shot to stretch their lead to eight.

A dominant win for the Phils, who are now three games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves.

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Blazers retain big man Robert Williams III on $44 million contract

Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense against the San Antonio Spurs.
Robert Williams III #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Blazers are keeping their big man.

Center Robert Williams III is staying in Portland, agreeing to a three-year, $44 million extension to remain with the Trail Blazers, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The extension will keep him in Portland through the 2028-29 season.

Williams, 28, has dealt with injury issues throughout his career, having only played over 50 games in a season three times. This past season, Williams played in 59 games and appeared in all five of Portland’s first-round playoff games against San Antonio.

Robert Williams III of the Portland Trail Blazers plays defense against the San Antonio Spurs. NBAE via Getty Images

He averaged 6.7 points, seven rebounds and 1.5 blocks this season and shot over 70 percent from the floor.

Williams has been one of the best rim protectors in the NBA for much of his career, despite his injury history. For his career, he has a 72 percent field goal percentage and has averaged 1.6 blocks per game.

Even before this season, Williams had extensive postseason experience. He spent the first five years of his career in Boston and made six starts in the 2022 NBA Finals, where the Celtics fell to the Warriors.

Rumors had been flying around that Boston would be interested in a potential reunion with Williams, but after making their desire to keep Williams clear, the Blazers locked him down for the next three years.

Alongside Williams, centers Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen are under contract and will return to Portland next season.

Portland has been active this offseason. Last week, it hired former Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori to be its next head coach, replacing interim coach Tiago Splitter after he was hired by Chicago.

The Blazers also reportedly agreed to trade Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis in exchange for Ja Morant.

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There are some candidates for a contract extension

Jun 2, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jhoan Duran (59) celebrates win after striking out San Diego Padres left fielder Jase Bowen (4) (not pictured) to end the game in the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Sometimes, a team realizes that they need to keep a player around, thus engaging them in contract extension talks. The Phillies do have several candidates for such an offer if they so choose, even with the CBA negotiations looming over every piece of business the team has. The question becomes, who gets one first?

Brandon Marsh has had a breakout season for everyone to recognize, even if we have seen this before in last year’s hot hitting after his ice cold start. Marsh’s case for an extension is helped by the fact that they have almost nothing in the way of prospects pushing him out the door once he is first able to leave, thus their need for an outfielder that can actually produce.

Jhoan Duran has been as lockdown as a closer can get since his trade to the team, placing his importance right in the top tier of the team’s needs. Try to imagine the bullpen without him. It isn’t pretty.

Alec Bohm’s case for getting an extension is probably strengthened by the fact that we aren’t totally sure what to expect of Aidan Miller and his suddenly suspect health. An extension for him is probably something along the lines of a short term deal to make sure Miller actually has a chance to play healthy at first, productive second.

So, let’s pose the question: who would be the candidate to get an extension first among these mentioned? Or, is it someone else?

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Yankees' Aaron Judge still 'couple weeks' away from reimaging on fractured rib

Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave an update on Tuesday on an episode of the "Talkin' Yanks" podcast regarding Aaron Judge's timetable from his fractured rib injury, saying it's "probably a couple weeks still from reimaging" while also mentioning that Judge is improving and feels better.

With Judge still a ways away from getting reimaging, that puts him towards the back-end of the four-to-six week timetable he was given after the diagnosis of his injury on June 4.

"They'll determine when they feel like he's doing stuff that [warrants] 'Alright, let's go reimage it now.' We're not at that point yet," Boone said.

Even though Judge isn't cleared to get a reimaging of the fractured rib just yet, his skipper noted that he's "feeling a lot better this week" and continues to work on the lower half of his body.

"He's doing some lower-body stuff now in the weight room and moving better," Boone said.

Once the reimaging is done, the Yankees will have a better sense of how to proceed with Judge's rehab. Still, there's no set schedule at the moment for when he might return and that date could even bleed into August.

Prior to the injury, Judge was slashing .248/.375/.533 with 17 home runs and 38 RBI in 59 games. While he was still having a great season for most players, Judge's numbers were actually down from his career norms and it's fair to wonder if the fractured rib, which likely occurred earlier in the season, was having an affect on the three-time MVP.