SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - DECEMBER 08: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz reacts to a call during the first half of a game against the LA Clippers at Delta Center on December 08, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/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.
The Lakers certainly aren’t running last year’s team back.
This massive exodus wasn’t a surprise. The Lakers set themselves up with a ton of cap space and open roster spots to surround Luka Dončić with everything he needs to succeed.
With so many new additions, there are a ton of Lakers to get acquainted with. For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we are asking fans which new player they are most excited to watch.
Kessler is probably the easy choice.
He is a max player and the center this franchise has been searching for throughout the 2020s. With Kessler being sold as the missing piece Luka needs, all eyes will be on him to deliver.
Sexton is a bucket-getter. As the backup scoring guard, he should be an offensive injection for the Lakers. Similar to Kessler, this will be the first time he’s on a team with big expectations, and he will certainly deliver some highlights that get fans excited.
Grimes is also an offensive player and can score in bunches. With the Lakers, the hope is that he can return to his 2024-25 form, where he shot over 38% from deep. If he can do that, he’ll become a fan favorite just like Hachimura was.
Will Mamu be a starter for the Lakers? Is he going to have a bigger role here than he had with the Raptors? Will his personality shine in Los Angeles? Mamu is certainly an intriguing player, and not knowing about his role and impact could make him the most exciting addition.
Let us know who you are most excited about by participating in the poll and discussing it in the comment section.
Around the NHL, the Philadelphia Flyers will be public enemy No. 1 after their ambitious Leo Carlsson offer sheet in an attempt to steal the player from under the noses of the Anaheim Ducks organization.
The Ducks, and the other 30 NHL teams, will be looking to get back at the Flyers and general manager Danny Briere at some point, which means the Flyers will have to set up their defenses and defend themselves in the future.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman compared the Flyers to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Metropolitan Division rival that knocked them out of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and won the Stanley Cup by deploying the same stratgey.
The Montreal Canadiens once signed Sebastian Aho with an offer sheet, the Hurricanes got the Canadiens back by swiping Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and then the Hurricanes tried to bully Edmonton out of Evan Bouchard before eventually getting K'Andre Miller from the New York Rangers.
That worked out well for them.
"Briere had a lot of his business lined up. Briere now will know he'll be a target. If you look at Carolina, they did an offer sheet with Kotkaniemi that was revenge for the Aho one. They threatened Bouchard, and they threatened K'Andre Miller and they got the player," Friedman mused on his latest episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast.
"What has Carolina done? They've made sure they're not vulnerable. They've gotten their guys signed. [Alexander Nikishin] is not eligible for [an offer sheet]. They know that one day, someone's coming after them and they'll have to defend themselves. Philly will have to do the same thing. They will have to make sure, with guys they really like, they are protected.
"Right now, because [Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras] have filed for arbitration, you can't offer sheet them, so that's sorted out."
On top of Drysdale and Zegras going to arbitration, the Flyers have gotten Owen Tippett, Cam York, and Tyson Foerster locked down in recent years, and Matvei Michkov, who became eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1, will have to be next heading into a contract year.
The Flyers have set themselves up nicely for future success, but they'll need to land Carlsson from the Ducks to make it count, then keep their foot on the gas in future negotiations to stay ahead of the game with other NHL front offices.
The Atlanta Braves are headed to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates and they appear to finally be hitting again. After ranking dead last in MLB in runs score in the month of June, the first week July has seen the Braves score the fifth most runs in MLB.
A lot of that is thanks to Michael Harris with a 205 wRC+, Matt Olson with a 176 wRC+, and Mauricio Dubón with a 165 wRC+ leading the way. It really is a shame that Harris did not get an All-Star nod. There is always the chance that he could be an injury replacement should that be necessary.
The Braves are slotted to face Paul Skenes who has struggled mightily in his last two starts. He has only pitched a total of 9.0 innings in those two starts and gave up eleven runs. The Pirates have lost the last nine games that Skenes has pitched in, despite them having scored the fourth most runs in MLB since the start of June.
Only five players currently on the Braves’ active roster has faced Skenes before and none of them have more than three at-bats. Austin Riley has one hit in three at-bats and Ozzie Albies has one hit in two at-bats. Olson, Smith, and Yastrzemski are all hitless against him in their limited appearences.
One could assume based on injuries and Skenes being a righty, that the Braves would have a lineup very similar to the one they has last night against the Mets, but you never know for certain until you see the lineup card. Smith did have a single last night but has largely struggled as of late, while Joey Bart has a 172 wRC+ in his last eight at-bats.
As most probably predicted, the Braves are going with the exact same lineup as last night since it mostly seems to be working right now.
The Pirates have been steadily good on offense. Not only have they scored the fourth most runs in MLB since the start of July, they have also score the fourth most since the start of June. Hurston Waldrep will have his hands full against a lineup that he has seen only one player before. Brandon Lowe hit a solo shot against Waldrep in his lone at-bat against him.
It was announced earlier in the day that Konnor Griffin has a torn tendon in his left ring finger, so he is not in the lineup this evening. Jared Triolo will be getting the start at shortstop for the pirates. Old friend Marcell Ozuna will not be getting the start as Brandon Lowe will be getting the DH duties this evening.
One major change that Chayka executed was with the head coach, firing Craig Berube on May 13 and eventually bringing in Jim Hiller.
Since Berube was let go, he hasn't spoken much about the disastrous 2025-26 campaign in Toronto, which saw them miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 10 years. However, as a guest on Simmer's Morning Skate, Berube opened up about a key aspect that was missing from the team this past year.
Rob Simpson, host of the show, asked Berube who the emotional centerpiece of the Leafs team was that he had coached through the past two years.
"Mitch Marner," Berube said firmly. "Mitch brought the energy and the emotion to the game, I thought, on a nightly basis and in practice. Vocal guy, chatted a lot on the bench, chatted a lot in practice. When he came back to the bench, he'd let guys know, 'pick it up, let's go.'
"He was great, I really enjoyed coaching him," the former Leafs' bench boss added.
Along with what Marner brought to the table as an all-around talent, Berube admitted it was a heavier loss because of what he did off the ice.
"I thought we lost our emotional leader, for sure," Berube said. "It was a big loss, not only the player, but in the locker room, on the bench, in practices, things like that. I thought that he brought that element. I thought he held guys accountable."
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The Ducks have signed another RFA to a contract extension. This time, its defenseman Tyson Hinds, who made his NHL debut towards the end of the regular season. Hinds appeared in six regular season games and nine Stanley Cup Playoff games as part of the third defensive pair.
With Olen Zellweger dealt to the Buffalo Sabres and Pavel Mintyukov recently signed to a five-year contract extension, the Ducks appear to have their left side of the blue line solidified for the upcoming season. Hinds’ contract extension is for two years. It’s a one-way deal with an AAV of $900,000.
After playing most of the season in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls, Hinds was recalled on April 4, making his NHL debut that night against the Calgary Flames. He impressed in his debut, playing alongside John Carlson and finishing the game with over 23 minutes of time on ice. He was paired primarily with Drew Helleson for the rest of the regular season and into the playoffs, prioritized over Zellweger during the postseason for his defensive-minded approach.
Every indication is that Hinds will have priority for a regular lineup spot heading into the 2026-27. Tristan Luneau, who he spent most of the season playing alongside in the AHL, is also expected to be given plenty of rope as he too competes for full-time spot on the NHL roster. It’s possible that they could form one of the Ducks’ three defensive pairs.
With $9 million in projected cap space (per PuckPedia) remaining, the Ducks still have a few RFAs left to sign, namely budding star Cutter Gauthier. A decision for Leo Carlsson’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet from the Flyers looms on Friday, though the projected cap space takes his cap hit into account. However, Gauthier’s eventual extension will leave general manager Pat Verbeek with very little wiggle room to operate with for any further additions.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 20: Detroit Tigers quality control coach Billy Boyer (88) warms up before a regular season Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Detroit Tigers’ manager A.J. Hinch announced prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Athletics that third base coach Joey Cora has left the organization. Hinch told reporters that he and Cora had met and mutually decided to part ways based on some philosophical differences that had developed. Billy Boyer will take over as third base coach effective immediately.
Hinch characterized the differences of opinion as purely baseball related. That’s interesting considering that Cora has been his third base coach for two and a half seasons after joining the organization in November of 2023. The 61-year-old had an 11-year career in the major leagues, mainly with the Padres, White Sox, and Mariners, before moving into coaching. Apart from his third base responsibilities, Cora has also been the Tigers infield instructor for the past two and a half seasons.
One wonders if the difference of opinion may have had more to do with coaching players than Cora’s work at third base. Like every third base coach since the dawn of time, he’s been criticized for some aggressive sends that worked out badly, but overall the Tigers have graded out pretty well in the baserunning department under his watch, despite not stealing many bases. That’s changed a little bit this year, with the Tigers slipping in the baserunning metrics a bit. They currently rank 17th best in team baserunning per FanGraphs, compared to finishing 10th in that category in 2025.
The 41-year-old Boyer was a college coach until working for the Twins player development system in 2019-2020. He joined the Tigers’ organization as a minor league infield coordinator back in 2021. That was part of now assistant general manager, Ryan Garko’s, overhaul of the entire player development system after long-time director of player development, Dave Littlefield, was reassigned. Boyer became the quality control coach for the major league club this season. As a longtime infield coach who has been working with infielders all year anyway, we assume he’ll take over Cora’s responsibilities working with the infielders as well.
We look forward to seeing a new set of gestures at third base, but otherwise this probably won’t change much about the way the Tigers run the bases. They’re still committed to being aggressive in terms of sending runners from third base to home. We’ll see if they’re more or less successful with Boyer making the calls. It’s quite possible that this has more to do with coaching infield defense, as Boyer spent a lot of time working with Kevin McGonigle last season, with good results.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Anfernee Simons #4 of the Boston Celtics during the game on November 11, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With the NBA’s calendar year reset, the Sixers have announced all of their standard free-agent signings and trades of the 2026 offseason so far. As Anfernee Simons talked to the Philadelphia media for the first time over Zoom Tuesday, he explained how their recruiting pitch stood out from the rest.
As he was sorting through potential suitors, Simons did feel that the Sixers offered a good blend of positional need plus the chance to compete for a championship. That was even before Philly added his All-NBA running mate from Boston last season in Jaylen Brown.
What put the Sixers ahead of the rest was the phone call executive VP of basketball operations Jameer Nelson to Simons’ parents.
“Obviously, I was taking a few calls from different teams,” Simons said. “I got a call from Jameer, Jameer called my parents. I talked to Nick [Nurse], and I just felt like at the time, that was probably the best fit for me.”
A lot of that sounds like the standard reaching out that takes place when bringing in a player to a new team, and it is. Simons clarified that reaching out to his family was a step that went above and beyond. He described that it set the Sixers apart in their pursuit of him.
“That’s one thing that other teams didn’t do,” Simons said. “That was pretty much one of a good selling point of me coming here and me feeling like I’m needed here and I’m wanted here.”
Much has been made of the hooper resume the new Sixers’ front office boasts. When he addressed the media in town for the first time, Dean Wade highlighted Mike Gansey’s Division-1 basketball career and how that competitiveness has shaped him as an executive.
Now it appears Nelson has used his experience as a player as he looks to bring players into Philadelphia. They’re still a ways away from their finished product taking the court, but the Sixers’ new brass has certainly made their first impression.
Jun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) runs to first base after hitting a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates dsixth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
The Athletics announced a series of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon before beginning their three-game series with the Tigers, activating shortstop Jacob Wilson and recalling left-hander Jacob Lopez from Triple-A:
To make room on the active roster the team is sending backup catcher Brian Serven and starter/reliever Kade Morris back down to the Aviators.
Wilson’s return should provide a boost to both the offense and defense. There was fear after his reinjury that he may have suffered a severe setback but it appears the young shortstop just needed some more time to rest that shoulder of his. He’s slashed .277/.310/.386 with four home runs, a bit of a step back from his second-place ROTY finish last year but still an upgrade over Alika Williams, who will return to backup duties.
Lopez meanwhile will return to the team after spending the past month-plus with the Aviators. In Triple-A the left-hander has made four starts: two duds in his first two after the demotion, followed by two strong starts back-to-back. The assumption is that he’ll slide into Morris’ spot in the bullpen but he could be a starting option again when needed.
Morris meanwhile only made two relief appearances in his most recent stint with the big league squad. He pitched three innings apiece in those appearances, allowing three and one runs respectively. He’ll likely slide back into the Aviators’ starting rotation, taking the spot of Lopez. Well certainly be seeing him again with the big league club at some point this season.
Serven only made it into one game for the big league team during his brief stint, going 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout. He’s been hitting well for the Aviators this season and could be an option for the team again if any injury (or trade) occurs.
Jul 7, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Team Cleveland's J.R. Smith celebrates with Landon Thome in the 2019 legends and celebrity softball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Guardians will pick 19th in MLB’s draft on Sunday, July 12th, with the draft beginning at 1pm ET. Who might Cleveland select with their top pick?
As you probably know, discovering who an MLB team is targeting by the mid-point of the first round is a crapshoot. Almost no one had the Guardians connected to Jace LaViolette last year, in what was a break from their typical focus on contact over slugging. So, this is an inexact science. I want to be upfront in saying that I do not personally follow college and high school prospects; simply lack the bandwidth for that, and only did so leading up the Guardians #1 pick in 2024. But, I do read up on prospects as we approach the first round, so the following potential selections come from Baseball America’s excellent pre-draft podcast, from Keith Law’s latest mock for the Athletic and from Kiley McDaniel’s latest mock from ESPN.
The names below are players mentioned by these outlets as connected to or a potential fit for the Guardians, and the final six names are additions from our sites’ writers and friends and from players listed around #19 on MLB Pipeline’s list. You can click on names below to read a scouting report on them from MLB Pipeline or Yahoo Sports or Perfect Game.
Names to Know at Pick #19:
Sawyer Strosnider, LHH, OF, 6’2, 200 lbs, TCU 21 years old – A great athlete who projects as a centerfielder, this would be a pick similar to LaViolette as Strosnider is power over contact, with some concerning chase rates but some light-tower pop.
Jared Grindlinger, LHP/OF, 6’3, 190 lbs, Huntington Beach HS CA 17 y.o. – Probably Grindlinger ends up as a pitcher, but he does have some interesting two-way potential. A lot of projectability in his arm and one of the youngest prospects in the draft.
Logan Schmidt, LHP, 6’4, 210 lbs, Ganesha HS CA 17 y.o. – Experiencing some recent helium, Schmidt has gained some velo and flashed some fun secondary pitches.
Zion Rose, RHH, OF, 6’1, 200 lbs, Louisville 21 y.o. – Probably a left-field only defender, Rose has good contact skills and excellent power, but chases a little too much to be drafted higher than around where the Guardians’ pick.
Ace Reese, LHH, 3B, 6’4, 220 lbs, Mississippi St. 21 y.o. – A lot of power and some solid contact skills here, but some chase concerns and, primrily, defensive liability that may push him to first base put Reese in this general are of the draft.
Connor Comeau, LHH, 3B, 6’4, 180 lbs – Anderson HS TX 17 y.o. – Would be fun to see the Guardians draft another Canadian and this power-first prospect would also be interesting as he is likely limited to 3B as a defender.
Landon Thome, LHH, 2B/3B, 6’0, 177 lbs – Nazareth Academy IL 18 y.o. – You may recognize the last name – it’s Jim Thome’s son! With contact ability and speed being a big part of his game, he is different from his dad, but there’s some solid power potential as well.
James Clark, LHH, 2B/SS, 6’1, 195 – Riverside HS CA 18 y.o. – A little bit of an under the radar prospect, this would be a return to more of the contact-first profile the Guardians had been targeting prior to 2026.
Ty Head, LHH, OF, 6’3, 205 lbs – North Carolina State 21 y.o. – A centerfielder with fringy power potential and a swing that needs some work, this would be a fun pick for the Guardians if he is there.
Owen Hull, LHH, OF, 6’4, 215 lbs – North Carolina 21 y.o. – He has an odd swing but seems to make it work. Take me home country roads, again?
Chris Rembert, RHH, 2B, 5’11, 209 lbs, Auburn 21 y.o. – Would the Guardians draft another player likely limited to second base in round one? He’s got good bat speed and contact ability but not a lot of pop.
Cole Carlon, LHP, 6’5, 230 lbs – Arizona State 21 y.o. – Some reliever risk but there’s enough to dream on for him becoming a good starter with the right organization with a fastball that has hit 98 mph.
Tegan Kuhns, RHP, 6’3, 189 lbs – Tennessee 21 y.o. – Pitched well in the Cape with a 98 mph fastball and an upper 70’s curveball, but is still searching for the right third offering. Pounds the zone.
Trey Ebel, RHH, SS/2B, 6’0, 180 lbs – Corona HS CA 17 y.o. – Projectable shortstop. Sometimes that is the Guardians’ type, but a right-handed hitter would be a change.
More Prospects from CTC Writers/Friendsand MLB Pipeline: Justin Lebron, RHH, SS, 6’2, 190 lbs – Alabama 21 y.o. – A little bit of a project who chases too much, but stole 42 of 43 bases, looks to be a good defender and has solid power.
Logan Reddeman, RHP, 6’2, 185 lbs – UCLA 21 y.o. – A cutter-heavy pitcher many folks see as a back of rotation arm, but he’s a strike-thrower whom one could easily see the Guardians’ pitching team believing they can maximize.
AJ Garcia, LHH, OF, 6’3, 195 lbs – Virginia 21 y.o. – Leads with excellent plate discipline and good playing instincts, but there is raw power there that would be fun to go after. May stick in center, but if not, heads to left rather than right because of arm strength issues.
Cameron Flukey, RHP, 6’6, 210 lbs – Coastal Carolina 21 y.o. – Flukey seems to be the consensus “If he falls to the Guardians, they better take him and it’ll be a great pick” guy this season.
Hunter Dietz, LHP, 6’6, 235 lbs – Arkansas 21 y.o. – Shook off an elbow fracture in the past with a very good spring. He’s big and throws four pitches that some describe as “plus.“
Liam Peterson, RHP, 6’5, 225 lbs – Florida 21 y.o. – Stuff over command, but tinkers with his delivery a good bit, so Guardians’ could imagine themselves helping him fix problems and maximize his talent.
Always be sure to check out our faithful commenter DelGua’s mock drafts, as he does an excellent job, time in and time out. In his latest, he mentions a few other names to track:
Derek Curiel, LHH, OF, 6’2, 192 lbs – LSU 21 y.o. – Ranked 12th by MLB pipeline, should he fall to 19 he may be good value as a solid centerfielder with great contact skills and fringy power.
Our Matt Seese has offered a look at some pitchers the Guardians could target in the draft and is working on a companion piece for hitters they could be looking at. Continue to follow along as we prepare for what is always a fun event as the Guardians welcome more young talent into their organization.
Rehmbert and Bell were the best performers of this bunch in Cape Cod league play and we all know how much the Guardians appreciate that, so I’d keep my eye on them. For me, I kinda hope they draft a pitcher this time and Flutey, Kuhns, Dietz and Peterson intrigue me the most, there. Also, I am a sentimental fool but drafting Landon Thome would be awesome. Hopefully, doing some reading here will help us all be able to form half-baked opinions when the pick is announced! Let us know who you prefer in the comments below.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 06: David Bednar #53 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Austin Wells #28 after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-1 at Tropicana Field on July 06, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The New York Yankees have been going through it in recent weeks. They were sharp at the outset of the 2026 season, and despite trailing the surprising Tampa Bay Rays for much of May, they regained first place in early June. By the 19th, they held a 46-28 record, and only the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves could boast better records.
The road has been bumpy ever since, however, as the Yankees have lost 12 of their last 16 games, ceding first back to the red-hot Rays. They can reasonably hope to regain health as key pieces like Aaron Judge and Max Fried make their way back to the team, and no matter how poor they’ve looked in the past few weeks, it’s fair to expect a recovery from the league-worst .544 OPS they’ve posted since play ended on June 19th. To wit, even the anemic 2023 Yankees put up a .670 OPS when Judge missed time with his toe injury.
Still, it’s not as though this team is absent any causes of concern. And one might reasonably be wary of the Rays or another division rival giving the Yankees a challenge for the division; Tampa Bay still leads by three games. So our Reacts survey question this week wants to know how you think the regular season will end! Yes, there will be a later question at another time but the true end goal of all Yankees fans (related to the postseason), but for now, we are curious if you think they’ll win the AL East, settle for one of the Wild Card spots—be it the No. 4 seed and hosting a Wild Card Series, or the No. 5 or 6 and going on the road—or miss out on October entirely.
Vote in the survey and we’ll check out the results in a few days.
There are round numbers all over the place for the Dodgers, entering play tonight with 60 wins, 30 of them at home, and 10 of those 60 belonging to one specific starter, Justin Wrobleski, the chosen option to attack the Rockies lineup this Tuesday. While on a positive note, the Rockies have the worst wRC+ in baseball against southpaws at 83. The Dodgers know all too well about the problems of potentially underestimating this offense, both Wrobleski and especially the bullpen.
In their last two games, the Rockies have shown why they lead all of baseball in runs from the eighth inning onward with 126, firstly coming back to beat the Giants at home 7-6 and then nearly doing the same against the Dodgers on Monday. Surely, the Coors Field factor plays a key role in helping the Rox score all of these late runs, but the danger is present both home and away.
Quite often able to give the Dodgers the necessary length, Wrobleski will carry that mission after the two extra innings last night forced the bullpen to work more than originally planned due to the Tanner Scott blown save. Speaking of length, Wrobleski is coming off back-to-back seven-inning starts, and if he adds one more, he’ll reach 100 innings on the season. Although it is still too early for this conversation, the way that the Dodgers handle Wrobleski in the second half will be something to watch, remembering he only threw 118.1 innings last year between the majors and Triple-A.
Jul 4, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a single against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images | Colin Hubbard-Imagn Images
The New York Mets will play host to the Royals the next games as both teams look to salvage what’s been a disappointing first half of the season. For the Mets, though, it’s even worse, as the team entered the year with quite a lofty payroll to go with those World Series aspirations. Instead, heading into this evening’s match-up, the Mets find themselves not only last in the National League East but with the second-worst record in the entire N.L.
This despite the Major’s second highest payroll, coming in at $369 million, behind only the Dodgers. Heck, the Mets are even outspending their New York brethren by a good $35 million. That money should be worth more than a 38-53 record between two different managers, but alas: baseball.
Kansas City Royals (37-54) at New York Mets (38-53) at Citi Field, Flushing, NY
Royals: 4.22 runs scored/game (20th in MLB), 5.00 runs allowed/game (24th in MLB)
Mets: 4.05 runs scored/game (27th in MLB), 4.71 runs allowed/game (19th in MLB)
Juan Soto remains one of the game’s biggest stars as he leads the National League in on-base percentage (.414), slugging percentage (.570), and, naturally, OPS (.984). He’s homered 19 times while driving in 46 runs and scoring 41 times. He’s been worth 3.1 bWAR, far and away the best of the Mets. His mates in the outfield are also posting solid numbers with A.J. Ewing in center slashing .259/.342/.400 and the team’s right fielder, Carson Benge, slashing .258/.316/.405. Bo Bichette came over from Toronto in the offseason for a massive contract, but he’s struggled so far, posting an OPS eight percent below league average, though he is tied with Benge for the team lead in runs scored (47). Brett Baty is already 26, if you can believe it, and he still hasn’t panned out. His OPS has dropped from .748 in 2025 to .601 this season. Yikes. Francisco Lindor is having the worst season of his career as he’s slashing an abysmal .216/.300/.366 for a .666 OPS [makes sign of the cross].
While the Mets have yet to name a starting pitcher for tonight, it looks like it could be 33-year-old Kodai Senga, who is not pitching very well as evidence by his nearly 9 ERA and nearly 7 FIP. Fangraphs predicts righty Christian Scott to take the mound tomorrow night followed by once-upon-a-time-Royals-farmhand Sean Manaea for Thursday’s matinee finale. Scott’s been fine though he averages less than five-innings-per-outing. Manaea, already 34, would be making just his sixth start of the season. He’s thrown 68 innings to the tune of a 5.18 ERA and 4.01 FIP.
As so often is the case with bad teams, the Mets have a bad bullpen. Devin Williams, the team’s closer, such as it is, isn’t getting many opportunities to do his job, and when he does, doesn’t exactly do it smoothly. Luke Weaver, briefly a Royal, is the bullpen’s shining star as he continues to reshape his career as a New York reliever. If David Stearns, the team’s front office honcho, decides to sell this July, he could get back a nice haul in exchange for Weaver. Teams usually overpay for those types of dudes.
Let’s see if the Royals can keep it going after taking the last two against the Phillies, including trouncing them yesterday, 15-1. Seth Lugo takes the ball tonight followed by Stephen Kolek and Michael Wacha. Taking two series right before the All-Star Break would be a nice little somethin’-somethin’ to give the fans.
I’m in Scarsdale, standing outside of Eye Designs of Westchester, and waiting for Mike Brown, head coach of the NBA Champion New York Knicks. This is where Brown goes for glasses, and if my calculations are correct, today would be his six-month checkup. Or tomorrow. Or one day this week.
I take a break to buy a Gatorade from the nearby gas station. It’s hot, the kind of heat that makes perspiration cover the surface of a large, bald dome like Mike’s. He’s so bald you doubt he ever had hair. Oh, but he did.
Raised in a military family that moved frequently between the United States, Germany, and Japan, young Michael Burton developed discipline, adaptability, and attention to detail while his hair grew in nice and thick. Friends recall that he was more than just a handsome head of hair; they say he was intelligent, organized, and fiercely loyal. Whether standing up for classmates, helping teammates improve after practice, or delivering newspapers at 3 a.m. for an injured teammate, Brown consistently put others first and never gloated about his looks. Sometimes friends caught him checking his profile in the reflective glass of a trophy case, but he insisted (a little bashfully) that he was only imagining himself winning the Larry O’Brien for the Knicks. Can you imagine having such foresight?!
<p>Mike Brown, playing for Sand Diego. Photo courtesy of https://usdtoreros.com/</p>
I want to pop my head into Eye Designs and ask if Mike has arrived in my absence, but the receptionist mentioned the police last time. Instead, I resume my post just past the corner of the front window and patiently sip my Gatorade (lemon-lime, which I assume to be Mike’s favorite).
You might ask, “Why does Mike always ask who let the dogs out?” Because he’s the original dog and wants to reconnect with his pack. After hooping at Mesa Community College and the University of San Diego, Brown entered the NBA through dogged persistence. He convinced the Denver Nuggets to create an internship for him, performed every task asked of him without complaint, and quickly established himself as a tireless worker. Brown progressed from intern to video coordinator, scout, and assistant coach. Janitors often reported that Brown slept in the office while studying film, resting his head (still adorned with truly excellent hair) on the desk.
Mike Brown, far left. Photo courtesy of https://usdtoreros.com/
His work ethic and attention to detail became defining traits throughout his career. Former coach Bernie Bickerstaff is rumored to have said, “If success is the ankle, Mike is a dog who refuses to let it go.” (Truth: I started that rumor.) During that time, Mike sometimes babysat Bernie’s little brat, J.B. These are the sacrifices, folks.
Brown began his NBA coaching career under Bickerstaff with the Washington Wizards in 1997 before suffering under the constant geniality of Rick Carlisle with the Indiana Pacers. Around this time, Mike began shaving his head. The new look inspired Carlisle, who said, “Geez, that looks so good on Mike; maybe bald would look good on me.” Rick was mistaken.
Mike later joined Gregg Popovich’s staff in San Antonio and won his first championship as an assistant in 2003. During these formative years, Brown built a coaching foundation rooted in defense, accountability, and preparation while learning from some of the most respected basketball minds in the sport.
On a recent episode of the Roommates podcast, Brown reflected on his time in Texas. “I’ll never forget at the end of my first year there, we were meeting as a staff, and Pop says, ‘I got to thank Tim Duncan.’ Why? […] He said, ‘Mikey, if your best player doesn’t allow you to coach him, you have no shot at coaching anybody else on the team. And Tim allows me to do it.’” Mikey’s time in San Antonio was great because of a) Pop’s lessons and b) his babysitting days were finally behind him.
Back in Scarsdale, the sun is melting me, so I slip into Candis (no apostrophe) Nail and Spa next door. I inquire about the cost of a pedicure. The woman who greets me takes one look at my sandaled feet and says, “For you, it’s double.” That hardly seems fair, so I decline. Before leaving, I ask if Mike Brown ever patronizes the place, and she says, “For him, it’s free.” It pays to coach the Knicks. I return to my post and contemplate whether wearing a shirt with Mike’s face on it makes me seem a little creepy.
You know who has kinda creepy tendencies? LeBron James, whom Mike coached in Cleveland. Brown took the head coaching job there in 2005, at the tender age of 35. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive coaches, leading a young LeBron and the Cavs to the 2007 NBA Finals. And isn’t it poetic that Mike had to defeat two former teams, the Cavs and the Spurs, to win a trophy with the Knicks?
<p>LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with head coach Mike Brown during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 15, 2007 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)</p> | NBAE via Getty Images
Brown’s emphasis on defense became the foundation of Cleveland’s rise. James credits Brown for shaping those early teams. “Mike gave us a defensive identity early in my career,” James said in June 2024, during an episode of his Mind the Game podcast. “We bought into his system, and that’s the reason we made our first Finals run in ’07. He deserves a lot of credit for setting that foundation.” That did not stop Bron from taking his talents to South Beach, but moving along. . . .
Cleveland posted a 305-187 regular-season record during Brown’s first stint, including consecutive 60-win seasons and a franchise-record 66 victories in 2008-09. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in 2009. Despite consistent regular-season excellence, Cleveland never returned to the Finals, and Brown was dismissed during the uncertainty surrounding LeBron’s impending free agency. Believe it or not, this would not be the first time Mike won COTY and only to be pink-slipped soon after.
A blue BMW parks in the lot, and I wonder what Mike drives. My guess is a maroon Mini Cooper, with the driver’s seat pushed back to the trunk and a Planet Fitness sticker on the bumper. A short, dumpy dude decamps from the beamer and heads into the Math Learning Center, which is cleverly called Mathnasium. Cute. I get lost in thoughts of kids trying to use calculators while jumping on trampolines and chide myself to stay focused.
The next stop on Brown’s timeline is a stint with the Lakers, where he inherited a veteran roster featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, and Dwight Howard. At the time, he was viewed primarily as a defensive specialist whose offenses lacked creativity. The Lakers hired him to stabilize a team that had drifted from its championship peak, but Brown lasted only five games into his second season before being fired. He later returned to Cleveland for a second stint, only to be dismissed again shortly before LeBron’s return to the franchise. He was replaced by David Blatt, known for a remarkable ability to sleep with his eyes open.
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 27: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers confers with head coach Mike Brown during the game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on December 27, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ever determined, Mike reframed those setbacks as turning points. After years of being defined as a defense-first coach, Brown joined Steve Kerr’s staff with the Golden State Warriors in 2016. The six seasons he spent in Golden State became the most important developmental period of his career. Working alongside Kerr, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant, Brown expanded his understanding of offense, player empowerment, and relationship-building. He saw how elite defense could coexist with offensive freedom, ball movement, and creativity. Brown won three championships as an assistant and occasionally stepped in as acting head coach. More importantly, he evolved from a rigid tactician into a more adaptable and collaborative leader.
Steve Kerr has been complimentary of his former assistant. “What Mike has done for me, for this organization in his six years here, he’s made just an incredible contribution. He’s an amazing coach, amazing friend.” He could not, however, convince Steve to join the bald brotherhood, especially after seeing what happened to Carlisle.
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry and Mike Brown confer with official in 3rd quarter of Warriors' 119-113 win over Portland Trail Blazers in Game 3 of NBA Western Conference 1st Round Playoffs at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 22, 2017. (Photo by Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
From 2020 to 2022, Brown coached the Nigerian men’s national basketball team, the D’Tigers. In the exhibition warm-ups for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he led the team to a shocking 90-87 upset over Team USA in Las Vegas—marking the first time an African nation had ever defeated the United States in basketball. Despite boasting a roster packed with NBA talent, Nigeria’s subsequent Olympic run ended in the group stage with a 0-3 record. Brown also helmed the team through FIBA AfroBasket 2021 before departing in 2022 to take on a more prestigious gig.
As Kerr knows about the NBA, it’s Biz before Bros. Soon, his top assistant was on the move again, becoming top dog with the Sacramento Kings in 2022. Rather than focusing exclusively on schemes and discipline, Mike emphasized confidence, belief, and culture-building.
“He brought a lot to us and got everyone to buy in from the first day,” said De’Aaron Fox. “He established a good working relationship with the guys. He came in here and told us we were going to be winners, and guys believed in him right from the start.”
Brown’s accountability was equally important. Fox later described a coach who challenged every player regardless of status. “He holds everyone accountable from day one,” Fox said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an All-Star or the last guy on the bench, he’s going to watch film and call you out if you aren’t defending,” Fox added that Mike was the only adult male he knew who admitted to owning a Baha Men CD.
Brown pushed Fox toward a different level of self-motivation. “You’ve got to figure out how to get to that level without having somebody piss you off,” Brown told him. “Because you’re a great player and great players get to that level on their own.”
<p>LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Mike Brown of the Sacramento Kings celebrates a 176-175 double overtime win over the LA Clippers with Malik Monk #0 and De’Aaron Fox #5 at Crypto.com Arena on February 24, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)</p> | Getty Images
Brown took over a franchise coming off a 30-win season and a 16-year playoff drought. In his first season, Sacramento improved by 18 wins, produced the league’s top offense, and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Brown became the first unanimous NBA Coach of the Year in league history (an award which, if you know Mike’s story, is the kiss of death). His Kings teams played fast, moved the ball, and shattered the perception that he was merely a defensive specialist. Brown’s greatest growth was no longer tactical; it was philosophical. He shifted from trying to control every detail to helping players believe in their potential.
Less than two years later, Sacramento fired Brown following a slow start to the season. The decision stunned the league and further cemented Brown’s reputation as a coach whose accomplishments often went undervalued. Rather than dwelling on another dismissal, Brown kept his rose-colored glasses firmly in place and set his gaze toward orange and blue skies.
My stomach grumbles and I am thinking about buying a sub from Sal’s Market next door. Suddenly, a 2019 Volkswagen Beetle steers into the lot. Not quite a Mini Cooper, but in the ballpark. Could it be Coach Brown? Nervously, I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and wait to see who will emerge from the vehicle.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 23: A detailed view of an ESPN tv camera during the game between the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 23, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Red Sox defeated the Phillies 9-8 in extra innings. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, July 20 will be exclusively televised by ESPN, the network announced on Tuesday.
Karl Ravech will call play-by-play for Dodgers-Phillies alongside analysts Eduardo Pérez and David Ross, plus reporter Buster Olney. There will be no SportsNet LA telecast of this game. This is the third ESPN game for the Dodgers this season, along with April 15 against the New York Mets and June 15 vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. Both of those previous games were at Dodger Stadium.
The game against the Phillies is the start of the middle series of a nine-game road trip gauntlet directly following the All-Star break, with the Dodgers facing the Yankees, Phillies, and Mets, teams they faced over the last two postseasons.
It’s also a trip rife with nationally televised games, four of them exclusive:
July 18 at Yankees, 5:08 p.m. PT (Fox)
July 19 at Yankees, 4:20 p.m. (NBC/Peacock)
July 20 at Phillies, 4:10 p.m. (ESPN)
July 21 at Phillies, 3:40 p.m. (TBS, non-exclusive telecast)
That’s how much of Northwestern baseball’s offensive production, by RBI, is departing Evanston.
Ben Greenspan had done well in his first three years with the ‘Cats, building back toward conference tournament contention. But year four for him seems like it will be the toughest of all — most of the guys he’s recruited to be the building blocks of a Wildcat rebranding on the diamond will be gone, leaving him with more questions than answers as to how he’ll find success.
There’s a tornado tearing through Greenspan’s roster this summer, and there’s no telling what the wreckage will be once the dust settles in the fall.
Who’s gone?
Among the names to depart Northwestern this summer, the one that hurts the most is MLB prospect Ryan Kucherak — the ‘Cats’ most disciplined hitter this past season, leading the team with 27 walks.
Kucherak has the five-tool player “starter pack,” per se: power to all fields, the ability to hit for average and drive in runs, a plus glove at shortstop, the ability to steal bags and an above-average baseball IQ. The integration of all these aspects of his game immediately makes him one of the top available players in the portal, which is further supported by his performance at the MLB Draft Combine last week, where he topped out at a 106 MPH exit velocity.
Ryan Kucherak put together a quality BP at the MLB Draft Combine…three balls in the 104-106 EV range from the @NUCatsBaseball SS who set a single-season program HR record in 2025. Big power potential at a premium position.
— The College Baseball Show (@CollegeBSBShow) June 24, 2026
NU loses its spark plug in the two-hole, as Kucherak slugged .521 last season with 23 extra-base hits, second on the team behind another draft prospect in Jack Lausch.
Lausch made a major improvement in the middle of his junior season and hasn’t looked back since. This past year, he settled into the cleanup spot for the ‘Cats and proved himself to be one of the best bats in the Big Ten with a .312 average, 1.047 OPS, 41 RBI, 16 home runs and a 131 wRC+, while his pure athleticism made him a sure-handed fielder in center field.
Owen McElfatrick and Matt Kouser are another two departures that pain Northwestern. McElfatrick was one of the ‘Cats’ most consistent hitters — a .250 average doesn’t necessarily scream that, but he still managed to slug .475 and drive in 39 runs last year.
Kouser hits the transfer portal alongside Kucherak after pitching to a 5.02 ERA in 15 appearances. He’d consistently been in a top-two starter role in his freshman season, this year being more of a Swiss army knife for the ‘Cats’ pitching staff, slotting in wherever Greenspan sees fit. A very valuable addition to whichever program is able to secure him out of the portal.
That brings us to first baseman Nick Barron, whose last-minute departure has completed a demolition of NU’s infield. Barron showed power in droves in his first season of college baseball, leading the team with 15 doubles and tacking on nine home runs and 33 RBI batting in the middle third of the order.
A major positive to having Barron back is his plate discipline — his 14.6% strikeout rate was the second lowest on the team in 2026. He would have likely seen himself in the heart of the Northwestern order. Instead, he’ll look to claim that spot elsewhere.
NU is in deep trouble, simply put. It needs corner infielders, a shortstop, a center fielder and a No. 1 starter for next year. Not a great place to be, but maybe it’s not as bad as we’re making it out to be.
What’s left?
In the wake of massive turnover in Evanston, Greenspan has gathered a quartet of transfers for the 2027 season.
Let’s start with a pair of former Duke Blue Devils in Jeff Lougee and Andrew Bell — a pair of athletic infielders who will compete for jobs that seem up in the air as of now with Kucherak’s absence and a lack of an everyday second baseman in 2026.
Lougee only played a total of eight games in Durham last season and struggled, hitting .176 in 17 at-bats. However, much of his true promise was shown in his 2025 Cape Cod League campaign with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, hitting .288 in 80 at-bats, logging eight extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. By season’s end, he was No. 8 on D1Baseball’s top-10 position player prospects list for the 2027 MLB draft.
Bell, on the other hand, is more of what one would call a “raw talent.” He saw a total of 25 plate appearances at Duke, posting a career .158 average in his two seasons there, but his 2025 summer with the Keene SwampBats of the NECBL gives a much larger sample size of his archetype as a middle infielder.
Bell made plays like these, which proves that he has the tools to be one of the Big Ten’s best defensive shortstops.
Graduate transfer Jonathan Kim had his 2025 season ruined by injury, only making 17 appearances on the year. However, he’s proven himself to be consistent when healthy, leading the Wolverines with a .322 batting average in a freshman season that landed him on the All-Big Ten Third Team. Kim hovered around the .270 mark in the seasons after, logging 10 doubles and 15 RBI in 2025.
Rounding out the transfer class is Eddie Albert from Dartmouth, who won the team’s Big Green Rookie of the Year award in 2023 — a year that saw him fan 22 batters in 28 innings. Albert pitched to a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 innings last year in appearances against Gardner-Webb and LSU, and is looking to replicate flashes of reliability with the Wildcats.
The new guard for NU baseball stems far beyond this transfer class — in fact, it includes changes in its coaching staff. Former Washington and Texas A&M pitching coach Jason Kelly is expected to make his way to Evanston in the coming months.
Sources: @NUCatsBaseball is expected to hire Jason Kelly, the 2018 @d1baseball Assistant of the Year, as its new pitching coach, I'm told. Kelly spent the last two seasons at Texas A&M, and previously was the head man at Washington.
Kelly was named D1Baseball’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2018 — the year of the Huskies’ first-ever trip to the Men’s College World Series. He’d lead one of the most efficient pitching staffs in the nation in his first year as an Aggie — a staff that ranked top-three nationally in walks allowed per nine (2.89) and in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.31).
After seeing an early exit in the College Station regional, Kelly looks to revitalize a youthful Northwestern pitching staff which, right now, seems centered around promising sophomores in Jake Rifenburg and James Whitaker.
All that being said, the backbone to next season’s team will be its most crucial returner in Jackson Freeman, who’s still searching for his freshman season swing that carried him to all-conference freshman team honors. While his 2025 season was more reflective of that year than 2026 was, Freeman seeks to build upon the potential he showed three seasons ago.
Above all, this team lives and dies with Ben Greenspan staying true to himself and his coaching philosophy, and not letting the chaos dictate his decision making.
NU is in a developmental phase, where it’s seeking its core pieces for the future. It thought Barron and Kucherak would be those pieces, but now it finds itself back at square one.
Next year will say a lot about Greenspan’s readiness to be the head coach of a struggling program that has been treading water in the Big Ten for the past decade. If he can find a way to move the needle upward, despite the massive turnover, that means that he’s the man for the job.
