Texas Rangers Set Stage for Abrupt Streamer Switch a Year Ago

MLB’s Texas Rangers announced Wednesday that the team would be switching its direct-to-consumer streaming partner, moving midseason from Victory+ to Bzzr effective immediately. According to the team’s past trademark request filings, it has been preparing to work with Bzzr for more than a year. 

“It is unfortunate that this switch in direct-to-consumer distributors was necessary, but the decision was made in the best interest of both the Rangers and our fans,” Rangers Sports Media and Entertainment Company chairman Neil Leibman said in the team’s statement, adding that Rangers Sports Network “is committed to continued delivery of the highest-quality game broadcast possible, and we feel Bzzr is well-positioned to manage a seamless transition.”

The press release does not mention that Leibman, who is also a minority investor in the MLB team, is a director of Bzzr, as was reported by The Dallas Morning News. The paper also reported that the Rangers “had grown increasingly concerned about (Victory+’s) ability to meet financial and delivery obligations.”

A Rangers representative declined to comment on Leibman’s connection to Bzzr. 

In June and July of last year, months after Bzzr’s incorporation, the Rangers filed three Bzzr-related trademarks—Bzzr Sidecar, Bzzr Sideshow and Bzzr Sidecast—all related to the creation of an “on-line community for sports fans.” In March, the U.S. Patent and Trade Office issued a “notice of allowance” on Bzzr Sidecast, essentially informing the Rangers that in one of the final steps before being awarded the trademark, the team had six months to show that it was using the marks for commercial purposes. That deadline, which can be extended, is currently Sept. 10.

The other two trademarks, Bzzr Sidecar and Bzzr Sideshow, have both been refused due to the “likelihood of confusion” with existing trademarks. In each case, the potentially conflicting trademarks were ones held by Buzzer Technologies, the sports streaming app that raised more than $40 million from a number of prominent backers before ultimately shuttering in May 2023. The final notice from both of those rulings were issued earlier this month; a rep for the Rangers declined to comment on whether the team would appeal. Rangers Sports Network has posts on Bzzr dating back to late 2025.

Those connections help explain why Texas chose a lesser known streaming partner that had not previously claimed significant live game rights, and—if the Rangers had felt a need to pivot quickly—how Bzzr could theoretically have presented a preferred online home on short notice. Other potential new partners might have needed longer to set up a subscription offering or adjust their business plans. It’s unclear how long the Rangers were preparing to make the move, or for how long Bzzr will stream the team’s games beyond this season. Financial terms were not announced.

Victory+ said in a statement it will continue to air Dallas Stars games as well as “a growing portfolio of professional and amateur sports.” The Stars hold equity in the streaming business, which also has distribution deals with the NWSL, League One Volleyball and the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx. The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly ending their relationship with Victory+, which has missed rights payments to partners, according to Sports Business Journal. 

Fans who bought a season pass for Rangers games on Victory+ are able to transfer their membership to the new platform. On X, the Rangers said they “have requested that V+ make refunds to subscribers as requested and appropriate.” Texas games will also continue to air on Rangers Sports Network across TV distributors. 

The live chat forum on RSN’s Bzzr page turned into a venting session for some Texas fans Wednesday as an admin account responded to certain user issues.

“Can we just get a refund?” a commenter named Tex Ranger wrote. 

“Do the Rangers not want fans any more?” Joy Pierce asked. 

By Thursday afternoon, live chat functionality was turned off on the Rangers Sports Network’s Bzzr stream. 

MLB teams have taken myriad approaches to maximizing their local media rights in recent years, particularly following FanDuel Sports Networks’ demise. Numerous franchises, such as the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees, have helped launch new services or partnered with digital distributors while maintaining a presence on traditional TV. Others have turned to the league for support, and MLB now produces and distributes half of its clubs’ games online.

Bzzr officially launched in April, promising to bring together live games, creator-generated videos and fan conversations touching on the biggest U.S. leagues. In June, Bzzr announced former X executive Brett Weitz as its CEO as it looks to build a multipurpose destination for sports fans. It recently launched apps for Amazon, Apple, and Google-owned TV platforms, in addition to pre-existing mobile and web touchpoints. A company spokesperson said Bzzr is planning to launch on Samsung, LG and Roku TVs by September. 

Texas’ second half—and its Bzzr era—begins Friday evening with a game against the Braves. 

—Additional reporting by Michael McCann

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New Penguins Defenseman Could Hit New Level In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins have added multiple players to their roster this off-season. Among their newcomers is Declan Carlile, as the Penguins signed him to a two-year, $3 million contract earlier this month.

Carlile appeared in a career-high 42 games last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he posted one goal, three points, 51 hits, and a plus-5 rating. This was after he played in just four games with the Lightning over the two previous seasons. 

Overall, Carlile took a nice step forward with his development last season, and it helped him land a multi-year deal with the Penguins. Now, he will be looking to take his game to a new level after signing in Pittsburgh. 

When looking at the Penguins' current defensive group, it is certainly possible that Carlile will get more chances to succeed in Pittsburgh. The Penguins do not have the strongest depth on the left side of their defensive group, and this could lead to Carlile having a more significant role than he did in Tampa Bay. This could benefit the 6-foot-3 defenseman tremendously. 

Furthermore, with Carlile having more experience at the NHL level, it is fair to wonder if he could improve his game next season now that he is more adjusted. It will be interesting to see what happens on that front, but there is no harm in Pittsburgh signing him to his affordable two-year deal. 

Cardinals at Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for July 17

St. Louis (50-45) and Arizona (49-47) kick off the second half of the season with a three-game series. It's the first meeting of the season between the two. The Diamondbacks swept the Cardinals last season outscoring St. Louis, 22-7.

The Cardinals went into the All-Star break cold with a 3-6 mark over their final nine games. St. Louis entered the break one game back from the NL Wild Card and 8.5 games behind the Brewers for the NL Central lead. To start July, St. Louis' offense is hitting .215 (28th) and ranks 23rd or worse in OPS, OBP, and SLG. The Cardinals are 6-7 in July thanks to the pitching staff ranking seventh in ERA (3.37).

Arizona is 2.5 games back from the NL Wild Card as we start the second half of the season. The Diamondbacks finished above .500 in and up-and-down first half. After losing six straight starts, Arizona has won the last two Merrill Kelly appearances and he's on the mound tonight. Arizona has a six-game home stand up before taking a 10-game road trip across the country.

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field 
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cardinals at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: St. Louis Cardinals (-112), Arizona Diamondbacks (-109)
  • Spread: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-180), Cardinals -1.5 (+148)
  • Total: 9.0

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Diamondbacks 

  • Friday's pitching matchup (July 17): Merrill Kelly vs. TBA
  • Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly

2026 stats: 93.2 IP, 7-8, 5.38 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 59 K, 38 BB

  • Cardinals: TBA

2026 Stats:

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno is hitting .301 with 71 hits, 6 home runs and 32 RBI over 236 at-bats
  • The Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .211 with 36 hits and 33 strikeouts over 171 at-bats
  • The Cardinals’ Jordan Walker is hitting .294 with 105 hits, 22 home runs, and 74 RBI over 357 at-bats
  • The Cardinals’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .212 with 31 hits and 41 strikeouts over 146 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cardinals at Diamondbacks

  • Arizona is 53-43 ATS, ranking fifth-best
  • St. Louis is 55-40 ATS, ranking third-best
  • Arizona is 51-40-5 to the Under, ranking second-worst
  • St. Louis is an MLB-best 51-39-5 to the Under
  • Arizona is 25-20 ATS at home, ranking sixth-best
  • St. Louis is 26-17 ATS on the road, ranking second-best

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cardinals and the Diamondbacks

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Cardinals and the Diamondbacks:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cardinals on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cardinals at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 9.0

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)

Dodgers open second half against the New York Yankees

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 14: Cody Bellinger #35 of the New York Yankees speaks with Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers finally enjoy some good scheduling on the East Coast. Last season Dodger fans will remember that the team was in New York on back-to-back weekends but flying home for a series in between. This time, the All-Star Game was in Philly, with the team then starting a nine-game stretch of New York, Philly, and New York.

The Dodgers are starting their second half in the Bronx, where they will start with a three-game set against the Yankees. The team has not been back to Yankee Stadium since they closed out their 2024 World Series there, winning Game 5 to take the championship.

The Bronx Bombers started out hot to start the season, but now find themselves second in their division, sitting at 54-42, 3.0 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays.

The two teams went into the All-Star break in different fashions. The Dodgers lost five of their final seven games, and the Yankees pulled themselves out of a June swoon to win their final four games.

Roki Sasaki finds himself kicking off the second half on the mound, looking to get back to his form at the beginning of the season. Sasaki has been worse on the road this season, with his strikeout rate falling and his walk rate increasing along with his ERA. The Yankees have a very lefty heavy lineup that will not include Aaron Judge.

The Yankees will counter with Garrit Cole who is 3-4 on the season with a 4.04 ERA. Cole was also involved in the last games these two teams played in Yankee Stadium, so he will be looking to prove something – revenge against the Dodgers, showing he’s better than this season has shown thus far. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have seen him relatively well, but not so much for the rest of the team.

Old friend Cody Bellinger was the starting centerfielder for the AL squad, as was first baseman Ben Rice who was hot to end the first half.

The biggest thing to watch for perhaps is the air quality at the time of these games. Wildfire smoke from Canada has worked its way into the U.S. and is causing issues all through the Midwest and East Coast. It could affect how long pitchers are able to last on the mound in addition to other issues with players.

Friday game info

  • Teams: Dodgers at Yankees
  • Ballpark: Yankee Stadium, New York
  • Start time: 4:05 p.m. PT
  • TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network
  • Radio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

Los Angeles Lakers' jersey patch for 2026-27 season unveiled

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced they will team up with Albert, their new jersey patch partner going into the 2026-27 season.

The AI-powered financial assistant and management application will have its logo appear on all four Lakers uniforms as part of a premium sponsorship.

Albert was founded by college roommates Yinon Ravid and Andrzej Baraniak in 2015, according to its website. Its mission is to "give everyone a chance at financial stability."

"The Lakers represent excellence, ambition, and a connection with fans that extends beyond basketball. Albert is proud to partner with an organization that has inspired millions of people around the world," Ravid said in a news release. "Together, we're excited to use the reach of this partnership to help fans manage their money better and handle the financial busywork of life, so they can spend more time on what they love - like watching basketball."

The new partnership marks the end of the Lakers' previous deal with Bibigo, a global Korean food brand, which first became finalized in 2021.

The Albert logo will be placed in the right-hand corner near the chest area of every Lakers jersey.

"The Lakers have built an extraordinary legacy of championship basketball over the years that has made the purple and gold one of the most popular teams in the world, and the jersey one of the most iconic pieces of apparel in sports," Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said in a news release.

"Generation after generation, we have seen the greatest players in the world wear the Lakers jersey. The uniform is an extension of the team and represents the very best of this franchise. With each new season, when I first see players in the iconic gold uniform, I'm filled with deep pride, gratitude for the past and excitement for the future. We couldn't be more proud to place Albert on the Lakers jersey and give our amazing fans visibility to their personal finance products," she added.

Albert is the Lakers' new jersey patch sponsor.

LA wasn't the only team to announce a new jersey patch sponsorship.

The Golden State Warriors announced their newest partnership with IREN in June.

“The Warriors jersey badge is our most visible global platform, and finding a partner that shares our vision for both innovation and community engagement was paramount,” said Mike Kitts, Golden State's Chief Commercial Officer.

The deal is reportedly the largest sponsorship deal in the history of North American team sports. The Warriors-IREN deal is worth more than $50 million per year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Los Angeles Lakers' jersey patch for 2026-27 season unveiled

Several Yankees draft picks starred during the NCAA Tournament

Jun 22, 2026; Omaha, NE, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Skip Johnson holds up the championship trophy after the win against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

One of my favorite times of the year is the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Road to Omaha and the Greatest Show on Dirt is one of the best fan experiences in baseball. If you have never been, add it to your bucket list. Go when your school makes it, or better yet, adopt a few mid-majors each year and bandwagon your way into some of the best memories the sport has to offer. I’m not a paid spokesperson for the College World Series, though, so let’s move on.

The Yankees selected six players in the 2026 MLB Draft who appeared in this year’s NCAA Tournament. As a fun fact to drop on your friends later, that’s actually two more tournament participants than high school players the Yankees drafted. So, how did those six future Yankees perform when the lights were brightest?

We’ll go alphabetically, which means we start with the national champion. Brendan Brock logged 29 starts behind the dish and 37 starts in the outfield or at designated hitter for Oklahoma over the season. He was selected 99th overall after helping guide the Sooners to the College World Series title. Before hearing his name called, Brock tore through the NCAA Tournament, batting .457 with a .576 on-base percentage, 21 hits, 10 walks, 13 RBIs, and three home runs.

Once the Sooners reached Omaha, he continued to produce, hitting .400 with eight hits and a .520 on-base percentage. Brock’s biggest postseason moment came in the Atlanta Regional when he went 3-for-5 with two home runs, four RBIs, and three runs scored against Georgia Tech. He also delivered a key home run against Georgia in the College World Series semifinals.

Next up is Blake Cyr, a shortstop/outfielder from Florida whom the Yankees selected in the 18th round with the 548th overall pick. A middle-of-the-order bat, Cyr hit .286 during regional play with four hits, one home run, and three RBIs. His signature moment came in Florida’s tournament opener when he launched a game-tying three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Gators hosted a regional and advanced to the regional championship game before falling one win short of the Super Regionals.

Diego Castellanos spent the spring wearing the #5 jersey and patrolling the outfield for Saint Mary’s before becoming the Yankees’ 14th-round selection. Castellanos caught fire in the Los Angeles Regional, batting .417 (5-for-12) with two doubles and two RBIs. He recorded back-to-back multi-hit games, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance against the host school UCLA. Saint Mary’s was eliminated before reaching the regional final.

The Yankees’ first selection of the draft, left-hander Hunter Dietz out of Arkansas, made one postseason start. Although he was charged with the loss, Dietz struck out a career-high 14 Kansas hitters in the Lawrence Regional. It was a fitting finish to a breakout season in which Arkansas’ Friday-night ace went 7-4 with a 3.57 ERA and 131 strikeouts over 85.2 innings. The Razorbacks failed to advance to the Super Regional round falling a second time to the hosting Jayhawks.

Bear Harrison, selected in the fifth round, was the starting catcher for Texas A&M. During NCAA Tournament play, Harrison slashed .250/.444/.500 with three hits, four walks, and a home run. His postseason was really an extension of the consistency he displayed throughout the year. Harrison set a Texas A&M program record after being hit by a pitch 23 times and finished the season with a 32-game on-base streak both of which he added to in the postseason. The Aggies were eliminated during regional play.

That brings us to Dean Toigo, the Yankees’ final selection of the draft. Before being chosen 608th overall, Toigo roamed the outfield in the desert for Arizona State. He turned in a solid postseason, highlighted by a multi-hit performance in the Sun Devils’ elimination-game victory over South Dakota State in the Lincoln Regional. Arizona State earned an at-large bid as the No. 3 seed but saw its season come to an end before advancing beyond the opening weekend.

A national champion, a handful of standout performances, and several players who already proved they can perform on college baseball’s biggest stages. College success guarantees nothing in professional baseball, but the Yankees will certainly hope a few of these postseason performers eventually help create October memories in the Bronx.

This Week in Mets Quotes: The hot midsummer sky melts the asphalt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 16: Seth Johnson #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch to Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets in the top of the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Your 2026 New York Mets: 暑い真夏の空 アスファルト溶かし The hot midsummer sky melts the asphalt [Song: Daydream by Judy and Mary]

“I’m not gonna lie: Towards the end, it got a little thick. It felt like breathing in some metal. … A little spoonful of adversity never hurt anybody.” -Christian Scott [New York Post]

しゃがみこんだあたしは

“We’re well aware we’re staring down one of the hardest schedules in baseball for the second half. We should relish that, like that and rise up and meet that. I don’t think there’s another attitude to take.” -Andy Green [New York Post]

白く 消えていく

“I didn’t think it was bad till the last couple innings. My eyes were burning and itching a little bit. [Carson] Benge said it felt like you were sitting by a campfire. … It was fun … but it didn’t feel great playing ball with it.” -Brett Baty [New York Post]

しんきろうの 真ん中で

いつか汗ばむ体を包んで

暑い風が 1人きりの あたしをおいてく

清らかなままで いられない都会に

夢のように さけびは届かないままで

しんきろうの 真ん中で

いつか汗ばむ体を包んで

暑い風が 1人きりの あたしをおいてく

背中の汗 かわきはじめて

暗闇に 灯がともる頃は

暑い風が 1人きりの あたしをおいてく

“Ya Gotta Believe” -Tug McGraw [Wikipedia]

Two-toned Braves bullpen and too many close games

May 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss (22) brings in pitcher Dylan Lee (52) against the Boston Red Sox in the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

I sincerely believe the Braves seriously want to win. I think they know how to win. I think they have the institutional knowledge as a franchise to be successful at winning division titles. I know they don’t have a lackadaisical or careless approach toward putting together a successful team and winning games. You won’t see them disinterested in the results as long as people keep buying tickets. You know they won’t think “what are they going to do, drive to Baltimore for baseball? And even if they do, who cares?” Even in the mini-rebuild of the mid-2010s (and to the frustration of some observers), the Braves were interested in presenting some form of a non-comatose ballclub.

However, since the red-hot-for-two-months Braves reached 45-21 in early June, the Braves have preferred to kick it into low gear in regards to the bullpen. It’s perplexing to see them make some of the near-end-of-game decisions in the last month. Specifically:

  • June 9, 2026 – Allowing Carlos Carrasco to pitch the sixth and some of the seventh in a one-run game. Carrasco and company allowed the White Sox to tie the game. The Braves were avoiding pitching the winning side of the bullpen options such as Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias. They used both anyway in a loss.
  • June 23, 2026 – Allowing Carlos Carrasco to pitch the sixth and some of the seventh in a one-run game. Carrasco allowed the Padres to tie the game. The Braves were avoiding pitching the winning side of the bullpen options such as Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias. They used Iglesias anyway in a loss.
  • July 5, 2026 – Allowing Carlos Carrasco to pitch the eighth and the ninth in a two-run game. The Mets’ lead swelled to seven, before the Braves scored six in the bottom of the ninth.
  • July 10, 2026– Allowing Danny Young to pitch the eighth in a tie game, with higher-leverage options available (or at least rested). The Cardinals took the lead with a home run off Young, and rode BABIP luck to the win.

It’s a departure from April 29, when a ninth-inning Matt Olson home run pulled a win away from the Detroit Tigers. When Walt Weiss talked after the game, he dropped this nugget to the media.

Down one, you gotta be careful doing this too often, especially down one… been chasing those games with our bullpen, you know trying to keep it there. Because I feel like our offense is in a really good place. And I feel like if we keep it to one, we got a really good chance of winning those games late.

And the reaction from Braves Country was one of appreciation and relief. It was a fan base that had tired of the inning-and-lead tiered and structured approach of years past. But that’s a much different approach than the last five weeks or so. Victories stopped being appreciated in the standings and were more defined by the absence of the higher-leverage options. But let’s examine that walkoff win a little closer. Was it that much different than the last five weeks? Do you know who pitched the ninth inning while down one run on April 29th? Raisel Iglesias? Robert Suarez? No, Reynaldo Lopez. And not somewhat/fully recovered Lopez from July. It was the Lopez that was recently removed from the rotation, and hadn’t pitched in eight days. That night, Reynaldo’s four-seam topped out at 93 mph. Seven days ago, he hit 97 mph with it.

Regardless, they pushed a recently called-up JR Ritchie to the sixth. Then Dylan Lee threw 28 pitches and picked up four strikeouts. Then they handed to the seventh or eighth guy in the bullpen for two innings. So, it was a mix of asking the higher-leverage option to push for five outs, and whatever you would consider Reynaldo Lopez at that point (last or next-to-last guy?) for two innings. They were giving themselves a chance, but still they were relying (or maybe forced to rely) on a poor option.

The Braves’ bullpen overall has been excellent this season. They’re second in ERA, first in FIP, and fourth in xFIP. They’re first in fWAR too, even though I’m not crazy about WAR for relievers for reasons I will probably lay out later this season. But very good overall, clearly. But are they, though? When you remove Dylan Lee, Didier Fuentes, Raisel Iglesias, and Robert Suarez, the remainder has collected 0.0 WAR. Now, some of that total has been pushed down by players that are no longer on the roster: Aaron Bummer, Carlos Carrasco, Osvaldo Bido and Joel Payamps. But still the remainder is merely okayish and very league-replacement-like.

Here are the Braves’ run differential totals for this season. These are 1-run, 2-run, etc. games thrown into buckets. 55 of the Braves 95 games have been decided by 3 runs or less. So if these numbers hold, they will play 39 more over the next ten weeks. When you factor in Average Leverage Index for relievers, the Braves are solidly middle of the pack at 18th. Average Leverage Index for relievers is again square in the middle at 15th. So on paper, these are pretty normal bullpen usage numbers. However, the Braves are delivering a first place performance in reliever WPA, and doing it with 4 pitchers doing the heavy lifting. So it’s like many workplaces, it’s average workload with the vast majority of work throughput being produced by four people.

But does 35-45 games in conflict sound about right going forward? And will each of those 35-45 games require one to four higher-leverage options to pitch? If the answer to those questions is both yes, then you have more questions to answer. How do you make up the gap in the sixth through ninth innings with four good options? Do you add another starting pitcher that you are willing to allow to pitch 3 times through the order? Do you add more relievers? Stands to the side for Ivan and Omar to scream RELIEVEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRSSSS!!! In any case, the Braves will likely need to add something. They just don’t have the requisite personnel to service four plus innings a night. And Dylan Dodd can only chip in so much.

Oh well, moar pitching plz. Or home runs, lots of home runs.

George Russell ready to keep chasing down championship leader Kimi Antonelli at Spa

Antonelli’s lead in the F1 drivers’ standings looked insurmountable after Monaco, but now Russell is potentially within one race win of wiping it out

Squaring off at this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix, Formula One’s leading title protagonists Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are embroiled in an increasingly tense head to head.

The 19-year-old Antonelli appeared to have an iron grip on the lead, having secured five straight victories, the last at Monaco, after which he enjoyed a 68-point lead over Russell. However, with Antonelli enduring some bad luck during the past three rounds and Russell taking a strong win in Austria, that gap has reduced to 25 points. A seemingly insurmountable chasm has suddenly become all too bridgeable and with it the title race is on again.

Continue reading...

Mike Boyton has prove-it deal at Michigan. What he must accomplish to 'earn' Year 2

Mike Boynton Jr. will have one year to prove he deserves the second year of his two-year, $7.6 million contract as Michigan's men's basketball coach.

Per The Detroit News, part of the USA TODAY Network, Boynton must reach several benchmarks to earn a second season in replacement of Dusty May, who left to take over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA after two seasons in Ann Arbor.

Boynton initially was named the interim coach for May before being elevated to full-time head coach. In that time, the Wolverines lost only one player to the transfer portal in junior guard L.J. Cason, while retaining several highly rated transfers, recruits and players from last season's championship roster.

"The contract is one that really gives (Boynton) an opportunity to showcase and show what he can do," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said on WTKA’s "The Michigan Insider" earlier this week (via The Detroit News). "It gives the ability for him to earn that extra year and maybe another contract is what I told him

"... I did a similar thing with Kevin Ollie (at UConn) by giving him a one-year contract. And then by December I gave him a full contract, and then another a year later when he wins the national title."

Here's what to know of Boynton's contract at Michigan, and what he must accomplish in Year 1 to see a second season with the Wolverines:

Mike Boynton contract details at Michigan

Boynton's contract at Michigan is worth $7.6 million over two years, should he coach both seasons for the Wolverines.

He will receive $3.6 million in the first year of the deal, which runs through April 30, 2027, and will earn $4 million the ensuing season – so long as he reaches it via several academic and performance-based benchmarks in Year 1. Here are the compliance and academic-related prerequisites he must meet:

Compliance

  • No Level I or Level II NCAA violations
  • No material misconduct or violations of university policies or rules

Academic

  • All players must remain academically eligible

Per The Detroit News, "there are at least two" performance-related benchmarks Boynton must accomplish leading the team in 2026-27. They are:

Performance

  • 24 regular-season wins
  • Top-four finish in Big Ten standings
  • Conference tournament title
  • Sweet 16 appearance
  • Final Four appearance (would guarantee Year 2 by itself)

Mike Boynton buyout information

Per The Detroit News, if Boynton is fired without cause before he finishes Year 1 of his contract, he would be paid $3 million, subtracting whatever he has already been paid by the university. If he is fired without cause in Year 2, he would be paid the remainder of his salary.

If he is fired without cause during or at the end of Year 1 – and having already met the criteria to earn a Year 2 – he would be owed $4 million.

Said Manuel of the contract:

"The contract was written in a way to show that I believe in Mike, but to also showcase his ability to earn it long term and not just sort of step into the seat. And I believe he will, personally.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Boyton has prove-it deal at Michigan. What he must accomplish to 'earn' Year 2

Garry Sobers was the greatest of all time, a cavalier in an era of roundheads

West Indies legend, who has died aged 89, was cricket’s finest all-rounder, delivering victories with style and grace

Cricket nuts like an argument. Who is the best fast bowler ever? The best spinner? The best wicketkeeper? The best slip catcher? They – oh all right, we – can spend hours discussing the candidates. But the best all-rounder?

That does not take any longer than the debate over the best batter; here we have to concede even in the presence of our Australian friends the supremacy of Don Bradman. The best all-rounder is universally agreed to be Garry Sobers. The other contender, WG Grace, lived so long ago that we are reduced to guesswork. So Sobers it is.

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Canadiens’ Coach’s Son Signs First Professional Contract

Last month, on June 26th, new Vancouver Canucks coach Manny Malhotra lived out many fathers’ dreams: he saw his son drafted by an NHL team, and to make things even better, his son Caleb was drafted by his own team. Not every dad, even if they played in the NHL and made it to the Hall of Fame, gets to live that special moment. Montreal Canadiens’ coach Martin St-Louis hasn’t had the joy of experiencing it yet, as his son Ryan once again went undrafted.

However, on Wednesday, it was announced that the 23-year-old had signed an AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks. The 5-foot-10 and 181-pound winger is a product of the US National Team program who has spent one season with Northeastern in the NCAA before heading to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL for a year in which he was an alternate captain and picked up 72 points in just 58 games. From there, he headed back to the NCAA with the Bown University Bears. In 83 games with them, he scored 68 points.

In his last season with the Bears, he was the team captain and picked up 15 points in 30 games, and he was a Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee, although he didn’t finish in the top-10 finalist lists. Though it would be understandable if the young man was disappointed about not being drafted, his father is the living proof that it doesn’t matter if you are willing to work your own way to the NHL.

The Canadiens’ coach was also undrafted before playing 1,134 NHL games and totaling 1,033 points. When the Habs hosted the NHL draft in 2022, he came to the stage to give a speech to the crowd’s applause, and he couldn’t help but say, “So that’s what that feels like”, a quick wink at the fact that he had never been on the draft podium. Now, when he attends the Canadiens’ development camp in the summer, he gives the players a speech about how hard it is to make it to the NHL and that being drafted is just one way to get there. From there, you have to make the right choices to make it to the promised land. Guest coach Caroline Ouellette was particularly impressed by his speech and just how fascinated the players were, hanging on his every word. That speech can come in handy now at the family home.


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Joe Iginla Ready to Write His Own Story with the Calgary Flames

There are few names synonymous with the Calgary Flames that resonate quite like 'Iginla.' While players like Lanny, Kipper, and Theo have left their mark, Jarome Iginla is the true embodiment of the Flames' identity over the last two decades.

Jarome spent 16 of his 20 seasons in Calgary, serving as captain for a decade. He remains the franchise leader in goals (525), points (1,095), and games played (1,219). His resume is decorated with twelve 30-goal seasons, 11 years leading the team in scoring, two Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophies, an Art Ross Trophy in 2001-02, and a historic run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2004. Beyond his stats - scoring, hitting, and fighting - he was a leader both on and off the ice.

Those are massive skates to fill.

© Candice Ward-Imagn Images
© Candice Ward-Imagn Images

So when the Flames drafted his son, Joe, in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the excitement was immediate, as were the questions about whether Joe could replicate his father's legacy in Calgary. While it is unfair to place such pressure on any young player, it is an inevitable reality for the son of a Hall of Famer.

“It’s exciting for sure, obviously I grew up watching the Flames and rooting for them, so it’s cool,” Iginla told the media at the Flames recent development camp. “It’s been nice, I like to think I’m well received so I’m grateful and I’m happy to get going.” 

With his older brother, Tij, poised to be a full-time NHLer for the Utah Mammoth, and his sister recently drafted 18th overall to the new PWHL Hamilton team, hockey is clearly in the Iginla DNA. Joe is already benefiting from that family pedigree, noting the value of learning from his older brother’s experiences.

“I was actually sleeping when I got picked… and my brother came in and tackled me,” said Iginla.” I learned tons from him. Obviously I get to learn from my dad, but my brother, he’s in it now, he goes through it. He’s a role model for sure and I learned a lot from him.”

The Flames selected Joe 65th overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. He split the previous season in the WHL between the Edmonton Oil Kings and the Vancouver Giants, recording 15 goals and 31 points.

Whatever the future holds for Joe, Calgary fans can certainly enjoy this moment of nostalgia, hoping that one day soon, the 'Iggy, Iggy, Iggy' chants will return to the rafters of Scotiabank Place.

Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim rehab transferred to Triple-A Gwinnett

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 4: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves is seen during batting practice before the game against the New York Mets at Truist Park on July 4, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Braves return to action tonight at Truist Park to begin a three-game set against the Texas Rangers. We’re hoping they’re well-rested and ready to come out of the All-Star break hot. Or at least playing better than .500 ball, like how they began July.

We can afford to be optimistic knowing the players that are set to return and make an impact in the second half. It’ll be like making a trade…

Among those are Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ha-Seong Kim, who began their rehab assignment on Monday with the FCL Braves. They will now continue their rehab in Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers (alternatively, acronyms abound: RAJ and HSK join AJSS in AAA).

In three games with the FCL Braves, Acuña Jr. was 1-for-7 with two walks, but that one hit was a grand slam yesterday.

In his three games, Ha-Seong Kim was 2-for-6 with a homer and three walks.

The Stripers begin a series against the Mud Hens in Toledo tonight before returning home on Tuesday, July 21. We’ll likely hear more from Walt Weiss about their estimated timeline to return to the big club before tonight’s game.