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July 18, 2025

Brewers at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 18

It's Friday, July 18 and the Brewers (56-40) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (58-39). Quinn Priester is slated to take the mound for Milwaukee against Tyler Glasnow for Los Angeles.

Los Angeles finished with the most wins in the NL with 58 and was one short of tying Detroit's MLB-best 59 first-half wins. The All-Star break couldn't have come quick enough for the Dodgers. Los Angeles lost a season-high seven straight games before winning the past two for a 2-7 record over the last nine.

Milwaukee is arguably the hottest team in the NL right now, but will that continue after the break? The Brewers are one game back of the Cubs for the NL Central lead and in the top spot for the No. 4 seed after ripping off seven consecutive wins to end the first half of the year, including a three-game sweep over the Dodgers.

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 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.

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Game details & how to watch Brewers at Dodgers

Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 10:10PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: FDSNWI, SNLA

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 Brewers at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Friday:

Moneyline: Brewers (+158), Dodgers (-190)
Spread: Dodgers -1.5
Total: 10.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Brewers at Dodgers

Pitching matchup for July 18, 2025: Quinn Priester vs. Tyler Glasnow

Brewers: Quinn Priester, (7-2, 3.55 ERA)
Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow, (1-0, 3.52 ERA)
Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Brewers and the Dodgers

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 Brewers and the Dodgers:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Milwaukee Brewers Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Brewers at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 10.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Brewers at Dodgers

Milwaukee has won seven straight games and went 6-1 ATS in that span
Milwaukee is 3-0 on the ML and ATS versus Los Angeles this year
Los Angeles is 2-7 on the ML in the past nine games
The Dodgers went 5-0 out of the All-Star break last year
The Brewers went 4-1 out of the All-Star break last year
The Brewers have won the last eight with Priester pitching
The Dodgers are 3-3 with Glasnow pitching this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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)

July 18, 2025

Twins at Rockies prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 18

It's Friday, July 18 and the Twins (47-49) are in Denver to take on the Rockies (22-74). Chris Paddack is slated to take the mound for Minnesota against Kyle Freeland for Colorado.

Minnesota won its past three series against Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and the Chicago Cubs to earn a 6-3 record in the past nine. The Twins are in a heathy spot to be completive and steal an AL Wild Card spot. Minnesota is four games back of the final postseason spot and can make ground against Colorado here.

The Rockies ended the first half of the season with 22 wins, which is by far the worst in the MLB. However, Colorado did start 9-50 in the first 59 games, so 13-24 over the last 37 games is a significant improvement. Colorado is 1-5 over the last six games, so maybe the magic is wearing off.

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

Game details & how to watch Twins at Rockies

Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 8:40PM EST
Site: Coors Field
City: Denver, CO
Network/Streaming: MNNT, COLR

Odds for the Twins at the Rockies

The latest odds as of Friday:

Moneyline: Twins (-167), Rockies (+139)
Spread: Twins -1.5
Total: 10.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Twins at Rockies

Pitching matchup for July 18, 2025: Chris Paddack vs. Kyle Freeland
- Twins: Chris Paddack, (3-8, 4.95 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 11 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 2 Strikeouts
- Rockies: Kyle Freeland, (1-10, 5.44 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Twins and the Rockies

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 Twins and the Rockies:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Twins on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 10.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Twins at Rockies

Minnesota is 6-3 in the last nine games
Minnesota is 5-14 when Paddack pitches this season
Colorado is 13-24 over the past 37 games
Colorado is 3-14 when Freeland pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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)

July 18, 2025

Cardinals at Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, stats for July 18

It's Friday, July 18 and the Cardinals (51-46) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (47-50). Andre Pallante is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Brandon Pfaadt for Arizona.

The Cardinals went 4-8 over the last 12 contests and only won one out of four series coming against the Nationals. Good news for Cardinals fans, they did sweep the Diamodbacks earlier this season at home, so there's hope for a series win here.

St. Louis has the 12th-easiest strength of schedule remaining and will head to Colorado for three games after this three-game set at Arizona.

The Diamondbacks are 1-3 over the last four games and 4-8 in the past 12, much like the Cardinals. Arizona is 5.5 games back of the final NL Wild Card spot, while St. Louis is 1.5 games back — so this series is equally important for both.

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Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Diamondbacks

Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 9:40PM EST
Site: Chase Field
City: Phoenix, AZ
Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, ARID

Odds for the Cardinals at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Friday:

Moneyline: Cardinals (+109), Diamondbacks (-130)
Spread: Diamondbacks -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Diamondbacks

Pitching matchup for July 18, 2025: Andre Pallante vs.
- Cardinals: Andre Pallante, 5-5 4.49 ERA
- Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, Walks, and Strikeouts
- Diamondbacks: Brandon Pfaadt, (9-6, 5.16 ERA)
  Last outing: 8.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 Arizona Diamondbacks on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the St. Louis Cardinals at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

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

St. Louis is 3-0 versus Arizona this season
Both Arizona and St. Louis are 4-8 in the last 12 games
Arizona is 1-4 in the last five when Walter pitches
St. Louis is 0-3 in the past three when Pallante pitches

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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)

July 18, 2025

Astros at Mariners Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 18

It's Friday, July 18 and the Astros (56-40) are in Seattle to take on the Mariners (51-45). Brandon Walter is slated to take the mound for Houston against Luis Castillo for Seattle.

Houston is 4-3 against Seattle this season and 3-1 in the last four, but struggled entering the All-Star break. The Astros are 1-5 over the last six games after going on a 6-1 stretch prior to that. Houston is leading the AL West by 5.0 games and has the second-easiest strength of schedule remaining.

For Seattle, they are the team 5.0 games back of Houston and are coming off a three-game sweep of Detroit that should have the Mariners feeling good, not to mention Cal Raleigh's home run derby title.

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

Game details & how to watch Astros at Mariners

Date: Friday, July 18, 2025
Time: 10:10PM EST
Site: T-Mobile Park
City: Seattle, WA
Network/Streaming: SCHN, RSNW

Odds for the Astros at the Mariners

The latest odds as of Friday:

Moneyline: Astros (+113), Mariners (-134)
Spread: Mariners -1.5
Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Astros at Mariners

Pitching matchup for July 18, 2025: Brandon Walter vs. Luis Castillo
- Astros: Brandon Walter, (1-2, 3.98 ERA)
  Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
- Mariners: Luis Castillo, (6-5, 3.41 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Astros and the Mariners

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

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 Astros and the Mariners:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Astros Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Astros at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC.

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Astros at Mariners

Houston is 4-3 versus Seattle this season
Seattle is 3-0 in the last three games
Seattle is 6-0 to the Over in the last six games
Houston is 4-2 to the Over in the last six games
Seattle is 4-1 in the last five when Castillo pitches this season
Houston is 2-5 when Walter pitches this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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)

July 18, 2025

Forsberg: Expect Celtics to do more roster ‘tinkering' this offseason

Forsberg: Expect Celtics to do more roster ‘tinkering' this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics have done plenty of heavy lifting this offseason to overhaul their roster. But that doesn’t mean their work is done.

After replacing four members of their 2024 championship core — Jrue Holiday (trade), Kristaps Porzingis (trade), Luke Kornet (free agency) and Al Horford (expected to sign elsewhere) — with the likes of Anfernee Simons, Georges Niang, Luka Garza and Josh Minott, the Celtics shed a significant amount of salary but still are barely over the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax.

As president of basketball operations Brad Stevens has clearly stated, Boston’s goal is to get under that second apron to avoid punitive-building roster penalties, which means at least one minor move is coming. But with superstar Jayson Tatum sidelined indefinitely with a ruptured Achilles tendon, Stevens and Co. could opt for more drastic changes to further cut costs and reset the roster.

“You still have salary to trim, even if it’s just a little to get off that second apron,” Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg explained Thursday on Arbella Early Edition. “I just think there’s going to be bigger cuts.”

The C’s also are heavy on guards and wings but light in the frontcourt, which currently features Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman Sr., Garza and rookie Amari Williams. So from a practical standpoint, it would make sense to explore trading for a big man.

“I do look at this roster, and it’s still a little bit unbalanced,” Forsberg said. “We’ve got to see what emerges in that frontcourt. I think there’s some tinkering left to do here if the right deals emerge.”

Recent additions Simons and Niang — who are making $27.7 million and $8.2 million, respectively, on expiring contracts in 2025-26 — are logical trade candidates, while Sam Hauser’s name has been floated in rumors as well. The question is what the market looks like for these players, and whether Stevens feels there’s more value in waiting until the season to explore potential deals.

“I think Brad was pretty honest when he when he met with us last week and said they don’t want to sacrifice draft assets to move off money,” Forsberg added. “But I do think as you get into the season, some of those conversations will change, and teams’ needs will change around the league, and maybe that will open up opportunities.”

Regardless of how that market develops, Forsberg believes we’ll see at least one more shoe drop in Boston over the next few months.

“I would be very surprised if the roster we see here on July 17th is the same one that’s there on October 17th when the team tips off the season,” he added.

Check out Forsberg’s full discussion with Trenni Casey and Kayla Burton on Early Edition below.

July 18, 2025

NHL Trade Rumors: Blackhawks Should Check In On Yegor Chinakhov

The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t made any huge splashes this offseason. They have made it clear that 2025-26 is another developmental year. There was no reason to overspend on free agents who won’t be as helpful when the team is ready to win.

Kyle Davidson, however, is not shy about adding pieces that he thinks can help the team in the long term. On Thursday, a player like that may have become available.

Rumors are out there that Yegor Chinakhov has requested a trade away from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, every team that could use a talented forward for their bottom-six is going to be inquiring.

Yegor Chinakhov, 24, still has youth on his side, so he will be attractive to the Blackhawks. There is some upside to his game, which makes him worth considering for a team that lacks NHL forward depth.

His upside likely won't lead to him becoming a star, but he's a productive bottom-six forward with some skill. In 175 games with the Blue Jackets, Chinakhov has 71 points. Having that many points in a limited role isn't anything to ignore.

When he's healthy, which has been somewhat of an issue, he can be a productive player. He has a great shot, which is his ace tool, but he has to be on the ice to use it. If a fresh start is what he's looking for, Chicago may be a good landing spot for him to rejuvenate his career.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

July 18, 2025

Ranking Every NHL Arena Media Meal (Part 2): Venues 17 to 24 Revealed

Welcome back to the second part of our summer-long series ranking NHL media meals. With the schedule revealed this week, I've started booking road trips for the upcoming season, which is also making me hungry and excited for the media meals next season. This week, we count down the No. 17 through 24 media meals in the NHL.

Ranking Every NHL Arena's Media Meal Part 1: The Bottom 8 Revealed (Nos. 25–32)As I write this, I feel blessed that I get to travel as often as I do. And while on the road covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, I like to see what every city has to offer in terms of restaurants, amenities, etc.

These are better than most media meals, but not what I would call S-tier. But who knows? Perhaps that will change in 2025-26. One of my plans for this season is to give every city a chance to move up or down the rankings following each visit.

With that said, here are rankings for the mid-tier to lower-ranked media meals in the NHL.

TikTok · David AlterCheck out David Alter’s video.

No. 17:Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers boast one of the fanciest setups in the NHL, featuring a small, specially-appointed table with a fancy cloth and real cutlery reserved for home front office executives. This meal used to be quite expensive at $20 plus tax and tip, but they've since reduced it to $15, which was a welcome change. The decreased price appeared to correlate with a smaller protein selection, though the quality remained decent. For some reason, they had an abundance of salad dressings. You name it, they had it. And they had a lot of it. They also offered a great dessert selection from a local Alberta creamery. Even though there was a fee, I was on a list and didn't have to pay, which I appreciated. They also serve pizza during intermissions and offer various snacks and assorted drinks.

No. 18:Florida Panthers

From Stanley Cup finalists to Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers are not winners of the media meal prize. They usually offer a choice of one or two proteins. It's not bad for just $13 US. They have cherry coke on fountain, which I always appreciate, as many venues do not. You also get hot dogs and cookies; during the playoffs, they even changed it up, offering a marshmallow and Rice Krispy treat covered in chocolate on a stick. Upstairs, they usually have some sort of hot food, such as chicken 'tendies' or empanadas, along with chips. They also had candied popcorn in the colors of the Florida Panthers, which I really liked. It's these little bonuses that stopped them from falling further down the list.

TikTok · David Alter331 likes, 9 comments. “#Leafs #media #meal for Game 6 against the Panthers. The hot dog was great. Same with the chicken and plantains. Hopefully there will be some more left this #NHL season.”

No. 19: Vegas Golden Knights

The drawback to Vegas is that they take cash only, and I actually didn't have any on me. So, a shout-out to the Mayor of Las Vegas, Gary Lawless, for telling the staff not to charge me for dinner, which I very much appreciated. They offered a good selection, although I didn't have time for the three-color cauliflower. What truly elevates the Vegas experience is the amazing candy and treat selection upstairs. This contributed to a great dining experience. They also offer cold brew coffee for those hot Vegas nights, which I definitely dig.

No. 20:Toronto Maple Leafs

Since I am based in Toronto, I don't have to frequent the media meals. However, I often choose to partake. During the height of the pandemic, they reverted to free meal vouchers, which I loved because I could use the $25 credit and pay a few extra dollars to get some delicious Edo sushi. In December 2023, the media meals returned. They were okay, but sometimes consisted of nothing more than basic burgers and worse. It's not bad, but for $15 plus taxes, it could be better. Sometimes they'd offer Mexican food, and it was okay. Their best nights are when they offer Asian cuisine. During the playoffs, they switched to vouchers where $15 would get you $25 worth of concession food. It's not a great value proposition, and the selection was limited to 300-level choices, excluding any of the new, fancier restaurants due to renovations. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in store for next year, as I believe they have the potential to move up the list. Upstairs, many media members settle for the free Pizza Pizza.

TikTok · David Alter143 likes, 14 comments. “It’s #media #meal time for Game 5 between the #Leafs and Panthers in the #NHL #stanleycup playoffs. Refusing to have the voucher so I enjoyed the free #pizza. And jelly beans.”

No. 21: Calgary Flames

The Flames' media meal is fairly basic, with the main event typically being chicken thighs. For Alberta, I was hoping for some Grade-A beef. The real saving grace that kept them from falling further down the list is the adjacent commissary for employees, which offers a vast and reasonably priced selection. Media members were also allowed to partake, and I opted for this over the main meal, at a fraction of the cost.

No. 22: Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets offer a decent meal at an okay price, but it's not particularly memorable. The best part of their offerings is an ice cream machine. Also, their Tim Hortons coffee seems to be superior to any other Tim Hortons coffee I've had. This could be because there's a standalone Tim Hortons location right next to Nationwide Arena. It's hard to explain. The Blue Jackets are the only team that has an emotional support dog greeting you as you come out of the elevator. His name is Jaxon, and he's a very good boy.

TikTok · David Alter1292 likes, 36 comments. “Media #meal time in Calgary for #Leafs vs #Flames. Unique to this city, they have a staff cafeteria where the value proposition absolutely slaps.”

No. 23:Washington Capitals

The Capitals actually spent a season operating on a voucher system similar to the Maple Leafs, where $10 would get you $30 worth of food, and it was actually really good. However, I do like that they eventually transitioned to a traditional media meal. It's another one of those small buffet spreads, typically featuring only one protein option. If you didn't like the dressing they put on the beef, you pretty much weren't eating. The Caps do have a good snack game in the press box, though, with more sweets than savory options.

No. 24:Winnipeg Jets

The Jets' meal is fairly pricey at $17 plus tax, and there wasn't much going for it. Winnipeg is a very underrated food city, and they actually have an awesome food court next door that many of my colleagues opt for instead. I went to Saburo for an awesome Korean Fried Chicken platter. It was delicious.

(Top Image Credit: David Alter on TikTok)

July 18, 2025

Rangers acquire José Ruiz and cash from the Braves for Dane Dunning in swap of right-handers

ARLINGTON, Texax — The Texas Rangers acquired right-hander José Ruiz and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday for right-hander Dane Dunning.

The 30-year-old Ruiz has split the season between Philadelphia and Atlanta and both teams' Triple-A affiliates. He will report to Triple-A Round Rock.

Ruiz made 16 relief appearances for Philadelphia before being designated for assignment June 1 and claimed off waivers by the Braves on June 7. He pitched in two games for Atlanta, and is 1-0 with an 8.82 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings in the 18 combined games.

The Venezuelan is 11-9 with a save and a 4.62 ERA in 282 career games in nine seasons with San Diego, the Chicago White Sox, Arizona, Philadelphia and Atlanta.

The 30-year-old Dunning had a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings without a decision in five games this season for Texas. After being acquired from the White Sox in December 2020, he was 26-32 with a 4.36 ERA in 122 games for Texas.

July 18, 2025

Former Giants managing general partner, longtime lead Microsoft attorney Bill Neukom dies at 83

SAN FRANCISCO — Former San Francisco Giants managing general partner Bill Neukom, a bow-tie loving, longtime Microsoft attorney who was at the helm when the team won its first World Series title in 2010, has died. He was 83.

The team announced Neukom's death Thursday. No additional information was provided.

Neukom retired from his role following the 2011 season and after the Giants captured the 2010 World Series for their first of three every-other-year titles that included championships in 2012 and 2014.

The 2010 victory marked the first for the team since moving West in 1958.

“Bill will always hold a special place in our hearts and in the history of this franchise,” Giants CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “He was instrumental in helping this organization and its players bring the first World Series Championship to San Francisco in 2010. Bill will always be remembered for not only his leadership of this storied organization but also his colorful bow ties and the fact he’d bring a glove to the ballpark to try and catch foul balls. He was a true gentleman, a dedicated fan and a friend to so many.”

An avid runner who completed more than a half-dozen marathons, Neukom first joined the ownership group in 1995 and became a general partner in 2003. When Peter Magowan retired after the 2008 season, Neukom became managing general partner.

He developed a catchphrase called “The Giants Way” of playing baseball.

“My idea is that we adhere to it at the minor-league level and all the way up," Neukom said when introduced in October 2008. "It’s how you play the game, conditioning, fundamentals, a rigorous spring training regimen, everything. We want the best talent, the best teachers, the best leaders, the best trainers, and we want to have better communication on what we want and how we want it done.”

After retiring, Neukom remained involved with the Giants as chairman emeritus.

He grew up in nearby San Mateo rooting for the Giants and with then-San Francisco Seals owner Charlie Graham as a neighbor. Neukom also loved riding horses and stayed active despite undergoing hip replacement surgery during his Giants tenure.

Serving as top counsel for Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, Neukom was the company's lead lawyer for nearly 25 years. His Microsoft stake was worth an estimated $107 million when he left in 2001. He was a partner in the Seattle office of the law firm Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis. He also was a past president of the American Bar Association, serving in 2007-08.

Neukom also founded the World Justice Project in 2006, a multinational, multidisciplinary initiative to strengthen the rule of law worldwide.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

July 18, 2025

Sports quiz of the week: Lions, the Open, the Tour and the first £1m player

Have you been following the big stories in football, tennis, golf, cycling, boxing and rugby union?

July 18, 2025

Warriors draft pick Will Richard looks like a steal after NBA Summer League

Warriors draft pick Will Richard looks like a steal after NBA Summer League originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The goal will be simple when the Warriors step on the court Saturday in Las Vegas for their eighth and final Summer League game. Get to the final horn in excellent health.

After seven games, including three in the California Classic, significant decisions are at least 80-percent settled. Several players showed enough for further evaluation but only one appears ready to compete for a role in the NBA.

Guard Will Richard, three months removed from winning a national championship at the University of Florida, has a chance to contribute for Golden State. Maybe as a rookie.

Though six games, Richard is averaging team-highs in minutes (23.9 per game), scoring (11.5 points) and steals (1.7). He’s shooting 42.4 percent (25-of-59) from the field, and only 20.7 percent (6-of-29) from deep. The Warriors anticipate his 3-ball to come around, a 6-foot-4 guard shooting 63.3 percent inside the arc – and 92.9 from the line – is testimony to finding buckets.

After shooting 9 of 26 from the field and 2 of 11 from deep in his first two games, during the California Classic, Richard’s efficiency has trended up since the season moved to Vegas. He’s shooting 48.5 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from distance and an astonishing 80 percent inside the arc.

And it’s not as if the NBA Warriors are blessed with a surplus of finishers in the paint.

“It’s clear,” Warriors Summer League coach Lainn Wilson told reporters in Vegas this week, “that he’s starting to look a little more comfortable.”

Beyond the numbers, what seems particularly valuable to Golden State is Richard’s relentless energy and considerable defensive aptitude, which are packaged with the kind of composure that develops over 105 starts for an elite college program.

With Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green accounting for more than 80 percent of the 2025-26 payroll, the Warriors are limited to supporting their core by adding relatively cheap labor. A taxpayer midlevel exception, and then vet minimums and youngsters on rookie deals. They were in no position to offer Kevon Looney the two-year, $16 million contract he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans – especially when the front office feels good about the chance to add veteran center Al Horford.

With unrestricted free agent Gary Payton II still on the market, the Warriors do not have a strong point-of-attack defender. There still is a chance GP II returns, according to league sources, but it would be at a significant reduction from his $9.1 million salary last season.

Knowing Payton could hit the market after the 2022 NBA Finals championship, the Warriors shopped for a POA defender in the ‘22 draft, snagging Ryan Rollins in the second round. He was shipped out a year later in the Chris Paul trade and now is in Milwaukee.

The Warriors brought in De’Anthony Melton, who has strong defensive credentials, last season, only to lose him three weeks into the season to a torn ACL. He’ll be back in the league next season, and the Warriors are at his door.

Which brings us back to Richard. At 6-foot-4, with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he shows the kind of two-way effectiveness coach Steve Kerr and his staff are craving. He’s 22 years old and probably would have the lowest salary on the roster. For someone who was the 56th overall selection in the 2025 draft, he plays like a keeper.

Yes, Golden State’s primary goal against the Cleveland Cavaliers (4:30 p.m. on NBA TV) in the consolation game Saturday at Cox Pavilion is to escape unscathed. It offers the Warriors one more look at Richard in “game conditions” before training camp. As if they need it.

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July 18, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s NBA soft launch showed the spotlight fits just fine

Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks looks during the first half of NBA Summer League game against the San Antonio Spurs at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

“I would say that might be one of the worst games of my life,” Cooper Flagg told reporters last Thursday night. “But we got the win, so that’s what really matters to me.” It was a telling statement from the 18-year-old basketball phenom after his first Las Vegas Summer League game. The No 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft – taken by the Dallas Mavericks after a one-and-done college career at Duke – didn’t have nearly as disastrous a debut as he made out. Though he struggled to shoot the ball, Flagg still managed to flash his playmaking and defensive range. Clearly hyperaware to the moment and the hype surrounding his technical NBA debut, he looked determined to put on a show: aggressively hunting his shot and seeking out highlight-reel dunks at every opportunity.

He bounced back with 31 points in his second (and ultimately final) Summer League appearance on Saturday. But it was the second-half of his comment after Thursday night’s game that encapsulates why Flagg is one of the most hyped teenage prospects in decades: the kid is a winner.

The buzz around Flagg began in his native Maine, where he became the first freshman to win the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year award. He transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida after his first year of high school in search of stiffer competition, and the accolades continued to accumulate: McDonald’s All American, Gatorade National Player of the Year, even USA Basketball’s Male Athlete of the Year, the youngest to earn the honor since the award’s inception in 1980. Long compared to Kevin Garnett and Jayson Tatum for his two-way skillset and relentless work ethic, Flagg reclassified to enter college a year early – and did the same a second time to reach the NBA sooner. With every challenge cleared, he’s sought the next one with even greater urgency.

In a 2024 feature on Flagg for the Ringer, J Kyle Mann described the 6ft 9in, 205lb Swiss army knife as “running toward the grind”, a sentiment longtime Mavericks beat writer Tim Cato echoes in Vegas this week when I ask for his assessment of the teenager. “What really stands out to me about Cooper is he has always ascended,” Cato says. “He loves to cite a quote from his mom, ‘If you’re the best player in the gym, you need to find a new gym.’ And I just think that shows up in every aspect of his career.”

That dogged commitment to improvement has made Flagg both more polished and more reserved than many of his peers. The Tatum comparisons, one could argue, are as apt behind the microphone as they are on the court. His answers can feel a little too polished, the jagged edges sanded down. He lacks the off-the-cuff charisma of an Anthony Edwards or the unfiltered snarl of a Garnett. There’s little brashness, no “face of the league” bravado – just focus. When I asked him after his monster second Vegas appearance, where he punctuated what felt like every five minutes of play with a poster dunk and looked every part the budding superstar, what he dreams about when he lets his imagination run wild over the potential of his NBA career, he had an aw-shucks answer seemingly in the can. “I’m not getting too far ahead of myself. I haven’t really thought about that too much,” he said. “I’m kind of just focused on each individual day and just trying to get better. I know I have a really long way to go, and a lot to improve on.”

“That focus is what stands out most about Cooper,” says Cato. “Sometimes even to his detriment. When he says stuff like ‘I’m not really into music,’ he just seems like a guy solely consumed with basketball and challenging himself to reach new heights.”

Flagg could do a lot worse than ending up a rough equivalent of Tatum, of course: an arguable top-five player who is a year removed from an NBA championship. He would probably be quite pleased with that trajectory (and, it’s worth noting, the New Englander grew up a Celtics fan). But some insiders see an even loftier ceiling. One NBA executive told me Flagg was “the most skilled and hardest-working prospect in either of his Summer League games”, adding: “He has a pretty strong case as the most complete 18-year-old player since LeBron James.”

What impressed most in Flagg’s debut wasn’t any single element. It was the totality: the aggression, the poise, the basketball IQ, the defense, the size, the athleticism. Flagg is poised to make his formal regular-season debut in October as a ready-made, plug-and-play contributor with superstar upside. Against all odds, a Mavericks organization just months removed from the Luka Dončić saga appears, indeed, to have hit the lottery.

July 18, 2025

The Open 2025: second round updates from Royal Portrush – live

Latest updates from the second day of the 153rd Open
Live official leaderboard | And you can email Scott

Adam Scott should have won this Championship in 2012. But he bogeyed holes 69 through 72 at Lytham, handing the Claret Jug to Ernie Els on a silver platter. What the genial Scott would give to play that stretch again. Ah well, he’ll always have Augusta National, nine months later. What the Big Easy would give for a green jacket. Scott started this morning on +1 after a 72 yesterday, but he’s going backwards now, after a clumsy double bogey, his first of the week, at the short par-three 3rd. He over-clubs, his ball disappearing down the swale at the back … then he under-chips, his ball coming back towards his feet. A second chip doesn’t get close, and two putts later, he’s +3 and prodding the green with his putter in annoyance, not so genial right now.

Sergio Garcia missed a five-foot putt to win the Open at Carnoustie in 2007. He had his chance to win at Hoylake in 2014 too, but failed to get out of a bunker at the par-three 15th and that was that too. At 45 years of age, it’s not too late to right those wrongs, and yesterday’s opening round of 70 offered hope. But he’s started his second round horrendously, tugging his opening tee shot into the thick stuff down the left, finding a greenside bunker, failing to get onto the green, chipping short, then failing to make the eight-footer that remains for bogey. A double, and those shoulders are slumping already. We’ve seen this story too often before. Oh Sergio. He’s +1.

July 18, 2025

Captain Harry Wilson backs Wallabies to surprise British & Irish Lions in first Test

Australia’s No 8 says team will try to ‘win every moment’ on Saturday
Nick Champion de Crespigny and Tom Lynagh come into injury-depleted squad

Australia captain Harry Wilson said the Wallabies were confident of beating the British & Irish Lions in the first Test at Lang Park on Saturday despite being heavy underdogs after losing several key players to injury.

The Wallabies have won only four of their last 11 Tests and on Saturday will be without regular fly-half Noah Lolesio and their best Test player of the last two years, loose forward Rob Valetini.

July 18, 2025July 21, 2025