Before Leonard signed with the Clippers during the 2019 NBA offseason, he had a one-year stint in Toronto after he was traded by the Spurs to the Raptors in the 2018 offseason.
Clippers star Kawhi Leonard might be traded during the offseason. NBAE via Getty Images
The 2018-2019 season was one for the ages for Leonard as he led Toronto to its first championship in franchise history and was crowned Finals MVP after the Raptors dethroned the Warriors, the reigning back-to-back champions.
Fischer reported that if a reunion between Leonard and the Raptors happens, Toronto would prefer trading Brandon Ingram as opposed to trading RJ Barrett.
Ingram is fairly familiar with the Los Angeles landscape after being selected with the second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Lakers.
In discussions with the Clippers, sources say Toronto has expressed a preference in dealing Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles, as opposed to RJ Barrett.
Ingram is coming off his second career All-Star season after averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last season.
Barrett was a former third overall pick by the Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is coming off a season in which he averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Leonard is set to enter the final year of his contract and will make $50.3 million this season. Ingram makes $40 million next season and has a player option of $41.9 million next year.
The Raptors are reportedly interested in reacquiring Kawhi Leonard this offseason. Getty Images
Recent reports have indicated that if Leonard and the Clippers can’t agree on an extension this year, they could look into trading him this offseason.
Reports also have indicated the Warriors remain interested in trading for Leonard, which could drive up the asking price by the Clippers if there is an all-out bidding war for the former two-time Finals MVP.
England captain Ben Stokes has declared he will retire from international cricket at the end of the current Test against New Zealand following a contentious year.
The Mets fell to the Philadelphia Phillies by score of 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.
Here are the key takeaways...
-- In the bottom of the eighth, with the Mets trailing by a run, Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering walked the bases loaded. With one out, Ronny Mauricio popped out to second base for a huge second out, and Francisco Alvarez struck out on a high fastball to end the inning.
Overall, the Mets went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 14 runners on base.
-- After Cionel Perez retired the side in order in the first, the Mets turned things over to Tobias Myers. The righty had a clean second inning, but allowed three runs on four hits in the third as the Phillies rallied to take a 3-0 lead. The Mets and interim manager Andy Green appear to be stretching Myers out to join the rotation full-time, but it came at the detriment of Myers, allowing three runs as he stayed in the game instead of Green going to a different reliever.
--Kodai Senga made his first career relief appearance as he took over in the fifth inning. He pitched a one-two-three inning, did a great job working out of a jam in the sixth (more on that below), but gave up the lead in the top of the seventh, throwing a very hittable fastball to Kyle Schwarber,who put it over the wall in right center for a two-run homer, putting the Phillies back in front, 5-4.
Senga ended up going 5.0 innings, really saving the rest of the Mets bullpen, allowing two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
-- The Mets put two men on with no outs in the fourth, but couldn't do anything with it as the next three batters were retired. Facing the same situation in the fifth, the Mets were able to capitalize, as it was none other than rookieCarson Benge who came through with an RBI single to left to get the Mets on the board. Benge now has nine hits over his last eight games.
The Mets would go on to load the bases with one out, but couldn't push another run across as Bo Bichette went down swinging and Eric Wagaman, hitting cleanup, flew out to shallow center.
-- A potential turning point came in the sixth inning. An Alec Bohm walk and a Brandon Marsh double had runners at second and third and no outs, but Senga dug deep and retired the next three to get out of the jam without allowing a run. In the bottom half of the inning,Alvarez led off with a double to right, and A.J. Ewingcame off the bench and delivered with a two-run homer to right field, his first career pinch-hit hit. After Jesus Luzardo allowed just one earned run in 5.0 innings, right-hander Chase Shugart immediately coughed the lead up.
Later in the inning, it was, guess who, Benge, who came through with a fielder's choice that gave the Mets a 4-3 lead, as Benge once again hit a ball hard off of left Kyle Backhus.
Game MVP
Schwarber, whose 30th homer of the season gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning.
Jun 28, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson (2), left, and infielder Pete Alonso (25) watch the Orioles bat in the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Baltimore starter Kyle Bradish only allowed one hit today against the Nationals. If you’re looking for a positive story, you should probably stop reading now. The lack of hits did not bring the desired results. Bradish walked five hitters in only four innings of work, and Washington’s Luis García Jr. tortured Baltimore in a 6-4 Nationals victory at Camden Yards.
The Orioles actually got off to an encouraging start. Adley Rutschman picked up a two-out single in his first at bat after returning from the injured list. Pete Alonso worked the count full and fouled off a high heater before catching an elevated slider. Alonso tagged the ball 437 feet to dead center, and the Orioles led 2-0 at the end of one.
Bradish breezed through the first two innings and retired the first two batters in the third. Unfortunately, that’s where things began to fall apart. Bradish came within one strike of ending the inning in three consecutive at bats, but he kept letting batters off the hook. The righty issued free passes to Keibert Ruiz and James Woods before running the count full to Luis García Jr. Bradish managed to throw a pitch in the zone, but García turned the 96 MPH sinker around for a two-run double.
Bradish bounced back by generating a weak grounder from Curtis Mead, but Coby Mayo made a costly throwing error. Despite having plenty of time, Mayo spiked his throw to first. Samuel Basallo, playing first today with Alonso slotted as the DH, failed to pick the errant throw. García raced to the plate as the ball trickled by, and the Nationals secured a 3-2 lead.
Bradish walked two more batters in the fourth but managed to post a zero. He returned to the mound in the fifth, but exited after walking the leadoff hitter. Craig Albernaz summoned Tyler Wells for some long relief, but the move aged like milk. García Jr. delivered the Nats second hit of the game. This one was a 401-foot long ball that provided D.C. a 5-2 advantage.
Albert Suárez replaced Wells and tossed a scoreless sixth. Suárez struck out Woods to start the seventh, but García Jr. continued to see red in his next at bat. The 26-year-old smoked a line drive to deep right field. The ball was initially ruled in play, but replay revealed that the ball had left the yard. Washington led the game 6-2 behind García Jr.’s three extra-base hits.
The Orioles offense cooled after the early offense. Zack Littell entered the game with a 5.40 ERA, but he delivered a shutdown inning in the third. Baltimore failed to reach base in the fourth, and the Birds suffered some bad luck in the fifth. Taylor Ward was robbed of extra bases by an impressive catch at third base, and Gunnar Henderson just missed a run-scoring double on a ball that landed an inch left of the foul line.
Littell completed five innings to put himself in position for a win. Washington’s bullpen has been rocky all season, and Baltimore made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh. Colton Cowser reached with a base hit to center, and Jackson Holliday launched a ball over the fence in right field. The blast traveled 389 feet and cut the deficit in half.
Taylor Ward brought the tying run to the plate by working a walk, but Henderson flew out to end the inning. Henderson finished 0-for-4.
“Gunnar is just not getting the results that he wants,” Albernaz said after the game. “Nothing is falling for him right now.”
The Birds went down in order in the eighth. Coby Mayo worked a walk in the ninth, but pinch hitters Tyler O’Neill and Leody Taveras failed to deliver. O’Neill lined out to center field, and Taveras grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The Orioles dropped the series and fell to 39-46. Rutschman reached base multiple times and threw out a runner in his first game back. Cowser made several nice plays, and there were the big flies from Alonso and Holliday. There were a few positives, but not nearly enough. Bradish didn’t have it today, and García Jr. is on an absolute tear, but the Orioles beat themselves again with the throwing error in the third.
The struggling American League continues to keep Baltimore alive in the Wild Card race, but the Birds are in no position to be dropping a series like this at home. The Orioles will look to get back on track tomorrow evening against the White Sox.
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 20: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 20, 2026 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball walk off the court after defeating the Sacramento Kings at Spectrum Center on March 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Bridges was dealt to the Suns along with a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-rounder for veteran shooters Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale, along with an unprotected 2033 first-round pick.
The trade marks the end of an era for the Hornets, who have now moved on from the two players that defined the franchise for much of the past six seasons, for better or worse.
Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball walk off the court after defeating the Sacramento Kings at Spectrum Center on March 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images
Ball, along with Josh Green, was traded to Minnesota earlier this week in one of the offseason’s biggest surprises as Charlotte received Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three future first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030 and three second-round picks.
Now, Bridges — his longtime running mate — has followed him out the door and into the Western Conference.
Charlotte appears intent on reshaping their image.
Jeff Peterson, formerly the assistant general manager of the Nets, and head coach Charles Lee, a championship-winning assistant with the Celtics and Bucks, will look to ensure that the team moves forward with a different identity.
The Hornets have been built around the Ball-Bridges duo since they drafted the former at No. 3 overall in 2020, but the organization still hasn’t seen playoff basketball since 2016.
Still, these big moves are not without controversy, considering that the Hornets were No. 1 in net rating in the calendar year of 2026 and ended the season on a 28-10 run, giving them 44 wins — their most since 2015-16 — and their third play-in trip since 2021.
Miles Bridges has been with the Hornets since the 2018-19 season, other than the 2022-23 campaign, where he didn’t play primarily due to a domestic violence incident. Getty Images
The team did fall short of the playoffs after being blitzed by the Magic in their play-in game this past April.
The decision to move Bridges now is especially notable considering the productive season he put together and the fact that he has one year left on his contract worth over $22.7 million.
The athletic forward remained one of Charlotte’s primary scoring options while also contributing as a rebounder and secondary playmaker, though he was clearly the team’s fourth preferred option offensively behind Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel.
Miles Bridges reacts after making the game-winning block against the Miami Heat during the 2026 Play-In Tournament. Getty Images
For Phoenix, the acquisition represents an aggressive attempt to strengthen its frontcourt with a player capable of scoring at all three levels while defending multiple positions, in theory.
The Suns also gain a player entering the final year of his contract, providing cap flexibility.
For Charlotte, however, the message is clear. This, even from last season, is a new era of Hornets basketball.
Trading Ball alone would have signaled a dramatic philosophical shift.
Following it by moving Bridges confirms the franchise is fully committed to building around a new core centered on Miller and Knueppel, in particular.
The Hornets also maintain the second-most tradeable first-round picks, and because Miller — for one more season — and Knupeppel, for three more years, are on their rookie scale contracts, it might not be long before the Hornets pursue a third star to pair with the dynamic duo.
Jun 28, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Kody Clemens (2) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Colorado Rockies during the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
After being swept by the presiding World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers this past week, the Minnesota Twins were looking for a “get right” series this weekend with the Colorado Rockies.
They got it–taking two-of-three from the Colorado kids and keeping their quest for .500 in the right direction.
Twins SP Connor Prielipp’s afternoon did not get off to a great start: a base hit from Willi Castro and HBP off the hand of Tyler Freeman. Castro would eventually touch the dish on a TJ Rumfield single, but Prielipp would wriggle out of further damage by whiffing Kyle Karros (with an ABS assist from Alex Jackson) to strand runners on 2B & 3B. 1-0 COL.
The Twins tied things up in B2 when a Royce Lewis leadoff double down the LF line was immediately paid off by a Brooks Lee single plus throwing error from COL 3B-man Karros. Alas, a MN lead was prevented by an Ezequiel Tovar web gem throw from SS to nip Austin Martin at the 1B bag. 1-1 tie.
Prielipp would again get himself into a T4 jam–bases loaded, one out—but again sidestep severity with a K and a ground out. MIN wouldn’t let the escape-artist trick go to waste in B4, when Kody Clemens clobbered a majestic moonshot that nearly clanged off the flagpole in the RF plaza! 2-1 MN.
T6 started with a Rumfield single–and ended with a tie ballgame after a Troy Johnston RBI single. Prielipp would depart after those six frames with a no-decision, but an impressive 10 K and 2 ER quality start. 2-2 tie.
After a scoreless frame from RP Andrew Morris, it looked to be the same for the Twins in B7–until a two-out bomb to the CF berm from Ryan Kreidler! 3-2 MN.
Could the bullpen record 6 outs without coughing up the slim lead? Always the terrifying dilemma for the Twins.
Well, things went fine in T8–Anthony Banda setting down the side scoreless even amongst a little base paths traffic. But the first pitch of T9 from Banda plunked Braxton Fulford–then Banda immediately left the game with an undisclosed injury.
Uh oh.
But just four pitches from Yoendrys Gomez was all it took to set down the Rockies for the final three outs.
Your Final: Minnesota Twins 3, Colorado Rockies 2.
Still hanging around in the AL Central race and Wild Card berth consideration within the muddled AL.
Zach’s Zealot
Prielipp: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 10 K–easily his best outing as a Twin thus far.
Zach’s Zombie
Luke Keaschall: 0-3, .645 OPS. Still struggling to find any sort of consistency in ’26.
Ireland secured a landmark series win over T20 world champions India in Belfast on Sunday with a tense one-run win after the tourists again denied teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a debut.
Jun 28, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker (80) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Texas Rangers scored three runs while the Toronto Blue Jays scored two runs.
We can start by noting that the Rangers scored in the first inning of every game in this series. For a club often victimized by first inning runs, striking first proved to be an invaluable weapon for Texas this weekend in Toronto.
Today’s run came courtesy of Joc Pederson who, like on Thursday in the series opener, homered to lead off the game. Pederson’s solo dong came on the game’s first pitch, and the Rangers very nearly added more as they loaded the bases with one out against Toronto starter Shane Bieber before he wiggled out of trouble without another run crossing the plate.
And that ultimately seemed like potentially the big mistake of the day. The Rangers had fumbled their shot at following the same formula that had gotten them three wins to begin this series. After all, the Rangers had led big for much of each contest, allowing them to weather comeback bids by the Blue Jays in the late innings.
The Blue Jays threatened to nullify Texas’ scant early lead immediately in the bottom of the first as Kumar Rocker allowed a couple of singles to begin his start. However, Rocker buckled down to produce a shutdown inning and then ultimately enjoyed one of the more pleasant outings of his big league career.
Equipped with the deadly swing-and-miss slider that made him a No. 3 overall draft prospect, a slider that he sort of befuddlingly abandoned last season, Rocker only allowed two more hits and a walk in his six innings of work and struck out five, all swinging and four of which came on the slider.
Rocker’s biggest moment came in the bottom of the fifth when, in a 1-0 game, the big righty allowed a two-out single Andres Gimenez and then his defense started to abandon him. After a grounder to shortstop became a Corey Seager throwing error, with two on, Elias Diaz tried a back pick to get Gimenez at second base but the ball went off Gimenez’s helmet which allowed both runners to move into scoring position.
The Rocker of a year ago potentially collapses facing the top of the Jays’ order a third time and with the possibility of trailing with one hit. Instead, Rocker got Toronto’s No. 2 hitter Nathan Lukes to swing and miss on that money-maker slider to end the inning and the threat.
With the heart of the order due up an inning later, Skip Schumaker entrusted Rocker with the sixth inning and Rocker rewarded him with an easy inning to finish with an unblemished outing.
Now the Rangers are neck deep in a grueling early summer stretch of 15 games in 15 days that includes three consecutive road series. The pitching depth, especially in the bullpen, has become increasingly thin. There are going to be moments where some guys come in for appearances you probably wouldn’t want them to during this stretch and honestly most of that time that’s when Cole Winn comes into a game that the Rangers could maybe win.
After the Rangers got a bases loaded single from Diaz in the top of the sixth to make it a 2-0 game, a rally in which they failed to break open the game, Winn came on and tossed a scoreless seventh inning but then was tasked with going the eighth as well. After an out, he allowed a single to Jays’ leadoff hitter George Springer and then a home run to Lukes, a two-run shot that tied the game in the eighth.
As AJM noted, it was just the second home run that Winn had ever allowed to a left-handed batter. Nevertheless, the game was now tied and Rocker’s effort was erased. The tie game also allowed the Blue Jays to send in Louis Varland, who has been among the best relievers in the game this season.
After two quick outs, Josh Jung doubled and then was lifted for pinch runner Jarred Kelenic with Schumaker desperate to avoid extra innings and hoping that Corey Seager could come through with a go-ahead hit.
Instead, Varland unfurled a first pitch changeup for a wild pitch that the Jays showed no real urgency in fielding and Kelenic scored all the way from second base to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.
That would become a 3-2 victory after Tyler Alexander tossed a scoreless ninth.
With the win, the Rangers collected a full four-game sweep of the Blue Jays – three of which were by one run – and leave Canada all the way back at .500.
Player of the Game: It’s Rocker, who enjoyed a quality start as the return to prominence for his slider continues to be a positive development. Unfortunately for him, the lack of run support and Winn existing prevented him from earning a win.
The Rangers won, though, so I’m sure he’s not sweating it.
Up Next: The Rangers return to the states to take on the Cleveland Guardians for the final leg of this lengthy road trip. The starting pitcher for Texas in the opener has yet to be determined while Cleveland will opt for LHP Parker Messick.
The Monday evening first pitch from Progressive Field is scheduled for 6:10 pm CDT and will be aired nationally on ESPN.
While the Detroit Red Wings had originally envisioned goaltender Sebastian Cossa as potentially anchoring their crease for years to come, that hope officially ended on Friday.
Cossa, whom the Red Wings selected in the first round (15th overall pick) of the 2021 NHL Draft, was traded to the Utah Mammoth in return for the 23rd overall pick, which was then used to select forward J.P. Hurlbert.
Cossa was no longer waivers-exempt, and is still in need of a new contract as a pending restricted free agent.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings welcomed a new goaltender into their system from Czechia last offseason, and he made the most of his opportunity in Grand Rapids. Michal Postava earned the bulk of the starts down the stretch for the Griffins and was given the starting responsibilities in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Ultimately finishing with a 17-6 record with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage during regular season play, Postava could very well earn himself a full-time job in Detroit next season if he impresses enough in Training Camp.
Unlikely to retain veteran Cam Talbot, GM Steve Yzerman said that while the club is "very impressed" with how Postava performed, he is still coming off of what was his first year in North America and the club could potentially look to free agency to fill the backup role behind John Gibson.
“Regarding Michal, we’re very impressed with the season he had last year and the playoffs,” Yzerman said. “Having said that, it’s just his first year over here. We’ll look at all various options leading into free agency (starting Wednesday) and the off-season and decide what is the best option.”
Postava is signed for one more season with a $975,000 salary cap hit.
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INGLEWOOD CA - APRIL 8, 2026: LA Clippers forward John Collins (20) stands with his hands on his hips after he is charged with a foul against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Intuit Dome on April 8, 2026 in Inglewood, CA.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
NBA free agency is approaching and Sixers slop is trickling out.
The Sixers have had a seemingly-perennial hole at the four position they’ve been trying to fill on a discount. While minimum signing Guerschon Yabusele and two-way player Dominick Barlow both exceeded expectations, neither was a long-term solution. And with the selection of Labaron Philon Jr. at 22nd overall, the need for a reliable four remains.
Collins makes a good bit of on-court sense. The 28-year-old, who once tortured the Sixers as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, is entering his 10th NBA season and has played in 541 career games (466 starts). He can shoot (40.6 from three last season), rebound (9.6 rebounds per 36 minutes for his career) and offer weakside rim protection (1.2 blocks per 36 minutes). In certain matchups, he can even be used as a small-ball five with his ability to finish plays at the rim or pick-and-pop.
He’s ideal for the Sixers because he can space the floor and this team needs shooting. He can help make up for the rebounding struggles of Joel Embiid while also crushing the offensive glass from the dunker spot. He can be a strong pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Philon. All that and he’s not a player who needs the ball to be effective — a key element for a guy playing with this team’s Big 4.
He’s far from a perfect player. He’s not a zero with the ball in his hands, but he’s not a real shot creator or playmaker. He can shoot, but he’s never been a volume shooter. He moves his feet decently on the perimeter, but can be beat by quicker guards and wings. It’s also been a while since he’s played real competitive basketball having spent last season with the Clippers and the previous two seasons with the Utah Jazz.
The question will be the money. Collins might be one of the few free agents who commands the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception at around $15 million. The Sixers using the full NTMLE on Collins would hardcap them at the first apron and could limit what else they can do. They would have access to the bi-annual exception, but it would likely mean they lose both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes in free agency.
Collins could be the solution to the Sixers’ problems at the four, but Mike Gansey and the front office will have to decide if it’s worth the cost.
Jun 28, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A general view of Target Field as Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton (25) bats against the Colorado Rockies during the third inning. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Jun 28, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) reacts after striking out during the first inning with men on base against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Six in a row, and what a stupid way to get there. The losing streak now stands at six. These last two series were important, as Houston and Texas are significant rivals for the third wildcard spot. It’s hard not to conclude that the Jays have shown that they can’t hang with even badly scuffling teams like that. The rotation remains a tire fire, they were 0-for with runners in scoring position, and Vladimir Guerrero jr.’s OPS now starts with a 6.
Other than that, though, things are fine.
It looked like it was going to be another disaster outing for Shane Bieber. Joc Pederson deposited his first pitch of the afternoon into the right field bleachers, digging the Jays into the earliest possible hole. A single and a pair of walks loaded the bases with just one out. He escaped the jam with the help of some nifty fielding by Kazuma Okamoto, who went home after fielding an Ezequiel Duran grounder to get the runner at the plate and prevent the Rangers from scoring. He got more help in the second. Elias Diaz hit a hard line single to lead off. Alejandro Osune cracked a liner of his own, 101mph off the bat, but Vladmir Guerrero jr. made a great catch and dove back to the bag for the unassisted double play. Yet another gold star play by Okamoto, diving to catch a Pederson liner that would have been into the gap, got him out of the inning. The Biebs settled down at that point, working around one base runner each in the third and fourth and striking out the side in the fifth. He struggled again early in the fifth, allowing a walk and a single while recording one out, and was pulled from the game at that point. It wasn’t a good outing, but the three inning stretch in the middle was at least proof that he can still get it done at times, and he left the game within range.
Adam Macko took over. He walked the bases loaded, and then gave up a line single that scored an inherited runner, but stopped the damage at 2-0 with a double play ball. He got the first two outs of the seventh as well, issuing a walk and having Brandon Nimmo reach on a fielding error by Ernie Clement. Jeff Hoffman took over to strike out Jake Burger to preserve the 2-0 score.
Meanwhile, the offence was anemic early again. George Springer and Nathan Lukes both singled to lead off the bottom of the first, but a fly out, a fielder’s choice that got Springer at home, and a strike out prevented them from capitalizing. They went in order in the second, while in the third an Andres Gimenez walk was erased by a double play. A Daulton Varsho single was stranded in the fourth, while a Gimenez single and Springer reach-on-error were left on in the fifth. Kumar Rocker retired the side again in the sixth. In total, he scattered five hits and a walk over 6.0 scoreless innings, striking out five. Given two errors behind him, it was an especially impressive outing.
Cole Winn worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh for Texas. They finally got on the board off of him in the bottom of the eighth, following a scoreless top half by Hoffman. George Springer reached with a one out ground ball single, and Nathan Lukes tied the game with a two run shot to deep right field.
The tie would prove short lived, though. Louis Varland struck out his first two batters in the top of the ninth, but then Josh Jung lined a double. He was replaced with pinch runner Jared Kelenic. Varland spiked a ball in the dirt that popped up, deflected off Alejandro Kirk’s mask, and all the way up into the netting above the Jays dugout. Kirk had no idea where it was, and Kelenic was able to cruise around and score pretty easily on the rare two base wild pitch. They’ve done a lot of losing lately, but I have to respect their commitment to innovating in the space.
Tyler Alexander came on to lock down the save for the Rangers, retiring the Jays in order to secure the four game sweep.
Jays of the Day: Lukes (0.35), Bieber (0.10, but realistically this is a shared award for his infield)
Less so: Guerrero (-0.13), Okamoto (-0.15, although the defence arguably earns him a pass), Varsho (-0.13), Clement (-0.16), Kirk (-0.12), Varland (-0.30)
We’re mercifully done with the Rangers for now. Next up we have an ineptitude-off between the Jays and the Mets. Game one goes tomorrow at 7:07pm ET. Sean Manaea (1-2, 4.87) represents the visitors, while Trey Yesavage (3-3, 3.56) goes for the home team.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JUNE 28: Bryan Torres #39 of the St. Louis Cardinals gestures skyward as he crosses home after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium on June 28, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sunday’s game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins on the hottest day of the year so far was as much about survival as it was winning the game as Kyle Leahy and Bryan Torres helped the Cardinals beat the Marlins and the Heat Sunday if only barely.
The official game temperature was 92 degrees at the start of Sunday’s game in St. Louis, but the heat index said 106. The Cardinals scored first in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Masyn Winn led off with a single. He didn’t have to wait long to return to the dugout as Bryan Torres turned on a 95 mph sinker and sent it screaming over the right field wall giving St. Louis a quick 2-0 lead.
All things considered, Kyle Leahy gave the St. Louis Cardinals one of his best starts of the season as he endured 5 full innings striking out 5 and walking 3. He held the Marlins scoreless until the top of the 5th inning when Owen Caissie doubled to lead off the inning and he scored 2 pitches later when Graham Pauley hit a ground rule double cutting the Cardinals lead in half at 2-1.
The Cardinals bullpen did its job with JoJo Romero tossing 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Ryne Stanek closed out the top of the 7th inning as he was able to get a ground ball from Mack that Masyn Winn turned into an easy double play. George Soriano entered the game in the top of the 8th inning to try and help the Cardinals hang on to their narrow 2-1 lead. He was successful as his stuff was nasty in the best possible way as the Marlins never even got close to anything he was throwing.
One of the best performances Sunday was Marlins pitcher Tyler Phillips who pitched into the 8th inning amidst the soaring heat index. He would be taken out when the Cardinals strung together one-out hits from Nathan Church and Pedro Pagés bringing up JJ Wetherholt with runners on first and third. In a pivotal rally-killing play, Nathan Church was picked off by Marlins catcher Mack. That sound you heard was the deflation of a great Cardinals scoring opportunity. JJ ended up striking out to end the inning, but he did have 2 hits on the day to begin to break out of his most recent 0-15 slump.
Riley O’Brien was brought in to close out this way-too-close Sunday battle with the Marlins. He was fortunately up to the task as he coaxed a fly ball out of Edwards and struck out Hernandez and got Sanoja to ground out to Alec Burleson. Game over, man.
The St. Louis Cardinals have Monday off as a travel day, but will then begin a difficult road trip as they’ll visit the NL East division-leading Atlanta Braves starting Tuesday night. Matthew Liberatore will try again as he is the scheduled starter for the Cardinals. The Atlanta Braves starter is unannounced as of now. First pitch is scheduled for 6:15pm central time at Truist Park in Atlanta. Game TV broadcast available on Cardinals.tv.
