The Buffalo Sabres suffered a notable loss to their roster this off-season. This is because they sent forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals in a major sign-and-trade.
Tuch was a very important part of the Sabres' top six during his time in Buffalo. However, with the Sabres being able to come to terms on a new deal with the then pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), it made sense that they traded him instead of losing him for nothing.
Now, due to this, the Sabres are being predicted to make a big move next season to replace Tuch.
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Lyle Richardson predicted that the Sabres would trade for Detroit Red Wings star forward Alex DeBrincat at the 2027 NHL Trade Deadline.
"Having traded Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals, the Sabres could be in the market for a top-six winger by the trade deadline if they haven't addressed that need by then. If the Detroit Red Wings are out of playoff contention again, winger Alex DeBrincat could be available," Richardson wrote.
If the Red Wings shop DeBrincat, it would make a lot of sense for the Sabres to try to acquire him. This remains the case whether it is this summer or next season. The Sabres could use another star in their top six, and landing DeBrincat would give them just that.
DeBrincat appeared in 82 games last season for the Red Wings, where he posted 41 goals and set new career highs with 44 assists and 85 points. With numbers like these, he would be a strong pickup for a Sabres club that is looking to continue to head in the right direction.
It will be interesting to see if the Sabres pursuing DeBrincat. If they acquired him, he could work well on their second line with Ryan McLeod and Jack Quinn.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 30: Puma shoes are seen worn by Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during a game at State Farm Arena on March 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jun 22, 2026; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; NBA 76’ers player Andre Drummond on the sideline as the Connecticut Sun take on the Chicago Sky in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
Before the month of July became the seventh month of the year, it used to be Quintilis, the fifth. And if mi abuela had wheels, she’d be una bicicleta. Are there no absolutes in this topsy-turvy time? There never were! But have no fear: the P&T July mailbag invite is here, to lend a sense of order to our orderless, non-odorless lives.
Last month, the Knicks won the NBA title. This month, they added Andre Drummond. We’ve heard rumors about both for-EVER. Now that they’ve both come true, I wonder — what is your favorite Knick rumor? Either oldest, wrongest, longest-running, weirdest. I remember hearing my first: June 26, 1991.
*Back then* ( I LOVE getting to use that term now!), the Knicks were in the middle of their 40 years wandering the desert in search of a point guard. They had no shot at that year’s top option, NYC’s own Kenny Anderson, who went second to the team across the river. Rumor had it the Knicks were enamored with maybe the second-best floor general available, UNLV’s Greg Anthony, but Anthony wasn’t expected to fall that far, with Milwaukee in the 11th spot and also known to be after a point guard. Rumor had it the Knicks were thrilled when the Bucks bucked expectations by instead selecting Oregon’s Terrell Brandon, leaving New York free to land Anthony, best-remembered for the ‘90s-ist shirt of all-time.
Got Knick questions or takes? Share ’em. NBA curios? Drop ‘em. Whatever your little atria and ventricles desire, shout ’em from the rooftop, baby.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 31: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the ball during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on March 31, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The chase for LeBron James has gotten weirder than ever. Speculation has run rampant, and new rumors are swirling every day. That’s partly because James has left us all in the dark, leaving everyone grasping at straws.
According to reports, James has only directly spoken to one front office executive throughout all of this madness. The exec?
James’ childhood friend and current member of the Cleveland Cavaliers front office, Brandon Weems.
The Athletic’s Joe Vardon shared rumors that the rest of the league is still waiting for direct contact with James.
“League executives who spoke with The Athletic on Thursday in Las Vegas at the official start of the NBA 2026 Summer League said there was only one team executive believed to have had direct contact with James during this free agency, Brandon Weems,” said Vardon.
James and Weems were seen hanging out in Akron during Fourth of July weekend. It’s unclear how much, if any, conversation was held about James’ future in the league. It’s possible this was two friends spending time together while business was strictly forbidden.
Though we can’t say anything for sure.
It appears the rest of the NBA is in the same boat. Executives across the league are scouring the internet for information just like us.
“We really don’t know, we just know what we read… My friends text me and ask what he’s going to do, and I don’t have to lie to them.”
Some teams have reportedly even sent voice notes to Rich Paul, who represents James for Klutch Sports, to pass along to James himself. No direct contact has allegedly been made up to this point.
If this all sounds crazy, well, it kind of is. I can’t recall any other situation like this in league history. Multiple teams are vying for the oldest player in the NBA. And, miraculously, he has them all at his fingertips.
That’s because James is still talented enough, even at 41 years old, to push a team over the top. There’s a reason all of these teams are engaging in the frenzy. Signing James this summer could result in a championship next year. That’s worth diving into the deep end.
Los Angeles, CA - April 29: Austin Reeves #15 high fives teammate LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after scoring against the Houston Rockets in the first half of game 5 of a Western Conference first-round NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Throughout Austin Reaves’ career, LeBron James has been there every step of the way.
LeBron was there to give guidance, encouragement and mentorship. We saw this on the court when LeBron would talk to Reaves, creating some iconic viral moments.
But all good things come to an end. When Reaves plays for the Lakers next season, LeBron won’t be present as his teammate.
Thanks to a story by Edward Lewis in the California Post, we know about the immediate interaction Reaves had with James once he knew of LeBron’s departure.
“I texted him,” Reaves said of his initial reaction to James bolting from Los Angeles, “and told him I was having a great day on the golf course until he ruined it.”
Many Lakers fans wanted LeBron back, and it’s no surprise Reaves felt the pain of James no longer being his running mate.
They had a ton of success together and gelled well on and off the court. The admiration worked both ways. LeBron had Reaves on his “Mind The Game Podcast,” and he wouldn’t do that if he didn’t think Reaves was a person worth talking to.
Reaves was interviewed by Keith Jouganatos at the 2026 American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament and elaborated further on LeBron leaving LA.
“Obviously, you never want to see people that you’ve been with for years leave. I don’t have all the time in the world to talk about how great LeBron is and how much he means to me and my career. I’m going to miss all those guys but it’s a good opportunity for us to turn the page and see what’s next.”
The Lakers are certainly turning the page with so many new additions, making this the start of a new era. However, the memories will always remain and the bond between LeBron and Reaves is still strong.
The first time LeBron and Reaves face each other will be an incredible moment, filled with handshakes, hugs and a ton of cameras.
But, as Reaves has said, it’s time to turn the page. Reaves is now the clear No.2 in Los Angeles. Let’s see what he does in that role. Hopefully, he makes LeBron and Lakers fans everywhere proud.
Full-slate Friday is filled with a ton of exciting matchups, with plenty of players set up for success, with others facing much tougher spots.
Check out my favorite MLB picks for Friday, July 10.
Best MLB player props today
Player
Pick
Odds
Tanner Gordon
Over 2.5 earned runs
-121
Munetaka Murakami
Over 1.5 total bases
+132
Kyle Schwarber
Over 1.5 total bases
+104
Tanner Gordon Over 2.5 earned runs (-121)
Waking up this morning and seeing Tanner Gordon set to face NINE elite rated San Francisco Giants bats this evening nearly forced me to write about it.
It does not end there, as San Francisco also has three hitters with strong ratings, meaning whoever is in the starting lineup should have a great matchup against the Colorado Rockies starter.
The Giants have been dominating at the dish over the past week, owning a .360 wOBA, 136 wRC+, and an .822 OPS while generating a 10.3% barrel rate over their last six games.
Meanwhile, Gordon has been a complete mess in his last five outings, posting an 8.14 ERA, 5.35 xERA, and a 1.81 WHIP.
With the amount of Giants hitters in a great spot on Batters-Box, I have to back San Francisco in this spot.
Entering today with the second-highest matchup rating, Murakami has already shown some of the strongest trends on Batters-Box through nearly 30 games. He surpasses 2+ bases 51.72% of the time while also hitting a home run 41.38% of the time. Not to mention, he owns a 64.3% arsenal coverage rate against Aaron Civale.
The Athletics right hander has been getting crushed by left handed bats all season long, allowing a 43.8% hard hit rate, 8.9% barrel rate, and 71.9% elevation rate. Those left-handed hitters are also posting a .486 xSLG and .346 xwOBA against Civale this season.
We are getting a great price here. If I had to, I would take this down to +120, or simply look at the home run market for a little extra #FUN.
Schwarber owns over 70% arsenal coverage against Flaherty's pitch mix. Plus, over his last 60 plate appearances against right handed pitching, he has generated a 70% hard hit rate, a .321 ISO, and an 18.1% barrel rate.
Meanwhile, Flaherty has allowed lefties to feast all season. Left-handed hitters are producing a 46.7% hard-hit rate, a 9.2% barrel rate, and nearly a 70% elevation rate against him.
Knowing how much hard contact Schwarber can generate, this feels like another great spot for him.
Do not pay juice for his total bases prop. If the price gets too high, pivot to his home run or double prop instead.
Time: 6:40 p.m. ET
Where to watch: DSN, NBCSP
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
Prop picks: 287-535, -13.7 units
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Mets have made a couple of moves before Friday's game against the Red Sox.
The biggest news is Mark Vientos officially landing on the IL with what's being called a right hand fracture.
Andy Green said that this was the expected outcome for Vientos after he left Thursday afternoon's victory in the bottom of the second following a tough HBP on the hand.
It's unclear if Vientos will require surgery, but he will certainly be out for awhile.
In a corresponding roster move, infielder Zack Short has been selected to the major league roster.
Short appeared in three games this season for the Mets, but he was DFA'd following Francisco Lindor's return.
Additionally, the club has DFA'd right-handed pitcher Dan Hammer after being up with them for just one game, and Tobias Myers is back up in the big-leagues after being optioned prior to Thursday's game.
Myers has struggled of late, allowing at least one run in each of his last 10 major league outings.
The expectation is James will prioritize competing for a championship as he looks to earn a fifth NBA title. That's why it's hardly a surprise the Philadelphia 76ers are among the teams that have frequently been connected to the 41-year-old superstar.
The 76ers are expected to be one of the Eastern Conference favorites for the upcoming NBA season. They added Jaylen Brown to a core that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, so signing James would further bolster their chances of winning their first NBA title since 1983.
The Philadelphia 76ers will be among those pitching James on joining their squad, but their argument got an assist from another prominent Philadelphia athlete.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley made his own pitch to James at a his youth football camp at Haddonfield High School in New Jersey.
"I think it is one of the greatest sports towns in the world," Barkley said when asked how he would pitch James on coming to Philadelphia, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I know [New York Knicks forward] Josh Hart said the opposite. I saw that today on Twitter. But I have to disagree with him. If you want to go out with a bang, I feel like a great spot would be in Philly, and bringing a championship to Philadelphia, you'd be remembered forever."
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 9, 2026
Barkley knows first-hand what it means to bring a championship to Philadelphia. He helped achieve that goal in his first season with the Eagles, becoming just the ninth running back in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards and helping power Philadelphia to a 40-22 Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
As sweet as Barkley's championship with the Eagles was, Philadelphia only had a seven-year gap between their Super Bowl wins. By comparison, the 76ers faithful have waited more than four decades for another NBA title and the team hasn't appeared in the NBA finals since 2001.
TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Khaman Maluach #10 of the Valley Suns and Yang Hansen #16 of the Rip City Remix high five after the game on November 14, 2025 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
That’s right. It’s time to watch some Phoenix Suns basketball! It’s time to see purple and orange back on the court! For an organization with so much youth pushing to the front of the line, that makes Summer League feel different. It feels exciting. It feels worth paying attention to.
I think back a few years, when the only thing we really had to latch onto was Jalen Smith. He gave us something to cheer for. He earned All Summer League First Team honors in 2021, and that was enough to keep us watching. Then they paired him with Jaleen Smith, which always felt like someone in the Suns’ front office was running an elaborate practical joke on the fan base.
This year carries real intrigue.
Khaman Maluach is taking the floor after being selected as the tenth overall pick a year ago. Koa Peat is making his professional debut. Rasheer Fleming is slated to be a part of the Suns’ rotation this season. Koby Brea is ready to let it fly every time daylight appears. While the NBA roster is built to compete today, the franchise’s future checks into the game tonight in Las Vegas. These are the players we want to watch. These are the players who need every possession they can get.
Summer League has always been its own strange little carnival. I watched number one overall pick AJ Dybantsa last night turn into a one-man scoring expedition on his way to 27 points last night. Chemistry comes and goes. Offensive flow disappears without warning. Everybody wants to prove they belong, and sometimes that means the ball sticks like it owes somebody money.
The hope with Phoenix is that you see the fingerprints of the organization. A strong system leaves clues as roles become recognizable. The ball finds the open man. Defensive rotations happen instinctively, not in panic. Three of these players are expected to spend most of the season with the Suns. Another will be filling it up in the Valley. Tonight is an opportunity to see whether that foundation already exists.
No matter what happens, expectations need to stay grounded. Never too high, never too low…the Ricky Rubio philosophy. I know myself well enough to admit I probably won’t follow that advice.
Summer League is the last neon sign before the highway disappears into the endless desert of the NBA offseason. After this, the landscape turns into heat shimmer, podcast hypotheticals, and counting the days until October. That’s why nights like this matter. It’s basketball. It’s hope. It’s the first glimpse of whatever strange ride this franchise has planned for us next.
Probable Starters
Here’s my best guess…
Injury Report
Suns
Nothing reported
Trail Blazers
Nothing reported
What to Watch For
There are plenty of things to watch tonight against the Trail Blazers, and it all starts at the center position. While the Suns were busy drafting Khaman Maluach last summer, Portland selected its own center in the first round. Yang Hansen was taken 16th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, setting up an intriguing opening matchup for Maluach in Summer League.
These two have met before.
Last November in the G League, the two first-round centers met for the first time. It was clear Hansen had the physical advantage. Although both are listed at 7’1”, Hansen outweighs Maluach by roughly 20 pounds, and he used that strength to bully his way to 14 rebounds. Maluach finished with only three boards in the 107-104 loss to the Rip City Remix.
Defensively, however, Maluach did a solid job. He held Hansen to 4-of-11 shooting and only eight points. The problem was foul trouble. Maluach fouled out after scoring nine points of his own.
Both players were underutilized by their big league clubs last season, and the hope for progression begins with their performances in Las Vegas. This makes this a fascinating Summer League rematch. Hansen is a polished offensive prospect but has had a hard time getting his footing in the NBA. Maluach’s calling card is his rim protection. We have a pretty good idea of what that battle could look like.
What interests me more is the other end of the floor. How does Maluach attack Hansen defensively? Can he show growth offensively against a physical player who has already given him problems? That’s one of the biggest things I’ll be watching tonight.
I’ll also be keeping a close eye on Rasheer Fleming. During last year’s Summer League, you could clearly see the physical tools. The feel for where he needed to be on the court still had room to grow. As the season progressed, both with the Valley Suns and Phoenix, you could see that development taking shape. I’m hoping he looks like a true NBA player this time around. When you watch Summer League, certain players pop. Fleming has the chance to be one of those players.
Then there’s Koa Peat. I simply want to see what he looks like next to NBA-caliber talent. We know he’s a big wing, but you never truly appreciate a player’s size until you see him standing next to everyone else. Watching him alongside Fleming should provide a much better perspective. More importantly, I want to see how he moves, how he processes the game, and how comfortable he looks in this environment.
And, of course, there’s Koby Brea. We already know he can shoot the basketball. I’d like to see a little more than that. Maybe it’s creating off the dribble. Maybe it’s applying more pressure defensively. Maybe it’s showing a little more athleticism with the ball in his hands. Right now, he’s a very one-dimensional prospect. Hopefully, he can show there’s another layer to his game. He’s also the oldest player in this group, so the developmental runway isn’t quite as long. That’s what makes these Summer League minutes so valuable for him.
Prediction
My prediction? Overreaction.
I think Maluach is going to have a difficult time against Hansen because of the size and strength mismatch. We might not get the performance we’re hoping for in Game 1. It’s a tough way to begin Summer League because he’s facing someone who also has something to prove and has the physicality to move him off his spots.
I do think we’re going to be pleasantly surprised by how Rasheer Fleming and Koa Peat look together on the floor. That’s where my attention will be. The box score doesn’t matter nearly as much as how comfortable these young players look within the flow of the game.
I predict we’ll walk away a little underwhelmed by Maluach’s production, but pleasantly pleased with what we see from Fleming and Peat. And Koby Brea? He’ll knock down four three pointers, and everyone will be convinced he’s the next Grayson Allen.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after being awarded the Earvin "Magic" Johnson MVP Trophy after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It has been an oddly slow week on the Spurs’ free agency front. Ever since the moratorium period ended at 11 AM on Monday, everyone has been waiting for Victor Wembanyama to sign has max rookie contract extension, which would be worth up $251 million (25% of the salary cap) over five seasons, beginning in the 2027-28 season. The wait for it to happen has been odd but of not of concern, mainly being chalked up to him being on vacation in France.
Now, we’re getting news that there might be a reason for the hold up, but it isn’t for anything concerning, such as the Spurs are holding back or he’s unsure if he wants to commit. On the contrary, rumor is starting to swirl that he may actually be considering signing for less than the max to provide the Spurs more financial flexibility in the future, as was first reported by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. This came after Wemby had tweeted for the first time since March and only 69th time ever, sending a promising but cryptic message of, “Spurs Family, I am here to stay. Whatever it takes.”
There has been word this morning in Las Vegas that Victor Wembanyama is considering signing less than his maximum rookie scale extension to provide San Antonio greater financial flexibility.
This likely won’t be confirmed until they officially announce the new contract, but RC Buford, Brian Wright and Mitch Johnson are reportedly in France, so news could come any minute now. No one was expecting Wemby to pull a Tim Duncan on his first ever contract extension of his career, but it’s possible he is seeing teams having to break up star cores or strip their depth to avoid second apron ramifications and wants to assure they can keep their young core together, with Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper likely set for big paydays (even if not max extensions) in the coming years.
His extension can be upgraded to a supermax worth $300 million (30% of the salary cap) if he earns All-NBA honors or wins MVP or Defensive Player of the Year in the 2026-27 season. It is unclear how that would be applied if he signs for less than the maximum.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 28: Nick Sogard #20 of the Boston Red Sox catches a ball for an out in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park on May 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A game that seemed like a laugher, in favor of the Woo Sox, turned into a wild one at Polar Park on Thursday against the Red Wings (WAS). The craziness started in the top of the third with Nick Sogard starting a triple play on a caught line drive, with the runners going on the pitch.
This play sparked the Woo Sox to get eight runs over the next two innings. Andrew Knizner knocked in three runs on a double in the third, Sogard knocked in two on a ground rule double, and Mickey Gasper knocked in the eighth run on an RBI single.
After Tyler Uberstine went three innings in relief to get the win, some familiar names for fans of the major league club had a rough go in relief. Tyler Samaniego allowed four hits and two runs, before Alec Gamboa allowed seven baserunners and three runs to finish the 8-7 win.
On Friday, Raymond Burgos (1-4, 6.25) will take the mound for Worcester at 6:45.
New Hampshire Fisher Cats 15, Portland Sea Dogs 8 (BOX)
The Sea Dogs and Fisher Cats (TOR) played in a similar slugfest on Thursday, before New Hampshire broke things open with a six-spot in the eighth inning.
Gage Ziehl got the start and didn’t have it, allowing three home runs and eight earned in three innings. The Sea Dogs stayed in the game, cutting the lead to 9-7 after five, thanks to Brooks Brannon’s 13th home run, and Nate Baez’s 9th, a three run shot.
Not to be forgotten while trailing big in the ninth, Franklin Arias dropped his 18th home run of the season.
A couple of big flies powered the Drive to a 5-4 win on Thursday against the Grasshoppers (PIT). Antonio Anderson hit his fifth in the third inning, followed by Justin Gonzales’s 11th moments later.
A Justin Gonzales bat flip is a BEAUTIFUL thing.
The Boston Red Sox prospect crushes on as the announcer wonders if he should be challenged with a pitch because he just had eye drops put in, and that’s his 11th home run of the season in High-A. pic.twitter.com/nnnZy7wbCQ
Calvin Bickerstaff got the bulk of the work pitching, throwing 4 1/3 innings to get his fifth win, striking out five and allowing just one run. Steven Brooks got his sixth save.
Marcus Phillips (0-4, 6.75) will toe the rubber for the Drive at 7:00 on Friday.
RidgeYaks pitchers Jacob Meyers and Brady Tygart were tagged early and often on Thursday, with the Fireflies (KC) opening up a 9-4 lead after five innings. Catcher Adonys Guzman was the star offensively, knocking in a run with a single early and homering in the fifth.
The RidgeYaks will send Christian Foutch (0-5, 6.18) to the hill on Friday at 7:05.
The Dodgers (61-33) and Diamondbacks (46-47) meet for a three-game series to wrap up the first half of the regular season. Los Angeles is 5-2 versus Arizona this season after the two split a four-game series in the previous series.
Los Angeles squeaked out a 4-3 win over Colorado on Thursday to win that series and give the Dodgers a winning streak of five straight series taken. Los Angeles is 12-4 in that span and has had one of the hottest offenses. In the last 15 days, Los Angeles is hitting .277 (4th) with 75 runs scored (4th) over 13 games. The Dodgers rank top 10 in OPS, SLG, OBP, strikeouts, and walks during that span. Shohei Ohtani will take the mound for Los Angeles. The Dodgers have won three straight and seven of the past eight when Ohtani pitches.
Arizona snapped a two-game losing streak with a 3-1 win at San Diego on Thursday. The Diamondbacks have started July with a 3-5 record and rank 25th with a .224 batting average and eighth in ERA (3.88). Arizona has been outscored 32-20 during the seven games with Los Angeles and scored more than four runs in a game once.
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 Diamondbacks at Dodgers
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 10:10 PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
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 Diamondbacks at the Dodgers
The latest odds as of Friday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-272), Arizona Diamondbacks (+218)
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .290 with 94 hits, 20 home runs and 56 RBI over 324 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Alex Freeland is hitting .237 with 45 hits and 64 strikeouts over 190 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte is hitting .264 with 94 hits, 17 home runs, and 54 RBI over 357 at-bats
The Diamondbacks’ Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is hitting .222 with 36 hits and 31 strikeouts over 162 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 Diamondbacks at Dodgers
The Dodgers are 44-50 ATS, ranking 10th-worst
The Diamondbacks are 50-43 ATS, ranking 10th-best
The Dodgers are 51-43 to the Under, ranking seventh-best
The Diamondbacks are an MLB-best 50-38-5 to the Under
The Dodgers are 18-29 ATS at home, ranking fourth-worst
The Diamondbacks are 24-22 ATS on the road
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers
Rotoworld Bet 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 Diamondbacks and the Dodgers:
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.5
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 9: Ebuka Okorie #23 of the Detroit Pistons looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2026 at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Detroit Basketball is back.
Ebuka Okorie’s first game in a Pistons uniform saw him score 20 points to go along with four assists and two steals. He shot 8-for-16 (50%) from the field including 2-for-5 (40%) from deep.
Scoring
The guy can flat out score.
You can see how easily he can get to the rim with his speed and quickness. He’s too fast to full-court press or try and catch in possession. He makes splitting the roll defender look way easier than it should. He looked calm, cool, and collected as he never looked rushed the entire night.
Okorie’s two threes were both off-the-dribble. The first game after he split a pick-and-roll where Johni Broome was too far away to help and Ebuka made him pay. The second was a shot he created himself where he got the defender to bite on a pump fake before hitting the step-back.
Ebuka was active in the passing lanes last night. Both steals came from him jumping into a lane to force a turnover, and his second steal ended in a great up-and-under finish at the rim.
I wanted to highlight his playmaking, though, it’s difficult to find clips of Summer League games. He had a couple of fantastic passes out of pick-and-roll sets to find open shooters although their shots didn’t fall. While he didn’t get to show off his playmaking abilities as much given his supporting cast at Stanford, I think he has real ability to be a true point guard and I hope we continue to see more of that throughout Summer League.
Game 2 will take place on Sunday, July 12th against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 4PM EST.
The Cubs make their first 2026 visit to Great American Ballpark, just as we’re about to hit the All-Star break. They’ll return down the stretch, in mid-September.
For more on the Reds, here’s Wick Terrell, manager of our SB Nation Reds site Red Reporter.
The Cincinnati Reds are a mess. Stop me if you’ve heard that before!
Mired in last place in the NL Central once again, the Reds have somehow managed to not just be bad, but to collapse in the most hilarious manner imaginable. For instance, despite 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, 2B Matt McLain, and OF TJ Friedl having been perhaps the single most woeful trio offensively to begin the year, the Reds managed to pile up wins in one-run games and surge as many as nine games over .500 by the end of April. All that came without Hunter Greene, who missed most all of the first half of the season after elbow surgery!
As things got so bleak with Hayes and Friedl, in particular, we saw an IL stint come for their 3B and an outright demotion for Friedl, who at one point recently was one of the better leadoff men in baseball. And the moment those two got demoted, the team simply became incapable of winning anything!
Old heads will point to the fact that the entire back of the bullpen (Emilio Pagan, Tony Santillan, and Graham Ashcraft) as well as Eugenio Suarez and Elly De La Cruz getting hurt at the same time may have helped derail the season. Twitter reply folks would beg to differ, however.
Either way, the Reds are flirting with being double-digit games under .500 after owning the single worst record in the game through May and June, and are heading into the All-Star break destined to be sellers once again. That is, of course, barring a miracle series against the Cubs at home to wrap the season’s first half, in which case they’ll probably try to maintain status quo until the absolute last seeing as they simply have no initiative in either direction ever.
Fun facts
The Cubs and Reds have played 2,433 games since the Reds joined the National League in 1890. In all those years, the Cubs have won exactly 23 more games than the Reds, 1,217 to 1,194, with 22 ties.
The difference was only 19 games before the Cubs swept four games at Wrigley Field on May 4-7.
In their final trip to Cincinnati last season, on Sept. 18-21, the Cubs lost four straight, the first and last both by 1-0. They had won two of three at Great American Ball Park earlier in the year.
The Cubs’ last sweep at Cincinnati was three games June 27-29, 2016. They have played 24 series there since then, including four in which they won the first two games and lost the third.
Saturday: Javier Assad, RHP (6-1, 4.15 ERA, 1.101 WHIP, 5.11 FIP) vs. Nick Lodolo, LHP (3-2, 4.68 ERA, 1.457 WHIP, 5.04 FIP)
Sunday: Matthew Boyd, LHP (4-1, 4.31 ERA, 1.311 WHIP, 3.27 FIP) vs. Andrew Abbott, LHP (5-5, 3.92 ERA, 1.406 WHIP, 4.91 FIP)
Times & TV channels
Friday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Saturday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Sunday: 12:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
Lots of lefty starters in this series! The Cubs have improved their record vs. LH starters, as it now stands a game over .500 at 12-11, even while their OPS vs. LHB compared to vs. RHB is now about equal.
Cubs pitching has been pretty good lately so I’ll say two of three.
Up next
The All-Star break! Pete Crow-Armstrong will go to Philadelphia as the Cubs’ sole representative for Tuesday’s All-Star Game. The Cubs will resume the 2026 regular season Friday evening at Wrigley Field when they begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 27: Michael Wacha #65 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field on June 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The days of the promising 2024 Royals team that squared off with the Yankees in the postseason are well in the past. Bobby Witt Jr. remains every bit of one of the most exciting players in the game, but the talent around him has not blossomed in the way this team had hoped for, KC now sitting with one of the worst records in the American League. Witt Jr., self-evidently, is untouchable, but even with a team as underwhelming as the Royals, one can find specific pieces whose pursuit is worthwhile for a team looking to improve around the margins.
The Yankees need help at the catching position, and Salvador Perez’s experience makes for a good match—at least until you get a look at the numbers he has put up this season, currently with a .603 OPS, by far and away the worst of his career. Youngster Carter Jensen, who has received the bulk of the playing time behind the dish, is controllable until 2032 and not going anywhere. If the Yankees are going to look to the Royals for improvements, they’ll need to do so beyond the catching position.
One of the reasons why this Royals season hasn’t gone according to plan is Vinnie Pasquantino—on his way back from the IL as we speak—and when he was out there, he was putting up the worst season of his career, with an OPS+ of 88. Any deal for the left-handed bat controllable through the 2028 campaign would be tricky. Surely, the Royals won’t want to sell low after one bad year, but justifying leaving the DH spot for Giancarlo Stanton becomes harder and harder with each injury setback.
There is no doubt that the most reasonable path to improving your roster by dealing with the Royals is on the pitching side of things, even if, as a whole, their staff has been a far bigger disappointment than their lineup. A recent report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has noted reluctance on KC’s part to deal Michael Wacha and/or Seth Lugo, seeking a return likely to be too great for most teams to be willing to pay. While losing either or both of these starters would severely hurt this team’s pitching staff, we’re talking about veterans controllable only through the end of next season. And the Royals are not a team one might describe as being a few tweaks away from contention, particularly not with Cole Ragans’ injury woes that will keep him sidelined until at least the middle of next season.
The AL leader in innings pitched at 114.2 frames, Wacha is having his fifth straight very reliable campaign, fully acquitted to his role a trusty veteran innings-eater. Since the start of 2022, Wacha has an ERA+ of 120 in over 700 innings for three different teams. Asking for a significant return for him is justifiable, but when it comes to Lugo, he has failed to live up to his 2024 numbers, his first season with the Royals. Since the start of last season, Lugo has a 4.32 ERA and 1.350 WHIP, and it’s not as if the $21.5 million he’ll make next year could be seen as a team-friendly deal.
Possessing little to no strikeout stuff in its bullpen outside of Steven Cruz, the Royals don’t entice the buyer on the reliever market. It wasn’t that long ago that Matt Strahm was a dominant reliever, though, and as a pending free agent, he may attract some attention despite a season ERA north of 5.00. Another lefty, Daniel Lynch IV, is the only option when it comes to someone actually performing well this season, boasting a WHIP under 1.00.
One of the few guaranteed sellers at the moment, the Royals could use that to their advantage, but in the end, most teams will only go so far, the Yankees among them.
Tanner Gordon
Munetaka Murakami
Kyle Schwarber
