Ademola Lookman goes on strike at Atalanta over ‘broken promises’ for transfer

  • Club refusing to sell to Serie A rivals Inter

  • Centre-forward complains of ‘poor treatment’

Ademola Lookman has gone on strike as he attempts to force through a move to Inter, but Atalanta have insisted he will not be sold to another Italian club.

The Nigeria forward did not attend pre-season training for the second day in a row after handing in a transfer request last weekend, when Lookman also published a statement in which he accused Atalanta of “broken promises”. An improved Inter bid worth up to €45m (£32.1m) including add-ons was rejected last week after a €40m offer for the 27-year-old was turned down.

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Padres at Diamondbacks Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, stats for August 5

It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Padres (62-51) are in Phoenix to take on the Diamondbacks (54-59). Yu Darvish is slated to take the mound for San Diego against Ryne Nelson for Arizona.

The Diamondbacks won the opener, 6-2, behind an early lead where they never had to look back. Arizona are now winners of three consecutive games, while the Padres dropped two of the previous three that followed six straight wins.

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.

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

Game details & how to watch Padres at Diamondbacks

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 9:40PM EST
  • Site: Chase Field
  • City: Phoenix, AZ
  • Network/Streaming: SDPA, ARID, MLBN

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 Padres at the Diamondbacks

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Padres (-136), Diamondbacks (+115)
  • Spread:  Padres -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Padres at Diamondbacks

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Yu Darvish vs. Ryne Nelson
    • Padres: Yu Darvish, (1-3, 6.47 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
    • Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson, (6-3, 3.20 ERA)
      Last outing: 1.69 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 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 Padres 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.

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 Tuesday’s game between the Padres and the Diamondbacks:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the San Diego Padres on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Arizona Diamondbacks at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

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 Padres at Diamondbacks

  • Arizona is 3-0 in the last three games
  • Arizona is 5-3 versus San Diego this season
  • The Diamondbacks have lost 12 of their last 20 games
  • 6 of the Diamondbacks' last 8 matchups against National League teams have gone under the Total
  • The Diamondbacks have covered the Run Line in 3 straight games

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)

Mets vs. Guardians: How to watch on SNY on Aug. 5, 2025

The Mets continue a three-game series against the Guardians at Citi Field on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...


Mets Notes

  • Francisco Lindor is hitting .319/.373/.532 with two home runs and four doubles in 51 plate appearances over his last 11 games
  • Edwin Diaz has allowed one earned run since April 21. For the season, Diaz has a 1.41 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 67 strikeouts in 44.2 innings
  • Clay Holmesstruggled his last time out, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits in just 3.2 innings against the Padres in San Diego

GUARDIANS
METS
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What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here.

ICYMI in Mets Land: Top prospect buzz; the plan for Frankie Montas

Here's what happened in Mets Land on Monday, in case you missed it...


Cardinals at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, stats for August 5

It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Cardinals (57-57) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (65-48). Miles Mikolas is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Emmet Sheehan for Los Angeles.

The Cardinals opened the series with a 3-2 victory over the Dodgers as Yohel Pozo delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning. Monday's contest was the Dodgers first game back on the west coast apozofter a nine-game east coast road trip (5-4 record in that span).

Los Angeles has now alternated wins and losses over the past six games, while St. Louis is 2-4 in that span.

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.

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

Game details & how to watch Cardinals at Dodgers

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 10:10PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, SNLA, MLBN

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

Odds for the Cardinals at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Cardinals (+154), Dodgers (-187)
  • Spread:  Dodgers -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Dodgers

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Miles Mikolas vs. Emmet Sheehan
    • Cardinals: Miles Mikolas, (6-8, 4.83 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.00 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
    • Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan, (2-2, 3.60 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 1 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 Cardinals and the Dodgers

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) thinks the Dodgers will be of value for the next 18 games:

"After a nine-game road trip that went from Boston to Cincinnati to Tampa Bay (5-4 record) — Los Angeles lost its first game back on the west coast, 3-2 to the Cardinals.

In the next 18 games, the Dodgers will be on the west coast for all of them with Colorado being the furthest traveled game. Los Angeles will host St. Louis, Toronto, and San Diego, while visiting San Diego, Colorado, and the Angels — so it's a decent schedule to back the Dodgers -1.5 for plus-money until August 25th when they head to Cincinnati.

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 Tuesday’s game between the Cardinals and the Dodgers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Dodgers 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 under on the Game Total of 9.0.

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 Dodgers

  • At home this season the Dodgers have won 12 of 22 games following a defeat
  • The Under is 5-0 in the Dodgers' last 5 games
  • The Cardinals have covered the Run Line in 3 straight games at the Dodgers

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)

Reds at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 5

It's Tuesday, August 5 and the Reds (59-54) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (65-47). Zack Littell is slated to take the mound for Cincinnati against Shota Imanaga for Chicago.

The Reds opened the series with a 3-2 win off a RBI single in the seventh inning. Despite the win, the Cubs still own the season edge, 4-3.

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.

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

Game details & how to watch Reds at Cubs

  • Date: Tuesday, August 5, 2025
  • Time: 8:05PM EST
  • Site: Wrigley Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNOH, MARQ, TBS

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 Reds at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Moneyline: Reds (+152), Cubs (-183)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Reds at Cubs

  • Pitching matchup for August 5, 2025: Zack Littell vs. Shota Imanaga
    • Reds: Zack Littell, (8-8, 3.58 ERA)
      Last outing: 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 4 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Cubs: Shota Imanaga, (8-4, 3.25 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 8 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 Reds and the Cubs

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 Tuesday’s game between the Reds and the Cubs:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cincinnati Reds at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards 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 Reds at Cubs

  • The Cubs have won 4 of their last 5 home series
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Cubs' last 5 divisional matchups
  • Chicago is 8-8 since the All-Star break
  • Cincinnati is 9-7 since the All-Star break

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)

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is cover athlete for NHL 26 video game

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is cover athlete for NHL 26 video game originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has been revealed as the cover athlete for the upcoming NHL 26 video game.

EA Sports is expected to release more details for the game on Wednesday.

Tkachuk is the first Panthers player to be on the cover since John Vanbiesbrouck in 1997.

The 27-year-old winger has only been with Florida for three seasons but has already led the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, in 2024 and 2025.

Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers in 2022 after six seasons with the Calgary Flames. Next year, Tkachuk will suit up for Team USA at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics alongside his brother Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.

Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks was the cover star last year of NHL 25.

The Routes Islanders Matthew Schaefer Can Go After Signing His Entry-Level Deal

New York Islanders first overall pick Matthew Schaefer is now the proud owner of a three-year entry-level deal after putting pen to paper on Monday. 

Islanders Sign No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer To Entry-Level DealIslanders Sign No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer To Entry-Level DealThe New York Islanders announced that they have signed No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer to his entry-level deal. 

Contrary to popular belief, the contract is a legal one despite Schaefer not turning 18 until Sept. 5, which is when the contract ultimately kicks in.

Because Schaefer signed his ELC, that eliminates his ability to play in the NCAA this fall. 

"I mean me, personally, I want to play in the NHL," Schaefer told us after throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday night. "Other people would always ask me 'where do you want to go?' But for me, I was so dialed in on wanting to play in the NHL. And when I set goals for myself, I work as hard as I can so I can get to that point.”

So, with college off the table, here are the options for the Islanders when it comes to Schaefer.

This is a reminder that Schaefer, under this collective bargaining agreement, is ineligible from playing in the American Hockey League, with the minum age being 20. 

Schaefer turns 18 on Sept. 5. 

OPTION 1: Plays in the NHL Full Time

The Islanders do not want to rush Schaefer. However, if they believe he's 100% ready to contribute in 2025-26 and proves his capabilities during training camp and preseason, he will likely make the team. There's an opening on the bottom pairing alongside either Scott Mayfield or Adam Boqvist, and it will be up to Schaefer to beat out fellow youngster Isaiah George.

Even if Schaefer makes the Islanders, that doesn't mean he has to play every day—just like we saw with Noah Dobson back in the day. There's value in practicing with an NHL team and getting your feet wet. 

Once Schaefer plays over 10 games with the Islanders, that will burn the first season of his ELC, which brings us to the next option.

OPTION 2: Plays Nine Games Then Goes Back to Erie Otters

Schaefer may show well in training camp and earn a spot ahead of the 2025-26 season, but because of the 10-game rule when it comes to burning a year off an ELC, most youngsters get what we call a nine-game sample size.

After those nine games, the team will evaluate the player and decide whether or not he should remain with the big club or be returned to his junior team, which is the OHL's Erie Otters.

This past season, Calum Ritchie played seven games for the Colorado Avalanche before he was returned to the OHL's Oshawa Generals.

Because Schaefer only played 17 games for Erie last season due to mono and a broken collarbone, the Islanders would have to weigh whether staying with the NHL team in a bottom-pairing role is best for his development—or if playing top-pairing minutes on his talented junior team would prove more beneficial.

If, after the nine games, the Islanders believe sending Schaefer back to juniors is best, he would be ineligible to return to the NHL roster until after his OHL season ends.

OPTION 3: Plays More Than 10 Games but Still Goes Back to Erie

There is a world—not a realistic one—where Schaefer plays over 10 games with the Islanders and still heads back to juniors. For the Islanders and Schaefer, it's all about not rushing him. If they feel that he deserved more than nine games but maybe started to struggle around game 15, they could loan him back to juniors, where he'd have to remain for the rest of the junior season.

This is not a popular move, as the Islanders would be burning a year of team control for just a few extra games. But again, his development matters more.

Final Thoughts

Schaefer is going to be given every opportunity to make the Islanders. With Dobson now with the Montreal Canadiens, the Islanders don't just have a hole at 5-on-5 for a puck-moving defenseman—they also have a hole on the power play, even with Tony DeAngelo back on a one-year deal.

While beating out George for an NHL spot for that final starting defenseman gig won't be a cakewalk, Schaefer provides a clear need for this team. And if he can execute at training camp and show that he can handle NHL physicality while not deviating from his game, he'll make the team.

PHOTO:  Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list

Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been the odds-on favorite to win his fourth National League MVP award since before the season even began. He tightened his stranglehold on the race through the end of June, leading the NL in homers, OPS, and extra-base hits.

As for Kyle Schwarber, he has largely toiled in obscurity, a distant third on the list behind Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs as recently as last week. Some books didn’t even have odds for him a month ago.

However, Schwarber’s annual June hot streak began a bit later than usual. But it’s here, and it has been a game-changer in the MVP race.

Tuesday night’s performance against the Orioles was the latest haymaker thrown by Schwarber, two resounding left hooks that laid waste to errant pitches. A two-run smash that tied the game at 3-3, then a TKO grand slam in the team’s eight-run sixth inning.

Since July 1, Schwarber leads the NL in homers (15) and RBIs (37), and he’s second in OPS (1.140). Ohtani’s insurmountable lead in the MVP race has been decimated. At FanDuel, for example, he is still a -650 favorite, but Schwarber is on the radar, second-best at +550. PCA is now third at +1300.

Surely, Ohtani adds value to his team with his pitching ability. But looking purely at the offensive numbers, it’s nearly a dead heat:

Ohtani Schwarber
512PA498
102RUNS79
38HR40
73RBI94
.274BAT AVG.258
.378OBP.382
.600SLG.593
.978OPS.974
59XBH58

These two titans have put on quite a show. The final eight weeks of the regular season should be electric. It’s a shame there can only be one winner.

Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list

Kyle Schwarber's huge night puts him on MVP short list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been the odds-on favorite to win his fourth National League MVP award since before the season even began. He tightened his stranglehold on the race through the end of June, leading the NL in homers, OPS, and extra-base hits.

As for Kyle Schwarber, he has largely toiled in obscurity, a distant third on the list behind Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs as recently as last week. Some books didn’t even have odds for him a month ago.

However, Schwarber’s annual June hot streak began a bit later than usual. But it’s here, and it has been a game-changer in the MVP race.

Tuesday night’s performance against the Orioles was the latest haymaker thrown by Schwarber, two resounding left hooks that laid waste to errant pitches. A two-run smash that tied the game at 3-3, then a TKO grand slam in the team’s eight-run sixth inning.

Since July 1, Schwarber leads the NL in homers (15) and RBIs (37), and he’s second in OPS (1.140). Ohtani’s insurmountable lead in the MVP race has been decimated. At FanDuel, for example, he is still a -650 favorite, but Schwarber is on the radar, second-best at +550. PCA is now third at +1300.

Surely, Ohtani adds value to his team with his pitching ability. But looking purely at the offensive numbers, it’s nearly a dead heat:

Ohtani Schwarber
512PA498
102RUNS79
38HR40
73RBI94
.274BAT AVG.258
.378OBP.382
.600SLG.593
.978OPS.974
59XBH58

These two titans have put on quite a show. The final eight weeks of the regular season should be electric. It’s a shame there can only be one winner.

Ex-Flyers Prospect Backs Matvei Michkov to Become Face of the Franchise

Matvei Michkov is expected to become the face of Flyers hockey in short order. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

Star Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov doesn't lack supporters in and around the NHL these days, but he's just received even more big praise.

In a recent interview with Tatar-Inform, former Flyers prospect Maxim Sushko dished on Michkov, predicting a rise to super-stardom.

"I think [Michkov could become the face of the Flyers]. Philadelphia management loves Russian hockey players and is happy to invite them to the team," Sushko said.

"Matvei had a great debut season in Philadelphia. If he continues to progress, he will become the team’s main star in the future. It’s a pleasure to watch him and his game. I sincerely wish him a great career in the NHL."

For those who may not remember Sushko, the Belarusian forward was drafted 107th overall by the Flyers in 2017 and made his only two NHL appearances in Feb. 2021.

Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Exciting, Simple Plan for Matvei MichkovFlyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Exciting, Simple Plan for Matvei MichkovNew Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has revealed his simple, preliminary plan to get the most out of star rookie Matvei Michkov going forward. It's not rocket science.

And, while Sushko has been in the KHL since the 2022-23 season, his words about Michkov (and the Flyers, especially) carry significance as someone who has been there and seen that.

Michkov, 20, led all rookies in goals last season with 26, and also finished joint-second with Macklin Celebrini in rookie scoring (63 pts), trailing only Lane Hutson (66).

What comes next for the Flyers star remains to be seen, but it's reasonable to expect small improvements around the edges to bring him at or near 30 goals, 50 assists, and 80 points.

The addition of Trevor Zegras and, in due time, Jett Luchanko, will give Michkov more speed and support down the middle, allowing him to do new things.

Flyers' Matvei Michkov Dishes on Rookie Season: 'There Is No Limit to Perfection'Flyers' Matvei Michkov Dishes on Rookie Season: 'There Is No Limit to Perfection'Budding Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov had quite the strong rookie season in the NHL last year, but he's already looking ahead to bigger and better things in the future.

And new head coach Rick Tocchet is also prepared to let the Russian sensation do his thing, as he's said multiple times already this offseason.

Everything seems to be trending in the right direction for the young Michkov, but the next step will be executing and putting it on the ice next season.

Canadiens And Red Wings Will Be Fighting For A Playoff Spot

The Montreal Canadiens did well against the Atlantic Division last season, and that included the games against Steve Yzerman’s Detroit Red Wings. The Habs won three or the four meetings between the two sides last season, including the latest one in April, as both teams were clinging on to the hope of making the postseason.

Montreal and Detroit fought it out first in a home-and-away series in December. The Canadiens won both of those games, the first by a score of 4-3 in Detroit with Patrik Laine scoring the game-winning goal on the power play 12 minutes into the final frame.

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The result was even worse for the Wings the next day in Montreal, as the Habs secured a 5-1 win. Jake Evans, Emil Heineman, and Laine, who had all scored the day before, struck again with Juraj Slafkovsky and Brendan Gallagher completing the score. The Wings were never truly in that one, and Alex Lyon was a big reason why, surrendering five goals on just 24 shots.

Detroit’s sole win of the season against the Canadiens came on January 23rd, a 4-2 triumph in which they took 45 shots on Samuel Montembeault’s net, with captain Dylan Larkin and Moritz Seider leading the charge with a couple of points each.

As for the April game, Montreal won 4-1 despite only taking 21 shots on goal, far from Cam Talbot’s best effort. Meanwhile, Montembeault turned aside 35 of the 36 shots he faced. It was a tight contest until the very end; however, the game was tied until halfway through the second period when Josh Anderson sealed the deal, and Gallagher and Nick Suzuki both scored with less than two minutes to go.

In the end, Montreal outscored Detroit 15-9 on the season, and its knack to beat the Wings played an essential part in its playoff qualification. Motritz Seider and Dylan Larkin were the Wings’ best players against the Habs, each posting three points, while Patrick Kane and Joe Veleno each had two.

As for the Canadiens, Jake Evans was their top scorer, followed by Patrik Laine and the now departed Emil Heineman, who both had three. While Yzerman would have liked to add some scoring punch to his offense this summer, he wasn’t able to do so, but he did make some sizeable additions. Acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks for Petr Mrazek and two draft picks was a good move, if only as a solid placeholder until Trey Augustine is ready for the big leaguer.

Signing Mason Appleton as a free agent will also give Detroit some depth up front, and he has playoff experience. Yzerman was also able to retain Kane’s services while shipping out Vladimir Tarasenko, whose performance fell short of expectations last season. James Van Riemsdyk’s signing will add some veteran leadership, while Jacob Bernard-Docker will bolster the blueline.

The Wing will be gunning for a playoff spot this upcoming season, and those meetings with the Canadiens will be of pivotal importance. Kent Hughes didn’t stand pat this offseason, though, and the arrivals of Noah Dobson and Zach Bolduc will go a long way towards making the Habs a better team.

The first game between the two teams will take place on October 9, the second tilt in two days for the Canadiens, who are starting the season with a back-to-back.

Photo credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images


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Pritchard explains why Celtics' expectations won't change despite busy offseason

Pritchard explains why Celtics' expectations won't change despite busy offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Payton Pritchard won’t be backing down from the challenge ahead.

The reigning Sixth Man of the Year saw a handful of his championship-winning teammates leave town this offseason.

Jrue Holiday was shipped to the Trail Blazers, Kristaps Porzingis is now on the Hawks, Luke Kornet signed with the Spurs and Al Horford remains unsigned, so the Celtics will look a lot different this fall. That all came after Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles, which will likely cost him the entire season.

Those moves aren’t shaking Pritchard’s confidence in the guys still left on the roster, though.

In the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast, Pritchard sat down with Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg. The Oregon alum shared why, even in an offseason of retooling the roster, the Celtics enter next season with the same goal in mind. What message would he have for Celtics fans who might not feel the same way?

“We’re definitely trying to be a playoff team. We’re trying to win a championship,” Pritchard said. “It’s not even about playoffs, we have one standard in Boston and it’s to win a championship. Everybody in that locker room will have the goal of competing for a championship. And we will do everything in our power necessary to go for that. That’s what (the fans) should know.”

🔊 Celtics Talk Podcast: Payton Pritchard on Celtics’ summer changes, NBA’s new heave rule and Kyrie wanting to swing on him | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

The Celtics, fresh off a championship in 2024, are on a sustained run of dominance in the NBA dating all the way back to their 2008 title. In the past 18 years, the Celtics have 17 playoff appearances with four Finals trips and nine Eastern Conference Finals berths. They’ve made the playoffs in 11 straight seasons dating back to 2015.

All that is nice, but winning titles has long been the main goal in Boston, for the Celtics and all the other teams. Pritchard, since being drafted in 2020, has quickly realized that.

Next season, he’ll have to chase that goal without some of his longtime teammates in Kornet, Holiday and Porzingis. While sad to see them go, Pritchard is happy for them to be getting bigger opportunities elsewhere.

“I mean, it definitely sucks,” Pritchard said about the offseason changes. “You become brothers with your teammates, you’re with them all the time. So, definitely going to miss them. It’s part of the business side so you have to move on.

“But you see a guy like Luke (Kornet) get paid, you know, you have to be happy for him for all the work he’s put in to earn that.

“I’m personally really going to miss Jrue. Jrue’s like a big brother, somebody I learned a lot from. One of the best teammates that I’ve ever had, and competitors. He’s the reason why we won a championship, so going to miss him a lot.

“Obviously, KP (Kristaps Porzingis), the type of person he is. Boston fans loved him, and a heck of a talent. We’re definitely going to miss those guys but it’s part of the NBA. We have to regroup, got to find new identities, new people need to step up and we got to get back to that level.”

With so many minutes now up for grabs, Pritchard plans on continuing his ascension. Last season, he averaged career-bests in points (14.3), rebounds (3.8), assists (3.5), steals (0.9) and shooting percentage (47.2).

“I feel like everybody should be excited,” Pritchard said. “There’s a lot of opportunities across the board. For me, personally, I’m excited every year. Because it’s an opportunity to prove myself again, to show that I can take another step. And that’s my goal every year. I’m definitely hungry and motivated this year, been working really hard. So I’m excited.”

Pritchard also shared his thoughts on the NBA’s potential new heave rule, Jayson Tatum’s injury and what Kyrie Irving said about his half-court shot in the 2024 NBA Finals. Check out the full episode here or on YouTube.

Breaking down eight players Giants acquired in deals at 2025 MLB trade deadline

Breaking down eight players Giants acquired in deals at 2025 MLB trade deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The trade deadline often is about what you get back, but because of the specific pieces the Giants traded away last week, that wasn’t really the case initially. 

In Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers, Buster Posey and Zack Minasian traded away not just their eighth- and ninth-inning guys, but also the two longest-tenured pitchers in the bullpen. Outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was the longest-tenured position player and was very popular with the fans who have filled Oracle Park all summer. 

It was a somber stretch for the organization, and the initial reaction was to say goodbye to three players who had become big parts of the franchise. But over the next two months and beyond, the focus will be on what came back. 

The Giants got eight players in the three trades, including seven who still are in the minor leagues. The reaction from around the league was that they did very well in the Rogers deal, in particular, but Posey felt like the entire haul will help future Giants teams. There definitely was an emphasis on adding some players who are close to the big leagues, and that should help the 2026 group try to reach the postseason. 

“You want to feel pretty good about what you’re getting back,” he said last week. “We feel like we added to the system, and yeah, it’s a huge plus to get players like (Blade) Tidwell and (Drew) Gilbert, who we think are very close to major league ready.”

Both could be options later this month or in September, and some of the others aren’t far behind. Here’s a look at what the Giants got back at the deadline, beginning with the one player they already have used: 

José Buttó, right-handed reliever

The only acquired player to go right onto the big league roster, Buttó pulled a reverse Tyler Rogers. He was a Met who became a Giant, and over the weekend he pitched well against his former teammates. Like Rogers, he even joined his previous team on the flight back to New York on Wednesday. 

Buttó has three strikeouts in two scoreless appearances for the Giants. For the season, he has a 3.47 ERA and 3.31 FIP, and those numbers are 3.40 and 3.84 over parts of four seasons. While Rogers will be a free agent at the end of the year, Buttó is under team control through 2030, so if he sticks, he could give the Giants a nice cost-controlled bullpen weapon for a few years. 

The slider is the pitch Buttó used often against his former teammates over the weekend, and it has been his best pitch. Opponents are hitting just .182 off it this season. 

Blade Tidwell, right-handed pitcher

Tidwell joined Buttó in going right on the 40-man roster, which was necessary after he made four appearances for the Mets earlier this season. They didn’t go well, as he allowed 15 earned runs in 15 innings, with 10 walks to 10 strikeouts and four homers allowed. 

Tidwell’s first two appearances came as a starter and the second two as a long reliever, and the question moving forward is whether he will stick as a rotation option or move to the ‘pen. 

Taken 14 picks ahead of Carson Whisenhunt in the 2022 draft and signed to an over-slot deal, the Tennessee product thus far has been developed purely as a starter. Of his 73 minor league appearances, 66 have been starts, and he has a 4.13 ERA with 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Tidwell has had command issues, but his walk rate this year is his lowest as a professional. 

Minasian said the Giants liked Tidwell’s “plus breaking ball” and Baseball America has his slider as his best pitch. If he ends up in the bullpen, his velocity and a good slider would be a nice combo; he hit 99 mph in one of his big league appearances and averaged 96 mph with his four-seamer across those 15 innings. 

Drew Gilbert, outfielder

Tidwell entered the Giants’ MLB Pipeline top 30 list at No. 12 and Gilbert came in at No. 13. The two were teammates at Tennessee and Gilbert went 28th overall to the Houston Astros in the 2022 draft, ahead of Tidwell and Whisenhunt and two picks ahead of Giants first-rounder Reggie Crawford. 

Gilbert played in the 2023 Futures Game, but he wasn’t an Astro for long. He was a big piece in the deal that brought Justin Verlander back to Houston from New York at the deadline in 2023. Before the next season, Gilbert was a consensus top-100 prospect. 

Gilbert has a .261/.361./453 slash line in the minors with 44 homers, 14 of which have come this season. He had some hamstring issues after getting drafted and hasn’t run much, but he is considered a good defensive center fielder with a plus arm that should allow him to play right at Oracle Park. Given that he already has more than 600 plate appearances in Triple-A, it shouldn’t be long before his MLB debut. 

Minasian said the Giants like that Gilbert “plays with an edge.” He also watches Tidwell’s dog occasionally, which should be on his scouting report: 

Jesus Rodriguez, catcher

The 23-year-old has been the DH for Sacramento in his first two games, but at some point the Giants will throw him behind the plate, and that might determine how the entire Doval trade is graded. 

Rodriguez was the biggest piece in that deal, which brought back four players, and Posey spoke passionately about his talent after the deadline.

“I know (he) is not ranked very high (but) the guy, all he has done is hit,” he said. “I think he has been a player that, listening to our pro scouting department talk about him, that has kind of come on the scene a little bit later. He has never really been a famous guy (but) you’re a .308 career hitter in the minor leagues, you watch his swing and he sprays the ball all over the field. We’re happy and excited about him.”

Rodriguez has hit at least .296 in every professional season and has a .395 OBP in six minor league years. He only has reached double-digit homers once, but the Giants are buying into the hit tool and low strikeout rate — and the idea that he can catch. 

Rodriguez has caught and played both corner infield spots, but he has a strong arm and Minasian said he thinks he “can be a quality defensive catcher.” If that’s the case, he should be Patrick Bailey’s backup next season, and as a right-handed hitter, he’s an ideal partner. That’s something the Giants haven’t had the last couple of years. 

Trystan Vrieling, right-handed pitcher

Born in Idaho and raised in Washington State, Vrieling grew up a Giants fan. He told Trey Wilson of the Richmond Flying Squirrels that he was “shocked” to be in a trade for Doval. 

“Man, I had watched Doval throw for a long time,” he said on Wilson’s podcast.

Vrieling was drafted out of Gonzaga in 2022 but missed all of the next season with an elbow fracture. He has a 4.36 ERA in the minor leagues while featuring a deep pitch mix. 

Minasian noted that Vrieling’s velocity is trending up, and the Giants saw him at 95 mph consistently just before the deadline. Vrieling also throws a cutter, two sliders, a curve and changeup. If he can find a reliable mix, he could be a back-end starter down the line. 

Parks Harber, corner infielder

Undrafted out of UNC, Harber had a .914 OPS in A-ball this year, but there’s a caveat. He turns 24 next month, so he’s pretty old for that level and the Giants probably will want to test him against better competition whenever he returns from the IL, which he was on at the time of the deal.

Harber is 6-foot-3, 225 pounds and he hit 20 homers as a college junior. He has played first base and third base this year, and batted .326 after a promotion to High-A. 

Carlos De La Rosa, left-handed pitcher

If you would like to feel old as you read this, note that De La Rosa was born in 2007. He’s exactly the type of player you want thrown into a deal like this one. 

The lefty is 17 years old and has just 22 professional innings in the Dominican Summer League, with a promising 36 strikeouts. He has a low 90s fastball that has hit 96 mph, and Minasian referred to him as a prospect with “upside.” Baseball America notes that De La Rosa has the “highest ceiling” of the four players that got traded for Doval. 

It’s possible that De La Rosa finds more velo as he gets older and stronger and turns into a really good prospect. It’s also possible this is the last we hear of him. It’s a lottery ticket, the type that front offices love. 

Yunior Marte, right-handed pitcher

You don’t get much for trading rentals like Yastrzemski, but the Giants seem to have done pretty well here. The 21-year-old Marte — not to be confused with the other Yunior Marte, who once was a Giant and got traded for Erik Miller — was slowed by a meniscus injury earlier in his career, but he’s having a very good year. 

In 19 starts in A-ball before the deal, Marte had a 2.74 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. He has 79 strikeouts in 82 innings, and he has limited walks and homers as a professional. 

Listed at 6-foot-5, Marte has a low 90s fastball that has touched 97. MLB Pipeline views him as a potential No. 4 starter, with the possibility of being a good bullpen fit down the line, too.

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