NHL Rumor Roundup: Latest Updates On The Penguins And Flames

Sitting amid the NHL off-season dog days, there has been little activity in the trade market. Meanwhile, the arbitration period ended predictably with all 13 players agreeing to new contracts with their respective teams before their scheduled hearings.

Nevertheless, the rumor mill keeps churning despite the lack of trade activity and the dearth of offer sheets to restricted free agents.

Most of the attention is on the Pittsburgh Penguins. While management isn't openly saying they're rebuilding, it's clear that is what they're doing this summer as they attempt to move out aging veterans for younger talent.

Most of the attention is focused on defenseman Erik Karlsson and wingers Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. The 35-year-old Karlsson is signed through 2026-27 with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value. Rakell and Rust are in their early 30s with cap hits at or just above $5 million annually through 2027-28.

Sportsnet's Sonny Sachdeva recently suggested the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators as destinations for Karlsson. That depends on his willingness to waive his no-movement clause, and if the Penguins agree to retain $3 million of their share of his AAV.

Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Sachdeva also listed the Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres as landing spots for Rakell or Rust.

Cap retention is a must for the Leafs, Avalanche, and Kings, while the Sabres could be on Rakell's nine-team no-trade list. Rust could be a good fit with the Red Wings given his Michigan roots.

Turning to Calgary, Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson remain the topic of media conjecture.

Kadri is under contract until 2028-29 with an AAV of $7 million and a full no-movement clause. Andersson carries a more affordable $4.55-million AAV with a six-team no-trade list, and is UFA-eligible next July.

Sportnet's Ryan Dixon recently noted Kadri's value to the retooling Flames, indicating they're in no hurry to move him. However, he continues to surface in trade rumors this summer.

Dixon suggested the Montreal Canadiens,New Jersey Devils, Hurricanes, Avalanche, and Maple Leafs as possible destinations if Kadri is moved. Cap space would be an issue for the Avalanche, Devils, and Leafs, while the Canadiens aren't likely to part with young assets for a 34-year-old center.

The Hurricanes have the cap room and are willing to make bold moves. Kadri could be a good fit, but his age raises concerns about the length of his contract.

As for Andersson, Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sun considers it a matter of time until the 28-year-old defenseman is moved. Still, Flames GM Craig Conroy has no problem with him being on the roster to begin this season.

Andersson is more likely to be moved than Kadri this season, but the Flames could wait until the March trade deadline to maximize his value.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

August 4, 2025

Giants at Pirates Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Giants (56-56) are in Pittsburgh to begin a series against the Pirates (48-64).

Justin Verlander is slated to take the mound for San Francisco against Johan Oviedo for Pittsburgh.

The Giants picked up a much-needed series win over the weekend in New York against the Mets. Rafael Devers went 3-4 with a home run and drove in four runs to lead San Francisco to a 12-4 win Sunday. It was just their third win in their last ten games.

The Pirates won yesterday as well. Spencer Horwitz homered twice and drove in six runs as the Bucs won 9-5 over the Rockies. Colorado took two of three over the weekend to slow down a Pittsburgh team that had won eight of its previous nine games.

The Pirates and Giants met just a handful of days ago at the end of July in San Francisco with the Bucs sweeping the three-game series.

Lets 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 tipoff, 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 Giants at Pirates

Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 6:40PM EST
Site: PNC Park
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Network/Streaming: NBCSBA, SNP

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 Giants at the Pirates

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Giants (-132), Pirates (+112)
Spread: Giants -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Giants at Pirates

Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Justin Verlander vs. Johan Oviedo
- Giants: Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.53 ERA)
  Last outing: July 29 vs. Pittsburgh - 1.80 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 7 Strikeouts
- Pirates: Johan Oviedo (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
  Last outing: Has not pitched in the majors since September 0f 2023

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 Giants at Pirates

The Pirates have won 4 of their last 5 home games against National League teams
6 of the Pirates' last 7 home games stayed under the Total
The Pirates have covered the Run Line in 6 straight home games
Justin Verlander struck out 7 in his last start which happened to be against the Pirates
Justin Verlander has allowed one run over his last 2 starts (10 innings)

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Giants and the Pirates

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 Monday's game between the Giants and the Pirates:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Pittsburgh Pirates at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

August 4, 2025

Yankees at Rangers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

It's Monday, August 4 and the Yankees (60-52) are in Arlington to take on the Rangers (58-55). Max Fried is slated to take the mound for New York against Patrick Corbin for Texas.

The Yankees are coming off three straight losses to the Marlins where New York was outscored 22-14. Prior to that, New York won three consecutive games, so I'm unsure what version of the Yankees we'll get.

Texas is 1-3 in the last four games and 2-5 over the past seven, which follows up a dominant 8-1 stretch to start the second half of the year (now 10-6 in the second half).

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 Yankees at Rangers

Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 8:05PM EST
Site: Globe Life Field
City: Arlington, TX
Network/Streaming: YES, RSN

Odds for the Yankees at the Rangers

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Yankees (-161), Rangers (+135)
Spread: Yankees -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Yankees at Rangers

Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Max Fried vs. Patrick Corbin
- Yankees: Max Fried, (12-4, 2.62 ERA)
  Last outing: 2.70 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 9 Strikeouts
- Rangers: Patrick Corbin, (6-7, 3.78 ERA)
  Last outing: 3.60 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Rangers

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday’s game between the Yankees and the Rangers:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Texas Rangers at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Yankees at Rangers

The Yankees have lost three straight
The Yankees are 1-5 in the last six road games
The Rangers are 2-5 in the last seven games
The Rangers have won 10 of their last 11 home games, while the Yankees have lost 5 in 6 on the road
The Yankees' last 3 versus the Rangers have stayed under the Total
The Yankees have failed to cover the Run Line in 4 straight road 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)

August 4, 2025

Son Of Former Minnesota Wild Forward Commits To University Of Minnesota

Sep 21, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cullen (7) takes the faceoff in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Long-time NHL forward Matt Cullen's son just announced his commitment to playing hockey for the University of Minnesota. Wyatt is one of three Cullen brothers, all who play hockey.

Wyatt, 16, recorded six goals, 25 assists and 31 points in 55 games for the U.S. National Development Program U17 team during the 2024-25 season.

His older brother Brooks was playing for Moorhead High School where he recorded 23 goals and 48 points in 29 games. He announced his commitment to Michigan State in November but might be de-committing soon.

The commitment photo on Instagram for Wyatt spelled out "W.Cullen" on the back of a Gophers jersey instead of just the last name. This is what you do if there are two players with the same last name on the team. We will see what happens.

Matt played 21 seasons in the NHL with eight different teams. He spent six years with the Anaheim Ducks to start his career. The second most games he played with one team was with the Minnesota Wild.

Cullen spent four seasons with the Wild on two different stops. He recorded 44 goals, 79 assists and 123 points in 272 games with Minnesota. In his NHL career, Cullen recorded 266 goals, 465 assists and 731 points in 1,516 games. He won three Stanley Cups and is in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Other Wild News

Former Minnesota Wild Forward Signs Two-Year Contract With The Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Minnesota Wild traded forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko, along with a 2026 sixth round pick, to the Boston Bruins for forward Justin Brazeau at the traded deadline.

Former Minnesota Wild Forward Signs Multi-Year Contract In Czech Extraliga LeagueAfter just 139 games in the NHL, the former Minnesota Wild forward Jakub Lauko is heading to Europe to play for Dynamo Pardubice, in the Czech Extraliga League.

Wild's Marco Rossi Training With Hall Of Famer Joe Thornton The offseason is in full swing and players have begun to start training with training camp and preseason just under two months from now.

August 4, 2025

It's time for Mets to turn to Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean in rotation

Back in July, with top pitching prospectsBrandon Sproat and Nolan McLeanexcelling for Triple-A Syracuse, the Mets -- who were down multiple starting pitchers at the time -- opted to deploy a handful of bullpen games, which cost them in a big way.

The reasoning at the time, which was fair enough, was that they didn't want to use one of their most prized prospects for a spot-start.

Once the pitching staff became whole again, there were still question marks due to Clay Holmes' transition from relief to starting, Sean Manaea's elbow, and Frankie Montas' struggles.

But the Mets didn't add a starting pitcher at the trade deadline.

President of baseball operations David Stearns explained that while they were engaged in the market, most of the impact pitchers who were rumored to be available were not dealt -- a group that included Sandy Alcantara, Dylan Cease, and Edward Cabrera.

So while the Mets certainly could've used a reinforcement for the staff, it's understandable why they didn't pounce -- especially given the fact that Sproat and McLean are so close to contributing.

And speaking in the hours after the deadline passed, Stearns said the team was prepared to turn to Sproat and McLean down the stretch if needed.

"They can help. It’s just a matter of their continued development and when the opportunity does arise, is it the right time," Stearns said. "Both guys have taken very nice steps forward in their development. We’re going to continue to challenge them. We’re going to continue to ask them to get better and work on things. They are doing a good job. If we need someone from Triple-A, we’ve got people down (there) and they are among them who can help us."

Following Montas' disastrous outing on Sunday against the Giants, the time is now to call on Sproat or McLean.

Against San Francisco, Montas was mostly non-competitive, allowing seven runs in 4.0 innings, including a back-breaking three-run homer to Rafael Devers in the third inning. With the game still within reach, Montas was touched up for three more runs in the fourth inning, effectively ending any chance the Mets had to come back.

Montas now has a 6.68 ERA and 1.54 WHIP through seven starts this season. And while there's a chance he turns it around if the Mets keep going to him, they really can't afford to take the risk with a pitcher who has allowed 11.2 hits per nine and whose FIP (5.07) suggests this isn't bad luck.

Aug 3, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

A look at Montas' advanced stats shows a pitcher who has done a good job getting batters to chase and who has been a bit above average when it comes to limiting hard contact. But they also show a pitcher whose stuff -- while tantalizing at times -- has graded out near the bottom of the league.

Montas is also among the worst in the league in xERA, xBA, and barrel percentage, and he's simply not missing enough bats -- his strikeout rate is just 7.8 per nine.

During a season where the Mets are scratching and clawing with the Phillies for the NL East title, and following a trade deadline where they were incredibly aggressive while trading for late-inning relievers Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, and Gregory Soto, decisive action is needed.

That action should be the immediate removal of Montas from the rotation, with the team sliding him to the bullpen to take the revolving door role that has been held by Rico Garcia and Austin Warren in recent days.

Speaking after Sunday's game, manager Carlos Mendoza didn't give a yes or no regarding Montas' future in the rotation.

"I mean we just got done with the game here," Mendoza said. "He's got to be better and he knows that."

The above kind of quote is usually code for a team that is prepared to remove a starter from the rotation or truly doesn't yet know which direction they'll turn.

If Montas' spot in the rotation was safe, Mendoza almost certainly would've said so.

Montas' next start would likely be on Saturday, Aug. 9 against the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Sproat, who has usually been pitching with five-days rest, would likely be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 6 or 7.

McLean, who has also ordinarily been pitching with five-days rest, would likely be lined up to make his next start on Aug. 5 or 6.

Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol - Imagn Images

While the days don't line up perfectly, one thing the Mets could conceivably do is have Sproat or McLean start on Friday, Aug. 8 against the Brewers. That's because Mets off days on Thursday and next Monday mean they can tweak their rotation a bit, maybe doing something like this over the weekend:

Monday against the Guardians: Sean Manaea
Tuesday against the Guardians: Clay Holmes
Wednesday against the Guardians: David Peterson
Friday against the Brewers: Brandon Sproat or Nolan McLean
Saturday against the Brewers: Kodai Senga (on six-days rest)
Sunday against the Brewers: Manaea (on five-days rest)

The Mets could also simply keep everyone else on their regular turn and give Sproat or McLean even more extra rest.

Either way, the time has come to turn to one of them.

Sproat, leaning heavily on a fastball that has reached 100 mph, has allowed just two runs over his last six starts -- a span of 33.0 innings. He has struck out 39 batters during that span.

McLean has been terrific all season and features a dastardly sweeper to go along with a mid-90s fastball. In 104.0 innings this season for Double-A Binghamton and Syracuse, McLean has a 2.94 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 113 strikeouts.

To be clear, the Mets would not be turning to either Sproat or McLean with the expectation that they'll be a savior.

Yes, both pitchers have the ability to eventually pitch near the top of a big league rotation. But that's not what the Mets can expect now. Nor is it what they even need.

What they need is someone who can take the ball every fifth day and give them a better chance to win than Montas is giving them. And it's fair to believe either Sproat or McLean is ready to do that.

August 4, 2025

Reds at Cubs Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

It's Monday, August 4 and the Reds (58-54) are in Chicago to take on the Cubs (65-46). Nick Lodolo is slated to take the mound for Cincinnati against Michael Soroka for Chicago.

Chicago and Cincinnati meet for the third series of the season as the Cubs won two out of three both times. Lately, these NL Central squads are trending in different directions.

The Cubs have won three of the past four games, including a ninth inning walkoff in the last contest, while the Reds have dropped four of the last six. Cincinnati is coming off a nine-game home stand where they finished 5-4.

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: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 8:05PM EST
Site: Wrigley Field
City: Chicago, IL
Network/Streaming: FDSNOH, MARQ

Odds for the Reds at the Cubs

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Reds (+120), Cubs (-143)
Spread: Cubs -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Reds at Cubs

Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Nick Lodolo vs. Michael Soroka
- Reds: Nick Lodolo, (8-6, 3.09 ERA)
  Last outing: 3.38 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 11 Strikeouts
- Cubs: Michael Soroka, (3-8, 4.87 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

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.

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 Monday’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 recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Reds at Cubs

Chicago is 4-2 against Cincinnati this season
The Cubs have a 15-4 record in series openers at home this season
The Cubs' last 6 matchups against NL Central teams have gone over the Total
Chicago is 3-1 in the last four games
Cincinnati is 2-4 in the past six 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)

August 4, 2025

Marcus Morris tells his side of story after arrest, 'This is not fraud activity'

Last week, Marcus Morris Sr. was arrested in Florida. He made a court appearance concerning a case where prosecutors alleged he owed $265,000 to two Las Vegas casinos after bouncing checks to pay off those markers. While the official charges are for fraud, Morris has steadfastly denied that there was any malice or fraud involved, that this was more of a misunderstanding.

Morris reiterated that talking with his twin brother Markieff Morris on their YouTube channel.

"Don't ever put my name with nothing but fraud. This is not fraud activity. I have never wrote a check to no casinos in exchange for money that I can put in my pocket. I wrote exchange for credit thinking that you know the source of the income and you know what I've done in the past years to pay it back plus put the money back that I chose to take from y'all to gamble with. So you know I want to just clear that up and then you could take it how you want."

Morris also talked about spending a few days in a Broward County jail.

"You could think about think about me this way. But I know what my loved ones and the people that surround us and the people we surround ourselves with really feel about us. But listen, jail, don't f*** with it. Don't f*** with it. That's why we had to do this s*** outside cuz I couldn't sit in no small ass room. I came home, I think I slept outside."

This entire situation and the criminal case will go away if the bill is paid, which appears to be the case with Morris and these charges.

August 4, 2025

Islanders No. 1 Pick Matthew Schaefer To Throw Out First Pitch At Mets Game On Monday

New York Islanders No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer will be throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game on Monday night against the Cleveland Guardians.

New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) on XTaking the mound in Queens! Matthew Schaefer is set to throw the first pitch at tonight’s @Mets game! ⚾️

Schaefer was supposed to receive this honor during development camp, but a rainout put an end to that possibility.

Schaefer hints that he'll be throwing out the first pitch tonight at the Mets game.

Told him if he bounces it, he has to go back to juniors. I don't make the rules.

"Well, I'm just gonna throw it as high as I can then. I'm going to throw it super high."#Isles
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) July 1, 2025

Schaefer has his eyes set on making the Islanders roster out of training camp, and he'll be given that opportunity.

The Islanders community has embraced this kid from the get-go, as they should, and as many know, there are a ton of Islanders fans who are also Mets fans.

So this crossover event on the diamond will be a cool experience for them, and for Schaefer, who always seems to rise to the occasion.

Just remember what happens if he throws it high...

Firt pitch is scheduled for 7:10 ET so you should be in your seats by 6:45 to be safe.

PHOTO: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

August 4, 2025

Cardinals at Dodgers Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for August 4

It's Monday, August 4 and the Cardinals (56-57) are in Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (65-47). Sonny Gray is slated to take the mound for St. Louis against Tyler Glasnow for Los Angeles.

The Cardinals continue their west coast road trip after losing two out of three to the Padres. St. Louis is 2-7 in the last nine games and 1-5 over the past six as they enter this matchup with the Dodgers.

St. Louis is 2-1 versus Los Angles this season, but the Dodgers are playing well recently. The Dodgers own a 4-2 record over the past six outings and a 7-5 record after dropping three straight to open the second half of the year.

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: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 10:10PM EST
Site: Dodger Stadium
City: Los Angeles, CA
Network/Streaming: FDSNMW, SNLA

Odds for the Cardinals at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Cardinals (+156), Dodgers (-188)
Spread: Dodgers -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cardinals at Dodgers

Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Sonny Gray vs. Tyler Glasnow
- Cardinals: Sonny Gray, (10-5, 4.38 ERA)
  Last outing: 5.40 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
- Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow, (1-1, 3.38 ERA)
  Last outing: 9.00 ERA, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 5 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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 Monday’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 staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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

St. Louis is 2-1 versus Los Angeles this season
Los Angeles is 4-2 in the last six games
St. Louis is 1-4 in the last five games
The Dodgers have a 22-15 record in series openers this season
Nine of the Dodgers' last 11 games (82%) have stayed under the Total
The Dodgers have failed to cover the Run Line in nine of their last 11 home 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)

August 4, 2025

Twins at Tigers prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Twins (52-59) are in Detroit open a series against the Tigers (65-48).

Simeon Woods Richardson is slated to take the mound for Minnesota against Casey Mize for Detroit.

The Twins salvaged the final game of their three-game weekend series in Cleveland with a 5-4 win over the Guardians. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak. Trevor Larnach led the attack with a hit and a couple of runs batted in.

The Tigers return home following a weekend in Philadelphia that saw them lose two of three to the Phillies including 2-0 last night. Kyle Schwarber went yard for the 38th time this season and Cristopher Sanchez allowed just five hits over eight innings to earn his 10th win of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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

Game details & how to watch Twins at Tigers

Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 6:40PM EST
Site: Comerica Park
City: Detroit, MI
Network/Streaming: MNNT, FDSNDT

Odds for the Twins at the Tigers

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Twins (+128), Tigers (-152)
Spread: Tigers -1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Twins at Tigers

Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Simeon Woods Richardson vs. Casey Mize
- Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.24 ERA)
  Last outing: July 28 vs. Boston - 5.79 ERA, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts
- Tigers: Casey Mize (9-4, 3.44 ERA)
  Last outing: July 29 vs. Arizona - 5.40 ERA, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 2 Strikeouts

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

The Tigers have won their last 5 games against divisional opponents
The Under is 17-9-1 in the Twins' games against AL Central teams this season
The Tigers are showing a profit of 5.25 units on the Run Line in their last 5 games at Comerica Park
Casey Mize struck out 14 opposing hitters in 15 innings in July but never more than 5 in any start
Riley Greene was 0-13 against the Phillies over the weekend

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!

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Twins and the Tigers:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Minnesota Twins at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

August 4, 2025

Athletics star Nick Kurtz earns both AL Player and Rookie of the Month for July

Athletics star Nick Kurtz earns both AL Player and Rookie of the Month for July originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It is a Big Amish summer.

Athletics star first baseman Nick Kurtz earned both AL Player of the Month and AL Rookie of the Month for his electric contributions in July. It is his first career AL Player of the Month and second consecutive AL Rookie of the Month.

Kurtz strikes again 😤
Congratulations to Nick Kurtz who has been named Player AND Rookie of the Month! pic.twitter.com/QGu4MlYdKG
— Athletics (@Athletics) August 4, 2025

Over 23 games in July, Kurtz slashed .395/.480/.953 with a 1.433 OPS. He collected 34 hits and 27 RBI with 11 home runs. The 22-year-old led the AL in on-base percentage (.480), doubles (13), OPS, RBI, extra-base hits (25), total bases (82) and slugging (.953).

Kurtz stamped the stellar month with a six-for-six game in a 15-3 rout of the Houston Astros on July 25, in which he hit four home runs, collected six hits, drove in eight runs and totaled 19 bases at Daikin Park.

“I don’t really know how to describe that one,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay told reporters that night in Houston. “It’s arguably the best game I’ve ever watched from a single player.”

What a night for Nick Kurtz, who put forth one of the greatest single-game performances in MLB history.
Read here: https://t.co/25RdK86J7a pic.twitter.com/7STJpwLjs5
— Athletics on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 26, 2025

Kurtz, the A’s No. 4 overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft, is the 10th player ever to take home both awards in the same month. He joins Ryan Braun (July 2007), Buster Posey (July 2010), Mike Trout (July 2012), Yasiel Puig (June 2013), Jose Abreu (April and July 2014), Gary Sanchez (Aug. 2016), Aaron Judge (June and Sept. 2017), Aristides Aquino (Aug. 2019) and Wyatt Langford (Sept. 2024).

It seemed that Kurtz’s teammate, Jacob Wilson, was a lock for AL Rookie of the Year for much of the 2025 MLB season, especially after becoming the first fan-elected rookie ever to start an All-Star Game.

Stat leaders among qualified rookies this season:
AVG: Jacob Wilson, .312
HR: Nick Kurtz, 23
H: Jacob Wilson, 115
RBI: Nick Kurtz, 61
OPS: Nick Kurtz, 1.030
SB: Chandler Simpson, 32
ERA: Mike Vasil, 2.54
K: Will Warren, 128
WHIP: Noah Cameron, 1.01
fWAR: Nick Kurtz, 3.2 pic.twitter.com/A9fkKEfi74
— SleeperMLB (@SleeperMLB) August 4, 2025

Kurtz, though, might be the frontrunner after his ridiculous July. But the award truly could go to either of the A’s rookie sensations.

August 4, 2025

Astros at Marlins prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for August 4

Its Monday, August 4 and the Astros (62-50) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (55-55).

Jason Alexander is slated to take the mound for Houston against Sandy Alcantara for Miami.

The Astros arrive in South Beach reeling having been swept over the weekend in Boston by the Red Sox while the Marlins are riding high following their first-ever sweep of the Yankees in Miami.

Houston is 2-8 in their last 10 games and their lead in the American League West has been whittled down to 2.5 games over Seattle. Miami is playing as well as anyone in baseball. They have won five straight and are 30-14 since June 13 to pull to within six games of a Wild Card berth.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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

Game details & how to watch Astros at Marlins

Date: Monday, August 4, 2025
Time: 6:40PM EST
Site: loanDepot Park
City: Miami, FL
Network/Streaming:

Odds for the Astros at the Marlins

The latest odds as of Monday:

Moneyline: Astros (-106), Marlins (-113)
Spread: Marlins 1.5
Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Astros at Marlins

Pitching matchup for August 4, 2025: Jason Alexander vs. Sandy Alcantara
- Astros: Jason Alexander (1-1, 18.00 ERA)
  Last outing: July 29 vs. Washington - 3.86 ERA, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 2 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
- Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (6-9, 6.36 ERA)
  Last outing: July 29 at St. Louis - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

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

The Marlins have won their last 3 games with Sandy Alcantara on the mound
This season Sandy Alcantara has an ERA of 6.36 and a WHIP of 1.46
The Marlins have covered in 7 of their last 9 games with Sandy Alcantara on the mound
Carlos Correa is 3-12 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in 3 games since returning to Houston

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!

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

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Astros and the Marlins:

Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Miami Marlins on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Astros at +1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

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

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)
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

August 4, 2025

Fenway Park Workers Warn of Indefinite Strike Against Aramark

Concession workers at Fenway Park may go back on strike—potentially indefinitely—if food and beverage vendor Aramark doesn’t offer a new labor contract.

On Wednesday, ahead of the Boston Red Sox’s series finale against the Kansas City Royals, Unite Here Local 26 will give Aramark a formal notice of a potential strike. It comes over a week after the unionized concession workers walked off the job on July 25 for three days during the series against the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Aramark hired replacement workers for the series, some of whom were involved in a confrontation with picketing union members outside the stadium after Saturday’s game, according to NBC Boston.

More from Sportico.com

The union employees returned to the job for this past weekend’s series against the Houston Astros without incident; the Red Sox host the Royals for three games starting Monday.

The two sides have been at odds since Dec. 31, 2024, when the previous contract expired. On June 15, while the Red Sox hosted the rival New York Yankees, Local 26 authorized a strike that could take place at any point during the regular season, with 95% of its members voting in favor. A few weeks later on July 23, the union gave Aramark 48 hours to offer a new contract before walking off the job; the company let the deadline pass, leading to the three-day strike.

Peter Dankens, a beer server who began working at the ballpark in 1976 as a 14-year-old porter, is the longest-tenured vendor at Fenway and a member of the union’s bargaining committee. In the last talks between the two sides prior to the July strike, Dankens said that he was taken aback by a comment from one of Aramark’s negotiators.

“I wasn’t that hyped up about the whole thing until I went to the bargaining meeting,” he said, “and the person who represented Aramark said, ‘Well, you people make enough money.’ I couldn’t believe someone said that. I make at the top very good money, sure, but my money doesn’t come from Aramark. My money comes from the fans.”

Dankens said he walked off the job in support of the people in the back of the house who deliver, stock and cook the food. “They’re unrecognized. I don’t think anybody in management, other than the floor supervisors, know their names individually. I don’t think it’s not the way they used to be. It really used to be family, and it’s not that way anymore.”

Last Thursday, the bargaining committee discussed next steps, thinking that negotiations towards a new deal could go into the 2026 MLB regular season. Neither side has spoken to one another since the strike during the Red Sox/Dodgers series, though the union continues to say that it’s up to Aramark to offer what it believes to be a fair proposal.

Another point of contention, according to Dankens, was about Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday in 2021. The committee said it asked Aramark to make that a paid holiday for its employees, but that request was denied.

“That’s a slap in the face to every person of color that works there, saying ‘we’ll discuss it with you in 2030,’” Dankens said. “Who discusses a national holiday in honor of people of color in 2030? It’s a national holiday.”

Aramark didn’t reply to a request for comment.

The negotiations could play out the same way as it did in Philadelphia when that city’s union chapter representing concession workers across the three venues of the stadium complex went on strike in late September 2024, long after its own contract expired. Some concession workers picketed as the Phillies played their final regular-season series before the playoffs. Though the strike lasted four days, Aramark and the union did not come to terms on a new contract until this past April.

While there has been little common ground at the negotiating table, there was a moment when both sides put their hostilities aside. One of the union members who worked at the ballpark passed away in June after a battle with esophageal cancer. At the funeral, Dankens said he saw two members of Aramark’s senior management team among the attendees.

“I think they thought I was going to say something about this strike,” he said. “And I said to them, you know, it meant a lot to see you coming to [the] funeral. And believe me, it was not unnoticed.

“I think they were kind of taken aback that I said that to them, but it did mean something to see them there. It was almost like we went back to the olden days.”

(This story has been updated in the first paragraph to accurately reflect the union’s intentions around the strike. This story has been corrected in the second paragraph to note the Red Sox will play the Royals on Wednesday, and in the fifth paragraph to clarify who is speaking.)

Best of Sportico.com

August 4, 2025

Mets vs. Guardians: How to watch on SNY on Aug. 4, 2025

The Mets open a three-game series against the Guardians at Citi Field on Monday 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 .310/.370/.524 with two home runs and three doubles in 46 plate appearances over his last 10 games
Edwin Diaz has allowed one earned run since April 21. For the season, Diaz has a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 65 strikeouts in 43.2 innings
Sean Manaea has been terrific since returning, with a 2.08 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 17.1 innings while striking out 22

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:

Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account.

Select the SNY Mets game you wish to view from the Multimedia Center.

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.

Download the free MLB App.

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.

August 4, 2025

William Nylander's Father, Michael, Surprises Maple Leafs' Forward With Sweden's Top Hockey Honor

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander has been named Sweden’s top hockey player of the year.

The annual honor, named the GuldPucken, is given to the hockey player of the year from Sweden. The tradition began in 1956, and the country opened the award to Swedish NHL players in 2015.

William’s father, Michael, who played in the NHL for parts of 15 seasons, revealed to William that he had won the 2025 Goldpucken. It’s the first time a player on the Maple Leafs has won the award. Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling won it last year after winning the Stanley Cup.

Nylander’s coming off his best goalscoring season to date. The 29-year-old had 45 goals in 82 games in 2024-25, finishing atop the Maple Leafs and only trailing Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, who scored 52 goals, for the most in the league.

Fellow Swede Jesper Bratt, a forward on the New Jersey Devils, was Nylander’s only countryman to finish higher than him in points last season. The 27-year-old tallied 88 points (21 goals and 67 assists) in 81 games.

'They're Trying To Move Money Around': Maple Leafs Reportedly Haven't Closed Door On Signing UFA Jack RoslovicThe Toronto Maple Leafs were reportedly interested in unrestricted free agent Jack Roslovic earlier this summer, and it appears the lure may not have gone away.

In an interview with Expressen’s Adam Johansson, Nylander said it was special to win the Goldpucken, adding that while he doesn’t talk about it, winning the trophy was always in the back of his mind. Nylander also credited his Toronto teammates for helping him achieve the honor.

Although he was born in Calgary, Alberta, Nylander has always dubbed Sweden home. He’s represented them on the international stage numerous times, including at the 4 Nations Face-Off and World Championships earlier this spring, after going out in the second round of the NHL playoffs to the Panthers.

He's also already one of the six players named to Team Sweden's 2026 Winter Olympics roster.

Maple Leafs' Ben Danford Praises Fellow Toronto Pick Victor Johansson On Growth Over Last Year Victor Johansson got the upper hand on fellow Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Ben Danford at the World Junior Summer Showcase this week.

Nylander won gold with his home country at the 2017 World Championships, where he was also named the tournament’s MVP. While speaking with Johansson this week, the forward said winning gold with Sweden, winning the Gold Puck this year, and playing in his home country with the Maple Leafs during the NHL’s Global Series in 2023 are the highlights of his career thus far.

Since being selected eighth overall by Toronto in the 2014 NHL Draft, Nylander has scored 612 points (262 goals and 350 assists) in 685 NHL games. He’s also put up 26 goals and 32 assists in 67 playoff games with the Maple Leafs.

Former Maple Leafs Forward Nazem Kadri Reacts To Being Snubbed From Team Canada’s 2026 Olympic Orientation CampDespite a career-high of 35 goals, Calgary Flames forward and former Toronto Maple Leafs star Nazem Kadri was left off Hockey Canada’s Olympic Orientation Camp Roster. The camp is set to take place later in August.

Nylander is entering the second season of an eight-year, $92 million contract, which he signed with Toronto in January 2024. The annual average value of the deal is $11.5 million, making him the second-highest paid Swede in the NHL behind Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson, who’s set to make $11.6 million starting next season.

This article originally appeared on The Hockey News: William Nylander's Father, Michael, Surprises Maple Leafs' Forward With Sweden's Top Hockey Honor

(Top photo of Nylander: Nick Turchiaro / Imagn Images)