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Horner’s Red Bull exit: the end of an era that will be felt across Formula One grid | Giles Richards

Departure now leaves a question mark about the next chapter of one of the sport’s extraordinary success stories

The removal of Christian Horner from his post as team principal at Red Bull represents both the end of an era in Formula One and, in the short term, the most turbulent period in the team’s history. It carries an import that will be felt right across the sport, a significance in how it played out and what happens next as the team Horner built and led to such enormous success faces an uncertain future.

Horner has been at Red Bull since the team was formed in 2005 from the ashes of Jaguar, a team in no little disarray when Red Bull bought it. Horner was at the helm as it was transformed from an operation of 450 personnel, without so much as a win to their name, to one of 1,500 today that has won eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, and is one of the most extraordinary success stories in F1 history.

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Mariners at Yankees prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Mariners (48-43) are in Bronx to take on the Yankees (50-41).

Logan Evans is slated to take the mound for Seattle against Cam Schlittler for New York.

The Yankees took the series opener last night, 10-3. Cal Raleigh homered for Seattle, but his blast was more than offset by home runs from Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Austin Wells. Will Warren pitched 5.2 scoreless innings to earn his sixth win of the season.

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 Mariners at Yankees

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:05PM EST
  • Site: Yankee Stadium
  • City: Bronx, NY
  • Network/Streaming: RSNW, AmazonPV

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 Mariners at the Yankees

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Mariners (+121), Yankees (-142)
  • Spread:  Yankees -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mariners at Yankees

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Logan Evans vs. Cam Schlittler
    • Mariners: Logan Evans (3-2, 2.96 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 vs. Kansas City - 5.2IP, 0ER, 3H, 1BB, 3Ks
    • Yankees: Cam Schlittler - This is the Major League debut for Schlittler

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 Mariners at Yankees

  • The Yankees have won 3 straight home games against the Mariners
  • The Yankees' last 9 games have gone over the Total
  • The Yankees are up 3.13 units on the Run Line in their last 5 at home
  • Paul Goldschmidt has collected 2 or more hits in 4 of his last 5 games (9-23)
  • Cody Bellinger is riding a 13-game hitting streak (22-56)

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 Mariners and the Yankees

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 Wednesday's game between the Mariners and the Yankees:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Yankees on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Seattle Mariners 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

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)
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Why Gabe Perreault Will Have A Successful Rookie Campaign?

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Here are five reasons why Gabe Perreault will have a successful rookie season. 

1. Perrault has had success at every level. He dominated both junior hockey, with the USNTDP, and collegiate hockey with Boston College… Is the NHL next? Very possible. 

2. He’s primarily a playmaker, but is also capable of scoring. A potential dual threat. 

3. He has a mentor with 859 NHL games and 516 points to his name. An invaluable resource to lean on. Gabe calls him Dad, the rest of us know him as Yanic. 

4. According to PuckPedia.com, he is expected to play on the second line, alongside J.T. Miller and Will Cuylle. Not a bad line to start your first professional season. 

5. He got a taste of NHL action. Using his experience from his five game stint at the tail end of last season, he knows what’s expected at the NHL level.

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Oklahoma City, Chet Holmgren agree to five-year max contract extension

After helping the Oklahoma City Thunder to its first title, the team's core is being rewarded. First, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was rewarded with the largest contract in NBA history (four years, $285 million).

Now it's Chet Holmgren's turn. The Thunder and Holmgren have agreed to a max rookie contract extension, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. The report says the contract can be worth up to $250 million over five years, while ESPN's Bobby Marks notes that, as constructed, this would be 25% of the NBA salary cap (which is at $165 million). This appears to be a straight five, with no team or player options. Holmgren will play one more season on his rookie contract ($13.7 million) before this new deal kicks in.

Holmgren demonstrated his value during the Thunder's run to the NBA title, averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game during the playoffs. Last regular season, Holmgren averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks a game but played in just 32 games due to a pelvic fracture.

That is the risk for the Thunder in this — the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Holmgren did not play his first year after being selected due to a foot injury. He played 82 games the following season and was second in Rookie of the Year voting, but then was limited again this season. The Thunder need him to stay healthy.

With Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren locked up, all eyes turn to Jalen Williams, who was also part of the 2022 draft class and is extension-eligible this summer. Williams will also get a max extension coming off an All-NBA season for him. In a couple of years (2026-27), when all these extensions kick in, the Thunder will have some hard choices to make in order to keep their payroll out of the second apron. The NBA's luxury tax system is coming for the Thunder, but not for a year.

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Former Islanders Prospect Signs In The KHL

After ending the season in the Colorado Avalanche's system, former New York Islanders prospect William Dufour has signed a one-year deal with the KHL's HC Lada for the 2025-26 season:

Dufour, drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, played three seasons in Bridgeport, recording 44 goals and 47 assists in 169 games. He did play one NHL game against the Boston Bruins during the 2022-23 season.

Known for his scoring prowess, recording 56 goals in his final season with the OHL's St. John Sea Dogs, he ultimately did not develop in the Islanders' system.

Dufour was part of the trade that sent Brock Nelson to the Avalanche in the early morning of Trade Deadline Day. 

In 12 games with the AHL's Colorado Eagles, Dufour had one goal and three assists for four points. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

PHOTO: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

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Phillies try to shake Oracle Park curse after wild loss to Giants

Phillies try to shake Oracle Park curse after wild loss to Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

SAN FRANCISCO – The stunned looks were nowhere to be found, nor drooping heads or sulking attitudes. The Phillies entered the clubhouse at Oracle Park Wednesday morning merely 12 hours after one of the most unbelievable losses in recent memory and were doing what you have to do in baseball – move onto the next game.

Jordan Romano, who gave up the three-run, inside-the-park home run to Patrick Bailey that gave the Giants an improbable 4-3 seemed to be his jovial self as he moved about the locker, though he admitted post game on Tuesday that he’s frustrated But these things happen and all the players and manager can do is turn the page.

In one of the wackiest plays you’ll see, Bailey’s ball hit off the top of the fence in right field and shot like a bullet towards center, past Brandon Marsh and kind of into no man’s land. By the time the ball was retrieved and thrown back into the infield, Bailey was crossing home plate before getting mobbed by teammates in front of the Phillies dugout. 

“It hit something on that wall,” said manager Rob Thomson. “There was nothing that you could do about it.”

Earlier in the game, with the Phillies again struggling to hit with runners in scoring position, slugger Kyle Schwarber stole second base in the sixth with Alec Bohm at bat. Then, with the count 3-0 on Bohm, Schwarber went again in an attempt to steal third. Only this time, Bailey threw a strike to Matt Chapman to get Schwarber. Bohm walked on the pitch and the Phillies got a single from Nick Castellanos and a double from Otto Kemp to score their first run of the game and break an 0-for-26 skid with runners in scoring position.

Had Schwarber just stayed at second …

“I would have probably done that nine out of 10 times and probably going to be safe,” Schwarber reasoned after the game. Asked about it Wednesday, Thomson had a little bit different take: “He better be safe in that situation. I mean, really. I know he’s trying and he thought he could get it. But you’ve got to be safe in that situation. ” 

What’s the update on Orion Kerkering?

Reliever Orion Kerkering had a tough outing on Monday night when he hit Willy Adames, gave up a single to Matt Chapman, hit Wilmer Flores to load the bases then gave up two runs on a pair of fielder’s choices. After 25 pitches, Kerkering was pulled in what became a 3-1 Phillies loss. After the game, Thomson explained that he pulled Kerkering in order to have him available for Tuesday, when Taijuan Walker was starting. But Kerkering was unavailable Tuesday but should be one of the few bullpen arms available Wednesday.

“He was sore when he came in Tuesday, Thomson explained. “I thought he would be. He came in cranky, so we shut him down. I don’t know whether it was dampness, but the ball was slick to him. It wasn’t for anybody else it didn’t seem like, but to him it was. He couldn’t get the feel of his slider on the ball. That’s why you saw a couple of hit batsmen.”

More pitching updates

Thomson said that Aaron Nola had a 30-pitch session down in Clearwater and that “it went very well. Saturday is the next one.” As for suspended reliever Jose Alvarado, who is serving his 80 game punishment for violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy, Thomson said he is working out and throwing and should be ready to go when he eligible in the middle of August. As part of his punishment, Alvarado will not be able to participate in the postseason.

Phillies’ history

The unimaginable loss on Tuesday against the Giants put the Phillies record at 3-18 since the 2019 season. No real rhyme or reason as players, managers and circumstances change, but there just seems to be something about this place for the Phillies.

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What we learned as Giants shut out by Phillies, keeping Justin Verlander winless

What we learned as Giants shut out by Phillies, keeping Justin Verlander winless originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Box score

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants responded to their worst stretch of the year by winning six of seven over the past week, but they came up well short Wednesday in a bid to sweep the first-place Philadelphia Phillies. 

Justin Verlander fell behind early and the offense gave him the customary lack of support while he was on the mound. Once he headed back to the clubhouse, this one turned into a blowout. The Phillies scored seven runs in the eighth and ran away with a 13-0 win in a game that ended with Mike Yastrzemski on the mound for the Giants. 

Verlander fell to 0-7 on the year, but this performance was more about the lack of offensive punch. The Giants did end up taking the series, but their full-strength lineup didn’t do much. They won 3-1 on Monday night and had just one run until Patrick Bailey’s wild walk-off in the ninth on Tuesday. In the finale, they had just three hits off lefty Jesus Luzardo, who became the latest southpaw to dominate the Giants this season. 

On It Goes

Verlander had good stuff early, hitting 96.9 mph in the first inning and striking out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. That fastball was his firmest since April. He struck out seven over six innings, but was charged with four runs — two earned — and left with little hope of even getting a no-decision.

Verlander already was the first Giants pitcher to go 14 starts to begin a year without picking up a win. His previous high as a big leaguer was seven consecutive starts at any point without a win, and he now has more than doubled that to begin his Giants career. 

Verlander is the first MLB pitcher since 2023 to start his season with 15 winless starts. Kansas City’s Jordan Lyles got to 15 that season and Colorado’s Chase Anderson got to 16. Verlander’s next shot to get a win — and avoid tying Anderson — should come after the break against either Toronto or Atlanta on the road. 

Move Over, Logan

The bullpen has blown a lead six times in a Verlander start, but on Wednesday, that was never in play. Another problem was, though.

Verlander has received just 26 runs of support in 15 starts, the second-worst run support in baseball. Only Chase Dollander of the historically bad Colorado Rockies has gotten less support from his lineup. The Giants scored five runs behind Verlander in Chicago on May 6, but in every other start, he has received three runs or fewer of support. Even Matt Cain and Logan Webb would think that’s hard to swallow. 

On It Goes, Part II

At the start of the Diamondbacks series last week, the Giants thought they were seeing better swings from Jung Hoo Lee. When he came through with a three-hit game later in the week, it seemed his lengthy slump might be over. That turned out to be too optimistic. 

Lee struck out with two on in the first and finished 0-for-2 with a walk. After batting .143 in June, Lee is still searching for his old consistency. He is 5-for-22 with no extra-base hits since the big game at Chase Field, and his OPS is in danger of slipping under .700 for the first time since the first series of the year. 

The Giants have given Lee a few days off recently, but he’s likely to get three starts this weekend. Right-handers Dustin May, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the big weekend series for the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Cubs at Twins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Cubs (54-37) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (44-47).

Cade Horton is slated to take the mound for Chicago against David Festa for Minnesota.

These teams have split the first two games of the series as Minnesota won 8-1. Ryan Jeffers went 3-4 and drove in three runs. Simeon Woods Richardson threw five scoreless innings to earn his fifth win of the season.

Lets dive into today's 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 Cubs at Twins

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: MARQ, MNNT

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 Cubs at the Twins

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Cubs (-114), Twins (-106)
  • Spread:  Cubs -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Cade Horton vs. David Festa
    • Cubs: Cade Horton (3-2, 4.15 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 vs. Cleveland - 7IP, 0ER, 5H, 2BB, 5Ks
    • Twins: David Festa (2-3, 5.48 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/3 at Miami - 6IP, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 7Ks

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 Cubs at Twins

  • The Cubs have won 27 of 37 games following a defeat
  • The Under is 7-3 in the Twins' last 10 games
  • The Cubs have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight games at Minnesota
  • David Festa is averaging a little more than 1K per inning pitched this season - 45Ks in 42.2IP
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong is 2-13 over his last 3 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!

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

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 Wednesday's game between the Cubs and the Twins:

  • 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 Minnesota Twins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over 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

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)
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Marlins at Reds Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

It's Wednesday, July 9 and the Marlins (42-48) are in Cincinnati to take on the Reds (46-46). Sandy Alcantara is slated to take the mound for Miami against Andrew Abbott for Cincinnati.

Miami took game 2 of this four-game series, 12-2, yesterday to extend their dominance to 17 runs scored to the Reds' two through two games. The Marlins are now 12-3 over the past 15 games, while the Reds have lost four straight and could drop below .500 with another loss.

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 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 Marlins at Reds

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Great American Ball Park
  • City: Cincinnati, OH
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNFL, FDSNOH

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 Marlins at the Reds

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Marlins (+119), Reds (-141)
  • Spread:  Reds -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Reds

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Sandy Alcantara vs. Andrew Abbott
    • Marlins: Sandy Alcantara, (4-8, 7.01 ERA)
      Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 5 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Reds: Andrew Abbott, (7-1, 2.15 ERA)
      Last outing: 3.1 Innings Pitched, 4 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 2 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 Marlins and the Reds

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 Wednesday’s game between the Marlins and the Reds:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cincinnati Reds on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins 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 Marlins at Reds

  • Miami is 7-10 in Alcantara's 17 starts this year
  • Cincinnati is 11-4 in Abbott's 15 starts this year
  • The Reds have won 4 of their last 5 home series
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Marlins' last 5 road games
  • The Marlins have covered the Run Line in 3 straight games at the Reds

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Four Big-Name NHL Players Entering Their 20th Seasons In 2025-26

Only 73 players in NHL history have played at least 20 seasons. 

The 2024-25 campaign saw four players accomplish this major milestone, as Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Corey Perry and Ryan Suter all just completed their 20th seasons.

Now, unless there are any sudden changes, four more players under contract are set to play in their 20th NHL seasons in 2025-26. (Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Jack Johnson can also join the list if they sign a new contract. They're currently UFAs.)

Evgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin entered the NHL during the 2006-07 season and immediately cemented himself as a legitimate star with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 78 games as a rookie, he posted 33 goals, 52 assists and 85 points.

Malkin, 38, undoubtedly has put together a Hall of Fame-worthy career. In 1,213 NHL games with the Penguins, he’s put up 514 goals, 832 assists, 1,346 points and a plus-28 rating. He has also won an array of awards, including the Calder Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy (2009 and 2012), Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. He also helped lead the Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships and is a three-time first-team all-star.

While Malkin’s time as one of the NHL’s top superstars has passed, he is still a solid top-six forward at this stage. The 6-foot-5 Russian recorded 16 goals and 50 points in 68 games this past season. With numbers like these, he is still a key part of Pittsburgh’s roster, and it will be intriguing to see what kind of season he puts together in the final year of his contract.

Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins 

Kris Letang has been a crucial part of Pittsburgh’s blueline throughout his career, and that should remain the case next season.

The 38-year-old defenseman reaching his 20th season is quite impressive, as he’s recovered from two strokes and surgery to close a small hole in the heart.  

In 1,161 career games with the Penguins, he has recorded 175 goals, 597 assists, 772 points and a plus-85 rating. The Montreal native is also a two-time second-team all-star, a Masterton Trophy winner and a three-time Stanley Cup champion.

Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings 

The Los Angeles Kings captain has not shown any signs of slowing down. Anze Kopitar, 37, is still one of the NHL’s top two-way centers, posting 21 goals, 67 points and a plus-14 rating in 81 games this past season.

In 1,454 career NHL games, all with the Kings, Kopitar has put up 440 goals, 838 assists, 1,278 points and a plus-108 rating. The 11th overall pick in 2005 has won the Stanley Cup and Selke Trophy twice each, the Lady Byng Trophy three times and the Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award in 2022. He’s also played in the All-Star Game five times.

Overall, Kopitar has been one of the game’s top forwards for so many years now, and that should remain the case during his 20th season. The Slovenian superstar is easily one of the greatest players in Kings history.

Jordan Staal, C, Carolina Hurricanes 

At just 36 years old, Jordan Staal could be the first player taken in the 2006 NHL draft to play his 20th NHL season in 2025-26. After being selected second overall by the Penguins, Staal immediately made their roster in 2006-07 and has been one of the game’s top defensive forwards since. 

Fast forward to today, and Staal is currently the captain of the Carolina Hurricanes. In 75 games this past season with the Metropolitan Division club, he posted 13 goals, 36 points and a plus-15 rating. He remains a key part of the Hurricanes’ roster, just like he has been for his 13-year tenure there. 

In 1,328 career games split between the Penguins and Hurricanes, Staal has recorded 298 goals, 413 assists, 711 points and a plus-62 rating. He is also a Stanley Cup champion and a two-time Selke Trophy finalist.

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.

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Canadiens Could Have Something Special In New Forward

The Montreal Canadiens have had themselves an active off-season. Their biggest move was acquiring defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. However, the Canadiens also made another trade that has the potential to a very good one for them. 

On July 1, the Canadiens acquired forward Zach Bolduc from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for defenseman Logan Mailloux. While Mailloux has the potential to emerge as a good NHL defenseman, it is hard not to like the Canadiens bringing in Bolduc to their roster.

Bolduc just had a breakout season with the Blues in 2024-25, as he set new career highs with 19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points, and 108 hits. With numbers like these, he is already capable of providing solid offense and should give the Canadiens' middle six a nice boost immediately.

Yet, when noting that Bolduc is only 22 years old and just getting his NHL career started, he should only improve as he continues to gain more experience. The potential for Bolduc to emerge as a legitimate top-six forward is there, as he already has a nice mix of skill, speed, and grit. Thus, he is precisely the kind of young, promising forward a team on the rise like the Canadiens should be taking a chance on. 

Overall, Bolduc is already a very solid player, and he likely has not hit his ceiling yet. If he takes another step forward in this campaign, he could emerge as a key part of the Canadiens' roster. It will be fascinating what kind of season he puts together in 2025-26 from here. 

Will The New CBA Bring Big Changes To Players’ Style?Will The New CBA Bring Big Changes To Players’ Style?The League and the NHLPA announced on Tuesday that the new Collective Bargaining Agreement has been ratified. As expected, the new deal, which will take effect at the start of the 2026-27 season, will bring numerous changes, and one of them should be particularly popular with the players.

Photo Credit: © Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images

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Rockies at Red Sox Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 9

It's Wednesday, July 9 and the Rockies (21-71) are in Boston to take on the Red Sox (48-45). Antonio Senzatela is slated to take the mound for Colorado against Lucas Giolito for Boston.

Brayan Bello went a complete 9.0 innings with 10 strikeouts, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, and 1 walk in Boston's 10-2 win on Tuesday. The Red Sox have scored 19 runs to the Rockies' five in this series.

Boston's won five-straight games and scored at least six runs in all five, while Colorado is 1-4 over the past five and on a two-game losing streak.

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 Rockies at Red Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:10PM EST
  • Site: Fenway Park
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: COLR, NESN

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 Rockies at the Red Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Rockies (+243), Red Sox (-305)
  • Spread:  Red Sox -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rockies at Red Sox

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Antonio Senzatela vs. Lucas Giolito
    • Rockies: Antonio Senzatela, (3-12, 6.57 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 3 Earned Runs Allowed, 7 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts
    • Red Sox: Lucas Giolito, (5-1, 3.66 ERA)
      Last outing: 7.2 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Run Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 7 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 Rockies and the Red Sox

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 Wednesday’s game between the Rockies and the Red Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Boston Red Sox on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Colorado Rockies at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is 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 Rockies at Red Sox

  • Boston is 6-1 in Giolito's last seven starts
  • Colorado is 5-13 in Senzatela's 18 starts this year
  • The Red Sox have won 5 of their last 7 home games, while the Rockies have lost 6 in 8
  • The Red Sox's last 3 games versus the Rockies have gone over the Total
  • The Rockies have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight road games against the Red Sox

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)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Blue Jays at White Sox prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats for July 9

Its Wednesday, July 9 and the Blue Jays (54-38) are in Chicago looking to sweep their three-game series against the White Sox (30-62).

Eric Lauer is slated to take the mound for Toronto against Adrian Houser for Chicago.

Last night the Jays won their tenth in a row. In a game shortened due to rain, Chris Bassitt went six innings allowing just one run and four hits to pick up his ninth win of the season, 6-1 over the ChiSox. Toronto's offense pounded three Chicago pitchers for 12 hits over the course of 6.2 innings before the game was halted due to the weather.

Lets dive into today's 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 Blue Jays at White Sox

  • Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
  • Time: 2:10PM EST
  • Site: Rate Field
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • Network/Streaming: Sportsnet, CHSN, 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 Blue Jays at the White Sox

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Blue Jays (-149), White Sox (+124)
  • Spread:  Blue Jays -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at White Sox

  • Pitching matchup for July 9, 2025: Eric Lauer vs. Adrian Houser
    • Blue Jays: Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.65 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/4 vs. Angels - 6IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 6Ks
    • White Sox: Adrian Houser (4-2, 1.60 ERA)
      Last outing: 7/4 at Colorado - 8IP, 0ER, 4H, 2BB, 6Ks

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 Blue Jays at White Sox

  • The Blue Jays have won 3 straight road games
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Blue Jays' last 5 games against American League teams
  • The Blue Jays have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games, profiting 1.90 units
  • Vlad Guerrero Jr. collected 2 hits last night and is now 6-15 over his last 4 games
  • Mike Tauchman is enjoying a 6-game hitting streak (12-25)

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 today’s game between the Blue Jays and the White Sox

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 Wednesday's game between the Blue Jays and the White Sox:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Toronto Blue Jays on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Toronto Blue Jays 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)
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Pirates’ Oneil Cruz will bring his record-breaking power to the Home Run Derby

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz, known more for delivering hard-hit homers than producing them in quantity, was added to the Home Run Derby in Atlanta.

He is the fifth player named as a participant in the event at Truist Park, which hosts the All-Star Game a night later. Also competing are Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.

“I’m really, really happy just because that’s what I do,” Cruz said in Kansas City. “I like to hit balls far. I think I’m going to enjoy it a lot.”

During the fourth inning against the Royals, he hit his 16th homer, a 458-foot blast with an exit velocity of 115.6 mph.

The 26-year-old Cruz hit a career-best 21 homers last season.

“They’ve been trying to get me in the Home Run Derby for the last couple years, but last year, I was coming back from an ankle injury and was not feeling that good at that time,” Cruz said. “But I’m in a good spot right now.”

When the 6-foot-7 Cruz hits a homer, he often hits it hard. On May 25 against visiting Milwaukee, he hit a ball measured at 122.9 mph into the Allegheny River, the highest exit velocity on a home run since Statcast began tracking in 2015.

“Oh, man, I can’t wait to see him hit down there,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s going to make Atlanta look small after seeing him hit (batting practice) down there last year and the year before. Just really excited for him and the opportunity he’s got to go be a part of that.”

Cruz also showed off his arm with a 105.2 mph throw to nail Seattle’s J.P. Crawford at the plate. That was the second-hardest thrown ball to produce an outfield assist recorded by Statcast.

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MLB mock draft roundup: Red Sox linked to Tennessee infielder at No. 15

MLB mock draft roundup: Red Sox linked to Tennessee infielder at No. 15 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox entered 2025 with one of the best farm systems in Major League Baseball. They’ll add to their talented pipeline when the MLB Draft begins this Sunday.

Boston owns the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s anyone’s guess who will be available — and what type of prospect chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has in mind — but one name continues to be connected to the Red Sox in the first round: Gavin Kilen.

Kilen is a left-handed-hitting middle infielder who starred this past season for the Tennessee Volunteers. The 21-year-old slashed .357/.441/.671 with 15 homers and 46 RBI in 53 games.

The Red Sox selected Kilen out of high school in the 13th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, but the Wisconsin native honored his commitment with Louisville. After a rough freshman season with the Cardinals, he took his game to another level as a sophomore before transferring to Tennessee.

Kilen showed more pop at the plate with the Volunteers, but his impressive bat-to-ball skills are what turned him into a potential first-rounder. He’s a solid defensive shortstop, though he will likely find a permanent home at second base in the pros.

The 2025 MLB Draft begins Sunday at 6 p.m. ET in Atlanta. ​Below is a roundup of expert predictions for Boston’s first-round pick that include Kilen and a handful of other names to monitor:

Keith Law, The Athletic:Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Law: “The Red Sox were all college last year, with just one high schooler in their top 10 picks and only two high school picks in their entire draft. Given their de-emphasis on in-person scouting that seems likely to continue. Kilen scores particularly well by batted-ball data and swing decisions, two things the Red Sox value now. I could also see them on Charles Davalan for the same reason. If they were to go the high school route, Gavin Fien would be a fit. I haven’t heard them on pitching in the first round, although Kyson Witherspoon and Tyler Bremner might be options if either fell here.”

Tyler Jennings and Connor Dorney, Just Baseball: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Jennings and Dorney: “The likelihood that Kilen drops out of the top fifteen is very low at this stage. His new approach boosted his draft stock massively, plus he’s shown the ability to play shortstop at the next level.

“It’s a step away from their recent trends, as Boston tends to go for toolsy preps, which makes Xavier Neyens a popular suggestion here.”

Carlos Collazo, Baseball America: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Tim Kelly, Bleacher Report: Gavin Kilen, 2B/SS, Tennessee

Matt Rooney, Bleacher Nation: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Prep Baseball:Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Prep Baseball: “Potentially the infield version of Roman Anthony? The Red Sox continue to stockpile position player talent with another prep left-handed-hitting slugger.”

Kiley McDaniel, ESPN: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (CA)

McDaniel: “I was down to (Gage) Wood and Fien as top options after I took (Steele) Hall for the Rays, so holding my breath and not trading up ended up working here. I’m the high guy on Fien in predraft rankings, and the Red Sox are rumored to be the high team on him in real life, so this is a pretty likely outcome. He was a top-10 prospect coming out of the summer before he had a mediocre spring. But he still has the same tools and had a strong showing at the draft combine, affirming the upside is still there. This is the part of the draft I referred to as the “mush” of similar, 45 FV grade college players, and Fien is one of a couple of prep prospects who fit in there.

Mike Axisa, CBS Sports: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M

Axisa: “LaViolette was the favorite to go No. 1 overall entering 2025, though a down spring likely bumped him into the middle of the first round. The Red Sox have not used a first-round pick on a pitcher since Tanner Houck in 2017 and getting LaViolette here would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago. He fits Boston’s archetype as a big-time power threat, though his approach is not as refined as some of their more recent first rounders (Braden Montgomery, Kyle Teel, etc.)”

Jim Callis, MLB.com: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)

Callis: “The Red Sox could go in several directions here. Hall gives off some Trea Turner vibes and could really take off with the organization’s bat speed and strength program. They drafted Kilen in high school, while (Marek) Houston and (Brendan) Summerhill are two more college position players who could interest them. So might Witherspoon, Bremner or Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood from the college pitching ranks. Boston is linked repeatedly to Fien and may be able to float him to No. 33 with its $12.4 million bonus pool.”

Dan Treacy, Sporting News: Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn

Treacy: “College hitters develop quickly enough that position is worth considering, and whether the Red Sox believe they are set at catcher long-term with Carlos Narvaez remains to be seen. Boston did, however, have big plans for 2023 first-rounder Kyle Teel before he was sent to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, and Irish could be one way to fill the void.

“The Auburn slugger hit .364 with 19 home runs and a 1.179 OPS this season, showcasing improved power. While he could be an outfielder long-term, Irish’s bat should make him an option in this range of the first round.”

Taylor Blake Ward, The Sporting Tribune: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UC-Santa Barbara

Ward: “It’s hard to move past the noise on (Gavin) Fien, but also hard to ignore what Boston did last year in the draft with pitching and aversion to preps. I still think Fien is very much in play, as would be (Kayson) Cunningham or Hall. With Boston running so much of their development through philosophy and overhauling their pitching philosophy, it’s not surprising to hear names like Witherspoon, Bremner and Wood come up here. A handful of college bats also get mentioned in the likes of Irish, Kilen and Summerhill.”